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GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


3  1833  01075  4833 


HISTORY  OF 

CALHOUN  COUNTY 

MICHIGAN 

A  Narrative  Account  of  its  Historical  Progress, 
its  People,  and  its  Principal  Interests 


BY  " 
HON.  WASHINGTON  GARDNER 


VOLUME  I 


ILLUSTRATED 


y  PUBLISHERS 

\/  .  I  THE  LEWIS  PITBLISHIXG  COMPANY 

CHICAGO  AXD  NEW  YORK 
1913 


1184659 

PREFACE 


The  present  history  of  Calhouu  county,  resulting  from  the  combined 
labors  of  editor  and  publishers  through  a  period  of  more  than  a  year, 
is  herewith  offered  to  the  public.  The  design  has  been  to  present  a  com- 
prehensive, accurate  and  readable  narrative  and  work  of  reference,  and 
to  this  end  have  the  labors  of  all  concerned  been  directed.  The  work  has 
divided  itself  into  two  parts,  the  historical  and  biographical,  and  the 
biographical  matter,  while  essential  to  the  history,  has  been  placed  in  a 
separate  volume  where  it  will  not  obstruct  the  general  reader.  As  stated 
in  the  original  prospectus,  all  data  for  this  section  of  the  work  has  been 
offered,  before  publication,  in  typewritten  form  for  correction  by  the 
persons  concerned. 

As  to  the  historical  part,  the  editor  must  assume  full  responsibility, 
since  the  publishers  have  granted  him  entire  freedom  in  this  department. 
In  a  sense  it  will  be  seen  that  the  editor  has  done  little  more  than  place 
in  orderly  arrangement  the  flowers  that  others  have  plucked  from  the 
historic  highway,  or  that  he  has  but  welded  into  a  historic  chain  of  events 
the  links  that  others  have  forged.  One  of  the  most  difficult  things  to 
determine  was  what  to  admit  and  what  to  omit ;  hence  criticism  both  as 
to  what  the  work  contains  and  what  it  fails  to  contain  is  expected. 

To  the  associate  editors,  John  H.  Kellogg,  M.  D.,  President  Samuel 
Dickey ;  Judge  William  H.  Porter ;  I\lr.  Edward  C.  Hinman  and  Mr. 
William  J.  Smith,  the  editor  wishes  to  express  his  appreciation  of  their 
cooperation  and  valuable  aid.  Likewise,  does  he  desire  to  express  his 
oliligations  to  the  many  individual  contributors  of  articles  which  add  so 
much  to  the  historic  value  of  the  work.  In  not  a  few  of  these  articles  is 
tliere  evidence  of  that  painstaking  research  which  for  all  time  will  give 
a  historic  interest  to  the  work  and  be  of  invaluable  assistance  to  him 
who,  in  the  years  to  come,  will  do  for  a  future  generation  that  which 
this  work  has  undertaken  to  do  for  this.  Acknowledgment  is  made  for 
valuable  suggestions  offered  and  for  courtesies  extended  by  Mrs.  Perry, 
assistant  secretary  of  the  Michigan  State  Pioneer  Society;  as  also  for  the 
information  gained  through  the  publications  of  the  society  named.  On 
matters  relating  to  Michigan  they  are  indeed  a  mine  of  historic  wealth. 

The  editor  invites  attention  to  what  may  be  termed  the  Civil  war 
chapters  of  the  work.  The  preparation  of  these  consumed  much  time  and 
required  no  little  labor.  More  than  one  hundred  volumes  relating  to  the 
Civil  war  were  carefully  consulted.  The  result  is  believed  to  be,  for  the 
space  allowed,  a  very  complete  setting  forth  of  Calhoun  county's  part 
in  the  struggle  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

The  editor  wishes  to  acknowledge  the  uniform  courtesies  extended  by 
the  publishers.  In  the  preparation  of  the  work  they  have  cheerfully 
afforded  every  available  facility. 

All  the  mechanical  features  of  the  work,  including  the  paper,  the 
type,  the  illustrations  and  the  binding,  fully  meet  the  promises  hehl  out 
and  are  worthy  of  a  publication  of  much  wider  dissemination  than  this 
can  possibly  have. 


iv  PREFACE 

No  one  is  so  well  aware  of  the  defects  and  shortcomings  of  this  work 
as  the  editor,  but  if,  despite  these,  it  has  made  a  substantial  contribution 
to  the  history  of  Calhoun  county ;  if  it  shall  serve  to  give  to  its  people  a 
better  knowledge  and  consequently  a  better  appreciation  of  the  places, 
persons  and  events  that  have  helped  to  make  up  its  historical  features, 
and  if  it  shall  be  of  assistance  to  some  future  editor  in  the  preparation 
of  a  like  work,  the  labor  expended  will  not  have  been  in  vain. 

Washington  Gardner. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  1 

Michigan  Under  the  French  Flag 1 

CHAPTER  II 
Michigan  Under  the  British  Flag 8 

CHAPTER  Ur 
Michigan  Under  the  American  Flag 5 

CHAPTER  IV 

Michigan  to  the  Close  of  the  War  of  1812-1814 7 

CHAPTER  V 

MICHIGAN  UNDER  GOVERNOR  CASS 

Material  Development — The  Territorial  Roads 9 

CHAPTER  VI 

:\nCHIGAN  IN  ITS  PRIMITIVE  STATEHOOD 

Calhoun  and  Calhoun  County — Lmfortant  Year  for  the  County 
and  Marshall — Rapid  Growth  of  County  and  County  Seat — 
Public  and  Private  Buildings — First  County  Court  House — A 
New  Court  House  Needed — A  New  Jail — The  Calhoun  County 
Home — County   Officers 15 


vi  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  VII 

MEN  AND  MEASURES 

Marshall  Men  and  Measures  in  State  and  National  History  (by 
John  C.  Patterson) — Battle  Creek  as  a  Station  on  the  Under- 
ground Railway  (by  Charles  E.  Barnes) — The  Underground 
Railroad  (by  Burritt  Hamilton) — Calhoun  County  Agriculture 
(by  J.  H.  Brown) — Roads  and  the  Improvement  of  Roads.  ...  29 

CHAPTER  VIII 

BANKS,  BANKING  AND  BANKERS 

Bank  of  United  States  op  America — Wild-Cat  Banking — A  National 
Currency — Old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek — The  First  Na- 
tional Bank  op  Battle  Creek — The  First  National  Bank  op 
Marshall — Central  National  Bank,  Battle  Creek — City  Bank 
OP  Battle  Creek — Merchants  Savings  Bank  op  Battle  Creek — ■ 
The  Commercial  and  Savings  Bank,  Albion — Albion  State  Bank 
— First  State  Bank  op  -Tekonsha — Athens  State  Bank 104 

CHAPTER  IX 

HISTORY  OF  ALBION  COLLEGE 

Albion  College  (by  Delos  Pall)  —  (I)  Its  Early  History — (II)  Its 
Early  History  Continued — (III)  Early  History,  Third  Period — 
(IV)  The  Past  Thirty-Five  Years — Ideal  Character  op  the 
College — (V)  Products  117 


CHAPTER  X 

GENERAL  EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY 

Michigan  Public  School  System — Leading  Calhoun  County  Educa- 
tors— Rural  Schools  op  the  County  (by  Frank  D.  Miller)  — 
Register  op  State  and  County  Officers — Dr.  Delos  Fall — Village 
Schools  (by  Frank  D.  Miller)    142 

CHAPTER  XI 
The  Indians    158 

CHAPTER  XII 

EVOLUTION  OF  THE  TEMPERANCE  CAUSE. 

The  Washingtonian  JIovement — AVashingtonianism  in  Battle  Creek 
— The  Red  Ribbon  Movement — The  Women's  Christian  Temper- 
ance Union — Legislation    160 


CONTENTS  vii 

CHAPTER  XIII 

TOWNSHIP  HISTORIES 

Albion  and  Athens  Townships — Athens  Village — Battle  Creek 
Township  (by  Mrs.  Laura  Ringes) — Bedford  and  Burlington 
Townships — Village  op  Burlington — Clarence,  Clarendon,  Con- 
vis,  ECKFORD,  EilJIETT  AND  FrEDONU.  ToWNSHIPS HOMER  TOWN- 
SHIP AND  Village — Homer  Banks — Lee,  Leroy,  JIarengo,  ]\1ar- 
SHALL,  Newton  and  Penfield  Townships — A  Few  Pioneer  Ex- 
periences— Sheridan  and  Tekonsha   164 

CHAPTER  XIV 

OFFICIAL  AND  STATISTICAL 

Presidents  of  the  United  States — Governors  of  LIichigan  Territory 
— State  Governors — Federal  Officials  from  Calhoun  County — 
Delegates  to  Constitutional  Conventions — State  Officials 
from  the  County — Members  of  the  State  Senate — Representa- 
tives OF  Michigan  Legislature — Circuit  and  Probate  Judges — 
Sheriffs,  County  Clerks,  Treasurers,  Registers  of  Deeds,  Prose- 
cuting Attorneys,  Circuit  Court  Commissioners,  Surveyors, 
Drain  Commissioners,  Commissioners  op  Schools,  and  Coroners — 
Population  and  Property  Valuation 217 

CHAPTER  XV 

FOUNDING  OF  IMARSHALL 

Early-  Settlement  of  Marshall  (by  Mary  Wheeler  Miller) — Land- 
marks OF  Marshall  (by  Amelia  Frink  Redfield) — -The  Cholera 
Scourge  (1832) — Marshall  Banks — Manufacturing  in  Marshall 
— The  Calhoun  County  Agricultural  Society 228 

CHAPTER  XVI 

MUNICIPAL  AND  PROFESSIONAL 

Marshall  as  a  Municipality  (by  Craig  C.  Miller) — Water  System — 
Description  and  Valuation  of  Plant — ^Electric  Lighting  and 
Power  Plant — Description  and  Valuation  of  Plant — Sewerage 
System — Electric  Railroad — Paving  and  Roads — Hospital  and 
Library — The  Marshall  Postoffice  (by  William  H.  Arthur)  — 
M.UISHALL  Public  Schools  (by  Gertrude  B.  Smith) — The  Press 
OF  Marshall  (by  J.  M.  ilosEs) — Lawyers  of  jMarshall,  Past  and 
Present  (by  Hon.  Herbert  E.  Winsor) 254 

CHAPTER  XVII 

ANTI-WAR  AND  MILITARY  MATTERS 

The  Celebrated  Crosswhite  Affair — Calhoun  County  Veteran 
Battalion  (by  H.  IT.  ^Milijdr.  Colonel) — C.  Colegrove  Post  No.  166, 
G.  A.  R.  (by  H.  H.  Miller,  Post  Patriotic  Instructor) — Dulcenia 
Home  (by  W.  J.  Dibble) 279 


viii  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

CHURCHES  OF  MARSHALL 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church  (by  Louis  S.  Joy,  ]M.  D.)— First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  ^Marshall — First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
OF  Marshall  (by  Mrs.  Mary  F.  B.  Stephenson)— Catholic 
Church — First  Baptist  Church — First  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Zion's  Church    293 


CHAPTER  XIX 

BATTLE  CREEK 

Sands  McCamley  and  Ezra  Convis — The  First  School  in  Battle 
Creek — Churches — Manufacturing  Interests — Battle  Creek 
Sanitarium — Railroads — Fire  Department — Battle  Creek  and 
Its  Municipal  Government — Battle  Creek  A  City — Postoffice 
(1877-1912)— The  Public  Schools  op  Battle  Creek  (By  Eva 
Warriner) — The  Battle  Creek  Press  (By  George  B.  Willard)  — 
Early  Bar  (By  Charles  E.  Thomas) — The  Charles  Willard 
Library  (By  Mrs.  Fannie  Brewer) — Battle  Creek  in  the  Civil 
War  (By  A.  B.  Simpson) — Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R. — Farragut 
Relief  Corps  No.  4  (by  Mrs.  Jennie  Jones) 311 


CHAPTER  XX 

FINANCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL 

Banks  and  Banking  (by  Charles  Austin) — Thresher  and  Engine 
Industry — Steam  Pump  Industry — American  Steam  Pump  Com- 
pany—  Advance  Pump  and  Compressor  Company  —  Duplex 
Printing  Press  Company — Battle  Creek  Prepared  Food  In- 
dustry     353 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  SANITARIUM  AND  MEMORIAL  HOSPITAL 

Birth  of  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium — Enter  Dr.  J.  H.  Kellogg — 
Change  of  Name — First  Sanitarium  Buildings — Fire  of  1902 — 
New  Main  Structure — Courses  and  Means  of  Treatment — Train- 
ing School  for  Nurses — Educational  Work — A  Purely  Philan- 
thropic Institution — Haskell  Home  for  Orphans  and  Destitute 
Children  —  Nichols  Memorial  Hospital  and  Charitable 
Union    369 


CONTENTS  ix 

I  CHAPTER  XXII 

BATTLE  CREEK  CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church — First  Baptist  Church — ^St.  Thom- 
as Church — First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — j\Iaple  Street 
M.  E.  Church — Upton  Avenue  M.  E.  Church — -The  Seventh-Day 
Adventist  Tabernacle — Independent  Congregational  Church — 
First  Church  of  Christ  Scientist — Immanuel  Apostolic  Holi- 
ness Church — German  Evangelical  St.  Paul's  Church — Literary 
AND  Secret  Societies  of  Battle  Creek  (by  W.  R.  Wooden) — The 
Woman's  League — Young  Men's  Christian  Association  (by  Wil- 
LLiM  S.  Potter) — Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union  (by  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Keet,  Calhoun)  394 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

ALBION 

Coming  of  the  Peabodys — The  Finches — Jesse  Crowell  and  What 
He  Did  for  Albion — The  Eslows — William  H.  Brockway — James 
Monroe — Coming  of  the  Gales^Albion  Malleable  Iron  Plant, 
ETC.  —  Albion  College  —  Flood  op  1908  —  Albion  National 
Bank 415 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

CITY  OF  ALBION 

Public  Improvements  (by  Adrian  F.  Cooper) — City  Officials  (1885- 
1912) — Albion  Public  Schools  (by  AV.  J.  McKone)— The  Press 
of  Albion  (by  William  B.  Gildart) — Albion  Post  Office  (by  A.  D. 
Baugham) — Albion  Attorneys — City  Hoseit.\l  (by  Mrs.  A.  J. 
Brosseau) — Banks  and  Bankers  of  Albion  (by  Arthur  C.  Hud- 
nutt) — The  Gale  Manufacturing  Company  (by  L.  E.  White)  — 
Albion  IVL\lleable  Iron  Company  (by  Raymond  H.  Gardner) — The 
Union  Steel  Screen  Company  (by  George  E.  Dean) — The  Cook 
Manufacturing  Company  (by  L.  J.  Wolcott) — National  Spring 
AND  Wire  Company   429 


CHAPTER  XXV 

CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES 

First  Baptist  Church — Methodism  in  Albion  (by  Edwin  N.  Parsons) 
— First  Presbyterian  Church  (by  Mrs.  Samuel  M.  Reed)— St. 
John's  Catholic  Church — German  Evangelical  LuTHER.iN 
Salems  Church — St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church- 
First  Church  of  Christ  Scientist— F.  W.  Hollingsworth  Post 
No.  210,  G.  a.  R.  (by  Levi  S.  W^arren)— Woman's  Relief  Corps- 
Woman's  Christian  Temper.vnce  Union  (by  Mrs.  Mary  Brock- 
way  Dickie)    458 


X  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XXVI 

MICHIGAN  AND  CALHOUN  COUNTY  IN  WAR 

The  Mexican  War — The  Civil  War — First  War  Fund  Subscribers — 
First  Western  Regiment  at  the  Front — Troops  Raised  in  State 
AND  County — Press  and  Church  for  the  Union — The  Grand 
Muster-Out — Money  for  the  War — Historical  Authorities  Re- 
lied Upon  480 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

CIVIL  WAR  INFANTRY 

First  Michigan  Enters  Virginia — At  First  Bull  Run — Calhoun 
County'  Officers  and  Privaj'es — Second,  Third  and  Fourth  Regi- 
ments— Histories  of  Regiments  From  the  Sixth  to  the  Twen- 
tieth, Inclusive — Twenty-fourth  to  the  Twenty-eighth  Regi- 
ments and  the  Thirtieth  Infantry — First  JIichigan  Engineers 
AND  Mechanics — Rowland's  Engineers — First  ^Michigan  Sharp 
Shooters — Berdan's  First  and  Second  United  States  Sharp 
Shooters — Company  I — Western  Sharp  Shooters — First  Michi- 
gan Colored  Infantry — Forty-second  and  Forty-fourth  Illinois 
Infantry 489 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

CAVALRY  AND  ARTILLERY 

First  to  the  Eleventh  Cavalry  Regiments,  Inclusive — "Merrill 
Horse" — The  Formation  op  the  "Merrill  Horse"  (by  Captain 
George  H.  Rowell) — Complete  List  of  "Merrill  Horse" — In 
the  First  Michigan  Regiment  Light  Artillery — Miscellaneous 
Organizations    553 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

IN  THE  WAR  WITH  SPAIN 

Official  Data — Volunteers  Outside  op  Company  D — Calhoun  Coun- 
ty IN  the  Spanish-American  War  (by  Colonel  William  H. 
Hatch) — Company  D  Ordered  into  Camp — Leaves  for  Tampa, 
Florida— Transport  "Florida"  Disabled — In  Camp  at  Fernan- 
dino — Starting  for  Home — Welcome  Home — Roster  of  Company 
D— Captain  D.  E.  W.  Lyle 597 


INDEX 


Abbey,  Samuel  I.,  1242. 
Aekley,  RoUin  D.,  655. 
A  corner  in  one  of  the  greenhouses,  Bat- 
tle Creek  Sanitarium   (view),  386. 
Adams,  William  D.,  276. 
Addington,  De  Witt  C,  1367. 
Advance  Pump  &  Compressor  Company, 

359. 
Adventist  Tabernacle    (view),  403. 
Agriculture,  primitive,  93. 
Albion  City  Hospital.  440. 
Albion  College  Chapel   (view),  120. 
Albion   College,   mention,   117,   119,    136, 
426;  early  history  of,  117;  third  period, 
126;  past  thirty-five  years,  130;  ideal 
character  of  college,  136;  faculty,  141. 
"Albion  Leader,"  437. 
Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company,  450. 
Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company   (view), 

451. 
Albion  Malleable  Iron  Plant,  424. 
Albion,  mention,  19,  415,  429;   attorneys. 
431,    438;     city    officials,    430;     public 
schools,  433;  first  pavement,  430;  first 
postoffice,  437;   churches,  458. 
"Albion  Mirror."  435. 
Albion  National  Bank,  427. 
"Albion  Xews-Leader,"  436. 
Albion  Postoffice.  437. 
"Albion  Press,"435. 
"Albion  Recorder."  436. 
Albion  State  Bank,  113,  444. 
Albion  Township,  21,  164. 
Albion  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  475. 
Allen,  Heman  G..  999. 
Allen,  Howard  V.,  899. 
Alvord,  Austin  W..  346,  1136. 
American    Medical    Missionary    College, 

383. 
American    Steam   Pump    Company,    317, 

359. 
American  Steam  Pump  Company  (view), 

358. 
Andrews,  Charles  S.,  807. 
Andrus.  William,  1109. 
Annis,  Frederick,  439. 
Anthony  dairy  farm   (view),  211. 
Anti-slavery  sentiment,  74. 
Anti-war  matters,  279. 
Argubright,  Charles  J.,  719. 
Arndt,  August  E.,  1337. 
Arnold,  George  E.,  647. 
Arthur,  William  H.,  261. 
At  first  Bull  Run,  490. 


■Atliens  Bee,"  169. 

Athens  Hardwood  Lumber  Company,  168. 

"Athens  News,"  168. 

Athens  State  Bank,  116. 

•Athens  Times,"  168. 

Athens  Township,  20,  21,  165. 

Athens  village,  167. 

Austin,  Charles,  353,  609. 

Austin,  liJdward,  651. 

Avery,  A.  F.,  892. 

Avery,  Chauncey  H.,  751. 

Baader,  A.  J.,  1246. 

Babbitt,  Allison,  1215. 

Babbitt,  Mrs.  Beatrice,  1215. 

Bailey,  John  W.,  1225. 

Baker.  Warren  D.,  1245. 

Baldwin,  ,Tohn,  1269. 

Ball.  ClKul.s  0..  643. 

r.an,:;liaiii.   Aitliur  D.,  1157. 

liaiik--   and   liaiikors  of  Albion,  441. 

I'.aiiks  aii.l  banking.  Battle  Creek,  353. 

I'.ankt".  banking  and  bankers,  104. 

Bank  of  United  States  of  America,  105. 

Barber,  .John  C,  1127. 

Ilarnes,  Charles  E.,  82,  613. 

r.arnes.  George  S.,  1099. 

Barney,  Fred  W.,  724. 

Bathrick,  George  H.,  611. 

Bathrick,  Grace  M.,  1121. 

Bathrick,  Freeborn  W.,  610. 

Battle  Creek  in  1861  (view),  322. 

Battle  Creek  Cereal  Food  Company.  366. 

•Battle  Creek  Champion,"  332. 

•Battle  Creek  Daily  Journal,"  332. 

Battle  Creek  Health  Food  Company.  367. 

•Battle  Creek  Journal,"  333. 
Battle  Creek  jMachinery  Company,  357. 
Battle  Creek,  mention,  19,  21,  311;  first 
grist  mill   in,   171;    a  city.  323;   as  a 
station   on    the   underground   railway, 
82;    first    school    in,    314;    fire    depart- 
ment, 320;   churches,  31S,  394;    in  the 
Civil  war,  343;  municipal  government, 
323;  postoffice,  335;  prepared  food  in- 
dustry,   365;    press,    331;    first    post- 
master, 19. 
Battle  Creek  Public  School  Library,  339. 
Battle  Creek  Sanitarium,  319,  366,  369. 
Battle    Creek    Sanitarium     (view),    318. 

368. 
Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  in  isii6  (view). 


Xll 


INDEX 


Battlfe  Creek  S'aiiitai-ium  in  1876   (view). 

377. 
Battle  Creek  Township,  21,  169. 
Battle   Creek  Townsliip  Grange  Ko.   66. 

172. 
Battle  Creek  Township  soldiers,  173. 
Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers,  4. 
Battle  of  the  Thame.s,  9. 
Baugham,  Arthur  D.,  -137. 
Beach,  Asahel,  920. 
Beach,  Cholett  C.  922. 
Bechman,  Henry  F.,  633. 
Beck,  Ira  A.,  850. 
Bedford  Township,  173. 
Behling,  Alfred  C.  1233. 
Bentley,  Benjamin  K.,  1094. 
Bentley,  John  E..  1055. 
Berdan's  First  and  Second  United  States 

Sharpshooters,  546. 
Berdan's   Sharpshooters   roster,   546. 
Black  Hawk  war,  158. 
Blair,  Governor,  486. 
Blair,  Homer  C,  1323. 
Blake,  Garrett  D..  1017. 
Blanck.  Aaron  E..  1165. 
Bliss,  Charles  K.,   1340. 
Bliss,  Leroy  R.,  1183. 
Blosser.  Eliner,  760. 
Blue,  John,   1063. 
Bobo,  Walter  T.,  707. 
Bock,  Charles  F.,  805. 
Bock,  Frank  F.,  806. 
Bock,  Robert  G.,  726. 
BoUes,  Julia  D.,  858. 
Bolles,  Myron,  901. 
Booth,  Edson  D..  1142. 
Bosley,  William  E.,  892. 
Bowen,  Eugene  A..  667. 
Boyd,  William,  1141. 
Bradley,  Charles  E.,  671. 
Brant,  Joseph,  3. 
Brewer,  Charles  D..  10S7. 
Brewer,  Charles  D..  1139. 
Brewer,  Chauncy  JI..  1084. 
Brewer,  Fannie,"  339. 
Brewer,  Francis  W..  1088. 
Briggs,  Myron  L.,  1199. 
Brockway,  AVilliam  H.,  125,  421,  456. 
Brockway,  M^illiam  H.   (portrait),  422. 
Brokaw,  Joseph  M.,  636. 
Brokaw,  Mary  D.,  637. 
Bromberg,  Henry  A.,  792. 
Brown,  Benjamin  D.,  1327. 
Brown,  J.  H.,  93. 

Brown  Memorial  Hospital,  Marshall,  261. 
Brown,  William  H.,  272. 
Bryant,  Hannah  W.,  1173. 
Bryant,  Myron  J.,  1279. 
Bryant,  Niles,  812. 
Bullen,  George  T.,  697. 
Bunnell,  Henry  A.,  876. 
Burkley,  George,  1291. 
Burlington,  175. 
"Burlington  Echo,"  215. 
Burlington  Township,  20,  21,  175. 
Burnham,  Dorr  B.,  1072. 
Burnham,  Mark  H.,  1073. 
Burt,  Harry  E.,  960. 
Bush,  Sumner  0.,  1134. 
Butcher,  Thomas  H.,  658. 


Butler.  Hiland  G..  676. 
Byrne.  John  F.,  1276. 

Cadillac.  2.  11. 

Cahalan.  Rev.  Father  James,  850. 

Caldwell,  Helen  N.,  390. 

Calhoun    County    Agricultural    Society, 

'Calhoun  County  Democrat,"  272. 

Calhoun  County  Fair,  253. 

Calhoun  County  Home,  27. 

Calhoun  County,  important  year  for,  21; 
agriculture,  93;  bar,  ^37;  first  bank  in, 
246;  sixteen  companies  in  Civil  war, 
488;  in  the  Spanish-American  war, 
599;  seventh  in  population,  26. 

''Calhoun  County  Patriot,"  235,  369. 

Calhoun  County  Veteran  Battalion,  282. 

Calhoun,  John  C,  18. 

Calkins,  Marcus  M.,  1339. 

Callahan,  John  H.,  1220. 

Camp  at  Fernandino,  601. 

Carnev,  :\Iaurice  P..  619. 

Carter,  Hosea  B.  G.,  1184. 

Carus.  Arthur  E..  1036. 

Cary.  William  R..  1239. 

Case.  Xcwton  P.,  855. 

Case.  Randall  7...  966. 

Cassctlr,    Lot  lie    L.,    Memorial    Library 


12,  51,  66, 


238. 


Cass.   I.owi 

Catholes.  96. 

Catholic  church,  Marshall,  306. 

Cavalry  and  artillery,  553. 

Cavanagh,  Howard  W.,  801. 

Central  National  Bank,  354. 

Central  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek, 
110. 

Ceresco.  199. 

Ceresco  Farmers'  Club,  186. 

Chandler,  Zachariah,  70,  79,  282. 

Chapin,  George  E.,  1026. 

Charitable  Union  of  Battle  Creek,  389. 

Chautauqua  courses.  Battle  Ci-eek  Sani- 
tarium, 385. 

Cholera  scourge  at  Marshall  (1833),  245. 

"Chronicle,"  335,  371. 

Churches,  Battle  Creek,  315;  Marshall, 
293;  Albion,  458. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  235. 

Circuit  judffes.  324. 

Circuit  vidf'r,  17. 

Citizens'  Electric  Light  Plant,  184. 

City  attorneys.  Albion,  431. 

City  Bank,  354. 

City  Bank  of  Battle  Creek,  111. 

City  clerks,  Albion,  431. 

City  officials,  Albion,  430. 

City  treasurers,  Albion,  431. 

Civil  war,  481. 

Civil  war  infantry,  489. 

Clapp,  Frank  W.,  862. 

Clarence  Township,  176. 

Clarendon  Township,  178. 

Clark,  E.  Josephine,  133. 

Clark,  Homer  W.,  639. 

Clark,  Warren  J.,  1053. 

Clark,  William  J.,  1050. 

Clough.  John  P.,  1177. 

Clute,  Homer  A.,  1013. 


INDEX 


Cobblestone  schoolhouse  erected  1849 
(view),  202. 

Coburn,  William  G..  1003. 

Colburn,  Carl  A..  1283. 

Cole,  Levant,  711. 

Coleprove,  Calvin,  284. 

Colegrove,  C,  Post.  No.  166,  G.  A.  E.,  284. 

Coleman,  Hammond  .T.,  1305. 

Collier,  Cliarles  P.,  1233. 

Collier,  Victorv  P..   1154. 

Collier,  William  W.,  1135. 

Colonial  House.  243. 

Coming  of  the  Gales,  423. 

Coming  of  the  Peabodys.  416. 

Commercial  and  Savings  Bank  of  Albion. 
112. 

Commercial  and  Savings  Bank  of  Mar- 
shall, 247. 

Commissioner  of  schools,   151.   152.  226. 

Committee  on  federal  relations,  55. 

Company  D  ordered  into  camp,  599; 
roster"  of,  604. 

Comstock,  Oliver  C.  144. 

Connor.  William,  1088. 

Conversational  Club.  408. 

Convis,  Carlton  E..  1160. 

Convis,  Ezra,  312. 

Convis  Township.  21,  179. 

Cook  Manufacturing  Company,  425,  455. 

Cook,  Ray  H.,  1042. 

Cooper,  Adrian  F.,  429,  1274. 

Cooper,  Frank.  808. 

Cooper,  John  C,   1023. 

Corey,  Elbert,  1172. 

Cornell,  William  E.,  782. 

Coroners,  226. 

Corpening.  Clifton  L.,  933. 

Cortright.  David  W.,  1071. 

Cortright,  Fred  S.,  1130. 

Cortright,  Merrick  E.,  1162. 

Cotton,  Fred  D..  1175. 

Covinty  clerks,  224. 

County  commissioner  of  schools,  145. 

County  name,  18. 

County   officers.   152. 

County  officers  for  1912,  28. 

County  road  system,  100. 

County  school  examiners,  152. 

County  tax,  101. 

Court,  Frank  W.,  906. 

Court,  James,  905. 

Courthouse,  first,  24. 

Courthouse,  Marshall  (view),  236. 

Courtright,  Andy  J.,  911. 

Courtright,  Ray,  910. 

Cowles,  Eri,  1164. 

Cowles,  Ryan  B.,  766. 

Cox,  Edward,  1096. 

Crapo,  Governor,  486. 

Crary,  Isaac  E.,  30,  31,  41,  45,  142,  146, 
158,  263. 

Cronin,  Harry  L.,  856. 

Cronin,  Thomas  L.,  856. 

Crosby,  Miss,  182. 

Crosby,  J.  E.,  907. 

Crosswhite,  Adam,  52,  58.  244,  279. 

Crosswhite  ease,  52,  62,  279. 

Crowell,  Jesse,  418,  437. 

Crowell,  Jesse  (portrait),  419. 

Culver,  Adelbert,  439. 


Culver,  Allen  M..  438. 
Ciirtis,  Miles  S.,  831. 
'■Daily  Chronicle,"  269. 
"Daily  Journal."  333. 

Daily,  Mrs.  Dulcenia,  288. 

Daily,  Mrs.  Dulcenia  (portrait),  200. 

Dean.  George  E.,  453. 

Dearing,  H.  M.,  442, 

Death  of  Ellsworth,  4S9. 

De  Bow,  Charles  C,  1259. 

Decker,  Garrett,  1077. 
Docker,  .T.  Newton,  1078. 

Dcikcr.  Johannes.  039. 

Decker.  Ruth  A.,  640. 
IVniinq-.  Frank  E.,  1133. 

■•Democratic  Expounder,"  235,  269. 

Dcnman.  Henry  B.,  340. 

Dcnnison.  Edward  J.,  278. 

Description  and  valuation  of  water  plant, 
Marshall,  255. 

Dibble,  Charles  P.,  1316. 

Dibble,  Frank  J.,  1291. 

Dibble,  Philo,  1315. 

Dibble,  AV.  J..  287. 

Dickev,  Anderson  G.,  1105. 

Dickev.  Dwight  C.  994. 

Dickie.  Mary  B.,  476. 

Dickie.  Samuel.  138.  1322. 

Dickie.  Samuel  (portrait),  139. 

Dobbins.  Dale  M..  1196. 

Dobbins,  James  L.,  847. 

Dobbins,  Samuel  V.,  247.  842. 

Dockry,  William  E.,  66S. 

Doolittle,  Ralph  S..  964. 

Doty,  Elmer  E..  845. 

Drain  commissioners.  226. 

Dulcenia  church,  287, 

Dulcenia  Home,  287. 

Dulcenia  Home  (view).  288. 

Dullam.  Robert  E.,  996, 

Duplex  Printing  Press  Company,  360. 

Durham,  William  B..  734. 

Dykemann,  George  A.,  1138. 

Early  bar  of  Battle  Creek,  336. 

Early  hotels,  23. 

Early  mails,  17. 

Eaton,  Samuel  R.,  686. 

Eckford  Township,  20,  21.  180. 

Educational  history;  Michigan  public 
school  system,  142;  leading  Calhoun 
County  educators,  144;  rural  schools  of 
Calhoun  County,  145;  county  commis- 
sioner of  schools,  145;  state  and  county 
officers,  152;  village  schools,  154, 

Eells,  Calvin  B.,  953. 

Eells,  Willard  S.,  953. 

Egeler,  Fred  W.,  859. 

Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  567. 

Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  Michigan  In- 
fantrv  roster,  517. 

Eldred, "Nelson.  1057. 

Eldred,  Willard  H..  1060. 

Electric  lighting  and  power  plant,  Mar- 
shall, 257. 

Electric  railroad,  259. 

Elementary  agriculture,  153. 

Eleventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  574. 

Elks.  The,  410, 

Ellis.  Charles  L..  992. 

Ellis.  Mrs.  Henrietta.  994. 


INDEX 


Ellis  Publishing  Company,  994. 

Emancipation  Proclamation,  83. 

Emery,  Reuben  J.,  1015. 

Emmett  Township,  182. 

Engle,  Frank  W.,  1164. 

Engle,  James  A.,  1197. 

Erie    &    Michigan    Telegraph    Company, 


The,  431. 

Estes,  Franklin  E.,  1069. 

Etson,  Charles  H.,  917. 

"Evening  Chronicle,"  369. 

Evolution  of  the  temperance  cause, 
Washingtonian  movement,  160;  Wash- 
ingtonianism  in  Battle  Creek,  161;  Red 
Ribbon  movement,  163;  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  163. 

Exchange  Hotel,  33. 

Exemption  laws  of  other  states,  50. 

Exemption  policy,  47. 

Failing,  Charles  A.,  1289. 

Fall,  Delos,  117,  118,  145,  146,  153,  1208. 

Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  346. 

Farragut  Relief  Corps,  No.  4,  349. 

Farrington,  William  H.,  716. 

Federal  census  of  1832,  13. 

Federal   officials    from   Calhoun   County, 

321. 
Fell,  William  I.,  642. 
Ferguson,  Tenner,  438. 
Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  561. 
Finch,  James,  417. 
Finch,  Robert  Y.,  417. 
Finches,  The,  417. 
Finlay,  William  H.,  673. 
Pinley,  Clellan  A.,  1131. 
Fire  department.  Battle  Creek,  330. 
Fire    department,    Battle    Creek    (view), 

331. 
First  bank  organized,  Battle  Creek,  353. 
First  bank  in  Calhoun  County,  346. 
First  Baptist  church  of  Albion,  458. 
First  Baptist  church.  Battle  Creek,  395. 
First  Baptist  church,  Marshall,  308. 
First  Church  of  Christ,  Albion,  468. 
First  Church  of  Christ,  Battle  Creek,  405. 
First  county   superintendent   of   schools, 

149. 
First  Evangelical-Lutheran  Zion  church, 

Marshall,  310. 
First  frame  house  in  Marshall,  339. 
First  grist  mill  in  Battle  Creek,  171. 
First   Infantry,  Calhoun   County  officers 

in,  491. 
First  Masonic  lodge.  Battle  Creek,  409. 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Battle 

Creek,  398. 
First  Methodist   Episcopal  church,  Mar- 
shall, 303. 
First  Michigan  Cavalry,  553. 
First  Michigan  Colored  Infantry,  549. 
First  Michigan  Engineers  and  Mechanics, 

534;  roster,  536. 
First  Michigan  Infantry,  489. 
First  Michigan  Regiment  roster,  491. 
First  Michigan  Regiment  Light  Artillery, 

593. 
First  Michigan  Sharpshooters,  541. 
First  National  Bank,  347. 
First  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek,  108. 


First  National  Bank  of  Marshall,  109. 
First  Presbyterian  church  of  Albion,  464. 
First     Presbyterian     church     of     Battle 

Creek,  394. 
First   Presbvterian    church   of  Marshall, 

301. 
First  road  surveyed,  98. 
First  rural  delivery  service,  Albion,  437. 
First  schoolhouse  in  the  county,  146. 
First  school  in  Battle  Creek,  314. 
First  school  on  Goguac  Prairie,  173. 
First  school  teacher,  146. 
First  State  Bank  of  Tekonsha,  114. 
First  war  fund  subscribers,  483. 
First  western  regiment  at  the  front,  483. 
First  white  man  settler,  19. 
Fishell,  Andrew  J.,  1257. 
Fisher,  Frederick  G.,  844. 
Fisher,  George  B.,  694. 
Fisk,  Guy,  741. 
Fiske,  Lewis  R.,  135,  130. 
Fiske,  Lewis  R.   (portrait),  131. 
Flagg,  Eli  W.,  1034. 
Flint,  Allison  J.,  1103. 
Flood  of   1908,  Albion,  436. 
Flynn.  John  J.,  1331. 
Fo'ley,  John  E.,  277. 
Ford,  Albert  N.,  891. 
Forks  of  the  Kalamazoo,  416. 
Formation  of  the  Merrill  Horse,  578. 
Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry,  560. 
Fourteenth,     Fifteenth     and     Sixteenth 

Michigan  Regiments,  513. 
Forty-second   Illinois   Infantry.    Calhoun 

County  men  in,  551. 
Forty-fourth   Illinois   Infantry,   Calhoun 

County  men  in.  553. 
Foster,  William  J.,  833. 
Founder  of  public  school  system,  31. 
Fox,  Samuel,  1030. 
Francisco,  Henry  E.,  754. 
Frazer,  David  H.,  1008. 
Fredenburg,  Oscar  J.,  1045. 
Fredonia  Township,  31,  186. 
Free  Will  Baptists.  176. 
French,  Edwin,  733. 
French  settlers,  15. 
French,  Thomas,  1354. 
Frink,  Isabella  W.,  866. 
Frink,  Norris  J.,  865. 
Fruin,  William  S.,  1103. 
Fugitive  slave  law,  71. 
Funk,  Fred  J.,  1181. 
Furner,  Charles  B.,  664. 

Gage,  Fred  W.,  1006. 

Gage,  William  C.  1006. 

Gale,  Fred  C,  696. 

Gale,  George,  433,  447. 

Gale  Manufacturing  Company,  424,  437. 

Gale    Manufacturing    Company    (view), 

448. 
Gale.  0.  Harry,  1325. 
Gale,  Orlando  C,  447,  1333. 
Gardener,  Nelson  B.,  439. 
Gardner,  Beriah  P.,  804. 
Gardner,  Fidelia  B.,  804. 
Gardner,  Louis  E.,  936. 
Gardner,  Raymond  H.,  450. 
Gardner,  Washington,  462,  1350. 
Gardner,   William,    1119. 


Garlinghouse,  Abraham  A.,  1111. 

Ganett,  Frank  B.,  1014. 

Gartner,  Carl  F.,  675. 

Gatchell,  Charles  W.,  1061. 

Genebach,  George  J.,  1046. 

General  banking  law,  106. 

German    Evangelical    Lutheran     Salems 

church,  Albion.  467. 
German    Evangelical    St.    Paul's    church, 

Battle  Creek,  407. 
Gething,  Joseph  W..  680. 
Gibbs,  Maurice  S.,  1280. 
Gilbert,  Ada,  475. 
Gilbert,  Henry  F.,  1288. 
Gilchrist,  Charles,  644. 
Gildart.  William  B.,  435. 
Gillis.  Charles  H.,  1170. 
Giltner  vs.  Gorham,  66. 
Glau,  Edward  F.,  761. 
Glau,  John  A.,  761. 
Glau,  William,  938. 
Godfrey,  Willoughbv  L.,  685. 
GolT,  J.  R.,  613. 
Goguac  lake,  173. 
Goldup,  Henry,  990. 
Goodale,  Martin  H.,  979. 
"Good  Health,"  385. 
Goodrich,  Frederic  S..  1312. 
Goodrich,  John  C,  1062. 
Goodwin,  Louis  P.,  618. 
Gordon,  J.  Wright.  272. 
Gorham,  Charles  E.,  1320. 
Gorham,   Charles   T.,   58,   61,   68,  75,   79, 

247,  280. 
Governors  of  Michigan  Territory,  218. 
Governors  of  the  state  of  Michigan,  219. 
Graff.  William  F.,  861. 
Grand  march  in  gymnasium  (view),  371. 
Grand  muster-out,  486. 
Grand  Trunk  shops,  184. 
Grant,  Edgar  II.,  875. 
Grant,  Loring.   119. 
Grant,  Royal   F..  S76. 
Graves,  Arthur  L..  1193. 
Graves,  Benjamin  F.,  273. 
Green,  Charles  C,  849. 
Green,  James,  1009. 
Green,  William  H.,  1061. 
Greenough,  James  B.,  277. 
Grohens,  Albert  P.,  722. 
Guernsey,  Jonathan,  973. 

Haag,  John  N..  1328. 
Haddock,  George  W.,  962. 
Hafford.  George  C,  1186. 
Haigh,  George  C,  1021. 
Hale,  Hiram  F.,  1299. 
Hale,  Walter  F..  863. 
Hall,  Don  F.,  663. 
Hall,  Fred  S.,  766. 
Hall,  Homer,  764. 
Halladay,  Frank  E.,  890. 
Halladay,  Henry,  645. 
Halladay,  John  F.,  890. 
Halladay,  Will  E.,  1284. 
Hamilton,  Burritt.  87,  1256. 
Hamilton.  William  T.,  988. 
Hammond.  William  H.,  752. 
Hampton,  Ernest  C,  746. 
Harmar,  General,  3. 
Harrington,  James  W.,  1236. 


Harrison.  William  H.,  7. 

Hart,  Ray  E.,  1199. 

Harvey,  George  W.,  1027. 

Haskell,  Carolina  E.,  388. 

Haskell  Home  for  Orphans  and  Destitute 

Children,  388. 
Hatch,  Jesse  M..  278. 
Hatch,  William  H.,  599. 
Ilaughey,  James  R.,  928. 
Haughey,  Luke  R.,  877. 
Haughey,  W.  H.,  880. 
Haughey,  Wilfrid,   1120. 
Hayes,  Patrick,  715. 
Hayes,  Stephen  M.,  1050. 
Hayes  Wheel  Company,  425. 
Haynes,  George  A.,  1134. 
Health  and  Efficiency  League,  385. 
Hebble,  Andrew  C.,  1243. 
Ilelmer,  Andrew,  1107. 
Helmer,  John,  1106. 
Helmer,  William  A.,  1108. 
Henry,  James,  820. 
Heyser,  Frederick  J.,  654. 
Heyser,  John,  918. 
Hickey,  Manassah,  159. 
Hicks,  George  C,  1234. 
Hicks,  Richard  R.,  914. 
Hicks,  William  E.,  825. 
High  school,  Albion   (view),  434. 
High  school,  Homer  (view),  190. 
Hill,  Eugene  H..  1066. 
Ilinman,  Clark  T.,  121. 
Ilinman,  Edward   C,   836. 
Hoag,  William  S.,  1202. 
Hobart,  William  W.,  62. 
Hobbs,  Le  Vant  D.,  810. 
Hodges,  Lewis  S.,  1275. 
Hoffman.  William  R..  1038. 
HolVmaster,  Peter,  688. 
IlolVmaster.  Rillie  F.,  690. 
Hoffmaster,  William  M.,  690. 
Hollingsworth.  E.  W.,  471. 
Hollingsworth.  E.  W..  Post  No.   310,  G. 

A.  R..  469. 
Holton,  Electa  C,  939. 
Holton.  Luther  H.,   939. 
Holton,  Samuel  M.,  940. 
Homer  banks,  191. 
Homer  Township.  20,  31,  188. 
Homer  village,  189. 
Homestead  exemption  law,  48. 
Hooker,  Frank  A.,  274. 
Ilornberger,  Albert  J..  731. 
ITornhergcr,  Christian,  783. 
Hotohkiss,  Calvin  J.,  1020. 
Hough.  Edward  F.,  1018. 
Houghton.  Euler  G..  763. 
"Household  Magazine."  271. 
Houvener,  Peter  J.,  740. 
Howard,  Bert,  731. 
Howard.  Camer  A..  732. 
Howard,  George,  1339. 
Howard,  George  M.,  1230. 
Howell.  Alvares  E.,  1101. 
Howland's   Engineers,  540. 
Hoyt,  Awra  A.,  789. 
Hoyt.  Frank,  768. 
Huiibard,  Deville.  1314. 
Hubbard.  Lawrence  P..  1004. 
Hubbard,  Owen  L..  1206. 
Hudnutt,  Arthur  C,  441. 


INDEX 


Hudson,  Polydore,  19. 

Huggett,  Harry  B.,  1054. 

Huggett,  Henry  C,  1047. 

Huggett,  James  H..  701. 

Huggett,  Jesse,  1332. 

Hughes,  D.  Darwin.  274. 

Hughes,  James  P.,  1126. 

Hull,  William,  7. 

Humphrey.  Leonard.  1311. 

Hungerford,  Cyrus  B.,  1313. 

Hunt,  William  C,  928. 

Hurd,  Isaac  N.,  229. 

Hurd,  Jesse  A.,  1184. 

Hussey,   Erastus,   68,   77,   79,   82,   87. 

Hutchins,  Delos,  757. 

Hyatt,  Charles  D..  1201. 

Immanuel  Apostolic  Holiness  church. 
Battle  Creek,  405. 

Improvement  of  roads,  98. 

Independent  Congregational  church.  Bat- 
tle Creek,  404. 

Indians,  158. 

Influence  of  the  Crosswhite  case,  SO. 

Jacobs,  Henry  F.,  835. 

Jail,  New,  26. 

Jefferson  avenue,  north,  in  1866   (view), 

317. 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  44. 
"Jeffersonian,  The."  333. 
Jenkins,  George  W.,  952. 
Jennings,  James  M..  770. 
Jersey  cattle  on  Sutfln  farm  (view),  185. 
Jocelyn,  George  B.  (portrait),  129. 
Johnson,  158. 
Johnson,  Amos  jM..  1306. 
Johnson,  Bray.  736. 
Johnson.  Oliver  C,  981. 
J»nes,  Almon  0.,  649. 
Jones,  Jennie,  349. 
Joslyn,  Victor  H..  775. 
Joslyn,  William  N..  635. 
"Journal  of  Education,"  271. 
Joy,  Louis  S..  293. 
Judges  of  probate,  224. 

Kane,  Charles  N..  868. 

Kapp,  August,  1308. 

Katz,  Charles  H.,  1067. 

Katz,  Fred,  750. 

Katz,  Frederick.  1249. 

Katz,  Rufus  F..  1025. 

Katz,  William  C,  1044. 

Keep,  Edward  P..  1260. 

Keet,  Angle  D..  413,  854. 

Keet,  Walter  S.,  853. 

Kelleher,  Grace  A..  627. 

Kelleher,  Thomas  A.,  628. 

Kelleher,  Timothy  J.,  637. 

Kelley,  Robert  J.,  1152. 

Kellogg,  Ella  E.,  1350. 

Kellogg,  J.  H.,  369,  384,   1346. 

Kessler,  W.  S.,  450. 

Ketcham,  Eliza,  146, 

Ketchum,  Sidney,  19,  230,  263,  415. 

Kidney,  William,  1043. 

Kiefer,  George  H..  984. 

Kimball,  Arthur  H.,  951. 

Kimball,  Arthur  S.,  794. 

Kimball,  Marion  B.,  952. 


Kimball.  Otis  F.,  1176. 
King.  Philander  M.,  771. 
King,  William  L.,  1302. 
Kingman,  Albert  C,  829. 
Kingsley,  A.  Floyd,  773. 
Kirkland,  Bertram  C,  1372. 
Kirkpatrick,  AVilliam.  725. 
Kirschman,  Robert  H.,  1151. 
Kistler,  Charles  E.,  768. 
Klawiter.  William   C,   1068. 
Kline.  Walter  D.,  799. 
Knapp.  Everett  G..   1310. 
Knight.  Andrew,  945. 
Knight.  Willard  A.,  826. 
Knights  of  Pythias.  409. 
Knights  Templar.  409. 
Kraft.  Arthur  J..   1150. 
Krenerick,  Will  A.,  848. 
Kulp,  George  B.,  405. 

Ladies'  Library  Association,  408. 
Lamb,  Alger,  964. 
Lamb,  Bert,  964. 
Lamb  Brothers,  964. 


lllisli 


i;.,  117^ 

]•:..   882 


064. 


Lanili.   - 

La   iiont,   ilyron.  1139. 

Lamphier,  Edgar  L.,  1097. 

Landmarks  of  Marshall,  239. 

Lane,  Charles  J.,  1334. 

Lane,  James.  1333. 

Lang,  Phineas  H..  949. 

Langrell.  James  W..  1281. 

Larmour.  James   J..   816. 

Latta,  Alfred.  1223. 

Latta,  Frank  H..  1323. 

Laupp,  Will.  985. 

Lawrence,  Wilford  B.,  1140, 

Lawyers  of  Marshall.  372. 

Leach,  Arthur  E..  1110. 

Leading  Calhoun  County  educators,  144. 

Lee,  Frederick.  1332. 

Lee  Township,  192. 

Lehmann.  Henry,  1016. 

Leland.  Rosco  G..  1365. 

Leonard,  Otis  A.,  1248. 

Leonard,  William  H.,  1185. 

LeRoy  Township,  20,  194. 

Leslie,  William  F.,  1024. 

Leverance.  May,  1336. 

Lewis,  Charles  W.,  1081. 

Lewis,  Edwin  C,  696. 

Lewis,  Edwin  S..  1010. 

Lewis,  Harvey  E.,  737. 

"Liberty  Press,"  332. 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  79. 

Literary   and   secret   societies   of  Battle 

Creek.  408. 
Lookwood,  Glenn  E.,  997. 
Loud,  Rienzi,  438. 
Luff,  Edwin  H..  1303. 
Lutz,  Jacob,  965. 
Lyle,  D.  E.  W.,  604. 

MaoGregor,  Archible  E.,  653. 
Mack,  Alva  P.,  1351. 
Mack,  Edward  C,  1250. 
Main   building    erected    1903-03,    Battle 
Creek  Sanitarium   (view),  373. 


xvu 


Main  street,  north.  Tekonslia  (view). 
314. 

Manby,  John  H.,  90S. 

Manchester,  Caleb,  630. 

Manchester,  Charles  E..  631. 

Manchester,  Elias  C,  629. 

Mansion  House,  235.  240. 

Manufacturing  in  Mar.shall.  247. 

Manufacturing  interests.  22. 

Manufacturing  interests.  Battle  Creek, 
316. 

Mapes,  Harry,  781. 

Maple  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Battle  Creek.  399. 

Marble,  Ephraim.  149. 

Marengo  Township,  20,  31.  197. 

Markey,  Eugene  L.,  661. 

Marks"  Herman  C,  1012. 

Marsh,  Erastus  S.,  773. 

Marsh,  James  W..  867. 

Marsh.  Walter  P.,  998. 

Marsh.  Wayne  D..  866. 

Marshall  as  a  municipality.  254. 

Marshall,  city  of,  21.  199." 

Marshall  Furnace  Company   (view),  251. 

Marshall  House,  242. 

Marshall.  Jay  L..  718. 

Marshall  Light  Guard.  483. 

Marshall  Jlen  and  Marshall  Measures, 
29,  51. 

Marshall,  mention,  19,  23;  public  and 
private  buildings.  23;  founding  of,  238; 
early  settlement  of,  228;  landmarks  of, 
3.S9;  first  frame  house  in,  239;  Pres- 
byterian church  organized,  342;  Catho- 
lic church,  first  reverses  of,  242; 
cholera  scourge  at  (1833),  345;  banks, 
246;  manufacturing,  347;  Calhoun 
County  Agricultural  Society,  353; 
water  system,  255;  postoffice,  261; 
public  schools.  263. 

"Marshall  News,"  251. 

Marshall  public  library.  261. 

"Marshall  Republican,"  370. 

"Marshall  Statesman,"  370. 

"Marshall  Times,"  235,  269. 

Marshall  Township,  21,  199. 

Marshall  Union  school,  36. 

Marshals,  Albion,  431. 

Marx,  Joseph  S.,  1250. 

Mason,  Stevens  T.,  14,  31. 

Mason,  William  H.,  336,  666. 

Material  development  of  Michigan,  12. 

Mayors,  Albion,  430. 

Mayors,  Battle  Creek,  325. 

McBeth,   Alonzo   E.,   620. 

McBeth.  Josephine.  622. 

McCamley,  Sands.  311,  312,  326. 

McCamly,  Mark.  S09. 

McCartv.  George  U..  1271. 

McClintic,  Wesley  W.,  1129. 

McCurdy,  Asa  C",  702. 

McCutcheon,  Arza  L.,  1341. 

McDermid,  Charles  C,  201.  873. 

McFadden,  William  J.,  1331. 

Mclntyre.  Abram  R.,  833. 

McKenzie,  Charles  F.,  830. 

McKinney.  John,   1085. 

MeKone,  W.  J.,  432. 

McMillan,  James,   134. 

McMillan   Labratory    (view),   135. 


MiMillen,   Benjamin   F.,   737. 

-Mead,  Lewis  R..  963. 

-Mead.  Marion,  872. 

.Mellen,  George  W..  737. 

Memorial  Hospital,  369. 

Merchants  Savings  Bank,  354. 

Merchants  Savings  Bank  of  Battle  Creek, 

112. 
Merrill  Horse,  488,  577,  581. 
Merrill.  Lewis,  577. 
Merritt,  Charles.  896. 
Merritt,  Elizabeth  M.  C,  898. 
Jletcalf,  Abraham  T.,  1216. 
Mctcalf.  Foster  M..  681. 
llothodisra  in  Albion,  458. 
Mexican  war,  481. 
Michigan  admitted  to  Union,  14. 
Michigan   and   Calhoun   County    in    war, 

480. 
Michigan  Central  R.  R.,  212. 
Miihisan  Central  K.  R.  Co.,  247. 
-Michifian   in    its  primitive  statehood,   15. 
Micliigan    to    the    close    of    the   War   of 

1812-1814.  7. 
Michigan     public     school     system,     142; 

founder  of  system,  31. 
"Michigan  Tribune,"  332. 
Michigan  under  Governor  Cass,  9. 
Michigan  under  the  American   flag,   5. 
Michigan  under  the  British  flag,  3. 
Michigan  under  the  French  flag,  1. 
Michigan  University,  35,  39. 
Military  matters,  379. 
Miller,  Charles  J.,  748. 
Miller,  Charles  0.,  377. 
Miller,  Craig  C,  254. 
Miller,  FraTik  D.,  145,  154,  860. 
Miller,  Henry  H.,  955. 
Miller,  H.  M.,  282. 
Miller,  Howard  W..  1180. 
Miller,  Louis  C,  278. 
Miller,  Mary  W..  228. 
Miller.  Richard  J.,  1278. 
Mills,  William  C,  909. 
Milton  Township,  21. 
Miner,  James  A.,  274. 
Minges,  Erwin  G.,  777. 
Minges,  Frank,  777. 
Minges.  Orlow  A..  776. 
Miscellaneous  organizations,  595. 
Modern  way  of  threshing  (view),  252. 
Mohler,  Zaehariah  B.,  1193. 
Money  for  the  war,  487. 
Monroe.  George,  438. 
ilonroe.  James,  423. 
Jloore,  L  N..  1040. 
Morgan,  Benjamin  F.,  774. 
Morgan,  William,  1212. 
"Morning  Enquirer,"  334. 
Morrissey.  Rev.  Father,  306. 
Moses,  J.  M.,  269. 
Mountecr.  Edwin  M.,  1353. 
Mumaw,  Piatt  A.,  986. 
Alurdock,  Ezra  B.,  959. 
Murphy,  James  W..  1330. 
Murphy,  Robert,   730. 
Murray,   Adelbert   J.,   934. 
Mustard,  James  H.,  799. 

National  Bank  of  Albion,  442. 
National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek,  353. 


XVlll 


INDEX 


National  banks.  107. 

National   currency,   107. 

National  Exchange  Bank,  443. 

National  House,  33. 

National  Spring  &  Wire  Company,  435, 
457. 

Nature  Club,  409. 

Neale  Family,  The,  1393. 

Neale,  George  F.,  1396. 

New  courthouse,  26. 

New  high  school,  Battle  Creek  (view), 
329. 

New  high  school  building,  Athens  (view), 
168. 

New  main  structure.  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
tarium   (view),  372. 

Newton  Township,  300. 

Nichols  and  Shepard,  33,  355,  356. 

Nichols.  Edwin  C,  355,  744. 

Nichols,  John,  33,  743. 

Nichols  Memorial  Hospital,  389. 

Nichols  Memorial  Hospital   (view),  390. 

Nichols  Memorial  Training  School  of 
Nurses,  391. 

Ninth  Infantry,  504. 

Ninth  Michigan  Cavalry,  573. 

Ninth  Michigan  Infantry  roster,  505. 

Noble,  Alonzo,  1318. 

Noneman,  William  G.,  985. 

Normal  school  of  physical  education.  384. 

North,  Walter  Harper,  824. 

Northwest  Territorj',  5,  12. 

Nowlin.  Frank  E.,   1314. 

Noyes,  Horace  A.,  275. 

Noyes,  Lucius  G..  275. 

Noyes.  Willard  R..   1328. 

Nye,  Edgar  F.,  1150. 

O'Brien,  Thomas  J.,  275. 

Observatory,  Albion  College  (view),  135. 

O'Callaghan,  D.  S.,  617. 

O'Donoughue,  Willoughby,  443. 

Official  and  statistical — Presidents  of  the 
United  States  (1789-1913),  217;  gov- 
ernors of  Michigan  Territory,  218; 
governors  of  the  state  of  Michigan, 
319;  federal  officials  from  Calhoun 
County,  321;  state  officials  from  the 
county,  232;  representatives  of  Michi- 
gan legislature,  223;  population  and 
property  valuation,  326;  population  of 
Calhoun  County  (1837-1910),  327; 
population  by  townships  and  cities, 
337. 

Official  data,  597. 

Old  and  new  high  school,  Marshall 
(view),  364. 

Old  Brooks  mansion   (view),  340. 

Old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek,  108. 

Old  red  schoolhouse,  Albion   (view),  433. 

Old  stone  barn,  350. 

Old  time  sawmill,  331. 

Oldest  building  in  Battle  Creek  (view), 
324. 

Onen,  Bernard  J.,  888. 

Only  old  style  sawmill  left  in  county 
(view),  331. 

Ordinance  of  17S7,  5,  66,  143. 

Organizer  of  the  public  school  system  of 
Michigan,  38. 


Ornamental     Concrete    Stone    Company, 

618. 
Outdoor    swimming    tournament.    Battle 

Creek  Sanitarium  (view),  382. 

Page,  Egbert  E.,  1118. 

Palm   garden,   Battle   Creek   Sanitarium 

(view),  379. 
Palmiter,  William  H.,  1198. 
Parker.  H.  B.,  1339. 
Parlin,  Charles  A.,  738. 
Parmeter,  Edward  L.,  1253.' 
Parsons,  Edwin  N.,  458. 
Passengers,  underground  railroad,  88. 
Pathmaster,  95. 
Patterson,  John  C,  39,  377. 
Patterson,  John  C.   (portrait),  30. 
Paul,  Homer  J.,  1337. 
Paving  and  roads,  360. 
Paxton,  John,  1037. 
Payne.  Victor  T.,  787. 
Peabody,  Tenney  (portrait),  416. 
Peebles,  James  M.,  935. 
Peek,  Judson  C,  854. 
Pennfield  Township,  301. 
Perine,  William  H.,  1342. 
Perkins,  George  W.,  1221. 
Perrin,  Horace  J.,  247. 
Perry,  James  W.,  933. 
Perry,  Oliver  H.,  S. 
Peters,  Albert  E..  781. 
Phelps,  Willard  C.  1074. 
Phillips,  Albanus  M.,  851. 
Phillips,  Benjamin  W.,  1240. 
Pierce  school,  269. 
Pierce,  John  D.,  30,  35,  38,  45,  142,  146, 

363. 
Pioneer  experiences,  303. 
Pioneer  outfit,  16. 
Pioneer  schoolmaster,  146. 
Pitte'e,  Lyman,  883. 
Ponto.  Frank,  989. 
Porr,  William  J..  1335. 
Porter.  William  H..  376,  841. 
Post,  C.  W.,  317,  1304. 
Postmasters,   Battle   Creek,   326. 
Postum  Cereal  Company,  Ltd.,  367. 
Potter,  W.   S..   394,   410.   1330. 
Powers,  Herbert  A.,  797. 
Powers,  James  M.,  1007. 
Powers,  Walter  S.,  795. 
Pratt,  Abner,  376. 
Prepared  food  industry,  317. 
Presidents  of  the  United  States,  217. 
Press  of  Albion,  435. 
Press  of  Marshall,  269. 
Preston,  Almon  E.,  646. 
Price,  Austin,  999. 
Prosecuting  attorneys.  225. 
Pryer,  Charles  J.,  937. 
Public  improvements  of  Albion,  429. 
Public  library.  Battle  Creek,  339. 
Public  schools  of  Battle  Creek,  328. 
Puflf,  Jesse,  750. 
Put!',  Paul,  755. 
Puffer,  Elsworth  H.,  1303. 
Purely  philanthropic  institution.  A,  386. 
Putman,  Willard  N.,  790. 

Radford,  Charles  F.,  1315. 
Radford,  Elbert  J..  747. 


INDEX 


XIX 


Railroads.  Battle  Creek,  319. 

Randall.  Earle  W.,  659. 

Randall,  Edwin  A.,  1032. 

Randall.  Harvey  X.,  1261. 

Randt.  Henry,  701. 

Ranger.  Charles  JI..   1161. 

Rapp.  Russell  \V..  75.1. 

Rathbun,  Frank  U..  1145. 

Rathbun,  Stephen  J..  114S. 

Reade,  J.  Lyman,  869. 

Reagan.  Jolin  H.,  614. 

Reasoner.  Daniel.  1182. 

"Record."  333. 

Recorders,  Battle  Creek,  325. 

Redfield.  Amelia  ¥.,  239. 

Red  Ribbon  itovement,  162. 

Reed.  (Mrs.)  Samuel  M.,  464. 

Registers  of  deeds.  225. 

Religious     and     trade     journals.     Battle 

Creek.  335. 
Remington.  Fred  0..  832. 
Representatives  of  Michigan  legislature. 

223. 
Republican  party,  80. 
Retallick.  Newton  E..  704. 
Reynolds.  John  C.  915. 
Richard.  Gabriel.  12. 
Richardson,  Frank  W.,  739. 
Ringes.  Laura.  109. 
Roads,  98. 
Robinson  building,  Albion  College  (view). 

122. 
Robinson,  Lote  C.  1031. 
Roe.  Miss  Jessie.  920. 
Roe,  Robert  A..  919. 
Roe,  Robert  P..  871. 
Rowell.  George  H.,  578. 
Royal  Arch  >}asons,  409. 
Ru'ndle.  George,  901. 
Rural  mail  carriers,  Battle  Creek  (view), 

327. 
Rural    schools   of  Calhoun   County,   145. 
Ryan,  Charles  W.,  864. 

Sabin,  Leland  H.,  827. 

Saint  Clair,  General,  3. 

St.  John's  Catholic  church,  Albion,  466. 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
Albion,  467. 

St.  Thomas'  church.  Battle  Creek,  396. 

Sands,  Theodore  E..  838. 

Sawdy,  Ernest  C,  843. 

Sawyer,  Charles  E.,  913. 

Schoder,  Katharine  M.,  729. 

Schoder,  William  J.,  728. 

School  lands,  32. 

School  of  Home  Economics,  384. 

School  statistics,  152. 

Schools.  263. 

Schram.  Ingram  W.,  1244. 

Schroder.  Lewis  M.,  941. 

Schroder.  Sherman.  944. 

Schumacher.  Fred  W..  1326. 

Schwark,  Henry  J..  1169. 

Sebastian,  L.  P..  1247. 

Second  family  that  came  to  Albion  (por- 
trait), 418. 

Second  Michigan  Cavalry,  555. 

Second  Jlichigan  Infantry,  345.  494. 

Second   Michigan    Regiment   roster,   495. 

Sellers.   Clarence  W.. '633. 


Sellers.  John  \V..  1002. 
Sellers.  Solomon,  632. 
Servis.  Germain.  1258. 
Seventeenth  Michigan  Infantry,  514;  ros- 
ter, 515. 
Seventh  Day  Advcntists.  366. 
Seventh-day   Adventist   Tabernacle,  402. 
Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  563. 
Shaffer,  Del  A.,  1039. 
Sharpshooters  roster.  542. 
Shearman,  Francis  W.,  273. 
Slie.ld.   Xelsnn   A..    12S7. 
ShriKinl.    Mrn-itt    ()..    ];;57. 


140. 


Sh.TI 


Sllrl 

niiin.    I|nu;,i-d   B..  lose. 

Shr, 

iiMin.    Nrl.nn    j.;..   ins5. 

■■Slic 

1«.H„1      |',V->."     21,i. 

Shirl 

.N.    I.roMard  J.,    1341. 

Sllip 

[i.  .Jos,.|.!..   092. 

Ship; 

|.,  Tliomas  ,1..  691. 

Ship 

|i.  W.  Samuel.  693. 

Sliuii 

iiak.  r.  Charles  J.,  665. 

SInir 

tli'ir.  Henry  A.,  874. 

Slide 

v.  Solomon.  12. 

Slllei 

IS.  David.  721. 

SiuKi 

in.  Jcshua.  728. 

Simpson.  A.  B..  343. 

Shiclinr,  Collin,  883. 

SiiK-lflr.  Martin  A.,  983. 

Siiicx.   Thomas  H.,   128. 

Sincx.  Thomas  H.   (portrait),  127. 

Sixth  Jlichigan  Cavalry,  561.  , 

Sixth    Michigan    Infantry,    498;    roster, 

499. 
Skelle'nger.  W.  R..  1282. 
Sleight.  Raymond  D.,  791. 
Smith.  Albert  H.,  1298. 
Smitli,  Calvin.  229. 
Sniitli.  Cvrenins  C,  904. 
Smith.    Ellis   R.,    1124. 
Smith.  Frank  E.,  931. 
Smith,  George  S.,  948. 
Smith,  Gertrude  B..  263. 
Smith,  John  J..  1298. 
Smith,  John  M.  C,  1314. 
Smith,  John  T..  1213. 
Smith,  William  J.,  819. 
Snyder,  Henry  V.,  784. 
Snyder,  Isaac.  1029. 
Snyder,  Jay  C.  950. 
Snyder,  John  C,  982. 
Snyder.  John  J..  1082. 
Snyder,  William  H..  1286. 
Soldiers'   Monument.   Battle   Creek,  344. 
South   Battle  Crrek  Baptist  church,  172. 
Soutliwifk.  rliMilcs  R.  AV..  900. 


Spencer,  Benjamin  F..  1156. 

Sperry,  J.  Byron,  1167. 

Sprague,  Raymond.  760. 

Sprague.  Thomas  W.,  758. 

Spring.  Franklin  B..  840. 

Stace,  Francis  A..  276. 

Stage.  Jesse  C,  1028. 

Staples,  Hiram,  673. 

Stark.  Alonza  D.,  748. 

Stark.  Charles  A.,  1156. 

State  officials  from  the  coutity,  222. 


XX 


INDEX 


state  senate,  members  of,  223. 

Stations  on  underground  railway,  84. 

Steam  pump  industry,  357. 

Stecker,  Otto  H.,  1327. 

Stephens,  Charles  M.,  714. 

Stephens,  John  H.,  713. 

Stephenson,  Mary  F.  B.,  303. 

Sterling,  Frank  G.,  1194. 

Stetson.  .John  C,  278. 

Stevens,  Bertram  B.,  1307. 

Stevens.  Samuel.  684. 

Stewart.  Charles  E..  861. 

Stewart.  Hugh  P..  828. 

Stewart.  Louis  E.,  834. 

Stockwell.  Charles  F..  119. 

Stone  Hall,  241. 

Stone,  I.  L..  361. 

Stone,  Ray  C,  1195. 

Strong,  Marie  R.,  1120. 

Strong.  Samuel  D.,  1104. 

Stuart,  Mrs.  F.  C,  1056. 

Stuart,  Walter  M.,  1057. 

"Sunday  Record-Journal."  333. 

Superintendents  of  common  schools,  152. 

Superintendents    of     public     instruction, 

152. 
Surveyors.  226. 
Sutherland.  Daniel,  734. 
Swain,  David  L.,  762. 
Swamps,  96. 

Swank,  Lutellus  L.,  648. 
Sweeney,  George  W.,  1338. 
Swift,  Theodore  W.,  1051. 
Sylvester,  .William  J.,  779. 

Talmage,  Leslie,  1277. 

Taylor,  Dow  M.,  823. 

Taylor,  William  E.,  831. 

Teeters,  Samuel  S.,  1132. 

"Tekonsha  News,"  213,  215. 

Tekonsha  Township,  21,  213. 

Temperance  Advocate,  371. 

Temperance  legislation,  163. 

Tenth  Michigan  Cavalry,  574. 

Territorial  roads,  13. 

The  Great  Ordinance.  6. 

"The  Herald,"  436. 

"The  Statesman,"  335. 

Third  and  Fourth  Infantry,  498. 

Third  Michigan  Cavalry,  559. 

Thirteenth  amendment,  77. 

Thirteenth  Michigan  Infantry,  511;  ros- 
ter, 512. 

Thirtieth  Michigan  Infantry,  534. 

Thom,  John  M.,  1178. 

Thomas,  Charles  E.,  336,  1079. 

Thomas,  Matthew  C,  903. 

Thomas,  Sidney,  277. 

Thompson,  Stephen  W.,  917. 

Thresher  and  Engine  industry,  354. 

Tiffin,  Edward,  10. 

Titus,  Samuel  J.,  895. 

Township  histories,  Albion,  164;  Athens, 
165;  Battle  Creek,  169;  Bedford,  173; 
Burlington,  175;  Clarence,  176;  Clar- 
endon, 178;  Convis,  179;  Eekford,  180; 
Emmett,  182;  Fredonia,  186;  Homer, 
188;  Lee,  192;  LeRoy,  194;  Marengo, 
197;  Marshall,  199;  Newton,  200; 
Pennfield,  201;  Sheridan,  310;  Tekon- 
sha, 212. 


Township  schools,  165.  173,  180,  181,  190, 

194. 
Training  school  for  nurses,  383. 
Transport   "Florida"  disabled,  601. 
Treasurers.  225. 

Treatment,  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium,  375. 
Treatv  of  Paris,  2. 
Treaty  of  1795,  4. 

Trinity  Episcopal  church,  Marshall,  293. 
Troops  raised  in  state  and  county,  484. 
Truant  officers,   152. 
Tucker,  Cash  L.,  1306. 
Tuttle,  Alfred  H.,  893. 
Twelfth  Infantry,  507. 
Twelfth    Michigan   Infantry    roster,    508. 
Twentieth   Michigan  Infantry,   517;    ros- 


ter. 


519. 


Twenty-eighth    Michigan    Infantry,    529. 
Twenty-fifth     Michigan     Infantry,     524; 

roster.  526. 
Twenty-fourth  Infantry,  524. 
Twcnty-sixtli  and  Twenty-seventh  Mich- 

i^iiii  Infaiitiv  roster,  529. 
Tweiity-tliinl  Infantry.  524. 
Two     white    oak    trees     (near    Athens), 

(view).   166. 


round  railway.  82, 
City  Local,"  215. 


88. 


'Union  City  Register,"  2 
Union  Grange,  No.  292,  ] 


Union  sentiment,  485. 

Union  Steam  Pump  Company,  317. 

Union  Steel  Screen  Company,  435,  453. 

University  of  Health,  380. 

Upton      Avenue      Methodist      Episcopal 

church.  Battle  Creek,  400. 
Upton,  .James  S.,  1121. 

Van  Arman,  John  H..  1211. 

Van  Nocker,  James  W..  1001. 

Van  Tuvle,  James  C,  756. 

VanZile,"  Philip   T.,   275. 

Vary,  Clarence  G.,  1075. 

Vernon,  Michael  H.,  617. 

Verona,  183. 

Vester,  William  R.,  1304. 

Vibrator  thresher,  355. 

View  of  main  dining  room.  Battle  Creek 
Sanitarium   (view),  376. 

Views— Chapel,  Albion  College,  120;  Rob- 
inson building,  Albion  College,  122; 
observatory,  Albion  College,  125;  Lot- 
tie L.  Cassette  Memorial  library,  134; 
McMillan  laboratory,  135;  two  white 
oak  trees  (near  Athens),  166;  new 
high  school  building,  Athens,  168; 
David  Young  farm  house,  171;  Jersey 
cattle  on  Sutfin  farm,  185;  high 
school.  Homer,  190;  cobblestone  school- 
house  erected  1849,  202 ;  Anthony  dairy 
farm  (near  Albion),  311;  Main  street, 
north,  Tekonsha,  214;  only  old  style 
sawmill  left  in  county,  231;  court- 
house, Marshall,  236;  the  old  stone 
barn,  old  stage  depot,  a  relic  of  stage 
days,  Marshall,  250;  Marshall  Furnace 
Company,  251;  the  modern  way  of 
threshing,  252;  old  and  new  high 
school,  Marshall,  264;  Dulcenia  hoihe, 
288;  Jefferson  avenue,  north,  in  1866, 
317;    Battle    Creek    Sanitarium,    318; 


fire  aepartment.  Battle  Creek,  321; 
mills  mill  inamifiicturing  establish- 
ments of  Battle  Creek,  1861.  323;  old- 
est building  in  Battle  Creek,  334;  rural 
mail  carriers,  Battle  Creek,  327;  new 
high  school.  Battle  Creek,  329;  old 
Brooks  mansion,  340;  Willard  library. 
Battle  Creek.  341;  soldiers'  monu- 
ments. Battle  Creek,  344;  American 
Steam  Pump  Company,  358;  Battle 
Creek  .Sanitarium.  368;  grand  march 
in  gymnasium,  371 ;  main  building 
erected  1903-03.  373:  main  dining  room, 
376;  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  in  1876, 
377;  palm  garden.  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
tarium. 379;  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium 
in  1866,  381:  outdoor  swimming  tour- 
nament, 383;  a  corner  in  one  of  the 
greenhouses,  386;  Nichols  Memorial 
Hospital,  390;  Adventist  tabernacle, 
403;  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  Battle 
Creek,  411;  old  red  schoolhouse,  Al- 
bion, 433;  high  school,  Albion,  434; 
Gale  Manufacturing  Company,  448; 
Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company,  451. 

Village  schools.   154. 

Volunteers  outside  of  Company  D.  59S. 

Watlle.  William.  1255. 
Wagner.  John.  1266. 
Wagner,  -lohn  A.,  1367. 
Walbridge.  John  J.,  930. 
Walbridge,  Robert  M.,  930. 
Walker,  Charles  E..  894. 
Walkinshaw,  James  E.,  1048. 
Walter,  George  C,  616. 
Walter,  Lizzie  M.,  617. 
Ware,  William  E.,  1188. 
Warner.  Wareham.  418. 
Warner.  Willard  H.,  1338. 
Warren.  Frank  A.,  1283. 
Warren,  Levi  S.,  469,  1321. 
Warriner.  Eva,  338. 
Warsop,  Ervin  A.,  1255. 
War  times,  96. 
War  with  Spain,  597. 
Washingtonian  movement,  160. 
Waterman,  Adolphus  C,  969. 
Waterman,  Henry  B..  968. 
Waterman.  John  B.,  972. 
Water  system,  Marshall,  355. 
Watson,"  John,   1285. 
Wattles,  Jervis  H.,  886. 
Wayne,  General.  3. 
Webb,  Caleb,  1101. 
Webb,  Fred  H.,  1363. 
Weeks,  Burr  L.,  670. 
Weeks.  Monfort  D..  438. 
Weeks,  Ralph,  1301. 
Weeks,  Ward  S.,  664. 
Weickgenant,  Jacob,  622. 
Welcome  home,  603. 
Wells,  Fred,  815. 
Welsh,  James  M.,  439. 
Werstein,  Leopold,  800. 
Wesleyan    Seminary   and   Female   Colle- 
giate Institute.  120. 
West.  Edmond  C.  1335. 
"Western  Citizen,"  332. 
"Western  Health  Reform  Institute,"  370. 
Western  sharpshooters,  5.47. 
"Western  Statesman,"  270. 


Vvi 


7  79, 


West.i 

Wet  Prairie.   V, 

Wetzel.   Kiank 

Whalon.  .John,   1093. 

WhalcTi.  Thomas  F..  1093. 

Wheelock,  Charles  H.,  710. 

Wheelock,  Frederick  A.,  440. 

Wheelock,  Moses  W.,  707. 

Wheelock,  Sarah  W.,  709. 

Whitbeck,  George  S.,  991. 

Whitbeck,  Henry  E.,  990. 

White.  Arthur  J.,  1143. 

White,  Gilbert  B.,  1019. 

White.  L.  E.,  447. 

Whitney,  Harlan  K.,  978. 

\Miitney,  Henry  A.,  975. 

Whitney,  William  W.,  941. 

Wild  cat  banks,  246. 

Wild  cat  banking,  105. 

Wildey,  Clark  E.,  803. 

Willard,  Charles,  341,  1116. 

Willard,  Charles,  Library,  339. 

Willard,  George,  1112. 

Willard,  George  B.,  331,  1115. 

Willard    library,    liattle    Creek    (view), 

341. 
Williams.  Arthur  B..  808. 
Williams,   Howard  II..  440. 
Williams.  Isaac  L..  1289. 
Williams.  L.  C,  859. 
Willis,  Edward  F.,  1307. 
Willis,  Stephen  H.,  1173. 
Wilmot  proviso,  51,  78. 
Winsor,  Herbert  E.,  272,  277. 
Winter,  John.  1163. 
Wirt,  George  P.,  818. 
Wisner,  Robert  P..  1064. 
Wolcott,  H.  J.,  455. 
Wolcott.  L.  J..  455. 
Woman's    Christian    Temperance    Union, 

163,  409,  413,  476. 
Woman's  Club,  408. 
Woman's  League,  408,  410. 
Woman's  Relief  Corps,  283,  474. 
Wood,  Abram  L.,  1098. 
Wood.  John  V.,  780. 
Wood,  Luke  B.,  1065. 
Wood,  Melville  J.,  1318. 
Wood.  William  D.,  641. 
Woodbrid-e.  William,  13. 
Woollen,  Andrew,  912. 
Wooden,  W.   It,,  408. 
Woollen.  William  R.,  987. 
Woodruir,  Frank  G.,  1070. 
Woodruff,  (ieorge.  273. 
Woolnough,  Walter  W.,  857. 
Woolsey,  George  S.,  699. 
Wright,  Orin  J.,  609. 

Yankees.  16. 

Year  Book  of  Albion  College,  117. 

York,  George  H.,  1228. 

Young,  David,  farm  house  (view),  171. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  409, 

410. 
Y,  M.  C.  A.  building.  Battle  Creek  (view), 

411. 


History  of  Calhoun  County 


CHAPTER  I 
MICHIGAN  UNDER  THE  FKEXCII  FLAG 

Three  different  national  flags  have  waved  in  recognized  authority  over 
wliat  is  now  the  State  of  Michigan.  That  of  France  for  156  years,  that 
of  Great  Britain  for  20  years  and  that  of  the  United  States  for  129 
>  ears.  In  1607,  or  but  one  year  after  the  English  sailed  up  the  James 
River,  landing  at  Jamestown  and  affecting  there  the  tirst  permanent 
English  settlement  in  America,  the  French  ascended  the  Saint  Lawrence 
and  established  the  first  permanent  settlement  of  the  French  in  the  New 
World.  Fourteen  years  later,  the  Pilgrims  landed  from  the  Mayflower 
on  the  shores  of  Plymouth  Bay.  From  these  three  fountains  opened 
in  the  New  World,  there  was  destined  to  flow  three  mighty  streams  of 
influence  affecting  severally  and  unitedly  every  part  of  the  North 
American  Continent. 

It  is  our  purpose  to  treat  liriefly  the  second  of  these  as  most  affecting 
Michigan  in  the  order  of  time.  Three  motives  seemed  to  dominate  the 
French  in  their  coming  to  America — first,  the  love  of  adventure  on  the 
part  of  a  few  resolute  and  ambitious  men  who  sought  to  explore  unknown 
parts  of  the  northeastern  section  of  America,  to  plunge  into  the  wilder- 
ness and  search  out  the  great  lakes,  the  mighty  rivers  and  the  lofty 
water  falls  and  over  all  to  raise  the  standard  of  their  sovereign  and 
claim  the  soil  as  subject  to  the  government  of  France.  Another  class, 
moved  by  the  love  of  gain,  came  in  the  wake  of  the  explorers  hoping  to 
find,  as  many  did,  rich  rewards  for  the  perils  and  privations  they 
endured.  The  third  class  was  composed  of  priests,  mostly  of  the  Jesuit 
order,  who,  fired  with  a  zeal  which  no  hardship  could  abate  and  no 
sacrifice  quench,  plunged  into  the  trackless  wilderness  searching  out  tlie 
haunts  of  the  wild  men  of  the  woods  and,  having  found  them,  counted 
not  their  lives  dear  unto  themselves  if  they  could  but  bring  the  savage 
warriors  to  accept  the  Prince  of  Peace  and  pattern  their  lives  after  the 
Man  of  Galilee.  While  the  results  seemed  meager  and  not  at  all  com- 
pensatory of  the  efforts  put  forth,  it  still  remains  that  the  story  of  the 
hardships  passed  through,  the, privation  endured,  the  tortures  patiently 
borne  for  His  sake,  and  finally  the  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  self-immola- 


2  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

tion  in  the  name  of  the  jMaster,   constitute  one  of  the  most  thrilling 
chapters  in  the  history  of  our  conmion  country. 

While  the  French  attempts  at  colonization  were  not  a  success,  for 
reasons  which  do  not  come  within  the  scope  of  this  work  to  discuss,  it 
is  but  fair  to  say  that  the  foot  prints  of  explorer,  of  trader  and  priest 
are  still  traceable  from  the  Raisin  to  the  Straits  and  from  the  Straits  to 
the  Saint  Joseph ;  that  the  nomenclature  derived  from  the  French  rivals 
that  from  the  Indian  in  our  state ;  and  that  so  long  as  ]\Iarquette,  Cadillac, 
Saint  Iguace,  Sault  Ste  Marie,  Ponchartrain  and  Detroit  remain,  the 
influence  of  the  heroic  and  devoted  men  who  lived  and  wrought  under 
the  French  regime  will  abide  a  living  force  within  the  borders  of  our 
State,  constant  reminders  of  the  heroic  people  who  lived  and  endured  in 
the  days  of  its  primitive  history.  The  rival  claims  of  the  French  and 
English  explorers;  the  sharp  competition  between  the  traders  of  the 
two  nations  with  the  Indians,  particularly  in  furs ;  and  the  enlistment  on 
the  one  side  or  the  other  of  the  friendship  and  warlike  aid  of  the 
powerful  Indian  tribes  whose  habitations  bordered  on  the  Great  Lakes ; 
the  jealousies  and  resulting  clashes  between  the  colonists,  that  fringed 
the  Atlantic  seaboard  from  the  Penobscot  to  the  James  with  their  constant 
extensions  toward  the  interior,  with  those  of  the  Saint  Lawrence  and 
the  Great  Lakes,  were  sure  to  arouse  to  action  the  respective  home  goveni- 
ments,  jealous  of  their  real  or  assumed  rights  and  relations  of  their 
children  on  this  side  the  seas.  Harrassing  encroachxnents  with  threatened 
invasions  and  counter  invasions  resulted  in  the  inevitable.  The  student 
of  history  is  not  surprised  to  see  columns  of  marching  troops  under 
English  commanders  heading  north  and  northwest  through  the  forests, 
leaving  the  settlements  behind  them,  nor  counter  columns  of  French 
soldiers  headed  southward ;  each  and  every  column  on  both  sides  accom- 
panied by  the  ferocious  and  blood-thirsty  savages  as  accepted  allies. 
The  unbroken  wilderness  repeatedly  resounded  to  the  clash  of  arms, 
and  Crown  Point,  Ticonderoga,  Fort  DuQuesne,  Fort  Frontenac  and 
Fort  Niagara  are  enrolled  among  the  places  for  which  brave  men 
struggled  and  baptized  them  with  their  blood.  Upon  the  Plains  of 
Abraham,  adjacent  to  Quebec,  in  September,  1759,  the  decisive  battle 
was  fought.  Wolfe,  the  commander  of  the  British  troops,  fell  upon 
the  field  where  his  soldiers  were  victorious,  while  Jlontcalm,  commander 
of  the  French,  died  a  few  days  later  of  wounds  received  in  the  engage- 
ment, but  not  until  the  city,  in  defense  of  which  he  gave  his  life,  had 
been  surrendered  to  the  triumphant  enemy.  A  year  later  Montreal 
capitulated  to  the  British  arms.  In  due  time  the  Treaty  of  Paris 
followed  and  the  French  power  was  broken  and  its  flag  forever  furled 
on  the  North  American  Continent. 


CHAPTER  II 
MICHIGAN   UNDER   THE   BRITISH   FLAG 

With  the  ratification  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  Great  Britain  claimed 
sovereignty  over  all  North  America,  save  a  strip  to  the  southeast  held 
by  Spain  and  to  the  Louisiana  country  in  the  southwest.  The  nuitter- 
ings  of  discontent  which  were  heard  in  some  of  the  colonies  on  the 
Atlantic  seaboard,  even  while  the  struggle  was  yet  on  with  the  French 
along  the  Canadian  border,  grew  in  scope  and  intensity  until  the  tlame 
of  war  blazed  up  at  Lexington  and  Concord  and  burned  with  increasing 
intensity  through  seven  weary  years  from  Bunker  Hill  to  Yorktown. 
The  treaty  of  1783  between  Great  Britain  and  America,  whereby  the 
former  granted  independence  to  the  latter  with  jurisdiction  over  certain 
defined  limits  of  territory  which  latter  embraced  the  present  state  of 
^lichigan,  did  not  result  in  the  immediate  withdrawal  of  the  British 
troops,  nor  bring  peace  and  repose  to  the  inhabitants  residing  in  what 
is  now  the  Peninsular  State. 

AVhen  the  line  of  the  Great  Lakes  was  agreed  upon  as  the  international 
boundary,  it  was  expected  that  the  military  posts  held  by  Great  Britain 
within  the  United  States  would  be  surrendered,  l)ut  instead,  she  not 
only  continued  to  hold  them,  but  her  agents  and  representatives 
encouraged,  if  they  did  not  aid,  the  Indians  in  their  declared  purpose 
to  make  the  Ohio  River  the  northwest  boundary  of  the  United  States. 
To  make  good  this  purpose,  the  great  Shawanese  Chief,  Joseph  Brant, 
who  had  held  a  commission  in  the  British  army  during  the  Revolution  and 
who  was  a  man  of  very  unusual  talents  and  possessed  of  some  education, 
formed  an  alliance  of  the  tribes  of  the  six  nations  viz :  the  Ilurons, 
Ottawas,  Miamis.  Shawanese,  Chippewas  and  Cherokees.  with  the  Dela- 
wares  and  Pottawattomies  and  the  Wabash  Confederacy  to  resist  the 
encroachments  of  the  Whites  noi-th  and  west  of  the  Ohio  River.  In  the 
endeavor  to  carry  out  this  purpose  there  is  abundant  evidence  that  the 
Indians  were  encouraged  and  alietted  by  conspicuous  British  officers, 
both  civil  and  military.  Repeated  councils  were  held  with  the  repre- 
sentatives of  these  various  tribes,  but  were  unavailing  to  effect  a  per- 
manent settlement. 

Three  different  military  expeditions  were  sent  against  the  i)owerful 
Indian  confederation.  The  first,  led  by  General  Harmar  in  the  fall  of 
1790,  met  with  defeat :  the  second,  by  General  Saint  Clair  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  met  with  most  disastrous  results;  but  the  third,  under  the 
leadership    of    General    AVayne.    was    correspondingly    successful.     The 

)', 


4  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

power  of  the  federation  was  broken  at  the  battle  of  Fallen  Timbers, 
August  20,  1794,  after  which  the  savages  were  ready  to  sue  for  peace. 
Accordingly  chiefs  in  large  numbers  met  at  Greenville,  Ohio,  in  the  fall 
of  1794,  where  after  a  long  consultation  a  treaty  was  agreed  upon  between 
these  savage  leaders  and  General  Wayne.  It  was  signed  by  all 
the  Chiefs  in  Council  and  resulted  in  the  cession  of  a  vast  domain  of 
territory  to  the  Whites  and  in  terminating  any  serious  trouble  with  the 
Indians  in  the  northwest  until  the  war  broke  out  with  Great  Britain  in 
1812. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Treaty  of  1795  negotiated  by  John  Jay  and  his 
associate  members  brought  about  the  evacuation  of  all  forts  and  the 
withdrawal  of  all  British  troops  from  within  the  American  boundary. 
This  was  to  be  done  on  or  before  the  eleventh  day  of  June,  1796,  and  on 
the  eleventh  day  of  July  following  the  American  flag  was  far  the  iirst 
time  raised  over  Detroit.  This  was  twenty  yfears  after  the  opening  of 
the  Revolution  and  nearlj^  thirteen  years  after  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis  and  the  treaty  that  acknowledged  American  Independence. 


CHAPTER  111 
MICHIGAN  UNDER  THE  a:MERICAN  FLAG 

A  L-oufusioii  of  claims  by  individual  States  to  territoiy  lying  north 
of  the  Ohio  River  and  west  of  Pennsylvania  presented  a  perplexing 
problem  to  the  Colonial  Congress.  ^lany  of  these  claims  were  based 
upon  assumed  rights  under  royal  grants  and  charters  prior  to  the 
Revolution.  The  different  States  of  the  Confederacy  gradually  came  to 
see  the  wisdom  and  the  justice  of  surrendering  these  claims  and  ceding 
to  the  general  government  the  territory  west  of  certain  definite  limits 
which  had  been  gained  by  common  sacrifice  and  treasure  during  the 
war  for  independence.  So  it  gradually  came  about  that  all  the  territory 
north  aud  west  of  the  Ohio  River,  within  the  treaty  limits,  was  brought 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States.  This  Northwest  Territory, 
as  it  was  called,  embraced  all  of  the  present  states  of  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Michigan  and  Wisconsin.  AVhile  at  the  time  we  are  considering 
there  were  a  good  many  people  living  within  the  limits  named,  there 
was  no  form  of  government ;  hence  it  devolved  upon  tiie  Congress,  repre- 
sentative of  all  the  people,  to  make  provision  for  the  control  and  govern- 
ment of  this  vast  and  soon  to  be  generally  inhabited  region. 

Out  of  this  situation  confronting  the  Congress,  there  was  evolved  the 
celebrated  Ordinance  of  1787.  So  important  was  this  ordinance  and  so 
inseparably  associated  with  the  future  welfare,  not  only  of  ^Michigan 
and  the  northwe-st,  but  of  the  whole  country,  that  we  deem  it  proper  to 
quote  some  of  its  salient  features.  It  ma.v  be  said  "'tliat  a  comprehensive 
plan  was  first  evolved  and  reported  in  1784  by  a  committee  of  which 
Jefferson  was  chairman:  later  this  was  modified  by  a  committee  of  wiiich 
^Monroe  was  chairman  and  was  still  further  amended  and  finally  reported 
in  Jul.y,  1787,  by  Nathan  Dane,  of  Massachusetts,  and  passed  on  the 
13th  of  the  same  month  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  all  the  States  then 
represented  in  Congress.  This  ordinance  became  a  sort  of  constitution 
for  the  Northwest  Territorj*.  Among  other  things,  it  provided  for  not 
less  than  two  nor  more  than  five  States  to  be  created  out  of  the  territory ; 
that  a  temporary  government  in  each  of  these  should  be  administered  by 
a  governor,  a  council  of  five,  a  secretary  and  a  court  of  five  judges,  all 
to  be  appointed  by  Congress.  "When  a  certain  population  should  be 
reached,  then  representative  government  should  begin  and  a  House  of 
Representatives  should,  with  the  Governor  and  the  Council,  make  a 
Legislature.  When  this  state  was  reached,  a  delegate  might  be  sent  to 
Congress."     Among  other  things,  the  Ordinance  declared  that  "Religion. 


6  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

morality  and  knowledge  being  necessary  to  good  government  and  the 
happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  be  forever 
encouraged,"  and  as  an  earnest  of  good  faith,  the  16th  section  in  everj- 
township  of  land  was  set  apart  for  the  support  of  public  schools.  In 
Michigan  at  this  time  the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  school  lands  amount 
to  something  over  five  millions  of  dollars,  which  is  held  by  the  State  as 
a  trust  fund  upon  which  interest  is  annually  paid  for  the  support  of 
the  public  schools.  Freedom  of  religious  worship  was  stipulated  in  the 
Ordinance.  Considering  the  times  and  the  provocations,  the  paragraph 
relating  to  the  Indians  speaks  well  for  the  fathers  of  the  Republic.  It 
declares  that  "The  utmost  good  faith  shall  always  be  observed  toward 
the  Indians;  their  lands  and  property  shall  never  be  taken  from  them 
without  their  consent;  and  in  their  property,  rights  and  liberty  they 
shall  never  be  invaded  or  disturbed  unless  in  just  and  lawful  wars 
authorized  by  Congress;  but  laws  founded  in  justice  and  humanity 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  made  for  preventing  wrongs  being  done  to 
them  and  for  preserving  peace  and  friendship  with  them." 

It  is  doubtful  if  any  member  of  Congress  realized  the  tremendous 
import  of  the  brief  paragraph  relating  to  slavery  or  deemed  it  possible 
that  seventy-five  years  later  in  a  great  civil  war,  when  the  perpetuity  of 
the  government  itself  should  hang  in  the  balances,  it  should  tip  the 
scales  in  favor  of  the  Union.  The  paragraph  in  ciuestion  declared: 
"There  shall  be  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude  in  the  said 
territory,  otherwise  than  in  the  punishment  of  crime  whereof  the  party 
shall  have  been  duly  convicted." 

A  plan  of  civil  government,  freedom  of  religious  worship,  provision 
for  public  schools,  the  prohibition  of  slavery  and  justice  and  humanity 
toward  the  Indians  are  salient  points  in  this  immortal  instrument. 

Bancroft,  the  historian,  calls  it  "The  Great  Ordinance."  The  late 
Chief  Justice  Cooley  of  our  State  says  that  "No  Charter  of  Government 
in  the  history  of  any  people  has  so  completely  stood  the  tests  of  time 
and  experience." 

The  distinguished  Senator  Hoar,  of  Massachusetts,  put  it  on  a  plane 
with  the  Constitution  and  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  The  his- 
torian, Sehouler,  says,  "The  Ordinance  of  1787  deserves  to  rank  among 
immortal  parchments,  both  for  what  it  accomplished  and  what  it  inspired. 
Nor  would  it  be  wild  hyperbole  to  opine  that,  save  for  the  adoption  and 
unflinching  execution  of  that  ordinance  by  Congress  in  early  times, 
the  American  Union  would  ere  today  have  found  a  grave." 


CHAPTER  IV 
.MICHIGAN  TO  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  WAR  OF  Isii'-ISH 

The  withdrawal  of  the  British  from  American  soil,  under  the  treaty, 
left  the  way  open  for  settlement  aiid  improvement  of  ^liehiufan  which, 
aft^r  Ohio  was  made  a  State  in  1802.  became  a  part  of  the  territ«iy  of 
Indiana  with  William  Henry  Harrison,  afterward  President  of  the 
United  States,  as  Governor. 

In  1805  the  territory  of  Michigan  wa.s  created  and  set  apart  from 
Indiana  with  General  "William  Hull,  of  Massachusetts,  as  the  first 
territorial  governor.  There  was  but  little  gain  in  population,  in  enter- 
prise or  development  in  the  earlier  yeai-s  of  the  last  century.  In  the 
entire  territory  of  ^lichigan  down  to  1812,  it  is  estimated  there  was 
not  to  exceed  5,000  white  people,  while  Detroit,  thougli  a  hundred  and 
eleven  years  had  passed  since  Cadillac  had  first  established  a  settleuient 
there,  contained  but  800  Europeans.  Several  things  contributed  to  this 
slow  growth.  It  had  been  originally  settled  by  the  French  and  not  the 
English  and  had  drawn  its  life  from  French  rather  than  Engli.sh 
sources.  After  the  Kevolution  conditions  remained  practically  the 
same  with  British  garrisons  holding  the  forts  on  American  soil  along  the 
frontier,  with  a  wide  expanse  of  unbroken  forest  lying  between  the 
settlements  of  the  Americans  t-o  the  south  and  southeast  and  the  fringe  of 
French  settlements  along  the  border  of  the  north  and  northwest.  There 
were  by  land  no  roads  worthy  of  the  name  and  no  boats  of  carrying 
capacity  on  the  lakes.  As  a  result,  the  country  known  as  the  territory 
of  I\Iiehigan  remained  for  years  practically  at  a  stand  still. 

There  was  also  a  twofold  menace  to  the  ^lichigan  settlements.  The 
one,  was  the  British  troops  stationed  near  the  border  on  the  one  side 
and  the  Indians  in  sullen  and  hostile  mood  on  the  other,  both  under  con- 
ditions that  might  at  any  time  arise  and  unite  to  overcome  the  Ameri- 
cans and  devastate  the  settlements. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1812,  the  Congress  declared  war  against  Great 
Britain. 

One  of  the  fir.st  moves  of  the  enemy  was  to  capture  Detroit,  the  most 
important  post  on  the  frontier.  The  authorities  at  Washingon  showed 
lamentable  lack  of  foresight  and  enterprise  in  view  of  the  fact  that  they 
were  the  initiators.  While  Governor  Hull  was  making  his  way  through 
the  wilderness  of  Ohio  to  his  post  at  Detroit  with  a  considerable  foi-ce 
of  troops,  the  British  Commander  in  Canada,  through  inexcusable 
neglect  on  the  part  of  the  American  Secretary  of  War,  was  first  apprised 
of  the  fact  that  war  had  been  declared  and  by  that  knowledge  entered 


8  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  contest  at  an  advantage  that  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  General 
Hull  and  his  entire  force  with  the  town  of  Detroit  to  the  British  General 
Brock,  on  Sunday  morning,  August  16,  1812,  less  than  two  months  after 
the  declaration  of  war.  This  surrender  of  the  most  important  post  on 
the  American  frontier,  without  the  firing  of  a  single  shot,  was  a  dis- 
graceful and  humiliating  act,  which  brought,  upon  the  Americans  shame 
and  ridicule  at  home  and  abroad.  General  Hull  was  tried  by  Court 
Martial  and  sentenced  to  be  shot,  but  with  a  recommendation  for  execu- 
tive clemency,  which  resulted  in  his  permanent  retirement  to  private 
life  and  the  spending  of  the  rest  of  his  days  in  a  vain  effort  to  repair 
his  shattered  reputation. 

Included  in  the  surrendered  forces  under  Hull  was  a  young  Colonel 
of  Infantry,  named  Lewis  Cass,  who  indignantly  snapped  his  sword 
blade  as  a  helpless  protest  against  the  action  of  his  superior  officer.  He 
was  destined  to  be,  for  a  hundred  years  at  least,  the  most  conspicuous 
character  developed  by  the  commonwealth  and  to  do  more  for  the 
upbuilding  of  a  great  state  than  any  other  one  person. 

A  sequel  to  the  surrender  of  Detroit  was  the  invasion  of  northwestern 
Ohio  by  the  British  under  General  Proctor,  of  unenviable  fame.  The 
march  of  the  American  forces  to  counteract  that  advance  made  in  the 
icy  days  of  January,  1813,  resulted  in  the  frightful  massacre  on  the 
river  Raisin  which,  for  atrocity,  has  no  parallel  in  the  annals  of  Michigan 
and  few  in  those  of  the  entire  country.  But  disastrous  and  in  part  dis- 
graceful to  the  American  Arms  as  the  war  had  thus  far  been,  better 
days  were  coming. 

During  the  winter  of  1812-13  and  the  spring  following,  a  young  lieu- 
tenant of  the  navy  named  Oliver  Hazzard  Perry  had  been  entrusted  with 
the  task  of  creating  a  navy  on  the  Great  Lakes  that  should  be  able  to 
compete  with  the  British  ships  in  those  waters.  So  well  did  young 
Perry  meet  the  conditions  imposed  by  his  government  that  in  the 
following  August  he  sailed  from  his  improvised  ship  yards  in  the  harbor 
at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  with  a  squadron  of  two  brigs,  two  schooners  and 
a  brig  that  had  been  earlier  captured  from  the  British,  and  on  the 
10th  of  the  following  September  a  decisive  engagement  took  place  off 
Put-in-Bay,  Lake  Erie.  "We  have  met  the  enemy  and  they  are  ours," 
said  Perrj'  in  announcing  the  result.  It  not  only  thrilled  Americans 
then  but  will  start  the  red  blood  bounding  through  the  veins  of  every 
patriot  as  long  as  the  flag  floats  over  the  nation. 

While  Perry  was  capturing  the  British  fleet  on  Lake  Erie,  General 
Harrison  was  moving  toward  Detroit  with  a  large  force  of  infantry  and 
cavalry.  The  enemy  withdrew  to  Canada.  Harrison  followed  and 
on  the  5th  of  October,  1813,  the  decisive  battle  of  the  Thames  was 
fought  in  which  the  British,  under  Proctor,  were  badly  defeated. 
Tecumseh,  his  great  Indian  ally  who  bore  a  commission  as  Brigadier 
General  in  the  royal  army,  was  killed  and  his  followers  driven  in  con- 
fusion or  captured  on  the  field. 

This  battle  ended  the  war  in  this  section  of  the  country.  The  con- 
fidence of  the  Indians  in  their  British  friends  was  broken  forever. 
Michigan  was  redeemed  and  the  flag  again  floated  without  dispute  over 
the  lower  peninsula,  to  be  followed  in  the  upper  with  the  signing  and 
proclamation  of  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  in  the  following  year. 


CHAPTER  V 

MICHIGAN  UNDER  (iOVERXOR  CASS 

Material  Development — The  Territorlvl  Roads. 

Lewis  Cass,  who,  on  October  29,  1813.  was  appointed  by  President 
JMadison  Governor  of  the  territory  of  ^liehigan,  was  born  in  New  Hamp- 
shire in  the  year  1782.  His  fatlier,  who  had  l)een  an  officer  in  the 
army,  brought  his  wife  and  several  children,  of  which  Lewis  was  the 
oldest,  to  ^larietta,  Ohio,  then  on  the  frontier,  in  the  year  1800,  when 
the  future  Governor  of  Michigan  was  eighteen  years  okl.  Shortly  after 
coming  to  Marietta,  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  IMr.  R.  J. 
Meigs,  who  was  afterward  Governor  of  Ohio.  At  twenty-one  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  following  a  practice  of  many  young  lawyers, 
he  soon  became  a  candidate  and  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney,  then 
later  a  member  of  the  legislature.  In  1812  he  was  commissioned 
Colonel  of  an  Ohio  regiment  and  soon  after  was  on  his  way  to  the  scene 
of  action  near  the  Canadian  border.  During  the  war  he  so  acquitted 
himself  as  to  gain  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  and  at  its  close,  as 
we  have  before  stated,  was  made  Governor  of  the  Michigan  territory. 

Henceforth,  his  life  is  inseparably  associated  with  the  commonwealth, 
he  did  so  much  to  shape  and  develop  in  its  formative  period. 

The  Battle  of  the  Thames  was  decisive  in  so  far  as  the  lower  peninsula 
of  ^Michigan  was  concerned.  The  Indians,  however,  were  a  constant 
source  of  apprehension  to  the  settlers.  To  the  task  of  removing  that 
element  of  danger  and  consequent  uneasiness.  Governor  Cass  early  set 
himself.  He  succeeded  in  negotiating  a  number  of  treaties,  the  com- 
bined effect  of  which  was  to  secure  the  transfer  of  most  of  the  aborigines 
to  the  west  of  the  ^lississippi  River. 

The  chief  undertaking  to  which  Cass  addressed  himself  was  to  build 
up  the  waste  of  war,  Americanize  the  population,  induce  an  infiow  of 
people  from  the  states,  and  in  tiie  wake  of  material  development  and 
progress  lay  the  foundations  secure  and  strong  for  a  great  and  pros- 
perous State  in  the  American  Union.  It  is  estimated  that  at  the  close 
of  the  war  of  1812-14  there  were  not  in  the  territory  of  Michigan  to 
exceed  5,000  white  people.  For  nearly  fifty  years  the  population  had 
not  materially  increased.  In  1810,  Detroit  though  109  j'ears  old  and 
then,  as  now,  the  metropolis  of  the  State,  had  but  1,400  people.  In  the 
entire  territory  outside  of  Detroit  there  were  but  4,762.  The  settlements 
fringed  the  eastern  border  from  ^Monroe,  or  Frenchtown  as  it  was  then 


10  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

called,  to  Fort  Gratiot  with  an  occasional  settlement  as  far  north  as 
Mackinaw  and  even  to  Sault  Ste  Marie.  With  the  exception  of  some 
venturesome  traders,  the  inhabitants  were  almost  wholly  French.  The 
interior  to  the  west,  south  and  southwest  for  two  hundred  miles  was  an 
unbroken  and,  save  hy  the  savages,  an  uninhabited  wilderness.  There 
were  no  roads  worthy  of  the  name  west  and  north  of  the  Ohio,  while  no 
steamboats  navigated  the  waters  of  the  Great  Lakes.  All  these  were 
serious  obstacles  to  overcome,  but  the  greatest  blow  to  the  governor's 
ambition  came  from  an  unexpected  quarter  and  from  within  the  house 
of  his  friends  in  the  shape  of  a  report  by  Surveyor  General  Tiffin  to 
the  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  in  November,  1815. 

The  Congress,  in  anticipation  of  war  and  as  an  inducement  to  men 
to  enlist,  had,  in  1812,  provided  for  a  government  survey  of  six  million 
acres  of  land  "suitable  for  cultivation,"  two  million  of  which  was  to  be 
located  in  the  territory  of  Michigan  and  to  be  known  as  military  bounty 
lands  for  the  reward  of  soldiers  who  cared  to  make  entry. 

To  Edward  Tiffin,  a  former  Governor  of  Ohio  and  afterward  Surveyor 
General,  was  committed  the  task  of  having  the  surveys  made  and  reports 
upon  the  same  transmitted  to  the  government  at  Washington.  In  his 
report  he  says:  "I  annex  a  description  of  the  country  which  has  been 
sent  me  and  which,  I  am  informed,  all  the  surveyors  concur  in  *  *  * 
I  deem  it  my  duty  to  give  you  the  information,  believing  that  it  is  the 
wish  of  the  Government  that  the  soldiers  should  have,  as  the  Act  of 
Congress  proposed,  lands  fit  for  cultivation  and  that  the  whole  of  the 
two  million  acres  appropriated  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan  will  not 
contain  anything  like  one-hundredth  part  of  that  quantity,  or  is  worth 
the  expense  of  surveying.  Perhaps  you  will  think  with  me,  that  it  will 
be  proper  to  make  this  representation  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  he  may  avert  all  further  proceedings  by  directing  me  to 
pay  off  what  has  been  done  and  abandon  the  country." 

Then  follows  a  description  of  the  military  lands  in  Michigan  terri- 
tory, a  part  of  which,  in  view  of  what  is  now  seen,  is  deemed  of  sufficient 
interest  to  reproduce  here.  ' '  The  country  is,  with  some  few  exceptions, 
low  wet  land  with  a  very  thick  growth  of  underbrush,  intermixed  with 
very  bad  marshes,  but  generally  very  heavily  timbered  with  ash,  cotton- 
wood,  oak,  etc.  From  these,  continuing  north  and  extending  from  the 
Indian  boundary  line  eastward,  the  number  and  extent  of  swamps 
increase  with  the  addition  of  the  number  of  lakes  from  20  chains  to  two 
and  three  miles  across,  many  of  them  having  extensive  marshes  adjoining 
their  margins,  sometimes  thickly  covered  with  species  of  pine  called 
'Tamarack,'  and  other  places  covered  with  a  coarse,  high  grass  and 
uniformly  covered  from  six  inches  to  three  feet,  and  more  at  times  with 
water.  The  margins  of  these  lakes  are  not  the  only  places  where 
swamps  are  found,  for  they  are  interspersed  throughout  the  whole 
country,  and  filled  with  water  as  above  stated  and  varying  in  extent. 
The  intermediate  space  between  these  swamps  and  lakes,  which  is  prob- 
ably near  one-half  the  country,  is,  with  a  very  few  exceptions,  a  poor, 
barren,  sandy  land  on  which  scarcely  any  vegetation  grows  except  very 
small  scrubby  oaks.  In  many  places  that  part  which  may  be  called  dry 
land  is  composed  of  little  short  of  sand  hills  forming  a  kind  of  deep 


HISTORY   OK  CAMlorN   (OrXTV  II 

basins,  tlie  hottmii  of  iiuiiiy  of  wliii-li  arc  coiniiosi'd  nl'  a  iiiarsli  similar 
to  those  above  deseribed.  Tlu'  streams  are  generally  narrow  and  ver\- 
deep  eompared  witli  tiieir  widtii,  the  siiores  and  bottoms  of  wliieli  are. 
with  a  very  few  exeeptions,  swampy  beyond  deseriptiou  and  it  is  with 
difficulty  that  a  place  can  be  found  over  which  horses  can  be  conveyed." 

How  different  is  the  description  written  114  years  earlier  by  Cadillac, 
the  founder  of  Detroit.  Referring  to  the  scenes  along  and  adjacent 
to  the  Detroit  River,  this  native  son  of  France  said:  "The  borders  of 
the  strait  are  vast  prairies  and  the  freshness  of  the  beautiful  waters 
keeps  the  banks  always  green.  Natural  orchards  soften  and  bend  their 
branches  under  the  weight  and  (|nantit.v  of  their  fruit  toward  the 
mother  earth  which  has  produced  them.  The  ambitious  vine,  which  has 
never  wept  under  the  pruning  knife,  builds  a  thick  roof  with  its  large 
leaves  and  heavy  clusters,  weighing  ilown  the  top  of  the  tree  which 
receives  it  and  often  stifling  it  with  its  embrace.  The  woods  are  full  of 
game:  the  forest  trees  are  straight  as  arrows  and  of  prodigious  size: 
above  them  the  courageous  eagle  soars  looking  fixedly  at  the  sun;  the 
swans  in  the  river  are  so  numerous  that  one  might  take  for  lilies  the 
reeds  in  which  the.y  crowd  together  and  the  fish  are  none  the  less 
delicious  for  their  great  abundance."  The  latter  is  not  only  much  the 
prettier  but  much  the  truer  picture.  Her  forest  trees,  "straight  as 
arrows  and  prodigious  in  size,"  converted  into  boards  and  shingles  and 
lath,  until  approximatel.v  exhausted,  long  placed  her  among  the  foremost 
of  lumber  producing  states.  The  product  of  her  orchards  and  her 
vineyards,  in  (luantity  and  quality,  have  carried  her  fame  as  a  fruit 
producing  state  to  every  part  of  the  home  land  and  even  be.vond  the 
seas.  Her  "poor,  barren  and  sandy  land  in  the  intermediate  spaces 
between  the  swamps  and  lakes"  has  produced  inore  wheat  per  acre 
than  any  other  state  in  the  Union,  while  in  quantity  she  has  ranked 
fourth  among  the  great  wheat  growing  states  of  the  Nation.  This  land, 
of  which  not  more  than  one  acre  in  a  hundred,  would  ever  be  "fit  for 
cultivation"  has  given  ^lichigan  a  most  creditable  rank  among  the 
leading  cereal  states,  while  neither  Cadillac  nor  Tiffin  dreamed  of  the 
uncounted  millions  of  dollars  that  la.v  sleeping  the  centuries  away  in 
her  beds  of  iron  and  copper  ore  and  in  her  deposits  of  salt  and  coal. 

Cass  knew  something  of  the  possibilities  of  the  embryo  state  and  that 
knowledge  laid  under  tribute  all  the  resources  of  his  being,  personal  and 
official.  Though  the  soil  of  the  state  iiad  been  aspersed  aud  the  govern- 
ment's official  seal  of  condemnation  put  upon  it,  though  the  tides  of 
emigration  sweeping  westward  were  dellected  and  passed  by  Michigan, 
he  was  nothing  daunted.  He  put  forth  his  best  efforts  to  secure  govern- 
ment aid  to  the  territory  to  build  roads,  where  only  Indian  trails 
traversed  the  wilderness.  These  efforts  were  rewarded  by  roads,  crude 
it  is  true,  but  nevertheless  roads  surveyed  and  somewhat  improved, 
leading  through  the  forests  to  the  westward  and  southward,  eastward 
and  northwestward.  He  caused  to  be  made  known  the  territory's  many 
advantages  and  when  inquiries  from  home  seekers  began  to  multiply, 
secured  the  establishment  of  a  Government  Land  Office  in  Detroit,  the 
first  in  the  State. 

Following  these  sucfpssful  efforts  within  the  territoi-y  was  the  intro- 


12  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

duction  of  steam  navigation  on  the  Great  Lakes  above  the  falls  of  Niagara. 
One  steam  boat  followed  another  until  there  was  a  daily  line  between 
Buffalo  and  Detroit.  About  this  time  the  Erie  Canal  was  put  in  com- 
mission and  an  all  water  route  was  open  from  New  York  and  western 
New  England  to  ilichigan.  The  tides  of  emigration,  which  now  set 
toward  the  peninsular  territory,  caught  in  their  flow  much  of  the  best 
blood  and  brains  of  the  northeastern  states  of  the  Union.  Intelligent, 
resolute  and  courageous  young  men  and  women  in  large  numbers  came 
into  Michigan  to  lay  the  foundations  of  a  new  commonwealth. 

]\Iatkbial  Development 

While  material  development  and  improvement  was  going  on  in  a 
most  gratifying  way,  Governor  Cass  was  not  unmindful  of  the  necessary 
political  changes  that  should  accompany  them.  Out  of  the  original 
Northwest  Territory,  of  which  Michigan  was  a  part,  Ohio  had  been  made 
a  State  in  1802 ;  Indiana  in  1816  and  Illinois  followed  two  years  later. 
From  1818  to  1836  the  Territory  of  Michigan  embraced  all  of  Michigan 
and  all  the  territory  now  known  as  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  east  of  the 
Mississippi. 

Prom  1810  to  1820  the  population  of  the  territory  nearly  doubled. 
When  Governor  Cass  came  into  office,  the  first  system  of  government 
under  the  Ordinance  of  1787  was  still  in  vogue.  Under  that  system  the 
Governor  and  Judges,  all  appointed  by  the  President,  were  supreme 
within  the  limitations  of  the  Ordinance  of  1787.  In  1823  the  second 
step  in  territorial  government  was  taken  when  the  people  elected  by 
popular  vote  eighteen  councilmeu  from  which  nine  were  selected  by  the 
President  and  by  him  recommended  to  the  Senate  for  confirmation. 
The  territory  remained  under  tlie  Governor  and  Council,  appointed  and 
confirmed  as  stated,  until  1827  when  the  exclusive  power  of  choice  was 
given  to  the  people.  This  last  step  carried  the  people  to  the  third 
grade  in  territorial  government.  In  1819  the  Territory  was  given  the 
privilege  of  electing  a  delegate  to  Congress. 

William  Woodbridge,  of  Detroit,  was  chosen.  He  was  succeeded, 
after  one  term,  by  Judge  Solomon  Sibley,  of  the  same  place,  and  he  in 
turn  by  a  Catholic  priest  in  the  person  of  Gabriel  Richard,  who  took 
his  seat  December  8,  1823.  Pather  Richard  was  born  in  Prance  and 
educated  for  the  priesthood.  He  came  to  Detroit  in  1798,  where  he 
built  St.  Ann's  Church.  He  was  popular  with  all  classes.  He  was  not 
only  a  loyal  and  devoted  churchman  but  an  energetic  and  public  spirited 
citizen.  He  published  the  first  newspaper  ever  printed  in  JMiclugan, 
was  much  interested  in  education  and  helped  to  lay  the  foundations  of 
the  State  University.  While  he  served  but  one  term  in  Congress,  he 
proved  in  Washington,  as  in  Michigan,  a  useful  friend  of  the  new  and 
rapidly  developing  territory.  In  1832  he  fell  a  victim  of  the  cholera 
epidemic  which  that  year  raged  with  great  virulence  in  Detroit  and  other 
parts  of  the  territory.  Pather  Richard  is  the  only  Catholic  priest  in 
Michigan  that  ever  served  in  the  Congi-ess  of  the  United  States  and 
though  nearly  ninety  years  have  passed  since  that  service  was  rendered. 


HISTORY  OF  CAiJiorx  corxTY  i:i 

his  inoinory  is  still  fragrant  to  all  llicliigaii  people  who  know  of  his 
worth  and  works. 

Another  evidence  of  the  growth  and  development  of  the  Territory 
was  evidenced  by  the  organization  of  new  counties.  Wayne  was  tiie 
first  county  organized  by  Governor  Cass  in  1813,  and  at  that  time 
embraced  the  whole  territory  of  Michigan.  In  1817  President  Monroe 
paid  a  visit  to  Detroit  and  soon  after,  Monroe  County  was  organized  and 
named  in  honor  of  the  then  chief  executive.  A  year  later  IMacoinb  was 
organized  and  named  in  honor  of  the  General.  Then  followed  in  quick 
succession  Jlackinac,  Oakland,  St.  Clair,  Lenawee,  Sanilac,  Saginaw  and 
Shiawassee,  all  up  to  1822  inclusive.  These  county  organizations  tell, 
better  than  anything  else  the  trend  of  population,  very  little  of  which 
had  to  that  time  penetrated  the  interior,  but  followed  mainly  the  water 
courses  of  the  eastern  section.  The  intluences  were  at  work,  however, 
which  would  soon  change  this.     The  building  of 

The  Territorial  Exjads 

did  much  to  open  up  the  new  Territory  to  settlers  in  the  interior.  The 
tirst  of  these  ran  from  Detroit  to  the  foot  of  the  rapids  on  the  Maumee 
River  at  what  is  now  Perrysburg,  Ohio,  at  that  time  considered  as  a 
part  of  Michigan. 

The  bill  authorizing  the  survey  and  construction  of  this  road  was 
gotten  through  Congress  during  the  term  of  Father  Gabriel  Richard 
an,d  was  the  first  of  the  territorial  roads  built  in  ^Michigan.  In  1826 
the  Government  made  provision  for  the  survey  and  construction  of 
additional  roads,  notably  from  Detroit  to  Fort  Gratiot,  from  Detroit  to 
Saginaw  Bay,  and  from  Detroit  to  Chicago.  One  territorial  road  ran 
from  Detroit  west  via  Ypsilanti,  Ann  Arbor,  Jack.son  and  Marshall; 
another  passed  through  the  southeastern  counties.  In  1832  Congress 
passed  an  act  to  authorize  the  surveying  and  laying  out  of  a  road  from 
Detroit  to  the  mouth  of  the  Grand  River  on  Lake  ^lichigan.  Laterals 
were  constructed  running  from  different  parts  to  intersect  with  the 
main  lines.  Settlers  in  large  numbers  followed  the  opening  of  these 
new  roads,  postoffices  were  established  at  many  points  in  the  interior 
and  new  counties  were  organized.  Here  again,  by  the  names  of  the 
new*  counties  formed,  do  we  see  the  course  of  the  immigrants  seeking 
homes  in  the  territory.  Jackson,  Calhoun,  Hillsdale,  Branch,  Cass, 
Berrien,  Kalamazoo,  Van  Buren,  Saint  Joseph,  Ingham,  Eaton  and 
Bany  were  organized  by  1829.  It  will  be  seen  that  this  gave  two  tiers 
of  organized  counties  entirely  across  the  lower  part  of  the  State  and  a 
third  one  nearly  so. 

The  federal  census  of  1832  gave  the  population  of  ^Michigan  as 
32,538.  Governor  Cass  in  1831  was  made  a  member  of  Jackson  "s 
cabinet.  George  B.  Porter,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  appointed  to  succeed 
him,  while  John  T.  ilason.  of  Virginia,  was  named  as  Secretary  to 
succeed  William  Woodbridge,  who  had  long  held  the  office  under 
Governor  Cass.  This  latter  office  of  Secretary  derived  its  importance  in 
a  large  part  from  the  fact  that  in  the  absence  of  the  Governor  the  Secre- 
tary acted  in  his  place.     Governor  Porter  did  not  arrive  in   .Miilii^'aii 


14  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

for  nearly  a  year  after  his  appointment  and  in  the  interval  Mason  acted 
as  Governor,  but  he  soon  resigned  and  went  abroad  and  President  Jack- 
son appointed  Stevens  Thompson  Mason,  the  Secretary's  son,  to  succeed 
his  father  and  so  it  came  about  through  favoritism  in  appointments  that 
ilichigan's  acting  Governor  was  under  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Pro- 
tests to  the  administration  at  Washington  were  made  in  vain.  The 
younger  Mason  held  his  place  as  Secretary  and  continued  to  act  as 
Governor  notwithstanding  his  youth.  Subsequently  he  was  appointed 
Governor  of  the  Territory. 

In  the  meantime  the  desire  for  statehood  was  growing  among  the 
people  and  in  1834  took  form  in  the  shape  of  a  memorial  to  the  Congress 
by  the  Territorial  Council  for  the  passage  of  an  act  to  enable  them  to 
proceed  to  form  a  state  constitution  and  organize  a  state  government. 
A  long  drawn-out  controversy  with  Ohio  over  the  southern  boundarj' 
of  ]Michigan,  which  involved  during  its  course  the  President,  his  cabinet, 
both  Houses  of  Congress,  together  with  the  Governors  and  people  of 
the  two  states  as  parties  to  the  controversy,  not  only  delayed  the  admis- 
sion of  Michigan  into  the  Union  but  at  one  time  threatened  a  serious 
Collision  of  arms  by  the  immediate  disputants.  Congress  finally  settled 
the  difficulty  by  granting  Ohio's  claim  of  the  ten  mile  strip  in  dispute 
and  giving  to  Michigan  in  lieu  thereof  the  Upper  Peninsula.  In  the 
meantime  Michigan  had  held  her  convention,  framed  a  constitutton, 
elected  a  Governor  and  other  state  officers,  a  legislature,  two  United 
States  Senators  and  a  member  of  Congress.  The  machinery  of  state- 
hood was  all  constructed  and  set  up  but  could  not  be  put  in  motion 
until  Congress  said  the  word.  This  was  done  on  the  26th  day  of  January, 
1837,  when  Michigan  was  duly  admitted  as  the  twenty-sixth  State  into 
the  Federal  Union. 


CHAPTER  VI 

MICHIGAN  IN  ITS  PRIMITIVE  STATEHOOD 

Calholn  and  Gai^houn  County — Important  Year  for  the  County 
AND  ^Iarshall — Rapid  Growth  of  County  and  County  Seat — 
Public  and  Private  Buildings — First  County  Court  House — A 
New  Court  iIouse  Needed — A  New  Jail — The  Calhoun  County 
Home — lounty  Officers. 

it  is  doubtful  if  any  state  in  the  great  middle  west  was  more  fortunate 
than  Miclngan  in  the  charaeter  and  quality  of  her  pioneers.  Except 
the  French,  wnose  holdings  were  almost  entirely  confined  to  the  river 
front  from  Monroe  to  Saint  Clair  where  they  had  existed  for  more  than 
a  hundred  years  with  little  of  material  progress  and  comparatively 
slight  increase  ni  numbers,  there  were  few  foreigners.  Nearly  all  the 
new  comers  arter  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  were  from  New 
England,  New  York  and  Ohio.  Among  these  were  many  men  and 
women  of  education  and  refinement  who  sought  to  better  their  material 
condition  in  the  new  State  bordered  by  the  Great  Lakes.  Nearly  all 
were  without  means,  who  had  everything  to  make  and  little  to  lose; 
hence  they  were  willing  to  subject  themselves  to  the  hardships,  privations 
and  toil  inseparable  from  pioneer  life  in  the  -fii-st  half  of  the  last  century. 

The  French  settlers  may  be  said  to  have  constituted  a  class  by  thein- 
seives  and  of  these  the  late  Chief  Justice  Cooley  has  given  the  following 
interesting  picture:  "' French  farms  may  almost  be  said  to  have  lined 
the  river  from  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  to  Lake  St.  Clair;  their  houses 
fronted  upon  the  road  which  ran  along  the  river  bank,  ;in<l  llicre  was 
only  a  narrow  belt  of  cultivation  behind  them,  bordered  by  dense  forest 
in  which  wolves,  bears  and  other  wild  animals  still  ottered  pasliiiie  to 
the  sportsmen.  The  agriculture  of  the  farmers  was  of  the  most  primitive 
character,  the  plow,  except  the  share,  was  of  wood,  with  a  wooden  wheel 
on  either  side  of  the  long  beam ;  the  one  small  to  run  on  the  land  side 
and  the  other  larger  to  run  in  the  furrow.  Oxen  were  attached  to  this 
plow  by  a  pole  which  had  a  hinged  attachment ;  they  were  not  yoked 
but  the  draught  was  by  thongs  or  ropes  fastened  about  their  horns.  A 
little  two  wheeled  cart  into  which  was  fastened  a  pony,  or  perhaps  a 
cow  or  steer,  was  the  principal  farm  vehicle.  The  early  farmers  did 
not  appreciate  the  value  of  manure  in  agriculture  and  removed  it  out  of 
their  way  by  dumping  it  into  the  river.  Tlie  houses  for  the  most  parr 
were  a  single  s\oyy  witli  ;i  plain  vei'anda  in  front  and  here  in  pleasant 

15 


16  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

weather  would  gather  the  household  for  domestic  labor  and  social  recrea- 
tion. The  houses  of  the  wealthier  classes  were  of  hewed  logs,  with  a 
large  chimney  occupying  the  space  of  a  room  in  the  center  and  a  garret 
hung  with  festoons  of  drying  or  dried  fruits,  pumpkins,  garlic,  onions 
and  medicinal  and  culinary  herbs.  The  family  wash  was  done  at  the 
river  and  the  pounding  of  the  clothes  was  with  a  little  hand  mallet,  after 
the  method  of  their  ancestors  from  time  immemorial.  Everywhere  the 
spinning  wheel  was  in  use  and  the  madam,  with  just  pride  in  her  deft- 
ness, made  the  clothing  for  the  family.  The  kitchen  was  a  common 
gathering-room  for  the  family,  who  liked  to  see  the  cookery  going  on 
with  pots  and  kettles  and  spiders  in  an  open  fire  place.  Around  many 
of  the  old  houses  and  yards  were  pickets  of  cedar,  ten  or  twelve  feet 
high,  which  were  originally  planted  for  defense  against  the  Indians. 
The  only  fastening  to  the  front  door  of  the  house  was  a  latch  on  the 
inside  which  was  raised  to  open  the  door  by  a  strip  of  leather,  or  deer's 
hide,  run  through  a  Irole  in  the  door  and  hanging  down  on  the  outside. 
When  the  latch  string  was  drawn  in,  the  door  was  fastened ;  but  so 
marked  an  indication  of  distrust  or  inhospitality  was  seldom  witnessed 
as  no  one,  not  even  an  Indian,  would  be  guilty  of  so  great  a  breach  of 
propriety  as  to  lift  the  latch  and  cross  the  threshold  without  permission 
of  the  owner.  The  family,  when  leaving  the  house  temporarily,  did  not 
therefore  deem  it  necessary  to  fasten  the  door." 

The  Yankees,  as  all  Americans  were  called,  found  their  way  into 
Michigan  by  the  Erie  Canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  across  the  Lake  to  Detroit, 
or  by  the  military  road  up  through  the  wilderness  from  Ohio.  The 
entire  household  effects  were  generally  conveyed  in  a  single  wagon  drawn 
by  oxen.  The  wife  and  mother  with  the  small  children  rode  while  the 
husband  and  older  children  trudged  along  on  foot.  If  fortunate  enough 
to  possess  a  cow,  she  was  carefully  tended  and  gently  led  by  some 
member  of  the  family.  A  canvas  covering  extended  over  the  entire 
length  of  the  wagon,  usually  projecting  outward  both  in  front  and  rear 
and  supported  by  wooden  bows  or  stays.  This  covering  protected  the 
household  effects  and  during  storms  served  as  shelter  for  those  members 
of  the  family  fortunate  enough  to  get  under  it. 

With  this  outfit  many  families  came  into  the  wilds  of  Michigan 
seventy  and  eighty  years  ago,  whose  descendants  are  among  our  most 
successful  and  prominent  citizens.  At  that  time  the  main  roads  were 
at  best  but  an  excuse  for  highways.  Oft  times  the  team  or  wagon  or 
both  would  sink  into  the  mire,  necessitating  long  delays  in  getting 
extricated.  A  week  or  ten  days  were  consumed  in  journeying  as  far  west 
from  Detroit  as  Calhoun  County. 

When  the  "location"  was  finally  reached,  the  wife  and  smaller 
children  slept  in  or  under  the  wagon  while  the  logs  were  being  cut 
and  built  into  a  cabin.  Shingles  were  rived  from  blocks  or  bolts  of 
wood  and  laid  in  place  for  a  roof  without  nails,  held  down  by  the 
weight  of  poles  laid  transversely  to  the  pitch  of  the  roof.  A  fireplace 
that  occupied  the  larger  part  of  one  end  of  the  cabin  was  built  up  of 
mortar  and  stone  with  the  flue  constructed  of  sticks  made  into  a  sort 
of  crib  or  stack  laid  up  in  mortar  and  plastered  on  the  inside  to  protect 
from  fire.     The  fireplace  served  for  heating  the  house  and  cooking  the 


lllSTOliV   OK  CALIlorN   COINTV  17 

food.  A  craiic  lasleiU'd  at  one  side  of  tlir  lircplace  swuiij;  foi-\vard  to 
receive  its  Ijiirdcn  of  pots  ami  kettles  and  llieii  back  over  the  l)la/.iiijj 
fire  that  the  contents  might  be  boiled.  Spiders  and  skillets  were  placed 
on  the  hearth  in  front  where  they  were  heated  by  means  of  coals  drawn 
from  the  tire.  No  more  delicious  bread  was  ever  eaten  than  that  baked 
in  the  skillet  with  its  close  fitting  cover  j)rotecting  the  contents  within 
while  the  live  coals  were  drawn  beneath  and  piled  on  to]>.  Potatoes 
were  baked  by  covering  them  with  ashes  and  piling  on  these  the  hot 
eoals.  To  get  the  delicious  flavor  of  the  tubers,  no  better  way  of  cooking 
them  has  ever  been  devised.  Salt  pork  was  the  staple  meat  for  which 
fish  and  game  were  occasionally  substituted.  A  floor  for  the  cabin 
home  often  awaited  the  erection  of  a  mill,  the  cutting  and  hauling  of 
logs  and  their  conversion  into  boards.  This,  .sometinu's  i'e(|uired  months 
of  time  and  in  the  meanwhile  the  family  lived  ;ind  ate  and  slept  on  tiio 
ground  fioor. 

While  without  stalwart  anus  wciv  felling  the  1rces,  cutting  and 
rolling  the  logs  into  hcajts  and  jiiling  the  brush  for  burning  pi-e])aratory 
to  jilowing  and  seeding,  within  loving  hands  were  rocking  the  cratUe 
and  getting  the  meals  for  hungry  and  happy  husband  and  children  who 
with  each  setting  sun  saw  the  pioneer's  amliition  for  a  home  more  nearly 
realized. 

The  clothing,  both  for  adults  and  eliildivn.  was  made  at  hoinc  and 
from  the  plainest  material.  For  outer  garments  Kentucky  jeans  met 
the  requirements  of  the  men  and  calico  of  the  women.  Children  went 
bare-footed  from  the  time  frost  left  in  the  spring  until  it  came  again  in 
the  fall. 

flails  were  both  infrequent  and  irregular,  while  it  cost  twenty-five 
cents  in  postage  to  carry  a  letter  from  ;\Iicliigau  to  New  England.  There 
were  no  daily  papers.  The  weeklies  were  small  in  size,  unattractive  in 
make  up  and  meager  in  contents.  The  schools,  supported  by  rate  bills, 
were  of  short  duration,  usually  three  months  in  a  year,  and  primitive  in 
every  way.  Reading,  writing,  grammar  and  arithmetic  w'ere  looked 
upon  as  the  essentials,  more  than  these  as  superfluous.  In  winter, 
spelling  and  singing  schools  were  conuuon  sources  of  conuuunity  profit 
and  amusement,  Quiltings  for  the  women,  husking  bees  and  raisings 
for  the  men  and  dancing  parties  for  both  sexes  were  utilized  for  i-ecrea- 
tion  and  social  develojiment. 

Churches  were  few  and  far  l)et\\een.  The  log  school  liou.se  .served 
as  a  place  for  both  intellectual  and  religious  instruction.  The  circuit 
rider  usually  made  the  rounds  of  his  preatdiing  places  once  in  four 
weeks  and  then  only  for  a  single  service.  To  the  appointed  place  of 
worship,  people  would  come  up  in  every  direction  from  out  of  the 
woods,  some  on  foot,  some  on  horseback  and  some  in  wagons  or  carts 
drawn  by  oxen. 

The  young  people  courted,  loved,  married  and  were  given  in  mar- 
riage. Almost  every  wife  became  the  mother  of  children.  Domestic 
scandals  were  very  rare.  Divorces  were  practically  unknown.  Health, 
happiness  and  a  reasonable  degree  of  prosperit.v  attended  the  pioneers 
who  felled  the  forests,  cleared  and  fenced  the  fields,  planted  the  orchards 
and  vineyards,  constructed  the  highways  and  bi-idges,  built  the  homes 


18  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  schools  and  churches  and  in  these  laid  the  foundations  of  the  civil- 
ization which  the  later  generations  have  inherited. 

Calhoun  and  Calhoun  County 

Anticipating  the  early  completion  of  the  public  surveys  of  the  south- 
western part  of  the  State  and  the  final  extinguishment  of  the  Indian 
claims  to  some  portions  of  the  unsurveyed  lands,  the  Legislative  Council 
of  1829  set  off  twelve  counties,  which  included  all  the  land  west  of  the 
principal  meridian  and  south  of  the  fifth  township  north  of  the  base 
line. 

The  names  given  to  most  of  these  counties  clearly  indicate  flie  ruling 
party  at  the  time,  both  at  Washington  and  in  Michigan.  One  was  called 
Jackson  after  the  then  President  of  the  United  States;  another  Calhoun 
after  the  Vice  President ;  Van  Buren  was  named  after  Jackson 's  Secre- 
tary of  State ;  Ingham  was  named  for  the  then  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury ;  Eaton,  for  the  Secretary  of  War ;  Branch,  for  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy;  Barry,  for  the  Postmaster  General;  Berrien,  for  the  Attorney 
General  and  Cass,  for  the  then  Governor,  but,  who  in  1831  became 
Secretary  of  War  under  Jackson. 

All  of  these  men,  sc  closely  identified  with  Jackson  and  his  ad- 
ministration, filled  to  a  greater  or  lesser  degree  the  public  eye  during 
the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Except  Jackson  only,  no  one 
was  so  long  conspicuous  and  no  one  exercised  so  great  an  influence  upon 
the  republic  as  John  Caldwell  Calhoun,  South  Carolina's  most  eminent 
son,  after  whom  Calhoiui  County  was  named.  The  son  of  an  Irish  im- 
migrant, whose  mother,  ilary  Caldwell,  was  the  daughter  of  a  Pres- 
byterian clergyman  also  from  Ireland,  the  future  statesman,  was  born 
in  South  Carolina  in  1782,  the  same  year  as  Webster  and  Cass,  two  of 
his  distinguished  contemporaries.  Calhoun  graduated  with  honor  from 
Yale  in  1804  and  after  three  years  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  law, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  his  native  State.  Soon  after  his  admission 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  South  Carolina  legislature ;  at  29  years 
of  age  he  became  a  member  of  Congress ;  at  35,  Secretary  of  War  under 
President  Monroe ;  at  42,  Vice  President  during  John  Quincy  Adams ' 
administration  and  held  the  same  office  during  the  first  four  years  of 
Jackson's.  He  was  for  a  short  time  Secretary  of  State  under  Ty- 
ler. At  51  he  entered  the  Senate,  the  arena  on  which  he  won  his 
most  enduring  fame.  His  name  will  be  forever  linked  with  those  of 
Webster  and  Clay  as  one  of  the  "Great  Triumvirate." 

Calhoun  was  the  leader,  if  not  the  originator,  of  the  nullification 
school  of  statesmen.  He  was  the  most  conspicuous  advocate  of  his 
time,  of  the  proposition  that  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  was 
a  compact,  an  agreement  and  that  secession  is  a  constitutional  right 
inherent  in  the  states.  Of  a  very  high  order  of  intellect,  of  great  purity 
of  character  and  from  his  standpoint  of  view,  an  ardent  patriot,  many 
still  believe  that  he  exercised  a  baneful  influence  upon  the  Republic. 

On  the  29th  day  of  October,  1829,  the  Legislative  Council  of  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Michigan  enacted  that  so  much  of  the  country  as  lies  south  of 
the  base  line  and  north  of  the  line  between  townships  four  and  five. 


HISTORY   OK  CALIIOIX  COrXTY  10 

south  ot'tlio  liasc  liiir  ami  west  iiT  (lie  line  bctwi'uii  raiiijcs  tlirci'  ami  lour, 
west  of  the  iiu'ridiaii  ami  uast  of  the  liuc  hctwet'U  raiiK''^  cijilit  ami  nine 
west,  1)6  and  tlie  same  is  hereby  set  off  inio  a  sei)(>ratc  iMuiuty  ami  the 
name  thereof  shall  he  Calhoun. 

Settlers  soon  followed  the  setting  apart  of  the  county.  Onee  the 
white  man  having  looked  upon  the  beautiful  ""oak  oi)enings,"  the 
fertile  soil,  the  clear  running  streams  with  their  natural  water  power 
sites,  the  numerous  erystal  water  lakes  already  alive  with  fish,  and  the 
magnificent  forests  abounding  with  game,  he  not  only  coveted  for  him- 
self a  part  of  this  inheritance  but  everywhere  he  went  he  advertised  its 
beauty  and  its  advantages. 

The  first  white  man  to  settle,  permanently,  in  Calhoun  County  was 
Sidney  Ketchum.    lie  came  from  Clinton  County,  New  York,  in  August, 

1830,  and  located  land  at  the  "forks"  of  the  Kalamazoo  River,  now 
the  site  of  the  City  of  Albion,  and  also  at  the  .iunction  of  Rice  Creek 
with  the  Kalamazoo,  at  what  is  now  the  City  of  ^larshall.  At  that  time 
the  United  States  Land  Office  for  this  section  was  at  Monroe  and  there 
in  the  month  of  October,  1830,  Noble  ]\IeKinstrj'  and  Ephraim  Hanson 
entered  lands  covering  respectively  the  water  power  at  Jlarshall  and 
Albion.  Mr.  Ketchum  subsequently  bought  the  land  at  both  locations. 
These  were  the  only  entries  made  in  Calhoun  County  in  1830.  In  the 
early  days  a  good  dam  site  was  regarded  as  exceedingly  important,  for 
by  it  power  could  be  conserved  that  would  grind  the  corn  into  meal 
or  the  wheat  into  flour  or  saw  the  logs  into  boards.  The  first  two  would 
feed  and  the  last  house  and  shelter  the  pioneer  and  his  family,  hence 
dam  sites  were  everywhere  sought  and  seized  upon  by  the  early  comers. 

The  year  1831  found  the  entries  in  Calhoun  County  increased  fifty- 
fold  over  the  preeeeding.  Among  the  new  comers  vv'ere  George  Ketchum, 
Lucious  Lyon,  Isaac  N.  Hurd,  H.  II.  Comstock,  John  Bertram,  A.  L. 
Hayes,  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce,  Rev.  Hobart  Randall,  Isaac  E.  Crai"y  and 
H.  P.  Wisner,  who  located  laud  in  or  near  what  is  now  the  city  of 
Marshall.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  this  little  group  of  immigrants 
standing  on  the  verge  of  civilization  were  a  future  United  States  Senator, 
a  member  of  Congress  and  a  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 
Jonathan  Wood  entered  the  160  acres  which  became  the  original  village 
site  on  which  the  county  seat  was  subsequently  located.  In  tlie  same 
year,  Sands  McCamley,  George  Redfield,  John  J.  and  Daniel  G.  Gurnsey 
settled  in  or  very  near  what  is  now  Battle  Creek.  Goguac  prairie  was 
a  strong  competitor  with  ilarshall  and  Battle  Creek  for  settlei-s,  for  in 

1831,  David,  Jonathan  and  Isaac  Thomas  and  Isaiah  Goddard  located 
in  that  promising  section.  In  1832,  Samuel  Convis,  Moses  Hall  with 
others  found  their  way  to  Battle  Creek.  A  little  later  came  Ezra  Con- 
vis,  Polydore  Hudson,  who  became  Battle  Creek's  first  Postmaster.  p]ach 
succeding  year  there  were  additions  to  the  little  settlements  at  Marshall 
and  Battle  Creek. 

Alliion  shares  with  ilarshall  the  distinction  of  having  one  of  the 
two  first  land  entries  made  in  Calhoun  County.  Both  entries  were  made 
October  16,  1830.  In  1831.  Darius  Pierce  entered  a  quarter  section  on 
which  the  main  part  of  Albion  now  stands.  Sidney  Ketchum 's  holdings 
in  Sheridan  township,  now  a  part  nf  Albion  Cit\-.  with  tho.se  of  Pierce 


20  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

and  Harrison  were  bought  by  Tenney  Peabody  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
In  the  early  spring  of  1832,  Peabody  arrived  with  his  family,  accom- 
panied by  Charles  Blanchard. 

While  the  pioneers  were  coming  in  considerable  numbers  to  ilarshall, 
Battle  Creek  and  Albion,  other  parts  of  the  county  were  by  no  means 
passed  by.  In  1832,  Henry  and  Richard  McMurtrie,  Powell  Grover  and 
William  Wintersteen,  all  from  Pennsylvania,  settled  within  the  limits 
of  the  present  township  of  Homer.  In  the  same  year  last  named,  Henry 
Cook  located  on  what  is  now  known  as  Cook's  Plains,  northwest  of  Ho- 
mer Village  but  in  the  present  township  of  Eckford.  The  same  year 
also,  Anthony  Doolittle,  coming  direct  from  Ohio,  though  originally  from 
the  State  of  New  York,  settled  in  what  is  now  the  township  of  Claren- 
don. In  1832,  there  came  to  Homer,  Milton  Barney,  a  most  enter- 
prising and  useful  citizen.  He  entered  a  large  tract  of  land  on  a  part 
of  which  the  beautiful  Village  of  Homer  now  stands  and  which  also  enj- 
braced  the  valuable  water-power  still  in  use,  on  which  he  built  a  saw 
luill  and  a  grist  mill ;  he  built  the  first  store  building  and  ran  the  first 
store;  put  up  and  ran  the  first  hotel  and  served  as  the  lirst  Justice  of 
the  Peace.  The  settlement  for  which  he  had  done  so  much  was  originally 
called  Barneyville.  Timothy  Hamilton,  Henry  Stanchell,  Richard  Nor- 
ris,  Frederich  R.  Hatch,  Samuel  W.  Hamilton,  James  Parsons,  Chauncey 
Lewis,  Cornelius  Fish,  and  others  made  their  way  to  Homer  and 
vicinity  and  that  section  of  the  County  improved  rapidlj'. 

The  southwestern  part  of  the  County  received  its  first  influx  of  pio- 
neers in  1S31.  It  was  in  this  year  that  xVlfred  Holcum,  Benjamin  F. 
Ferris,  Warren  Nichols,  and  his  brothers  Ambrose  and  Oi'thorial,  Asahel 
Stone  and  Isaac  Crassett  settled  in  the  township  first  called  Berlin,  now 
Athens.  At  that  time  it  embraced  the  present  townships  of  Athens, 
Burlington  and  LeRoy.  Others  soon  followed  and  shared  with  these 
hardy  pioneers  the  privilege  of  building  up  what  is  today  one  of  the 
finest  sections  of  Calhoun  County. 

Marengo  township  enjoys,  with  others  above  named,  the  distinction 
of  being  among  the  first  settled.  Seeley  Neal,  whose  land  entry  dates 
June  16,  1831,  built  the  first  log  house  put  up  in  the  township.  It  was 
located  on  the  south  side  of  the  territorial  road  on  Section  37.  Col.  John 
Ainsley,  Erastus  Kimball,  Joseph  Ames,  Thomas  Chisholm,  Alfred  D. 
Wright,  Elijah  A.  Bigelow,  and  Nathan  Pierce  all  came  the  same  year. 
The  fine  water-power  at  Marengo  was  utilized  in  running  a  saw  mill  as 
early  as  1835. .  A  grist  mill  was  put  in  commission  in  1839.  The  timber 
being  gone,  there  was  no  longer  use  for  a  saw  mill,  but  the  grist  mill, 
though  not  the  original,  is  still  grinding  wheat  and  corn  for  the  customer 
who  waits  for  his  grist  as  in  the  early  days.  In  1831,  Reuben  Abbott, 
from  Erie,  New  York,  became  the  first  white  settler  in  the  township  of 
Sheridan.  He  was  soon  followed  by  Orris  Clapp,  Chandler  Church  and 
M.  J.  Lathrop.  The  first  land  entered  in  what  is  now  Eckford  Town- 
ship was  by  Osheo  Wilder  in  the  winter  of  1831.  Mr.  Wilder,  who  was 
a  native  of  IMassachusetts,  came  direct  from  Rochester,  New  York,  with 
his  family  in  1832.  In  Lower  Eckford  a  dam  was  constructed  across 
Wilder  Creek — named  in  honor  of  the  first  settler — and  a  saw  mill  was 
built,  which  served  the  people  of  that  section  for  many  .years. 


llISTOIx'Y   OF  CAIJIOIX   COINTY  21 

The  first  settler  in  Fre.loiii;i  tdwiiship  wms  Tlidiiias  I'.iirhiiKl.  Mr. 
Burlaud  was  born  and  reareii  in  Yorkshire.  Knirhind.  and  in  ISlil  ciinie 
from  there  with  several  other  families  and  settletl  a  year  latei-  in  the 
township  above  named.  John  Huston.  Sr.,  who  eanie  with  his  family 
from  New  Hampshire  in  1833,  was  the  second  settler  in  Fredonia.  lie 
was  followed  by  Ezekial  Blue  from  the  State  of  New  York. 

Similar  eonditions  prevailed  in  several  other  townships.  From  ls:{(), 
when  Sidney  Ketehum  first  eame.  to  1835,  large  ninnbers  of  ])ioneei-s 
eame  into  the  county  and  located  lands  and  built  homes,  scattering  it 
is  true,  in  nearly  every  section  of  the  county.  Lands  were  cleared, 
homes  were  built,  fields  were  fenced,  crops  wei-e  raised,  orchards  were 
set,  mills  were  put  in,  roads  were  surveyed  and  the  first  rough  work 
done  to  make  them  passable.  An  industrious,  contented  and  happy 
people  saw  with  pride  and  satisfaction  the  inci'easing  results  of  their 
toil  and  sacrifice. 

Import.wt  Year  for  tiik  Cm  ntv  and  IIausiiai.l 

The  first  settlement  of  the  whites  in  Calhoun  County  was  made  at 
what  is  now  the  city  of  ^Marshall,  in  the  spring  of  1831.  On  the  2!)tli 
of  August  of  the  same  year,  the  village  plot  of  ilarshall  was  received  for 
record  in  the  Register's  office  in  Kalamazoo  and  on  October  17,  1831, 
l)y  proclamation  of  Governor  I'oilei'  ;ittested  by  Stevens  T.  Mason, 
Secretary.  ^Marshall  was  officially  (Icclarcd  to  be  the  County  Seat  of 
Calhoun  County. 

The  exact  location  was  at  a  point  in  the  line  deviding  sections  twen- 
ty-five and  twenty-six  in  township  two  South,  range  six  West,  on  or  very 
near  the  centre  of  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section 
twenty-five,  and  the  east  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  twenty- 
six,  being  northeast  distant  about  three  miles  from  the  guographical 
centre  of  the  County.  Streets  and  alleys  were  dedicated  for  public  use ; 
a  s(|uare  for  the  Court  House :  a  lot  for  a  jail ;  another  for  a  seminary 
and  four  church  lots,  one  of  which  was  for  the  Presbyterian,  one  for  the 
Fpiscopal,  one  for  the  ilethodist  Episcopal  and  one  for  the  Baptist,  were 
designated  and  set  apart  for  the  purposes  named. 

Rapid  Growth  of  County  and  Coitnty  Seat 

The  County  of  Calhoun,  according  to  the  United  States  survey,  em- 
braces twenty  townships;  each  township,  thirty-six  sections  and  each 
section,  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  consequently  there  are 
460,800  acres  in  the  county.  Of  all  this  acreage  there  remained  unsold 
on  July  1,  1837,  less  than  seven  years  after  the  first  entry  was  made 
and  but  six  years  from  the  coming  of  the  first  permanent  settlers, 
44.(10(1 /icres.  In  the  meantime,  the  town.shii)s  of  ^Marshall,  Milton,  now 
Battle  Creek.  Convis.  .Marengo.  Sheridan.  Albion,  Homer,  Eckford,  Te- 
konsha,  Athens  and  Burlington  had  been  organized.  A  number  of 
villages,  notably  Battle  Creek.  Homer.  Albion  and  ^Marengo,  were  giving 
promise  of  a  future.  A  dozen  flouring  mills  were  in  operation  or  being 
built,  and  twenty-one  saw  mills  compli'tcd  oi-  in  pi-or-es.s  of  constru<-ti()n. 


22  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Bridges  were  being  built  and  roads  laid  out  and  improved.  Farms  were 
being  rapidly  cleared  up  and  comfortable  dwellings  for  the  people  and 
barns  for  the  stock  were  being  put  up  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  county. 
Enterprise  and  enthusiasm  characterized  the  people  of  that  period.  At 
the  November  election  of  1836,  there  were  704  votes  polled  for  a  re- 
presentative to  the  State  Legislature.  This  of  itself  indicates  a  remark- 
able influx  of  settlers,  when  the  distance  from  the  older  and  settled 
portions  of  the  country  and  the  difficulties  of  transportation  are  con- 
sidered. 

Marshall  was  the  best  advertised  town  west  of  Detroit.  Resourceful 
and  resolute  men  of  means  were  staking  their  fortunes  here  and  the 
evidence  of  their  faith  and  enterprise  were  everywhere  visible.  Brainy 
and  educated  young  men  saw  here  a  promising  future.  Cultured  and 
refined  women  gave  an  unwonted  social  atmosphere  to  a  place  so  new 
and  so  remote  from  the  centers  of  civilization.  Speculators,  trafficking 
in  promises  and  predictions  never  to  be  fulfilled,  boomed  the  place 
beyond  any  possibility  of  realization.  Marshall  was,  on  paper,  made 
the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Kalamazoo.  Lithographs  were  sent  broad 
cast,  portraying  steamboats  moored  at  her  wharves  or  arriving  and  de- 
parting laden  with  cargoes  and  passengers.  There  was  a  general  belief, 
and  with  very  good  ground  for  it,  that  when  the  capitol  was  removed 
from  Detroit,  as  it  was  sure  to  be  at  no  distant  day,  Marshall  was  the 
heir  apparent.  It  was  located  by  the  enterprising  and  visionary  specu- 
lators long  before  the  members  of  the  legislature  had  taken  final  action. 
"Capitol  Hill"  was  plotted  and  the  lots  thereabout  sold  at  fabulous 
prices,  when  it  is  recalled  that  but  a  short  time  before  land  was  bought 
in  the  same  locality  at  one  dollar  and  a  half  per  acre. 

A  college  was  projected ;  a  Board  of  Trustees  chosen ;  money  so- 
licited locally  and  in  the  Bast;  a  building  erected  and  furnished;  a  fa- 
culty selected  and  the  school  opened  and  classes  instructed,  and  ]\Iar- 
shal'l  would  probably  today  be  an  important  seat  of  learning  had  not 
the  institution  in  its  infancy  been  killed  in  the  house  of  its  supposed 
friends. 

Manufacturing  interests  of  various  kinds  located  at  IMarshall  in  an 
early  day,  using  the  valuable  water-power  whenever  it  could  be  done  to 
advantage.  Aside  from  the  saw  mill  put  up  in  the  summer  of  1831  by 
ilr.  George  Ketchum,  and  the  grist  mill  erected  by  the  same  gentleman 
in  1832,  there  was  started  in  1833,  by  II.  W.  Pendleton,  a  plant  for  the 
iiianufaeturc  of  furniture,  chairs  and  Cabinet  work.  In  1835,  F.  A. 
Kiii!:sl)ury  succeeded  to  this  line  and  did  an  extensive  business.  A 
riaxsrrd  oil  mill,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  the  State,  was  built  in  183.5  at 
a  cost,  witli  its  ec|nipment,  of  six  thousand  dollars.  In  1836,  Charles 
and  W,  C,  Dickey  began  the  manufacture  of  fanning  mills  and  carried 
on  the  business  for  many  years.  In  the  same  year,  Lansing  Kingsbury 
and  Josiah  Lepper  built,  at  Marshall,  the  first  foundry  in  Calhoun 
County.  In  1839  Nathan  Church  began  the  manufacture  of  sash  doors 
and  blinds.  Some  ten  years  later  he  greatly  enlarged  the  plant,  using 
steam  power.  A  factory  for  wool  carding  and  cloth  dressing  was  among 
the  early  enterprises.  There  were  two  foundries  for  the  making  of 
stoves,  mill  gearing  and  hollow  jjlows.     Threshing  machines  were  made 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  23 

in  ilai-shall  at  an  early  date.  Among  those  engaged  in  this  line  of 
business  was  Mr.  John  Nichols,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  well  known 
Nichols  and  Sheperd  concern  at  Battle  Creek.  As  early  as  1840,  the 
manufacture  of  wnaons  was  extensively  carried  on  liy  Holland,  Adams 
and  Rymes 

'    I'lBLIC    AXD    I'rIV.VTE    ]5riLDIXGS 

in  Marshall  kept  pace  with,  if  they  did  not  lead  in,  the  general  ad- 
vancement of  the  town  and  county.  In  the  spring  of  1833  the  "Ex- 
change Hotel",  a  two  story  frame  building  which  stood  upon  the  corner 
of  State  Street  and  ilarshall  House  Square,  took  the  place  of  the 
double  log  house  which  had  previously  served  as  a  public  hostelry.  In 
1833,  the  National  House  was  built,  the  first  brick  structure  erected  in 
the  county,  and  opened  on  January  1,  1836.  The  opening  by  mine 
host,  Andrew  Mann  was  long  remembered  as,  up  to  that  time,  the  most 
pretentious  social  event  in  the  history  of  the  County.  This  was  in  the 
days  of  rivalry  between  "Upper"  and  "Lower"  town,  as  the  two 
sections  of  the  village  were  designated.  Not  to  be  outdone  by  "Lower" 
town,  the  ^Marshall  House  Company,  under  the  lead  of  Sidney  Ketchum, 
built  the  ]\Iarshall  House  in  1838.  The  house  cost  thirt.y  thousand 
dollars.  It  was  elaborately  finished  and  finely  equipped.  At  the  time 
it  was  opened,  it  is  said  to  have  surpassed  any  hotel  in  the  State  and, 
indeed,  in  the  whole  northwest.  It  was  for  many  years  a  noted  resort 
by  the  traveling  public.  It  was  rather  an  inspiring  sight,  before  the 
days  of  railroads,  to  see  the  coach  with  six  foaming  steeds,  advancing 
on  the  canter  under  the  crack  of  the  driver's  whip,  dash  up  to  its 
portals  and  discharge  its  heavy  load  of  passengers.  In  the  days  when 
pai  ly  feeling  ran  high,  when  the  fires  were  unconsciously  being  kindled 
that  in  later  years  tlaiiied  up  in  civil  war,  the  ilarshall  House  was  head- 
quarters for  ^Vhigs  from  all  parts  of  the  State  and  the  National  served 
the  Democrats  for  a  like  purpose.  Tliey  were  also  the  rallying  points 
for  the  rival  east  and  west  end  factions,  as  long  as  that  feeling  of  rivahy 
survived.  Churches  and  private  residences  were  built  that  were  not 
surpassed,  if  equaled,  between  Detroit  and  Chicago. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  a  town  of  such  promise  in  a  new  and  growing 
State  and  on  one  of  the  main  lines  of  travel  to  the  developing  west,  should 
arrest  and  hold  more  than  its  full  share  of  enterprising  spirits  of  all 
professions  and  lines  of  business,  and  that  the  place,  all  things  con- 
sidered, should  have  a  phenomenal  growth.  In  tiie  summer  of  1837.  only 
six  yeara  after  the  first  rude  shack  wiis  put  up  at  the  conHuenee  of  Hiee 
Creek  and  the  Kalamazoo,  tiiere  were  in  the  village  of  -Marshall  "two 
printing  offices,  seven  lawyers,  seven  physicians,  four  clergymen,  two 
surveyors  and  civil  engineers,  three  churches,  viz.,  a  ilethodist  Epis- 
copal, an  Episcopal  and  a  Presbyterian,  three  hotels,  seven  dry  goods 
stores,  four  grocery  and  provision  stores,  one  drug  store,  two  bakeries, 
two  watch  and  jewelry  shops,  one  chair  factory,  one  fanning  mill 
factory,  one  cabinet  factory,  one  tin  and  cooper  shop,  one  furnace,  four 
blacksmiths,  two  wagon  and  eaiwiage  factories,  two  tailors,  one  inillineiy, 
two  shoemaker  shops,  one  livery  stable,  one  flouring  mill  and  one  saw 


24  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

mill  aud  two  more  of  each  kind  erecting."    The  inhabitants  of  jMarshall 
at  this  time  numbered  about  twelve  hundred. 

The  First  County  Court  House 

It  is  not  surprising  that  a  county  growing  so  fast  in  wealth  and  po- 
pulation should  feel  the  need  of  a  Court  House  and  jail.  Accordingly, 
"At  the  first  session  of  the  State  Legislature,  convened  in  the  winter 
of  1836-37,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to 
borrow  twelve  thousand  dollars  with  which  to  put  up  county  buildings. ' ' 
Previous  to  this,  the  Courts  were  held  in  the  school  house  or  at  any  of  the 
hotels.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  at  their  annual  meeting  in  October, 
1836  voted  to  erect  county  buildings  and  instructed  their  clerks  to 
ascertain  what  terms  could  be  had  for  a  loan  of  the  authorized  amount. 
In  January,  1837,  the  Board  met  again  and  the  clerk  reported  no  loan 
could  be  had,  as  the  county  was  restricted  by  the  act  of  the  Legislature ; 
whereupon  the  supervisoi's  petitioned  the  assembly  to  extend  their 
powers  and  allow  them  to  negotiate  the  loan  upon  such  terms  and  rate 
of  interest  as  the  Board  should  deem  advisable.  In  March,  the  super- 
visors applied  to  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for  the  loan, 
and  S.  S.  Alcott  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  construction  of 
the  county  buildings  and  given  full  power  to  contract  for  material 
and  labor  and  adopt  a  plan  in  outline  for  the  building  as  presented  by 
Supervisor  Wright.  The  loan,  however,  was  not  effected  until  July, 
when  it  was  obtained  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instraction  and 
Henry  J.  Phelps,  Moses  Hall  and  Chaiies  Olin  appointed  a  building 
committee.  Another  draft  of  the  proposed  building  was  adopted  and 
the  bar  and  the  bench  invited  to  appear  before  the  Board  and  make 
suggestions  as  to  any  alterations  deemed  desirable.  The  loan  was  se- 
cured at  seven  per  cent.  The  l)uilding  was  to  be  constructed  of  Marshal] 
sandstone  for  the  foundation  and  of  brick  for  the  superstructure. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  22nd  day  of  July,  1837.  The  address 
attending  the  ceremonies  of  the  corner-stone  laying  was  delivered  by 
^Ir.  S.  H.  Preston.  We  subjoin  herewith  a  brief  extract  in  which  he 
said:  "The  rapid  progress  which  Calhoun  County  has  made  in  popu- 
lation, in  cultivating  the  soil,  in  improving  its  extensive  water  power,  in 
affording  encouragement  to  the  mercantile  and  mechanical  interests, 
in  fosterinc'  religion  and  learning  by  establishing  churches  and  schools, 
is  ti'uly  flattering  to  the  enterprise  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  county. 
To  till'  mind  of  the  stranger,  when  he  takes  into  consideration  its  recent 
settlement,  it  nuist  afford  pei'fect  astonishment." 

The  building  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  1838,  but  instead  of  twelve 
tliousand  as  was  originally  intended,  it  cost  between  twenty-five  and 
thirty  thousand  dollars. 

The  county  having  secured  a  new  and  comparatively  expensive  Court 
House,  it  proved  not  so  easy  to  get  a  jail  and  sheriff's  house.  In  Homer, 
the  sentiment  was  so  strong  against  it,  that  at  a  public  meeting  called, 
pursuant  to  notice,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  remonstrating  against 
the  project  of  building  a  jail  aud  jailor's  house  for  the  county,  the 
following  resolutions  were  passed  as  the  judgment  of  the  meeting: 


IITSTORY  OF  CALIIOrX   COrXTY  iV) 

"Resolvi'd:  That,  wiicreas  the  County  of  L'iilluniii  having  raist-d  a 
large  sum  of  money  for  building  a  Court  House,  and  having  partly 
finished  cells  for  criminals,  it  would  be  unjust  to  lay  further  burdens 
on  the  inhabitants,  at  this  time,  for  building  a  .iail  and  jailor's  house. 

'■Resolved;  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  tiiat  the  true  policy 
would  be  to  finish  the  cells  already  conuiieuced  for  criminals  anil  if 
necessary  a  room  for  debtors  and  not  let  them  out  for  any  other  purposes. 

'■Resolved;  That  while  we  recognize  the  doctrine  that  the  inajmity 
should  govern,  we  also  claim  the  i)rivilege  of  being  iicai'd  wln'u  our  in- 
terest or  the  interest  of  the  County  is  at  issue. 

■■Resolved;  That  ilessrs.  Thornton,  Dorsey,  Smith  and  Stevens  be 
a  committee  to  learn  the  amount  of  taxes  assessed  for  County  purpo.ses 
in  the  years  1837  and  1S:}S  and  the  amount  of  money  loaned  to  the 
County,  also  the  cost  of  the  court  house  and  report  these  facts  at  a 
future  meeting."  The  above  proceedings  were  published  on  January 
16,  1839. 

^laishall.  alive  to  what  it  conceived  to  be  the  interest  and  welfare 
of  the  City  and  County,  was  proclaiming  the  importance  of  building 
a  jail  and  a  jailor's  house,  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  its  citizens 
at  the  National  Hotel,  with  Philo  Dibble  in  the  chair  and  Sidney  S. 
Alcott  acting  as  Secretary,  adopted  the  following  action : 

■■Resolved;  As  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  a  good,  permanent  and 
secure  County  jail  is  an  indispensable  auxiliary  to  the  Courts  of  Justice 
and  that  witliout  it  one  of  our  most  valuable  and  cherished  rights  and 
privileges  as  citizens  of  a  free  government  is  lamentably  depreciated. 

■■Resolved;  That  we  discard  the  oi)inions  of  those  who  think  it  more 
economical  to  pay  taxes  to  thieves,  house  breakers  and  conterfeitei-s, 
than  to  lawfully  constituted  collectors  of  the  assessments,  which  have 
the  common  protection  and  safety  of  the  community  for  their  object. 

'■Resolved;  That  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  the  County  Commissioners 
to  proceed  forthwith  to  mature  a  plan  for  such  jail  and  to  take  the  neces- 
sary steps  to  raise  the  funds  for  building  one  the  approaching  season, 
and  proceed  to  put  the  same  under  contract  to  be  completed  as  .soon  as 
may  be." 

The  last  of  the  above  set  of  resolutions  was  published  January  18, 
1839.  The  outcome  of  the  agitation  for  and  against  was,  that  provision 
was  made  to  care  for  prisonei's  in  the  basement  of  the  Court  House, 
which  for  many  years  served  as  a  jail.  This  jail  was  built  of  squared  tim- 
ber, put  up  inside  of  one  of  the  rooms  in  the  basement.  During  the 
term  of  the  late  Colonel  Charles  W.  Dickey  as  Sheriff,  there  was  a  general 
escape  of  the  prisoners,  nine  in  number.  They  managed,  by  heating 
the  iron  at  a  stove  that  stood  in  the  corridor,  to  burn  through  the  logs 
and  burn  off  the  lock-fastenings.  They  also  burned  out  the  staples 
in  an  oak  log  to  which  one  of  their  number  was  confined. 

A  New  Court  House  Needed 

The  foundations  of  the  old  Court  House  proved  too  weak  \i>  sii]ipoit 
the  walls.  The  structure  became  very-  defective  and  unsightly.  It  was 
furthermore  regarded'  as  unsafe.     On  the  24th  <lay  of  October.    ^^~^2, 


26  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  Board  of  Supervisors  adopted  a  resolution  submitting  to  tlie  people 
the  question  of  building  a  new  Court  House  to  cost  $50,000.00.  The 
question  was  passed  upon  by  the  people  at  the  spring  election  in  1873. 
The  total  number  of  ballots  cast  was  5,311,  of  which  a  majoritj'  of  475 
was  in  favor  of  the  proposition.  On  the  second  day  of  May,  Robert 
Huston,  A.  E.  Preston  and  S.  J.  Burpee  were  appointed  a  committee 
on  plans  and  specifications,  and  on  the  first  day  of  July,  plans  were 
presented  by  E.  E.  Myers,  an  architect  of  Detroit.  These  plans  were 
adopted  and  a  building  committee  consisting  of  Supervisors  Huston, 
Preston,  Loomis,  Hutchinson,  Cook  and  Graves  was  appointed. 

The  building  was  completed  in  1875  and  cost,  ready  for  occupancy 
with  furnaces,  furniture,  carpets,  superintendence  and  labor  of  building 
committee,  the  sum  of  fifty-four  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
dollars  and  twenty-five  cents.  The  building  is  still  an  ornament  to  the 
City  of  Marshall  and  a  credit  to  the  county.  The  outside  basement 
walls  are  built  of  boulder  stone,  from  the  concrete  bottom  of  the  grade 
line;  above  the  grade  line  and  between  the  base  course  and  the  water, 
Marshall  sandstone ;  all  other  cut  stone  is  of  Ohio  sandstone.  The  out- 
side face  walls  are  all  pressed  brick.  The  building  is  rectangular  in  form 
with  pro,iections  on  the  north,  front  and  rear  and  has  a  total  area  of 
about  forty-five  hundred  square  feet.  The  corners,  antes,  window  caps 
and  sills  are  of  cut  stone  and  the  whole  surmounted  by  a  neat  cupola. 
The  building  is  finished  in  ash,  butternut  and  black  walnut.  The  Court- 
room occupies  the  upper  floor  with  the  necessary  rooms  for  consultation 
purposes.  Fireproof  vaults  are  provided  for  the  County  Clerk,  Register, 
Treasurer  and  Probate  Judge  in  their  respective  otifices. 

A  New  Jail 

The  second  jail  was  a  brick  structure,  separate  and  apart  from  the 
Court  House,  with  accommodations  for  the  sheriff's  family  in  the  lower 
and  for  about  thirty  prisoners  in  the  upper  part.  It  was  located  very 
near  where  the  present  jail  now  stands. 

The  jail  in  use  at  this  time  was  built  in  1869.  It  is  constructed  of 
brick,  stone  and  steel.  Besides  providing  quarters  for  all  the  prisoners, 
it  furnishes  a  good  home  for  the  sheriff  and  his  family.  The  cage  room 
is  50  by  53  feet  with  six  cells.     Each  cell  is  designed  to  care  for  six  men. 

In  1901  an  addition  was  built  on  to  the  strui-fure.  This  addition 
furnishes  an  office  for  the  sheriff,  and  a  plaec  for  Circuif  Cniiit  piisDuers 
serving  time.  This  has  a  capacity  for  twenly-two.  There  is  provided  a 
padded  cell  for  the  insane  which  is  localiMJ  just  nlf  from  the  office. 
There  are  also  two  cells  for  women,  occupying  a  (lilCciciit  part  of  the 
building  and  removed  from  close  proximity  fd  tlir  iikMc  prisoners. 

The  total  nuiiilnT  ol'  pi-isoners  received  for  the  year  ending  June  30, 
.1911,  was  665.  Whili-  Calhuun  County  ranks  seventh  in  population,  in 
the  number  of  prisdiicrs  I'cci'ived  during  the  year  named  it  is  eleventh. 
Of  the  665  prisoners  there  wciv  Imi  iinu.  males  and  one  female  under 
eighteen  years  of  age.  In  the  iniinli.  r  of  prisoners  charged  with  high 
crimes  and  misdemeanors  flu'  counly  ranks  tenth.  While  in  the  number 
of  prisoners  the  county  is  eleventh,  in  the  total  cost  for  board,  clothing. 


TirSTORY  OF  (WLIIOI'X  COrXTY  27 

medical  atteiulaiu-t',  IraveliLig  exijcnscs  iiu-ui'i-i'd  in  iuvestigatinf:^  and 
taking  j>risoners  to  jail  and  in  taking  prisoners  to  penal  and  rel'orniatory 
institutions  it  ranks  twenty-seeond ;  the  total  expense  for  the  entire  year 
being  but  $5,260.00  Food  is  furnished  the  prisoners  by  the  sheriff  at 
a  stipulated  price  per  meal.  This  [iriee,  in  this  year,  li)12  aggregates 
but  .$2.61  per  week  per  prisoner,  being  among  tiie  very  lowest  among  the 
counties  of  the  state. 

The  Calhocn  Coknty  Home 

On  the  20th  day  of  Decendier,  1849,  the  Board  of  .Supervisors  bought 
13-t  acres  of  land  two  miles  northeast  of  ilarshall  for  a  county  poor 
farm,  paying  for  the  same  two  thousand  dollars.  At  that  time  the  dis- 
tinction between  township  and  county  poor  was  abolished  and  all  the 
inmates  were  made  a  county  charge.  The  home  was  openetl  on  Sep- 
tember 20,  1850,  when  seventeen  inmates  were  admitted.  The  original 
building  was  a  frame  structure  and  was  put  up  in  1850-51.  Additions 
were  made  from  time  to  time  as  the  necessities  required.  The  main 
building  was  heated  by  hot  air  furnaces.  In  the  earlier  years  not  only 
the  poor  but  the  insane,  the  feeble  minded  and  the  homeless  and  neg- 
lected children  were  cared  for  here.  Gradually  the  state  has  provided 
for  all  but  the  first  named  class  in  institutions  specially  adapted  to 
their  care.  But  the  Board  of  Supervisors  makes  an  annual  appropria- 
tion for  the  support  to  the  county's  indigent  insane  in  some  one  of  the 
state  hospitals  and  also  for  support  of  the  criminal  insane  in  the  state 
hospital  at  Ionia. 

In  1890  a  brick  Imilding  was  jiut  up.  costing  $10,000.00.  In  1904  a 
new  county  home  was  built  of  brick  at  a  cost  of  $25,000.00.  This 
building  is  steam  heateii,  and  is  lighted  by  electricity.  A  beautiful 
maple  grove  stands  a  little  way  in  front  of  the  home,  while  between  it 
and  the  main  building  is  a  well  kept  lawn  with  tiowers  and  shrubbery, 
giving  a  homelike  air  to  the  exterior,  while  within  the  inmates  are  made 
as  comfortable  as  possible.  Generally  speaking,  the  beneficiaries  of  the 
home  are  elderly  people  of  whom  about  two-thirds  are  men  and  one- 
third  women.  There  are  in  tiie  home  a  few  young  men  and  women  who 
are  mentally  deficient. 

The  Superintendents  of  tlie  Poor  in  their  repoit  for  tile  fiscal  year 
ending  June  30.  1911,  say  that  the  Board  of  Supervisors  made  an  appro- 
priation of  $18,000.00  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  $3,000.00  for  the 
support  of  the  insane,  and  two  hundred  dollars  for  support  of  the 
criminal  insane.  Out  of  the  $18,000.00  for  the  support  of  the  coun- 
ty's poor,  $8,283.00  was  disbursed  to  the  cities  and  townships.  Out 
of  the  latter  sum  the  only  townships  in  the  county  that  did  not  draw  any 
aid  from  the  poor  fund  were  Battle  Creek  and  Clai-ence.  Fredonia  town- 
ship drew  but  six  dollars  and  Sheridan  township  but  six  dollars  and  fifty 
cents. 

The  coiinty  farm  will  average  fairly  well  with  the  general  run  of 
farms  in  the  county.  It  is  stocked  with  horses,  cows,  hogs  and  poultry. 
Last  year,  1911.  the  farm  raised  550  bushels  of  potatoes  and  15  tons  of 
hay.   The  procei-ds  of  sales   fi-om   the    farm    for  the   year  aiiioiiiiti'd    lo 


28  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

$616.69.  The  men  in  charge  of  this  responsible  trust  are  known  as 
the  Superintendents  of  the  Poor.  At  this  time  they  are:  Henry  A. 
Whitney;  Prank  Laberteaux,  Albion;  David  Walkinshaw,  Marshall. 

County  Officers 

The  Calhoun  county  officers  in  1912  are  as  follows:  Circuit  Judge, 
Walter  H.  North;  Judge  of  Probate,  William  H.  Porter;  Sheriff,  La 
Verne  Fonda;  County  Clerk,  Ray  E.  Hart;  Register  of  Deeds,  C.  Howard 
Daskam;  County  Treasurer,  George  S.  Barnes;  Prosecuting  Attorney, 
Robert  Kirschman ;  Assistant  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Edward  R.  Loud ; 
Circuit  Court  Stenographer,  Roy  E.  Eldred ;  County  School  Commis- 
sioner, Frank  D.  Miller;  Drain  Commissioner,  L.  C.  Williams;  Circuit 
Court  Commissioners,  A.  N.  Ford,  Battle  Creek,  Charles  0.  Miller, 
Marshall. 


CHAPTER  VII 

MEN  AND  MEASURES 

Marshall  IMen  and  JIeasures  in  State  and  National  History  (by 
John  C.  Patterson) — Battle  Creek  as  a  Station  on  the  Under- 
GROL'ND  Railway  (by  Charles  E.  Barnes) — The  Underground 
Railroad  (by  Burritt  Hamilton) — Calhoun  County  Agriculture 
(by  J.  H.  Brown) — Roads  and  the  Improvement  of  Roads. 

Marsilvll   JIen   and   ^Marshall   Measures   in    State    and    National 
History  *i 

By  John  ('.  Paftcrson 

P^ineison  has  said,  "An  institution  is  the  lengthened  shadow  of  one 
man."  It  can  with  equal  propriety  be  said  that  a  beneticent  achieve- 
ment and  a  progressive  reform  are  the  lengthened  shadow  of  some  effi- 
cient leader  seemingly  raised  up  for  the  purpose,  whose  influence  on 
mankind  is  beyond  measure.  Marshall  has  had  several,  such  leaders, 
men  who  have  formulated  measures,  perfected  governmental  policies  and 
have  set  in  motion  political  forces  which  have  brought  forth  results 
and  have  produced  consequences  of  far-reaching  magnitude.  While  as 
citizens  of  ilarshall,  we  cherish  a  local  pride  in  claiming  them  as  pioneer 
citizens  of  our  city,  we  cannot  claim  them  as  all  our  own,  for  their  work, 
infiuence  and  achievements  were  not  confined  to  our  city,  county  or 


*Note  iy  the  Editor: — The  above  article  will  well  repay  a  oareful  reading  by 
every  would-be  well-informed  citizen  of  the  county  and  of  the  state.  It  treats  not 
only  of  a  number  of  the  county's  most  prominent  citizens  of  a  former  generation; 
of  measures  which  in  their  influence,  reaching  far  beyond  the  limits  of  the  county 
and  of  the  state  have  become  nation  wide  in  extent  and  permanent  in  character. 
The  article  was  originally  prepared  for  the  historical  collection  of  the  Michigan 
Pioneer  Society. 

The  author,  the  Hon.  John  C.  Patterson,  recently  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Cal- 
houn county,  having  been  born  in  the  township  of  Eckford  in  the  year  1838.  Ho 
graduated  from  Hillsdale  College  in  1864,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  curvu.. 
and  in  1867  from  the  law  department  of  Union  University.  N.  Y.  His  professional 
life  was  spent  in  the  city  of  Marshall.  As  a  lawyer,  he  took  high  rank  among  the 
attorneys  of  the  county.  He  was  long  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  his 
Alma  Mater  and  for  two  terms  was  a  member  of  the  State  Senate.  Mr.  Patterson 
was  a  man  of  high  pei'sonal  character  and  greatly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citizena 
of  the  county.  It  is  said  that  the  preparation  of  the  above  article  occupied  his 
leisure  time  for  more  than  two  years. 

1  Delivered  at  midwinter  meeting,  .Jan.  13,  1900. 

29 


30  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

State,  but  have  been  rendered,  exercised  and  felt  over  the  United  States, 
and  in  fact  over  the  whole  world.  This  city,  this  State,  this  nation  and 
the  world  at  large  are  under  lasting  obligations  to  Isaac  E.  Crary,^  the 
founder  of  the  public  school  system  of  ^Michigan,  to  John  D.  Pierce,^ 
the  organizer  of  the  said  public  school  system  and  the  father  of  the  Home- 
stead Exemption  Law  of  I\lichigan,  and  to  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Oliver 
C.  Comstock,  Jr.,  Asa  B.  Cook,  Jarvis  Hurd,  John  M.  Easterly,  George 
Ingersoll,  Herman  Camp,  Randal  Hobart,  Platner  iloss,  William  Parker, 


Hon.  John  C.  Patterson 

Charles  Berger,  James  Smith,  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  Erastus  Hussey  and 
other  citizens  of  Marshall,  in  arousing  sentiments,  directing  influences, 
and  in  starting  forces  into  action  which  eventually  overthrew  American 
slavery.  It  is  not  to  be  forgotten  that  many  other  workers  were  labor- 
ing for  the  same  end,  and  for  years  had  been  preparing  the  way ;  but  the 
acts,  counsel  and  influences  of  these  Marshall  m*en  can  be  traced  directly 
in  a  continuous  course  and  by  a  connected  chain  of  events  into  measures, 
and  organization  which  eliminated  African  slavery  from  our  land.  It 
is  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  trace  the  little  leaven  while  it  was  leaven- 
ing the  whole  lump,  and  to  follow  its  influences  and  acts  to  final  results. 

2^ee  sketch,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  282,  this  series. 

3  See  sketch,  Vol.  XXXV,  p.  29.5,  this  series  and  Bingham  Biographies,  .582. 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOIIX  COl^XTY  ;J1 

I. 
Isaac  E.  Craky, 
The  Founder  of  the  Public  School  System  ol'  .Michi<;aii 

Isaac  E.  Crary  was  au  influential  nieiuber  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention of  1835  which  formulated  our  first  state  constitution.  As  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  Education,  he  drew  up,  reported  and  secured 
the  adoption  of  the  article  on  education  in  that  instrument  which,  for 
the  first  time  in  American  history,  provided  for  the  separate  department 
of  public  instruction  in  the  state  government,  with  a  constitutional  officer 
at  its  head  and  which,  for  the  first  time  in  our  history,  provided  that  the 
title  of  section  sixteen  in  each  township,  reserved  in  the  ordinance  of 
1785  and  consecrated  by  the  ordinance  of  1787  for  the  primary  schools, 
should  be  vested  in  the  State  as  trustee  for  the  perpetual  support  of  the 
common  schools  throughout  the  State,  and  which  also,  for  the  first  time 
provided  that  the  title  to  the  university  lands  should  be  vested  in  the 
State  as  trustee,  and  that  the  income  therefrom  should  become  an  endow- 
ment fund  for  the  maintenance  of  the  state  university.  These  provisions 
not  only  applied  to  the  lands  already  granted  but  to  all  lands  which 
should  afterwards  be  granted  to  the  State. 

In  this  article  on  education,  which  in  the  final  arrangement  became 
Article  X  of  the  constitution  of  1835,  conceived,  formulated  and  reported 
by  Isaac  E.  Crary,  the  separate  department  of  education  with  an  execu- 
tive officer  at  its  head,  was  established,  the  broad  scope  of  public  instruc- 
tion was  provided  for,  and  the  financial  foundation  of  our  public  school 
system  was  secured.  This  article  is  now  and  always  has  been  the  Magna 
Charta  of  our  public  schools.*  Few  persons  have  any  adequate  concep- 
tion of  the  broad  scope  and  far-reaching  influence  of  this  article. 

Isaac  E.  Crary  was  the  founder  of  the  public  school  system  of  Michi- 
gan. This  proposition  is  not  in  accord  with  the  popular  opinion  and  is 
in  conflict  with  much  that  has  been  published,  and  the  original  documents 
must  be  appealed  to  in  order  to  determine  his  real  historic  status.  On 
the  fourth  daj'  of  April,  1835,  Isaac  E.  Crary  was  elected  a  delegate  from 
Calhoun  county  to  the  constitutional  convention  to  convene  on  the  11th 
of  Ma.y  following.  On  the  13th  of  May,  Mr.  Crary  in  convention  moved 
a  standing  committee  on  education.''  On  the  14th  of  ^lay,  Mr.  Crary 
was  appointed  chairman  of  such  committee."  On  the  second  day  of  June 
he  reported  the  article  on  education"  and  on  the  fifth  day  of  June  the 
said  article  without  material  change  was  adopted  by  the  convention.* 
On  the  23d  day  of  June,  Mr.  Crary  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  ordinance  submitting  the  said  constitution  to  Congress,^ 
and  on  the  24th  day  of  June,  the  said  ordinance  was  reported  and 


•»  Keport  of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1880,  pp.  297,  31.5;  History  of 
the  University  of  Michigan,  Hinsdale  and  Demmon,  pp.  17,  18. 

5  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  183.5,  p.  18. 

6  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  1835,  p.  26. 
'  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  1835.  p.  88. 

8  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  1835,  pp.  120-126. 

9  Journal   of  Constitutional   Convention   of   1835.   p.   218. 


32  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

adopted  by  the  convention.  This  ordinance,  recognizing  the  then  exist- 
ing policy  of  vesting  the  title  of  the  school  lands  in  the  township,  pro- 
posed a  new  policy  and  required  that  the  title  of  the  school  lands  be 
vested  in  the  State  as  trustee  for  the  support  of  the  schools  throughout 
the  State  as  one  of  the  conditions  for  admission  into  the  Union.  This 
proposed  tenure  of  primary  school  lands  would  change  the  uniform 
practice  of  the  federal  government  during  its  entire  existence,  and  this 
provision  was  inserted  in  such  ordinance  by  Mr.  Crary  to  secure  a  change 
of  such  policy  and  to  vest  the  educational  lands  in  the  State  by  con- 
gressional enactment  as  provided  for  in  said  Article  X  of  the  constitu- 
tion. 

The  constitution  and  accompanying  ordinance^"  were  formulated  and 
adopted  by  the  convention  in  May  and  June,  1835,  and  three  thousand 
copies  were  immediately  published  and  distributed  broadcast  throughout 
the  Territory.  Thus  these  three  new  measures  which  have  since  revolu- 
tionized public  school  matters  in  this  country  were  published  to  the 
world  in  the  summer  of  1835."  This  constitution  was  ratified  by  the 
people  of  the  Territory  on  the  first  Monday  of  October,  1835,  and  at  the 
same  election  IMr.  Crary  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress.  He  went 
to  Washington  at  the  opening  of  the  following  session  of  Congress  relying 
on  the  constitution  as  the  foundation  for  his  credentials,  biit  in  conse- 
quence of  the  boundary  controversy,  he  was  not  seated  for  over  fifteen 
months  thereafter.  The  said  constitution  and  accompanying  ordinance 
were  submitted  to  Congress  by  the  President  on  the  ninth  of  December, 
1835.^-  On  the  fifteenth  day  of  June,  1836,  Congress  "accepted,  rati- 
fied, and  confirmed"  tlie  said  constitution  and  thereby  adopted  Mr. 
Crary 's  system  of  land  tenure,  but  it  took  no  action  on  the  accompany- 
ing ordinance.'^  In  the  supplemental  act  of  June  23,  1836,  Congress 
rejected  said  ordinance  as  a  whole,  but  it  made  a  counter  proposition 
to  Michigan  which  contained  Mr.  Crary 's  system  of  vesting  the  title  of 
educational  lands. '■' 

IMr.  Crary,  though  not  given  his  seat  in  Congress,  was  in  Washington 
guarding  and  guiding  this  new  measure.  While  working  with  the  com- 
mittee, having  charge  of  the  legislation  of  Michigan's  admission  to  the 
Union,  fortunately  the  work  of  drawing  up  the  ordinances  of  June  15th, 
and  of  June  23rd,  1836,  were  assigned  to  Mr.  Crary.  He  discreetly 
drew  the  said  ordinance  of  June  15th  so  as  to  obtain  the  assent  of 
Congress  to  the  provisions  of  said  Article  X  of  the  constitution,  and 
on  the  rejection  of  said  ordinance  he  carefully  drew  the  counter  propo- 
sition to  Michigan  in  the  act  of  June  23rd  so  as  to  again  secure  the  same 
result. ^^'    Mr.  Crary 's  influence  is  apparent  upon  the  face  of  these  meas- 


i»  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  1835,  pp.  219-220;  Public  Instruction 
and  School  Laws  of  1852,  p.  17. 

11  Journal  of  Constitutional  Convention  of  1835,  p.  221. 

12  The  Old  Northwest,  Hinsdale,  p.  330. 

13  U.  S.  Laws,  1835-1859,  p.  337;  1  Brightly 's  Digest  of  the  U.  S.  Laws,  1789  to 
1859,  p.  614;  5  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large  49. 

14  9  U.  S.  Laws,  1793  to  1859,  p.  397;  1  Brightly 's  Digest  of  U.  S.  Laws,  1789  to 
1859,  p.  615;  5  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large  59;  Mich.  Pioneer  and  Historical  Colls.,  Vol. 

vir,  p.  21. 

15  Michigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Collections,  Vol.  I,  p.  40 ;   Cooley  's  History 
of  Michigan,  p.  320. 


HISTOIJY  OF  CALHOUN  COUXTY  33 

HITS.  Fortuiiiitc  iinlecd,  wiis  it  Toi-  .Mirhigan  iuul  for  the  cause  of  i)ul>liL' 
instriK-tiou,  that  ^Ir.  C'rary  was  iu  Wasliiugtoii  and  secured  l)y  eougres- 
sional  compaet  his  great  uieasures  embodied  in  the  article  on  education 
in  the  constitution  of  1835.  This  counter  proposition  of  C'ongress  to 
Michigan,  containing  the  said  ordinance  of  June  23rd,  so  far  as  the 
tenure  of  educational  lands  was  concerned,  was  accepted  by  the  legisla- 
ture of  :Miehigan,  July  28th,  1836.'"  In  this  manner,  the  titles  to  the 
primary  school  lands  and  seminary  lands  were  secured  and  forever 
vested  in  the  State  as  trustee  for  the  maintenance  of  sucrh  schools  and 
university,  by  constitutional  enactment  and  by  congressional  and  legis- 
lative compact  long  before  January  2(ith,  1S37,  when  Michigan  was 
formally  admitted  into  the  Union. 

Mr.  Crary's  policy  of  vesting  the  title  of  the  primary  scIkkjI  lands  in 
the  State,  as  trustee  for  the  people  of  the  State  at  large,  changed  the 
policy  of  vesting  the  title  of  such  school  lands  in  the  several  townships 
to  aid  the  schools  therein,  which  had  for  fifty  years  lieen  uniformly 
followed  by  the  fedtTMl  ^ovciiiuient.  The  ordinance  of  1785  for  the  first 
time  reserved  schoul  himls  fdi-  jiublic  purposes,  reserving  section  sixteen 
in  each  township  "lnr  tlic  niaiiitenance  of  the  public  schools  within  such 
township."  In  Ohio  antl  Indiana,  the  primary  school  lands  in  each 
township  had  been  "granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  such  townships 
for  the  use  of  schools."" 

Such  lands  in  Illinois  had  been  "granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  such 
townships  for  the  use  of  schools.  "'* 

The  school  lands  of  ^Michigan  were  excepted  from  sale  by  the  act  of 
March  2(3th,  1804,  as  "section  sixteen  shall  be  reserved  in  each  township 
for  the  support  of  schools  within  the  same."'" 

]Mr.  Grary  clearly  realized  the  weakness  and  dangers  of  the  federal 
policy.  He  was  also  familiar  with  the  barren  and  disastrous  results  of 
that  policy  in  the  other  states  previously  organized  out  of  the  Northwest 
Territory.-"  He  conceived,  formulated  and  secured  the  adoption  of  a 
polic}'  which  avoided  the  weakness  and  dangers  of  the  old  S3'stem  and 
secured  the  inestinuible  benefits  of  the  new.  Time  and  experience  have 
demonstrated  the  wisdom  of  the  Crary  or  the  Michigan  policy — it  has 
been  accepted  and  followed  by  the  federal  government,  and  by  all  the 
states  receiving  primary  school  lands,  which  have  since  been  admitted 
to  the  Union.-' 

Congress  adopted  this  system  of  land  tenure  in  its  magnificent  grant 
for  agricultural  colleges.  July  2.  1862,  vested  the  title  in  such  lands  in 
the  several  states  as  trustees,  and  re(iuired  that  the  proceeds  thereof  be 
perpetually  reserved  as  an  endowment  fund  and  that  the  interest  thereof 
should  forever  be  used  for  the  "endowment,  support  and  maintenance" 
of  such  schools.^- 


16  Laws  of  Michigan  for  1836,  pp.  39,  49. 

IT  2  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  173,  and  3  U.  S.  Statutes  at  La 

IS  3  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  428. 

19XJ.  S.  Laws,  1789-1818,  p.  598. 

20  Report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1880, 

21  Mich.  Semi-Ontennial  Address,  Sill.  pp.  199,  20(1. 

22  12  V.  S.  Statutes  at  Large.  .103;  2  Brightlv's  Digest  of  V 
289. 


34  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Thus  Isaac  E.  Crary  though  dead,  rendered  invaluable  services  in 
securing  the  endowment  for  the  Michigan  Agricultural  College.  Mr. 
Crary 's  great  measure,  for  the  first  time  set  down  in  Section  1  of  Article 
X  of  the  Constitution  of  183.5,  providing  for  au  independent  department 
of  public  instruction  with  a  constitutional  officer  in  the  State  govern- 
ment, has  been  copied  by  nearly  all  the  states,  and  the  Federal  Bureau 
of  Education  is  an  outgrowth  of  this  measure.  Mr.  Crary 's  wise  states- 
manship not  only  secured  aud  provided  for  our  magnificent  school  funds, 
but  being  followed  by  other  states,  it  has  been  the  approximate  cause  of 
securing  the  magnificent  school  funds  in  those  states  adopting  his  system. 
The  seminary  or  university  lands  in  Ohio  were  conveyed  directly  to  the 
universities  or  companies,  receiving  such  lands  for  the  purposes  of  the 
universities  and  the  title  was  never  vested  in  the  State.  Such  lands 
in  Indiana  and  Illinois  were  respectively  "vested  in  the  legislature  of 
said  State  to  be  appropriated  solely  to  the  use  of  such  seminary  by  said 
legislature."--'  One  township  of  our  university  land  was  excepted  from 
sale  by  said  act  of  March  26,  1804,  as  a  township  ' '  for  the  use  of  a  semi- 
nary of  learning." 

It  will  be  observed  that  in  these  states,  the  seminary  and  university 
lands  and  the  proceeds  thereof  were  placed  in  a  general  fund,  available 
for  any  seminary  or  university  purpose  whatever  in  the  discretion  of 
the  legislature.  Mr.  Crary  secured  a  radical  change  in  the  nature  of  these 
funds.  Section  3  of  Article  X  of  the  constitution  of  1835  provided  that 
the  proceeds  from  such  lands  "shall  be  and  remain  a  permanent  fund 
for  the  purpose  of  said  university. ' '  The  ordinance  of  the  constitutional 
convention  setting  forth  the  conditions  upon  which  the  Territory  was 
willing  to  be  admitted  into  the  Union  provided  that  the  university  lands 
should  be  conveyed  to  the  State  and  "shall  be  appropriated  solely  for 
the  use  and  support  of  such  university  in  the  manner  as  the  legislature 
may  prescribe,"  and  the  congressional  ordinance  of  June  23rd,  1826,  in 
the  counter  proposition  to  Michigan  used  the  language  above  quoted. 
These  words  were  written  by  Isaac  E.  Crary  and  were  crystallized  into 
constitutional  enactment  and  congressional  compact  by  the  magic  of  his 
genius.  These  words  converted  the  general  funds  under  the  Indiana  and 
Illinois  policy  into  a  specific  and  perpetual  endowment  fund  for  the 
Michigan  university. 

This  endowment  fund  sustained  the  university  for  thirty  years  of  its 
most  critical  history,  and  enabled  it  to  make  a  name,  and  to  acquire  a 
fame  as  a  great  educational  institution,  which  attracted  to  it  and  over- 
whelmed it  with  students  and  compelled  the  legislature  to,  come  to  its 
relief  and  provide  means  to  accommodate  the  ever  increasing  hosts  of 
students  from  all  over  the  world,  knocking  at  its  doors  for  admission. 
Jlichigan  university  thus  founded  and  endowed,  to-day  not  only  stands 
in  flic  fii-st  rank  of  such  institutions,  but  is  the  acknowledged  model  of 
all  the  tloiii-isliing  state  universities  in  the  west. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  Mr.  Crary  completed  his  great  work  for 
education  in  the  constitutional  convention  and  Congress  prior  to  June 


at  Large  220,  428;  1  Brightly 's  Digest  of  Laws  of  1815-1819, 


1184659 

IITSTORY  OK  t'ALlIOrX  COl'XTY  :J5 

2(itli,  lS3(i.  Where  was  John  1).  Pi.'iee.  the  alleged  louiuler  vi  the  j)ul)lie 
school  system,  during  the  time  tliat  ^Ir.  Crary  was  doing  this  work? 
He  was  an  ohseure  missionary  in  the  wilds  of  JMichigau,  unknown  out- 
side the  little  hamlet  where  he  resided  and  hy  a  few  scattering  pioneers 
in  the  vicinity,  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  receive  liis  ministrations. 

Mr.  Crary  gave  to  Michigan  three  measures  which  have  produced 
our  magnificent  school  system,  viz-. 

First — He  created  a  centralized  department  of  public  instruction  with 
a  constitutional  officer  at  its  head  in  the  state  government. 

::>'rc<>nd — He  vested  the  entire  primary  school  funds  in  the  State  to  be 
held  by  the  State  as  trustee  and  re(iuircd  the  income  thereof  to  be  appor- 
tioned for  "the  support  of  schools  throughout  the  State"  forever. 

Third — He  converted  a  general  fund,  available  for  any  university  pur- 
pose into  a  specific  endowment  fund  for  Michigan  university,  and  vested 
the  title  of  .such  funds  in  the  State  as  sole  trustee  and  required  the  in- 
come thereof  to  be  perpetually  used  for  the  maintenance  of  said  univer- 
sity. Mr.  Crary  grasped  the  prin(>iple  that  centralization  was  essential 
for  prompt  and  effectual  power,  and  he  incorporated  that  principle  into 
his  measures  for  educational  supervision,  tenure  of  educational  lands 
and  administration  of  educational  funds.  While  the  department  of  edu- 
cation was  borrowed  from  the  centralized  Prussian  system,  ^Ir.  Crary 
adapted  it  to  a  republican  form  of  local  self-government.  In  the  tenure 
of  educational  lands,  he  rejected  the  assumption  that  the  township  was 
the  unit  of  all  government,  and  that  the  township  meeting  was  the  source 
of  all  political  power,  which  up  to  his  time,  had  molded  the  federal 
policy ;  and  he  made  the  State  sovereign  over  the  public  schools  and  of 
educational  funds.  Truly  ilr.  Crary  po.s.sessed  the  understanding  to 
conceive,  the  wisdom  to  direct  and  the  hand  to  execute  the  essential 
elements  of  successful  statesmanship. 

The  work  and  statcsiiiMnshi|i  of  Isaac  E.  Ciary  have  thus  far  been  con- 
sidered in  his  legislative  ca])acit\-.  as  a  iiu-mlicr  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention of  1835  and  as  an  unseated  member  of  the  first  session  of  the 
Twenty-fourth  Congress,  but  his  subse<|uent  laboi's  and  achievements  in 
executive  statesmanship  were  no  less  bi-illiant  and  far-reaching  in  in- 
fluence. 

Having  created  the  office  of  snperintendeut  of  juiblic  instruction,  as. 
a  further  service  to  the  cause  of  education.  .Mr.  ('iai\-  sought  a  fit  man. 
to  fill  that  office,  and  from  the  great  uuiss  of  the  unknown,  he  selected 
Reverend  John  1).  Pierce  and  secured  his  appointment  as  such  officer  to 
execute  the  great  educational  work  he  iiad  laid  out  and  began.  Mr. 
Crary  not  only  created  the  office  i)ut  he  also  created  the  officer,  and 
thereby  made  the  great  achievement  of  John  D.  Pierce  a  possi])ility. 
Undoubtedly  had  it  not  been  for  his  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Ci-ary.  Jolin 
D.  Pierce  would  never  have  been  known  as  an  educator.  .Michigan  and 
the  world  are  indebted  to  the  influence  and  sagacity  of  Isaac  E.  Crary 
for  the  great  achievements  of  John  D.  Pierce  in  the  educational  domain. 

Mr.  Crarj-  was  a  member  of  the  first  board  of  regents  of  the  state 
uuiversity  and  served  from  1837  to  1844.  He  helped  locate,  organize, 
open  and  govern  the  university  during  its  early  struggle  for  existence, 
lie  was  the  only  man  on  the  oi-iginal   board  of  i-egents  who  had  made 


36  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

schools  and  colleges  a  special  studyr"*  and  he  rendered  invaluable  serv- 
ices in  preparing  the  curriciilnm  of  study  and  providing  for  the  teach- 
ing department.--^  He  was  a  cd-lahoivi-  with  Mr.  Pierce  for  four  years 
in  establishing  and  building  up  tlii^  institution,  and  as  a  regent,  he 
labored  for  the  university  for  years  after  .Mr.  Pierce  had  retired  from 
office. 

In  1842,  Mr.  Crary  was  a  member  of  the  state  house  of  representatives 
and  as  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education,  he  prepared  and 
made  a  report  which  being  adopted  by  the  li'gisiatuiv  pi-dtcctcd  the  uni- 
versity funds  and  retained  the  supiT\isi(in  of  the  ilep:ii'1nient  of  public 
instruction  over  the  institution  and  saved  it  from  thieateuiug  danger. 
Mr.  Crary  was  also  a  member  and  speaker  of  the  same  house  in  1846,  and 
here  again  he  labored  to  build  up,  and  to  perfect  the  public  school  sys- 
tem of  the  State. 

The  ]\Iarshall  Union  School  was  one  of  the  first  graded  schools  organ- 
ized in  the  State.  Isaac  E.  Crary  as  a  leading  member  of  the  old,  and 
as  the  most  influential  member  of  tlit  new,  school  board,  rendered  serv- 
ices which  few  men  could  render  in  organizing,  opening,  and  putting 
that  school  in  successful  operation  and  in  developing  the  union  school 
system.  He  was  one  of  tlie  ajrcat  leaders  in  the  evolution  of  the  present 
d;i.\'  liiii'i  school  system,  out  of  ilie  pi'imary,  graded  and  union  schools  of 
his  time,  wiiieh  now  at  ])nblie  I'Xpense.  performs  the  work  of  the  old 
time  private  teacher,  acailcmy,  seminary  and  branches  of  the  university. 

ilr.  Crary  was  a  leading  member,  president  pro-tern  and  chairman  of 
the  connnittee  on  judiciary  department  in  the  constitutional  convention 
of  185(1.  Here  again  his  wisdom  and  influence  were  felt  in  expanding 
and  perfecting  the  great  school  system  which  he  had  established  in 
Article  X  of  the  constitution  of  1885.  John  D.  Pierce  was  also  a  lead- 
ing member  of  this  convention  and  here  the  two  great  apostles  of  pub- 
lic instruction  of  Michigan  were  alile  to  provide  for  their  long  cherished 
free  school  system,  which  was  unattainable  at  an  earlier  date.  Isaac 
E.  Crary,  as  we  have  seen  helped  to  fornnilate  the  only  two  constitu- 
tions this  State  ever  had.  and  he  left  the  impress  of  his  influence  upon 
both  instruments. 

Mr.  Crary  was  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  education  from  1850 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  May  Sth,  1854.  His  connnanding  intiueuce  as 
leader  and  executive  officer  was  felt  in  the  organization,  opening  and 
putting  of  our  first  normal  school  at  Ypsilanti.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  at  that  time,  normal  schools  were  somewhat  unusual,  that  this 
was  the  first  scliool  of  the  kind  established  in  the  west  and  that  many 
questions  came  up  for  solution. 

While  the  separate  department  of  public  instruction  was  borrowed 
from  the  Prussian  system,  the  tenure  of  educational  lands  from  the 
constitution  of  New  York,  -^'  and  the  mode  of  administering  public  school 
funds  from  the  constitution  of  Connecticut."^  Mr.  Crary  combined  these 
wise  measures  and  founded  a  composite  public  school  system  in  JMich- 


21  History   of  tlie   University   of  Micliigan,   Hinsdale   and   Demmon,   ]i.    30. 
=5  History  of  Higlier  Edueation  in  Michigan,  MoLaugliliu.  p.  39. 

26  New  York  Constitntion  of  1821,  Section  1  of  Article  VII. 

27  Connectient  ('nnstifiitii)ii   c.f  ISIS.  Article  VI  tl. 


HISTORY   OF  CAl.lIorX   COIXTV  37 

itriiii.  «iii,-li  lias  never  luvn  ,.x,.ell,Ml  aii.l  whieli  lias  siiire  lu'cii  iiiiiwrsally 
adopted  and  will  ho  followed  as  a  preeedeiit  Tor  eeiituries  to  eoiiie. 

The  original  doc-uiiR'nts  show  that  IMr.  Crary  formulated  the  legisla- 
tion and  founded  the  puhlie  school  system  of  ]\Iichigan,  that  he  was  the 
leading  organizer  of  our  high  seliool  and  normal  school  system,  and  that 
he  was  the  most  eompeteut  and  influential  regent  in  organizing  the 
university,  and  yet,  how  many  of  his  uneounted  beneficiaries  give  him 
credit  for  his  great  public  services?  Has  not  the  distinction  due  liim 
been  awarded  to  another? 

Why  has  John  D.  Pierce  in  reeent  years  been  so  generally  called  the 
■■■ouuder  of  the  public  school  system  of  .Michigan?  This  honor  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  awarded  him  during  the  lifetime  of  ^Ir.  Crary.  An 
able  article  appeared  in  the  Di'iifcratic  Renew  of  July  1838,  upon  the 
public  school  system  of  Michigan,  citing  Hon.  Lucius  Lyon,-'*  a  member 
of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1833  and  the  United  States  Senator 
from  ilichigan  a.s  authority.  That  writer  gave  a  complete  outline  of  the 
system  and  praised  Mr.  Pierce  for  his  work  in  organizing  the  schools 
under  such  a  system,  but  he  did  not  give  to  him  the  position  of  founder  of 
such  system.2''  The  reserved  and  reticent  Isaac  E.  Crary,  so  far  as  I 
have  been  able  to  find,  has  left  no  written  account  of  his  great  life- 
work.  John  D.  Pierce,  long  after  ]\Ir.  Crary 's  death,  published  his  ver- 
sion of  their  joint  and  several  labors.  It  is  usual  for  autobiographers 
to  make  their  subjects  prominent.  While  with  justifiable  egotism  Mv. 
Pierce  expressed  an  honest  pride  in  his  part  of  tlie  work,  he  did  not, 
however,  claim  to  be  the  founder  of  the  school  system  of  Michigan,  and 
his  paper  clearly  established  the  fact  that  Mr.  Crary  was  the  founder. 
;\Ir.  Pierce  gave  Mr.  Crary  equal  credit  with  himself,  as  a  private  citizen, 
in  approving  the  Prussian  system  of  an  independent  department  of  pub- 
lic instruction  in  the  state  government,  and  also  approving  the  mode 
of  vesting  the  title  of  the  primary  school  and  university  lands  in  the 
State  as  trustees  for  such  schools  and  university.^"  'Sir.  Pierce  gave  ;\Ir. 
Crary  the  exclusive  credit  as  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion, of  drawing,  reporting,  and  securing  tlie  adoption  of  the  article  on 
education  in  the  constitution  of  1835.  lie  also  gave  Jlr.  Crary,  as  a 
mendjer  of  Congress,  the  exclusive  credit  of  drafting  the  several  ordi- 
nances for  the  admis.sion  of  Miciiigan  into  the  Union.  ]\lr.  Pierce  gave 
Jlr.  Crary  the  exclusive  credit  of  converting  the  educational  ideals, 
which  they  had  discussed  and  jointly  approved,  into  enduring  constitu- 
tions and  effective  statutes.  He  also  gave  Jlr.  Crary  the  exclusive  credit 
of  securing  his  appointment  as  the  first  superintendent  of  public  instruc- 
tion in  any  constitutional  government." • 

Upon  receiving  his  appointment,  Mr.  Pierce  comiiieiieed  his  work  in 
the  educational  field.  He  filed  his  first  official  report  and  incseiited  the 
accompanying  mea.sure  to  the  legislature  on  the  filth  day  nf  .laiiiiary. 
1837,-'-  measures  were  passed  and  approved  .March  IStli.  L'nth  and  L'lst, 


28  For  sketch,  see  Vol.  XIII,  p.  325,  this  series. 
=9  2  Democratic  Eeview,  p.  370. 

30  Michigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Collections,  Vol.  ] , 

31  Michigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Collections,  Vol.  1, 

32  Public   Instrnction   and   School   Laws   of   18.52,   p.   3E 


38  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

1837. s-'  These  dates  show  that  ^Ir.  Crary  had  laid  the  foundation,  and 
had  secured  the  funds. for  the  public  school  sj^stem,  long  before  Mr. 
Pierce  began  his  work  in  the  field  of  public  instruction.  Prior  Tempore 
Prior  Jure. 

A  local  editorial  published  two  days  after  his  death  sa.ys:  "In  1835, 
General  Crary  was  elected  from  this  county,  a  member  of  the  constitu- 
tional convention.  He  was  in  that  body,  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  education,  and  had  drafted  Article  X  of  the  constitution,  which  pi'o- 
vides  for  the  appointment  of  superintendent  of  public  instruction ;  made 
it  imperative  on  the  legislature  to  encourage  the  promotion  of  intellec- 
tual, scientific  and  agricultural  improvements;  made  the  proceeds  of 
all  the  lands  that  had  been,  and  should  be  granted  to  the  State  for  the 
support  of  the  schools  a  perpetual  fund,  the  interest  of  which  was  to 
be  inviolabl.y  devoted  to  the  supjiort  of  schools;  provided  for  a  system 
of  primary  schools  and  for  the  establishment  of  libraries,  and  made  the 
funds  arising  from  rent  and  sale  of  lands  granted  for  the  university 
also  a  perpetual  fund.  These  educational  provisions  were  greatly  in 
advance  of  the  times.  Gen.  Crary  had  made  the  subject  of  education  a 
study,  and  the  State  is  indebted  to  him  for  the  wisdom,  which  has  re- 
sulted so  greatly  to  the  benefit  of  our  people,  in  the  consolidation  of 
the  school  fund  and  the  establishment  of  tlie  school  system.  His  interest 
in  the  subject  never  flagged.  He  was  as  devoted  to  the  subject  and  to 
the  system  in  which  he  was  intrumental  in  establishing,  at  the  day 
of  his  death,  as  he  was  when  he  drafted  the  provisions  of  the  constitu- 
tion. He  has  been  constantly  connected  with  the  system,  too,  as  a  legis- 
lator, as  a  member  of  the  board  of  regents,  member  of  the  board  of 
education,  of  which  he  was  president,  and  of  the  school  inspector, 
moderator  and  director  in  the  district  where  he  resided.  He  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Union  School  of  the  village  and  had  charge  of 
the  location  and  erection  of  the  building.  In  all  these  capacities  he 
showed  a  zeal  in  the  cause  which  never  tired,  a  spirit  of  devotion  in  the 
interest  of  the  rising  generation  which  commanded  the  respect  and  won 
the  esteem  of  all.  "^-i  This  article  gives  an  impartial  summarj-  and  a 
just  estimate  of  his  public  services,  and  it  clearly  indicates  that  Isaac 
E.  Crary  was  regarded  by  his  contemporaries  as  the  founder  of  the  public 
school  system  of  ^Michigan. 


John  D.  Pierce 

The  Orsaiii/cr  of  the  Public  School  System  of  Michigan 

John  I).  Piiicc  \\as  the  organizer  of  the  public  school  system  of  Mich- 
igan. The  original  documents  must  also  determine  the  truth  of  this 
proposition.  The  constitution  of  1835  provided  for  the  appointment  of 
a  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  "whose  duties  shall  be  prescribed 
by  law."     Section  three  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  July  26, 


33  Laws  of  ]So7,  pp.  102,  116-209. 

34  Marshall  Statesman,  May  10,  1854,  Vol.  XV.  No.  37. 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOUX  L'OrXTV  39 

1836,  entitled,  "An  ad  to  detine  the  duties  of  the  supcrinteiideiil  oL' 
public  instruction  ;uul  other  purposes"  contained  the  foUowiiig  ])ro- 
vision  he  shall  "jirepare  and  digest  a  system  for  the  organization  and 
establishment  of  common  schools  and  a  university  and  its  branches.  "■'■'■ 
Governor  ilasou  in  his  annual  message  to  the  legislature,  January  '2. 

1837.  said  "The  superintendent  of  public  instruction  will  report  to  you 
a  system  for  the  government  of  the  University  of  Michigan  and  for  the 
organization  of  the  public  schools  of  the  state."-'"  The  superintendent's 
report  was  made  to  the  legislature  January  5th,  1837,*'  and  it  discussed 
plans  and  prices  for  the  sale  of  primary  school  and  university  hnids. 
modes  of  investing  the  money,  and  it  also  recommended  and  explained 
plans  for  the  organization  of  the  primary  schools  and  university  of  the 
State.***  It  submitted  three  bills  to  the  legislature  providing  for  such 
plans.  The  first  measure,  approved  ]March  18tli,  1837,  was  entitled  "An 
Act  to  provide  for  the  organization  and  government  of  the  University 
of  iliehigan.  "*"  The  second  measure,  approved  March  20th  1837,  was 
entitled  "An  Act  to  provide  for  the  organization  and  support  of  primary 
schools.'"^"  The  third  measure  approved  March  23rd,  1837,  was  entitled 
"An  Act  to  provide  for  the  disposition  of  the  University  and  primary 
school  lands  and  for  other  purposes.  "^^  These  several  acts  were  amended 
in  June,  1837,  and  the  amendatory  acts  contained  the  same  titles. '- 

These  titles  indicate  the  scope  and  purpose  of  the  statutes,  and  Mr. 
Pierce's  official  life  was  spent  in  carrying  out  their  provisions.  These 
statutes  provided  for  the  organization  of  the  common  schools  and  the 
state  university.  They  authorized  and  required  the  superintendent  of 
public  instruction  to  sell  primary  school  and  university  lands,  and 
to  use  the  proceeds  in  the  organization  of  the  primary  schools  and  the 
university.  Mr.  Pierce's  authority  and  official  work  were  confined  to  the 
field  of  organization  of  a  public  school  system  out  of  materials  already 
furnished,  and  upon  a  foundation  already  laid  by  Mr.  Crary.  Ex-Super- 
intendent of  Public  instruction,  Francis  W.  Shearman,  a  co-temporary 
and  neighbor  of  both  Jlr.  Crary  and  Mr.  Pierce  and  for  a  time  asso- 
ciated with  ]\Ir.  Pierce  as  editor  of  the  Journal  of  Education,  declared 
in  the  presence  of  the  writer,  that  Isaac  E.  Crary  was  the  founder  and 
that  John  D.  Pierce  was  the  organizer,  of  the  public  school  system  of 
Michigan,  and  in  his  historic  sketches  of  such  system,  he  outlined  the 
evidence  and  detailed  the  fact  which  supported  such  classification. ^^ 
Professors  Ten  Brook,   McLaughlin,   Hinsdale,   Demmon,   Gower,    Sill, 


35  Laws  of  1836,  p.  50. 

36  Governor's  Annual  Message,  IS37,  p.  12;  Public  Instruction  and  Scliool  Laws 
of  1S52,  p.  22. 

3"  Eeport  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1880,  p.  302. 

3s  Eeport  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1880,  p.  23. 

39  Laws  of  1837,  p.  102. 

*o  Laws  of  1837,  p.  116. 

41  Laws  of  1837,  p.  209. 

4=  Laws  of  1837,  pp.  308,  316,  324. 

43  Eeport  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for  1850,  p.  56  et  sequitor; 
Public  Instruction  and  School  Laws  of  Michigan,  1852,  pp.  12-15,  29-37;  Eeport 
of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for  1880,  p.  300  et  sequitor;  Bust's  His- 
tory of  Calhoun  County  (1869),  p.  41;  Evart 's  History  of  Calhoun  County  from 
1830-1877,  p.  25. 


40  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Putnam  and  other  discriminating  writers,  relying  upon  the  original 
documents  for  authority,  also  detail  facts  which  lead  clearly  to  the  same 
distinction. 

The  organizer  of  a  great  public  school  system  is  not  without  honor. 
A  Cornell,  a  Rockefeller  or  a  Stanford  can  endow,  but  it  requires  the 
wisdom  and  the  genius  of  a  White,  a  Harper,  or  a  Jordan  to  success- 
fully organize  a  university.  Alexander  Plamilton  could  formulate,  but 
only  a  John  Marshall  could  interpret  the  Federal  Constitution  and 
make  it  a  living  force.  John  D.  Pierce  was  a  constructive  statesman 
but  his  fame  as  such  depends  upon  his  achievements  in  behalf  of  our 
system  of  homestead  exemptions,  as  disclosed  by  the  debates  and  journal 
of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1850,  but  not  as  the  founder  of  our 
public  school  system  in  1835.  This  will  be  more  fully  referred  to  here- 
after. 

It  is  conceded  by  all  that  Mr.  Pierce  entered  upon  his  educational 
work  at  a  later  date,  and  that  he  used  the  materials  already  provided 
and  built  upon  the  foundation  already  laid  by  Mr.  Crary.  With  these 
facts  admitted,  and  with  the  original  documents  extant,  what  a  marvel 
it  is,  that  the  title  of  the  founder  has  been  withheld  from  Mr.  Crary, 
and  that  it  has  so  genei'ally  been  awarded  to  Mr.  Pierce.  One  writer 
says:  "Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  aided  by  Hon.  Isaac  E.  Crary,  was  the 
founder  of  our  educational  system.  "^^  The  record  shows  that  Hon.  Isaac 
E.  Crary  was  the  founder,  subsequently  John  D.  Pierce  was  the  organ- 
izer of  such  system.  The  biographers  of  ]\Ir.  Pierce — Part  II.,  entitled 
"John  D.  Pierce  was  the  founder  of  the  Michigan  School  system" — say, 
"Some  people  hold  that  Mr.  Crary  never  received  his  due  recognition  for 
the  share  he  had  in  the  establishment  of  our  school  system,  and  that 
he,  rather  than  Mr.  Pierce,  should  get  the  credit  for  the  plan.  A  good 
deal  of  investigation  has  persuaded  us,  that  there  is  no  real  ground 
for  such  belief.  "^5  That  conclusion  could  not  have  been  founded  upon 
the  original  documents.  Another  writer  says:  "John  D.  Pierce  is  conced- 
ed, and  justly,  to  have  been  the  founder  of  the  Michigan  school  sys- 
tem."^'' Others,  among  whom  are  men  of  eminence,  have  embraced  and 
proclaimed  the  same  historical  heresy.  Did  these  writers  examine  Article 
X  of  the  constitution  of  1835  and  the  authentic  records  cited?  Is  it 
true  in  fact,  that  history  is  merely  an  accedited  fable?  This  continent 
was  discovered  by  the  enterprise  and  genius  of  Christopher  Columbus, 
and  yet  it  imjustly  bears  the  name  of  a  subsequent  explorer.  I  submit 
that  the  records  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1835  and  the  his- 
tory of  the  first  session  of  the  2-l:th  Congress,  together  with  the  legisla- 
tive records  of  1836,  aud  1837  of  this  State,  not  only  disprove  the 
quotations  above  made,  but  that  they  establish  beyond  all  controversy, 
that  Isaac  E.  Crary  was  the  founder  of  the  public  school  system  of 
Michigan,  and  that  such  a  system  was  founded  long  before  John  D. 
Pierce  entered  upon  his  educational  career,  or  had  any  official  existence. 

After  his  appointment  to  office,  Mr.  Pierce  commenced  the  work  of 
organizing  the  public  schools  and  the  state  university,  out  of  the  ma- 


**  Miehigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Coll.,  Vol.   V,  p.  45. 

45  Life  of  John  D.  Pierce,  p.  SO. 

40  Michigan  as  a  Province,  Territory  and  State,  Vol.  III. 


IlfSTOKY  OF  CALIIOUX   COrXTV  41 

terials  I'liniishcd  liiiii,  and  upon  the  roiunlatioii  alrrady  laid  and  ac- 
cording to  tlic  i)hms  outlined  in  Article  X  of  the  stale  eonstitutiou. 
He  threw  his  great  soul  and  magnetic  intluence  into  the  work,  lie  in- 
spired governors,  legislators,  school  officers  and  people  with  his  own 
earnest  enthusiasm,  and  he  was  accepted  and  followed  as  prime  leader 
in  the  enterprise.  He  drew  the  primary  school  law  of  1837,  borrowing 
freely  from  the  public  school  system  of  New  York,  and  from  other 
states.  ^'  He  formulated  bills  for  the  re-organization  of  the  state  uni- 
versity and  for  the  management  and  disposition  of  educational  lands. 
He  had  the  tifty  years  of  experience  of  Thomas  Jetfersou  in  the  evolution 
and  establishment  of  the  University  of  Virginia  before  him  as  an  aid. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  Jetferson  was  not  only  the  father  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  but  he  was  also  the  father  of  the  American  sys- 
tem of  state  universities.  The  official  reports  of  Mr.  Pierce  were  able 
and  convincing,  and  his  recommendations  were  promptly  adopted  by 
the  legislature.  He  was  a  gifted  and  successful  organizer,  and  for  four 
years  and  a  half  in  that  capacity  Mr.  Pierce  rendered  invaluable  serv- 
ices to  the  State  and  to  the  cause  of  education. 

Isaac  E.  Crary  was  known  in  public  affairs  in  his  native  State  before 
coming  to  Michigan.  Dr.  Bushnell,  in  his  lectures  on  Historic  Persons 
of  Connecticut,  comments  upon  ilr.  Crary 's  public  life  and  then  adds, 
"He  has  now  gone  to  help  found  a  new  state  in  the  west.''^"  ]\lr.  Crary 
studied  at  Amherst,  ^^  and  he  graduated  at  Washington  College,  now 
Trinity  in  1827.''"  He  was  a  sound  thinker,  a  close  observer,  an  able 
lawyer,  and  a  close  student  of  sociological  and  governmental  affaii-s.^' 
He  had  devoted  much  time  and  thought  to  tlir  schools  and  colleges  and 
had  made  much  research  in  educational  and  kimlicd  suli.jccts.  The  large 
collection  of  pamphlets,  papers,  reports,  letters  and  addresses  by  schol- 
ars and  statesmen,  upon  these  subjects  and  the  collection  of  college 
catalogues  made  by  ilr.  Crary  and  now  in  the  possession  of  the  writer, 
clearly  show  that  he  was  deeply  interested  in  these  subjects  and  that 
he  was  far  in  advance  of  his  time.  He  studied  the  Prussian  system  of 
public  instruction  before  he  commenced  his  great  work.  Cousin 's'^ 
Digest  of  that  system  had  been  translated  ami  published  in  this  country 
and  at  this  time,  was  being  examined  and  discussed  by  progressive 
educators  and  thinkers  throughout  the  country.  •  • 


*-  Revised  Statutes  for  New  York  for  lS2t),  Chap.  XV. 

•»8  Mieh.  Pioneer  and  Hist.  Coll.,  Vol.  XiV,  p.  liSO. 

*»  Catalogue  of  Collegiate  Institute,  Amherst,  Mass.,  1S23,  p.  91. 

50  History  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  Hinsdale  and  Deninion,  p.  174. 

51  Mich.  Pioneer  and  Hist.  Colls.,  Vol.  XIV,  p.   28.5. 

52  Victor  Cousin  was  a  Frenchman,  born  in  Paris,  Nov.  28.  1792,  who  taught  and 
lectured  in  the  Sorbonne.  In  1831  he  was  commissioned  by  the  government  to 
visit  cities  in  Germany  for  the  purpose  of  studying  their  educational  systems. 
This  resulted  in  a  series  of  reports  to  the  minister,  published  as  "Rapport  sur 
Petat  de  1 'Instruction  Publique  dans  quelque  pays  de  I'Allemagne  et  particuliere- 
ment  en  Prusse. "  They  were  translated  by  Mrs.  Sarah  Austin  in  1834  and  spread 
about  the  United  States.  He  took  part  in  the  politics  of  his  times,  was  apparently 
in  sympathy  with  the  monarchy  under  certain  constitutional  safeguards.  The  last 
few  years  of  his  life  were  spent  quietly  at  the  Sorbonne.  He  died  at  Cannes,  .Ian. 
13,  1867.     He  bequeathed  his  library  to  the  Sorbonne. 

53  Report  of  John  A.  Dix,  Commissioner  of  Common  Schools  of  New  York,  1S3B  38. 


42  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Perhaps  no  man  in  the  territory  in  1835  was  better  equipped  to  take 
charge  of  the  educational  interests  of  the  people  that  Mr.  Crary,^^  and 
the  convention,  recognizing  the  fact,  readily  followed  his  leadership  and 
promptly  adopted  his  measures.  Traditions  tell  us  that  after  his  election 
as  delegate,  (April  4,  1835)  until  the  convention  met  May  11,  1835,  Mr. 
Crary  devoted  his  time  in  preparing  himself  for  his  work  in  convention. 
He  made  careful  research  and  sought  light  and  infonnation  from  all 
available  sources.  It  was  during  this  period  that  the  well-known  con- 
versation was  had  with  Mr.  Pierce  sitting  on  a  log  north  of  the  old 
court  house  in  Marshall.  Isaac  E.  Crary  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
public  school  system  in  Michigan,  broad  and  deep  in  the  adamant  of 
the  constitutional  enactment  and  cemented  it  with  congressional  com- 
pacts, long  before  John  D.  Pierce  entered  the  educational  field.  If  John_ 
Harvard  by  donating  seven  hundred  pounds  sterling  and  a  library  of 
three  hundred  volumes  to  a  struggling  institution — if  Elihu  Yale  by  con- 
tributing five  hundred  pounds  sterling  to  another  institution — if  Ezra 
Cornell  by  giving  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  establish  "an  in- 
stitution where  any  person  can  find  instruction  in  any  study,"  and  if 
Leland  Stanford  by  providing  a  few  million  dollars  to  endow  still  an- 
other institution,  are  entitled  to  be  called  founders  of  the  institutions 
respectively  bearing  their  names;  why  should  not  Isaac  E.  Crary  who 
secured  the  primary  school  funds  now  amoimting  to  nearly  six  million 
of  dollars,  and  who  obtained  the  endowment  fund  of  the  state  univer- 
sity now  amounting  to  over  half  a  million  dollars,  be  awarded  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  founder,  not  only  of  the  primary  and  secondary 
schools  of  the  State,  but  also  of  being  the  founder  of  the  University 
of  Michigan  ? 

While  the  fame  of  Isaac  E.  Crary  for  two-thirds  of  a  century  has 
been  dimmed  by  the  grotesque  fabrications,  sarcastic  abuse  and  dramatic 
ridicule  of  Thomas  Corwin,^^  have  not  his  own  beneficiaries  treated  him 
more  un.iustly,  and  more  cruelly  than  did  his  great  political  antagonist 
in  1840?  Have  not  the  people  of  Michigan  overlooked  his  achievements 
and  ignored  the  fame  of  her  most  viseful  statesman,  and  by  common 
accord  awarded  another  the  honor  due  him? 

A  casual  observer,  in  comparing  the  work  of  these  two  great  men, 
might  well  consider  Isaac  E.  Crary  as  the  architect  and  John  D.  Pierce 
as  the  builder  of  our  educational  structure.  Mr.  Crary  was  more  than 
the  architect,  he  not  only  laid  the  foundation  and  drew  plans  and  speci- 
fications, but  as  regent  of  the  university,  member  of  the  local  school 
board  and  as  member  of  the  state  board  of  education,  he  rendered  invalu- 
able services  in  building  and  developing  our  great  university  and  in 
establishing  and  perfecting  our  grand  system  of  normal  and  high  schools. 
He  provided  for  school  libraries  and  for  instruction  in  agriculture  in 
the  constitution  of  1835  and  for  free  schools  in  the  constitution  of  1850. 
Mr.  Crarj^  was  therefore  both  architect  and  builder.  He  labored  in  the 
educational  field  long  before  Mr.  Pierce  entered  it  and  he  toiled  years 
after  Mr.  Pierce  had  retired. 

6*  History  of  Higher  Education  of  Michigan,  by  McLaughlin,  150. 
55  Thomas  Corwin,  for  slieteh,  see  Vol.  XIV,  p.  280,  this  series.     This  attack  was 
made  upon  Crary  in  the  House  of  Eepresentatives,  Feb.  15,  1840. 


HISTORY  OF  cALiiorx  corxTY  4:5 

The  iuriueiK-e  of  Mr.  Crary's  statesinausliip  has  aliV'e-ted  imiro  li\cs, 
controlled  more  destinies,  diffused  more  knowledge,  created  more  living 
institutions,  and  has  advanced  and  enlightened  civilization  more  than 
that  of  any  other  citizen  of  Michigan.  Every  rural  schoolhouse,  every 
high  school  building,  every  normal  school  edifice  and  every  university 
hall  not  only  in  Alichigan,  but  also  in  other  states  copying  his  system, 
and  every  agricultural  college  in  the  Union  are  the  results,  and  existing 
monuments  of  his  life  work.  Today  three  fourths  of  a  million  of  school 
population  of  this  State  are  I'eceiving  or  are  entitled  to  receive  the 
benefits  of  the  primary  school  fund  which  he  secured  for  them.  To-day 
myriads  of  high  school,  normal  school  and  university  students  in  this 
and  other  states  are  receiving  benefits  of  his  policy.  Every  person, 
living  or  dead,  who  has  ever  received  instruction  in  any  of  the  public 
schools  of  iMichigan  or  in  any  other  states  adopting  his  system,  is  a  debtor 
to  him.  The  numberless  millions  of  children  and  students  of  the  future, 
who  shall  receive  instructions  in  any  of  these  public  schools,  will  be  under 
lasting  obligation  to  him.  Mr.  Crary's  beneficent  purposes,  and  his 
exalted  ideals  were  revealed  in  his  address  dedicating  the  first  state 
normal  school  edifice  by  these  words,  "I  do  dedicate  this  building  to 
the  People  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  and  to  promote  the  great  cause 
of  education — the  cause  of  man — the  cause  of  God."  '^^  Shall  we  not 
preserve  the  perishable  traditions  of  his  fame  and  make  them  immortal? 

Has  not  his  widow,  Mrs.  Belona  Crary  Frink,  in  giving  his  portrait 
to  be  hung  in  the  capitol,  where  the  present  and  future  generations  can 
became  familiar  with  the  features  of  the  statesman,  who  did  so  much 
for  them,  made  a  priceless  gift  to  the  State? 

While  Isaac  E.  Crary,  as  founder  of  the  most  comprehensive  and  com- 
plete system  of  public  instruction  ever  devised  deser\'es  to  be  held  in 
immortal  remembrance,  his  name  has  almost  been  forgotten  and  his 
fame  has  almost  been  buried  in  oblivion.  Not  a  county  or  a  township, 
not  a  city  or  a  village,  not  a  school  or  a  postoffice  in  Michigan,  and  not 
a  professorship  in  the  normal  school  or  in  the  unversity  he  founded 
now  bears  his  name.  I  would  not  detract  from  the  fame  of  John  D. 
Pierce.  As  an  organizer,  he  deserves  lasting  remembrance.  I  simply  de- 
mand exact  justice  for  Isaac  E.  Crary.     Fiat  Justitia  Ruat  Coelum. 

The  fact  that  great  un.justiee  has  been  done  him  is  the  cause  and  the 
excuse  for  the  argumentative  length  of  this  part  of  the  paper. 

Let  the  inaccuracies  of  the  past  be  rectified,  the  unspeakable  in.juries 
alread.y  done  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Crary,  so  far  as  possible  be  redressed, 
and  let  future  writers  go  to  the  original  documents  for  their  facts.  Ex- 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instructions  Delos  Fall  has  well  said  "There 
are  three  names  which  every  teacher  in  Michigan  should  learn  to  pro- 
nounce in  logical  order  and  with  due  appreciation  of  their  worth  and 
the  great  part  they  played  in  the  formation  of  this  State :  Victor  Cousin, 
Isaac  E.  Crary  and  John  D.  Pierce."-'^  Cousin  should  be  honored  as 
interpreter,  Crary  as  the  founder  and  Pierce  as  organizer  of  tlie  Prussian 
system  of  public  instruction  on  the  western  continent. 

58  Public  Instruction  of  Mich.,  1S53,  p.  80. 

5-  Introduction  to  the  Life  of  .Tohn  D.  Pierce,  p.  2.    ^ 


44  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Wlieu  impartial  historians  shall  eai-efully  cousider  the  original  re- 
cords, and  the  chronology  of  the  public  services  of  these  two  great  men, 
and  their  respective  class  of  honors  shall  be  correctly  determined,  the 
honor  of  founder  of  the  public  school  system  of  Michigan  will  be  awarded 
to  Isaac  E.  Crary,  and  that  of  organizer  to  John  D.  Pierce,  then  and 
only  then,  will  ample  justice  be  done  the  name  of  Isaac  E.  Crary.  Then 
indeed  will  be  fulfilled  the  prophecy  of  the  eloquent  George  C.  Bates, 
who  said,  "The  life  and  public  services  of  General  Crary  will  remain  a 
monument  to  his  memory,  when  all  that  Corwin  has  done  or  said  to 
benefit  the  world  is  buried  in  oblivion."  ^^ 

Justice  demands  that  his  portrait  be  assig-ned  to  a  prominent  place 
in  the  gallery  of  Michigan's  most  eminent  statesmen.  Hoping  that  the 
progressive  statesmanship  of  Isaac  E.  Crary  may  be  recalled,  his  .just 
fame  be  restored,  and  liis  name  handed  down  to  posterity,  as  the 
"Founder  of  the  Public  School  System  of  Michigan,"  I  leave  his  fame 
in  the  custody  of  the  State  which  he  served  so  ably  and  so  well. 

PRECEDENTS    .\ND    OBSTACLES 

The  system  of  uniting  the  primary,  secondary  and  higher  schools  at 
public  expense,  and  under  the  state  control  was  not  originated  by  the 
founders  of  our  school  policy.  This  policy  existed  in  the  Prussian  code, 
but  that  system  provided  for  the  teachint;'  nl'  the  Catholic  Catechism  to 
the  children  of  Catholic  parents,  mid  I  lie  1c:iching  of  the  Lutheran 
Catechism  to  the  children  of  Lutlici-aii  pnii'iils,  thus  recognizing  the 
union  of  the  church  and  state ;  while  our  system  was  independent  of  the 
church.  Thomas  Jefferson  ^o  i^^^  labored  for  years  to  combine  these 
grades  of  secular  schools  under  state  control  and  at  public  expense  for 
Virginia  before  our  school  fathers  (•iiiiiiiicnccd  tlieir  work.  Thomas . 
Jefferson  was  the  first  educator  on  this  coiitinciit  to  work  for  an  in- 
stitution of  higher  education  exclusivciy  undci'  the  state  government, 
divorced  rrinii  ecclesiastical  influence  and  control.  It  had  long  been  the 
estalilishfd  prjicfiee  of  the  sectarian  organizers  to  establish  and  to  sus- 
tain dcnoiiiinational  colleges  as  a  rule  of  church  polity,  to  educate  their 
clergj',  their  workers  for  religious  purposes  and  for  church  extension. 
Jefferson  endeavored  to  establish  and  maintain  a  university  independent 
of  the  church  to  educate  citizens,  legislators,  .judges,  executives  and 
statesmen  for  national  service  and  progress.  He  was  the  first  to  en- 
counter "ecclesiastical  opposition  directed  against  the  proposed  non- 
sectarian  university,"  and  to  meet  tlie  prevailing  notion  that  higher 
education  should  be  under  the  control  of  the  church.     That  practice  had 


58  Mich.  Pioneer  and  Hist.  Colls.,  Vol.  XVIT,  p.  349. 

59  Thomas  Jefferson  spent  the  late  years  of  his  life  in  devising  a  scheme  of  edu- 
cation which  would  embrace  all  the  children  of  his  native  state.  He  was  assisted 
by  his  friend  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  a  member  of  the  senate  of  Virginia.  Cabell  car- 
ried out  all  of  Jefferson 's  plans.  He  induced  the  legislature  to  expend  $300,000 
in  the  work  of  construction  and  to  appropriate  $15,000  as  a  yearly  support  to  the 
institution.  Jefferson  personally  superintended  every  detail  of  construction  and  in 
March,  1825,  the  institution  was  opened  with  forty  students.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
second  year  there  were  177  students. 


HISTORY   OF  CAl.lIOrX  COIXTY  45 

long  been  followed,  iiuil  it  was  tlie  prevaiiiiiu;-  sentiment  of  his  day.  In- 
deed that  sentiment  still  exists,  and  in  spite  of  our  numerous  popular 
state  universities,  it  is  a  mighty  power  in  the  eollegiate  world. 

To-day,  obedient  to  that  sentiment,  a  large  number  of  the  students  en- 
rolled for  tlie  baehelors"  degree  roiiienini;  institutions  of  the  country 
are  in  the  so-ealled  denominatimiiil  ((illcucs  and  institutions  founded, 
built  up,  and  maintained  by  rclii;iciiis  organizations  or  private  dona- 
tions. It  Avill  be  retiieiiibiTcd  that  in  1JS17  when  Judge  "Woodward  was 
formulating  bis  ('atlicilipistciiiaid  or  "University  of  ..Miehigania,"  and 
when  the  governor  and  .iiulgvs  of  the  Territory  in  1821  were  formulating 
their  charter  for  the  ' '  University  of  Michigan, ' '  "for  the  purpose  of  edu- 
cating youths,"  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell  were  laboring 
to  estal)lish  the  University  of  Virginia.  Jetferson  labored  forty  years 
for  that  institution,  and  he  is  not  only  the  father  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  but  he  is  also  the  father  of  the  state  \iniversity  system  of 
America.  "We  are  nnder  greater  obligation  to  him  as  an  educator  than 
as  the  author  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  while  the  form  and 
rhetoric  of  that  innnortal  decnment  were  his,  the  sentiment  and  sub- 
stance were  paraphrased  from  the  Virginia  Bill  of  Rights  previously 
formulated  by  Georuv  Masun,''"  (the  great  uncle  of  JMichigan's  first 
governor).  The  Ann  rican  s.xstem  of  state  universities  was  an  evolution 
from  the  constructi\r  slalrsmanship  of  the  Sage  of  jMonticcUo.  At  hrst 
these  universities  were  opposed  as  Godless,  sacrilegious  and  dangerous, 
and  ^Ir.  Jefferson  was  denounced  as  an  infidel. 

Isaac  E.  Crary  and  John  D.  Pierce  were  familiar  with  'Siv.  Jefferson's 
struggles  in  the  Old  Dominion,  and  of  the  charges  nuide  against  him, 
before  they  commenced  their  work  in  Michigan.  They  too,  in  re-organ- 
izing the  university,  were  compelled  to  contend  with  the  prevailing  .senti- 
ment and  establish  precedents,  of  having  higher  education  iinder  eccle- 
siastical control.  Both  were  eminently  qualified  to  battle  with  custom. 
As  layman  ^Ir.  Crary  was  known  as  a  stanch  churchman,  and  as  a 
clergyman.  ]\lr.  Pierce  was  extensively  known  as  an  orthodox  missionary, 
and  both  had  the  entire  confidence  of  the  religious  people.  Mr.  Pierce, 
however,  after  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  pulilic  instruction 
was  compelled  to  abandon  and  oppose  a  denominational  institution 
which  he  had  taken  an  active  part  in  establishing,  to  be  consistent  with 
his  state  imiversity  policy.  The  Presbyterians  of  the  State  in  1835  had 
organized  [Michigan  College,  "^  and  'Sir.  Pierce  labored  earnestly  to  raise 
funds  for  that  institution  and  was  active  in  secui'ing  its  location  at 
Marshall.  The  trustees  of  this  college  on  the  20th  day  of  October,  1837, 
resolved  that  "in  the  opinion  of  the  board  it  is  not  expedient  for  the 
friends  of  the  enterprise  to  engage  in  advancing  the  interests  of  the 
University  of  ^Michigan  or  its  branches  by  pecuniaiy  patronage  or  other- 


«"  George  Mason,  for  sketch,  see  Vol.  XXXV,  p.  60.^.  this  series. 

»i  Michigan  College,  later  called  Marshall  College,  was  chartered  in  1.S38  and 
liberally  endowed  by  citizens  of  the  village  of  Marsliall.  It  was  incorporated  as 
Marshall  College,  April  16,  1839.  The  Rev^  John  J.  Cleaveland,  Presbyterian  divine, 
was  president  from  1839-1843,  and  then  retired,  having  brought  the  college  into  high 
repute  both  at  home  ami  abroad.     See  sketch.  Vol.  XXX,  pp.  52S-349,  this  series. 


46  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

wise."  '^-  llr.  Pierce  at  that  time  had  been  engaged  on  the  public  school 
system  for  about  a  year,  and  had  filed  his  first  report  the  January 
preceding,  and  this  resolution  was  the  result.  Michigan  College  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  Marshall  College  in  1839,  and  Mr.  Pierce 
signed  a  spirited  remonstration  against  granting  a  charter.  Marshall 
College,  then  under  the  gifted  leadership  of  the  Rev.  John  P.  Cleaveland, 
D.D.,  was  a  rival  of  the  Michigan  University.  In  his  first  report,  Mr. 
Pierce,  disapproved  granting  charters  to  denominational  colleges  and 
recommended  that  the  exclusive  power  of  conferring  degrees  be  given  to 
the  university,  which  policy  with  scarcely  an  exception  was  followed  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  Unlike  Jefferson,  Messrs.  Crary  and  Pierce  were 
able  to  successfully  meet  and  overcome  to  a  large  extent  the  sentiment 
and  prejudice  against  a  Godless  college  without  being  denounced  as 
infidels  and  corrupters  of  the  morals  of  youth. 

JOHN   D.   PIERCE  AND   HOMESTE.VD  EXEMPTIONS 

The  achievements  of  John  D.  Pierce,  as  a  constructive  statesman  were 
not  confined  to  the  domain  of  education,  but  were  extended  into  other 
fields  of  progress  no  less  beneficial  and  lasting.  Mr.  Pierce  was  a 
thinker,  a  philosopher  and  philanthropist  as  well  as  a  statesman.  From 
the  existing  laws  and  conditions  of  society,  he  could  reason  out  new 
measures  and  conditions  for  the  benefit  of  mankind.  He  had  experi- 
enced the  anxieties  of  the  head  of  a  family  under  overwhelming  financial 
misfortune,  when  the  law  permitted  imprisonment  for  debt  and  allowed 
the  creditors  to  turn  the  unfortunate  debtor,  wife  and  helpless  chil- 
dren into  the  street  without  food  or  shelter,  and  to  take  the  wife's 
property  to  pay  the  husband's  debts  contracted  before  marriage.  His 
love  for  humanity  caused  him  to  grapple  with  the  problem  and  to  seek 
a  remedy  for  the  misfortune.  In  184.5,  standing  on  the  streets  of  Detroit 
with  the  late  William  H.  Brown,  of  Marshall,  ilr.  Pierce  called  his  at- 
tention to  the  large  number  of  people  passing  to-and-fro  on  the  street 
and  remarked,  "'All  these  people  have  a  God-given  right  to  live.  If  they 
have  a  right  to  live,  it  follows  that  they  have  a  God-given  right  to  a 
domicile,  to  a  home,  a  place  in  which  to  live.  If  .society  protects  the  life  of 
a  debtor,  it  should  protect  the  home  of  a  debtor,  for  himself  and  his 
family.  If  life  is  sacred,  the  home  of  the  family,  the  unit  of  society, 
the  foundation  of  all  government  should  be  sacred.  Without  a  home, 
life  is  not  worth  living,  and  good  citizenship  cannot  be  expected. 
Humanity  and  patriotism  demand  that  the  home  should  be  protected 
from  Shyloek  ci'i'ditors.  misrortune  and  improvidence." 

This  was  the  thcinc  (if  discussion  between  the  pioneer  minister  and 
pioneer  lawyer  of  .Marshall  Tor  hours.  Thus  ilr.  Pierce  was  elabora- 
ting his  measures  for  relief  long  before  the  statute  was  formulated.  He 
enlarged  upon  the  principle  that  a  man's  home  is  his  castle,  his  refuge, 
his  sanctuary  and  seems  to  have  elaborated  from  his  own  brain  a  method 


62  History  of  Olivet  College  (Williams),  150-15.5;  Record  and  Papers  of  Marshall 
College  in  the  Mich.  Pion.  and  Hist.  Colls.;  Public  Instruction  and  School  Laws, 
1852,   pp.   38-44. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrN  COUNTY  47 

of  protecting  and  preserviug  it.  Tiio  law  I'or  imprisoument  for  debt  had 
been  abolished  in  1839,  and  the  statute  exempting  personal  property 
from  execution,  substantially  as  it  now  exists,  was  enacted  in  1842,  but 
the  home  was  still  subject  to  alienation  for  debt  in  Michigan.  i\Ir.  Pierce 
was  a  member  of  the  state  house  of  representatives  in  1847,  and  he 
introduced  a  bill  to  exempt  the  homestead  from  execution,  but  it  failed 
to  pass.  He  was  elected  to  the  next  legislature,  and  he  again  introduced 
his  exemption  measure,  and  through  his  personal  intiuenee  secured  its 
passage.  It  became  the  homestead  law  of  1848,  which  was  the  tirst 
homestead  exemption  law  adopted  in  any  of  the  northern  states,  and 
John  D.  Pierce  became  the  father  of  the  homestead  exemption  policy  of 
Michigan.  This  law  provided  that  a  homestead  of  forty  acres  in  the 
country,  or  one  lot  in  any  city  or  village,  with  a  house  thereon  owned 
and  occupied  by  any  resident  of  the  State  shall  not  be  sold  on  execution 
or  any  final  process  of  court  to  satisfy  any  debt  upon  contract  made 
after  July  3d,  1848.  While  the  law  required  amendments  to  perfect  it, 
it  established  the  principle  and  contained  the  substance  of  the  constitu- 
tional provision  and  law  as  it  now  exists.  The  Michigan  homestead  ex- 
emption law  introduced  the  subject,  and  it  was  discussed  throughout 
the  land,  and  it  became  the  model  for  many  states.  Mr.  Pierce  was  not 
satisfied  to  leave  the  sancitity  of  the  home  simply  to  legislative  enact- 
ments. He  was  a  delegate  to  the  constitutional  convention  in  1850  and 
was  appointed  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Exemptions  and  Rights 
of  JIarried  Women.  This  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  strengthen  his 
great  measure  and  to  fortify  it  by  constitutional  safeguards.  Jlr.  Pierce 
formulated,  and  on  the  25th  day  of  June,  1850,  introduced  as  a  minority 
report  of  that  committee,  substantially  what  now  exists  as  Article  XXI 
of  our  state  constitution."-'  Three  members  of  the  committee  concurred 
in  the  report.  The  other  four  members  of  the  committee  reported  against 
the  exemption  policy  in  the  majority  report  made  July  17,  1850.''^  The 
exemption  policy  having  come  up  for  discussion  on  the  30th  of  July  in 
the  convention,  Mr.  Pierce,  as  the  author  of  the  measure,  supported  it 
and  discussed  its  sentiments  and  philosophy  with  great  earnestness, 
ability  and  eloquence.  Among  other  things,  he  said:  "The  measure  now 
under  consideration  is  one  of  great  interest  to  the  people  of  the  state. 
The  subject  is  one  that  has  come  home  to  every  family."  He  referred  to 
the  Hebrew  code,  which  every  seven  years  cancelled  all  debts,  and  to  the 
exemption  of  the  fee  of  real  estate  from  alienation ;  while  the  creditors 
could  seize  the  use  of  the  land  for  a  time,  but  once  in  every  fifteen  years, 
the  land  returned  to  the  owner,  as  "a  code  provided  for  every  man  and 
his  family,"  and  with  this  single  exception  in  the  histoi-y  of  the  race, 
the  legislation  of  the  world  has  been  for  the  incidentals  pertaining  to 
human  life  rather  than  for  man  himself.  "Humanit.y  has  been  wronged, 
outraged,  down-trodden,  and  the  whole  care  of  the  legislation  has  been 
bestowed  upon  property,  and  its  representative,  money.  ^lan  and  the 
family  have  l)een  disregarded  and  turned  out  as  vagabonds  by  due 
course  of  law.     If  anything  on  the  face  of  the  eartii  needs  civilizing,  it 


83  ConTention  Debates  of  Michigan,  1850,  p.  240. 
ti«  Convention  nehatps  of  Mii-hiran.  ]s.")i),  p.  4L'.s. 


48  PIISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

is  legislation.  The  spirit  of  aggressive  capital  is  aggressive.  It  has  no 
limit,  no  boundaries  controlling  the  legislation  of  the  world,  it  has  been 
-resistless  in  sway.  It  never  tires,  it  never  sleeps,  soulless,  remorseless, 
merciless,  conscienceless,  it  presses  forward  regardless  of  the  dying  and 
the  dead.  Legislation  is  beginning  to  relax  its  iron  grasp  and  is  already 
in  the  process  of  civilization.  So  man  is  above  money.  In  all  the 
exigencies  of  business,  the  changes  of  fortune  are  over-turning  the  affairs 
of  life.  It  is  just  that  man  and  family  should  not  bear  the  entire  burden 
of  misfortune,  and  mone.y  and  capital  which  are  less  than  man.  wholly 
escape.  Let  wealth  bear  the  burden  and  humanity  be  spared.  The  home- 
stead should  be  free,  inviolable.  No  man,  no  woman,  no  child,  no  family 
should  be  driven  from  the  home  because  the  hand  of  adversity  presses 
them.  The  state  is  bound  to  protect,  not  to  crush.  Free  religion,  free 
schools,  free  trade  and  free  homes  are  essential  elements  of  liberty.  The 
home  must  he  inviolate,  or  liberty  is  but  a  name,  and  freedom  a  mockery. 
Man  without  a  liome  is  an  outcast.  lie  has  been  robbed  of  his  birth- 
right l)y  tlie  strong  arm  of  government  under  the  control  of  wealth. 
Man  has  a  natural  right  to  the  free  use  of  the  air,  it  is  essential  to 
his  existence.  So  is  water,  he  cannot  exist  without  it.  The  same  is  true 
of  light.  Man  would  droop  and  die  without  it.  But  the  right 
to  these  essential  elements  is  no  more  clear,  no  more  certain  than  the 
right  of  man  to  a  place  on  this  earth.  This  right  is  clearly  inalienable. 
To  deprive  any  man  ni'  any  family  of  a  home  and  turn  tliem  out  as 
vagabonds  under  any  jin-tcnse  whatever  is  t\Tanny.  It  is  tyramiy  of 
the  most  atrocious  rliai-ncter.  A  man  without  a  home,  what  is  he? 
Robbed  of  his  birthrigiit,  he  becomes  an  outcast,  and  is  made  so  by 
law.  If  society,  il'  the  state  has  a  right  to  do  this,  it  has  a  rij.'ht  to  put 
him  out  of  the  way,  he  with  his  family  have  no  liusiiiess  to  lixc '"  '•'-•  These 
extracts  show  the  character  of  the  speech.  Seldom  if  e\er  has  so  forci- 
ble, able  and  convincing  an  argument  been  made  in  supijort  of  any 
measure  in  the  legislative  history  of  the  state.  Tlie  ma.iorit>-  report  of 
the  committee  was  annihilated,  and  as  a  result,  on  the  second  of  August 
the  minority  report  was  aihipled  liy  an  (i\-er\\lieliiiiim'  iiKi.joi'ity  in  the 
convention,  and  the  llonies1e;i(l  ivxciuiitioii  Law  as  diawii  1)\-  .\li-.  Pierce 
became  Section  XXI  of  our  stale  eonstitulion.  The  priiu-ipU'  was  adopt- 
ed for  all  time.  Thus  by  means  of  the  humane  foresight,  masterly  effort 
and  progressive  statesmanship  of  John  D.  Pierce,  the  sanctity  and 
security  of  evei\v  home  in  Michigan  was  guaranteed  by  constitutional 
enactment.  During  this  historical  debate,  the  honor  of  being  the  father 
of  the  Homestead  Exemption  Act  and  of  the  policy  in  IMichigan  was 
repeatedly  conceded  to  Mr.  Pierce."'' 

In  this  great  effort,  Jlr.  Pierce  was  aided  and  supported  not  only 
by  the  vote  and  counsel  of  his  great  associate  in  the  educational  fields, 
Isaac  E.  Crary,  but  also  by  his  neighbors.  Nathan  Pierce  and  Milo  Soule, 
of  Marengo,  and  William  V.  Morrison,  of  Albion,  his  colleagues  from  the 
county  in  the  convention. 

The   ITomestead   exemption   policy   was   adopted   by   the   legislature 

«5  Convention  Debates  of  Michigan,   1850,  pp.  656-66], 
«»  Convention  Debates  of  Michigan,  1850,  pp.  6.57-660. 


IIISTOKY   OF  C'ALllor.X   CUrXTY  4U 

March  'i'ltli.  1S4S.  and  it  was  inserted  in  tlie  new  i-onstitulion,  Au^nist 
2nd,  1850.  Jlieliigan  was  tlie  first  free  state  to  adopt  the  measure,  and 
practically  was  the  pioneer  in  that  hmnane  legislation.  But  other 
states,  perceiving  the  wisdom  and  benefits  of  this  i)rogressive  measure, 
have  copied  our  statute  and  constitution  in  rapid  succession,  xintil  now, 
the  home  and  the  family  are  protected  from  misfortune  and  improvi- 
dence by  this  policy  in  almost  every  state.  Pennsylvania  and  Vermont 
adopted  this  policy  1849;  ^Maine,  New  York,  and  Ohio  in  18r)0;  New 
Hampshire,  ilassachusetts,  Illinois  and  Iowa  in  1851 ;  Indiana  and 
Louisiana  in  1852 ;  and  the  federal  government  in  1862.  Many  other 
states  have  exempted  homesteads  by  legislative  enactments  from  sale  on 
execution  for  payment  of  debts;  and  to-day,  in  over  forty  states  in  the 
Union,  the  home  and  family  are  protected  by  the  humane  measure,  so 
thoughtfully  evolved  and  formulated,  so  progressively  presented  and  so 
earnestly  and  ably  advocated  by  John  D.  Pierce  sixty  yeai'S  ago.''" 


John  1).  Picrcr  was  without  question,  the  aullioi'  and  fathrr  of  tlie 
homestead  exeuiptiou  laws  of  Michigan,  and  tlie  ilicliigan  policy  was 
copied  in  substance  by  nearly  all  the  other  states.  But  history  does 
not  sustain  the  claim  that  he  was  the  originator  of  the  policy.  The 
principle  upon  which  homestead  exemption  laws  rest  is  claimed  to  be 
the  dictate  of  enlightened  public  policy.  "The  system  is  an  evolution 
from  Christian  impulses,  patriotic  devotion  and  wise  statesmanship." 
Mr.  Pierce  in  his  effort  was  inspired  by  these  motives  and  not  by  prece- 
dent. It  will  be  remembered  that  in  1820,  Thomas  Benton  opposed  the 
practice  of  selling  public  lauds  for  money  and  advocated  the  policy  of 
distributing  them  to  actual  settlers.  Said  he  in  the  Senate :  ' '  The  free- 
holder is  the  natural  supporter  of  a  free  government.  Tenantry  is 
unfavorable  to  freedom.  The  tenant  has  in  fact,  no  country,  no  hearth, 
no  domestic  altar,  no  household  gods.  It  should  be  the  policy  of  re- 
publics to  nuiltiply  their  free-holders."  This  was  the  policy  of  that 
great  statesman  in  1820.''*  John  D.  Pierce  perfected  Benton's  concep- 
tion and  policy  of  statesmanship  by  making  the  home  of  the  free-holder 
inalienable  for  the  payment  of  debts,  and  the  Benton  policy  as  perfected 
by  the  Pierce  safeguard,  was  adopted  as  the  free  homestead  laws  of  the 
United  States  in  1862,  and  is  now  the  law  of  the  land,  and  the  "free- 
holder hearths,  domestic  altar  and  household  gods,"  thanks  to  the 
statesmanship  of  Benton  and  Pierce,  are  safe  and  beyond  the  reach  of 
misfortune  and  improvidence. 

The  Republic  of  Texas  in  1839,  adopted  the  first  homestead  exemi)- 
tion  law  on  this  continent."^     This  short-lived  republic  has  therefore 


6T  American  Law  RegLster  (It.  S.),  Vol.  I,  pp.  641-765,  Vol.  X,  p.  156;  2  Cyclo- 
psedia  of  Political  Science,  Political  Economy  and  United  States  History,  p.  462; 
Thompson  on  Homesteads  and  Exemptions,  note  2  of  reference;  51  New  Hamp- 
shire Reports,  pp.  252-261,  Barney  vs.  Lamb. 

08  Benton's  Thirty  Years  in  tiie  Senate,  Vol.  I.  pp.  103,  104;  2  Cyclopa'dia  of  Po- 
litical Economy  and  tjnited  States  History,  p.  463. 

09  2  Cyclopsdia  of  Political  Science  and  Political  Economy  and  United  States 
History,  p.  465;  14  Texas  Report,  p.  599,  Cook  vs.  Coleman. 


50  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

contributed  at  least  one  measure  of  progressive  statesmanship  of  lasting 
benefit  to  mankind.  It  was  drawn  by  some  master  legal  mind,  possessing 
that  comprehensive  foresight  and  sagacity  which  can  only  be  acquired 
by  long  experience  and  careful  study.  It  is  a  model,  so  far  as  it  goes, 
that  has  not  yet  been  excelled.  As  the  first  Homestead  exemption  law  of 
the  land,  and  as  the  contribution  of  a  former  American  republic  to 
human  progress,  it  is  entitled  to  a  place  in  this  paper.  The  following  is 
the  complete  statute: 

An  Act,  entitled  "An  act  to  exempt  certain  property  therein  named 
from  execution. "  Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Republic  of  Texas  in  Congress  assembled :  That 
from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  there  shall  be  reserved  to  every 
citizen  or  head  of  a  family  to  this  republic  free  and  independent  of  the 
power  of  a  writ  of  Scire  Facias  or  other  execution  issuing  from  any 
court  of  competent  jurisdiction  whatever,  fifty  acres  of  land  or  one  town 
lot  including  his  or  her  homestead  and  improvements  not  exceeding  five 
hundred  dollars  in  value,  all  household  and  kitchen  furniture  (provided 
that  they  do  not  exceed  in  value  two  hundred  dollars),  all  implements 
of  husbandry  (providing  that  they  do  not  exceed  fifty  dollars  in  value) 
all  tools,  appurtenances  and  books  belonging  to  the  trade  or  profession 
of  anj^  citizen,  five  milch  cows,  one  yoke  of  work  oxen  or  one  horse, 
twenty  hogs  and  one  year's  provisions;  and  that  all  laws  and  parts  of 
laws  contravening  or  opposing  the  provisions  of  this  act,  be,  and  the 
same  are  hereby  repealed.  Provided,  The  passage  of  this,  act  shall  not 
interfere  with  contracts  with  parties  heretofore  made. 

John  M.  Hansford, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
David  G.  Burnet, 
President  of  the  Senate. 
Approved  Jan.  29,  1837.     Jlirabeau  B.  Lamar.'o 

The  state  of  Mississippi  adopted  a  homestead  exemption  law  January 
22,  1841,  and  Georgia  adopted  such  an  act  December  11th,  1841."! 
"While  these  acts  antedate  the  ]\Iichigan  law,  a  comparison  shows  that  the 
latter  was  not  copied  from  the  former.  Mr.  Pierce  seems  to  have  grasped 
the  principle  and  to  have  formulated  the  law  as  an  evolution  from  his 
own  heart  and  brain.  The  homestead  exemption  law  is  of  recent  origin 
and  one  of  the  numerous  modifications  of  the  severity  of  the  common 
law  that  has  been  adopted  during  the  existence  of  our  State.  These  laws 
had  no  place  in  our  law  reports  until  1851.  And  they  had  no  name  or 
place  on  the  law  digests  until  1856.''2  Tj^g  homestead  exemption  laws  in 
the  various  states  vary  in  amount,  quantity  and  value.     Some  attach  as 


'0  Mirabeau  B.  Lamar,  brother  of  Lucius  Quintus  Cinciunatus  Lamar,  the  jurist, 
was  born  in  Louisville,  Georgia,  Aug.  16,  1798,  and  died  in  Richmond,  Texas,  Dec. 
19,  1859.  In  1835  he  emigrated  to  Texas  and  was  active  in  its  movements  for 
independence.  He  filled  many  military  and  political  offices  and  in  1838  was  chosen 
president,  serving  until  1841.  During  his  presidency  Texas  became  a  recognized 
republic.     Appleton's  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography. 

"11  American  Law  Register  (M.  S.),  645. 

72  1  American  Law  Register  (M.  S.),  642. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COT'XTY  51 

a  vested  right.  Others  vest  upon  ehiiniiiig-  such  rights.  Some  are 
secured  by  legislative  euactment  and  others  by  constitutional  provision, 
but  all  are  based  upon  the  same  plan  and  arc  intended  to  presel•^'e  the 
home  and  to  protect  the  family  as  a  rule  of  public  policy,  and  such 
measures  have  the  approval  of  enlightened  civilization. 

How  few  realize  what  blessings  they  have  received  and  under  what 
lasting  obligations  the}'  are  to  this  pioneer  citizen  of  Marshall.  Today, 
nearlj'  three  millions  of  people  of  ]\Iichigau  live  in  their  homes,  as  their 
fathers  for  sixty  years  have  lived,  secure  under  the  protection  conceived, 
formulated,  and  obtained  for  them  by  the  genius  and  statesmanship  of 
John  D.  Pierce.  Today  nearly  eighty  million  American  citizens  live  in 
tranquil  and  secure  homes  as  a  result  of  the  measure  of  JMarshall's 
pioneer  benefactor.  How  many  who  have  passed  away,  how  many  who 
are  residents  of  foreign  provinces  adopting  his  system,  and  how  many 
generations  to  come,  are  and  will  be  his  beneficiaries!  He  rescued  the 
home,  that  pound  of  fiesh  nearest  the  heart,  from  the  power  of  the  .soul- 
less, heartless,  exacting  creditor.  This  homestead  exemption  policy  has 
developed  more  resources,  added  more  production,  accumulated  more 
wealth,  secured  more  patriotic  free-holders  and  at  the  same  time  has 
caused  more  tranquility,  avoided  more  anxiety  and  produced  more 
happiness  in  our  country  than  any  other  measure.  Time  would  be  too 
short  to  enumerate  all  its  blessings.  John  Howard  Paine  embalmed  the 
home  sentiment  in  song,  "Home,  Sweet  Home,"  which  has  immortalized 
the  author.  John  D.  Pierce  enshrined  the  home  itself  with  all  its  senti- 
ments, with  all  its  shrines  and  witli  all  its  household  gods  in  protecting 
statutes  and  in  shielding  constitutional  enactments,  wliich  together  with 
his  achievements  for  education,  should  immortalize  his  name  as  the  guar- 
dian statesman  of  the  home,  the  family  and  the  school. 

MAESMALIj  men  in  NATION.M.  AFFAIHS 

Small  causes  soimtimes  produce  great  results,  and  local  events  often 
project  forcis  that  destroy  institutions  and  revolutionize  nations.  Such 
an  event  occ-uriid  in  Alarshall,  January  26,  1847.  An  attempt  will  be 
made  to  glance  at  that  event,  state  the  issue  therein  joined,  mention 
some  of  the  parties,  designate  some  of  the  fields  of  contest,  and  trace 
it  to  its  final  results.  It  will  be  remembered  that  African  slavery  then 
existed  under  the  law  of  fifteen^  states  of  the  Union,  recognized  by  the 
Federal  Constitution  as  it  then  existed,  and  was  protected  by  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Law  of  1793.  The  ilexican  war,  brought  on  and  prosecuted  to 
extend  slave  territory,  was  in  progress,  and  that  Wilmot  Proviso,  a 
measure  to  limit  slave  territory,  was  then  pending  and  being  debated  in 
Congress.  The  federal  government  was  in  control  of  the  slave  power. 
Lewis  Cass  was  seeking  the  nomination  for  President  from  tlie  Demo- 
cratic party  and  was  endeavoring  to  win  the  support  of  the  slave  states. 
The  underground  railroad  extending  from  ^lason  and  Dixon's  line  to 
Canada,  under  the  management  of  slave-hating  Quakers  and  liberty 
loving  Puritans,  was  in  active  operation;  transportation  for  fugitive 
slaves  was  free.  Such  were  the  conditions  when  the  drama  herein  out- 
lined was  enacted. 


52  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Adam  Crosswhite,  his  wife  and  four  children  born  in  Kentucky,  and 
one  child  born  in  ilichigan,  had  for  some  time  been  living  in  a  little 
cottage  on  East  Mansion  street  in  Marshall  near  the  outskirts  of  the 
village.  The  parents  and  the  four  older  children  were  fugitive  slaves 
and  under  the  laws  of  Kentucky,  were  the  property  of  one  Francis  Gilt- 
ner  of  Carroll  County,  that  State,  while  the  youngest  child  born  in 
Marshall  was  free  under  the  laws  of  Michigan.  Crosswhite  was  a 
mulatto,  his  mother  a  slave  and  his  father,  his  first  master.  He  was 
tall,  a  man  of  marked  physique,  intelligent,  industrious  and  a  good 
citizen.  He  had  purchased  his  home  and  was  paying  for  it  by  install- 
ments. If  not  the  original  George  Harris  of  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  he 
)>elonged  to  the  same  type  of  manhood  and  he  had  made  many  friends 
in  the  little  hamlet.  About  forty  colored  people,  some  slave  and  some 
free-horn  then  lived  in  the  village.  Rumors  had  been  atloat  and  fears 
had  been  entertained  that  this  family  would  be  kidnapped  or  captured 
and  returned  to  bondage,  which  resulted  in  an  understanding  l)etween 
;\Ir.  Crosswhite  and  his  friends  that  sliould  such  an  attempt  be  made, 
he  should  fire  a  gun  as  an  alarm  and  that  all  should  be  on  the  alert. 

In  Deceml)er,  1846,  a  young  mau  hy  the  name  of  Francis  Troutman 
came  to  Marshall  as  a  stranger  and  claimed  to  be  a  lawyer  looking  for 
a  desirable  location.  He  remained  in  town  some  time,  and  a  suspicion 
was  aroused  that  he  was  a  slave-hunter  on  the  track  of  fugitive  slaves 
from  labor.  These  apprehensions  disturbed  the  tranquility  of  the  little 
Puritan  village,  and  developments  were  awaited  in  feveri.sh  solicitude. 

On  the  26tli  of  January,  1847,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
Francis  Troutman.  David  Giltner,  Franklin  Ford,  and  John  S.  Lee  of 
Kentucky,  heavily  armed,  and  Harvey  M.  Dixon,  of  ilarshall,  a  deputy 
sheriff  went  to  the  Crosswhite  home  to  seize  the  family  under  the 
Fu-ilivc  Sl.iNc  l>ii\v  (if  171)3  and  return  tlinu  1o  bdiuhmv.  '  It  was  long 
licfoiv  111,'  liulit  (.f  d;iy.  but  Adam  Ci-,iss\\iiit.'  was  <iii  .uuard.  and  seeing 
the  would-lif  captiii-s  approaching,  he  fii-ed  tin'  signal  shot,  '■heard  "round 
the  world."  and  stood  sentinel  at  the  door.  He  refused  to  submit  to 
arrest,  and  his  wife  refused  to  open  the  barricaded  door.  The  slave- 
hunters  broke  open  the  door  by  force,  and  hunting  out  the  terrified 
children  from  their  hiding  places,  were  hurrying  to  drag  them  away. 
Meanwhile,  in  response  to  the  signal  shot,  friends  and  neighbors,  white 
and  lilack.  by  the  scores  were  rushing  to  the  spot  "like  Clan-Alpine 
warrinr  rnmi  Scottish  heath  at  the  signal  whistle  of  Roderick  Dhu,"  and 
surriiiiiiilcd  pursuer  and  pursued  alike.  Moses  Patterson,  the  colored 
auction  licll-ringer  of  the  village  on  horse  at  the  utmost  speed  galloj^ed 
through  the  streets  frantir.illy  ringing  his  bell  and  shouting  the  alarm. 

The  whole  village  was  at  nm-c  aroused.  The  response  was  so  cpxick, 
so  spontaneous  and  so  n\t'i'\\iieliiiiiig,  that  the  slave-hunters  were  dis- 
concerted ;  they  hesitated  and  stood  at  ba.y  in  the  presence  of  two  hun- 
dred or  more  determined  freemen.  No  further  efforts  were  made  to  take 
the  family  away  by  force,  and  resort  was  had  to  arguments. 

Here  commenced  the  final  Jiattle  bi'twi'cn  slaNcry  and  freedom.  Here 
met  the  Cavalier  and  Puritan,  liei-c'  the  sliM'piim  iiiHuences  were  aroused 
and  here  the  pa.ssive  forces  were  unfelteied,  vi\ilied  and  put  into  action. 


HISTORY  OP  CAIJIOT'X  COrXTY  fiS 

Avbieh  i-oiitiimed  the  irropressiblo  confliL-t  in  different  i'oniis,  luid  on 
different  fields,  in  an  unbroken  succession  until  the  final  triunipb. 

Francis  Troutnian.  the  champion  of  slavery,  led  tiie  forensic  attack. 
and  demanded  that  the  citizens  should  disperse,  and  that  he  shmild 
be  permitted  to  take  the  parents  and  the  four  older  children,  back  to 
Kentucky,  citing  the  Federal  Constitiition  and  statutes  as  his  Ic^al 
authority  to  do  so;  and  making  no  claim  to  the  child  bora  in  ilichigan. 
but  he  proposed  to  tear  it  from  its  mother's  breast  and  leave  it  without 
parental  care.  This  demand  and  appeal  from  the  spokesman  for  the 
master  was  responded  to  in  various  ways  by  the  numerous  spokesmen 
for  the  slaves.  Sinn.,  icspimded  with  defiant  sneers,  derisive  pcisonali- 
ties,  sarcastic  ridimlc  ;inil  Imwls  of  contempt.  Some  replied  that  sl;i\ri-y 
was  a  local  system  and  did  not  exist  in  iliehigan  and  that  under  the 
ordinance  of  1787,  and  the  state  constitution  the  parents  and  children 
were  free.  Some  answered  that  the  Federal  Constitution  and  the  Fugi- 
tive Slave  law  of  1787  did  not  apply  and  gave  no  authority  to  kidnap 
their  citizens.  Some  declared  that  these  persons  had  a  God-given  right 
to  freedom,  which  no  human  law  could  take  away.  While  other  vehe- 
mently proclaimed  law  or  no  law.  these  citizens  should  not  be  dragged 
back  to  bondage.  All  were  united  in  this  jiurjuise  that  thi'se  shn-i's  would 
not  be  taken  back  to  Kentucky. 

Resolutions  were  discussed,  offered  and  re.jected  or  adopted  as  if  in 
a  \ew  England  town  meeting,  until  late  in  the  morning.  No  actual 
force  was  used  and  no  personal  violence  was  inflicted,  l^ndoubtedly 
this  was  due  to  the  fact  that  Gen.  Gorham,  Dr.  Comstock,  ilessrs.  Cook, 
Ihird,  Easterly,  IngersoU  and  other  citizens  of  commanding  influence 
while  earnestly  endeavoring  to  persuade  the  slave-hunters  to  abandon 
their  efforts  to  seize  and  remove  the  fugitives  and  thereby  avoid  oc- 
casion for  violence  and  blood-shed,  counseled  moderation  and  kept  more 
impulsive  citizens  under  control.  Had  it  not  been  for  their  presence 
and  disapproval,  the  men  from  the  south,  w'ifhout  doubt  would  have 
been  decorated  with  tar  and  feathers  and  furnished  with  free  transporta- 
tion out  of  town  on  a  rail,  as  was  proposed  by  some.  How  this  kind- 
ness was  requited  will  hereafter  appear. 

During  the  discussion,  a  colored  man  attempted  to  enter  the  house,, 
and  Troutman,  standing  at  the  door,  drawing  a  pistol,  drove  him  back. 
Complaints  were  made  against  the  Kentuckians  for  breaking  down  the 
door,  and  against  Troutman  for  drawing  a  deadl.y  weapon,  before 
Randal  Hobart,  a  .justice  of  the  peace.  They  were  an-ested  and  led  from 
the  fugitives'  door  to  answer  the  charges,  and  the  fugitive  slaves  were 
left  among  their  friends. 

On  the  hearing  of  the  case,  John  Van  Arman," ■"•  the  celebrated  ci-iminal 
lawyer,  then  residing  in  ilarshall,  volunteered  to  plead  the  bondsman's 
case.  The  cowardly  attack  at  night,  the  curse  of  slavery,  the  gifts  of 
freedom,  and  the  proposition  to  tear  the  mother's  breasts  from  the  lips 
of  the  babe,  furnished  ample  themes  and  inspiration  for  the  gifted  ad- 
vocate. His  eloquence  and  his  scathing  arraignment  of  the  defendants 
has  seldom  been  equalled.     The  defendants  were  convicted  and  fined,  and 

TsSee  skct.-li.  Vnl.  XI,  p|i.   L-sl--Sfi. 


54  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

Troutniau  was  held  for  trial  iu  the  higher  eourt.  That  day's  experi- 
ence convinced  these  men  that  ilarshall  was  iu  earnest  and  without 
unnecessary  delay  they  left  for  home. 

Upon  the  removal  of  the  slave-hunters  from  their  midst,  the  crowd 
dispersed  and  the  fugitives  dropped  out  of  sight.  Under  the  guidance 
of  George  Ingersoll,  they  were  piloted  to  the  stone  mill  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  the  villagfe  then  carried  on  by  him,  and  were  secreted 
in  the  garret  dxiriug  the  day.  Isaac  Jacobs,  the  colored  hostler  at  the 
Marshall  House,  hired  a  team  and  covered  conveyance  of  William  W. 
Smith,  and  George  Ingersoll,  and  Asa  B.  Cook  saw  the  family  carefully 
stowed  away  in  the  conveyance  and  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock  that 
evening  started  for  Jackson.  The  next  train  for  Detroit  left  Marshall 
early  in  the  morning.  It  was  arranged  that  the  fugitives  should  be  in  the 
background  at  Jackson  when  the  train  arrived,  and  that  Mr.  Ingersoll 
should  be  on  the  train.  If  the  slave-holders  were  not  aboard  he  would 
be  standing  on  the  rear  platform  of  the  train,  which  was  to  be  a  signal 
for  the  family  that  the  coast  was  clear  and  that  they  should  board  tlie 
train.  The  tall  figure  of  George  Ingersoll  was  stationed  on  the  rear 
platform  of  the  train  the  next  morning  as  the  train  pulled  into  Jackson. 
The  fugitive  family  was  secreted  in  the  wood-yard,  and  seeing  the 
auspicious  signal,  boarded  the  train.  Mr.  Crosswhite  paid  for  the  con- 
veyance to  Jackson  and  the  fare  for  himself  and  family  on  the  car  to 
Detroit,  oiit  of  money  he  had  accumulated.  On  taking  the  train  at 
Marshall,  Mr.  Ingersoll  who  was  an  out-spoken  Abolitionist,  ascertained 
that  Henry  A.  Tillotson,  a  Cass  Democrat  holding  the  position  under  the 
Democratic  state  administration  was  in  charge  of  the  train  as  con- 
ductor. He  feared  that  the  conductor  would  thwart  his  plans.  Observ- 
ing A.  0.  Hyde,  of  Marshall,  an  Anti-slavery  Whig  on  the  train,  he  dis- 
closed his  plan  and  fears  to  him.  Mr.  llych'  advised  taking  the  con- 
ductor into  their  confidence,  and  re(iu('s1iiii;-  liiiii  to  collect  fare,  ask 
no  questions  and  keep  mum.  This  was  taitlifully  carried  out,  and  the 
Abolitionist,  Whig,  and  Democrat,  all  citizens  of  Marshall,  defied  the 
inhuman  fugitive  law,  and  risked  its  penalties  to  help  the  slave  to  secure 
his  liberty.  George  Ingersoll  as  guardian  and  liberator,  led  the  way 
and  guided  the  foot-steps  of  Adam  Crosswhite  and  family  until  he  saw 
them  safely  landed  beneath  the  British  flag  of  Canada,  where  their 
shackles  dropped  off. 

The  excitement  in  ^Marshall  subsided,  and  business  was  resumed.  But 
the  drama  proposed  to  be  acted,  and  the  object  lesson  of  the  heartless 
cruelty  and  inhumanity  of  African  slavery  could  not  be  forgotten,  nor 
could  its  influence  be  overcome.  The  liberty-loving  sentiment  of  the 
community  was  aroused.  Convictions  ripened  into  purpose,  and  pur- 
pose ripened  into  active  determination  to  limit  and  destroy  the  curse. 

The  baffled  and  enraged  slave-hunters  returned  to  Kentucky,  and  were 
received  as  heroes  and  martyrs.  Public  meetings  were  held,  their  in- 
sults and  treatment  were  rehearsed,  the  citizens  of  JIarshall  were  de- 
nounced on  the  platforms,  and  in  resolutions  as  Abolitionists,  traitors 
and  barbarians;  Carroll  County  and  the  whole  south  was  aroused  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  frenzy.  The  proceeding's  of  these  public  meetings, 
and  pamphlets  relating  to  the  incidents  of  the  "Abolition  Mob"  at  ]\Iar- 


IirSTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  55 

shall,  in  extravagaut  terms  were  widely  distributed,  pro-slavery  books 
were  written  in  the  most  intlanimatory  language  and  were  sent  all  over 
the  south.  The  matter  was  laid  before  the  legislature  of  Kentucky 
and  Francis  Troutman  made  afifidavit  of  his  version  of  the  Abolition  mob 
of  ^Marshall,  which  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  Federal  Relations. 
This  committee  took  the  matter  under  consideration,  and  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1847,  made  a  report  containing  a  finding  of  facts,  resolutions 
denouncing  the  citizens  of  ilarshall,  asking  redress  from  the  legislature 
of  ^Michigan,  and  requiring  the  Senator  and  Represenatives  of  Ken- 
tucky in  Congress  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  more  stringent  fugitive 
slave  law,  with  the  severest  penalties  under  the  Constitution.  The 
report  was  adopted  and  sent  to  the  Govei-nor  of  ilichigan,  and  to  Henry 
Clay  and  his  colleagues  in  Congress.  This  report  was  the  first  legisla- 
tive demand  for  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850.  Pursuant  to  the  man- 
date of  the  legislature  of  Kentucky,  issued  on  the  exaggerated  state  of 
facts  at  ;Marshall  set  forth  in  the  affidavit  of  Francis  Troutman,  Henry 
Clay  brought  forth  the  fugitive  slave  law  of  1850  as  a  part  of  the  com- 
promise scheme.  Seldom  has  the  action  of  a  state  legislature  been  so 
fruitful  and  foreseen,  and  far-reaching  results.  Therefore  the  said  re- 
port and  affidavit  is  inserted  in  full  at  this  point: 

REPORT   AND   REl-^OLUTION.-^  OF   THE  COMMITTEE   ON    FEDERAL  RELATIONS 

"The  committee  on  Federal  Relations  to  whom  was  referred  the  pro- 
ceedings of  a  meeting  of  the  people  of  the  counties  of  Trimble  and 
Carroll,  in  relation  to  a  recent  Abolition  mob  in  the  town  of  ^Marshall 
in  the  state  of  ilichigan,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration  and 
submit  the  following  report:  It  appears  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
mittee that  one  Francis  Troutman  was  employed  as  agent  and  attorney 
in  fact  for  Francis  Giltner  of  the  county  of  Carroll,  to  go  to  said  town 
of  Marshall  in  the  state  of  ^Michigan  to  reclaim,  take  and  bring  back 
to  the  state  of  Kentucky  certain  fugitives  and  run-awa.y  slaves,  the 
property  of  said  Giltner;  and  said  Troutman  proceeded  under  the  au- 
thority thus  given  him,  to  the  said  town  of  Marshall  for  the  purpose 
of  reclaiming  and  bringing  home  to  the  owner  the  slaves  aforesaid; 
and  whilst  endeavoring  to  arrest  said  slaves,  a  mob  composed  of  free 
negroes,  run-away  slaves  and  white  men  to  the  number  of  two  to  three 
hundred,  forbade  said  Troutman  and  those  who  accompanied  him  for 
that  purpose  to  arrest  and  take  into  their  possession  the  slaves  aforesaid, 
and  by  their  threats,  riotous  and  disorderly  conduct  did  pi'event  Trout- 
man and  those  who  accompanied  him  for  the  purpose,  from  taking  into 
their  possession  the  slaves  aforesaid.  Your  committee  regret  that  the 
citizens  of  the  town  of  ^Marshall  in  the  State  aforesaid,  have  thus  acted 
and  conducted  themselves;  such  conduct  and  such  outrages  committed 
upon  the  rights  and  citizens  of  the  state  of  Kentucky,  or  any  other 
state  in  the  Union,  must  necessarily  result  in  great  mischief,  and  are 
well  calculated  and  must,  if  persisted  in  by  the  citizens  of  Jliehigan  or 
any  other  free  state  in  the  Union  terminate  in  breaking  up  and  destroy- 
ing the  peace  and  hamiony,  that  is  desirable  by  every  good  citizen  of 
all  of  the  states  of  the  I'liion,  should  exist  between  the  several  states. 


56  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN   COUNTY 

and  is  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States  and  the  constitu- 
tional rights  of  the  citizens  of  the  slave  states.  The  affidavit  of  said 
Troutman  is  appended  to  this  report  and  made  part  hereof,  marked  (A) 
Wherefore, 

Be  is  resolved  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  commonwealth  of 
Kentucky,  That  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  IMichigau  be  and  is  hereby 
respectfulljr,  but  earnestly  requested  to  give  the  subject  consideration 
which  its  importance  demands,  and  to  take  such  action  thereon  as  in 
the  judgment  of  said  legislature,  is  deemed  proper  and  right,  with  a 
view  to  maintain  that  peace,  amity  and  good  feeling  which  ought  to 
exist  between  the  citizens  of  the  states  of  Michigan  and  Kentucky  and 
for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  citizens  of  Kentucky  to  reclaim  their 
run-away  and  fugitive  slaves  to  the  state  of  ]\Iichigan. 

Resolved  further.  That  our  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress 
be  requested  to  turn  their  attention  to  the  subject  embraced  in  the  fore- 
going report  and  resolution,  and  urge  upon  the  consideration  of  Con- 
gress the  importance  of  passing  such  laws  as  will  fully  enable  the  citi- 
zens of  the  state  of  Kentucky  and  other  slave  states,  to  obtain  and 
reclaim  their  slaves  that  may  run  away  to  the  free  or  non-slave-holding 
states  of  the  Union;  that  they  also  declare  by  said  laws  of  the  severest 
penalty  for  their  violation  that  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
will  tolerate. 

Resolved,  That  the  governor  be  requested  to  forward  to  the  governor 
of  the  state  of  .Michigan  a  copy  of  foregoing  report  and  resolutions  with 
the  request  that  he  sulimit  the  same  to  the  legislature  of  his  state,  for 
its  consideration  and  action ;  that  he  also  forward  a  copy  of  the  same  to 
each  of  our  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress. 

Approved  JMarch  1,  1847. 

(A)     The  Affidavit  of  Francis  Troutman. 

The  affiant  states  that  as  the  agent  and  attorney  of  Francis  Giltner, 
of  Carroll  County,  Kentucky,  he  pi'oceeded  to  the  town  of  Marshall 
in  the  county  of  Calhoun,  and  state  of  .Michigan,  and  in  company  with 
the  deputy  sheriff  and  tlirec  Kcntuckians.  on  tlie  morning  of  the  27th 
of  January,  went  to  the  house  in  which  he  found  six  fugitive  slaves,  the 
property  of  Giltner.  The  slaves  were  directed  to  accompanj^  us  to  the 
office  of  a  magistrate;  some  of  them  were  preparing  to  obey  the  sum- 
mons, but  before  1lii'  affiant  I'ould  get  them  started,  he  was  surrounded 
by  a  mob,  which  liy  its  \-iolent  threats,  menaces  and  assaults,  prevented 
the  removal  of  llie  slaves  to  the  office  of  the  mayisl  rate,  Afifiant  di- 
rected the  sheriff  time  after  time,  to  discharge  his  duty,  and  he  as  often 
made  an  effort  to  do  so ;  but  so  great  was  the  excitement  and  violence 
of  the  mob,  that  the  officer  was  afraid  to  seize  the  slaves.  Resolutions 
were  offered  by  some  of  the  influential  citizens  of  the  town  which  were 
calculated  greatly  to  excite  and  encourage  the  negroes  and  abolition 
rabble,  who  constituted  a  jiart  of  the  mob.  The  negroes  engaged  in  the 
mob  were  estimated  at  irom  fort>-  to  fifty,  many  of  wdiom  are  fugitive 
slaves  from  Kentucky  as  al'tiani  was  infoi'med  and  believes.  The  num- 
ber of  persons  engaged  in  the  mol)  wei'e  variously  estimated  at  .from 
two  to  three  hundred.     .VII  the  resolutions  ottered  by  those  engaged  in 


IIJSTORV  OF  CALIIorx  COIXTY  o7 

the  moll  were  sustained  by  general  aeelaniatioii :  iiianv  of  the  niijl) 
pledged  their  lives  to  sustain  them,  and  at  the  same  time  had  guns, 
clubs  and  other  weapons  in  their  hands,  with  whieli  to  execute  their 
purposes.  Atfiant  contended  for  some  hours  with  the  mob,  and  still 
insisted  on  taking  the  slaves  before  the  magistrate  for  trial,  but  the 
intiuential  men  in  the  mob  told  affiant  that  there  was  no  need  of  a 
trial,  and  that  an.y  further  attempt  to  remove  the  slaves  would  jeopard- 
ize the  lives  of  all  who  might  make  such  an  attempt,  and  they  were  de- 
termined to  prevent  affiant  from  removing  the  slaves  from  town,  even 
if  he  proved  his  right  to  do  so :  they  stated  further  that  the  public  was 
opposed  to  southerners  reclaiming  fugitive  slaves,  and  that  although 
the  law  was  in  our  favor,  yet  public  sentiment  must  supersede  the  law 
in  this  and  in  similar  cases.  Affiant  then  called  upon  some  of  the  most 
active  members  of  the  mob  to  give  him  their  names,  and  inform  him 
if  they  considered  themselves  responsible  for  their  words  and  actions 
on  that  occasion.  They  promptly  gave  their  names  to  affiant,  and  he 
was  told  to  write  them  in  capital  letters  and  bear  them  back  to  Ken- 
tucky, the  land  of  slavery,  as  evidence  of  their  determination  to  persist 
in  the  defense  of  a  precedent  already  established. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered : 

Resolved.  That  these  Kentuckians  shall  not  remove  from  this  place 
these  (naming  the  slaves)  by  moral,  physical  or  legal  force.  It  was 
carried  by  general  acclamation.  Affiant  then  directed  the  sheriff  to 
summon  those  leading  men  in  the  mob  to  assist  in  keeping  the  peace ;  he 
did  so,  but  they  refused  their  aid,  and  affiant  understood  them  to  say  that 
they  would  assist  in  preventing  the  arrest  of  the  slaves.  A  consultation 
was  then  held  liy  eight  or  ten  of  the  mob,  out  some  distance  from  the 
main  crowd,  as  to  whether  affiant  might  take  the  slaves  before  a  magis- 
trate ;  the  decision  was  in  the  negative,  and  the  following  resolution  was 
then  offered :  Resolved.  That  the  Kentuckians  shall  leave  the  town  in 
two  hours;  (some  penalty  in  event  of  failure  to  do  so  was  attached, 
which  affiant  does  not  recollect).  It  was  sustained  by  the  unanimous 
vote  of  the  mob.  A  warrant  for  trespass  was  then  issued  and  served 
upon  the  sheriff,  affiant  and  company.  We  stood  trial.  The  magistrate, 
who  was  an  Abolitionist,  fined  us  $100.  A  warrant  was  then  taken  out 
against  affiant  for  drawing  a  pistol  upon  a  negro  and  telling  him  to  stand 
back  when  said  negro  was  making  an  attempt  to  force  himself  upon 
affiant  and  into  the  house  where  affiant  had  the  slaves.  On  trial,  affiant 
proved  his  agency  and  that  the  slaves  were  the  property  of  Giltner.  for 
whom  he  was  acting  as  agent,  yet  the  court  recognized  the  affiant  to 
appear  at  the  next  circuit  court  for  trial,  ilany  were  the  insults  offered 
the  affiant  by  the  leading  men  of  the  mob,  who  informed  him  at  the 
same  time  that  it  was  .just  such  treatment  that  a  Kentuckian  deserves, 
when  attempting  to  recapture  a  slave,  and  that  they  intended  to  make 
an  example  of  him  that  others  might  take  warning.  That  there  had  been 
attempts  by  slave-holders  to  reclaim  slaves  in  their  town,  but  that  they 
had  always  been  repulsed  and  always  shall  be.  The  insults  .offered  affiant 
as  a  private  individual,  were  treated  with  contempt,  Init  such  as  were 
offered  him  as  a  Kentuckian,  during  the  time  of  the  mob  and  progress 
of  two  davs  trial  which  succeeded,  were  resented  in  such  a  mannei-  as 


58  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

this  affiant  believed  tlie  lionor,  dignity  and  independence  of  a  Kentuck- 
ian  demanded.     Given  under  my  liaud  this  15th  daj^  of  Febr.,  1847. 

F.  Troutman. 
(Franljlin  County  seal.) 

Personally  before  the  undersigned,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  said 
county,  this  day  came  the  above  named  Francis  Troutman,  who  made 
oath  in  due  form  of  law,  to  the  truth  of  the  statement  set  forth  in  the 
foregoing  affidavit.  Given  under  my  hand  this  15th  day  of  February, 
1847. 

H.  WiNGATE,  J.  P. 

Acts  of  Kentucky  Legislature  for  1846-47  (published  by  the  state 
printer,  pages  385-6-7  and  8). 

In  connection  with  Troutman 's  affidavit,  the  version  of  the  affair  by 
Gen.  Charles  T.  Gorham  (1872)  and  William  P.  Hobart  (1908)  are  also 
inserted. 

Hon.  Charles  T.  Gorham: 

Diiring  the  winter  of  1847,  there  stood  on  the  property  now  owned 
by  ]\Ir.  James  T.  Downs,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  a  humble  dwell- 
ing. The  house  was  located  near  a  grove.  A  colored  family  occupied 
the  place.       The  history  of  that  family  forms  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Adam  Crosswhite  was  born  in  Bou^-bon  County,  Kentucky,  October 
17,  1799.  His  father  was,  under  the  laws  of  that  State,  his  master, 
his  mother  being,  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  a  slave.  At  an  early  age, 
Adam  was  given  by  his  father  to  his  half-sister,  as  a  servant.  ]\Iiss 
Crosswhite  afterwards  married  Ned  Stone,  a  notorious  slave-dealer, 
who  if  not  the  original  Simon  Legree  of  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  might 
have  been,  so  similar  were  his  life  and  character  to  those  so  graphically 
portrayed  by  Mrs.  Stowe.  Stone  retained  possession  of  the  boy  Adam 
for  a  time  and  then  sold  him  to  a  man  named  Troutman  for  $200.  When 
twenty  years  of  age,  the  boy  was  traded  off  to  one  Frank  Giltner,  who 
lived  in  Carroll  County,  and  with  whom  he  stayed  until  forty-five  years 
of  age.  When  twenty-two  Adam  married,  and  at  the  age  of  forty-five 
was  the  father  of  seven  children.  At  that  time  he  became  aware  of 
Giltner 's  intentions  to  sell  a  portion  of  his  family.  Watching  his  op- 
portunity, he  obtained  a  skiff'  and  with  his  family,  pushed  off'  for  Madi- 
son, Indiana.  There  he  was  received  by  the  underground  railroad 
managers  and  sent  north.  At  Newport,  Indiana,  the  pursuers  came  upon 
the  party,  by  that  time  swollen  into  a  flock  of  twenty.  ^  The  fugitives 
were  hidden  by  Quakers  and  protected  for  many  da.ys. 

An  incident  is  related  of  how  a  young  friend  disconcerted  the  hunt- 
ers. He  represented  himself  as  a  slave-hunter  and  gained  their  confi- 
dence. Assuring  them  that  he  knew  of  the  hiding  place,  he  took  the 
party,  just  at  night,  into  a  dense  swamp,  and  leaving  them  on  some 
slight  pretext,  failed  to  return.  The  party  was  lost  in  the  woods  all 
night,  thereby  relieving  the  poor  slaves  of  considerable  anxietJ^ 

Crosswhite  was  compelled  to  leave  his  wife  and  two  children  at  tliis 
place  and  push  on.     His  experience  from  Indiana  into  Michigan,  and 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIorX  COUNTY  59 

his  wife's  experience  five  weeks  later,  might  he  written  np  to  form  an 
interesting  hook.  Sucli  is  a  rapidly  traced  history  of  tiie  occupants 
of  the  little  house  ahove  referred  to.  Crosswhite  was  known  as  an 
industrious,  quiet  man.  He  had  paid  a  portion  of  the  purchase  i)rie(' 
for  his  place. 

Earlj'  in  the  winter  of  18-46-47,  there  came  to  ilarsliall  a  \ouug  man 
who  represented  himself  as  a  lawyer.  lie  did  not  make  known  his 
business,  but  strayed  through  the  town  as  if  undecided  about  his 
permanent  residence  here.  There  was  at  that  time  residing  here  a  man 
named  Harvey  Dixon,  a  deputy  sheriff,  whom  the  stranger  seemed  to 
take  an  interest  in.  Evidently  some  work  was  to  be  done  and  Dixon 
was  the  chosen  tool.  The  stranger  was  Francis  Troutman,  grandson 
of  the  former  owner  of  Adam  Crosswhite  and  his  business  in  Marshall 
was  to  recover  the  fugitives.  He  had  obtained  a  knowledge  of  their 
whereabouts  through  a  friend  to  whom  it  chanced  (to  what  a  remote 
cause  do  we  trace  great  events)  Mrs.  Crosswhite  had  unwittingly  reveal- 
ed her  history.  Troutman  was  uncertain  of  the  identity  of  all  the  chil- 
dren and  employed  Dixon  to  impersonate  a  census  collector  and  ascertain 
the  required  facts.  This  Dixon  did.  it  is  alleged  for  the  modest  sum  of 
five  dollars. 

In  the  meantime  it  became  noised  about  so  as  to  reach  Crosswhite, 
that  a  systematic  attempt  was  to  be  made  to  carry  the  family  off. 
Troutman  and  three  as  dark  brown  rascals  as  one  would  care  to  meet, 
arranged  with  a  liveryman  to  have  a  team  ready  on  a  given  night  at 
12  o'clock.  The  liveryman  left  word  at  the  stable  that  the  horses 
were  not  to  be  sent  until  he  gave  orders.  Orders  were  not  given  until 
towards  morning.  Crosswhite  was  prepared  to  meet  his  enemies.  It 
was  understood  that  a  gun  was  to  be  the  signal  for  the  assembling  of 
his  friends.  Earl.v  in  the  morning  before  it  was  light,  Crosswhite  saw 
the  team  coming  towards  his  house.  He  fired  a  gun  in  the  air  and 
awaited  outside  his  house  for  the  approach  of  the  men.  There  were  four 
in  the  party.  Jlrs.  Crosswhite  answered  the  summons  to  open  the 
door  with  a  stout  refusal  to  do  so.  Two  men  then  sought  to  persuade 
Crosswhite  to  go  with  them,  saying  that  they  had  come  to  arrest  them 
and  wanted  him  at  the  .justice's  office  down  town.  They  offered  to  carry 
him  and  his  family  to  the  office  in  a  wagon.  This  subterfuge  did  not 
work.  In  the  meantime  about  two  hundred  persons  had  assem])led  and 
were  ridiculing  the  slave-hunters.  The  four  men  were  armed  to  the 
teeth,  but  were  too  cowardly  to  use  forcible  means  to  take  the  i-un- 
aways.  Troutman  .said  there  was  one  child  he  did  not  want,  but  the 
rest  he  demajided,  as  they  were  fugitive  slaves.  This  speech  was  re- 
ceived by  laughter  by  the  crowd.  When  it  was  understood  that  it 
was  proposed  to  take  the  mother  and  leave  the  infant,  the  crowd  may 
have  used  threats  against  the  four  men,  hut  that  is  a  disputed  point. 

Later  in  the  morning,  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Jarvis  Ilurd,  0.  C.  Com- 
stock,  Jr..  and  others  went  to  the  scene  of  trouble.  They  took  no  part 
in  the  proceedings,  but  listened  to  the  harangue  of  Troutman,  who  was 
offering  resolutions  to  the  effect  that  "as  law-abiding  citizens."  the 
people  would  not  interfere  with  his  taking  Crosswhite  off.     The  fact  of 


60  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COITNTY 

their  jiresence  was  enough  to  satisfy  Troutman.  He  obtained  their 
names. 

Finally  the  crowd  went  down  to  the  Jlarshall  House.  Crosswhite  ap- 
peared on  the  streets  and  was  advised  to  prosecute  Troutman.  This  he 
did.  The  attacking  parties  were  arrested  and  fined.  i\Ir.  Van  Arman 
appeared  in  the  prosecution.  Later  in  the  day  George  IngersoU  cjuietly 
obtained  funds  and  sent  the  family  to  Jackson  in  a  lumber  wagon.  At 
Jackson,  the  family  entered  the  cars  and  were  carried  to  Detroit,  from 
whence  they  went  to  Canada.  Troutman  and  his  friends  went  to  Ken- 
tucky, vowing  vengeance  upon  the  men  who  had  aided  in  the  liberation  of 
the  slaves.  The  vows  made  by  Troutman  were  destined  to  be  fulfilled, 
although  it  is  probable  that  the  loud-mouthed  boastings  of  his  party 
while  here  were  more  for  effect  than  in  earnest  when  uttered.  Fate 
set  her  seal  upon  the  acts  of  the  marauding  party  and  followed  it  with 
an  unrelenting  assiduity. 

Troutman  related  the  incidents  of  his  defeat  in  IMarsliall  to  his  friends 
at  home.  So  indignant  were  they  that  steps  were  taken  to  convene 
a  town  meeting,  the  object  of  which  was  to  insist  upon  the  "observance 
of  the  laws,"  In  due  time,  the  town  meeting  was  held.  At  it  Trout- 
man grossly  misrepresented  the  ^larshall  affair.  The  citizens  of  this 
place  were  described  as  armed  ruffians  who  resisted  the  execution  of 
the  laws  of  the  country  by  force.  The  out-growth  of  the  town  meet- 
ing, was  a  county  meeting-,  tlic  object  of  which  was  similar  to  the  pri- 
mary assembly.  Here  again  I  he  story  of  the  "northern  outrage"  was  re- 
peated, with  graphic  cmlifllisliiiicnts.  With  the  increased  size  of  the 
meeting  grew  the  ])0]nilai'  indigiuilidii  and  the  falsehoods  of  Troutman 's 
friends.  Troutman  saw  thai  tln'i'c  was  im  turning  back  from  the  course 
he  had  taken  and  was  dcici  mined  to  cairy  Ids  point  by  dint  of  continued 
misri'pi'cscntations. 

From  Ihc  county  meeting,  the  matter  was  taken  to  the  legislatui-e 
of  Kcninrky,  and  there  an  appropriation  was  made  to  prosecute  the 
leaders  of  the  "mob."  Troutman,  who  saw  there  was  no  alternative, 
accepted  the  commission  of  returning  and  teaching  the  cursed  north- 
erners their  duty.  ^Messrs.  Pratt  &  Crary  were  retained,  in  fact  nearly 
;dl  1lic  hiwyi'is  and  lawyei's'  clerks  in  this  section  of  the  country  were 
retainiMJ  liy  Troutman.  He  was  a  shrewd  fellow  and  immediately  set 
to  woi'k  111  niiinufacture  evidence  to  support  the  stories  he  had  cir- 
I'uhiti'd  in  Kentucky,  and  upon  the  strength  of  which,  the  slaie  appro- 
])riation  was  made.  For  several  weeks  Troutman  remainnl  in  town. 
His  method  of  work  was  to  meet  some  man  who  Wijs  easily  inllui'nced 
and  ask  him  if  he  remendiered  hearing  Dr.  Comstock  or  Air.  Cm  ham 
or  Mv.  Hurd  say  .so-and-so  on  the  .lay  of  the  "riot."  The  I'elinw  wmild 
partially  recollect  such  speeches.  Later  at  another  intervie\v,  th,.  I'ellow 
would  be  positive,  and  finally  he  was  ready  to  go  upon  the  stand  and 
swear  to  such  language.  The  man  Dixon  was  Troutman  "s  right,.bo\ver. 
When  siifficient  testimony  had  been  obtained  to  warrant  trial,  suit  was 
brought  in  the  United  States  Court  in  Detroit.  The  defendants  num- 
bering a  dozen  or  more  at  first,  then  dwindled  down  to  three,  C.  T.  Gor- 
ham,  Jarvis  Hurd  and  O.  C.  Comstock.  The  trial  began  in  the  latter 
part  of  1847  and  lasted  three  weeks.     The  jury  disagreed. 


niSTOIJV   OK  CAI.IIOIX   COIXTV  (>1 

III  1S48,  the  s.'coiul  ti-i.-il  iH't^an.  Pmiuineut  DciiKicrati.-  |Kilit  ici;iiis 
WL-iit  1o  oiu'  of  tlie  (Icrciulanls,  iiaincly  Charles  T,  ( uii'liain,  wlm  was 
at  that  time  a  Deiuoerat,  and  declared  tluit  althonuh  iiersonally  rrieiidls- 
to  him,  they  wanted  tlie  case  to  go  against  the  tlefenchuits.  Lewis  Cass 
was  at  that  time  candidate  for  president,  and  tlie  politicians  wanted, 
"at  that  particular  time,"  as  they  expressed  it,  the  south  to  under- 
stand that  Detroit  and  i\Iichigau  sympathized  with  the  sluve-liolding 
element.  They  were  willing  to  prostitute  themselves  and  commit  an  act 
of  gross  injustice  to  a  pei-sonal  friend  in  order  to  secure  the  southern 
vote.  They  assured  the  defendants  that,  should  the  case  be  decided 
against  them,  the  Democrats  would  assist  in  paying  the  hills. 

The  case  came  for  trial  and  was  defended  by  Judge  II.  II.  Emmons, 
J.  F.  Jo.v  and  Theodore  Romeyn.  After  a  hard  fought  struggle,  the 
case  was  decided  as  Cass  wanted  it  to  be,  for  the  slave-huntei's.  The 
defendants  were  required  to  pay  about  $1,900  and  costs.  The  men  who 
were  so  auxious  to  serve  Cass's  interests  failed  to  remember  their  prom- 
ises to  help,  but  in  that  trying  hour,  when  pecuniary  injury  was  heaped 
upon  wounded  friendship,  Zachariah  Chandler ,'^-'  Alanson  Sheley'^"  and 
other  prominent  men  stepped  forward  and  in  the  name  of  justice,  con- 
tributed largely  and  unexpectedly  to  the  defendants. 

The  equities  of  the  case  were  not  considered  by  the  court  or  jury. 
As  illustrative  of  the  lamentable  condition  of  society  in  reference  to  the 
question  of  slavery,  and  the  subservience  of  northern  men  to  the  will 
of  the  soiith,  we  state  that  one  of  the  jurors  (a  Whig)  afterwards  said 
to  ;\tr.  Gorhain  that  it  was  extremely  unpleasant  to  at  least  a  portion 
of  the  jury  to  bring  in  a  verdict  against  the  defendants,  but  that  they 
had  concluded  that  it  was  best  to  do  so.  on  account  of  the  popular  senti- 
ment. 

They  knew  that  the  case  would  be  carried  to  the  higher  courts  in 
the  event  of  a  verdict  for  the  defendants,  and  if  there,  the  result  would 
be  disastrous.  It  was  better  to  oud  the  matter  in  Detroit.  The  de- 
fendants saw  that  an  appeal  was  woisc  than  folly.  Justice  was  indeed 
l)liiided  to  their  case.  There  was  no  |iossiliility  of  obtaining  a  verdict 
in  their  favor,  for  at  that  time  delendaiils  could  not  testify  in  their 
own  behalf.  The  only  method  of  proi'cdure  was  the  impeachment  of 
complainant's  witnesses,  and  nothing  further  in  that  line  could  be  done 
than  had  been  accomplished  in  the  two  trials  in  Detroit.  The  barter 
of  principle  by  the  Democratic  element  was  illy  appreciated  by  the  people, 
however.  Cass  was  defeated  and  Zaehary  Taylor  elected  to  the  presi- 
dency. 

The  case  did  not  stop  at  the  end  of  the  trial.  It  was  written  on  the 
scroll  of  Fate  that  the  seed  sown  in  the  soil  of  Marshall  should  bear 
abundant  fruit.  Henry  Clay  took  the  case  into  the  Senate  chamber  and 
there  advocated  the  necessity  of  a  moi-e  stringent  fugitive  slave  law. 
The  riotous  ( ?)  scenes  enacted  near  the  humble  cabin  of  Crosswhite  re- 
ceived national  consideration.     The  law  of  1793  was  too  lenient.     Jlr. 


VI  See  Vol.  XXII,  p.  381  and  Vol.  Ill,  p.  I.SO.  this  series. 
'5  See  Vol.  XXII,  pp.  194  and  3S6,  this  series.     Mr.  Shelev  married 
Drurv  in  1831  and  was  the  father  of  eight  i-liiMren. 


62  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Clay  took  a  personal  interest  in  the  matter  for  the  reason  that  Cross- 
white  was  known  to  him,  the  farms  of  Clay  and  Giltner  being  near  each 
other  and  the  circumstances  of  Crosswhite's  flight  and  subsequent  trials 
at  Detroit  being  known  to  him. 

The  result  of  Clay's  efforts  was  the  passage  of  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Law  of  1850,  the  most  damnable  law  that  ever  received  the  sanction  of 
the  American  Congress,  and  which  lies  a  bar-sinister  athwart  the 
escutcheon  of  Fillmore  '"  and  Taney.' '  The  law  was  the  straw  which 
broke  the  camel 's  back.  The  people  of  the  north  would  no  longer  endure 
the  arrogant  demands  of  the  south.  The  history  of  the  sviceeeding 
years  was  written  in  blood.  The  wave  of  destruction  which  grew  frooi 
the  ripple  caused  in  Marshall  swept  over  the  country.  The  names  of 
the  few  noble  men  who  fought  the  earlier  battles  for  freedom,  and  the 
million  brave  souls  who  faced  death  for  the  sake  of  principle  are  mem- 
tioned  with  reverence  whenever  the  theme  is  broached.  The  martyrs, 
Lincoln  and  John  Brown,  head  a  glorious  list  of  fallen  heroes,  and  the 
stain  of  slavery  has  been  obliterated  from  the  Nation's  tablet  by  the 
crimson  hand  of  war. 

Of  the  three  men  who  defended  their  rights  before  a  biased  tribunal, 
Charles  T.  Gorhanij'^s  0.  C.  Comstock''^  and  Jarvis  Hurd  all  sleep  the 
long  sleep  that  knows  no  waking.'^f 


The  Crosswhite  Case 

William  W.  Hobart: 

A  little  over  sixty  years  ago,  Mai'shall,  Michigan,  was  and  had  been 
for  years  an  important  station  on  the  "under-ground  railroad,"  that 
mysterious  abolition  organization  by  whose  aid,  manj^  thousands  of 
negro  slaves  achieved  liberty  "before  the  war."  For  those  times,  the 
Abolitionists  were  comparatively  strong  in  and  about  both  Battle  Creek 
and  Marshall.  I  recall  to  mind  that  such  a  man  as  Erastus  Hussey  >*> 
and  Jabez  Fitch  's-  were  open  and  avowed  Abolitionists,  Fitch  being  the 
Liberty  Party's  candidate  for  governor,  in  several  state  campaigns. 

For  several  years,  some  of  these  fleeing  slaves  would  drop  oft'  at  Mar- 
shall, and  finding  employment  and  not  being  disturbed,  would  acquire 
holdings  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town  until  they  formed  quite  a  settle- 


"li  Millard  Fillmore  became  president  of  the  United  States  on  the  death  of  Presi- 
dent Taylor,  July  10,  1850.  One  of  the  first  achievements  of  his  administration 
was  the  passage  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850,  thereby  losing  the  support 
of  a  large  portion  of  his  northern  followers. 

"7  Roger  Brooke  Taney  succeeded  John  Marshall  as  chief  justice  of  the  United 
States  in  March,  1836.  In  his  decisious  he  upheld  and  supported  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Law. 

'8  Gorham,  see  sketch,  Vol.  XXXI,  p.  27,  this  series. 

'9  Comstock,  see  sketch.  Vol.  XXVI,  p.  365,  this  series. 

so  Marshall  Statesman,  1893,  numbers  18,  19;  see  also  Marshall  Statesman,  Janu- 
ary, 1847,  and  December  15,  1905;  Evart's  History  of  Calhoun  County,  1877,  p. 
23;  Life  of  Zaehariah  Chandler,  p.  75. 

81  See  sketch,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  79,  this  series. 

S2  Deacon  Jabez  S.  Fitch  built  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Marshall.  See  sketch, 
Vol.  II,  p.  239,  this  series. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  63 

ment,  which  was  known  to  the  unregenerate  as  ' '  Nigger  Town. ' '  To  this 
negro  settlement,  about  1845,  I  think,  there  came  Adam  Crosswhite  and 
his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  three  or  four  children.  Several  of 
the  children  attended  the  district  school.  I  know  that  the  oldest  son 
attended  the  same  school  that  I  did.  I  was  a  histy  lad  of  thirteen  years 
and  he  was  two  or  three  years  older.  I  remember  that  I  struck  quite 
an  intimacy  with  young  Crosswhite,  who  confided  to  me  under  a  pledge 
of  secrecy  that  he  and  his  family  were  fugitives  from  slavery  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  having  reached  Marshall  on  the  "Underground"  on  their  way 
to  Canada  and  certain  freedom,  had  stopped  off  for  a  few  days  at  the 
negro  settlement,  where  finding  some  old  Kentucky  friends,  and  being 
offered  employment,  they  concluded  to  locate.  The  denizens  of  the  set- 
tlement appeared  always  to  be  apprehensive  as  to  their  safety,  as  young 
Crosswhite  told  me  several  times  that  suspicious  looking  white  men 
had  been  loitering  about  "Nigger  Town,"  but  as  they  disappeared  and 
nothing  came  of  their  spying,  confidence  was  measurably  restored. 

One  of  the  characters  that  infested  Marshall  in  those  days  was  an 
old  darkey,  that  from  his  vocation,  we  boys  called  "Old  Auction  Bell." 
As  I  remember,  he  was  about  six  feet  tall  and  lame  and  rode  an  old 
under-sized  Indian  pony.  AVhen  mounted  he  cut  a  most  ridiculous  fig- 
ure, with  his  height  increased  by  the  tallest  stove-pipe  hat  that  he  could 
get  hold  of,  and  his  feet  just  clearing  the  ground.  His  business  was 
to  ride  through  the  streets  of  the  town  and  announce  auction  sales 
or  "wondoos"  as  he  called  them.  Mounted  on  his  faithful  steed,  he  rode 
ringing  a  dinner  bell,  at  the  same  time  yelling  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 
"Auction  Bell!  Auction  Bell!  Auction  Bell!"  until  reaching  a  con- 
venient corner,  he  would  stop  and  announce  to  the  atmosphere  or  to  any 
one  who  might  be  listening,  that  at  such  and  such  place,  Mr.  Blank 
would  offer  for  sale  to  the  highest  bidder,  the  following — and  here 
would  follow  a  description  of  the  articles  to  be  sold,  clothed  all  in  the 
rich  imagery  of  the  Ethopian  imagination. 

Early  one  morning  in  the  fall  of  1846,  if  my  memory  serves  me  right, 
shortly  after  I  had  risen,  I  heard  the  old  darkey's  bell  and  he  yelling 
in  evident  fear  and  excitement,  "Auction  Bell!  Auction  Bell!!  Auction 
Belli!!"  We  were  about  sitting  down  to  breakfast.  My  father  said 
"What  in  the  world  can  be  the  matter  with  old  Auction  Bell?  It's  too 
early  for  one  of  his  'wondoos.'  "  So  we  went  out  to  ascertain.  As 
he  came  opposite  to  us  the  old  Auction  Bell  reined  his  pony  and  poured 
forth  the  wildest  and  weirdest  story  that  it  has  ever  been  my  fortune 
to  listen  to.  I  am  only  sorry  that  my  memory  does  not  .serve  to  render 
it  in  his  own  vernacular.  The  upshot  of  it  all  was  that  "The  slave-catch- 
ers from  Kentucky  had  made  a  descent  upon  the  negro  settlement,  and 
backed  by  deputy  United  States  ^Marshal  Harvey  Dixon,  had  drawn 
pistols,  knocked  down  negroes,  shot  at  others,  wounding  some,  kicked 
in  dooi-s  and  had  seized  the  whole  Crosswhite  family  and  were  prepar- 
ing to  take  them  back  to  slavery."  The  old  fellow  fairly  frothed  at 
the  mouth  during  the  recital  of  his  lurid  tale. 

At  the  breakfast  table,  I  asked  my  father  if  he  was  going  out  to  the 
negro  settlement  to  see  the  excitement.  He  replied  "No,"  that  he  was 
the  justice  of  the  peace,  and  as  such,  a  committing  magistrate,  and  if 


64  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Auction  Bell's  story  was  half  true,  warrants  would  be  applied  for,  and 
that  he  should  go  directly  to  his  office  and  directed  me  to  go  to  school 
and  avoid  all  scenes  of  excitement. 

But  what  healthy,  fearless  and  adventurous  fourteen-year-old  boy 
could  resist  such  a  "call  of  the  wild."  As  soon  as  I  could  slip  away 
unobserved,  I  made  a  bee-line  for  the  negro  settlement,  and  there  found 
excitement  enough  and  to  spare.  x\side  from  the  "Hoi  PoUoi"  there 
were  many  of  jMarshalUs  most  substantial  citizens,  among  them,  0.  C. 
Comstock,  Charles  T.  Gorham,  I  think  George  IngersoU  and  Lansing 
Kingsbury  and  others  whose  names  have  escaped  me.  The  slave-hunters 
still  had  the  Crosswhite  family  in  duress,  but  were  surrounded  by  an 
angry  and  excited  crowd,  which  was  not  chary  in  expressing  its  opinion 
or  its  threats.  The  central  and  most  important  figure  was  Frank  Trout- 
man,  a  young  Kentucky  lawyer,  who  was  the  agent  and  the  nephew  of 
the  owner  of  the  Ci'osswhitcs.  and  jxissilily  a  relation  of  the  fugitives, 
as  their  name  was  i-ci-taiiily  im  iiiisniiiiicr.  Troutman  was  a  tall,  hand- 
some Kentiickian  of  twi-nly-livc  or  thirly  years.  With  him  were  three 
or  four  fellows  of  the  type  made  familiar  to  us  later,  by  Mrs.  Stowe, 
in  her  description  of  Legree  and  the  slave-catchers  who  chased  Eliza 
across  the  Ohio;  low-browed,  truculent  looking  liomhrcs.  Amidst  all 
the  excitement,  Troutman  never  lost  his  head.  When  any  of  the  lietter 
class  of  citizens  came  to  expostulate  with  him.  telling  him  that  in  view 
of  the  excitement  and  the  passion  aroused,  it  would  be  suicidal  for  him 
to  attempt  to  remove  the  fugiti^^s,  he  would  take  their  names  and  ask 
them  if  they  threatened  him  witli  violence  if  he  attempted  to  remove 
his  property.  This  of  course  they  dischumed,  but  called  his  attention 
to  the  threat  and  demonstrations  of  irresponsible  parties  over  whom 
they  claimed  to  have  no  control.  By  the  time  the  county  officers  arrived 
with  warrants  Lssued  for  exhiliiting  weapons  in  a  rude  and  threaten- 
ing manner,  assault  and  battery,  breaking  into  hoiises  and  various  other 
offenses,  Troutman  had  his  notebook  pretty  well  filled  Avith  the  names 
of  substantial  citizens,  and  what  they  had  said  to  him  under  excitement, 
and  this  book  was  a  very  important  factor  in  securing  a  vi-rdict  for 
the  plaintiff  in  the  case  of  Giltner  vs.  Gorham  et.  al.,  in  tlir  I'nited 
States  District  Court  for  the  state  of  Michigan.  When  the  slave-catch- 
ers were  arrested  and  removed,  the  Crosswhites  were  left  practically 
unguarded  and  free,  and  the  Abolitionists  lost  no  time  in  getting  them 
on  the  "under-ground  railroad"  and  running  them  into  Canada. 

Whenever  I  could,  I  attended  my  father's  coiirt  when  he  was  examin- 
ing Troutman  and  his  men  for  violations  of  Michigan  law,  when  at- 
tempting to  get  the  Crosswhites.  They  were  held  for  trial  before  the 
higher  court,  notwithstanding  that  in  those  days,  my  father  was  a  sound 
Jacksonian  Democrat  though  in  1860  he  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 
In  1865  in  reading  the  debates  of  the  last  Congressional  Record  on  the 
last  fugitive  slave  law,  passed  in  1849  or  50,  I  was  intensely  amused 
to  find  my  democratic  father,  denounced  by  a  tire-eating  southern  con- 
gressman as  a  Michigan  Abolitionist.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  holding 
Troutman  and  his  cohorts  for  trial  nmlii'  llic  .^fil■lligan  law.  The  Cross- 
white  ease  was  simply  one  of  the  fevciish  indications  of  that  inevitable 
conflict  between  the  north  and  the  soulh  whicli  culminated  in  the  elee- 


HISTORY  OF  oALiiorx  corxTV 


l>inc(i 

ilii,  the  gv^ 
of  tivasuv, 

•o.   .Miiivli 

■at  civil  Will 
■  and  tlu'  I'r 

l:)tli.   IIHKS. 

•.  tlie 
I'fiiig 

t'xpcnditi 
of  Die  sla 

iir  of 
\V. 

-, 

a  lis  of 

hlood 

lidiis 
iiiu-isc 

\V, 

IIOBAI: 

!T. 

San   Fi 

l"'iancis  Troutinan  and  his  associates,  witii  their  own  cars,  heard  tiie 
sentiment  of  freedom,  fearlessly  expressed,  tliey  iiad  heeii  arraigned 
before  a  eourt  of  justice  in  scathing  terms,  they  had  been  convicted  and 
punished  for  their  misdemeanor,  and  they  had  returned  liome  threaten- 
ing vengeance  to  fire  the  southern  heart.  The  people  of  Kentucky  liad 
also  taken  an  ob.ject  lesson  in  public  opinion,  and  discovered  a  meiuiee 
to  the  institution  of  slavery  and  considered  means  to  preserve  it. 

Troutman  returned  to  Marshall  in  May,  following,  not  to  capture 
slaves,  but  to  look  up  evidence,  retain  counsel  and  to  prosecute  ]\Iar- 
shall  men  for  rescuing  the  fugitives.  He  exploited  the  action  of  the  legis- 
lature of  Kentucky  on  the  affair,  and  asserted  that  his  state  was  his 
backer,  and  had  appropriated  money  to  prosecute  the  men  involved,  to 
the  extreme  extent  of  the  law,  and  to  make  an  example  of  them  to  deter 
other  abolition  mobs.  Pratt  &  Crary  of  Marshall  were  employed  as 
local  attonie.ys,  and  on  the  first  da.y  of  June,  1847,  a  suit  was  com- 
menced in  the  circuit  court  of  the  United  States  for  the  District  of 
.Michigan,  in  an  action  of  trespass  against  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Oliver 
C.  Comstock.  Jr..  Asa  B.  Cook,  Jarvis  Hurd,  John  M.  Easterly,  George 
Ingersoll,  Herman  Camp,  Randal  Hobart,  Platner  iMoss,  William 
Parker,  Charles  Berger  and  John  Smith  for  rescuing  Adam  Crosswhite 
and  his  wife  and  four  children,  claiming  large  damages.  The  first 
eight  defendants  named  were  among  the  leading  business  men  of  Mar- 
shall, and  the  last  four  were  prominent  colored  citizens.  The  declara- 
tion filed  contained  seven  counties,  and  was  very  lengthy.  Separate 
suits  in  actions  of  debt  were  also  commenced  at  the  same  time  in  said 
court  bv  Francis  Giltner  against  Oliver  C.  Comstock,  Jr.,  Asa  B.  Cook, 
Jarvis  Hurd.  John  ]M.  Easterly,  Charles  T.  Gorham,  George  Ingersoll 
and  Randal  Ilobart  to  recover  the  five  hundred  dollars  penalty  under 
the  provision  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1793,  then  in  force  for 
"knowingly  and  wilfully,  etc., — obstructing  and  hindering — claimant's 
agent — in  seizing  and  arresting — said  fiigitives  from  labor"  and  "for 
rescuing  such  fugitives."  AViiile  these  penal  suits  were  never  tried,  and 
were  afterwards  discontinued,  at  that  time  they  iiiteiisilied  the  feeling 
of  the  community.  Anti-slavery  men  began  to  consider  \\,iys  and  means 
to  limit  and  cripple  the  institution.  There  always  had  heen  a  strong 
anti-slavery  sentiment  in  Miciiigan.  and  an  overwhelmiiig  ma.iority  of 
all  i)arties  approved  the  Wilniot  Proviso. ^'^     On  the  13th  of  February, 

s"  During  the  preliminary  negotiations  of  peace  witli  ilexieo  in  1846,  David  Wil- 
mot,  a  jurist  practising  law  in  1834  and  member  of  Congress  from  1845  to  1851, 
offered  an  amendment  to  the  bill  to  purchase  lands  from  Mexico,  ' '  That  as  an  ex- 
press and  fundamental  condition  to  the  acquisition  of  any  territory  from  the  republic 
nf  Jlexico  b.y  the  X'nited  States,  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude  shall  ever 
exist  in  any  "part  of  said  territory."  It  was  adopted  by  the  House  l)ut  failed  of  final 
action.  It  was  the  basis  of  the  organization  known  as  the  l"ree-Soi!  partv,  in  1S4S 
and  of  the  Kepublicaii  pMrtv  in  IS.'iG.  Harper's  Cvclopedia  of  rnitcd  Slates  llistorv, 
Vol.   X,   p.   394. 


66  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

1847,  the  Democratic  legislature  endorsed  and  adopted  this  resolution; 
"Resolved,  That  in  the  acquisition  of  any  new  territory,  whether  by  pur- 
chase, conquest  or  otherwise,  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment to  extend  over  the  same  the  ordinance  of  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-seven,  with  all  its  rights,  privileges  and  conditions  and  im- 
munities. "  s^  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  ordinance  of  1787  here 
referred  to  provided  "that  there  shall  be  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary 
servitude  in  said  territory,  otherwise  than  in  the  punishment  of  crime 
whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  duly  convicted."  The  language 
of  the  Wilmot  Proviso  was  copied  from  this  ordinance.  On  the  13th 
of  January,  1849,  the  legislature  again  "resolved  that  we  are  in  favor 
of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Ordinance  of  1787," — and  "we 
believe  that  Congress  has  the  power,  and  that  it  is  their  duty  to  prohibit 
by  legislative  enactment  the  introduction  and  existence  of  slaves  within 
any  of  the  territories  of  the  United  States,  now  or  hereafter  to  be 
acquired. ' '  ^^  These  resolutions  indicate  the  sentiment  of  the  masses 
at  that  time.  Lewis  Cass  had  always  indorsed  this  old  Jeffersonian  doc- 
trine until  1847.  He  was  then  seeking  the  nomination  of  the  Democratic 
Party  for  president,  and  wanted  the  support  of  the  south.  On  the  30th 
of  December,  1847,  he  wrote  his  celebrated  Nicholson  letters,  and  de- 
clared that  ' '  a  great  change  had  been  going  on  in  the  public  mind  upon 
the  subject  (Wilmot 's  proviso),  in  my  own  mind  as  well  as  others,  and 
that  doubts  are  resolving  themselves  into  convictions  that  the  principle 
it  involves  should  be  kept  out  of  National  legislation  and  left  to  the 
people  of  the  confederacy  in  their  respective  local  governments."  This 
shameful  repudiation  of  the  policy  of  restricting  slavery  in  the  terri- 
tories secured  the  nomination  of  Lewis  Cass  for  president  May  22nd, 

1848,  but  it  drove  thousands  of  Wilmot  Proviso  Democrats  from  the 
party,  and  caused  his  defeat  at  the  election.  It  forced  anti-slavery  men 
to  unite  on  some  practical  method  of  restraining  the  slave  power,  and 
added  new  force  to  the  anti-slavery  cause.  On  the  28th  of  June,  1848, 
the  case  of  Giltner  ts.  Gorham  et  al.  came  on  for  trial  at  Detroit  be- 
fore Hon.  John  McLean,*«  a  Justice  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court 
sitting  as  Circuit  Judge,  and  a  jury  was  sworn.  Abner  Pratt  and  John 
Norvell  appeared  for  the  slave-owner,  and  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  Theodore 
Romeyn,  Halmer  H.  Emmons  and  James  F.  Joy  appeared  for  the  citi- 
zens. The  names  of  the  attorneys  indicate  that  the  case  was  closely  con- 
tested, and  that  it  was  a  battle  of  giants.  But  the  trial  was  something 
more  than  a  legal  battle;  it  was  also  a  political  battle  waged  in  the 
court  room.  If  the  slave-holder  could  not  recover  for  his  slaves  in  De- 
troit, the  home  of  the  Democratic  candidate,  how  could  that  candidate 
expect  to  receive  the  vote  of  the  slave-holders  in  the  south.  Never  before 
or  since  in  this  State,  has  such  a  powerful,  persistent  and  subtile 
political  influence  been  exerted  on  court,  counsel,  parties,  witnesses 
and  jury,  as  was  exerted  on  this  trial.     The  courtroom  and  the  commu- 

84  Laws  of  1847,  p.  194. 

s-'  Laws  of  1849,  p.  362. 

SI!  John  McLean  was  the  first  United  States  circuit  court  judge  for  Michigan. 
He  held  that  office  from  1836-1862  and  was  succeeded  by-  Judge  N.  H.  Swayne. 
Farmer's  History  of  Detroit   and   iliohigan. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COIT.NTY  1)7 

uity  were  wroiiglit  up  to  the  most  intense  degree  of  silent  interest  dur- 
ing the  long  trial.  While  this  influence,  which  was  felt,  not  seen,  was 
exercised  to  win  votes  for  Gen.  Cass  in  the  south,  it  alienated  from  him 
votes  at  home.  The  charge  of  the  court  was  long  and  laid  down  the  law 
as  it  then  existed.  Gerrit  Smith  came  from  New  York,  and  volunteered 
to  argue  the  constitutionality  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1793  before 
the  court,  but  counsel  for  the  defendants,  fearing  the  effect  upon  the 
jury  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  have  so  rabid  an  Abolitionist  take  part 
in  the  trial,  and  such  service  was  declined.  The  following  syllabus  of 
the  charge  indicates  the  rules  of  law  laid  down  to  guide  the  juiy. 

(1)  "It  is  under  the  constitution  and  acts  of  Congress  only,  that  the 
owner  of  a  slave  has  the  right  to  reclaim  him  in  a  state  where  slavery 
does  not  exist." 

(2)  "There  is  no  principle  in  a  common  law,  in  the  law  of  nations 
or  of  nature  which  authorize  such  a  recaption." 

(3)  "A  parol  authority  by  the  master  to  his  agent,  is  sufficient  to 
authorize  a  seizure  of  a  fugitive  from  labor. ' ' 

(4)  "To  make  a  person  liable  for  a  rescue  in  such  a  case,  he  nmst 
act  'knowingly  and  willingly.'  " 

(5)  "But  this  knowledge  that  the  colored  personis  a  fugitive  from 
labor  is  inferable  from  circumstances." 

(6)  "To  everyone  who  mingles  with  the  crowd,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary that  the  agent  should  state  on  what  authority  he  proceeds.  It  is 
enough  that  he  states  it  generally." 

(7)  "And  one  of  a  crowd,  who  interposes  by  manual  force  or  by  en- 
couraging others,  by  words,  to  rescue  a  fugitive  is  responsible." 

(8)  "But  he  does  not  make  himself  responsible  where  he  endeavors 
to  allay  the  excitement  and  prevent  a  breach  of  the  peace." 

(9)  "The  agent,  in  seizing  a  fugitive  from  labor,  acts  under  the 
sanction  of  law.  no  warrant  being  necessary." 


(11)  "Where  a  rescue  is  made  by  the  continuous  action  of  a  crowd, 
anyone  who  took  a  part  in  the  course  of  action  is  responsible,  and  may  be 
sued  with  others  who  participated  at  a  different  time  in  the  same  action. ' ' 

(12)  "A  female  fugitive  from  labor,  having  had  a  child  during  her 
residence  in  a  free  state,  on  an  action  for  her  value  and  for  the  value  of 
her  hu.sband.  etc..  on  a  charge  of  rescue  against  the  defendants,  the  court 
held,  as  the  child  was  not  claimed  in  the  declaration,  the  question 
whether  the  claimant  had  a  right  to  it  and  a  control  over  it.  was  not 
necessarily  involved  in  the  case." 


(14)     "An  expression  by  the  agent  of  the  plaintiff  that  he  should 
not  pursue  the  slaves,  is  no  abandonment  of  his  right  of  action."^' 

This  is  one  of  the  first  cases  under  the  statute  that  was  tried,  and  it 
became  a  leading  case.     The  charge  was  as  fair  an  interpretation  of 
the  law   as  it  then  existed,   and   was   as   favorable   to   the   defendants 
as  the  rules  of  law  would  permit.     The  defendant's  onlv  hope  of  Sue- 
s'4  McLean,  402.     Giltner  vs.  Gorhani,  et  al. 


68  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

cess  was  based  upon  the  auti-slavery  sentiments  of  the  jury.  The  law 
as  interpreted  by  the  court  was  a  revelation  to  the  parties,  and  to  the 
people  at  large.  It  was  quoted  and  discussed  at  the  fireside,  in  the 
pulpit,  on  the  platform,  on  the  stump  and  in  the  press  throughout  the 
land.  For  the  first  time,  freemen  realized  that  they  were  made  the  un- 
willing tools  of  the  slave-holder  and  were  compelled  by  law,  under 
penalties  of  ruinous  fine  and  imprisonment  to  restore  the  fleeing  slave  to 
his  pursuing  master.  A  bitter  hatred  of  slavery  was  aroused  and  a  de- 
termination to  limit  and  cripple  the  institution  was  created.  On  the  12th 
of  June,  1847,  the  .jury  disagreed  and  was  discharged.  The  trial  had 
been  followed  with  intense  interest  both  north  and  south. 

The  defendant,  Charles  T.  Gorham  was  well-known,  and  a  man  of 
wide  influence.  He  had  always  been  a  Democrat  and  a  political  ad- 
herent of  Gen.  Cass.  After  witnessing  the  cruelties  of  slavery  in  his  own 
town  and  after  facing  the  infiuenee  of  the  slave-power  in  court,  like 
Gen.  Cass  upon  the  Wilmot  Proviso,  "a  great  change  came  over  his 
mind,"  and  repudiating  the  pro-slavery  platform  of  his  party,  announced 
his  hostility  to  that  institution.  Re.jecting  the  extreme  radicalism  of  the 
Garrison  Abolitionists,  and  the  nullifying  measures  of  the  Liberty  Party 
of  the  day  and  seeking  practical  methods  he  advocated  the  exclusion 
of  slavery  from  the  territories,  as  the  best  means  of  attack.  From  that 
time  until  slavery  was  destroyed,  Charles  T.  Gorham  waged  a  relent- 
less warfare  willi  head  and  heart,  with  tongue  and  pen,  with  hand  and 
])uisc.  ill  iiiiiiiiripal,  legislative,  county,  congressional,  state  and  na- 
tiiiiial  coiixcuiiDiis.  at  the  hustings  and  at  the  polls,  in  private  and  in 
official  life,  in  every  practical  manner  against  the  accursed  institution. 
He  was  ably  and  elo(|uciifly  su|ii>i>i-ted  by  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  the  local  at- 
torney in  the  case,  who  had  similar  political  antecedents.  Under  their 
leadership,  ^Marshall  and  Callioun  County  became  an  important  center 
of  intluenee  in  the  anti-slavery  movement.  A  call  for  the  celebrated 
Buffalo  convention  had  been  made  to  meet  on  the  9th  day  of  August, 
1848.  While  these  Marshall  men  did  not  attend  this  convention  in  per- 
son, they  were  ably  represented.  Erastus  Hussey  of  Battle  Creek,  a 
staunch  Quaker  Abolitionist,  and  an  active  superintendent  of  an  im- 
poitant  division  of  the  Under-ground  Railroad,  and  Austin  Blair  of 
Jackson,  also  counsel  in  the  suit,  and  a  radical  anti-slavery  man,  had 
w;itcheil  the  ])roceedings  of  the  case  from  the  fugitives'  door  to  the 
disagreement  of  the  .iury,  with  a  personal  interest,  and  had  been  in 
constant  touch,  and  in  freciuent  consultation  with  Gen.  Gorham  and 
his  associates  during  that  time,  and  had  been  aroused  by  the  Cross- 
white  affair.  It  was  at  the  request  of  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Hovey  K. 
Clarke  and  other  citizens  of  Marshall  that  they  should  attend  the  con- 
vention, represent  the  anti-slavery  men  of  this  vicinity,  and  help  organ- 
ize a  national  party  on  an  anti-slavery  platform.  Tliese  men  attended 
that  convention  and  took  an  active  part  in  organizing  the  Free-Soil 
Party,  which  was  the  first  national  party  organized  to  restrict  the  ex- 
tension of  slavery  in  a  constitutional  way  and  eventually  to  desti-oy  it, 
which  prepared  the  way  for  the  organization  of  the  party  of  Lincoln 
years  after.  The  8th  and  IGtli  planks  of  the  platform  adopted  are  as 
follows:  "Resolved,   That  we  accept  the  issues  which  the  slave-power 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOrX   COrXTY  G9 

has  forced  upon  us.  ami  to  tlieir  demand  for  more  slave  states,  and 
more  slave  territory,  our  ealm  hut  final  answer  is,  no  more  slave  states, 
and  no  more  slave  territory.  Let  the  soil  of  our  extensive  domain  be 
kept  free  for  the  hard.v  pioneers  of  our  o\un  land,  and  the  oppressed  and 
banished  of  other  lands,  .seeking  homes  of  comfort  and  ticlds  of  enter- 
prise in  the  new  world." 

(16)  "Resolved,  That  we  inseril)(>  on  our  l)anner:  'Free  Soil.  Fn-e 
Speech.  Free  Labor  and  Free  Jlen,'  and  under  it  we  will  tight  on,  and 
fight  forever  until  a  triumphant  victory  sliall  reward  our  exertions." 

The  declaration  of  independence  of  ^Marshall  men,  made  by  words  and 
deeds  at  the  fugitive's  door  and  now  enrolled  in  a  party  platform,  and 
proclaimed  to  the  waiting  world.  Under  the  leadership  of  these  men, 
the  anti-slavery  factions  in  Calhoun  Count.y  were  organized  and  were 
induced  to  support  tlie  anti-slavery  candidate  for  Congress.  As  a  re- 
siilt  the  democratic  candidate  was  defeated  in  1848  and  William 
Sprague.  a  F'ree-Soil  Whig  was  elected.  He  was  one  of  the  Free-Soilers, 
who  under  the  lead  of  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  held  the  balance  of  power 
between  the  Whigs  and  tlie  Democrats  in  the  31st  Congress.  As  in 
1844  the  Libert.y  Party  drew  off  enough  anti-slavery  whig  votes  to  de- 
feat Henry  Clay,  the  favorite  son  of  Kentucky  for  president,  so  in 
1848  the  Free-Soil  Party  drew  off  enough  Wilmot  Proviso  Democratic 
votes  to  defeat  Lewis  Cass,  the  favorite  son  of  ^Michigan  for  president. 
Had  it  not  been  for  tlie  agitation,  the  awakening  and  the  influence  of 
the  Crosswhite  affair  tlie  results  would  have  been  different. 

The  ease  of  Giltner  vs.  Gorham  et  al.  came  on  for  the  second  trial 
in  the  United  States  court  at  Detroit  before  Hon.  Ross  Wilkins,^'*  .judge, 
and  a  .jury  drawn  and  empaneled  by  a  Democratic  United  States  mar- 
shal, was  sworn  on  the  10th  day  of  November,  1848.  The  case  was  again 
closely  contested,  and  on  the  5th  da.v  of  December,  1848,  a  verdict  was 
rendered  in  favor  of  Francis  Giltner,  for  the  value  of  Adam  Crosswhite, 
his  wife  and  four  children  assessed  at  the  sum  of  $1,92(5  damages  with 
costs  of  suit  to  be  taxed  against  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Oliver  C.  Com- 
stock,  Jr.,  Jarvis  Hurd,  George  IngersoU,  Herman  Camp,  Platner  JIoss, 
Charles  Berger  and  James  Smitii,  the  suit  having  been  previously  dis- 
continued as  to  defendants  Cook,  Easterly,  Hobart,  and  Parkei'.  The 
taxable  cost  of  tlic  suit  was  heav.v,  numerous  depositions  had  been  made 
in  ^Marshall ;  the  <lep()sitions  of  slave-dealers  in  Kentucky  had  been  taken 
to  prove  the  value  of  this  man  and  woman  and  their  four  children  and 
scores  of  witnesses  had  lieen  subpoenaed  and  kept  in  attendance  at 
Detroit  during  the  two  long  trials.  At  that  time.  Roger  B.  Tane.y,  after- 
wards of  Dred  Scott  decision  fame,  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  and  a  ma.iority  of  the  associate  .justices  were 
slave-holders,  or  pro-slavery  men.  An  appeal  offered  little  or  no  promise 
of  relief  and  the  learned  attorneys  for  the  defendant  could  point  out  no 
errors  in  the  ruling  or  the  charges  of  the  court,  as  the  law  then  existed 
which  would  .justifv   an  appeal.     The  only   recourse   was  to  pay  this 


88  Ross  Wilkins  was  the  first  ilistrict  .imlge  of  tlip  Unitod  States  at  Detroit,  hold- 
ing that  otRee  from  1836-LS70.  He  was  sui-reeded  by  .John  W.  T.ongyoar.  I'.armer's 
History  of  Detroit  and  ilichigan. 


70  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

judgment  and  heavy  bill  of  costs.  Some  of  the  defendants  had  no  prop- 
erty, and  the  financial  burden  to  satisfy  this  judgment  fell  principally 
upon  the  defendants,  Gorham,  Comstoek,  and  Hurd.  These  men  have 
been  compelled  to  defray  the  greater  part  of  the  expense  of  defending 
the  suit,  and  ruin  seemed  certain. 

Zachariah  Chandler,  then  a  stirring  merchant  of  Detroit,  had  attended 
the  trials  and  watched  the  Crosswhite  affair  from  its  inception  at  Mar- 
shall until  the  final  verdict.  His  sturdy  anti-slavery  sentiments  were 
aroused.  His  keen  political  instincts  enabled  him  to  discover  and  trace 
the  pro-slavery  influences  brought  to  bear  upon  the  trial,  and  being 
satisfied  that  Mr.  Gorham  and  his  associates  were  victims  of  unjust  laws, 
,  enforced  by  the  slave-powers  he  called  on  Mr.  Gorham  at  his  hotel  and 
made  his  acquaintance.  He  voluntarily  made  himself  a  party  to  the 
suit  and  assumed  a  share  of  the  burdens.  He  promised  and  afterwards 
paid,  and  raised  a  handsome  sum  of  money  toward  the  judgment  and 
thereby  relieved  some  of  the  defendants  from  financial  ruin.  Thus 
commenced  the  warm  personal  friendship  between  the  sagacious,  radical 
and  rash  Zachariah  Chandler  and  the  sagacious,  conservative  and  cau- 
tious Charles  T.  Gorham,  which  continued  until  death,  and  which  contri- 
buted largely  to  the  elevation  and  influence  of  both  men  in  political  life. 

These  Marshall  men  united  the  enemies  of  slavery,  and  under  their 
leadership  in  1849,  Charles  Dickie  was  elected  to  the  Senate,  Erastus 
Hussey,  Hovey  K.  Clark  and  Nathan  Pierce  to  the  House,  all  radical 
Abolitionists  or  pronoiinced  anti-slavey  men,  and  Calhoun  County  had 
a  solid  anti-slavery  delegation  in  the  legislature  of  1850.  The  county 
took  a  leading  position  in  opposition  to  the  institution  of  slavery  and 
maintained  it  until  slavery  was  no  more. 

As  Lexington  and  Concord  preceded  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
and  Yorktown,  so  Marshall  preceded  the  Buffalo  convention,  the  organ- 
ization under  the  oaks  at  Jackson  and  the  Emancipation  Proclamation, 
Appomatox  and  the  Thirteenth  Amendment.  The  sons  of  the  brave  men 
of  Lexington  and  Concord  at  Marshall  in  1847,  were  more  altruistic 
than  were  their  sires  in  1775.  The  sires  risked  their  liberty  and  prop- 
erty for  themselves,  their  kindred,  their  posterity.  The  sons  risked 
their  liberty  and  their  property,  not  for  themselves,  their  kindred,  and 
their  posterity,  but  for  another,  an  alien  race,  a  race  of  slaves.  The  sons 
were  braver  than  their  sires.  ■  The  sires  were  unknown,  disguised  as 
Indians  and  went  at  night  when  they  defied  the  tyrant's  law  and  threw 
the  tea  into  Boston  Harbor.  The  sons  were  known,  undisguised,  and 
went  in  the  light  of  day  when  they  defied  the  tyrant 's  law  and  loosened 
the  bondsman's  chains.  When  the  voice  of  tyranny  asked  for  their 
names,  quick  and  distinct  came  the  response  from  one  "Charles  T.  Gor- 
ham. Put  it  down  in  capital  letters,  and  take  it  back  to  Kentucky  to 
the  land  of  slavery  as  a  warning  to  others  and  a  lesson  to  you,"  from 
another,  "Oliver  Cromwell  Comstoek,  Jr.  Don't  forget  to  put  down  the 
'Ji;nior'  as  I  don't  want  my  father  to  answer  for  my  sins,"  from  an- 
other, "James  ^I.  Easterl.y"  from  another,  " Jarvis  Hurd,"  and  from  an- 
other, "Asa  B.  Cooke."  (Brave  men  were  they.)  (In  the  slave-holder's 
declaration  filed  in  court,  while  the  names  of  the  other  defendants  were 


iiryTOKY  OF  CAi.iiurx  COIXTV  71 

printed  in  italit-s.  Uie  name  of  Chark'S  T.  Goi'liaiu  was  [jriiitcd  in  capilal 
lettei-s. ) 

While  the  enemies  of  African  slavery  were  organizing  and  eoncentrat- 
iug  their  force  upon  measures  to  cripple  the  institution  in  JMichigau,  the 
friends  of  that  institution  were  equally  active  in  Kentucky.  The  cou- 
stitutioual  eouveutiou  of  18-49  inserted  a  clause  in  the  state  constitu- 
tion declaring  the  right  of  property  in  slaves  to  "be  befoi-e  and  higher 
than  any  constitutional  sanctions. ' '  The  Blue-grass  State  seems  to  have 
antedated  Seward  in  announcing  the  "higher  law"  doctrine.  As  before 
stated,  Francis  Troutman's  vei'sion  of  the  Marshall  affair  had  been  laid 
before  the  legislature  of  Kentucky  and  the  legislature  had  instructed  their 
Senators  and  members  of  Congress  to  secure  further  guarantees  for  the 
reclaiming  of  fugitive  slaves.  Henry  Clay  was  a  pei-sonal  friend  of 
Francis  Giltner,  and  being  familiar  with  the  whole  Crosswhite  affair  he 
took  a  personal  interest  in  the  case.  On  the  29th  of  January,  1850, 
Mr.  Clay  introduced  into  the  United  States  Senate  his  celebrated  com- 
promise resolution,  demanding  a  more  "effective  fugitive  slave  law." 

In  the  heated  discussion  of  the  so-called  compromise  measures,  in  their 
various  forms  and  phases  in  Congres.s  from  January  29th  until  Septem- 
ber 18th,  1850,  when  the  fugitive  slave  law  was  signed  by  the  president 
Marshall  and  IMarshall  men  were  ever  upon  the  lips  of  the  champion 
of  slavery.  Gen.  Gorham,  Dr.  Comstock,  Rev.  Randal  Hobart,  and  other 
old  line  Democrats  were  denounced  as  Abolitionists  and  negro  thieves. 
]\Ien  of  high  standing  and  culture  were  branded  as  vagabonds,  villians 
and  robbers.  The  abusive  tirades  were  repeated  and  enlarged  upon  by 
the  pro-slavery  press,  and  on  the  pro-slavery  stump  north  and  south, 
and  Marshall  became  the  cynosure  of  the  whole  land.  This  intemperate 
discussion  of  the  Troutman  version  of  the  "Abolition  mob"  as  he  termed 
it,  was  gratif.ying  to  the  south,  but  it  was  consolidation  of  the  free-soil 
sentiments  of  the  north.  The  Crosswhite  case,  a.s  it  has  been  shown,  was 
the  proximate  cause  of  the  obnoxious  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850.  That 
case  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  less  stringent  law  then  in  force, 
could  not  be  enforced  in  the  liberty-loving  communities  of  the  north, 
and  the  arrogant  south  undertook  to  intimidate  the  north  with  lieavy 
penalties. 

The  fugitive  slave  law  was  prepared  by  the  most  radical  pro-slavery 
champion.  It  provided  for  numerous  United  States  Commissioners  to  be 
appointed,  gave  them  the  power  of  .judge  to  remand  men  to  slavery, 
deprived  the  alleged  slave  of  his  own  testimony,  right  of  jury  trial  and 
habeas  corpus.  It  gave  the  commissioner  a  ten  dollar  fee  if  he  decided 
for  the  master,  and  a  five  dollar  fee  if  he  decided  for  the  slave.  United 
States  Marshals  were  required  to  make  arrests,  and  if  they  refused,  they 
should  be  fined  $1,000  and  be  made  to  pay  for  the  slave.  The  Marshals 
and  Commissioners  could  call  upon  by-standers  to  assist  in  making 
captures  and  if  a  citizen  refused  he  could  be  imprisoned  six  months, 
fined  $1,000  and  made  liable  for  $1,000  damages.  This  despotic  law 
violated  every  human  impulse  and  made  the  usual  Christian  courtesies 
a  crime,  and  in  fact  made  every  man,  woman  and  child  a  slave  catcher 
at  the  request  of  the  master.  This  infamous  law  designed  to  protect 
the  institution  of  slavery  was  overruled  and  produced  an  irresistible 


72  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

wave  of  anti-slavery  sentiment  and  opposition,  which  dehiged  the  whole 
land  and  undermined  the  institution  itself.  Public  sentiment  was  so 
strong  in  Marshall  in  1847  that  the  old  law  could  not  be  enforced,  and 
now  that  same  sentiment,  more  earnest  than  ever,  would  not  enforce 
the  new.  It  was  boldly  announced  in  private  and  in  public,  in  the 
press,  in  the  pulpit,  on  the  platform,  and  on  the  floor  of  Congress  that 
freemen  would  not  enforce  the  law.  The  sentiment  of  the  people  was 
expressed  by  the  resolution  of  a  Massachusetts  mass  meeting  in  these 
words,  "Law  or  no  law,  constitution  or  no  constitution,  union  or  no 
union,  the  hospitality  of  ^Massachusetts  will  never  be  violated  by  the 
delivery  of  a  fugitive  from  oppression,  to  tyrant's  again."  This  law 
had  shocked  the  moral  sensibility  of  the  whole  north,  it  had  added  new 
fuel  to  the  anti-slavery  flame,  and  tended  to  unite  all  factions  against  it. 

The  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850  developed  an  unexpected  force  which 
fired  the  hearts  of  freemen  everywhere,  and  hastened  the  doom  of 
slavery.  That  law  caused  the  graphic  delineation  of  the  evils  of  slavery 
in  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin.  The  author  of  that  narrative  had  abstained  for 
years  from  all  consideration  of  the  subject  of  slavery,  but  when  she 
learned  of  the  cruel,  un-Christian  and  inhuman  provision  of  the  statute 
and  heard  men  contend  that  it  was  the  citizen's  duty  to  enforce  it,  she 
tells  us  in  her  concluding  chapter  that  she  could  "only  think  that  these 
men  and  these  Christians  cannot  know  what  slavery  is ;  if  they  did,  such 
a  question  could  never  be  opened  for  discussion,"  and  from  this  arose 
a  desire  to  exhibit  it  in  a  living  dramatic  reality.  Thus  this  cruel  law 
has  awakened  and  inspired  its  own  Nemesis.  The  gifted  author  com- 
menced gathering  material  and  perfecting  her  plan,  and  in  June,  1851, 
the  publication  of  that  mighty  political  narrative  was  commenced  as  a 
serial,  in  the  National  Era.  an  anti-slavery  paper  published  at  Wash- 
ington and  was  continued  until  April,  1852.  Some  of  the  personal  ex- 
perience of  Adam  Crosswhite  and  wife  in  fleeing  from  bondage  are 
woven  into  that  story.  The  narrative  in  the  National  Era  was  read  and 
re-read.  Nearly  half  a  million  copies  were  published  in  book  form  in 
rapid  succession,  and  scattered  all  over  the  north  and  the  English-speak- 
ing world.  It  was  cjuickly  translated  into  twenty  different  languages, 
and  it  has  done  more  for  universal  freedom  than  any  other,  if  not  all 
other  causes  combined.  It  was  dramatized  and  put  on  the  stage  and 
acted  all  over  the  north.  It  revealed  the  horrors  of  slavery,  touched  the 
great  heart  of  humanity,  and  united  the  people  in  one  common  pur- 
pose to  limit  and  destroy  the  curse.  Hnd  it  not  been  for  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Law  of  1850,  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  would  never  have  been  written, 
and  the  evils  of  slavery  would  not  have  been  thus  revealed. 

In  1852  the  Whig  and  Democratic  parties,  both  blind  and  oblivious 
to  the  swelling  tide  of  anti-slavery  sentiment,  accepted  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Law  of  1850  as  a  finality,  and  promised  to  enforce  it.  There  had 
been  for  a  long  time  a  strong  anti-slavery  sentiment  in  the  Whig  Party. 
The  writer,  when  a  boy,  heard  Gen.  Cass  prophesy  that  the  Whig  Party 
would  eventually  be  abolitionized.  This  surrender  to  the  slave-power 
drove  hundreds  of  Whigs  out  of  the  party,  and  its  doom  as  a  national 
party  was  sealed.  After  the  old  parties  had  made  their  nominations 
and  announced  their  pro-slaverj'  platforms,   the  Free-Soil  Party  held 


HISTORY  ov  CALiiorx  CorXTV  73 

a  coiiveution  and  iioiniimted  .John  V.  Hale  of  New  Hampshire,  tor  pi'esi- 
deut  and  George  \V.  Jidiau  of  Indiana  for  vice-iM-esiih'nt.  Tlie  i)latl\)i'iii 
contained  these  planks. 

(6)  "That  slavery  is  a  sin  against  Goil,  and  a  crime  against  m;in, 
whieh  no  human  enaetment  or  usage  ean  make  right,  ami  tiiat  Ciiris- 
lianity.  humanity  and  patriotism  alike  demand  its  abolition. 

(7)  "Tliat  tiie  fugitive  act  of  1850  is  repugnant  to  the  eonstitution, 
to  the  priueiples  of  the  eommon  law,  to  the  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  to 
the  sentiments  of  the  eivilized  world ;  we  therefore  deny  its  force  on 
the  American  people  and  demand  its  immediate  and  total  repeal. 

(21)  "That  we  inscribe  on  our  banner  'Free-Soil,  Free-Speech,  Fi'ee- 
Labor,  and  Freedom,'  and  under  it  will  tight  on  and  tight  ever,  until 
a  triumphant  victory  shall  reward  our  exertions. ' ' 

The  sentiments  of  JIarshall  men,  as  expressed  by  words  and  deeds 
at  the  fugitive  door  in  1847,  were  here  again  proclaimed  in  a  national 
platform.  The  agitation  continued,  but  the  pro-slavery  party  triumpheii 
at  the  election.  The  foes  of  slavery  were  as  yet  unwilling  to  repudiate 
old  party  atifiliations,  and  unite  in  a  national  crusade  for  lil)erty.  The 
chastening  of  another  pro-slavery  scourge  w^as  required. 

Slavery  liad  been  prohibited  from  all  the  territories  lying  north  of 
tliiitx-six  (li'>;ri('s  and  thirty  minutes  north  latitude  in  1820  by  the  so- 
called  .Missnuii  Compromise.  This  act  was  copied  from  the  ordinance  of 
1787.  excluding  slavery  from  the  Northwest  Territory.  The  Wilmot  Pro- 
viso followed  the  same  principle,  and  the  principle  had  been  repeatedly 
applied.  The  slave-power  determined  to  break  down  this  barrier  and  to 
repudiate  this  Jeff'ersonian  policy.  A  bill  was  pending  in  the  Senate  to 
organize  the  Territory  of  Nebraska.  Senator  Archibald  Dixon  of  Ken- 
tucky, on  the  16th  of  January,  1854,  introduced  an  amendment  to  repeal 
the  law  passed  in  1820  as  a  solemn  compact  between  the  slave  and  the 
free  states.  Then  commenced  the  discussion  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill.  Lewis  Cass,  1847,  as  we  have  seen,  in  his  Nicholson  letter,  repudi- 
ated the  principle  of  excluding  slavery  from  the  territories  by  act  of 
Congress,  and  endorsed  the  policy  of  allowing  the  people  of  the  Terre- 
tory  to  determine  whether  slavery  should  or  should  not  exist.  Thus 
the  doctrine  of  popular  sovereignty  was  proclaimed.  Under  the  leader- 
ship of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  this  doctrine  was  endorsed  by  the  pro- 
slavery  party,  and  in  the  discussion  continued  on  this  issue.  The  most 
earnest  debate  of  modern  times  ensued  in  Congress,  in  the  press,  in  the 
pulpit,  on  the  stump,  and  by  the  fireside.  The  bill  i-epealing  the  re- 
striction of  slavery  passed  the  Senate  March  3d,  the  House  ilay  24, 
and  was  signed  by  the  President  iMay  30th,  1854.  The  Democratic 
party  had  thus  repudiated  the  principles  of  its  founder.  Then  com- 
menced the  struggle  between  the  friends  of  slavery  and  the  friends  of 
freedom  in  Kansas.  The  application  of  the  principles  of  popular  sover- 
eignty in  the  territories  on  the  slavery  issue,  meant  force  against  force — 
war  between  the  contending  parties  actually  existed.  John  Brown  was 
a  product  of  that  struggle,  and  his  subsequent  raid  on  Harper's  Ferry, 
but  a  subsequent  guerilla  skirmish  resulting  from  the  war  in  Kansas. 
The  bad  faith  of  the  slave  power,  the  hot  discussion,  the  bloody  struggle 


74  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  the  bitterness  resulting  therefrom  caused  men  to  seek  a  practical 
remedy — an  end  of  the  eonHict. 

The  anti-slavery  sentiment  in  Michigan  was  intense,  and  anti-slavery 
men  were  now  ready  to  act.  Marshall  men  took  the  final  lead  in  start- 
ing the  crusade  against  slavery.  Hovey  E.  Clarke,  chairman  of  the 
State  Central  Committee  and  Erastus  Hussey  then  of  Marshall  with 
others  called  a  mass  meeting  of  the  Free-Soil  party  to  meet  at  Jackson, 
Februarj^  22,  1854.  All  who  favored  the  national  free-soil  platfonn  of 
1852  were  invited  to  this  convention.  Hovey  K.  Clarke  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  resolutions  and  drafted  the  platform  adopted  by 
the  convention.  Erastus  Hussey  was  also  a  member  of  the  committee 
on  resolutions  and  a  member  of  the  committee  on  nominations.  The 
resolutions  denounced  the  proposed  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise 
and  endorsed  the  free-soil  platform  of  1852.  Kinsley  S.  Bingham  was 
nominated  for  governor,  Nathan  Pierce  for  lieutenant-governor  and 
Hovey  K.  Clarke  for  attorney-general.  Numerous  addresses  were  made 
before  the  convention.  Halmer  H.  Emmons  of  Detroit,  afterwards 
United  States  eii-cuit  judge,  an  anti-slavery  Whig,  was  called  out  for 
a  speech.  He  endorsed  the  platform,  commended  the  nominees  of  the 
convention,  expressed  the  earnest  desire  that  before  election  day,  all 
friends  of  freedom  might  stand  upon  one  platform,  and  pledged  to  resist 
the  extension  of  slavery.  Mr.  Emmons  made  a  powerful  speech  in  favor 
of  union,  which,  like  the  speech  of  Patrick  Henry  in  the  Virginia  con- 
vention of  1775,  carried  everything  before  it  and  inspired  men  on  to 
action.  As  Patrick  Henry  inspired  "the  first  general  recommendation 
for  a  general  congress  by  any  public  assembly"  in  1774,  so  Halmar  H. 
Emmons  made  the  first  appeal  in  a  state  convention  for  united  actions 
in  1854.  Messrs.  Clarke  and  Emmons  as  counsel  for  the  JIarshall  men 
in  the  slave  suit,  had  been  aroused  and  inspired  by  that  drama.  This 
speech  and  Mr.  Emmons'  influence  was  a  power  in  bringing  about  har- 
mony and  united  action  all  over  the  State.  Seth  Lewis,  the  editor  of 
the  Marshall  l^tatesman,  reflecting  the  local  sentiment,  all  through  the 
Kansas  and  Nebraska  discussion,  contended  that  it  was  the  duty  of 
citizens  to  vote  for  none  but  anti-slavery  men.  Charles  M.  Bordwell 
was  elected  supervisor  of  Eekford.and  Charles  D.  Holmes  of  Albion, 
in  April,  1854,  on  the  anti-Nebraska  ticket,  and  the  States7)ian  advocated 
the  union  of  all  anti-slaverj'  men  in  a  new  party.  A  mass  meeting  of 
Calhoun  citizens  met  at  Marshall.  May  30th,  1854,  and  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Erastus  Hussey,  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Nathan 
Pierce,  George  Ingersoll,  resolved:  "That  waiving  all  previous  party's 
preferences  we  are  willing  to  unite  and  co-operate  with  all  the  friends 
of  freedom,  in  an  eternal  war  against  the  extension  of  slavery  in  the 
United  States."  It  endorsed  the  nominee  of  the  Jackson  convention, 
approved  the  mass  meeting  of  the  freemen  called  to  meet  at  Kalamazoo 
on  the  21st  of  June  and  appointed  a  committee  of  three  from  each  town- 
ship for  the  purpose  of  organizing  anti-slavery  men.  Joseph  Warren, 
editor  of  the  Detroit  Tribune  during  the  Kansas-Nebraska  debates  in 
Congress,  like  his  illustrous  namesake,  Dr.  Joseph  Warren,  in  the 
Boston  Gazette  in  yeai-s  preceding  the  war  for  independence  published 
editorials  of  masterly  boldness  and  earnestness  to  arouse  the   friends 


IirSTOKY  OF  CALIlOrX  COrXTY  75 

of  freedom  to  aetion.  aiul  to  unite  all  the  enemies  of  slaver\-  upon  one 
platform  and  under  one  party.  The  iuHuence  of  the  Detroit  Tribune,  the 
leading  state  paper  of  the  Whig  party  cannot  be  over-estimated,  in 
moulding  public  opinion.  Other  papers  in  the  State  republished  these 
articles  and  supi)lemented  the  cause ;  meanwhile  Horace  Greeley,  the 
master  leader  of  the  political  movement  was  urging  it  on  in  his  mighty 
editorials  in  the  Xcw  York  Tribune  and  scattering  them  broadcast 
throughout  ]\lichigan  and  other  northern  states.  Zacbariah  Chandler, 
the  Whig  candidate  for  governor  in  1852,  contributed  his  Herculean 
strength,  and  traveled  all  over  the  State  to  organize  an  anti-slavery 
party.  His  intiueuce  wrought  great  results  and  his  political  opponents 
gave  him  the  sobriquet  "of  the  traveling  agent  of  the  new  Abolition 
party."  On  the  25th  of  May,  a  ringing  call  was  made  for  a  mass  meet- 
ing of  all  the  citizens  opposed  to  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise, 
to  meet  at  Kalamazoo  in  a  mass  convention  the  21st  of  June  follow- 
ing, ilen  of  all  parties  met  at  this  convention.  Hovey  K.  Clarke  was 
again  chairman  of  the  connnittee  on  resolutions  and  drew  the  resolutions 
adopted.  These  resolutions  denounced  the  repeal  of  the  Jlissouri  Com- 
promise and  reaffirmed  the  Free-Soil  platform  of  1852.  They  also  recom- 
mended concentration  of  the  anti-slavery  forces,  offered  to  withdraw 
the  ticket  nominated  at  Jackson  and  surrender  their  organization,  as 
means  to  an  end,  and  authorized  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of 
sixteen  to  carry  out  this  purpose.  Ei'astus  Hussey  was  also  a  member 
of  the  committee  of  resolutions  and  a  member  of  the  committee  of  six- 
teen to  withdraw  the  ticket. 

Mr.  Clarke  made  a  telling  speech  in  favor  of  his  resolutions  and  they 
were  enthusiastically  adopted.  The  action  of  this  committee  under  the 
leadership  of  ilarshall  men,  cleared  the  way  for  the  union  of  the  Abo- 
litionists. Free-Soilers,  Wilmot  Proviso  Democrats,  and  Anti-slavery 
Whigs  into  one  organization.  Men  of  all  parties  saw  the  way  clear  and 
went  to  work  in  earnest. 

A  call  "inviting  all  our  fellow  citizens,  without  reference  to  former 
political  associations,  who  think  that  the  time  has  arrived  for  a  union 
at  the  north  to  prevent  liberty  from  being  overthrown  and  down-trodden, 
to  assemble  in  mass  convention  on  Thursday,  on  the  6th  of  July  next, 
at  one  o'clock  P.  M."  signed  by  more  than  ten  thousand  freemen  of  the 
State  had  been  issued.  Charles  T.  Gorham,  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  Erastus 
Hussey  and  over  one  hundred  other  Marshall  men  signed  this  call  and 
two  hundred  citizens  of  Calhoun  Count}'  attended  this  convention.  In 
the  organization  of  the  convention,  Charles  T.  Gorham  was  vice-presi- 
dent, and  a  member  of  the  committee,  to  nominate  candidates.  Erastus 
Hussey  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  platform.  The  first  Republi- 
can platform,  denouncing  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise,  de- 
manding the  repeal  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  and  taking  a  decisive 
stand  against  the  extension  of  slavery  was  unanimously  adopted.  The 
committee  of  the  Free-Soil  party  appointed  at  Kalamazoo  for  that  pur- 
pose withdrew  its  ticket  nominated  on  the  22nd  of  Februar.y,  and  sur- 
rendered its  organization  and  the  Free-Soil  party  became  immerged 
in  the  Republican  party.     Thus  under  the  oaks  at  Jackson  was  organ- 


76  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ized  the  mighty  Republican  party*^"  and  it  commenced  its  immortal 
career  for  liberty  and  humanity.  !\Ir.  Gorham  rendered  most  valuable 
service  on  the  nominating  committee,  and  especially  in  bringing  forward 
the  name,  and  securing  the  nomination  of  Kinsley  S.  Bingham^"  for 
governor.  Mr.  Bingham  had  been  a  Democratic  member  of  Congress, 
and  was  the  only  member  from  this  State  who  had  the  courage  to  refuse 
to  follow  the  leadership  of  Gen.  Cass  and  vote  for  the  Wilmot  Proviso. 
He  had  been  read  out  of  the  Democratic  party  for  that  reason.  This 
nomination  was  most  fortunate.  Gov.  Bingham  was  a  man  of  rare  poise, 
and  as  an  organizer,  harmonizer  and  vote-getter  and  political  leader, 
he  never  had  a  superior  in  the  State.  As  governor  and  United  States 
Senator,  the  state  of  Michigan  can  look  to  him  as  a  model.  It  had 
been  expected  that  Hovey  K.  Clarke  would  be  the  nominee  for  attorney 
general,  but  the  nominating  committee  concluded,  that  the  name  of 
Jacob  M.  Howard, 8'  a  former  member  of  Congress,  would  draw  more' 
votes  from  the  Whig  party,  and  as  that  party  had  not  yet  announced 
its  course,  he  was  nominated  with  the  hearty  approval  of  ilr.  Clarke. 
The  nominating  committee  had  a  most  delicate  and  difficult  duty  to  per- 
form in  reconnnending  a  ticket,  made  up  of  AVilmot  Proviso  Democrats, 
anti-slavery  Whigs,  Pree-Soilers,  and  Abolitionists,  so  as  to  meet  the 
approval  of  all  factions.  This  duty  was  most  faithfully  and  wisely  per- 
formed, and  the  report  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  convention. 
While  Michigan  was  the  first  state  to  organize  the  new  anti-slavery 
party,  the  same  causes  existed  elsewhere,  and  other  states  quickly  fol- 
lowed in  her  footsteps.  The  ticket  thus  nominated  was  elected  by  a 
large  ma.jority  in  November.  The  success,  the  influence  and  history  of 
the  party  thus  organized  is  known  of  all  men. 

The  Calhoun  county  convention  of  the  Whig  party,  to  nominate  dele- 
gates to  the  state  Whig  convention  met  at  Marshall,  September  30th, 
1854,  and  appointed  delegates  and  instructed  them  to  vote  against  the 
nomination  of  a  Whig  state  ticket.  The  Whig  convention  to  nominate 
state  officers  met  at  ^Marshall  on  the  4th  of  October.  1854.  This  con- 
vention determined  not  to  nominate  a  state  ticket,  endorsed  the  princi- 
ples and  policies  of  the  Republican  party  and  issued  a  stirring  address 
to  the  Whigs  to  unite  and  work  to  stop  the  extension  of  slavery.  This 
was  the  end  of  the  Whig  party  in  Michigan.  It  completed  the  fusion 
of  the  anti-slavery  men  in  the  State.  For  earnest  patriotism,  devoted 
to  the  liberty  and  union  of  purpose,  these  men  can  only  be  compared 
with  the  men  in  the  Congress  of  1776,  and  in  the  Federal  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1787.  The  resolutions  of  the  Free-Soil  conventions  at  Jack- 
son and  Kalamazoo  were  drawn  by  Hovey  K.  Clarke  and  the  platform 
of  the  Republican  convention  was  drawn  by  Jacob  il.  Howard.  The 
resolutions  and  addresses  of  the  Whig  convention  were  drawn  l)y  James 


so  See  Michigan  in  Our  National  Polities,  by  A.  D.  P.  Van  Biiren,  Vol.  XVII,  pp. 
254-266,  also  The  Eepubliean  Party,  a  True  History  of  its  Birth,  by  Albert  Wil- 
liams, Vol.  XXVIII,  p.  478,  this  series. 

90  See  sketch,  Vol.  XXXV,  pp.  475-478,  this  series. 

"1  See  sketch.  Vol.  XXXV,  pp.  462-464,  this  series. 


IIISTOin'   OF  CAI.llOIX   COIXTV  77 

Van  Dyke,'-'-  As  liold  d.n-lai'ation  of  priiu-iplrs,  a.s  I'anicst  ccnsfrratiuus 
to  liberty,  as  patriotic  t-alls  to  duty,  as  rallying  appeals  for  action,  as 
assurances  of  harmony  and  unity,  and  as  pledges  to  return  to  the 
Jetfersonian  policy  of  restricting  slavery,  these  papers  were  master- 
pieces. These  declarations  of  principles  and  policies  were  published, 
ratified  and  followed  throughout  the  north.  They  performed  the  func- 
tions of  a  second  declaration  of  indeiiendence.  As  the  name  of  Jefferson 
is  immortalized  for  penning  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  1776,  so 
should  the  names  of  Clarke,  Howard,  and  Van  Dyke  be  immortalized 
for  penning  the  second  declaration  of  independence  in.  1854. 

The  Crosswhite  case  set  JIarshall  men  thinking  and  aroused  their 
love  of  liberty  and  hatred  of  slavery.  They  were  the  pioneers  in  the 
movement  and  did  much  to  give  JMichigan  the  honor  of  organizing  the 
Repiibliean  party,  which  destroyed  slavery.  Similar  intiuences  were  at 
work  in  other  states,  and  similar  organizations  were  speedily  formed. 
Mr.  Gorham  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Philadelpihia  convention  in 
1856,  the  first  national  convention  of  the  party,  but  by  mutual  agree- 
ment, Zachariah  Chandler,  his  alternate  took  his  place.  History  has 
its  curiosities  and  its  paradoxes.  From  the  same  exciting  cause,  ^lich- 
igan  took  a  bold  stand  against  slavery  and  organized  to  destroy  it  while 
Kentucky  had  become  the  leading  state  to  extend  the  curse  and  to 
preserve  its  existence,  iliehigan  would  nuike  freedom  national,  and 
slavery  sectional,  while  Kentucky  would  make  slavery  national  and 
freedom  sectional.  ^Michigan  men  advocated  and  formulated  a  platform 
to  limit  and  destroy  the  evil,  while  Kentucky  senators  introduced  and 
advocated  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  and  the  act  to  repeal  the  IMissouri 
Compromise.  Michigan  was  the  first  state  in  the  union  to  fonii  ;iu 
effective  organization  for  the  destruction  of  slavery,  and  Kentucky  was 
the  last  state  in  the  Union  to  abolish  it.  ^lichigan  was  the  second 
state  in  the  Union  to  ratify  the  Thirteenth  Amendment, '•'■■  and  Kentucky 
was  the  first  to  reject  it. 

The  state  ticket  nominated  ubder  the  oaks  at  Jackson  and  a  Reimbli- 
can  legislature  was  elected  in  1851.  Erastus  Husse.y,  then  of  ]\Iarsliaii, 
was  elected  to  the  senate.  P"'ederal  officers  were  accustomed  to  detiiin 
federal  prisoners  in  the  different  jails,  prisons  and  penitentiaries  of  the 
various  states,  and  fugitive  slaves  were  sometimes  thus  detained.     The 


32  James  A.  VanDyke  was  born  in  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  a  few  miles  north  of  the 
Maryland  line.  He  graduated  from  Madison  College,  Uniontown,  Pa.,  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  and  after  studying  law  at  Chanibersburg,  Pii.,  uiid  n:ii;i'istnun,  .Md., 
came  to  Detroit  in  1834.     He  wa.s  adniittiM  I,.  tl»>  li;ir  tli;it   \..,i     mi!    ,:     I-:;:,   fiuioi'd 

a  partnership  with  Charles  \V.   Wlii|,|.l,'.     Tlir   s; •   \r:ii'   li,  „ili    |i,-- 

noyers,  who  died  .July  10,  IStlli.  He  \v;is  in  |Mrl  iirrslii|',  willi  i:.  I ' .  I  I  '  i  ■  .i  ■,.  Ihilinar 
H.  Emmons  and  was  general  i/ounsel  uf  llic  .MiL-hijiuu  I'ciiU.il  li.ali.i.n  i  oiii|iany 
until  the  date  of  his  death,  May  li",  1S55.  See  Karly  Bench  and  Bar  of  Uetroit, 
by  Robert  Ross,  p.  20.5. 

»:' Thirteenth  amendment.  Pep.  T.  "Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude 
except  as  a  punislnn.  i  '  1'  n whereof  the  parly  >hall  li;nc  \trr,i  duly  con- 
victed, shall  exist  in  i    ■     l               -iirs  or  any  place  snl.ici-i   t.j  tlirir    jni  i-diction. " 

"See.  II.  CouLi'  I'  II  'I  '  <■  power  to  enforce  this  Mitiilc  liv  ai'iiiippiiate  legis- 
lation." This  amen.i'i  .  ■  i  i  i-  (i.iimsed  by  Congress,  Feb.  1,  ]^lir,.  and  declared  to 
have  been  ratified  by  (ui-nty-scvcn  of  the  thirty-six  states,  Pec.   is,  ]S(i.",. 


78  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUxNTY 

duty  of  reclaiming  fugitive  slaves  under  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of 
1850  had  been  granted  to  federal  offieers,  some  of  whom,  were  provided 
for  that  purpose  solely.  The  law  was  so  repugnant  to  northern  senti- 
ment, that  the  people  demanded  all  possible  relief  from  their  state  legis- 
lature, and  what  is  known  as  personal  liberty  laws  were  passed  by 
many  states.  The  states  of  Vermont,  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut 
passed  such  laws  in  1854.  Erastus  Hussey  formulated  and  introduced 
such  a  bill  in  the  legislature  of  Michigan,  which  under  his  leadership, 
with  the  support  of  Austin  Blair,  became  a  law,  February  13,  1855. 
This  law  made  it  a  duty  of  the  prosecuting  attorney  at  state  expense, 
to  protect  persons  charged  with  being  fugitive  slaves,  gave  such  fugitives 
the  right  of  trial  by  jury,  the  right  of  habeas  corpus,  and  the  right  of 
appeal;  and  it  prohibited  the  use  of  any  jail,  or  any  prison  in  the 
state  for  detaining  fugitives.  It  required  the  evidence  of  two  witnesses 
to  establish  the  fact  of  servitude,  and  it  provided  heavy  penalties  for 
seizing  free  persons.  The  old-time  conductor  of  the  under-ground  rail- 
road had  now  become  an  anti-slavery  legislator  and  he  formulated  laws 
for  the  fugitive.  Maine  and  Massachusetts  adopted  similar  laws  the 
same  year,  Wisconsin  and  Kansas  in  1858,  Ohio  in  1859,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1860.  These  laws  undertook  to  restore  to  the  fugitive  from 
labor  under  state  authority,  some  of  the  rights  taken  from  him  by  the 
federal  law.  They  threw  obstacles  in  the  way,  and  made  it  more  diffi- 
cult for  the  master  to  recover  his  slaves.  Some  of  the  northern  states 
claiming  that  the  law  of  1850  was  unconstitutional,  treated  it  as  a 
nullity,  and  did  not  pass  personal  liberty  bills.  If  the  federal  govern- 
ment had  authority  under  the  constitution  to  adopt  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Law  of  1850,  doubtless  these  personal  liberty  measures  were  nullification 
laws.  These  laws  and  the  prevailing  repugnance  to  the  measure  made 
it  difficult  to  enforce  the  federal  act.  The  personal  liberty  laws  of  the 
north  were  influential,  as  hereafter  shown,  in  the  action  of  the  south. 

Lewis  Cass  had  for  many  years  been  Michigan's  most  distinguished 
citizen.  In  his  struggle  for  the  presidential  nomination  he  repudiated 
the  Jeffersonian  doctrine  of  the  Wilmot  Proviso  in  1847,  and  had  ac- 
cepted the  untried  doctrine  of  popular  sovereignty.  This  unfortunate 
change  secured  his  nomination  in  convention,  but  caused  his  defeat,  at 
the  election.  His  legislatui-e  iiad  twice  endorsed  the  Wilmot  Proviso 
and  commanded  his  support.  But  he  could  not  consistentl.v  retreat.  In 
January,  1850,  while  discussing  a  resolution  favoring  the  organization 
of  a  territorial  government  for  California,  it  was  manifested  that  he 
demurred  to  the  resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  1849  and  he  intimated 
that  if  the  legislature  persisted  he  would  resign  his  office  as  senator. 
Gen.  Cass  was  the  idol  of  his  party  in  Michigan,  and  on  the  2nd  of 
April,  1850,  the  legislature  passed  resolutions  requesting  the  senators  to 
retain  their  seats  and  relieving  them  from  such  instructions.''^  This 
action  of  Gen.  Cass  and  of  the  legislatui-e  on  the  slavery  question  raised 
a  storm  of  indignation  in  the  State.  His  servility  to  the  South  had 
made  bitter  political  enemies  at  home.  A  radical  anti-slavery  man  was 
demanded  to  take  his  place,  in  the  Senate  in  1857.     Charles  T.  Gorham 


s*  Laws  of  Michigan,  1855,  p.  41c 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  7\) 

aimoiuiced  himself  as  favoring  Zacliariali  Cliaiullcr  as  the  man  1o  he  sent 
to  the  Senate  from  JMiehigan  to  meet  the  tire-eaters  antl  douiiiieei-ing 
senators  from  the  South.  He  worked  constantly  and  elteetively  to  this 
end.  No  man  in  the  State  did  more  perhaps  to  elect  Zaeliariah  Chandler 
than  did  Gen.  Gorham.  The  great  influence  and  achievements  of 
Senator  Chandler  in  behalf  of  Michigan,  the  cause  of  liberty,  and 
humanity,  might  not  liave  been  made  possible,  had  it  not  been  for  his 
influential  and  efficient  friend  from  ^larshall.  Under  the  influence  of 
these  men,  Calhoun  County  always  supported  and  held  up  the  hands  of 
that  stalwart  statesman  and  leader. 

As  we  have  seen,  the  fugitive  slave  law  provoked  the  pei'sonal  liberty 
laws.  The  personal  liberty  laws  were  in  turn  to  provoke  another  move- 
ment in  the  South.  The  party  organized  under  the  oaks  at  Jackson  to 
stop  the  extension  of  slavery  had  elected  Abraham  Lincoln,  president. 
On  the  20th  of  December,  1860,  South  Carolina  in  convention  passed 
the  ordinance  of  secession,  and  on  the  24th  of  the  month,  announced 
the  personal  liberty  laws  of  Michigan  above  mentioned,  with  similar 
laws  from  other  states,  as  a  reason  for  such  action.  This  reason  had 
more  force  than  all  other  excuses  combined.  Eleven  other  states  fol- 
lowed South  Carolina  for  the  same  reason.  Secession  brought  on  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion.  The  war  of  the  Rebellion  brought  forth  the 
Emancipation  Proclamation  of  1863,  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  the 
slave-power  at  Appomattox  in  April,  and  secured  the  13th  amendment 
to  the  Federal  Constitution  in  Dei'eml)er.  186.3. 

I'LTIMATE   RESULTS 

Though  young  men  and  comparatively  unknown  in  1847.  Charles  T. 
Gorham,  0.  C.  Comstock,  Jr.,  Asa  B.  Cook,  Jarvis  Hurd,  George  Inger- 
soll,  Hovey  K.  Clarke  and  Erastus  flu.sse.v,  in  subsequent  years,  became 
widely  known  and  exerted  commanding  influences.  A  glance  at  their 
efforts  and  their  achievements  in  the  great  social  reform  of  their  day 
has  been  attempted.  They  voluntarily  became  the  champions  of  the 
slave  when  to  be  called  an  Abolitionist  was  the  vilest  term  of  contempt 
in  political  parlance.  But  their  experience  was  not  uni(iue.  Other 
slaves  were  captured  and  rescued  in  the  north.  Other  communities 
released  the  captive  from  his  captors.  Other  men  were  compelled  to 
pay  the  burdensome  price.  Other  municipalities  were  aroused  by  the 
exhibition  of  cruelty  and  inhumanity  of  the  peculiar  institution  in  their 
midst,  and  other  freemen  have  bravely  toiled,  and  sacrificed  to  cripple 
and  destroy  the  curse,  but  I  find  no  other  event  from  which  such  direct 
and  far  reaching  consequences  resulted  and  which  aided  so  much,  in 
the  evolution  of  measures  for  and  against  slavery,  and  which  eventually 
destroyed  it,  as  did  the  impromptu  town  meeting  held  at  the  fugitives' 
door  in  ^larshall.  Pu])lic  sentiment  was  prepared,  the  time  was  ripe 
for  action,  the  opportunity  came  and  these  men  embraced  it,  and  began 
their  work.  They  formulated  measures,  organized  forces  and  inaugu- 
rated a  warfare  against  the  extension  of  slavery,  and  continued  the  eon- 
test  until  the  institution  was  destroyed.  Who  can  estimate  the  ulti- 
mate  results   of   their   sacrifice    and    labors?     Their    names    sliould    be 


80  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

remembered,  and  their  memories  should  be  cherished  as  brave  leaders, 
heroes  and  martyrs  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

Francis  Troutman,  the  champion  of  slavery,  angered  and  threatening 
revenge,  hastened  home  from  that  meeting  and  made  complaint  to  the 
slave-holders  and  legislature  of  Kentucky.  That  legislature  demanded 
relief  from  the  state  of  Michigan.  It  required  their  senators  and 
representatives  in  Congress  to  obtain  greater  security  in  their  property 
in  men.  Pursuant  to  this  legislative  mandate,  Henry  Clay  introduced 
the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850.  That  cruel  law  aroused  the  sleeping 
hatred  of  the  North,  and  brought  forth  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  that  political 
drama  which  awoke  the  sleeping  world.  The  fugitive  slave  law  pro- 
voked the  personal  liberty  laws  in  the  northern  states.  These  laws  were 
assigned  as  the  cause  of  secession,  secession  was  the  cause  of  the  Re- 
bellion, and  the  Rebellion  caused  the  destruction  of  slavery. 

The  Republican  party  formulated  the  measures,  controlled  the  policies 
and  assisted  by  the  loyal  people  of  all  parties,  destroyed  the  institution 
of  slavery.  The  Republican  party  was  first  organized  in  the  state  of 
Michigan.  Charles  T.  Gorhain,  Asa  B.  Cook,  George  Ingersoll,  Erastus 
Hussey,  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  Austin  Blair,  Halmar  H.  Emmons  and 
Zachariah  Chandler  were  among  the  leaders  and  most  iutiuential  organ- 
izers of  that  party.  Without  tln-se  sag;ici(ius.  persuasive  and  influential 
men,  this  party  would  not  and  in  fai-1  could  not  have  been  organized. 
Each  had  been  interested  in  tlir  Ci-osswliitc  case  as  a  party,  counsel  or 
contributors.  These  men  had  witiics,-.  !  some  of  tlie  evils  of  the  institu- 
tion at  their  own  door,  had  hMltlcd  with  the  arrogant  slave  power  in 
court,  had  spent  time  and  money  cxtorlcd  liy  1lic  cruel  system. 

What  an  experience  to  arouse  hoslilit.N  to  llir  iiistituliou  of  slavery! 
What  a  school  to  educate  stalwart  Iicmucu  :  Tlicsc  Marshall  men,  one 
and  all,  have  left  their  impress  upon  the  institutions  of  our  country. 
Tlic  Crosswhite  case  influenced  the  political  course  of  all.  Without 
attempting  to  describe  the  effects  upon  each  party,  let  its  effect  upon 
one  indicate  its  influence  upon  all.  As  a  citizen,  it  made  Charles  T. 
Gorham  an  organizer,  and  supporter  of  the  Free-Soil  party  in  18-iS,  and 
of  the  Republican  party  in  1854-.  As  a  delegate  to  the  Republican 
national  convention  it  caused  him  lo  vote  fur  tlie  reuomination  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  18G4:  and  for  the  nomination  of  I'lysses  S.  Grant 
in  .1868,  and  as  state  senator.  Minister  to  the  Hague  and  as  Assistant 
Secret;u-y  of  the  Interior,  on  the  issues  of  slavery  or  freedom,  it  in- 
spired his  whole  official  life. 

The  iullueuce  of  the  Crosswhite  case  was  not  confined  to  ilarshall 
or  to  ^Marshall  men  alone.  Its  influence  in  the  cause  of  liberty  was  not 
local  but  national.  It  aroused  the  genius  of  Halmar  H.  Emmons  and 
inspired  him  to  fire  the  hearts  of  freemen  in  185-t,  and  affected  his 
brilliant  career  at  the  bar  in  behalf  of  freedom  and  on  the  Federal 
Bench.  If  traiisci  ilied  the  inbred  love  of  liberty  of  Austin  Blair  into  the 
Buffalo  platl'oiiii  of  1848  and  into  the  Republican  platform  of  1854.  It 
made  him  the  great  war  governor  of  JMichigan,  enabled  him  to  discover 
Gen.  Phil  Sheridan"''  and  send  him   forth  as  a  champion  of  freedom, 

••''>  Phil.  H.  Sheridan  was  commissioned  by  Ciuv.  Blair,  eolouel  of  the  Second  Michi- 
gan   Volunteer   Cavalry,   May   25.   1862. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOl'X  COl'XTY  81 

it  trained  him  to  make  ^lichigan  a  citadel  of  strength  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  in  the  great  crisis.  It  educated  the  fearless  Zach  Chandler  to 
defy  the  arrogant  repi-esentatives  of  the  slave  power  in  the  Senate  before 
the  war,  it  nerved  him  to  sustain  the  immortal  Lincoln  in  his  super- 
human task,  it  inspired  him  to  wield  a  mighty  intluenee  for  liberty  and 
union  during  the  war.  These  men,  and  men  of  their  type,  after  the 
Democratic  party  had  surrendered  to  the  slave  power,  in  1854,  took  is- 
sue on  the  slavery  question,  and  organized  a  party  to  restrict  slavery, 
and  in  due  time  to  remove  the  dangerous  and  irritating  curse  from  the 
land.  This  organization  first  made  Kansas  and  Nebraska  free,  in  Spite 
of  the  broken  pledges  of  the  slave  power  and  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri 
Compromise.  It  paralyzed  the  force  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  defying 
the  despotic*  demands  of  the  master,  following  the  impulse  of  Christian 
brotherhood,  championed  the  cause  of  the  slave.  It  grappled  with  the 
hydra-headed  moster  of  secession,  and  preserved  the  Union.  It  throt- 
tled rebellion  and  emancipated  a  race,  it  removed  the  irritative  curse  of 
slavery  from  American  policies,  and  the  whole  world  is  glad.  Now  no 
hostility  exists  between  ilichigan  and  Kentucky,  the  apple  of  discord 
had  been  removed  and  both  remain  under  the  old  ilag  in  fraternal  amity, 
as  members  of  the  same,  but  a  regenerate  Union.  Truly  on  that  winter 
morning  at  ^Marshall.  Adam  Crosswhite  "tired  the  shot  Jieard  around  the 
world." 

OTHER    MEN    .\ND    ME.\SrRES 

Time  will  not  permit  of  a  sketch  of  other  Marshall  men  and  mea.sures 
of  historic  value,  in  the  progress  and  evolution  of  the  State  and  nation. 
Pre-eminent  among  our  influential  citizens,  I  recall  the  names  of  J. 
Wright  Gordon,^"  senator,  lieutenant-governor,  governor  and  diplomat, 
Edward  Bradley,^"  senator  and  member  of  Con>iii.ss ;  (ii'orge  C.  Gibbs, 
representative  and  supreme  court  reporter;  Alnici'  Piiilt.'"*  representa- 
tive, senator,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  and  iliiilomat;  Heni-y  W. 
Taylor,  representative,  .judge  and  publicist;  Ilovey  K.  Clarke,  repre- 
sentative, political  organizer,  supreme  court  reporter;  Oliver  C.  Com- 
stoek,  Sr.,  divine,  member  of  congress  and  superintendent  of  public 
instruction ;  Francis  W.  Shearman,  journalist,  superintendent  of  public 
instruction  and  historian  of  our  public  school  system;  Jabez  S.  Fitch, 
the  pioneer  anti-slave  advocate :  Charles  Dickey,  representative,  senator 
and  United  States  marshal  during  the  war;  John  P.  Cleaveland,  the 
eloquent  divine  and  earnest  educator;  Nathaniel  A.  Balch,  the  inspiring 
teacher,  lawyer  and  legislator ;  Thomas  B.  Church,  the  gifted  advocate 
and  moulder  of  constitutions;  Jabez  Fox,  journalist  and  anti-slavery 
leader  and  organizer ;  Parsons  Willard,  legislator  and  governor  of  Indi- 
ana, Morton  C.  Wilkinson,  United  States  Senator  from  Minnesota,  who 
have  been  influential  actors  in  forming  and  fostering  our  public  school 
system,  our  exemption  laws,  abolition  of  the  death  penalt.y  and  im- 
prisonment for  debt,  securing  the  rights  of  married  women,  the  aboli- 


sh See  sketch,  Vol.  XI,  p.  274,  this  series. 

9'  See  sketch.  Vol.  XI,  p.  275,  also  Vol.  XXXV,  p.  472,  this  series. 

98  See  sketch,  Vol.  XI,  p.  278,  this  series. 


82  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

tion  of  slavei-y  and  other  reforms  of  the  day.  I  am  not  able  to  name 
all  who  are  worthy  of  mention.  Hoping  that  some  more  efficient  worker, 
and  more  eloquent  pen  may  record  their  worth  and  work  and  rescue  their 
names  from  oblivion,  I  leave  them  now. 

Battle  Creek  as  a  Station  on  the  Underground  Railway  ^ 
By  Charles  E.  Barnes  - 

There  is  an  institution  now  only  known  in  history  as  the  Under- 
ground Railway.  This  society,  or  system,  as  it  should  be  more  properly 
called,  came  into  existence  in  184:0  in  the  midst  of  the  famous  Harrison 
campaign,  and  was  organized  by  Levi  Coffin,  of  Cincinnati,  a  Quaker. 
It  was  a  league  of  men,  almost  all  of  whom  were  Quakers,  who  organ- 
ized a  system  for  spiriting  away  and  conducting  runaway  slaves  from 
Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  other  slave  states,  through  to  Canada.  These 
men  were  enthusiastic  Abolitionists,  who  devoted  their  time  to  watching 
for  fleeing  bondsmen,  ferried  them  in  rowboats  in  the  night-time  over 
the  Ohio  River,  and  then  started  them  to  the  first  Underground  Rail- 
way station,  thence  from  station  to  station  until  they  arrived  in  Detroit, 
where  they  were  ferried  over  the  river  in  rowboats  to  Canada — and 
freedom.  The  workings  of  the  Underground  Railway  were  a  great 
mystery  to  the  people  because  of  the  secret  manner  in  which  everything 
was  conducted.  Slaves  strangely  disappeared  and  nothing  was  heard 
of  them  until  reported  to  have  been  seen  in  Canada.  None  of  the 
methods  was  known  to  the  public.  These  slaves  were  conducted  from 
the  Ohio  River  to  Canada  as  it  shot  through  a  hollow  tube.  This  imag- 
inary explanation  of  how  the  fugitives  reached  Canada  is  what  gave 
origin  to  the  name  "Underground  Railway." 

The  main  route,  known  as  the  Central  Michigan  line,  passed  through 
Battle  Creek.  There  was  another  route  through  Michigan  via.  Adrain. 
Mrs.  Laura  Haviland  had  charge  of  the  latter  line.  She  resided  either 
at  Adrain  or  Tecumseh,  and  conducted  a  school  for  colored  girls.  The 
station  at  Battle  Creek  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  centers  of  the 
work  in  Michigan,  and  was  in  charge  of  that  famous  old  Quaker,  Erastus 
Hussey,'^  who  spent  his  time  and  money  freely  in  assisting  the  colored 
people  to  Canada.  There  was  no  graft  in  those  days.  The  work  was 
done  because  of  a  love  for  mankind,  and  a  sense  of  duty  from  a  moral 
purpose.  Like  all  Quakers,  he  would  not  recognize  laws  that  sanctioned 
slavery — they  were  man-made  laws;  he  ooeyed  only  divine  laws.  Dur- 
ing the  existence  of  the  Underground  Railway,  which  was  continued 
from  1840  to  the  issuing  of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  by  Lincoln, 
i\Ir.  Hussey  secreted  and  fed  over  1,000  colored  persons,  and  then  sent 
them  through  to  the  next  station,  which  was  at  IMarshall.^ 

Realizing  that   the   history  of  this   institution,   particularly   of   the 


1  Bead   at   midwinter  meeting,   Albion,   January,   1909. 

2  Charles  E.  Barnes  died  at  his  home  in  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  17,  191: 
Hussey.     Sketch,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  79,  this  series. 

'Marshall   Men  and   Marshall   Measures,"  preceding  article. 


>      HISTORY  OK  CALIIOrX  COrXTY  83 

work  in  Battli'  Creek,  was  oi'  more  tlian  loeal  iiii]K)rlMiire,  and  sliDuld 
be  preserved,  the  writer  visited  ilr.  Iliissey  iu  ^lay,  1885,  and  made  a 
record  of  his  story,  which  is  reproduced  in  his  own  words : 

"One  day  in  1840,  when  I  was  in  Detroit  on  a  business  trip,  a  man 
by  the  name  of  John  Cross,  from  Indiana,  called  at  my  house  in  Battle 
Creek  and  inquired  for  me.  He  was  very  anxious  to  see  me,  but  would 
not  tell  even  my  wife  what  he  wanted.  My  wife  sent  for  Benjamin 
Richard,  who  worked  for  Jonathan  Hart,  but  neither  would  he  confide 
the  object  of  his  visit  to  him,  and  so  departed.  I  was  in  Detroit  three 
or  four  days.  After  my  return  home  I  received  a  letter  from  Cross. 
He  wrote  me  that  he  was  establishing  a  route  from  Kentucky  and  Ohio 
to  Canada  through  which  escaped  slaves  could  be  conducted  without 
molestation  and  wanted  me  to  take  charge  of  the  station  in  Battle 
Creek.  This  was  the  first  time  that  I  had  ever  heard  of  the  Under- 
ground Railway.  I  preserved  Cross's  letter  for  many  years  as  a  relic, 
but  it  is  now  lost.  This  is  how  I  commenced  to  keep  the  station  liere. 
At  that  time  there  was  only  five  anti-slavery  men  in  Battle  Creek  be- 
sides myself:  Silas  Dodge  who  afterward  moved  to  Vineland,  N.  J.; 
Abel  Densmore,  who  died  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Henry  Willis,  Theron  II. 
Chadwick  and  a  colored  man  by  the  name  of  Samuel  Strauther.  The 
colored  ^Masonic  lodge  was  named  after  him — Strauther  lodge  No.  3. 
Other  anti-slavery  men  came  afterward  to  this  place  among  them  Dr. 
S.  B.  Thayer  and  Henry  J.  Cushman,  who  built  the  old  fiouring  mill 
opposite  tiart's  mill.  He  was  an  earnest  worker.  He  moved  to  Plain- 
well.  There  was  Charley  Cowles,  a  young  man  who  was  studying  medi- 
cine with  Drs.  Cox  and  Campbell.  Also  that  good  worker,  Dr.  E.  A. 
Atlee,  and  his  son-in-law,  Samuel  S.  Nichols,  in  Jonathan  Hart's  store. 

In  Battle  Creek  township  were Harris,  William  McCullom,  Edwin 

Gore  and  Herman  Cowles ;  in  Penfield,  David  Boughton,  and  in  Emmett, 
Elder  Phelps. 

"Our  work  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  secrecy.  After  crossing 
the  Ohio  River  the  fugitives  separated,  but  came  together  on  the  main 
line  and  were  conducted  through  Indiana  and  Michigan.  Stations  were 
established  every  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles.  The  slaves  were  secreted 
in  the  woods,  barns  and  cellars  during  the  daytime  and  carried  through 
in  the  night.  All  traveling  was  done  in  the  dark.  The  stationkeepers 
received  no  pay.  The  work  was  done  gratuitously  and  without  price. 
It  was  all  out  of  sympathy  for  the  escaped  slaves  and  from  principle. 
We  were  working  for  humanity.  When  I  first  accepted  the  agency  I 
lived  in  a  wooden  building  on  the  present  site  of  the  Werstein  &  Halla- 
day  block  (now  Larkin-Reynolds-Boos  block)  opposite  the  Williams 
house  (now  Clifton  house).  Before  the  present  block  was  built  the 
old  building  was  occupied  as  a  livery  stable  by  J.  L.  Reade,  and  be- 
fore him  by  Parcel  Brinkerhoff  as  a  second-hand  .store.  There  was  the 
Underground  Railway  station.  This  building  was  constructed  l)y 
August  P.  Rawson  in  1836  or  1837,  and  when  I  bought  it,  it  was  occu- 
pied as  a  cabinet  shop  by  John  Caldwell,  our  villag(>  marshal,  father 
of  James  T.  Caldwell,  the  undertaker.  I  repaired  the  Iniilding  and  oc- 
cupied the  front  as  a  store  and  used  the  upstairs  and  the  rear  lower 
end  for  my  dwelling.     Here   I  secreted  tiie  runaway  shivcs.      After  tlie 


84  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Union  Block  was  built,  just  adjoining  this  building  on  the  west  (the 
first  brick  block  erected  in  Battle  Creek)  I  frequently  secreted  them 
there.  In  1855  I  moved  to  my  new  home  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Seventh  Day  Adventist  College.  It  was  reported  that  the  cellar  under 
this  house  was  built  with  secret  places  expressly  for  the  purpose  of 
hiding  the  fugitives.  This  was  not  strictly  true.  I  will  guarantee, 
however,  that  if  anj'  slaves  were  secreted  there  that  they  were  never  cap- 
tured. We  did  not  assist  as  many  of  them  as  formerly,  because  a 
shorter  route  had  been  opened  through  Ohio,  by  way  of  Sanduskj'  and 
thence  to  Fort  Maiden  and  Amherstburg. 

' '  I  can 't  tell  about  the  stations  in  Indiana.  The  route  came  into  Jlich- 
igan  to  the  famous  Quaker  settlement  near  Cassopolis.  The  leader  was 
that  good  old  Quaker,  Zachariah  Shugart,^  also  Stephen  Bogue  and  Joel 
East.  At  Cassopolis,  Parker  Osborn  was  the  agent.  The  next  station  was 
Schoolcraft,  iu  charge  of  Dr.  Nathan  Thomas.  Then  came  Climax, 
with  the  station  a  little  ways  out  of  the  village.  I  think  the  man  there 
was  called  William  Gardner.  Battle  Creek  came  next.  Jabez  S.  Finch 
was  the  agent  at  IMarshall  and  was  a  gentleman  with  plenty  of  means 
and  stood  high  in  the  community  and  the  first  nominee  on  the  Liberty 
ticket  for  governor.  Of  course,  he  was  not  elected,  but  we  always  there- 
after called  him  governor.  Then  came  AUiion  and  Edwin  ]\I.  Johnson. 
I  have  forgotten  the  name  of  the  agent  at  I'arma,  liut  I  think  that  it 
was  Townsend  E.  Gidley."  He  was  not  strictly  identified  with  the 
Liberty  Party,  but  always  rendered  assistance  in  furthering  the  escape 
of  the  slaves. 

"At  Jackson  were  three  agents:  Lonson  Wilcox,  Norman  Allen  and 
one  that  I  cannot  remember.  In  the  large  places  we  had  more  than  one 
man,  so  that  if  one  chanced  to  be  out  of  town  another  could  be  found. 
At  ^liehigan  Center,  Abel  F.  Fitch  '  was  the  man.  He  was  one  of  the 
men  involved  iu  litigation  many  years  ago  with  the  Michigan  Central 
Railroad.  I  have  forgotten  the  name  of  the  agent  at  Leoni  also  the 
one  at  Grass  Lake.  At  Francisco  was  Francisco  himself  who  was  a 
good  worker.  At  Dexter  we  had  Samuel  W.  Dexter  and  his  sons.  At 
Scio  was  a  prominent  man — Theodore  Foster,  father  of  Seymour  Foster 
of  Lansing.  At  Ann  Arbor  was  Gu.y  Beckley,  editor  of  the  Signal  of 
Liberty,  the  organ  of  the  Liberty  party,  who  publi-shed  the  i^aper  in 
connection  with  Theodore  Foster.  At  Geddes,  was  John  Geddes,  after 
whom  the  town  was  named,  and  who  built  a  large  flouring  mill  there. 
He  was  an  uncle  of  Albert  H.  Geddes  of  this  city.  I  can't  tell  the 
names  of  the  agents  at  Ypsilanti  or  Plymouth.  At  the  former  place  the 
route  branched,  leaving  the  Michigan  Central  for  Plymouth.  Sometimes 
they  went  to  Plymouth  from  Ann  Arbor.     From   Plymouth  they  fol- 


5  These  Quakers  had  made  a  settlement  at  Young's  Prairie,  had  establislied  a 
school  and  were  prospering.  A  few  Kentucky  fugitive  slaves  had  made  their  homes 
among  them  and  were  highly  respected.  See  story  of  ' '  Raid  in  Michigan ' '  in 
Reminiscences  of  Levi  Coffin,  pp.  366-73. 

0  Townsend  E.  Gidley.     See  Vol.  XIV,  p.  402,  this  series. 

7  It  -was  Abel  F.  Fitch  who  was  involved  in  the  railroad  conspiracy  case  and 
died  during  the  trial. 


IIISTOUY   OF  CALIIOrX   COIXTY  Sn 

lowed  the  Kiver  Rouge  to  Swart  burg',  then  to  Detroit.^  The  principal 
man  iu  Detroit  was  Horace  Hallock,  also  Silas  ^1.  Holmes  ami  Saiiiiiel 
Zug.     They  were  men  who  eould  be  relied  upon. 

"We  had  passwords,  the  one  eonnnonly  used  being:  "(Jan  you  give 
sheltei"  and  protection  to  one  or  more  persons?'  This  was  addressed  to 
the  agent  by  the  person  or  persons  looking  for  a  place  of  safety.  1 
usually  drove  the  fugitives  through  to  Marshall  myself,  in  the  night, 
but  often  got  some  one  to  go  with  me.  Isaac  Mott,  then  a  boy,  worked 
for  me,  and  used  to  frequently  take  the  slaves  through.  Sometimes 
others  ^vent.     I  used  my  own  horse  and  buggy. 

"It  was  just  four  weeks  after  John  Cross  had  appnintiMl  mo  agent 
that  the  first  fugitives  came.  They  were  two  men,  \Villi;iiii  Colriiiau  and 
Stephen  Wood.  These  men  came  through  under  lictilidus  iianies  and 
always  i-etained  them.  This  the  fugitives  frequently  did.  While  Cole- 
man and  Wood  were  yet  secreted  at  my  house  Levi  Coffin,  the  originator 
of  the  Underground  Railway,  and  John  Beard,  a  Quaker  minister,  came 
thi-nugh  on  the  route.  They  were  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Quakers 
of  Indiana  to  visit  the  colored  people  of  Canada  and  to  learn  how  they 
were  succeeding,  and  to  ascertain  what  assistance  they  w'ere  in  need  of. 
They  went  home  on  the  other  route,  and  so  I  did  not  see  them  on  their 
return.  Coffin  was  acquainted  with  Wood,  and  Beard  with  Coleman. 
The  two  colored  men,  when  they  saw  their  old  friends,  were  overcome 
with  joy.  By  the  way,  I  never  met  John  Cross  until  eight  years  after- 
ward, at  the  great  Free-Soil  convention  at  Bu<¥alo.  Some  of  the  slaves 
were  frightened  upon  their  arrival,  while  others  were  full  of  courage 
and  joy.  From  one  to  four  usually  came  along  together.  At  one  time 
forty-five  came  down  upon  us  in  a  bunch.  It  was  when  the  Kentucky 
slave  owners  made  a  raid  upon  the  slaves  at  the  famous  Quaker  settle- 
ment in  Cass  County.  One  night  a  man  by  the  name  of  Richard  Dilling- 
ham came  to  my  house  and  informed  me  that  there  would  be  forty-five 
fugitives  and  nine  guards  here  in  two  hours.  What  to  do  I  did  not 
know.  ]\Iy  wife  was  sick  in  bed.  I  met  Abel  Densmore,  then  Silas 
W.  Dodge  and  Samuel  Strauther,  and  we  talked  the  matter  over.  We 
had  to  act  quickly.  Lester  Buckley  owned  a  small  unoccupied  dwelling 
house  on  the  rear  of  the  lot  where  J.  M.  Caldwell's  block  now  stands 
(the  present  site  of  J.  J\I.  Jacobs'  clothing  store).  Buckley  was  a  Whig, 
but  sympathized  w-ith  us.  He  said  that  we  could  have  the  use  of  the 
building.  There  happened  to  be  a  stove  in  the  house.  I  got  some  wood 
and  then  went  over  to  Elijah  T.  ]\Iott's  mill,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Titus  &  Hicks  fiouring  mill,  and  he  gave  me  sixty  pounds  of  flour.  Silas 
Dodge  went  to  a  grocery  store  and  bought  some  potatoes  and  Dens- 
more got  some  pork.  We  heard  them  coming  over  the  West  -Main 
street  bridge.  Everybody  had  heard  of  their  coming  and  every  man, 
woman  and  child  in  the  city  was  upon  tlic  street  and  it  looked  as  if  a 


sin  Detroit  a  societj-  was  formed  to  aij  the  refugees.  Among  the  most  active 
v.ere  Alaiison  Shele.v,  Horace  Hallock,  Samuel  Zug  and  the  Eev.  C.  C.  Foote.  They 
purchaseil  a  tract  of  land  ten  miles  from  Windsor  and  parceled  it  into  farms  of  teii 
of  fifteen  acres  each.  These  were  given  to  refugees,  many  of  whose  descendants  are 
still  living  in  Wimlsor.     Drlmit  Tribune.  Dee.  27,  1889,  O'bituarv  of  Samuel  Zug. 


86  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

circus  was  coming  to  town.  It  was  a  lovely  moonlight  night.  There 
were  nine  white  men  witli  them  who  acted  as  guards.  Ahead  of  them 
rode  Zach  Shugart,  the  old  Quaker,  with  his  broad-brinnued  white  hat 
and  mounted  upon  a  fine  horse — he  always  had  good  horses.  He  met  me 
in  front  of  my  house  and  shook  hands  with  me.  I  told  him  of  my  ai'- 
rangements.  He  took  off  his  white  hat  and  with  a  military  air  and 
voice  said :  '  Right  about  face ! '  They  all  about-faced  and  marched  down 
to  the  house  and  took  possession.  The  nine  white  men  stopped  at  the 
hotel  and  our  friends  eared  for  their  horses.  The  darkies  cooked  their 
own  supper  of  bread,  potatoes  and  pork,  and  as  they  were  very  hungry 
they  relished  it  keenly.  The  next  morning  the  majority  of  them  went  on 
to  Canada,  but  a  few  remained,  who  became  honored  citizens  and  well- 
known.  Among  them  were  "William  Casey,  Perry  Sanford,  Joseph  Skip- 
worth  and  Thomas  Henderson. 

' '  I  expected  every  day  to  be  arrested,  but  I  escaped  all  legal  proceed- 
ings. Once  word  came  that  thirty  armed  men  were  on  their  way  to 
capture  the  slaves  in  Battle  Creek.  Dr.  Thayer  and  myself  had  500  bills 
printed,  stating  that  we  were  prepared  to  meet  them,  and  advised  them 
to  stay  away.  Many  persons  condemned  me  for  this  and  I  made  enemies. 
Dr.  ]\Ioffit  said  that  it  was  treason  against  the  government.  I  sent  the 
bills  along  the  railroad  by  an  express  messenger  by  the  name  of  Nichols, 
who  was  in  sympathy  with  us.  He  threw  the  bills  off  at  every  station. 
At  Niles  he  met  the  party  of  southerners  on  the  train  coming  east.  They 
read  the  bills  and  turned  back.  The  Quaker  station  in  Cass  County 
and  the  ones  at  Schoolcraft  and  Battle  Creek,  were  well-known  through- 
out the  south  as  the  headquarters  for  many  escaped  slaves  and  the 
names  of  the  men  who  kept  the  stations  were  equally  well-known. 

"I  could  tell  hundreds  of  interesting  incidents.  One  day  a  slave 
woman  who  had  been  here  about  a  week  was  assisting  my  wife  with 
her  work  when  a  party  of  slaves  drove  up.  Among  the  number  was  a 
daughter  whom  she  had  not  seen  in  ten  -years.  The  recognition  was 
mutual  and  the  meeting  was  a  very  affecting  sight.  One  slave  with  his 
wife  and  two  children  were  overtaken  by  the  slave  catchers  in  Indiana. 
The  fugitive  put  up  a  hot  fight  with  the  southerners  while  his  wife  and 
children  escaped  to  the  woods.  In  the  fight  the  negro  was  shot  in 
the  leg.  The  men  brought  him  back  to  the  hotel,  and  while  they  were 
eating  their  dinner  they  left  him  in  charge  of  the  landlord's  young  son. 
The  little  fellow  whispered  to  the  darkey,  'Uncle,  do  you  think  that  you 
can  run?  If  so,  the  woods  are- only  forty  yards  away.  You  had  l)etter 
run. '  And  he  did,  although  badly  wounded  in  the  leg.  When  the  slave 
catchers  came  out  from  dinner  and  found  that  the  fugitive  had  escaped 
they  were  furious  and  their  rage  knew  no  bounds.  The  little  hoy  looked 
very  meek  and  said  that  he  was  not  strong  enough  to  stop  such  a  great, 
big  man.  The  slave  ovei-took  his  family  at  Schoolcraft  and  they  came 
on  here  together.  He  was  suffering  severely  from  his  wound,  but  I 
hustled  him  and  his  family  through  to  Canada. 

"There  had  been  a  barber  working  here  for  some  time  by  the  name  of 
Jim  Logan.  He  was  a  dandy  sort  of  a  fellow.  One  day  a  fugitive  and 
his  wife  came  to  my  house  for  shelter.  He  had  been  a  slave  of  Wade 
Hampton,  and  so  we  called  him  by  that  name.     Hamilton  worked  about 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  87 

here  for  three  days.  Oue  day  while  we  were  at  dinner  Jim  Logan  came 
walking  in.  The  colored  woman  gave  a  shriek,  jumped  from  the  table 
and  almost  fainted  away.  She  and  Jim  had  been  engaged  to  be  married 
in  Kentiieky,  but  not  having  heard  from  him  in  two  years  she  married 
Wade  Hampton.     1  eould  fill  a  book  with  incidents." 

To  his  position  as  liatth'  Creek  agent  for  the  Underground  Railway, 
which  was  one  of  ((Hisiaiil  excitfincnt,  resulting  in  the  most  unexpected 
happenings,  Mv.  Ilnss(  y  acMeti  th<'  strenuous  life  of  editor  of  the  Liberty 
Press,  the  state  organ  of  the  Abolitionists  of  Michigan,  printed  in  this 
city.  The  feeling  against  the  paper  became  so  strong  that  the  building 
in  which  it  was  printed,  old  Eagle  Hall  block,  located  on  the  present  site 
of  the  block  on  p]ast  iMain  street,  now  occupied  by  J.  JM.  Jacobs,  the 
clothier,  was  set  on  fire  and  burned  on  the  night  of  June  9,  1849,  and 
all  of  the  printing  material  destroyed.  The  persecutions  of  this  old 
Abolitionist  editor  and  the  vicissitudes  of  the  paper  would  make  a  stoiy 
in  itself. 

After  selling  his  beautiful  homestead  to  the  Seventh  Day  Advent- 
ists  for  the  site  of  their  college  building,  Mr.  Hussey  erected  a  com- 
modious residence  on  the  corner  of  North  Washington  avenue  and  Man- 
chester street,  now  owned  by  W.  K.  Kellogg,  where  he  died,  January 
21,  1889,  after  an  eventful  and  useful  life.  Mrs.  Hussey,  who  sympathized 
with  and  assisted  her  husband  in  his  anti-slavery  work,  passed  away 
I\Iarch  22,  1899.  The  sole  survivor  of  this  prominent  pioneer  family 
is  the  daughter,  Mrs.  Susan  Hussey,  who  resides  on  Oak  Lawn  farm, 
west  of  the  city,  on  the  interurhan  line.  Mrs.  Alice  B.  Stockham,  of 
Chicago,  famous  as  the  author  of  "Tokology,"  was  brought  up  in  the 
family  of  ^Ir.  and  ^Irs.  Hussey. 

The  UxDERCRorxD  Railroad 
By  Btirrlli   Ilaniilloii 

'Sly  lamented  friend,  Charles  E.  Barnes,  interviewed  the  ex-editor  of 
the  Liberty  Press — that  grand  old  Quaker,  Erastus  Hussey — in  1885. 
Mr.  Hussey  was  then  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  Twenty-seven  years 
later,  the  writer  visited  ]\Irs.  Susan  T.  Hussey,  daughter  of  Erastus 
Hussey  and  sole  survivor  of  that  family,  and,  curiously  enough,  she  also 
was  then  in  her  eighty-fifth  year.  The  result  of  Mr.  Barnes'  interview 
appears  in  Vol.  38  of  the  Jlichigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Collections. 
The  result  of  my  interview  is  embodied  in  the  present  article,  which 
is  merely  supplemental  to  his.  No  one  will  dispute  that  our  information 
has  been  derived  from  witnesses  of  strong  mentality  and  liighesf  char- 
acter. 

It  may  be  of  service  to  future  historians  to  know  that  Susan  T. 
Hussey,  daughter  of  Hon.  Erastus  Hussey,  Battle  Creek  station  master 
of  the  Underground  Railroad  and  sometime  member  of  the  ^Michigan 
Legislature,  became  the  wife  of  Hon.  Erastus  Hussey,  a  gentleman 
of  highest  worth,  sometime  member  of  the  Assembly  of  New  York.  That 
jMrs.  Hussej-'s  father  and  her  husband  possessed  identical  names  and 
titles  is  a  coincidence  C|uite  cajiable  of  producing  confusion.     The  fore- 


88  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

going  statement  will  explain  why  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Hussey,  Battle 
Creek's  most  noted  Quaker  (and  once  its  mayor)  is  referred  to  as 
"Mrs."  Hussey  in  this  article.  Her  mother's  name,  of  course,  was 
Mrs.  Hussey  also — Mrs.  Sarah  E.  nusse3^ — but  of  this  devoted  Quaker 
heroine,  the  limitations  of  this  article  forbid  mention,  save  that  her  able 
pen  and  dauntless  spirit  augmented  the  power  of  the  Liberty  Press,  the 
leading  and  official  Abolitionist  paper  of  Michigan. 

The  writer  had  long  enjoyed  the  friendship  of  Mrs.  Susan  T.  Hussey. 
She  willingly  discussed  those  events  which  had  been  of  consuming  inter- 
est during  the  impressionable  period  of  her  life.  She  spoke  unhesita- 
tingly, clearly,  and  so  eloquently  that  all  repeated  here  seems  lame  and 
halting.  Her  words  were  history — its  fire,  its  tears,  its  heroisms,  its 
victories.  The  poise  of  her  erect  form,  the  iiash  of  her  fervid,  dark 
eyes,  the  expression  of  her  noble  countenance,  the  music  of  her  low 
voice — all  lost  in  this  transcription — vividly  typified  the  spirit,  the  cour- 
age, the  moral  power,  the  broad  philanthropy,  which  made  the  story 
of  the  Underground  Railroad  a  chapter  in  the  records  of  liberty. 

In  1840,  before  IMichigan  's  first  steam  railway  had  pushed  its  primitive 
tracks  half-way  across  the  state,  another  carrier — a  so-called  railroad — 
without  a  car,  a  rail  or  a  pay-roll,  was  conducting  a  growing  tralific 
between  the  Ohio  river  and  Detroit.  This  line  was  known  as  the  ' '  Un- 
derground Railroad,"  because  its  operations  were  inscrutable  as  the 
tomb. 

The  passengers  over  the  Underground  Railroad  were  of  one  class — 
fugitive  slaves.  They  traveled  in  one  direction — toward  Canada.  There 
was  no  demand  for  return-trip  tickets.  These  ijeople,  lash-marked  and 
hound-hunted,  were  fleeing  from  "the  land  of  the  free"  to  escape  slavery. 
Across  Michigan  their  route  lay,  first,  to  a  settlement  of  Quakers,  near 
Cassopolis,  and  thence  eastward  through  Schoolcraft,  Climax,  Battle 
Creek,  Marshall,  Albion,  Parma,  Jackson,  Ann  Arbor,  and  the  other 
towns  along  that  line  of  the  road,  to  Detroit.  The  stopping  places  along 
the  line  were  called  "stations."  The  managers  of  the  traffic  were 
known  as  "conductors."  These  officials  were  very  popular,  for  they 
collected  no  fares  from  their  passengers.  Moreover,  each  conductor 
supplied  food,  shelter  and  transportation,  without  charge,  to  those 
committed  to  his  care.  The  operations  of  the  Underground  Railroad 
were  in  direct  violation  of  federal  law;  but,  as  railroads  go,  perhaps 
this  was  no  unique  distinction. 

From  1793  until  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war,  there  had  been 
United  States  statutes  requiring  the  surrender  of  fugitive  slaves.  Slieh- 
igan  was  not  in  sympathy  with  tliesc  laAvs.  Since  the  ordinance  of 
1787  there  had  been  no  such  thing  as  lawliil  shive-holding  on  ilichigan 
soil.  In  1855  our  legislature  openly  (•(HKlciiincd  slavery  in  strongest 
terms.  The  Fugitive  Slave  law  passed  by  Congress  in  1850  was  roundly 
denounced  by  prevailing  sentiment  in  this  state.  And  with  reason. 
That  law  attempted  to  make  slave-catchers  of  the  citizens  of  free  states. 
All  persons  were  charged  with  the  duty  of  assisting  in  the  capture  of 
escaped  bondmen.  The  testimony  of  two  witnesses  was  sufficient  to 
authorize  the  surrender  of  a  negro  to  any  claimant.  No  jury  trial  was 
demandable,    and   the   negro   was   not   permitted   to   testify.     This   law 


IIISTOKY   OF  L'ALIIurX  COUNTY  S9 

the  uoiuliK'tors  of  the  Umlergrouiul  J{;iilro;i(l  deticd  and  viohitetl.  No 
word  of  justitieation  is  ueeessary.  Until  the  raee  fails — until  the  luiiiiau 
heart  ceases  to  respond  to  the  ery  of  mortal  misery,  who  shall  arise  to 
coudenui  these  liberators  whose  unselfish  toil  autieipated  Liueoln  "s 
master-stroke  by  many  years? 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Underground  system,  critics  were  nut  few. 
Many  of  these  were  people  of  influence.  For  example.  Dr.  .Inlin  .M. 
Balcombe  (Battle  Creek's  second  postmaster)  looked  upon  the  work  of 
the  conductors  with  outspoken  disfavor,  ilore  than  once  he  said  to  his 
friend,  Erastus  Hussey:  '"l^rastus,  1  don't  believe  in  slavery,  but  this 
business  of  spiriting  away  negroes  to  Canaila  is  a  trespass  upon  property 
rights. ' ' 

"Friend  Balcombe,"  the  vigorous  (Quaker  "conductor,""  persistently 
replied,  "that  statement  is  unworthy  thy  character.  Do  bills  of  sale 
cover  human  souls?  Is  the  law  of  man  above  the  law  of  God?  Am  I 
to  be  the  keeper  of  a  covenant  between  Congress  and  infamy?"" 

It  remained  for  "Old  Agnes,"  an  ebony-black  refugee,  to  convince 
Dr.  Balcombe  of  his  error.  "Old  Agnes"  had  been  the  joint  property 
of  two  white  men — men  too  poor  to  own  more  than  a  half-interest  each 
in  a  slave — and  these  exalted  proprietors  of  human  "property"  had 
taken  turns  in  maltreating  her.  Her  back  and  lower  limbs  were  a 
network  of  bone-deep  scars.  When  she  reached  the  Battle  Creek  station 
— the  home  of  Erastus  Hussey — almost  her  first  request  was  for  a  knife 
with  which  to  perform  upon  her  festering  wounds  some  rude  surgery. 

What  had  been  her  offense  ?  Not  that  she  was  debased :  according 
to  her  light  she  was  a  Christian;  according  to  her  opportunity,  she  was 
a  woman  of  rare  mentality.  Though  unable  to  read,  she  had  memorized 
and  could  repeat  accurately  a  great  portion  of  the  scriptures.  Without 
a  guide,  save  the  north  star,  she  had  pushed  her  way  northward,  alone, 
by  night,  four  hundred  miles  toward  freedom.  Her  offense  was  that 
she  did  not  love  her  masters  who  beat  her  with  a  sled-stake. 

"Old  Agnes"  had  reached  the  age  at  which  nature  demands  rest. 
Her  hair  was  snowy-white.  Across  her  forehead  was  a  deep  groove  pro- 
duced by  the  strap  of  a  water  cask,  for  she  had  been  a  beast  of  burden — 
a  water  carrier.  When  her  hopeless  steps  had  become  rheumatic  and 
slow,  her  humane  masters  "ghigered  her  up  a  bit"  by  beating.  The 
last  time  they  applied  the  remedy  they  overdid  it — they  beat  her  until 
she  could  not  walk.  The  remainder  of  the  story  is  given  in  her  own 
words,  as  remembered  and  quoted  by  ^Irs.  Hussey : 

"Soon's  1  got  so"s  1  could  git  aroun',  I  maiked  up  my  miu"  to  run 
away  Norf.  De  fust  night  1  only  got  a  couple  ob  mile  into  de  woods. 
Lawdl  Lawd !  I  kept  a-prayin'  in  my  misery.  Sen'  me  a  sign  to  show  me 
I's  agwyne  to  git  free.  I  looked  an'  lissened,  but  dey  waaut  no  sign. 
I  kep'  on  prayin',  for  I  knowed  He'd  hear. 

"By-um-by,  'way  oft',  dey  wuz  a  soun'.  I  know"d  what  dat  wuz — it 
wuz  de  houu's  on  my  trail.  I  know'd  dey  wuz  trained  to  tear  niggers  to 
pieces.  But  I  jus'  kep'  right  on  prayin':  Lawd,  sen'  de  sign!  Sen"  de 
sign ! 

"Dem  houn's  was  agittin"  i-lost — pow'ful  clost.  1  stood  up  an'  lifted 
my  ban's  an'  prayed:  Lawd.  ef  you  don'  sen'  de  sign  quick,  it's  agwyne 


90  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

to  be  too  late!  But  I  warn't  afeard,  bekase  I  wuz  in  de  ban's  of  de 
Lawd.  I  stood  still,  prayin '  in  my  heart.  De  houn  's  rushed  up,  snarlin ' 
an'  yelpin'.  Den  dey  stopped,  suddent  like,  an'  crep'  up  to  me,  whim- 
perin'.  Dey  squirm  aroun'  my  feet,  an'  dey  rub  dey  haids  against. me, 
an'  dey  licked  my  ban's ;  but  dey  didn'  try  to  do  no  barm.  Den  dey 
went  tearin'  off  into  de  woods  an'  didn'  come  back  no  mo'.  Praise  de 
Lawd!  He  had  gabe  me  my  sign.  He  had  promised  to  set  me  free — 
an'  bear  I  is." 

As  Mr.  Barnes  has  said,  the  Underground  Railroad  was  organized 
by  Levi  Coffin,  a  Quaker  of  Cincinnati.  This  occurred  in  1838.  Prior 
to  that  time,  escaping  slaves  were  afforded  no  systematic  aid.  Under 
the  encouragement  of  Levi  Coffin  and  his  associates,  lines  were  established 
through  Ohio,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  across  Indiana 
^nd  southern  Michigan — all  leading  to  Canada.  It  is  estimated  that  not 
less  than  30,000  slaves  in  all  made  good  their  escape  over  these  various 
routes.  At  times  the  traffic  was  so  heavy  that  the  resources  of  the 
conductors  were  severely  taxed.  Mrs.  Hussey  relates  an  incident  which 
serves  to  illustrate  this  fact.  It  is  as  follows:  "One  night  in  the  fall 
of  ISii,  1  was  awakened  by  a  peculiar,  mournful  murmur  of  voices 
proceeding  from  the  street  in  front  of  my  father's  house.  (We  were 
then  living  in  a  building  which  stood  on  East  Main  street  in  Battle 
Creek,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Werstein  block).  I  knew  the 
sound.  I  bad  heard  it  often  before.  It  was  the  frightened,  half- 
wbispered  conversation  of  colored  refugees. 

"My  father  and  mother  were  away  from  home  for  the  night.  I  was 
then  a  girl  of  sixteen.  I  knew  that  something  must  be  done.  Hastily 
rising  and  going  to  tlie  window,  I  saw  a  group  of  thirty  negroes — twenty- 
six  men  and  four  women — standing  near  the  door.  I  roused  the  household. 
Wlit'ii  the  waiting  fugitives  found  that  my  father  was  away  they  were 
greatly  distiirlH-d.  for  tliey  bad  relied  upon  bim  for  food  and  protection; 
but  when  tlics-  found  tluit  "Miss  Susan"  was  at  home  their  spirits  re- 
vived. I  was  known  all  along  the  Underground  road,  clear  down  to 
Kentucky.  I  invited  the  poor  people  to  come  in.  We  boiled  great 
cauldrons  of  coffee  for  them,  and,  with  some  contributions  from  neigh- 
bors, I  managed  to  supply  them  with  plenty  of  food.  Then  I  gave 
them  a  note  to  Jaliez  8.  Fitch  of  ^Marshall,  and  sent  them  on  their  way, 
for  it  was  night — their  time  for  traveling.  As  they  filed  out,  the  men 
all  shook  my  hand  and  thanked  me,  and  the  women  all  embraced  me  and 
blessed  me.  Our  large  baking  of  the  day  before  had  disappeared,  and 
our  night's  rest  had  been  destroyed,  but  the  gratitude  of  those  poor 
people  was  pay  enough." 

Fugitive  slaves,  during  their  passage  over  the  Underground  Railroad, 
were  in  a  state  of  constant  terror.  This  was  due  to  the  nervous  strain  of 
night  travel  and  the  ever  present  dread  of  pursuit.  Lest  this  fear  be 
unjustly  construed  as  cowardice,  another  story  from  Mrs.  Hussey  is 
quoted. 

"Old  Nancy  was  a  refugee  who  liked  Battle  Creek  so  well  that  she 
remained  there,  regardless  of  the  chances  of  capture.  She  bad  a  son 
named  Peter.  When  (he  war  broke  out,  Peter  enlisted.  One  da.v  word 
came  that  Peter  bad  lieen  shot  while  in  the  line  of  duty — a  cannon  liall 


IIISTOKY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  91 

had  erushed  his  t-hest.  When  the  sad  news  was  eonveyed  to  Okl  Nancy 
she  was  leaning  over  a  tub  busily  engaged  with  the  week's  washing.  IShe 
paused  a  moment,  and  said:  'Praise  de  Lawd  I's  raised  a  son  to  be  de 
defender  ob  his  country.'  Then  as  she  resumed  the  rythmieal  scrubbing 
of  the  clothes  on  the  wash-board,  she  repeated,  over  and  over  again,  in 
perfect  time  with  the  swaying  of  her  body:  'Thank  God — he  didn't  run  ! 
Thank  God — he  didn't  run!" 

No  fugitive  slave  was  ever  retaken  from  the  Battle  Creek  station. 
There  were,  however,  times  of  grave  alarm.  Kuniors  of  impending  at- 
tack by  armed  slave  owners  were  not  infrequent.  The  Underground 
Kailroad  operatives  always  acted  upon  the  principle  that,  "Eternal 
vigilance  is  the  price  of  liberty."  The  community  was  at  all  times  alert 
to  catch  the  premonitions  of  danger.  As  an  illustration  of  this  it  is 
related  that,  on  a  certain  memorable  night,  when  news  of  approaching 
Southerners  was  peculiarly  threatening,  twenty  or  thirty  men  stood 
guard  at  Battle  Creek,  prepared  to  resist  force  by  force. 

On  such  occasions  the  negroes  were  relied  upon  as  dependable  allies. 
Long  after  midnight,  during  the  anxious  hours  just  mentioned,  Erastus 
Hu.ssey,  while  making  his  rounds  of  inspection,  stopped  at  the  cabin 
occupied  by  Nancy  Stevens.  He  found  the  old  negress  seated  by  an 
open  fireplace.  The  end  of  a  long-handled  shovel,  heated  red-hot,  glowed 
among  the  coals.  Nancy  explained:  "I  ain't  got  no  gun,  an'  I  wouldn' 
know  how  to  shoot  ef  I  had ;  but  I  does  know  how  to  use  a  hot  shobbel — 
an'  I's  got  one." 

The  hour  was  suitable  for  story-telling,  and  Nancy  related  enough 
of  her  personal  history  to  sustain  a  statement  suggested  by  the  glowing 
shovel.  "Hot?  Co'se  it's  hot.  But  dat  shobbel  ain't  so  hot  as  I'd  like 
to  hab  it  to  use  on  blaster  Tom.  I'd  be  willin'  to  go  to  hell,  honey,  'deed 
I  would,  if  I  could  stir  up  de  fire  down  dare  under  him.  What  hab  he 
done?  I  wants  to  tell  you.  He  sol'  my  ole  man  down  de  Red  ribber 
country,  an'  den  he  killed  my  pore  boy  Joe.  Dat's  what  he  done.  Joe 
had  went  to  git  up  de  cows  one  mawnin'.  Dey  wuz  fros'  on  de  groun' 
an'  Joe's  feet  got  coU.  Master  Tom  foun'  de  boy  standin',  gittin'  his 
feet  warm  whar  de  cows  had  been  layin'  down.  Joe  wuz  gone  a  long 
time.  I  kept  lookin'  fer  him  an'  lookin'  fer  him  down  de  lane.  De 
cows  come  up,  but  no  Joe.  Arter  a  while  I  see  somethin'  that  looked 
like  a  big  dawg,  creepin'  along,  creepin'  along,  comin'  up  de  lane.  I 
looked  an'  looked,  but  I  couldn '  make  out  what  it  wuz.  Den  .somethin' 
jus'  toU  me  it  wuz  Joe^<'reepin '  on  his  ban's  an'  knees.  I  never 
stopi)ed  till  1  got  to  him.  Lordy !  Lordy !  It  wuz  Joe  shore  'nufp — 
crawlin'  home,  a  gash  in  his  belly  whar  ^Master  Tom  had  kicked  him 
with  a  spur,  an'  his  innards  draggin'  on  the  groun'.  I  picked  him  up 
an'  toted  him  home,  an'  nussed  him,  an'  cried  ober  him,  but — dat  night  he 
died."  This  is  an  unadorned  tale  of  nuirder.  Its  truth  is  undoubted. 
It  is  typical  of  slavery.  The  irresistable  appeal  of  disclosures  such  as 
this  kept  the  managei-s  of  the  Underground  Railroad  nerved  to  action. 

Across  the  Detroit  river  lay  Canada  and  safet.v,  but  danger  of  cap- 
ture menaced  the  fugitives  to  the  very  water's  edge.  Mrs,  Hussey  re- 
lates an  incident  illustrative  of  this  fact.  A  wealthy  southern  jjlanter  had 
freed  two  .shives— a  m-gro  woman  and  her  daugliter.     Tlif  dausrlilcr  was 


92  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

of  transeendaut  beauty,  without  visible  trace  of  negro  blood.  Indeed,  it 
is  said,  her  relation  to  her  former  master  was  that  of  closest  kinship. 
We  shall  call  her  the  "Beautiful  Girl,"  for  so  she  is  remembered  by  those 
who  saw  her.  When  the  planter  died,  his  son  refused  to  recognize  the 
Beautiful  Girl's  manumission.  He  chose  to  hold  his  half-sister  as  a 
slave. 

In  Kentucky,  at  this  time,  there  was  a  fearless  man  who  bore  the 
peculiar  name,  Wright  Maudlin.  His  parents  and  his  neighbors  were 
slave  holders.  His  sympathies  were  with  the  slaves.  Secretly  he  co- 
operated with  the  Underground  Railroad  as  a  spy,  scout,  guide  and  con- 
ductor. This  gratuitous  employment  was  extremely  hazardous.  Had 
his  neighbors  discovered  his  activities,  they  would  have  shot  him  like  a 
dog.  But  he  defied  danger:  "No  bullet,"  he  said,  "will  ever  pierce 
Wright  Maudlin's  skin." 

It  was  this  man  who  rescued  the  Beautiful  Girl  from  worse  than  death 
and  brought  her  north,  by  the  underground  route,  to  Battle  Creek. 
Here  she  remained  at  the  home  of  Erastus  Hussey  for  a  few  hours.  Pur- 
suit was  hot  upon  the  trail.  Although  the  poor  girl  was  upon  the  verge 
of  nervous  exhaustion — pitiably  frightened  by  the  danger  of  recapture, 
and  worn  by  the  terrible  strain  of  enforced  and  continuous  travel — the 
stay  could  iiot  be  long.  After  a  few  hours  of  rest  she  was  disguised 
as  "an  old  woman  and  bundled  into  a  top-buggy.  With  Wright  Maudlin 
dressed  as  a  farmer  and  acting  as  driver,  the  flight  toward  Canada  was 
continued. 

Again  and  again,  upon  seeing  portentous  clouds  of  dust  approaching 
along  the  road,  the  two  escaped  to  the  privacy  of  some  friendly  wayside 
farm  house.  Maudlin  had  passed  that  way  before  and  knew  where 
safety  lay.  At  last  as  the  outskirts  of  Detroit  were  reached,  four  mounted 
horseiuen  were  observed  following  at  a  gallop.  The  Beautiful  Girl 
was  instantly  in  a  frenzy  of  terror.  ]\Iaudlin  turned  to  her  and  said: 
"I  have  a  knife  in  my  belt.  If  you  make  any  outcry  I  shall  kill  you. 
I  shall  not  permit  you  "to  fall  into  their  hands  alive. "  This  violent  threat 
had  the  desired  effect.  The  girl  became  calm.  In  a  moment  the  horse- 
men rode  up — two  on  each  side  of  the  carriage — and  peered  in.  This 
moment  was  the  crucial  test  of  the  girl's  nerves.  She  uttered  no  sound. 
Her  sunlionnet  shaded  her  face.  The  riders  saw  only  an  indifferent 
appearing  female  and  an  old  farmer.  The  latter  pointed  across  the 
fields  with  his  whip  and  cried  out  in  a  high  key:  "Me  an'  the  old  woman 
is  out  land-lookin'.  Do  you  know  of  any  good  farms  for  sale  'round 
here?"     The  horsemen  rode  on  without  answering. 

As  the  carriage  lumbered  along  Woodward  avenue,  a  man  on  the  side- 
walk raised  his  hat  and  wiped  his  forehead  with  a  white  handkerchief. 
This  motion  did  not  escape  the  watchful  eye  of  Wright  Maudlin.  He 
understood  the  secret  signal.  It  meant:  "I  am  a  friend.  Follow  me." 
No  word  was  spoken ;  no  look  of  recognition  was  exchanged.  The  horse 
and  carriage  moved  steadily  along  down  the  street  toward  the  water 
front.  Here  their  silent  guide  entered  a  boat-house.  A  moment  later 
Wright  Maudlin  and  the  Beautiful  Girl  followed  him.  A  row-boat  and 
two  oarsmen  were  in  waiting.  The  girl  was  passed  into  the  boat;  tlie 
rowers  gave  way  with  a  will :  the  skiff'  with  its  precious  freight  shot 


HISTORY  OF  CAI.IIOIX   ('orX'l'V  m 

toward  Canada.  Hardly  had  mid-streain  of  iIh-  Drtroit  livcr  Ihcii  t;ainctl. 
before  a  body  of  horsemen  galloped  u\)  to  the  hoat-lKuisc  door — tlireo 
minutes  too  late.  The  Underground  Railroad  had  salVly  dclivcrtMl  tlie 
Beautiful  Girl  to  freedom. 

Thus  the  great  work  was  carried  on  during  a  (luartn-  ol'  a  riMilury. 
When  services  were  needed,  they  were  donated.  When  provisions  were 
required,  they  were  contributed.  No  books  of  account  were  kept ;  there 
was  nothing  to  be  repaid.  Contributions  amounting  to  fortunes  went 
into  the  cause.  Thousands  of  negroes  were  passed  through  I\Iichigan 
into  Canada — how  many  we  may  never  know.  No  record  was  ever 
made.  Indifferent  alike  to  the  blame  or  praise  of  their  own  day,  and  of 
the  future,  the  heroes  of  the  Underground  Railroad  were  content  to 
accept  tlie  joy  of  their  good  work  as  that  work's  complete  reward. 

Calhoun  County  Agricultuke 

Bu  J.  H.  Brown 

Agriculture  in  its  most  primiti\-e  form  was  practiced  by  the  first  and 
early  settlers  in  Calhoun  count\'.  Even  those  sturdy  pioneers  who  came 
here  from  the  eastern  states  had  to  do  their  farming  largely  by  means 
of  the  axe,  spade  and  grub  hoe.  In  their  eastern  homes  they  enjoyed 
what  they  called  conveniences  and  even  luxuries.  They  used  oxen  and 
horses  and  could  plow  fields  of  moderate  size  without  constantly  meeting 
stumps  and  grubs  in  the  furrow.  But  cultural  methods  in  the  earl.v 
days  were  extremely  crude  in  this  new  county. 

Very  few  of  the  old  pioneers  are  now  living.  The  present  generation 
has  no  adequate  conception  of  the  extreme  hardships  endured  by  the 
majority  of  the  first  settlers  in  southern  ilichigan.  It  is  doubtful  if 
hundreds  and  thousands  of  the  young  men  and  women  now  enjoying 
life  on  the  improved  farms  of  this  county  could  make  a  living  or  even 
keep  body  and  soul  together  could  they  W  translated  back  to  the  times 
and  conditions  that  existed  lici-e  \vlien  the  lirst  real  settlers  came  into 
the  wilderness. 

And  even  the  axe,  spade  and  grub  hoe  were  crude  and  more  or  less 
awkward  to  handle  compared  with  the  fine  tools  of  the  present  day. 
The  first  farmers  found  plenty  of  need  of  the  blacksmith  and  a  few 
of  these  old  country  shops  are  still  left  in  the  form  of  tumbled-down 
shacks  here  and  there  by  the  road  side.  The  first  settlers  generally  were 
farmers  from  necessity,  no  matter  what  their  previous  vocation  had 
been  in  York  state  or  waj^  back  east.  The  first  thing  needful  was  to 
get  something  to  eat.  Some  brought  along  sufficient  to  last  for  a  spell 
of  greater  or  less  duration,  but  the  majority  quickly  looked  for  a  place 
to  scratch  dirt  and  put  in  a  few  seeds.  And  the  much  desired  scratching 
places  or  patches  were  nughty  few  and  far  between.  In  those  days  the 
saying,  "Root  hog,  or  die,"  was  literally  adopted  and  practiced  by 
everybody  who  amounted  to  anj'thing. 

There  were  some  places  in  Calhoun  county  where  the  timber  had 
been  burned  and  spots  of  more  or  less  open  prairie  where  settlers  found 
it  less  difficult  to  prepare  a  seed  bed  and  grow  a  little  wheat,  potatoes 


94  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  a  limited  variety  of  ' '  garden  sass. ' '  The  oak  openings  were  gener- 
ally preferred  as  the  soil  was  usually  a  heavy  loam  and  easier  to  break 
up.  But  it  is  a  wonder  today  why  so  many  pioneers  selected  the  hilly, 
stony,  heavy  timbered  land  in  preference  to  the  level  openings  that  were 
mostly  heavy  fertile  soil  and  comparatively  free  from  stone. 

Some  of  the  first  settlers  came  here  and  started  a  home  in  the  wilder- 
ness, then  went  back  east  for  their  families.  Some  had  wives  and 
gi'own  children,  while  others  left  a  young  wife  or  sweetheart  while  they 
got  things  started  by  clearing  up  a  patch  of  ground  on  their  claim  and 
then  building  a  one-room  log  cabin.  These  cabins  were  quickly  con- 
structed. Trees  of  small  size,  from  ten  to  fifteen  inches  in  diameter, 
were  cut  down  near  the  site  selected.  They  were  straight  and  each 
individual  log  extended  the  whole  length  or  width  of  the  cabin,  except 
where  the  doors  and  windows  were  located.  There  was  usually  but  one 
door  and  a  small  window  made  in  a  single  opening  in  the  center  of  the 
front  wall.  Another  door  and  window  was  provided  on  the  back  side 
and  frequently  a  window  was  set  in  each  end.  This  was  the  prevailing 
style  or  architecture  and  material  provided  for  the  first  farm  homes  in 
Calhoun  county. 

When  the  logs  had  been  cut  there  were  sometimes  log  rolling  bees, 
if  any  neighbors  were  within  a  few  miles,  and  the  plan  of  changing  work 
helped  out  wonderfully.  The  shanty  raising  was  frequently  less  than  a 
day's  work.  The  ends  of  the  logs  were  notched  enough  so  that  the 
cracks  might  be  reduced  to  a  minimum  and  these  were  usvially  plastered 
with  "mud"  enough  to  keep  out  the  most  of  the  rain  and  wind.  The 
roof  was  very  crude,  covered  with  "shakes,"  and  the  floor  made  up  of 
broad  flat  pieces  of  timber  riven  from  the  central  portion  of  logs  and 
dressed  down  by  a  broad  axe  and  adz.  The  puncheon  floor  and  shake 
roof  was  very  common  in  the  cabins  of  this  county  for  years  after  the 
first  settlers  came. 

The  biggest  job  the  farmer  had  was  to  cut  down  trees  enough  to  make 
a  clearing.  It  was  hard  work  and  many  of  the  logs  were  rolled  together 
and  burned  as  soon  as  they  had  seasoned  out.  There  was  no  use  for  the 
timber  and  it  was  destroyed  on  every  farm  and  claim  as  fast  as  the  trees 
could  be  cut  up  and  piled  in  big  heaps  with  the  smaller  limbs  and  brush. 
I  can  remember  seeing  hundreds  of  these  piles  burning  in  almost  every 
direction.  As  fast  as  a  little  clearing  was  made  it  was  broken  up  with  a 
sort  of  home-made  breaking  plow,  with  possibly  a  straight  coulter  or 
knife  for  cutting  off  the  roots  in  line  with  the  landside.  The  plowed 
ground  was  very  rough  and  it  was  slow  and  tedious  work  fitting  any 
sort  of  a  seed  bed  with  a  yoke  of  oxen.  The  stumps,  grubs  and  big 
roots  bothered  all  day  long  over  nearly  every  square  foot  of  ground,  and 
the  strongest  pioneer  farmer  was  mighty  glad  when  night  came  so  he 
could  lie  down  and  rest  a  few  hours. 

The  first  "harrows"  were  made  of  strips  of  hard  wood  bolted  together 
and  iron  teeth  about  one  inch  square  were  inserted.  Both  the  A-shape 
and  square  drags  had  to  be  made  very  stout  to  stand  the  catcliing  of 
roots  and  snags.  The  blacksmith  had  plenty  of  custom  from  far  and 
near  and  he  became  an  expert  in  his  line.     With  the  crude  tools,  anvil 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOUX  COl'XTY  95 

and  forge  of  those  ibiys  farm  tools  wvix'  coiistnicteil  tliat  aiT  a  woiuKt 
to  the  present  day  blauksmith. 

A  little  wheat,  oats,  corn,  buckwheat  and  potatoes  were  grown  on 
almost  every  clearing,  and  a  small  garden  patch  near  the  house  furnished 
a  good  living  for  the  pioneer  farmer  who  was  a  hustler.  Some  of  the 
shiftless  settlers  would  have  starved  had  it  not  been  for  their  wives  or 
neighbors.  Very  often  the  settler's  wife  did  more  work,  in  doors  and 
out,  and  was  the  mainstay  of  the  family,  no  matter  how  inany  babies 
came  into  the  home.  In  those  early  days  it  was  a  common  thing  to  see 
the  women  folks  doing  the  hardest  kind  of  work  clearing  up  the  land 
and  breaking  up  the  soil.  They  took  an  active  part  in  cultivating  the 
growing  crops,  this  laborious  work  being  done  mostly  with  a  crude  and 
heavy  hoe  or  pick-axe. 

The  farmer's  wife  was  frequently  an  adept  in  handling  the  scythe 
and  grain  cradle.  There  were  plenty  of  grub  roots  and  stumps  in  the 
way  and  it  was  very  slow  work  getting  over  an  acre  of  ground.  On 
nearly  all  the  clearings  there  were  yokes  of  oxen  and  women  learned  to 
guide  them  around  by  using  the  "haw"  and  "gee"  formula,  aided  with 
a  good  stout  whip-stalk,  lash  and  cracker.  In  fact,  it  would  have  been 
impossible  for  the  pioneers  to  have  succeeded  in  conquering  the  wilder- 
ness of  Calhoun  county,  had  it  not  been  for  the  "women  folks." 

For  juany  years  there  was  little  elTort  to  make  money  by  growing 
wheat  to  sell  as  the  leading  crop  of  the  small  farm  clearings.  It  was 
mighty  hard  work  to  get  enough  to  eat  sometimes  oif  from  these  small 
patches,  but  the  pioneer  and  his  family  stuck  to  the  .job  through  thick 
and  thin  until  more  and  more  acres  of  the  claim  was  cleared  of  timber 
and  brush.  A  few  had  horses,  but  a  single  team  and  one  yoke  of  oxen 
made  up  the  motive  power  on  even  the  largest  farms  in  some  sections  of 
the  county  until  the  time  of  the  Civil  war. 

The  wagons  were  more  or  less  substantially  made ;  quite  heavy 
gear,  and  narrow  tires  were  the  rule.  The  old  territorial  road  through 
Calhoun  county  and  other  main  roads  were  almost  impassable  in  places 
in  the  spring  and  late  fall.  The  low  places  across  marshes  and  each 
side  of  many  small  streams  were  sometimes  filled  in  with  logs  and  brush 
before  hauling  on  dirt  and  gravel.  It  was  an  almost  daily  occurrence  for 
one  to  get  a  wheel  stuck  in  a  deep  mud  hole,  and  the  narrow  tires  made 
such  holes  deeper.  But  even  in  those  days  some  good  roads  were  built 
by  the  pioneers. 

Each  township  later  on  was  divided  into  road  beats  and  put  in 
charge  of  a  pathmaster.  Road  beds  were  made  by  plowing  a  backfurrow 
from  each  side  into  the  middle  of  the  road.  Prom  one  to  a  dozen  teams 
would  plow  all  day  on  a  mile  or  half-mile  strip  and  the  center  of  the 
track  would  sometimes  be  left  very  high  and  narrow.  Each  team,  wagon, 
plow  and  man  would  count  a  day's  work,  and  any  present-day  labor 
iinion  would  have  been  pleased  with  the  extremely  short  sessions  of  the 
farmers  each  forenoon  and  afternoon  on  the  job,  with  connnittee  meetings 
under  a  shade  tree  and  in  fence  comers  every  half  hour,  more  or  less. 

As  the  years  passed  by  the  farms  gradually  increased  in  number 
in  various  sections  of  the  county.  ;\Iore  ground  was  cleared  and  wheat 
became  the  principal  crop.     Settlements  and  villages  had  grown  rapidly 


96  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

into  towns  and  there  was  considerable  demand  for  all  farm  products 
for  home  consumption,  with  the  exception  of  wheat.  Long  before  the 
Civil  war  it  was  a  common  daily  occurrence  in  the  late  spring,  during  the 
fall,  and  for  weeks  at  a  time,  to  see  strings  of  teams  and  wagons  loaded 
with  twenty  to  twenty-five  bags  of  wheat  waiting  at  the  elevators  to  un- 
load. The  wheat  buyer  frequently  was  the  biggest  and  most  important 
man  in  town.  He  stood  on  the  corner  and  watched  the  loads  coming 
in  on  the  main  roads.  Sometimes  he  had  no  competition  and  would 
pay  a  little  less  than  the  wheat  was  worth  in  the  market.  When  there 
was  a  good  demand  for  wheat  and  prices  were  going  up,  with  two  buyers 
in  competition,  it  was  interesting  to  stand  on  the  street  and  watch  tho 
loads  come  into  town.  Sometimes  they  would  be  met  several  blocks  out 
and  two  buyers  would  .jump  on  the  same  load.  This  kind  of  a  per- 
formance delighted  the  owner  of  the  wheat,  for  he  knew  he  would  get  a 
little  more  money  than  he  expected  when  he  left  home.  Sometimes 
the  two  buyers  would  agree  on  a  price  and  hold  it  down  for  the  day, 
thus  forming  the  first  sort  of  a  "trust"  and  stifling  competition.  The 
farmer  usually  started  for  town  with  his  load  of  wheat  ^vithout  even 
knowing  what  the  prevailing  market  jDrice  for  the  day  might  be.  After 
delivering  the  first  load  he  would  sometimes  contract  for  several  more 
at  a  stated  price. 

During  ''war  times"  the  farmers  of  Calhoun  county  had  plenty  of 
excitement  in  selling  wheat  in  Battle  Creek,  Marshall,  Albion  and  other 
points  where  there  was  a  railroad  station  and  elevator.  Wheat  took 
big  jumps  in  price  and  reached  three  dollars  and  over  on  certain  days  of 
the  greatest  activity  in  this  cereal.  A  telegram  would  sometimes  reach 
the  wheat  buyer  after  he  had  opened  a  bag,  inspected  a  handful  and 
made  a  "bid"  to  the  farmer.  The  farmer  would  have  his  eye  opened 
all  the  time  and  could  generally  tell  how  the  price  was  going  by  watching 
the  buyer  as  he  glanced  over  the  telegram.  Before  that  bag  of  wheat 
was  tied  and  laid  down  on  the  road  the  owner  might  be  offered  from  five 
to  fifteen  cents  per  bushel  more  than  the  first  bid  made  when  the  bag 
was  lifted  on  end 

Those  were  strenuous  days  for  the  farmers  of  this  county  and  manj' 
pages  of  this  history  might  be  devoted  to  the  experiences  of  the  pioneer 
farmers  and  the  street  wheat  buyers  There  were  all  sorts  of  tricks  in 
vogue  or  tried  by  a  few  on  both  sides.  Short  weights  were  claimed 
by  the  farmer  frequently,  and  occasionally  the  elevator  man  would  find 
a  heavy  stone  rolling  into  the  hopper.  Later  on  farmers  began  buying 
scales  and  then  weighed  the  wheat  at  home.  This  was  a  most  desi^ble 
plan  and  soon  stopped  much  of  the  complaint  regarding  shoi't  weights. 
And  yet  there  were  some  farmers  who  became  "tired"  of  weighing  at 
home  and  let  the  scales  stand  in  the  corner  and  rust.  These  were  the 
farmers  who  were  always  complaining  "bout  siithin  or  other"  going 
wrong  with  everybody  but  themselves. 

There  are  many  hundreds  of  acres  of  land  in  Calhoun  county  today 
that  are  practically  worthless  for  farming  purposes,  same  as  elsewhere 
in  Michigan.  Swamps  and  "catholes"  are  plenty  in  places  and  they  are 
well  distributed  in  the  various  townships.  Others  have  been  drained 
in  the  years  gone  by  and  made  available  for  growing  certain   crops. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  97 

Some  of  this  kind  of  land  is  now  the  most  valuable  of  all  and  is  worth 
one  hundred  dollars  and  more  per  acre  in  the  market  Measures  have 
recently  been  taken  to  drain  a  large  section  of  low  land  in  the  northeast- 
ern portion  of  the  county  that  will  ultimately  increase  the  value  of  that 
land  in  the  neighborhood  of  nearly  a  million  dollars. 

It  was  a  gradual  change  from  wheat  growing  as  the  leading  farm 
product  to  that  of  dairying.  Wonderful  yields  of  wheat  were  grown 
on  the  hundreds  of  fine  farms  in  the  county  from  before  the  war  until 
about  1880.  The  general  plan  on  many  farms  before  that  time  was  to 
"summer- fallow"  at  least  one  field.  This  was  usually  well  covered  with 
a  good  growth  of  red  clover,  sown  the  year  previous.  Soon  after  planting 
corn  the  plow  would  be  started  in  the  clover  lot.  Frequently  it  took 
two  teams,  or  one  span  of  horses  and  a  yoke  of  oxen,  to  haul  the  walk- 
ing plow  through  heavy  clay  loam  soil  and  turn  under  the  rank  growth 
of  clover.  The  knife  coulter  later  gave  way  to  the  little  plow  or 
".jointer."  This  was  first  bolted  to  the  beam  and  cut  a  shallow  and 
narrow  furrow  in  line  with  the  landside  of  the  plow.  The  effect  was  to 
cut  and  turn  the  sod  and  clover  over  enough  so  tliat  all  trash  disappeared 
under  the  furrow  as  it  laid  over  on,  and  against,  the  preceding  one. 

The  summer-fallow  was  plowed  before  commencing  the  wheat  harvest, 
if  possible.  At  odd  spells  the  plowed  ground  was  harrowed  and  culti- 
vated alternately  until  seeding  time  in  September.  If  the  ground  be- 
came very  weedy  sheep  were  turned  on,  as  nearly  every  farmer  kept 
some  sheep  in  those  days.  It  was  during  that  time  that  the  spring 
tooth  harrow  appeared.  The  wood  frame  was  of  a  V-shape  and  the 
flat  spring  teeth  were  fastened  on  the  under  side  with  steel  clamps  and 
short  bolts.  Before  this  implement  appeared  the  summer-fallows  were 
cultivated  with  a  tool  made  in  Battle  Creek  and  very  popular  in  those 
days.  There  were  several  kinds  on  the  market  and  a  nice  clean  fallow 
depended  on  the  thorough  use  of  one  of  these  tools.  Some  had  rigid 
legs  and  breakages  were  frequent  on  stony  ground.  At  seeding  time 
the  summer-fallow  on  many  Calhoun  county  farms  was  the  pride  of  the 
owner.  The  ground  would  be  thoroughly  compacted  underneath,  while 
the  surface  soil  was  very  smooth  and  mellow.  Not  a  weed  could  be 
found  and  the  drill  hoes  deposited  the  seed  at  just  the  right  depth.  There 
would  be  plenty  of  moisture  and  the  seed  would  germinate  and  show 
green  sprouts  above  the  surface  in  less  than  a  week,  sometimes.  The 
tap  root  and  laterals  would  all  remain  in  the  upper  two  inches  of  soil 
and  there  would  be  no  danger  from  the  upheaval  by  frost  the  following 
spring.  Under  other  conditions  of  seed  bed  treatment  the  tap  root 
would  go  down  several  inches  and  he  broken  oi¥  by  freezing  and  thawing 
of  the  upper  layer  of  soil. 

After  1880  wheat  growing  began  to  decline  in  this  section  of  the 
countr.v.  The  yield  kept  diminishing  from  (various  causes.  Dairying 
was  beginning  to  increase  rapidly  on  the  farms  around  the  larger  towns 
and  cities  and  corn  gradually  becanw  the  leading  crop  in  order  to  more 
cheaply  feed  the  increasing  herds  of  cows.  From  that  time  to  the 
present  the  acreage  and  yield  of  corn  has  increased  until  now  corn  is 
"king,"  instead  of  wheat,  in  southern  Michigan. 

As  dairying  increased  it  was  found  that  the  fai-incr  wlio  kcjit  cows 


98  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

must  produce  the  largest  possible  quantity  of  the  best  quality  in  order 
to  maie  the  greatest  profit.  And  the  milk  must  be  secured  at  the  least 
possible  expense  in  production.  Naturally,  under  these  conditions,  the 
leading  dairy  farmers  of  the  county  found  that  the  silo  was  a  valuable 
adjunct  in  securing  the  best  and  cheapest  succulent  feed  the  whole  year 
round.  Fifteen  years  ago  there  were  about  a  score  or  more  silos  in 
the  county,  while  now  they  can  be  counted  by  the  scores  in  every  neigh- 
borhood and  township. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  not  enough  of  many  of  the  various 
Mnds  of  farm  products  grown  in  Calhoun  county  to  supply  the  demand  at 
home.  Our  products  are  more  diversified  now,  and  yet  the  farmers 
must  hustle,  study,  plan  and  secure  greater  yields  from  their  farms  to 
furnish  our  own  population  enough  to  consume  in  the  years  to  come. 
The  cities  and  villages  are  increasing  in  population  and  the  country 
residents  are  decreasing  in  number.  Each  acre  of  Calhoun  county  must 
be  made  to  produce  more  than  ever  before,  and  there  are  some  farmers 
who  are  accomplishing  this  mueh-to-be-desired  result.  Intensive  farm- 
ing is  being  studied  and  practiced  in  spots.  Smaller  farms  are  now 
more  in  demand  as  help  is  difficult  to  secure  and  the  farmer  and  his 
family  are  doing  more  of  the  work  with  their  own  hands  with  the  aid 
of  the  latest  and  best  modern  farm  machinery. 

Wonderful  changes  have  taken  place  all  through  the  county  during 
the  last  fifty  years.  Fine  farm  houses  and  barns  can  be  seen  on  the 
great  majority  of  the  farms  along  every  highway.  Years  ago  trees  were 
planted  along  the  roads  and  on  the  lawns,  and  it  is  a  pleasure  now  to  ride 
in  an  automobile  and  view  the  landscape  in  every  direction.  Many  of 
the  farm  homes  are  finer  than  the  average  city  residence  and  are  supplied 
with  the  various  modern  improvements  that  have  been  found  to  make  the 
country  home  convenient,  highly  enjoyable  and  even  luxurious. 

When  the  farmers  ride  into  the  city  with  their  horses  and  carriages, 
or  automobiles,  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  them  from  city  business  men 
on  the  streets.  Their  wives  and  children  dress  as  well  and  make  fully  an 
good  an  appearance  as  the  city  lady.  The  sons  and  daughters  on  the 
farms  of  Calhoun  county  are  securing  a  better  education  in  the  schools 
and  colleges  than  the  young  people  in  the  city.  In  the  years  to  come  the 
farmer  and  his  family  will  continue  to  rank  well  with  the  city  resident 
and  both  classes  will  intermingle  in  a  social  as  well  as  a  business  waj'  more 
than  ever  before. 

Roads  and  the  Improvement  of  Roads 

It  is  now  almost  one  hundred  years  since  General  Cass  as  Governor 
of  the  Territory  began  to  interest  himself  and  the  people  in  the  ques- 
tion of  roads  in  Michigan.  That  sagacious  statesman  saw  that  if  the 
interior  was  to  be  reached,  settled  and  developed  there  must  be  some 
semblance  of  roads.  It  is  greatly  to  the  credit  of  Governor  Cass  that 
he  succeded  in  accomplishing  so  much  in  this  respect  during  his  admin- 
istration. 

The  first  road  surveyed  through  Calhoun  County  was  ordered  by  the 
legislative  council  of  the  Territory  of  iMiehigan  on  November  4,  1829. 


HISTORY  OF  ("ALIIOUN  COUNTY  99 

The  survey  began  ""in  the  Chicago  road  at  or  near  the  inii  of  Timothy  S. 
Sheldon  in  the  township  of  Plymoutli  in  the  village  of  Wayne,  thenee 
west  on  the  most  direct  and  eligible  route  through  village  of  Ann  Arbor, 
by  Samuel  Clements,  to  Grand  River  where  the  St.  Joseph  trail  crosses 
the  same  and  also  through  the  Cohgwagiac,  now  spelled  Goguac,  located 
in  Battle  Creek  township,  and  Grand  prairies,  thence  westerly  on  the 
most  eligible  route  to  or  near  the  Paw  Paw  to  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Joseph  River,  Michigan."  The  Commissioners  to  establish  the  road 
were  Seeley  Neale,  of  Panama,  afterward  of  Jlarengo  township,  Calhoun 
County,  and  Orrin  White,  of  Ann  Arbor  and  Jehial  Enos,  of  Grand 
Prairie  of  the  Kalamazoo.  In  March,  1831,  the  legislative  council  ap- 
proved the  survey  and  established  the  same  as  a  public  highway. 

In  1832  roads  from  Battle  Creek  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kalamazoo 
River  and  from  Blissfield  to  IMarshall  were  laid  out  and  established.  The 
Commissioners  on  the  second  survey  were  Isaac  N.  Swayne,  Sidney 
Ketchum  and  Isaac  E.  Crai-y. 

In  1833  a  road  running  from  Jackson,  then  called  Jaeksonburg,  via 
Spring  Arbor,  Homer.  Tekonsha,  Burlington  and  on  through  the  south- 
west part  of  the  State  was  established.  In  the  same  year  a  road  was  laid 
from  ^larshall  to  Grand  Rapids  and  one  from  Marshall  to  Coldwater 
and  one  from  Hillsdale,  via  Jonesville,  to  ]\Iarshall. 

From  the  early  surveys  to  the  present  time,  every  improvement  upon 
the  Indian  trail  with  its  long  detours  over  the  line  of  least  resistance: 
every  betterment  of  the  blazed  track  of  the  surveyor  which  led  by  short- 
est route  across  unbridged  streams  and  almost  impassable  morasscp 
every  bridge  put  up ;  every  causeway  built  and  every  mile  of  corduroy 
laid ;  every  valley  raised ;  every  hill  lowered ;  in  a  word,  every  improve- 
ment which  enabled  the  farmer  to  haul  his  produce  to  market  with  the 
least  strain  on  his  horses  and  the  least  wear  and  tear  on  his  wagon  ; 
everything  done  to  facilitate  the  traveler  on  his  way  has  added  to  the 
happiness  and  contentment  of  the  rural  dwellers,  to  the  value  of  the 
farms  and  to  the  general  prosperity  of  the  country.  No  equal  amount 
of  money  invested  has  paid  a  larger  dividend  or  been  distributed  among 
so  many  people  as  that  expended  in  the  betterment  of  the  public  high- 
ways. 

The  old  world  long  ago  realized  the  importance  of  this  cjuestion  and 
the  roads  built  centuries  before  our  republic  had  an  existence  are  still 
monuments  to  the  skill  and  enterprise  of  the  ancients.  Modern  Europe 
has  done  much  to  improve  lier  highways  and  the  roads  in  England  and 
on  the  Continent  are  a  never  ceasing  delight  to  the  local  builders  and 
users  as  well  as  to  the  tourists  from  all  lands. 

In  the  older  sections  of  our  own  country  long  strides  have  been  taken 
in  the  betterment  of  public  highways.  Every  traveler  over  the  country 
roads  in  New  England  speaks  of  their  beauty  and  perfection.  The 
people  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  have  spent  large  sums  in  this 
direction.  Ohio  and  Indiana,  our  near  neighbors,  have  spent  many 
millions  on  road  improvement  and  every  mile  of  good  road  built  creates  a 
demand  for  more  as  they  see  the  great  advantage,  particularly  to  the 


100  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  people  of  Michigan  are  awakening-  to  the  importance  of  this 
movement.  Recent  legislatures  have  taken  action  and  have  put  upon  the 
statute  books  laws  designed  to  encourage  by  standardizing  different  types 
of  road  construction  varying  in  cost  per  mile,  by  requiring  that  the 
work  be  done  in  a  thorough  and  systematic  manner  under  competent 
directors  and  by  so  distributing  the  cost  that  every  tax  payer  shares  in 
the  payment  of  all  roads  built  and  accepted  by  the  State.  This  move- 
ment is  so  new  in  our  State  and  so  imperfectly  understood  and  its 
general  adoption  is  so  sure  to  leave  a  visible  and  enduring  landmark  from 
which  the  future  will  measure  progress  that  we  feel  justified  in  treating 
the  subject  somewhat  at  length. 


The  County  Road  System  Submitted 

On  the  eleventh  day  of  October,  1911,  at  a  regular  session  of  the 
Calhoun  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  E.  H.  Puffer  submitted  the 
following : 

Whereas,  it  is  deemed  advisable  by  the  Board  of  Supervisoi-s  here 
assembled  that  a  change  in  the  method  of  constructing  highways  be  con- 
sidered, therefore, 

Be  It  Resolved :  That  the  question  of  adopting  the  County  road  sys- 
tem be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  electors  of  the  County  of  Calhoun  at 
,  the  general  election  to  be  held  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1912. 

iloved  by  E.  H.  Puffer  and  supported  by  P.  E.  Strong  that  the 
matter  be  laid  on  the  table  and  be  made  a  special  order  on  Wednesday, 
October  18,  at  10:30  o'clock  A.  M. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  was  called  to  order  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M., 
October  18,  1911,  by  Ralph  S.  Doolittle,  Chairman.  On  roll  call  mem- 
bers answered  to  their  names  except  John  Cotter,  Reuben  Drinkwater, 
Bert  Milbourn,  Charles  Gillis,  D.  C.  Salisbury  and  C.  H.  Clute. 

It  was  moved  by  E.  H.  Puffer  and  supported  by  E.  F.  Hough  that  the 
Good  Roads  Resolution  be  taken  from  the  table.  The  motion  prevailed. 
Moved  by  E.  H.  Puffer  and  supported  by  E.  E.  Simmons  the  adoption 
of  the  report. 

Mr.  Puffer  called  to  the  attention  of  the  Board  that  Mr.  Bryant  was 
present  and  requested  that  he  be  allowed  to  address  the  Board  on  the 
question  of  good  roads.  After  listening  to  Mr.  Brvant,  the  aye  and  nay 
vote  was  called  for  upon  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  with  the  follow- 
ing result:  Ayes;  G.  J.  Ashley,  Julius  Crosby,  F.  W.  Culver,  Ralph 
Doolittle,  A.  Emmons,  R.  E.  Eldred,  Antone  Egeler,  George  T.  Fuller, 
James  J.  Fahey,  Julius  S.  Hall,  William  T.  Hamilton,  E.  F.  Hough, 
Burton  Hunt,  Otis  A.  Leonard,  John  Lidaner,  C.  W.  Lewis,  Frederick 
Katz,  Charles  Kilmer,  L.  Monroe,  John  H.  Manby,  J.  K.  O'Hara.  E.  H. 
Puffer,  Milton  Reed,  H.  J.  Schwark,  Frank  E."  Smith,  E.  E.  Simons, 
F.  E.  Strong,  C.  E.  Wildy,  Erwin  Warsop,  James  E.  Walkinshaw, 
Thomas  Celinsky;  Nays,  Ralph  Erskine,  Thomas  Hunt.  The  vote  stand- 
ing thirty-one  ayes  and  two  nays.  The  Chair  declared  the  resolution 
adopted. 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOrX  COrXTY  101 

The  County  Road  System  Adopted 

In  aeeordaiK'e  with  the  atifiniiative  action  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
the  question  of  adopting  the  County  road  system  was  siihniitted  to  a  vote 
of  tlie  electors  of  the  County  at  the  general  election  held  on  the  first 
day  of  April,  1912,  and  carried.  The  vote  of  the  Supervisors  ratified  by 
the  people  places  Calhoun  County  in  the  list  of  forty-four  progressive 
counties  in  the  State  which  have  already  adopted  the  County  system. 
Elmer  Thompson,  Frank  ^Mahrlc  and  George  Peet  have  been  appointed 
a  Board  of  Count.y  Road  Coiiimissioners.  On  the  first  Monday  in  April 
next,  their  successors  will  be  elected  by  the  people  to  serve  two,  four 
and  six  years  respectively  from  the  first  day  of  ^lay,  lill:^,  and  tliere- 
after  one  Commissioner  shall  be  biennially  elected  for  tlie  full  term 
of  six  years. 

The  law  provides  that  "any  road  heretofore  laid  out,  or  any  part 
thereof,  shall  become  a  Count.y  road  if  the  Board  of  County  Road  Com- 
missioners shall  at  any  time  so  determine."  It  further  provides  that 
after  service  and  publication  of  such  determination  "the  Board  of 
County  Road  Commissioners  shall  have  sole  and  exclusive  jurisdiction 
and  control  of  such  roads  so  embraced  within  such  determination,  and 
the  township  or  inuiiicijijdity  within  which  the  same  is  situated  shall  be 
relieved  of  all  I'espoiisibility  therefor." 

The  law.  section  li),  further  provides  that  the  "Board  of  County 
Commissioners  shall  have  authority  to  grade,  drain,  construct,  gravel  or 
macadamize,  any  road  under  their  control  or  to  place  thereon  any  other 
form  of  improvement,  which  in  their  judgment  may  be  best,  and  may 
extend  and  enlarge  such  improvements;  they  shall  have  authority  to 
construct  bridges  and  culverts  on  the  line  of  such  road  and  to  repair 
and  maintain  the  roads,  bridges  and  culverts;  they  shall  have  all  the 
authority  in  respect  to  such  roads,  bridges  and  culverts  which  is  inves- 
ted in  highway  olificers  in  townships. ' ' 

In  determining  the  County  tax,  section  20  says:  "On  or  tiefore  the 
first  day  of  October  of  each  year  the  said  Board  of  County  Road  Com- 
missioners shall  determine  upon  the  amount  of  tax  which  in  their  judg- 
ment shall  be  raised  for  such  year  in  said  County  for  the  purposes  afore- 
said, specifying  and  itemizing  the  roads  and  parts  of  roads  upon  which 
such  moneys  are  to  be  expended,  stating  the  amount  asked  for  each  of 
such  roads.  *  *  *  Such  tax  shall  not  exceed  two  dollars  on  each  one 
thousand  dollars  of  assessed  valuation  according  to  the  assessment  roll  of 
the  last  preceding  year  in  counties  where  such  valuation  is,  (as  in  Cal- 
houn, Ed.)  more  than  twenty  millions  of  dollars."  At  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  October,  the  determination  of  the 
County  Road  Commissioners  for  their  consideration  and  if  a  n;ajority  of 
the  Supervisors  approve  the  same,  then  "such  tax  shall  be  apportioned 
among  the  several  townships  and  cities  of  said  County  according  to 
their  equalized  valuation." 

The  law  provides  in  section  21,  that  the  "said  Board  of  County 
Road  Commissioners  shall  have  no  power  to  contract  indebtedness  for 
any  amount  in  excess  of  the  moneys  credited  to  such  Board  and  actually 
in  tlie  hands  of  the  County  Treasurer.     Provided,  that  the  board  may 


102  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

incur  liability  upon  contracts  after  a  tax  is  voted  to  an  amount  not  ex- 
ceeding three-fourths  of  the  said  tax."  Even  the  Supervisors  cannot 
contract  indebtedness  or  issue  bonds  to  raise  money  for  the  construction 
and  maintenance  of  roads  without  first  submitting  the  proposition  to 
and  receiving  the  endorsement  of  the  electors  of  the  County  at  a  general 
or  at  a  special  election  called  for  that  purpose. 

The  law  further  provides,  section  28,  that  "The  Board  of  Super- 
visors of  any  County,  which  has  adopted  or  may  hereafter  adopt  the 
County  road  system,  may,  upon  petition  of  ten  freeholders  residing  in 
each  of  the  several  townships,  incorporated  cities  and  villages  in  the 
County,  submit  the  question  of  rescinding  the  vote  by  which  it  was 
adopted  and  the  resolution  to  submit  and  all  proceedings  thereto,  shall, 
as  nearly  as  may  be,  follow  the  forms  and  manner  of  proceedings  pro- 
vided for  voting  on  the  question  of  adopting  the  County  road  system." 

When  any  County  votes  to  rescind  the  action  whereby  it  adopted  the 
County  road  system,  "this  act  shall  cease  to  be  operative  except  for  the 
purpose  of  completing  work  under  contract  at   the   time   of  such  re- 


The  rewards  allowed  by  the  State  are  $250.00,  $500.00,  $700.00  and 
$1000.00  per  mile,  the  reward  varying  with  the  style  and  cost  of  con- 
struction. 

The  People  the  Masters 

A  careful  reading  of  the  laws  relating  to  good  roads  will  show  that 
the  people  are  the  real  masters  of  the  situation.  There  can  be  no  Coun- 
ty road  system  instituted  in  any  County  without  the  expressed  assent 
of  a  majority  of  the  people,  and  the  system  when  once  adopted,  can  be 
rescinded  at  any  time  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  electors. 

The  rate  of  taxation  for  road  improvement  under  the  County  system 
is  limited  by  law.  In  Calhoun  County,  it  having  more  than  forty  million 
dollars  of  assessed  valuation,  the  tax  cannot  exceed,  it  may  be  less,  two 
mills  on  the  dollar.  It  will  be  seen  that  if  a  man's  property  is  assessed 
at  $1,000.00  he  would  pay  $2.00  good  road  tax.  If  a  farmer  or  city 
dweller  is  assessed  at  $5,000.00,  he  would  pay  a  road  tax  of  $10.00  a 
year. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  controls  the  entire  system.  Not  a  mile  of 
road  can  be  built  nor  a  dollar  raised  by  taxation,  for  this  purpose,  with- 
out their  approval.  The  Board  of  County  Road  Commissioners  are  the 
servants  of  the  Supervisors  and  the  Supervisors  are  the  servants  of  the 
people;  any  member  of  the  board  being  subject  to  recall  at  any  spring 
election. 

The  advantage  of  the  system  is  greatly  with  the  farmer.  For  under 
the  County  Road  law,  all  County  roads  end  at  the  corporation  line  of 
cities  and  villages,  whereas  the  burden  of  taxation  for  the  building  of 
such  roads  is  divided  between  the  State,  cities  and  villages  and  the  agri- 
cultural property ;  whereas  under  the  law  as  it  was,  the  burden  falls  en- 
tirely on  the  agricultural  property. 

Tlie  law  provides  that  no  township  can  build  more  than  three  miles 
in  any  one  year  and  receive  therefor  a  state  reward;  but  the  County 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  103 

system  makes  continuous  main  roads  with  no  breaks  at  the  township 
lines. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  if  a  County  does  not  adopt  the  County 
road  system,  it  submits  to  a  State  tax  for  tlie  good  of  those  who  do, 
without  any  direct  benefit  to  itself. 

Of  the  forty-four  counties  in  Michigan  which  have,  up  to  this  time, 
1912,  adopted  the  County  road  system,  not  one  has  submitted  or  pro- 
posed to  submit  the  recall,  while  a  number,  seeing  the  great  benefits  de- 
rived, have  asked  that  the  maximum  tax  be  imposed. 

If  the  County  road  system  shall  continue  in  force  through  a  series 
of  years,  it  will  gradually  work  a  revolution  in  the  condition  of  our 
highways ;  it  will  make  the  farm  home  more  accessible  and  more  desirable 
as  a  place  to  live ;  it  will  beautify  and  cause  more  of  the  urban  people 
to  come  in  contact  with  and  enjoy  the  country,  and  last  but  not  least, 
it  will  advance  the  value  of  all  farm  property. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

BANKS,  BANKING  AND  BANKERS 

Bank  of  United  States  op  America — Wild-Cat  Banking — A  National 
Currency — Old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek — The  First  Na- 
TioNiiL  Bank  of  Battle  Creek — The  First  National  Bank  op 
Marshall — Central  National  Bank,  Battle  Creek — City  Bank 
op  Battle  Creek — Merchants  Savings  Bank  of  Battle  Creek — • 
The  Commercial  and  Savings  Bank,  Albion — Albion  State  Bank 
— First  State  Bank  of  Tekonsha — Athens  State  Bank. 

Banks,  as  places  where  money  is  deposited  for  safe  keeping  and  where 
loans  for  a  consideration  are  made,  are  among  the  most  ancient  institu- 
tions of  which  we  have  knowledge.  The  children  of  Israel,  according 
to  the  Book  Exodus,  22  :25,  not  only  had  banks  but  indulged  in  exacting 
excessive  interest.  The  money  changers  flourished  in  the  time  of  our 
Saviour. 

Banking  reached  a  high  stage  of  development  among  the  Grecians 
and  the  Romans.  Bankers  in  Greece  and  Rome  seem  to  have  exercised 
nearly  the  same  functions  as  those  of  the  present  day,  except  that  they 
do  not  appear  to  have  issued  notes.  They  received  money  on  deposit  to 
be  paid  on  demand  by  checks  or  orders  or  at  some  stipulated  period, 
sometimes  paying  interest  for  it  and  sometimes  not.  Their  profits  arose 
from  their  lending  the  balance  at  their  disposal  at  higher  rates  of  in- 
terest than  they  allowed  the  depositors.  Among  the  ancients,  as  in  our 
days,  bankers  were  highly  esteemed  and  great  confidence  was  placed  in 
their  integrity. 

With  the  revival  of  civilization,  banking  reappeared  as  one  of  the 
business  customs.  The  bank  of  Venice  is  said  to  antedate  all  others  in 
Europe.  Banking  was'  not  introduced  into  England  until  the  17th 
century.  The  Bank  of  England,  which  has  long  been  the  principal  bank 
of  deposit  and  circulation  in  England  and,  indeed,  in  Europe,  was 
founded  in  1694.  Among  other  things  under  its  charter,  the  corpora- 
tion is  "prohibited  from  engaging  in  any  sort  of  commercial  under- 
taking other  than  dealing  in  bills  of  exchange  and  in  gold  and  silver." 
Since  1833,  the  notes  of  the  Bank  of  England  are  a  legal  tender  every- 
where in  that  country,  except  at  the  bank.  The  Bank  of  England  does 
not  allow,  either  at  its  home  office  in  London,  or  at  any  of  its  branches, 
any  interest  on  deposits. 

104 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COl'NTY  105 

Bank  of  United  States  of  America 

lu  1816,  Congress  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  establishing  of  the 
Bank  of  the  United  States  of  America  with  a  capital  of  tiiirty-five 
millions  of  dollars,  divided  into  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  shares 
of  one  hundred  dollars  each.  Seventy  thousand  shares,  amounting  to 
seven  millions  of  dollars,  were  subscribed  and  paid  for  by  the  United 
States  government  and  the  remaining  two  hundred  and  eighty  thousand 
shares  remained  to  be  subscribed  for  by  individuals,  companies  or  cor- 
porations, but  no  individual,  company  or  corporation  could  subscribe 
for  more  than  three  thousand  shares.  The  subscribers  to  the  stock  were 
created  a  coi-poratiou  and  body  politic  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The 
president,  directors  and  company  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States," 
For  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  corporation,  there  were  twenty- 
five  directors,  five  of  whom  were  appointed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  by  and  with  the  advise  and  consent  of  the  Senate.  This 
bank  in  the  course  of  the  years  hccjiiuc  entangled  in  politics,  it  was  one 
of  the  storm  centers  of  rn'sidciit  .lackson's  administration,  and  finally 
on  June  15,  1836,  an  act  was  passed  by  Congress  in  efliect  repealing  its 
charter.  The  government  deposits  were  shortly  after  withdrawn  and  the 
Bank  of  tlie  United  States  went  out  of  existence. 

Wild  Cat  Banking 

Previous  to  the  Civil  War,  it  had  been  the  uniform  practice  of  the 
different  States  to  allow  banks  to  be  established  for  the  issue  of  notes, 
payable  in  specie  on  deinand.  In  eases  where  the  liability  of  share- 
holders in  banks  was  to  be  limited  to  the  amount  of  their  shares,  they 
had  up  to  1838  to  be  established  by  the  local  legislatures.  Charters, 
however,  were  easily  obtained,  and  banks  became  comparatively  numer- 
ous. Paper  currency  was  issued  in  greater  volume  than  in  any  other 
country.  From  1811  to  1820,  195  banks  in  the  different  States  failed 
and  ruin  and  distress  followed  in  their  wake. 

The  "Wild  Cat"  banking  and  the  disastrous  panic  of  1837  were  long 
remembered  by  the  people  of  that  day,  while  the  historic  recital  of  them 
seems  almost  incredible  to  the  later  generation.  There  were  a  number 
of  causes  that  contributed  to  the  universal  wreckage  in  the  country  at 
large  and  in  particular  to  Michigan,  which  historians  agree  was  the 
worst  hit  of  any  State  in  the  Union. 

The  complete  payment  of  the  national  debt,  the  accumulation  of  a 
relatively  large  surplus  and  the  subsequent  division  of  this  surplus 
among  the  States,  contributed  to  the  wild  spirit  of  speculation,  every- 
where prevalent  from  ]\Iaine  to  Michigan.  The  withdrawal  of  deposits 
from  the  National  Bank  and  the  placing  of  them  in  a  large  number 
of  State  banks,  made  money  easy  to  obtain  and  being  eagerly  availed  of 
was  another  contributing  cause  to  the  speculative  epidemic  which  seemed 
to  seize  all  classes  and  conditions  of  people.  Legislatures  and  legislation 
partook  of  the  prevailing  .spirit  among  the  electors.  ^lany  schemes  of 
internal   improvements   were   devised.      Some   of    them   possessing   real 


106  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

merit,  but.  mostly  ahead  of  their  times,  others  were  reckless,  extravagant 
ajid  inexcusable  under  any  conditions. 

Michigan  had  a  most  virulent  ease  of  the  prevailing  disease.  In 
1837,  the  legislature  passed  what  was  termed  the  General  Banking  Law. 
The  declared  intent  of  this  law  was  to  allow  competition,  where  is  was 
charged  there  had  been  a  monopoly  enjoyed  by  a  few  individuals.  The 
law  allowed  any  ten  freeholders,  with  a  capital  of  not  less  than  fifty 
nor  more  than  three  hundred  thousand  dollars,  to  associate  themselves 
together  and  form  a  banking  corporation.  Scarcely  had  the  act  gone 
into  effect,  when  the  panic  of  1837  burst  upon  the  country.  The  fifteen 
old  banks,  then  doing  business  in  the  State,  suspended  specie  payments. 
Though  the  legislature  had  been  called  in  special  session,  and  though  the 
Governor  had  reviewed  the  situation  with  alarm,  he  did  not  recommend 
nor  did  the  legislature,  acting  on  its  own  initiative,  repeal  the  General 
Banking  Law.  The  result  was  that  while  existing  banks  were  in  a 
state  of  suspension,  new  banks  were  being  organized  in  every  part  of 
the  State.  Forty-nine  banks  were  organized  before  the  legislature  on 
the  third  of  April,  1838,  suspended  the  act.  Doubtless  a  good  percent- 
age of  them  were  organized  in  good  faith  and  with  honest  intent,  but 
with  others  the  base  deceptions  resorted  to,  the  dishonest  devices  inven- 
ted to  mislead  the  people  and  evade  the  plain  provisions  of  the  law, 
could  leave  no  room  to  doubt  the  purpose  of  their  promoters.  These 
dishonest  speculators  on  the  credulity  of  the  people  succeeded  in  foisting 
a  million  dollars  of  worthless  money  upon  the  general  public,  Large 
sums  were  sent  by  these  fake  banks  into  other  states  for  circulation. 
"While  at  home  there  was  a  sharp  decline  in  prices  of  every  commodity. 
Wheat,  for  example,  dropped  from  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  to  one 
dollar  a  bushel ;  other  farm  products  in  like  proportion.  Distrust  seized 
upon  the  people.  Every  kind  of  busines  seemed  paralyzed.  All  classes 
suffered,  but  laboring  men  and  farmers,  particularly,  were  made  to  feel 
the  ill  effects.  The  happy  but  deceitful  illusion  of  manufacturing  money 
with  the  printing  press  and  creating  prosperity  by  a  constantly  depre- 
ciating currency,  even  to  the  point  of  worthlessness,  followed  the  usual 
fate  of  the  over-inflation.  Our  older  people  still  remember  the  days  of 
"Wild-cat"  banks  and  "Wild-cat"  money,  as  a  delirious  dream  from 
which  they  awoke  to  a  horrible  reality. 

This  was  aggravated  by  the  fanciful  schemes  of  internal  improve- 
ments recommended  by  the  Governor  and  undertaken  by  legislative  en- 
actments. The  first  Constitution  declared  that  "Internal  improvements 
shall  be  encouraged  by  the  government  and  to  this  end,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  legislature,  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  make  provision  by  law  for 
ascertaining  the  proper  objects  of  improvements  in  relation  to  roads, 
canals  and  navigable  rivers."  In  obedience  to  this  supreme  mandate, 
the  first  session  of  the  legislature,  after  its  admission  to  the  Union,  pro- 
vided for  three  lines  of  railroad  extending  across  the  State;  for  two 
canals  connecting  the  eastern  and  western  waters  of  the  State;  the 
construction  of  a  steamboat  canal  around  the  falls  of  the  Saint  Mary's 
River  at  the  ' '  Soo " ;  to  improve  the  Grand  River  from  its  mouth  to 
Lyons,  in  Ionia  County,  and  to  build  a  canal  with  locks  around  the 
rapids  at  what  is  now  Grand  Rapids :  the  improvement  of  the  Kalamazoo 


HISTORY  OK  CALIIOrX  ("orXTY  107 

River  from  its  iiioiitli  to  Kalaiiia/.oo,  and  the  Saint  Joseph  Kiver  was  to 
be  improved  from  its  mouth  to  Union  City,  in  liraneh  County.  Surveys 
were  made,  estimates  were  given,  and  on  a  number  of  the  pi'ojects  work 
was  begun.  The  State's  share  of  the  surplus  from  the  General  Govei*n- 
ment,  with  other  available  funds,  was  exhausted.  A  tive  million  dollar 
loan,  duly  authorized  and  partly  negotiated,  was  used  and  still  none  of 
the  great  undertakings  were  completed,  and  some  but  little  more  than  well 
begun,  when  the  speculative  bubble  burst.  In  addition  to  the  enter- 
prises entered  upon  the  State,  there  were  not  less  than  twenty-four 
railroads  and  navigation  companies,  projecting  lines  in  all  directions 
and  designed  to  connect  nearly  every  village  of  any  consequence  with 
the  main  system.  These  were  to  be  constructed  by  private  corporations, 
chartered  for  the  purpose.  Among  the  many  projects  of  this  period  of 
rampant  speculation  and  of  internal  improvements  was  the  building  of  a 
ship  canal  from  Union  City  to  Homer  to  connect  the  waters  of  the  Kal- 
amazoo and  Saint  Joseph  Rivers,  and  another  from  Kalamazoo  to  Dex- 
ter, which  should  unite  the  Kalamazoo  and  the  Huron  Rivers.  With  this 
object  in  view,  surveys  were  actually  made  and  favorable  reports  re- 
turned by  the  engineers. 

Under  the  then  existing  conditions,  the  period  of  "Wild-cat"  bank- 
ing was  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  times.  Public  and  private  credit 
sank  to  the  lowest  ebb.  The  recovery  was  a  slow  and  tedious  process. 
There  was  some  compensation  however,  in  the  fact  that  the  General 
Government,  the  State  legislatures,  the  private  corporations,  the  banks 
and  the  public  at  large  had  each  and  all  learned  lessons  not  soon  to  be 
forgotten. 

A  N.\TioNAL  Currency 

One  of  the  incidents  of  the  Civil  War  was  the  establishment  of  a 
National  Currency.  Congress  not  only  provided  for  the  currency,  but 
it  passed  an  act  to  secure  such  by  a  pledge  of  United  States  Stocks  and 
to  provide  for  its  circulation  and  redemption.  In  the  midst  of  financial 
stress,  during  the  terrific  conflict.  Congress  assumed  to  give  corporate 
powers  not  to  one  bank,  as  had  been  done  earlier  in  the  century,  but  to 
many.  Indeed,  National  Banks  were  established  in  every  part  of  the 
country,  sufficient  to  meet  the  demands  of  business. 

Whatever  constitutional  questions  were  raised  at  the  time  or  since, 
and  with  which  we  have  here  nothing  to  do,  it  still  remains  that  the 
people  have  never  had  a  currency  of  such  universal  acceptance,  with- 
out question,  anywhere  in  the  United  States.  Since  the  resumption  of 
specie  payments,  our  National  currency  has  been  received  at  its  face 
value  over  the  counter  of  every  banking  establishment  of  repute  on  the 
globe.  Confidence  and  stability  in  financial  transactions  everywhere 
attest  the  faith  of  the  people  in  our  banks  and  in  the  banking  system. 
Occasionally  through  some  local  mismanagement  or  some  betrayal  of 
trust,  banks  fail  and  the  people  lose,  but  this  is  the  fault  of  individuals 
and  not  of  the  system.  Our  banks,  with  rare  exceptions,  are  safe  places 
of  deposit.  Our  bankers,  as  a  rule,  are  upright  and  competent  men, 
worthy  of  the  confidence  the  people  repo.se  in  them.  The  banks  and 
bankers  of  Calhoun  County  are  not  an  exception  to  the  rule. 


108  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

We  append  hereto  a  list  of  the  banks  now  doing  business  in  the 
County  in  the  order  of  their  founding,  giving  the  National  banks  pre- 
cedence, with  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  each  as  appears  from  the 
last  published  report. 

Old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek 

The  old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek,  successor  to  the  private  bank 
of  Loyal  C.  Kellogg,  started  in  July,  1851,  was  organized  under  the  Na- 
tional bank  act  in  June,  1865,  application  for  a  permit  having  been  made 
on  the  preceding  28th  of  March.  At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  the 
following  were  elected  Directors :  David  Miller,  William  Andrus,  Thomas 
Hart,  Loyal  C.  Kellog,  Henry  D.  Hall,  William  Wallace,  and  William 
Brooks,  who  chose  Loyal  C.  Kellog,  President;  Thomas  Llart,  Vice- 
President;  Charles  M.  Leon,  Cashier;  William  Andrus,  Secretary  of 
Board  of  Directors. 

We  submit  herewith  the  first  Statement  of  the  Condition  of  the 
"Old  National"  as  published  in  the  Battle  Creek  Journal,  October  2, 
1865.  This  is  believed  to  be  the  first  public  Statement  of  Condition  to 
be  made  by  any  bank  in  Calhoun  County. 

First  National  Bank  op  Battle  Creek 

Statement  of  condition  October  2,  1865: — 

Notes    and    Bills   Discounted $  17,721.16 

Overdrafts    3,057.43 

Banking   House    $8,000.00 

Furniture   and   Fixtures    2,084.13 

Expenses   841.20  10,925,33  ' 

Premiums  1,834.29 

Remittances  and  other  Cash  Items 1,846.04 

Due   from  National   Banks 28,281.72 

Due  from  other  Banks  and  Bankers   23,719.53 

U.  S.  Bonds  Deposited  to  Secure  Circulation 45,000.00 

U.  S.  7-30  Treasury  Notes 3,950.00 

Circulating  Notes  of  other  National  Banks 2,145.00 

Circulating  Notes  of  State  Banks 63.00 

Specie 119.54 

Legal  tender $5,015.00 

U.  S.  6  per  cent  Notes 5,180.00 

Fractional  Currency 372.84 

U.  S.  Internal  Revenue  Stamps    281.00  10,848.84 

.$149,511.88 
Contra 

Capital  Stock  paid  in $80,000.00 

Circulating  Notes 30,000.00 

Due  Other  Banks 62.23 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  109 


Exchange    $      123.38 

Interest    505.21 

Deposits  38,821.06 


.$14!),511.8S 


Present  Offioer.s  and  Directors  of  the  Old  National  Bank  (1912)  :— 
Directors:  Edwin  C.  Nichols,  President,  Pres.  Nichols  &  Shepard 
Co.;  Charles  Austin,  Vice-President;  Charles  E.  Kolb,  Pres.  Union 
Steam  Pump  Co. ;  S.  J.  Titus,  Titus  &  Hicks ;  Lew  B.  Anderson,  Treas. 
Ad.  Pump  &  Coinp.  Co.;  A.  B.  Williams,  Attorney -at-Law ;  C.  C. 
Beach,  Treas.  Nichols  &  Shepard  Co. ;  John  Ileyser,  Supt.  Union  Steam 
Pump  Co.;     H.  J.  Smith,  Vice-President;     L.  J.  Karcher,  Cashier. 

Statement  of  condition  at  close  of  business,  September  4,  1912: 

Resources 

Loans    and    Discounts .^^2,374,370.58 

U.  S.  and  other  Bonds 1,349.457.62 

Securities 20,492.47 

Cash  and  Due  from  other   Banks 581,627.64 


$4,325,948.31 
Liabilities 

Capital  Stock $    200,000.00 

Surplus   and    Profits   143,159.08 

Circulating  Notes 200,000.00 

U.  S.  Government  Deposits 4,037.28 

Other  Deposits 3,778,751.95 


14,325,948.31 
The  First  National  Bank  of  Marshalt, 

was  organized  August  5,  1865,  with  Charles  T.  Gorham  as  President. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and  directors  of  this  bank  on  this, 
the  7th  day  of  October,  1912:  Charles  E.  Gorham,  President;  Frank 
A.  Stuart,  Vice-President;  Charles  II.  Billings,  Cashier:  Glenn  E. 
Grant,  Assistant  Cashier.  Directors:  Charles  E.  Gorham.  Samuel  F. 
Dobbins,  Charles  II.  Billings,  George  W.  Leedle.  Cliarlcs  H.  (iaiiss, 
James  L.  Dobbins.  Frank  A.  Stuart. 

Report  of  condition  at  the  dose  of  business.  Sci.tciiilxT  4.  1912:— 

Resoui-ces 

Loans  and   Discounts $3117,27(1.51 

Overdrafts,  secured  and  unsecured 4.fi27.17 

U.  S.  Bonds  to  secure  circulation ]ll(i,(l()(i.(l(» 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Other  Bonds  to  secure  postal  savings.  ..$10,000.00  .  $10,000.00 

Bonds,    Securities,    etc    -408,074.44 

Banking  house,  furniture  and  fixtures 13,000.00 

Due  from  National  Banks  (not  reserve  agents) .3,050.00 

Due  from  State  and  Private  Banks  and  Bankers, 

Trust  Companies  and  Savings  Banks 5,153.36 

Due  from  approved  reserve  agents 86,148.26 

Checks  and  other  Cash  Items 3,169.00 

Notes  of  other  National  Banks 1,385.00 

Fractional  Paper  Currency,  nickels  and  cents....  130.05 
Lawful  money  resei've  in  bank,  viz; 

Specie $46,045.50 

Legal  Tender  Notes 500.00  46,545.50 

Redemption  fund  with  U.  S.  Treasurer  (5  per  cent 

of  circulation)    5,000.00 


$993,553.29 
Liabilities 

Capital  Stock  paid  in $100,000.00 

Surplus  fund 25,000.00 

Undivided  profits,  less  expenses  and  taxes  paid. . . .  43,454.27 

National  Bank  Notes  outstanding 100,000.00 

Individual  Deposits  subject  to  cheek 628,301.38 

Demand  Certificates  of  Deposit 95,599.14 

Postal  Savings  Deposits 1,198.50 

$993,553.29 

The  Central  National  Bank  op  Battle  Creek 

This  bank  commenced  business  with  a  capital  stock  of  $200,000.00, 
on  the  21st  day  of  November,  1903.  The  following  is  a  list  of  its  present 
officers  and  directors  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  L.  W.  Robinson,  who  died 
August  21,  1912:  Edward  C.  Hinman,  President;  Frank  Wolfe,  Vice- 
President  ;  Carroll  L.  Post,  Vice-President ;  Howard  B.  Sherman,  Vice- 
President  ;  Frank  G.  Evans,  Cashier ;  William  W.  Smith,  Assistant 
Cashier;  E.  D.  Albertson,  Assistant  Cashier;  David  Miller,  Auditor. 

Directors:  C.  W.  Post,  Chairman  Postum  Cereal  Co.,  Ltd.;  Edward 
C.  Hinman,  Pres.  American  Steam  Pump  Co. ;  H.  B.  Sherman,  Pres.  H. 
B.  Sherman  Mfg.  Co. :  L.  W.  Robinson,  Dry  Goods  ilerchant ;  Carroll  L. 
Post,  Viee-Chairman  Postum  Cereal  Co.,  Ltd. ;  H.  P.  Stewart,  Attorney, 
of  Stewart  &  Sabin;  Leopold  Werstein,  Vice-Pres.  American  Steam 
Pump  Co. ;  G.  L.  Gilkey,  Capitalist,  Kalamazoo ;  Frank  Wolf,  Vice- 
President  ;  Prank  G.  Evans,  Cashier. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  111 

Coudenst'd  repoi't.  SepteinhiT  4,  1912: — 

Resources 

Loans  aud   Bonds )i;:j.S81,!J!)L()6 

Banking  House,  Furniture  and  Fixtures 19, 785. '25 

Cash  and  Due  from  Banks 633,843.55 

U.  S.  Treasury  Account 15,000.00 

$4,550,619.86 
Liatiilities 

Capital $    300,000.00 

Surplus  and   Profits 164,916.83 

Circulating  Notes 300,000.00 

Deposits 3,785,703.03 

$4,550,619.86 

The  City  Bank  of  Battle  Creek 

This  bank  was  organized  in  1871  with  a  capital  stock  of  .$50,000.00. 
The  original  incorporators  were:  Richmond  Kingman,  Alonzo  Noble, 
Benjamin  F.  Graves,  Victory  P.  Collier,  John  F.  iMoulton,  Nelson  Eldred, 
Elijah  W.  Pendill,  Clement  Wakelee,  Henry  J.  Champion  and  Roldon 
P.  Kingman. 

The  following  constitute  its  Board  of  Directors  in  1912:  F.  A.  All- 
wardt,  H.  F.  Bechnuiu,  S.  B.  Cole,  L.  A.  Dudley,  Charles  C.  Green,  N. 
E.  Hubbard,  Frank  J.  Kellogg,  M.  :Maas,  George  W.  Mecham  and  E.  R. 
^lorton. 

Officers:  Charles  C.  Green,  President;  E.  R.  ^lorton,  Vice-President 
and  Cashier;  F.  A.  Allwardt,  Second  Vice-President;  N.  E.  Hubbard, 
Third  Vice-President;  N.  Y.  Green,  Assistant  Cashier. 

Condensed  statement  at  the  close  of  business,  September  4,  1912 : — 

Resources 

Loans  and  Mortgages $1,468,963.05 

Overdrafts 604.24 

Real  Estate,  Furniture  and  P'ixtures 35,044.30 

Items  in  Transit 203.69 

Cash  on  Hand  and  in  Banks 400,205.70 

$1,905,020.98 
Liabilities 

Capital $    100,000.00 

Surplus,  Undivided  Profits 37,620.73 

Deposits 1.767.400.25 

$1,905.1)2(1.98 


112  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Merchants  Savings  Bank  of  Battle  Creek 

was  incorporated  March  28,  1895,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.00. 

The  first  officers  of  the  bank  were :  Prank  Turner,  President ;  A.  M. 
Minty,  Vice-President;  Scott  Field,  Cashier.  The  directors  were:  A. 
M.  Minty,  Frank  Turner,  P.  Hofifniaster,  I.  Amberg  and  Scott  Field. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and  directors  at  the  present 
time:  A.  M.  Minty,  President;  Prank  Turner,  Vice-President;  H.  A. 
Rowles,  Cashier.  Directors:  A.  M.  Minty,  Frank  Turner,  A.  O.  Jones, 
R.  P.  Hoffmaster,  F.  H.  Boos,  M.  Lafever,  H.  A.  Rowles. 

The  last  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  bank  shows  a  capital  stock 
of  $50,000.00  and  a  surplus  of  .$55,000.00,  as  follows : 

Condensed  report  of  condition  at  the  close  of  business,  September  4, 
1912  :— 

Resources 

Loans  and  Mortgages $1,316,945.97 

Cash  on  Hand  and  in  Banks 283,162.23 

Banking  House,  Furniture  and  Fixtures 27,325.00 


$1,627,433.20 
Lialulitics 

Capital  Stock $      50,000.00 

Surplus  and  Undivided  Profits 55,823.49 

Deposits 1,521,609.71 

$1,627,433.20 
The  Commercial  and  Savings  Bank  of  Albion 

This  bank  was  organized  on  the  30th  day  of  September,  1893,  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $35,000.00.  Its  present,  1912,  officers  and  directors 
are  as  follows :  Homer  C.  Blair,  President ;  W.  C.  Marsh,  Vice-President : 
Charles  G.  Bigelow,  Cashier ;  Charles  S.  Loud,  Assistant  Cashier. 

Directors:  Samuel  Dickie,  Washington  Gardner,  Homer  C.  Blair. 
Edward  R.  Loud,  L.  J.  Wolcott,  W.  C.  ilarsh,  Benjamin  D.  Brown. 
Charles  G.  Bigelow.     There  is  one  vacancy. 

The  following  report  shows  the  condition  of  this  bank  on  the  4th 
day  of  September,  1912 : 

Report  of  condition  at  the  close  of  business,  September  4,  1912 : — 

Resources 

Loans  and  Discounts,  viz: 

Commercial  Department $177,078.46 

Savings  Department   20,350.00     $197,428.46 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  113 

Bonds,  Mortgages  and  Securities,  viz : 

Commercial  Department ^  12,0l)U.0() 

Savings    Department    171.1'21.27     .-H83,121.27 

Premium  Account    $    (iOO.OO 

Overdrafts  l,42(i.7() 

Banking  House 5,40().0() 

Furniture  and  Fixtures   2,150.U0 

Other  Real  Estate   3,210.00 

Items  in  transit 9.216.03 

Reserve 

Commercial       Savings 
Due  from  banks  in 

reserve  cities $  9,982.05     $22,536.55 

Exchanges  for  clearing 

house 2,933.35 

U.  S.  and  National 

bank  currency 8,100.00       11,000.00 

Gold  Coin 230.00 

Silver  Coin 2,744.35  268.00 

J^ickels  and  cents 498.63  27 

$24,488.38     $33,804.82         58,293.20 
Checks  and  other  Cash  Items  157.92 

$461,003.58 

Liabilities 

Capital  Stock  paid  in $  35,000.00 

Surplus  Fund 16,000.00 

Undivided  Profits,  net 5,550.61 

Commercial  deposits  subject  to  check.  .$143,798.51 
Commercial  Certificates  of  Deposit.  . .     32,878.37 

State  Monies  on  Deposit 2,500.00 

Savings  Deposits   (book  aects.) 225,276.09       404,452.97 

$461,003.58 

The  Albion  St.vte  Bank 

was  organized  :\Iarch  29,  1895,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.00.  Its 
present  officers  and  directors  are:  Eugene  P.  Robertson,  President; 
W.  S.  Kessler,  Vice-President;  Seth  Hyney,  Cashier;  T.  N.  Brockway, 
Assistant  Cashier. 

Directors:  O.  A.  Leonard,  S.  Y.  Hill,  W.  H.  Rodenbach,  G.  W. 
Schneider,  George  T.  Bullen,  D.  :\r.  McAuliffe,  W.  S.  Kessler,  D.  A. 
Garfield,  Eugene  P.  Robertson. 

Vol.  1—8 


114  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Report  of  condition  at  the  close  of  business,  September  4,  1912 : — 
Resources 
Loans  and  Discounts,  viz: 

Commercial  Department $160,863.08 

Savings  Department 26,200.00 

Bonds,  Mortgages  and  Securities,  viz: 

Commercial  Department 20,000.00 

Savings  Department 170,886.35 

Premium  Account 402.50 

Overdrafts 3,795.88 

Furniture  and  Fixtures 1,500.00 

Items  in  transit 1,081.29 

Reserve 

Commercial      Savings 
Due  from  banks  in  reserve 

cities $15,582.64    $16,597.08 

Exchanges  for 

clearing  house 3,398.'29 

U.  S.  and  National 

Bank  Currency    6,307.00         6,000.00 

Gold  Com   910.00        9,000.00 

Silver  coin 2,174.05 

Nickels  and  cents 185.73 

28,557.71     $31,597.08     $  60,154.79 

$444,883.89 
Liabilities 

Capital  Stock  paid  in $  50,000.00 

Surplus   Fund    10,000.00 

Undivided  Profits  net 13,855.42 

Dividends  Unpaid   50.00 

Commercial  deposits  subject  to  check  $101,197.59 
Commercial  Certificates  of  Deposit  . .  41,353.80 
Savings  Deposits   (book  accts.) 228,427.08      370,978.47 

$444,883.89 
The  First  State  Bank  op  Tekonsha 

This  bank  was  established  -as  a  private  bank  in  1877,  by  Allen  & 
Johnson,  and  incorporated  as  a  State  Bank,  March  20,  1902,  under  the 
name  of  First  State  Bank. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  115 

The  followiug  is  a  list  of  the  present  ofBcers  and  directors:  E.  P. 
Keep,  President :  R.  E  .Waldo,  Vice-President ;  B.  G.  Doolittle,  Cashier ; 
F.  D.  Rice,  Assistant  Cashier. 

Directors:  E.  P.  Keep,  R.  E.  Waldo,  H.  N.  Randall,  E.  W.  Randall, 
Ed.  Dean,  James  Proctor,  B.  G.  Doolittle. 

Report  of  the  condition  at  the  close  of  business,  Sept.  4,  1912. 

Resources 

Loans  and  Discounts,  viz : 

Commercial  Department $  84,769.31 

Bonds  Mortgages  and  Securities,  viz : 

Commercial   Department    8,806.75 

Savings  Department   31,839.02  , 

$125,415.08 

Overdrafts    2.30 

Other  Real  Estate  2,500.00 

Due  from  other  Banks  and  Bankers 1,000.00 

Reserve 

Commercial     Savings 
Due  from  Banks  in 

resei-ve  cities $19,596.01     $4,000.00 

Exchange  for 

clearing  house 463.73 

U.  S.  and  National 

Bank   Currency    5.876.00       1.000.00 

Gold  Coin   270.00       1,000.00 

Silver  Coin  1,057.85  167.00 

Nickels  and  cents   81.85  .96 

$27,345.44    $6,167.96       $33,513.40 
Checks  and  otlier  Cash  Items 138.82 

$162,569.60 

Liablities 

Capital  stock  paid  in   $30,000.00 

Surplus  Fund    4,250.00 

Undivided  Profits,  net   909.77 

Commercial  Deposits  subject  to  check.  .$36,969.82 
Commercial  Certificates  of  Deposit  ....   52,433.03 

Savings  Deposit,  (book  accts) 20.670.74 

Savings  Certificates  of  Deposit  17.:!:i(;,24       127,409.83 

$162,596.60 


116  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Athens  State  Bank 

In  January,  1911,  the  Farmers  State  Bank  and  the  Athens  State  and 
Savings  Bank,  both  of  the  village  of  Athens,  merged  their  interests, 
since  which  time  the  consolidated  bank  has  been  doing  business  as  the 
Athens  State  Bank.  At  the  present  time,  October,  1912,  its  capital  is 
$30,000.00,  and  surplus  $6,000.00,  with  total  assets  over  $160,000.00. 

Officers :  Frank  G.  Woodruff,  President ;  George  W.  Brokaw,  Vice- 
President;  Fi-ank  E.  Estes,  Cashier. 

Directors:  Abram  L.  Wood,  John  A.  Stanton,  Frank  G.  Woodruff, 
George  W.  Brokaw,  Fred  A.  Bower,  F.  E.  Estes,  Earle  D.  Albertson, 
Lauren  T.  ]\Iorris,  Frank  AVolf,  S.  W.  Lehr. 


CHAPTER  IX 

HISTORY  OF  ALBION  COLLEGE  * 

Albion  College  (by  Delos  Fall)  —  (I)  Its  Early  History — (II)  Its 
Early  History  Contini-ed — (III)  Early  History,  Third  Period — 
(IV)  The  Past  Thirty-Five  Years — Ideal  Character  of  the 
College —  ( V)  Products. 

By  Delos  Fall 

(I.)— Its  Early  History. 

The  Year  Book  of  Albion  College  has  kept  the  following  or  a  similar 
paragraph  at  the  head  of  its  general  statement  for  a  good  many  years, 
an  emphatic  reminder  to  all  ilethodists  of  a  most  important  and  far 
reaching  fact :  "In  the  year  1833,  certain  prominent  residents  of  the 
territory  of  Michigan,  Rev.  Henry  Colclazer,  Rev.  Elijah  IT.  Pilcher  and 
Benjamin  H.  Packard,  I\I.  D.,  resolved  to  inaugurate  a  movement  for  the 
establishment  of  an  academy  of  higher  learning  in  Jliehigan." 

This  sentence  of  thirty  words  does  not  in  itself  seem  to  carry  great 
significance,  but  to  the  thoughtful  reader,  to  one  wlio  habitually  reads  be- 
tween the  lines,  there  can  be  seen  the  great  and  enduring  monument  of 
these  three  men,  a  monument  higher  and  grander  than  could  possibly 
by  suggested  by  costly  marble  or  granite  erected  in  sonic  city  of  the  dead. 
In  this  monument  are  involved  all  the  good  inlluciiccs  (■\(it(  il  li\-  Alliiim 

College  through  all  its  history  of  now  nearly  seventy  years.     Il  tains 

the  fruitage  of  all  the  lives  that  have  been  educated  here,  all  the  incen- 
tives for  higher  and  more  forceful  living  wliich  have  entered  into  the 
activities  of  all  who  have  in  any  way  been  connected  with  the  institution, 
founders,  trustees,  agents,  faculty,  patrons,  parents,  students,  the 
church  and  the  state.  This  thought  cannot  be  further  elaborated,  but 
let  the  reader  .spend  a  moment  of  reflection  concerning  the  weighty 
content  of  the  statement. 

This  monument  is  an  enduring  one  ;  it  can  never  lie  destroyed  and  will 
remain  through  all  the  coming  years.  The  key  to  this  suggestion  is 
found  in  the  word  "resolved:"  "these  men  resolved  to  inaugurate  a 
movement."  Back  of  the  resolution  was  an  inspiration.  Whence  the 
inspiration?  The  answer  is  plain.  These  Christian  men  were  inspired 
of  God  to  thus  plan  to  supply  the  church  with  the  necessary  factor  of 
education  without  which  it  would  be  impotent  to  fulfill  its  great  mission. 

*  We  are  gratifiefl  to  present  a  somewhat  extended  sketch  of  Albion  College,  the 
only  institution  of  collegiate  grade  in  the  County.  The  character  and  extent  of 
■work  done  in  the  past,  its  present  condition  and  its  possibilities  in  the  future  .iustify 
space  given.  Prof.  Delos  Fall,  author  of  the  article,  is  well  qualified  to  prepare  it. 
For  more  than  a  third  of  century,  he  has  helil  an  important  chair  in  the  Faculty  of 

117 


118  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Furthermore,  let  no  one  insinuate  that  Albion  College  will  ever  do 
anything  but  make  persistent  and  constant  progress  to  an  ever  increasing 
sphere  of  influence.  The  college  can  not  retrograde,  it  can  not  stand 
still  for  the  reason  that  in  the  original  instance  it  was  divinely  inspired. 
Resolutions  were  submitted  by  these  men  to  the  Ohio  annual  con- 
ference, which  body  then  had  jurisdiction  over  this  territory.  The  sub- 
■  ject  was  favorably  considered,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  further 
the  project.  An  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained  from  the  legislative 
branch  of  the  territorial  government,  dated  March  23,  1835,  by  which 
a  school  under  the  name  "Spring  Arbor  Seminary"  was  located  in  the 
village  of  Spring  Arbor,  Jackson  County,  on  the  site  of  an  old  Indian 
village. 


Prof.  Delos  P.vll 

For  sometime  nothing  further  was  done.  No  buildings  were  ever 
erected  at  this  place  and  the  school  was  never  opened;  the  conditions 
were  discouraging  and  some  of  its  friends  were  ready  to  abandon  the 
enterprise.  It  should  lie  i-eniembered,  however,  that  this  was  before 
Michigan  became  a  state,  licl'div  the  appointment  of  the  first  state  super- 
intendent of  public  intriutii)ii  and  liefore  there  was  any  formal  organiza- 
tion of  a  school  system.  It  must  Ite  considered  that  all  movements  having 
as  their  end  the  building  up  of  the  kingdom  of  God  on  the  earth  proceed 
slowly  and  especially  in  the  time  of  their  initial  history. 

In  spite  of  a  common  traditicm  to  the  contrary,  Methodism  has  always 
attached  very  great  imi)oi-(,iii(c  \n  education  and  has  ever  been  in  the 
van  of  progress  in  the  fsiaiilisliimiit  of  schools  of  learning.  Born  in  a 
college,  she  could  not  do  otliciwi.sc. 

the  Institution  and  he  is  thoroughly  familiar,  not  only  with  its  history,  but  its  spirit 
and  ainis.  He  has  known  personally,  nearly  all  the  instructors  and  others  of  whom 
he  makes  mention.     Besides  being  an  erudite  scholar,  successful  teacher  and  writer 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  119 

In  the  meantime  the  young  and  growing  village  of  Albion, 
through  some  of  its  most  enterprising  citizens,  made  a  proposition  for  the 
removal  of  the  school  to  that  place.  This  received  the  endorsement  of 
the  ilichigan  annual  conference,  which  had  been  formed  by  division  of 
the  Ohio  conference,  and  the  state  legislature,  in  1839,  amended  the 
charter,  giving  it  the  corporate  name  of  Wesleyan  Seminary,  making 
the  proposed  change  of  location,  and  reconstructing  the  board  of  trustees. 

In  the  autumn  of  1S39,  Rev.  Loring  Grant,  who  had  been  a  prominent 
minister  in  western  New  York,  was  appointed  agent  and  entered  upon 
the  difficult  task  of  raising  funds  for  the  erection  of  a  seminary  building. 
A  system  of  scholarships  was  adopted  which  gave  the  holder  four  years ' 
tuition  in  the  school  on  payment  of  one  hundred  dollars.  This  gave 
money  for  the  building  but  nothing  for  payment  of  salaries  of  teachers. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  tirst  building  was  laid  in  June  1841,  which 
was  completed  in  time  for  the  opening  of  the  school  in  November,  1843. 
It  was  a  plain  structure  50x100  feet  and  four  stories  high,  made  of  brick 
and  stuccoed  to  represent  stone.  Rev.  Charles  F.  Stockwell,  A.  M.,  a 
graduate  of  iliddletown  university,  was  appointed  principal,  who,  with 
an  earnest  corps  of  teachers,  entered  upon  the  work  of  instruction.  Stu- 
dents in  large  numbers  flocked  to  the  school  and  much  educational 
enthusiasm  was  awakened  in  the  church.  The  patronage  was  not  con- 
fined to  the  Methodist  church,  but  was  general.  During  this  period 
several  young  men  prepared  for  college  who  subsequently  reached 
places  of  high  distinction. 

It  is  not  a  difficult  task  to  read  and  interpret  the  underlying  thought 
of  these  founders  of  Albion.  They  saw  that  such  a  school  would  inevit- 
ably become  the  center  and  nucleus  for  the  production  of  denominational 
enthusiasm;  here  would  be  gathered  into  a  focus  the  intiuence  of  the 
church,  and  here  could  be  gained  the  interest  and  power  to  render 
efficient  aid  in  extending  church  enterprises.  It  is  the  glory  of  Albion 
College  that  it  has  always  strongly  supported  missionary  and  evangelistic 
movements. 

At  the  same  time,  while  it  insisted  that  fundamental  and  essential 
Christianity  was  a  vital  factor  in  higher  education,  and  that  there  must 
be  free  opportunity  for  Christian  culture  in  the  life  of  the  college  stu- 
dent, it  never  could  he  said  that  the  college  was  open  to  the  charge  of 
sectarianism  in  any  sense! 

Albion  was  and  remains  earnestly  and  aggressively  Chi-istian,  but 
not  narrow  or  sectarian.  Its  government  and  spirit  are  religious  but 
it  imposes  no  sectarian  tests.  It  was  founded  by  the  church ;  it  is  under 
the  control  of  the  church;  the  majority  of  the  board  of  trustees  are  ap- 
pointed by  the  Detroit  and  ^liehigan  conferences;  the  trustees  are  re- 
quired to  make  an  annual  report  to  these  conferences  of  the  condition, 
needs  and  work  of  the  institution ;  the  conferences  appoint  visitors  to 
the  college  who  are  required  to  report  to  the  appointing  bodies  the  re- 
sult of  their  inspection. 

Albion  is  a  school  of  liberal  arts  and  not  a  theological  school.  The 
Bible  is  studied  in  the  Hebrew,  tlie  Greek  and  the  English,  but  there  are 
no  theological  tests  and  no  religious  exactions  beyond  regular  attendance 

of  repute,  he  has  been  a  man  of  affairs  among  men.  He  was  long  a  member  of  the 
City  Board  of  Education ;  alderman  in  the  City  Council ;  twelve  years  a  member  of 
the  State  Board  of  Health ;  four  years  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 


120  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUiMTY 

upon  chapel  exercises  each  school  day  and  at  church  on  the  Sabbath, 
giving  the  students  their  choice  of  place  of  worship. 

Albion  is  not  a  theological  school,  and  yet  every  graduating  class 
contains  a  considerable  number  of  young  men  who  have  heard  the  call 
and  have  consecrated  themselves  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  This 
course  on  their  pax't  is  in  exact  harmony  with  the  advice  of  the  bishops 
who  say  that  as  between  a  full  four  years '  college  course  and  a  shortened 
college  course  supplemented  by  one  in  a  theological  school,  the  former 
is  very  much  to  be  preferred. 

In  addition  to  those  who  are  preparing  for  the  regular  ministry  there 
is  maintained  a  students'  volunteer  missionary  band  consisting  of  a  large 
number  of  3'oung  men  and  women  who  are  preparing  themselves  for 
the  foreign  missionary  work. 

Thus  it  is  true  to-day,  as  in  the  past,  that  a  very  large  number  of 
the  pulpits  in  Slichigan  are  filled  by  men  who  have  been  trained  in  Al- 
bion College,  and  thereby  is  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  school  is 


the  strong  right  arm  of  the  church,  making  its  influence  felt  in  every 
charge  and  placing  every  member  of  the  Methodist  church  under  un- 
deniable obligations  to  aid  in  giving  it  adequate  support. 

(II.) — Its  Early  History  Continued. 

A  second  period  in  the  development  of  the  school  at  Albion  began  in 
18-19  when  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  the  charter  was  amended  creating 
a  female  college  under  the  corporate  name  of  "Wesleyan  Seminary  and 
Female  Collegiate  Institute,"  and  authorizing  the  school  to  confer  de- 
grees only  upon  women.  This  action  was  somewhat  anomalous,  and  re- 
versed the  traditional  method  employed,  which  almost  universally  con- 
sisted in  providing  for  the  higher  education  of  young  men,  leaving  the 
young  women  out  of  the  account.  In  other  words,  co-education,  the 
education  of  both  sexes  in  one  institution,  has  come  into  existence 
thi'ough  long  discussion  with  old  prejudices  and  theories  of  education. 
In  the  present  case  the  boys  might  be  members  of  the  college  classes,  but 
they  could  not  graduate  with  a  degree. 

a  member  ami  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Education;  a  member  of  the  Conven- 
tion that  framed  our  present  State  Constitution  and  in  that  convention  -was  chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Education  and  Educational  Institutions. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COITNTY  121 

The  course  of  study  was  exteuded  and  made  inoi-e  regular,  requiring 
work  up  to  about  the  close  of  the  sophomore  year  in  our  best  colleges  for 
young  men.  The  educational  demands  were  thought  to  be  of  a  higher 
standard  than  in  the  female  colleges  in  other  states  at  that  time.  The 
appliances  for  instruction  were  considerabl.y  increased,  especially  in 
chemistry  and  physics. 

The  institution  continued  under  tins  chai'ter  for  eleven  years,  from 
1850  to  1861.  During  this  time  the  degree  of  JI.  A.  S.  was  conferred 
upon  117  young  women.  Let  the  reader  pause  here  and  interpret  the 
letters  designating  this  degree.  He  will  look  in  vain  in  the  list  of  ali- 
breviations  in  the  unabridged  dictionaries  of  our  time.  It  is  sujiposed, 
of  course,  that  the  worthy  women  who  received  this  degree  can  readily 
translate  it,  "^Mistress  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences."  ilany  of  these  women 
became  quiet  prominent  in  public  work,  and  some  are  to-day  occupying 
distinguished  positions. 

A  second  building  of  about  the  same  dimensions  as  the  first  was 
erected  in  1852.  This  was  burned  to  the  ground  in  the  autumn  of  1853, 
and  was  rebuilt  the  ne.xt  year,  although  somewhat  reduced  in  size. 

The  board  of  trustees  of  the  female  college  might  have  been  com- 
posed of  women,  but  it  was  not.  Rev.  A.  M.  Fitch  was  president;  Ed- 
ward JlcClure,  first  vice-president ;  C.  ^l.  Cobb,  secretary ;  Joseph 
French,  treasurer;  the  other  members  being  G.  L.  Foster,  E.  H.  Pilcher, 
R.  Sapp,  H.  Packard,  0.  C.  Comstock,  Benjamin  Faxon.  E.  J.  House, 
and  L.  D.  Crippen. 

The  faculty  were  Rev.  Clark  T.  Iliniiian.  A.  .M..  president  and  jiro- 
fessor  of  moral  and  intellectual  science;  Rev.  E.  W.  .Merrill.  A.  M., 
professor  of  ancient  languages  and  elocution ;  Rev.  Norman  Abbott,  A. 
M.,  professor  of  mathematics ;  Rev.  L.  R.  Fiske,  A.  B.,  professor  of 
Natural  science;  Lsaac  C.  Cochrane,  professor  of  primary  English  liter- 
ature ;  ]Miss  Sarah  Hurst,  principal  of  female  department  and  teacher 
of  modern  languages  and  fine  arts;  Jlrs.  Mary  E.  Church,  teacher  of 
music;  Joseph  Chandierlain,  teacher  of  Indian  department:  Josejih 
French,  steward ;  Rev.  W.  H.  Brockway,  general  agent. 

During  the  year  1850  there  were  355  students  in  attendance.  It 
will  be  noticed  that  the  course  of  study  was  essentially  the  old,  traditional 
classical  course  with  a  modest  introduction  of  the  subjects  of  science, 
modern  languages  and  English.  The  department  for  the  instruction  of 
Indians  was  unique  and  suggestive  of  the  early  missionary  spirit  of  the 
institution.  The  catalogue  of  that  year  made  the  modest  statement  for 
the  musical  department  that  "Lessons  will  be  given  on  the  piano  and 
melodeon."  It  takes  a  half-dozen  pages  of  the  modern  college  year  book 
to  make  adequate  announcement  of  instruction  in  piano-forte,  voice,  pipe 
organ,  violin,  violoncello,  orchestral  instruments,  chorus,  oratories,  can- 
tatas, concerts,  recitals,  et  cetera. 

Rev.  Clark  T.  Hinman,  D.  D.,  a  minister  of  inspiring  eloquence  and 
of  great  pulpit  power,  was  principal  of  the  seminary  for  four  years  and 
president  of  the  collegiate  institute  for  three  years,  from  184(i  to  1853. 
He  was  afterwards  largely  instrumental  in  founding  the  Northwestern 
University  at  Evanston,  and  became  it.s  first  president. 

For  the  following  very  vivid  and   interesting  account  of  one  phase 


122  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

of  Albion's  history,  the  writer  is  indebted  to  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Daugherty, 
who  was  for  several  years  the  very  able  field  agent  of  the  college :  "  It 
may  be  of  interest  to  recall  a  chapter  of  its  history  in  the  transition  from 
the  Albion  Seminary  and  Wesleyan  Female  College  to  Albion  College. 
This  required  a  change  in  the  charter.  One  of  the  features  of  the  re- 
vised charter  was  unique,  and  born  of  the  unfortunate  experience  of  the 
institution  in  getting  into  debt.  It  was  the  creation  of  a  new  corporation, 
distinct  from  the  board  of  trustees,  to  hold  and  invest  all  the  funds  con- 
tributed for  endowment,  making  it  impossible  for  the  trustees,  no  matter 
how  great  their  necessity,  to  use  a  dollar  of  the  endowment  fund  for 
current  expenses. 

"That  matchless  man,  Clark  T.  Hinman,  when  president  of  the  insti- 
tution, had  raised  an  endowment  fund  of  $100,000  by  the  sale  of  scholar- 
ships entitling  the  owner  to  free  tuition  for  one  pupil  forever.     Every 


RoBixsux  Building 

$100  represented  such  a  scholarship.  The  principal  was  to  be  invested 
and  held  a  sacred  trust  forever,  and  the  interest  only  to  be  used  for 
current  expenses.  The  fund  was  partly  cash,  and  pArtly  in  notes,  given 
for  scholarships,  on  which  the  makers  paid  ten  per  cent  annual  interest 
till  it  suited  them  to  pay  the  principal.  The  income  was  scanty,  the 
wants  of  the  school  plenty  and  pressing.  The  trustees  had  money  in 
hand  belonging  to  the  endowment  fund.  To  be  sure,  it  was  a  sacred 
trust,  and  they  had  solemnly  promised  never  to  pervert  it.  But  it  was 
needed  so  badly,  and  they  must  cither  have  money  or  close  the  school. 
They  were  good  men,  true  fiifiids  nf  the  church  and  the  college,  con- 
fronting as  they  saw  it,  a  great  (lihMiinia,  one  horn  a  closed  school,  the 
other  a  pei'version  of  a  sacred  fund.  They  made  the  fatal  mistake  of 
selectiiii;'  the  latter.  They  borrowed  the  endowment  fund,  as  they  said, 
and  intended  to  repay  it.     But  wants  accumulated  so  fast,  income  was  so 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  123 

iu;uk'(|uato,*tliey  were  ik'wv  able  to  pay.  Having  eiitei-ed  u|)oii  this  fatal 
policy,  it  was  easy  to  eoutinue  it,  aud  this  they  did  till  all  cash  was  iu 
hand  and  all  notes  that  they  eould  collect  were  used  up.  The  eud  had 
come.  The  institution  was  without  means,  and  w'hat  was  far  worse, 
was  left  without  many  friends,  and  with  an  army  of  open  enemies  or 
indifferent  constituents.  The  college  and  its  managers  were  covered 
with  odium.  Every  prominent  minister  and  layman  in  both  confer- 
ences had  scholarships,  anathemas  for  the  trustees,  and  hostility  or  cold- 
ness for  the  institution  itself.  Meanwhile  a  poorly-paid  but  heroic 
faculty  had  kept  the  doors  open  and  taught  all  who  came.  The  north 
and  central  buildings  had  grown  dilapidated,  the  grounds  unsightly, 
being  uniuclosed  and  dug  into  pits  to  get  gravel  to  mend  the  ways  of 
the  village.  The  walls  of  the  north  building  were  up  and- roofed,  and 
had  been  for  some  years,  but  inside  unfurnished,  and  outside  unsightly, 
'lehabod'  was  written  everywhere. 

"This  was  the  state  of  things  that  confronted  its  friends  in  1865. 
Its  friends  of  to-day  have  no  such  conditions  to  face.  They  have  a 
public  sentiment  widely  sympathetic,  a  condition  highly  respectable, 
resources  not  what  they  should  be,  but  equal  to  good  work,  a  hopeful 
and  splendid  outlook,  and  halls  crowded  with  promising  young  men  and 
women.  Had  it  not  been  for  such  men  a.s  Owen,  Preston.  Sheldon,  Gale 
and  others  among  the  laymen,  and  Cogshall,  Hrockway,  Fitch,  Jocelyn, 
Perrine,  Gillett,  Smart,  Clements,  Reed  and  others  among  the  preachers, 
but  for  their  heroism  and  devotion.  Albion  College  would  have  found  its 
grave  in  1865  or  before.  But  1866  was  the  centennial  year.  The  friends 
of  the  college  succeeded  in  carrying  through  l)Oth  the  Michigan  and  De- 
troit conferences  a  resolution  to  celebrate  the  centennial  of  iiethodism 
in  America  by  raising  -iilOO.UOO  for  the  endowment  of  Albion  College. 
Each  conference  appointed  a  committee  to  plan  and  supervise  the  effort. 
Albion  was  asked  to  raise  $25,tK)U  as  the  condition  on  which  the  institution 
was  to  remain  at  Albion.  1  know  well  the  plans  of  the  Michigan  con- 
ference for  I  was  chairman  of  its  committee  and  the  laboring  oar  and 
supervision  of  the  work  fell  to  me.  AVe  had  the  cause  presented  to  the 
people  at  every  appointment  and  contributions  solicited.  We  also  em- 
ployed Rev.  Thomas  Lyon  to  canvass  every  charge,  and  to  his  thorough 
and  skillful  work  was  largely  due  our  success.  Albion  raised  her  .+l'.").()0() ; 
the  .Michigan  conference  raised  in  addition  about  $55.00(1  and  tin'  De- 
troit conference  about  $20,000.  and  thus  Albion  College  hatl  her  first 
$100,000  of  endowment. 

"In  1867  it  was  determined  to  appoint  a  financial  agent.  The  insti- 
tution was  not  much  in  debt,  but  without  means  to  pay  teailicis  or 
repair  buildings.  The  endowment  fund  was  mostly  in  notes  scatfcnd  all 
over  the  state  and  needed  attention.  The  trustees  and  my  eoiitVii'iuc 
asked  for  my  appointment.  Bishop  xVmes,  against  my  earnest  protest, 
complied.  The  endowment  fund  committee  also  made  me  their  agent, 
to  collect  and  look  after  the  notes  and  interest  on  them,  and  to  i)ay  the 
taxes  and  make  sales  of  the  real  estate  that  had  been  conti-iliuted  to 
this  fund. 

"The  first  necessity  was  money  to  pay  the  teachers.  Churches  iu 
every  part  of  the  state,  in  town   and  country,   were   visited   and   help 


124  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

asked,  and  a  healthy  sentiment  created.  The  preachers  and  the  people 
nobly  responded  and  current  expenses  were  met  without  debt  or  borrow- 
ing. 

"The  next  thing  pressing  was  money  to  repair  and  .rejuvenate  the 
north  and  central  buildings,  and  complete  the  south  building  and  enclose 
and  grade  and  ornament  the  grounds.  A  meeting  was  called  at  Central 
church,  Detroit,  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  raise  $10,000  for  this  pur- 
pose. This  sum  was  pledged  after  considerable  effort.  It  had  been 
conditioned  on  raising  the  whole  or  none.  A  meeting  of  the  trustees 
was  called,  to  which  every  subscriber  to  the  fund  was  invited  to  show 
that  the  money  was  pledged,  and  to  determine  how  it  should  be  expended. 
At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved  to  borrow  $10,000  to  be  paid  from  this 
$10,000  fund  when  collected.  To  this  there  was  much  oppo.sition  as  a 
dangerous  step.  It  was  the  camel 's  nose.  But  the  needs  were  so  press- 
ing. Our  appearance  was  so  truly  shabby  and  humiliating  that  pride 
overrode  prudence,  and  the  debt  incurred.  The  $10,000  was  collected 
slowly ;  subscribers  given  time,  if  they  requested  it,  as  we  had  the  money 
for  the  improvements.  But  interest  at  ten  per  cent  was  enlarging  the 
debt,  some  subscribers  failed,  and  the  subscription,  though  a  good  one, 
failed  to  pay  all  the  principal  and  interest  of  the  loan,  and  thus  was 
created  the  nucleus  of  a  debt  tliat  has  haunted  and  burdened  the  insti- 
tution for  thirty  years.  But  with  the  $10,000  the  college  put  on  fine 
new  clothes,  and  when  the  south  building  was  linished  and  our  new 
chapel  was  ready  to  dedicate,  a  Methodist  state  convention  was  largely 
attended.  The  hospitality  of  Albion  was  severely  taxed.  It  proved  a 
most  important  and  epoch-making  occasion. 

"The  prime  object  of  this  convention  was  to  consider  how  the  endow- 
ment fund  could  be  increased  by  another  $100,000  though  ostensibly  to 
dedicate  the  new  chapel  and  swell  the  now  rising  tide  of  public  favor. 
After  much  discussion  liy  llic  strong  men  of  both  conferences,  clerical 
and  lay,  in  which  all  achiiittcd  tlu-  college  needed  and  deserved  it,  that 
prince  among  good  men,  Uavid  Preston,  arose,  and  in  his  direct  and 
laconic  style,  said:  'If  Bro.  Daugherty  will  raise  $50,000  from  not  over 
fifty  men,  I  will  pledge  myself  to  raise  $60,000  from  the  rest  of  man- 
kind.' Bro.  Daugherty  said  he  could  and  would  do  it.  The  doxology 
was"  sung,  and  amid  great  rejoicing  the  first  Methodist  state  convention 
adjourned. 

' '  The  $50,000  was  pledged  before  the  next  ensuing  session  of  the  con- 
ference by  less  than  fifty  persons.  In  this  work  the  agent  was  assisted 
by  Rev.  Seth  Reed  a  part  of  the  time.  Bro.  Preston  arranged  to  have  a 
collection  taken  in  every  cojigrcgntion  in  Imth  conferences  on  the  same 
Sunday,  and  to  have  the  result  icportcd  In  liim  jjromptly.  He  flooded 
the  ]Methodist  churches  with  larts  and  exhortations  printed  and  sent 
out  by  tens  of  thousands,  elu(|ueut  and  brotherly  appeals.  They  greatly 
stimulated  interest  in  the  college,  but  the  result  was  disappointing. 
Only  a  fraction  of  the  $60,000  was  thus  gained.  But  nothing  daunted, 
he  took  the  field  in  person  and  called  to  his  assistance  the  agent  and 
others,  and  pressed  the  canvass  till  the  whole  sum  was  raised.  And  thus 
Albion  College  gained  her  scediid  .-l^liiojiCO. 

"The  men  most  closelv  connected  with  the  history  of  the  institution 


IIISTOHY   OK  CALUOiX   COIXTY  lii.') 

in  tliust'  (lays  wvvv  sure  that  (lod  had  iircd  of  it  and  was  ph-inninj^  f,,,-  it 
a  great  futuru.  Some  of  them  were  mig'hty  men  ot  prayer,  and  all 
plainly  saw  and  aeknowledgeil  ids  guiding  hand  anil  favoring  providence. 
Some  still  linger  to  behold  and  rejoiee  in  what  they  helped  to  do,  but 
most  of  tiiem  with  joy  eestatie  look  down  upon  it  from  the  golden 
towers  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  " 

Rev.  L.  R.  Fiske,  of  this  faeulty,  after  teaching  for  some  time  in  the 
Michigan  Agricultural  College,  and  serving  the  church  as  pastor  with 
great  distinction,  became  tiie  presitlent  of  Albion  College  in  1877,  con- 
tinuing in  his  office  with  great  efficiency  for  full  twent.y  years. 

Of  the  young  men  who  attended  the  school  at  this  early  time,  and 
who  here  prepared  either  for  college  or  for  life,  may  be  mentioned  the 
Hon.  Wirt  Dexter,  a  very  eminent  Chicago  lawyer;  General  Clinton  B. 
Fisk,  the  soldier,  statesman,  and  philantropist  of  blessed  memory ;  Hon. 
Sterling  ^Morton,  secretary  of  agriculture  under  President  Cleveland; 
Judge  John  W.  McGrath,  once  a  member  of  the  supreme  court  of  Mich- 


Observatorv 

igan;  Rev.  Arthur  Edwards,  the  forceful  and  influential  editor  of  the 
Northwestern  Christian  Advocate  for  so  many  yeai-s ;  Hon.  Ashley  Pond, 
a  noted  lawj-er  of  Detroit,  and  others.  Dr.  Edwards  once  told  the  writer 
of  his  great  delight  in  finding  in  the  records  of  the  Clever  Fellows'  So- 
ciety, one  of  the  leading  literary  societies  of  the  school,  the  statement  of 
his  election  to  the  first  office  ever  conferred  upon  him  by  the  vote  of  his 
fellow  men. 

It  would  require  volumes  to  be  written  to  adequately  set  forth  the 
self-sacrificing  labors  of  many  of  the  men  and  women  who  gave  the  best 
they  had  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  institution.  One  man  may  be  men- 
tioned here  as  a  typical  example  of  the  spirit  manifested  by  many  others. 

The  services  of  William  H.  Brockway  for  Albion  College  covered  a 
period  of  nearly  forty  years  as  agent,  member  and  president  of 
the  board  of  trustees,  treasurer,  and  chairman  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee. Born  in  Vermont  in  1813,  he  came  to  Jliehigan  in  1831,  and 
very  soon  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  is  said  to  have  been  the 
first  Methodist  preacher  licensed  in  the  state.  He  was  first  appointed 
to  the  Huron  mission,  including  Ypsilanti,  Detroit,  and  Monroe ;  next 
to  Mt.  Clemens:  then  the  Saginaw  mission;  back  to  the  Ypsilanti  cir- 


126  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

cuit,  and  finally  to  the  Lake  Superior  mission  for  ten  years,  serving 
during  the  most  of  this  time  as  chaplain  at  Fort  Brady,  Sault  Ste.  Marie. 
He  came  to  Albion  in  1848  and  began  his  service  as  presiding  elder  of 
Indian  missions  for  lower  Michigan,  as  pastor  at  South  Albion,  and  at 
the  same  time  as  agent  for  the  college.  He  was  also  an  active  business 
man,  building  houses  and  stores  in  Albion  and  superintending  the 
grading  of  the  branch  of  the  Lake  Shore  railroad  from  Jonesville  to 
Lansing.  He  was  active  in  public  affairs,  member  of  the  state  house 
of  representatives,  state  senator,  a  trustee  and  president  of  the  village. 
During  the  Civil  War  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Austin  Blair  as 
chaplain  of  the  Sixteenth  Michigan  Infantry.  He  was  later  one  of  the 
founders  of  Bay  View.  Such  a  man  of  action  was  W.  H.  Brockway ;  one 
who  knew  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  and  by  a  self-reliant  and  coura- 
geous spirit  conquered  all  the  difficulties  he  was  called  upon  to  face. 
And  it  is  safe  to  say  that  of  all  the  interests  which  engaged  the  service 
of  this  rugged  character,  the  one  all  absorbing  ambition  of  his  heart  was 
to  contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  the  school  at  Albion.  All  his  life 
long  he  was  devoted  to  its  service.  His  enthusiasm  and  loyalty  were 
communicated  to  others,  and  so  the  good  work  goes  on. 

(III.)— Early  History.  Third  Period. 

The  original  act  of  the  legislature  which  gave  life  to  a  Methodist 
school  at  Albion  was  the  granting  of  a  perpetual  charter  which  can 
never  be  set  aside  for  another.  It  can  only  be  amended,  and  that  must 
'  be  done  by  the  legislature  acting  under  a  concurrent  resolution  of  both 
house  and  senate. 

In  1861  the  charter  was  again  amended,  granting  general  college 
powers  and  changing  the  corporate  name  to  Albion  College.  The  courses 
of  study  were  at  this  time  greatly  enlarged  with  the  set  purpose  of 
making  them  equal  to  the  best  of  our  American  institutions.  Such  a 
spirit  has  been  fostered  from  that  day  to  this,  and  to-day  the  college 
challenges  comparison  as  to  the  thoroughness  of  the  courses  offered. 
Of  course  there  cannot  be  as  wide  a  range  of  courses  as  at  a  larger  insti- 
tution, but  in  the  character  of  such  as  are  offered  the  standard  is  high. 

The  first  class,  graduating  from  the  college  in  1864,  consisted  of  three 
young  ladies.  Misses  Phebe  W.  Barry,  Minnie  A.  Grimes  and  F'ranc  M. 
Sanders.  Their  college  education  apparently  did  not  unfit  them  for  mat- 
rimony, for  the  records  show  that  they  became  the  wives  respectively 
of  Lewis  B.  Agard,  Fred  W.  P^llis  and  J.  N.  Nichols.  The  class  of  1865 
contained  three  graduates,  young  men,  William  E.  Ambler,  Henry  Gib- 
son and  John  IM.  Rice.  The  institution  thus  began  a  true  period  of 
co-education,  supplying  equal  educational  advantages  to  both  sexes. 

Four  other  denominational  colleges  had  already  been  established  in 
Michigan :  Hillsdale  College,  founded  by  the  Freewill  Baptists  in  1855 ; 
Kalamazoo  College,  Baptist,  also  in  1855;  Olivet  College,  eleven  years 
earlier  under  the  supervision  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  Adrian 
College,  Methodist  Protestant,  1859.  The  state  had  also  provided  a 
university,  thus  affording  the  young  people  a  choice  of  the  institutions 
they  would  attend.     Among  these  schools  there  never  has  been  anything 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


127 


bordering  upon  antagonism  or  bitter  rivalry,  Init  on  the  otlier  hand  the 
most  helpful  and  mutual  stinuilation  to  excellent  work  which  the  existence 
of  so  many  schools  would  naturally  make.  The  state,  in  maintaining  a 
university,  does  not  intend  to  supplant  or  discourage  the  founding  of 
church  colleges,  nor  does  it  intend  to  become  a  competitor.  In  this  early 
day  a  sharp  distinction  was  made  between  the  religious  and  the  secular 
school,  with  so  much  of  popular  favor  and  emphasis  placed  upon  the 
former  that  even  the  university  maintained  early  morning  prayei-s, 
every  day  in  the  week,  for  several  years.  Today  the  basis  of  compar- 
ison is  broadened  by  the  addition  of  another  factor  involved  in  the  idea 


Rev.  Thomas  H.  Sinex,  D.  D. 


of  the  small  college  versus  the  large  one.  Let  the  friends  of  the  small 
denominational  college  take  comfort  and  courage  in  the  fact  that  in  high 
educational  quarters  the  trend  of  opinion  is  largelj'  to  the  conclusion 
that  in  its  tinal  product,  considered  from  the  standpoint  of  character, 
forcefulness  and  efficiency,  the  small  college  has  nothing  to  fear  in  com- 
parison with  those  institutions  which  number  their  students  by  the 
thousands. 

The  legislative  act  of  1861  named  the  following  as  members  of  the 
board  of  trustees :  George  Smith,  president ;  S.  W.  Walker,  first  vice-presi- 
dent ;  jManasseh  Rickey,  second  vice-president ;  ^Yilliam  Farley,  treas- 
urer; E.  Holstock,  E.  H.  Pilcher,  W.  E.  Bigelow,  A.  M.  Fitch,  William 


128  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Bort,  J.  C.  Blanchard,  W.  H.  Johnson  and  Clinton  B.  Piske.  These 
constituted  a  body  corporate  to  be  known  as  Albion  College.  These  men 
were  well  known  and  representative  men,  members  for  the  most  part  of 
the  Michigan  conference.  Some  had  been  students  of  Manasseh  Hickey. 
It  is  related  that  he  had  a  favorite  place  in  "Brockway's  woods"  where 
he  went  daily  for  his  "private"  devotions,  but  that  in  his  enthusiasm 
and  with  his  tremendous  voice  he  could  be  heard  for  miles  around.  The 
writer  well  remembers  when,  as  a  boy,  he  sat  in  his  home  and  heard  Mr. 
Hickey  preach  in  the  ]\Iethodist  church  some  distance  away. 

The  faculty  at  this  time  were:  Rev.  Thomas  Sinex,  D.  D.,  president 
and  professor  of  moral  philosophy  and  political  economy;  Rev.  C.  C. 
Olds,  A.  M.,  professor  of  natural  science;  John  Richards,  A.  M.,  pro- 
fessor of  ancient  languages ;  Miss  Julia  F.  Robinson,  principal  of  female 
department  and  teacher  of  French  and  fine  arts;  Miss  Charlotte  Innes, 
assistant  teacher ;  Henry  Meakin,  professor  of  music.  The  whole  number 
of  students  in  1861  was  200. 

In  1865  the  legislature  was  again  appealed  to  and  steps  were  taken  to 
place  the  college  on  a  better  financial  basis.  By  this  act  John  Owen  and 
E.  G.  Merrick  of  Detroit  and  E.  J.  Connable  of  Jackson  were  constituted 
an  "endowment  fund  committee"  to  receive,  hold  in  trust  and  invest 
all  moneys  contributed  for  the  endowment  of  the  college,  and  to  pay 
to  the  trustees  semiannually  all  interest  accruing  therefrom.  The  great 
struggle  through  which  most  institutions  of  learning  pass  is  the  effort 
to  procure  funds  to  meet  current  expenses.  Colleges  which  do  not  de- 
pend directly  on  the  state  or  which  do  not  exist  through  private  benefi- 
cence are  badly  crippled  in  their  work  unless  endowed.  Only  a  small 
revenue  can  be  obtained  from  students'  fees. 

The  board  of  trustees  at  this  time,  1865,  were :  James  W.  Sheldon, 
president;  Martin  Haven,  first  vice-president;  S.  W.  Walker,  second 
vice-president ;  A.  M.  Fitch,  treasurer ;  George  Smith,  Julius  D.  Morton, 
S.  Clements,  David  Preston,  A.  Billings,  William  Bort,  W.  H.  Brock- 
way  and  J.  S.  Tuttle.    Rev.  Israel  Cogshall  was  agent. 

The  members  of  the  faculty  were:  George  B.  Jocelyn,  D.  D.,  i:)resi- 
dent  and  professor  of  mental  and  moral  science ;  Rev.  W.  H.  Perrine, 
A.  M.,  professor  of  natural  sciences  and  fine  arts;  W.  H.  Shelley,  A.  M., 
profe.ssor  of  Latin  and  Greek  languages ;  ilrs.  Livonia  B.  Perrine,  A.  M., 
professor  of  mathematics;  Miss  Rachel  Carney,  M.  S.,  preceptress  and 
professor  of  modern  languages;  ]\Iiss  Juliet  Bradbury,  21.  S.  A.,  and  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hollingsworth,  teacher  of  instrumental  music. 

During  the  period  vigorous  efforts  were  made  to  establish  a  permanent 
endowment  fund.  After  much  consultation  a  plan  was  devised  and  set 
in  operation  by  which  the  people  of  Albion  an  vicinity  were  to  raise 
$25,000  and  the  Jlethodist  public  in  the  remainder  of  the  state  $75,000 
thus  providing  $100,000  in  all.     The  greater  part  of  this  was  realized. 

Man.y  of  the  names  already  recited  are  worthy  of  a  much  more  ex- 
tended notice  that  can  be  given  them  here — strong,  stalwart  i\Iethodists 
who  stood  in  their  lot  and  place  and  assisted  in  the  carrying  on  of  this 
most  important  work.  Among  these  will  be  remembered  William  H. 
Perrine  for  his  great  ability  and  strong  and  manly  virtues.  He  was  born 
at  Lyons,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  8,  1827,  of  Huguenot  extraction.     He  worked  his 


11! 


)in' 


CAI.IIOIX   COIXTY 


129 


way  through  Hiilsdali'  ('ollci;v  l)y  Icarliing  jiiid  pn-aching.  Whik-  in 
college  he  was  stationed  at  Soutli  Allnoii  aiul  -lacksoii,  and  after  gradua- 
tion he  served  as  pastor  at  Hastings,  Detroit,  Adrian,  Ann  Arbor,  Flint, 
Lansing,  St.  Joseph  and  Albion.  October  7,  1854,  he  married  iliss  L. 
E.  Benedict.  I\lrs.  Perrine  filled  the  chairs  of  languages  and  mathe- 
matics, and  also  acted  as  preceptress  with  great  ability.  In  1858  and 
again  in  1868  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Perrine  visited  Europe  and  the  holy  land. 
In  1871  be  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Albiou  College. 
lie  was  a  forceful  and  intluentiaj  meiiiber  iif  sex-cral  general  conferences 
and  was  a  conspicuous  person  in  cburcii  affairs. 


Ke\'.  Gk(.ikge  B.  Jocelyn 


The  greatest  credit,  however,  for  lifting  the  college  out  of  its  period 
of  great  discouragement  nni.st  be  given  to  the  sagacity  and  executive 
efficiency  of  Dr.  George  B.  Jocelyn.  Born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  he 
lived  a  strenuous  life  and  died  a  comparatively  young  man  at  the  age 
of  fifty-three.  His  biographer  says  that  when  be  came  to  the  presidency 
of  the  college  he  found  it  out  of  money,  out  of  credit  and  out  of  friends. 
He  left  it  with  its  finances  on  a  sound  foundation  and  larger  in  amount 
than  anj'  college  in  Michigan.  His  previous  life  bad  fitted  him  to  become 
a  successful  college  president.  At  twenty  years  of  age  he  had  conducted 
a  select  school  at   X'inccnncs.  Iiiil.     Attc:  \\ai<ls  be  was  jilaced  in  charge 


130  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

of  the  preparatory  department  of  Vincennes  university,  which  position 
he  held  until  he  was  called  to  New  Albany  and  opened  a  JMethodist 
college.  In  1853  he  was  elected  professor  of  mathematics  and  natural 
sciences  in  Whitewater  college,  and  in  1855  to  the  presidency  of  the 
same  institution.  In  1857  he  was  appointed  pastor  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
and  in  1859  to  Burlington.  In  1861  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
Iowa  Wesleyan  university,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa. 

In  1864  he  was  elected  president  of  Albion  College  and  transferred 
from  the  Iowa  to  the  Detroit  conference.  Resigning  the  presidency  in 
1869  he  was  transferred  to  the  Michigan  conference  and  stationed  at 
Division  street.  Grand  Rapids.  In  1871  he  was  re-elected  president  at 
Albion,  which  position  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  death,  Jan.  27, 
1877.  He  was  a  man  of  commanding  presence  and  possessed  large  en- 
dowments of  brain  and  heart,  and  "cultured  by  long  continued  literary 
and  educational  pursuits,  he  stood  among  the  abler  and  more  efficient 
educators  of  the  church. ' '  His  friend  and  associate,  Dr.  W.  H.  Perrine, 
said  of  him:  "As  a  preacher  in  power  of  thought,  perspicuity  of 
style  and  impressiveness  of  manner,  he  had  but  few  superiors.  The 
ringing  clearness  of  his  voice,  the  ease  and  naturalness  of  gesture,  to- 
gether with  his  commanding  logical  vigor  and  lively  play  of  imagination, 
gave  him  as  an  orator  at  all  times  unusual  strength,  and,  when  the  con- 
ditions were  most  favorable,  an  almost  resistless  power. ' ' 

(IV.)— The  Past  Thirty-five  Years. 

Albion  as  Seminary,  Female  College  and  College  of  Liberal  Arts  has 
had  nine  principals  and  presidents  as  follows:  Rev.  Charles  F. 
Stoekwell,  A.  M. ;  Rev.  Clark  T.  Hinman,  D.  D. ;  Hon.  Ira  Mayhew,  LL. 
D.,  ex-superintendent  of  public  instruction ;  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Sinex,  D. 
D.,  during  whose  incumbency  the  school  became  a  college;  Rev.  George 
B.  Jocelyn,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  J.  L.  G.  McKeown,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  William  B. 
Silber,  Ph.  D. ;  Rev.  Lewis  Ransom  Fiske,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  and  Samuel 
Dickie,  LL.  D.,  the  present  president. 

The  present  era  in  the  history  of  Albion  College  may  properly  be 
said  to  begin  with  the  incoming  presidency  of  Dr.  L.  R.  Fiske,  who  came 
to  Albion  in  1877.  He  knew  the  institution  well,  having  filled  the  chair 
of  natural  science  for  three  years  after  his  graduation  at  Ann  Arbor. 
Since  that  time  he  had  ripened  in  culture,  scholai-ship  and  experience 
by  having  filled  a  similar  position  for  three  years  in  the  state  normal 
school,  the  chair  of  chemistry  in  the  Agricultural  College,  and  by  his 
work  in  the  best  pulpits  in  Michigan,  including  full  terms  in  Jackson, 
Ann  Arbor  and  Detroit.  For  three  years  Dr.  Fiske  was  editor  of  the 
Michigan  Christian  Advocate,  twelve  years  a  trustee  of  the  board  of 
education  of  the  M.  E.  church,  six  times  member  of  the  general  confer- 
ence, a  member  of  the  ecumenical  conference  held  in  Washington  in 
1891.  He  held  an  honored  place  among  the  educational  forces  of  the 
state  and  the  church,  having  been  president  of  the  Michigan  state  teach- 
ers' association  in  1889,  and  president  of  the  college  association  of  the 
^Methodist  church. 

Dr.   Fiske   therefore   seemed   to   be   the   logical    choice   of  Michigan 


HISTORY  OF  CALiiorx  corxTY 


131 


^Methodism  I'or  tliu  responsible  task  oT  atlvaiiciiiy;  and  strengthening  the 
work  and  the  intluenee  of  tlie  college.  He  found  a  small  faeulty,  all  of 
whom  were  more  or  less  tinged  with  tliseoiiragement  regai'ding  the  future 
of  the  school.  A  courageous  exception  to  tiiis  statement  should  be 
made  in  the  case  of  Rev.  Rollin  C.  Welch.  A.  M.,  professor  of  Greek. 
There  was  also  a  painfully  palpable  lack  of  support  on  the  part  of  the 
great  church  which  had  already  spread  over  the  commonwealth,  and 
which  in  other  directions  was  showing  remarkable  strength  and  vigor. 

The  important  question  which  faced  President  Fiske  at  the  beginning 
of  his  administration  was  to  find  the  real  source  and  reason  for  this  lack 


Rf:v.  Lewis  Ransom  Fiske 


of  support,  and  in  a  very  heroic  and  altogetiier  philosophic  manner  the 
suggestion  was  made  that  the  school  itself,  in  its  course  of  study,  its 
faculty  and  its  equipment,  was  not  worthy  of  the  patronage  of  the 
church.  The  remedy  for  this  lay  in  the  hands  of  the  faculty,  and  at 
this  point  the  president  manifested  great  wisdom  in  grailually  surround- 
ing himself  with  a  faculty  of  young  men  selected  from  the  graduates  of 
the  best  universities  and  colleges  of  the  country,  men  having  training  and 
enthusiasm  for  their  special  lines  of  work  and  a  determination  to  make 
of  the  college  a  school  which  should  connnand  the  approval  and  patron- 
age of  all  who  might  seek  a  thorough  and  well  rounded  education.     The 


132  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

selection  of  this  faculty  was  the  distinctive  feature  of  the  first  third 
of  President  Fiske's  administration. 

During  the  year  1892-3  the  faculty  was  constituted  as  follows :  Lewis 
R.  Fiske,  president;  Carl  B.  Scheffler,  director  of  conservatory;  Mrs. 
W.  H.  Skillman,  preceptress;  Washington  Gardner,  public  lecturer; 
Robert  S.  Avann,  secretary;  Rev.  L.  R.  Fiske,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  John 
Owen  professor  of  intellectual  and  moral  philosophy ;  Delos  Fall,  jM.  S., 
David  Preston  professor  of  chemistry  and  biologj' ;  Carl  B.  Scheffler, 
piano,  harmony,  and  counterpoint;  Samuel  D.  Barr,  A.  "SI.,  W.  H.  Brock- 
way  professor  of  mathematics;  Robert  S.  Avann,  A.  il..  Ph.  D.,  Latin 
language  and  literature;  Frederick  Lutz,  A.  M.,  modern  languages;  E. 
Josephine  Clark,  A.  M.,  teacher  of  Latin ;  Charles  E.  Barr,  A.  M.,  Ezra 
Bostwick  professor  of  astronomy  and  acting  professor  of  biology ;  Rev. 
Washington  Gardner,  A.  M.,  biblical  history  and  literature;  Dwight  B. 
Waldo,  A.  M.,  Henry  M.  Loud,  professor  of  history;  Rev.  Frederick  S. 
Goodrich,  A.  M.,  John  Morrison  Reid,  professor  of  Greek  language  and 
literature ;  Jennie  A.  Worthington,  piano  and  harmony ;  Francis  C. 
Courter,  drawing,  perspective,  and  painting ;  Mrs.  H.  W.  JMosher,  decora- 
tive painting;  Jennie  M.  Whitcomb,  piano  and  history;  Robert  E. 
McNeill,  voice  culture;  Cora  Travis,  piano  and  voice;  Charles  L.  McClel- 
lan,  principal  of  commercial  department;  John  M.  Pearson,  piano  and 
organ;  Jennie  E.  Lovejoy,  A.  B.,  teacher  of  German;  Rose  A.  Ward, 
violin ;  Mrs.  Eva  Steele,  shorthand  and  typewriting ;  Smith  Burnham, 
Ph.  B.,  teacher  of  history ;  Julia  A.  Herriek,  A.  B.,  teacher  of  English ; 
Carrie  M.  Bolster,  piano;  Rev.  B.  S.  Taylor,  M.  D.,  librarian;  Charles 
E.  Barr,  A.  M.,  registrar. 

The  names  of  these  young  eollegiates  should  be  mentioned  ver.y 
modestly  for  the  reason  that  some  of  them  are  still  with  the  institution, 
having  given  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in  the  service  of  the  college 
and  the  church.  Professor  Samuel  Dickie  came  to  Albion  the  same 
year  as  Dr.  Fiske  from  the  superintendency  of  the  schools  at  Hastings. 
He  was  then,  as  he  is  now,  a  most  worthy  and  forceful  son  of  the  college, 
having  graduated  from  AUiion  in  1872.  That  he  is  now  the  highly  suc- 
cessful president  is  the  natural  sequence  of  having  entered  so  vigorously 
into  the  life  of  his  Alma  ilater  through  all  these  years.  The  writer 
of  these  lines  was  the  next  recruit,  coming  in  1878  from  the  principalship 
of  the  Flint  high  school,  a  graduate  of  Michigan  university,  and  at  pres- 
ent professor  of  chemistry. 

Who  of  all  the  long  generations  of  students  from  1871  to  1906  will 
ever  forget  Miss  E.  Josephine  Clark,  A.  M.,  the  strong,  sturdy,  noble 
woman  who  labored  so  long  and  devotedly  for  the  institution?  Always 
on  the  right  side  of  every  question,  her  work  as  a  teacher  and  the 
influence  of  her  life  as  a  Christian  woman  will  endure  forever.  Other 
women  who  have  labored  with  great  efficiency  but  for  shorter  periods 
of  time  have  been  Mrs.  Ella  Hoag  Brockway,  Ph.  j\I.,  ^Miss  Rena  A. 
Michaels,  Ph.  D.,  Miss  Hernietta  Ash  Bancroft,  Ph.  D.,  and  our  present 
beloved  dean  of  women,  Mrs.  Helen  Knappen  Scripps,  M.  A. 

In  the  third  year  of  President  Fiske 's  administration,  Fred  M.  Tay- 
lor, Ph.  D.,  came  to  the  institution  fresh  from  graduation  at  North- 
western univei-sity  and  post  graduate  work  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  all  who 


IlISTOIx'V  OF  CAI.llorX  COINTY  i:i;] 

have  watched  his  career  will  ;ii,'i't'i'  that  in  I'orcefulness  ami  vi'i-satility  of 
suggestion,  together  with  his  untiring  euergj-,  his  work  in  Imililing 
coui-ses  of  study  and  reforming  and  developing  the  methods  of  tlie 
school,  he  has  never  heen  excelled.  He  was  strong  in  all  the  activities 
of  the  college,  the  church  and  the  town  as  well.  As  a  magnetic  and 
inspiring  teacher  of  history  and  economics,  a  resourceful  and  successful 
Sunday-school  superintendent  and  a  wise  legislator  in  the  citj'  council, 
his  work  will  always  fill  a  large  and  important  place  in  the  annals  of  the 
college. 

Next  cam.'  th.'  elder  Barr.  SamuH  1)..  a  uradnatr  ,)f  Williams  Col- 
lege, a  former  deputy  superintcntlent  of  puljlic  instruction  of  New 
York  and  a  principal  of  the  high  school  in  Cleveland.  Genial  and 
warm-hearted,  with  a  beautiful  type  of  religion  and  a  great  love  for 
young  people  and  their  symmeti'ical  development,  an  accurate  knowledge 
of  all  branches  of  mathematics  and  great  enthusiasm  in  teaching,  he 
quickly  became  a  great  favorite  among  the  students  and  a  powerful  and 
influential  member  of  the  faculty.  He  had  been  elected  to  the  chair  of 
mathematics  in  his  own  Williams  College,  but  chose  to  come  to  Albion. 
He  died  in  190-4,  sincerely  mourned  by  every  lover  of  the  institution. 

The  name  of  Robej-t  S.  Avann,  Ph.  D.,  first  appeared  in  the  year-book 
in  1883,  as  professor  of  the  Latin  language  and  literature.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  Boston  university^  and  brought  to  the  college  the  strength 
of  a  mind  stored  with  the  learning  of  the  ancients.  He  was  deeply  and 
profoundly  religious,  and  performed  his  work  well  in  the  building  of  a 
new  and  more  enduring  foundation  for  the  school  he  loved  so  well.  He 
died  a  sadly  tragic  death  by  the  wasting  away  and  gradual  loss  of  his 
bodily  powers;  his  mind,  however,  remaining  strong  and  his  faith  un- 
swerving to  the  very  end. 

Some  historian  of  the  future  will  properly  portray  the  important 
and  lasting  work  of  those  who  have  been  with  the  college  for  a  long 
series  of  years,  and  who  are  still  active  and  efficient  niendjers  of  the 
faculty — the  scholarly  Frederick  Lutz,  A.  ^l.,  Lift.  D.,  a  graduate  and 
former  instructor  in  Harvard  university,  professor  of  the  modern  lan- 
guages; the  painstaking  and  accurate  scientist,  Charles  E.  Barr,  A.  M., 
a  graduate  of  Williams  College,  and  now  professor  of  biology ;  the 
devoted  scholar  and  preacher,  Preilerick  Samuel  Goodrich,  A.  'SL,  D.  1)., 
professor  of  Greek  and  the  English  Bible,  a  graduate  of  the  Weslcyan 
Tni versify  of  jMiddletown,  Conn. 

Early  in  1897,  at  the  close  of  a  rounded  out  twenty  years  of  si  ivici' 
as  President  of  the  College,  full  of  honors  and  having  the  resi)c<t  and 
esteem  of  all  citizens  of  Michigan,  Dr.  L.  R.  Fiske  gave  notice  of  his 
retirement  to  private  life  and  to  the  accomplishment  of  some  literary 
tasks  which  he  had  long  contemplated.  Three  notable  books, — Today 
and  Tomorrow.  Choosing  a  Life-work  and  ^lan  Building — were  written 
and  published  and  other  work  pro.iected.  In  the  winter  of  1901  he 
made  an  extended  visit  to  his  son,  visiting  in  Denver,  and  while  there 
contracted  an  illness  which  caused  his  death.  His  contribution  to  the 
cause  of  education  had  been  a  large  one  and  was  duly  appreciati'd  In- 
all  his  co-workers  as  well  as  by  the  State  at  large. 

The  school  is  still  taking  on  the  gi-aduates  of  the  famous  universities. 


134  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


those  already  meBtioned,  the  faculty  contains  representatives  of 
Wisconsin  University,  Chicago  University,  Columbia,  Michigan,  DePauw, 
and  others.  Of  all  this  line  of  teachers  it  may  truthfully  be  said  that 
they  have  never  ceased  to  be  students  either  in  sympathy  with  their 
students  or  in  original  investigations  in  their  special  subjects;  all  have 
sacriiiced  their  hopes  of  preferment  in  higher  and  better  places  for 
their  love  of  Albion. 

During  these  .years  the  college  has  steadily  grown  in  its  material 
equipment.  The  three  buildings  erected  before  this  time  were  not 
adequate  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  growing  and  expanding  school, 
and  there  have  been  added  five  others:  the  astronomical  observatory, 
containing  a  fine  and  complete  etiuipment  for  practical  astronomical 
work;  a  gymnasium  building;  a  chemical  and  physical  laboratory, 
erected  through  the  generosity  of  the  late  lamented  Senator  James 
McMillan,  and  not  exjielled  in  appliances  for  thorough  work  anywhere 
in  institutions  of  our  grade ;  a  library,  the  beautiful  memorial  building 


Lottie  L.  Cassette  Memorial,  Library 

erected  by  Mrs.  Lottie  Gassette  in  memory  of  her  daughter ;  and  Robin- 
inson  Hall,  the  recent  gift  of  our  esteemed  brother,  George  O.  Robinson, 
containing  ample  recitation  rooms  and  a  modern  biological  laboratory. 
More  than  a  passing  notice  should  be  given  to  the  generous  gift  of 
Senator  James  ilcilillan  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection 
of  a  building  for  the  housing  of  the  chemical  department.  Through  the 
influence  of  Hon.  Washington  Gardner.  i\Ir.  JIclMillau  had  become  inter- 
ested in  the  College.  The  letter  wliicli  he  wrote  conveying  the  gift  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees  is  histoi'i<ally  vahuihle  in  that  it  gives  a  vivid 
picture  of  the  thought  and  mctliud  of  a  man  in  this  and  numerous  other 
notable  benefactions,  who  tliercl)y  showed  himself  to  be  a  princely  and 
at  the  same  time  a  rational  and  considerate  giver. 

"Senate  Chamber,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  17,  1892.— Rev.  Wash-  , 
ington  Gardner,   Albion   College. — My   Dear    Sir:     Replying   to   your 
letter  of  j'une  15,  in  which  you  suggest  that  I  increase  my  subscription 
to  Albion  College  from  five  thousand  to  twenty  thousand  dollars,  the 
entire  sum  to  be  used  to  build  a  chemical  laboratory,  I  would  say  that 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOL'N  t'OL'XTV  185 

I  have  thot  the  matter  over  verj'  carefully.  The  result  is  tiiat  1  cau 
not  think  of  any  way  in  which  the  sum  you  name  could  be  spent  to  better 
advantage  than  the  building  of  a  laboratory  at  Albion  College.  The 
promotion  of  the  study  of  physics  and  chemistry  strongly  commends 
itself  to  my  judgment  and  besides  I  have  a  high  opinion  of  the  valuable 
work  done  by  Albion  College. 

' '  It  gives  me  pleasure,  therefore,  to  authorize  you  to  say  to  the  Trus- 
tees at  the  meeting  on  Tuesday  that  they  are  at  liberty  to  cause  plans 
for  a  twenty  thousand  dollar  building  to  be  prepared  during  the  coming 
autumn,  the  building  to  be  completed  during  the  .year  of  1893.  1  will 
provide  the  money  as  payments  may  be  required. 

"Very  cordially  yours, 

"James  ilciliLLAN." 

The  above  gift  was  subse(|uently  increased  to  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars. 


s 

m 

1 

LJI  ■HH^^^^^^nvBln 

m 

1 

McMillan  Laboratory 

One  other  incident  in  connection  with  this  gift  is  of  interest.  The 
money  for  the  building  was  promptly  furnished  but  at  considerable 
embarrassment  to  the  donor.  It  was  during  the  height  of  the  financial 
panic  of  1893  when  practically  all  of  the  money  of  the  country  was 
locked  up  in  the  vaults  of  banks  and  quite  inaccessible  even  to  the 
wealthiest  of  men.  Mr.  JIcMillan  related  the  fact  that  to  obtain  the 
last  ten  thousand  dollars  he  walked  the  floor  at  night,  anxiously  wonder- 
ing where  the  cash  could  be  obtained.  It  was  finally  paid  to  the  writer 
of  these  chronicles  in  two  notes  of  five  thousand  dollars  each,  given  by 
the  Hocking  Valley  Railroad  and  endorsed  by  the  Peninsula  Car  Co., 
and  James  Mc^Iillan.  These  notes  were  finally  discounted  and  cashed 
bv  the  Preston  National  Bank  of  Detroit,  the  final  decisive  consideration 


136  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

being  that  as  Methodists  they  were  sympathetically  inclined  toward  the 
college. 

One  most  essential  phase  of  Dr.  Fiske's  work  was  done  when  these 
men  and  resources  were  brought  together.  The  faculty  nnist  now  work 
out  the  problem  and  make  the  proper  readjustment  to  the  new  relations 
which  the  college  should  sustain  to  the  rapidly  moving  nineteenth  cen- 
tuiy  and  the  most  startling  developments  of  the  twentieth  century.  We 
must,  therefore,  once  more  traverse  in  our  thought  the  past  thirty  years 
in  order  to  discover  the  true  .spirit  and  genius  of  the  school  and  to  make 
a  study  of  its  aims  and  standards ;  we  must  make  answer  to  the  question 
as  to  the  various  factors  which  will  correctly  define  the  place  and  func- 
tion of  the  Christian  college.  What  is  or  ought  to  be  the  character  of 
Albion  College? 

Ideal  Character  op  College 

(1)  Albion  College  demands  the  highest  standard  of  admission  and 
requirements  for  graduation  and  the  best  work  done  between  these  two 
points  which  the  progress  of  knowledge  and  the  art  of  education  affords. 
To  have  a  low  standard  is  to  invite  defeat,  to  choose  anything  but  the 
best  in  methods  or  in  courses  of  study  would  be  suicidal.  It  required 
some  courage  in  an  early  day  to  bring  our  preparatory  course  up  to  the 
full  measure  of  the  courses  in  our  best  high  schools,  but  the  work  was 
done. 

(2)  No  college  can  be  made  worthy  of  the  name  unless  there  are 
provided  resources  and  appliances  comparable  to  those  of  the  best  of 
other  institutions  of  equal  rank.  Colleges  established  by  Christian  peo- 
ple, if  they  ought  to  exist  &t  all,  ought  to  be  as  well  or  better  endowed 
and  eciuipped  than  those  founded  by  the  state.  No  college  can  be  self- 
supporting.  It  is  all  wrong  to  expect  men,  however  well  trained,  to 
do  good  work  on  a  poor  salary  and  poor  equipment. 

(3)  Another  indispensable  necessity  of  Albion  College  is  a  clear 
and  pronounced  conviction  that  everything  in  and  about  it  shall  be  con- 
trolled by  religion.  The  institution  must  be  saturated  through  and 
through  with  this  force ;  teachers  must  be  Christians  with  bright  relig- 
ious experiences,  not  "pious,"  but  frank,  genuine,  sincere,  business-like, 
thus  appealing  to  young  people. 

(4)  A  successful  Christian  college  should  have  and  foster  a  course 
of  conduct  in  its  students  which  is  of  the  highest  order,  to  the  end  that 
true  and  noble  character  may  be  developed.  It  is  pleasant  to  record  that 
so  far  as  Albion  College  is  concerned  the  days  of  hazing  are  gone ;  lawless- 
ness no  longer  rules.  A  student  senate  has  lately  been  organized  for 
the  purpose  of  maintaining  a  proper  public  sentiment  in  this  direction. 

(5)  Another  condition  which  is  indispensable  to  the  success  of  such 
an  institution  is  a  conscientious,  broad-minded  and  generous  support  of 
all  the  good  work  which  is  carried  on  in  the  college  on  the  part  of  the 
community  in  the  midst  of  which  the  college  is  placed.  The  fact  is  that 
Albion  College  is  supported  by  the  people  of  Albion.  They  have  at 
different  times  given  liberally  to  the  finances  of  the  school ;  they  support 
public  lecture  courses,  athletics  and  the  like. 

(6)  No  really   successful   school   was  ever  made  without   genuine, 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX   COrXTY  187 

generous  ami  hearty  eutlmsiasm  ou  tlie  part  of  all  who  are  in  any  way 
eouneeted  with  it.  This  must  be  true  of  I'aeulty  and  studeuts.  patrons, 
ministers  and  conferences.  Each  must  do  his  part — the  teacher  must 
teach,  the  student  must  study  and  grow;  the  patron  must  encourage, 
mainly  by  sending  his  sons  and  daughters  to  be  educated;  the  church 
must  pay.  Exaiiiiuing  each  of  these  specifications  it  can  be  said  that 
Albion  College  possesses  as  good  teachers  as  can  be  found  in  any  scliool ; 
a  high  order  of  scholarship  is  reached  by  our  students;  our  natural 
constituency  of  patrons  do  not  all  encourage  and  the  membership  does 
not  as  a  rule  pay  as  it  might.  Ten  cents  per  member  in  ^Michigan  given 
to  the  college  would  mean  an  addition  to  its  annual  income  of  $10,000, 
which  is  equivalent  to  an  addition  to  the  endowment  fund  of  $200,000. 

I  V. ) — Products. 

Continuing  the  in(iuiry  already  raised  as  to  the  reason  why  the  college 
had  not  been  better  supported  by  the  Alethodist  public,  it  may  be  urged 
that  from  the  standpoint  of  a  strong,  aggressive  faculty,  the  failure 
was  not  in  the  work  done  ou  the  campus.  A  necessary  corollary  to 
this  statement  is  one  which  the  faculty  and  its  aggressive  president  were 
obliged  to  face,  namely,  that  an  enlarged  corps  of  instructors  made 
necessary  a  greatly  increased  expenditure  of  money  with  the  result  that 
the  institution  was  plunged  into  debt.  However,  Dr.  Fiske's  faith 
in  the  liberality  of  the  members  of  the  church  was  so  gi-eat  that  he 
fearlessly  continued  to  build  up  his  faculty,  increase  the  volumes  in 
the  library,  build  and  equip  laboratories  and  in  every  way  strengthen 
the  work  which  he  saw  was  so  necessary  to  be  done.  From  the  stand- 
point of  every  thoughtful,  considerate  lover  of  higher  learning  he  was 
perfectly  justified  in  doing  as  he  did.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  nuich 
of  sadness  came  into  his  later  life  by  the  fact  that  the  public  did  not 
generously  respond  to  his  efforts.  Some  one  else,  other  than  the  writer, 
should  also  enter  into  these  records  some  appreciative  word  of  the  self- 
sacrifice  of  the  faculty  as  they  voluntarily  agreed  to  a  reduction  of  salar- 
ies by  which  the  deficit  was  met. 

No  criticism,  then,  should  be  aimed  at  the  debt  or  the  acts  which 
made  it  necessary.  Dr.  Fiske  was  successfully  accomplishing  his  ap- 
pointed task.  The  institution  was  wonderfully  (|uickened  into  new  life 
and  rapidly  rose  to  the  complete  respect  of  all  other  colleges  and  univer- 
sities. 

In  1881-2  the  new  faculty  made  some  very  radical  clianges  in  the 
course  of  study,  bringing  the  school  up  to  date  in  even-  respect.  It  made 
its  bid  for  increased  student  patronage.  _  The  attendance  that  year  was 
199  in  all  departments,  the  preparatory 'classes  greatly  exceeding  those 
of  the  college.  The  outcome  of  this  new  departure  was  looked  for  with 
great  anxiety.  The  result  was  not  disappointing.  Students  began  to 
come  in  large  numbers.  The  freshman  ela.ss  was  no  longer  recruited 
from  simply  our  own  preparatory  school,  but  from  the  best  high  schools. 
The  inci-ease  was  most  marked  in  the  college  department,  as  it  should 
be.  In  1893-4  the  attendance  had  risen  to  629.  The  increase  in  the 
college  itself  was  nearly  600  per  cent.     Albion  was  manifestly  jirosper- 


138  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ing  most  satisfactorily  in  its  internal  management.  The  graduating 
classes  were  large  and  the  students  easily  found  their  way  into  prom- 
inent positions. 

Rev.  John  P.  Ashley,  D.  D.,  served  the  college  as  its  president  from 
January  1,  1898  to  February  1,  1901.  During  his  term  progress  was 
made  in  certain  directions :  the  athletic  field  was  acquired ;  a  pipe  organ 
purchased  for  the  chapel ;  and  steam  heat  was  installed  in  the  three  main 
buildings. 

Samuel  Dickie,  LL.  D.,  was  elected  acting  president  in  February, 
1901,  and  was  elected  to  the  permanent  presidency  in  June  1902.  He 
has  served  most  acceptably  and  successfully  in  that  office  from  that  time 
to  the  present  writing.  He  was  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  college 
in  all  phases  of  its  life,  having  been  intimately  and  officially  connected 
with  it  for  a  long  series  of  years — as  student,  member  of  the  faculty, 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  chairman  of  the  endowment  fund 
committee.  The  firet  important  task  which  confronted  him  was  the 
clearing  away  of  the  great  debt  which  had  been  incurred  through  the 
previous  administrations.  Although  no  part  of  the  endowment  fund  had 
been  used  for  current  expenses,  it  still  remained  that  to  care  for  the 
interest  on  a  debt  which  now  had  grown  to  be  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  required  the  earning  of  a  like  amount  of  the  permanent  endow- 
ment fund.  With  great  energy  and  tact.  President  Dickie  aroused  the 
interest  of  the  friends  of  the  institution,  who  responded  promptly  and 
liberally,  with  the  result  that  on  December  31  there  was  secured  in  cash 
and  good  securities  the  sum  of  $103,400  and  the  school  was  free  from 
debt.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  the  payment 
of  this  debt  had  a  marked  effect  in  bringing  the  college  and  its  natural 
constituency  into  closer  and  more  harmonious  relations  than  ever  before. 

The  financial  problem  is  one  ever  present  in  the  management  of  any 
live,  growing,  ancl  expanding  institution  of  learning,  and  so  it  will  ever 
be  with  Albion.  Recognizing  this  fact.  President  Dickie  has  taken  a 
second  notable  step  in  the  present  year  of  1912.  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie 
had  promised  to  give  twenty  thousand  dollars  when  the  college,  through 
its  friends,  should  show  him  eighty  thousand  additional,  the  entire  sum 
to  be  placed  in  the  permanent  endowment  fund.  This  has  been  most 
successfully  accomplished,  thus  placing  the  school  upon  a  much  better 
financial  foundation. 

The  best  proof  of  the  efficiency  of  a  school  of  learning  is  to  be  found 
in  the  after  life  and  influence  of  the  graduates,  and  in  this  respect 
Albion  challenges  the  most  rigid  scrutiny.  In  the  very  nature  of  the 
case  there  are  many  lines  of  activity  towards  which  the  typical  graduate 
of  Albion  does  not  naturally  tend.  The  characteristic  atmosphere  of  a 
Christian  college  puts  within  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  its  student  a 
consideration  of  those  occupations  which  have  as  their  predominating 
factor  the  thought  of  combining  the  highest  degree  of  usefulness  with 
that  of  the  struggle  for  place  and  competence.  An  increasingly  large 
number  of  the  graduates  become  teachera  in  our  public  schools ;  several 
are  college  presidents ;  two  of  the  four  state  nonnal  schools  of  Michigan 
have  graduates  of  Albion  at  their  head,  others  are  leading  members  in 
the  faculties  of  a  large  number  of  normal  schools ;  dean  of  the  faculty  of 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  139 


Samuel  Dickie,  LL.  D. 


140  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

science  in  the  Illinois  State  University ;  associate  professor  of  astronomy 
in  Chicago  Univei*sity;  professor  of  education,  Chicago  University; 
professor  of  geology  in  the  Woman's  College,  Baltimore;  instructor  in 
astronomy  in  Indiana  State  University;  professor  of  chemistry  and 
another  professor  of  biology  in  Denver  University ;  regent  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Wisconsin;  bursar  of  New  York  University;  a  large  number  of 
principals  of  high  schools;  a  still  greater  number  of  successful  city 
superintendents  of  schools. 

Albion  has  a  long  and  honorable  record  in  the  number  of  missionaries 
sent  to  foreign  lands,  South  America,  China,  Japan,  Korea,  Singapore, 
Africa,  the  Philippines,  iMexico,  Bulgaria.  Many  are  doing  philan- 
thropic and  charitable  work  in  our  large  cities ;  some  study  medicine  and 
others  go  into  the  law.  Some  of  our  graduates  have  amassed  wealth  and 
more  of  them  could  do  so  were  they  so  inclined  and  had  they  not  learned 
the  spirit  and  blessedness  of  a  life  of  sacrifice  for  others.  Wherever 
they  are  located  they  are  certain  to  be  centers  of  influence,  the  leading 
and  effective  men  and  women  in  their  respective  communities.  A  fair 
pi-oportion  of  every  graduating  class  find  their  way  into  the  ministry, 
and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  Albion  is  in  no  sense  a  theological  school. 
The  writer  once  asked  in  a  business  session  of  the  Michigan  Conference 
that  all  those  who  were  educated  at  the  state  university  to  rise  to  their 
feet.  Three  men  responded  to  the  invitation.  He  then  asked  that  all 
who  had  had  their  training  at  Albion,  in  whole  or  in  part,  to  do  the  same. 
A  very  large  proportion  of  the  conference  rose  in  testimony  of  the  power 
and  influence  of  our  church  school  And  so  time  would  fail  me  to  tell  of 
Cole,  Darling,  Northup,  Eiddick,  Stonex,  Gillette,  Mount,  Ward,  Whit- 
wam,  Hallenbeck,  Jones,  Wilcox,  Allman,  Bancroft,  Buell,  George,  Lau- 
bach,  Hunsberger,  Varion,  Daniels,  Taylor,  Davids,  Mosher,  Desjardins, 
Cai-rier,  John  Buell,  Loomis,  McKoy,  Jno.  A.  Bready,  Chase,  Healy, 
Moon,  Wolfe,  J.  C.  Cook,  William  T.  Cook,  Slather,  MacCarthy,  Scripps, 
Hipp,  L.  E.  Lovejoy,  Brown,  Floody,  Holmes,  Weldon,  Armstrong, 
Owen  R.  Lovejoy,  Warren  Palmatier,  Dodds,  Ellet,  Williams,  C.  E. 
Allen,  Camburn,  Coffin,  Crampton,  S.  B.  Ford,  Newman,  Phelps,  Whit- 
man, E.  Allen,  Deal,  Griffin,  Johns,  Perrin,  Colvin,  Goodyear,  Kendrick, 
Kobayashi,  Leeson,  ]\Iaywood,  MacDonald,  Seeley,  Simmons,  Burnett, 
Pearce,  Tullar,  Miner,  Rondenbush,  Simmons,  Steward,  Whitney,  Foy, 
Gosling,  Healey,  Meader,  Rhodes,  Silverthorne,  Cottrell,  DeViney,  T. 
H.  Martin,  McAndrew,  Price,  Cleaver,  Hazard,  Kyes,  Lawrence,  Pollok, 
Becker,  Critchett,  Norcross,  Reuseh,  Day,  Johnston,  Merrill,  Lancaster, 
Quant,  Yinger,  R.  T.  Baldwin,  Field,  Lescohier — these  all  and  others, 
who  through  faith  have  subdued  kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness,  were 
valiant  in  fight  and  have  obtained  a  good  report.  Those  mentioned 
above  are  full  graduates  of  the  college,  and  a  multitude  of  others  ought 
to  be  mentioned  who  did  not  graduate,  but  who  are  today  the  strength 
of  our  ministry. 

At  the  present  time  Albion  is  very  strong  in  most  of  its  departments. 
There  is  an  imperative  need  for  two  or  three  additional  chairs,  and  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  college  will  always  need  more  money  and  re- 
sources. The  writer  believes  that  there  is  no  place  in  the  wide  world 
where  money  will  go  so  far  and  do  so  much  as  that  which  is  placed  in  the 


insTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COrXTY  141 

endowment  fund  of  a  Christian  college.  Does  tlie  olnucli  at  la  rye  iukIit- 
stand  that  money  so  placed  can  never  be  expendeil,  but  is  set  at  work 
repeating  itself  over  and  over  while  the  institution  endures?  A  hun- 
dred or  a  thousand  dollars,  earning  five  percent  interest,  will  repeat  it- 
self ever}-  twenty  years  whether  tiie  donor  is  dead  or  alive;  whetlier  he 
is  generous  at  the  present  time  or  not;  whether  he  regrets  his  former 
gift  or  is  ghid  of  it.  This  is  the  exceeding  precious  consideration  eoii- 
cerning  every  gift  made  to  the  college. 

The  year  book  of  the  college  for  1911-12  shows  the  following  names 
of  those  who  at  that  time  were  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
the  Faculty. 

Board  of  Trustees:  Samuel  Dickie,  ex-officio;  Rev.  D.  H.  Ramsdell, 
D.  ^I.  Christian,  Rev.  William  Dawe,  James  11.  Simpson,  Rev.  C.  W. 
Baldwin,  Durand  W.  Springer,  Rev.  D.  D.  jMartin,  M.  L.  Cook,  Rev. 
John  Graham,  E.  K.  Phelps,  Edwin  N.  Parsons,  Rev.  Hugh  Kennedy, 
Frank  A.  Fall,  Rev.  Luther  Lovejoy,  Charles  M.  Ranger,  Robert  W. 
Baldwin. 

Faculty:  Samuel  Dickie.  'SI.  S.,  LL.  D.,  John  Owen,  professor  of 
philosophy;  Delos  Fall,  Sc.  D.,  LL.  D.,  David  Preston,  professor  of 
chemistry;  Frederick  Lutz,  A.  M.,  Litt.  D.,  professor  of  modern  lan- 
guages; Charles  Elisha  Barr,  A.  M.,  jirofessor  of  geologj'  and  biology; 
Frederic  Samuel  Goodrich,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  alumni  professor  of  the  English 
Bible,  acting  professor  of  Greek  language  and  literature;  i\lrs.  Helen 
Kuapiien-Scripps,  A.  ^I.,  dean  of  women,  instructor  in  English  literature ; 
Frederic  Coe  Demorest.  A.  .M.,  D.  D.,  professor  of  Latin ;  Charles  Henry 
Woolbert.  A.  ]M.,  professor  of  English  and  oratory  (W.  Scott  Brown  chair 
of  Belles  Lettres)  ;  Clarence  Wilson  Greene,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D.,  professor  of 
physics ;  Frank  Tracy  Carlton,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D.,  professor  of  economics  and 
acting  Henry  M.  Loud  professor  of  history ;  E.  Roscoe  Sleight,  A.  M., 
W.  H.  Brockway,  jtrofessor  of  mathematics,  acting  Ezra  Bostwick,  pro- 
fessor of  astronomy ;  John  Zedler,  A.  ^1.,  associate  professor  of  motlern 
languages;  Frank  W.  Douglas,  A.  M.,  assistant  professor  of  chemistry; 
Eleanor  T.  Avann,  A.  M.,  assistant  professor  of  Greek;  Charles  Albert 
Langworthy,  A.  B.,  instructor  in  English;  Harlan  J.  Cozine.  director  of 
eon.servatory,  instructor  in  voice  and  the  art  of  siiii;iiii;:  liiiymoiid  L. 
Havens,  head  of  piano  department,  pianoforte;  T.  St,iiilc,\  Sl<iiiiier,  head 
of  organ  department,  pedal  organ,  musical  history  ami  IIkmmv;  John  H. 
IMartin,  head  of  orchestral  department,  violin  and  orchestral  instrumeiit.s  ; 
Elam  Agnes  Blackman,  instructor  in  piano ;  Nema  Phipps,  instructor  in 
piano:  ^Myra  C.  Salisbury',  insti'uctor  in  voice;  George  L.  Griswold. 
principal  of  commercial  department :  ]\Iilton  H.  Northrop,  teacher  of 
shorthand  and  typewriting:  Sarah  Estella  Woolsey,  instructor  in  art: 
Walter  S.  Kennedy,  athletic  director;  Esther  H.  Auten,  A.  B.,  director 
of  physical  education  for  women  ;  Rosa  Ball,  B.  S.,  librarian,  and  instruc- 
tor in  library  methods;  Jennie  Columbus,  president's  secretary. 


CHAPTER  X 

GENERAL  EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY 

Michigan  Public  School  System — Leading  Calhoun  County  Educa- 
tors— Rural  Schools  op  the  County  (by  Frank  D.  Miller)  — 
Register  of  State  and  County  Officers — Dr.  Delos  Fall — Village 
Schools  (by  Prank  D.  Miller j. 

The  real  importance  of  men's  lives  is  measured,  not  so  much  by  what 
they  appear  to  accomplish  in  the  day  and  generation  in  which  they  live, 
as  by  the  influences  they  set  in  motion  that  affect  for  good  or  evil  the 
generations  that  come  after  them.  Pleasured  by  this  standard,  two  of 
the  most  influential  men  in  the  history  of  Michigan ;  men  whose  influence 
will  be  a  positive  force  for  good  as  long  as  the  Commonwealth  endures, 
lived  in  Calhoun  county.  The  one,  a  graduate  of  Brown  University 
and  of  an  Eastern  Theological  school,  came  to  ilarshall  when  it  had  but 
two  shacks  and  one  unfinished  double  log  house,  as  the  accredited  repre- 
sentative of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society.  The  other,  a  native 
of  Connecticut,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College  of  that  state,  a  lawyer 
of  two  years'  practice  at  the  bar  of  his  native  state,  who  came  to  Mar- 
shall soon  after  the  missionarv. 

« 

jMichigan  Public  School  System 

These  two  men,  the  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  and  Isaac  E.  Crary,  attorney- 
at-law,  lived  for  a  time  beneath  the  same  roof  and  amidst  their  rude  sur- 
roundings soon  found  that  they  had  much  in  common,  and  early  became 
fast  friends.  About  this  time  the  tide  of  immigration  had  set  in  strongly 
toward  the  then  territory  of  JMichigan  and  soon  there  was  talk  of  State- 
hood. Men  of  the  intellectual  equipment,  experience  and  observation, 
not  to  say  ambition,  of  Pierce  and  Crary  could  hardly  be  otherwise  than 
interested  in  the  progress  of  events  that  were  rapidly  tending  toward  the 
formation  of  a  new  state. 

Both  men  were  much  interested  in  education,  which  had  been  greatly 
neglected  in  the  territory.  About  this  time  there  chanced  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Pierce,  a  translation  of  the  report  of  the  Prussian 
school  system,  made  by  Cousin  to  the  French  Minister  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion. Both  Pierce  and  Crary  read  the  report  and  mentally  compared 
notes.  j\lany  an  interesting  discussion  these  two  cultivated  men  had 
over  the  importance  of  education   in   the  prospective  new  state.     IMr. 

]42 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOrX  COrXTY  143 

Pierce  speaks  particularly  of  one  long  conference  he  and  Crary  had  one 
Sunday  afternoon,  seated  on  a  log  on  the  hill  north  of  the  court  house. 
The  tree  beneath  which  they  sat  still  stands  in  the  yard  of  the  home  of 
the  late  General  Charles  T.  Gorham.  Before  their  conference  had 
adjourned,  tentative  outlines  of  a  proposed  public  school  system  were 
agreed  upon. 

Crary  was  a  member  of  the  convention  that  met  in  1835  to  frame  a 
State  Constitution,  and  in  the  assignment  of  committee  positions,  was 
made  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education,  and  as  such,  drafted  the 
educational  provision  in  our  iirst  constitution.  Among  other  things, 
provision  was  made  for  a  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
an  office  hitherto  unknown  in  the  United  States.  He  was  to  be  nominated 
by  the  governor  and  confirmed  by  Iwth  houses  of  the  legislature. 

The  Constitution  having  been  adopted  by  the  people,  Stephen  S.  T. 
Mason  was  elected  the  first  governor,  and  Isaac  E.  Crary  the  first  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  the  new  state  of  Michigan.  On  his  wa.y  from  Mar- 
shall to  AVashington  to  take  his  seat  in  Congress,  Crary  stopped  in  De- 
troit, the  then  seat  of  state  government,  and  had  a  long  conference  with 
Governor  ^Mason  on  state  matters.  During  the  conference,  Crary  called 
the  attention  of  the  governor  to  the  special  qualifications  of  his  friend, 
Pierce,  for  the  position  of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction.  So 
favorably  impressed  was  the  governor  by  Crary 's  representations,  that 
he  sent  for  Pierce  to  come  to  Detroit  and  after  a  somewhat  protracted 
interview,  he  decided  to  nominate  him  to  the  legislature  for  the  office 
of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  which  he  subsequently  did  and 
the  nominee  was  unanimously  confirmed  by  both  houses  of  the  legis- 
lature. 

The  Ordinance  of  17S7  provided  tliat  a  section  of  land  should  be  set 
apart  in  every  township  in  each  of  the  five  states  that  were  subsequently 
formed  out  of  that  territory,  and  the  proceeds  of  sale  devoted  to  school 
purposes.  In  other  states  the  land  had  been  at  the  disposal  of  the 
township  authorities,  and  in  many  cases  had  been  dissipated  and  so,  fallen 
far  short  of  what  the  framers  of  that  celebrated  ordinance  had  intended. 
Crary  had  conceived  a  different  method  of  disposing  of  the  funds  arising 
from  the  sale  of  these  lands.  AVhile  at  Washington  awaiting  the  tardy 
action  of  Congress  in  admitting  the  state  before  he  could  take  his  seat,  he 
was  in  frequent  conference  with  the  committee  charged  with  framing  the 
act  of  admission,  and  was  courteously  invited  to  make  such  suggestions  as 
he  might  deem  best  to  have  incorjiorated.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Crary 
succeeded  in  getting  all  public  school  lands  put  under  control  of  the 
state  and  as  a  result  we  now  have  over  five  millions  of  dollars,  proceeds 
from  the  sale  of  school  lands,  as  a  permanent  fund  held  in  trust  by  the 
state,  the  interest  on  which  is  to  be  forever  used  in  support  of  the  puhlic 
schools  of  the  state.  Congressman  Crary  was  also  instrumental  in  secur- 
ing seventy  sections  of  the  [)ublic  lands  for  the  support  of  the  university. 
For  his  statesmanlike  foresight  and  accomplishments,  he  has  put  Michi- 
gan under  perpetual  obligation  to  him.  Crary  and  Pierce  were  also 
influential  members  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1850,  the  latter 
being  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education. 

It  may  not  be  ii]api)rnpriatc  in  this  place  to  give  an  estimate  of  this 


144  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

public  servant  by  one  who  has  enjoyed  exceptional  opportunities  of  know- 
ing and  judging  of  the  public  men  of  the  state  for  more  than  half  a 
century.  "If,"  says  Homer  Barber,  "I  was  called  upon  to  express  an 
opinion  as  to  who  was  the  most  useful  man  to  the  state  and  its  people 
for  all  time  in  official  life  among  the  able  and  «minent  delegates  and 
representatives  and  senators  in  Congress  during  the  formative  period 
of  our  institutions,  and  especially  in  shaping  our  educational  system,  for 
he  procured  the  grant  of  seventy-two  sections  of  land  for  our  State 
University,  the  choice  would  fall  upon  Isaac  E.  Crary." 

The  legislature  passed  a  resolution  requiring  the  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the  organization  and  support 
of  primaiy  schools,  a  plan  for  a  university  with  branches,  also  a  plan 
for  a  disposition-  of  the  primary  and  university  school  lands  and  have 
it  ready  to  submit  to  that  body  when  it  met  in  January,  1837.  Pro- 
foundly impressed  witli  the  importance  of  the  work  committed  to  him, 
Supiiiiili'iKlciit  Pi(M-i-('.  scion  after  his  contirmation,  set  out  on  a  journey 
east\\,ii-(l  with  a  virw  (if  consulting  with  the  most  eminent  American 
ediuiitors  of  ihe  time.  After  his  return,  he  drew  up  a  plan  as  required 
ami  siiliiiiiltcd  it  to  the  legislature  when  it  again  convened  and  by  which, 
with  a  lew  slight  changes,  it  was  adopted. 

The  report  embraced  three  general  divisions  as  follows: — 

First:     Organization  and  support  of  the  primary  schools. 

Second :     Re-organization  of  the  university. 

Third :  Disposition  of  university  and  jjrimary  school  funds.  Under 
this  plan,  the  common  schools  of  the  state  were  re-organized.  Designs 
for  school  Imildings  and  apparatus  and  township  libraries  were  part  of 
the  general  plan.  There  was  a  great  dearth  of  teachers  and  to  meet 
this  want,  a  system  of  secondary  schools  was  recommended,  which 
should  serve  as  preparatory  schools  for  the  university  and  for  the  train- 
ing of  teachers.     Tender  the  Constitution  of  IS.'iO,  the  s mdary  schools 

were  done  away  witli.  academies  flourished  for  a  liiiii\  wiii'ii  these  gave 
way  to  the  normal  and  tlie  high  school,  with  tin-  iini\ci'sity  :is  the  undis- 
puted centre  and  crown  of  our  state  educational  system.  Pleading  with 
the  legislature  to  adopt  his  recommendation  to  have  in  the  university 
one  great  central  institution  supported  by  the  state,  he  said,  "  It  is  to  be 
l)oi'ne  in  mind  that  the  policy  now  adopted  is  destined  to  affect  the 
literary  character  and  standing  of  the  state,  not  only  for  the  time  of  the 
present  generation,  but  so  long  as  the  republic  and  its  institutions  shall 
be  preserved."  He  further  declared  that  "an  unenlightened  mind  is 
not  recognized  by  the  genius  of  republican  institutions."  Again  he 
said,  "Our  government  proceeds  from  the  people,  is  supported  by  the 
people  and  depends  upon  the  people."  This  declaration  was  made  years 
before  Jlr.  Lincoln's  oft  quoted  saying  that,  "Ours  is  a  government  of 
the  people,  liy  the  people  and  for  the  people."  It  will  be  seen  that 
the  same  thought  underlies  both  and  that  the  sentences  have  the  same 
rhythm. 

Leading  Calhoun  County  Educators 

Oliver  C.  Comstock.  of  ilarshall,  served  as  State  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  from  1843  to  1845.     He,  in  turn,  was  succeeded  by 


HISTORY  OF  OALIIOI'X  COl  XTV  145 

Ira  Mayhew,  of  Albiou.  Fraui'is  W.  SlK'annan,  loiii;  one  of  .Marsliall'.s 
most  proiniuent  citizens,  was  the  last  person  to  hold  tiiis  iiiijxjrtant 
office  under  the  Constitution  of  1835,  which  provided  that  this  oflicer 
should  be  appointed  by  the  governor  and  confirmed  by  botli  houses  of 
the  legislature,  ami  the  first  to  hold  it  under  the  Constitution  of  LSJil, 
which  provided  he  should  be  elected  by  the  people.  ^Ir.  Slu>anaau 
served  from  184!)  to  1854  inclusive.  In  1854  Ira  IMayhew  was  elected 
and  served  from  1855  to  1858  inclusive.  It  was  forty-two  years  before 
another  Calhoun  County  iiuiu  was  chosen  to  this  office. 

In  the  fall  of  1900,  Professor  Delos  Fall,  of  Albion  College,  one  of 
the  best  kuown  educators  of  the  state,  was  elected  State  Supei-intendeut 
of  Public  Instruction,  and  filled  the  office  with  great  acceptability  from 
January  1,  IfMH,  to  January  1,  1905.  Professor  Fall  was  a  meinber 
of  the  convention  that  framed  the  Constitution  of  1909,  and  as  such, 
served  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education.  It  is  a  singular  and 
unusual  distinction  that  has  come  to  Calhoun  count.y,  not  so  much  that 
tive  of  her  citizens  have  been  chosen  to  the  important  office  of  State 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  and  whose  aggregate  tei-ms  of 
service  to  1912  equal  one-third  the  entire  life  of  the  state  under  the 
three  Constitutions,  unparalleled  as  that  is;  as  in  the  fact  that  in  the 
convention  that  framed  the  Constitution  of  1835  Isaac  E.  Crary  was 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education,  that  in  the  convention  that 
framed  the  Constitution  of  1850  John  D.  Pierce  was  chairman  of  a  like 
committee,  and  that  in  the  conventiou  that  framed  the  Constitution  of 
1909  Delos  Fall  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education.  These 
three  men,  all  from  Calhoun  county,  have,  in  the  order  named,  probably 
done  more  to  shape  the  educational  system  of  the  state  than  any  other 
like  number  of  men  in  all  its  history.  Add  to  this  the  fact  that  credit 
is  given  to  George  Willard.  of  Battle  Creek,  for  causing  the  door  of 
the  university  to  be  opened  to  women,  and  we  think  it  may  be  said,  with- 
out exaggeration  and  without  boasting,  that  for  all  time,  from  an  educa- 
tional point  of  view,  the  state  of  Jlichigan  has  been  placed  under  obliga- 
tion to  Calhoun  county. 

Rural  Schools  of  C.vlhoux  County 

Bi)  Frank  D.  Miller 
County  Commissioner  of  Schools 

The  educational  history  of  Calhoun  county  must  necessarily  be  a  his- 
tory of  progress.  While  Michigan  was  still  a  territorial  possession, 
Calhoun  county  was  the  home  of  John  D.  Pierce,  a  man  of  keen  intellect, 
and  a  prophet  who  had  faith  in  his  gift  of  prophecy.  To  him  was 
intrusted  the  initiatory  work  in  education  in  the  First  Constitutional  Con- 
vention of  1836.  He  was  an  advanced  thinker  and  many  of  the  doctrines 
which  he  was  unable  to  work  out  at  that  time  have  since  become  effective. 
He  maintained  that  it  was  an  obligation  on  the  part  of  the  state  to  suffer 
none  to  grow  up  in  ignorance,  and  that  the  state  had  the  right  to  require 
the  education  of  all  children  and  youth,  both  for  the  welfare  of  the  in- 


146  HISTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

dividual  instructed  and  the  security  of  the  state.  Mr.  Pierce  believed 
that ' '  the  most  perfect  organization  of  the  entire  system  in  all  the  varied 
departments  of  instruction  must  fail  of  securing  the  desired  results 
without  a  sufficient  number  of  competent  teachers."  To  this  end  it 
was  advised  that  every  teacher  in  the  public  schools  should  be  given  a 
regular  course  of  training.  He  also  recommended  district  libraries. 
While  these  theories  were  much  in  advance  of  the  educational  sentiment 
of  those  times,  they  were  seeds  sown  in  fertile  soil  and  have  been  nurtured 
and  brought  to  a  degree  of  maturity  through  the  earuest  efforts  of  other 
educators,  prominent  among  whom  were  Isaac  E.  Crary  of  Marshall,  who 
had  the  honor  of  being  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Education  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1835,  John  D.  Pierce  of  Marshall,  in  1850, 
and  Prof.  Delos  Fall,  of  Albion,  former  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  of  the  state,  who  held  a  similar  position  in  the  Consti- 
tutional  Convention  of  1908. 

Calhoun  county  was  indeed  fortunate  in  its  pioneers.  Immediately 
after  building  their  own  rude  homes  and  doing  what  clearing  and  sowing 
that  was  necessary  to  insure  them  an  existence,  they  turned  their  atten- 
tion toward  erecting  schools.  When  we  consider  that  Sidney  Ketcham, 
the  recognized  pioneer  of  Calhoun  county,  first  settled  here  in  1830,  yet 
that  in  May,  1832,  a  school  house  had  been  built  and  school  was  in  ses- 
sion, and  that  within  six  years  there  were  from  one  to  four  schools  in 
each  organized  township  in  the  county,  we  cannot  fail  to  honor  them  for 
their  strength  of  purpose  and  achievements. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  county  was  built  in  May,  1832,  on  what 
is  now  Mansion  street  in  the  city  of  Marshall.  This  school  house  was 
used  for  school  purposes,  as  a  church,  and  as  a  town  hall,  all  territorial 
elections  being  held  there  until  after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution 
when  Michigan  became  a  state.  The  first  school  teacher  was  Eliza 
Ketcham.  A  school  house  was  erected  in  Battle  Creek  in  the  fall  of 
1834,  at  the  cost  of  eighty  dollars.  Warren  B.  Shepard,  sometimes 
called  the  Pioneer  Schoolmaster,  was  the  teacher  during  the  winter  of 
1834-5,  and  in  1836  a  school  hovise  was  erected  in  Fredonia  township, 
about  eighty  rods  west  of  where  the  Houston  district  school  house  now 
stands.  Janette  Baldwin  was  the  teacher  and  the  late  John  Houston  was 
the  only  pupil.  It  is  related  that  Miss  Baldwin,  whose  home  was  near 
Brace  Lake,  in  Eckford  township,  blazed  the  trail  from  her  home  to  the 
school  house  by  tying  strings  of  calico  on  the  bushes.  The  following 
year,  1837,  Miss  Baldwin  taught  the  first  school  in  what  is  now  No.  4  in 
Eckford.     Among  other  early  organized  schools  we  note  the  following: 

1833,  first  school  in  Emmett  township,  with  Cynthia  Maynard  as  teacher; 
Cook's  Prairie,  Clarendon,  in  1833,  Timothy  Hamlin,  teacher;  private 
school  in  Sheridan  township  on  the  Horace  Bidwell  farm,  in  1832,  with 
Mr.  Bidwell 's  daughter,  Ursula,  teacher;  first  school  in  Athens  on  Sec. 
34  in  1833,  with  a  Miss  Acres  as  teacher;  on  Goguac  Prairie  in  1834, 
Arantha  Thomas,  teacher;  on  E.  Kimball's  farm  in  Marengo  in  1833, 
Mrs.  Skinner,  teacher;  and  on  the  Chisholm  farm,  same  township,  in 

1834,  with  S.  Powers,  teacher;  on  present  site  of  No.  3,  Eckford  in  1834, 
with  W.  N.  Wilder,  teacher ;  in  Homer  township,  J.  Cross  taught  in  1835 
and  Hannah  Leach  taught  the  same  year  in  school  located  in  the  village ; 


HISTORY  OK  ("ALIIOrX  COrXTY  147 

No.  6.  Tekonsha.  was  tlio  location  of  tlic  first  school  tlistrict  in  tliat 
township ;  in  1837,  ^lary  Buckingham  taught  the  first  school  in  Burling- 
ton where  the  high  school  is  now  located,  and  Polly  Lee  had  charge  of 
the  school  at  Abascota  the  same  year;  John  Mains  taught  the  first  school 
in  No.  4,  Clarendon,  in  1837 ;  Sarah  Root,  the  first  in  Convis  in  1838. 

We  find  no  records  of  the  organization  of  any  schools  in  Leroy  town- 
ship previous  to  1838,  when  the  inspectors  met  and  organized  nine  dis- 
tricts, each  containing  four  sections.  The  inspectors  were  D.  N.  Bush- 
nell  and  Polydore  Hudson. 

In  1828,  Congress  had  passed  an  act  setting  oft'  the  sixteenth  section 
of  each  township  for  school  purposes,  but  at  that  time  land  was  so  cheap 
that  little  was  realized  from  the  sale  of  the  school  lands.  With  houses 
to  build,  land  to  clear,  roads  to  make  and  streams  to  bridge,  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  attention  to  be  given  to  education  that  otherwise  would 
have  been  given.  Up  to  and  including  1836,  there  were  but  39  organized 
townships  in  the  state,  eight  of  which  were  in  Calhoun  county,  and  fifty- 
five  school  districts  with  an  enrollment  of  but  2,337  pupils  in  the  entire 
State.  The  adoption  of  the  Constitution  in  1836  gave  impetus  to  the 
educational  movement  so  that  four  years  later,  in  1840,  we  find  there 
were  324  organized  Townships  with  a  total  of  1,506  school  disti'icts,  en- 
rolling 49,850  pupils.  At  this  time,  the  average  length  of  the  school 
year  was  4  4-10  month,  while  the  average  pay  for  the  male  teacher  was 
$15.61  per  month  and  for  the  female  teachers  was  $1.27  per  week.  The 
teachers  "boarded  around. "  The  average  age  of  the  male  teacher  ranged 
from  17  to  20,  while  the  ages  of  the  female  teachers  ranged  from  14  to 
17  yeai-s. 

In  1850,  the  average  length  of  the  school  year  was  five  months,  and 
the  average  pay  of  the  male  teachers  had  been  diminished  to  $14.00,  while 
the  average  for  female  teachers  had  increased  to  $6.00  per  month. 

A  limited  tax  could  be  imposed  by  the  ciualified  voters  and  assessed 
upon  the  property  of  the  district  for  building  purposes,  repairs,  ap- 
pendages, etc.,  but  not  one  dollar  could  be  collected  for  the  support  of  the 
teacher,  w'ith  the  exception  of  the  small  primary  fund,  and  the  teacher 
had  to  be  paid  by  money  collected  by  the  Rate  Bill.  Form  of  Rate  Bill 
and  Warrant  are  herewith  appended : 

Name  of  person  No.  days     Amount  of     Fees     Amount  for 

sending  to  school  sent         school  bill  fuel  Total 

Chas.  Miller    312  $3.15         $0.15  $1..50  .$4.80 

Fred  Smith   104  1.05  .05  .50  1.60 

"To  the  Assessor  of  School  District  No Township  of : — 

You  are  hereby  commanded  to  collect  from  each  person  named,  the 
several  sums  set  opposite  their  names,  within  the  next  six  days  after 
date  of  delivery  hereof :  and  upon  the  collection  of  the  same,  or  any  part 
thereof  or  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  allowed  therefor  by  law  to  pay 
over  the  amount  so  collected  by  you  (retaining  five  per  cent  for  your 
fee)  to  the  order  of  the  Director  of  said  District,  countersigned  by  the 
Jloderator  thereof;  and  in  ease  any  person  therein  named  shall  refuse 


148  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

on  demand,  to  pay  amount  on  said  Rate  Bill  for  which  he  is  liable,  you 
are  to  collect  the  same  by  distress  and  sale  of  chattels  of  such  persons, 
wherever  found  in  counties  in  which  said  district  is  situated,  having 
first  published  said  sale  at  least  ten  days  by  posting  up  notices  in  three 
public  places  in  the  Township  where  such  property  is  to  be  sold. 

"Given  under  our  hands  this dav  of A.  D. 

A B 

Director 

C D 

' '  Moderator. ' ' 

The  moneys  collected  by  the  Rate  Bill  was  about  equal  to  the  pri- 
mary money,  in  many  districts,  and  in  some  cases  it  exceeded  the 
amount  of  money  received  from  the  State. 

Many  schools  at  this  time  and  even  for  many  years  later  had  made 
no  provision  for  regularity  of  attendance ;  for  uniformity  of  text  books ; 
for  any  form  of  graduation  or  definite  plan  of  visitation.  The  houses 
were  crude,  poorly  lighted,  poorly  equipped,  poorly  ventilated.  Yet 
notwithstanding  all  the  hardships  the  people  had  undergone — the  finan- 
cial panic  of  '37,  disease,  etc. — they  still  insisted  on  having  a  better 
system  of  schools  and  Calhoun  County's  three  representatives,  ]\Iessrs. 
Pierce,  Crary  and  Morrison,  went  into  the  Constitutional  Convention  of 
1850,  and  were  instrumental  in  having  the  Constitution  so  amended  that 
a  free  school  must  be  maintained  in  every  district  at  least  three  months 
during  the  year.  There  was  a  provision,  however,  that  arranged  that  the 
Legislature  should  provide  for  such  schools  within  five  years,  so  it  was 
actually  seven  years  before  any  results  were  secured. 

As  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1850  practically  closes  one  epoch 
in  the  educational  history  and  commences  another,  for  comparison,  we 
quote  from  the  report  for  the  year  ending  May,  1851,  as  given  by  the 
State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  Francis  W.  Sherman : 
Number  of  districts,  150;  number  of  children  on  census  list,  6,403; 
number  of  children  attending  school  under  four  years  of  age,  92 ;  num- 
ber of  children  attending  school  over  18  years  of  age,  231 ;  whole  num- 
ber who  have  attended  school  during  the  year,  5,049.  Whole  amount  of 
wages  paid  the  teachers  in  the  County,  $7,757.55.  Amount  raised  by 
rate  bill,  $3,556.43 ;  primary  money  received,  $2,983.36 ;  raised  for 
building  purposes,  $7,759.60  (a  union  school  building  was  built  in  ]Mar- 
shall  during  this  year,  which  is  included  in  this  amount)  ;  support  of 
school,  including  teachers,  $3,355.87;  mill  tax  assessed,  $1,401.53;  aver- 
age length  of  school  year  in  rural  districts,  five  months.  Average  length 
of  school  year  in  union  schools,  thirt.y-five  weeks.  The  average  salary 
of  teachers  $11.35.  (Board  for  rural  teachers  cost  from  $.75  to  $1.25  per 
week,  while  in  the  village  it  cost  from  $1.25  to  $1.75). 

Notwithstaiuling  the  fact  that  the  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction had,  through  his  reports,  announced  that  it  was  not  obligatory 
for  any  one  to  board  the  teacher,  practically  all  the  teachers  "boarded 
around."  In  connection  with  the  system  of  "boarding  around",  an 
amusing  incident  is  a  matter  of  record  in  the  Board  of  Supexwisors '  Re- 
port of  1874  and  1875,  where  the  Superintendent  of  the  Poor  submitted 


IIISTOKV   OF  ('Al.IlOrX   COrXTV  14U 

bills  for  two  aiicl  three  weeks'  board  for  school  teachers.  In  some  dis- 
tricts this  plan  of  "boarding  around"  continued  in  vogue  until  the  early 
eighties. 

The  SupiTiutcndciil  of  I'ublic  Instrurtion  ivcdinnicndi'd  to  tlie 
Constitutional  Convention  that  the  schools  be  made  free,  and  after  dis- 
cussing the  various  plans  proposed  by  the  members  of  the  Convention, 
the  source  of  revenue  for  the  primary  schools  was  agreed  upon  as  follows : 
First,  the  income  from  the  primary  school  fund ;  Second,  a  tax  of  two 
mills  upon  each  dollar's  valuation  of  taxable  property  in  the  township; 
Third,  a  tax  not  exceeding  one  dollar  a  scholar,  voted  by  the  districts 
and  collected  by  the  township :  Fourth,  the  rate  bill  to  make  up  any 
deficiency. 

Previous  to  this  time  there  had  been  no  close  supervision  of  schools, 
but  a  Law  was  enacted,  making  the  Chairman  of  the  Township  Board 
of  School  Inspectors  (said  Board  being  composed  of  the  Township  Clerk 
and  two  School  Inspectors)  inspector  of  the  schools  of  his  township, 
and  reciuiring  him  to  visit  these  schools  at  least  one  each  term.  The 
Board  of  School  Inspectors  examined  and  licensed  all  teachere  in  the 
Public  Schools.  The  good  resulting  from  this  supervision  became  quickly 
apparent. 

This  system  of  inspection  continued  until  1868,  when  the  Board  of 
School  Inspectoi-s  was  discontinued,  and  Captain  Ephraim  Marble,  now- 
living  in  Jlarshall.  was  elected  the  first  County  Superintendent  of  Schools 
of  Calhoun  county  in  1867.  which  office  he  held  for  two  years,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Bela  Fancher  (now  deceased).  Rev.  Fancher 
held  the  office  for  four  years  and  was  followed  by  Bertrand  F.  Welch, 
said  to  be  the  oldest  living  teacher  in  Michigan,  and  now  lives  in  Mar- 
shall. It  was  the  duty  of  these  county  superintendents  to  examine  all 
candidates  for  teachers'  certificates  visit  all  schools  at  least  once  a  year, 
and  consult  with  the  teachers  as  to  the  best  mode  of  instruction  and  dis- 
cipline. They  were  paid  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who  fixed  their 
salary  per  diem  for  actual  time  expended. 

One  of  the  great  hindrances  to  good  school  work  during  these  periods 
was  the  lack  of  suitable  text  books.  One  of  the  Superintendents 
above  mentioned  informed  the  writer  that  in  one  school  visited  by  him 
an  entire  class  had  no  readers,  excepting  the  New  Testament,  which  they 
were  using  in  their  reading  classes.  Ofttimes  there  were  as  nmny 
different  text  books  as  there  were  pupils  in  a  class. 

Another  of  the  great  hindrances  to  the  district  school  \\(}ik  was  the 
fact  that  there  was  no  uniformity  in  the  course  of  study  and  the  children 
were  allowed  to  take  up  the  study  that  pleased  their  fancy  most  with- 
out reference  to  the  practical  side  of  the  matter.  The  more  advanced 
educational  minds  ])egan  thinking  of  the  advisability  of  adopting  a  uni- 
form course  of  study  and  the  enacting  of  a  law  that  would  tend  to 
bring  about  a  uniformity  of  text  books.  This  agitation  brought  good 
results,  for  a  few  years  later  they  saw  their  ideas  realizpd. 

The  people,  having  become  dissatisfied  with  the  County  System  of 
Supervision,  which  they  believed  to  be  very  expensive  for  the  results 
secured,  returned  to  the  Township  System  in  1875.  The  vi.sitation  of  the 
schools  was  again  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 


150  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

School  Inspectors  of  the  various  townships,  who  met  once  each  year  and 
elected  a  member  for  the  County  Board  of  Teachers  Examiners,  each 
member  to  hold  for  a  term  of  two  years.  It  became  the  duty  of  the 
Board  of  Examiners  to  conduct  the  examination  of  all  teachers  of  the 
County.  We  are  unable  to  find  a  complete  record  of  the  examiners  thus 
chosen,  but  find  that  Capt.  Ephraim  Marble,  Miss  A.  R.  Camburn,  and 
S.  G.  Gorsline  all  served  at  sometime  during  this  period. 

In  1887,  the  law  again  changed  with  reference  to  the  visitation  of 
schools,  taking  the  work  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Township  School  In- 
spectors, and  placing  it  in  the  hands  of  a  County  Secretary,  who  was  to 
be  chosen  by  the  Judge  of  Probate  and  the  two  members  of  the  County 
Board  of  School  Examiners.  Report  made  by  this  Board  to  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  on  the  17th  day  of  October,  1887,  is  herewith  given  in 
full. 

'■'To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Calhoun  County: — 
Acting  under  the  requirements  of  the  new  law,  the  Board  of  School 
Examiners  of  this  County  met  with  the  Judge  of  Probate  at  this  oifiee 
the  28th  day  of  September,  and  elected  Mr.  R.  A.  Culver  secretary  of 
such  Board  for  the  ensuing  year ;  fixing  his  salary  there  for  at  $1,300.00. 

"They  also  instructed  such  secretary  to  visit  in  person  or  by  such 
assistants  as  he  might  select,  each  school  in  the  county,  at  least  twice  a 
year;  to  ascertain  the  conditions  of  such  school  and  success  of  its 
teachers;  to  note  the  conditions  of  the  buildings  and  surroundings;  to 
counsel  with  the  school  boards  azid  advise  as  to  any  necessary  improve- 
ments; to  keep  a  record  of  such  visits  and  make  a  yearly  report  of  the 
same  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Township  Inspectors,  of  the 
several  townships  at  their  annual  meeting  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
August. 

' '  Said  Board  to  also  require  that  the  whole  time  of  such  secretary  be 
devoted  to  the  work,  and  the  supervision  of  the  schools  be  made  as 
thorough  as  possible. 

"To  accomplish  this  work  the  board  have  agreed  upon  the  following 
estimates,  as  necessary  in  their  judgment  to  pav  for  the  same :  Salarv 
of  Secretary,  .$1,300.00 ;  Pay  of  Board  of  Examiners,  $200.00 ;  Pay  of 
assistant  visitors,  printing,  stationery,  postage,  room  rent  and  janitor, 
$300.00;  Total  .$1,800.00 

"All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

"  (iliss)   A.  R.  Camburn,  chairman. 
"S.    G.    Gorsline, 
"R.   A.   Culver,   secretary." 

From  this  time  forward  the  scliools  advanced  with  rapid  strides. 
Mr.  Culver  had  the  honor  of  being  one  of  a  committee  of  five  who 
planned  the  first  State  Manual  Course  of  Study,  which  was  approved  by 
the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  and  by  him  placed  in  every 
school  district  in  the  state.  While  the  course  as  laid  down  was  not  man- 
datory, it  brought  about  immediate  results,  and  a  general  approval  of 
a  common  course  of  study  for  all  district  schools.  31r.  Culver  held  the 
position   of  Secretary  for  a   term  of  foiir  years,   when  the   law  again 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  151 

changed,  and  provided  for  a  County  Commissioner  of  Schools.  The  first 
Commissioner  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  serve  one 
year,  after  which  he  was  to  be  elected  by  the  people  at  the  regular 
spring  election  for  a  term  of  two  years. 

On  June  22,  1891,  Mr.  Arthur  G.  Randall  of  Tekonsha  was  appointed 
the  first  County  Commissioner  of  Schools  for  Calhoun  County,  and  twice 
re-elected  by  popular  vote  of  the  people.  The  law  relative  to  the  elec- 
tion of  County  School  Examiners  having  also  been  changed,  provided 
that  the  examiners  should  be  chosen  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  At 
a  meeting  held  June  22,  1891,  the  Board  selected  Mr.  Chester  L.  Williams 
of  Lee  and  Mr.  Edward  L.  ilcPherson  of  Burlington  to  act  as  County 
Examiners  for  a  term  of  two  years  and  one  year  respectively. 

Mr.  Randall's  ability  as  a  Commissioner  was  recognized  by  an  ap- 
pointment on  the  committee  of  five  to  draft  the  Second  State  Manual 
Course  of  Study,  and  he  was  also  appointed  a  member  of  the  State 
Teachers  Reading  Circle  Board.  He  was  educated  in  Hillsdale  College ; 
had  had  a  long  and  successful  experience  as  teacher;  as  business  man; 
as  editor  and  publisher  and  he  entered  into  his  work  with  such  earnest- 
ness that  he  could  not  fail  to  inspire  enthusiasm  in  both  teachers  and 
pupils. 

Mrs.  Emma  S.  Willits  was  elected  Commissioner  in  the  spring  of 
1897.  She  is  a  graduate  from  Albion  College  and  is  a  lady  of  more 
than  ordinary  culture  and  refinement.  She  was  a  successful  teacher, 
having  taught  in  some  of  the  best  high  schools  in  the  state.  She  made 
an  excellent  Commissioner  and  is  now  the  efficient  Deputy  County  Treas- 
urer in  this  count}\ 

Ernest  Burnham  succeeded  Mrs.  Willits  in  1899.  He  was  educated 
in  the  rural  schools,  Battle  Creek  high  school,  and  Albion  College.  He 
was  City  Editor  of  the  Albion  Recorder  at  the  time  he  was  elected. 
Mr.  Burnham  was  a  student  of  Sociology  and  as  such  drew  attention  of 
the  state  authorities  who  offered  him  the  chair  at  the  head  of  the  Rural 
Department  of  the  Western  Normal  at  Kalamazoo  in  1904. 

That  the  state  was  fortunate  in  its  choice  is  evidenced  by  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  department.  He  took  his  degree  from  Columbia  in  1911. 
Dr.  Burnham  still  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  educational  affairs  of 
the  county. 

At  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Burnham,  in  1904,  the  writer  of  this  sketch 
and  present  incumbent.  P.  D.  Miller,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy 
and  has  twice  been  re-elected.  IModesty  prevents  further  comment  other 
than  to  state  that  I  attribute  any  success  I  have  had,  to  a  great  extent, 
to  the  solid  foundation,  educationally,  laid  by  my  predecessors. 

At  the  time  the  office  of  County  Commissioner  of  Schools  was  insti- 
tuted, the  salary  was  determined  by  a  sliding  scale,  depending  on  the 
number  of  schools  under  the  Commissioner's  jurisdiction.  The  minimum 
salary,  in  this  county  was  $1,200.00  and  the  maximum  was  .$1,800.00, 
with  all  necessary  office  expenses.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  fixed  the 
amoimt  at  $1,200.00,  with  no  allowance  for  traveling  expenses.  In  1903 
the  length  of  the  term  was  increased  from  two  to  four  years,  and  the 
salary  was  raised  to  $1,500.00  per  year;  in  1908  an  extra  allowance  of 


152  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

$150.00  was  voted  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  traveling  expenses  and 
two  years  later  the  salary  was  raised  to  $1,800.00  per  year. 

Register  of  State  and  County  Officers 

Superintendents  of  Public  Instruction,  elected  from  Calhoun  County : 
John  D.  Pierce,  1836-1841;  Dr.  Oliver  C.  Comstoek,  1843-1845;  Ira 
Mayhew,  1845-1849;  Francis  W.  Sherman,  1849-1854;  Ira  Mayhew, 
1854-1858;  Delos  Falls,  1901-1905. 

Twenty-two  of  the  seventy-six  years  since  Michigan  became  a  state, 
Calhoun  County  has  furnished  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 

Chairmen  of  Committee  on  Education  in  Constitutional  Conventions : 
Isaac  Crary,  of  Marshall,  in  1836,  John  D.  Pierce,  of  Marshall,  1850,  and 
Delos  Fall,  of  Albion,  in  1909. 

Superintendents  of  Cominon  Schools  for  Calhoun  County :  Ephraim 
Marble,  1869 ;  Bela  Fancher,  1869-1872 ;  Bertrand  F.  AVelc'h,  1873-1874. 
Secretary  of  Board  of  Examiners:    Rufus  A.  Culver,  1887-1891. 

County  Commissioners  of  Schools :  Arthur  G.  Randall,  1892-1897 ; 
ilrs.  Enuiia  S.  Willits,  1897-1899 ;  Ernest  Burnham,  1899-1904 ;  Frank  D. 
Miller,  1904. 

County  School  Examiners:   Ephraim  Marble, ;  Miss  A.   R. 

Camburn, ;  S.  G.  Gorsline, ;  Miss  Lizzie  Cook, ; 

Chester  E.  Williams,  1892-1894;  E.  L.  McPhersou,  1892-1895;  F.  W. 
Arbury,  1894-1896  ;  Guy  Fisk,  1895-1897  ;  Albert  II.  Wlntakcr.  1896-1898 ; 
J.  H.  Atwood,  1897-1899;  Kassen  Richardson,  18!»S-]:i(l(l ;  F.  D.  Miller, 
1899-1904;  A.  J.  Flint,  1900-1906;  E.  L.  McPlierson,   19(14-1909;  B.  J. 

Rivett,  1906-1907;  Josiah  Phelps,  1907 ;  Maude  Blair,   1909-1911; 

E.  L.  McPherson,  1911 . 

County  Truant  Officers:  Vern  G.  Gibbs,  1905-1906;  S.  M,  Reed,  1907- 
1910 ;  Wm.  Gray,  1910 . 

Truant  officer  is  appointed  by  the  Commissioner  and  receives  $3.00 
per  day  and  expenses  for  time  actually  expended. 

There  are  158  one  room  school  buildings,  and  seven  graded  schools 
in  the  County  with  a  combined  teaching  force  of  193  teachers.  There 
are  about  200  teachers  employed  in  the  cities,  making  a  total  of  about 
400  teachers  in  the  County. 

The  following  Statistics  were  taken  from  the  last  report  made  to  tlie 
Board  of  Supervisors  in  October  1911 : 

No.  of  teachers  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Commissioner 193 

No.  of  teachers  employed  who  had  no  previous  teaching  experience.      44 

No.   of  County  Normal  graduates   employed 47 

No.  of  State  Normal  graduates  employed 17 

No.  of  visits  made  by  Commissioner  during  year 360 

No.  of  pupils  on  census  list  in  rural  districts 4412 

No.  of  pupils  on  census  list  in  village  schools 951 

Cost  of  instruction  in  rural  districts $51,757.55 

Cost  of  instruction  in  village  schools $16,366.50 

Average  length  of  school  year  in  rural  districts S  mo.  16  days 

Average  salary  per  month  in  rural  schools $39.30 


IIISTUKY   OF  C'ALllOL'.X   COLXTV  ir,3 

Average  length  of  year  in  villages   !•  iiki.   14  days 

Average  salary  of  village  teaeiiers  (per  month)    .t.")2.(jr) 

No.  of  pupils  who  wrote  the  eighth  grade  diploma  examination.  .  .  .    410 

No.   of  pupils  who   reeeived   diplomas lM7 

No.  of  eases  investigated  by  Trmuit  Officer '27A) 

No.  of  truancy  notiees  siTvcd 184 

There  are  155  frame,  25  brick  and  S  stone  school  houses  iu  the  rural 
districts.  Two  districts  just  organized,  where  frame  buildings  will  be 
erected.  Nearly  all  the  rural  schools  are  equipped  with  wall  maps, 
dictionaries,  globes  and  other  necessary  appendages.  At  least  90  per 
cent  of  the  rural  schools  are  well  equipped  and  fully  75  per  cent  have 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  displayed  in,  or  over  the  building  during  the 
sessions.  The  library  money  is  used  for  library  purposes,  so  at  present 
95  per  cent  of  the  rural  schools  have  working  libraries.  More  attention 
is  being  paid  to  the  choice  of  books;  teachers  and  officers  are  now  being 
furnished  with  approved  lists  from  which  to  make  their  selections. 

Drawing  and  manual  training  have  been  introduced  in  many  of  the 
rural  schools  with  excellent  results;  the  annual  exhibit,  along  these  lines, 
in  connection  with  the  County  fair  is  evidence  of  the  good  woi'k  being 
done.  Elementary  Agriculture  is  receiving  more  and  more  attention 
each  year  in  the  schools  and  will  be  made  a  part  of  the  course  for  eighth 
grade  pupils,  for  intensive  study,  for  the  first  time  this  year.  Boys  and 
Girls'  Agricultural  Clubs  are  being  formed  in  connection  with  the 
schools  and  are  finding  the  work  very  interesting.  At  the  Agricultural 
Association  meeting  in  ^larshall  in  1912,  the  Boys  and  Girls'  Agri- 
cultural Club  from  the  Aurand  district  in  Tekonsha.  won  the  Sweep- 
stake for  the  best  Agricultural  exhibit  on  the  grounds. 

Dr.  Delo.s  Fall. 

The  Educational  History  of  Calhoun  County  and  the  State  of  ]\Iich- 
igan  would  be  incomplete  without  the  mention  of  our  honored  resident. 
Dr.  Delos  Fall,  who  served  two  terms  as  Supei-intendent  of  Puljlic  In- 
struction. Dr.  Fall  is  truly  the  friend  of  the  rural  ilistiicts,  ,iiid  to  him 
we  are  indebted  for  much  of  the  rural  pro.uifss  ih,it  h;is  Immmi  made  in 
recent  years.  Dr.  Fall  recognized  that  the  State  instit\itinns  were  pre- 
paring teachers  for  the  city  schools  at  the  expense  of  the  rural  districts, 
as  many  of  the  best  rural  teachers  left  their  school,  took  Nornud  courses, 
but  failed  to  find  their  way  back  to  the  i-ural  schools  after  receiving  theii- 
training.  He  therefore,  was  not  only  instrumental  in  having  rural  school 
courses  placed  in  the  State  normals  where  rural  school  teachers  could  be 
trained,  but  he  also  provided  for  the  organizing  of  County  Normal  train- 
ing classes  in  the  counties,  where  it  is  possible  for  young  people  to  take 
a  year's  training  for  their  important  work,  at  a  very  small  expense. 

When  these  laws  became  effective,  there  were  but  two  normal  trained 
teachers  in  the  rural  schools  of  the'eounty.  Today  more  than  one  third  of 
all  the  rural  teachers  in  the  county  are  graduates  from  one  of  the  State 
Normals  or  from  the  county  Normal,  and  a  goodly  pi'opoi'tion  of  the 
others  have  taken  summer  school  work  at  one  of  the  State  Normals.     ])v. 


154  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Fall  appeared  personally  before  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1904  and 
argued  the  advisability  of  organizing  a  County  Training  class  in  this 
county.  The  Board  acted  favorably,  and  Miss  Eva  Warriner,  of  Battle 
Creek,  was  elected  principal  and  took  charge  of  the  class  the  following 
year.  Miss  Warriner  has  given  us  some  very  excellent  teachers  during 
the  eight  years  she  has  had  charge  of  the  work 

Now,  kind  reader,  we  have  traced,  somewhat  briefly,  the  development 
of  the  rural  schools,  from  the  organization  of  the  first  school,  in  1832,  to 
the  present.  We  have  seen  the  passing  of  the  old  log  school  houses  with 
the  plank  seats,  thatched  roofs,  rude  equipment,  and  in  their  stead  we 
find  well  equipped,  more  modern  buildings.  The  rate  bill  outlived  its 
usefulness  and,  thanks  to  the  newly  enacted  tuition,  it  is  now  possible 
for  each  child  in  the  state  to  have  free  school  from  the  time  he  enters 
the  chart  class,  until  he  completes  the  high  school  course.  No  longer 
does  the  old  song.  "Readin'  and  "ritiu  and  'rithmetie,  taught  to  the  tune 
of  a  hickory  stick, ' '  apply  to  our  schools,  for  today  it  is  possible  to  get 
a  good  practical  education  in  the  home  district  and  the  "Hickory"  is 
almost  an  unheard  of  accessory  in  school  work.  Pupils  now  attend  school 
the  entire  school  year,  as  taught  in  the  districts,  and  follow  a  regular 
course  of  study,  instead  of  attending  a  few  weeks,  as  they  did  in  pioneer 
times.  Untrained  teachers  of  fourteen  years  are  no  longer  permitted  to 
take  the  place  of  the  real  trained  teachers  of  today.  The  prophecy  of 
that  great  educator,  John  D.  Pierce,  has  really  been  worked  out  and 
while  we  honor  his  memory,  we  should  not  forget  those  other  great 
Calhoun  county  educators,  who  have  taken  such  prominent  parts  in 
shaping  school  "legislation  as  Dr.  Oliver  C.  Comstock,  Ira  Mayhew,  Fran- 
cis W.  Sherman  and  Delos  Fall,  all  of  whom  have  held  the  responsible 
position  of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  nor  should  we  fail  to 
pay  homage  to  those  brave  pioneers,  who  boldly  struck  out  into  the  wil- 
derness, forded  streams,  endured  untold  hardships,  and  carved  out  their 
fortunes  in  this,  the  best  county,  in  the  best  state,  in  the  best  country  on 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

Village  Schools 

By  Frank  D.  Miller 

There  are  seven  village  schools  in  the  county,  employing  thirty-five 
teachers.  Three  of  these  schools  have  the  regular  twelve  grades  in  their 
courses  and  the  remainder  have  but  ten.  East  Leroy  has  been  set  off  into 
a  separate  district  and  will  build  a  three  room  school  building.  Two 
rooms  on  the  ground  floor  will  be  used  for  school  purposes  after  January 
1,  19i;i  and  one  room  on  the  second  floor  will  be  used  for  lecture  room, 
assemblies,  etc.  The  district  has  bonded  for  $3,000.00  for  a  new  building 
which  is  now  in  the  course  of  construction.  Wlien  completed  we  will  have 
eight  village  schools. 

The  Ceresco  school  property  is  valued  at  $2,000.00.  The  building  is 
in  a  good  state  of  repair  and  is  well  equipped.  Two  hundred  sixty-three 
volumes  of  well  selected  books  are  found  on  the  shelves  of  the  school 
librarv.     Last  year,  the  enrollment  was  fifty-five  and  two  teachers  drew 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  155 

$810  for  niue  months'  work.  There  is  a  good  healthy  school  sentiment 
in  tlie  district. 

Bedford  village  school  was  organized  in  the  home  of  John  P.  Ames 
on  the  sixth  day  of  November,  1842.  School  has  been  maintained  in  the 
district,  each  year  since  that  date.  There  are  83  pupils  on  the  census  list, 
seventy-seven  of  M-hom,  with  four  non-resident  pupils,  were  enrolled  last 
year  at  a  cost  for  instruction  (two  teachers)  of  $810.00.  The  school 
building  has  seen  many  years  service  and  naturally  shows  the  wear. 
There  has  been  considerably  agitation,  during  the  last  few  years  in  favor 
of  a  new  school  house  but  the  proposition  has  been  defeated  each  time  it 
has  been  brought  to  a  vote. 

Burlington  was  laid  out  as  a  village  in  1842,  but  five  years  before  a  log 
school  house  had  been  built  where  the  present  frame  house  now  stands 
and  JMary  Buckingham  was  the  teacher.  In  1838  the  district  was  legally 
organized  by  the  board  of  school  inspectors  consisting  of  E.  A.  Hayden, 
Jonah  Bradish  and  Lorenzo  Escanback. 

In  1869  the  district  was  graded  and  a  two  room  building  was  built, 
which  building  is  still  doing  service  for  the  district,  although  it  was 
found  necessary  to  divide  the  lower  room,  making  three  rooms  instead  of 
two.  The  last  census  list  contains  seventy-six  names  of  children  living 
in  the  district,  fifty-five  of  whom  with  six  non-resident  pupils  attended 
school.  Three  teachers  are  employed  at  a  cost  of  $1,220.00  for  nine 
montli  's  work.  Six  hundred  and  forty  books,  including  many  good  refer- 
ence books,  are  in  the  school  library.    The  school  has  a  fair  e(iuipmeiit. 

Urbandale  has  just  completed  a  tine  $14,000.00  scliool  building,  which 
was  dedicated  October  4,  1912.  A  fine  banquet  was  served  by  the  ladies 
of  the  district,  in  the  main  room  of  the  building,  to  about  four  hundred 
people.  Twelve  years  ago  Urbandale  had  not  been  plotted  and  one 
teacher  taught  fourteen  pupils  in  the  "Little  White"  school  house. 
Since  that  time  a  two  room  building  was  built  in  the  district,  but  was 
outgrown  and  a  small  church  was  secured  by  the  board  of  education  and 
a  third  teacher  employed.  One  hundred  and  thirty-two  pupils  attended 
school  in  the  district,  last  year. 

The  building  is  well  equipped ;  teachers  are  among  the  best  in  the 
county;  school  board  is  progressive;  patrons  and  entire  community  be- 
lieve that  the  best  is  about  right  for  Urbandale,  and  the  school  naturally 
must  get  excellent  results  with  such  environments.  Three  teachers  are 
employed  at  present  with  good  prospects  of  the  fourth  being  added  before 
the  close  of  the  year. 

Tekonsha  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  education.  From  the 
time  Chloe  Ann  Mead,  later  ;\Irs.  Harvey  Kennedy  of  Clarendon,  taught 
school  in  the  old  plank  school  house,  with  but  a  dozen  pupils  in  1837.  to 
the  present,  with  Superintendent  P.  I.  Wise  and  six  very  efficient  as- 
sistant teachers,  with  an  enrollment  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven 
pupils.  Tekonsha  has  been  found  in  the  front  ranks  educationally.  A 
tine  two  stor>'  brick  building  was  built  in  1873  to  which  an  annex  was 
erected  in  1910.  The  school  property  is  now  valued  at  $30,000.00. 
School  is  maintained  thirty-eight  weeks  each  year  at  a  cost  of  $3,400.00 
for  instruction.  It  has  a  full  high  school  eour.se  of  four  years:  is  on  the 
"accepted  list"  of  the  higher  educatiouHl  instittitions  of  tiic  state.     The 


156  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

pupils  take  an  active  interest  in  literary  work,  holding  weekly  meetings 
where  (juestions  of  living  interest  are  discussed;  best  authors  are  read 
and  the  principles  in  oratory  and  debate  are  given  proper  attention. 
A  high  school  paper  is  published  each  month  of  the  school  year  by  the 
pupils. 

District  No.  2.  Athens,  where  the  village  now  stands,  was  legally 
organized  December  31,  1837,  by  the  school  inspectoi-s  of  the  township, 
at  the  home  of  Alfred  Holcome.  (School  had  ])een  maintained  for  about 
three  years  in  the  old  log  school  house  but  it  was  in  the  nature  of  a 
private  school. )  Alfred  Holcome  was  given  the  contract  to  build  a  school 
house  which  was  to  be  eight-square,  with  portico  in  front,  and  to  contain 
two  fire-places  in  the  middle  of  the,  house.  House  was  to  be  twenty-two 
feet  in  diameter,  with  eight-feet  posts  and  was  to  be  completed  by  the  first 
of  the  following  October,  for  the  contract  price  of  $300.00.  Asahel  Stone, 
the  moderator,  donated  the  lot  upon  wliicli  tlic  house  was  erected. 

A  fine  $35,000.00  school  building'  was  riveted  in  1911.  It  is  conceded 
to  be  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  best,  seliool  building  for  the  town  the  size 
of  Athens,  in  the  state.  Superintendent  C.  S.  Harmon  with  seven  assist- 
ants has  charge  of  the  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  pupils  who  are  now 
attending  school  in  the  district.  Fifty-three  non-resident  pupils  are 
found  in  the  high  school.  The  l)uilding  is  eiiuipped  with  a  good  working 
library  of  seven  hundred  and  eighty  well  seh^eted  volumes,  physical  and 
chemical  laboratories,  gymnasium,  and  a  fine  athletic  field  adjoining  the 
school  property.  The  cost  for  insti'uelinn.  last  year,  was  $4,300.00.  The 
school  was  recently  placed  on  the  \nii\i'i'sit\-  list.  They  are  leaders  in 
athletics,  having  won  the  state  high  school  baseball  championship  for  the 
last  four  years.  - 

In  1839  Miss  Sarah  Babcock  taught  the  first  school  in  the  village  of 
Homer,  with  an  enrollment  of  fifty  pupils,  in  an  old  building  which  had 
been  fitted  up  for  that  purpose. 

In  1842  $300.00  was  voted  to  build  a  new  school  house.  This  build- 
ing was  completed  in  1843  and  served  the  district  twenty  years,  but 
finding  that  two  schools  could  not  be  supported  in  a  place  of  the  size, 
at  the  annual  meeting  in  1863  it  was  voted  to  purchase  the  academy 
which  had  been  organized  as  a  select  school  in  1854,  for  the  use  of  the 
district  for  the  sum  of  $2,000.00.  In  1864  a  graded  school  was  organized, 
which  has  since  met  the  re(iuirements  of  the  thriving  village.  In  1890 
a  fine  modern  brick  building  was  erected.  The  committee  in  charge 
did  not  let  the  expense  stand  in  the  way  of  any  improvement  that  would 
add  to  the  efficiency  of  the  school  or  the  comfort  of  the  teachers  and 
pupils.  Each  room  is  so  arranged  that  the  light  comes  from  the  back 
and  left,  while  the  black  boards  are  in  front  and  to  the  right. 

The  equipment  consisting  of  physical  and  chemical  laboratories, 
libraries  and  all  school  appendages  are  excellent.  The  school  has  been 
approved  by  the  visiting  professor  from  the  U.  of  M.  The  total  cost  of 
the  school,  last  year,  was  $10,672.30  of  which  $5,475.00  was  for  teachers' 
wages.  Two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  pupils  attended  school  in  Homer 
last  year,  forty-one  of  whom  were  non-residents.  Superintendent  A.  J. 
Flint,  a  Calhoun  rural  school  product,  who  later  graduated  from  Homer 
and  then  took  his  professional  course  at   Ypsilanti.  has  charge  of  the 


IIiyTORY  OF  CALIlorX  (OrXTY  157 

school  and  is  exerting  a  grand  influence  over  the  pupils.  He  is  a  student 
.of  human  nature  and  his  knowledge  of  ' '  Boy  Nature ' '  is  apparent  on  the 
athletic  field,  on  the  streets,  in  the  homes  and  wherever  his  boys  con- 
gregate. He  is  their  leader  in  the  Boy  Scouts,  and  in  their  division  of 
the  county  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Where  the  boys  go,  Flint  is  invited  and  Flint 
goes. 

Ten  teachers  are  employed  in  the  schools. 


CHAPTER  XI 
THE  INDIANS. 

The  Indians  furnish  an  interesting  but  comparatively  colorless  chap- 
ter in  the  history  of  Calhoun  county.  From  about  1800,  the  Pottawat- 
tomies  occupied  the  lower  part  of  Michigan  territory.  A  remnant  of 
this  once  numerous  and  powerful  tribe  still  live  near  the  village  of 
Athens,  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  county. 

In  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  the  Chippewas  were  friendly 
to  the  United  States,  while  Ottawas  and  Pottawattomies  were  hostile; 
but  in  later  years  the  last  named  tribe  assumed  and  maintained  a  very 
friendly  attitude  toward  the  Americans. 

In  the  Black  Hawk  War  of  1832,  that  in  which  Abraham  Lincoln 
served  as  Captain,  the  Sacs  sent  their  runners  among  the  Pottawattomies 
of  Calhoun  and  other  counties  in  the  southern  part  of  Michigan,  seeking 
an  alliance  against  the  whites.  The  Indians  in  this  section  for  a  time 
seemed  restless  and  sullen.  The  latter  attitude  particularly  gave  rise  to 
the  rumor  that  they  were  about  to  go  on  the  war  path.  The  citizens  were 
apprehensive  of  trouble  and  it  was  deemed  best  to  take  some  precaution- 
ary steps.  Accordingly,  a  meeting  of  citizens,  a  sort  of  council  of  war, 
was  called  in  Marshall.  It  was  held  in  one  room  of  a  double  log  house, 
in  the  spring  of  1832.  It  resulted  in  organizing,  anning  and  equipping 
a  company  from  the  county,  which  soon  after  marched  away  to  partici- 
pate in  the  anticipated  war.  The  captain  was  Isaac  N.  Hurd,  a  native 
of  New  York  state,  and  by  education  a  civil  engineer.  He  was  among 
the  fir.st  comers  to  ilarshall.  Isaac  E.  Crai-y  was  chosen  second  lieuten- 
ant. Crary  was  a  young  man  who  had  recently  come  into  the  then  wil- 
derness of  southern  Michigan.  As  credentials  to  the  pioneers  who  had 
preceded  him,  he  brought  a  college  diploma  from  his  Alma  Mater,  and 
a  certificate  of  membership  of  the  bar  of  his  native  state.  Fortunately 
the  war  was  of  short  duration  and  the  soldiers  from  Calhoun  County 
did  not  get  beyond  their  native  state.  They  were  soon  back  and  follow- 
ing their  accustomed  pursuits. 

An  interesting  character  among  the  Indians  at  this  time  and  to  whom 
there  attached  a  pathetic  interest  was  one  Johnson,  a  white  man,  who, 
when  a  little  child,  was  stolen  from  his  parental  home  somewhere  in 
Kentucky  and  carried  away  by  the  Indians  into  the  northwest  country. 
Growing  to  maturity  among  his  captors,  he  married  an  Indian  girl,  who 
became  the  mother  of  several  children.  In  his  later  years,  it  became 
known  from  whence  he  had  been  taken  as  a  child.     He  was  induced  to 

158 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  159 

return  ou  a  visit  to  the  home  of  his  childhood.  Endeavor  was  put  forth 
to  get  him  to  return  and  live  among  the  people  of  his  own  race;  but 
nothing  could  induce  him  to  abandon  those  who  had  so  long  been  his 
associates  and  companions  and  some  of  whom  were  bound  to  him  by  the 
ties  of  blood.  He  lingered  among  them  till  the  end  of  life  and  dying, 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Indian  burying  ground  near  Climax. 

A  mission  and  school  was  long  maintained  in  the  vicinity  of  Athens. 
The  R€V.  Manassah  Hickey,  one  of  the  early  students  at  the  Wesleyan 
Semiuaiy,  now  Albion  College,  and  still  well  remembered  by  the  older 
generation  in  our  midst,  preached  among  them  for  years.  ^Ir.  Ilickey's 
sister,  who  was  also  educated  at  Albion,  was  the  Principal  of  the  school. 
A  number  of  Indian  maidens  from  the  Pottawattomie  tribe  were  educa- 
ted at  Albion.  One  of  them,  who  is  reputed  to  have  become  a  very  skill- 
ful interpreter,  was  later  Preceptress  of  the  school  for  her  people. 

As  a  rule,  the  Indians  in  Calhoun  County  were  friendly  to  the  whites. 
When  not  under  the  influence  of  the  red  man's  "fire  water"  (the  white 
man's  whiskey),  they  were  kind  and  genei'oiis,  accomodating  and  help- 
ful to  the  early  settlers.  As  a  race,  here  and  elsewhere,  all  things  con- 
sidered, they  were  more  sinned  against  than  sinning. 


CHAPTER  XII 

EVOLUTION  OF  THE  TEMPERANCE  CAUSE. 

The  Washingtonian  ^Movement — Washingtonianism  in  Battle  Creek 
— The  Red  Ribbon  IMovement — The  Women's  Christian  Temper- 
ance Union — Legislation. 

It  is  a  long  stride  in  temperance  reform  from  the  j'ear  1804  when 
Benjamin  Rush,  of  Phihulelphia,  published  an  able  paper  on  "An  In- 
quiry into  the  Eifects  or  Ardent  Spirits  on  the  ;Mind  and  Body,"  and 
the  year  of  1912  when  in  Jlichigan  the  battles  are  fought  by  counties, 
and  many  of  them  successfully,  in  favor  of  the  absolute  prohibition  of  the 
liquor  traffic  within  their  boundaries.  The  way  of  temperance  reform 
has  been  a  tortuous  one.  liut  however  crooked,  however  many  seeming 
reverses,  the  trend  has  been  constantly  forward.  It  was  not  until  1808 
that  the  first  temperance  society  was  organized  in  the  LTnited  States. 
At  that  time  a  pledge  was  exacted  that  would  by  no  means  satisfy  the 
orthodox  temperance  people  of  t.oday. 

A  new  standard  was  set  up  and  the  flag  planted  far  in  advance  of 
the  then  existing  battle  line,  when  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher,  father 
of  Henry  Ward  Beecher  and  of  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  introduced  and 
successfully  carried  through  a  resolution  in  the  Congregational  Associa- 
tion of  ]Massachusetts  against  the  then  prevailing  custom  of  ministers 
drinking. 

The  Washingtonian  ]Movement 

had  a  very  humble  and  obscure  origin  but  its  beneficent  influence  was 
far  reaching  and  in  a  way  permanent.  A  tailor,  a  carpenter,  a  black- 
smith, a  coach  maker  and  a  silver  plater,  each  and  all  hard  drinkers, 
were  on  the  evening  of  April  3,  1840,  assembled  in  a  tavern  on  Liberty 
Street,  Baltimore,  partaking  of  their  usual  potions,  when  they  fell  to 
discussing  the  temperance  question.  The  same  evening  in  a  nearby 
church  a  minister  was  delivering  a  lecture  on  that  theme  and  it  was 
agreed  by  four  of  the  number,  that  they  would  go  and  hear  what  was 
said  and  return  and  report.  They  went  and  on  coming  back  made  a 
favorable  report.  Before  they  went  to  their  homes  that  night  it  was  de- 
termined to  form  a  temperance  club  and  one  of  their  number  was  deputed 
to  draw  up  a  pledge  and  present  for  consideration  on  the  following  Mon- 
day evening.  When  they  convened  at  the  appointed  time  and  place,  the 
following  was  presented  and  adopted :    ' '  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto 

160 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COLXTY  161 

annexed,  desirous  of  forming  a  society  for  our  mutual  benefit,  and  to 
guard  against  a  pernicious  practice,  which  is  injurious  to  our  health, 
standing  and  families,  do  pledge  ourselves  as  gentlemen,  that  we  will 
not  drink  any  spirituous  or  malt  liquors,  wine  or  cider." 

They  called  their  organization  "The  Washingtoniau  Society."  That 
little  cluster  of  men  in  Baltimore  "set  the  clock  of  temperance  reform 
ahead,  a  quarter  of  a  century."  It  was  the  beginning  of  the  first  great 
temperance  revival  in  our  country.  It  led  to  many  thousands  of  men  in 
all  parts  of  the  country  abjuring  the  drink  habit  and  becoming  total 
abstainers.  Many  of  the  most  eflfective  and  famous  temperance  advocates 
the  cause  has  had  were  from  the  ranks  of  men  who  had  been  addicted  to 
strong  drink. 

"The  Washingtoniau  movement  struck  ^Michigan  in  1841  and  spread 
from  town  to  town  converting  great  numbers  by  the  irresistible  power  of 
its  advocates.  Never  before  had  there  been  such  an  awakening  in  this 
county.  A  cry  went  forth,  an  alarm  sounded  out  like  a  tire  bell  in  the 
night,  arresting  the  drinker  in  his  downward  career.  *  *  *  There 
was  no  disagreeing  or  separating  into  opposing  parties  in  regard  to  the 
plan  or  means  used  in  suppressing  the  rum  traffic." 

WAsiiix(.iT()xi.\xisji  IN  Battle  Creek. 

A  well  known  .Michigan  writer  of  the  last  generation  says,  "One  of 
the  memorable  incidents  in  the  history  of  Battle  Creek  is  the  introduction 
of  Washingtonianism  in  that  village  in  the  winter  of  1841-42.  IMar- 
shall  had  succumbed  to  the  reform  and  had  sent  three  of  her  representa- 
tive citizens  to  carry  the  glad  tidings  to  the  neighboring  village  of 
Battle  Creek.  The  meeting  was  held  in  the  ^Methodist  church  and  it  was 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  to  seat  those  who  came.  The  first  speaker 
was  Thomas  Gilbert.* 

He  represented  that  class  of  gentlemen  who  take  the  "occasional 
glass."  His  speech  was  direct  and  forcible.  He  said  the  habit  of  taking 
the  occasional  glass  would  lead  to  taking  one  much  oftener  and  that  to 
the  drunkard.  The  next  speaker  was  Bath  Banks,  ^larshall's  main 
liquor  dealer.  He  said  he  had  abandoned  the  liquor  business.  AYash- 
ingtonianism  had  opened  his  eyes  to  the  evil  of  liquor  selling  and  now 
eveiy  time  he  turned  the  faucet  the  gurgling  of  the  liquor  .sounded  to 
him  like  cutting  men's  throats.  The  last  speaker  was  jMr.  Robert  Hall, 
a  farmer  living  near  iMarshall.  He  stated  in  plain  and  honest  words 
the  reason  of  his  conversion  to  temperance.  He  had  been  for  years  an 
habitual  drunkard.  He  had  gone  home  drunk  one  winter  evening  on 
his  ox  sled.  His  faithful  beasts  had  taken  him  to  the  door  of  his  house, 
but  they  could  do  no  more.  When  discovered  by  his  family  he  was  near- 
ly frozen  to  death.  He  said  when  he  came  to  ^Marshall  and  settled  on 
a  fanu  they  called  him  j\Ir.  Robert  Hall.  He  began  to  tipple  and  they 
called  him   "Bob   Hall."   Tippling   led   to   deeper   drinking,   and   they 


*  Mr.  Gilbert  was  for  many  years  after  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  c 
Eapids,  dying  a  few  years  ago  universally  resiieeted  by  the  citizens  of  tha 
[Editor.]' 


162  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

called  him  "Old  Bob  Hall."  He  became  an  occasional  druntard,  and 
they  called  him  "Old  Hall."  Finally  he  became  a  gutter  drunkard 
and  they  called  him  "Old  Alco-Hall." 

Marshall  had  not  only  signed  the  pledge  herself  but  she  had  sent  her 
representatives  to  Battle  Creek  and  other  places  in  the  county  where 
they  introduced  the  new  gospel  and  set  the  work  to  going.  From  Battle 
Creek  there  went  out  Erastus  Hussey,  Dr.  John  L.  Balcom,  William  H. 
Coleman  and  others  to  proclaim  the  new  way  and  secure  signers  to  the 
pledge.  The  whole  county  was  stirred  by  the  earnest  advocates  and 
large  numbers  forsook  the  drink  habit  forever  and  the  cause  of  tem- 
perance took  a  long  step  in  advance  through  the  intiuence  of  the  Wash- 
ingtonian  movement. 

Interest  in  the  cause  of  temperance  was  kept  alive  by  the  formation 
of  local  temperance  societies  and  by  the  tours  of  able  and  eloquent  ad- 
vocates of  the  cause.  In  1849  a  great  impetus  was  given  the  cause  by 
the  visit  to  America  of  the  famous  Irish  priest  and  apostle  of  temperance, 
the  Rev.  Father  Theobald  Mathew.  As  a  temperance  advocate  he  had  re- 
markable success  in  Ireland.  In  this  country  he  not  only  taught  Catholics 
but  Protestants  as  well  the  wonderful  power  of  personal  influence  when 
brought  to  bear  on  the  drinker.  Father  Mathew 's  societies  were  every- 
where formed  and  through  the  impulse  given  by  tliis  remarkable  ad- 
vocate vast  numbers  of  people  were  induced  to  abandon  the  "cup"  and 
many  young  men  were  so  influenced  as  never  to  form  the  habit  of  drink- 
ing intoxicants. 

The  Red  Ribbon  Movement 

In  1876  a  wave  of  temperance  swept  over  the  county  and,  indeed,  the 
whole  State  under  the  leadership  of  Reynolds  and  the  red  ribbon.  Every 
signer  of  the  pledge  was  designated  by  the  sign  of  a  red  ribbon.  That 
badge  became  very  popular.  None  were  too  proud  nor  too  great  to  wear  it. 
It  seemed  to  take  on  new  influence  and  new  honor  every  time  it  was  seen 
in  the  lapel  of  the  coat  of  a  reformed  drunkard  and  of  these  there  were 
large  numbers. 

Michigan  has  furnished  several  advocates  of  the  temperance  cause 
of  more  than  local  reputation.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  Rev. 
John  Russel,  who  was  long  the  foremost  leader  in  our  State.  Robert  E. 
Frazer,  of  Detroit,  who  came  to  the  front  during  the  red  ribbon  move- 
ment, was  an  advocate  of  rare  power  and  very  effective  in  pleading 
with  his  fellow  men.  The  Michigan  man  of  widest  reputation  among  the 
temperance  leaders  of  national  prominence  at  this  time,  1912,  is  Samuel 
Dickey  of  our  own  county,  now  and  for  some  years  past,  President  of 
Albion  College. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union 

Perhaps  the  longest  sustained  and  most  effective  influence  for  tem- 
perance in  these  later  years  originated  in  a  crusade  organized  among  the 
women  in  the  little  town  of  Hillsboro,  Ohio,  in  1874.  What  was  supposed 
to  be  but  a  local  and  spasmodic  protest  against  the  saloon  became,  after 


IIISTOKV   OF  CALUOrX   (OrXTY  ie3 

it  had  spread  through  tlie  various  states.  Jliehigau  ainoug  the  number, 
and  exhausted  the  impulse  that  gave  it  the  appearance  of  a  revolutionary 
force,  a  well  organized,  disciplined  and  effective  power  under  the  name 
of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  The  Union  is  made  up 
of  a  body  of  Christian  women,  drawn  together  from  the  various  churches, 
whose  common  bond  is  the  promotion  of  temperance  and  the  prohibition 
of  the  saloon.  The  organization  is  national  in  its  scope,  having  local  so- 
cieties in  all  the  principal  cities  and  towns.  It  is  self-perpetuating. 
Deaths,  removals,  nor  discouragements  seem  not  to  effect  it.  With 
cumulative  force  it  moves  resistlessly  forward.  It  is  a  power  that  must 
be  reckoned  with  by  all  who  undertake  to  estimate  influences  that  make 
for  or  against  the  cause  of  temperance  in  this  country. 

Legislation 

The  cause  of  temperance  legislation  not  only  in  Michigan  but  in  many 
other  states  in  the  Union,  has  been  exceedingly  varied.  It  has  had  almost 
as  many  phases  as  Joseph's  coat  is  supposed  to  have  had  colors.  Laws 
have  been  enacted  providing  for  state  prohibition,  county  prohibition, 
township  and  ward  prohibition.  These  have  been  amended,  repealed 
or  re-enacted  in  some  other  form.  The  courts  have  been  resorted  to  and 
contested  cases  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Bat- 
tles have  been  waged  on  the  hustings,  at  the  ballot  box,  in  the  legisla- 
tures and  the  congress.  These  battles  have  been  fought  at  times  under 
partisan  and  again  under  non-partisan  banners.  Jlen  have  rallied  at 
times  around  the  standards  of  moral  suasion  and  the  signed  pledge, 
again  around  regulation  by  license  or  tax  and  the  enforcement  of  law 
and  again  by  absolute  prohibition.  At  other  times  the  ardor  of  the  people 
has  blazed  up  and  spread  like  a  consuming  tlame  and  again  they  have 
seemed  to  lose  all  interest.  All  men  recognize  the  evils  of  intemperance 
but  they  differ  greatly  as  to  the  best  method  of  coping  with  those  evils. 

Michigan  tried  prohibition  from  1853  to  1875.  In  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1886-87,  another  state  wide  contest  was  held  that  aroused  the 
entire  coinmoiiwealtli.  At  the  spring  election  a  total  of  362.775  votes  were 
cast,  of  these  178,4:70  were  for  prohibition  and  184,305  against,  the 
ma,iority  against  being  but  5,835.  In  that  election  Calhoun  county  cast 
5,458  for  and  3,424  against,  or  a  ma.iority  of  2,034  for.  Under  the 
present  law,  known  as  county  option,  the  county  has  fluctuated.  In 
1909  the  county  was  carried  under  the  local  option  law  by  9]  ma.jority 
and  the  prohibitory  law  was  in  force  within  the  county  for  two  years. 
In  1911  an  appeal  was  again  taken  to  the  people  and  the  returns  showed  a 
majority  of  25  for  license.  At  this  writing,  1912,  the  county  is  again 
under  the  license  system,  but  petitions  are  being  circulated  asking  the 
board  of  supervisors  to  again  submit  the  (juestion  to  the  people  of  the 
county  at  the  spring  election  of  1913. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

TOWNSHIP   HISTORIES 

Albion  and  Athens  Townships — Athens  Village — Battle  Creek 
Township  (by  Mrs.  Laura  Ringes) — Bedford  and  Burlington 
Townships — Village  of  Burlington — Clarence,  Clarendon,  Con- 
vis,  ECKFORD,  EmMETT  AND  PrEDONLA.  ToWNSHIPS HOMER  TOWN- 
SHIP AND  Village — Homer  Banks — Lee,  Ler^iy,  ^Marengo,  JMar- 
shall,  Newton  and  Penfield  Townships — A  Few  Pioneer  Ex- 
periences'— Sheridan  and  Tekonsha. 

Albion  Township 

By  the  surveyors'  description,  Albion  township  is  known  as  township 
3,  range'  4  west.  In  1834,  by  an  act  of  the  territorial  legislature,  it 
was  comprised  within  the  township  of  Homer.  In  pursuance  of  an  act 
of  the  legislature,  April  1,  1837,  it  was  organized  as  Albion  township. 
The  surface  of  this  section  is  in  general  undulating.  The  soil  is  a  rich 
black  loam  well  adapted  to  the  cultivation  and  production  of  grains, 
fruits  and  grass.  The  Kalamazoo  river  entering  the  township  from  the 
southwest.  Hows  towards  the  northeast  and  uniting  at  Albion  with  the 
east  branch  forms  an  excellent  water  power.  The  latter  was  a  determin- 
ing factor  in  originally  locating  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Albion. 
There  are  a  number  of  small  lakes  in  the  township  ant!  many  never 
failing  springs. 

The  pioneers  made  no  mistake  when  they  selected  Albion  township 
as  the  locality  in  which  they  would  make  homes  for  themselves  and  their 
descendants.  The  township  too  was  fortunate  in  the  class  of  men  and 
women  who  constituted  the  early  settlers.  The  influence  of  the  Robert- 
sons, the  Ilowells,  the  Holmes,  the  Knickerbockers,  the  Kinneys,  the  Far- 
leys,  the  Balls,  the  Sheldons,  and  later  the  Andersons,  the  Parsons,  the 
Havens,  and  many  others  both  among  the  earlier  and  later  comers,  has 
done  much  to  make  Albion  township  one  of  the  best  and  most  desirable 
residential  sections  of  the  county.  Minard  and  Garfield  Farley,  grand- 
sons of  David  Farley,  one  of  the  prominent  early  settlers,  have  dem- 
onstrated the  value  of  an  education  in  agriculture,  and  particularly  in 
the  knowledge  ;iiid  cultuic  nf  IVuits.  The  renovation  of  old  orchards, 
the  care  of  the  new.  tlie  jxM-l'ecliiit;-  of  the  quality  and  the  increase  of  the 
quantity  of  fruit  by  these  young  men  have  demonstrated  possibilities 
before  scarcely  believed. 

164 


IIISTdRY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  165 

AYhile  the  towiisliip  li;is  no  \ill;i^c.  iioi-  rliuivli,  nor  liioii  school  williin 
lier  present  limits,  her  elose  proximity  tti  Albion  eity,  to  Homer  niul 
Concord  places  all  these  within  easy  reach  of  her  people.  Many  of  her 
sons  and  daughters  are  graduates  of  the  high  school  or  the  college  or 
both,  while  the  average  degree  of  intelligence,  morality  and  religious 
character  make  her  people  to  rank  in  these  resjiects  among  the  foremost. 

The  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  Railroad  traverses  the  town- 
ship from  the  southwest  to  the  northeast  nearly  through  the  center  of 
the  town  diagonally.  The  ^Michigan  Central  touches  its  Iwrders  on  the 
northeast  while  the  Cincinnati  Northern  passes  through  the  .southwest 
corner,  and  the  Air  Line  road  runs  within  a  few  rods  of  the  southeast 
corner.  The  interests  and  history  of  Albion  township  have  always  been 
closely  related  to  those  of  Albion  city  and  Homer  village,  which  are 
treated  more  fully  elsewhere.  For  many  years  the  township  has  furn- 
ished to  both  city  and  village  named  some  of  their  formost  citizens. 

Athens  Township 

One  of  the  earliest  sections  settled  in  Calhoun  county  was  that  por- 
tion embracing  what  is  now  Athens  township.  Originally  it  included 
LeRoy  and  Burlington  townships.  Probably  no  finer  prospect  was  held 
out  to  the  pioneer  than  that  which  Athens  presented.  About  one-si.\th 
of  its  area  was  fine  prairie.  About  ten  sections  were  heavily  tindiered 
with  whitewood,  black  cherry,  black  walnut  and  oak.  In  the  way  of 
timber  it  is  said  there  was  nothing  better  in  the  county.  That  which 
was  not  prairie  or  heavily  timbered  was  beautiful  stretches  of  "oak 
openings,"  presenting  to  the  early  comers  the  appearance  of  an  extended 
park.  At  certain  seasons  of  the  year  the  wild  flowers  added  much  to  the 
charm  of  the  scenery. 

The  principal  streams  are  the  Nottawasepi  and  Pine  creeks,  wiiich 
unite  on  section  29  and  form  a  large  tributary  to  the  St.  Joseph  wliii'h 
they  enter  in  Kalamazoo  county  a  few  miles  below. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  June,  183L  that  the  three  Nichols  brothers, 
viz :  Warren,  Ambrose  and  Othorial,  together  with  Benjamin  F.  Ferris, 
Alfred  Holcomb,  Isaac  Crossett,  Asahel  Stone  and  a  Mr.  Brown,  came 
into  the  township  and  located  their  claims  on  what  is  now  called  Dry 
Prairie.  During  the  summer,  houses  were  built  of  hewn  logs  and  shelter 
for  the  limited  quantity  of  stock  was  provided  before  winter  set  in. 
These  resolute  men  and  women  seemed  abundantly  satisfied  with  the 
progress  they  had  made  in  the  short  time  since  they  had  come  into  the 
new  country  and  the  future  appeared  full  of  promise.  All  eagerly  an- 
ticipated the  coming  of  spring,  the  planting  of  crops  and  development 
of  their  lands.  While  in  the  midst  of  this  work  suddenly  a  pall  fell 
upon  the  people  of  the  entire  section.  They  had  read  of  the  ravages  the 
cholera  was  making  in  the  east  and  among  the  troops  eni'oute  to  the 
scene  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  in  the  west,  but  had  no  thought  the  dread 
disease  would  search  out  their  little  colony  so  secluded  and  distant  from 
the  routes  of  public  travel.  Their  consternation  can  be  imagined  when 
at  the  close  of  a  sultry  day  in  June,  1832,  just  a  year  from  tlieii-  first 
coming,  a  report  spread  through  the  settlement  that  the  malad.N-  which 


166  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

all  feared  but  which  no  one  thought  would  come,  had  entered  the  home 
of  Warren  Nichols.  It  laid  its  hand  with  fatal  touch  on  five  members  in 
a  family  of  eleven.  Father,  mother  and  three  daughters  followed  each 
other  in  quick  succession  until  there  were  five  vacant  chairs  in  the  home 
and  five  new  graves  on  the  fann  that  now  lies  within  the  corporate 
limits  of  Athens  village.  Isaac  Crossett  was  another  numbered  among 
the  victims  and  his  body  was  cared  for  and  buried  by  Alfred  Holcomb 
and  Benjamin  F.  Ferris  in  a  grave  which  is  also  within  the  present 


Two  White  Oak  Trees,  Near  Athens 

village  limits.    The  gloom  which  hung  over  the  settlement  was  not  lifted 
during  the  entire  summer. 

The  year  1833  brought  reinforcements  from  the  east.  Among  others 
who  came  about  this  time  were  Hiram  Doubleday  from  New  York, 
Peter  Beisel  from  Pennsylvania  and  Lot  Whitcomb  from  Vermont. 
The  two  last  named  in  the  year  1835  built  the  first  saw  mill  in  the 
township.  About  1837  came  Francis  A.  Mann,  who  with  Asahel  Stone 
were  political  factors  of  importance  in  the  town  for  many  years.  Each 
was  the  leader  of  the"  opposing  factions  and  many  a  battle  royal  was 
fought  on  the  local  political  arena. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  167 

The  first  postoffice  in  the  township  was  kept  by  Lot  Whitcomb. 
Later  there  were  established  a  number  of  postoffices,  but  under  the  free 
rural  delivery  system  these  have  all  been  taken  up.  Athens  village  has 
the  only  postoffice  in  the  township.  This  office  has  been  for  several  years 
in  the  presidential  elass.  Newton  E.  j\Iiller,  the  first  postmaster  to  be 
appointed  by  the  i>resident,  has  conducted  the  business  in  a  manner 
satisfactory  to  both  government  and  the  people. 

Athens  is  still  the  home  of  the  Pottawattomies,  a  reumaut  of 
the  ancient  tribe  that  possessed  this  fair  land  long  before  the  white  man 
ever  looked  upon  it.  Only  a  few,  about  sixty,  are  left  where  once  there 
were  many.  Peaceful,  fairly  industrious  and  reasonably  prosperous,  the 
traits  of  their  race  considered,  they  form  an  interesting  link  in  the  chain 
that  binds  the  present  to  a  fast  fading  past. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  in  1835.  At  that  meeting  Hiram 
Doubleday  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin  F.  Ferris,  clerk.  All 
persons  residents  of  the  township  were  declared  to  be  lawful  voters. 
Henry  C.  Hurd  was  elected  supervisor;  Benjamin  F.  Ferris,  township 
clerk:  George  Clark,  Granville  Beardsley  and  William  Adams,  assessors; 
Franklin  C.  Watkins,  collector;  Isaac  Watkins  and  Richard  Tuck,  di- 
rectors of  the  poor;  Horton  Warren  and  F.  C.  Watkins,  constables; 
Alfred  Holcomb  and  Robert  McCamly,  fence  viewers;  Isaac  Watkins 
and  Joseph  Watkins,  pound  masters;  John  C.  Ferris  and  David  Dexter, 
overseers  of  highways. 

Athens  Village 

One  of  the  best  towns  of  its  size  in  southern  Jlichigan  is  the  village 
of  Athens.  It  was  incorporated  in  1896.  William  Lehr  was  the  firat  and 
Elmer  E.  Overholdt,  the  present  president.  The  village  has  a  fine  electric 
lighting  plant  operated  by  the  Athens  Will  and  Power  Company.  The 
power  is  developed  from  the  Nottawasepi  river  which  runs  through  the 
town.  The  streets  are  well  lighted  by  two  large  Tungsten  burners  on 
every  corner.  There  is  also  a  fine  water  system  installed  some  six  years 
ago,  by  which  excellent  drinking  water  is  furnished  the  citizens  and 
fire  protection  afforded  to  property.  Its  school  house  is  probably  not 
surpassed  by  that  in  any  community  of  a  like  number  of  people  in  the 
state.  For  several  years  past,  the  young  men  of  its  high  school  have 
given  the  school  and  town  a  state  reputation  in  the  field  of  athletics 
defeating  nearly  all  comers,  whatever  the  size  of  the  school  or  town 
they  represented.  The  several  churches  of  the  village  are  housed  in 
substantial  structures  and  both  the  pulilie  services  and  the  Sunday 
schools  are  well  sustained.  Athens  has  one  bank  which  is  in  a  sound 
condition.  It  has  an  excellent  class  of  business  houses  and  its  merchants 
and  business  men  generally  are  prosperous.  One  steam  railroad,  the 
Goshen-Miehigan  branch  of  the  ^Michigan  Central,  constructed  in  the 
year  1888,  runs  from  Battle  Creek  on  the  north  to  Goshen,  Indiana,  on 
the  south.  The  proposed  electric  line  from  Coldwater  to  Battle  Creek 
will  ran  through  Athens.  The  line  is  promoted  by  the  JFichigan-Indiana 
Traction  Company.  There  seems  to  be  strong  probabilities  that  this 
road  will  be  built  at  an  early  day. 


168 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


The  Athens  Hardwood  Lumber  Company  is  one  of  the  important 
industries  of  the  village,  employing  at  some  seasons  of  the  year  as  high 
as  twenty-five  men.  It  is  the  only  band  mill  in  southern  Michigan. 
The  Athens  Creamery  Company  is  one  of  the  successful  concerns  of  the 
town.  Two  large  grain  elevators,  one  owned  by  P.  I.  Simons,  of  Jack- 
son, with  S.  W.  Lehr  as  local  manager,  meet  the  wants  of  the  rich  farm- 
ing community  all  about.  Wood  and  Woodruff,  local  lumber  dealers, 
carry  one  of  the  largest  and  finest  assortments  in  .southern  ^Michigan. 

Its  generally  well-to-do  people  live  in  comfortal)le  homes.  Its  side- 
Avalks  are  as  good,  and  there  are  as  many  miles  of  them  in  proportion  to 
the  number  of  inhabitants,  as  will  be  found  in  any  village  in  the  state. 
Its  shaded  streets  and  well  kept  lawns  give  a  general  atmosphere  of 
homelikeness  to  the  village. 


New  High  School  Building,  Athens 


The  Atliens  News  was  the  first  newspaper  to  be  printed  in  the  village 
and  was  established  by  McDowell  Brothers,  of  Mendon,  in  1880.  The 
plant  was  brought  in  by  wagon,  for  Athens  had  no  railroad  until  1888. 
This  paper  was  very  small  in  size  and  survived  but  a  short  time. 

The  Athens  Times  was  established  in  1883  by  L.  H.  Love,  who  printed 
a  four  page  8  x  12  sheet  on  a  .job  press,  for  a  number  of  years  when  it 
was  enlarged  to  a  five  column  quarto  and  later  to  a  six  column  ciuarto, 
only  two  pages  of  which  were  printed  at  home.  Mr.  Love  owned  the 
paper,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  brief  intervals,  until  June,  1908, 
when  his  health  failed  and  he  sold  to  H.  0.  Eldridge,  who  sold  to  George 
H.  McMillen,  August  1st  of  the  same  year.  The  hand  equipment  was  at 
once  discarded  for  a  modern  power  plant  and  the  Times  now  prints 
four  pages  at  home  and  enjoys  a  splendid  advertising  and  job  printing 
patronage,  while  the  subscription  list  has  almost  doubled.  Mr.  Love,  to 
whose  pluck  and  ability  the  Times  owes  its  existence,  died  in  February, 


HISTORY  OF  C'ALIIOrX  I'OrXTY  169 

1909.  He  was  a  printer  of  the  old  school  and  his  versatility  as  a  writer 
made  him  a  capable  eountry  editor. 

Only  one  paper  ever  arose  in  Athens  to  compete  with  him,  tiie 
Athens  Bee,  which  was  established  in  1896,  by  Jerome  F.  Gulp,  with 
his  son-in-law,  R.  H.  Newman  as  editor.  This  paper  lived  tor  seven  or 
eight  years  and  suspended  publication,  the  plant  being  sold  to  Vieksburg 
pai'ties  who  moved  it  to  that  city  where  it  formed  the  neucleus  of  the 
plant  now  used  by  the  Vieksburg  Herald. 

The  Times  is  independent  so  far  as  politics  are  concerned. 

B.\TTLE  Creek  Township 
By  Mrs.  Laura  Binges 

Battle  Creek  township  which  wa.s  formei'ly  included  in  the  original 
township  of  ^Milton,  was  established  bv  the  act  of  the  legislature  in 
1839. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Samuel  Convis, 
wlio  was  elected  the  first  township  clerk. 

Samuel  Convis  came  from  New  York  state  in  1832,  making  the 
.journey  with  an  ox  team.  He  located  land  on  the  present  site  of  Battle 
Creek  where  there  was  at  that  time  but  one  settler. 

The  first  settlements  made  in  Battle  Creek  township  were  on 
Goguac  prairie  in  1831,  the  settlers  being  attracted  hither  by  the  easily 
cultivated  and  fertile  prairie  land. 

Among  the  first  pioneers  was  Josiah  Goddard  who  purchased  the 
farm  on  section  15  later  owned  by  David  Young.  The  only  surviving 
member  of  the  family  living  near  is  ^Mrs.  William  Reese  of  Battle  Creek. 

Calhoun  Goddard,  son  of  Josiah  Goddard,  was  the  first  white  child 
born  in  the  township  in  1833. 

Isaac  Thomas  settled  on  section  14  in  1831  and  erected  the  first  log 
house  in  the  same  year.  This  house  was  burned  by  the  Indians  the  fol- 
lowing year.  ilr.  Thomas  plowed  the  first  soil  within  the  limits  of  the 
township  in  1832,  and  sowed  the  first  grain  in  1833. 

Dorrance  Williams  came  here  in  1828,  when  he  was  employed  by  the 
U.  S.  government  in  surveying  the  land  included  within  the  present 
limits  of  Battle  Creek  towTiship.  He  selected  a  fractional  quarter  of 
section  14  where  he  settled  in  1831.  This  farm  is  now  owned  by  William 
J.  Foster. 

■'Uncle"  John  Stewart.  Sr..  ])ought  of  Dorrance  Williams  the  farm 
now  owned  and  occupied  liy  William  J.  Foster.  Here  Mr.  Stewart 
planted  the  first  apple  orchard  in  the  township,  of  which  thirteen  trees 
are  still  standing  in  1912. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  John  Stewart  which  occurred  in  September,  1832, 
was  the  first  death  in  Battle  Creek  township. 

The  first  marriage  solemnized  in  the  township  was  that  of  John 
Stewart,  Jr.,  and  Miss  Anser,  which  was  celebrated  on  Goguac  prairie 
March  6,  1833. 

Henry  C.  Eberstein.  a  native  of  Germany,  who  with  his  family  started 
for  America  in  1832,  in  June.  1833,  arrived  on  Goguac  Prairie,  and  set- 


170    .  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

tied  on  section  15  on  a  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son  Charles  and 
daughter  Lillian.  Here  he  was  identified  with  the  growth  of  the  com- 
munity until  his  death  in  1885,  when  he  was  the  oldest  pioneer  of  the 
township. 

Aaron  Moorehouse  located  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  section  26,  which  he  entered  from  the  government  in  1835.  These 
letters  patent  were  signed  by  Martin  Van  Buren,  and  the  land  has  never 
been  transferred,  but  descended  to  the  original  owner's  daughter,  and 
at  her  demise  to  her  son  Gilbert  Nichols  of  Battle  Creek,  who  is  the 
present  owner. 

In  1835  Asa  Langley  settled  in  section  26  on  a  farm  later  owned  by 
Cassius  Pearl.  In  1837  he  built  the  first  saw  mill  of  the  township  which 
was  discontinued  in  1860. 

Also  in  1835  came  Anson  Mapes  who  located  in  section  30  where  he 
resided  for  forty  years,  and  died  there  in  1875.  And  Andrew  Reese, 
who  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1790  and  who  came  here  in  the  fall  of 
1835.  He  settled  on  the  Reese  road  where  he  lived  until  his  death 
which  occurred  in  1875.  He  was  survived  by  a  widow  and  ten  children. 
The  only  living  members  of  the  family  are  Mrs.  Flora  Burrell  of  Battle 
Creek,  and  John  Reese  who  lives  on  a  farm  east  of  the  city. 

To  this  fei'tile  prairie  also  came  Joseph  Young  with  his  mfe  and 
nine  children  in  1835.  He  bought  the  laud  which  was  later  owned  by 
his  eldest  son,  David,  and  now  is  owned  and  occupied  by  a  son  of  the 
tliird  generation.  Myron  Young.  On  this  farm  Joseph  Young  built  the 
tii-st  stone  house  in  the  township  in  1841.  This  house  was  burned  in  the 
summer  of  1910.  Joseph  Young  operated  his  farm  until  1861,  when  he 
moved  to  Battle  Creek,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  which  occurred 
in  1878,  at  the  age  of  87. 

David  Young  who  came  here  with  his  parents  from  the  Empire  state, 
in  1835,  did  his  share  in  the  pioneer  work  of  the  neighborhood.  He 
^^atched  the  city  of  Battle  Creek  grow  ' ' from  a  village  of  one  house  and 
that  a  log  cabin. ' '  Mr.  Young  was  ninety -two  years  old  at  the  time  of  his 
death  which  took  place  in  1909  on  the  old  homestead. 

Dr.  John  Beach  and  his  wife  Harriett,  natives  of  Vermont,  in  the 
summer  of  1835  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  the  southwest 
part  of  the  township.  Dr.  Beach  wished  to  discontinue  his  medical 
practice  and  had  chosen  the  piirsuits  of  farming  in  hopes  of  recovering 
his  health.  However  it  was  soon  learned  that  he  was  a  physician  and  so 
great  was  the  demand  for  his  professional  services  that  he  could  not 
refuse.  There  was  at  that  time  only  one  physician  in  Battle  Creek,  and 
he  had  no  horse,  so  that  his  calls  were  limited  to  walking  distance. 
The  remaining  large  territor.y  extending  north  to  Bellevue,  west  to 
Comstock,  and  east  to  Marshall,  was  visited  by  Dr.  Beach  who  traveled 
on  horse  back.  There  was  no  medicine  to  be  purchased  hereabout  in 
those  days,  so  after  the  supply  which  he  brought  from  the  east  was 
exhausted.  Dr.  Beach  had  recourse  to  the  products  of  the  forest.  This 
overwork  exhausted  his  physical  strength,  and  brought  on  lung  trouble 
which  caused  his  untimely  death. 

After  the  death  of  Dr.  Beach,  his  widow  erected  in  1849  the  first 
brick  house  in  the  township.    This  was  occupied  by  herself  and  son,  E. 


HISTORY   OF  OAl.IlorX   COrXTY  171 

Darwin,  until  shu  ilied  in  1882,  having  reaelu'd  nearly  four  score  .years. 
This  farm  was  held  by  members  of  the  family  until  the  spring  of  1!)1"2 
when  it  was  sohl  by  Carl  P.  Heaeh,  grandson  of  the  subject. 

Allen  Willard  first  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Dr.  Beach  in  183G. 
He  later  bought  the  Hemes  Sweet  place,  on  the  east  side  of  Lake 
Gogiuic.  Here  he  quietl.v  spent  the  evening  of  his  life  passing  away  in 
1876,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  Mr.  AVillard  was  a  man  of  rare  intelli- 
gence and  scholarly  habits.  He  possessed  an  ardent  love  for  literature, 
and  made  a  thorough  study  of  the  New  Testament  and  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States.  He  was  survived  bv  two  sons,  George  and  Charles, 
who  became  prominent  and  influential  citizens. 

In  this  part  of  the  township  in  1836  also  settled  Deacon  Heman 
Cowles  who  purchased  on  section  36  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied 


Photo   by   J.    H.    Bro^ni 

David  I^oung  Farm  House,  Completed  Jily  4,  1841.     Burxed  in  1911. 

by  his  grandson,  Fred  W.  Cowles.  "Deacon"'  Cowles  was  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  intelligence  and  decision  of  character.  He  felt  com- 
plimented to  be  called  an  abolitionist  when  others  looked  upon  it  as  a 
disgrace.  He  was  prominent  in  affairs  both  religious  and  educational 
until  his  death  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  lies 
buried  in  the  South  Battle  Creek  cemetery. 

The  first  grist  mill  was  erected  by  Abraham  Minges  in  1862.  The 
first  flour  ground  l)etween  its  stones  was  made  into  biscuits  by  Mrs.  0. 
Amadou  for  the  wedding  of  her  daughter  Eugenia  to  the  builder  of  the 
mill.  j\Ir.  Minges  operated  the  mill  two  years  and  sold  it  to  one  George 
Jones.  The  property  has  been  in  the  possession  of  several  individuals, 
now  being  owned  and  operated  by  the  widow  of  the  late  George  Yanger 
and  her  sons,  Leon  and  Harry.  It  is  also  used  as  a  cider  mill  and  is  a 
useful  enterprise  in  the  community. 

The  brick  manufacturing  plant  now  the  property  of  Jasper  Adams 


172  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

is  the  oldest  enterprise  in  the  township.  The  laud  in  which  the  elay 
deposit  is  found  was  entered  from  the  government  in  1831  by  Aranthus 
Thomas.  The  clay  was  not  used  for  manufacturing  purposes  until  the 
property  was  purchased  by  Simon  Carr  in  1839.  In  1840  ^Ir.  Carr 
began  the  manufacture  of  brick  by  means  of  the  crude  hand  molds, 
and  for  twelve  years  he  carried  on  this  business.  They  were  well  made 
however,  for  the  first  brick  houses  in  the  township  were  built  of  his 
brick  and  are  still  standing,  occupied  and  in  a  state  of  excellent  preserva- 
tion. In  1851  the  projierty  was  sold  to  Lyman  Godfrey  and  S.  D. 
Crane,  BIr.  Godfrey  becoming  sole  owner  the  following  year.  For  thirty 
years  Mr.  Godfrey  operated  the  plant  with  the  hand  mold  method,  until 
1882  when  the  property  was  purchased  by  Jasper  Adams.  Mr.  Adams 
installed  machinery  and  equipped  it  with  modern  methods  of  drying  and 
burning.  For  a  time  from  1885  until  1890  the  yard  was  run  by  the 
firm  Adams  and  Ilall  Brothers,  Charles  and  Henry  Hall,  builders  and 
contractors  of  Battle  Creek,  ^h:  Adams  again  resumed  the  business 
alone  and  continued  with  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  brick  until  1903, 
when  he  closed  the  plant  because  of  broken  health,  the  yard  at  tiuit  time 
having  been  in  operation  for  nearly  seventy  years. 

Three  railroads  cross  the  township,  the  Michigan  Central  which 
passes  across  the  northeast  corner,  and  its  southern  branch,  called  the 
Goshen  Division  of  the  Michigan  Central,  crossing  the  southern  part  of 
the  township  with  a  Hag  station  and  side  track  at  Adams  brick  yard. 
This  branch  line  was  constructed  in  1889.  The  third  line,  the  Grand 
Trunk,  cxlciuls  across  the  western  portion  nearly  the  entire  length  north 
and  soutii.  It  lias  a  Hag  station  and  side  track  at  Renton.  This  railway 
was  comi)h'1c(l  in  lS(i!). 

The  fii'st  scIkkiI  was  taught  on  Goguac  Prairie  in  a  small  log  sciiool 
bouse,  by  Aranthus  'i'lidiiias  in  1S33  or  1884.  Among  the  scholars  were 
mcinln'i's  of  the  Strwart.  (Idddard,  Thomas,  and  Conway  families.  In 
1S.")S  this  scIkkiI  house  was  (lis|)lacc(l  for  a  brick  building  which  is  the 
present  district  No.  '■',  of  the  township. 

The  first  religious  meetings  were  held  by  the  Methodists  at  the  hou.se 
of  Daniel  Thomas  as  early  as  1833,  when  the  gospel  was  preached  by 
Rev.  :\Ir.  Hobart  of  :Marshall 

The  South  Battle  Creek  Baptist  church  was  the  first  recognized 
religious  society.  This  was  organized  by  Rev.  John  Harris,  in  1839,  and 
was  legally  instituted  in  1842.  The  meetings  were  held  in  private 
houses  until  1847,  when  the  present  church  building,  a  neat  frame 
structure,  was  erected.  Rev.  Harris  was  the  first  pastor  and  Solomon 
Case  the  first  deacon.  A  Sabbath  school  was  organized  about  the  same 
time  and  was  sustained  for  over  sixty  years. 

The  Battle  Creek  Township  Grange  No.  66  was  organized  September, 
1873,  at  the  home  of  Nathaniel  Chilson.  ilr.  Chilson  was  the  first 
master,  which  office  he  held  several  .rears.  Other  charter  members  were 
Charles  Merritt,  E.  :\I.  C.  Merritt,  :\Iiles  Townsend,  Hattie  Townseud, 
Alonzo  Robinson,  Hattie  Robinson,  H.  L.  Munn,  L.  K.  Phelps.  I.  W. 
Caine,  'Slyva.  Caine,  Chester  Chilson.  Daniel  Caine,  iliss  I.  V.  Chilson, 
J.  A.  Robinson,  ]\Iiss  Delie  Chilson,  Mesdames  D.  Phelps,  H.  A.  Chilson, 
H.  M.  Chilson,  and  James  M.  Haryhan. 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOUX  COCXTY  173 

For  several  years  the  grange  meetings  were  held  in  various  halls  in 
the  eity  of  Battle  Creek,  then  for  a  time  they  iiiet  in  the  South  Battle 
Creek  Baptist  eluireh.  In  1899  the  present  grange  hall  was  built,  near 
the  prairie  road  on  a  lot  purchased  by  the  grange  joining  the  No.  3 
school  district.  The  grange  hall  is  equipjDed  with  election  booths,  antl  is 
used  for  other  town  meetings. 

Battle  Creek  township  gave  loyally  her  sons  to  the  cause  of  the  rnion 
in  the  Civil  war.  The  names  of  those  who  served  are  as  follows:  Anson 
Beckley  (mustered  out  18(35,  still  living)  ;  Leuo  AV.  Bloss,  (mustered  out 
1865,  now  dead)  :  Thomas  J.  Cook,  (discharged  for  disability,  still 
living)  ;  Judd  Cummings,  (deceased)  ;  Lansing  Fairchild,  (deceased)  : 
Jasper  Gregory,  (deceased)  :  Walter  Gregory,  (still  living)  ;  Thos.  Jen- 
nings, (deceased)  ;  Philetus  Karr,  (deceased)  ;  Capt.  James  B.  Mason, 
(resigned  Lieut.  Col.  11th  ^Michigan  Cavalry,  killed)  ;  George  ilcCul- 
lum.  (discharged  for  disability,  18()4r,  now  dead)  ;  DeWitt  .Miller:  James 
Miller,  (discharged  at  expiration  of  service  1865)  ;  John  .Aliller;  AVilliam 
JMiller,  (killed  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  1863)  ;  P.  B.  .Alitchell,  (mustered  out 
September,  1865,  still  living)  ;  Henry  Oldfield,  (deceased)  :  Spencer  Old- 
field,  (still  living);  Eugene  Perry,  (deceased);  Samuel  I'ugsley,  (mus- 
tered out  September,  1865,  (still  living)  ;  Wm.  Picauld,  (deceased)  ; 
James  Robinson,  (mustered  out  August,  1865)  ;  Robert  Sharp,  (de- 
ceased) ;  High  Stewart,  (uuistered  out  November,  1865). 

Those  who  represented  the  township  in  the  late  Spanish-American 
war  were:  A.  Shirley  Adams,  Vernon  E.  Cummings,  and  Earl  M.  Perry. 
These  young  men  were  in  active  engagement  in  the  Battle  of  San  Juan 
Hill.  All  returned  uninjured  but  in  poor  health  because  of  the  un- 
sanitarj'  conditions  of  the  island. 

Goguac  Lake  is  an  interesting  feature  of  the  township  because  of  its 
historical  interests,  and  its  value  as  a  sunnner  resort.  The  Indian  name 
was  Goghawgiac — spelled  Gogoguae  by  the  pioneers.  It  is  located  in 
section  14,  22,  and  23,  and  is  connected  with  Battle  Creek  by  an  electric 
line.  Along  its  shores  are  hundreds  of  cottages,  which  afford  ((uiet 
resting  places  for  busy  city  dwellers  during  the  summer  months,  when 
it  is  an  active  scene  of  the  outdoor  sports  of  nature  lovers  and  pleasure 
seekers.  Traces  yet  remain  of  an  Indian  mound  which  is  located  on  the 
lake's  border  directly  west  of  AVard's  Island,  and  once  i)\-er  its  watei's 
glided  the  bark  canoe  of  the  red  men. 

BkL)F( )RD  Towx.ship 

This  is  the  most  populous  township  in  the  county,  numbering  by  the 
census  of  1910,  2,076.  This  increase  in  population  is  largely  due  to  the 
thriving  village  of  Urbandale,  a  suburb  of  Battle  Creek  but  lying  within 
the  township  of  Bedford. 

We  take  pleasure  in  submitting  the  following  interesting  historical 
matter  pertaining  to  Bedford  township,  furnished  by  Mr.  C.  E.  Bradley. 
It  not  only  shows  how  and  what  town  business  was  done  in  Bedford 
seventy-three  years  ago,  but  it  shows  also  who  were  the  then  male  resi- 
dents, all  of  whom  were  pioneers  and  helped  to  make  Bedford's  history. 

Fir.st  annual  township  meeting  held  at  the  hou.se  of  Josiah  Gillx'rt 
on  the  1st  dav  of  April.  1S;)9. 


174  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  meeting  was  organized  by  appointing  Caleb  Kirby, ,  moderator, 
and  John  Meachem,  Joseph  Kirby,  Erastus  R.  Wattles  and  John  L. 
Bolkeom,  inspectors  of  the  meeting,  who,  having  qualified,  appointed 
Lucian  M.  Weaver,  clerk. 

The  meeting  then  proceeded  to  vote  for  township  ofBcers  which  re- 
sulted as  follows:  Supervisor,  Caleb  Kirby;  town  clerk,  John  Meachem; 
treasurer,  Isaac  Sutton ;  assessors,  Schuyler  Goff,  John  P.  Ames,  Harvey 
Cooley;  collector,  John  Armstrong;  school  inspectors,  John  Meachem, 
Caleb  Kirby,  Abraham  Lockwood;  directors  of  the  poor,  Isaac  Sutton, 
Jacob  Frost;  commissioners  of  highways,  Isaac  Sutton,  Erastus  R. 
Wattles,  Stephen  H.  Carman;  justices  of  the  peace,  John  P.  Ames,  one 
year;  John  Meachem,  two  years;  George  B.  Hamilton,  three  years;  Noah 
P.  Crittendon,  four  years ;  constables,  John  Armstrong,  John  Hamilton ; 
overseers  of  highways,  district  No.  1,  John  Stringham ;  district  No.  2, 
Solomon  Tupp;  district  No.  3,  Jacob  Stringham;  district  No.  4,  John 
Meacham ;  district  No.  5,  Harvey  Sam ;  district  No.  6,  Josiah  Gilbert ;  dis- 
trict No.  7,  Thomas  H.  Thomas ;  district  No.  8,  John  Hamilton ;  district 
No.  9,  Schuyler  Goff.  Voted  that  there  be  a  pound  erected  in  the  center 
of  the  town,  also  that  John  Meachem  be  pound  master.  Erastus  B.  Wat- 
tles M'as  appointed  deputy  township  clerk,  April  3,  1839. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  township  board  held  the  18th  day  of  April, 
1839,  the  following  vacancies  wci'e  ttlled  by  appointment:  Josiah  Gilbert, 
overseer  of  highways  in  district  No.  6 ;  Erastus  B.  Wattles,  school  inspec- 
tor in  place  of  Abraham  Lockwood,  who  neglected  to  qualify. 

' '  To  the  Clerk  of  Calhoun  County :     We  do  certify  that  we  believe 
the  persons  herein  named  possess  the  requisite  qualifications  for  jurors  for 
the  year  1839,  viz :     Abraham  Frost,  Noah  P.  Crittendon,  David  Stillson, 
Joseph  Kirby  and  Lucian  M.  Weaver. 
"Bedford,  May  25,  1839. 

"H.  Cooley, 
"J.  P.  Ames, 

"Schuyler  Goff,  Assessors. 
"John  Meachem,  Town  Clerk. 

"Voted :  That  the  sum  of  $200  be  raised  for  the  purpose  of  liuilding 
bridge  across  the  Kalamazoo  river  in  district  No.  9. 

"Voted:  That  no  boars  over  three  months  old  shall  run  at  large, 
with  a  penalty  of  one  dollar  to  be  collected  of  the  owner  by  any  person 
who  shall  prosecute  for  the  same. 

"Voted:  That  a  map  be  procured  from  the  Land  office  for  the  use 
of  the  assessors. 

"Voted:  That  the  next  township  meeting  be  held  at  the  liouse  of 
John  Meachem. 

"We,  the  undersigned  inspectors  of  the  towaiship  meeting,  held  on 
the  1st  day  of  April,  183?,  do  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  cor- 
rect statement  of  the  proceedings  of  said  meeting. 

"John  S.  Bolkcom, 
"e.  r.  w.\ttles, 
"John  Meachem, 

■■Jo.^EPH    KiRnY. 


HISTORY  OF  CAl.TIorX  COrXTY  ITf) 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  township  board  liekl  on  the  22nd  daj-  of  June, 
1839,  the  following  compensation  was  alluw^'d  to  towTiship  officers:  town 
board,  to\\ii  clerk,  treasurer,  each  member  one  dollar  per  day ;  assessor, 
highway  connnissioner,  each  one  dollar  and  tifty  cents;  collector,  five 
per  cent  on  gross  footing  on  assessment  roll,  ten  i)er  cent  on  state  tax 
for  1838.     Incidental  expense  for  year  $349.67.    Building  bridge,  $200.00. 

"Joux  JIeaciiem,  Town  Clerk." 

HlULl.VCTIIX     'rdWNSIUl' 

is  located  in  the  .southwest  part  of  Calhoun  county  ;  its  southern  boundary 
meets  the  north  line  of  Branch  county,  with  Tekonsha  on  the  east,  Newton 
on  the  north  and  Athens  on  the  west.  The  government  surveys  designate 
the  township  as  town  4  south,  range  7  west.  The  southern  half  of  the 
township  is  described  as  "very  level,  intei*spersed  with  beautiful  plains, 
well  watered  by  small  streams  and  is  generally  free  from  stone,  the  soil 
being  a  sandy  loam,  in  places  mingled  with  clay."  The  northern  por- 
tion of  the  to^\^lship  is  more  uneven.  "Wet  Prairie"  in  the  northeast 
corner  is  a  very  fine  level  tract  of  land.  The  Saint  Joseph  river  enters 
the  towiiship  from  Tekonsha,  flowing  through  section  24,  by  the  village  of 
Burlington  and  continues  in  a  southwesterly  direction  until  it  enters 
Branch  county,  through  section  38.  Some  of  the  earliest  and  finest 
farms  in  the  township  were  located  on  either  side  of  this  stream.  It  was 
on  section  26,  in  the  valley  of  the  Saint  Joseph,  that  Eleazer  McCamley. 
the  earliest  pioneer,  settled  with  his  family  in  the  year  1832.  Richard 
Tucker,  another  of  the  early  comers,  settled  on  this  same  section  26.  It  was 
on  this  section  the  first  log  house  in  the  township  was  built  by  Mr.  Tucker. 
Joseph  Sanders,  a  Vermonter  by  birth,  but  a  New  Yorker  by  adoption, 
came  from  the  latter  state  in  the  fall  of  1833  and  settled  on  Section  24. 
He  was  one  of  the  last  of  the  early  pioneers  to  pass  away  and  is  still 
well  remembered  by  the  older  residents  of  the  towiship.  In  1834,  two 
brothers,  William  and  Ansel  Adams,  came  with  their  widowed  mother  and 
invested  largely  in  land  lying  in  sections  23  and  24,  buying  the  water 
power  where  the  village  of  Burlington  is  now  located,  and  building 
there  in  1837  the  first  saw  mill  in  the  township.  Here,  too,  was  erected 
the  first  grist  mill  by  Rufus  Osborn,  in  1861.  The  first  tavern  in  the 
to^\^lship  was  built  of  logs  about  1835  and  stood  within  the  present 
limits  of  Burlington  village.  The  first  bridge  of  any  consequence  in  the 
township  was  over  the  Saint  Joseph,  built  in  1838  by  the  Adams  brothers 
and  did  good  seVvice  for  thirty  years  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  new  one. 

\'lLI,A(iE    DF    HrRI,IX(iT(lN 

The  village  of  Burlington  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  William  and 
Ansel  Adams  in  1842,  and  incorporated  in  1869.  The  fii-st  frame  house 
was  built  by  these  brothers  and  which  they  and  their  mother  occupied. 
It  was  here  that  the  first  store  opened;  here,  too,  the  Baptists  in  1841 
built  the  fiz-st  house  of  worship  in  the  township ;  the  first  school  house  was 
opened  in  1837,  the  school  being  taught  by  Miss  Mary  Buckingham. 


176  HiyTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Here,  too,  was  established  a  post  office  which  is  still  serving  the  people, 
sending  out  mail  by  rural  carriers  daily  to  all  the  farmers  round  about. 
The*  Methodists  early  came  into  the  town  and  the  Burlington  circuit 
supplied  the  people  at  Abscota,  Clarendon,  Tekonsha,  Lyon  Lake  and 
Eckford  with  preaching  services. 

The  Free  Will  Baptists  organized  in  1840.  The  Seventh  Day  Ad- 
veutists  came  into  Burlington  in  1857  and  in  1861  effected  a  church 
organization  which  resulted  in  erecting  in  1876  a  neat  frame  church. 

The  village  of  Abscota  is  located  on  Wet  Prairie,  a  fine  agricultural 
section  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  towaiship.  Until  taken  up  on  the 
introduction  of  rural  free  delivery,  a  postoffice  was  maintained  at  this 
point.  A  village  church,  store,  school,  blacksmith  shop  and  other  con- 
veniences that  go  with  the  country  village,  are  maintained  here. 

Among  the  more  prominent  of  the  early  day  pioneers  was  Homer  C. 
Hurd,  who  came  into  the  township  in  1834  and  settled  on  the  southwest 
quarter  of  Section  27.  Mr.  Hurd  served  for  eight  years  on  the  Board 
of  Suijervisoi-s  and  four  years  represented  the  county  in  the  State  legis- 
lature. Theron  Hamilton,  another  of  the  comparatively  early  settlers, 
served  the  county  as  probate  judge  from  1864  to  1869  inclusive.  Besides 
those  already  named,  there  may  be  mentioned  David  Dexter,  Zachariah 
Thomas,  Cornelius  Kii-kendall,  John  L.  iMeserole,  David  Ripley,  Reuben 
Van  Fleet,  G.  P.  and  Elijah  Olnistead,  James  Pendill  and  Luther  Wilson, 
all  of  whom  came  about  1835.  From  1886  to  1840  many  more  came, 
among  them,  Edwin  A.  Hayden,  who  was  long  a  prominent  citizen  in 
the  county,  holding  as  he  did  various  couuty  offices;  Allen  Wood,  A. 
McWithey,  Josiah,  Brodish,  Sylvanus  Reed,  Gilbert  B.  Murray,  E.  N. 
Edmonds,  Anson  Strong,  Lewis  Miller,  F.  Burnett  and  Alonzo  Colliers. 
These,  with  others  e(iually  worthy,  have  helped  to  make  tiie  Burlington 
township  of  today  what  it  is,  for  they  cleared  the  farms  from  which 
others  reap,  they  built  the  homes  in  which  others  live,  they  planted  the 
orchards  from  which  others  eat  the  fruit,  they  built  the  churches  in 
which  others  worship.  They  are  held  in  honor  by  the  later  generation, 
as  they  should  be. 

The  "Air  Line"  Railroad,  a  branch  of  the  Michigan  Central,  built  in 
1870,  crosses  the  southeast  coi-ner  of  the  towoiship.  Burlington  station 
is  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  village. 

Clarence  Towxsiiip 

In  the  extreme  northeast  corner  of  Calhoun  county  is  located  the 
township  of  Clarence.  According  to  the  United  States  government  sur- 
vey it  is  designated  as  town  1  south,  range  4  west.  Originally  it  was 
confederated  with  Lee,  Sheridan  and  Marengo.  This  was  done  by  an 
act  of  the  territorial  legislature  in  the  year  1834. 

It  was  not  until  the  spring  of  1836  that  Benjamin  P.  Gillette,  the 
recognized  pioneer  of  Clarence,  settled  with  his  family  on  sections  23 
and  24  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  township.  The  same  year  there 
came  C.  W.  Clapp,  Andrew  Bell  and  Archibald  Green,  all  locating  in 
the  same  vicinity  as  Gillette,  while  Cook  Tyler,  William  B.  Noble,  John 
Austin,  Frank  and  John  Dyer  settled  the  following  year  in  the  central 


HISTORY   OF  OALIIOIN   COI'XTV  177 

and  eastern  portions,  hi  18;!8  Y.  Jl.  Hatch  located  in  the  south  west  on 
section  30.  About  llic  same  time  I).  Y.  Carrier  located  on  section  7  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  township.  It  was  in  1838  that  Judge  Theron 
Hamilton.  Norris  Barnes,  Abram  Hadden  and  Samuel  Sellers,  the  last 
named  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  township,  came  to  make  homes  in 
Clarence.  The  first  house  built  at  the  head  of  Duck  Lake  was  of  hewn 
logs  put  up  in  1845  by  Jacob  Nichols.  For  years  a  remnant  of  the 
Pottawattomies  living  in  that  vicinity  were  his  only  neighbors.  These 
Indians  were  peaceable  and  gave  no  particular  trouble  to  the  "pale 
face"  comers,  except  they  were  inveterate  borrowers. 

The  first  celebation  ever  held  in  Clarence  was  on  the  Fourth  of 
July,  1835.  The  inhabitants  of  the  township  rallied  at  a  designated  meet- 
ing place  at  the  head  of  Duck  Lake  and  w'hen  a  count  was  made  there 
was  found  to  be  present  just  fourteen  persons.  But  these  loyal  sons 
of  a  patriotic  ancestry  found  pleasure  and  satisfaction  in  commemorating 
an  event  dear  to  every  true  American.  The  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  read  by  C.  W.  Clapp  and  an  address  given  by  Judge  Hamilton. 

In  1848,  Jesse  Crowell  and  others,  having  purchased  a  large  tract  of 
timber  in  the  north  part  of  the  township,  erected  a  saw  mill  at  tlie  foot 
of  Duck  Lake  and  began  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  This  mill  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  but  in  1860  ^Villiam  Leonard  built  another.  In  1863  a 
JMr.  Bolles  put  up  a  steam  saw  mill  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town.  A 
store  was  opened  at  the  foot  of  the  lake  near  the  location  of  the  saw  mill 
and  ever  since  the  people  have  had  the  conveniences  it  affords.  Schools 
were  early  established  and  have  been  well  sustained  through  all  the 
years  since  i\Iiss  Reliance  Dixon,  afterwards  ^Irs.  Oliver  S.  Bell,  taught 
the  first  school  in  the  township,  about  1839.  Chui-ch  services  have  l)een 
held  and  Sunday  schools  maintained  in  school  houses. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Norris  Barnes  in 
1838,  at  which  the  following  were  chosen  to  office:  Andrew  Bell,  super- 
visor; Cook  Tyler,  town  clerk;  A.  M.  Green,  treasurer;  "W.  B.  Noble. 
C.  W.  Clapp,  Samuel  Sellers  and  A.  P.  Bell,  justices  of  the  peace;  Non-is 
Barnes,  A.  M.  Green  and  W.  B.  Noble,  assessors;  A.  C.  Bell,  Y.  M.  Hatch 
and  Roswell  Barnes,  highway  commissioners;  W.  B.  Noble,  C.  W.  Clapp 
and  Norris  Barnes,  school  inspectors;  Andrew  Bell  and  John  Austin, 
overseers  of  the  poor ;  O.  S.  Bell,  collector,  and  Messrs.  Bell  and  Bennett, 
constables. 

The  township  of  Clarence  has  long  been  noted  for  its  lakes,  marshes 
and  springs.  Prairie  Lake  is  situated  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
township.  A  little  north  and  east  of  this  is  a  chain  of  six  lakes,  all 
connected  by  Rice  creek  and  are  its  main  source  of  water  supply.  Duck 
Lake  is  situated  a  little  north  of  the  center  of  the  township  and  nearly 
midway  east  and  west.  This  is  the  largest  body  of  water  in  the  town- 
ship and  one  of  the  largest  in  the  county,  covering  as  it  does  about  seven 
hundred  acres,  being  a  mile  and  a  half  long  by  three-quarters  wide.  The 
banks  are  generally  high,  affording  fine  building  sites  for  cottages.  In 
these  later  years  the  lake  has  developed  into  quite  a  summer  resort. 
Quite  a  large  number  of  cottages  have  been  erected  and  people  from 
Albion.  ^larshall.  Charlotte.  Eaton  Rapids  and  Olivet  resort  there  dur- 
ing the  summer  and  early  fall  months.     The  beautiful  sheet  of  clear, 


178  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

pure  water;  the  grove  covered  banks  that  border  it;  the  fine  fishing  it 
affords  and  the  pure  invigorating  air,  lend  a  permanent  and  potent 
charm  to  this  locality  and  have  made  Clarence  one  of  the  best  known 
purely  rural  townships  in  the  county. 

Clarendon  Township 

But  for  minor  local  diflferences  the  early  history  of  Albion,  Homer, 
Clarendon  and  Eckford  is  essentially  the  same.  The  rugged  pioneers 
in  each  and  all  of  these  townships  were  young  men  and  women,  largely 
from  the  state  of  New  Yoi-k.  They  were  generally  possessed  of  courage, 
enterprise  and  thrift.  It  was  these  qualities  that  enabled  them  to  pull 
out  from  the  old  home  settlements  in  the  east,  brave  the  dangers  and  hard- 
ships of  the  long  and  tedious  journey  and  settle  down  with  all  the  at- 
tending discomforts  and  privations  of  a  new  and  isolated  country  and 
slowly  but  surely  clear  the  forests,  fence  the  fields,  plant  the  orchards 
and  vineyards,  build  and  improve  the  highways,  construct  the  houses 
and  barns,  the  schools  houses  and  churches  and  rear  their  children  in 
comfort  and  in  a  moral  and  religious  atmosphere,  leaving  not  only 
worthy  descendants  but  leaving  the  world  better  for  having  lived  and 
wrought  in  it.  All  honor  to  the  pioneer  fathers  and  mothers  who  left 
us  so  good  an  inheritance. 

The  Doolittles,  the  Cooks,  the  Keeps,  the  Balentines,  the  Rogers,  the 
Flints,  the  Humestons,  the  Perines  and  many  others  equally  worthy  to 
be  enumerated,  whose  united  efforts  have  served  to  make  Clarendon  one 
of  the  best  townships  in  Calhoun  county,  deserve  to  be  remembered. 

Although  Anthony  Doolittle  came  in  May,  1832,  and  settled  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  township,  and  David  L.  Hutchinson  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year;  Loren  Keep  and  Erastus  B.  Enos,  Alonzo  H.  Rogers, 
Timothy  Hamlin,  who  married  Elizabeth  Doolittle  (theirs  being  the 
first  marriage  in  the  township),  Calvin  Rogers  with  his  wife  and  five 
children,  Calvin  Heath,  A.  B.  Bartlett,  George  W.  Hayes  and  a  number 
of  others  who  came  during  the  four  or  five  years  after  Doolittle 's  arrival, 
it  was  not  until  1838  that  the  township  was  organized  and  given  the 
name  of  Clarendon ;  it  is  said  because  so  many  of  the  early  comers  were 
from  the  town  of  Clarendon,  Orleans  county.  New  York. 

According  to  the  United  States  government  surveys,  the  township 
is  town  4  south,  range  5  west.  Except  in  the  northeast  part,  the  township 
was  generally  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  heavy  timber  of  various 
kinds,  the  maple  being  in  abundance  and  affording  an  annual  supply  of 
sugar  and  delicious  syrup.  The  soil  is  of  excellent  quality,  comparing 
favorably  with  that  of  the  best  townships  in  the  county.  The  St.  Joseph 
river  enters  the  town  from  the  south  on  section  36  and  flowing  in  a  north- 
easterly direction  nearly  to  Homer,  turns  west  and  leaves  it  on  section 
18  by  the  way  of  Tekonsha.  This  stream  is  small  and  narrow  but  in  an 
early  day  afforded  power  for  one  or  more  saw  mills.  There  is  compara- 
tively little  marsh  or  waste  land  in  the  township.  The  "Air  Line,"  a 
branch  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  completed  in  1870,  traverses 
the  north  central  part  of  the  towu  from  east  to  west.     Clarendon  Sta- 


HISTORY  OF  CAIJIOUX  COUNTY  179 

tion  is  located  about  two  miles  northeast  of  the  center  of  the  town  and 
from  which  much  of  the  surplus  products  of  the  fine  farms  are  shipped. 
The  fii"st  town  meeting  was  held  in  1838,  of  which  Aaron  B.  Bartlett 
was  chosen  chairman  and  Timothy  Hamlin,  clerk.  Truman  Rathhuru 
was  elected  supervisor;  Timothy  Hamlin,  township  clerk;  Horace  B. 
Hayes,  John  Jlain  and  Ira  Sumner,  assessors;  Charles  B.  White,  col- 
lector; Samuel  Blair  and  Cornelius  Putnam,  directors  of  the  poor; 
Alonzo  H.  Rogei-s,  George  W.  Hayes  and  Elijah  Andrus,  commissioners 
of  highways;  John  ^lain,  Ira  Sumner  and  Horace  B.  Hayes,  school 
inspectors;  Truman  Rathburn,  William  Cooper,  John  Main  and  Ira 
Sumner,  justices  of  the  peace.  The  first  school  in  the  township  was 
taught  on  Cook's  prairie  in  1833.  The  first  religious  society  was  or- 
ganized by  the  Presbyterians  in  1838.  Meetings  were  held  in  school 
houses  until  a  log  church  was  built  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section 
18,  which  was  used  for  a  number  of  years.  The  Methodists  organized 
in  1840  and  held  services  in  a  log  house  built  by  Lewis  Benham.  A 
frame  church  was  built  some  time  between  1840  ajid  1850.  The  young 
men  of  Clarendon  responded  nobly  to  the  call  of  their  country  during 
the  Civil  war,  leaving  a  record  of  which  the  township  will  ever  be  proud. 

CoNvis  Township 

The  township  of  Convis  was  named  after  General  Ezra  Convis,  one 
of  the  most  prominent  and  widely  known  of  the  early  residents  of  south- 
em  ^Michigan.  He  was  the  first  representative  to  the  state  legislature 
from  Calhoun  county  and  was  the  first  speaker  of  the  Michigan  House  of 
Representatives.  While  serving  in  the  legislature,  he  introduced  a  bill 
to  organize  and  name  the  central  township  in  the  northern  tier  in  Cal- 
houn county,  but  before  action  had  been  taken  upon  the  bill,  General 
Convis  died,  as  the  result  of  an  injury  received  in  the  accidental  over- 
turning of  a  sleigh,  and  his  successor,  out  of  compliment  to  the  deceased 
legislator,  had  the  town  named  Convis. 

Although  Sanford  Chaffee,  the  recognized  first  settler,  did-  not  come 
into  Convis  until  the  spring  of  1835,  such  was  the  rapid  arrival  of  home 
seekers  that  a  sufficient  number  had  located  here  to  warrant  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  township  in  1837.  James  Lane,  William  Newman,  and  Paul 
Moss,  all  Englishmen,  were  among  the  early  comers.  David  Beers 
settled  in  1836  on  section  24  and  about  the  same  time  Asahel  Hawkins 
settled  on  the  .same  section.  Hawkins  and  family  came  from  Saratoga 
county.  New  York. 

Among  others  who  came  in  1836  were  Hiram  and  Elisha  Brace, 
Jesse  Smith,  George  Bentley,  T.  J.  Van  Geisin,  Jasper  Haywood, 
Philander  Brooke,  Wessel  Smith  and  Granville  Stowe.  In  1837,  B. 
Austin,  Ira  II.  Ellsworth,  William  Kinyon,  Levi  Rowley,  Leach  S. 
Loomis,  Allen  ^lattison,  Nathan  Chidster  and  Levi  Eaton  were  among 
those  who  came  to  make  homes  in  Convis.  James  Walkinshaw  and 
family,  consi.sting  of  wife  and  four  children,  came  to  ^larshall  direct 
from  Scotland  in  1842  and  some  five  or  six  years  later  moved  on  to  a 
farm  in  Convis  township,  where  he  became  one  of  the  largest  land  owners 


180  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  most  prosperous  farmers  in  the  county.  He  took  an  interest  in 
public  affairs,  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  in  1876  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Michigan  legislature. 

The  men  aliove  named  and  others  like  them  found  Convis  township 
rather  uninviting  in  the  northwest  section,  because  of  the  hills  and  in 
the  southwest  because  it  was  low  and  marshy  and  much  of  the  whole 
heavily  timbered.  Notwithstanding  these  barriers,  they  entered  upon 
the  task  of  overcoming  them  and  how  well  they  succeeded  will  be  seen 
by  a  visit  to  that  township,  with  its  beautiful  and  well  stocked  farms, 
its  many  excellent  homes,  fine  barns,  thrifty  orchards  and  its  happy,  eon- 
tented  people. 

Schools  were  established  in  1838,  the  first  year  after  the  township 
was  organized  and  have  ever  since  been  well  maintained.  Many  of  the 
young  men  of  Convis  in  the  Civil  war  times  entered  the  service  and 
fought  heroically  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  Some  were  buried 
where  fliey  frll,  some  died  of  wounds  received  in  battle  and  some  in 
prison.  Some  returned  home  wounded  and  maimed  and  have  ever  since 
been  sufferers  on  account  of  service  rendered  their  country. 

EcKFOKD  Township 

^lany  well  informed  people  think  Eckford  is  the  finest  purely  agri- 
cultural township  in  Calhoun  county  and  some  go  so  far  as  to  claim  that 
it  is  not  sin|i,iss(Ml  in  the  state.  Without  discussing  comparative  merits, 
it  is  cert;iiii  1  li.il  the  intelligent  pioneers  who  came  from  the  states  of  New 
York,  JMassacliusclls.  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut  in  the  thirties  and 
located  ill  this  township,  showed  excellent  judgment.  There  is  relatively 
little  waste  land.  Its  soil  is  uniformly  of  excellent  quality.  Its  surface 
is  gently  undulating,  affording  good  drainage  without  damage  from  soil 
washing.  It  is  abundantly  watered  by  natural  springs,  lakes  and  rivers  so 
that  while  it  is  noted  for  its  grains,  grasses  and  fruits,  it  is  particularly 
adapted  to  stock  raising.  Brace  lakes  in  the  northwest  part  of  the 
township  are  beautiful  sheets  of  water,  not  onl.y  affording  fine  fishing 
but  the  east  lake  is  utilized  by  resorters,  a  number  of  cottages  having 
been  built  on  the  beach.  The  Nottawa  creek  crosses  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  township  and  flows  in  a  general  westerly  course  until  it  empties 
into  the  Kalamazoo  river.  Wilder  creek  takes  its  rise  in  the  southeast 
part  of  the  township.  It  makes  a  detour  into  Albion  township,  then 
returns  into  Eckford,  flowing  in  a  northwesterly  direction  across  the 
township,  entering  Marengo  at  the  northeast  corner  of  section  5,  and 
Anally  emptying  into  the  Kalamazoo.  In  an  early  day  it  afforded  power 
for  a  saw  mill. 

Oshea  Wilder  was  the  earliest  and  at  the  same  time  one  of  the  most 
prominent  settlers  in  Eckford.  It  was  in  1831  that  he  came  and  located 
all  but  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  8.  In  the  fall  of  1832,  he  came 
with  his  «dfe  and  seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  and  settled 
on  the  stream  that  now  bears  his  name.  Mr.  Wilder  was  a  Massachusetts 
man  by  birth,  having  removed  from  Gardiner,  in  that  state,  to  Rochester, 
New  York,  from  which  place  he  came  to  Michigan.  I\Ir.  Wilder  was  an 
active  and  an  enterprising  citizen.    He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 


HISTORY  OK  CAlJIOrX  COrXTY  181 

1812.  He  was  ii  surveyor  ;inil  \v;is  iniicli  .■inployrcl  in  thai  work  all.'i- 
coining  to  MifliigMii.  lie  Imilt  tlic  tii-sl  hotel  in  Eckl'ord  and  one  of  the 
lease  conditions  was  tiiat  no  l)ai-  shoidd  he  connected  with  it.  lie  huilt 
the  first  saw  mill,  platted  a  viila^'e  ni  lower  Eekford,  huilt  a  hiacksmitii 
siiop  and  enijiloycd  a  smith,  put  u])  a  huilding  for  the  making  of  wagons, 
also  a  chair  factory.  A  mail  route  having  heen  instituted  from  Jones- 
ville  to  Marshall,  a  post  office  was  established  at  lower  Eekfortl  in  IM.'Sf), 
and  Mr.  Wilder  was  made  postmaster.  The  mail  over  the  route  from 
Jonesville  to  Marshall,  via  lower  Eekford,  was  iirst  carried  on  horse- 
hack,  then  with  a  horse  and  huggy  and  finally  to  accommodate  the  in- 
creasing number  of  travelers  as  well  as  carry  the  mail,  a  four  horse 
stage  route  was  put  in  opei'ation.  This  stage  route  was  the  connecting 
link  between  the  Lake  Shore  and  ^Michigan  Central  Railroads. 

In  the  spring  of  1882,  Henry  Cook,  who  the  year  before  came  into 
Washtenaw  county  from  New  York,  removed  to  the  prairie  in  the  south- 
ea.st.part  of  Eekford  and  that  portion  of  the  township  has  ever  since  lieen 
known  as  Cook's  Prairie.  Mr.  Cook  was  for  many  years  regarded  a.s 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county.  He  served  in  a  number  of  offices 
of  trust ;  in  18;^9  he  was  a  member  of  the  legislature.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  prominent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Homer.  In 
18:^2,  Charles  K.  Palmer  came  fi-om  Rochester,  New  York,  and  settled  on 
the  open  plain  in  section  1!)  and  this  section  has  ever  since  Ijeen  known 
as  Palmer's  Plains.    Palmer,  in  later  years,  lost  his  life  on  Lake  Erie. 

The  township  was  mostly  .settled  during  the  years  from  18:52-:i6. 
Among  others  who  came  about  this  time  were  Edward  L.  Rogers,  Charles 
Olin,  Jeremiah  Hinkle,  jNIedad  Hordwell,  John  Kennedy,  Thomas  J. 
Walker,  Samuel  Whitconib,  Elijah  Cook,  Henry  Caldwell."  Lionel  Udell. 
Joel  H.  Marsh,  William  Herrick  and  Silas  Comstock.  These  were  followed 
by  Daniel  D.  Dunakin,  David  Patterson,  Eli  T.  Chase,  Anthony  Rogers. 
John  Lusk,  Sr.,  Joseph  Otis,  Augustus  Lusk,  Ralph  Dibble  and  George 
White.  These  men  did  nuich  to  give  Eekford  township  the  enviable 
position  it  occupies  in  the  county. 

Schools  were  early  established  and  have  always  been  well  sustained. 
A  considerable  number  of  her  young  men  and  women  have  been  students 
in  the  colleges  at  Hillsdale,  Albion^  Olivet  and  at  the  state  university. 
Churches  were  organized  by  the  Free  Will  Baptists  in  1835,  in  18:5!)  In- 
the  Presbyterians  and  in  the  same  .year  by  the  Jlethodist  P^iiiscojjal 
church.  In  this  year,  1912,  Eekford  is  distinguished  above  any  other 
purely  rural  township  in  Calhoun  county  for  its  tine  churches  and  its 
excellent  roads.  It  has  not  now  and  never  has  had  a  .saloon  within  its 
borders.  A  number  of  her  leading  men  were  enrolled  as  abolitionists 
when  to  be  such  meant  contumely  and  reproach.  Among  her  citizens 
who  have  been  honored  with  positions  beyond  the  limits  of  the  county 
are  Henry  Cook,  Daniel  Dunakin  and  Lote  C.  Robinson,  each  and  all  of 
whom  have  served  in  the  Michigan  legislature.  John  C.  Patterson,  born 
and  reared  in  Eekford,  served  two  terms  in  the  Michigan  state  senate. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1836  and  was  named  Eekford  at  the 
suggestion  of  Oshea  Wilder,  who  had  in  England  an  esteemed  friend  of 
that  name.  Wilderville  is  the  only  village  in  the  towniship.  It  is  located 
on  the  railroad  running  from  Toledo  to  Allegan.     This  road  enters  the 


182  HISTORY  OF  CALHOTJN  COUNTY 

township  at  the  southeast  corner  and  running  diagonally,  departs  from 
it  at  the  northwest  corner.  Besides  this  road  within  the  township,  Mar- 
shall, Albion,  Homer  and  Marengo  are  each  and  all  so  situated  that  fine 
shipping  facilities  are  afforded  the  people  of  this  township. 

Eckford's  record  in  the  Civil  war  was  most  creditable  to  the  patriotic 
spirit  of  the  township  and  will  ever  resound  to  her  honor. 

Emmett  Tovs^nship  (1830-1912) 

By  Miss  Crosby 

This  township  belonged  to  the  confederation  of  townships  originally 
organized  under  the  name  of  Milton.  At  the  session  of  legislature  1837- 
38,  it  was  set  off  and  organized  into  a  separate  township  and  called  Cady. 
The  name  was  not  satisfactory,  for  we  find  that  the  followdng  resolution 
was  passed  at  the  first  township  meeting:  "Resolved,  that  the  honourable 
legislature  of  this  state  be,  and  is  hereby,  requested  to  change  the  name  of 
the  township  from  Cady  to  Andover. ' '  On  examination  there  were  found 
to  be  three  other  to\raships  in  the  state  by  that  name,  so  nothing  was  done 
affecting  a  change  until  during  the  legislative  session  of  1839-40,  when 
the  name  Emmett  was  given  it,  in  honor  of  Robert  Emmet,  the  Irish 
patriot. 

The  earliest  settlement  within  present  boundaries  was  made  by  Jere- 
miah Gardner,  June  7, 1831,  on  section  14.  All  of  Mr.  Gardner's  descend- 
ants are  dead  and  the  place  is  now  owned  by  George  Perrett,  of  Marshall. 

Mr.  Gardner  kept  the  first  postoffice  and  the  mail  was  delivered  in 
a  knapsack,  by  a  man  named  Kennedy.  This  postoffice  was  called 
Andover.  In  1834,  a  stage  route  was  established  and  Milton  Barney 
was  the  driver  between  Battle  Creek  and  Marshall.  The  route  extended 
from  Chicago  to  Detroit,  but  in  1900  the  rural  free  delivery  was  estab- 
lished, forming  a  network  of  routes  from  Ceresco  and  Battle  Creek. 

Among  those  first  settlei-s  from  '31  to  '36  were  Estes  Rich  on  section 
12,  Henry  L.  and  Benjamin  Dwinell  on  section  23,  Daniel  Guernsey  on 
sections  6  and  7,  Es(iuire  Hall.  Esq.,  on  7,  Stephen  Warren  on  sections 
14  and  15,  Jacob  Spaulding  on  section  29. 

I\Ir.  Rich  erected  the  first  log  house  on  his  land  on  section  12.  It  is 
now,  after  undergoing  several  repairs,  owned  by  Mary  J.  Sayres,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  venerable  landmarks  remaining. 

Messrs.  Dwinell  came  from  Auburn,  New  York.  They  were  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  development  of  the  township.  They  opened 
the  first  farm  when  they  sowed  two  acres  of  wheat  which  turned  out 
exceedingly  smutty. 

In  1833  they,  with  the  help  of  Robert  Wheaton,  erected  a  primitive 
bridge  of  poles  over  the  Kalamazoo  river,  at  the  place  now  called  Wheat- 
field.  This  was  then  called  White's  Station,  but  later  was  changed  when 
people  found  out  about  the  surrounding  wheat  growing  land.  A  mill 
was  erected  and  for  many  years  was  the  only  one  used  by  the  people 
in  that  part  of  the  township,  in  1908  a  magnificent  new  iron  bridge  was 
erected  and  the  mill  and  adjoining  land  was  sold  to  the  Citizens'  Electric 
Light  Co.,  of  Battle  Creek. 


IIlSTOliY  OF  CAIvlIorX  CorXTY  •  183 

Tlic  land  wliich  was  owned  by  Daniel  Guernsey  is  now  part  of  Post's 
addition  in  the  city  of  Battle  Creek.  What  became  of  Mr.  Guernsey  was 
never  known.  • 

The  tirst  graveyard  was  laid  out  and  donated  by  Miehael  Spencer 
on  section  14,  in  the  fall  of  1835.  The  first  interment  was  that  of  Stephen 
Warren,  who  died  June  11,  1835,  and  was  buried  temporarily  on  his 
farm,  later  his  remains  wei-e  dug  up  and  re-interred  in  the  newly  laid 
out  burying  ground,  where  they  still  repose.  The  old  farm  on  section  14 
is  still  owned  by  the  Warren  estate,  but  the  part  on  section  15  iS  owned 
by  Julius  Crosby  and  has  been  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

As  at  the  present  day,  education  was  cared  for  as  early  as  possible 
and  it  is  found  that  a  log  school  house  was  erected  in  the  Spencer  neigh- 
borhood in  1833.  Miss  Cynthia  Maynard,  sister  of  Colonel  Maynard  one 
of  the  old  pioneers  of  Marengo  township,  taught  it  during  the  winter  of 
1833  and  1834.  Not  until  1876  and  77  was  the  township  divided  into 
districts.  At  present  date  there  are  ten  districts  and  it  is  expected  that 
there  will  be  eleven  in  1913,  because  of  the  talked  of  division  of  the 
Raymond  district  on  section  8. 

Before  any  churches  were  erected  in  Battle  Creek,  some  of  the  families 
of  Emmett  held  religious  services,  which  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Merrill, 
as  early  as  1834.  Some  of  the  regular  attendants  were  Ira  Warren  and 
wife,  Benjamin  Dwinell  and  wife,  Estes  Rich,  and  i\Iichael  Spencer  and 
wife.  No  regularly  organized  church  existed  in  the  present  limits  of  the 
township,  because  all  of  the  citizens  gave  liberally  toward  their  respective 
churches  in  Battle  Creek.  At  the  present  writing,  there  is  no  regularly 
organized  church  in  the  township,  but  in  the  Raymond  district  on  section 
8,  Sunday  school  is  held  eveiy  Sunday  afternoon  at  2:30,  and  there 
is  always  a  large  attendance.  Some  of  the  ladies  who  are  and  have  been 
willing  workers  toward  making  the.  service  successful  are,  Mesdames 
William  Hall.  Vivian  Moore.  Mort  Nye,  George  Brininstool,  Sara 
llitiw  iicil  and  E.  Case.  As  in  former  days,  the  citizens  all  have  their 
respfctive  churches  in   Battle  Creek  and  there' they  attend. 

In  1836  the  village  of  Verona  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  by  General 
Ezra  Convis.  It  holds  (juite  an  important  history  of  this  vicinity  as 
having  been  for  two  or  three  years  a  rival  of  the  then  strugging  village  of 
Battle  Creek.  It  has  even  been  asserted  that  had  General  Convis  lived. 
and  brought  his  interest  as  a  member  and  speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  to  bear,  the  terminus  of  the  railroad  would  have  been 
there  instead  of  at  Battle  Creek  and  it  would  have  stood  now  as  a  city 
instead  of  a  mere  hamlet. 

A  grist  mill  was  erected  there  in  1S38  liy  John  Stuart  and  Jolm  Van 
Arman,  who  was  later  the  great  crimiiuil  lawyer  of  Chicago.  The  original 
Imilding  still  remains  after  sustaining  many  additions  and  repairs,  and 
until  last  year  was  used  as  a  gi'ist  mill,  when  it  was  sold  to  the  Connnon- 
wealtli  Power  Co. 

During  the  years  11)1)0  and  11)03.  the  intcrnrlian  line  was  built 
through  this  township.  This  i-oad  i-uiis  from  Kalamazoo  1o  Jackson. 
Detroit  and  Toledo  and  the  jicojilc  in  Emmett  townshij)  ilo  not  feel  thai 
thev  are  country  folks  anynmi-c.     It  is  onl\-  a  few  minntcs'  ride  to  P.attlc 


184  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Creek  or  Marshall  and  a  few  hours'  ride  will  take  them  to  Detroit  or 
Toledo. 

There  are  three  other  roads  running  through  the  township.  The 
^Michigan  Central,  Grand  Trunk  and  D.  T.  &  M.  The  assessed  valuation 
of  the  electric  road,  alone,  is  .$40,000.00. 

The  Grand  Trunk  shops  were  built  in  Emmett  in  1909  on  sections 
5  and  8.  The  main  shops  cost  upwards  from  $3,000,000.00.  Here  from 
four  to  five  hundred  men  are  employed.  The  men  with  their  families 
came  here  and  as  there  were  not  enough  empty  houses  near  the  shops, 
they  built  homes  on  section  5,  on  what  is  now  Brownlee  Park.  This  led  to 
the  laying  out  of  more  parks  and  suburbs.  At  present  there  are  ten. 
They  are  namely  :  Grand  View  Gardens  on  section  9,  Eastdale  on  section 
9,  Green  Acre  on  section  10,  Wattles  Park  on  section  10,  Greenwood  Park 
on  section  8,  Greenfield  Park  on  section  5,  Wooden  "s  Park  on  section  18, 
Morgan  Park  on  section  18,  Sunrise  Heights  on  section  18,  Brownlee  on 
sections  5  and  8, 

The  Citizens'  Electric  Light  Plant  have  all  of  their  property,  motors 
and  water  power  in  Emmett,  their  assessed  valuation  being  upwards  from 
$30,000.00. 

We  find  the  following  minutes  of  the  first  road  in  the  township  of 
Emmett,  in  the  early  records  on  file  in  the  township  clerk's  office: 

' '  Beginning  at  a  stake  set  in  the  centre  of  the  road  running  westerly 
to  the  bridge  across  Battle  Creek  near  its  conjunction  with  the  Kalamazoo 
river,  on  section  7,  in  town  2  south,  of  range  7  west,  2  rods  east  of  the 
section  range  line;  thence  running  south  parallel  with  the  said  section 
7,  towards  south  range  7,  west,  2  rods  from  said  line ;  50  chains  and  50 
links  to  the  centre  of  the  territorial  road  running  through  Goguac  Prairie. 

"Ezra  Convis,  Surveyor, 

"Asahel  Lowell, 

' '  Isaac  Thomas,  Commissioners  of  Highways. ' ' 

This  road  is  now  paved  and  is  Battle  Creek's  Main  street. 

During  the  last  five  years,  five  miles  of  state  road  has  been  built  going 
southeasterly  from  Battle  Creek,  and  passes  Beadle  Lake.  Said  lake  is 
Emmett 's  favorite  resort,  partly  because  of  the  beauty  of  the  resort,  but 
mostly  on  account  of  the  geniality  of  the  host  and  hostess,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C. 
E.  Kistler.  They  own  a  fine  store  and  lunch  room  there  and  have  boats 
to  let,  and  they  do  everything  in  their  power  to  make  one's  stay  there  a 
never-to-be-forgotten  one. 

In  1838,  Emmett  township  was  noted  for  its  wheat-raising  capacity, 
and  at  that  time  White's  Station  was  changed  to  Wheatfield.  Some  of 
the  prominent  men  of  that  time  who  raised  wheat  and  grains  were  Loomis 
Hutchinson  on  sections  27  and  34,  William  Neubre  on  sections  27  and 
34,  Thomas  Knight  on  section  13.  At  the  present  time  there  is  very 
little  done  toward  raising  grains.  The  money-makers  now  specialize  in 
the  gardening  or  dairy  business.  Some  of  the  leading  gardeners  being 
Ernest  Chilson  on  section  8,  Ray  Panning  on  section  24,  A.  A.  Peck  on 
section  4,  and  James  Blankon  on  section  9.  Ernest  Chilson  is  the  oldest 
and  most  experienced  gardener  and  has  greenhouses  built  for  winter  use. 


IIISTOKY   OF  CALllOrX   COINTY 


185 


The  leading  dairyinen  are  William  T.  Sackrider  on  seel  ion  14,  .loliii 
Cronkhite  on  section  !),  Charles  Ilntchinson  on  seetiini  '21.  and  Ka\  l-'an- 
aing  on  section  24. 

In  1888  a  town  meeting  was  held  at  Jeremiah  Gardner's,  on  Monday, 
April  2.  ^Michael  Spencer,  was  chosen  moderator  and  Samnel  Kohinson, 
clerk  of  said  meeting.    Present,  David  H.  Daniels,  justice. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  adopted. 

■'Resolved,  that  fence  four  and  a  half  feet  high,  well  iiiadc  of  sub- 
stantial materials  shall  he  lawful  fence. 

"Resolved,  that  we  raise  fifty  dollars  for  relief  of  the  poor. 

■■Resolved,  that  we  raise  fifty  dollars  for  the  support  and  re]iaiiing  of 
bridges  in  said  township. 

■■Resolved,  that  our  supervisor  be  instructed  to  present  to  flic  town- 
ship of  Milton  a  claim  for  our  reasonable  share  of  all  money  and  prop- 
erty- belonging  to  oriuinal  townsliip  of  ]\Iilton. 


■  .' 

-Ikh-ev   C 


■■Resolved,  that  the  supervisors  of  (.'alhoun  county  be  authorized  to 
borrow  twenty-eight  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dollars  to  finish  the  coui't 
house  at  Marshall. 

■■Resolved,  that  the  legislatuie  of  this  state  be  ami  is  hereby  re- 
quested to  change  the  name  of  this  township  from  Cady  to  Andover. 

■■Resolved,  that  each  and  every  overseer  of  highways  shall  be  fence- 
viewer  and  pound  master  and  his  owti  yard  a  pound." 

'■The  following  pensons  were  then  elected  overseers  of  highways  in 
their  re.spective  districts:  j\Iichael  Spencer,  district  No.  1 ;  Asahel  Beach, 
district  Xo.  2  ;  Anson  Inman,  district  No.  3  ;  David  N.  Salter,  district  No. 
4 ;  Otis  Williams,  district  No.  5 ;  Samuel  Robinson,  district  No.  6 ; 
George  Beau,  district  No.  7  ;  Samuel  G.  Wallace,  district  No.  8 ;  Augu.stus 
Mather,  district  No.  9;    Truman  Allen,  district  No.  10;    Arly  N.  Craw- 


186  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ford,  district  No.  11 ;  Daniel  Wooden,  district  No.  12;  William  Newman, 
district  No.  13 ;  Alanson  Cantine,  district  No.  14. 

"On  canvassing  the  ballots,  the  following  persons  were  found  to 
have  been  elected  officers  of  the  township  of  Cady  for  the  ensuing  year : 
Levi  Morton,  Supervisor ;  Samuel  Robinson,  Township  Clerk ;  Asa 
Lowell,  David  Howell  and  Samuel  G.  Wallace,  Justices  of  Peace ;  David 
W.  Gibbs,  Collector;  Michael  Spencer  and  Asahel  Beach,  Directors  of 
Poor;  Samuel  G.  Wallace,  David  Calkins  and  Caleb  0.  Ferris,  Com- 
missioners of  Highways;  David  Howell,  Fordyce  Rhoades  and  Robert 
Adams,  Inspectors  of  Schools;  David  Gibbs,  John  Lowry,  George  More- 
house, John  DeGroat,  Kenyon  Johnson,  John  Rhoades,  Constables ;  Asa 
Lowell,  N.  Salter  and  Smith  Berry,  Assessors. 

"Resolved,  that  the  next  annual  meeting  shall  be  held  at  the  house 
now  kept  by  Moses  Lowell. 

"Michael  Spencer,  Moderator, 
"David  H.  Daniels,  Justice, 
"Samuel  Robinson,   Clerk." 

The  towiiship  has  always  been  a  Republican  one,  and  has  only  been 
Democratic  for  live  years  since  1892.  During  that  time  some  of  the 
leading  men  have  been:  Ray  Fanning,  two  years  treasurer;  Charles 
Kistler,  clerk  ten  years  and  highway  commissioner  four  years;  Clayton 
Strait,  highway  commissioner  three  years;  John  Cronkhite,  clerk  one 
year  and  treasurer  for  two  years ;  Jake  Paul,  treasurer  one  year ;  George 
Blake,  treasurer  two  years  and  clerk  three  years;  and  Julius  Crosby, 
supervisor  twelve  years.  At  the  present  time,  Charles  Hutchinson  is  the 
supervisor.  It  might  be  well  to  say  here  that  his  father,  Loomis,  held 
that  office  from  1865  to  1875.  Some  of  the  leading  Democrats  are  William 
Hall,  George  Reese,  Charles  Eyre,  Ransom  Markham  and  Eri  Cowles. 

The  Union  Grange,  No.  292,  was  organized  during  the  month  of 
March.  1.S74.  Some  of  the  first  members  were,  John  Woodworth,  Mrs. 
Whiting  lluti-liinson.  Theresa  Johnson,  Mr.  and  i\lrs.  A.  JM.  Sharpsteen, 
and  Herbert  Jlerchant.  The  society  owned  a  hall  where  they  held  all 
of  their  meetings. 

In  1892,  a  club  was  organized  under  the  name  of  the  Ceresco  Farmer's 
Club.  Some  of  the  first  members  were,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Reese,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ned  Hough,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Woodworth,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Melzar  Canright,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Mills,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orson  Avery, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Brininstool,  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Mort  Nye,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Julius  Cidshy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ransom  Markham.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Herbert 
]\Icr(hanl  jiiid  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  L.  Lewis.  All  of  these  members,  except 
Mv.  Lewis,  are  living  and  still  attend  the  club  and  have  built  it  up  until 
now  there  are  200  members,  and  this  club  is  the  largest  in  the  state. 
The  meetings  are  held  the  last  Wednesday  in  every  month  at  the  re- 
spective houses  and  after  a  picnic  dinner,  a  fine  literary  program  is  en- 
joyed and  some  topic  of  the  day  is  discussed. 

Fredonia  Township 

Fredonia  is  noted  for  its  fine  farms,  its  beautiful  lakes  and  its  excel- 
lent churches.     Among  its  numerous  lakes  may  be  mentioned  Lyon,  one 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  187 

of  tlie  most  beautiful  autl  iicst  known  sheets  of  wafci'  in  the  i-oiint\'.  Its 
watei's  which  are  deep  and  put-e  abound  witli  fish,  lis  high  aiul  wooded 
banks  fui-nish  delightful  loeatious  for  cottages,  which  are  utilized  by 
season  resorters,  while  the  fine  grove  overlooking  the  lake  furnishes  a 
popular  place  for  holding  large  gatherings  of  the  people.  Cedar,  Long 
and  Fish  are  other  lakes  of  considerable  size  in  the  township,  while  the 
Nottawa  Creek  with  its  characteristically  low  marshy  banks  flows  from 
the  south,  north  and  out  into  Newton  through  the  west  central  part  of  the 
town.  Originally,  Fredonia  was  abundantly  supplied  with  a  flne  growth 
of  hard  wood  tindier;  red,  white  and  burr  oak;  ash,  black  and  white, 
maple  and  elm  predominating.  The  surface  is  generally  level,  except 
in  localities  in  the  west  part  where  it  is  rolling.  The  soil,  as  a  whole, 
is  of  good  (iualit.y,  some  parts  being  exceptionally  fine.  There  are,  in 
Fredonia,  farms  which  for  beauty  and  fertility  are  not  surpassed  in 
the  county. 

The  township  is  designated  l\v  tlie  United  States  surveyors  as  town 
3  south,  range  6  west.  It  was  organized  in  1838.  The  first  town  meet- 
ing was  held  at  the  home  of  Ebby  Hyde  on  the  second  day  of  April, 
1838,  when  officers  for  the  new  township  were  chosen.  John  Houston 
lieing  the  first  supervisor,  an  office  to  which  he  was  several  times  chosen, 
and  Putnam  Root  the  first  clerk. 

Tlionias  Burland  is  the  recognized  first  pioneer.  Born  and  reared 
in  Yorkshire,  England,  he  with  his  wife  and  three  daughters  left  that 
country  in  1831  and  in  May,  1833  settled  on  section  24  in  the  town- 
ship of  Fredonia. 

On  the  flrst  day  of  October,  1833,  John  Houston  left  Rochester,  New 
York,  to  which  place  he  had  previously  moved  from  Hanover,  New 
Hampshire,  where  he  was  born,  with  his  wife  and  three  children  for 
Michigan,  arriving  at  the  place  in  November,  settling  on  section  9, 
whicli  was  ever  after  his  home.  Upon  the  section  named  he  built  the  first 
frame  house  in  the  town.  'Sir.  Houston  died  in  October,  1869,  at  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  To  the  day  of  his  death  he  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  town.  His  son,  John  Houston,  was  sheriff  of  Cal- 
houn county,  for  four  years  a  member  of  the  ^liehigan  legislature  and 
vice-president  of  the  City  National  l>ank  of  ^Mai'shall.  Joel  Houston 
who  now  resides  at  the  old  home,  is  otie  of  tlie  honored  citizens  of  the 
county. 

Among  others  of  the  early  settlers  in  Fredonia  was  Ezekiel  Blue, 
who,  in  183-4,  located  on  section  13,  where  his  son  Peter  now  owns  200 
acres.  Stephen  Maynard  came  in  1836  and  settled  on  section  12,  south 
of  Brace  Lake,  near  the  Eckford  township  line.  Caleb  Tilton  came  from 
Massachusetts  and  in  1834  located  on  section  2.  In  1836  John  B.  Fre- 
denburg  l)rought  his  family  from  Orleans  county,  New  Yoi'k,  and  set- 
tled on  section  23.     ilr.  Fredenburg  was  three  times  elected  supervisor. 

Besides  those  above  mentioned,  there  nuiy  be  named  among  the  early 
settlers,  Thomas  P.  Briggs  and  family,  who  settled  on  section  35  in  the 
year  of  1836 ;  Frank  B.  Wright,  came  to  Marshall  in  1836,  but  did  not 
locate  in  Fredonia  until  some  years  later.  David  Jagor  came  with  his 
family  from  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  in  Decendier.  1836,  and  settled 
on  section  36.     He  liecame  one  of  the  more  lu-ominent  citizens  of  the 


188  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

county,  being  four  times  elected  to  tlie  otifice  of  supervisor.  Ebby  Hyde, 
father  of  the  late  A.  0.  Hyde  of  Marshall,  settled  in  1835  on  section  3. 
It  was  at  his  house  that  the  first  town  meeting  was  held  in  1838.  G.  G. 
Collins,  Oliver  Bailey,  Solomon  Platner,  David  Aldrich,  Edward  M. 
Kingsbury,  Putnam  Root,  Hiram  Carey,  Thomas  Chambers  and  Arnold 
Markhain,  all  deserve  to  be  mentioned  among  the  pioneers  and  early 
.settlers  in  Fredonia  and  who  helped  to  make  the  town  what  it  is.  Schools 
and  churches  from  the  beginning  have  found  a  congenial  atmosphere 
and  have  thrived  in  the  town,  they  in  their  turn  doing  much  to  make 
the  later  generations  worthy  of  the  former. 

Homer  Township 

The  township  of  Homer  is  located  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the 
county.  It  has  an  undulating  surface.  Generally  speaking,  the  soil 
is  fertile.  Originally  it  was  in  part  a  plain  "oak  openings,"  much  of 
which  was  cleared  and  upon  which  the  Indians  raised  maize.  Other 
portions  were  heavily  timbered  with  maple,  beach  and  ash.  while  oak 
and  some  hickory  were  found  on  the  hills  and  slopes.  A  number  of  small 
lakes  are  located  in  different  parts  of  the  township.  The  Kalamazoo 
river  enters  the  town  at  the  east  side  and  fiowing  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  deflects  to  the  north  at  Homer  village  and  from  there  flows 
in  a  northeasterly  direction.  This  stream  furnishes  excellent  water  power 
at  different  points  and  it  was  the  water  power  that  determined  the  loca- 
tion of  Homer  village. 

Homer  was  fortunate  in  the  number  and  character  of  its  early  settlers. 
In  this  respect  it  compares  most  favorably  with  Marshall,  Battle  Creek 
and  Albion.  What  Jesse  Crowell  was  to  Albion,  Sidney  Ketchum  to 
Marshall  and  Sands  ]McCanily  to  Battle  Creek,  Milton  Barney  was  to 
Homer.  It  was  in  1832  that  ]Mr.  Barney  came  from  Lyons,  New  York, 
and  entered  a  large  part  of  the  land  on  which  the  village  of  Homer  now 
stands,  including  the  water  power  of  the  Homer  mills.  In  1833  he 
brought  his  family,  and  that  year  he  built  a  log  house  near  the  site  of 
the  Homer  mills.  About  this  time  he  laid  out  a  plot  for  a  village,  which 
then,  and  for  some  time  after,  was  called  Barneyville.  Mr.  Barney  built 
the  first  saw  mill  and  also  the  first  gi-ist  mill.  These  were  constructed 
by  mechanics,  whom  Barney  had  induced  to  come  west.  He  also  built 
and  run  the  first  hotel.  He  built,  stocked  and  conducted  the  first  store. 
He  gave  the  plot  of  the  ground,  two  acres  in  area,  for  a  cemetary.  He 
was  president  of  the  first  bank,  started  in  Homer  in  the  year  1837.  It 
was  first  located  in  his  store,  but  in  the  following  year  the  directors  put 
up  a  fine  brick  structure  in  the  central  part  of  the  town.  The  first  town 
meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Barney  in  1831.  He  was  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  the  pro.iect  to  connect  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan 
with  those  of  the  Detroit  River  and  Lake  Erie  by  means  of  a  ship  canal, 
following  in  its  general  course  the  channels  of  the  Saint  Joseph  and 
Huron  Rivers.  Surveys  were  made,  levels  were  struck  and  the  project 
regarded  so  feasible,  that  a  favorable  recommendation  was  made  by  the 
engineers.  At  one  time  it  really  looked  as  though  Homer  might  be  an 
important  point  on  the  line  of  a  ship  canal  connecting  the  waters  of 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  189 

two  of  our  grt'iit  iiilaiul  seas.  That  it  was  not  altogether  visiouary  may 
i)e  inferred  from  the  fa<'t  that  for  some  time  there  has  been  before  eon- 
gress  a  bill  to  build  a  ship  eanal  through  southwestern  ^Miehigan.  north- 
ern Indiana  and  northwestern  Ohio,  which  shall  intermingle  the  waters 
of  these  same  two  lakes.  It  is  not  among  the  impossible  things  and  some 
day  the  dream  of  the  Homer  fathers  may  be  realized  though  with  another 
setting. 

By  aet  of  the  legislative  eouneil  in  1834,  the  township  of  Homer 
was  organized  with  an  area  of  twelve  mile  square.  For  judicial  purposes 
this  tract  embraced  the  present  townships  of  Homer,  Albion,  Eckford  and 
Clarendon.  The  early  settlers  bunched  their  holdings,  resulting  in  the 
formation  of  settlements  in  diiTerent  sections  with  Homer  as  a  sort  of 
center.  ^Vhat  for  many  years  was  known  as  the  Pennsylvania  settle- 
ment on  the  plains  northeast  of  Homer  was  begun  in  1832,  when  Henry 
and  Richard  ^IcBIurtrie  and  Powell  Grover,  all  single  men,  came  in  from 
Pennsylvania,  entered  land  and  put  up  log  houses.  The  same  year 
Willam  Winter  came  and  having  located  his  land  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood, went  back  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1833  brought  his  family  and 
stock  with  him.  The  descendants  of  these  hardy  pioneers  still  possess 
more  or  less  of  the  original  holdings  of  the  ancestors. 

In  1834  came  Cornelius  Fisher  and  with  him  six  sons,  viz :  Philip, 
^latthias.  John,  Benjamin,  Enoch  and  Joseph,  instituted  what  has  since 
been  known  as  the  Fisher  settlement.  About  the  same  time  came  John 
Kerns  and  his  sons  Jeremiah  and  Aaron,  and  James  ^IcGregor  and 
Abram  Kehl.  These  led  the  way  for  others  and  the  building  up  of  a 
thickly  settled  and  prosperous  community.  It  was  in  1832  that  Henry 
Cook,  of  Cayuga  county.  New  York,  came  via  Homer  and  located  on 
what  for  many  years  has  lieen  known  as  Cook's  Prairie,  in  Eckfoi'tl 
township,  and  started  a  settlement,  which  in  the  course  of  the  years  lias 
exercised  great  influence  on  the  county.  About  the  same  time  Anthony 
Doolittle  came  up  from  Ohio  and  selected  a  location  a  little  to  the  west 
of  Homer,  in  what  is  now  the  township  of  Clarendon. 

It  183-1  Timothy  and  Elihu  Leach  located  three  miles  to  the  south- 
east. In  1836  Joseph  Gibbs,  Andrew  Dorsey,  John  M.  B.  Weatherwax, 
Dr.  George  B.  Blair,  Elery  P.  Potter  and  Rufus  Hall  became  residents 
of  the  township.  In  1837,  David  Burt,  Arza  Lewis,  Hiram  Smith,  Ed- 
ward Henderson,  David  L.  ^Mahoney  and  Jliehael  Jliller  were  valuable 
acquisitions  to  the  rapidly  increasing  population.  "The  Jaynes  Settle- 
ment" was  instituted  in  1838  by  the  brothers  David,  John,  Huntington 
and  Eleazer  Jaynes,  W'ho  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  township. 

These  sturdy  pioneers,  with  others  who  have  not  been  named  but 
equally  worthy,  laid  secure  and  strong  the  foundation  upon  which  their 
descendants,  with  the  later  comers,  have  built  up  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous and  intelligent  townships  in  the  county. 

Homer  Village 

To  Jlilton  Barney  is  due  the  credit  of  selecting  the  site  for  the 
village  of  Homer,  which  was  incorporated  in  1871.  Time  has  proven  the 
wisdom  of  that  selection.     For  beauty  of  location  it  is  not  surpassed  in 


190 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


the  county.  For  the  character  of  its  business  blocks,  its  tine  churches 
and  superior  schools,  its  excellent  class  of  private  homes,  its  spacious 
and  well  kept  lawns,  its  finely  shaded  streets  and  long  stretches  of  well 
constructed  and  durable  sidewalks,  it  will  bear  favorable  comparison 
with  many  much  larger  places.  The  superior  electric  lighting  plant, 
which  was  established  in  1890  and  its  recently,  1911,  installed  system  of 
water  works,  place  within  the  reach  of  all  its  people  the  enjoyment  of 
what  are  termed  modern  improvements. 

Three  lines  of  railroad  make  it  very  accessible.  The  "Air  Line" 
of  the  Michigan  Central  system  runs  from  Jackson  to  Niles,  connecting 
with  the  main  line  at  both  of  these  places.  The  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan 


High  School,  Homee 


Southern  gives  a  direct  line  to  the  capitol  of  the  state  and  on  to  the 
northeast ;  to  the  south  it  not  only  intersects  the  main  line  at  Jonesville, 
but  gives  direct  service  to  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
The  third  road  runs  from  Toledo  at  the  southeast,  to  Allegan  at  the 
northwest.  This  last  named  road  gives  access  to  the  ports  on  Lake 
Michigan  and  through  Toledo  a  fine  outlet  to  the  markets  of  the  East. 
The  water  power  located  by  Barney  and  conserved  by  a  fine  cement  dam, 
recently  built,  is  now  as  it  was  eighty  years  ago,  one  of  the  most  valuable 
of  the  village  assets. 

Education  has  from  the  first  been  encouraged  in  Homer.  As  early 
as  1845,  through  the  enterprise  of  some  of  its  leading  citizens,  the 
classical  studies  were  taught  in  the  then  village.  In  1856  its  people 
erected  a  brick  building  to  be  used  as  an  academy.  Later,  this  became 
the  home  of  the  high  school  and  that  in  turn  gave  place  to  a  modern 
high  school  building,  erected  in  1890,  that  is  rarely  equalled  in  any  com- 
munity of  like  size.     A  study  of  that  portion  of  this  volume  treating 


HISTORY  OF  CALllOl'X  (OUXTY  191 

on  the  war  for  the  Union  will  show  that  Homer  in  that  iriiii;il  pciiod 
acted  well  its  part.  The  memories  of  her  heroes  of  IStil-lif)  will  stir  tlie 
patriotic  blood  of  her  youth  for  generations  to  come. 

The  TuwNtiiiip's  Public  ;\Ien 

It  is  not  surprising  that  a  community  of  the  intelligence  and  charac- 
ter of  those  composing  the  township  and  village  of  Homer  should  be 
recognized  beyond  local  limits  and  from  time  to  time  her  representative 
citizens  be  called  to  public  service.  In  this  regard  Homer  has  been  ex- 
ceptional, when  the  number  of  her  people  is  considered.  In  1888,  An- 
drew Dorsey  served  the  county  as  a  member  of  the  Michigan  House  of 
Representatives.  In  1840,  Harvey  Cook  was  chosen  to  the  same  honor- 
able office.  In  1848,  Hiram  Smith  was  elected  and  in  1855,  Daniel  Duna- 
kin.  William  Cook  served  the  people  of  the  county  and  the  state  in 
the  same  capacity  from  1861  to  1864,  during  the  Civil  war  period. 
George  H.  French,  a  name  still  much  honored  in  Homer,  was  state 
senator  from  1861  to  1864,  inclusive.  It  is  a  Ittle  singular  and  at  the 
same  time  to  her  great  credit,  that  Homer  should  have  furnished  during 
the  critical  period  of  the  war,  both  the  senator  from  this  district  and  the 
member  of  the  State  House  of  Representatives.  William  Cook  served 
in  the  senate  from  1875  to  1877,  and  Arthur  Bangham,  then  and  for  a 
long  time  previous  a  resident  of  Homer,  but  now  and  for  some  years 
a  citizen  and  postmaster  of  Albion,  ably  represented  this  district  in  the 
senate  from  1901  to  1904.  M.  H.  Lane,  for  many  years  editor  and  still 
owner  of  the  Homer  Index,  served  as  probate  judge  of  the  county 
for  a  period  of  eight  years.  Perhaps  no  one  thing  better  indicates  the 
standing  of  Homer,  village  and  township,  in  the  county  than  tins  list 
of  men  chosen  from  her  people  to  serve  the  county  and  state  in  re- 
sponsible positions. 

Homer  B.\nks 

The  first  bank  of  Homer,  which  also  bears  the  distinction  of  being  the 
first  bank  of  its  kind  in  the  state  of  Michigan,  was  known  as  the  Farmer's 
Bank  of  Homer,  incorporated  August  19,  1837.  Its  president  was  Milton 
Barney,  and  cashier  Asahel  Finch,  Jr.,  with  ]\Iilton  Barney.  Hiram 
Smith,  N.  D.  Skeels,  Henry  Cook,  Arza  Lewis,  Leonard  Stowe,  Walter 
Wright,  and  John  Burt  as  directors.  It  was  what  was  known  in  those 
days  as  a  "Wild  Cat"  bank,  pure  and  simple,  but  did  a  flourishing  busi- 
ness during  its  three  short  years  of  life.  Mr.  Andrew  Dorsey,  an  old 
time  resident  of  Homer,  has  in  his  possession  several  pieces  of  the  "cur- 
rency" floated  by  the  institution  during  the  time  it  did  business.  The 
bank  first  commenced  operations  in  the  rear  of  Milton  Barney's  store, 
but  later  erected  a  brick  building  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Calhoun 
State  Bank. 

The  next  bank  to  be  started  in  Homer,  of  which  we  have  any  record, 
was  that  of  Thomas  Lyon,  opened  in  March  1870  and  known  for  many 
years  as  the  "Exchange  Bank,"  later  as  Thomas  Lyon  &  Co.  In  1891, 
Mr.  Lyon  organized  and  incorporated  the  First  State  Bank  of  Homer 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000,  later  increased  to  $35,000.  he  being  its 
president.     E.  P.  Allen,  Earl  J.  Fellows,  and  W.  I\I.  Kellogg  acting  as 


192  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

cashiers  at  different  periods.  In  1896  the  First  State  Bank  absorbed  the 
Farmer's  State  Bank,  and  in  1897  it  was  dissolved  and  succeeded  by  the 
Homer  Banking  Co.,  with  Thomas  Lyon,  Lottie  L.  Lyon  and  J.  W. 
Breakey  as  co-partners.  This  institution  was  later  absorbed  by  the 
Calhoun  State  Bank,  Mr.  Lyon  having  died  in  April,  1898.  In  speaking 
of  Mr.  Lyon  and  his  banking  enterprises  one  speaks  largely  of  both  the 
banking  history  and  the  progress  of  the  town  during  the  twenty-eight 
years  of  his  life  there.  Naturally  a  progressive,  and  optimistic  as  to  the 
future  of  his  adopted  home  he  threw  himself  into  the  task  of  building 
up  his  own  business  and  that  of  the  town,  and  many  of  Homer's  finest 
buildings  are  the  direct  result  of  his  handiwork  and  foresight. 

In  1875,  Albert  V.  Parks  and  Wells  Pratt  .started  a  private  bank 
known  as  Parks  &  Pratt  and  did  a  flourishing  business  for  a  number  of 
years,  finally  closing  their  doors  in  the  summer  of  1888. 

The  firm  of  Andrus  &  Webster  opened  a  banking  office  in  May,  1887. 
the  firm  being  composed  of  Albert  Andrus  and  William  J.  Webster.  In 
1892  they  incorporated  as  the  Farmer's  State  Bank  with  .$15,000  capital, 
Geo.  W.  Aldrich,  president,  Albert  Andrus,  vice-president,  and  W.  J. 
Webster,  cashier,  and  were  absorbed  by  the  First  State  Bank  in  August, 
1896.  Again  in  December,  1896,  the  same  parties  started  another  private 
bank  under  the  firm  name  of  Webster  &  Andrus,  and  conducted  a  very 
successful  business  until  March  1.  1911,  when  they  sold  out  to  the 
Homer  State  Bank.  The  latter  bank,  capitalized  at  $20,000.00  with  Fred 
S.  Cortright  as  president,  Geo.  D.  Cleveland,  vice-president,  and  Frank 
J.  Dibble,  cashier,  continued  to  do  business  at  the  same  stand  until  ab- 
sorbed by  the  Calhoun  State  Bank.  July  29,  1912. 

The  latest  and  only  liaiikiiifi'  institution  in  Homer  at  the  present  time 
was  originally  startetl  ;is  ;i  priv;itc  bank  in  the  old  Raby  building  at  the 
west  end.  Dr.  E.  M.  Nix.  a  proniinciit  physician,  and  vice-president  of 
the  Boies  State  Savings  Bank,  of  Hudson,  Jliohigan,  with  his  son-in-law. 
Earl  J.  Fellows,  opened  up  for  business  on  ihireh  28,  1898,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Nix  &  Fellows,  E.  J.  Fellows  acting  as  manager.  Dr.  Nix 
died  in  the  fall  of  1901.  and  Mr.  Fellows  organized  and  incorporated  the 
Calhoun  State  Bank  in  Februaiy.  1902.  taking  over  the  business  of  the 
old  firm.  The  bank  was  capitalized  at  $20,000  with  E.  J.  Fellows,  presi- 
dent, William  A.  Lane,  vice-president.  Marcia  J.  Nix,  ]Mabelle  C.  Fellows 
and  Rollo  E.  Goodrich  as  directors  and  stockholders.  R.  D.  Gardner 
acting  as  cashier.  Both  institutions  have  met  with  signal  success  and  have 
enjoyed  to  the  fullest  extent  the  confidence  of  the  people  of  the  com- 
munity, and  the  Calhoun  State  Bank  bears  the  distinction  of  having 
absorbed  both  its  original  competitors.  At  the  present  time  the  capital 
stock  is  $30,000  with  surplus  of  $6,000  and  resources  of  over  $375,000.00. 
Officers  and  directors  are  E.  J.  Fellows,  president;  John  C.  Snyder, 
vice-president;  R.  D.  Gardner,  cashier;  John  Hoffman,  R.  E.  Goodrich, 
C.  R.  Church,  and  A.  E.  Hunter.    Elbert  L.  Andrews  is  assistant  cashier. 

Lee  Township 

In  the  north  tier  of  townships  and  lying  between  Clarence  and  Convis, 
is  located  the  township  of  Lee.    Originally  nearly  one-half  of  the  township 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  193 

was  taken  up  by  the  "Tamarac  Swamp,"  which  ran  through  its  centre. 
Much  of  this  swamp  has  been  drained  and  is  now  under  cultivation,  the 
drained  part  constituting  some  of  the  best  land  in  the  county.  The  town- 
ship, aside  from  the  swainp  was  originallj',  heavily  timbered  with  oak, 
beach,  maple,  ash,  whitewood  and  basswood.  Much  of  it  was  tine  saw 
timber,  but  the  difiii-ulty  of  transportation  caused  some  of  the  best  timber 
iu  the  county  to  be  cut  and  burned  in  log  heaps  that  the  land  might  be 
cleared  and  cultivated. 

There  are  several  small  streams  in  the  to\^'nship.  Of  these.  Big  creek 
takes  its  rise  near  the  centre  and  flows  northeast  into  Eaton  county ; 
Indian  creek  crosses  the  northwest  corner.  A  southern  branch  of  this 
stream  rises  in  School  lake  and  Lake  of  the  Woods,  which  together  with 
Purdy  lake  are  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  township. 

No  railroad  touches  the  township  at  any  point.  Geuei-ally  speaking, 
the  public  highways  are  in  good  condition  and  afford  aveniies  over  which 
the  abundant  products  of  the  farms  are  transported  to  the  markets. 

The  earliest  comers  into  Lee  township  were  Amos  Hadden  and 
Nicholas  Stanley.  In  the  spring  of  1835  they  entered  and  occupied  a  part 
of  section  36  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town.  Two  unusual  tragedies 
befell  the  Stanley  family.  One  of  these  is  perhaps  the  most  pathetic 
incident  in  the  history  of  the  eountv. 

One  evening  in  the  fall  of  1837,  hearing  the  tinkling  of  a  cow  bell  a 
short  distance  from  his  home,  Mr.  Stanley  sent  his  six  year  old  son  to 
drive  in  the  cows.  In  tlie  gloom  of  the  evening  the  cows  came  walking 
leisurely  up  to  the  house  but  no  child  with  them.  The  deepening  shadows 
already  enveloped  the  woods.  Repeated  calls  brought  no  reply  from  the 
child  and  a  hurried  and  frantic  search  by  members  of  the  household  was 
unrewarded.  For  three  days  all  the  settlers  in  that  immediate  section 
searched  the  woods,  covering  an  area  of  ten  miles,  but  no  trace  of  the  lost 
child  was  found.  At  last,  but  a  half  mile  from  the  home  he  had  left 
buoyant  with  pride  at  the  manly  errand  he  was  sent  to  do,  the  little 
fellow  was  found  in  a  sitting  posture  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  cold  in  death. 
Alone  in  the  forest  he  had  perished  with  cold  and  hunger  and  fright. 
The  services  attending  his  burial  were  the  first  of  a  religious  nature  held 
in  the  township  of  Lee.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  of  Marshall  officiated.  For 
many  years  in  all  that  region  the  cry  of  the  children  was  hushed  by  the 
recital  of  the  story  of  the  lost  child. 

In  January.  1838,  a  second  tragedy  occurred  in  the  Stanley  home 
when  the  father  of  the  lost  child  was  killed  by  the  caving  in  of  a" well. 

In  1836,  Abram  Hadden,  a  brother  of  Amos,  settled  in  the  to^^^lship. 
In  1839,  Benjamin  Thomas  located  in  the  north  central  part  of  the 
to^^Tiship.  B.  S.  Ward,  D.  P.  Wood.  Joseph  Gardinier,  Stephen  Aldrich, 
F.  Garfield,  John  Weaver,  T.  S.  Havens,  Charles  R.  Thomas,  Jesse  Ackley 
were  among  the  early  comers  and  helped  to  make  possible  the  Lee  town- 
ship of  today. 

In  1836,  a  saw  mill  was  built  on  Indian  Creek  by  Sidney  S.  Aleott, 
who  had  located  much  of  sections  6  and  7.  The  mill  was  operated  for 
a  number  of  years.  Later  it  burned  and  was  never  rebuilt.  It  was  tlie 
only  water  power  mill  ever  operated  in  the  tOAvnship. 

In  1844,  the  ''Dover  Company"  was  formed  by  G.  W.  Pwycr  and 


194  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

others.  This  compauy  purchased  a  large  tract  of  timber  in  the  vicinity 
of  what  is  now  the  village  of  Partello.  The  company  began  the  erection 
of  a  mill  and  some  time  after  their  failure  to  complete  it  the  property 
was  bought  by  J.  R.  Partello,  who  put  up  a  saw  mill  in  place  of  the 
one  begun  but  which  had  fallen  into  decay.  Within  a  year  or  two  after 
completion,  the  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire.  A  like  fate  awaited  its  suc- 
cessor and  no  other  was  built.  In  1856,  a  mill  was  erected  at  Lee 
Centre  by  Messi-s.  Fisher  and  Bean.  It  was  operated  by  a  Mr.  Greenough 
in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  and  stoves.  This  mill  burned  in  1862 
and  was  rebuilt  as  a  stove  mill  only. 

Scarcely  had  pioneers  of  Lee  got  their  own  cabin  homes  under  roof 
before  they  began  preparation  for  the  education  of  their  children.  The 
first  school  house  in  Lee  township  was  built  in  1839  on  land  o^^^led  by 
Amos  Hadden  and  situated  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  township. 
The  fii-st  school  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  was  opened  in  1845. 
Miss  Sophia  Stowell,  who  subsequently  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Crit- 
tenden of  Albion,  and  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  elect  ladies  of 
that  city,  was  the  first  teacher.  With  the  increase  of  population  and 
wealth,  the  school  advantages  of  the  town  have  improved  and  the  children 
of  the  township,  though  there  is  no  populous  centre,  do  not  have  to  go 
away  from  home  to  get  the  rudiments  of  an  education. 

In  1845,  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  a  school  house  on  section  9. 
Two  years  later  there  was  formed  at  Lee  Centre  a  cla.ss  of  six  members 
which  was  the  nucleus  of  the  church  which  has  ever  since  existed  there, 
and  soon  after  a  house  of  worship  was  built. 

At  Partello  a  well  sustained  church  exists.  At  Rice  Creek  church 
facilities  are  afforded  to  all  in  that  section  who  wish  to  attend. 

Lee  township  was  organized  in  1840  and  the  first  annual  town  meeting 
in  the  township  was  held  at  the  home  of  F.  Garfield,  on  the  6th  day  of 
April  of  that  year.  Mr.  Garfield  was  chosen  chairman  and  Sidney  S. 
Alcott,  clerk  for  the  day.  The  following  named  officers  were  then  duly 
elected:  Supervisor,  John  Weaver;  Town  Clerk,  F.  Garfield;  Treas- 
urer, Jesse  Ackley  ;  Collector,  Benjamin  Thomas ;  Assessors,  F.  Garfield, 
Amos  Hadden,  Stephen  Aldrich;  Justices,  F.  Garfield,  T.  S.  S.  Holmes, 
Amos  Hadden,  Charles  R.  Thomas;  Overseers  of  Highways,  Amos  Had- 
den, Charles  Thomas,  F.  Garfield,  Jesse  Ackley,  Oliver  Thomas;  School 
Inspectors,  Amos  Hadden,  Stephen  Aldricli,  Benjamin  Thomas;  Poor 
Masters,  John  Ackley,  William  Garfield;  Constables,  John  Clough,  E. 
Aldrich. 

LeRoy  Township 

It  is  claimed  by  some  that  this  township  was  called  LeRoy  at  the 
suggestion  of  David  C.  Fish,  formerly  of  a  town  of  that  name  in  New 
York.  Another  historical  claim  is  that  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  C.  Fish 
was  born  August  26,  1836,  a  son  whom  they  called  LeRoy,  and  was 
thought  to  be  the  first  child  born  in  the  township,  and  in  recognition  of 
that  event  the  proud  mother  suggested  to  Silas  Kelsey,  who  had  done 
much  to  get  the  township  set  off  and  organized,  that  the  name  of  her 
first  born  son  be  the  name  given  the  township,  which  was  accordingly 
done.     But  when  the  name  LeRoy  was  recorded  and  published  and  the 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  195 

reason  for  its  selection  given  and  the  date  of  the  birth  of  LeRoy  Fish 
given,  along  came  the  parents  of  Charles  E.  Baker,  residents  of  the  same 
township,  and  claimed  that  their  son  was  born  two  months  and  nine  days 
before  baby  Fish;  and  before  either  of  these  boys,  the  ancient  chrono- 
logists  sav  Esther  A.,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Martin  Cole,  was  born, 
May  1.  1836. 

Whatever  is  the  e.\aet  truth  as  to  name  and  the  reason  given  for 
choosing  it,  certain  it  is  that  the  township  called  LeRoy  was  first 
known  only  by  the  surveyors'  description  as  town  3,  south,  range  4, 
west,  and  that  for  several  years  it  belonged  to  a  confederation  of  which 
Athens,  Burlington  and  Newton  were  co-members,  and  that  not  until  by 
an  act  of  the  legislature  of  1837-38  was  it  organized  and  named  as  above 
stated. 

There  is  said  to  be  an  unusual  diversity  of  soil  in  this  township.  On 
the  west  bordering  on  Kalamazoo  county,  there  were  beautiful  burr  oak 
plains  and  again  some  heavily  timbered  lands.  The  soil  in  this  section 
was  of  the  best.  When  the  first  settlers  came,  they  found  a  large  marsh 
extending  through  the  central  part  of  .the  township,  running  from  the 
south  in  a  northwesterly  direction.  Much  of  the  low  ground  having 
been  drained  is  now  rated  among  the  best  land.  This  swamp  or  marsh 
divided  the  town  into  two  sections,  so  that  almost  from  the  beginning 
it  has  been  known  as  East  and  West  LeRoy.  There  are  but  three 
small  lakes  and  no  streams  of  an.y  consequence   in  the  township. 

The  first  settler  in  the  township  was  William  Bishop,  who  located  on 
section  6  in  the  northwest  corner.  David  C.  Fish  made  a  permanent  set- 
tlement on  section  1,  in  1836.  In  this  same  year  came  Heman  Baker, 
who  located  on  section  7 ;  Timothy  Kelsey,  Jonathan  Sprague,  wife,  six 
sons  and  two  daughters,  settled  on  section  2.  In  1837  among  others  who 
came  were  Dudley  X.  Bushnell,  wife  and  two  .sons,  accompanied  by  Silas 
Kelsey.  John  H.  Bushnell,  T.  B.  Bamum.  John  E.  Mulholland,  Isaac 
Hiscock,  Polydore  Hudson,  who  had  been  living  for  some  years  in  Battle 
Creek,  and  Harlow  Burdick  all  came  into  LeRoy  some  time  during  the 
year  1837. 

Silas  Kelsey  is  said  to  have  erected  in  1837  the  first  frame  house  in 
the  town  and  in  1850  Chester  Cole  built  the  first  brick  house.  The  first 
school  in  the  town  was  taught  by  iliss  Hannah  Sprague,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Sprague,  in  1837,  in  district  No.  1.  The  first  saw  mill  was  built 
on  Pine  Creek,  by  Jeremiah  Drake  and  John  Coats,  in  1837.  Truman 
S.  Cole  built  a  steam  saw  mill  in  1847.  This  mill  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  1856  and  was  never  rebuilt.  In  the  last  named  year  a  second 
steam  saw  mill  was  built  by  Andrew  J.  Quick  at  Quick's  Corners.  The 
first  postoffice  in  the  township  was  established  in  1851  and  Truman  S. 
Cole  was  the  first  postmaster.  Later  an  office  was  established  in  East 
LeRoy.  but  since  the  establishment  of  the  rural  free  delivery,  there  has 
been  no  postoffice  in  the  township.  The  first  burying  ground  in  West 
LeRoy  was  laid  out  in  1840  on  land  donated  by  Silas  Kelsey.  The  first 
burying  ground  in  East  LpRoy  was  laid  out  in  1839-40  and  was  donated 
by  Joshua  Robinson.  What  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  death  in  the 
township  was  a  tragedy.  In  the  spring  of  1838  the  clothes  of  Miss 
Harriet  Kelsey,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Timothy  Kel.sey,  accidently 


196  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

caught  fire  and  before  assistance  could  be  rendered  she  was  fatally 
burned,  death  resulting  in  a  short  time.  The  fatality  cast  a  gloom 
over  the  settlements  all  about. 

The  people  who  first  settled  in  LeRoy  township  did  not  leave  their 
religion  behind  them  when  they  came  to  Michigan.  As  early  as  March 
14,  1837,  a  Presbyterian  church  was  organized,  the  meeting  for  that  pur- 
pose being  held  in  Climax.  At  a  meeting  held  Januai-y  25,  1840,  it 
was  voted  unanimouslj'  to  change  the  name  of  the  church  from  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Climax  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
LeRoy.  The  ecclesiastical  relation  Mas  changed  from  the  Kalamazoo  to 
the  Marshall  Presbytery.  In  March,  1846,  by  mutual  consent  of  the 
official  members,  it  was  changed  to  the  Congregational  Church  of  LeRoy. 
This  was  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Asa  Bushnell.  Many  of  the 
foremost  citizens  of  the  town  have  been  enrolled  as  members  of  this 
church,  among  them  may  be  mentioned  Jonathan  Sprague,  Heman  Baker, 
Silas  Kelsey,  William  A.  Sawyer,  John  H.  Bushnell,  Dudley  N.  Bush- 
nell, F.  E.  Bush,  H.  P.  Nichols  and  S.  0.  Bush,  and  their  influence  for 
good  is  still  felt  in  the  town. 

Here  as  elsewhere  in  Calhoun  county,  and  in  Michigan  generally,  the 
Methodists  Avere  early  on  the  ground.  A  class  was  formed  in  1837  and 
regular  sen-ices  were  held  when  there  were  not  more  than  sixtj'  white 
people  living  in  the  township.  In  1856  a  circuit  was  created  in  LeRoy 
and  preaching  was  sustained  at  East,  West  and  South  LeRoy.  Houses 
of  worship,  which  are  a  credit  to  the  town  and  its  people,  have  been 
built  at  West  LeRoy  and  East  LeRoy.  Among  the  people  of  LeRoy  who 
have  been  identified  with  the  ilethodist  Episcopal  church  may  be  men- 
tioned Ammou  Mills,  Thomas  Sprague,  Lyman  R.  Hall,  Benjamin  F. 
Morgan,  R.  Stanton,  il.  Canright  and  Joseph  M.  Fish  in  the  east  part  of 
the  town  in  the  west  part  ili's.  Caroline  McNary,  Francis  Clark, 
Benjamin  Griswold,  Ammon  Mills,  Jr.,  Daniel  Reasoner,  Charles  N. 
Farmer,  D.  W.  Lay,  L.  Cole  and  S.  N.  Hyde.  Sabbath  schools  have  al- 
most from  the  beginning  been  maintained  at  each  and  all  the  churches 
named.  In  the  moral  and  religious  character  of  its  people,  LeRoy  has 
always  ranked  among  the  foremost  in  the  county. 

In  the  days  when  to  be  called  a  "Black  Abolitionist"  was  as  hateful 
an  epithet  as  could  be  hurled  at  one,  there  were  those  in  LeRoy  township 
who  counted  it  an  honor  to  be  openly  known  as  anti-slavery  men.  As 
early  as  1840,  Caleb  Smith,  J.  H.  Bushnell  and  Silas  Kelsey  stood  up 
and"  were  counted,  by  their  votes,  as  the  avowed  friends  of  the  slaves 
and  the  enemies  of  slavery.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1842,  there  was  held 
in  a  grove  on  the  farm  of  Silas  Kelsey,  a  gathering  of  people  from  all 
over  the  county,  and  for  many  years  was  spoken  of  far  and  near  as  the 
"big  meeting,"  which  was  addressed  by  Dr.  Bennett,  an  eloquent  anti- 
■  slavery  orator.  The  sentiments  proclaimed  certainly  gripped  the  com- 
munity, for  it  will  be  an  everlasting  distinction  for  the  township  of 
LeRoy  that  it  was  the  first  in  the  United  States  to  give  a  majority  in 
favor"  of  the  abolition  of  slavery.  When  the  war,  that  was  waged  for 
the  preservation  of  the  Union,  but  resulted  also  in  the  destruction  of 
slavery,  broke  out,  LeRoj''s  sons  were  true  to  their  fathers  and  struggled 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  197 

on  the  battlefield  for  the  triumph  of  the  seutiments  that  iu  (■hikllmod 
they  had  first  enunciated  at  the  fireside. 

JMabengo  Township 

JMarengo  shares  with  ^Marshall  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest 
settled  community  in  the  county.  On  the  16th  day  of  June,  1831,  four 
entries  of  land  M'ere  made  in  the  township  by  the  following  persons,  viz : 
Seelej-  Neal,  Asahel  Warner,  Elijah  Crane  and  A.  Drestin.  Colonel 
John  Ainsley  and  Erastus  Kimball  on  the  -Ith  of  July.  Joseph  Ames, 
Thomas  Chisholm,  Alfred  D.  Wright,  Elijah  A.  Bigelow,  Nathan  Pierce 
and  Francis  Phillip,  all  in  the  year  of  1831.  Several  in  this  list  came 
into  local  prominence.  Nathan  Pierce  served  in  both  the  house  and 
senate  of  the  Michigan  legislature.  Seeley  Neal  "was  one  of  the  com- 
missioners appointed  to  locate  and  surve.y  the  Territorial  road.  Alfred 
Killam  and  ^Melaucthon  J.  Bagg  came  iu  May,  1832.  Loren  Maynard 
came  in  1833  and  put  up  a  commodious  log  house  on  Section  23,  and  for 
nearly  a  dozen  years  kept  tavern ;  his  place  being  noted  for  hospitality. 
Maynard  had  a  strong  bend  toward  public  life,  serving  at  different  times 
as  postmaster,  supervisor,  sheriff  and  state  senator.  Dr.  R.  B.  Porter, 
a  graduate  of  Castleton  College,  Vermont,  who  came  into  the  township 
in  1836,  was  the  pioneer  physician.  Dr.  Porter  had  an  extensive  prac- 
tice. His  professional  services  were  called  for  not  only  in  Marengo,  but 
in  Sheridan,  Eckford,  Clarence  and  Albion.  He  was  the  father  of 
William  H.  Porter,  the  present  probate  judge  of  the  county.  Judge 
Porter  was  the  first  uative  ilareugoite  to  graduate  from  college. 

Several  of  the  men  above  named  were  iu  consultation,  about  the  time 
the  township  was  organized,  as  to  what  name  should  be  given.  The  choice 
seemed  to  lay  between  ilarengo  and  St.  Cloud,  with  final  selection  of  the 
former  name.  Originally  the  township  embraced  what  now  constitutes 
the  townships  of  ilarengo,  Sheridan,  Clarence  and  Lee.  This  was  in 
accordance  with  the  action  of  the  Territorial  council  of  183-i.  By  the 
surveyors'  notes  Marengo  was  known  as  township  2  South,  Range  5 
West  and  by  action  of  the  state  legislature  of  1836-7  the  four 
townships  above  named  were  all  organized  as  independent  units.  Excel 
lent  soil  characterizes  the  land  as  a  whole.  The  surface  is  rolling.  The 
Kalamazoo  river  flows  from  east  to  west  through  the  southern  half, 
while  Rice  creek  comes  down  into  the  township  from  the  northeast  as 
if  to  enter  the  Kalamazoo,  but  takes  a  sudden  turn  and  flows  to  the  south 
west,  later  forming  a  junction  with  the  Kalamazoo  at  Marshall. 

Seeley  Neal,  whose  family  consisted  of  himself,  wife  and  ten  children 
built  the  first  white  man's  house  in  the  township.  It  was  a  log  structure 
located  on  section  27  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  Territorial  road.  It 
was  nearly  on  the  spot  where  later  Colonel  John  Ainsley  built  his  home, 
which  is  well  remembered  by  many  of  the  older  settlers.  The  excellent 
water  power  in  the  township  was  early  taken  advantage  of.  In  1835 
George  Ketchum  built  a  saw  mill  on  Rice  creek.  A  flouring  and  grist 
mill  was  built  on  the  Kalamazoo  river  near  ^Marengo  village  iu  1839. 
While  that  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire,  another  was  built,  and  grists 
now  are  ground  at  the  ]\Iarengo  mill  as  in  the  early  days.     :\Iareug(i  had 


198  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

its  boom  in  1836-37.  A  plot  was  made  and  recorded,  many  buildings 
some  public  and  others  private,  were  put  up.  The  speculator  got  in  his 
work  here,  and  when  the  financial  collapse  came,  Jlarengo's  ambitious 
outlook  for  the  future  went  with  it.  In  the  year  1834,  George  W.  Patti- 
son  began  teaming  between  Detroit  and  Alarshall,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  he  was  the  main  dependence  of  the  community,  both  as  to  freight 
and  passengers. 

George  W.  Drj^er,  with  his  family,  arrived  in  the  fall  of  1833  and  was 
the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  village  being  appointed  in  1835  by 
Stevens  T.  Mason,  who  was  then  acting  governor.  Messrs.  Pattison  and 
Dryer  brought  in  the  first  stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries  in  1834,  which 
they  sold  in  a  short  time  to  Harris  and  Austin.  Pattison  and  Dryer  then 
engaged  in  the  stock  business,  buying  considerable  numbers  of  cattle 
both  in  Illinois  and  ftidiana  and  bringing  them  to  Jlichigan,  where  they 
found  a  ready  market  among  the  large  numbers  of  new  comers  from  the 
East.  The  township  was  long  known  for  its  fine  quality  of  blooded 
sheep,  and  it  is  still  one  of  the  best  stock  townships  in  the  county. 

The  first  school  in  Marengo  opened  in  the  year  1833,  in  the  house 
of  Amos  Kimball.  In  1834,  S.  Powers  taught  in  a  house  erected  on  the 
land  of  Thomas  Chisholm.  The  first  school  house  in  ^Marengo  village 
was  put  up  in  1836,  on  the  site  of  the  present  brick  structure,  and  Miss 
Sarah  Dennis  was  the  teacher. 

The  fii*st  religious  services  held  in  Marengo  were  conducted  by  the 
Rev.  Randall  Hobart,  of  Marshall,  who,  as  a  local  preacher  in  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  performed  a  great  deal  of  gratuitous  service  of  a 
religious  character  in  an  early  day  among  the  people  of  the  county.  In 
1853  there  was  built  in  Marengo  village  a  Union  church,  a  frame  struc- 
ture, forty  by  fifty  feet  in  size.  The  leading  contributors  to  the  build- 
ing fund  of  this  church  were :  John  Evans,  S.  G.  Pattison,  G.  W.  Dryer, 
R.  B.  Porter,  Milo  Soule,  Alden  Boughton,  Augustus  Lusk,  Loren  May- 
nard,  Jacob  Gardinier,  Joseph  Otis,  O.  D.  Rogers,  William  Hewitt  and 
William  Hoskins.  The  donors  are  all  gone,  but  the  building,  which  their 
generosity  made  possible,  still  stands.  It  has  been  kept  in  good  repair, 
and  promises  for  many  years  to  come  to  serve  the  people  of  ^larengo 
as  a  place  of  public  worship,  to  hold  Sunday  school,  and  from  which  to 
bury  their  dead.  ]\Ien,  who  do  these  things  for  those  who  come  after 
them,  are  worthy  of  remembrance.  In  1842  a  Methodist  Protestant 
church  was  formed  at  Rice  creek,  near  where  the  four  townships  of  Ma- 
rengo, Sheridan.  Clarence  and  Lee  corner.  A  house  of  worship  was  built 
in  1853  and  for  sixty  years  it  has  furnished  a  meeting  place  for  those 
living  in  that  section,  who  are  religiously  inclined. 

A  postofifice  was  established  in  the  winter  of  1831-32,  Seeley  Neal 
being  the  first  postmaster.  The  mail  was  frequently  brought  by  the  Rev. 
Elijah  H.  Pilcher,  a  well  known  pioneer  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  It  was  carried  by  him  without  compensation  and  simply 
as  an  accommodation.  Sometimes  it  was  brought  by  travelers,  who  are 
journeying  westward  through  the  place.  The  office  being  located  on  the 
Territorial  road,  made  it  very  convenient  for  the  volunteer  carriers  to 
both,  bring  and  take  the  local  mail.  At  this  time  the  township,  except 
the  village  of  ^Marengo,  is  well  cared  for  by  rural  carriers. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY  199 

The  first  annual  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  first  ]\londa\'  in  April, 
1833,  at  the  home  of  Seeley  Neal.  Joseph  Ames  was  chosen  iluiirinan 
and  Seeley  Neal,  clerk,  pro  tern.  The  following  named  were  duly  elected 
the  first  town  officers:  Seeley  Neal,  supervisor;  Harmon  Xeal,  clci'l<;  Al- 
fred Killam,  Reuben  Abbott  and  Seeley  Neal,  assessors;  Joseph  Ames, 
Seeley  Neal  and  Benjamin  Wright,  road  conunissioners ;  Harmon  Neal, 
constable  and  collector;  Joseph  Ames  and  Reuben  Abbott,  directors  of 
the  poor ;  Joseph  Ames,  overseer  of  roads.  Those  were  great  days  for  the 
politically  ambitious.  Every  man  was  sure  of  an  office,  and  some  had 
two  or  three  thrust  upon  them. 

It  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  chapter  on  the  Civil  wai',  that 
Marengo  has  an  enviable  record  in  that  titanic  struggle.  She  not  only 
put  up  her  full  quota  of  soldiers,  but  some  of  the  bravest  and  most  dis- 
tinguished men  furnished  by  the  county  went  from  within  her  bor- 
ders, ilarengo  township  has  a  record  in  war  and  in  peace,  for  which 
her  people  need  make  no  apologies. 

^Marshall  Township 

The  history  of  ^Marshall  City  and  township  are  so  interrelated  as  to 
important  events  and  the  personnel  having  to  do  with  them  that  the 
chapters  elsewhere  treating  of  various  phases  of  the  city  covers  nuicli 
of  the  township.  There  are  some  things  pertaining  to  the  township  that 
should  be  perpetuated. 

As  is  generally  known,  Marshall,  by  authority  of  the  Territorial 
council,  originally  embraced  all  of  Calhoun  county.  It  was  named  in 
honor  of  the  great  chief  justice,  John  ]Marshall,  who  probably  never  had 
a  superior  if,  indeed,  an  equal  in  the  place  he  long  filled  in  the  highest 
court  of  our  land.  The  various  townships  now  composing  the  county, 
were  gi-adually  set  off,  and  Marshall  township,  with  its  36  sections 
of  splendid  laud,  well  watered  and  well  drained,  took  its  place  as  one  of 
the  twenty  township  units  that  now  compose  the  county.  It  so  remained 
until  1859,  when  a  block,  two  miles  square,  embracing  the  whole  of  sec- 
tions 25  and  26,  the  south  half  of  sections  23  and  24  and  the  north  half 
of  sections  35  and  36,  was  set  off  and  included  in  the  corporate  limits 
of  the  City  of  Marshall. 

The  township  is  generally  level.  Originally  it  was  timbered  with 
white  and  burr  oak.  The  soil  is  a  rich  sandy  loam,  fertile  and  adapted 
to  the  growth  of  grains  and  fruits,  such  as  are  grown  in  this  climate. 
The  Kalamazoo  river  and  Rice  creek  unite  within  the  corporate  limits 
of  ^Marshall  city,  and  flowing  westward,  leaves  the  town.ship  at  Cereseo 
village.  A  fine  water  power  exists  at  Cereseo,  which  has  long  been 
utilized  for  milling  purposes.  A  saw  mill  was  erected  there  as  early  as 
1838  and  the  following  year  John  D.  Pierce,  Joseph  Frink  and  S.  S. 
Alcott  built  a  flouring  mill  at  the  village  at  a  cost  of  $30,000.00.  This 
mill  was  built  of  stone  and  fell  down.  In  1854,  Charles  T.  Gorham  had 
it  rebuilt  and  later  it  burned.  E.  ]\Iorse  and  Co.  had  it  rebuilt  in  1860 
and  again  it  burned.  In  1876  it  was  again  rebuilt,  this  last  time  by 
H.  J.  Perrin.    The  last  time  it  seemed  to  be  a  siiecess. 

The  first  settler  in  the  county  was  a  Mr.  Fuller,  who  came  in  1830 


200  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUX  COUNTY 

and  erected,  about  three  miles  north  of  the  present  City  of  Marshall,  the 
first  house  in  the  county.  John  Bertram,  in  1832,  built  on  the  Seminary 
lands,  which  he  had  bought  of  Samuel  Camp,  the  first  frame  house  in  the 
county.  Bertram  also  put  up  the  first  frame  barn  in  the  county.  Thomas 
Knight  came  to  the  county  in  1832,  as  did  Henry  Failing,  who  afterward 
removed  to  Tekonsha.  Thomas  Knight  and  Daniel  AVoolsey  were  among 
the  early  comers.  These,  with  othere  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  helped  to 
make  Marshall  township  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  Michigan.  Aside 
from  the  district  schools,  which  were  early  established  and  have  been  well 
maintained  in  the  township,  the  youth  have  had  the  advantage  of  the 
Marshall  grade  and  high  schools.  So,  too,  the  people  have  largely  relied 
on  ilarshall  City  for  church  privileges. 

Marshall  and  Ceresco  furnish  excellent  shipping  facilities,  as  the 
Michigan  Central  and  what  was  termed  the  Cincinnati,  Jackson  and 
Mackinaw  railroads  run  through  both  these  places.  Besides  these,  the 
electric  interurban  third  rail  system,  running  from  Jackson  to  Kala- 
mazoo, affords  hourly  passenger  service,  besides  an  avenue,  by  which 
much  freight  is  carried.  Marshall  township,  the  oldest  in  the  county, 
maintains  her  early  prestige  for  the  intelligence,  thrift  and  culture  of 
her  people. 

Newton  Township 

This  township  takes  its  name  from  Newton,  Massachusetts,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Benjamin  Chamberlain,  who  was  a  native  of  the  old  Bay 
state  and  a  resident  of  the  own  of  Newton,  near  Boston.  By  the 
Government  survey,  the  town  is  known  as  town  3  South,  Range  7  West. 
Newton  probably  had  more  acres  of  heavy  timber  and  fewer  of  "oak 
openings"  and  plains,  than  any  other  township  in  the  county.  Because 
of  this  condition,  it  is  believed,  the  township  was  slow  in  settling.  The 
pioneers  generally  avoided  the  heavy  timbered  lands  because  of  the  hard 
work  in  clearing  and  the  delay  in  getting  pi-oductive  farms.  The  Not- 
tawa  creek  is  the  only  stream  that  travei-ses  the  township,  and  this  is 
not  large  enough  to  afford  water  power  for  mills.  There  are  no  lakes 
of  any  considerable  size  in  the  township.  The  soil  is  excellent  and  once 
cleared  produced  excellent  crops. 

The  early  settlers  in  Newton  were  principally  from  western  New 
York.  As  a  class  they  were  hardy  and  resolute  and  determined  to  better 
their  condition  in  the  new  country  and  to  make  homes  for  themselves, 
and  their  children.  They  built  log  houses  for  themselves  and  log  houses 
for  school  and  church  purposes.  One  of  the  first  things  they  sought  was 
the  education  of  their  children,  and  closely  allied  with  this  was  the 
moral  and  religious  insti-uction,  that  came  from  the  introduction 
of  public  worship,  hence  the  preacher  was  welcome  and  there  was 
no  objection  to  using  the  school  houses  as  places  in  which  to  hold  religious 
services.  People  sunk  their  denominational  differences  for  the  common 
good.  Not  onl.y  the  preaching  services,  but  Sunday  schools  and  the 
bible  classes  were  well  attended. 

Granville  Beardslee,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two  daughters, 
came  from  Rochester,  New  York,  in  the  fall  of  1831.  He  was  the  first 
settler  in  the  township,  locating  on  section  1  and  12  in  the  northeast 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  201 

corner.  ]Mr.  Beardslee  had  about  -100  acres,  which  he  converted  into  an 
improved  farm  with  good  buildings  and  orchards.  Jeri-y  and  Asa  Wood- 
ward came  in  1835,  and  located  on  section  3.  George  Smith  settled  on 
the  south  line  of  the  town  in  1833  on  a  very  choice  piece  of  land.  His 
sons,  Stephen,  George  and  Henry,  located  in  the  same  neighborhood  and 
each  and  all  became  possessed  and  excellent  farms.  Harvey  Smith 
settled  near  the  center  of  the  town  and  died  on  the  same  farm  in  1863. 
He  rendered  the  township  a  valuable  service,  by  bringing  in  improved 
breeds  of  stock.  George  and  John  Cameron  came  about  the  same  time 
as  Harvey  Smith  and  located  near  him.  John  and  James  Hardin  came 
in  1835,  and  settled  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  Benjamin  Chamber- 
lin  was  one  of  the  early  comers,  locating  on  section  15,  in  July,  1836. 
He  gave  much  attention  to  the  cultivating  of  fruit,  in  which  he  was  very 
successful.  He  was  one  of  Newton's  esteemed  and  valuable  citizens. 
Moses  Gleason  was  another  who  figures  conspicuously  in  the  early  history 
of  the  township,  serving  at  different  times  as  jiistice  of  the  peace  and 
Supervisor.  Stephen  Graham,  John  Pearl,  John  Van  Fleet,  Daniel  Mer- 
ritt,  James  Dowling,  Eleazer  Donnelly  and  Asa  Phelps  may  be  listed 
among  those  who  labored  in  the  eai-ly  days  to  largely  make  Newton 
township  what  it  is  now.  The  sons  of  these  and  other  pioneers  went  out 
to  do  heroic  service  in  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

Pennfield  Township 

Bij  C.  C.  McDermid 

This  township  lying  immediately  north  of  the  city  of  Battle  Creek, 
is  intersected  by  the  Battle  Creek  river  and  its  tributary,  Wanondagua 
creek.  The  soil  is  generally  of  glacial  origin,  brought  with  its  accom- 
panying boulders  from  the  Lake  Superior  region.  The  river  bottoms 
are  wide  and  fertile,  especially  on  the  western  side  of  the  main  stream, 
the  uplands  equally  productive  for  general  crops  and  superior  for  finiits, 
with  a  somewhat  liberal  sprinkling  throughout  the  township  of  lighter 
lands  for  which  the  profitable  use  has  not  yet  been  discovered. 

Several  of  its  lake  are  of  rare  beautj',  and  are  becoming  much  fre- 
quented summer  resorts.  Generally  they  show  well  defined  ancient 
beaches  and  wave  washed  banks,  proving  their  pre-historic  level  to  have 
been  much  higher  than  the  present. 

The  common  occurrence  of  flint  arrow  points,  knives,  drills,  scrapers, 
and  the  stone  axes,  hammers,  pestles  and  other  like  tools  of  unknown 
antiquity,  prove  the  township  to  have  been  liberally  inhabited,  or  at 
least  roamed  over,  by  an  active  energetic  race  ages  before  the  coming 
of  the  white  man,  quite  possibly  even  before  the  Indian  race. 

The  township  was  covered  when  white  settlement  began  with  an 
abundant  and  sturdy  gi'owth  of  trees,  oaks,  five  or  more  varieties,  white 
wood,  black  walnut,  hickories,  beeches,  butternut,  several  elms,  ashes, 
sycamores  or  buttonwoods,  with  abundance  of  lesser  varieties. 

The  whole  of  Great  Britain  has  but  ten  varieties  of  pative  trees; 
the  little  township  of  Pennfield  at  least  four  times  that  number. 

The  sycamore  is  reckoned  our  largest  ]\Iichigan  tree    (with  white 


202  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

wood  and  black  walnut  close  seconds),  but  it  commonly  grows  hollow, 
a  mere  shell,  the  enormous  empty  hearted  deceiver  M'hen  cut  in  sections 
making  for  the  pioneer  the  best  and  cheapest  of  "smoke  houses"  for  his 
hams  and  bacon. 

Wild  flowers  were  and  now  are  abundant  where  not  exterminated  by 
pasturage  and  cultivation ;  there  being  at  this  late  day  thirty  or  more 
varieties  of  native  orchids  alone. 

The  entire  region  was  annually  burned  over  by  the  Indians,  that 
brushwood  might  not  conceal  their  game,  so  that  the  early  settlers  found 
a  vast  open  glade  through  which  one  might  drive  in  any  direction  and 
easily  examine  any  promising  location. 

The  first  land  entry  in  this  to\vnship  (then  a  part  of  the  larger  town- 
ship of  Milton)  was  made  December  10,  1831,  Albert  H.  Smith  filing  on 
a  part  of  section  29,  afterwards  owned  and  occupied  for  many  years  by 
Col.  Wm.  C.  Fonda.    Mr.  Smith  never  became  an  actual  settler. 

Avery  Lamb  and  Gen.  Ezra  Convis  (the  first  speaker  of  the  Michigan 
House  of  Representatives)  made  entries  in  1834. 

The  first  actual  settlement  was  made  in  1835,  by  Estes  Rich  from 
Massachusetts,  who  broke  the  first  ground  for  crops  in  the  spring  of 
that  year,  on  a  part  of  section  32,  later  owTied  and  occupied  from  1836 
to  his  death  by  Samuel  Convis. 

Mr.  Rich  put  thirty  acres  in  crops  his  first  year  1835,  twenty  being 
wheat,  the  first  in  the  township,  and  his  log  house  being  the  first  building 
erected. 

The  next  year,  1836,  settlers  came  in  rapidly,  some  twenty-five  families 
in  all,  prominent  among  whom  were  Samuel  Convis,  section  32 ;  Samuel 
D.  Moore,  section  27 ;  John  Wolf,  section  3 ;  Henry  Parsons,  section  9 ; 
David  Bouton,  section  10 ;  Jason  Evans,  section  2 ;  John  Cooper,  section 
33 ;  W.  K.  Adams  and  son,  section  20 ;  John  S.  Adams,  Barnabas 
Newton,  section  15;  Joseph  P.  Markham,  .section  36;  William  Hicks, 
section  17 ;  and  William  C.  Fonda,  section  29. 

The  first  frame  house  in  the  township  was  built  by  Samuel  Convis 
in  1838.    He  also  built  its  first  frame  barn,  32  by  45  feet  in  size. 

The  first  brick  house  was  built  by  Samuel  D.  Moore  about  1845. 

The  first  white  child  born  in  the  township  was  Palmyra  Wells,  Feb- 
ruary, 1836,  in  the  log  house  of  her  father,  Joseph  E.  Wells,  on  section  36. 

The  first  white  boy  born  here  was  Isaac  Lamb,  December  22,  1836, 
the  anniversary  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  at  Plymouth, 
Massachusetts. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  youthful  Emeline  Weare,  in  the  fall  of 
1836,  at  her  father's  house  on  section  36. 

William  G.  Wheaton  and  Ainanda  Parker  were  married  at  the  house 
of  Anson  Sharpsteen  on  Section  36,  in  the  autumn  of  1837,  the  bride 
being  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Sharpsteen. 

Thomas  G.  Bird  and  Betsy  Knowles  were  also  married  in  the  winter 
of  the  same  year,  these  beng  the  fii'st  two  weddings  in  the  township. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  the  spring  of  1838,  by  Miss  Lucy  Y. 
Hicks,  daughter  of  William  Hicks,  later  becoming  Mrs.  Daniel  S. 
Chase.    The  school  was  held  in  a  log  tenant  house  on  the  farm  of  John 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COTiXTY  203 

Wolf,  the  pupils  beiug  George  aud  William  Raymond,  Charles  Paddock, 
Ann  Eliza,  Sophia  and  Hannah  W.  Wolf. 

The  first  permanent  school  house,  named  the  "Cobblestone"  from 
the  material  of  its  construction,  was  built  in  1849,  and  bids  fair  to 
prolong  its  usefulness  for  at  least  a  century  to  come.  It  ha.s  an  inter- 
esting history  which  was  fittingly  celebrated  in  August,  1911,  by  a  re- 
union of  all  its  pupils,  teachers,  and  early  neighborhood  settlers  who 
could  be  reached,  to  the  delight  and  instiiiction  of  all  who  could  attend. 

A  Few  Pioneer  Experiences 

At  an  early  period  of  the  settlement  of  northern  Pennfield  a  transient 
settler  was  suddenly  taken  with  violent  illness.  The  nearest  ph.ysician 
was  Dr.  Asahel  Beach,  2  miles  east  of  Battle  Creek.  David  Bouton 
started  on  foot  and  at  night  (there  being  no  horses  in  the  settlement) 
found  the  doctor,  who  al)solutely  refused  to  go  to  the  patient,  but  sent 
two  bottles  of  medicine  to  meet  the  case.  When  Mr.  Bouton  staggered 
back  the  rest  of  his  eighteen  mile  trip,  more  than  half  asleep  at  times, 
nearly  dead  with  weariness,  yet  in  mortal  fear  of  breaking  his  precious 
bottles,  to  find  the  patient  sweetly  sleeping  and  serenely  comfortable,  in 
vastly  better  condition  than  the  tired  messenger ! 

His  remarks  on  the  ease,  if  any,  are  not  of  record. 

The  great  infiux  of  settlers  in  1836-37  and  the  consetiuent  scarcity 
of  breadstuifs  came  near  bringing  actual  starvation  to  those  in  the  inte- 
rior of  the  state  before  the  small  crop  of  1837  could  be  harvested  and 
ground.  Flour  rose  to  $20.00  a  barrel  and  was  hard  to  get  even  at  that 
enormous  price.  Mi-s.  John  Wolf  dried  in  her  oven  a  few  sheaves  of  half 
ripe  wheat,  a  few  quarts  of  which  were  hastily  threshed,  ground  in  her 
coffee  mill  and  made  into  food  for  her  suffering  family. 

David  Bouton  took  as  soon  as  possible  with  ox  team  to  the  nearest 
mill,  at  Marshall,  small  grists  for  himself  and  neighbors,  only  to  be  told 
there  were  five  days  grinding  night  and  day  ahead  of  him,  and  he  must 
wait  his  turn. 

He  replied  with  decision  that  his  people  were  starving  and  the  grain 
must  be  ground  at  once;  that  he  should  stay  by  the  miller  until  it  was 
done.  He  "sta.yed  liy"  and  morning  found  his  grists  ground  and  on 
their  way  home. 

William  Hicks  left  home  telling  his  family  (a  wife  and  eight  chil- 
dren) that  he  was  going  for  flour  and  should  not  come  back  till  he  found 
it.  Fortunately  he  soon  met  a  load  coming  in  from  abroad,  bought  one 
hundred  pounds  with  his  last  ten  dollars,  being  permitted  to  buy  so 
much  only  as  a  favor  on  account  of  his  urgent  need. 

In  1836  Mr.  Hicks  traded  his  land  in  Hillsdale  county  where  he  had 
shortly  before  located,  for  a  part  of  section  17,  Pennfield,  now  owned  by 
Silas  E.  Woodworth. 

A  log  shed  open  on  one  side  was  the  only  building  on  the  new  prem- 
ises, but  Mr.  Hicks  promptly  came  to  stay.  Reaching  Battle  Creek 
with  his  family  and  its  few  belongings,  he  went  ahead  with  the  family 
cow,  his  New  York  bred  sons  Solomon,  16  years  of  age,  Chauncey,  past 
13,  and  John  Y.,  11,  tied  the  cow  to  a  corner  of  the  shed,  gave  the  boys 


204  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  family  rifle,  told  them  to  keep  a  bright  tire  through  the  night,  then 
hastened  back  to  his  remaining  family  at  Battle  Creek.  With  the 
darkness  came  the  howling  and  snapping  wolves  eager  for  the  terrified 
and  frantic  cow  and  hardly  less  frightened  boys;  the  gun  could  not  be 
made  to  shoot,  but  they  kept  the  wolves  at  ba3'  and  the  cow  from  break- 
ing away  until  daylight.  Possibly  the  night  was  not  long,  nor  the  morn- 
ing welcome ! 

It  is  told  of  Mrs.  Wm.  C.  Fonda,  one  of  the  settlers  of  1836,  that  she 
was  left  alone  of  an  early  evening  in  their  unfinished  log  house,  the  door 
not  having  been  hung,  but  onlj'  temporarily  set  in  place.  The  Colonel  had 
that  day  slaughtered  a  supply  of  meat.  Happening  to  look  out,  Mrs. 
Fonda  was  stai'tled  to  see  a  horde  of  Indians  waiting  near,  evidently  at- 
tracted by  the  meat  within.  She  cautiously  moved  the  door  and  reached 
for  the  ax  standing  just  outside,  when  the  door  fell  to  the  floor  with  a 
tremendous  noise.  The  Indians  vanished  as  by  magic,  and  were  seen 
no  more ! 

The  township  was  set  off  by  the  legislature  from  the  previously 
existing  township  of  ^lilton,  in  tiie  spring  of  1838. 

The  name  Pennfleld  was  chosen  at  a  township  meeting  on  motion  of 
Joseph  P.  Markham;  three  names  being  proposed  for  choice,  Pennfield, 
Plainfleld  and  Springfield;  the  name  adopted  being  in  honor  of  Wm. 
Penn,  founder  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  first  election  was  held  at  the  school  house  in  Verona  village,  a 
part  of  which  was  within  the  township.  It  resulted  in  a  tie  on  super- 
visor between  R.  E.  Knight  and  Jabez  Lamb,  while  John  S.  Gifford  was 
chosen  town  clerk  by  one  ma.jority  over  Samuel  D.  Moore. 

Other  officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Justices  of  the  peace,  Eli 
Morey,  Henry  Parsons;  assessors,  David  Bouton,  Henry  Parsons;  com- 
missioners of  highways,  John  L.  Paddock,  Stephen  M.  Aldrich,  Joseph 
E.  Wells;  overseers  of  the  poor,  Eli  Morey,  Asa  Weare;  collector,  George 
Lowree;  constables,  Elijah  M.  IMorey,  John  L.  Paddock;  school  in- 
spectors, Rodney  ^McAllister,  John  S.  Gifford,  R.  E.  Knight. 

A  second  election  was  held  for  supervisor,  which  also  resulted  in  a 
tie,  and  a  third  likewise.  The  equally  popular  contestants  then  drew 
"cuts"  and  Warren  Joy  M'on  the  prize.  On  account  of  these  tie  votes 
and  the  failure  of  several  officers  to  qualif}%  a  full  set  was  not  secured 
until  ]May  8,  1838. 

"Barney"  Newton  and  his  sons  Erastus  R.  and  Seymour,  in  addi- 
tion to  improving  their  own  extensive  farm,  ran  for  several  years  a 
"breaking"  outfit  consisting  of  6  to  10  yoke  of  oxen,  with  two  or  more 
drivers  hitched  to  an  enormous  plow  of  pioneer  construction,  the  coulter 
and  share  often  resharpened  by  the  blacksmith. 

The  Newtons  thus  "broke"  for  others  hundreds  of  acres,  and  made 
possible  the  immediate  raising  of  crops  as  soon  as  the  timber  could  be 
cut  and  bui-ned. 

Small  use  then  for  what  would  now  bring  a  fortune!  Erastus  R. 
and  his  son  Fred  Newton  moved  a  few  years  since  to  Oklahoma,  jointly 
bought  and  improved  a  fine  farm  and  are  now  on  "Easy  street." 

The  first  sermon  preached  in  the  town  was  by  elder  Elijah  Crane 
at  the  house  of  George  Lowree ;  where  regular  services  were  afterwards 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  205 

held  every  four  weeks  until  the  building  of  a  school  house  in  the  vicinity. 
The  tii-st  resident  local  preacher  was  Samuel  D.  Moore ;  later  ones 
George  Lowree  and  ilatthew  Atmore.  Preaching  has  been  supplied  by 
the  ^I.  E.  church  .at  one  or  more  of  the  township  school  houses  with 
little  iutermissiou  since  the  earliest  settlement.  At  least  three  "classes" 
or  local  organizations  of  that  denomination  have  existed  here,  now 
consolidated  into  larger  churches  with  handsome  and  commodious  houses 
of  worship. 

The  Congregationalists  also  held  services  for  many  years,  preaching 
being  supplied  from  Bedford  by  Revs.  E.  M.  Shaw,  Scotford  and  Mc- 
Farland;  and  later  from  Bellevue  and  Olivet.  A  church  organization 
was  formed  about  1864-5  which  lasted  many  years  but  does  not  now 
exist. 

Rev.  George  Willard,  afterward  for  many  years  editor  of  the  Battle 
Creek  Journal,  member  of  congress,  and  of  the  United  States  Monetary 
Commission,  also  preached  at  the  Hicks  school  house  for  a  considerable 
period  about  1864-5. 

The  only  church  edifice  in  the  township  is  the  Methodist  Protestant, 
in  the  western  part,  where  an  active  and  vigorous  organization  holds 
its  services. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination  has  two  neat  and  comfortable 
churches  just  across  the  street  from  the  township ;  the  Base  Line 
Methodist  Episcopal  on  the  north,  and  the  Union  Methodist  Episcopal 
at  Markham's  Corners  near  its  southeast  corner,  both  of  which  are  well 
supported. 

All  three  were  completed  and  dedicated  in  1909. 
Many  early  settlei-s  brought  from  their  old  homes  seeds  of  the  apple, 
from  which  orchards  were  grown,  in  due  time  grafted  to  choice  varieties, 
some  still  bearing  good  crops. 

Peaches  soon  fruited  from  the  "pits"  brought  from  New  York,  one 
of  the  earliest  plantings  being  on  section  25,  on  the  farm  of  Ahira  Beach, 
father  of  the  late  Joseph  P.  Beach,  for  many  years  prominent  in  town- 
ship affairs. 

At  the  first  bearing  of  these  trees  (of  a  large  yellow  clingstone  va- 
riety), a  sister  of  the  late  John  Cooper,  and  others,  visited  the  family 
when  the  peaches  were  half  grown.  The  immature  fruit  was  so  attractive 
and  so  admired  by  the  fruit  hungry  visitors  that  jMrs.  Beach  cooked  a 
liberal  supply,  which  was  so  highly  appreciated  that  she  picked  more  to 
be  taken  home,  greatly  to  the  disgust  of  the  youthful  J.  P.,  who  could 
hardly  endure  seeing  so  nuich  good  fruit  eaten  before  it  was  ripe ! 

George  Errington  had  on  section  26  the  first  extensive  orchard  of 
peaches,  with  an  interesting  history. 

]\Ir.  Errington  and  a  brother  were  English  printers  in  the  employ  of 
Harper  and  Brothers,  the  eminent  New  York  publishers.  In  prepara- 
tion for  becoming  farmers  and  fruit  raisers  they  hired  a  boy  to  go 
through  Wall  Street  (where  none  but  the  best  peaches  were  eaten)  and 
pick  i\p  once  a  week  all  the  "pits"  he  could  find.  These  in  due  time 
were  brought  to  ^Michigan,  planted  on  the  farm  about  1844,  and  proving 
to  have  the  unusual  peach  trait  of  reproducing  their  exact  kind,  soon 
made   an   orchard  wonderful   for   beaut.v,   productiveness,   and   quality. 


206  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

People  came  from  far  and  near  in  the  fruiting  season  to  see  and  share 
the  luscious  product,  fairly  overrunning  the  premises,  and  making  life 
a  burden  to  the  owners  and  young  family.  Sales  were  made  at  home 
for  Jackson,  Kalamazoo  and  all  intermediate  points;  the  peaches  in  fact 
sold  themselves. 

The  descendants  of  these  trees,  reproduced  generatio.n  after  genera- 
tion from  the  seed,  still  exist  and  retain  in  large  degree  their  original 
superiority. 

John  Cooper,  one  of  the  1836  settlers  coming  from  ]\Iaryland,  was  not 
pleased  with  the  old  style  shovel  plow  universally  used  here  for  culti- 
vating corn  and  potatoes,  but  wanted  one  like  those  of  "Maryland,  My 
Maryland,"  a  much  better  implement.  He  wrote  to  his  old  home  for  a 
full  and  accurate  description  of  the  tool;  then  in  company  with  Joseph 
P.  Beach,  J.  P.  Markham  and  George  Errington,  its  plan  was  studied  out 
from  the  i-eturn  letter,  a  drawing  made  by  Mr.  Errington,  the  wood  work 
by  'Sir.  .Markham,  the  iron  work  by  John  Nichols,  founder  of  the  Nichols 
and  Shepard  Thresher  Works,  at  his  foundry  at  Battle  Creek. 

This  joint  product  of  the  several  gentlemen's  efforts  became  the  pat- 
tern from  which  were  built  many  hundred  "double  shovel  plows"  to  the 
mutual  profit  of  manufacturer  and  farmer,  being  the  standard  tool  for 
many  years. 

Grain  cradles  were  made  at  an  early  day  and  in  considerable  numbers 
by  Joseph  P.  Markham  and  a  Mr.  Johnson,  all  the  world's  wheat  and 
similar  grains  being  harvested  at  that  time  by  the  original  "Armstrong" 
reapers  and  binders. 

The  first  reaping  and  mowing  machines  were  introduced  in  1861,  by 
Alexander  Gordon  and  Samuel  Couvis. 

Improved  farm  machinery  rapidly  came  into  use  during  the  war 
period,  1861-5,  largely  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  farm  help. 

Henry  Willis,  a  most  original  and  energetic  pioneer,  an  all  around 
man  of  vim  and  push,  settled  at  St.  Mary's  lake  in  1855,  built  the  first 
saw  mill  in  the  township  in  1856,  cleared  large  tracts  of  land,  erected 
extensive  farm  buildings,  including  houses  for  numerous  employes,  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  brick  making  operations  on  a  liberal  scale, 
employing  in  his  niunerous  local  enterprises  a  large  number  of  men. 

He  also  built  and  equipped  an  extensive  water  cure  establishment  on 
the  banks  of  the  charming  lake  in  1858,  which  was  managed  by  Dr. 
H.  A.  Peterman,  later  of  ^Marshall,  until  its  destruction  by  fire  in  1863. 

Both  tliis  township  and  the  city  of  Battle  Creek  owe  much  to  the 
ability,  energy  and  public  spirit  of  Jlr.  Willis. 

The  entire  state  of  ^Michigan  sent  to  the  front  as  soldiers  in  the  Civil 
war  one  man  for  every  eight  of  its  entire  population,  old  and  young, 
male  and  female.  Of  this  enormous  proportion  of  its  best,  most  pro- 
ductive, and  manly  sons,  Penntield  supplied  its  full  share. 

In  a  pecuniary  way,  it  supplemented  national  and  state  bounties  to 
volunteers  by  liberal  township  subscriptions  and  appropriations,  and 
cared  for  the  dependent  families  of  those  who  fought  its  battles  at  the 
front. 

The  township  invariably  voted  as  its  sons  fought ;  there  was  never  a 
"fire  in  the  rear"  as  in  some  northern  localities. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  207 

The  home  burden  of  farm  and  household  \v;is  also  luavy  with  so 
many  aetive  producers  gone,  leaving  double  duty  to  those  I'cinaining,  yet 
every  home  found  time  and  material  to  send  ilelieaeies  and  eomforts 
the  government  i-ould  not  supply  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  good 
cheer  to  all. 

And  when  "the  cruel  war  was  over"  it  has  cheerfully  supi>orted  in 
common  with  the  entire  loyal  states,  the  most  liberal  system  of  pensions 
the  world  has  ever  seen. 

A  complete  list  of  her  soldiers,  and  tletailed  record  of  their  heroic 
and  honorable  part  in  the  war  may  he  found  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

The  Chicago  and  Grand  Tnink  Railway  runs  north  easterly  through 
the  township  following  the  general  course  of  the  Battle  Creek  stream. 
Its  central  portion  was  originally  built  by  the  Peninsular  Railway  Com- 
pany of  Battle  Creek  about  1868-9.  For  a  long  time  its  power  equip- 
ment consisted  of  a  single  pony  built  locomotive,  with  rolling  stock 
corresponding.  The  irreverent  dubbed  it  the  "Triweekly"  road,  ex- 
plaining that  it  tried  weekly  to  make  the  up  trip,  and  tried  to  get  back  the 
next  week.  It  had  no  turntable,  and  for  years  its  trains  were  pulled  one 
way  by  its  little  engine  running  head  first,  and  on  the  return  trip  by 
the  same  engine  running  "tail  first." 

The  state  went  wild  on  railroad  aid  legislation  about  this  period,  and 
some  twenty  acts  were  passed  by  the  legislature  authorizing  the  issue  of 
bonds  in  aid  of  as  many  proposed  roads  by  the  cities,  towns  and  villages 
through  which  they  were  to  pass. 

This  township  held  a  special  election  to  vote  on  a  proposal  to  l)ond 
itself  for  ten  thousand  dollars  to  aid  the  contemplated  road,  the  vote 
being  taken  at  an  open  air  mass  meeting,  after  an  address  bj'  the  presi- 
dent and  promoter  of  the  road,  not  strictly  according  to  the  modern 
Australian  ballot  system,  but  by  a  division,  each  side  successively  passing 
before  tellers,  who  differed  on  their  count,  but  declared  the  proposition 
carried  by  a  small  majority.  The  anti's  claimed  that  many  illegal  votes 
were  given  that  these  decided  the  day  against  them.  At  the  next  town- 
ship election  party  lines  were  forgotten,  and  a  hot  fight  ensued  between 
railroad  aid  and  anti-railroad  aid  partisans,  the  one  side  claiming  an 
illegal  and  fraudulent  election,  the  other  the  disgraceful  repudiation  of 
a  contract. 

The  anti's  won. 

Litigation  ensued  which  was  in  due  time  decided  by  tlie  Sui>reme 
Court  in  another  case,  the  court  holding  all  taxation  for  raili'oiid  aid 
or  similar  purposes  unconstitutional  and  void. 

The  road  ultimately  became  part  of  the  Grand  Trunk  system  ;  has 
})een  double  tracked  and  made  first  class  in  every  respect,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  main  through  lines  from  Chicago  to  the  seaboard. 

Pennfield  Grange  No.  85  was  organized  October  6,  1873,  with  thirty- 
one  charter  members.  George  C.  Hicks  heading  the  list,  and  remaining, 
with  his  wife  Mary  Hicks  active  members  to  this  day.  It  has  a  fine 
hall,  grounds  and  outbuildings,  has  been  and  is  an  active  and  efificient 
factor  in  promoting  intelligent  agriculture,  education,  mutual  help  in 
all  good  enterpri-ses. 

The  order  as  a  whole  has  long  been  in  advance  of  average   public 


208  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

sentiment,  has  led  in  movements  for  the  Australian  ballot  system,  now 
universally  adopted,  for  free  rural  delivery  of  mail,  the  greatest  boon 
of  recent  times  to  the  farmer  and  to  the  general  public ;  has  long  favored 
direct  popular  election  of  United  States  senators,  the  parcels  post,  pri- 
mary nomination  of  public  officials,  and  other  important  reforms  just 
on  the  verge  of  accomplishment. 

In  all  these  directions  Pennfield  Grange  as  a  part  of  the  united  and 
effective  whole  has  done  and  is  doing  its  full  share. 

Its  first  more  important  officers  were  Silas  E.  Woodworth,  master, 
Richard  Keeler,  secretary;  Richard  S.  Pool,  lecturer.  Its  present  ones 
Frank  B.  Garratt,  master;  Miss  Clara  E.  JMcDermid,  secretary;  Miss 
Alice  Cronk,  lecturer. 

There  is  also  a  flourishing  Farmers  Club  in  the  township,  its  presi- 
dent being  Philip  Bowers,  secretary  Mrs.  Minnie  Collier. 

On  special  and  unusual  lines  has  been  the  work  of  Silas  E.  Wood- 
worth  on  his  farm  on  sections  17  and  20. 

Coming  from  western  New  York  in  1866,  he  planted  in  that  year  the 
first  vineyard  of  Concord  grapes  in  the  state,  three  acres,  and  seven 
additional  acres  two  years  later,  10  acres  in  all 

The  soil  and  climate  proved  excellent  for  the  purpose,  the  trimming 
and  cultivation  were  thorough,  the  demand  gratifying. 

The  grapes  sold  at  times  as  high  as  fifteen  cents  the  pound,  and  the 
average  price  for  the  first  eight  years  was  eight  cents  the  pound  at 


In  1882  he  planted  the  first  Niagara  grapes  in  the  state;  400  vines 
costing  $1.50  each;  $600  in  all;  the  trimmings  each  year  to  be  re- 
turned to  the  Niagra  Grape  Company,  the  corporation  controlling  the 
propagation  and  sale  of  the  new  wonder.  Wise  men  shook  their  heads 
at  the  risky  enterprise  but  the  result  proved  Mr.  Woodworth 's  good  judg- 
ment and  foresight.  Brightens  and  other  choice  vai-ieties  were  added  as 
the  market  gradually  demanded,  and  the  new  enterprise  proved  a  grand 
success  for  both  producer  and  consumer,  until  at  present  grapes  are 
cheap  as  apples,  and  all  may  enjoy  them  at  trifling  cost  in  cash  or  labor. 
In  1868  Mr.  Woodworth  planted  the  first  extensive  pear  orchard  in  the 
county,  200  trees,  dwarfs  and  standards  alternating. 

The  dwarfs  produced  a  crop  in  four  yeai-s,  holding  on  until  the 
larger,  slower  growing  standards  came  into  bearing,  when  having  passed 
their  usefulness  they  were  removed  to  give  room  for  the  ' '  standbys. ' ' 

In  1892  ]\Ir.  Woodworth  introduced  the  Jersey  cow ;  the  first  herd  in 
the  township,  increasing  to  twenty-six  in  number,  devoted  to  producing 
milk  and  cream  for  market,  his  entire  product  being  sold  to  the  Battle 
Creek  Sanitarium  for  seventeen  years.    • 

An  early  test  of  his  milk  by  the  state  veterinarian  gave  5.6%  butter 
fat,  which  at  that  date  was  utterly  unbelievable  by  the  local  milk  in- 
spectors— "no  cow  living  could  give  so  rich  milk" — and  only  repeated 
tests  in  their  presence  could  convince  them. 

i\Ir.  Woodworth  also  built  eighteen  or  more  years  ago  the  first  silo 
in  the  township,  and  one  of  the  first  two  in  the  county,  George  Perry  of 
Battle  Creek  township  building  another  the  same  year. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodworth  still  own  the  farm  and  retain  at  a  good  ripe 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOl'X  COUNTY 


209 


age  its  general  oversight  ;iiul  iiiaiiageinent.  in  well  earneil  comt'ort  and 
plenty. 

No  adequate  history  of  the  township  ean  be  written  witliout  hon- 
orable mention  of  the  late  Samuel  G.  Gorsline. 

Born  in  Wayne  county,  N.  Y.,  1830,  he  settled  with  iiis  family 
and  other  relatives  near  the  Cobblestone  school  house  in  1867 ;  was 
recognized  at  once  by  his  eonimunity  as  a  man  of  rare  intelligence, 
broad  sympathies  and  sterling  worth ;  was  successively  teacher,,  town- 
ship clerk,  supervisor,  highway  commissioner,  township  superintendent 
of  schools,  member  of  county  board  of  school  examiners  for  many  years, 
doing  efficient  and  permanent  work  in  every  position. 

He  was  a  man  of  unusual  range  of  abilities  and  accomplishments 
up  to  date  farmer,  successful  stock  feeder,  enthusiastic  horticulturist 
and  botanist,  a  skillful  and  valuable  helper  in  accident,  sickness  or 
misfortune. 


Photo  by  1.   H. 


CoBBiL'-roNr    S(  11 


He  was  a  prime  mover  and  helper  in  every  good  work  in  his  neigh- 
borhood and  vicinity :  occasional  preacher,  twenty-five  years  and  more 
superintendent  of  his  home  Sunday  school,  zealous  and  efficient  in  larger 
fields  of  effort. 

He  had  a  rare  gift  for  reaching  and  influencing  the  young  people 
he  knew  or  met.  and  no  assembly  or  gathering  was  not  the  better  for 
his  presence  and  help. 

No  other  citizen  has  left  a  stronger  or  better  impress  on  the  township. 

The  first  bridge  built  was  that  across  the  Battle  Creek  stream,  south 
of  the  present  town  house,  generally  known  as  the  jMcAUister  Dridge, 
which  was  built  by  Samuel  D.  Moore. 

The  township  being  intersected  by  two  large  streams,  the  Battle 
Creek   and   the   AVonondagua.    has   a    liberal    number — six    considerable 


210  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

bridges,  which  were  originally  built  of  wood,  and  rebuilt  about  once 
in  fifteen  years,  until  recently  first  class  modern  and  permanent  ones, 
five  of  steel  and  one  of  cement,  have  been  successively  erected,  all  built 
by  the  Illinois  Bridge  Co. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  township  is  the  Flowing  Wells  on  sec- 
tion 33,  developed  for  a  water  supply,  and  forty-three  acres  purchased, 
by  the  city  of  Battle  Creek,  but  not  yet  connected  with  its  water 
system. 

They  are  five  in  number,  two  of  six  inches  diameter,  three  of  eight 
inches,  varying  in  depth  from  95  to  150  feet,  mainly  in  the  ]\Iarshall 
Sandstone,  the  drill  striking  numerous  pockets  or  openings  in  its  down- 
ward course. 

The  wells  were  tested  in  1905  by  five  large  traction  engines  driving 
centrifugal  pumps,  and  yielded  eight  million  gallons  per  day  for  ten 
days,  without  being  pumped  to  their  fullest  capacity.  The  largest 
amount  of  water  used  by  the  city  for  all  purposes  in  any  one  day  has 
only  reached  about  four  million  gallons,  hence  the  wells  already  sunk 
seem  to  be  amply  sufficient  for  the  entire  city  supply  for  years  to  come. 

In  ciuality  the  water  has  less  than  the  average  hardness,  is  very  cool 
and  clear,  vmrivalled  for  culinary  and  drinking  purposes.  It  is  ex- 
tensively used  for  a  drinking  water  in  preference  to  the  city  supply 
from  Goguac  Lake,  although  available  only  as  bought  from  water  wagons 
run  by  private  enterprise,  or  taken  away  by  the  parties  using  it,  in 
bottles  and  .jugs. 

The  first  experimental  well  was  sunk  in  1904,  and  the  property 
bought  by  the  city  in  1906. 

The  writer  gratefully  acknowledges  generous  and  kindly  aid  in  the 
preparation  of  this  brief  history,  from  numerous  friends  interested  in 
recording  and  preserving  the  honorable  story  of  this  sample  section  of 
our  great  state — ^liehigan. 

Sheridan  Township. 

Sheridan  is  in  the  eastern  tier  of  townships  in  Calhoun  county  and 
lies  next  north  of  Albion.  A  considerable  portion  of  Albion  City,  in- 
deed all  lying  north  of  the  centre  of  Michigan  avenue,  was  originally 
a  part  of  Sheridan  township  and  the  history  and  development  of  the 
latter  is  closely  related  to  that  of  the  former. 

Sheridan,  as  designated  on  the  maps  of  the  old  United  States  survey, 
is  Town  2  South,  Range  4  West.  The  surface  is  generally  undulating 
and  in  some  parts  hilly.  The  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam.  Wheat,  corn, 
beans  and  potatoes  are  staple  products.  Much  attention  has  been  given 
to  the  raising  of  fine  quality  of  stock.  The  Kalamazoo  river  enters  the 
township  at  the  City  of  Albion  and  flowing  in  a  northwesterly  direc- 
tion leaves  it  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  31.  Rice  creek  traverses 
the  township  from  east  to  west  through  the  central  portion,  passing 
out  of  the  towaiship  in  the  northwest  part  of  Section  30,  and  a  little 
later  unites  with  the  Kalamazoo  at  Marshall.  Winnipeg  Lake,  in  the 
western;  Jlontealm,  in  the  southwest,  and  Hall's  Lake,  in  the  central, 
are  beautiful  sheets  of  water  which,  under  favorable  conditions,  still 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  :211 

reward  the  p.-iticiif  fislici-m.-iii.  The  Idwiisliip  was  ori^iini/nl  in  April, 
183(5.  A  infetiug  lor  tlial  puri)ose  wa.s  liukl  at  tlie  lioiiic  of  ]{ciibeu 
Abbott  ou  the  farm  now  owned  by  Keubeu  J.  Emery.  Abbott's  place 
was  located  on  Section  20  on  the  Territorial  road  leading  from  Tletroit 
throngh  Ann  Arbor,  Jackson,  Marshall  and  on  to  the  west.  A])bott  kept 
a  tavern  which  for  years  was  one  of  the  landmarks  to  the  westbound 
traveler.  He  also  kept  the  postottice  known  in  the  primitive  days, 
before  Albion  had  an  existence,  as  Waterburg,  to  which  as  late  as 
1838  the  Albion  people  came  for  their  mail.  It  was  at  Abbott's  that 
the  pioneer  citizens  of  the  township  came  to  hold  their  first  towTi 
meeting  ou  the  day  and  date  last  above  named.  At  that  meeting 
Orris  Clapp  was  called  to  the  chair  and  William  M.  Pearl  and  Daniel 
Rossiter  chosen  clerks.    There  being  no  ballot  box,  the  hat  was  passed 


Albion 


and  each  man  entitled  to  vote  cast  his  ballot,  which  the  clerks  counted, 
reporting  their  findings  to  the  chairman,  who  immediately  announced 
the  result.  In  this  way  Chandler  M.  Church  was  elected  supervisor; 
Howell  Bidwell,  to^\^l  clerk;  Orris  Clapp,  William  C.  Whiti^  and  Reuben 
Abbott,  assessors;  William  M.  Pearl,  Daniel  Rossiter,  ^Martin  Tichnor 
and  Howell  Bidwell.  justices  of  the  peace;  J.  W.  Hicks,  collector; 
William  C.  White  and  Chandler  M.  Church,  over.seers  of  the  poor; 
Phineas  Spaulding,  M.  J.  Lathrop  and  Daniel  Rossiter.  commissioners 
of  highways;  W.  C.  White,  J.  P.  ("onrad.  commissioners  of  schools; 
J.  W.  Hicks,  Phineas  Spaulding  and  Cyrus  Dutton.  constables;  Reuben 
Abbott  and  William  C.  Harding,  fence  reviewers. 

Of  the  above  named  pioneers,  we  find  that  Reuben  Abbott  was  the 
first  to  locate  in  the  township,  coming  from  Erie,  New  York,  with  his 
family,  in  the  month  of  September,  1831.  He  entered  land  on  sections 
29  and  30  and  built  a  log  house  of  the  very  generous  dimensions  of 
sixteen  by  twenty-two  feet.     Soon  after  (■()iii])leting  this,  the  structure 


212  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

was  enlarged  and  the  house  opened  to  the  public.  In  the  same  year 
came  Orris  Clapp  and  settled  on  section  31.  In  1833,  Chandler  Church 
came  and  made  a  permanent  location  on  section  33.  The  same  year 
M.  J.  Lathrop  settled  on  what  is  now  the  well  known  Billinghurst  prop- 
erty. In  1835,  Martin  Tichnor  entered  two  hundred  acres  on  sections 
26  and  35.  In  the  same  year  Joel  Doolittle,  Phineas  Spaulding  and 
John  P.  Conrad  were  enrolled  among  the  permanent  settlers.  The 
year  1836  witnessed  an  unusual  influx  of  home  seekers,  among  them 
Mark  Crane  and  Caleb  Lewis,  who  founded  some  of  the  well  known 
families  of  tlie  later  years  both  of  Sheridan  and  Albion. 

The  ^Michigan  Central  Railroad  enters  the  township  at  Albion  and 
passes  westward  through  almost  the  entire  southern  portion.  Thi 
Lansing  branch  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  enters  at 
Albion  and  passes  through  the  southeast  corner  of  Sheridan  township. 
The  iliehigan  United  Electric  Railway  system  parallels  the  M.  C.  R.  R. 
through  the  town.  By  these  three  lines,  excellent  shipping  facilities 
are  afforded  as  well  as  ways  of  travel  that  make  all  points  easily  ac- 
cessible to  the  people. 

The  people  of  Sheridan  have  pursued  a  steady,  even  course.  There 
are  no  very  rich  and  no  very  poor  in  the  tovsmship.  With  rare  excep- 
tions all  are  comfortably  circumstanced.  Only  $6.50  was  drawTi  by 
the  township  from  the  poor  fund  of  the  county  during  the  entire  year 
of  1911. 

There  are  no  cities,  no  villages,  no  high  school  and  no  church  in 
the  township,  but  the  advantages  which  these  afford  are  easily  obtain- 
able at  Albion.  The  average  of  her  people  do  not  suffer  by  comparison 
with  those  of  other  townships  in  the  county. 

Tekonsh.v  Township 

The  towusliip  of  Tekonsha,  located  in  the  soiitlieasteni  ])art  of  Cal- 
houn county  on  the  Air  Line  of  the  ilichigan  Central  Railway,  was 
organized  in  183(i  and  constitutes  one  of  the  most  prosperous  divisions 
of  the  county.  It  is  well  watered  by  the  historic  St.  Joseph  river  and 
numerous  small  lakes  which  add  beauty  to  the  landscape  as  well  as  fur- 
nishing excellent  sport  for  anglei-s.  •  It  is  a  fine  grain  and  stock  raising 
country,  and  is  noted  for  excellence  in  these  branches  of  agriculture. 
The  railroad  was  completed  in  1870  with  the  assistance  of  a  $15,000 
bonus  voted  by  the  township. 

The  pretty  village  of  Tekonsha  is  located  on  the  old  Jackson  and 
White  Pigeon  territorial  road  and  on  the  site  of  a  Pottawattomie  Indian 
village,  of  which  some  relics  are  still  preseiwed,  and  from  whose  chief, 
Tekonquasha,  the  town  takes  its  name. 

The  first  location  of  land  in  the  township  was  made  by  Darius  Pierce, 
May  29,  1832,  and  included  the  site  of  the  village,  but  the  first  actual 
settler  was  Timothy  Kimball,  who  built  a  log  house  near  the  site  of  the 
present  saw  mill  in  1833.  The  original  plat  of  the  village  was  laid  in 
1836,  but  it  was  not  incorporated  until  1878.  The  survey  included  528 
lots  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  with  Jackson  avenue  as  the  main  street. 
The  first  hotel  was  built  of  tamarac  logs  in    1835,  and  in  1837  the  present 


HISTORY  OP  CALlIOrX  COCNTY  213 

Blake  House  was  linished  and  designated  "'Tekonslia  House.''  The 
proprietor  was  Samuel  Hemenway,  who  was  also  the  town's  first  mer- 
chant. The  mill  raee  was  completed  in  1887  and  the  saw  null  built. 
In  1837  the  postotifice  was  established  and  a  mail  route  laid  out  from 
Coldwater  to  ilarshall.  The  first  blacksmith  shop  was  started  by  Cor- 
nelius Osboru,  who  later  removed  to  California. 

A  school  house  was  built  on  the  northeast  part  of  the  village  plat  in 
1837  of  planks  sawed  at  the  mill.  Another  school  building  was  built 
later,  and  in  1873  the  present  fine  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$12,0U0.  In  1910  a  wing  was  built  on  the  south  side  of  the  building  at 
a  cost  of  .$2,800  to  accommodate  the  growing  school,  and  such  is  its  thriv- 
ing condition  that  another  addition  will  soon  be  necessary  to  keep  pace 
with  the  increasing  attendance. 

The  flour  mill,  now  owned  by  the  A.  II.  Randall  Mill  Co.,  was 
erected  by  Dr.  Campbell  Waldo,  about  1850.  The  same  gentleman 
started  various  industries  here,  including  a  select  school  taught  by 
his  son,  C.  G.  Waldo. 

A  private  bank  was  organized  in  1877  by  Allen  &  Johnson,  which 
in  1892  was  made  a  state  bank  with  a  capitalization  of  $30,000.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  reliable  banking  institutions  in  the  state.  The  first 
newspaper  was  issued  December  7,  1878,  by  James  Gribbeus  and  was 
knowii  as  the  Tckonsha  News.  Later  proprietors  of  the  paper  were 
A.  G.  Randall  and  T.  F.  Robinson,  J.  A.  Harsh  and  B.  F.  and  Lillian 
C.  McMillen. 

Horace  Merriman  was  the  first  supervisor  of  the  township  and 
Oetavius  C.  Lyon  w-as  the  first  president  of  the  village. 

A  Methodist  mission  was  established  as  eai'ly  as  1832,  which  was  a 
part  of  the  Coldwater  and  later  of  the  Burlington  mission  circuit.  The 
name  of  the  charge  was  changed  to  Tekonsha  in  1864.  The  foundation 
of  the  church  was  laid  in  1867  and  it  w'as  completed  in  1869.  Rev. 
James  W.  Reid  was  the  first  pastor  after  the  dedication  of  the  build- 
ing. The  Tekonsha  charge  at  present  embraces  also  the  parish  at 
Lyon  lake,  which  also  owtis  a  fine  church  building. 

The  Baptist  church  was  organized  July  19,  1838,  with  forty-one 
members.  The  first  clerk  of  the  church  was  A.  N.  Bradley.  The  frame 
church,  which  is  now-  the  substantial  home  of  the  society,  was  dedicated 
May  25,  1870. 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  March  24,  1847,  by  Rev. 
Lewis  ilills,  a  delegate  from  the  presbytery  at  Marshall.  He  became  the 
pastor,  dividing  his  time  between  Tekonsha  and  Clarendon.  The  first 
church  was  a  frame  structure  built  in  1853  and  was  later  succeeded 
by  a  handsome  brick  edifia-. 

The  principal  industries  of  the  town  today  are  the  A.  H.  Randall  & 
Son  Flouring  and  Saw  Mills,  the  poultry  packing  plant  of  H.  N. 
Randall  and  the  various  grain  and  stock  buying  firms,  which  make 
Tekonsha  one  of  the  best  markets  in  all  these  lines  in  southern  Michigan 
and  the  best  shipping  point,  considering  its  size,  on  the  Air  Line 
division. 

The  streets  are  well  lined  with  concrete  walk,  heavily  shaded  hy 
stately  maples  and  well  lighted. 


214  HLSTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  tow'u  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  its  record  in  the  great 
eivil  eontliet  of  1861-65.  After  reading  the  names  of  Tekonsha  citizens, 
who  helped  Michigan  to  furnish  her  (luota  of  soldiers  for  the  preser- 
vation of  the  Union,  one  cannot  hut  realize,  tiiat  the  hamlet  and  country- 
side was  all  but  stripped  of  its  male  population  to  aid  the  Federal 
authorities  prosecute  the  war.  Recruits  were  sent  to  every  branch  of  the 
service,  who  served  in  great  battles  and  historic  campaigns  with  courage 
and  fortitude,  and  with  credit  to  themselves  and  to  their  commands. 
Among  the  commissioned  officers  were  Captain  Charles  Carrick  of  the  1st 
Michigan  Infantry,  First  Lieut.,  George  Granger,  and  Second  Lieut. 
Josiah  Hammond  of  the  28th  Michigan  Infantry.  The  first  named  was 
promoted  from  the  ranks  for  conspicuous  gallantry  on  the  field  of  l)attle. 


;\[ain  Street,  North,  Tekonsha 

Perhaps  the  town's  principal  figure  in  the  great  rebellion  was  Brig.  Gen. 
William  II.  Hammond,  who  held  his  commission  as  a  general  officer  from 
the  state  government.  As  a  member  of  the  state  "military  contract 
board"  he  was  one  of  those  instrumental  in  organizing  the  first  troops 
sent  from  ^Michigan  to  take  part  in  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
and  was  highly  complimented  by  his  superiors  for  his  zeal  and  aliility 
in  helping  to  organize  and  equip  the  Michigan  regiments  all  through  the 
war.  He  was  quarternu^ster-general  of  the  state  by  appointment  of 
Governor  Blair,  from  1868  to  1865,  and  was  the  first  man  to  hold  that 
position.  He  seems,  however,  to  have  been  little  known  in  the  village, 
his  home  having  been  in  tlie  northwestern  part  of  the  township.  There 
remain  with  us  about  twenty  veterans  of  the  Civil  war,  nearly  all  of 
whom  are  members  of  Wortli  Post,  G.  A.  R. 

Tekonsha  has  contributed  her  portion  to  the  civil  as  well  as  to  the 
military  liistory  of  the  state.  Dr.  Campbell  "Waldo,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  of  tlie  early  settlers,  and  a  physician  of  repute,  was  elected 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  215 

to  the  state  senate  in  1848.  He  had  previously  been  an  assemblyman  in 
the  state  of  New  York.  George  H.  French,  who  was  also  an  early  settler, 
but  who  removed  from  Tekonsha  in  1848,  was  elected  to  the  state  senate 
in  1860,  and  introduced  as  a  war  measure  the  first  resolution  asking  for 
the  abolition  of  the  slaves.  It  passed  both  houses.  In  1863  he  introduced 
a  resolution,  unanimously  adopted,  to  provide  for  perpetuating  the 
memory  of  Michigan's  falleh  soldiers  in  an  imperishable  " Roll  of  Honor." 
Harvey  Randall  was  also  a  member  of  the  lower  house,  taking  his  seat 
in  18()7.  These  honors  again  came  to  Tekonsha  in  1885,  when  Alva  D. 
Eldred  was  elected  representative,  and  later,  in  1899,  when  Edward  P. 
Keep  assumed  the  office. 

The  first  banking  institution  Tekonsha  ever  had  was  organized  as  a 
private  bank  by  S.  B.  Allen  and  John  Johnson  in  1877  and  continued 
as  a  private  bank  till  1902.  On  April  1,  1902,  it  was  reorganized  under 
the  banking  laws  of  the  state  as  the  "First  State  Bank"  of  Tekonsha, 
with  the  following  board  of  directors:  S.  B.  Allen,  John  Johnson,  F.  E. 
Allen,  H.  W.  Cushman,  A.  D.  Eldred  and  E.  P.  Keep ;  S.  B.  Allen,  presi- 
dent ;  John  Johnson,  vice  president ;  F.  E.  Allen,  cashier ;  II.  W.  Cush- 
man, assistant  cashier.  During  the  year  1903  the  bank  lost  two  directors 
by  death.  S.  B.  Allen  and  A.  D.  Eldred.  In  1904  the  following  were 
elected  directors:  John  Johnson,  F.  E.  Allen,  II.  W.  Cushman,  R.  E. 
Waldo,  B.  G.  Doolittle  and  E.  P.  Keep.  John  Johnson  was  elected  presi- 
dent;  E.  P.  Keep,  vice  president;  F.  E.  Allen,  cashier;  H.  "W.  Cushman, 
assistant  cashier.  During  that  year  llr.  Johnson  moved  to  California 
and  in  1905,  F.  E.  Allen  was  elected  president;  E.  P.  Keep,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  H.  W.  Cushman,  cashier.  These  officers  held  the  offices  for  two 
years,  when  Mr.  Allen  and  IMr.  Cushnuin  moved  away.  It  1907,  the 
following  were  elected  directors :  B.  G.  Doolittle,  R.  E.  Waldo,  H.  N. 
Randall,  E.  W.  Randall,  Edwin  Dean,  J.  H.  Proctor  and  E.  P.  Keep, 
who  elected  E.  P.  Keep,  president;  R.  E.  Waldo,  vice  president;  B.  G. 
Doolittle,  cashier;  T.  D.  Rice,  assistant  cashier;  and  these  officers  have 
held  their  positions  ever  since. 

The  bank  was  capitalized  at  !|;;5( ).(»(!().( id.  surplus  $4,500.00.  It  does  a 
general  commercial  and  savings  bank  liusiiicss,  its  deposits  range  around 
$150,000.00,  and  is  in  a  very  prospemus  i-ondition. 

The  Tekonsha  Ncirs,  an  independent  weekly,  was  establislied  in  1878 

by  James  Gribbens,  and  the  first  paper  was  issued of  that  year. 

Mr.  Gribbens  soon  disposed  of  tlie  paper  to  C.  W.  Iliggins  and  went 
to  Chicago,  where  he  operated  a  job  printing  plant,  but  later  entered 
the  postal  service,  in  which  he  has  served  for  more  than  twent.v  years. 
Mr.  Higgins  disposed  of  the  plant  about  1881  to  Arthur  G.  Randall 
(later  county  commissioner  of  schools),  and  Thomas  P.  Robinson,  who 
is  now  publisher  of  the  Union  City  Register,  weekly.  The  plant  was 
operated  by  them  until  1885,  when  they  removed  to  Union  city,  where 
they  pulilislied  four  newspapers,  namely  the  Cnion  Cifij  Luceil,  Tekonsha 
News,  Biirlinijton  Echo  and  Shencejoel  Press.  A  printer  wast  then  kept 
at  both  Tekonsha  and  Slierwood,  to  gather  news  and  set  the  t.vpe,  which 
was  then  locked  in  a  wooden  case  and  carried  to  Union  city  every  press 
day.  Early  in  the  nineties  these  publications  were  leased  to  Justin  A. 
Harsh,  but  a  destructive  fire  soon  occurred,  which  seriously  crippled  the 


216  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

plant.  Finding  it  impraetiL-al  to  continue  all  of  the  publications.  Jlr. 
Harsh  moved  the  plant  back  to  Tekonsha,  and  thereafter  published  only 
the  News  and  the  Burlington  Echo.  In  1897  he  was  appointed  post- 
master, which  position  he  held  for  twelve  years  before  removing  to  his 
present  home  in  Deary,  Idaho.  Mr.  Randall  resumed  control  of  the 
paper  on  Mr.  Harsh 's  appointment  to  the  postmastership,  later  leasing 
it  to  his  son,  Fred.  A.  Randall,  now  of  Detroit,  who  was  associated  for 
a  time  with  Claude  Phelps,  later  of  Three  Rivers,  in  its  management.  In 
May,  1905,  Mr.  Harsh  bought  the  paper  of  the  heirs  of  A.  G.  Randall, 
and  for  nearly  two  years  it  was  operated  under  lease  by  Ben  F.  McIMillen, 
one  of  the  present  proprietors.  In  April,  1907,  it  pased  into  the  hands 
of  B.  F.  and  Lillian  C.  JMcMillen,  who  have  since  published  it.  Mr. 
McMillen  was  also  appointed  postmaster,  .January  15,  1909.  The  paper 
has  a  circulation  of  700,  and  enjoys  an  excellent  job  and  advertising 
patronage,  which  seems  to  become  better  with  each  succeeding  year. 
Circulating,  as  it  does,  in  an  unusually  thrifty  and  populous  farming 
community,  it  is  recognized  as  a  power  and  influence  in  its  own  par- 
ticular field. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

OFFICIAL  AND  STATISTICAL 

Presidents  of  the  I'xited  States — Governors  of  ^Iicihgan  Territory 
— State  Governors — Federal  Officials  from  Calhoun  County — 
Delegates  to  Constitutional  Conventions — State  Officials 
FROM  the  County — Members  of  the  State  Senate — Representa- 
tives of  Michigan  Legislature — Circuit  and  Probate  Judges — 
Sheriffs,  County  Clerks,  Treasurers,  Registers  op  Deeds,  Prose- 
cuting Attorneys,  Circuit  Court  Commissioners,  Surveyors, 
Drain  Commissioners,  Commissioners  of  Schools,  and  Coroners — 
Population  and  Property  Valuation 

The  follownng  lists  relate  to  federal,  state  and  couuty  officials : 

Presidents  of  the  United  States  (1789-1913) 

George  Washington,  1789-1793;  Federalist;  residence,  Virginia; 
age,  57. 

George  Washington,  1793-1797;  Federalist;  residence,  Virginia; 
age,  61. 

John  Adams,  1797-1801;  Federalist;  residence,  Massachusetts ;  age 
62. 

Thomas  Jett'erson,  1801-1805;  Democrat;  residence,  Virginia; 
age,  58. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  1805-1809 ;  Democrat ;  residence,  Virginia ; 
age.  62. 

James  Madison,  1809-1813;  Democrat;  residence,  Virginia;  age,  58. 

James  Madison,  1813-1817;  Democrat;  residence,  Virginia;  age,  62. 

James  ]\Ionroe,  1817-1821;   Democrat;   residence,  Virginia;   age,  58. 

James  Monroe,  1821-1825  ;    Democrat ;    residence,  Virginia ;    age,  62. 

John  Quincy  Adams,  1825-1829;  Coalition;  residence,  Massachu- 
setts;   age,  58. 

Andrew  Jackson,  1829-1833 ;  Democrat ;  residence,  Tennessee ; 
age,  62. 

Andrew  Jackson,  1833-1837 ;  Democrat ;  residence,  Tennessee ; 
age,  66. 

Martin  Van  Buren,  1837-1841 ;  Democrat ;  residence  New  York ; 
age,  55. 

217 


218  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

William  II.  Harrison,'  1841;  Whig;  residence,  Ohio;  age,  68. 

John  Tyler,  1841-1845;   Whig;   residence,  Virginia;    age,  51. 

James  K.  Polk,  1845-1849;  Democrat;  residence,  Tennessee;  age,  50. 

Zachary  Taylor,  1849-1850;    Whig;    residence,  Louisiana;    age,  65. 

Millard  Fillmore,  1850-1853;   Whig;   residence.  New  York;   age,  50. 

Franklin  Pierce,  1853-1857;   Democrat;   residence,  New  Hampshire; 
age,  49. 

James  Buchanan,  1857-1861 ;    Democrat ;    residence,  Pennsylvania ; 
age,  66. 

Abraham     Lincoln,     1861-1865;     Republican;      residence,     Illinois; 
age,  52. 

Abraham   Lincoln,"   1865;  Republican;  residence,  Illinois;  age,   56. 

Andrew    Johnson,    1865-1869;  "Republican;    residence,    Tennessee; 
age,  57. 

Ulysses  S.  Grant,  1869-1873;    Republican;   residence,  Illinois;    age, 
47. 

Ulysses  S.  Grant,  1873-1877 ;    Republican ;    residence,  Illinois ;    age, 
51. 

Rutherford    B.    Hayes,    1877-1881;     Republican;     residence,    Ohio; 
age,  55. 

James  A.  Garfield,-'  1881 ;  Republican ;  residence,  Ohio ;  age,  49. 

Chester  A.  Arthur,  1881-1885;    Republican;    residence.  New  York 
age,  51. 

Grover    Cleveland,    1885-1889 ;    Democrat ;     residence.    New    York 
age,  48. 

Benjamin   Harrison,    1889-1893;     Republican;     residence,    Indiana 
age,  56. 

Grover    Cleveland,    1893-1897;     Democrat;     residence.    New    York 
age,  56. 

William  McKinley.  1897-1901 ;  Republican ;  residence,  Ohio ;  age,  54. 

William  RIcKinley,^  1901;    Republican;    residence,  Ohio;    age  58. 

Theodore  Roosevelt,  1901-1905;    Republican;    residence.  New  York 
age,  43. 

Theodore  Roosevelt,  1905-1909;    Republican;    residence,  New  York 
age.  47. 

William  Taft,  1909-1913;,  Republican;    residence,  Ohio;    age,  51. 

Governors  of  Michigan  Territory 

General  William  Hull,  Governor;   appointed  March  1,  1805. 
Stanley  Griswold,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor,  1806. 
General  William  Hull,  Governor;   appointed  April  1,  1808. 
General  William  Hull,  Governor,  "'  '' ;  appointed  January  12,  1811. 


1  March  4,  1841,  to  April  4,  1S41. 

^  March  4,  1865,  to  April  15,  1865. 

»  March  4,  1881,  to  September  19,  1881. 

4  March  4,  1901,  to  September  14,  1901. 

o  Court  martialed  at  Albany,  January  3,  1814,  for  his  surrender  of  Detroit, 
August  16,  1812,  and  sentenced  to  be  shot.     Sentence  remitted. 

6  Hull's  appointment  would  have  expired  in  1814.  The  territorial  records  were 
destroyed  by  the  British  at  the  capture  of  Detroit,  so  that  we  have  no  official  data  on 
that  point. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  219 

Reuben  Atwatter,  Acting  Governor;  1811-12. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Govenior;    appointed  October  29  181:5. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Governor;   appointed  Janiiary  21,  1817. 

William  Woodbridge,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor;  appointed 
August  17,  1818. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Governor;   appointed  January  24,  1820. 

William  Woodbridge,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor;  August  8, 
1820  to  September  18,  1821. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Governor;    appointed  December  20,  1822. 

William  Woodbrige,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor;  September 
29,  1823  to  May  28, 1825. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Governor ;   appointed  December  22,  1825. 

William  Woodbridge,  Secretarv  and  Acting  Governor;  August  31, 
1826;   October  3,  1826;   July  25,  1827. 

General  Lewis  Cass,  Governor;    appointed  December  24,  1828. 

James  Witberell,  Secretarv  and  Acting  Governor;  January  1,  1830 
to  April  2,  1830. 

General  John  T.  Mason,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor ;  September 
24,  1830  to  October  4.  1830;   April  4  to  May  27,  1831. 

Stevens  Tiiompson  Mason.  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor,''  August 
1,  1831  to  September  17,  1831. 

George  B.  Porter,  Governor  ;^    appointed  August  6,  1831. 

Stevens  Thompson  Mason,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor ;  October 
30, 1831  to  June  11, 1832 ;  May  23  to  July  14.  1833 ;  August  13  to  August 
28,  1833;  September  5  to  December  14,  1833;  February  1  to  February 
7,  1834. 

Stevens  Thompson  Mason,  ex  officio  Governor  as  Secretary  of  Ter- 
ritory ;•''    appointed  July  6,  1834. 

Charles  Shaler:"    appointed  August  29,  1835. 

John  S.  Iloi'nei',  Secretarv  and  Acting  Governor:^  Septemlicr  3, 
1835. 

Governors  of  the  State  of  Michigan 

(Under  the  Constitution  of  1835.) 

Stevens  Thompson  ilason.  Governor;  inaugurated  Novcmebr  3, 
1835. 

Stevens  Thompson  Mason,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1838. 

pjdward  ^Mundy,  Lieut,  Governor  and  Acting  Governor  ;8  April  13  to 
June  12,  1838 ;  September  19  to  December  9,  1838. 


=  On  the  resignation  of  General  Cass,  August  1,  1831,  whii  was  appoiiitoil  sec- 
retary of  war  by  President  Jackson,  July,  1831. 

4.1)ied  July"  6,  18.34. 

s  Henry  D.  Gilpin  was  appointed  governor  by  President  Jackson,  Xoveniber  .5, 
1834,  but  the  nomination  was  rejected.  No  otiier  appointment  was  made  for  the 
office,   while  Michigan   was  a  territory, 

'•To  supersede  Mason  as  secretary,  but  tlic  a|ip(pintment   was  dc<-lined. 

'  Vice  Shaler,  resigned.  Appointed  secu'lary  of  WiscoTisiii  territory  by  Presi- 
dent Jackson,  Jlay  6,  1836, 

*  During  the  absence  of  the  govenior. 


220  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

William  Woodbridge,  Governor;-   inaugurated  January  7,  1840. 

James  Wright  Gordon,  Lieut.  Governor  and  Acting  Governor;  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1841. 

John  S.  Barry,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  3,  1842. 

John  S.  Barry  Governor;   inaugurated  January  1,  1844. 

Alpheus  Felch,  Governor  ;•'  inaugurated  January  5,  1846. 

William  L.  Greenly,  Lieut.  Governor  and  Acting  Governor;  March 
4,  1847. 

Epaphroditus  Ransom,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  3,  1848. 

John  S.  Barry,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  7,  1850. 

(Under  the  Constitution  of  1850.) 
Robert  McClelland,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  1,  1851. 
Robert  McClelland,  Governor  ;■*  inaugurated  January  5,  1853. 
Andrew  Parsons,  Lieut.  Governor  and  Acting  Governor;    March  8, 
1853. 

Kinsley  S.  Bingham,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  3,  1855. 
Kinsley  IS.  Bingham,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  7,  1857. 
Moses  Wisner,   Governor;    inaugurated  January  5,   1859. 
Austin  Blair,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  2,  1861. 
Austin  Blair,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  7,  1863. 
Henry  H.  Crapo,  Governor;  inaugurated  January  4,  1865. 
Henry  H.  Crapo,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  2,  1867. 
Henry  P.  Baldwin,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  6,  1869. 
Henry  P.  Baldwin,  Governor ;   inaugurated  January  4,  1871. 
John  J.  Bagley,  Governor;    inaugurated  Januarj'  1,  1873. 
John  J.  Bagley,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  6,  1875. 
Charles  M.  Croswell,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  3,  1877. 
Charles  M.  Croswell,  Governor ;   inaugurated  January'  1,  1879. 
David  H.  Jerome,  Governor;  inaugurated  January  1,  1881. 
Josiah  W.  Begole,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1883. 
Russell  A.  Alger,   Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1885. 
Cyrus   G.   Luce,    Governor;    inaugurated   January    1,    1887. 
Cyrus  G.  Luce,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1889. 
Edwin  B.  Winans,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1891. 
John  T.  Rich,   Governor;    inaiigurated  January  1,  1893. 
John  T.  Rich,  Govei-nor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1895. 
Ha^en  S.  Pingree,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1897. 
Hazen  S.  Pingree,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1899. 
Aaron  T.  Bliss,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  1,  1901. 
Aaron  T.  Bliss,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  1,  1903. 
Fred  M.  Warner,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  2,  1905. 
Fred  M.  Warner,  Governor;    inaugurated  January  12,  1907. 
Fred  M.  Warner,  Governor;    inaugui-ated  January  1,  1909. 

(Under  the  Constitution  of  1909.) 
Cha.se  S.  Osborn,  Governor;   inaugurated  January  1,  1911. 


=  Resigned  Feb.  23,  1841.  Elected  senator  Feb.  3,  1841. 

3  Eesigned  March  3,  1847.  Elected  United  States  senator  Feb.  2,  1847. 

■*  Eesigned  March   7,   1853.  Appointed  Secretary   of  the  Interior  bv  President 
Pierce. 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  221 

Federal  Officials  from  Calhoun  County 

Members  of  Congress. 

24tli  Cougiess;  Isaac  E.  Crary,i  Marshall,  1835-1836. 
25th  Congress;   Isaac  E.  Crary,-'  Marshall,  1837-1838. 
26th  Congress;   Isaac  E.  Crary,-  Marshall,  1839-1840. 
30th  Congress;  Edward  Bradlev',  :\Iarshall,  1847. 
43rd  Congress ;  George  Willard,  Rattle  Creek,  1873-1874. 
44th  Congress ;  George  Willard.  Hattle  Creek.  1875-1876. 
56th  Congress ;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion,  1899-1900. 
57th  Congress ;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion,  1901-1902. 
58th  Congress ;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion,  1903-1904. 
59th  Congress ;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion,  1905-1906. 
60th  Congress ;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion.  1907-1908. 
61st  Congress;  Washington  Gardner,  Albion.  l!l()l)-1910. 
J.  Wright  Gordon,  Marshall;  United  States  Consul  to  Pernambnco. 
Abner  Pratt,  Marshall ;   United  States  Consul  to  Honolulu. 
Charles  T.'  Gorham,  Marshall ;   United  States  Minister  to  the  Hague. 
Charles  T.  Gorham, ^  .Nlarshall ;  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 
Charles  Dickey,  Marshall;    United   States  Marshall  for  Michigan, 
1861-1866. 

Ira  Mayhue,  Albion;   United  States  Collector  of  Internal  Revenues. 

Delegates  to  1835   Constitution   Convention. 

Isaac  E.  Crar>'. 
Ezra  Convis. 
The  delegates  to  this  convention  were  elected  Ajnil  4,  1835,  in  pur- 
suance of  an  act  of  the  territorial  council  of  January  26,  1835.  Con- 
vened at  Detroit,  i\Iay  11,  and  ad.journed  June  24,  1835.  The  consti- 
tution as  framed  was  adopted  by  tiie  people  in  October,  1835.  there 
being  6,299  yeas  and  1,359  nays.  It  remained  in  force  as  the  funda- 
mental law  of  the  state  until  the  constitution  of  1850  went  into  effect. 

Delegates   to  the   1S50  Convention. 

Isaac  E.  Crary. 

Milo  Soule. 

William    V.    ^Morrison. 

John  D.  Pierce. 

Nathan  Pierce. 
The  delegates  to  this  convention  were  electeil  May  ti,  1850.     On  the 
3rd  of  June  following,  convened  in  Lansing,  and  on  August   15th  ad- 
journed.    The  constitution  as  framed  by  this  convention  was  submitted 


Delegate  representing  the  entire  Territory  of   .Miiliigiin. 
'■  Represented  the  whole  State  in  Congress. 
Died  enroute  to  Washington.     Xever  qualifieil. 
Asst.  Secretary  under  i)arts  of  administrations  of  both  Grant  and  Hayes. 


222  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

to  the  people  on  Nov.  5,  1850,  and  was  adopted  by  a  majority  of  26,736 
votes.  It  remained  in  force  until  the  constitution  of  1909  went  into 
effect. 

Delegates  to  the  1907-08  Convention. 

Edwin    C.    Nichols,    Battle   Creek. 
Delos  Fall,  Albion. 
Tlie  delegates  to  this  convention  were  elected  September  17,  1907. 
Convened  at  Lansing,  October  22,  and  cDiiiiilcted  the  revision  March  3, 
1908.    The  new  constitution  was  .submittiMl  to  the  people  November,  1908, 
and  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  244. Tor)  to  l:iii,7s:5. 

State  Opfici.\ls  fruji  the  County 

Lieutenant  Governor:  James  Wright  Gordon,  Battle  Creek,  1840- 
1841. 

Secretary  of  State:  Washington  Gardner,  Albion,  from  March  20, 
1894,  to  January  1st,  1899.  First  appointment  by  Governor  John  T.  Rich, 
to  fill  vacancy. 

State  Treasurer:  "Victory  P.  Collier,  Battle  Creek,  January  1871  to 
1874. 

Superintendents  of  Public  Instruction:  (Appointed  under  the  con- 
stitution of  1835)  :  John  D.  Pierce,  Marshall,  July  26,  1836  to  1841; 
Oliver  C.  Comstock,  jMarshall,  May  8,  1843  to  1845;  Ira  Mayhew,  Al- 
bion, April  17,  1845  to  1849 ;  Francis  W.  Shearman,  Marshall,  March 
28,  1849  to  1850. 

Superintendents  of  Public  Instruction,  elected  under  the  constitution 
of  1850:  Francis  W.  Shearman,  IMarshall,  1851  to  1854;  Ira  Mayhew, 
Albion,  1855  to  1858 ;  Delos  Fall,  Albion,  1901  to  1904. 

Members  of  the  State  Board  of  Education,  appointed  under  the  consti- 
tution of  1835:  Isaac  E.  Crary,  .Marshall,  .March  29,  1850  to  March  20, 
1852. 

Elected  under  the  constitution  of  1850:  Isaac  E.  Crary,  Marshall, 
Nov.  2,  1852,  died  during  tenn  of  office;  George  Willard,  Battle  Creek, 
Nov.  4,  1856,  for  6  years;  William  J.  McKone,i  Albion,  April  3,  1905. 

Elected  under  sthe  eousitution  of  1909 :  William  J.  ]\IcKone,  Albion, 
April  5,  1909,  for  6  years. 

Regents  of  the  University :  Isaac  E.  Crary,  ^Marshall,  March  21,  1837 
to  1847;  George  Willard,  Battle  Creek,  January  31,  1864  to  December 
31,  1865;  George  Willard,  Battle  Creek,  January  1,  1866  to  December 
31,  1873;  Victory  P.  Collier,i  Battle  Creek,  March,  1877;  Victoi-y  P. 
Collier,  Battle  Creek,  January  1,  1878  to  December  31,  1885. 

Commissioner  of  Labor  Statistics:  Joseph  L.  Cox,2  Battle  Creek, 
April  29,  1897  to  1900. 

Members  of  the  State  Senate  (from  1835  to  1911  inclusive)  :  Charles 
Austin,  Battle  Creek,  1883,  1885;  Arthur  D.  Bangham,  Homer,  1901, 
1903 ;  Edward  Bradley,  Marshall,  1843 ;  William  H.  Brockway,  Albion, 


Appointed  to  fill  vacancy. 

'  Appointed  by  tlie  governor. 


HISTORY  OF  L'ALIIOUX  COrNTY  223 

1855;  Frauk  W.  Clapp,  Battle  Creek,  1893,  1895;  Victory  P.  Collier, 
Battle  Creek,  1865,  1867;  William  Cook,i  Homer,  1875,  1877:  Philip 
H.  Emerson,-  Battle  Creek,  1871,  1872,  1873;  John  C.  FitzGerald, 
Marshall,  1869,  1870;  George  H.  French,  Homer,  1861,  1862,  1863,  1864; 
James  Wright  Gordon,  .Marshall.  183!);  Charles  T.  Gorham,  ilarsiiall, 
1859;  Henry  Hewitt,  Marshall,  1842 ;  William  F.  Hewitt,''  Marshall, 
1874 ;  Albert  C.  Kingman,  Battle  Creek,  1909 ;  Loren  iMaynard,  Marengo, 
1846,  1847  ;  Perrv  .Mavo,  Battle  Creek,  1887 ;  Sands  McCamlv,  Battle 
Creek,  1839, 1840;  John  C.  Patterson,  Marshall,  1879,  1881,  1882;  Nathan 
Pierce,  Marengo,  1853,  1857,  1858;  Abner  Pratt,  Marshall,  1844,  1845; 
Campbell  AVal'do,  Albion,  1848,  1849. 

Secretary,  State  Senate :  Lsaac  W.  Wilder,  ilarshall,  1855  to  1857. 

Representatives  of  Michigan  Legislature,  who  served  from  Calhoun 
county  from  1835  to  1911,  inclusive:  Isaac  C.  Abbott,  Pine  Creek,  1863, 
1864;"  Charles  Austin,  Battle  Creek,  1881,  1882;  John  L.  Balcombe, 
Battle  Creek,  1851;  John  Barbour,  Battle  Creek,  1846;  Joseph  P.  Beach, 
Battle  Creek.  1865;  William  E.  Boslev,  .Marshall,  1905;  William  Boyd, 
Albion,  1901 ;  William  H.  Brockway.  Albion,  1865,  1871,  1872 ;  George 
I.  Brown,  Battle  Creek,  1871.  1872;  Chester  Buckley,  Battle  Creek,  1857, 
1858,  1863,  1864;  Philo  H.  Budlong,  Marshall,  1875;  Abner  E.  Campbell, 
Battle  Creek,  1848;  James  H.  Campbell,  Marshall,  1879,  1881,  1882; 
Frank  W.  Clapp,  Battle  Creek,  1875;  Benjamin  Clark,  Albion,  1869, 
1870 ;  Darius  Clark,  Mai-shall,  1851 ;  Hovey  K.  Clarke,  .Marshall,  1850 ; 
Henry  A.  Clute,  Marshall,  1897,  1898;  Ezra  Convis,i  Battle  Creek, 
1835  to  1836,  183  (;  Asa  B.  Cook,  Marshall,  1857,  1858;  Hervey  Cook, 
Homer,  1840;  WiUiam  Cook,  Homer,  1861,  1862,  1863,  1864;  Isaac  E. 
Crary,  Marshall,  1842,  1846;  Will  A.  Crosby,  Battle  Creek,  1899,  1900; 
Miles  S.  Curtis,  Battle  Creek,  1889;  Charles  Dickey,  Marshall,  1859; 
Andrew  Dorsej^  Homer,  1838 ;  Daniel  Dunakin,  Homer,  1855 ;  Alva  D. 
Eldred,  Tekonsha,  1885,  1887 ;  Fenner  Ferguson,  Albion,  1849 ;  John  W. 
Fletcher,  Marshall.  1877;  William  J.  Foster,  Battle  Creek,  1901,  1903; 
George  C.  Gibbs,  Marshall,  1839;  Justus  Goodwin,  Burlington,  1839, 
1843;  Justus  Goodwin,  Union  City,  1842,  1847;  Henrv  C.  Hall,  Battle 
Creek,  1889;  Moses  Hall,  Battle  Creek,  1844;  Talman  W.  Hall,  Battle 
Creek,  1855;  Jonathan  Hart,  Battle  Creek,  1840;  Patrick  Hart,  Battle 
Creek,  1893;  Martin  Haven,  Albion,  1867;  Andrew  L.  Hays,  Marshall 
1845;  Eben  F.  Henderson.  Battle  Creek,  1861,  1862;  James  Henry 
Battle  Creek.  1907,  1909;  Frederick  F.  Hoaglin,  Albion,  1887,  1889 
Norton  P.  Hobart,  Athens,  1849;  John  Houston,  Marshall,  1875;  Br 
ley  P.  Hudson,  Marshall,  1853;  Homer  C.  Hurd,  Union  City,  1855 
1861,  1862;  Erastus  Hussey,  Battle  Creek,  1850;  Loomis  Hutchinson 
Ceresco,  1869,  1870;  Richard  Keeler,  Battle  Creek,  1877;  Edward  P 
Keep,  Tekonsha,  1899,  1900 ;  Newell  J.  Kelsey,  West  Le  Roy,  1883 :  Wil 
lard  A.  Knight,  Battle  Creek,  1905;  Sands  McCamlev,-  Battle  Creek. 
1837,  1843;   George  R.  McKay,  Marshall,  1865;   Orlando  Moffatt,  Battle 


1  Vice  Lewi.s  Durkee,  deceased. 

2  Resigned  before  extra  session  of   '74  aud  succeeded  by  Wni.  F.  Hew; 

3  Vice  Philip  H.  Emerson,  resigned. 

■>  Died  February  27,  1837,  and  succeeded  by  Sands  McCamley. 
■'•  In  1837,  vice  Ezra  Convis,  deceased. 


224  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Creek,  1849 ;  James  Monroe,  Albion,  1857, 1858, 1859 ;  Ephraim  W.  Moore, 
Battle  Creek,  1897,  1898 ;  Charles  Olin,  Marshall,  1841 ;  John  R.  Palmer, 
Albion,  1853;  John  D.  Pierce,  Marshall,  1847,  1848;  Nathan  Pieree,i 
Marengo,  1850,  1851;  Abner  Pratt,  Marshall,  1863;  Almon  E.  Preston, 
Battle  Creek,  1857 ;  Harvev  Randall,  Tekonsha,  1867 ;  George  Robertson, 
Albion,  1879,  1881,  1882;  Lote  C.  Robinson,  Eckford,  1903;  Solon  E. 
Robinson,  ilarshall,  1873,  1874;  Rodolphus  Sanderson,  Battle  Creek, 
1865.  1873,  1874;  James  Sheldon,  Albion,  1844;  James  F.  Smiley,  ilar- 
shall,  1895;  Hiram  Smith,  Homer,  1848;  Stephen  F.  Snyder,  Marshall, 
1883,  1885 ;  Eli  L.  Stillson,  Battle  Creek.  1845 ;  Henry  W.  Taylor.  ;\Iar- 
shall,  1847;  John  Wagner.  East  Le  Roy,  1869,  1870;  James  Walkinshaw, 
Marshall,  1877;  George  Willard,  Battle  Creek,  1867;  George  E.  Willitts, 
Mai-shall.  1907;  James  Winters,  Pine  Creek,  1853;  Walter  W.  Wool- 
noiigh,  Battle  Creek,  1859. 

Speakers  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  from  1835  to  1911.  in- 
clusive: Ezra  Couvis,  Battle  Creek,  1835  to  1836;  Isaac  E.  Crary, 
Marshall,    1846;    Charles   Dickey ,2    aiarshall,   1859. 

Circuit  Judges:  William  A.  Fletcher.  1833-1836;  Epaphroditus 
Ransom.  1837-1843;  Alpheus  Fetch,  1843-1845;  George  Miles,  1846- 
1850 ;  Abner  Pratt,  Calhoun  County,  1850-1857 ;  Benjamin  F.  Graves, 
Calhoun  County,  1857-1866;  George  Woodruff,  Calhoun  Countv,  1866- 
1876;  Phillip  't.  VanZile.  1876-1878;  Frank  A.  Hooker.  1879-1893; 
Clcnirnt  Smith.  1893-1901;  Herbert  B.  Winsor,  1901-1903;  Joel  Hop- 
kins, 1903-1905;   Walter  H.  North,  1906-1912. 

Judges  of  Probate :  James  P.  Greeves,  1834-1835 ;  Henry  P.  Phelps, 
1836-1844;  Horace  P.  Noyes.  1845-1857;  Joseph  C.  Frink,  1856-1860; 
Martin  D.  Strong.  1861-1864;  Theron  Hamilton.  1865-1867;  Eden  F. 
Henderson,  1868-1873;  Charles  Dickey,  1874-1878;  George  Ingersoll, 
1879-1896;  William  A.  Lane,  1897-1904;  George  W.  Hamm,  1905-1908; 
William  H.  Porter,  1909-1912. 

Sheriffs:  H.  C.  Goodrich,  1837-1838;  Loren  Maynard,  1839-1842; 
Charles  A.  Church.  1843-1844;  Charles  Dickey,  1845-1848;  Joseph 
Hollon.  1849-1850;  James  Monroe.  1851-1852;  Artemas  Doane,  1853- 
1854;  Harvey  M.  Nixon.  1855-1858;  Marcus  D.  Crane,  Albion,  1859- 
1862;  John  Houston,  1863-1866 ;  William  C.  Richfield  1867-1868;  Wil- 
liam L.  Busk,  1869-1870;  William  Richfield.  1871-1872;  David  R. 
Smilev,  1873-1876;  John  C.  Barber,  1877-1880;  Samuel  I.  Henderson, 
1881-1882;  Loral  C.  Kellogg.  1883-1884;  John  C.  Barber,  1885-1888; 
Alonzo  K.  Prentice.  1889-1892;  David  Walkinshaw,  1893-1896;  Wil- 
liam D.  Stone.  1897-1898;  H.  R.  Williams.  1899-1902;  Charles  B. 
Furner,  1903-1906;  Frank  A.  Graham,  1907-1910;  LaVerne  Fonda.  1911- 
1912. 

County  Clerks:  Mar\'in  Preston,  1837-1838;  John  A.  VanHorn. 
1839-1844 ;  Edwin  A.  Hayden,  1845-1846 ;  John  Meachem,  1847-1850 ; 
Erastus  Hussey,  1851-1854;  Samuel  S.  Lacev.  1855-1860;  Levi  Mosher. 
1861-1864;  William  Howard,  1865-1868;  S.  P.  Brockway.  1869-1872; 
John  E.  Stetson.  1873-1876;   Charles  C.  McDermid.  1877-1880;  William 


Took  his  seat  Feb.  7.  1839,  as  successor  to  Calvin  Smith,  ileoeaseil 
Speaker  pro  tempore. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  225 

F.  Neale,  1881-1884;  Leonidas  H.  Brockway,  1885-1888;  William  J. 
Gregg,  1889-1896;  Edward  Austin,  1897-1902;  Frank  E.  McNary, 
1903-1906;   Rav  E.  Hart,  1907-1912. 

Treasurers:  Marvin  Preston,  1833-1835;  Sidney  S.  Alcott,  1836- 
1842 ;  Milo  Soule,  1843-1848 ;  Preston  Mitchell,  1849-1852 ;  J.  B.  Cook, 
1853-1854;  Preston  Mitchell,  1855-1856;  Silas  W.  Dodge,  1857-1862; 
Eden  T.  Henderson,  1863-1866:  Henry  W.  Hemstead,  1867-1872;  Earl 
Smith,  1873-1878;  Wellington  Bidweli,  1879-1882;  George  S.  Woolsey, 
1883-1886;  James  W.  Wood,  1887-1890;  Ephraira  Marble,  1891-1894; 
Edwin  N.  Parsons,  1895-1896;  Abram  C.  Wisner,  1897-1898;  Guy 
Fiske,  1899-1902;  Irvin  A.  Doolittle,  1903-1906;  Frank  J.  Dibble, 
1907-1910;    George  S.  Barnes,  1911-1912. 

Registers  of  Deeds:  Randall  Hobart,  Marshall,  1835-1838;  Ira  Til- 
lotson.  1839-1846 ;  Joseph  C.  Frink,  1847-1848 ;  Robert  B.  Porter,  1849- 
1850:  Joseph  C.  Frink,  1851-1852;  Stephen  Gilbert.  1853-1^54;  George 
IngersoU  1855-1856 ;  F.  S.  Clark,  1857-1860;  John  T.  Ellis,  1861-1864; 
Henrv  P.  Cook,  1865-1868;  William  F.  Neale,  1869-1872;  Charles  D. 
Holmes.  1873-1876;  Stephen  F.  Snyder,  Marshall.  1877-1882;  Earl 
Smith.  1883-1886;  Frank  B.  Snyder.  1887-1888;  Albert  H.  Geddes, 
1889-1892;  Newell  J.  Kelsev,  1893-1896;  Bvron  E.  Cole,  1897-1898; 
C.  H.  Daskam.  1899-1902;  Charles  0.  Ball,  1903-1906;  C.  H.  Daskam, 
1907-1912. 

Prosecuting  Attorneys:  Cephas  A.  Smith,  1833-1835:  S.  H.  Pres- 
ton, 1836-1838;  George  C.  Gibbs,  1838-1839;  D.  L.  Johns,  1840-1841; 
Edward  Bradlev,  1842 ;  George  C.  Gibbs,  1843-1845 ;  William  C.  Row- 
lev,  1846-1848 ;"  Abner  Pratt,  1849-1850;  Hovey  K.  Clark,  1851-1852: 
Charles  S.  Mav,  1853-1854:  W.  H.  Browai,  1855-1858;  Levant  C. 
Rhines.  1859-1862:  John  C.  Fitzgerald,  1863-1866;  Joseph  C.  Lodge, 
1867-1870;  James  A.  Miner,  1871-1874;  Frank  W.  Clapp,  1875-1878; 
Fred  M.  Wadleigh.  1879-1882;  William  H.  Porter,  1883-1884;  Joseph 
S.  Noves,  1885-1887:  Herbert  E.  Winsor,  1888-1890;  John  E.  Folev, 
1891-1892;  O.  Scott  Clark.  1893-1896;  Leslie  E.  Clawson.  1897-1898; 
J.  M.  Hatch.  1899-1902;  J.  L.  Hooper,  1903-1906;  Louis  E.  Stewart. 
1907-1908:    H.  W.  Cavanagh.  1909-1910;    R.  H.  Kirsehman,  1911-1912. 

From  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1833  to  the  adoption  of 
the  constitution  in  1850  the  prosecuting  attorneys  were  appointed  by 
the  governor ;    after  that  elected  by  the  people. 

Circuit  Court  Commissioners:  George  C.  Gibbs,  1853-1854;  George 
Won.lfuff,  isr>r)-l,s(i():  Sidney  Thomas,  1861-1862;  George  Woodruff, 
1m;:;-1S(;(k  James  1'..  Greenough,  1863-1864;  Joseph  G.  Lodge.  1865- 
1866;  James  A.  iliner.  1867-1870;  Phillip  H.  Eramerson,  1867-1868; 
Rienzi  Loud.  1869-1870;  Moses  D.  Russell.  1871-1876;  William  D. 
Adams,  1871-1878;  Herbert  E.  Winsor,  1877-1880;  Eugene  M.  Con- 
verse, 1879-1882;  M.  D.  Weeks.  1S81-1S82;  Charles  E.  Thomas,  1883- 
1884;  Joseph  S.  Noyes,  18S:;-1SS4;  Stephen  S.  Hulbert,  1885-1886; 
George  H.  Southworth,  18S.-,-lSSS;  (i,.orge  W^  Mechera,  1887-1892; 
Jesse  M.  Hatch,  1889-1892;  .Al.  [).  Weeks,  1893-1896;  Geo.  W.  Nichols. 
1893-1896;  L.  E.  Clawson.  1894-1896;  E.  R.  Loud.  1897-1900;  Henrv 
P.  Lewis,  1899-1902;  L.  E.  Stewart.  1901-1902;  J.  L.  Hooper.  1903- 
1906;    Adrian   F.    Cooper,   1903-1904;    J.    Howard   Green,    1905-1906; 


226  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Walter  H.  North,  1907-1910;  Walter  L.  Cornell,  1907-1910;  Lawrence 
S.  Page,  1907-1910;  Albert  N.  Ford,  1911-1912;  Charles  0.  Miller, 
1911-1912. 

Surveyors:  Edwin  A.  Hayden,  1841-1842;  Cyrus  Hewitt,  1843- 
1844;  Cyrus  Robertson,  1845-1846;  Cyrus  Hewitt,  1847-1848;  Cyrus 
Robertson,  1849-1850;  Cyrus  Hewitt,  1851-1852;  Cyrus  Robertson, 
1853-1854;  CvTus  Hewitt.  1855-1858;  Globe  D.  Lewis,  1859-1860; 
Loren  Wing.  1861-1862;  John  Meaeham,  1863-1864;  David  H.  Miller, 
1865-1866;  William  A.  Sweet,  1867-1872;  David  A.  Lichenor,  1873- 
1876;  Benjamin  F.  Wells,  1877-1880;  Globe  Lewis,  1881-1882;  James 
M.  Giffor,  1883-1884;  Benjamin  F.  Wells,  1885-1886;  George  Marsh, 
1887-1888;  James  M.  Gifford,  1889-1890;  Uriah  M.  Gifford,  1891-1892; 
Pratt  A.  Cortright,  1893-1904;  Edward  Hoyt,  1905-1906;  Arthur  H. 
Chase,  1907-1912. 

Drain  Commissioners :  George  Johnson,  1870-1871 ;  William  A. 
Sweet,  1872-1873;  Otto  L.  Johnson,  1874-1875;  George  Marsh,  1875- 
1876;  J.  H.  Laberteaux,  1882-1883;  B.  F.  Wetherbee,  1886-1888;  A. 
D.  Eldred,  1889-1891;  Uriah  Gifford,  1892-1893;  Jacob  Blind,  1893- 
1897 ;  Charles  B.  Mead,  1898-1901 ;  Edward  D.  Dickinson,  1902-1910 ; 
L.  Chester  Williams,  1911-1912. 

Commissioners  of  Schools:  A.  G.  Randall,  1891-1897;  Emma  S. 
Willitts,  1897-1899;  Ernest  Burnham,  1899-1904;  Frank  D.  Miller, 
1904-1912. 

Coroners:  Granville  Stowe.  1841-1842;  James  Winters,  1841-1842; 
Granville  Stowe.  1843-1844;  Wright  J.  Esmond,  1843-1844;  Wright 
J.  Esmond,  1845-1846;  H.  B.  Tud,  1845-1846;  James  D.  Potts,  1847- 
1848;  Charles  Harkins,  1847-1848;  Nathan  Davis,  1849-1850;  Aaron 
Ismond,  1849-1850;  John  Houston,  1851-1852;  Silas  Sheffield,  1851- 
1852;  John  Barbour,  1853-1854;  Nathan  Chidister,  1853-1854;  David 
H.  Miller,  1855-1856;  Benjamin  Chamberlain,  1855-1856;  Traeey  H. 
Swarthout,  1857-1858;  Reuben  E.  Waldo,  1857-1858;  John  F.  Hinman, 
1859-1860;  Isaac  Beers,  1859^1.S6();  Alanson  Graham,  1861-1862;  George 
McAllister,  1861-1862;  Isaac  Beers,  1863-1864;  Charles  .AI.  Bardwell, 
1863-1864:  Thomas  Knight,  1865-1866 ;  Ira  Nash,  1865-1866 ;  Moses  B. 
Russell,  1867-1868;  Willoughby  O'Donoughue.  1867-1868;  John  S. 
Evans,  1869-1870;  Alanson  Graham,  1869-1870:  Sylvcslci-  S.  Granger, 
1871-1872;  Zeno  Gould.  1871-1872;  Peter  Kot-htT.  IsT.i  1^74;  Willougli- 
by  O'Donoughue,  1873-1874;  W.  O'Donoughue,  1875-187G;  Tracey^C. 
.Southworth.  1875-1876;  Morgan  J.  Alexander,  1877-1878;  Tolmaii  W. 
Hall,  1877-1878;  Elias  Hewitt.  1879-1880:  Zeno  Gould,  1879-1880; 
Elias  IlHwitt.  1881-1882;  Charles  Rowe,  1881-1882;  Alex.  H.  Briggs, 
],ss:i-lSS4;  William  Howard.  1883-1884;  Mvron  Jov.  1883-1884;  Devillo 
Iliil.lijird,  1S83-1884;  Alex.  H.  Briggs,  1885-1886;  Elias  Hewitt,  1885- 
18SU;  Elias  Hewitt,  1887-1888;  Alex.  H.  Briggs,  1887-1888;  Thomas  H. 
Briggs,  1889-1892  :  Elias  Hewitt,  1889-1892  ;  H.  M.  Merrill,  1893  ;  Leon 
Gillett,  1893. 

Population  .\nd  Property  V.vluation 

Calhoun  county  ranks  seventh  in  population,  being  surpassed  by 
Kalamazoo,  Bay,  Houghton,  Saginaw,  Kent,  and  Wayne,  in  the  order 
named. 


HISTORY   OF  CALUorX   ('OIXTY  ■2-27 

Valuation  ol'  taxjililc  propi-rty  as  I'scimated  liy  the  Slali'  Imaid  of 
Tax  CoininissioiU'i's  in  l!K)(i,  $42,!):{7.S()() ;  a,s  (.Miualizi'd  liy  I'.oai-d  of  Su- 
pervisors in  l!l(!ti,  $4(t.401.',:i71  :  as  cM|u,-ilizcil  by  Statr  ISoard  of  K(|ualiza- 
tion  ill  1906,  $41.U0U.Ul)(). 

Feroeiitago  of  state  tax  ])aitl  liy  county  aci-ording'  to  iMiuali/alioii  of 
1906,  .02364. 

Aggregate  of  state  tax  in  11)10.  >)illl.80y.58. 

In  1910,  of  all  the  counties  in  tlie  state  Calhoun  was  surpasseil  in  ag- 
gregate of  state*  tax  only  by  Saginaw,  $117,263.75;  Kent,  $299. 976. 93 ; 
Houghton,  $381,788.81 ;   anil  Wayne,  $970,834.43. 

POPUL.VTION  OP  C.VLHOUX  COUXTY    (1837-1910) 

1837 7,959  1874 35,655 

1840 10,599  1880 38,452 

1845 15,769  1884 41,585 

1850 19,162  1890 43,501 

1854 22,517  1894 47,472 

1860 .29,564  1900 49,315 

1864 30,770  1904 52,963 

1870 ; 36,569  1910 56,638 

PdlTL.VTlON    BY    TOW.NSIIU'S    .\ND    CiTIES 

Divisions  1864  1874  1!)10 

Albion,  Village  and  Township 2,251  2,614 

Township    

City    

Athens,  Village  and  Township 1,032 

Battle   Creek,  Township    1,078 

Battle  Creek,  City   3,856 

Bedford,   Township    1,323 

Burlington,  Township    1,128 

Clarenee,   Township    892 

Convis,  Township    945 

Clarendon,  Township   1,060 

Eokford,    Township    1 ,017 

Emmet,    Township    1,160 

Fredonia,  Townslii])   869 

Homer,  Village  and   Township    1,173 

Lee.    Township    912 

LeRoy,  Township 1.194 

.Marengo.   Township    84/ 

JIarshall.   Towii'^hi])    1.076 

.Marshall.    City     4.192 

Xewtoii.   Township    957 

Penntield,  Townshii) 999 

Sheridan,  Township   1,487 

Tekonsha,  Township   1,040 

30,488 


734 

5.S33 

1,307 

1.4!)1 

986 

l.Clil 

5,323 

25.267 

1,356 

2,07(i 

1,524 

1.150 

1,032 

S(I4 

1.009 

749 

941 

914 

1,141 

915 

],2S(i 

1,033 

9S4 

720 

1,772 

l.Sl)3 

1,115 

S8(  1 

1.207 

1 .046 

1.253 

1  029 

953 

i;4s 

4.623 

4.236 

S91 

s,")(; 

1.11(1 

1,124 

1.687 

,s2i; 

1.547 

1.407 

i5.655 

5(;.63S 

CHAPTER  XV 

FOUNDING  OP  MARSHALL       • 

Early  Settlement  of  Marshall  (by  Mary  Wheeler  Miller) — Land- 
marks OP  Marshall  (by  Amelia  Frink  Redfield) — The  Cholera 
Scourge  (1832) — ]\L\.rshall  Banks — Manufacturing  in  Marshall 
— The  Calhoun  County  Agricultural  Society 

The  following  articles  relate  mostly  to  matters  conueeted  willi  llie 
early  times  of  the  village  and  city  of  Marshall  which  resulted  in  its 
firm  establishment  as  a  progressive  municipality. 

Early  Settlement  op  Marshall 

By  Mary  Wheeler  Miller 

Tlie  accounts  of  the  taking  up  of  a  wild,  unoccupied  region  of  ter- 
ritory, and  the  settlement  of  the  same  are  ever  of  thrilling  interest,  yet 
how  much  deeper  is  the  interest  to  us,  if  the  story  of  how  cultivated, 
intelleetnal  men  and  women  went  into  the  wilderness,  sulidued  the  land, 
aiid  made  homes  for  themselves  and  their  posterity,  be  the  recounting 
of  events  in  the  lives  of  our  own  forbears,  and  that,  to  us,  the  region 
brought  a  civilized  state  by  them,  bears  the  hallowed  name  of  ■'home." 

Historically,  the  story  of  the  settlement  of  Marshall  over  eighty 
j'ears  ago,  is  one  of  notable  intei-est,  the  hardships  and  conditions  of  a 
life  in  the  wilderness  having  been  met  bravely  and  courageously,  by 
men  and  women  whose  distinguished  traits  made  the  town,  for  many 
years,  the  most  important  in  tlie  state  outside  of  Detroit. 

Because  of  the  idea,  prevalent  ninety  years  ago,  that  Michigan  was  a 
land  of  swamp,  unfit  for  settlement,  the  western  tide  of  immigration 
had  avoided  its  borders;  it  had  even  escaped  the  encumbrance  of 
soldier  bounty  lands.  The  Territorial  Governor,  Lewis  ]\L  Cass,  (term 
1813-1831)  did  much  to  destroy  the  popular  illusion  regarding  iAIich- 
igan,  and  to  his  efficient  administration  is  due  the  rapid  settleiiipnt  of  the 
country  after  1830.  Under  him  two  roads  were  opened  across  the 
territory;  the  "Chicago  Turnpike"  which  began  at  Detroit  and  termi- 
nated at  Chicago  and  had  been  worked  at  government  expense,  and 
the  "Territorial  Road"  which  diverged  from  the  Chicago  road  at  or 
near  Ypsilanti,  passed  directly  west  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Jo  river 

(roOT  Note.  The  territorial  road  is  marked  in  Marshall  by  a  boulder  placed 
by  the  Mary  Marshall  Chapter,  D.  A.  E.) 

228 


IIiyTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COrXTY  229 

aud  had  only  been  surveyed  and  marked.  Both  roads  followed  deep 
cut  Indian  trails,  and  over  them  came  the  immigrants  to  settle  the  new 
land. 

Of  the  great  beauty  of  Jlit-higan  in  its  virgineal  state  all  early  set- 
tlers agree.  The  Indians  burned  all  underbrush  every  fall,  and  this 
kept  the  country  like  a  vast  park;  at  intervals  the  giant  forest  trees, 
shading  a  beautiful  greensward,  which,  in  the  spring  was  covered  with 
many  hued  flowers.  It  is  said  of  Jabez  Fitch  and  Littlejohn,  that  upon 
beholding  the  beauty  of  the  scene  for  the  first  time,  they  knelt  aud  offered 
a  prayer  to  the  God  of  the  Universe. 

It'  was  in  the  summer  of  1830  that  Mr.  Sidney  Ketchum  of  Peru, 
Clinton  county,  New  York,  decided  to  visit  the  territory  of  Michigan. 
He  was  provided  with  letters  of  introdvxction  to  Gov.  Cass,  and  landed 
in  Detroit  in  August.  Having  obtained  all  possible  information,  he 
proceeded  into  the  interior  aud  at  Ann  Arbor  pi-ocured  the  aid  of  two 
men  who  had  some  knowledge  of  the  country.  They  went  west  over 
the  Territorial  Road,  and  at  Jackson  found  several  newly  erected  log 
houses.  Pushing  further  west,  they  reached  the  junction  of  Rice  creek 
with  the  Kalamazoo  river.  Here,  having  determined  that  both  streams 
posses.sed  good  water  power,  and  having  bought  up  floating  claims  which 
might  interfere  with  ownership  rights,  Mr.  Ketchum  located  his  claims. 
Because  the  land  was  not  yet  subject  to  entry,  Mr.  Ketchum  arranged 
with  a  certain  ilcKinstry  of  Scliooleraft.  for  a  commission  of  .$75.00 
to  locate  the  land  for  him  upon  the  opening  of  the  land  office  in 
^Monroe  the  following  October.  McKinstry  did  locate  these  lands,  Octo- 
ber 15th,  1830,  but  in  his  own  name.  Mr.  Ketchum  subsequently  pur- 
chased them,  the  deed  bearing  date  ilay  11,  1831. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1830  two  young  men,  Isaac  X.  Kurd  a  civil 
engineer,  and  Calvin  Smith  a  lawyer,  were  seeking  in  Calhoun  county 
for  a  suitable  location,  and  upon  hearing  that  the  lands  at  the  junction 
of  Rice  creek  and  the  Kalamazoo  river  had  been  located,  they  con- 
cluded that  that  would  be  a  proper  site  for  a  county  seat.  They,  to- 
gether with  Hon.  J.  Allen,  procured  floating  claims,  and  laid  these 
claims  on  the  map  at  a  certain  point  between  two  eighties  belonging 
to  two  different  sections.  This  was  the  site  of  the  old  Calhoun  county 
court 'house,  now  the  West  End  Park.  Sidney  Ketchum,  hearing  of 
this,  ha,stened  back  from  the  east,  bought  Allen's  share  in  the  pro- 
posed county  seat,  and  then  returned  to  bring  his  family  out  to  their 
new  home. 

In  the  .summer  of  1831,  Messrs.  Hunl  and  Smitli.  the  owners  ol'  two 
thirds  of  the  county  seat,  procured  a  survey  and  platting  of  the  same. 
The  government  required  that  before  the  proclamation  should  be  is- 
sued declaring  this  point  the  seat  of  justice  for  Calhoun,  that  the 
following  conditions  should  be  complied  with ;  the  relinquishment  on 
the  part  of  the  owners  of  the  land,  for  public  use  of  the  alleys,  streets, 
and  squares  to  be  used  for  public  buildings.  Upon  Mr.  Ketchum 's 
return  from  New  York  this  Avas  arranged.  The  new  seat  of  justice 
was  named  Marshall  in  honor  of  John  Marshall,  then  chief  justice  of 
the  United  States,  who  was  a  warm  and  respected  friend  of  Mr.  Ket- 
chum's.      Among   the   property   released    was   the   court    house   square 


230  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COrXTY 

(now  the  West  End  Park),  four  church  lots,  for  the  Presbyterians, 
Methodists,  Baptists  and  Episcopalians;  also  a  lot  was  put  aside  for 
a  seminary  and  one  for  a  jail. 

The  first  settler  to  arrive  was  Mr.  George  Ketchum.  He  was  a  man 
of  strong  frame  and  well  balanced  mind,  accustomed  to  carrying  on 
a  diversity  of  business  and  of  control  of  men.  lie  arrived  in  Marshall 
the  18th  of  April,  1831,  accompanied  by  a  gang  of  men  to  build  mills. 
These  were  Horace  P.  Wisner,  Solomon  Allen,  White  Ketchum,  a  cousin, 
John  Kennedy,  and  Larson  Ball.  IMr.  Ball  brought  his  wife,  and  she 
was  for  some  time  the  only  white  woman  here.  The  journey  out  from 
Detroit  over  the  Territorial  Road  was  made  with  ox-teams,  over  almost 
impassable,  bridgeless  highways,  and  took  eleven  days.  There  was  no 
house  in  the  county  at  the  time,  the  place  being  a  veritable  wilderness. 
Mi-s.  Ball  slept  in  the  wagon  and  cooked  on  the  ground  till  a  house 
could  be  built.  This  first  house  in  Calhoun  county  was  of  logs,  twenty- 
six  feet  long,  20  feet  wide,  and  one  and  one-half  stories  high,  and  was 
located  on  Rice  creek. 

After  the  erection  of  the  house,  work  was  commenced  on  the  saw 
mill;  this  was  on  Rice  creek  somewhat  east  of  where  the  "White  Mill" 
now  stands.  The  building  of  this  saw  mill  was  in  progress  when  Dr. 
A.  L.  Hays  arrived  the  next  month.  May,  1831.  Dr.  Hays  selected 
three  lots  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  put  up  a  shanty,  and  with  the 
help  of  a  hired  man  put  in  a  few  acres  to  corn  and  potatoes.  The 
planting  being  accomplished,  he  built  a  log  house,  and  returned  P^ast 
for  his  familv. 

Of  the  first  religious  service  in  the  new  settlement  we  have  the  ac- 
count from  the  pen  of  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  who  writes;  "Arriving  at 
Marshall  the  last  of  June,  I  found  one  or  two  shanties,  and  a  double 
log  house  partly  done.  Next  day.  being  the  Sabbath  day,  July  1,  1831, 
by  consent  of  the  owner  the  meeting  was  appointed.  The  entire  com- 
munit.v  assembled,  not  one  of  the  settlers  was  absent.  When  the  con- 
gregation came  together  it  numbered  about  twenty-five.  Some  present 
were  non-residents  in  search  of  locations,  land  lookers  they  were  called. 
The  novelt.v  of  the  scene  induced  all  to  attend.  There  was  one  con- 
gressman, and  one  judge  from  the  East,  and  others  were  uien  of  learning 
and  intelligence.  At  that  time  there  were  three  white  females  *in  the 
county,  two  in  Marshall  and  one  twelve  miles  west.  I  never  preached 
to  a  more  attentive  congregation.  This  was  the  first  Christian  assembly, 
and  the  first  sermon  ever  preached  in  that  region  for  hundreds  of  miles 
in  extent,  where  the  red  man  and  his  companion  hunter,  the  wolf,  had 
roamed  free  for  ages." 

Mr.  Sidney  Ketchum  returned  in  July  with  his  family,  consisting 
of  his  wife,  five  children,  parents,  and  a  young  sister.  Here  in  this 
true  camp  in  the  wilderness,  did  this  little  band  of  men  and  women 
labor  assidously,  hewing  the  forest  trees  to  make  themselves  homes,  wrest- 
ing from  nature  the  wherewithal  to  live. 

Sidney  Ketchum  is  described  as  a  man  of  commanding  presence,  an 
air  of  confidence  and  honesty,  and  a  ready  command  of  most  convincing 
language.  He  was  called  by  the  Indians  "The  Great  White  Chief." 
Marshall,  in  its  building,  owes  much  to  Mr.  Ketchum 's  ability  and  enter- 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  231 

prise.  In  September,  1831,  Dr.  A.  L.  Hays  arrived  with  his  family, 
his  house  being  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  between  the  stone 
brewery  and  the  ((uarry.  They  harvested  the  crop  of  corn  and  pota- 
toes that  the  doctor  had  plantecl  befoi-e  leaving  in  the  spring,  and  had  a 
plentiful  crop  of  each.  This  was  the  first  raised  in  the  town.  Peter 
Chisholm  had  a  shanty  about  a  mile  further  down  on  the  same  side 
of  the  river,  but  after  the  birth  of  his  little  daughter,  Helen  M.,  the 
first  white  child  to  be  born  in  the  county,  he  removed  to  the  town 
(or  where  it  was  to  be),  thus  leaving  the  Hays  the  only  white  family 
living  between  the  Kalamazoo  and  St.  Jo  rivers.  Here  they  lived 
during  the  \dnter  of  1831-32,  and  here  their  son  Luther  H.  was  liorn 
January  17.  1832.  the  first  white  male  child  born  in  our  eountv. 


Only  Old  Style  Saw  Mill  Left 


On  the  third  of  September,  1831,  the  saw  mill  was  finished,  and 
its  benefit  to  the  settlers  can  hardly  be  estimated.  Up  to  that  time 
the  pioneers  were  living  without  flooi-s,  and  often  without  doors,  to 
their  houses.  The  houses  were  covered  with  bark,  shakes  (split  shingles) 
or  split  logs.  This,  too,  be  it  remembered  when  the  woods  swarmed 
with  Indians  and  wild  beasts.  On  the  completion  of  the  mill,  George 
Ketchum  returned  to  bring  out  his  family.  Mrs.  Ketehum  writes:  "We 
were  ten  days  coming  from  Detroit  in  a  lumber  wagon.  At  Sandstone 
creek  iMr.  Ketchum  carried  us  across  on  his  back.  On  the  evening  of 
November  2,  we  arrived  in  Marshall,  a  howling  wilderness.  Wolves 
and  bears  were  our  nightly  visitors." 

During  1831,  Isaac  N.  Hurd,  Lucius  Lyon,  H.  H.  Corastock  and 
John  Bertram  located  twelve  parcels  of  land  in  Marshall  township,  and 
during  that  year  John  I.  Guernsey,  Stephen  Kimball,  Sidney  Alcott, 
Thomas  and  Peter  Chisholm,  Henry  Cook,  Heniy  Faling,  Ezera  and 
Samuel    Conors,    Nathan    Pierce,    Nathan    Barney,    Polodon    Hudson, 


232  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Thomas  J.  Hurlbert,  Asabel  Warner,  Thomas  Burland,  Thomas  Knight, 
S.  G.  Crossman,  Oshea  Wilder.  Dowena  Williams,  Josiah  Godard,  Rev. 
John  D.  Pierce,  and  many  others  came  to  the  county.  Upon  Rev. 
Pierce's  return  wdth  his  family  the  community  urged  them  to  make 
Marshall  their  home  instead  of  proceeding  farther  west  as  had  been 
their  intention,  and  Mr.  Pierce  writes,  "as  an  earnest  of  their  good- 
will and  wishes  they  gave  me  one  of  two  village  lots  on  which  the 
double  log  house  was  built.  (This  lot  was  the  second  from  the  north- 
east corner  of  Mansion  street  and  Kalamazoo  avenue.)  I  paid  the 
man  who  built  it  a  fair  compensation,  and  in  this  house,  for  two  years, 
meetings  were  held  nearly  every  Sunday.  There  remained  during  the 
winter  about  sixty  persons."  Since  the  double  log  house  was  the  most 
commodious  in  the  little  settlement,  it  speedily  became  a  stopping  place 
for  travelers  and  land  lookers.  With  all  her  aristocratic  training 
Mrs.  Pierce  was  a  frugal  house  wife,  and  she  saw  a  way  to  add  a 
honest  dollar  now  and  then  to  the  income  of  her  missionary  husband, 
and  many  were  the  settlers  who  paid  tribute  to  the  good  accommoda- 
tion of  the  Pierce  home. 

Among  the  ari-ivals  in  1832  were  Rev.  Hobart,  a  Methodist  preacher, 
Dr.  Luther  Wells  Hart,  a  physician,  Isaac  E.  Crary,  George  E.  Fake, 
Marvin  Preston,  Charles  D.  Smith,  Reuben  White  and  others. 

In  May  1832,  an  historical  event  was  the  founding  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  formed  mih  seven  members,  Stephen  Kimball  be- 
ing its  first  deacon. 

During  this  month  of  May,  too,  there  occurred  a  terrible  fright  to 
the  settlers  when  the  alarm  was  given  that  the  fierce  "Black  Hawk" 
with  his  "braves"  was  on  the  war  path,  and  that  death  and  destruc- 
tion would  mark  their  trail.  It  was  indeed  appalling  news  to  the 
little  band  of  colonists  all  unlearned  in  Indian  warfare.  A  meeting 
was  called,  and  it  was  decided  to  send  forth  all  available  men  to  meet 
the  savages.  Accordingly,  two  days  later,  twelve  men.  armed  with 
rifles,  their  blankets  packed  and  provisioned,  started  forth.  George 
Ketchum  was  chosen  first  in  command,  Isaac  E.  Crary,  second.  On 
the  company's  arrival  at  Prairie  Ronde,  they  found  Col.  Daniels,  com- 
mander of  the  district,  and  learned  to  their  relief  that  there  was  no 
immediate  danger.  This  ended  the  "Black  Hawk  war"  as  far  as 
Marshall  was  concerned,  but  the  fear  and  feeling  of  insecurity  caused, 
remained  long  with  the  settlers. 

In  July,  1832,  the  cholera  scourge  broke  out  in  the  little  settle- 
ment, out  of  the  seventy  inhabitants  eight  died,  and  many  were  stricken. 
The  first  victim  of  the  dread  disea.se  was  Isaac  N.  Hurd.  He  died  at 
the  home  of  Mr.  Pierce  about  sundown,  and  was  buried  that  same 
night,  by  torchlight,  on  his  own  land.  The  seven  other  cholera  victims 
(among  whom  was  the  gifted  Mrs.  Pierce)  were  buried  by  him.  This 
land  was  deeded  by  Mr.  Kurd's  heirs  to  the  village  for  burial  purposes 
and  M'as  used  as  a  cemetery  till  1839.  It  was  located  west  of  Linden 
street,  between  State  and  Hanover. 

Despite  these  gloomy  events  the  town  had  advanced  in  improve- 
ments, and  continued  to  grow. 

The  mail  was  received  from  Detroit  regularly  once  a  week,   and 


HISTORY   OK  CALllorX   CorXTY  233 

George  Ketehum  was  the  tirst  postmaster.  It  is  said  tlie  mail  was  kept 
first  in  the  clock  and  then  in  a  cigar  box. 

In  the  spring  of  1832  the  tirst  school  house,  a  frame  building,  was 
erected,  and  stood  on  the  second  lot  west  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
(northwest  corner  Eagle  and  Mansion  streets)  and  Miss  Eliza  Ketehum 
was  its  tirst  teacher.  However,  during  the  previous  year,  when  a  loft 
was  the  best  school  room  that  could  be  provided,  instruction  had  been 
given  the  few  children  of  the  settlement  by  a  Miss  Brown,  who  had 
been  called  from  Ann  Arbor  for  the  purpose.  The  first  pioneers,  being 
people  of  learning  and  culture,  recognized  the  importance  of  early  in- 
struction for  the  young,  and  had  thus  provided  for  it.  The  new  school 
house  was  also  used  for  religious  meetings,  Mv.  Pierce  and  Mr.  Hobart 
preaching  alternately. 

In  1832,  the  first  dry  goods  store  was  established  by  Charles  D. 
Smith.  He  arrived  with  a  box  of  dry  goods,  and  u.sed  the  same  box 
for  a  counter  in  a  little  room  ten  by  twelve  feet. 

In  1832,  also,  the  first  regular  tavern  was  built  in  Jlai-shall.  (Rev. 
Pierce's  having  been  a  "house  of  hospitality"  as  boarding  houses  were 
then  called).  It  was  a  frame  building  built  by  Sam  Camp  the  pro- 
prietor, who  called  it  the  "Exchange  Hotel."  It  was  located  where 
the  stone  barn  now  stands,  and  was  afterwards  (Icslrnycd  liy  fire. 

In  1833,  Sidney  Ketehum  laid  out  an  addilimi  Id  I  lie  \ill.ijiv.  recorded 
as  the  "upper  village  of  Marshall"  which  was  diifdly  cast  nT  the  village 
fii-st  planned ;  this  included  all  land  east  of  Division  and  Jefferson 
streets,  from  that  time  there  existed,  in  the  rapidly  growing  town,  a 
sharp  rivalry  between  the  two  factions;  everything  was  fought  over, 
the  location  of  hotels,  school  house,  mills,  bank.  An  amusing  incident 
of  the  rivalry  is  related  regarding  the  starting  of  the  first  l)ank  in  1836. 
The  west  end  magnates  were  Dr.  Hays,  Sam  C.  Camp,  Charles  D.  Smith, 
S.  S.  Alcott  and  others;  those  of  the  east  end  were  the  Ketehum 
brothers.  The  books  were  opened  at  the  National  Hotel,  and  stock 
was  being  subscribed  by  the  west  enders  (juietly,  no  one  appeai'ing 
from  the  east  end  till  toward  evening,  when,  just  before  the  closing  of 
the  books,  George  Ketehum  came,  in,  took  vip  the  book,  and  began  to 
subscribe  for  himself  and  his  friends  various  amounts  of  stock,  and  to 
pay  into  the  hat,  the  receptacle  for  the  first  cash  instalment  the  five 
per  cent,  of  the  sul)scriptions  demanded  on  the  same.  The  subscrip- 
tions grew  apace,  the  money  accumulated  in  the  hat  till  the  west  enders 
])egan  to  grow  alarmed  as  they  saw  the  Ketcluims  ;nid  their  adherents 
getting  control  of  the  stock.  Whereupon  Smitii  snatched  file  book  from 
under  Ketehum 's  arm,  but  Ketehum  reached  for  tlie  ileposits  whicli  he 
retained,  and  the  work  was  suspended.  The  matter  was  compromised  by 
Ketehum 's  securing  a  controlling  interest.  The  bank  was  built  just  inside 
the  line  of  the  plat  of  the  lower  village.  It  was  chartered  under  the 
safety  fund  system.  Sidney  Ketehum  was  the  first  and  only  presichmt, 
and  George  S.  Wright  was  its  first  cashier.  Its  capital  was  $100,000,  and 
it  continued  to  do  business  till  October  15,  1840,  when  it  ceased  opera- 
tions. 

Marshall  was  a  lively,  and  interesting  place  in  those  booming  days 
before  the  panic  of  1837.     The  town,  which  had  a  good  chance  of  be- 


234  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY 

coming  the  capital  of  the  state  attracted  large  numbers  of  college  bred 
men,  and  was  long  considered  the  most  intellectual  place  outside  of 
Detroit.  (The  bill  to  locate  the  state  capital  at  .Maishall  actually 
passed  the  senate  by  a  majority  of  fourteen,  but  by  undue  influence  it 
was  thrown  out  of  the  lower  house  by  a  majority  of  two).  The  town 
also  derived  no  small  amount  of  prospective  importance  from  the  fact 
that  a  college  was  incorporated,  and  steps  were  taken  to  prepare  for 
its  early  erection.  A  beautiful  tract  of  land  was  purchased,  a  primary 
building  put  up,  and  for  a  short  time  occupied  for  school  purposes. 
The  Rev.  John  D.  Cleveland  was  elected  president  of  the  college,  was 
upon  the  ground,  devoted  to  the  enterprise,  and  surely  deserved  suc- 
cess. (The  primary  building  was  located  on  the  second  lot  north  of 
the  northeast  corner  Mansion  and  High  streets.)  An  institution  was 
incorporated  about  the  same  time  for  the  higher  education  of  females, 
and  a  building  erected  on  the  lot  east  of  Sidney  Ketchum's,  called  a 
Female  Seminary,  which  was  occupied  some  two  or  three  years,  and 
then  with  the  college,  utterly  failed.  Neither  came  to  their  end  from 
want  of  appreciation  of  their  advantages.  Init  because  they  were  jire- 
maturely  started. 

The  two  centers  of  the  to\vn's  activity  were  the  court  house  square 
in  the  lower  town,  and  the  Marshall  house  square  in  the  upper.  On  the 
former,  in  1836,  was  erected  the  first  brick  building  in  the  county, 
the  National  hotel,  built  by  Aiulrew  Jlann.  who  opened  it  with  the 
first  formal  ball  ever  held  in  Marshall,  on  January  1,  1836.  (Messrs. 
George  Bentley  and  Nathan  Benedict  came  on  in  1834  to  do  the  carpenter 
work  on  this  hotel.) 

Isaac  E.  Crary  built,  on  the  court  house  square,  the  first  pretentious 
house  in  Marshall.  It  was  a  fi-ame  building,  the  first  to  be  plastered  in 
the  county.  In  1836,  Chauncey  ]\I.  Brewer  and  Charles  T.  Gorham, 
opened  a  general  store  on  the  north  of  court  house  square  and  carried 
on  a  thriving  business  here  till  1838  when  they  bought  the  lot  on  the 
northwest  corner  Eagle  and  State  streets  and  erected  the  first  brick 
store  in  the  lower  village.  This  was  called  the  Eagle  store,  and  gave 
the  name  to  the  street  passing  east  of  it.  This  partnership  lasted  till 
1840,  when  Mr.  Gorham  retired  to  establish  a  bank,  which  is  still  con- 
tinued under  the  name  of  the  First  National  Bank,  by  his  son  and  is 
the  oldest  continuous  banking  business  in  the  state.  Upon  Mr.  Gor- 
ham's  withdrawal  Jlr.  Brewer  took  in  his  two  bi-others-in-law,  John 
Dusenbury  and  Edward  Butler,  and  the  firm  continued  under  the 
name  of  Butler,  Brewer  and  Dusenbury,  till  1845.  Mr.  Brewer  con- 
tinued it  alone  till  1870  then  his  sons  C.  D.  and  E.  G.  Brewer  took 
the  business.  It  bore  this  firm  name  till  1890  since  which  time  Mr. 
E.  G.  Brewer  has  continued  the  business  with  the  exception  of  the 
years  1897-98.  A  wonderful  set  of  ledgers  are  in  possession  of  Mr. 
Brewer,  having  been  kept  continuously  since  1836.  They  are  of  his- 
torical value  to  the  town,  as  it  was  Mr.  Chauncej'  Brewer's  custom,  to 
jot  down  under  the  proper  dates  anything  of  town  importance  that  had 
taken  place. 

Other  merchants  of  1836  were  Charles  P.  Dibble,  afterward  owner 
of  Sidney  Ketchum's  Mansion  House,  Schuyler  and  Wallingford,  H.  H. 


HISTORY   OK  CALIIOIX   COrXTY  l':!') 

Comstoc-k  (tlnigsi.  Hutlcr  ami  Dust'ubury.  ill-.  >Mi-('all  was  \hv  first 
tailor,  anil  Ke\-.  Hovarl   his  tirst  custoiuer. 

Ou  December  7,  18:!ti  the  first  newspaper  of  tlie  county  luaile  its 
appearance,  called  the  Cdllioiin  Vottntij  Patriot,  edited  by  II.  *'.  liuncc. 
In  184()  it  was  changed  to  tlie  Dmunralii-  Expounder. 

December  16,  1886,  the  Marshall  Times  came  out,  edited  liy  (i.  J. 
Greves;  it  was  the  first  Democratic,  but  subseiiuently  changed  its  politics, 
took  tlie  name  of  The  Rcpubliean,  and  afterwards  that  of  The  SUihsinaii. 
(Both  papers  continue  to  the  present  day,  the  Esponndi  r  lieing  known 
as  the  CItronieIc  and  the  statesman  by  the  same  name.) 

ilarshall  was  incorporated  into  a  village,  October  2S,  IS:)!,  wiih 
the  following  officers.  Sidney  S.  Alcott,  president;  Cyrus  Hewitt, 
recorder,  and  Chauncey  M.  Brewer,  treasurer. 

Another  historical  event  of  1837  was  the  dedication  of  the  Episcopal 
church  which  was  finished  in  the  autumn  of  that  year.  The  church 
occupied  the  site  wiiere  now  stands  the  Lutheran  church,  and  was  the 
frame  structure  now  used  as  a  blacksmith  shop  on  Hamilton  street. 

During  the  stirring  times  when  Michigan  was  being  admitted  to 
statehood,  occurred  the  formulating  and  founding  of  Michigan's  public 
school  system,  by  two  of  Marshall's  talented  men  of  learning,  Rev. 
John  D.  Pierce,  and  General  Isaac  E.  Crary.  It  had  its  inception  one 
summer  afternoon  wlien  the  two  men,  warm  friends  of  education,  sat 
on  a  log  discussing  the  future  of  the  new  state  to  be. 

The  spot  where  occurred  tlie  birth  of  the  idea  of  our  w'onderful 
school  system  is  appropriately  marked  with  a  boulder  placed  by  the 
Mary  Marshall  Chapter,  D.  A.  R..  It  is  on  Chas.  E.  Gorham's  lawn, 
which  at  that  time,  was  a  wooded  hill,  north  or  the  court  house. 

The  improvement  of  the  upper  town  went  on  with  the  same  rapidity. 
In  1838  the  Marshall  House  Co.  (Sidney  Ketchum,  president,  Geo.  S. 
Wright,  secretary)  built  the  ilarshall  IIou.se,  a  very  elegant  and  pre- 
tentious hostelry,  planned  by  the  architect  who  built  Trinity  church, 
N.  Y.  This  was  by  far  the  finest  hotel  in  Michigan,  iluch  improvement' 
having  been  made  in  the  passes  over  marshes  and  streams  on  tlie  Terri- 
torial road,  a  line  of  stages  had  supplanted  the  wagons,  and  these  made 
three  trips  out  from  Detroit  each  week  for  delivery  of  mail  and  passen- 
gers. Zenas  Tillotson  ran  the  stage  line  from  Jackson  to  Niles,  and  it 
was  indeed  an  event,  when  these  coaches,  gay  with  yellow  paint,  and 
drawn  by  four  and  six  liorses,  with  great  tooting  of  horns  and  flourish 
of  whip,  drew  up  before  the  hospitable  doors  of  the  Marshall  House. 

In  1838  Mr.  Sidney  Ketchum  built  his  beautiful  ilansion  House, 
which  has  given  the  name  of  Mansion  to  the  street  on  which  it  stands, 
and  also  the  same  year,  built  for  the  ilethodists  a  fine  stone  church  ou 
east  Green  street.  The  first  service  was  held  in  this  church  in  December, 
1838.  Previous  to  that  the  service  had  been  held  at  Mr.  Ketchum 's  home 
and  later  in  the  school  house. 

Calhoun  county  was  organized  for  judicial  purposes  by  an  act  of 
Territorial  legislature,  ilareh  6th,  1833.  The  first  session  of  the  circuit 
court,  held  in  Xovem))er,  1833,  was  presided  over  by  Judge  W.  A.  Flet- 
cher, and  Eleaser  ;\IcCainly,  associate.  A  grand  and  petit  .jury  was 
summoned,  with  Oshea  ^Vilder  foreman.     All  discharged   for  want  of 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


HISTORY  OF  (^ALIIOUX  COUNTY  237 

business.  This  session  and  those  following,  were  held  in  the  frame 
school  house,  until  the  tirst  eourt  house  for  Calhoun  county  was  erected, 
in  1838.  This  was  a  substantial  and  pretentious  colonial  brick  structure, 
built  with  an  expense  of  from  $25,000  to  $30,000.  It  stood  in  the  court 
house  square,  now  the  West  End  park,  faced  east,  and  had,  at  front 
and  rear  entrances,  the  colonial  portico  with  pillars.  The  roof  was 
topped  by  a  square  cupola.  Unfortunately,  the  foundation  used  wa.s 
the  .soft  Marshall  sandstone,  which  proved  inadequate  for  its  support,  so 
that,  in  the  late  sixties,  it  was  condemned  and  abandoned.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract  of  the  sketch  made  of  the  statistics  of  the  county, 
and  placed  in  the  cornerstone  of  the  first  eourt  house,  July  22,  1837. 
"In  the  village  of  Marshall  there  are  at  present  two  printing  offices, 
seven  lawyers,  seven  physicians,  four  clergymen,  two  surveyors  and 
civil  engineers,  three  churches,  Methodist,  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian, 
three  taverns,  seven  drygoods,  four  grocery  stores,  one  drug  and  medicine 
store,  two  bakeries,  two  jewelry  shops,  one  chair  factory,  one  fanning 
mill  factory,  one  cabinet  factory,  one  tin  and  copper,  one  furnace,  four 
blacksmiths,  two  wagons  and  carriage,  two  tailors,  one  millinery,  two 
shoemakers,  one  livery  stable,  one  flour  mill  and  one  sawmill  in  operation, 
and  one  of  each  in  building. ' ' 

From  its  organization  the  Calhoun  county  ))ar  was  composed  of  men 
of  rare  intellect  and  brilliancy.  It  is  said  of  Marshall  that  no  town  of 
its  size  in  the  world  has  had  so  many  notable  n:en  practice  before  its  bar 
— men  who  were  to  occupy  places  of  eminence  and  honor  in  state  and 
nation.  ^lany  of  the  finest  political  speakers  lectured  within  the  old 
eourt  house  walls,  or,  in  times  of  great  mass  meetings,  from  under  the 
giant  elm  before  its  portals.  This  tree  still  stands,  and  is  rightly  re- 
garded by  ^lar.shall's  citizens  as  an  historic  elm,  as  sheltered  by  its 
branches,  such  men  of  renown  have  spoken  as  Cassius  M.  Clay,  Thos. 
E.  Ilendrix,  of  Indiana  ;  Benjamin  Butler ;  Wm.  E.  Seward  also  addressed 
a  political  meeting,  but  from  the  porch  of  Mr.  Sidney  Ketchum's  house. 
It  was  a  great  event,  the  da.y  had  been  elaborately  arranged,  and  Mrs. 
Kingsbury  writes  of  how  her  father,  the  proud  marshal  of  the  day,  was 
discomfited  by  the  running  away  of  his  horse,  who  bore  the  irate 
officer  far  from  the  gala  scene  and  threw  him  into  the  marsh,  where  the 
high  school  now  stands. 

Because  of  the  culture  and  intellect  of  its  settlei's,  Marshall's  social 
life,  from  the  very  beginning  was  characterized  by  a  refinement  and  ele- 
gance not  usually  found  in  frontier  life.  We  have  an  interesting  account 
of  a  social  event  in  183f),  from  the  pen  of  ]\Irs.  Joseph  Frink,  who  was 
Miss  Bellona  Pratt.  "In  November,  1839,  two  weeks  after  our  arrival 
in  ]\Iarshall,  Jlr.  Sidney  Alcott,  a  former  Rochester  man  and  a  friend 
of  father's  (Judge  Abner  Pratt),  and  of  Judge  Lee's,  who  came  west 
with  us,  gave  a  very  large  party  in  honor  of  fallier  and  Judge  Lee. 
The  guests  were  composed  of  old  and  young.  Among  the  num])er  were 
three  young  married  couples,  the  brides  in  their  i)ridal  robes,  ;Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Chas.  T.  Gorham,  ilr.  and  Mrs.  David  Wallingford  and  Mr.  and 
jMrs.  J.  C.  Frink.  I  must  say  that  I  have  never  seen  any  more  style  and 
refinement  at  a  party  since.    At  eight  o'clock,  coffee  and  cake  were  served 


238  HISTORY  OK  CALHOUN  COUXTY 

dining  room  below.  The  game  consisted  of  "wild  turkey,  prairie  chicken, 
quail,  etc.  All  the  serving  was  done  by  colored  waiters."  Mr.  Aleott's 
house  still  stands  north  w-est  corner  JIansion  and  Grand  streets. 

In  1841  the  town  was  again  visited  by  a  scourge,  this  time  in  form 
of  a  fever,  which  was  attributed  to  the  overflowing  of  the  millpond, 
causing  malaria  from  the  stagnant  pools.  Application  was  made  for 
the  I'emoval  of  the  dam,  but  the  indignant  owner  refusing,  the  people 
took  the  matter  into  their  own  hands.  On  Sunday  morning,  the  day 
and  hour  being  chosen  with  the  idea  that  the  owner  would  be  in  church, 
it  was  demolished.  The  irate  owner  appeared  on  the  scene  while  the 
work  was  in  progress,  and  trouble  ensued,  but  at  last  a  compromise  was 
effected,  a  race  dug,  and  the  cause  of  illness  destroyed. 

An  important  building  erected  in  1843  was  the  Presbyterian  church, 
located  on  the  north  side  of  main  street,  in  the  center  of  the  block  be- 
tween Eagle  and  Division  streets.  It  was  of  colonial  design,  built  of 
brick,  with  pillars  in  the  front.  Here  many  brilliant  ministers  preached 
the  word.  Rev.  Calvin  Clark,  J.  P.  Cleveland,  John  Wilder,  Samuel 
Hall,  Jas.  Trowbridge,  Wm.  McCorkle,  Livingston  Willard,  P.  F.  Ford, 
and  others. 

The  next  step  of  importance  in  the  town's  development  was  the  en- 
trance of  the  ^lichigan  Central  Railroad  in  1844.  The  railroad,  then 
owned  and  constructed  by  the  state,  had  reached  Jackson  in  1841  At 
that  date  negotiations  were  started  for  the  grading  and  l)ridging  of  the 
road  from  Jackson  to  JIarshall,  ])ut  the  road  was  not  completed  to  this 
point  till  August,  1844.  On  the  10th  day  of  that  month,  amidst  great 
excitement,  the  firat  train  came  in  to  town.  ^Ir.  John  Bean  remembers 
the  occasion  distinctly.  The  conductor  of  the  first  passenger  train  was 
Zenas  Tillotson,  who,  upon  the  advent  of  the  railroad,  discontinued  his 
stage  line. 

It  1848  the  first  telegraph  office  was  established  by  1lie  Erie  and 
Michigan  Telegraph  Company. 

The  famous  old  frame  school  house,  so  long  the  seat  of  intellectual 
life,  scholastic,  theological  and  .iudicial,  having  served  as  schoolhouse. 
church  and  court  house,  was  deemed  to  have  outlived  its  usefulness,  and 
'a  new  school  house  decided  upon.  The  question  of  location  was  settled 
liy  i»laciiii;  it  exactly  between  the  school  districts,  which  had  been  coiii- 
hincd.  even  tliougli  that  position  was  in  the  midst  of  the  marshiest  marsh 
possible.  So,  in  1817.  a  new  red  hi'ick  school  house  was  built,  where  now 
stands  the  Central  buildiu":. 

This  same  year  occurred  iii'i-lia]:)s  as  interesting  an  event  as  ever 
touched  Marshall's  village  life,  in  tliat  it  proved  nation  wide  in  its  effects, 
namely  "The  Crosswhite  affair."  The  recounting  of  this  has,  very 
properly,  been  given  by  the  granddaughter  of  the  Mr.  Gorham  who 
bore  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  the  event.  ^March  7th,  1859,  ilarshall  was 
organized  into  a  city,  with  Clias.  P.  Dibble,  mayor;  Elias  Hewitt,  re- 
corder; Jonas  B.  Conklin.  treasurer. 

During  her  thirty  years  of  village  life,  ^Marshall  had  figured  largely 
in  the  affairs  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Sidney  Ketchum,  the  founder  of  the  town,  the  mighty  moving 
power  of  all  the  financial  matters  of  that  early  period,  became  hopelessly 


HISTORY  OF  CALIlOrX  COrXTY  239 

involved  during  tlie  panic  following  the  issuance  of  the  siieeie  circular 
by  Andrew  Jackson.  lie  made  a  manly  effort  to  retrieve  his  lost 
fortunes  by  buying  and  seeking  real  estate  in  New  York  city,  but  fortune 
frowned  on  him,  and  in  his  decrepitude  and  age  he  returned  to  the 
theater  of  his  successes,  to  find  a  resting  place  for  his  weary  body.  He 
died  September  16,  1862. 

In  closing  the  history  of  ^Marshall's  village  life  I  give  a  list  of  names 
of  some  of  her  citizens,  who  gave  largely  of  themselves  to  community, 
state  and  nation. 

In  the  bar  were:  Hon.  J.  Wiight  Gordon,  ex-governor  of  ^Michigan 
and  U.  S.  consul  at  Pernambuco;  Hon.  Edward  Bradley,  congress- 
man ;  Judge  Albert  Pratt,  circuit  and  supreme  judge  and  consul  to  Hono- 
lulu under  Buchanan;  Judge  Robert  Cross;  John  Van  Annan,  the  great 
criminal  lawyer  of  Chicago;  Hon.  Parson  AVillard,  ex-governor  of  In- 
diana; Geo.  C.  Gibbs,  first  reporter  of  the  supreme  court;  Hon.  Walter 
Hayes,  congressman  from  Iowa;  Gen.  Isaac  B.  Crary,  who,  with  Rev. 
John  D.  Pierce  was  the  founder  of  the  Michigan  school  system ;  Wm.  P. 
Greenough,  professor  in  Harvard  college  and  publisher  of  Latin  text 
books,  and  Hon.  Thos.  J.  O'Brien,  minister  to  Japan  and  later  to  Italy. 
Of  other  occupations  and  professions:  Rev.  J.  D.  Pierce,  first  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction  in  the  U.  S. ;  Hon.  Victory  P.  Collier,  state 
treasurer;  Hon.  Chas.  T.  Gorham,  minister  to  The  Hague,  afterward 
assistant  secretary  of  the  interior  at  Washington  and  acting  secretary 
for  a  time  under  Grant  and  Hayes ;  Hon.  Chas.  Dickey,  U.  S.  marshal ; 
Hon.  Digby  Bell,  commissioner  of  the  land  office;  Hon.  ^Montgomery 
Gibbs,  attache  at  the  court  of  France;  John  P.  Merrell,  rear  admiral 
U.  S.  N. 

Landmarks  op  ^Iarshall 

By  Amrliii  Friiik  Kcdfield 

I  have  been  asked  to  write  a  brief  paper  on  the  landmarks  of  Marshall. 
These  are  not  many,  but  are  worth  recording  for  the  benefit  of  the  sur- 
prisingly large  number  of  people  who  seem  to  know  nothing  of  our 
early  history,  or  of  the  intei'esting  events  that  have  taken  place  in  this 
old  town. 

Long  ago  the  old  log  houses  l)\iilt  by  George  Ketchuni  and  his 
party  in  1830,  and  the  lo^'  iion^^e  of  Dr.  A.  L.  Hayes  across  tin-  river  have 
disappeared. 

In  1831.  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce,  a  Congregational  missionary,  came  and 
built  a  double  log  house  on  the  lot  where  Mr.  Manlius  I'dfetl's  house 
now  stands.  This  was  an  important  center,  serving  as  mceliiii;  house  and 
post  office,  but  of  this  there  are  no  remains. 

The  first  frame  house  of  any  pretentions  was  that  built  by  Isaac  E. 
Crary.  ]Mr.  Crary 's  second  wife,  in  writing  her  recollections,  says-  it 
was  the  first  plastered  house  in  the  village.  Here  Jane  Elizabeth 
Crarj',  daughter  of  Judge  Horatio  Plickok,  died  aged  thirty-two  years, 
her  obituary  appearing  in  the  first  i.ssue  of  the  Statesman,  September 
12,  1839.  i  have  a  copy  of  the  obituary  before  me  now  and  it  is  very 
(luaint.      The   old    house   stood   on    the   north   side   of    Main    street    near 


240  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  West  End  park  until  last  year  when  it  was  removed.  Part  of  it 
stands  back  of  the  double  house  of  Mr.  Hoeltzel.  The  Statesman  is 
still  running  as  a  daily  paper. 

The  first  brick  building  in  the  county  was  the  National  hotel,  still 
standing  near  the  West  End  park  and  known  as  the  Dean  flats.  This 
w'as  opened  January  1,  1836,  by  its  proprietor,  Andrew  Mann,  with  a 
ball  which  was  attended  by  people  from  miles  around.  Col.  ilann  also 
provided  the  dinner  for  the  first  Fourth  of  July  celebration,  in  1836. 
The  table  was  graced  with  roast  pigs  set  every  eight  feet  flanked  front 
and  rear  with  wine  bottles.  In  1835,  Judge  James  Smith  of  Canan- 
daigua  and  Mr.  Montgomer.y  Schuyler  came  to  Marshall  together,  and 
Judge  Smith  in  writing  of  his  experiences  says:  "At  Detroit  we  and 
several  other  passengers  took  an  open  wagon  called  a  stage  and  after 
jolting  along  two  days  and  two  nights,  through  mud  and  swamps,  on 
what  was  then  known  as  the  Territorial  road  we  reached  IMarshall 
about  sunset  of  a  chilly  autumnal  day.  The  stage  landed  us  at  the 
only  public  house  in  the  lower  village  (undoubtedly  the  National 
hotel)  and  the  landlord  met  us  at  the  door.  On  seeing  the  load  of 
passengers  dismount,  instead  of  greeting  us  with  a  welcome,  he  began 
to  storm  about  and  e.xclaimiug  angrily  that  he  wished  'every  steam- 
boat on  Lake  Erie  would  burn  up  or  sink."  He  declared  he  did  not 
want  any  more  people  to  stop  with  him,  for  his  women  folks  were  worn 
out  already  with  extra  work.  Tired  and  hungry  as  we  were,  we  were 
somewhat  dismayed  by  this  inhospitable  demonstration  and  began  to 
wonder  where  we  could  find  food  and  shelter  for  the  night.  But  some 
of  the  more  experienced  passengers  pleaded  with  the  irate  landlord 
and  presented  our  needy  condition  so  persuasively  that  he  finally  con- 
sented to  see  what  he  could  do  for  us,  and  after  some  delay  a  plain 
but  plentiful  supper  was  spread  before  us  and  in  due  time  we  were 
provided  with  beds  which  we  occupied  in  couples.'" 

Sidney  Ketchum  built  in  1831  a  log  cabirf  on  the  lot  where  he 
afterwarcls  built  his  brick  house.  Here  he  gave  the  first  social  party 
given  in  the  county.  Every  person  in  the  town  was  invited  including 
babies,  and  most  everyone  attended.  Mrs.  A.  L.  Hayes,  in  writing 
of  it  later  said:  "It  was  a  fine  entertainment  and  the  companv  were 
well  appearing,  and  well  dressed.  It  would  not  disgrace  Marshall  or 
any  other  town  at  the  present  day."  In  1837,  Mr.  Ketchum  built  the 
first  brick  dwelling  house  in  town.  It  was  called  the  Mansion  House 
and  soon  gave  its  name  to  the  street  on  which  it  stood,  Mansion  street. 
This  house  is  now  the  home  of  Mr.  William  J.  Dibble.  After  Mr. 
Ketchum  moved  away  this  house  was  used  as  a  young  ladies'  seminary. 
I  liave  a  folder  sent  out  in  18.5.")  advertising  the  school. 

"Young  Ladies"  Institute,  Boarding  and  Day  School 

"The  Mansion  House  and  ample  grounds  surrounding  it,  formerly 
owned  by  Sidney  Ketchum,  Esci.,  have  been  purchased  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  boarding  and  day  school  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  H.  A.  Pierce,  principals.  .  .  .  The  position  of  Marshall 
being  a  central  point  between  Detroit  and  Chicago,  renders  it  easy  of 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COrXTY  "Al 

access  from  all  towns  both  east  and  west.  Situated  in  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  healthful  towns  in  the  west,  amidst  a  society  fliat  has 
always  been  distinguished  for  its  refined,  elevated,  and  highly  inoi'al 
character  .  .  .  this  institution  is  most  confidently  (•(immciidcd  In 
public  favor." 

Deacon  Lord  also  put  up  a  brick  dwelling  at  the  same  time,  and 
a  very  fine  one  it  was  for  the  day.  This  house  is  now  owned  by  IMr. 
William  Lewis  and  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  State  and  IMullieri'y 
streets. 

The  old  school  house  that  stood  just  east  of  the  present  home  of 
Mr.  Edgar  G.  Brewer  was  the  scene  of  the  first  connnunion  celebrated 
in  the  county.  A  two  days"  meeting  was  held  by  the  ^Metiiodists.  June 
6  and  7,  1832.  the  Rev.  Pilcher  of  the  Tecuraseh  circuit  had  charge. 
The  Congregational  church  was  organized  in  1832,  by  Rev.  Pierce. 
At  the  first  meeting  May  20,  twenty-five  persons  were  in  attendance. 
They  met  in  the  log  school  house  as  did  also  the  Episcopalians  later. 
In  1895,  it  was  serving  as  a  barn,  but  has  since  been  removed. 

From  the  time  of  the  foundations  of  the  to\^^l  were  laid  it  was  ex- 
pected that  ^Marshall  would  be  the  capital  of  the  state.  The  bill  fulfilling 
this  pledge  actually  passed  the  senate  by  a  majority  of  fourteen,  l)ut 
as  is  reported,  by  influence  it  was  thrown  out  of  the  lower  house,  de- 
feated by  a  majority  of  only  two.  We  still  have  our  Capitol  hill  in  the 
southeastern  part  of  town. 

Stone  Hall,  at  present  the  home  of  Mr.  Wm.  F.  Church,  was  one 
of  the  earliest  houses  built  in  town  and  is  still  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful homes.  It  was  begun  in  1837  by  Dr.  Andrew  L.  Hayes,  the  first 
physician  of  the  county.  The  lumber  was  drawn  from  Allegan,  and 
the  stone  taken  from  our  celebrated  sand  stone  quarry.  Luther  Hayes, 
■who  was  the  first  white  boy  born  in  the  county,  died  here  in  1847,  and 
Walter  I.  Ha.ves,  afterward  congressman  from  Iowa,  was  born  here 
in  1841.  In  1853,  Walter  Hayes  begged  his  mother  to  write  a  poem 
about  the  house  which  she  did ;  much  of  it  is  of  intimate  family  affairs, 
but  much  is  of  local  interest,  though  not  a  masterpiece  as  a  poem.     She 


' '  There  are  many  locust  trees  about  the  home  we  love 
From  which  we  named  the  place,  we  call  it  'Locust  Grove.' 
The  roof  in  front  is  supported  Isy  five  pillars  all  of  white. 
They  form  a   pleasant  portico  where  we  often  sit  at  night. 
The  two  parlors  are  in  front  with  four  windows  to  the  floor 
Each  opening  on  this  portico  and  answering  for  a  door. 
Thou  hast  played  here  in  the  deep  shade  when  thy  heart  was  full  of  glee 
Here  too  thou  often  sat  upon  thy  father 's  knee. 
While  he  told  thee  of  the  olden  times  when  the  wolf  and  bear 
Roved  over  these  plains  and  cha.sed  the  timid  deer. 
He  told  thee  of  the  Indian,  too,  who  gave»  the  friendly  hand 
To  the  white  man,  who  ungrateful  drove  him  from  his  land." 
Etc.  etc. 

The  first  brick  block  built  in  the  village  is  now  standing  on  Exchange 
street,  back  of  the  G.  A.  R.  hall.  It  contained  the  first  hardware  store 
in  the  county.     This  was  opened  in  1836  by  David  Wallingford  and 


242  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Montgomery   Schuyler,   the   hitter  afterwards   dean   of   Christ   Churcli 
cathedral  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

The  Calhoun  County  Patriot,  aunouueed  January  18,  1839: 

"Marshall  House 

"We  have  the  pleasure  of  aunouneiiig  to  our  friends  al)road,  and 
tlie  travelling  public  that  this  large  and  elegant  hotel  has  been  com- 
pleted and  on  Saturday  last  was  opened  by  Mr.  W.  L.  Merrifield,  with 
a  sumptuous  public  dinner."  This  hotel  built  by  the  Marshall  House 
Company  was  most  elaborately  furnished,  costing  about  51530,000.00.  It 
surpassed  at  any  time  any  hotel  in  the  northwest  and  was  a  noted  resort 
for  years.  It  was  originally  quite  a  handsome  building,  with  fluted 
columns,  and  balconies,  and  is  said  to  have  been  planned  by  Mr.  Upjohn, 
the  architect  of  Trinity  church  of  New  York.  One  wing  is  still  standing 
facing  East  End  park  and  is  occupied  as  a  dwelling  by  ^Irs.  Belle  Perrin. 
During  the  winter  of  1830-7  the  few  Episcopalians  got  together 
and  the  village  was  canvassed  to  ascertain  what  amount  could  l)e  raised 
toward  the  building  of  a  church.  Lay  services  were  being  held  in  the 
old  school  house.  The  same  spring  the  bishop  of  that  diocese,  Samuel 
MeCoskrj%  visited  Marshall  and  preached  in  the  school  house  which 
was  the  second  service  of  the  church  in  the  village.  Dr.  Schuyler 
writes,  "That  was  a  glad  day  for  the  little  band  of  churchmen,  when 
they  were  ready  to  present  to  the  bishop  a  neat  and  tasteful  church  for 
consecration."  When  the  new  Episcopal  church  was  built,  1861,  tlie 
little  church  was  taken  by  the  German  Lutherans  and  used  by  them 
for  many  years.  It  is  now  standing  on  Hamilton  street  and  is  used 
as  a  blacksmith  shop.  I  have  alwaj's  understood  that  the  marriage 
of  Miss  Bellona  Pratt,  daughter  of  Judge  Abner  Pratt,  to  Gen.  Crary, 
was  the  first  marriage  to  take  place  in  the  old  church.  ]Miss  Pratt 
was  the  second  wife  of  Gen.  Crary  and  after  his  death  became  the 
second  wife  of  Joseph  C.  Frink. 

In  June,  1836,  Chauncey  M.  Brewer  and  Chas.  T.  Gorham  arrived 
in  Marshall  and  immediately  opened  a  general  store.  In  1840,  Mr.  Gor- 
ham withdrew  and  went  into  the  banking  Irasiness,  and  Mr.  Brewer 
continued  with  the  store  which  is  still  run  by  his  son,  Edgar  Brewer. 
This  is  the  oldest  continuous  business  in  the  town  and  probably  in  the 
county. 

The  first  services  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  were  held  in  1837, 
when  Father  ]\Iorrisey  came  from  Northfield  to  take  charge  of  a  funeral. 
After  this  he  came  six  or  eight  times  a  year,  by  stage  or  on  horseback 
to  conduct  services.  No  church  was  built  until  1842.  The  first  altar 
was  obtained  from  Saint  Ann's  church  in  Detroit,  then  the  cathedral. 
It  is  a  valuable  relic  and  is  preserved  in  the  chapel  at  St.  Mary's 
cemetery. 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  Juiie  21,  1841,  in  the 
Marshall  Academy,  which  stands  at  53  High  street,  directly  back  of 
Mr.  Clinton  Cook's  residence.  Rev.  Elias  Child  acted  as  moderator, 
and  James  P.  Greaves  as  clerk,  with  thirty-eight  members  from  the 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOI'N  COUNTY  243 

Cougregatioual  clmruli  as  eliartur  lueinliers.  For  soiur  time  cliiircb 
services  were  held  iu  the  eourt  house  that  stootl  in  tlie  cily  paric.  la 
1842,  Jabez  Fitch  built  a  brick  colouial  church  on  Main  street.  This 
the  society  bought  after  ]\Ir.  Fitch's  death  and  used  it  until  the  present 
edifice  was  built  in  1872.  It  was  too  bad  that  the  old  building  was 
torn  down  as  it  was  ({uaint  and  pretty.  It  is  perhaps  a  sign  of  progress 
to  desire  something  better  than  we  have  had  before  but  it  has  its  un- 
pleasant side  if  we  judge  from  a  sentimental  point  of  view. 

The  Colonial  house,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  .Mr.  Charles  E. 
Gorham,  was  built  about  1840,  by  Jabez  Fitch  of  New  York.  It  is  said 
to  have  been  designed  by  liicharcl  Upjohn  the  noted  New  York  architect. 
Mr.  Charles  T.  Gorham  bought  the  place  in  1851  and  it  was  the  scene 
of  many  gaieties ;  every  governor  of  the  state  down  to  Pingree  was  en- 
tertained in  the  house  as  well  as  Charles  Tappau,  first  president  of 
the  university  of  Michigan,  Dorothea  Uix,  Senator  Chandler,  \V.  A. 
Howard,  lion.  E.  B.  AVashburu,  ambassador  to  France,  lion.  John  J\l. 
Francis,  ambassador  to  Austria  and  Greece,  Hon.  Thomas  O'Brien, 
present  ambassador  to  Konie,  and  many  others.  In  1861  the  first  mili- 
tary company  raised  iu  town,  Company  I,  First  Infantry,  was  enter- 
tained by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorham  at  a  lawn  party.  Devillo  Hubbard  was 
captain,  Selden  Gorham  was  first  lieutenant.  Mrs.  Gorham  presented 
each  man  with  a  Testament  as  a  parting  gift.  At  the  west  side  of  the 
place  near  the  front  enti'auce  is  a  large  oak  tree  under  which  Rev.  John 
i'ieice  and  General  Crary  were  wont  to  sit  on  a  log  and  discuss  tlicir 
plans  for  a  school  system.  They  were  both  educated  men  interested  in 
educational  affairs  and  conversant  with  the  best  systems  at  that  time  in 
use  in' the  world.  Mr.  Crary,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  educa- 
tion in  the  first  constitutional  convention  (1835)  introduced  the  article 
relating  to  education  which  was  adopted  by  Gen.  Crary 's  suggestion 
to  Governor  ^lason.  Rev.  Pierce  was  made  superintendent  of  public 
instruction,  the  fii-st  one  in  the  United  States.  This  system  as  adopted 
was  much  in  advance  of  the  thought  of  the  day  and  no  commonwealth 
makes  provision  more  broad  or  thorough  for  the  general  education  of  the 
people.  The  newer  states  of  the  union  have  been  glad  to  follow  the 
example  of  Michigan.  Gen.  Crary  and  Rev.  Pierce  are  both  l)uricd  in 
our  beautiful  Oaki'idge  cemeterj',  the  grave  of  the  latter  being  marked 
with  a  simple  shaft  given  by  the  school  children  of  Michigan.  Another 
intiicsting  monument  is  that  over  the  grave  of  Isaac  Newton  Hurd, 
the  liist  jii  rson  to  die  in  the  town.  He  was  buried  on  his  own  lantl 
near  the  river.  After  the  Marshall  cemetery  on  Oak  Ridge  was  opened 
in  183!J.  his  body  was  moved,  as  was  that  of  Mrs.  Pierce  and  others.  The 
inscription  on  his  monument  says:  ""P^rected  to  the  memniy  of  Isaac 
N.  Hurd,  who  was  born  at  Arlington,  Vermont,  September  4,  1804,  and 
died  at  this  place  of  cholera,  July  21,  1832. 

■ '  Early  and  sudden  was  Xejiton  's  fate 
Severe   and   awful   death   his   visit   paid. 
His  thoughts  went  forth  to  meet  him  on  his  \\;lv 
And  GaJ-ety  forgot  it  was  to  die. ' ' 

During  the  winter  of  1847,  there  stood  on  the  proiterty  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  Marvin  Ferguson,  a  humble  dwelling.     A  colored  himily  uauied 


244  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOl'X  COrXTY 

Crosswhite  occupied  the  house.  Adam  Crosswhite  was  born  in  Bourbon, 
Kentucky,  October  17,  17!I9.  Ilis  father  was  under  the  laws  of  the 
state  his  iiuisIim-,  iiis  mother  being  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  a  slave. 
At  an  c;irl,\  .luv.  Adam  was  given  to  his  half  sister  as  a  servant.  Miss 
Crosswhite  iillcrwaid  married  Ned  Stone,  a  notorious  slave  dealer,  who 
if  not  the  original  Simon  Legree,  of  "Uncle  Tom's  cabin,"  might  have 
been,  so  similar  were  his  life  and  character  to  those  so  graphically  por- 
trayed by  Mrs.  Stowe.  Stone  retained  possession  of  the  boy  for  a  time 
and  then  sold  him  to  a  man  named  Troutman  for  $200.00.  When  twenty 
years  of  age  the  bo.v  was  traded  off  to  one  Frank  Giltner,  with  whom  he 
stayed  until  forty-five  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  was  married  and 
had  seven  ehiklren.  Becoming  aware  that  Giltner  was  going  to  sell  part 
of  his  fiimily  he  watched  his  opportunity,  obtained  a  skiff  and  with  his 
family  pushed  off  for  .Madison.  There  he  was  received  by  the  under- 
ground railroad  managers  and  sent  north.  Crosswhite  "s  experiences  in 
reaching  Michigan  might  be  written  into  an  interesting  book.  In  Marshall 
he  was  known  as  a  quiet,  industrious  man.  Earl.v  in  the  winter  of  1846 
there  came  to  Marshall  a  young  man,  who  represeuteil  liiniself  to  be  a 
lawyer  in  search  of  business,  but  in  fact  was  Giltiiei's  repi-eseiitative  in 
identifying  his  fugitive  slaves,  and  planning  their  recapture.  He  did 
his  work  well  through  artifice  and  with  the  help  of  aid  which  he  hii-ed 
in  Marsluill.  but  he  did  not  succeed  in  perfectly  concealing  his  plans. 
The  abduction  was  finally  attempted,  early  on  the  morning  of  Januarv 
27,  1847.  Cro.sswhite  saw  their  approach  and  succeeded  in  giving  an 
alarm.  Though  there  was  no  violence  the  crowd  gave  the  men  to  under- 
stand that  they  would  not  allow  the  slaves  to  be  taken.  Finall.\-  Trout- 
man  met  the  remonstrances  with  a  demand  for  their  name.  One  of  them 
replied,  "Charles  T.  Gorham,  write  it  in  capital  letters."  Another 
replied,  "Oliver  Cromwell  Comstoek,  Jr.  Take  it  in  full  so  that  m.v 
father  will  not  be  held  responsible  for  what  I  do."  Another  was  Jarvis 
Hurd.  These  were  well  known  citizens  of  pecuniary  responsibilities. 
Later  in  the  day  George  Ingersoll  took  the  family  to  Jackson  in  a  wagon 
and  sent  them  on  the  cars  to  Canada.  In  a  few  days  the  Kentuckians 
returned  to  their  state  which  was  soon  aflame  with  wrath  at  this  "North- 
ern outrage.""  Finall.v  the  state  made  an  appropriation  for  the  prose- 
cution of  all  concerned  in  the  escape  of  the  Crosswhites.  Troutman 
returned  to  Michigan  in  the  summer  of  1847  and  brought  action  to 
recover  the  value  of  the  rescued  slaves  in  the  United  States  court 
against  a  large  number  of  defendants.  The  case  as  tried  was  practically 
a  prosecution  of  Messrs.  Gorham,  Comstoek  and  Hurd.  The  trial  lasted 
three  weeks,  and  the  .jurv  disagreed.  In  1848  the  second  trial  began. 
Prominent  Democratic  politicians  went  to  ilr.  Gnrhani.  who  at  that  time 
was  a  Democrat,  and  declared  they  were  personally  friendly  to  him, 
but  they  wanted  the  case  to  go  against  the  defendants.  Lewis  Cass  was 
candidate  for  President,  and  the  politicians  wanted  at  that  particular 
time,  as  they  expressed  it,  the  South  to  understand  that  Detroit  and 
Michigan  sympathized  with  the  slave-holding  element.  The  case  came 
to  trial,  was  ably  defended  by  Judge  H.  H.  Enfmons,  J.  F.  Joy  and 
Theodore  Romeyne.  After  a  hard-fought  struggle  the  case  was  decided 
as  Cass  wanted  it  to  he.  for  the  slave  hunters.     The  defendants  were 


UIS'I'OUV   OF  CAMlorX   ('orXTY  245 

miuiird  to  pay  about  $1,000.00  and  costs.  Heiuy  Clay  look  the  case 
into  the  senate  and  there  atlvocated  the  neL'es.sit\  ol'  a  iiioic  sliiu^cnl 
fugitive  slave  law.  Tlie  ■■riotous  scenes  ( ?)  "  enacted  near  the  humble 
cabin  of  Crosswhite,  received  national  consideration.  History  tells  the 
rest.  Mr.  Clay  took  a  personal  interest  in  this  matter  as  the  Giltner 
and  Clay  plantations  were  near  each  other.  The  result  of  Clay's  effort 
was  the  passing  of  the  fugitive  slave  law.  After  the  trial  the  Cross- 
whites  returned  to  Marshall.  Living  in  Battle  Creek  a  few  years  ago 
was  an  old  negro  bootblack,  Ben  Crosswhite,  who,  when  asked,  "What 
did  yon  have  to  do  with  the  war?"  would  rejdy,  "  1  was  the  cause  of  de 
war. ' ' 

The  Cholee.^  Scourge  .\t  M-iRSH.\Li.  (1832) 

The  worst  scoiirge  that  ever  visited  Calhoun  eouuty  came  sutldeiily 
and  unexpectedly  in  the  summer  of  1832.  On  the  morning  of  July 
20,  the  little  settlement  at  ^Marshall  was  startled  by  the  report  that 
Isaac  N.  Kurd,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  village,  was  sick  with  the 
cholera.  At  noon  on  the  19th,  he  moved  among  his  fellow  pioneers  in 
the  fullness  of  health  and  strength.  At  sunset  on  the  2()th,  after  an 
illness  of  twenty  houi-s,  he  was  dead.  A  eotifin  was  hastily  construeted  and 
a  grave  dug.  Under  a  nnirky  sky  and  through  a  gently  falling  I'ain, 
guided  by  the  flickering  light  of  rude  torches,  men  bore  his  body  in 
silence  and  laid  it  to  rest  in  the  first  grave  that  opened  in  Calhoun 
county  to  receive  the  white  man's  dead.  One  after  another  was  stricken 
with  the  dreadful  malady  until  every  house  had  its  sick  and  every 
family  its  dead. 

In  this  time  of  calamity,  among  those  sought  to  relieve  the  sick  and 
comfort  the  dying  was  the  wife  of  ^Ir.  John  D.  Pierce,  a  Congregational 
missionary.  She  was  a  refined  and  cultured  woman  who  had  come  less 
than  a  year  before  with  her  husband  and  two  small  children  to  .share 
in  the  labor  and  the  honor  of  laying  the  foundations  of  a  new  civiliza- 
tion in  intelligence,  morality  and  religion.  Returning  weary  and  faint 
after  ministering  to  the  sick,  she  was  seized  almost  at  once  by  the  fatal 
disease.  All  uigiit  long,  the  anxious  husband  stood  a  lonely  vigil  by  the 
side  of  the  suffering  wife,  ministering  to  her  wants  as  best  he  could, 
while  in  the  sauie  room  the  babes  slept,  all  unconscious  that  death  with 
hurrying  step  was  coming  to  lay  his  icy  hand  upon  their  motlier.  Just 
as  morning  drew  liack  the  curtain  of  the  night,  the  gentle  spirit  took 
its  departure  and  the  husliand  without  food  or  rest  began  at  once,  with 
his  own  hands,  to  prepare  the  body  for  its  burial,  while  liis  uncared 
for  babes  cried  for  the  mother  whose  ears  could  no  longer  hear  their 
call,  nor  hands  labor  to  relieve  their  wants.  While  two  others  lay  in  an 
adjoining  room  suffering  agonies  peculiar  to  the  disease,  the  body  of 
Mrs.  Pierce,  without  religious  fonu  or  ceremony,  was  borne  to  the  grave 
that  waited  to  receive  it. 

Among  others  in  the  community,  were  three  brothers  from  Kentucky. 
One  of  these  fell  mortally  ill  and  the  other  two,  after  making  hurried 
arrangements  for  his  burial,  mounted  their  horses  and  fled  from  the  com- 
munity, never  to  return.  Cliildren  and  youth  and  parents,  all  felt  its 
l)lighting  touch.     The  school  house  was  turned  into  a  hospital  for  the 


246  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

sick  aud  the  hillside  into  a  graveyard  for  the  dead.  Some  left  the 
stricken  comnumity  in  the  fliglit  of  fear  aud  terror;  others  hearing 
back  to  eastern  homes  and  friends  the  children  bereft  of  father  or  mother 
or  both.  For  weeks,  the  pall  of  gloom  hung  over  the  stricken  communitj^ 
and  for  years,  conversation  was  hushed  as  its  frightful  memories  were 
recalled. 

In  Athens  township,  the  ravages  of  the  same  disease  struck  terror 
to  the  bravest  hearts  in  that  new  and  growing  settlement.  There,  the 
lives  of  five  in  a  single  family,  father,  mother  aud  three  sisters,  went 
out  with  startling  suddenness.  Exaggerated  reports  of  the  conditions  in 
Marshall  and  Athens  spread  through  all  the  regions  around  about  and 
in  all  of  these,  lirave  men  and  courageous  women  waited  with  fear  and 
trembling,  not  knowing  when,  or  where,  or  to  whom  the  dread  specter 
might  appear.  It  is  still  regarded  as  the  gloomiest  period  in  the  history 
of  the  county. 

il.\RSH.\LL    H.VNK.S 

The  fii"st  bank  in  Calhoun  comity  was  chartered  in  1836.  It  was 
located  in  ^larshall  and  was  capitalized  at  .'jilOO.OOO.OO.  Sidney  Ketchum 
was  president  and  George  S.  Wright,  cashier.  It  closed  its  doors  Sep- 
tember 15,  1840,  and  ceased  to  do  business.  This  bank  M'as  started  in 
the  days  when  the  rivalry  between  the  east  and  west  end,  or  "upper 
town"  and  '"lower  town"  as  the  two  sections  were  called,  was  intense. 
The  business  men  of  the  town  having  determined  that  Marshall  ought 
to  have  a  bank,  it  became  a  very  live  (juestion  as  to  where  the  institu- 
tion should  be  located.  Dr.  Hayes,  S.  Camp,  S.  S.  Alcott,  Charles  D. 
Smith,  with  other  prominent  "west  end"  citizens  felt  they  ought  to  have 
the  say  as  to  location.  The  books  were  opened  at  the  National  House 
and  the  stock  was  being  subscribed  very  quietly  but  very  generally  by 
the  west  enders,  and  everything  seeihed  to  be  going  as  they  wished. 
Towards  evening,  however,  and  just  before  the  closing  of  the  books, 
George  Ketchum  of  the  "east  end"  came  in,  and  taking  up  the  book, 
looked  it  over,  after  which  he  took  his  seat  and  began  to  subscribe  for 
himself  and  friends  various  amounts  of  stock  and  to  pay  into  the  hat, 
the  receptacle  for  the  first  iustallment,  the  five  per  cent  of  the  subscrip- 
tion demanded  on  the  same.  The  subscriptions  grew  apace  and  the 
money  accumulated  in  the  iiat  until  the  west  enders  saw  the  Ketchums, 
Sidney  and  George,  with  their  adherents  getting  control  of  the  stock, 
whereupon  Smith  seized  the  book  at  the  same  time  Ketchum  reached 
for  the  deposits,  which  he  succeeded  in  retaining,  and  the  organization  of 
the  bank  was  temporarily  delayed.  Later  the  matter  was  compromised 
l)y  the  Ketchums  securing  a  controlling  interest,  a  bank  building  was 
erected  just  inside  the  line  of  the  plat  of  the  lower  village  where  in  diic 
time  the  Calhoun  county  bank  opened  for  business. 

In  the  year  1837  "wild  cat"  banks  were  instituted  in  Marshall. 
Battle  Creek  and  Homer.  The  Bank  of  Marshall  was  capitalized  at 
$400,000.00.  Its  president  was  Horace  Brace  and  Joseph  C.  Frink  the 
cashier.  The  bank's  place  of  business  was  in  the  new  court  house  in 
1838;  but  before  New  Year's  day,  1839,  the  Bank  of  Marshall  was 
adrift  in  the  sea  of  irredeemable  paper  money  and  never  after  found  a 


I 

I 


HISTORY  OF  C'ALIIOUX  COUXTY  247 

mooring.  Its  doors  wore  permanently  closed  to  business.  The  people 
learned  a  costly  lesson  and  the  folly  of  those  days  has  never  been 
repeated. 

Charles  T.  Gorhani  and  Horace  J.  Perrin  carried  on  the  banking 
business  in  Marshall  as  private  concerns  for  many  years.  Indeed,  after 
the  failure  of  the  Calhoun  County  bank  in  1840  there  was  no  regulai'ly 
chartered  bank  in  Marshall  until  1863,  when  the  Bank  of  JMichigan  was 
organized  under  the  state  banking  law,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.00. 
Joseph  Sibley  was  president  and  William  Powell  cashier.  In  1865  it 
was  re-organized  as  the  National  Bank  of  Michigan,  with  Horace  J. 
Perrin  president  and  William  Powell  cashier;  Manlius  Man,  Samuel  S. 
Lacey,  Enos  Church  and  J.  M.  Buckley,  directors.  At  the  re-organiza- 
tion, the  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $100,000.00  which  in  1874  was  in- 
creased to  $200,000.00.  In  later  years  this  bank  went  into  voluntary 
litjuidation. 

The  First  National  Bank  was  organized  August  5,  1865,  and  com- 
menced doing  business  on  the  9th  day  of  the  following  October.  Charles 
T.  Gorham,  president;  Charles  P.  Dibble,  vice-president;  George  S. 
Wright,  cashier;  William  R.  Schuyler,  George  B.  Murray,  Asa  B.  Cook, 
Pratt  A.  Spicer  and  Devillo  Hubbard,  members  of  the  first  board  of 
directors.  Although  its  first  president  and  all  the  other  officers  and 
directors  at  the  time  the  bank  was  organized  are  long  since  dead,  the 
institution  has  never  failed  to  open  its  doors  on  time  for  business  in 
the  more  than  forty-seven  years  of  its  existence  as  a  national  bank. 
It  was  never  on  a  sounder  financial  basis  that  at  this  time.  On  the 
retirement  of  General  Charles  T.  Gorham,  the  first  president,  he  was 
succeeded  by  his  son  Seldon,  and  upon  the  latter 's  death  in  October, 
1902,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  younger  brother  Charles  E.  Gorham, 
who  has  since  been  the  directing  head.  A  full  list  of  the  present  officers 
and  directors  with  a  statement  as  to  the  status  of  the  bank  will  be  found 
with  the  other  banks  of  the  county  in  the  article  entitled  "Banking, 
Bankers  and  Banks." 

Another  of  the  strong  and  sound  financial  concerns  of  the  county  is 
the  Commercial  Savings  Bank,  of  Marshall.  This  institution  was  or- 
ganized May  9,  1902,  by  William  J.  Dilible  and  Winthrop  T.  Phelps. 
The  capital  stock  at  organization  was  $50,000.00.  The  original  board  of 
directors  was  composed  of  the  following  gentlemen  in  addition  to  the 
two  above  named:  E.  G.  Brewer,  M.  S.  O'Keefe,  W.  E.  Bosley,  George 
Perrett.  John  Powell,  John  Wiseman  and  Thonms  L.  Cronin.  The 
present  board  of  officers  and  directors  together  wdth  a  statement  of  the 
bank's  condition  will  be  found  elsewhere.  There  have  been  no  changes 
in  the  original  board  of  directors  except  those  caused  by  death. 

]\I.\NUFACTl'RING    IN    M.\RSIIALL 

Bij  sSamurJ  F.  Dnhhlns 

Soon  after  the  Michigan  Central  Raili-oad  Company  extended  their 
line  through  to  ^larsliall  in  1844.  they  erected  shops  for  such  work  as 
pertained  to  niaintainance  of  equipment   and  rolling  stock,   repairing 


2i8  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

cars,  engines,  etc.  These  shops  were  enlarged  previous  to  1850  and  at 
that  time  Joseph  Caywood  was  master  mechanic  until  after  1852. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Sweet  and  Mr.  Newhall.  Amos  Wilson 
also  had  charge  for  some  time. 

Julius  Engleman,  at  present  one  of  our  oldest  citizens,  came  here 
from  Detroit  and  built  the  smoke  hoods  of  the  round  house,  which  was 
situated  on  the  present  site  of  the  Michigan  Central  freight  ware  house. 
He  .ilfcrwards  erected  a  40  H.  P.  stationary  engine,  all  of  the  work 
being  done  here  in  .Marshall,  which  was  quite  a  piece  of  mechanism  at 
that  time. 

These  shops  were  maintained  twenty-three  years  and  over,  during 
which  time  they  employed  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
They  were  removed  from  ^Marshall  to  Jackson  June  8,   1873. 

During  the  period  1858-1870  several  factories  were  in  operation  in 
ilarshall,  mostly  situated  in  Perrinville,  where  the  present  water  and 
electric  light  plant  is  located. 

A  large  paper  mill  was  situated  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the 
Borough  &  Blood  Buggy  Co.  Adjacent  to  this  was  a  spring  factory 
owned  by  Horace  J.  Perrin,  who  also  operated  a  saw  and  plaster  mill  and 
bank  on  the  west  side  of  South  Marshall  avenue,  just  south  of  the  Michi- 
gan Central  Railroad.  He  also  operated  a  large  twelve  stone  Houring 
mill  on  the  east  side  of  the  street  and  at  one  time  a  flouring  mill  at  the 
corner  of  Exchange  and  Mill  streets,  on  Rice  creek.  All  of  these  facto- 
ries were  run  by  water  power  and  employed  in  all  aliout  fifty  men. 

Jas.  L.  Dobl)iiis  was  at  that  time  proprietor  of  a  large  building  and 
contracting  Ijusiut'ss  occupying  a  factory  just  east  of  the  large  Perrin 
flouring  mill.  Mr.  Dobbins  erected  most  of  the  best  blocks  and  churches 
in  our  city  and  employed  about  sixty  men. 

A  fire  May  4,  1872,  destroyed  nearly  all  of  these  industries  and  they 
were  not  rebuilt. 

jMarch  1,  1870,  Messrs.  Jas.  L.  Dobbins  and  Wm.  Phelps  embarked 
in  the  manufacture  of  a  furnace,  which  was  patented  by  Mr.  Phelps, 
and  we  may  say  that  this  business  was  very  successful  from  the  start 
and  is  still  in  existence,  being  now  under  the  control  of  Messrs.  Wm.  R. 
Simons  and  Geo.  W.  Leedle,  who  purchased  the  business  from  the  for- 
mer owner.s  in  the  spring  of  1911.  They  changed  the  corporate  name 
to  The  Simons-Leedle  Furnace  Company.  Capital  $25,000  and  employ 
in   all  fifteen  to   twenty   men. 

In  1873  Julius  Engleman  was  proprietor  of  a  foundry  and  machine 
shop  at  the  junction  of  Hanover,  Exchange  streets  and  Marshall 
avenue.  ^Mr.  Engleman  melted  two  heats  per  week  of  about  two  ton 
capacity. 

Adjacent  to  this  property  were  also  smaller  shops,  a  carriage  and 
wagon  shop  by  Hoffman,  Hiller  &  Vogt;  one  by  Adam  Rimes;  black- 
smith shop  on  the  west  side  of  the  street  by  Theo.  Welch,  also  a  black- 
smith shop  owned  and  occupied  by  J.  C.  Egeler  at  the  corner  of  Green 
and  Exchange  streets,  which  was  operated  continuouslv  by  ]Mr.  Egeler 
from  1858  to  1908. 

All  of  the  above  employed  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  men. 

Chas.  E.  Brooks  owned  and  operated  a  flouring  mill  at  the  corner 


IllSTOUV   OK  CALllorX   COUNTY  249 

of  Exchange  and  Hanover  streets,  and  was  later  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  flour  at  the  corner  of  South  ^Marshall  avenue  and  Mill  sti-eet. 
Messrs.  Crane  &  Hurd  owned  and  operated  a  very  large  tlour  mill 
covering  the  period  of  185(3  to  1884  of  about  225  barrels  daily  capacity. 
This  mill  was  situateil  cast  and  north  of  the  Michigan  Central  depot 
and  was  at  that  time  one  of  the  largest  mills,  if  not  the  largest,  in  Michi- 
gan, employing  from  thirty  to  fifty  men. 

Peters  Bros.  &  ilurray  also  owned  and  operated  the  "Warreu"  Hoe 
Factory  adjacent  to  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  opposite  Locust 
street.  This  factory  was  operated  from  ISid  to  lS7(i,  i'tii])loying  tweut.\- 
to  twenty-five  men. 

In  1872  a  foundry  and  machine  siiop  under  the  management  of 
Geo.  A.  BuUard  was  started  on  the  corner  of  South  Kalamazoo  avenue 
and  Spruce  street,  and  the  business  gradually  grew  into  one  of  ^lar- 
shall's  largest  industries.  Mr.  Bullard  manufactured  furnaces  for  Jas. 
L.  Dol)bins  from  1874  to  1882  and  for  Messrs.  Edgar  H.  Grant  and 
Samuel  F.  Dobbins  from  1882  to  1888,  at  which  time  he  also  manufac- 
tured stoves,  school  and  church  furniture,  agricultural  implements,  etc., 
at  times  employing  as  high  as  one  hundred  men.  Mr.  Bullard  disposed 
of  his  furnace  business  to  ilessrs.  Grant  &  Dobbins  in  1888  and  retired 
from  active  business  in  1909  and  sold  his  manufacturing  plant  to 
Chas.  I.  Murdock  and  Chas.  W.  Dobbins,  the  present  owners. 

A  small  wagon  and  carriage  shop  owned  and  operated  by  Wm.  L. 
Page  on  the  site  just  east  of  the  present  location  of  the  stone  barn, 
gradually  grew  into  one  of  ^Marshall's  best  manufacturing  plants,  the 
business  being  established  in  1869;  incorpoi-ated  in  1890  and  re-incor- 
porated in  1893  with  capitalization  of  $50,000,  and  has  run  continu- 
ously ever  since ;  Wm.  L.  Page,  president  and  general  manager ;  p]gbert 
E.  Page,  secretary  and  treasurer.  They  manufacture  a  line  of  buggies 
and  high  grade  vehicles,  which  have  gained  a  wide  reputation,  and 
employ  on  an  average  of  seventy-five  men.  They  own  and  occupy  a 
large  three-story  brick  factory  60  x  400  feet  on  South  Kalamazoo 
avenue. 

The  Borough  &  Blood  Buggy  and  Vehicle  Company  are  also  one  of 
^larshall's  present  industries,  the  business  having  been  established  by 
W.  J.  Borough  in  1902  and  afterwards  incorporated  with  capital  stock 
of  $35,000.  AVm.  E.  Bosley,  president ;  W.  H.  Arthur,  vice-president ; 
Anna  M.  ^IcDermott,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  A.  T.  Norton,  manager. 
They  have  about  thirty  employees.  This  firm  started  their  business  in 
the  plant  formerly  occupied  by  the  Royal  Cycle  Works  at  the  corner  of 
Spruce  and  iladisou  sti'eets  and  in  1911  moved  into  a  handsome  new 
plant  erected  by  F.  A.  Stuart  on  thr  site  occupied  liy  tlic  ]iapcr  mill 
in  Perrinville. 

The  Lambert  Marliine  Company  cmjilny  a  force  of  twcnty-ti\c  men. 
Their  factory  is  located  on  South  Madison  street  and  they  manufacture 
machinery  of  all  kinds  for  roasting  cotit'ee,  peanuts  and  cereals.  This 
factory  was  formerly  occupied  and  managed  by  Nelson  Church  and 
Franklin  Edgerton.  who  manufactured  sash  doors  and  blinds  and  did 
a  large  building  and  contracting  business.     Messrs.  Franklin  Edgerton 


250  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

&  Sons  succeeded  Messrs.  Church  &  Edgerton  in  the  manufacture  of 
building  supplies. 

The  Foote  Axle  Company  manufacture  ball-bearing  axle  burrs  and 
quick  shift  couplers.    F.  M.  Foote,  president. 

The  Wolverine  Temperature  Regulator  Company  (Wells  &  Kelley, 
proprietors)  manufacture  automatic  heat  regulators  for  furnaces, 
steam  and  hot  water.  They  o\v-ii  and  occupy  a  factory  'on  Exchange 
street,  between  State  and  Green  streets. 

When  the  Cincinnati,  Northern  &  JMiehigan  Railroad  Company 
built  their  line  from  Toledo  to  Allegan  in  1884  their  shops  were  located 
in  Marshall.  Since  then  the  road  has  changed  hands  and  is  now  con- 
trolled and  owned  by  the  Michigan  Central  with  tliirty-tive  to  fifty 
employees. 

January  1,  1894,  George  Curren  Bentley,  with  others,  founded  The 
Marshall  Wagon  and  Windmill  Co..  incorporated  with  capital  stock  of 


The  Stone  Barn,  Old  Stage  Depot,  A  Relic  of  Stage"  Days,  Marshall 

$25,000.  In  1896  .Mr.  Bentley  and  liis  son.  Rupert,  purchase  J  interest 
of  the  other  stock  holders,  continuing  the  business  until  April  9,  1903. 
This  firm  manufactured  wagons,  windmills,  etc..  and  employed  twenty- 
five  to  forty  men. 

The  C.  E.  Brooks  Rupture  Appliance  Company  manufacture  ap- 
pliances for  ruptures  and  this  firm  owns  and  occupies  the  Brooks  Block 
on  Main  street,  corner  of  South  Exchange  and  have  from  thirty  to  fifty 
employees. 

C.  E.  Gauss  manufacturers  Gauss'  Celebrated  Catarrh  Remedy,  and 
occupies  the  Gauss  building  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  between 
Jefferson   and  Eagle,   and   have   from  thirty   to   fifty   employees. 

F.  A.  Stuart,  numufacturer  of  Stuart's  Famous  Dyspepsia  Tablets 
and  other  proprietary  medicines,  occupies  the  Stuart  Block  a  large 
handsome  building  on  the  east  side  of  Jefferson  street,  between  Green 
and  State  streets.  This  building  is  also  the  home  of  the  Statesman  Print- 


IITSTORY  OF  CAIJIOUN  COTTNTY 


251 


ing  establisluiu'iit  and  tliert-  ari'  cinplnx  rd  in  llic  two  imlusliics  alxml 
fifty  people. 

The  Pyramid  Drug  Company  maniilacture  proprietary  medicines, 
and  oeeiipy  offiee  and  building  at  the  corner  of  Hamilton  and  State 
streets,  under  the  management  of  Wni.  F.  Church  and  employ  fifteen  to 
twenty. 

The  John  R.  Smyth  Printing  Company,  Standard  Printing  Com- 
pany, Marshall  News  and  Evening  Chornicle  are  also  industries  of  Mar- 
shall, as  is  the  J.  E.  White  Publishing  Company,  authors  printers  and 
publishers. 

In  the  winter  of  1881-1882  Messrs.  Edgar  H.  Grant  and  Samuel  F. 
Dobbins  entered  into  a  co-partnei-ship  for  the  manufacture  and  installa- 
tion of  warm  air  furnaces,  which  was  afterward  called  the  Marshall 
Furnace  Company,  and  in  the  year  1889  the  partnership  was  dissolved 


^Marshall  Fl'unace  Company 


and  JMr.  Grant  and  Wm.  E.  Bosley  commenced  the  manufacture  of  fold- 
ing bath  tubs.  They  did  a  thriving  business  for  several  years  and  in 
1909  the  business  was  incorporated  into  the  Peerless  Fixture  Company, 
manufacturers  of  bath  tubs,  store  and  counting  room  fixtures,  located 
on  the  west  side  of  South  Kalamazoo  avenue,  and  is  today  one  of  Mar- 
shall's most  sul)stantial  industries  employing  on  an  average  of  forty 
men.  Wm.  E.  Bosley,  president;  Royal  F.  Grant,  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

31r.  S.  F.  Dobibns  took  up  the  furnace  business  from  the  year  1889. 
gradually  increasing  the  same  until  the  year  1908  and  during  this  period 
occupied  a  part  of  the  Geo.  A.  Bullard  shop  and  afterwards  (1895)  a 
factory  located  at  the  .iunction  of  P^xchange  and  ]\Iarshall  avenue, 
which  was  formerly  occupied  by  Julius  Engleman  and  John  Adams.  In 
June,  1908,  this  business  was  incorporated  with  $100,000  capitalization 
and  in  1910  increased  to  $150,000  and  in  January,  1912,  moved  into  its 
new  hrick  and  steel  constructed  plant  located  on  west  Hanover  street. 


252 


HISTORY   OF  CAI.IlOrX   COIXTY 


This  is  one  of  Marshall's  largest  and  most  substantial  industries,  oc- 
cupying the  finest  exclusive  furnace  factory  building  in  the  world  :ird 
employing  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  forty  men.  Samuel  F. 
Dobbins,  president  and  general  manager;  Clias.  W.  Dobbins,  vice-presi- 
dent and  manager  of  sales;  Claude  S.  Stout,  secretary  and  publicity; 
Herbert  J.  Ward,  manager  of  installation ;  Gage  II.  i5obbiiis,  superin- 
tendent. 

The  city  of  ^Marshall  has  owned  for  several  years  its  electric  light 
and  water  power  plant.  The  electric  light  plant  cost  about  $50,000  and 
uses  450  H.  P.  in  its  operation.  It  is  operating  150  arc  street  lights,  of 
2000  candle  power,  a  number  of  arc  lights  for  mercantile  purposes  and 
several  thousand  incandescent  lights  for  business  and  residence  lighting. 


rilE  IMoDERX    W.VV  OF   TllKE.SlIliNG 


The  water  power  plant,  which  cost  about  $50,000,  is  also  operated 
by  the  water  power  which  runs  both  plants,  supplying  over  120  fire 
hydrants  and  furnishes  its  citizens  with  water  for  private  consumption 
at  the  lowest  rates. 

This  same  water  power  was  formerly  used  by  H.  J.  Perrin  and 
others  to  run  their  industries  in  Perrinville,  and  it  was  greatly  im- 
proved when  the  city  of  Marshall  took  it  over  for  municipal  purposes. 

The  Calhoun  County  Agricultur.vl  Society. 


Co)ttributed 

The  Calhoun  County  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  in  1858  un- 
der an  act  of  the  state  legislature  to  authorize  the  formation  of  county 
and  town  agricultural  societies  for  the  encouragement  and  advancement 
of  agricultural,  horticultural,  nianufacturer.s'  and  mechanics'  arts. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  .253 

The  charter  members  of  the  society  were :  S.  P.  Wormley,  M.  H. 
Moulthrop,  Tracy  M.  Southworth,  Milo  Soule,  E.  C.  JMauchester,  II.  A. 
Tillotsou,  Johu  Houston,  C.  D.  Holmes,  E.  II.  Lawrence,  Bradford 
Arthur  and  C.  P.  Dibble. 

Annual  exhibitions  have  been  given  b.y  the  society  on  the  fair  grounds 
in  ilarshall  each  year  and  eacli  succicdiiig  show  has  proven  an  improve- 
ment and  enlargement  over  tlir  pivicdiiii;-  one.  In  this  year  of  1912,  the 
society,  after  an  experience  of  ups  and  downs  covering  a  period  of  sixty- 
four  years,  rates  among  the  staunch  county  fair  associations  of  the  Wol- 
verine state  and  the  attendance  each  year  is  growing  in  volume  and  the 
receipts  increasing  correspondingly. 

The  Calhoun  Count}-  Fair  is  among  the  best  known  in  the  country; 
its  scope  being  very  broad,  competition  having  been  thrown  open  to  the 
world  in  1908,  it  having  been  determined  at  that  time  that  a  fair,  in 
order  to  advance  with  the  times,  must  not  confine  its  efforts  to  a  single 
county  or  locality. 

Not  only  does  the  soiicty  conduct  a  veiy  fine  agricnltui'al  exhibit 
each  year,  but  harness  races  of  a  high  oi'der  are  given  over  one  of  the 
best  half-mile  speedways  in  the  United  States. 

The  present  officers  of  the  society  are :  B.  K.  Bentley,  jDresident ;  R.  S. 
Scott,  secretary;  E.  E.  Simn\ons,  treasurer. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

MUNICIPAL  AND  PROFESSIONAL 

Marshall  as  a  Municipality  (by  Craig  C.  Miller) — Water  System — ■ 
Description  and  Valuation  of  Plant — Electric  Lighting  and 
Power  Plant — Description  and  Valuation  op  Plant — Sewerage 
System — Electric  Railroad — Paving  and  Roads — Hospit.\l  and 
Library — The  Marshall  Postofpice  (by  William  H.  Arthur)  — 
Marshall  Public  Schools  (by  Gertrude  B.  Smith) — The  Press 
OF  Marshall  (by  J.  M.  Moses) — Lawyers  op  JIarshall,  Past  and 
Present  (by  Hon.  Herbert  E.  Winsor). 

]\Iarshall  as  a  Municipality. 

By  Craig  C.  Miller. 

The  iiuuiii-ipal  development  of  Marshall  has  been  gradual  and  sus- 
tained. From  its  hirth  as  an  organized  community  by  the  incorporation 
of  the  village  October  28,  18;}7,  to  its  elevation  to  the  position  of  a  place 
among  the  cities  of  Michigan  February  25,  1859,  by  special  act  of  the 
legislature  approved  February  14,  1859,  its  career  was  one  of  steady 
progress  and  the  position  as  one  of  tlie  important  centers  of  activity  of 
the  state  was  gained  in  a  marked  degree. 

The  high  development  attained  by  the  village  and  its  inhabitants 
at  the  date  of  the  merger  into  a  city  is  well  shown  by  the  progressive 
tone  of  the  inaugural  address  delivered  by  Hon.  Charles  P.  Dibble,  the 
first  mayor.  In  it  he  calls  attention  to  the  importance  of  a  systematic, 
efficient  and  economical  conduct  of  civic  affairs  and  lays  much  stress 
upon  the  importance  of  proper  roads  and  streets.  He  says:  "It  has 
been  said  that  the  roads  of  a  country  and  the  streets  of  a  city  are  accurate 
tests  of  the  degree  of  its  civilization  and  that  cities  and  towns,  where 
dense  population  and  manufacturing  industry  make  them  the  best  mar- 
kets for  farming  products,  are  enabled  to  extend  themselves  indefinitely 
by  roads  alone,  which  supply  the  place  of  rivers."  In  this  address  he 
also  calls  attention  to  the  necessity  for  a  proper  water  supply  and  ex- 
presses himself  as  much  impressed  with  the  responsibility  of  the  office 
to  which  he  has  had  the  honor  to  be  elected. 

From  the  date  of  its  incorporation  as  a  city  to  the  present  time 
Mai'shall  has  steadily  gained  in  the  advarjtages  and  public  benefits 
that  it  offers  to  its  inhabitants,  and  although  not  a  city  of  large  popula- 

254 


HISTORY   OF  ("Al.IIorX   COINTV  1^55 

tiou,  takes  just  pride  iu  the  degree  of  development  it  has  attained  along 
public  service  lines,  and  offers  an  example  of  municipal  ownership  of 
public  utilities  that  may  be  studied  with  protit  by  its  sister  cities. 

Marshall  at  an  early  period  was  connected  with  the  outside  world 
by  excellent  stage  routes  that  later  gave  place  to  the  more  modern 
railroad,  and  is  now  in  the  favored  position  of  being  located  upon  the 
trunk  line  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  and  also  upon  a  branch  of 
the  same  railroad  extending  from  Allegan  and  making  trunkline  con- 
nections at  Toledo,  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  It  is  also  located  upon  one  of 
the  best  equipped  electric  railroads  in  the  state  that  gives  its  patrons 
excellent  service  both  east  and  west. 

W.\TER  System 

In  1856  the  village  council  negotiated  for  a  water  supply,  either  by 
logs  or  pipes,  but  nothing  came  of  the  pi^oposed  system. 

In  185!)  the  matter  was  again  urged  by  Mayor  Dibble  as  has  been 
noted  and  in  1860  experimeuts  were  made  on  artesian  wells.  However, 
nothing  was  accomplished  until  1872  when  a  system  of  wells  was  estab- 
lished, thirty-three  in  number,  located  iu  various  parts  of  the  city,  from 
which  water  was  procured  for  fire  protection. 

Nothing,  however,  was  done  towards  a  water  supply  until  1888,  when 
the  present  system  was  inaugurated  by  private  capital ;  a  pumping  sta- 
tion being  erected,  the  Avater  forced  into  a  standpipe  from  whence  it 
found  its  way  through  mains  to  the  various  parts  of  the  city. 

In  August,  1894,  the  company  failed  and  was  placed  in  the  hands 
of  a  receiver.  In  1898  the  entire  plant  was  acquired  by  the  city  and  is 
now  operated  in  an  efficient  manner  as  a  municipal  plant. 

The  water  is  procured  from  flowing  wells  and  is  of  excellent  quality, 
furnishing  the  city  with  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  pure  water  for  all 
purposes.    ]\Iains  are  being  extended  a.s  demands  retiuire. 

The  water  works  system  of  ^Marshall,  together  with  the  electric  light- 
ing and  power  plant,  is  managed  by  three  commissioners  appointed  by 
the  mayor;  they  are  termed  "The  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  Electric 
Lighting  and  Water  Works  Department,"  and  have  full  charge  of  the 
conduct  of  the  same.  The.y  employ  a  superintendent  who  has  immediate 
charge  of  both  systems  to  which  he  devotes  his  entire  time. 

The  annual  report  of  the  connuissioii  under  date  of  April  8,  1912, 
covering  a  period  of  one  year,  from  April  1,  1911,  to  April  1,  1912,  as  far 
as  it  appertains  to  the  water  works  system,  is  worthy  of  study,  and  the 
essential  features  of  the  same  are  here  given,  and  will  prove  of  interest 
to  all  interested  iu  the  subject. 

Descru'tion  and  A'aluatiox  op  Plant,  April  1,  1911. 

Assets. 

City  treasurer— bank $2,391.14 

Customers  ledger 531.65 

Hydrants— 104— standard  two  nozzle 2,496.50 


256  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOtLX  COUNTY 

Machinery — 2  Worthington  steam  pumps,  1,000,- 

000  gals,  capacity  in  24  hours  each;  1  Deane 

power  pump,   1,700,000  gals,   capacity  in  24 

hours;  1  100  h.  p.  Induction  motor $  7,500.00 

Mains— 12  miles,  ranging  from  12-in.  to  2  ft 32,238.18 

Meters— installed,  owned  by  city 353.70 

Pumping  station  building,  including  outbuildings  10,000.00 
Real   estate   at  pumping  station   and   lot   where 

.standpipe  is  situated 1,000.00 

Sundries,    ledger 61.40 

Standpipe,  100  feet  high  by  20  feet  in  diameter, 

capacity  31,416  cubic   feet 2,839.39 

Supplies,  miscellaneous,  ifsed  in  opei'ation  of  plant 

to  be  sold 792.25 

Supplies— office 65.61 

Tools  at  pumping  station  and  office 144.58 

Liabilities. 

Bonds $49,000.00 

Capital  stock- plant 9,679.14 

Interest    815.00 

Surplus  fund   920.17 


$60,414.31     $60,414.31 
Cash  Statement. 

Cash  on  hand  April  1,  1911 $  2,391.14 

Cash  received  during  year  from  all  sources 10.004.68 

Cash  disbursements $9,045.84 

Cash  on  hand  April  1,  1912 3,349.98 


$12,395.82  $12,395.82 
Rates  for  Water.    Meter  rates  ranging  from  10  to  20  cents  per  thou- 
sand gallons.    Rates  charged  to  the  cit.v  for  hydrant  rental,  $2.75  each  per 
month,  or  $33.00  per  hydrant  per  year. 

Statement  of  Pumping  Operations 

Water  pumped  K.  W.  H. 

in  gallons                    used  Earnings 

April,  1911   . . . .' 9,311,540                    8,520  $  85.20 

May 15,825,833                  13,340  133.40 

June   15,557,500                  12,725  127.25 

July    18,379,442                  15,125  151.25 

August  15,516,135                  13,210  132.10 

September  15,957,500                  12,000  120.00 

October 12,250,000                  10,500  105.00 


!1,5;30 

$  95.30 

10,195 

101.95 

8,725 

87.25 

9,840 

98.40 

9,540 

95.40 

HISTORY  OF  rALiior.x  COrNTY 

November    ll.OliO.OOO 

December 11,690,000 

January,  1912 15,161.271 

February  11,480,000 

March 12,530,000 

Total    164,719,221  133,250  $1,332.50 

Electric  Lighting  and  Power  Plant 

Marsliall  was  early  in  possession  of  a  gas  plant  owued  and  operated 
by  private  capital,  furnishing  gas  for  private  and  public  lighting. 

The  establishment  of  an  electric  lighting  plant  was  first  agitated 
in  1890,  and  later  was  established  by  a  commission  appointed  by  the 
mayor,  consisting  of  George  H.  Southworth,  Esf(.,  William  H.  Elston 
and  R.  B.  Fletcher.    This  was  the  foundation  of  the  present  equipment. 

The  electric  lighting,  as  well  as  the  water  works  department,  is  in 
charge  of  Philip  S.  Joy,  as  superintendent,  and  the  present  board  of 
commissioners  consists  of  R.  P.  Grant,  chairman;  Collin  Sinclair  and 
F.  S.  Deuel;  to  their  efficient  management,  as  well  as  to  that  of  the 
.superintendent,  is  due.  in  a  great  measure,  the  present  excellent  condition 
of  the  plant,  making  it  possible  for  the  citizens  of  Marshall  to  enjoy 
exceptionally  low  lighting  and  power  rates. 

The  commission  have  within  the  past  year  replaced,  on  State  street, 
the  overhead  lighting  system  with  the  boulevard  post  lighting  system. 
Posts  bearing  five  lights,  the  upper  one  of  100  Watt  ilazda  and  the  four 
lower  ones  of  60  Watt  Mazda  each,  have  been  placed  at  a  distance  of  66 
feet  apart  on  either  side  of  the  street  and  around  the  West  End  park, 
adding  greatly  to  the  appearance  of  the  city. besides  giving  abundant 
.  light,  and  is  pronounced  by  many  to  be  the  finest  system  in  the  state. 

This  improvement  cost  about  $5,000.00  to  install  and  was  entirely 
paid  for  from  the  profits  of  the  electric  plant.  The  system  will  un- 
doubtedly be  extended  to  other  parts  of  the  city  and  gradually  super- 
cede the  overhead  lighting. 

Power  is  also  furnished  to  the  various  industries  of  the  city  at 
reasonable  rates. 

I  here  (|uote  from  the  annual  report  of  the  commission,  covering  a 
period  of  one  year,  from  April  1,  1911,  to  April  1,  1912,  which  is  made 
in  conjunction  with  the  water  works  report,  as  the  best  manner  of  show- 
ing the  present  condition  of  the  plant  and  the  service  rendered  the  cit.v 
and  citizens,  and  attention  is  called  to  the  same  as  an  example  of  what 
has  been  and  still  is  being  accomplished  along  lines  of  economical  and 
affective  public  service. 

Description  and  Valuation  of  Plant,  April  1,  1911. 


Arc  lamps— street  $  1,323.00 

Arc  lamps — commercial  118.80 


258  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

City  treasurer — bank    $  2,942.66 

Customers  ledger 1,494.19 

Dam  and  waterways 26,138.29 

Line  consisting  of  all  overhead  wire,  approxi- 
mately 46  miles  of  feeders  and  18  miles  of 
are  lighting  circuits,  poles  and  pole  fixtures.  .  16.14:5.93 
Machinery  and  electrical  apparatus,  consisting  of 
line  shaft,  gear  wheels,  pulleys;  1  General 
Electric  direct  connected  revolving  field,  250 
K.  W.  generator;  1  Fort  Wayne  belted  gener- 
ator of  187  K.  V.  A.  capacity,  both  gener- 
ators 2,300  volt  60  cycles;  3-phase  arranged 
for  synchronizing  at  switchboard;  also  two 
General  Electric  9  K.  W.  exciters  and  one 
Fort  Wayne  7  K.   W.   exciter,  switchboards 

and  instruments 9,383.86 

Meters    '.       5,379.10 

Power  housebuilding 4,251.48 

Real  estate  flowage  rights 17,000.00 

Supplies — office,  including  all  fixtures 1,209.36 

Supplies — including  all  mateiual  to  be  used  in 

operation  of  plant  and  fixtures  to  be  sold ....       2,923.73 

Sundries  ledger  . .' 558.23 

Transformers    2,973.69 

Tools  at  power  house  and  office 215.56 

Wheel  house  and  race,  including  water  wheel 
e((uipraent,  consisting  ot'  two  Leffel  Special 
50-foot  wheels,  1  Sampson  45-foot  wheel,  1 
Sampson  50-foot  wheel  with  curved  draft 
tube,  all  dexeloping  664  ho7'se  power 10.702.52 

Liabilities. 

Capital  stock— plant  $87,983.73 

Bonds 14,200.00 

Interest    774.67 

.$102,758.40  $102,758.40 

Light  and  Sundries  Cash  Statement. 

Cash  on  hand  April  1,  1911 $  2,942.66 

Cash  received  during  year  from  all  sources 23,276.07 

Cash  disbursements $20,950.18 

Ca.sh  on  hand  April  1.  1912 5,268.55 

$26,218.73     26,218.73 

Cost  of  Operating  and  Maintaining  Street  Lamps. 

19.625  K.  W.  Del.  post  lighting  cost  per  K.  W.  .01465 $  287.50 

177,360  K.  W.  Del.  street  lights  cost  per  K.  W.  .01465 2.598.32 


HISTORY   OF  CALIIOrX   COIXTY  i>r)9 

Carbous $  ^r>.^2 

Globes    2:5.4:5 

Repair  to  loops  and  wires 101  .cSl 

Repair  to  line  are  circuit    66.08 

Trimming    1 10.54 

Depreciation  on  are  lamps,  $1,:323.00 — 10  per  cent 1:52. :50 

Depreciation  on  station  transformers  and  switchboard — 10  per 

cent 72.00 

Depreciation  on  line,  poles,  cross  arms,  and  fixtures — 10  jier  cent  5:50.2:5 

.$4,008.0:3 
Summary  of  Percentages. 

Per  cent  loss — total  generation 1754 

Average  price  received  per  K.  W.  total  generation 0233 

Average  price  received  per  K.  W.  commercial  delivery 0407 

Cost  per  K.  W.  on  total  generation 01602 

Net  cash  cost  per  K.  W.  Del 0144 

Net  depreciation  cost  per  K.  W 0048 

Total  net  cost  per  K.  W 0193 

Average  price  received  per  K.  W.  pumping  station 01 

Average  price  received  ]ier  K.  W.  producing  and  delivering 01465 

Rates  for  Lighting. 

Residence  per  K.  W.  H $0.05 

Business  and  factory  per  K.   W.  II 04 

Minimum  rate  per  month 50 

10  per  cent  discount  if  paid  before  flu-  16th  of  month  following 
reading  of  meters. 

Price  received  per  year  for  each  arc  light 35.00 

Price  received  per  year  for  each  street  Tungsten  light 10.00- 

Se\vekac!E  System 

Until  1899  .Marshall  was  without  a  system  of  sewerage.  On  MnwU 
13th  of  that  year  a  resolution  was  introduced  into  the  common  council 
providing  for  the  construction  of  an  adequate  system  not  to  exceed  in 
cost  the  sum  $25,000.00,  and  on  April  3d  the  question  of  bonding  the  city 
for  that  amount  was  submitted  to  the  people,  and  was  carried. 

The  system  was  constructed  by  contract  and  cost  about  $25,000.00: 
of  this  y<i  was  paid  out  of  the  general  sewer  fund,  and  I's  was  raised  by 
assessments  spread  upon  property  benefitted. 

Great  benefit  has  been  derived  by  the  city  from  the  same ;  it  has  been 
found  adequate  in  all  respects  and  is  being  extended  as  rapidly  as 
needed.  The  construction  work  of  the  extensions  is  carried  on  by  the  city 
under  direction  of  the  city  marshal,  arid  the  property  benefitted  is 
assessed  for  benefits. 

Electric  Railroad 

In  1899  the  common  council  granted  a  franchise  for  the  const  rue 
tion  of  an  electric  stri'(4  raili-oad  over  and  upon  the  streets  of  tlic  city^ 


260  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  road  to  extend  from  Battle  Creek  on  the  west  to  Jackson  on  the 
east,  a  distance  of  about  forty-seven  miles,  and  upon  the  completion  of 
the  same  Marshall  was  placed  in  closer  communication  with  the  neigh- 
boring cities,  and  enjoys  the  privilege  of  excellent  transportation  fa- 
cilities. 

The  system  now  extends  fioiu  Kalamazoo  to  Detroit  and  through 
service  is  maintained  at  friMnuiit  intervals  which  includes  passenger, 
express  and  freight,  while  local  service  connects  the  city  with  the 
adjacent  farming  region.  At  Detroit  connections  are  made  with  various 
electric  roads  and  also  connections  may  be  had  at  various  other  points, 
greatly  facilitating  travel  and  ease  of  communication. 

Paving  and  Roads 

Following  the  advice  of  its  tirst  mayor,  Marshall  is  alive  to  the 
importance  of  proper  streets,  and  I'oads  leading  to  the  city.  Until  1902 
no  paving  had  been  done  and  State  street,  the  main  business  street  of 
the  city,  was  in  a  bad  condition.  On  June  23,  1902,  a  resolution  was  in- 
trotluced  into  the  connnon  council  providing  for  the  paving  of  State 
street  through  the  business  portion,  and  for  submitting  to  the  people  a 
proposition  to  bond  the  city  for  the  sum  of  $25,000.00  for  that  purpose. 
The  question  was  voted  upon  at  a  special  election  held  July  29,  1902, 
and  was  carried. 

The  work  was  done  by  contract  costing  about  $35,000.00,  of  which 
$16,103.40  was  raised  by  special  assessment. 

The  contractors  performed  their  duty  in  a  creditable  manner,  and 
Marshall  now  enjoys  the  benefit  of  a  well  paved  business  street  that 
adds  much  to  the  appearance  of  the  city. 

There  has  just  been  completed,  under  contract  with  the  city,  a  slag 
macadam  i-oad  leading  from  the  south  eutl  of  ilarshall  avenue  east  to 
the  city  limits,  where  it  connects  with  a  macadam  road  just  completed 
in  the  township  of  ^larengo  through  the  generosity  and  public  spirited- 
ness  of  Mr.  Frank  A.  Stuart ;  this  road  in  turn  connects  with  a  macadam 
road  extending  into  the  township  of  Eekford,  making  in  all  over  five 
miles  of  state  reward  road  extending  in  a  southeasterly  direction  from 
the  city. 

During  the  present  year  of  1912  steps  are  to  be  taken  to  provide 
the  city  with  a  surface  sewerage  system,  which  when  completed  will 
render  the  paving  of  the  balance  of  the  streets  a  task  of  comparative 
ease,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  near  future  will  see  the  work  of  paving 
extended  to  all  parts  of  the  city. 

The  expense  of  sidewalk  construction  is  divided  eually  between  the 
numicipality  and  the  individual,  and  in  consequence  Marshall  is  well 
provided  with  walks  and  more  are  being  added  yearly.  Curbing  has 
been  installed  along  a  large  per  cent  of  the  property,  and  the  streets 
present,  in  the  main,  a  trim  and  well  kept  appearance,  which  is  enhanced 
by  the  excellent  condition  of  the  lawns. 

The  census  of  1910  gave  Slarshall  a  population  of  4,282  a.  slight  de- 
crease from  the  census  of  1900,  however  in  no  other  respect  has  the  city 
lost  ground,  and  as  a  place  of  residence  it  is  unsurpassed.     Rents  are 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOIX  COrXTY  261 

moderate  aud  the  cost  of  living  low.  As  a  factory  eity  it  possesses  many 
advantages  that  are  being  In-ought  to  tiie  attention  of  the  pnhlie  through 
the  Marshall  Board  of  Commerce.  Broad  streets  abundantly  shaded  by 
elm,  maple  and  oak.  together  with  the  care  and  pride  taken  by  the 
citizens  in  their  homes,  add  materially  to  the  attractiveness  of  a  city 
favored  as  it  is  as  to  location,  and  a  number  of  small  pai-ks  under  the 
charge  of  the  park  commission  enhance  its  beauty. 

Much  is  being  done  by  the  women  of  the  city  towards  the  cultiva- 
tion of  civic  pride,  and  they  are  entitled  to  much  credit  for  what  they 
have  accomplished,  their  efforts  are  being  met  with  a  hearty  response. 
The  Monday  Club,  an  organization  composed  of  representative  women, 
has  recently  appointed  a  civic  improvement  committee  and  is  co-operating 
with  the  city  park  commission  in  laying  out  and  improving  the  waste 
places  of  the  municipality. 

IIO.'^IMTAL  AND  LiBRAHY 

Through  the  generosity  of  the  late  Charles  P.  Brown  the  city  is  to 
be  the  fortunate  possessor  of  an  hospital,  to  be  called  tlie  Brown  IMe- 
morial  Hospital,  and  steps  are  now  being  taken  towards  the  forming 
of  an  organization  to  carry  out  the  conditions  of  the  bequest. 

A  public  library  is  in  the  course  of  erection  at  a  cost  of  alioul 
$13,000.00,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  raised  by  subscription :  it  will 
be  supported  by  a  tax  as  provided  by  the  statutes  of  the  state,  and  is  in 
charge  of  a  library  l)oard  appointed  liy  the  ^layor.  The  present  board 
consists  of  Frank  A.  Stuart,  president;  C.  H.  Billings,  secretary;  Mi-s. 
William  J.  Dibble,  :\Irs.  V.  A.  Lepper.  Hon.  Herbert^  E.  Winsor.  E.  C. 
Way,  Samuel  Warren,  Dr.  Roberts  and  Craig  C.  Miller. 

Marshall's  bonded  indebtedness  is  at  present  $88,000.00,  and  this  is 
divided  as  follows,  viz:  Water  works  bonds.  $49,000.00;  electric  light 
bonds,  $14,000.00;  sewer  bonds,  $24,000.00;  paving  bonds,  $1,000.00; 
and  the  valuation  of  its  property  for  taxing  purposes  is  $2,463,875.00. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  ^larshall  as  a  municipality 
possesses  marked  advantages  not  aiforded  by  cities  of  far  greater  area 
and  population,  and  has  solved  many  of  the  problems  that  are  causing 
great  annoyance  to  its  larger  sisters. 

The  Marsuai.l  P(1sti>ffice 

Bij  WiUiau,   II.  Arthur 

The  first  postoffice  in  Calhoun  county  was  established  in  ^Marshall 
in  1832,  George  Ketclnnn  being  appointed  post  master.  .Air.  Ketchum 
kept  the  postal  matter  for  the  settlement  in  a  cigar  box.  The  mail  was 
brought  in  on  horse-back  and  came  semi-occasionally  until  the  post- 
route  was  established  in  1836,  from  Jackson  via  ^Marshall  to  Centre- 
ville,  when  the  mail  was  brought  once  a  week  for  some  time,  then  semi- 
weekly  and  finally  daily. 

Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  succeeded  .Mr.  Ketchum.  and  kept  the  office  in 
his   double   log   house   on    the   site   of   the    residence    now   occupied    by 


262  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COILXTY 

Manlious  M.  Perrett  on  [Mansion  street.  Mr.  Pierce  utilized  his  clock 
case  for  a  receptacle  for  the  postal  matter  without  detriment  to  the 
time  piece,  the  pendulum  having  full  swing  without  interference  from 
the  mail. 

Charles  D.  Smith  next  succeeded  to  the  appointment,  being  named 
by  President  Jackson  and  reappointed  by  President  Van  Bureu,  hold- 
ing the  otKee  for  about  six  years.  Emerson  T.  Wakefield  succeeded 
Mr.  Smith  for  a  short  lease  of  power,  holding  the  office  only  six  months, 
and  James  IM.  Parsons  came  in  under  the  tirst  President  Harrison  for 
a  term  of  three  and  a  half  years.  During  Mr.  Parson's  incumbency 
there  was  an  attempt  made  to  remove  him  from  office,  and  three  hun- 
dred of  his  fellow  citizens,  irrespective  of  party,  remonstrated  against 
his  removal  and  paid  him  a  high  compliment  for  efficiency  and  non- 
partisanship  in  his  conduct  of  the  office. 

Zenas  Tillotson  served  as  postmaster  four  years  under  Polk,  and  was 
succeeded  by  George  S.  Wright  for  a  like  period  under  Tyler  and  Fill- 
more. Dr.  J.  H.  ^lontgomery  carried  oif  the  prize  for  eight  years  under 
Pierce  and  Buchanan,  then  stepped  aside  for  Seth  Lewis,  w-ho  was  ap- 
pointed by  Lincoln  and  held  the  office  for  five  and  half  years.  James 
Monroe  was  appointed  by  President  Johnson,  but  had  hardly  warmed 
his  seat,  when  at  the  end  of  six  months,  S.  S.  Lacy  came  in  for  two 
years.  Herbert  A.  Read  was  then  the  incumbent  under  Grant  for  five 
years,  being  succeeded  by  Samuel  J.  Burpee,  who  held  the  office  for 
ten  years.  W.  R.  Lewis  was  then  appointed,  holding  the  office  for  one 
year,  and  being  succeeded  by  S.  S.  Lacy,  who  after  five  years  of  service 
gave  \vay  to  Stephen  F.  Snyder,  who  served  four  years.  Next  came 
Charles  T.  Fletcher  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Wm.  H.  Ai'thur  was  next 
appointed  and  he  held  the  office  longer  than  any  predecessor,  twelve 
years  and  four  months.  The  present  incumbent,  J.  P.  Hughes,  took 
over  the  office  October  1,  1910. 

The  following  statistics  are  given  through  the  courtesy  of  the  present 
assistant  postmaster,  L.  B.  Albaugh,  who  has  been  connected  with  the 
post  office  since  1885.  At  that  time  the  office  was  in  the  second  class 
with  a  postal  revenue  of  about  $8,000  per  annum,  the  office  force  con- 
sisting of  postmaster  S.  S.  Lacy,  assistant  postmaster  J.  M.  Moses  and 
two  clerks.  In  1889  the  receipts  decreased  to  below  $8,000  and  the  office 
fell  back  to  the  third  class.  It  jiunped  up  to  the  second  class  again  the 
following  year  and  in  1900  it  advanced  to  the  first  class.  In  1898  the 
receipts  of  the  office  had  increased  sufficiently  to  warrant  the  then 
postmaster  Arthur  in  securing  free  delivery  which  was  inaugurated 
with  three  carriers.  Within  the  next  few  years  the  volume  of  business 
assumed  such  proportions  that  five  more  clerks  and  two  city  carriers 
were  added  to  the  force. 

The  revenue  for  the  past  year,  ending  March  31,  1912.  was 
$4:9,402.44;  number  of  money  order  transactions,  10,588.  For  the  first 
quarter  of  1912  there  is  shown  a  marked  increase  over  the  preceding 
year. 

The  present  office  force  consists  of  the  postmaster,  assistant  post- 
master, superintendent  of  mails,  seven  clerks,  five  city  carriers,  eight 
rural  carriers.  su1i  carriers,  sub  clerks  and  special  delivery  messenger. 


HISTORY  OK  I'AMIorX  (OrXTV  :im 


The  office  is  largo  mid 
volume  of  business. 


/.'//  <  1(1-1  ntiU   n.  S  1,1  nil 

When,  ill  the  I'lii'ly  part  of  the  nincterutli  century,  the  new  west 
called  upon  the  east  for  valiant  men  and  true  to  eome  and  take  posses- 
sion of  her  forests  and  beautiful  plains,  her  lakes  and  rivers,  there  was 
ready  and  happy  response.  From  his  home  in  central  New  York  in  IH'M). 
Siduej'  Ketchum  heard  the  call  and  slowly  wended  his  way  westward 
to  the  oak  openings  of  central  [Michigan,  and  JMarshall's  history  was 
begun.  Following  closely,  came  a  goodly  company  of  men  and  women, 
whose  ambition,  energy  and  culture  were  ideal  forces  in  forming  an 
ideal  commonwealth ;  among  them  were  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  and  (Jen- 
eral  Isaac  E.  Crary — men  whom  not  only  ilarshall  but  all  Michigan  is 
proud  to  honor,  the  founders  and  supporters  of  that  ideal  system  of 
education  which  has  given  ^Miehigan  the  proud  distinction  of  being  the 
"Educating  State." 

Scarcely  had  the  home  been  established  in  the  little  log  cabias  of 
the  new  settlers  than  the  thoughts  of  these  pioneers  from  the  east  land 
turned  to  the  establishment  of  a  school,  for  they  well  knew  that  the  youth 
of  today  is  the  citizen  of  tomorrow,  and  that  upon  the  intelligence, 
integrity  and  patriotism  of  its  citizens  depends  the  life  of  the  state. 
The  first  school,  of  less  than  a  dozen  pupils,  was  held  in  a  little  loft  for 
want  of  a  better  place  and  was  presided  over  by  iliss  Ann  Brown 
whom  ]\Ir.  Sidney  Ketchum  sent  to  Ann  Arbor  to  procure — and  the 
school  ma'am  became  a  factor  of  the  village  life.  In  1832  the  pioneer 
school  house  was  built,  the  first  in  the  county,  a  little  frame  building 
on  Mansion  street  near  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  school  was  called 
to  order  by  iliss  Eliza  Ketchum.  This  building  served  not  alone  for  a 
temple  of  wisdom,  it  was  then  the  only  church,  the  town  hall,  the  court 
house,  in  short  the  general  rallying  place  of  all  public  assemblies,  where 
equal  attention  was  given  to  law,  politics,  religion  and  letters. 

About  this  period  American  students  began  to  return  from  Germany 
bringing  with  them  new  educational  ideas.  Cousin's  report  of  the 
Prussian  school  system  was  published  and  found  its  way  to  this  little 
Michigan  hamlet  and  to  the  log  cabin  home  of  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce 
where  General  Isaac  E.  Crary,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College  and  a 
warm  friend  of  education,  was  an  honored  inmate.  Thus  two  of  ]\Iar- 
shall's  earliest  nobilit^'.  men  of  distinguished  talents  and  great  force  of 
character,  were  brought  into  close  relationship  and  given  a  rare  op- 
portunity to  discu.ss  the  fundamental  principles  deemed  important  in 
laying  the  foundations  of  the  state.  "Of  especial  interest  to  them." 
wrote  Rev.  Pierce  in  1875,  "and  most  carefully  con.sidered  was  the  im- 
portant question  of  education  which  should  embrace  a  complete  school 
system  from  the  lowest  grade  to  the  highest — from  the  primary  school 
to  the  university — which,  if  possible,  should  be  made  a  distinct  liranch 
of  the  government  with  a  special  officer  who  should  have  the  whole  mat- 


264  IirSTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ter  in  charge,  and  thus  keep  its  importance  before  the  public  mind," 
and  that  measures  to  establish  and  preserve  an  ample  school  fund 
should  be  carefully  taken. 

So  we  honor  that  historic  day  in  the  summer  of  1834  when  these 
two.  Rev  Pierce  and  Gen.  Crary,  met  under  the  branches  of  the  now 
classic  oak  in  the  lawn  of  the  Gorham  home  and  with  true  wisdom,  rare 
inspiration  and  judgment,  planned  the  ideal  school  system  which  has 
placed  Michigan  in  the  foremost  rank  of  the  educational  life  of  our 
country.  But  they  were  not  content  with  mere  dreams  and  plans.  In 
the  first  convention  that  met  "to  clothe  our  beautiful  peninsula  with 
powers  of  independent  sovereignty,"  ilr.  Crary,  as  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  education,  aided  and  advised  by  liis  friend  Rev.  Pierce, 
inti'odueed  a  resolution  which  became  a  law  of  tlie  commonwealth — "a 


Old  AM)  Ni;\v  Iluui  Scinini..  .Makshaij, 

law  the  most  wholesome,"  it  is  said,  "that  at  that  time  had  lieeu  incor- 
porated into  the  constitution  of  any  state  of  the  Union" — and  the 
public  school  of  Marshall  of  1912  is  the  outgrowth  of  their  noble  work. 

On  the  second  day  of  October,  1837,  in  the  little  pioneer  schoolhouse, 
was  held  the  first  annual  school  meeting  under  the  new  law,  a  record 
of  which  we  find  preserved  in  an  old  volume,  yellow  and  musty  with  age. 
David  L.  Johns  had  the  honor  of  presiding.  The  election  of  officers  for 
the  ensuing  year  resulted  in  the  choice  of  H.  P.  Wisner,  moderator; 
Stephen  Kimball,  assessor  and  collector,  and  Ira  AVood,  director.  "After 
which  it  was  resolved  to  raise  certain  sums  of  money  for  certain  pur- 
poses:— to  wit,  the  sum  of  ninety  dollars  for  support  of  a  district  school, 
two  hundred  dollars  for  the  repair  of  the  school  house,  for  fire  wood,  etc., 
etc.,  ten  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  district  library." 

In  quaint,  old-fashioned  script  bearing  the  date  of  October  1st,  1841, 
we  find  a  record  of  the  books  used  by  the  fifty  students  who  attended 
school  during  the  school  year  of  three  months, — DaboU's  Arithmetic, 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  I'OJ 

Smith  and  KirkhaiiUs  Grammar,  Olney  and  Parley's  Geograph\-,  Par- 
ley's First  History,  Eclectic  Reader.  Elementary  Spelling  Book.  A  lirm 
foundation  upon  which  is  builded  the  course  of  study  that  now  admits 
our  students  upon  diploma,  not  only  to  the  University  of  Michigan,  but 
to  nearly  every  college  of  tlie  land.  We  turn  the  pages  of  the  old  jour- 
nal and  tind  in  the  records  of  subsequent  meetings  name  after  name  of 
the  pioneers  of  our  city,  worthy  men  and  true,  who  dai-ed  to  face  the 
problem  of  school  taxes,  rate  bills,  debts,  buildings,  etc.. — problems  that 
never  would  stay  settled  even  to  the  present  day.  All  honor  to  those 
worthy  sires  who  even  in  their  earnestness  "builded  better  than  they 
knew."  General  Isaac  E.  Crary,  John  D.  White,  D.  N.  Salter,  Joseph 
Lord,  N.  H.  Humphrey,  Randall  Hobert,  F.  W.  Sherman,  Geo.  Wood- 
ruff, 0.  C.  Comstock.  Asa  B.  Cook.  James  A.  Way,  Chas.  P.  Dibble- 
names  recorded  now  in  marble  in  our  beautiful  Oakridge,  but  more 
enduring  in  the  educational  life  of  our  town.  In  1850  and  later  we  find 
the  names  of  Honorables  C.  T.  Gorham,  Hovey  K.  Clark,  J.  T.  Vernor, 
A.  0.  Hyde,  S.  S.  Laeey,  J.  H.  Montgomery,  Geo.  IngersoU,  H.  A.  Noyes, 
J.  C.  Frink  and  others — all  prior  to  1863  when  our  venerable  record 
closes. 

In  the  early  days  of  its  history  Marshall  consisted  of  two  hamlets, 
called  the  upper  and  lower  villages,  one  at  the  east  chislo'rd  aioiind 
what  was  the  old  Marshall  House,  and  the  other  at  the  wis)  \\  hose  ((iiter 
was  the  present  west  end  park.  On  September  28,  1847,  llie  scliodi  dis- 
tricts Nos.  1  and  2,  being  in  the  upper  and  lower  villages,  were  united, 
which  union  made  necessary  the  erection  of  another  school  house  to  suc- 
ceed the  second  built  in  1833-44,  a  small  brick  structure  known  as  the 
"Long  school  house"  still  standing  one  block  east  of  the  Central  building. 
Now  the  records  show  meetings  thick  and  fast,  special,  general,  private, 
public,  resolutions  made,  passed,  rescinded  as  the  debate  waxed  warm 
upon  the  site  of  the  new  school  house,  for  the  rivalry  between  the  various 
factions  and  the  two  villages  still  was  great.  At  last  notices  were  posted 
in  the  most  public  places,  of  a  school  meeting  to  be  held  in  the  "Long 
school  house"  on  the  15th  of  March,  1848,  to  consider  three  ((uestions: 

First.     To  establish  a  site  for  a  school  house. 

Second.     To  vote  a  tax  for  a  building,  and  improving  the  grounds. 

Third.  To  determine  whether  a  classical  department  shall  be  added 
to  the  school. 

Think  of  attacking  those  Have  (|uestions  in  one  meeting.  On  the 
appointed  evening  the  taxable  inhabitants  assembled.  Isaac  E.  Crary 
in  the  chair. 

First.  The  question  of  a  site  was  put,  and  after  a  long  discussion, 
arguments  pro  and  con,  by  a  vote  of  forty-three  to  twelve,  it  was  decided 
that  the  sqiiare  we  now  occupy  be  chosen  as  a  suitable  place  for  the 
new  school  temple,  and  that  the  district  board  be  authorized  to  purchase 
the  same  if  the  same  could  be  had  for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars. 

Second.  It  was  resolved  that  a  tax  of  one  thousand  dollars  be 
raised  to  build  the  school  house  and  improve  the  grounds. 

Third.  That  a  classical  department  be  added  to  the  school  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment. 


266  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOl'X  COl'MY 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

Thus  it  was  that  in  the  center  of  the  town,  in  the  midst  of  a  sciuare 
of  primeval  bog  unoccupied  save  by  its  native  amphibians  and  adorned 
only  by  the  rushes  and  flags  bordering  its  deep  ditches,  was  Ijuilt  the 
new  school  house  over  sixty  years  ago,  E.  T.  Gregg  architect,  0.  P. 
Austin,  Benj.  Drake,  contractors;  contract  price,  five  thousand  three 
hundred  fifty-seven  dollars  and  ninety-one  cents.  Two  stories,  rect- 
angular in  form,  two  front  doors  on  the  ground,  long  windows  and 
projecting  cornices,  with  a  little  belfry  from  which  rang  out  the  sum- 
mons to  long  hard  tasks,  but  without  the  fountain,  trees  or  flower  beds 
of  the  old  time  township  picture.  The  inside  walls  of  white-washed 
brick,  softly  tinted  by  smoke,  were  adorned  only  by  well  punched  maps 
and  pencil  cartoons,  wooden  blackboards  extended  across  the  front  of 
the  rooms  with  sheep-skin  erasers  and  lump  chalk,  long  benches  around 
the  sides,  double  desks  with  fatiguing  stool  seats  "deep  carved  with 
many  initials,"  and  a  melodeon  to  discourse  sweet  sounds  at  morning 
chapel.     This  is  the  picture  on  memory's  walls. 

Here,  on  September  28,  1849,  the  school  was  first  organized  as  a 
graded  or  union  school  under, the  law  of  the  preceding  ilarch.  The 
trustees,  Honorables  I.  E.  Crary,  0.  P.  Austin,  C.  P.  Dibble,  Ira  Woods, 
Asa  B.  Cook,  moderator,  James  A.  Way,  director,  W.  R.  McCall,  assessor. 
Thus  within  twenty  years  from  the  time  the  first  pioneers  of  Marshall 
had  set  up  their  household  gods  in  the  log  cabins  they  rolled  up  had 
their  patriotism,  ambition  and  love  of  knowledge  established  in  their 
chosen  home  that  grand  institution  whose  influence  should  have  power 
over  all  the  life  of  the  community.  Under  date  of  October  13,  1857,  we 
find  the  first  mention  of  school  classification  into  primary,  secondary, 
grammar  and  high,  with  report  of  thirty-three  students  in  the  high 
school.  This  classification  continuing  under  various  names  until  recent 
years  when  the  division  became  primary,  grammar  and  high,  each  con- 
sisting of  a  course  of  four  years.  So  the  early  visions  of  Rev.  Pierce 
and  General  Crary  were  being  realized. 

Among  the  teachers  whose  nolile  work  was  so  well  done  and  whose 
names  were  household  words  over  a  half  century  or  more  ago,  we  find 
those  of  Mr.  Safford,  as  principal  in  the  old  "Long  school  house" 
in  the  early  forty's;  Mr.  Joseph  N.  Wescott,  a  noted  instructor  from 
the  east  wlio  was  chosen  principal  in  1850  and  was  the  first  to  occupy 
that  position  under  the  new  organization;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  A.  Pierce, 
whose  drills  in  language,  science  and  mathematics  were  indeed  master- 
pieces; Mr.  Tenny  and  his  gifted  wife;  Mr.  Reade ;  ponderous  J\Ir. 
Graves,  and  in  1861  Mr.  W.  S.  Perry,  later  a  superintendent  in  Ann 
Arbor,  and  many  others  equally  efficient. 

High  school  life  was  now  tending  towards  its  modern  form.  It 
was  a  sort  of  transition  period.  The  thirty-three  pupils  increased  in 
number,  though  still  counted  with  those  in  the  grammar  department. 
The  three  R's  were  still  in  evidence  in  the  class  program,  but  side  by 
side  with  Greek,  German  and  geometry,  for  a  classical  depai'tment  had 
been  instituted  in  1848.  Rhetorieals  were  held  every  Friday  afternoon, 
where  orations  on  Caesar  and  compositions  on  Hope  delighted  the  ears 
of  admiring  friends,  with  an  occasional  dialogue  for  variety.     Exami- 


HISTORY  OK  CAI.IIOrX  (.'OINTY  L'f.T 

uations  were  oral  ami  pulilic.  fveryhody  came,  a  special  (■(nuiiiillee 
appointed  for  every  class.  Think  of  that,  high  school  studcnis.  and  in 
mid-summer  too.  After  the  examinations  came  the  annual  exhiiiition, 
a  program  of  which,  dated  August  7,  1857,  is  still  extant.  That  the 
youth  of  those  days  were  well  endowed  with  literary  ahility  is  showi 
conclusively  hy  the  fifty-eight  numbers  there  recorded. 

The  little  people  now  demanded  special  attention  to  their  wants 
and  in  1860.  amid  the  feeling  of  unrest  throughout  the  nation  and  the 
mutterings  of  war  around  the  land,  three  primary  buildings  were  erected 
in  wards  one.  two  and  four  at  a  cost  of  eight  thousand  dollars.  Sheldon 
Smith,  architect,  E.  0.  Crittenton,  superintendent  of  construction. 
These  artistic  two-room  Iniildings  kno\ra  as  the  "East  Ward,"  "West 
Ward"  and  "Capitol  Hill,"  each  with  a  beautiful  spacious  play  ground, 
have  been  a  special  ornament  to  the  town  for  over  fifty  years,  and 
with  the  ""Park"  building  erected  in  the  third  ward  in  1872  at  a  cost 
of  twelve  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  have  been  the  earliest  school 
homes  of  Marshall's  proud  "manor  born"  citizens — the  Mecca  of  their 
childish  hopes  and  among  the  dearest  memories  of  their  childhood's 
days. 

It  is  now  1868,  and  again  comes  up  the  old  familiar  (|uestion  of  a 
new  building  for  the  oldci'  students,  for  the  life  of  the  town  has  out- 
grown the  old  prison  looking-  edifice  of  1847.  The  gentlemen  of  the 
board  to  whom  the  impoi'tant  undertaking  of  the  erection  of  the  new 
building  was  given  were  Houorables  C.  P.  Dibble,  C.  T.  Gorham,  D. 
Darwin  Hughes,  E.  F.  Henderson  and  George  Ingersoll,  and  well  they 
kept  their  trust.  Mr.  Dibble  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  building,  and  to  the  important  duties  of  his  position  he  gave  his 
valuable  time,  business  sagacity  and  personal  devotion.  In  return  for 
his  services  the  board  voted  him  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  which, 
with  the  patriotic  generosity  of  the  Dibble  spirit  he  returned  to  the 
district  as  the  "Dibble  Prize  Fund,"  the  income  of  which  is  given  to 
the  school  each  year  to  be  used  in  a  manner  determined  by  the  board, 
and  to  which  we  owe  many  of  the  beautiful  pictures  which  adorn  the 
walls  of  the  various  rooms. 

On  a  memorable  day  in  April,  1870,  the  new  building  was  dedicated, 
a  proud  day  for  Marshall,  for  this  new  temple,  imposing,  commodious, 
erected  at  a  great  expense  of  nearly  seventy  thousand  dollars,  fitted 
with  every  convenience  then  known  to  the  builder,  was  the  result  of  the 
earnest  thought  of  a  people  devoted  to  culture,  progress  and  patriotism. 
A  briefless  .young  attorney,  whose  only  alma  mater  was  the  Marshall 
high  school  we  have  described,  was  chosen  to  deliver  the  dedicatory 
address,  and  so  masterly  was  the  maiden  effort  of  Mr.  T.  J.  O'Brien 
that  that  day  marked  the  first  step  in  the  brilliant  career  of  one  of  the 
most  popular  lawyers  of  the  state  and  one  of  the  most  successful  am- 
bassaclors  of  the  United  States. 

Now  that  the  building  was  complete,  classification  of  .schools  and 
course  of  study  determined  upon,  interest  began  to  center  upon  develop- 
ing special  work.  The  laboratory  system  of  instruction  was  introduced 
in  the  science  department,  and  new  apparatus  added  to  the  electrical 
machine  of  old  time  days  and  the  compound  microscope  given  to  the 


268  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

school  by  Mr.  D.  D.  Hughes.  The  library  whose  nucleus  was  derived 
from  the  ten  dollars  voted  to  the  purchase  of  books  in  1837  received 
attention,  Mr.  W.  J.  Dibble,  for  years  one  of  the  most  efficient  directors 
of  the  schools,  gave  proof  again  of  the  family  interest  in  the  school 
and  came  to  its  aid,  until  today  the  classic  lore  purchased  in  1837  has 
grown  to  three  thousand  volumes.  The  library  has  a  room  of  its  own 
and  is  one  of  the  chief  factors  of  the  school.  In  April,  1870,  the  bell 
iirst  rang  out  for  school  in  the  new  building  with  Mr.  Henry  N.  French, 
superintendent,  one  of  the  foremost  educators  of  the  state,  to  whose 
twelve  years  of  service  so  much  of  the  present  efficiency  of  the  school 
is  due. 

The  preceding  year  there  went  out  into  the  world  the  first  formal 
graduating  class,  three  young  gentlemen  well  fitted  to  be  the  advance 
guard  of  Marshall's  graduates,  Herbert  E.  Davis,  Henry  M.  Haskell 
and  Clarence  S.  Joy,  each  choosing  for  himself  one  of  the  learned  pro- 
fessions in  which  he  has  gained  deserved  success.  Each  year  a  new 
class  has  followed  them  out  into  the  field  of  life  until  now  over  six 
hundred  students  liave  taken  their  diplomas  from  the  Marshall  high 
school  and  gone  out  into  the  world  to  do  their  share  of  its  work. — All  over 
the  bi-oad  land  and  over  the  seas,  into  Europe  and  tlie  far  east  and 
the  distant  islands,  have  the  ^larshall  students  wended  their  way. 
Many  of  them  have  gained  an  honored  name  for  themselves  and  their 
alma  mater.  We  find  them  in  the  pulpit,  at  the  bar,  at  the  teacher's 
desk  and  in  the  physician's  office,  in  the  army  and  in  the  navy,  in 
literary,  political  and  ))usiness  life,  in  the  social  world  and  in  the  home, 
and  everywhere  we  are  proud  of  them. 

It  is  1900,  the  old  century  is  passing,  the  new  is  almost  here, 
the  high  school  of  thirt.y-three  students  has  become  nearly  two  hun- 
dred; crowded  class  rooms,  inefficient  laboratories  and  general  incon- 
venience for  pi-operly  doing  the  work  now  required  in  the  high  school 
is  apparent  everywhere,  and  a  demand  for  a  special  building  is  the  cry 
of  its  friends.  Again  the  school  board  is  face  to  face  with  the  old 
problem,  skillfully  they  meet  it,  and  the  new  high  school  building  of 
1900  is  erected  at  a  cost  of  twentj'-five  thousand  dollars.  Its  spacious 
halls,  fine  assembly  and  class  rooms,  well  equipped  laboratories,  manual 
training  and  art  rooms,  special  li])rary  with  reading  tables,  where 
students  come  daily  for  reading  and  research  work,  and  everywhere 
every  modern  convenience,  attest  well  the  patriotism  of  Marshall's  citi- 
zens. Manual  training  classes  are  now  established  in  every  grade  and 
added  to  the  art  department,  so  our  boys  and  girls  go  out  from  the 
school  with  hand  and  eye  as  well  as  brain  well  trained  to  do  good  work 
for  themselves  and  for  the  world.  The  eoiiuty  normal  school  is  made 
a  part  of  the  system  where  teachers  are  prepared  for  rural  school 
work.  The  whole  a  grand  accomplishment  of  a  great  design  worthy  of 
its  far  sighted  noble  originators  and  worthy  of  the  true  patriotic  citi- 
zens who  gladly  support  and  sustain  it. 

In  1911,  three-quarters  of  a  century  after  that  historic  summer  day 
when  Michigan's  ideal  school  system  was  first  formulated  under  the 
branches  of  one  of  ilarshall's  grand  old  oaks,  a  beautiful  building  was 
erected  to  take  the  place  of  the  old  "East  Ward,"  now  inadequate  for 
school  purposes.     This  new  school  home,  ei-ected  at  a  cost  of  fifteen 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  260 

thousand  dollars,  with  every  modem  convenience  and  luxury  for  the 
little  people,  even  to  inside  play  rooms  for  stormy  days,  artistically 
finished  and  adorned  with  beautiful  pictures,  is  appropriately  dedicated 
the  "Pierce  school"  in  honor  of  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce,  the  "Father  of 
the  Educational  System." 

Thus  Mai-shall  proudly  does  special  honor  to  one  of  her  noble  pioneer 
citizens  whose  life  and  work  was  an  honor  to  himself,  to  his  chosen 
home,  and  to  the  world. 

The  Press  of  .Marshall 

Jill  J.  M.  Moses 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Calhoun  county  was  the  Calhoun 
Countij  Patriot,  issued  by  Henry  C.  Bunoe.  the  first  number  appearing 
October  2,  1836,  ^Ir.  Bunce  being  editor  and  publisher.  It  was  an  eight 
column  folio  containing  considerable  reading  matter  considering  the 
size  of  the  place  and  the  methods  then  in  use  for  collecting  news.  Mr. 
Bunce  was  acting  for  a  stock  company  Init  later  he  bought  the  other 
stockholders  and  became  sole  proprietor.  January  1,  1841,  Francis  W. 
Shearman  became  associate  editor,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  The 
Di  iiiorratic  Expounder  and  Calhoun  County  Patriot.  The  motto  of  the 
publisliers  as  printed  under  the  heading  was  "War  to  the  Knife  and 
Knife  to  the  Hilt  in  Defense  of  Democratic  Principles."  Mi-.  Bunce 
continued  as  publisher  until  1850  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Chastaiu 
JIann  and  Jabez  Fox.  Mr.  Fox  soon  after  retired  and  L.  G.  Noyes 
became  part  owner  and  editor  of  the  paper.  He  continued  in  that  ca- 
pacity until  his  death  in  June,  186-1,  from  which  time  Chastain 
ilann  continued  as  sole  proprietor  until  his  death  in  the  spring  of 
1873.  Francis  W.  Shearman  who  had  retired  as  editor  when  Jlr.  Noyes 
bought  an  interest  in  the  paper  again  assumed  editorial  coiitiol  wlien 
.Mr.  Noyes  passed  away  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  the  death 
of  JIi-.  ^lann.  Mr.  Shearman  was  appointed  superintendent  of  public 
instruction  in  1849  and  was  elected  to  the  office  in  1851,  being  the  first 
man  to  be  chosen  by  the  people  to  fill  that  office.  He  was  re-elected  in 
1853.  Upon  the  death  of  Chastain  ]Mann  the  paper  was  purcluised  l)y 
Samuel  S.  Lacey,  who  became  editor  and  proprietor.  Mr.  Lacey  was  one 
of  many  Republicans  who  followed  Horace  Greeley  into  the  Democratic 
party.  He  conducted  the  paper  along  the  liberal  Republican  line,  but 
after  a  few  years  came  out  as  a  full  fledged  Democrat.  ]Mr.  Lacey  con- 
tinued as  publisher  until  1875  when  he  leased  it  to  Z.  H.  Dennison.  and 
later  to  R.  I).  Buchanan  who  continued  to  run  it  until  October,  1881, 
when  J.  M.  ^Moses  became  publisher,  Mr.  Lacey  continuing  as  editor  with 
the  different  puiilishers.  In  1885  Mr.  Lacey  having  been  iippoinfed 
postmaster  .=old  the  paper  to  the  ClironicJe  Publisliing  C()iii|i;iiiy.  iiiid 
the  E.rpound(r  was  consolidated  with  the  Daihi  Chroniili.  fKuriwhicli 
office  its  publication  wms  continued  until  December.  19()!l.  when  it  was 
consolidated  with  the  Evening  Chronieli . 

The  Marshall  Times  was  started  by  .bihii  (ircev.-s  scun  jjftcr  tlie 
Patriot   appeai-ed   but    the   field   was   liiiiitcil   and   it    did   not    live   long. 


270  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The- material  used  for  printing  the  Times  was  purchased  by  David  L. 
Johns  and  in  the  fall  of  1837  he  launched  the  Marshall  Republican, 
advocating  the  principles  of  the  Whig  party.  The  Republican  lasted 
until  after  the  campaign  of  1838,  and  then  passed  quietly  away.  The 
next  applicant  for  public  favor  in  the  newspaper  world  was  the  West- 
ern Statesman,  which  appeared  Sept.  12,  1839,  with  Seth  Lewis  as 
editor  and  publisher.  The  paper  continued  as  the  W<st(  rn  S/atesman 
until  October  12,  1841,  when  it  was  changed  to  The  Mnrsluill  Statesman, 
by  which  title  it  is  still  issued  as  a  weekly  paper.  Seth  Lewis  continued 
as  editor  and  publisher  until  January  1866,  when  he  sold  out  to  Bissell 
&  Burgess,  who  conducted  the  paper  for  three  years  when  W.  R.  Lewis 
took  Mr.  Bissell's  place  and  Burgess  &  Lewis  were  at  the  helm  until 
April,  1872,  when  Setii  Lewis  again  took  charge  and  continued  until 
January,  1873,  when  Morgan  Bates  assumed  control  as  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. Mr.  Bates,  during  his  stay  in  Marshall  inaugurated  several  re- 
forms, one  in  particular,  which  he  advocated  and  finally  carried  through, 
was  an  ordinance  prohibiting  cattle  from  running  at  large  in  the 
streets.  This  provoked  the  enmity  of  a  large  number  of  people  who 
owned  cows,  but  after  they  saw  the  good  effects  of  the  law,  were  strong 
supporters  of  "Sir.  Bates.  In  1878  the  property  passed  to  the  estate 
of  Seth  Lewis,  and  was  leased  to  0.  C.  Tompkins.  ]\Ir.  Tompkins  ran 
the  sheet  two  years,  when  W.  R.  Lewis  and  J.  M.  ]\Ioses  took  charge. 
Mr.  Moses  retired  in  October,  1881,  to  become  publisher  of  the  Ex- 
pounder, and  Mr.  Lewis  continued  as  editor  and  publisher  until  1892, 
when  he  sold  out  to  T.  G.  Stevenson,  of  Ionia.  Mr.  W.  H.  Arthur,  who 
had  been  associated  with  Mr.  Lewis  for  a  few  years  assumed  charge 
of  the  paper  after  ]Mr.  Stevenson  purchased  it,  and  he  continued  to 
have  full  control  until  1896,  when  the  paper  passed  into  the  hands  of 
W.  J.  Gregg  and  W.  II.  Arthur.  During  the  time  ilr.  Stevenson  was 
the  owner,  he  had  other  interests,  which  took  his  entire  time,  so  that  he 
was  in  Marshall  only  occasionally  and  Mr.  Arthur  was  given  a  free 
hand  to  run  the  paper,  according  to  his  own  dictation.  The  partner- 
ship between  Mr.  Gregg  and  ilr.  Arthur  was  a  brief  one,  and  in  1897 
ilr.  Gregg  retired,  having  sold  his  interest  to  E.  B.  Stuart.  ]\Ir.  Arthur 
was  appointed  postmaster  in  1899,  and  soon  after  his  appointment, 
Howard  E.  Pratt,  who  was  then  living  in  Ypsilanti,  became  associated 
with  the  paper  as  city  editor.  He  continued  in  that  capacity  until  De- 
cember, 1901,  when  he  purchased  ]\Ir.  Arthur's  interest,  and  became 
one  of  the  publishers  and  editor.  About  this  time  the  Statesman 
Publishing  Co.,  was  formed,  the  incorporators  being  E.  B.  Stuart  and 
H.  E.  Pratt.  These  gentlemen  continued  to  conduct  the  paper  and  a 
large  job  printing  business,  until  July,  1905,  when  Mr.  Pratt  retired, 
having  sold  his  interest  to  F.  A.  Stuart.  In  the  summer  of  1886,  a  daily 
edition  was  started,  but  it  lived  only  about  a  month  and  was  discon- 
tinued. In  May.  1911,  the  Evening  Statesman  was  launched  and  is 
now  being  published  along  with  the  weekly.  The  stock  of  the  States- 
man Publishing  Co.,  is  owned  equally  by  E.  B.  Stuart  and  F.  A. 
Stuart,  but  the  latter  does  not  give  any  of  his  time  to  the  paper,  so  that 
Mr.  E.  B.  Stuart  has  full  control  and  dictates  the  policy  of  the  paper. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY  l'71 

When  the  daily  edition  was  started,  W.  H.  Arthur  again  associated 
himself  with  the  paper  as  editor;  he  retired  after  a  few  mouths. 

Among  tile  early  writers  on  the  Expounder  were  Hon.  Isaac  K. 
Crary,  the  founder  of  the  school  system  in  Michigan,  Rev.  Joliii  D. 
Pierce,  D.  Darwin  Hughes  and  others,  while  J.  0.  Balch  and  K.  A. 
Tenney  were  contrihutors  to  the  colunnis  of  the  Statcsnia)!. 

The  Jounial  of  Education  was  publislied  in  ^Marshall  in  1838-40,  and 
had  a  genei-al  circulation  about  the  state,  F.  W.  Shearman  being  editor. 
The  Trmpeniner  Advocate  was  another  paper  that  had  an  existense  in 
1841,  Dr.  O.  C.  Comstock  l)eing  editor. 

The  Family  Journal,  a  literary  paper,  was  published  by  Martin  V. 
Wagner  in  1870-71,  and  later  sold  to  S.  S.  Woods,  of  Newburg,  X.  Y., 
publisher  of  the  Household  Mofinzim  . 

August  13,  1879,  the  first  number  of  the  Daily  Chionicle  appeared, 
with  F.  W.  Houghton  and  Z.  II.  Deuison  as  editors  and  publishers.  It 
was  a  small  four-page  sheet,  three  columns  to  the  page,  the  columns 
being  about  twelve  inches  long.  It  was  started  as  a  morning  paper, 
but  soon  after  changed  to  an  afternoon  sheet.  A  daily  paper  in  a  town 
on  5,000  people  was  an  unheard  of  proposition  in  those  days,  and  the 
wise  ones  predicted  a  short  life  for  the  Chronicle.  While  the  field  was 
not  a  wide  one,  the  publishers  were  not  to  be  daunted  by  a  few  adverse 
criticisms,  and  continued  in  the  even  tenor  of  their  way,  and  soon 
the  Chronicle  came  to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  fixtures  of  the  city, 
and  its  opinions  on  matters  in  general  were  looked  for  at  all  times. 
Messrs.  Boughton  &  Denison  continued  to  publish  the  paper  until 
1885,  when  Mr.  Dennison  retired  and  ]Mr.  Boughton  associated  himself 
with  Samuel  S.  Lacey  in  the  publication  of  the  Chronicle  and  Expounder. 
]\Ir.  Lace.v  retired  a  year  later  and  Mr.  Boughton  was  at  the  head  of 
both  papers  until  April,  1888,  when  he  sold  out  to  J.  ^M.  JMoses.  Mr. 
Boughton  went  to  Grand  Rapids,  where  he  became  editorial  writer  on 
the  (Irand  h'apids  Press,  a  position  which  he  held  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  the  sunnner  of  1911.  During  the  time  the  paper  was  under 
the  control  of  Boughton  &  Denison  it  was  enlarged  at  different  times, 
until  it  became  a  five  column  folio,  of  the  regulation  size.  After  it 
passed  into  the  hands  of  ^Ir.  Moses,  he  enlarged  it  first  to  a  six  column 
folio,  and  later  to  a  seven  column  folio.  When  the  paper  was  first 
started  it  was  printed  on  a  Universal  .job  press,  the  press  being  run  by 
foot  power.  After  a  few  years  a  small  Hoe  cylinder  press  was  installed, 
and  when  it  became  necessary  to  enlarge  to  a  seven  colunni  paper,  a 
large  two  revolution  Campbell  was  purchased,  and  two  years  ago  the 
business  of  the  paper  had  increased  to  such  extent  as  to  make  the  in- 
stallation of  a  duplex  jiress  possible,  and  one  was  purchased  of  the 
Duplex  Printing  Press  Co.,  of  Battle  Creek,  the  Chronicle  being  the 
first  paper  at  the  county  seat  to  have  a  press  that  i)rints  from  a  roll 
and  delivers  papers  printed  and  folded  at  the  rate  of  4,000  copies  an 
hour.  The  Chronicle  was  also  the  first  paper  in  Marshall  to  install  a 
standard  linotype,  one  of  the  latests  models  being  put  in  in  1909.  J. 
M.  Moses  continued  as  the  sole  publisher  until  1908,  when  his  son.  Frank 
R.  Moses,  acquired  an  interest,  and  now  looks  after  the  business  end  of 


272  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  paper.  In  1910  the  name  was  changed  to  The  Evening  Chronicle, 
and  it  is  still  known  by  that  title. 

The  Calhoun  County  Democrat,  published  by  Henry  Banner,  made  its 
appearance  in  1890,  but  as  the  Democrats  lost  the  national  election  that 
year,  the  paper  ceased  to  exist  soon  after  the  fall  election. 

The  next  paper  to  make  its  appearance  was  the  Marshall  News, 
which  started  in  March,  1898.  George  E.  Willetts  was  editor  and  a 
stock  company,  headed  by  A.  C.  Wisner,  were  publishers.  The  News 
was  started  to  help  along  the  silver  cause  in  the  vicinity  of  the  county 
seat,  as  the  fusion  ticket,  advocating  the  Bryan  policy  had  been  success- 
ful in  the  county  in  1896,  and  it  was  hoped  to  perpetuate  the  cause 
in  the  county  by  the  means  of  the  News.  In  the  fall  of  1900,  a  daily  edi- 
tion was  started,  which  is  still  in  the  field.  J\Ir.  Willetts  continued  at  the 
head  of  the  paper  until  Januai-y,  1805,  when  it  was  sold  to  W.  A.  Lane 
and  D.  W.  Knickerbocker.  A  few  months  later  ilr.  Lane  retired  from 
active  duty  and  D.  W.  Knickerbocker  became  editor  and  publisher,  the 
paper  being  owned  by  him  at  the  present  time. 

Marshall  probably  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  city  of  less 
than  5,000  population  in  the  world  with  three  daily  newspapers. 

In  tlie  early  days  a  number  of  school  papers  were  published,  but 
none  of  them  survived  any  great  length  of  time. 

Lawyers  of  Marshall,  Past  and  Present 

By  Herbert  E.    \yinsur 

Hon.  William  II.  lirown  was  born  in  Pomfort,  near  Norwich,  New 
London  county.  (  (iiiiicclirut,  December  9,  1812.  He  was  educated  in 
Plaintield  Acadiuiy  and  in  Yale  College  law  school.  He  then  went  to 
Utica,  New  York,  where  he  continued  his  law  studies  and  later  came  to 
Marshall,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1839.  In  1854,  Mr. 
Brown  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  for  Calhoun  county  and  was 
re-elected  in  1856.  He  was  assistant  United  States  district  attorney, 
which  office  he  held  seven  years.  For  a  number  of  years  after  he  came 
to  Marshall,  Mr.  Brown  was  the  only  attorney  in  the  city.  In  later 
years  he  was  associated  as  partner  with  John  VanArman,  Robert  Cross, 
who  was  formerl}'  a  partner  of  Caleb  Cushiug,  and  later  was  in  partnei'- 
ship  with  James  B.  Greenough.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  noted  character 
in  the  legal  history  of  Marshall ;  a  man  of  mai'ked  personal  appear- 
ance, standing  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  was  eminently  social  and 
genial  in  disposition.  He  was  a  man  of  letters  and  possessed  one  of 
the  largest  private  law  libraries  in  Miciiigan.  Mr.  Brown  was  for  a 
long  time  president  of  the  Calhoun  County  Bar  Association  and  took 
great  pleasure  in  the  progress  and  culture  of  the  bar  of  the  county. 

Hon.  J.  Wright  Gordon  was  born  at  Plainfield,  Windora  county, 
Connecticut,  in  1809.  He  was  a  noted  politician  and  a  gentleman  of 
thorough  culture.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  college  and  after 
his  graduation  was  for  a  time  professor  at  Geneva,  New  York.  While 
in  Geneva  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New  York. 
In    1835,   j\Ir.    Gordon    established    himself    permanently    in    Marshall, 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOrX  COIXTY  273 

]\Iichigan.  He  was  elected  second  lieutenant  governor  of  Michigan  and 
after  the  election  of  Gov.  Woodbridge  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
Mr.  Gordon  became  acting  governor.  He  accepted  the  consulship  to 
South  America  under  President  Taylor,  hoping  that  the  change  of 
climate  would  restore  his  failing  health,  but  he  died  at  his  official  post 
in  1849.  Sir.  Gordon  was  a  man  of  great  natural  ability  and  force 
of  character  and  won  distinction  as  a  lawyer,  public  speaker  and  poli- 
tician.    He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Whig  party. 

Hon.  Benjamin  F.  Graves  was  probably  mentioned  in  the  list  of 
la\\Ters  living  at  Battle  Creek.  He  was  circuit  judge  for  a  number 
of  years  and  presided  over  the  court  at  JIarshall,  but  was  a  resident 
of  Battle  Creek.    He  was  elected  to  the  supreme  court  of  the  state. 

The  Honorable  George  Woodruff  was  born  in  Bingbamton,  New 
York.  July  4,  1807.  He  was  the  son  of  a  farmer.  He  graduated  from 
Hobart  college.  New  York,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  While  in  college 
he  was  confirmed  in  the  Episcopal  church.  After  his  marriage  to  Miss 
Augusta  Schuyler,  he  moved  to  Michigan  in  1837.  In  1846  he  was 
elected  county  judge,  holding  the  office  two  terms,  when  the  new  constitu- 
tion threw  him  out. 

In  1866,  he  was  elected  circuit  judge,  having  been  previously  ap- 
pointed by  the  governor  to  fill  vacancy  in  the  circuit.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  the  term,  he  was  re-elected  by  a  large  majority.  Owing  to  his 
advanced  age,  this  was  his  last  term.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  the 
classics ;  a  constant  reader  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  authors. 

He  was  a  man  of  marked  patriotism.  All  his  boys  went  into  the 
army  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war. 

He  died  on  the  13th  of  May.  1887.  lacking  but  a  few  weeks  of  being 
eighty  years  old. 

In  an  obituary  written  at  that  time,  he  is  described  as  "One  of 
the  men  who  helped  to  lay  the  foundations  of  the  state,  and  did  nnu'li 
to  rear  the  splendid  commonwealth  in  which  we  live."  The  obituary 
further  adds  that  "Judge  Woodruff'  was  a  patriot,  a  scholar,  a  highbred 
gentleman.  WHiile  a  man  of  stern  integrity,  he  was  a  good  friend  and 
neighbor,  honored  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him." 

Hon.  Francis  Willitt  Shearman,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Marshall 
and  Calhoun  county  bar,  was  born  in  Vernon,  Oneida  county,  New 
York.  June  20,  1817.  He  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  college  in 
1836  and  came  to  ^Marshall  almost  immediately  after  his  graduation, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1837,  he  entered  the  government 
service  under  Hon.  Henry  Lawrence  Schoolcraft,  his  uncle,  then  Indian 
agent  for  the  Northwest.  In  1838,  he  was  married  to  Caroline  S. 
Williams,  the  daughter  of  Stalham  Williams,  a  prominent  banker  of 
Utica,  New  York.  Seven  children  blessed  their  union,  two  of  whom 
are  now  living.  Lawrence  Schoolcraft  Shearman  of  Minneapolis,  Minne- 
sota, and  'Sirs.  Frances  C.  Page,  of  Marshall. 

In  1839.  Sir.  Shearman  repaired  to  Washington  on  public  business, 
acting  at  the  same  time  as  Washington  correspondent  for  the  Detroit 
Free  Prcxx.  in  which  capacity  he  won  a  national  reputation  as  a  public 
wi-iter. 

Upon  the  urgent  solicitations  of  Hon.  John  D.  Pierce,  then  super- 


274  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

intendent  of  public  instruction,  I\Ir.  Shearman  returned  to  Marshall  to 
take  up  the  duties  of  assistant  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  and 
the  publication  of  the  Journal  of  Education. 

In  1840,  Mr.  Shearman  became  editor  of  the  Democratic  Expounder, 
one  of  the  leading  Democratic  journals  of  central  Michigan,  with  the 
principals  of  which  party  he  was  ever  an  unswerving  and  earnest  sup- 
porter. 

As  a  writer,  he  was  polished,  forcible,  independent  and  aggressive, 
and  as  a  public  speaker  he  excelled. 

In  1846,  Mr.  Shearman  was  elected  associate  justice  of  the  county 
court  with  Judge  Hall  of  Battle  Creek,  which  office  he  held  until  1848. 

In  1849  and  again  in  1851  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction  for  Michigan,  and  his  services  in  this 
office,  as  shown  in  his  several  annual  reports,  constitute  a  most  noble 
monument  to  the  name  and  fame  of  Judge  Shearman.  The  report  for 
year  1852,  which  was  at  that  time  the  most  comprehensive  and  valuable 
work  on  our  primary  school  system  then  extant,  was  widely  sought 
by  other  states,  and  quoted  as  authority  upon  this  subject.  It  gave  a 
mighty  impulse  towards  the  adoption  and  perfection  of  the  school  system 
both  in  Michigan,  and  in  other  states,  and  it  is  justly  due  to  say  that 
during  his  superintendency  Michigan's  superior  school  system  assumed 
the  efficiency  which  characterizes  it  today.  In  addition  to  above  men- 
tioned public  service.  Judge  Shearman  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace  for  about  thirty  years. 

Judge  Shearman  passed  away  at  his  home  in  Marshall,  December 
7,  1874. 

Hon.  Frank  A.  Hooker  was  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Charlotte,  Eaton 
county.  He  presided  for  three  terms  as  circuit  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial 
circuit  and  held  court  at  Mai-shall. 

Hon.  James  A.  Miner  was  born  at  Marshall,  September  9,  1842. 
After  graduating  from  the  Lyons  Institute  he  commenced  the  study 
of  law  in  the  office  of  Gov.  Baker  of  Clinton,  Iowa.  On  his  return  to 
Marshall  he  resumed  his  studies  in  the  law  office  of  H.  A.  and  L.  G. 
Noyes  and  later  in  the  office  of  John  C.  Fitzgerald.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1863.  Mr.  Miner  was  appointed  United  States  commis- 
sioner for  the  eastern  district  of  Michigan,  in  1868.  In  1866,  he  was 
elected  circuit  court  commissioner  and  re-elected  in  1868.  In  1870  he 
was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  and  re-elected  to  that  office  in  1872. 
In  Januai-y,  1876,  Mr.  Miner  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Francis 
A.  Stace,  now  of  Grand  Rapids.  He  was  appointed  United  States 
judge  for  Utah  and  served  until  Utah  was  admitted  to  the  Union.  He 
was  then  elected  as  one  of  the  supreme  court  judges  of  LTtah  and  oc- 
cupied that  office  for  four  years.  Mr.  Miner  was  possessed  of  remark- 
able tenacity  of  purpose  and  executive  ability  of  no  common  order. 

D.  Darwin  Hughes  was  born  in  Camillus,  New  York,  Febraary  1, 
1823  and  came  to  the  state  of  IMiehigan  in  1840.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  Calhoun  county  in  1846  and  commenced  active  practice  of 
his  profession.  The  law  firm  of  Hughes,  "Wooley  and  Hayes  was'  for  a 
long  time  one  of  the  strongest  law  firms  in  the  state.  Mr.  Wooley 
afterwards  died  and  Mr.  Hayes  removed  to  the  state  of  Iowa.     From 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  275 

the  time  of  coniiueucing  active  practice  at  Marshall  until  he  removed 
to  the  city  of  Grand  Rapids,  a  number  of  years  afterwards,  his  repu- 
tation as  a  lawyer  gradually  extended  until  his  entire  time  was  devoted 
to  the  trial  of  legal  eases.  At  Grand  Rapids  he  was  at  the  head 
of  the  well  known  linn  of  Hughes,  O'Brien  and  Smiley  and  was  for 
a  number  of  years  general  counsel  for  the  Grand  Rapids  and  Indiana 
Railroad  Company.  It  is  said  that  his  greatest  strength  was  in  the 
argument  of  purely  legal  questions  before  the  court.  His  arguments 
were  complete,  graceful  and  strong.  Upon  the  whole  he  was  fully 
entitled  to  rank  as  he  did,  as  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  northwest. 
He  died  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  1883,  at  Grand  Rapids  Micliigan. 
For  a  more  full  report  of  this  man  see  51st  Mich.  Rep.,  page  25. 

Hon.  Thomas  J.  O'Brien  was  born  July  3.  1842,  on  a  farm  in  Jack- 
son county.  His  parents  were  good  old  Irish  stock  and  emigrated  to 
Michigan  in  1837.  IMr.  O'Brien  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
Jackson  county  and  the  high  school  of  Marshall.  He  began  the  study 
of  law  in  his  ISth  year  and  completed  his  law  studies  in  the  University 
of  Michigan  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1854,  when  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  soon  after  entered  into  a  law  partnership  with  J.  C. 
Fitzgerald  at  ^Marshall,  Michigan.  This  partnership  was  continued  for 
a  number  of  years,  when  Mr.  O'Brien  removed  to  the  city  of  Grand 
Rapids  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hughes,  0  'Brien  and  Smiley, 
consisting  of  D.  Darwin  Hughes.  Thomas  J.  O'Brien  and  ^I.  J.  Smiley. 
This  copartnership  continued  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hughes.  Mr. 
O'Brien  was  then  appointed  general  counsel  for  the  Grand  Rapids  and 
Indiana  Railroad  and  remained  such  until  President  Roosevelt  appointed 
him  minister  to  Denmark,  and  he  has  continued  in  the  diplomatic  service 
since  that  time,  serving  very  acceptably  and  successfully  as  minister  to 
Japan,  and  now  as  minister  to  Italy  is  residing  at  Rome.  Mr.  O'Brien's 
career  makes  him  one  of  the  honored  sons  of  Michigan,  of  whom  we  are 
all  justly  proud. 

Hon.  Horace  A.  Noyes  was  born  in  Prescott,  Chenango  county,  New 
York,  February  20,  ISio.  He  completed  his  legal  course  at  Perrington, 
New  York,  in  1833  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Rochester.  He 
practiced  law  for  a  time  at  Plymouth,  Michigan,  and  later  opened  a 
law  office  in  Marshall,  where  he  was  a.ssociated  with  his  brothers,  Nathan 
and  Lucius  and  William  H.  Porter.  In  1835,  Mr.  Noyes  was  elected  to 
the  legislature  and  in  1844  elected  probate  judge  of  Calhoun  county,  serv- 
ing twelve  years.  In  1857,  Judge  Noyes  resumed  his  place  at  the  bar  and 
was  employed  in  many  important  cases.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
ablest  legal  advisers  in  the  city.  He  possessed  a  genial  disposition  and 
a  large,  unselfish  nature.    He  died  April  20,  1877. 

Lucius  G.  Noyes  was  a  brother  of  Horace  A.  Noyes  and  was  in  part- 
nership with  him  up  until  his  death,  in  1864.  Mr.  Noyes  was  proprietor 
of  the  Marshall  Erpoitiuhr  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  its  editor.  He 
possessed  fine  legal  ability  and  was  an  indefatigable  worker  in  attending 
to  the  Inisiness  of  the  law  firm. 

Hon.  Philip  T.  VanZile  lived  in  Charlotte,  Michigan.  He  was  judge 
of  the  circuit  court  of  the  fifth  judicial  circuit  for  two  teinis  and  pre- 


276  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COFXTY 

sided  over  the  court  at  Marshall  during  that  time.  Judge  VauZile  is 
now  one  of  the  circuit  judges  of  the  county  of  Wayne  at  Detroit. 

Francis  A.  Stace  was  born  in  the  Borough  of  Lewes,  Sussex,  England, 
June  2,  1884.  He  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  reading  law  up  until 
1862,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Calhoun  county.  Mr.  Stace 
was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  position  he  held  bj'  re-election 
for  eight  years.  He  was  educated  in  the  Church  of  England,  but  with  his 
mother  joined  the  church  of  Rome  in  1848.  Pie  became  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States  in  1862.  In  politics  Mr.  Stace  was  a  Democrat.  He  has 
had  great  success  as  a  lawyer,  especially  in  chancery  cases.  He  has 
lately  become  the  author  of  Stace 's  Chancery  Forms  and  Practice.  Mr. 
Stace  is  now  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  at  the  city 
of  Grand  Rapids. 

Williana  DeForrest  Adams  was  born  the  25th  day  of  June,  1839, 
in  the  township  of  Burlington,  Calhoun  county,  Michigan.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  the  township  where  he  resided  and  the 
high  school  at  Coldwater.  Later  he  attendeil  Albion  college.  lie  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  in  1863,  in  the  law  office  of  Sidney  Thomas  in 
Marshall,  and  afterwards  completed  his  law  studies  in  the  office  of 
Hughes  and  Wooley.  Mr.  Adams  was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the  28th 
day  of  November,  1869,  and  soon  after  his  admission  formed  a  law  part- 
nership with  Sidney  Thomas  in  Marshall  and  l)egan  the  practice  of  law. 
Later  he  left  that  firm  and  formed  a  jiartnership  with  Ira  E.  Randall, 
which  continued  for  a  short  time.  .Mr.  .\il;iins  continuing  his  practice 
alone.  In  1870,  he  was  appointed  dipulN  cullcftor  of  revenvie  of  the  third 
district  of  Michigan.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  circuit 
court  commissioner,  which  office  he  held  three  terms.  In  1869  ]\Ir. 
Adams  was  appointed  United  States  commissioner  for  the  sixth  circuit 
of  the  eastern  district  of  Michigan,  which  office  he  held  as  long  as  he 
lived.  Mr.  Adams  was  a  mason  and  in  polities  a  Republican.  He  was 
a  man  of  fine  ajipearance  and  address  and  well  read  in  the  law.  He  was 
leading  counsel  in  the  Perrin  litigation. 

Hon.  Abner  Pratt  was  born  in  Springfield,  Otsego  county.  New  York, 
October  27,  1801.  His  educational  advantages  were  very  limited.  He 
read  law  in  Batavia  and  afterward  went  to  Rochester  and  commenced 
the  practice  of  law,  where  he  remained  until  ls:;i).  He  came  to  Marshall 
in  1839.  Mr.  Pratt  was  elected  to  the  leui<Liiiiii  in  1S4.">  and  again  in 
1862.  In  1858  he  was  appointed  consul  to  Honolulu  In-  President 
Buchanan.  He  was  a  member  of  both  the  supreme  and  circuit  courts. 
Mr.  Pratt  was  resolute  and  imperious  in  his  manner,  an  able  lawyer  and 
good  judge. 

Hon.  William  H.  Porter  was  born  in  Marengo,  Calhoun  county,  Mich- 
igan, September  27,  1839.  He  was  educated  in  tiie  common  schools  and 
a  graduate  of  Kalamazoo  college  in  1859.  He  later  entered  the  law  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  ilichigan,  graduating  in  1862,  with  the 
degree  of  bachelor  of  laws.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Washtenaw  county 
bar  in  the  fall  of  1862.  He  then  went  to  Marshall  and  entered  the  office 
of  H.  A.  and  L.  G.  Noyes  in  April,  1865,  the  firm  being  Noyes  and  Porter. 
This  continued  up  until  1877,  when  Judge  Noyes  on  account  of  failing 
health  retired.     Mr.  Porter  was  mayor  of  Marshall  five  years  and  city 


IIIS'I'OK'V   OF  CALIlOi  N   col  N'l'V  l'77 

attorney  Iwrlvc  years.  iriciiil)ri'  of  tlic  scIkkiI  l»iai-(l  lliiily  yrai's.  In  1S,S4. 
1r'  \va.s\'lrctr(l  jirosccutin--  attorney  of  the  county  of  Callionn  and  con- 
tiniUHl  in  tin-  active  practice  of  law  until  lie  was  eleeteil  judK''  of  jn'oliale 
in  VMS.  .Mr.  Porter  is  a  student,  an  energetic  worker  and  lias  a  liijih 
rank  among  the  members  of  the  legal  profession. 

Sidney  Thomas  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  JMarshall.  He  was  cir- 
cuit court  commissioner  of  tlie  county  for  one  terra.  He  practiced  law 
but  a  short  time  in  the  county,  liut  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  prac- 
ticed law  for  a  number  of  years  before  his  death. 

James  B.  Greenough  came  from  one  of  the  eastern  states  in  the  sixty 's 
and  was  at  one  time  co-partner  of  William  H.  Browai.  On  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  firm  ho  jiracticed  law  alone  for  two  or  three  year's  and  was 
then  called  to  a  iirofessoislii])  in  Harvard  university,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  Mr.  (Jicenough  was  a  man  of  exemplary  habits,  literary 
in  his  character  and  a  close  student. 

Charles  0.  Jliller  was  born  in  the  township  of  Marengo,  Calhoun 
county,  on  the  20th  day  of  November,  1859.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Marshall  and  later  entered  the  law  department  at  the 
university  of  Michigan,  graduating  in  1888.  He  then  entered  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  ^larshall,  forming  a  co-partnership  with  his 
brother  Louis  C.  Miller.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican  in  polities,  sei-ved 
as  deputy  county  clerk  for  a  long  number  of  years,  also  justice  of  the 
peace  for  seven  years  and  city  attorney  one  year.  He  is  now  in  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Marshall. 

John  C.  Patterson  was  born  in  Eckford,  Calhoun  county,  March  27, 
1838.  He  was  educated  at  the  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Albion  and  Hills- 
dale college,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1864.  He  then  entered  the 
Albaliy  law  school  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Albany,  New  York,  in 
1865.  Later  he  came  to  Marshall  and  on  the  2d  of  December,  1867,  be- 
came a  member  of  the  tirm  of  Brown  and  Patterson,  which  firm  continued 
in  active  practice  for  a  long  number  of  years.  Mr.  Patterson  served  four 
years  in  the  state  senate,  which  was  his  only  political  office.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson has  liravel.v  won  his  high  standing  at  the  bar  in  an  arena  where 
learning  and  ability  alone  could  secure  it  and  where  diligence  and  fidelity 
alone  could  retain  it. 

Herbert  E.  Winsor  was  horn  at  Sterling  Hill,  Connecticut,  October 
22,  1850.  His  school  days  were  passed  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where 
his  parents  moved  when  he  was  a  child.  He  became  a  student  at  Hills- 
dale college,  graduating  in  1873.  He  took  up  his  residence  in  Marshall 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1875.  In  1876  he  was  elected  circuit 
court  connnissioner,  and  served  two  terms.  He  was  also  prosecuting  at- 
torney for  the  county  two  terms.  When  Calhoun  county  was  set  aside 
as  the  thirty-seventh  judicial  circuit,  he  was  appointed  circuit  judge  by 
Gov.  Bliss,  April  4.  1901.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of 
his  profession  at  ^Marshall. 

John  E.  Foley  was  born  at  Homer,  February  28,  1852.  He  attended 
school  in  Homer  and  for  a  time  in  Hillsdale  College.  In  August,  1875, 
Mr.  Foley  entered  the  law-  office  at  Miner  and  Stace,  at  Marshall,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  ])ar  in  Jlarch,  1877.  He  liecame  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Geer  and   Foley  in  1878.     Mr.   Foley  ser\'ed  as  city  attorney 


278  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

several  years.  He  i^as  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  pi-osecuting 
attorney.    He  now  resides  in  the  city  of  Detroit.. 

John  C.  Stetson  was  born  in  Bangor,  Franklin  county,  New  Yoi-k, 
October  30,  1845.  He  studied  law  in  Marshall  with  Joseph  G.  Lodge 
and  completed  his  studies  with  John  C.  Fitzgerald.  Mr.  Stetson  was 
county  clerk  for  three  terms.  In  1871  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and 
in  1877  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  later  removed  to 
Chicago  where  he  still  resides. 

Edward  J.  Dennison  was  born  at  Marshall  September  29,  1874.  He 
studied  law  in  the  office  of  R.  S.  Lockton  and  later  with  John  C.  Pat- 
terson. He  wa.s  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1900  and  immediately  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Marshall,  where  he  resided  until  1911, 
when  he  removed  to  the  state  of  California  and  is  now  located  in  Los 
Angeles.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Mi'.  Dennison  was  justice  of 
the  peace  and  also  city  attorney  for  two  years. 

Jesse  Monroe  Hatch  was  born  in  the  township  of  Lee,  in  Calhoun 
county,  Michigan,  May  27,  1858.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Marshall  and  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Willis  S.  Geer.  He  gradu- 
ated from  the  law  school  of  the  university  of  Michigan  in  the  class  of 
1880.  After  completing  his  course  he  continued  his  law  studies  in  the 
office  of  Judge  Woodruff  in  the  city  of  Marshall  and  after  one  year  open- 
ed an  office  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  ever  since.  He 
is  now  associated  with  his  two  sons,  Jay  Warren  Hatch  and  Blaine  Wil- 
lard  Hatch,  two  young  lawyers.  Mr.  Hatch  was  elected  prosecuting  at- 
torney two  terms  and  served  one  term  in  the  state  legislature. 

Louis  C.  Miller  was  born  in  Marengo  township,  Calhoun  county  and 
■educated  in  the  schools  of  Marshall  and  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1882.  He  immediately  entered  the  practice 
■of  law  in  Marshall.  He  was  appointed  county  clerk,  serving  from  1SS2  to 
1888,  and  as  circuit  court  commissioner  one  term,  alderman  of  the  city 
for  three  terms  and  supervisor  of  the  first  ward  of  the  cit.y  four  years. 
He  was  elected  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  one  year.  He 
died  in  1911.  Mr.  Miller  was  a  man  of  large  ability  and  had  a  strong 
and  earnest  personality. 


CIIAPTKR   XVII 

ANTI-WAR   AXI)  MILITARY   MATTER? 

The  Celebratkd  C'kdsswuite  Affair — Caliioin  County  Veteran 
Battalion  (by  II.  II.  ^Iiller.  Colonel) — C.  Colegrove  Post  No.  166, 
G.  A.  R.  (BY  II.  II.  ]\Iiller.  Post  Patriotic  Instructor) — Di'lcenia 

IIo.Mli    (BY    W.   .1.    DlBBI.K). 

In  tliis  rhaptcr  mic  grouped  a  cfleliralctl  slavery  rase,  wliieli  long  pre- 
I'l'ded  the  Ci\il  wai'.  Yarious  iiiilitarY  and  patriotie  matters,  and  the 
founding  of  a  splendid  benevolence  by  a  CiYil  war  woman. 

The  Celebr.vted  Crosswhite  Aff.mr 

About  the  year  eighteen  hundred,  there  was  born  in  Bourlion  county, 
Kentucky,  a  mulatto  child,  the  son  of  a  slave  mother  by  her  master,  who 
was  a  white  farmer.  Su])sequently  the  father  of  the  child  gave  hiin  to 
his  half  sister,  a  Miss  Crosswhite,  who  named  her  slave  brother  Adam 
Crosswhite.  Some  time  after,  Miss  Croswhite  married  a  slave  owner 
named  Stone,  who  sold  young  Adam  for  two  hundred  dollars  to  P"'rancis 
Giltner,  a  planter  in  Carroll  count.v,  Kentucky. 

In  1843,  at  which  time  Adam  had  a  wife  anil  four  children,  lie  learned 
that  his  master  contemplated  selling  part  of  his  family.  He  thei-eupon 
determined  to  attempt  escape  with  his  wife  and  children.  He  succeeded 
in  getting  them  all  across  the  Ohio  river,  but  twice  they  narrowly  avoided 
capture  by  pursuers,  which  was  only  prevented  by  the  friendly 
aid  of  some  Quakers,  who  got  them  aboard  of  the  "Underground  Rail- 
road," and  started  on  their  way  north.  In  making  their  escape,  the 
family  became  separated,  but  later  all  came  together  at  Marshall.  -Michi- 
gan, where  the.v  lived  a  quiet,  industrious  and  frugal  life,  and  were 
gr,flduall.v  paying  for  the  little  cabin  home  in  which  they  lived,  situated 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  not  far  from  the  line  of  the  present  Inter- 
urban  railroad. 

Something  of  their  past  becoming  known,  an  unfiiendl.v  s]iirit  re- 
ported their  whereabouts  to  their  master  in  Kentucky,  whereupon  lie  took 
measures  to  see  if  the  report  was  indeed  true.  It  was  in  tiie  late  fall 
of  1846,  that  the  slave  owner's  emissary  arrived  in  Marshall.  By  false 
pretenses,  he  gained  access  to  the  home  and  the  confidence  of  the  Cross- 
whites,  wliere  be  satisfied  himself  that  the  occupants  wei-e.  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a   babe  boi'n    in    Marshall.  tln>   fugitives  he   was   looking   for. 

L'79 


280  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Returning  to  Kentucky  with  his  information,  Giltner  authorized  certain 
persons  to  proceed  to  ilarshall,  arrest  the  escaped  slaves  and  bring  them 
to  their  master. 

It  was  in  the  early  morning  of  January  26,  1847,  that  one,  Trout- 
man,  a  nephew  of  Giltner,  and  three  other  Kentuckians,  accompanied 
by  a  deputy  sheriff  named  Dickson,  went  to  the  Crosswhite  home  and 
proceeded  to  carry  their  puri^ose  into  effect.  During  the  parley  about 
going  before  the  justice,  and  while  the  mother  was  getting  the  children 
ready  to  go  out  on  the  cold  winter  morning,  it  had  become  noised  around 
the  town  and  people  began  to  gather  aliout  the  Crosswhite  cabin.  The 
number  increased  until,  according  to  testimony  later  given  in  a  United 
States  court,  there  had  assembled  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  three 
hundred  people,  and  numbering  among  them  some  of  the  foremost 
citizens  of  the  place.  In  the  crowd  were  several  negroes,  who  threatened 
to  resist  by  force  the  taking  of  the  Crosswhite  family,  brandishing  clubs 
and  kiiixcs  and  assiuniug  menacing  attitudes  toward  the  Kentuckians, 
wlieriMi|>(iii  the  lattci-  drew  their  pistols  and  prepared  for  defense.  The 
deputy  slici'itt  arrested  several,  and  the  excitement  increased  as  the  crowd 
grew  in  number.  During  the  turmoil  it  was  proposed  by  someone  in  the 
crowd  to  give  the  visiting  Kentuckians  two  hours  in  wliicli  to  leave  town ; 
someone  else  suggested  that  they  be  prosecuted  for  house-breaking  and 
kidnapping  if  they  did  not  go,  and  still  another  that  tlie\-  should  he  tarred 
and  feathered  if  they  remained. 

Troutman,  Giltner 's  nephew  and  principal  agent,  a  l>rinlit ,  young 
lawyer,  caught  the  attention  of  the  crowd  and  iiieseut<'(l  I  lie  Idllowing: 
"Resolved,  That  I  as  agent  of  Francis  Giltner  of  Cari'oll  county,  Ken- 
tucky, be  permitted  peaceably  to  take  the  family  of  Crosswhite  before 
Shearman,  a  .justice,  that  I  may  make  proof  of  property  in  the  slaves, 
and  take  them  to  Kentucky. ' '  But  one  or  two  votes  were  heard  in  sup- 
port of  the  resolution,  and  these  presumably,  by  the  Kentuckians  assist- 
ing Troutman. 

In  the  meantime,  Gorham,  Comstoek,  Kurd,  Easterly  and  others, 
seeing  the  state  of  public  mind  assured  Troutman,  that  he  could  not 
take  the  Crosswhites,  it  was  alleged  that  at  this  .iuncture  Gorham  said, 
"You  have  come  here  after  some  of  our  citizens  and  you  cannot  have 
them."  Dr.  Comstoek  said,  "You  cannot  take  them  by  moral,  physical 
or  legal  force,  and  you  might  as  well  know  it  fir.st  as  last,  and  the 
cjuicker  you  leave  the  ground,  the  better  for  you."  Whereupon  Gen. 
Gorham  offered  the  following:  "Resolved,  That  these  Kentuckians  shall 
not  take  the  Crosswhite  family  by  virtue  of  moral,  physical  or  legal 
force."  This  resolution  was  passed  bj'  general  acclamation  and  atten- 
ded by  much  noise. 

In  the  midst  of  the  general  confusion,  Troutman  proceeded  to  take 
the  names  of  certain  parties  in  the  crowd,  and  first  that  of  Charles  T. 
Gorham;  as  he  did  so,  the  General  said,  "Put  it  down  in  capital  letters." 
Coming  to  Dr.  Comstoek  and  asking  his  name,  the  Doctor  replied, 
"Charles  Cromwell  Comstoek,  Jr.  Put  down  the  .iunior,  .so  as  not  to 
confuse  my  father  with  me."  AVhile  this  was  going  on,  a  warrant  was 
issued  for  the  arrest  of  Troutman  on  a  charge  of  assault  and  battery, 
whereupon  he  was  taken  into  custody.     The  trial  lasted  parts  of  two 


HISTORY   ()!■'  CALIIorX   COrXTV  1281 

days.  Ill  the  iiieantiiiie,  the  C'rosswhitfs  witi^  cm  ihcii'  way  In  ('aiuida, 
whore  they  sul)se(iueutly  arrived,  and  w  lirn'  they  wimt  iin  Inii^cr  in  iVar 
of  lieiiig  molested  by  slave  liuuters  or  taken  liaek  into  liondagc 

Troutmaii  was  released  from  custody,  when  he  and  his  associates  I'l'- 
tiirned  to  Kentucky,  where  a  full  leport  was  made  antl  wide  puhlicity 
given.  The  whole  state  of  Kentucky  became  iutiamed  by  the  reported 
"outrage  coiiiniitted  at  .Marshall.  Michigan."  A  mass  meeting  was  held 
by  the  (.-itizeus  of  Trimble  and  Carroll  counties,  of  sutifieieiit  influence, 
to  bring  the  whole  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  Kentucky  legislature, 
where  the  subject  was  referred  to  a  Committee  on  Federal  Relations. 
The  committee,  on  the  affidavit  of  Troutman  as  to  the  facts  in  the  case 
at  ^Marshall,  lecited  these  as  a  sort  of  preamble,  in  which  they  said, 
"The  Committee  on  Federal  Relations,  to  whom  were  referred  the  jiro- 
ceediugs  of  the  people  of  the  counties  of  Trimble  and  Carroll,  in  relation 
to  a  recent  abolition  mob  in  the  town  of  ]\larshall,  in  the  state  of  ^lieh- 
igan,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and  submit  the  following 
report : 

"It  appears  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  committee  that  one,  Francis 
Troutman,  was  employed  as  agent  and  attorne.y  in  part  for  one,  Francis 
Giltuer,  in  the  county  of  Carroll,  to  go  to  the  said  town  of  J\larsliall,  in 
the  state  of  Michigan,  to  reclaim,  take  and  bring  back  to  the  state  of 
Kentucky,  certain  fugitive  and  run-away  slaves,  the  property  of  said 
Giltuer;  that  said  Troutman  proceeded  under  authority  of  law  thus 
given  him,  to  the  said  town  of  ^larshall,  for  the  purpose  of  reclaiming 
and  bringing  home  to  the  owner  the  slaves  aforesaid;  and  while  en- 
deavoring to  arrest  said  slaves,  a  mob  composed  of  free  negroes,  run-away 
slaves  and  white  men,  to  the  number  of  from  two  to  three  hundred,  for- 
bid said  Troutman,  and  those  who  accompanied  him  for  that  pur]iose, 
to  arrest  and  take  into  their  possession  the  slaves  aforesaid,  and  l)y  their 
threats,  riots  and  disorderly  conduct,  tlid  prevent  said  Troutman,  and 
those  associated  with  him  for  that  purjiosc.  from  taking  into  thcii'  po.s- 
se.ssion  the  slaves  aforesaid." 

Following  the  report  is  a  series  of  resolutions,  one  of  which  is 
addressed  to  the  legislature  of  Michigan,  one  to  the  senators  and  repre- 
sentatives in  congress,  and  one  to  the  governor  of  Kentucky,  requesting 
that  the  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  governor  of  the  state  of  ilichigan  and 
to  the  senators  and  members  in  congress.  The  resolutions  were  passeil, 
duly  authenticated  by  the  great  seal  of  the  state  and  forwarded  as  di- 
rected, accompanied  by  a  lengthy  affidavit  by  Francis  Troutman. 

On  December  20,  1847,  the  report  and  resolutions  of  the  general 
assembly  of  Kentucky  on  the  .Marshall  affair  were  reported  in  the  senate 
of  the  United  States  and  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  .judiciary  and 
ordered  printed.  .Alay  3,  ISiS,  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  Senator 
Butler  from  the  judiciary  committee,  submitted  his  report,  which  was 
ordered  printed  and  Kt.OUO  additional  copies  were  ordered  printed  for 
the  use  of  the  senate. 

From  the  legislative  point  of  view,  the  result  of  the  whole  affair  was 
the  strengthening  of  the  law  of  1793,  having  for  its  object  the  recapture 
of  escaping  slaves.  It  also  exerted  an  important  influence  in  favor  of 
the  passage  of  the  famous  Omnibus  bill,  fathered  and  supported  by  i\Ir. 


282  IILSTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Clay,  at  that  time  a  senator  from  Kentucky,  in  which  was  a  paragraph, 
embodying  the  famous  fugitive  slave  law.  That  law  and  its  attempted 
execution  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  precipitating  the  war  of  1861- 
1865,  which  resulted  in  the  abolition  of  slavery  wherever  the  constitu- 
tional authority  of  the  United  States  extends.  The  legal  aspect  of  the 
case  engaged  national  attention.  In  June,  18-48,  in  the  city  of  Detroit, 
before  Justice  ]\IcLane,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  federal  bench, 
there  was  brought  to  trial,  Gorham,  Comstock,  Hurd  and  others,  for  pre- 
venting the  capture  of  escaped  fugitive  slaves.  Troutman  had  returned 
from  Kentucky  with  plenty  of  money,  and  an  imposing  array  of  council 
to  engage  in  a  battle  royal,  this  time  in  the  legal  forum.  The  interests 
of  the  defendants  were  looked  after  by  equally  able  attorneys.  In  the 
first  trial,  the  jury,  after  being  out  all  night,  reported  a  disagreement, 
and  were  discharged.  The  second  trial  took  place  in  the  following  No- 
vember, in  which  the  jury  rendered  a  verdict  for  the  plaintiffs  for 
$1,926.00,  the  estimated  value  of  the  slaves,  and  costs.     . 

The  case  not  only  attracted  state  wide  but  national  attention.  Among 
those  who  took  an  especial  interest  in  the  trial  was  Zachariah  Chandler, 
then  a  prosperous  merchant  and  rising  political  power  in  Detroit. 
Chandler,  at  that  time  a  man  of  thirty-five,  was  thoroughly  in  sympathy 
witii  the  defendants  in  the  trial.  He  was  a  stranger  to  -Mr.  Gorham,  but 
fie  sought  him  out  and  made  his  acquaintance.  When  the  verdict  was 
rendered,  he  tendered  material  aid  in  paying  the  costs  of  the  trial.  From 
that  time.  Chandler  and  Gorham  were  fast  friends  to  the  end  of  life. 
Gorham  had  always  been  a  Democrat,  but  when  the  Republican  party 
was  born  under  the  oaks  at  Jackson,  he  allied  himself  with  it  and  never 
after  departed  from  it.  In  later  years,  when  Mr.  Chandler  was  a  Sena- 
tor of  the  United  States  and  a  power  in  national  politics,  Mr.  Gorham 
was  appointed,  by  President  Lincoln,  minister  to  the  Netherlands,  a 
diplomatic  post  of  honor  and  dignity,  which  post  he  filled  with  great 
acceptance  to  the  government  he  represented,  and  with  entire  accept- 
ability to  the  Netherlands.  Later,  when  Mr.  Chandler  became  secretary 
of  the  interior  during  the  administration  of  President  Grant,  IMr.  Gor- 
ham was  made  assistant  secretary.  iMr.  Gorham  long  survived  most  of 
his  distinguished  contemporaries,  dying  at  an  advanced  age,  lionored  and 
esteemed  l)y  all  who  knew  him. 

C.VLHOUN    CorXTY    VETERAN    B.\TT.\LION 

By  H.  M.  Miller,  Colonel  of  BaUalion. 

From  official  records  of  the  state,  Calhoun  county  sent  to  the  front 
in  1861  to  1865,  twelve  companies  of  infantry,  seven  companies  of 
cavalry,  tiirce  eompanies  of  sharpshooters,  two  companies  of  engineers 
and  lueilijinics.  two  companies  of  artillery,  with  one  comr)any  of  colored 
infantry,  which  gave  tlie  county  rank  with  the  five  best  counties  of 
Michigan,  furnishing  largest  number  of  soldiers  during  the  war. 

In  the  year  1890.  the  survivors  of  these  companies  completed  the 
organization  styled  "The  Soldiers  and  Sailors  Calhoun  County  Veteran 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  ("orXTV  283 

Battalion"  of  whirli  all  lionoralily  disrliargvd  soldiers  and  saihirs  iiiav 
become  members. 

The  offieers  of  the  battalion  are  as  follows:  Colonel,  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  Major.  Surgeon.  Adjutant  Chaplain,  (Quartermaster,  Sergeant 
Jlajor,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  and  an  executive  conunittee. 

"The  Woman's  Relief  Corps"  auxiliary  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  togetiier  with  the  "Sons  of  Veterans,"  who  must  soon  take 
their  fathers'  place,  and  on  whom  rests  the  responsibility  of  perpetuat- 
ing their  memories,  are  earnestly  enjoined  to  take  part  in  all  I'eunions 
in  that  fraternal  spirit,  known  only  to  those  whose  interests  are  so  closely 
interwoven  as  to  be  identical. 

The  first  annual  reunion  was  held  on  the  fairgrounds  at  Marshall,  on 
August  19.  20  and  21.  1890  with  tine  weather,  good  attendance,  gootl 
success  and  a  hopeful  future.  The  organization  was  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  strengthening  the  ties  that  bind  comrades  to  each  other,  lo 
enjoy  the  fellowship  of  the  living  and  to  unite  in  the  tender  memories 
of  the  dead.  At  every  reunion,  comrades  are  sure  to  meet  comrades,  who 
marched  together,  elbow  to  elbow,  fifty  years  ago  and  w-ho  in  those  days 
proved  to  be  the  greatest  actors  on  scores  of  battle-fields,  from  Sumter 
to  Appomattox,  amidst  the  most  aw-ful  scenes  of  suffering  and  death, 
that  was  ever  witnessed  by  man.  Such  meetings  are  enli\(Micd  by  pa- 
triotic enthusiasm  ;  the  memories  of  hard  fought  battles  and  w  tar,\  ni^lits 
of  marching  crowd  upon  the  mind,  and  there  is  apparent  solciiui  thought 
due  to  the  sight  of  so  many  gray-haired  comrades  and  to  the  rapid  flight 
of  time  since  1861,  w-hen  all  were  young  and  strong.  The  enjoyment  of 
the.se  annual  reunions  proves  to  be  a  ])leasant  memoi'y  to  the  soldiers 
in  their  declining  years. 

The  battalion  pos-sesses  a  beautiful  silk  banner.  i)urchascd  in  IDIH, 
l)y  the  quartermaster  at  a  cost  of  !}!3r).()(),  with  funds  belonging  to  file 
battalion,  which  is  proudly  unfurled  on  all  battalion  occasions. 

The  comrades  rememlier  well  when  fifty  years  ago  secession  raised  her 
traitorous  hand  to  strike  down  that  banner  and  President  Lincoln  called 
for  volunteers,  to  defend  it  and  the  nation,  and  how  it  was  the  flag  and 
the  lessons  it  had  taught  that  caused  the  loyal  sons  to  leave  their  homes 
and  all  that  they  held  dear  to  rally  to  its  defense,  and  who  became  the 
greatest  heroes  on  fields  of  battle,  that  the  world  has  ever  known. 

All  reunions  of  the  battalion  are  held  each  year  at  6.  A.  R.  Hall  in 
^larshall,  were  after  the  business  session  and  noon  banquet,  an  interest- 
ing camp-tire  is  held,  consisting  of  short  addresses,  stories,  songs,  and 
recitations.    These  occasions  are  most  enjoyable. 

The  last  roster  of  the  battalion  in  1911  contains  the  names  of  ninety 
soldiers,  forty-three  Sons  of  Veterans  and  seventy -six  citizens,  who  i)nr- 
chased  badges. 

In  1899,  the  roster  contained  the  names  of  288  soldiers  and  l(j  citizens. 

In  1901,  it  contained  124  soldiei-s. 

In  1908,  it  contained  173  soldiers  and  181  citizens. 

In  1908.  the  roster  contained  141  soldiers  and  60  citizens. 

The  battalion  had  on  its  rolls  some  of  the  most  respected,  honored 
and  eminent  men  in  the  county.  The  following  is  a  partial  list  including 
the  names  of  past  commanders  of  the  battalion. 


284  IIISTOHV   OK  (Al^IIOrX   COrXTY 

The  Hon.  Washington  Gardner,  65th  Ohio  Infantry,  past  department 
commander,  ex-secretary  of  state  and  former  congressman  third  district. 

Col.  George  W.  Stone  of  Albion,  present  department  commander. 

Hon.  Perry  Mayo,  Second  i\liehigan  Infantry. 

Hon.  H.  A.  Chite,  ^Merrils  Horse. 

Col.  0.  A.  Janes,  U.  S.  pension  agent,  Detroit. 

Patrick  Kelley,  former  lieutenant  governor. 

The  following  are  past  eomiiianders  of  the  battalion:  Colonel  C.  E. 
Shumway.  Marshal];  Colonel  W.  H.  Janes.  Homer;  Colonel  C.  T.  Smith, 
Albion;  Cobincl  Jas.  C.  Hall,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  Ephraim  Marble, 
.^hiishiill  ;  Colonel  S.  N.  Hall.  Hurlington ;  Colonel  II.  L.  Carpenter, 
Atliciis:  ( 'olonel  E.  E.  Palmer.  M.  D.,  Albion;  Colonel  David  Walkinshaw, 
.Maish.ill :  Colonel  William  Dowsett,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  Arthur  Phil- 
lips, .Marshall;  Colonel  S.  S.  French,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  H.  A.  Clute, 
.Marshall;  Colonel  Edward  Cunningham,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  C.  F. 
Walters,  Marshall;  Colonel  F.  T.  Dennison,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  H.  F. 
Gilbert,  Albion;  Colonel  C.  E.  Ilillis,  Battle  Creek;  Colonel  J.  H.  Steph- 
ens, Battle  Creek;  Colonel  0.  G.  Hubbard,  Albion:  Colonel  H.  H.  Miller, 
Marshall  (1912.) 

C.  CoLEGKOVE  Post,  No.  166,  G.  A.  E.,  Marshall 
By  H.  H.  Miller,  post  patriotic  instructor. 

The  name  "Colegrove"  calls  to  mind  memories  of  the  past,  which 
denote  patriotism  to  the  utmost  sacrifice,  and  bring  pride  and  pleasure 
to  every  comi-ade  of  the  post  as  well  as  to  every  citizen  of  Marshall. 

Every  post  is  named  after  some  brave  and  loyal  hero,  who  has  passed 
away.  Calvin  Colegrove,  who  enlisted  at  Marshall,  in  April,  1861,  was 
the  first  Michigan  soldier  to  lose  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
falling  while  carrying  Ihi-  tlag  into  b:ittle  on  the  historic  held  of  ^Manasses, 
June  27,  1861. 

It  is  said  that  his  body  rests  in  an  unmarked  and  unknown  grave  on 
the  battlei.eld  ol  Bull  Run  with  tiiousands  of  the  nation's  heroes,  yet 
his  memory  has  been  perpetuated  by  his  comrades,  and  will  endure  as 
long  as  C.  Colegrove  Post  shall  survive. 

The  original  charter  of  the  post  was  granted  July  30,  1883,  and 
contained  twenty-two  names  of  members,  fifteen  of  whom  have  since 
answei'ed  their  last  roll-call. 

The  idsiei-  of  the  post  now  contains  but  sixty  living  members  out  of 
240,  wh(]  have  siuiied  thi'  roster.    The  "roll  of  honor''  contains  the  names 

of  242  soldi.. IS  buried  111  the  .Marshall  eemetei'ies. 

In  till'  year  IIHIL'  the  ])((st  dedicated  lis  new  hall,  which  was  built  in 
the  East  End  park  by  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Woman's 
Relief  Corps,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  which  was  donated  by  them  and  the 
generous  citizens  of  Marshall,  to  be  used  liy  them  as  long  as  it  is  needed. 
The  hall  in  a  large,  one-story  brick  lniildiiie.  thirty  feet  wide  by  sixty 
feet  long  with  a  basement  for  the  diiiiuK  room  and  kitchen,  with  the 
interior  of  the  whole  nicely  decorated  and  well  furnished. 


HISTORY  OK  cAi.iioix  (■o|■^'l'^•  -jsr, 

A  heav}-  mounted  field  piece  and  a  triangular  pile  of  large  shells. 
which  were  donated  by  the  Government,  adorns  the  front  lawn. 

The  city  gave  a  nice  lot  in  Oakridge  cemetery  to  the  soldiers  and 
beautified  it  by  placing  upon  it  as  a  monument  one  mounted  siege  mortar 
and  four  triangular  piles  of  large  shells,  one  at  each  corner  of  the  lot. 

At  the  head  of  every  grave  is  placed  a  beautful,  white  marble  marker 
with  the  name,  regiment  and  company  engraved  thereupon. 

The  post  has  a  fine  relief  corps  attached  to  it.  The  lo.xal  wnmcii, 
who  compose  that  organization,  are  always  ready  to  encourage  and  assist 
the'lioys  in  lilue.  They  hold  joint  ban(|uets  and  social  entertainments 
in  the  iudl,  which  is  beautifully  and  appropriately  draped  in  the  national 
colors,  and  on  the  walls  are  hung  portraits  of  prominent  generals  and 
other  choice  pictures. 

Patriotic  instruction  is  being  energetically  brought  to  the  attention 
of  the  schools  by  the  post  and  corps.  Lincoln's  Gettysburg  address  and 
many  flags  have  been  presented  to  them  and  never  before  has  Memoi'ial 
day  been  .so  well  observed.  An  inspiring  feature  last  year  was  to  sec  so 
many  ciiildren  with  flags  marching  in  the  procession  and  assisting  the 
gray-haired  veterans  in  decorating  the  graves  of  the  soldier  dead. 
Earnest  eiforts  oC  the  post  are  being  properly  directed  with  good  results 
in  the  organization  towartis  the  promotion  of  "Fraternity,  Charity  and 
Loyalty." 

The  following  are  the  past  commanders  of  the  post  since  organization : 
C.  E.  Shunnvay,  J.  S.  Stout  (dead).  W.  B.  Mead  (dead),  D.  Walkinshaw, 
T.  X.  Wright  (dead),  Jolm  Cuzzins.  Ephraim  Marble.  H.  H.  Benjamin. 
H.  IL  Miller.  J.  M.  Getcl  ell  (dead).  IL  A.  Clute,  C.  F.  Walters,  John 
R.  Ro.'.  S.  H.  Sliotwell.  Aithur  Pliillips.  S.  \V.  Thomp.son. 

Ro>TKR    OK    t'u.■^T 

Oliarles  Huughtoii;  lank.  Privab'  1  ;  coiniiuuKl.  20  .Mirli,  inft.;  service, 
5  1110. 

Franklin  Billings;  rank.  Private  C ;  command,  1'4  Midi.  Lilt.;  serv- 
ice, 4  mo. 

Wm.  IL  Bordine :  rank.  Private  II;  command  2  Mo.  C'av. :  service, 
11-.  mo. 

Stanley  Brooks;  rank,  Corii.  E;  cuinmand  ti  Midi.  Inft.;  service, 
13  mo. 

John  Cuzzins;  laiik.  ('a|it.  Co.    I;  command,  5(1   Ills.   Inft.;  service. 

3  yr.,  10  mo. 

Geo.  Cushman ;  rank.  Private  Co.  A;  command.  2')  Midi.  Lift.; 
service,  3  vrs. 

Henry" A.  Clute;  rank.  Private  Co.  A;  eomniand,  II.  .Merrills'  Horse; 
service,  34  mo. 

Jas.  Caffrey:  rank.  Private  Co.  E.;  eoiniiiaiKl.  l'4  .Midi.  Inft.;  siTviee, 

4  mo. 

R.  Z.  Case:  rank.  Private  Co.  II;  eoiiiiiiainl.  V2  .Mi.-li.  Iiifl.;  service, 
4  yrs.  5  mo. 

Frank  \V.  Dickey;  rank.  .Maj.;  commaiid.  2(1  .Midi.  Cav. ;  service, 
20  mo. 


286  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Chas.  Doty. 

John  Detric-h  :  rank.  Private  A;  eoiiiniaud.  11  Mich.  Cav. ;  service, 
24  1110. 

Cyremus  Dalley. 

Leonard  Engelter;  rank,  Corp.  1);  eoiniiiand,  28  llieh.  luft. ;  serv- 
ice, 18  mo. 

Chas.  L.  Pish ;  rank.  Private  I ;  coinniand  6  ilich.  Inft. ;  service 
50  mo. 

George  A.  Gibbs;  rank,  Private  C;  command,  57  and  128  Ohio  Int't. ; 
service,  3-1  mo. 

Samuel  P.  Garrison;  rank.  Private  K;  command,  9  Mich.  Inft. 

Cline  Gregg;  rank.  Private  H;  command,  134  Ind.  Inft.;  service, 
31/2  mo. 

Geo.  Harrington ;  rank.  Private  U.  S.  Navy ;  18  mos. 

Will.   C.   Hunt:   rank,    (iiiiasd);   command,   "24  ]\Iieh.   Inft!;  service, 

3  mo. 

C.  E.  Hillis:  rank.  Private  Co.  E. ;  command,  67  Ohio  Inft.;  service, 
19  mo. 

Abram  Ilasbrouck ;  rank.  Private  I ;  command,  20  Mich.  Inft. 

William  Kidney ;  rank.  Private  'SI  -.  command,  2  Mich.  Cav. ;  service, 
47  mo. 

Joseph  P.  King:  rank,  Co.  D;  coiiiinand,  4()  ]\Iass.  Inft.;  service,  9  mo. 

Chester  Kidney ;  rank,  Private  Co.  II ;  command,  1  ^lich.  Cav. ; 
service,  2  yrs.,  1  mo. 

Charles  J.  Lane ;  rank,  Hospital  Steward  and  Surgeon  U.  S.  A. ; 
service,  53  mo. 

Martin  Link;  rank.  Private  K;  coiuiiiand,  1  ;\Iich.  Light  Arty; 
service,  18  mo. 

Chas.  Langridge. 

S.  Lyndon. 

E.  ]Marble:  rank,  Capt.  Co.  V-  coiiimaiui.  !)  ]\Iieh.  Inft.;  service, 
37  mo. 

Marcus  Morton ;  rank.  Private  C ;  command,  28  ]Mich.  Inft. ;  service, 

4  yrs. 

H.  H.  Miller;  rank.  Private  C;  command,  3  Mich.  Cav.  2  and  Lieut. 
Artillery  4  V.  S.  H  'y- ;  service,  41/2  yrs. 

Samuel  Marsh;  rank,  Corp.  C;  command,  107  Ohio  Inft.;  service, 
391/2  mo. 

Joseph  MufiHv ;  rank.  Private  L;  command.  7  ^lich.  Cav.;  service, 
10  rao. 

Perry  ilayo ;  rank,  Corp.  C ;  command,  2  Mich,  Inft. ;  service,  38  mo. 

Wm.  MePadden;  rank.  Private  Co.  I;  command,  20  Mich.  Inft.; 
service,  36  mo. 

John  Marsh;  rank.  Sergt.  Co.  M;  command,  2  ^Mich.  Cav.;  service, 
44  mo. 

Herman  E.  Newton;  rank.  Private  P;  command,  9  .Mich.  Inft.; 
service,  7  mo. 

Warren  Newton ;  rank.  Private  G ;  command,  9  Mich.  Inft. ;  service, 
19  mo. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  lW 

Charles  J.  Prior;  rank.  Private  E:  .■oiiuiiaml.  B  .Midi.  Heavy  Arty.; 
service,  17  iiio. 

Jas.   Paxton;    rank.   Private    K;   .■oniniaml,    1.")    .Mieli.    Inlt.;   service, 
51/1  mo. 

"Arthur  J.  Pliillips:  rank.  Corp.  K  ;  couiniand,  17  Mich  Inlt. ;  service, 
3  vrs. 
■  John  R.  Roe;  rank.  Private  Co.  H ;  couunaiul  2d  U.  S.  S.  b. ;  service, 

Rudolph  Rohr;  rank.  Private  Co.  C;  eoiiimand,  1st  N.  Y.  .Alounted 
Int't. ;  service,  4  mo. 

Stephen  Riley;  rank.  Private  Co.  D;  28  :Mieh.  luft. ;  service,  2ii  mo. 

Charles  Robinson;  rank.  2d  Lieut.  Co.  K;  command,  4  Mich.  Int't.; 
service,  15  mo. 

Daniel  Shellenberger ;  rank.  Private  A;  command,  8  .\lich.  (  av. ; 
service,  4  mo. 

Geo.  G.  Smith:  rank.  Private  F;  command,  20  Mich.  Inft. ;  service, 
3  yrs.  11  mo. 

"  Samuel  B.  Shotwell ;  rank.  Private  Co.  G ;  command,  78  N.  Y.  ruft. ; 
service,  38  mo. 

Richard  Town ;  rank.  Private  I) ;  command,  12  .Mich.  Inft. ;'  service, 
11  mo.  .  , 

Stephen  W.  Thompson;  rank,  Corp.  P;  command,  o  .Mich.  (  av.; 
service,  34  mo. 

Bornt  Van  Zant :  rank.  Private  F;  command,  !)  Mich.  Inft.;  service, 
6  mo. 

John  H.  Van  Arman ;  rank.  Private  II;  command  9  .Mich.  Inft.; 
service,  6  mo. 

Henry  Walkinshaw ;  rank.  Private  I;  command.  20  Mich,  liitt. ; 
service,  32  mo. 

David  AYalkin.shaw :  rank.  Private  M;  command,  2  -Mo.  Cav. ;  .service, 
10  mo. 

Geo.  Fred  Waltz;  rank.  Private  .V;  command  8  .Mich.  Cav.:  service, 
6  mo. 

Myron  M.  Wright:  rank.  Private  A:  command,  8  .Alich.  Cav.;  serv- 
ice. 9  mo. 

^Vm.  .\.  Waltz:  rank,  saddler  :M  ;  command.  2  Mich.  Cav.:  service, 
3  vrs.,  10  mo. 

'  John  :\I.  Wahl;  rank.  Private  K  :  command,  20  .Mich.  Inft.:  .service, 
8  mo. 

John  C.  Waltz;  rank.  Corp.  L;  counnand.  8  .Mich.  Cav.;  service, 
6  mo. 

Edson  Treadwell:  rank,  Corp.  1:  command,  20  Mich.  Inft.:  service, 
3  yrs.  91/0  mo. 

DuLCENiA  Home 

By  W.  J.  Diblle. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  May,  1820,  at  the  home  of  Robert  and 
Elizabeth  Ennis  Church,  in  Rushville  township,  Monroe  county.  New 
York,  was  born  Dulcenia  Church. 


288  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

In  1836  she  removed  with  her  father's  family  to  ]\Iarengo,  Calhoun 
county,  Michigan,  and  assisted  in  establishing  a  new  home  in  the  then 
wilderness,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Edwin  S.  Lewis.  Tn  1840  Miss 
Church  was  united  in  marriage  with  Hiram  Daily,  also  of  Marengo. 
Three  years  afterwards  Mr.  Daily  died,  leaving  the  young  widow  with 
a  baby  boy.  Then  eommeneed  a  hard  struggle  to  wrest  from  the  world 
a  living  for  herself  and  .son,  to  properly  educate  the  son  and  to  make 
provision  for  the  future. 

•    The  son  was  educateil  in  tlic  Albion  public  schools  and  tlic  Albion 
Seminary,  now  college. 

Before  he  had  graduated  from  the  seminary  the  Civil  war  lii-okc  out 
and,  answering  his  country's  call,  he  enlisted  in  the  Third  JMicliigan 
Volunteer  Infantry,  dying  of  disease  at  City  Point,  Va..   InUowiiig  the 


DuLCENiA  Home 


peninsular  campaign,  one  of  the  early  martyrs  in  that  fearful  struggle 
that  ended  in  the  preservation  of  the  Union  and  the  freedom  of  the 
slave. 

Now  a  widow  and  childless  Mrs.  Daily  secured  a  position  in  one  of 
the  Government  departments  in  "Washington. 

There  she  worked  for  fourteen  years. 

During  the  war  she  assisted  in  relieving  the  sufferings  of  the  freed 
men,  who  flocked  to  Washington  in  large  numbers,  and  in  finding  them 
homes  in  the  North. 

During  these  fourteen  years  of  unflagging  industry  and  most  pinching 
economy  she  accumulated  a  modest  competency. 

The  later  years  of  her  life  she  traveled  widely  in  America  and  Europe 
seeing  much  of  the  social  conditions  in  the  different  countries.  She 
died  at  the  home  of  her  sister  in  Grand  Rapids,  September  15th,  1894. 

Such   a  life,   full   of   single-handed   struggle  and   achievement,   had 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  t'OrXTY  289 

shown  Mrs.  Daily  the  hard  side  of  woman's  life  and  the  dark  picture  of 
advancing  years  for  those  of  her  sisters  who  had  not  been  as  successful 
as  she  in  wrenching  a  competency  from  a  reluctant  world.  In  1883,  Mrs. 
Daily  made  her  will  in  which  she  provided  for  the  establishing  of  a  home 
for  aged  women  and  liy  codicil,  from  time  to  time,  she  elaborated  the 
idea  until  in  18!)-4  the  last  codicil  was  added. 

The  finished  will  then  provided  that  the  bulk  of  her  estate  be  held 
in  trust  by  two  trustees  until  such  time  as  the  citizens  of  Marshall  should 
organize  a  corporation  to  be  known  as  "The  Dulcenia  Home  for  Aged  and 
Indigent  Females,""  for  the  purpose  of  building  and  maintining  a  home 
for  aged  and  indigent  women,  residents  of  Michigan  and  over  sixty  years 
of  age. 

The  home  was  to  be  built  in  Marengo  township,  adjacent  to  the  terri- 
torial road,  betw-een  the  west  town  line  and  the  corners  near  the  late 
residence  of  Thomas  Chisholm. 

If  the  people  of  Marshall  failed  to  perfect  an  organization  capable 
of  carrying  out  the  conditions  of  the  will  of  Mrs.  Daily  mthin  five  years 
after  the  probating  of  the  will,  then  the  trustees  were  to  pay  the  money 
to  the  Home  for  Aged  Women  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island. 

When  steps  were  taken  by  the  citizens  of  Marshall  to  form  the  pro- 
posed organization,  it  was  found  that  there  was  no  law  under  which 
a  corporation  could  be  organized  able  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions 
of  the  will.  It  was  therefore  necessary  first  to  prepare  and  introduce 
into  the  legislature  a  bill  covering  the  case.  The  bill  was  entitled,  "An 
Act  authorizing  the  incorporation  of  homes  for  aged,  infirm  or  indigent 
men  and  women."  It  was  passed  by  the  legislature  and  approved  by 
the  governor  ^March  23,  1897,  and  is  still  in  force.  Under  this  act  the 
"Dulcenia  Home  for  Aged  and  Indigent  Females"  was  incorporated 
July  18,  1898. 

The  first  trustees  were  Marvin  Ferguson,  George  A.  Bullard,  M.  S. 
0  'Keefe,  H.  L.  Day,  A.  0.  Hyde,  F.  A.  Stuart,  W.  T.  Phelps,  L.  F.  Page 
and  George  H.  Southworth. 

May  15th,  1895,  S.  V.  R.  Lepper,  executor  of  the  will  of  Mrs.  Daily, 
turned  over  to  W.  J.  Dibble  and  S.  V.  R.  Lepper,  the  tiiistees  mentioned 
in  the  will,  the  residue  of  ]\Irs.  Daily's  estate  amounting  in  cash  and 
mortgages  to  $26,791.87. 

After  the  home  association  was  organized  a  friendly  suit  was  started 
in  the  Circuit  court  by  it  against  the  trustees  under  the  will  to  determine 
the  competenc.y  of  the  association  to  receive  the  money  and  properly  carry 
out  the  wishes  of  Mrs.  Daily.  This  suit  was  not  contested  by  the  heirs 
of  Mrs.  Daily  or  the  Providence  Home  for  Aged  Women  who  were  made 
parties  to  the  suit.  In  accordance  with  the  decree  of  the  Circuit  court 
the  trustees,  February  27,  1899,  turned  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  home 
the  entire  fund  amounting  to  !}!31, 677.06.  Before  the  home  could  be  in- 
corporated it  was  necessary  under  the  law  to  secure  a  cash  subscription 
of  at  least  twenty-five  hunclred  dollars.  At  the  time  of  the  incorporation 
this  subscription  .amounted  to  $3,220.00  and  subsequent  subscriptions 
were  made  so  that  by  January  28,  1901,  the  home  had  received  from  such 
gifts  $8,872.60.  The  eight  acres  of  land  upon  which  the  home  is  located, 
was  donated  by  the  owners  and  the  value  of  the  land  is  included  in  the 


290  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

above  amount.  Subsequent  to  the  gift  of  the  present  site  of  the  home  the 
sisters  of  Mrs.  Daily  generously  offered  to  give  the  home  the  Church 
homestead  of  160  acres,  in  Marengo,  provided  the  home  was  built  and 
maintained  thereon. 

The  house  was  built  in  the  years  1899,  1900  and  1901  and  was  ready 
for  occupancy  in  September  of  1901. 

The  trustees  were  fortunate  in  securing  the  valued  services  of  Miss 
Sarah  D.  Parsons  for  the  first  matron  and  to  her  wise  initiative  is  due 
much  of  the  subsequent  success  of  the  home.  Mrs.  Isabella  Parker  Hart 
was  the  first  guest. 

Since  the  opening  thirty-two  have  been  received  into  the  home,  ten 


.>4^*^''  '  * 


^Irs.  Dulcenia  Daily 

of  whom  have  died  and  five  withdrawn,  leavnig  seventeen  now  in  the 
home. 

The  average  age  of  the  ten  who  have  died  was  851';.  years,  and  of  the 
seventeen  now  in  the  home  7514  years. 

The  association  has  received  several  liandsome  beciuests.  Mrs.  Emma 
Fallace  of  Coldwater  willed  her  estate,  some  three  thousand  dollars,  to 
the  home,  but  owing  to  a  legal  contest  made  by  the  grand-daughters  the 
matter  was  compromised  and  the  home  received  $750.00.  Miss  Mary  C. 
Norris  of  Albion  bequeathed  to  the  home  her  estate  on  condition  that  the 
home  pay  an  annuity  to  her  sister  as  long  as  the  sister  lived.  Under 
the  generous  will  of  Miss  Norris  the  home  received  the  Norris  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fine  land  in  Tekonsha  and  thirty-three 
hundred  dollars  in  cash. 

]Miss  Susan  Jones  of  Chicago,  handsomely  remembered  the  home  v/ith 
a  legacy  of  $5,000.00,  but  owing  to  a  contest  of  the  will  this  matter  is 
still  in  the  courts. 


HISTORY  OF  CALlIOrX  COrXTY  liUl 

Mrs.  Isiuu-  II.  Wliitiiioiv  iv(|iu'sti'(l  that  two  huiuli-c.l  dolhii's  be  jiaid 
to  the  hoiiH'  from  her  estate  and  the  gift  was  received 

lu  Jlay.  1903,  occurred  a  very  bad  cyclone  that  completely  demol- 
ished the  barn,  removed  about  half  of  the  roof  from  the  house  and 
inflieted  other  damage,  costing  the  home  over  two  thousand  dollars  to 
repair  the  loss.    Fortunately  no  one  was  injured. 

From  the  last  annual  report  of  the  treasurer  of  the  association  we 
find  that  the  home  now  has  property  valued  at  !fi58,788.38,  invested  as 
follows : 

Buildings    and    grounds    !);17,768.3o 

Furniture  and  fixtures 2,000.00 

Mary  C.  Norris  farm 7,000.00 

Stock  on  Norris  farm 400.00 

Mortgages    31,171.53 

Notes    158.56 

Cash   289.9-t 

.$58,788.38 

The  clergy  and  doctors  of  Marshall  have  been  generous  in  kindly 
services  for  the  home  and  many  other  friends  have  made  presents  that 
have  been  highly  appreciated,  all  the  more  perhaps  because  they  came 
unsolicited. 

Such  has  been  the  good  fortune  of  the  home  that  the  trustees  have 
never  had  to  appeal  to  the  public  to  "make  up  deficiencies"  or  "raise  the 
debt." 

It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  trustees  to  live  within  their  means  and 
to  add  to  the  institution  as  fast,  and  no  faster,  than  they  have  the  funds 
to  pay  the  way.  From  the  beginning  it  has  been  the  aim  of  the  trustees 
and  matrons  to  make  the  home  not  an  iii.^titutio)i  but  a  home  in  every 
sense  of  the  word. 

The  house  is  built  cruciform  with  wide  airy  halls  crossing  each  other, 
each  room  opening  off  the  hall  and  also  to  the  outside  air  and  sunshine. 
Each  guest  has  a  pleasant  room  and  each  declares  that  her  room  is  the 
best.  Only  in  one  instance  has  there  been  any  desire  to  change  rooms. 

The  guests  are  free  to  go  and  come  as  they  wish,  the  only  restriction 
being  that  they  must  leave  the  key  to  their  room  with  the  matron  and 
tell  her  where  they  are  going  and  when  they  will  return.  The  home  is 
strictly  non-sectarian  but  is  not  non-religious.  A  short  service  of  prayer 
and  praise  is  hekl  every  morning  to  which  all  are  invited  but  none  arc 
compelled  to  come.  The  various  ministers  of  Marshall  have  kindly  held 
fre(iuent  services  Sunday  afternoons  at  the  home  assisted  many  times 
by  the  musical  people  and  children  of  their  congregations.  These  kindly 
attentions  are  greatly  appreciated.  JIany  of  the  home  family  have  been 
active  members  of  the  W.  (".  T.  U.  or  Women's  Relief  Corps,  and  these 
organizations  in  Marshall  and  Albion  occasionally  have  meetings  at  the 
home,  after  the  order  of  basket  picnics  that  are  pleasant  and  profitable  for 
all.  These  gatherings  are  apin'oved  of  and  encouraged  by  the  manage- 
ment. 

The  home  has  a  very  jjlcasant  leading  room,  the  large  table  being 
loaded  with  the  latest  jiapcrs  and  magazines  and  the  shelves  with  yood 


292  HLSTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

books.  These  A\dth  books  from  the  Ladies"  Library  afford  plenty  of  read- 
ing for  all.  Many  evenings  the  entire  household  will  gather  in  the 
library  and  enjoy  together  some  good  book  which  one  of  the  number  will 
read  aloud. 

Thus  the  family  idea  is  encouraged  to  grow  and  peace  and  happiness 
increase  with  it.  Thanksgiving  and  Christmas  are  observed,  as  they 
should  be  in  all  good  families,  when  feasting  and  mirth  go  hand  in  hand. 

In  summer  the  spacious  verandas  afford  pleasant  resting  places  for 
the  enjoyment  of  the  pure  air  and  the  beautiful  scenery  up  and  down 
the  valley.  Many  of  the  ladies  enjoy  having  flowers  of  their  own,  so 
those  who  wisli  can  have  their  little  plot  for  favorite  flowers.  These, 
with  the  growth  of  shrubs  and  trees,  are  fast  turning  this  once  bare  hill- 
top into  Dulcenia  Home  the  Beautiful. 

As  fast  as  the  management  is  able  it  pui-poses  to  enlai-ge  the  usefulness 
of  the  home.     There  is  room  on  the  property  for  many  more  buildings. 

Would  it  not  be  a  beautiful  act  if  some  pei-son,  following  the  example 
of  Mrs.  Daily,  would  leave  a  fund  for  a  home  for  aged  couples  ?  Such  a 
home  would  be  a  lasting  moniiment  to  the  donor  and  would  bring  hap- 
piness and  peace  to  many  a  stranded  brother  and  his  faithful  wife. 

Dulcenia  Daily's  life  struggle  is  past.  Her  ashes  lie  in  peace  under  a 
costly  marble  on  the  hill  in  Oakridge,  but  her  noblest  monument  is  on 
■  that  other  hilltop  where  stands  Dulcenia  Home,  for  there  happy  hearts 
raise  to"  God  glad  hymns  of  praise  for  the  noble  work  that  she  has 
wrought. 


CHAPTER  XVUI 

CHURCHES   OF   MARSHALL 

Trinity  Episcopal  Ciiurch  (by  Louis  S.  Joy,  M.  D.) — First  Presby- 
terian CinBCii  OF  :\L\rsiiali- — First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
OF  Marshall  (by  ]\Irs.  Mary  F.  B.  Stephenson) — Catholic 
Church — First  Baptist  Ciiurch — First  EvANiiELicAL  Lutheran 
Zion's  Church 

The  following  sketches  of  the  churches  of  Marshall  bespeak  for  the 
place  worthy  advantages  of  a  religious  nature  which  are  a  prime  necessity 
in  any  desirable  residence  community. 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church 

Bij  Louis  S.  Joy,  M.  I). 

It  was  ill  llie  year  1836  that  the  first  cliurcii  service  according  to  the 
use  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  was  held  by  a  visiting  clergjinan, 
Rev.  Charles  B.  Stout,  in  the  village  of  Marshall,  then  numbering  three 
hundred  inliabitants.  During  the  winter  of  this  year  and  the  following 
winter  (1837)  the  village  was  thoroughly  canvassed  to  ascertain  what 
amount  could  be  raised  toward  the  building  of  a  church.  In  the  spring 
of  1837,  the  good  work  had  progressed  so  far  that  a  parish  was  organ- 
ized and  ^Montgomery  Schuyler,  then  a  hardware  merchant  in  the  village 
of  ^Marshall,  and  J.  W.  Gordon,  afterward  governor  of  ^Michigan,  were 
chosen  wardens  and  Dr.  J.  H.  ^Montgomery,  Bradley  K.  Crissey,  Sydney 
A.  Alcott,  C.  T.  Gorham  and  Andrew  ^lann  were  elected  vestrymen. 

La.y  services  were  held  in  the  school  house.  The  same  spring  the 
bishop  of  the  diocese,  Samuel  A.  McCoskry,  visited  I\Iarshall  and 
preached  in  the  school  house,  which  was  the  .second  service  of  the  church 
held  in  the  village.  And,  though  at  this  moment  the  financial  crash  of 
1837  was  wrecking  hundreds  of  fortunes,  especially  in  the  western  states, 
this  group  of  churchmen,  fired  by  the  words  of  the  bishop  who  seemed  to 
have  had  an  unusual  gift  of  inspiring  others  to  do  God's  work,  deter- 
mined not  to  turn  back  from  their  undertaking. 

"The  building  of  the  church  was  immediately  entered  upon  and 
prosecuted  with  such  earnestness  and  diligence  that  early  in  the  autumn 
it  was  completed.  That  was  a  glad  day  for  the  little  band  of  church- 
men when  they  were  ready  to  present  to  the  bishop  a  neat  and  tasteful 


294  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

church  for  consecration.  It  had  been  built  at  a  cost  of  over  $2000.00, 
chiefly  by  the  wardens  and  vestrymen,  none  of  whom  were  rich,  and 
hence  at  much  sacrifice  of  time  and  money  to  the  few  who  engaged  in 
it.  And  yet  it  was  gladly  met  and  cheerfully  endured  by  them,  grate- 
ful that  it  had  pleased  God  to  give  them  the  ability  and  willingness  to 
contribute. ' ' 

This  church  building  was  afterward  sold  to  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion and  was  situated  where  their  beautiful  new  church  now  stands. 
This  Siune  building  is  now  used  as  a  shop  and  was  moved 'to  south 
Hamilton  street  near  State  street. 

Services  were  kept  up  in  the  little  church  for  a  couple  of  months  or 
so  and  then  lay  services  were  held  until  the  calling  of  the  first  rector. 
Rev.  Samuel  Buel,  in  February,  1838.  Mr.  Buel  remained  nearly  two 
years,  resigning  in  October,  1839  and  afterward  oecui)ying  the  position 
of  Professor  of  Systematic  Divinity  in  the  General  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  New  York  City,  which  position  he  occupied  for  many  years. 

At  the  time  that  Rev.  Mr.  Buel  left  there  were  twenty-eight  names  on 
the  list  of  communicants.  For  the  next  year  and  a  half  Rev.  W.  N. 
Lyster  held  monthly  services ;  on  other  Sundays  lay  services  were  held. 

On  May  27,  1841,  the  vesti-y  of  Trinity  Church  extended  a  call  to 
the  Rev.  Montgomery  Schuyler  to  become  a  rector.  He  was  one  of  the 
foundere  of  the  parish,  had  served  as  a  lay-reader  and  had  begun  his 
studies  for  the  ministry  while  yet  a  business  man  in  -Marshall.  During 
the  rectorship  of  Rev.  Mr.  Schuyler  the  Sunday  school  was  doubled  in 
number  and  the  congregation  grew  to  such  an  extent  that  the  church 
had  to  be  enlarged.  In  the  spring  of  1884  Rev.  Montgomery  Schuyler 
resigned  his  successful  rectorship  to  go  to  Grace  Church,  Lyons,  New 
York. 

June  3,  1846,  the  annual  diocesan  convention  was  held  in  Trinity 
Church,  Marshall,  ilichigan,  presided  over  by  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel  Allen 
McCoskry,  first  Bishop  of  ^Michigan.  J.  Wright  Gordon  and  Dr.  John 
H.  ;Montgomery  represented  the  local  church  in  this  convention.  Rev. 
E.  A.  Greenleaf  was  at  this  time  rector  of  the  church  though  his  resigna- 
tion had  been  tendered  "from  causes  wholly  beyond  my  control"  as  he 
writes  in  his  report  tendered  as  rector  to  this  convention. 

In  1849  Rev.  Hiram  Adams  was  rector.  At  this  time  there  were 
81  communicants  upon  the  list. 

In  1850  the  parish  was  without  a  rector,  88  communicants  were 
reported  by  Daniel  Hudson,  warden. 

In  1851  Rev.  A.  Guion  was  rector. 

In  1852  Rev.  Henry  N.  Strong  became  the  rector.  Rev.  Jlr.  Strong 
remained  as  rector  until  1858. 

In  the  year  1854  Rev.  Strong  in  his  report  to  the  convention  records 
the  death  of  General  Isaac  E.  Crary,  who,  he  states,  is  a  great  loss  to 
the  church  as  he  was  a  liberal  supporter  and  member  of  the  vestrj'. 

In  1858  Rev.  Charles  Jones  became  rector  and  he  remained  until 
1860  when  Rev.  S.  S.  Chapin  was  called  to  the  rectorship. 

Bishop  McCoskry  in  his  convention  address  of  this  year  notes  for 
April  15,  1860 — "I  preached  in  Trinity  Church,  Marshall,  and  con- 
firmed thirteen  persons.     The  services  were  held  in  a  large  hall,  filled 


IIISTOKY  OF  t'ALIIOrX  COUxNTY  295 

to  overtlowing  with  the  most  attentive  liearers.  It  was  one  of  the 
pleasantest  service  I  ever  held  in  this  parish." 

In  the  Bishop's  address  under  date  of  June  27,  1861,  he  writes: 
"I  kid  the  corner  stone  for  a  new  church  edifice  for  Trinity  Parish, 
]\Iarshall.  The  congregation  had  disposed  of  their  old  church  l)uilding, 
as  it  did  not  meet  their  wants.  The  sum  i-eceived,  with  a  liberal  sub- 
scription from  the  members  of  the  parish,  will  enable  them  to  erect  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  stone  edifices  in  the  diocese.  A  large  number  of 
the  elerg\^  aided  rae  in  the  pleasant  work,  several  of  whom  made  ad- 
dresses on  the  occasion.     I  also  confirmed  six  persons." 

In  the  rector's  report  to  the  convention  of  1863,  Eev.  S.  S.  Cliapin 
writes: — "If  a  punctual  attendance  upon  the  services  of  the  churdi  and 
sacraments  are  an  indication  of  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity,  or 
if  unity  of  feeling  and  action  are  truthful  witnesses,  there  is  great 
cause  for  thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God,  for  there  are  few  parishes 
where  the  spirit  of  peace  reigns  more  felicitously  than  in  Trinity 
Church,  Marshall." 

In  the  Bishop's  address  to  the  convention  under  date  of  JIarcli  16, 
1864,  he  writes: — "This  was  my  first  visit  to  this  parish  since  they  had 
occupied  their  new  church  edifice.  It  is  most  substantially  built  of 
stone.  The  pews  are  of  black  walnut  and  the  whole  arrangement  of 
chancel  and  nave  is  in  entire  keeping  with  the  architectural  symmetry  of 
the  whole  building.  I  felt  thankful  that  we  had  in  the  diocese  such  an 
architect  as  Mr.  Lloyd  of  Detroit,  who  had  not  only  raised  such  monu- 
ments of  his  skill  and  taste,  but  had  done  so  much  to  aid  the  devout 
worshipper  in  an  humble  and  reverential  approach  to  God."  It  is  but 
fitting  to  here  record  the  faithful  and  accurate  carrying  out  ai  the 
architect's  specifications  by  the  contractor,  Mr.  Nathan  Benedict. 

The  substantial  manner  in  which  the  church  was  built  and  the  way 
it  is  standing  up  in  the  face  of  time  is  a  splendid  monument  to  that 
loyal  churchman  Nathan  Benedict,  even  though  his  name  does  not 
appear  anywhere  in  or  about  the  edifice. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Chapin's  rectorship  terminated  in  1866  and  he  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1867  by  Rev.  John  K.  Dunn.  In  his  report  to  the  convention 
Mr.  Dunn  writes: — "On  the  6th  day  of  April,  1867,  I  entered  upon  my 
present  charge,  and  although  the  parish  has  been  without  the  services 
of  a  peraianent  pastor  for  a  large  part  of  the  past  year  I  am  happy  to 
be  able  to  report  that  everything  promises  well.  The  pews  have  readily 
rented  at  advanced  prices,  the  congregations  are  large  and  well  sus- 
tained and  a  great  degree  of  interest  is  manifested  by  young  and  old 
in  the  truths  of  religion  and  the  claims  of  the  church.  With  the  help  of 
his  true  hearted  parishioners  the  rector  has  strong  hopes,  under  God, 
of  being  enabled  to  accomplish  a  good  work  in  this  portion  of  the  Lord's 
vineyai-d.  He  has  also  the  pleasure  of  reporting  that  the  seminary  for 
young  ladies  in  this  city,  under  the  charge  of  the  ilisses  Bacon,  will 
hereafter  be  conducted  as  a  church  school  of  the  higher  order,  under  the 
spiritual  supervision  of  tlie  rector  of  the  parish.  The  school  is  already 
in  successful  operation  with  competent  instructors  and  with  present 
accommodations  for  a  hundred  boarding  pupils  in  a  large,  commoilious 
building  furnished  by  the  generous  munificence  of  a  citizen  of   Mar- 


296  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

shall.  It  is  the  design  of  the  faithful  ehurchwomen  who  have  it  in 
charge,  who  have  had  a  large  experience  as  teachers  and  have  an  exten- 
sive acquaintance  with  the  best  systems  of  eastern  church  schools,  to 
make  it  a  thorough  church  institution,  and  to  bring  the  influence  of  the 
church  to  bear  alike  on  the  minds,  hearts  and  manners  of  the  pupils." 
The  building  used  for  this  school  was  then  owned  b.y  H.  J.  Perrin  and 
known  as  the  JIarshall  House.  A  portion  of  it  now  standing  is  used 
as  a  dwelling  house  by  "Mys.  Lewis  Perrin. 

Mr.  Dunn  remained  about  two  years  and  he  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Wm.  H.  Moffett.  Jlr.  Aloffett's  rectorship  was  also  short  (less  than  two 
years)  but  he  had  one  of  the  largest  confirmation  classes  ever  con- 
firmed up  to  that  time  (20).  In  his  report  to  the  convention  of  1870 
he  writes: — "During  the  year  an  attempt  was  made  to  organize  the 
members  of  the  congregation  for  work  among  the  poor,  for  chvirch  ex- 
tension, for  missions,  etc.,  and  a  society  was  formed  called  the  'Parish 
Union.'  As  only  a  few  of  those  whose  help  was  desired  showed  any 
real  interest  in  the  movement  it  was  found  impracticable  to  carry  out 
the  full  design  and  after  a  few  months  it  was  thought  expedient  to  give 
up  the  organization  altogether.  I  place  here  for  permanent  record  some 
of  the  results  of  its  short  but  useful  existence.  A  church  school  of 
primary  grade  was  established  and  carried  on  for  three  full  terms  with 
a  degree  of  success  that  was  unlooked  for  and  with  most  beneficial  effects. 
The  school  is  now  continued  in  charge  of  a  thoroughly  competent  teacher 
and  the  attendance  is  limited  only  from  lack  of  room.  Other  members 
of  the  Union  gave  their  special  attention  to  the  decorations  of  the 
altar.  No  Sunday  or  festival  has  gone  by  without  giving  some  evi- 
dence of  their  care  and  devotion.  A  super-frontal  and  red  and  white 
frontals,  all  beautifully  embroidered,  have  already  been  obtained.  The 
work  on  the  white  frontal,  all  done  by  one  hand,  is  particularly  beau- 
tifid,  a  fit  ornament  for  the  holy  place.  The  Union  has  paid  neces.sary 
repairs  on  the  furnace  and  contributed  liberally  towards  buying  a  new 
one.  Under  its  direction  also  the  Christmas  decorations  were  prepared 
and  a  splendid  Christmas  tree  for  the  children  of  the  parish.  Alto- 
gether the  Union  has  raised  for  parish  purposes  $396.2.3  of  the  amount 
reported  above."   (.$3,553.85.) 

In  1871  Rev.  Geo.  P.  Schetky,  D.  D.,  became  rector.  He  reports  to 
the  convention  as  follows: — "A  new  organization  has  recently  been  in- 
stituted, under  the  name  of  'The  Ladies  Church  Aid  of  Trinity  Parish.' 
This  society  is  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  its  members,  through 
mutual  co-operation,  prayer  and  advice,  in  doing  with  system  and  order, 
under  the  direction  and  guidance  of  the  divinely  appointed  ministry, 
such  works  of  love  for  Christ's  Church  as  poor  and  Christian  women 
may  engage  in.  As  a  part  of  such  works,  a  committee  has  been  appointed 
to  collect  weekly  mite  subscriptions  for  the  parsonage  fund.  A  bi- 
monthly paper  is  issued  by  the  rector  as  a  Parochial  Record  having 
for  its  object  the  increase  of  a  general  interest  in  all  Parochial  matters, 
and  an  incitement  to  the  more  earnest  and  united  work  in  all  things 
connected  with  the  church.  It  is  also  designed  to  serve  as  a  medium  for 
communicating  matters  of  information  and  suggestions  in  regard  to 
parochial  affairs  and  interesting  items  of  diocesan  and  missionary  infel- 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COIXTY  297 

ligeuce.  Tliere  are  gratifying  indications  of  the  Divine  Blessing  upon 
the  several  departments  of  pastoral  and  parochial  work.  The  parish  is 
united  aud  harmonious  and  all  its  affairs  are  in  a  prosperous  condition. 
The  attendance  of  Holy  Communion  during  the  last  six  months  has 
averaged  more  than  one-half  of  all  the  communicants.  'Cottage  Lectures' 
were  held  weekly  at  private  houses  during  Lent,  with  large  attendance, 
and  we  trust  spiritual  benetit.  On  the  first  Sunday  after  Easter  the  rector 
opened  a  mission  school  at  the  Fourth  ward  school  house,  Capitol  Hill. 
There  has  been  an  average  attendance  of  fifty  pupils,  aud  the  enterprise 
is  increasing  in  interest.  The  teachers  assisting  the  rector  are  all  mem- 
bers of  the  Bible  class. ' ' 

Li  the  rector's  report  to  the  convention  of  1872  is  the  following: — 
"By  an  exchange  of  the  old  organ  which  had  been  in  use  nineteen  years, 
and  from  the  avails  of  a  legacy  by  the  late  ^liss  Harriet  M.  ilann,  we  have 
purchased  a  new  and  superior  instrument,  full,  rich  and  powerful  in 
tone,  as  well  as  pleasing  in  (juality  and  built  with  reference  to  en- 
largement at  some  future  time.  The  mission  school  in  the  Fourth  ward 
is  steadily  increasing  in  interest.  The  faithful  labors  of  tliose  associated 
with  me  in  the  good  work  are  evidently  appreciated  by  the  class  of 
children  whom  they  are  instrumental  in  training  in  the  ways  of  our 
Holy  church." 

Our  congregation  very  generously  contributed  an  amount  exceeding 
five  hundred  dollars  in  addition  to  supplies  in  large  quantities  of  pro- 
visions, wearing  apparel,  etc.  for  aid  to  the  sufferers  by  the  calamitous 
tires  in  Chicago,  Wisconsin  and  our  own  state. 

In  the  year  1873  one  of  the  most  important  conventions  of  the 
diocese  of  Michigan  was  held  in  Trinity  Chui-ch,  Mai-shall.  By  a  vote 
of  the  clergy  of  39  to  16  and  a  vote  of  the  lay  delegates  of  53  to  17  it 
was  decided  to  divide  the  diocese  of  Michigan  into  two  dioceses. 

In  the  rector's  report  to  this  convention  is  the  following: — "The 
larger  proportion  of  removals  from  the  parish  finds  its  cause  in  tiie 
transfer  of  the  railroad  shops  to  Jackson,  which  occurred  shorth'  before 
the  convention.  A  still  further  reduction  from  the  same  cause  may  be 
expected,  but  with  the  introduction  and  establishment  of  other  branches 
of  mechanical  skill  (of  which  there  is  now  some  expectation)  we  may 
hope  for  accession  and  a  proportionate  return  for  our  losses.  It  wiil 
be  seen  from  the  foregoing  statement  of  contributions  that  the  Ladies 
Church  Aid  Society  has  been  actively  employed  during  the  past  year  in 
adding  to  the  parsonage  fund.  The  mission  school  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  'SI.  H.  H.  Meriam  (whose  removal  from  among  us  we 
greatly  regret)  has  continued  to  exercise  a  very  happy  influence  upon 
the  children  who  are  evidently  much  interested  in  the  instruction 
imparted  by  the  faithful  corps  of  teachers  who  there  aid  me  in  that 
truly  missionary  work." 

The  rector  reports  to  the  next  convention  as  follow.s — "The  year 
past  has  been  one  of  continued  disaster  to  the  parish  in  the  losses  we 
have  sustained  by  removals.  Our  finances  have  been,  as  a  natural  con- 
secjuence  seriously  affected,  and  plans  for  church  work,  especially  tlie 
erection  of  a  parsonage,  have  been  suspended.  The  pari.sh  is  free  from 
debt.     In  our  vei-y  interesting  mission-school  I  have  had  the  assistance 


298  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

of  several  j'oung  ladies  of  the  parish.    In  years  to  come  the  labor  in  that 
field,  bestowed  in  humble  faith,  must  produce  blessed  results." 

Dr.  Schetky  resigned  from  Trinity  church,  Marshall,  to  go  to  Bay 
City  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  H.  B.  Whittemore  who  remained 
until  June  30,  1880.  The  wardens  made  the  following  report  to  the 
convention  of  this  year:  "The  Rev.  II.  B.  Whittemore  resigned  the 
rectorship  of  the  parish  June  30,  1880.  Rev.  ]\I.  S.  Woodruff  officiated 
for  us  for  the  first  month.  We  then  had  lay  reading  for  three  months 
in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  T.  ]Maerath  officiated  for  us  at  evening 
service  save  one  Sunday  each  by  Rev.  H.  J.  Cook,  Rev.  M.  Noble  and  Rev. 
J.  E.  Walton.  The  Rev.  J.  E.  Walton  entered  upon  his  duties  as  rector 
the  first  of  November. 

J.  H.  M. 

C.  P.  D. 

Wardens 

The  rectorship  of  Mr.  Walton  was  the  longest,  most  peaceful,  most 
happy,  most  prosperous  and  the  most  spiritually  uplifting  of  any  within 
the  writer's  memory.  It  was  indeed  a  benediction  to  have  him  walk  the 
streets  of  IMarshall.  His  influence  upon  the  church  and  in  the  com- 
munity will  be  felt  for  many  years  to  come  in  the  lives  of  those  who 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  have  been  under  the  benign  influence  of  his 
eloquent  and  soul-inspiring  sermons.  It  was  not  only  the  scholarly 
preaching  that  moved  one,  but  it  was  the  consciousness  that  behind  the 
sermon  was  a  life  that  was  living  every  word  that  he  uttered  and  this 
fact  made  his  sermons  ablaze  with  pentecostal  fire. 

During  his  rectorship  in  1885  the  pretty  and  commodious  rectory 
was  built  at  a  cost  of  $3,400.00. 

Rev.  J.  E.  Walton  remained  until  1887  when  he  resigned,  much  to 
the  regret  and  against  the  wishes  of  the  parish  but  from  a  belief  on  his 
part  that  a  change  would  be  for  the  best  interests  of  the  parish. 

Mr.  Walton  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Wm.  Morrell  who  remained  as 
rector  until  1890  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  H.  VanAntwerp  became  the 
rector.  The  rectorship  of  Dr.  VanAntwerp  was  a  very  successful  one 
from  every  point  of  view,  the  church  prospering  under  his  leadership. 

Dr.  VanAntwerp  was  succeeded  in  1894  by  the  Rev.  Sidney  Beck- 
with  who  remained  until  1898  when  the  vestry  again  called  back  their 
former  beloved  rector,  Rev.  J.  E.  Walton. 

Rev.  Mr.  Walton's  second  rectorship  lasted  until  1902  when  the 
Rev.  C.  0.  S.  Kearton  took  charge  of  the  parish.  In  1904  Rev.  Mr. 
Kearton  received  a  call  to  the  diocese  of  Albany  and  having  resigned 
the  parish  the  Rev.  W.  J.  W.  Bedford-Jones  became  the  rector.  During 
the  rectorship  of  Rev.  Mr.  Bedford-Jones  the  beautiful  chapel  and  parish 
house  were  built  (1905 )  an  account  of  which  is  given  a  little  later  in  this 
sketch. 

In  the  year  1908  Rev.  Frederick  Hewitt  took  charge  of  the  parish 
and  had  a  very  prosperous  rectorship  of  three  years.  During  his  rector- 
ship the  parish  house  debt  was  paid  off  and  the  Way  Memorial  organ 
placed  in  the  church.  Mr.  Hewitt  was  succeeded  in  1911  by  the  Rev. 
John  Hartley,  Ph.  D.     Of  this  unfortunate  period  in  Trinity's  history 


HISTORY  (»K  CAMIOIX  corXTV  299 

the  less  said  the  licttci-.  Dr.  Hartley's  resignation  took  effect  September 
30,  i;)12.  and  it  is  iKipt'd  that  the  parish  will  speedily  regain  its  former 
position  after  that  date  in  spite  of  the  terriiile  condition  liotli  spiritn- 
ally  and  temporally  in  whieh  he  left  it. 

No  sketeh  of  Trinity  church  would  be  complete  without  a  rcrcrencc 
to  the  various  and  numerous  beautiful  memorials  ei-ected  therein  hy  the 
faithful  supporters  and  builders  of  the  parish.  In  so  far  as  I  am  able 
I  win  mention  these  memorials  in  the  order  of  their  presentation  to  the 
church  though  it  is  largely  from  mcmoi'v  that  T  do  so,  as  I  have  no  data 
at  present  at  hand. 

The  first  memorial  placed  in  the  church  (it  has  been  there  as  far 
back  as  1  can  remember)  was  the  Schuylei-  memorial  window,  probably 
placed  when  the  church  was  built.  It  was  placed  in  memory  of  Anthony 
Dey  Schuyler  and  Sarah  A.  Schujder,  his  wife,  and  given  by  their  sons 
and  daughters.  Rev.  Montgomery  Schuyler  D.  D.,  the  second  rector  of 
the  parish,  was  one  of  the  sons  as  were  also  Wm.  R.  and  Anthony  1). 
Schuyler,  who  were  active  in  the  work  and  growth  of  Trinity  church 
and  were  members  of  the  vestry  and  delegates  to  the  Diocesan  conven- 
tion. The  window  is  of  rich  stained  glass  and  contains  several  churchly 
symbols  in  colore. 

During  the  rectorship  of  Rev.  Dr.  Schetky,  his  daughter  Lena  passed 
away.  The  doctor,  when  the  chancel  was  being  rearranged,  rebuilt  the 
prayer  desk  and  gave  it  as  a  memorial  of  his  daughter,  who  had  been 
a  great  deal  of  help  to  him  in  his  work  at  the  Mission  Sunday  school 
on  Capitol  Hill.  It  is  made  of  black  walnut  and  is  now  placed  in  the 
chapel. 

The  beautiful  decorations  of  the  chancel  of  the  church,  the  carved 
oak  reredose,  the  handsome  chancel  windows,  are  the  gift  of  the  Dibble 
family  in  memory  of  their  beloved  father,  who  was  one  of  the  original 
subscribers  to  the  new  church,  and  who  served  as  vestryman  and  junior 
warden  for  many  years.  Their  reredose  is  a  beautiful  piece  of  oak 
carving,  very  churchly  in  design  (it  was  designed  by  ]\ir.  Lloyd  of 
Detroit,  the  architect  of  the  church)  and  is  surmounted  by  handsome 
stained  glass  windows,  each  of  the  windows  representing  by  symbols 
one  of  the  four  gospels,  ilatthew,  Mark,  Luke  and  John.  The  Dibble 
family  also  contributed  a  perpetual  fund  of  .$2,000.00  (by  the  care- 
ful management  of  Jlr.  W.  J.  Dibble  now  amounting  to  .$2,400.00),  the 
income  of  which,  after  keeping  the  chancel  in  repair,  is  to  be  applied 
in  the  running  expenses  of  the  church  as  directed  by  the  vestry.  This 
fund  is  known  as  the  Hetty  J.  Dibble  Memorial  Fund,  and  was  given 
in  her  memory.  There  is  also  a  most  beautiful  and  artistic  window  to 
the  memory  of  .Mrs.  Hetty  J.  Dibble,  and  represents  Christ  among  the 
doctors  in  the  temple  in  one  of  the  windows,  and  the  raising  of  the 
daughter  of  Jairus  in  the  other  window.  Tiie  coloring  in  this  window 
is  especially  beautiful. 

In  the  year  1884  .Airs.  .Mary  T.  Curtiss  left  by  will  .$1000.00  toward  a 
rectory.  $1000.00  towarti  a  chapel,  and  $l()0().0b,  the  interest  on  which 
was  to  be  divided  equally  between  mi.ssions  and  the  poor  of  the  parish. 
The  $1000.00  for  the  rectory  was  used  during  the  rectorshij)  of  Rev. 
,  J.  E.  Walton  by  the  vestry  toward  building  a  rectoiy  for  that  beloved 


300  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

rector.  The  interest  on  the  second  thousand  dollars  has  been  used 
annually  for  missions  and  for  the  rector's  alms  fund  equally. 

By  the  careful  management  of  Mr.  W.  J.  Dibble,  for  many  years 
treasurer  of  the  church,  the  chapel  fund  increased  so  that  in  1905  it 
amounted  to  considerably  over  five  thousand  dollars,  when  the  vestry 
called  a  special  meeting  of  the  parish,  at  which  time  they  were  authorized 
to  proceed  with  the  building  of  a  parish  house  and  chapel.  ]Mr.  J.  M. 
Eedfield  was  employed  as  architect  and  drew  the  plans  and  the  beauti- 
ful building  used  as  a  parish  house  and  chapel  was  constructed  of  stone 
from  the  same  quarry  that  supplied  it  for  the  church.  The  corner 
stone  of  the  parish  house  was  laid  by  Bishop  Gillespie  on  Sunday,  May 
6,  1905,  at  4  p.  m.  On  the  platform  were  the  vestry,  Sunday  school,  work- 
men on  the  building  and  ]\irs.  J.  C.  Prink  and  Mrs.  Mary  Wheeler.  Mrs. 
Prink  was  present  in  a  similar  way  when  the  corner  stone  of  the  church 
was  laid  in  1861.  The  contractor  for  this  building  was  Mr.  0.  J.  Reniger 
who,  under  the  careful  and  painstaking  supervision  of  Mr.  Geo.  H. 
Southworth,  brought  the  building  to  a  splendid  finish.  As  a  token  of 
their  appreciation  of  his  work  the  vestry,  acting  for  the  parish,  presented 
Mr.  Southworth  with  a  slight  token. 

The  children  and  widow  of  Dr.  J.  H.  ^Montgomery  presented  the 
parish  as  a  memorial  to  that  beloved  physician  and  for  many  years 
senior  warden  of  the  parish,  a  very  expensive  and  handsome  lecturn. 
It  is  made  of  solid  brass  and  is  in  the  form  of  an  eagle.  They  also  pre- 
sented a  beautiful  solid  silver  alms-basin  most  exquisitely  carved. 

A  sterling  silver  paten  and  chalice  having  a  solid  gold  bowl  was 
given  by  the  daughters  and  widow  of  Dr.  Anthony  D.  Schuyler,  in 
memory  of  one  who  was  foremost  among  the  workers  in  the  church  and 
who  served  many  years  on  the  vestry. 

The  handsome  marble  font  and  baptistry,  situated  near  the  chapel 
entrance  to  the  church,  was  given  by  Misses  Anna  S.  R.  Eastman  and 
Grace  R.  Eastman,  to  the  memory  of  their  mother  Anna  Louise  Schuyler 
Eastman.    It  is  a  beautiful  piece  of  marble  carving. 

The  massive  brass  pulpit  was  the  gift  of  C.  S.,  L.  S.,  C.  R.  and  P.  S. 
Joy,  and  is  given  in  the  memory  of  their  father  and  mother.  Dr.  Henry 
L.  Joy  and  Caroline  Schuyler  Joy,  and  their  brother  Dr.  Douglas  A.  Joy. 

The  exquisitely  carved  and  handsome  white  marble  altar  was  given 
in  memory  of  ilar.y  R.  iloutgomery,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  H.  ilontgomery,  by 
her  daughters  Anna  Louise  Montgomery  Fisk,  ]Mary  R.  Montgomery 
Livingston  and  her  son  Charles  II.  ilontgomery. 

There  is  a  beautiful  memorial  window,  representing  Jesus,  Martha 
and  Mary,  Mary  at  Jesus'  feet  taking  the  better  part,  which  is  given  in 
memory  of  Manlius  Mann  and  his  wife,  Parmelia  Mann,  presented  to 
the  church  by  the  daughters,  j\lrs.  VanVechten  and  Mrs.  George  Perrett. 

The  credence  table  was  given  by  the  Misses  Sarah  and  Grace  Schuy- 
ler in  memory  of  their  sister,  Helen  Schuyler,  who  died  when  a  little 
girl  many  years  ago. 

The  magnificent  and  expensive  organ,  which  is  very  beautiful  in  tone, 
having  28  speaking  stops  and  two  manuels  and  a  console  with  pneumatic 
action,  was  given  in  1906  by  Mr.  Edwin  C.  Way  to  the  greater  gloi-y 
of  God  and  in  loving  memory  of  James  A.  Way  (for  many  years  a  leader^ 


HISTORY   OF  CALIIOI'X   (OrXTV  301 

of  the  choir  and  a  iiU'iiUn-r  of  the  Vfsti-y)  iiiid  Anna  .M.  Wa.v.  ilir  paiviits 
of  the  donor. 

The  beautiful  little  solid  hrass  prayer  desk  was  given  \>y  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  R.  Perrett,  in  loving  memory  of  their  young  son  Richard, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years. 

One  of  the  last  niciiiorials  to  lie  i)laced  in  Trinity  is  the  artistic  win- 
dow, placed  there  hy  .Mrs.  .Mary  Wheeler  ]Miller  in  memory  of  her  mother, 
Mrs.  Mary  Eliza  Brewer  Wheeler.  The  window  was  matle  in  Kngland 
and  represents  Christ  the  Good  Shepherd.  He  has  left  the  flock  (ninety 
anil  nine  I  in  the  wilderness  and  i.s  returning  with  the  one  lost  on  his 
shoulder.  The  coloring  is  beautiful  and  is  a  tit  companion  with  the  nu- 
merous other  memorials  in  the  church. 

A  little  over  a  year  ago.  1911,  the  church  was  left  by  the  will  (t!  the 
late  Miss  Susan  M.  Jones  the  sum  of  $2,000.00,  to  be  invested  by  the 
vestry  and  the  proceeds  to  be  used  for  the  assistance  of  the  poor  of 
the  parish.  This  legacy  has  not  been  received  as  yet,  owing  to  a  contest 
of  the  will  by  a  distant  relative.  But  as  there  is  no  apparent  foundation 
for  breaking  the  will,  the  vestry  of  the  church  are  looking  Idi'ward  to 
receiving  the  legacy  in  the  not  distant  future. 

First  Presbytari.vn  Church  uf  M.ussh.vll 

Contributed 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Marshall  was  organized  in  "Mar- 
shall Academy"  June  26,  1841,  by  Rev.  Elias  Child,  of  Albion  "a  mem- 
ber of  Marshall  Presbytery." 

This  church  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  Congregational  church  organized 
Maj',  1832,  bj'  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce  and  over  which  he  presided  until 
1836  when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  jniblic  instructioln. 
Marshall  was  then  a  hamlet  of  about  ten  families. 

In  1841  this  church  dissolved  and  thirty-si.K  of  its  communicants  be- 
came charter  members  of  the  newly  organized  Presbyterian  church. 

For  a  time  the  new  church  found  a-  home  in  the  coui't  house. 

The  first  elders  elected  were  Laban  J.  Aylsworth,  Joseph  J.  J^ord  and 
Ira  Nash,  the  last  two  named  being  also  chosen  deacons,  and  Mr.  Ayls- 
worth being  elected  permanent  clerk  of  the  session. 

The  moving  spirit  of  the  organization  of  the  church  was  Rev.  John  P. 
Cleveland,  D.  D.,  of  the  First  Prcsbytci'ian  church  of  Detroit,  who  was 
a  kinsman  of  the  late  Ex-Presiden)  (;r(i\er  Cleveland. 

It  was  the  intention  of  Di-.  Clcvilaiid  to  found  a  college  in  .Marshall. 
but  it  never  reached  beyontl  the  prcjjaratory  department. 

After  two  years  of  faithful  service  as  pastor,  and  being  suddeidy 
bereft  of  a  loving  and  faithful  wife,  he  resigned,  and  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Charles  E.  Lord,  a  good  man,  but  very  eccentric  and  absent  minded, 
of  whom  it  is  said  that  he  once  forgot  when  the  Sabbath  ila.v  came,  and 
remained  at  home  weeding  his  carrots  and  onions,  while  his  pious  parish- 
ioners solemnly  assembled  for  public  worship  and  siicnt  an  houi'  wmidei- 
ing  what  had  become  of  their  under-shepherd. 

His  oddities  were  a  perennial  source  of  amusement,  especially  to  the 


302  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

more  uugodly  part  of  the  community.  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Hall,  a  man  of 
winning  personality  and  of  splendid  executive  ability,  wras  the  next 
pastor,  and  his  nine  years  of  faithful  service  outranks  in  length  all  who 
preceded  or  have  come  after  him.  During  his  pastorate  the  old  church, 
the  cornerstone  of  which  had  been  laid  May  11,  1843,  was  completed,  and 
the  debt  incurred  thereby  was  finally  paid  after  much  hard  work. 

Next  came  Rev.  James  H.  Trowbridge,  who  remained  two  years 
(1854-56),  and  he  was  followed  by  Rev.  James  Vincent,  who  remained 
about  one  year. 

Rev.  William  A.  McCorkle,  D.  D.,  was  the  next  pastor,  and  four 
years  later  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Livingston  Willard,  who  served  the 
church  until  October  18,  1868. 

Then  came  Rev.  F.  F.  Ford,  a  brilliant  preacher,  a  man  of  pronounced 
literary  acquirements  and  of  reputed  great  wealth,  who  remained  about 
two  years,  being  followed  by  Rev.  Francis  M.  Wood. 

It  was  during  J\Ir.  Wood's  pastorate  that  the  present  stately  church 
edifice  was  erected,  and  was  then  considered  to  be  the  finest  church  in 
Michigan,  out-side  of  Detroit.  The  corner  was  laid  July,  1872,  and  the 
building  was  completed  and  occupied  two  years  later. 

Following  Mr.  Wood  came  Rev.  William  A.  Rice,  who  remained  a 
little  more  than  a  year  being  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  ill  health. 

Rev.  E.  P.  Johnson  was  then  called,  and  was  with  the  church  six 
years,  his  pastorate  being  one  of  the  most  successful  and  fruitful  in  the 
history  of  the  church.  Dr.  Johnson  at  the  present  time  is,  and  for  many 
years  has  been,  connected  with  Rutgers'  College,  New  Brunswick,  New 
Jersey,  as  an  instructor. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  H.  M.  Morey,  who  was  a  strong  and  vigorous 
preacher,  especially  successful  among  young  men.  For  two  yeai-s,  and 
beginning  in  1890,  Rev.  W.  W.  Curry  was  the  pastor,  and  was  followed 
by  Rev.  E.  W.  Rankin,  a  very  talented  and  scholarly  young  man,  who 
served  the  church  two  years  and  resigned  to  take  a  post-graduate  year 
at  Princeton  Seminary. 

In  1895,  Rev.  George  F.  Hunting,  D.  D.,  ex-president  of  Alma  Col- 
lege, became  pastor  and  so  continued  until  1899,  when,  owing  to  failing 
health,  he  was  compelled  to  resign,  sadly  realizing  that  his  active  work 
for  the  Master  was  forever  done. 

Of  Dr.  Hunting  it  has  been  said  that  "he  had  the  simplicity  of  a 
child,  but  the  intellect  of  a  giant.  He  was  possessed  of  the  rugged 
strength  of  a  man  united  to  the  sympathetic  tenderness  of  a  woman.  In 
his  early  life  he  was  an  officer  in  the  regular  United  States  army  and 
received  the  high  encomium  of  his  superior  officers  as  being  "the  ideal 
Christian  soldier." 

His  death  occurred  in  Marshall  in  April,  1891. 

Then  came  Rev.  Joseph  Hamilton  fresh  from  Princeton  Seminary,  a 
.splendid  specimen  of  muscular  Christiauity — genial,  happy  hearted, 
hopeful  and  helpful,  a  prince  of  good  fellows  and  a  successful  fisher  of 
men,  who  resigned  in  1903  to  accept  the  larger  responsibilities  of  the 
Memorial  church  of  Newark,  New  Jersey. 

During  his  pastorate  a  magnificent  $2,500  organ  was  purchased  and 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALlIorX   COINTY  303 

placed  in  the  chnreh,  the  women  of  tlie  church  (of  course)  being  the 
inspiring  cause  and  moving  spirit  in  the  enterprise. 

Kev.  J.  R.  .Mitchell.  D.  D.,  followed  Mr.  Hamilton  and  faithfully 
served  the  church  until  190t),  when  he  resigned,  taking  a  pastorate  at 
Manistique. 

Soon  after  the  removal  of  Dr.  Metchell,  Rev.  S.  Conger  Hathaway  was 
installed  and  still  remains  pastor  of  the  church,  his  efficiency  being  evi- 
denced by  the  fact  that  he  has  added  to  the  membership  nearly  one  hun- 
dred names,  and  the  financial  condition  of  the  church  is  good. 

During  the  71  years  of  the  life  of  this  church,  there  have  been  seven- 
teen pastors  and  forty-eight  different  elders,  the  present  eldership  con- 
sisting of  the  following  named  persons :  Joseph  Cunningham,  Henry  J. 
Day,  Dr.  Geo.  B.  Gesner,  Cyrus  J.  Goodrich,  Geo.  A.  O'Keefe,  A.  H. 
Washburn,  H.  E.  Winsor  and  William  J.  Gregg  the  last  named  being 
clerk  of  the  session. 

FiR.'^T  ^Iethodist  Eri.^ct>p.\i-  Chirch  of  .M.vkshall 

Bij  Mrs.  Mary  F.  B.  Stcphrnsoii. 

Sidney  Ketehum  is  the  recognized  pioneer  of  Calhoun  county.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  determination.  Having  come  to  its  loca- 
tion in  the  summer  of  1830  from  central  New  York,  he  was  among  those 
who  strove  to  build  \ip  Marshall  by  every  means  at  his  command  and 
was  the  original  proprietor  of  the  village.  He  surveyed  and  laid  out  the 
upper  village  of  Marshall  and  was  one  of  the  four  owners  of  the  lower 
village.  In  the  early  part  of  August,  1831,  the  family  of  Sidney  Keti-hum 
arrived,  as  also  dicl  Randall  Hobart,  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  a  local 
preacher  of  the  ]\I.  E.  church. 

On  the  14th  of  August  ]\Ir.  Hobart  preached  in  the  log  house  of  Sid- 
ney Ketehum,  which  had  neither  doors  nor  windows,  and  only  partially 
floored  with  split  planks.  His  text  was  I  Peter,  ii  chapter,  verses  4-5. 
"At  the  session  of  the  Ohio  conference  in  September,  1831,  Elijah  H. 
Pilcher  and  Ezekial  S.  Garrit  were  appointed  to  Tecumseh  circuit 
which,  starting  at  Ann  Arbor,  went  to  ]Marshall,  thence  south  to  Cold- 
water,  thence  east  to  Clinton,  thence  north  through  Manchester  and 
Saline  to  Ann  Arbor,  making  nearly  four  hundred  miles  of  travel  to  be 
performed  every  four  weeks,  and  to  preach  '27  times  regularly  at  the 
same  time."  I  quote  from  the  journal  of  the  preacher:  (Bro.  Pilcher) 
"Oct  4th,  rode  23  miles  to  ^larshall.  a  new  place.  Today,  in  crossing 
marshes,  my  horse  got  mired  down  twice,  so  that  I  had  to  get  into  the 
mud  and  water  and  help  him  out.  I  had  to  cross  one  creek,  which  was 
so  narrow,  that  a  man  could  step  across  it  in  most  any  place,  where  it 
was  not  worn  by  teams  crossing  it,  but  when  I  rode  into  it  my  horse 
sank  into  the  mire  and  water,  so  that  the  water  came  over  the  top  of  the 
saddle.  Reached  Marshall  late  in  the  afternoon,  wet  cold  and  tired. 
October  9.  Preached  twice  in  the  private  residence  of  Sidney  Ketehum. 
This  is  the  first  visit  they  had  had  from  an  itinerant ;  through  Randall 
Hobart,  a  local  preacher,  had  been  here  a  few  weeks  and  had  preached  a 
few  times.    He  has  come  to  settle  here."    Mr.  Pilcher  was  followed  in  two 


304  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

weeks  by  his  colleague,  Mr.  Garrit.  On  the  6th  of  November,  at  Mr. 
Pilcher's  next  visit,  he  organized  a  class  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  with  the  following  members:  Randall  Hobart,  leader;  Ruth  Ho- 
bart,  his  wife ;  Sidney  Ketchum  and  Catherine,  his  wife,  and  Seth  and 
Eliza  Ketchum,  six  in  all.  Curtis  Goddard  was  P.  E.  on  the  district,  which 
included  all  of  Michigan,  and  was  called  Detroit.  Meetings  were  held,  and 
divine  service  performed  at  the  house  of  S.  Ketchum  until  June  of  the 
following  year,  when  they  were  removed  to  the  school  house,  then  partl.y 
finished.  The  first  love  feast  and  communion  service  held  in  the  county 
was  at  a  two  days'  meeting  held  in  this  school  house  June  16  and  17, 
1832,  by  E.  H.  Pilcher,  preacher  in  charge,  assisted  by  Rev.  Wm.  Fowler 
of  Genesee  conference  of  New  York,  who  was  made  an  elder  and  conse- 
crated the  elements,  Mr.  Pilcher  being  only  a  deacon.  The  original  class 
had  been  strengthened  by  additions  by  letter  and  on  trial,  so  that  at  the 
time  of  the  conference  in  September,  1832,  there  were  fifteen  members. 
This  was  a  very  large  increase,  considering  the  circumstances,  for  the 
settlement  had  been  almost  depopulated  by  the  cholera,  which  had  pre- 
vailed so  fearfully  at  this  place  during  the  early  summer  of  1832.  At 
the  Ohio  conference  of  1832  the  circuit  was  divided,  and  this  part  was 
called  Calhoun  and  Branch.  Andrew  Dixon  was  appointed  missionary, 
and  James  Gilruth  P.  E.  In  September,  1835,  E.  H.  Pilcher  and  Fred- 
erick A.  Leborn  were  appointed  missionaries,  but  E.  H.  Pilcher  did  not 
travel  it  for  want  of  health.  This  year  the  circuit  was  confined  prin- 
cipally to  Calhoun  county.  The  district  was  also  divided,  and  Henry 
Colclazer  made  its  P.  E.  The  society  in  Marshall  had  continued  to  wor- 
ship in  the  school  house,  dividing  the  time  with  the  Presbyterian  society. 
In  the  month  of  November,  1835,  a  meeting  was  called  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  propriety  of  building  a  Methodist  church  in  Marshall. 
At  the  meeting  it  was  resolved  to  attempt  to  raise  $3,000  to  build  a 
brick  church,  -40  feet  by  50  feet  in  size  and  one  story  high,  with  basement. 
Sidney  Ketchum  subscribing  $1,000,  and  giving  the  lot  on  which  to 
erect  the  church.  Subsequently  it  was  resolved  to  increase  the  sub- 
scription to  $5,000.  Mr.  Ketchum  subscribing  $2,000.  In  the  spring 
of  1836  the  Michigan  conference  was  created.  In  the  summer  of  1836, 
nothing  having  been  done  toward  erecting  the  church,  further  than  ob- 
taining a  subscription  for  part  of  the  amount  proposed,  Sidney  Ket- 
chum commenced  the  church  and  enclosed  the  same  at  an  expense  of  be- 
tween $8,000  and  $10,000  and  donated  it  together  with  the  lots  on  which 
it  was  erected,  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Of  Sidney  Ketchum 
the  ^Methodists  of  ilarshall  can  ever  say,  as  did  the  elders  of  the  Jews  of  a 
certain  centurion,  "he  is  worthy,  for  he  loveth  our  nation  and  hath  built 
us  a  synagogue."  In  September,  1836,  Elijah  Crone  was  appointed  to 
the  circuit,  it  no  longer  receiving  support  from  the  missionary  fund. 
Marshall  appears  in  the  conference  minutes  for  the  first  time  in  1837. 
Previous  to  that  time  is  was  embraced  in  Calhoun  mission,  taking  the 
name  of  the  county  rather  than  the  village.  In  the  year  1837,  the  Pres- 
byterian society  having  completed  for  themselves  a  house  of  worship, 
left  the  occupancy  of  the  school  house  to  the  Methodists.  In  December, 
1838,  the  ]\Iethodists  occupied  the  basement  of  the  new  church,  which 
was  located  .iust  east  of  the  present  brick  one.     It  had  a  long  flight  of 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  305 

steps  ou  the  outside,  which  the  worshiper  had  to  eliiub  in  order  to  reaeh 
the  main  entrance  to  the  auditorium.  At  each  end  of  the  vestibule  were 
narrow  winding  stairs,  leading  to  the  choir  loft  or  gallery,  which  ex- 
tended across  the  end  of  the  church.  Instead  of  a  pipe  or  cabinet  organ, 
it  was  a  little  nielodeon  that  furnished  the  instrumental  music.  The 
basement  had  one  entrance,  and  that,  an  outside  one,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  church.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  basement  was  one  small 
room,  which  served  as  class  room,  primary  room  and  kitchen.  In  1869 
this  stone  church  was  remodeled  at  an  expense  of  $9,000.  The  people 
pledged  liberally  and  sacrificed  much  in  order  to  meet  their  ol)ligations. 
It  was  dedicated  October  16,  1869,  and  burned  the  following  Februaiy. 
The  only  relics  saved  was  the  pulpit,  five  pulpit  chairs,  the  little  nielo- 
deon and  the  bell,  which  fell  among  the  ruins,  but  did  not  break.  The 
real  cause  of  the  fire  still  remains  a  mystery.  There  was  a  rumor  of  a 
choir-rehearsal  on  that  evening,  and  a  dog,  belonging  to  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  choir,  was  seen  to  escape  from  the  church  during  the  tire. 
The  dog  was  supposed  to  have  been  accidentally  left  in  the  church  with 
a  lighted  lamp,  and  in  its  efforts  to  make  its  escape,  tipped  over  the  lamp, 
which  exploded  and  caused  the  fire.  The  ^Methodists  then  met  and  wor- 
shipped for  one  year  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  now  known  as  the  Em- 
pire theater.  In  the  meantime,  with  the  $6,000  insurance  they  received, 
they  commenced  building  the  present  brick  church.  As  soon  as  it  was 
enclosed  and  the  basement  ready  for  occupancy,  they  worshiped  there 
until  the  auditorium  was  completed  and  dedicated,  June  29,  1873.  The 
church  cost  $12,000.  After  purchasing  a  small  pipe  organ  for  $500,  they 
then  had  an  incumbrance  of  $4,000  in  the  form  of  a  mortgage,  with  inter- 
est at  ten  per  cent.  The  ladies  held  socials  and  suppers  semi-monthly, 
served  dinners  at  the  fair  grounds  during  the  county  fair,  labored  and 
sacrificed  in  many  ways  to  pay  the  annual  interest  of  $400  on  the  mort- 
gage. This  trial  lasted  for  seven  long,  weary  years.  In  1880,  not  being 
able  to  pay  the  interest,  the  holder  of  the  mortgage  foreclosed  and  the 
church  was  closed.  Five  of  the  brethren,  anxious  to  save  the  furniture, 
(which  was  not  included  in  the  mortgage)  went  in  the  shades  of  evening, 
and  with  hayracks  conveyed  it  into  the  country,  where  they  stored  it 
against  a  time  of  need.  The  church  without  the  furniture  was  of  no  use 
to  the  one  who  held  the  mortgage.  The  land  was  given  by  Sidney  Ket- 
chum,  on  which  to  build  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and,  when 
not  needed  for  tliat  purpose,  was  to  be  given  back  to  his  heirs.  Even  the 
parsonage  could  not  lie  rented,  as  the  deed  took  in  the  upright  and  one 
foot  into  the  sitting  room.  The  Methodists  had  a  minister,  but  no  house 
in  which  to  worship.  The  Baptists  had  a  church,  but  were  without  a 
minister  at  that  time,  and  kindly  olfered  to  house  the  Methodists,  if  they 
would  minister  unto  them.  The  offer  was  accepted  and  the  two  socie^^.'cs 
met  and  worshiped  together  until  JIarch,  1881,  when  the  ^lethodists 
moved  back  into  their  church  and  began  soliciting  pledges  from 
citizens  and  from  the  more  prosperous  societies  of  the  district.  They 
also  prayed  daily  for  one  hundred  days,  that  their  efforts  might  he  at- 
tended with  success.  Jesse  Gillett,  the  .janitor,  rang  the  bell  for  prayer 
every  day  at  noon — once  the  first  day,  twice  the  second  day,  and  so  on 
for  the  one  hundred  days.     The  one  hundredth  day  was  Sunday,  July 


306  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

4,  1881.  On  that  day  the  people  assembled  for  the  morning  service,  after 
which  the  roll  was  called,  and  they  responded  by  placing  the  amount  they 
had  pledged  on  the  altar.  $4,500  was  laid  on  the  altar  and  later  taken 
over  to  one  of  the  banks  and  placed  into  its  vaults  for  safe  keeping, 
until  the  following  Monday,  when  the  mortgage  was  paid,  the  church 
financially  redeemed  from  all  indebtedness.  In  1893,  the  Methodists 
were  again  tried  by  fire.  This  time  it  was  their  parsonage.  It  caught 
at  high  noon  from  a  bonfire,  set  in  the  yard  just  back  of  the  parsonage. 
The  wing  was  badly  damaged.  They  sold  what  was  left  of  it  for  $100, 
and  with  that,  and  the  $400  insurance,  and  pledges  of  money  and  labor, 
they  built  the  present  commodious  parsonage  at  a  cost  of  $1,700. 

On  Chrismas  morning,  1904,  their  organ  failed  to  respond  and  Rev. 
Adam  Clarke  suggested  that  each  member  make  a  Christmas  offering 
or  some  pledge  that  morning  toward  a  new  organ.  They  complied  with 
his  request,  and  on  Sunday,  preceding  Easter,  dedicated  a  new  pipe 
organ,  (costing  $1,500)  without  a  cent  of  indebtedness.  Their  member- 
ship is  265. 

Catholic  Church 

Contributed 

The  first  priest  to  minister  to  the  Catholic  settlement  in  Marshall 
was  Rev.  Father  Morrissey,  who  came  about  eight  or  ten  times  a  year  on 
horseback  or  stage  from  Jackson,  Ann  Arbor  and  Detroit.  His  first 
visit  was  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  village,  October  28,  1837. 
The  population  of  Marshall  at  that  time  was  about  two  hundred,  the 
Catholics  numbering  twenty-five.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  the  first 
mass  was  said  in  Marshall,  in  the  house  of  Michael  McKenna,  East  Green 
street.  When  Father  Morrissey  was  transferred  from  Northfield  to  Wis- 
consin, Rev.  Thomas  Cullen  was  appointed  to  care  for  the  extensive  ter- 
ritory, with  headquarters  at  Ann  Arbor.  At  various  intervals  Father 
Cullen  came  to  ilarshall,  saying  mass  in  different  places,  notably  in 
the  court  house,  an  old  Congregational  church  and  an  old  oil  mill.  In 
1850  there  were  over  one  hundred  Catholics  in  Marshall,  and  the  necessity 
of  a  new  church  was  realized.  The  site  of  the  present  church  buildings 
(Eagle  and  Green  streets),  was  procured.  A  contract  was  made  to 
build  a  new  church  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  Pews  were  added  to  the  church 
furnishings  in  a  short  time.  An  altar,  which  is  now  in  the  chapel  of  St. 
Mary's  cemetery,  was  purchased  from  St.  Ann's  Parish,  Detroit. 

In  the  fall  of  1852  Father  Hennessy,  who  had  lieen  assisting  Father 
Cullen,  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor  of  .Marshall.  To  his  care, 
besides  the  parish  of  Marshall,  were  committed  the  missions  of  the  sur- 
rounding country.  The  chief  of  these  were  Albion  and  Jackson  to  the 
east,  Eaton  Rapids  and  Charlotte  to  the  north.  Battle  Creek  and  Kalama- 
zoo to  the  west.  The  same  territory  is  now,  in  the  year  of  1912,  cared  for 
by  sixteen  resident  priests.  In  1S53  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Rt. 
Rev.  Peter  Paul  LeFever,  of  Detroit,  under  the  title  of  the  Immaculate 
Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  i\Iary.  The  expected  definition  of  the 
dogma  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  was  at  that  time  claiming  the  at- 
tention of  the  world,  and  hence  the  appropriateness  of  placing  the  church 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COrXTY  ;507 

uudor  that  title  as  a  six'cial  iiianitVslatidii  and  prnrlainali.iii  of  tin- 
Catholic  faitli. 

May  15.  185'),  Father  Ilciuicssy  was  called  to  Detroit,  and  assumed 
charge  of  St.  Patrick's  I'ai'ish,  which  had  .just  been  erected  in  that  city. 
Father  Hennessey  was  succeeded  by  Father  P.  C.  Koopinans,  a  native 
of  Belgium. 

About  May  16.  lS5ti.  Fath.-r  Knopmans  piuvlias,.,!  and  .•nmplctcd  an 
unfinished  building  for  a  parochial  school.  The  school  was  opened  Octo- 
ber 7,  of  the  same  year.  Miss  Ann  Ilannigan  being  the  first  teacher. 
Mrs.  M.  A.  Staee.  Arthur  Stace  and  Francis  A.  Stace  were  later  teachers. 

September  28,  1864,  three  Sisters  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  ]\Iary 
from  ^lonroe,  Mich.,  assumed  charge  of  the  school.  January  15,  1867, 
Father  Koopmans  resigned  the  parish  and  .joined  the  Jesuit  order.  Dur- 
ing Father  Koopmans'  regime  a  plot  of  sixteen  acres  for  cemetery  pur- 
])oscs  was  purchased  for  $800.  The  land  w'as  bought  in  1866.  Father 
Koopmans  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  ^I.  Frain.  Father  Frain  remained 
in  charge  until  October  15,  1868,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Desire 
Callaert.  pastor  of  Stoney  Creek,  near  Monroe.  In  1874-75  a  neat  brick 
church,  costing  $4,000,  was  built  in  the  mission  of  Albion.  In  1876  tlif 
Sisters  of  Providence  began  teaching  the  parish  school,  succeeding  lay 
teachers  and  the  Sisters  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary.  They  re- 
mained in  charge  until  1880,  and  were  succeeded  by  lay  teachers,  return- 
ing September  1883. 

January  1,  1877,  Rev.  AVm.  Fierle  took  charge  and  remained  pastor 
until  ^lay  1879,  when  Father  Callaert  again  became  pastor.  He  was 
transferred  to  Manistee,  Mich.,  September,  1881,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  :\I.  P.  Milligan,  who  resigned  in  April  1882.  Rev.  P.  A.  Kaart, 
S.  T.  L.,  then  took  charge  and  continued  as  pastor  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  February  12,  1908.  To  his  zeal  and  energy  the  parish  is  indelited 
for  all  its  present  buildings.  Church,  school,  rectory  and  hall  were  all 
built  by  him. 

Father  Baart's  administration  was  by  far  the  most  successful  in  the 
history  of  the  parish.  A  practical  man  in  temporal  affairs,  fearless  in 
his  undertakings  and  indomitable  in  courage,  withal  simple  in  manner, 
kindly  but  firm  in  his  relations  with  his  people,  his  personality  and  work 
will  remain  impressed  upon  the  parish  for  years  to  come. 

Outside  the  city  of  ]\lai-shall  he  en.joyed  a  national  and  to  a  ccitain 
extent  international  fame  as  Canonist.  His  counsel  in  ecclesiastical  law 
was  sought  by  bishops  and  priests  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Even  in 
Rome  he  was  held  in  high  esteem  ftt  the  time  of  his  death.  It  1883 
Father  Baart  completed  the  new  parochial  lirick  school.  In  1884  he  built 
the  pastoral  residence.  June  13,  1888,  work  was  begun  for  the  erection 
of  a  new  church.  October  21,  of  the  same  year  the  corner  stone  was  laid, 
and  October  27,  1889,  the  church  was  dedicated.  In  July,  1890.  St. 
;\lary's  church  of  ^Marshall  was  made  an  irremovable  rectorship.  Father 
Baart  being  its  first  irremovable  rector.  Henceforth,  when  the  parish 
becomes  vacant,  the  pastor  to  be  appointed  must  stand  an  cxaiinnation 
before  the  diocesan  examiners. 

During  Father  Baart's  rectorship,  he  was  assisted  li>-  Kcvs.  .S.  O'llarc. 
1884;   L.    Brancheau.    1886;    R.    J.    Sadlier.    1887;    Thomas    Ilcnncssev, 


308  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

1887 ;  M.  Fleming.  1890.  In  1900,  Father  Baart  with  the  assistance  of 
a  few  friends  and  without  any  cost  to  the  members  of  the  parish,  erected 
a  beautiful  brick  hall  for  entertainments.  This  stands  today  as  a  pre- 
cious memorial  of  his  love  and  devotion  to  the  parish.  His  remains 
rest  beneath  the  chapel  in  St.  ilary's  cemetery. 

His  successor  was  Rev.  James  Cahalan,  who  was  transferred  from 
Hillsdale  1908.  All  the  affairs  of  the  parish  have  been  moving  smoothly 
and  successfully  since  his  appointment.  There  is  a  membership  of  about 
180  families. 

First  B.\ptist  Church. 

Co7itributed 

lu  January  1840,  the  few  Baptists  of  ilarsliall  and  ^larengo  held  a 
meeting  at  the  residence  of  James  Winters,  in  Marengo,  to  consider  the 
practicability  of  founding  a  church.  At  this  meeting  six  persons  were 
present.  Another  meeting  was  called  at  the  house  of  Calvin  Sudden, 
in  ilarshall,  on  the  first  day  of  February,  and  the  same  persons  were 
present.  Subsequently  meetings  were  held  at  the  same  place  on  P"'ebru- 
ary  15th  and  29th,  and  a  conclusion  reached  to  hold  another  meeting  at 
the  old  school  house  on  Mansion  street,  on  the  7th  day  of  March,  which 
was  attended  by  22  persons,  who  then  concluded  to  organize  a  church. 

Rev.  T.  Z.  R.  Jones,  a  missionary,  was  present  and  assisted  in  the 
organization. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  constituent  members  of  the 
church :  D.  N.  Salter  and  his  wife  Sophia ;  Calvin  Sudden  and  his  wife 
Louise ;  J.  Rundel  and  his  wife  Fanny ;  Josiah  R.  Hendryx  and  his  wife 
Eveline ;  Charles  Rodes  and  his  wife  Betsy ;  Ebenezer  N.  Narramer  and 
his  wife  Sarah :  Suraney  Sudden,  ^Mary  J.  Shaw,  Harriet  Dannis,  Salina 
Walker,  Elmira  Willard,  Julius  F.  Sudden,  Rachel  Banksan,  Minera 
Calkins,  Smith  Senns  and  Content  Sudden. 

At  this  meeting  Rev.  T.  Z.  R.  Jones  was  requested  to  become  pastor 
and  accepted  the  call. 

A  resolution  was  passed,  calling  a  council  for  recognition,  and  the 
following  churches  were  invited  to  send  delegates:  Canstock  fnow  Ka- 
lamazoo), 1st  and  2d;  Milton,  (now  Battle  Creek),  South  Battle  Creek, 
Concord,  Albion,  Jackson,  Jonesville  and  Climax.  The  council  convened 
on  the  8th  day  of  April  and  recognized  the  church,  installed  ilr.  Jones  as 
pastor  of  the  church  and  elected  David  N.  Salter  and  Edwin  McWithy 
deacons. 

At  this  time  the  church  had  no  place  for  holding  their  meetings. 
Their  services  seem  to  have  been  held  at  the  court  house  and  at  the 
school  house  on  Mansion  street  and  in  private  homes.  The  prayer  and 
conference  meetings  were  very  generally  held  in  private  houses,  until 
after  the  completion  of  the  church  in  1851. 

The  Sunday-school  did  not  become  a  permanent  organization  until 
some  years  afterwards.  From  the  organization  of  the  church  until 
December,  1841,  the  Sabbath  meetings  of  the  church  were  held  alternate- 
ly in  Marshall  and  Marengo.  On  December  12,  Mr.  Jones  resigned  the 
pastorate,  and  Rev.  W.  A.  Bronson  was  called,  who  accepted  at  a  salary 
of  $300. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  ;J09 

During  the  year  1842  iiieetiugs  were  held  in  an  old  scliool  house  on 
Mansion  street.  In  January,  1843,  it  was  decided  to  hold  weekly  Sun- 
day services  in  ^lai'shall,  and  a  building  was  secured,  which  was  erected 
as  a  Congregational  clnii'cli  and  stood  on  the  south  side  of  Green  street, 
between  Eagle  and  Jctl'cr.son  streets. 

On  the  20th  day  of  May,  this  year,  the  name  of  the  church  was 
changed  to  the  Baptist  Church  of  ^larshall,  the  brethren  at  Marengo 
taking  letters  and  organizing  a  branch  at  that  place,  which  aftenvards 
became  extinct. 

Rev.  :Mr.  Bronson  resigned  on  July  15,  1843,  and  the  church  had  no 
regular  pastor  until  i\Iay  1,  1846.  During  this  time  about  fifteen  women 
and  five  men  attended  the  services.  On  June  16,  1844,  a  Sunday-school 
was  organized,  and  J.  L.  Johnson,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  was 
elected  superintendent.  Josiah  R.  Hendiyx,  ^Mary  J.  Shaw,  Alzina  Rich 
and  George  Ingersoll  were  the  teachers. 

Beginning  in  the  month  of  ^lay,  1845,  meetings  were  held  for  a  year 
in  an  old  brick  school  house,  now  standing  west  of  the  residence  of 
William  Martin. 

In  May,  1846,  Rev.  Wm.  Dickens  became  pastor  of  the  church  and  re- 
mained until  August  26,  1848.  In  April,  1847,  the  church  changed  its 
place  of  holding  meetings  to  the  second  story  of  the  building  now  known 
as  the  Tontine  hotel.     In  June,  1848,  the  church  had  a  membership  of  45. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Dickens  in  1848,  the  church  had  no 
regular  pastor  until  1850.  During  this  time  Rev.  Dr.  Comstock,  state 
superintendent  of  public  instriiction,  often  supplied  the  pulpit. 

In  July,  1850,  Rev.  L.  II.  Moore,  l)eeame  pastor  at  a  salary  of  $200 
from  the  church  and  $200  from  the  home  missionary  society  on  the  con- 
dition, that  the  church  should  proceed  to  build  a  church  edifice. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  substantial  prosperity  for  the  church.  In 
1850  a  lot  was  secured  and  the  building,  which  the  church  now  occupies, 
was  commenced  and  enclosed  the  same  .year  and  completed  the  following 
year  at  a  cost  of  $7,000,  but  leaving  thechurch  with  a  debt  of  $3,000. 

The  completion  of  the  church  was  an  occasion  of  much  re.i'oicing,  al- 
though it  took  ten  years  to  pay  off  the  debt.  In  the  year  1853  the  church 
became  selfsupporting  without  the  aid  of  the  home  missionary  society. 

In  May,  1854,  the  members  living  at  or  near  Ceresco  asked  for  letters 
of  dismission  and  organized  a  church  at  that  place.  This  was  the  second 
colony  sent  off  by  the  Marshall  church. 

In  September,  1856,  Rev.  L.  D.  Palmer  became  pastor  of  the  church 
at  a  salary  of  $500. 

In  August,  1862,  Rev.  Palmer  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Jackson 
church. 

The  church  en.ioyed  a  season  of  prosperity  under  the  administration 
of  Mr.  Palmer,  and  additions  to  the  membership  were  frequent. 

The  last  of  the  church  debt  was  paid  in  December,  1864.  while  the 
church  had  no  pastor.  After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Palmer  the  church 
was  without  a  regular  pastor  most  of  the  time,  until  June,  1869,  when 
Rev.  S.  R.  Gilbert  became  pastor  of  the  chui-ch  and  remained  until  June. 
1871.  This  was  followed  by  the  pastorates  of  Brethren  Ferris,  Srashall, 
Pattergill.  Taber,  Dunn,  Whitcomb.  Burnstead;  Tate,  Smith  and  Bailev. 


310  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Rev.  H.  D.  Allen  became  pastor  of  the  church  January  1,  1902,  and 
remained  until  May  30,  1904.  Rev.  I.  N.  DePuy  was  called  as  pastor 
of  the  church  December  1,  1904,  and  resigned  November  6,  1910,  to 
accept  the  pastorate  of  a  Chicago  church. 

The  present  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev.  A.  W.  Brown,  was  called  to 
act  in  that  capacity  January  1,  1911.  Rev.  Brown,  who  was  formerly 
assistant  pastor  of  the  Fountain  street  church  of  Grand  Rapids,  is 
doing  an  excellent  work  here,  the  church  being  united  and  prosperous, 
and  enjoying  a  slow  but  steady  growth. 

The  present  officers  of  the  church  are  as  follows :  Pastor,  Rev.  A.  W. 
Brown ;  church  clerk,  Charles  O.  Miller ;  church  treasurer,  W.  A.  Powell. 
Deacons:  George  S.  Woolsey,  Daniel  A.  Osborn,  Chas.  0.  IMiller,  Loyal 
Williams,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Vasy  and  Maria  Leusell.  Trustees:  E.  E.  Simmons, 
Henry  Kratzer,  Clarence  McMillan,  W.  A.  Powell,  E.  B.  Stuart  and  E. 
L.  Perrin.  Sunday-school  superintendent:  Henry  Kratzer.  Presi- 
dent of  the  Aid  Society :  Mrs.  C.  E.  Easterly.  President  of  the  Women's 
Mission  Society :  Inez  L.  Miller.  President  of  the  Dorcas  Society :  Mrs. 
Clara  Treadwell.     President  of  the  B.  Y.  P.  U. :  Miss  Nettie  Thunder. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  220. 

First  Evangelic.vl-Lutheran  Zion  Church 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Zion  congregation  at  Marshall  was  or- 
ganized in  1856  by  the  Rev.  Spring,  ^vith  about  40  Lutheran  families. 
In  1860  the  congregation  purchased  the  Episcopalian  church  and  prop- 
erty, and  after  making  several  changes  in  the  church  edifice,  it  was 
dedicated  as  a  Lutheran  church  to  the  service  of  the  Divine  God. 

In  1901  the  congregation  erected  the  present  magnificent  church 
building,  for  the  sum  of  about  $12,000.00 — corner  Eagle  and  Green 
streets. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1867  and  remodeled  in  1910  with  all 
modern  facilities. 

In  1906  the  church  celebrated  her  fiftieth  anniversary  with  appro- 
priate services. 

The  congregation  supports  the  missions  of  the  German  Evangelical- 
Lutheran  Synod  of  jMissouri,  Ohio  and  other  states. 

It  now  has  a  membei-ship  of  about  90  families,  making  nearly  four 
hundred  baptized  and  confirmed  members.  Sunday-school,  85  pupils; 
teachers,  10;  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  110  members. 

The  services  are  being  held  in  both  the  German  and  English  lan- 
guages. 

The  church  accepts  all  canonical  books  of  the  Holy  Scripture  as  the 
revealed  word  of  God,  making  it  her  rule  of  faith  and  life. 

Since  1897  the  present  Pastor,  Rev.  Chr.  Hidenreich.  has  had  charge 
of  the  church. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

BATTLE  CREEK 

Sands  McCamley  and  Ezra  Convis — The  First  School  in  Battle 
Creek — Chi-rches — Manufacturing  Interests — Battle  Creek 
Sanitarium — Railroads — Fire  Department — Battle  Creek  and 
Its  Municipal  Government — Battle  Creek  A  City — Postoffice 
(1877-li)12) — The  Public  Schools  of  Battle  Creek  (By  Eva 
Warriner) — The  Battle  Creek  Press  (By  George  B.  Willard)  — 
Early  Bar  (By  Charles  E.  Thomas) — The  Charles  Willard 
Library  (By  ^Irs.  Fannie  Brewer) — Battle  Creek  in  the  Civil 
War  (By  A.  B.  Simpson) — Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R. — Farragut 
Relief  Corps  No.  4  (By  Mrs.  Jennie  Jones) 

Battle  Creek,  wliieli  at  this  time,  (1912,)  contains  within  her  mu- 
nicipal boundaries  fully  one-half  of  all  the  people  living  in  Calhoun 
county,  owes  its  location  to  the  confluence  of  the  Battle  Creek  and 
Kalamazoo  river  at  this  point.  It  was  the  water  power  and  its  possibili- 
ties together  with  the  generally  attractive  appearance  of  the  vicinity  that 
determined  Sands  ilcCamley,  conceded  to  be  the  foremost  as  well  as  one 
of  the  first  pioneers  in  this  city,  to  locate  here. 

It  was  in  June.  1831,  in  company  with  George  Redfield,  that  McCam- 
ley went  to  the  Land  Ofifice,  which  had  been  opened  that  month  at 
White  Pigeon,  to  make  an  entry  that  should  cover  at  least  a  part  of  the 
site  where  this  city  now  stands.  On  arriving  there  he  found  that  others 
besides  himself  had  been  favorably  impressed  with  the  location  of  the 
future  city  and  that  J.  J.  Garnsey,  together  with  Lucius  Lyon  and 
Robert  Clark,  the  last  two  government  surveyors  had  marked  it  for 
entr^-.  Lyon  and  Clark  would  sell  their  claim  for  one  hundred  dollars. 
As  between  Garnsey  and  ]McCamley  it  was  agreed  that  the  former  should 
enter  eight  hundred  and  thirty-seven  and  forty  and  one  hundredth 
acres,  all  lying  within  what  now  constitute  the  township  and  cit.v  of 
Buttle  Crick.  The  purchase  price  was  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  and 
twiiity-livc  c-uts  per  acre.  It  was  further  understood  and  agreed  that 
Siiiiils  ,M((';iinley  and  Daniel  G.  Garnsey,  the  latter  a  former  member  of 
congress  from  the  .state  of  New  York  and  who  later  became  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Rock  Island.  Illinois,  were  to  share  it  equally  with  him  on 
payment  of  their  proportion  of  the  cost.  They,  with  their  families,  were 
to  meet  in  Detroit  the  following  October  when  J.  J.  Garnsey  was  to 
Muit-elaiiii   to   tlie  otliei'   two  and   give   to  each   a   title   t.i   an    limlivided 

311 


312  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

third  of  the  whole.  It  was  further  agreed  that  all  should  come  on  and 
begin  operations,  each  placing  two  thousand  dollars  in  the  bank  with 
which  to  commence  the  work  of  developing  the  property.  McCamley 
reached  Detroit  at  the  time  agreed  upon  as  did  J.  J.  Garusey  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Sackett,  and  their  wives,  but  they  said  they  had  been  to 
look  at  the  place  and  could  not  dive  there.  The  result  was  that  the 
entire  undertaking  as  planned  failed.  The  year  1831  did  not  close 
promisingly  for  the  future  Battle  Creek.  In  1832,  Samuel  Convis,  who 
owned  an  interest  in  the  Garnsey  purchase,  came  and  erected  the  first 
log  house  in  what  is  now  the  city  of  Battle  Creek.  In  the  spring  of  the 
same  year  iloses  Hall  journeyed  from  Vermont  to  Battle  Creek  and 
purchased  land  for  himself  and  for  his  brother  Talman  W.  Piloses 
Hall  was  one  of  the  pioneers  who  left  a  permanent  impress  upon  the 
community.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of  "commanding  figure  and 
noble  appearance  and  a  self  poise  that  was  admirable. ' '  He  was  a. man  of 
profound  religious  convictions.  Was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  and  a  staunch  member  and  liberal  supporter  to  the  day  of 
his  death.  He  served  one  term  in  the  state  legislature  and  for  many 
years  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  an  acting  magistrate  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  'May  12,  1860.  Among  others  who  came  into  Battle  Creek  in 
1832  were  Polydore  Hudsou,  the  firet  postmaster,  Roswell  Crane,  John 
Conway  and  the  Langley  brothers.  It  was  in  March,  1833,  that  Na- 
thaniel Barney  came  from  Chautauqua  county,  New  York.  He  is  listed 
as  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Battle  Creek.  The  wife  of  General 
Ezra  Convis  was  his  daughter.  He  was  one  whom  men  long  delighted 
to  remember  for  his  genial  nature  and  kindliness  of  heart.  He  wa.s  ap- 
pointed postmaster  in  1834.  For  many  years  he  dispensed  hospitality 
to  the  traveling  public  and  "Barney's  Tavern"  though  kept  in  a  log 
house  was  quite  as  well  known  then  as  the  "Post  Tavern"  is  now. 

Sands  McCamley  and  Ezra  Convis 

Judge  Sands  McCamley,  who  had  lived  for  a  time  on  the  Nottawa 
prairie  from  which  he  soon  removed  to  iMarshall,  living  there  at  the  time 
of  the  cholera  scourge,  by  which  dread  disease  his  wife  was  attacked  but 
happily  recovered,  returned  to  Battle  Creek  in  1835,  and  became  a  per- 
manent resident.  It  is  perhaps  strictly  within  the  truth  to  say  that 
McCamley  was  the  most  conspicuous  and  the  most  useful  of  the  early 
day  comers  to  this  city.  The  late  Hon.  George  Willard  says  of  him  and 
his  time,  "The  year  1835  displays  to  our  view,  as  we  look  back  upon  the 
past,  a  much  busier  scene  than  the  incipient  city  had  ever  presented 
before.  Judge  McCamley  having  bought  an  equal  and  undivided  half 
of  the  original  Garnsey  purchase  in  February,  1834,  and  having  re- 
moved here  the  following  winter,  was  now  ready  to  commence  opera- 
tions. General  Convis  havmg  control  of  the  other  half,  the  understand- 
ing was  that  Judge  McCamley  should  have  control  of  the  whole  water 
power,  upon  the  condition  that  he  would  improve  it.  Of  the  proposed 
village  they  were  to  be  the  proprietors.  The  day  was  approaching  when 
the  people  were  actually  to  have  a  town.  A  body  of  twenty  or  thirty 
men  including  many  sons  of  Erin,  were  engaged  in  building  the  long 


PIISTORY  OF  (WLIIOUX  COl'XTY  :jia 

race  which  in  its  day,  and  under  the  ciir>iinstancfs  uikIit  w  Inch  ;il!  mum 
works  were  then  of  necessity  completed,  was  a  iiionuiiient  ol'  noble  en 
terprise.  While  that  work  was  advancing,  the  first  saw  mill  was  in  pro- 
cess of  erection.  In  November  of  that  year  the  water  was  let  into  tiie 
race  and  the  victory  was  won.  The  saw  mill  made  the  frosty  woods  to 
echo  with  its  incessant  movement  anil  oni-  worthy  friend,  Judge  ilcC'ain- 
ley,  began  to  witness  in  reality  what  he  had  seen  in  imagination  in 
June,  1831,  as  he  stood  liere  with  Mr.  Redfield  and  longed  to  make  the 
waters  of  the  Kalamazoo  provide  the  forces  for  establishing  at  this  point 
one  of  Michigan's  great  centers  of  manufacture  and  trade.  Ilis  efforts 
were  increasing  for  the  advancement  of  Battle  Creek  and  his  name  will 
long  live  in  its  histon'  as  one  of  the  city's  greatest  benefactors.  Judge 
McCaraley  was  the  first  state  senator  from  the  district  of  which  Battle 
Creek  was  a  part.  It  has  been  said  of  him  that  "he  was  possessed  of  a 
strong,  clear  intellect,  a  sound  judgment,  a  resolute  purpose  and  had  the 
sagacity  to  see  the  right  thing  to  be  done  to  bring  about  a  successful 
enterprise  whether  of  a  public  or  of  an  individual  enterprise." 

General  Ezra  Convis  may  be  regarded  as  Judge  McCandey's  closest 
competitor  for  first  place  among  prominent  men  who  lived  in  this  part 
of  Calhoun  county  in  the  late  thirties.  He  came  from  Silver  Creek, 
Chautauqua  county,  New  York.  His  first  visit  to  Michigan  was  in  1832, 
in  company  with  Nedibiah  Angell.  They  prospected  above  Battle  Creek 
and  other  parts  of  the  county  but  the  general  did  not  become  a  perma- 
nent settler  until  1834.  "He  at  once  became  interested  in  the  affairs  of 
the  young  colony  and  took  an  active  part  in  its  enterprises.  He,  in 
connection  with  Mr.  Barney,  his  father-in-law,  became  owner  of  one-half 
of  what  is  known  as  the  Garnsey  purchase,"  the  tract  of  over  eight 
hundred  acres  before  referred  to.  This  furnished  a  new  and  inviting 
field  for  one  of  Mr.  Convis'  active  turn  of  mind,  and  he  began  the  work 
in  earnest.  In  taking  views  of  the  region  about  his  new  home,  he  found 
a  desirable  location  some  mile  and  a  half  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Battle  Creek,  which  included  the  rapids  in  the  stream  at  that  point. 
Here  he  at  once  saw  that  a  water  power  could  be  obtained  and  also 
that  in  this  locality  there  was  the  making  of  a  town.  He  selected  eight 
acres  covering  the  water  power  and  began  to  see  visions  of  a  prospective 
town.     He  bought  other  lands  in  the  vicinity. 

In  1835  General  Convis  sold  his  one-half  interest  in  the  Garnsey 
property  and  gave  his  interest  in  the  water  power  to  Sands  McCamley, 
provided  he  would  improve  it. 

He  now  turned  his  attention  to  building  up  a  town  on  his  purchase 
north  of  Battle  Creek.  Under  his  management  he  soon  began  to  see 
the  village  of  Verona  springing  up  about  him.  There  was  at  Verona, 
in  1837,  .iust  about  the  same  development  as  at  Battle  Creek.  In  those 
days  at  Verona,  Deacon  David  N.  Salter  was  running  the  saw  mill; 
Colonel  Stewart  had  built  a  grist  mill;  AVillard  Mills  and  Ashley, 
worked  at  tailoring;  mechanics  at  their  trades;  David  Caldwell  kept 
the  tavern  and  he  and  his  brother,  John,  had  a  cabinet  shop ;  David  H. 
Daniels,  Sylvester  ^lills  and  Jeremiah  Teed  were  selling  dry  goods  as 
were  Brown  and  Brigham;  Dr.  Rhodes  was  attending  the  sick  and  Felix 


314  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  Gillespie  did  the  pettifogging."  It  will  be  seen  that  in  the  days  of 
which  we  speak,  Verona  was  no  mean  competitor  of  Battle  Creek. 

On  the  admission  of  the  state  into  the  Union,  General  Convis  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  state  house  of  representatives,  of  which  body 
he  was  chosen  speaker.  He  was  re-elected  for  a  second  term.  It  was 
while  in  attendance  on  the  sessions  of  the  legislature,  then  sitting  in 
Detroit,  during  the  winter  of  1837-38,  that  he  received  an  injury  re- 
sulting in  his  death.  It  seems  that  with  a  number  of  other  legislators 
he  was  invited  by  Mr.  Ten  Eyck,  a  famous  landlord  of  that  time,  to 
attend  the  wedding  of  his  daughter  about  ten  miles  from  the  city.  On 
the  return  of  the  party,  the  sleigh  was  overturned  and  the  General  so 
badly  injured  that  he  died  shortly  after  in  Detroit.  The  CaUioun 
County  Patriot,  of  Marshall,  in  its  issue  of  ]\Iarch  4,  1837,  in  comment- 
ing on  the  death  of  General  Convis,  said,  "He  came  to  Michigan  in  1834, 
was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  state  convention,  which  formed  the  con- 
stitution and  was  a  member  of  the  last  legislature.  The  house  ap- 
pointed him  their  speaker.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  present  legislature 
by  a  large  majority.  He  was  justly  regarded  as  a  very  useful  member 
and  at  this  time  his  death  is  a  loss  to  the  county  and  state  and  is 
irreparable  to  his  family." 

Among  others  who  came  to  Battle  Creek  in  1834  and  1835  were 
Warren  B.  Shepherd,  Josiah  Gilbert,  Joseph  Farnsworth  and  David 
Salter.  This  same  year  came  also  the  pioneer  merchants  of  Battle 
Creek,  William  H.  Coleman  and  David  H.  Daniels.  Rev.  Robert  Adams, 
the  first  Baptist  minister,  and  John  Marvin,  the  first  blacksmith,  were 
valuable  additions  to  the  growing  population. 

The  First  School  in  B.vttle  Creek 

Was  taught  by  Warren  B.  Shepherd  in  the  winter  of  1834-35.  A 
tax  of  sixty  dollars  had  been  levied  and  raised  with  which  to  build  a 
log  school  house,  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  ilain  and  East  Canal 
streets.  This  school  house  did  duty  for  three  or  four  years  and  in  it 
the  children  and  youth  of  the  city  were  taught.  Among  them  were 
enrolled  some  of  the  foremost  men  and  women  of  the  generation  next 
after  the  pioneers.  In  his  later  years,  Schoolmaster  Shepherd  delighted 
to  tell  of  his  pupils  who  had  come  to  local  prominence. 

Following  the  log  school  house  was  a  nuich  larger  and  more  preten- 
tious structure  which  cost  five  Inmdred  dollars.  In  1850,  after  a  good 
deal  of  agitation  for  and  against,  it  was  hnally  decided  to  build  a  three- 
story  brick  school  house  at  a  cost  of  six  thousand  dollars.  This  building 
did  duty  for  twenty  years.  It  was  in  1870-71  that  the  Central  building 
was  erected  at  a  cost,  building  and  grounds,  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  This  fine  and  roomy  structure,  at  the  time  it  was  built  was 
one  of  the  largest  and  best  equipped  union  school  buildings  in  the  state, 
served  the  city  for  high  school  purposes  for  nearly  forty  years,  when 
the  present  high  school  building,  which  will  compare  favorably  with 
any  in  the  state,  was  erected. 

At  that  time,  I.  L.  Stone,  A.  M.,  now  the  liead  of  the  great  Duplex 
Printing  Press  plant,  was  the  able  and  successful  superintendent. 


HISTORY  OF  C'ALIIOrX  COINTY  315 

The  Ciiriu'iiEs  of  Battle  OiiEEK 

Followed  in  rapid  siict't'ssion  upon  tin*  niaterial  and  educational  de- 
velopment of  the  plaee.  The  .Methodist  Episeopal  chureh  was  the  first 
to  enter  the  town  as  a  permanent  religious  institution.  It  was  in  18;5t) 
that  a  elass  was  formed  by  the  Kev.  Asa  Phelps.  Mr.  Phelps  was  a 
soldier  during  our  seeond  war  with  Great  Britain.  Some  yeai-s  after 
the  war,  he  was  converted  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ehurcli, 
and  later  became  an  ordained  minister  in  that  denomination.  He  came 
to  .Michigan  in  IS'Si,  first  settling  at  Bellevue.  In  1886  he  removed  to 
the  township  of  Enuuet  and  in  the  same  year  organized  a  .Methodist 
elass  of  seven  members  in  Battle  Creek.  Mr.  Phelps  preached  the  first 
sermon,  services  being  held  in  the  log  school  house.  The  first  house  of 
worship  was  a  small  frame  structure  built  in  1841.  In  1840,  this  church 
was  sold  to  the  colored  Baptists  and  a  new  brick  structure  costing 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars  was  built  and  which  did  good  service  until 
the  present  beautiful  and  commodious  house  of  worship  was  erected 
some  two  or  three  years  ago. 

Among  the  pioneers  who  early  came  to  Battle  Oreek  were  a  iiunibcr 
of  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Services  were  held  in  the  log  sciiool 
house  until  better  facilities  could  be  afforded.  The  Rev.  William  Tay- 
lor, the  pioneer  Baptist  minister  of  Schoolcraft,  is  credited  with  preach- 
ing the  first  sermon  by  a  member  of  that  denomination  in  this  city.  It 
was  in  1849  that  the  Baptists  built  their  first  house  of  worship  in  Battle 
Creek.  In  1872  a  fine  new  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars. 

The  old  log  school  house  was  in  1836  the  birthplace  of  the  united 
Congregational  and  Presbyterian  church.  The  local  members  of  these 
two  Christian  bodies,  after  due  consideration  and  discussion  of  the 
subject,  unanimously  resolved  to  form  a  church  on  the  plan  recom- 
mended by  the  general  assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the 
association  of  congregational  churches  of  Connecticut  in  1801.  This 
plan  seems  to  have  been  very  equitable,  tor  when  the  letters  of  member- 
ship were  submitted  they  were  exactly  equal  in  numbers.  In  January, 
1842.  a  committee  was  raised  "to  superintend  the  building  of  a  meeting 
house."  A  site  was  selected  and  by  the  fall  of  1843  the  building  of  the 
edifice  had  so  far  progressed  that  worship  was  held  in  the  basement. 
A  little  later  the  church  was  completed  and  the  Rev.  Alexander  Tratter 
was  called  to  the  pastorate.  It  would  seem  that  certain  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  church  participated  in  the  election  excitement  of  1844  to  a 
degree  which  carried  tiiem  beyond  their  proper  Christian  bearings. 
Under  date  of  November  21,  of  that  year,  there  appears  a  confession 
signed  by  six  of  the  prominent  members  expressing  regret  for  "having 
been  engaged  in  betting  on  the  election"  as  "inconsistent  with  the 
spirit  and  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  a  species  of  gambling 
pernicious  in  its  influence  on  society,  to  be  frowned  upon  and  discoun- 
tenanced by  all  good  men  and  ("hristians  generally."  In  the  membership 
of  this  church  have  been  enrolled  the  names  of  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential men  in  the  historv  of  Battle  Creek.  Among  them  are  IMoses 
Hall.   Talman  AV.   Hall.   f)avi(l   IT.   Daniels.   Jchn   S,   Van    l'>runt.    Philt 


316  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Gilbert,  S.  W.  Leggett,  W.  H.  Coleman,  Samuel  Flagler,  William  H. 
Skinner,  and  B.  F.  and  H.  T.  Hinman.  This  union  organization  served 
the  purpose  of  the  membership  of  both  denominations  for  a  long  time, 
but  the  union  was  iiltimately  severed  and  the  adherents  of  each  now 
worship  in  their  own  church.  Aside  from  the  larger  cities,  the  Independ- 
ent Congregational  church  has,  on  Maple  street,  one  of  the  finest  houses 
of  worship  in  the  central  west,  while  the  Presbyterians  are  well  housed 
and  prosperous. 

The  first  service  held  by  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  was  about 
the  year  1839,  conducted  by  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Cummings.  At  that  time 
there  were  but  three  or  four  Episcopalians  in  Battle  Creek.  The  Rev. 
M.  Schuyler  came  in  1841  and  under  his  ministration  the  interest  and 
numbers  increased.  In  April,  1842,  Bishop  Samuel  ]\IcCaskry  came 
and  held  service  in  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  church,  when  six  persons 
were  confirmed.  There  were  several  visiting  clergymen  and  the  occa- 
sion was  deemed  a  very  important  one  as  bearing  on  the  future  of  that 
church  in  this  city.  On  the  seventh  of  August,  following,  a  parish  was 
organized.  In  1843,  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  R.  A.  Cox  at  a 
stipulated  salary  of  two  hundred  dollars  a  year.  On  the  eleventh  of 
June,  1848,  "a  neat  and  substantial  church  building,"  haying  been 
completed,  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  McCaskry.  In  April,  1855,  the 
Rev.  George  Willard  was  called  from  Coldwater  to  the  rectorship  of 
the  church  in  Battle  Creek,  at  a  salary  of  six  hundred  dollars.  A  more 
complete  history  of  this  parish  is  found  elsewhere.  On  the  roll  of  its 
membership  in  the  years  gone  by  are,  among  many  others,  the  names  of 
Samuel  W.  MeCamley,  W.  M.  Campbell,  John  Stewart,  E.  L.  Stillson, 
W.  M.  Campbell,  C.  S.  Gray,  J.  F.  Hinman,  C.  S.  Merrell,  Victory  P. 
Collier,  and  C.  F.  Bock.  The  church  now  has  a  fine  property  on  iMaple 
street,  originally  built  iu  1876  at  a  cost  of  twenty  five  thousand  dollars. 

The  Adventists  began  to  hold  services  in  1854  in  a  small  frame  house 
sixteen  by  twenty-four  in  size.  They  now  have,  on  Cass  street  ad- 
jacent to  MeCamley  park,  in  the  western  part  of  the  city  not  only  the 
largest  auditorium  in  the  citj'  but  one  of  the  largest  in  seating  capacity 
of  any  house  of  worship  iu  the  state. 

The  Catholic  church  was  organized  in  1860.  For  a  time  the  members 
worshipped  in  a  little  church  built  and  first  occupied  by  the  Society  of 
Friends.  The  Catholics  have  now  one  of  the  finest  church  properties 
and  strongest  parishes  in  the  city. 

The  above  named  are  the  oldest  in  point  of  settlement  and  among 
the  most  prominent  in  the  city.  These  with  others  are  treated  more  at 
length  in  another  chapter. 

Battle  Creek  has  her  full  quota  of  secret,  fraternal,  literary  and 
social  societies  and  clubs.    These  are  elsewhere  set  forth. 

Manufacturing  Interests 

Nothing  has  contributed  so  much  to  the  rapid  increase  in  popula- 
tion, to  the  accumulated  wealth  and  the  general  prosperity  of  the  city 
as  the  manufacturing  industries.  Many  of  those  operating  in  the  ear- 
lier years  have  ceased  to  exist  but  these  interests,  as  a  whole,  have  never 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  TOIXTY  ,^17 

been  of  such  inaguitudu  as  uow.  It  so  liappeus  that  tlie  oldest  of  tliese 
is  the  most  important.  It  is  now  sixty-four  years  siuce  the  Nichols  and 
Shepard  Vibrator  Threshing  Machine  plant  began  to  do  business  on 
west  Canal  street.  It  was  in  1869  that  it  built  the  plant  it  now  occu- 
pies at  the  junction  of  the  Michigan  Central  and  Grand  Trunk  Railroads. 
The  Advance  is  another  very  important  concern  that  manufactures 
along  the  same  line.  This  plant  was  recently  purchased  by  the  M. 
Rumley  Company,  of  LaPorte,  Indiana.  It  will  continue  to  be  operated 
in  this  city  by  its  new  owners,  who  have  already  increased  its  produc- 
tive capacity.  The  Duplex  Printing  Press  plant,  at  the  head  of  w'hich 
is  I.  L.  Stone,  is  an  exceedingly  important  industry.  Its  output  is  sold 
not  only  in  all  the  large  cities  of  the  United  States  but  in  those  of  every 
country  not  only  in  Europe  but  in  the  Far  East. 


Jefferson  Avenue,  North,  ik  1866 

The  American  and  the  Fnion  Steam  Pump  Companies  and  the  H.  B. 
Sherman  Manufacturing  Company  are  among  the  solid  concerns  of  the 
city.  Each  company  has  a  large  domestic,  besides  a  vei-y  considerable 
export  trade. 

The  prepared  food  industry  which  at  one  liiiit-  seized  not  only 
Battle  Creek  luit  the  country  for  miles  around  with  a  sort  of  craze, 
during  which  many  plants  were  built  and  most  of  them  started,  much 
money  invested  and  the  most  of  which  was  lost,  has  settled  down  to  a 
staple  business  which  is  carried  on  by  a  very  limited  number  of  con- 
cerns of  this  class.  The  success  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Post,  the  acknowledged 
head  of  the  Prepared  Food  industry,  has  been  phenomenal  and  has 
made  Battle  Creek,  ^Michigan,  known  in  every  hamlet  in  the  land.  The 
Toasted  Corn  Flake  Company,  at  the  head  of  which  is  Wm.  K.  Kellogg, 
is  another  concern  of  this  class  which  is  doing  a  large  business  and  seems 
to  be  on  a  soldid  foundation.     These  are  some  of  the  more  important 


318 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOUX  COrXTY  319 

of  the  present  day  industries  of  Hattle  Creek,  but  tliei'e  are  many  others 
in  a  prosjierous  condition  and  well  deserving  of  mention.  Unitedly  they 
have  made  Hattle  Creek  one  of  the  most  widely  known  eities  of  its  size 
in  the  eountry.  Among  the  present  day  eaptains  of  industry  in  Hattle 
Creek  may  be  mentioned  Edwin  C.  Nichols,  William  H.  ]\Iason,  Irving 
L.  Stone,  Edward  C.  Iliumau,  Chai-les  W.  Post,  C.  E.  Kolb,  William 
K.  Kellogg,  Howard  H.  Sherman  and  L.  H.  Anderson.  Tiiese  men 
have  each  and  all  done  mueh  to  place  Battle  Creek  in  the  front  rank 
of  the  manufacturing  eities  of  Michigan. 

But  the  one  institution  that  lias  given  Battle  Creek  its  widest  fame, 
that  brings  more  people  within  the  gates  of  the  city  and  from  a  more 
extended  area  and  sends  them  away  grateful  that  they  came,  is  the 

Battle  Creek  Sanit.\rium 

Its  inception,  development  and  gi'owth  are  covered  by  the  time  of 
one  life  and  that  life  we  tnist  not  yet  far  spent.  The  Sanitarium  is 
largely  the  product  of  the  genius  of  John  H.  Kellogg,  though  he  has 
now  and  has  had  in  the  past  the  help  of  many  able  assistants  building 
up  and  carrying  forward  the  work  of  the  institution.  It  nevertheless 
remains,  that  to  Dr.  Kellogg  more  than  to  any  other  one  man  does  the 
city  of  Battle  Creek  owe  the  fact  that  it  has  the  largest  single  health 
giving  plant  in  our  own  or  any  other  eountry ;  that  its  head  is  an  author 
of  wide  repute  and  a  surgeon  of  international  reputation.  The  Battle 
Creek  of  the  future  will  think  of  John  H.  Kellogg,  M.  D.,  as  one  of  the 
great  men  of  his  time,  one  of  the  benefactors  of  his  race. 

These,  with  others  whose  names  might  with  propriety  be  hung  in 
this  cluster,  together  wuth  the  bankers  who  stand  at  the  head  of  her 
solid  and  secure  financial  institutions,  her  merchants  and  business  men, 
her  enterprising  press,  her  able  bar  and  her  well  conducted  schools, 
have  caused  Battle  Creek  to  outstrip  many  of  her  competitors  of  the 
earlier  years  and  to  place  her  in  the  forefront  of  the  enterprising  and 
growing  cities  of  her  class. 

Railroads 

Battle  Creek  is  fortunate  in  having  the  service  of  two  important 
trunk  lines  of  railroad.  The  ]\Iichigan  Central  entered  the  city  in 
December,  1845,  and  as  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  so  it  is  probably  the  most 
important  of  any  that  passes  through  our  state. 

The  Chicago  and  Grand  Trunk  is  another  great  traffic  ai-tery 
traversing  the  state  from  a  northeasterly  to  a  southwesterly  direction. 
It  puts  Battle  Creek  in  direct  touch  with  the  Atlantic  seaboard  at 
Portland,  ilaine,  and  through  the  empire  city  of  Chicago,  with  the 
great  west.  A  third  line  running  from  the  southeast  to  the  northwest 
gives  the  city  a  direct  outlet  to  the  east  through  Toledo  and  by  way  of 
Lake  ilichigan  to  the  northwest.  A  fourth  line  gives  access  to  the  Lake 
Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  and  other  systems  to  the  south.  Besides 
these  steam  lines,  there  is  a  third  rail  electric  road,  one  of  the  best  in  the 
middle  west,  which  with  its  connections  gives  hourly  service  from   De- 


320  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

tioit  through  Battle  Creek  to  Kalamazoo.  An  extension  of  the  system 
is  now  being  built  from  Kalamazoo  to  Grank  Rapids,  where  it  will  con- 
nect with  a  line  already  in  operation  from  the  last  named  city  to 
Rluskegon.  A  second  interurban  electric  line  has  been  surveyed  and 
the  right  of  way  secured  from  Battle  Creek  to  Coldwater.  It  is  hoped 
that  the  work  of  construction  will  soon  be  commenced.  Prom  every 
point  of  the  compass  these  various  lines  give  waj'S  out  from,  as  well  as 
ways  into.  Battle  Creek.  Locally  the  people  are  served  by  a  well  man- 
aged electric  urban  line. 

PiRE  Department 

The  Battle  Creek  fire  department  is  not  without  a  historj'.  The  high 
character  of  its  personnel  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  writing, 
together  with  its  great  work  at  different  times  in  saving  both  life  and 
property,  commend  it  to  the  favor  of  all  our  people. 

The  original  Tempest  No.  2,  hand  engine  company,  was  organized 
August  2,  1856,  while  Battle  Creek  was  yet  a  village  of  a  few  hundred 
people.  On  the  day  named,  a  public  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  to 
organize  a  fire  company.  Chester  Buckley  presided  and  L.  H.  Stewart 
acted  as  secretary.  A  temporary  organization  was  perfected  by  the 
election  of  N.  Fillis  as  foreman;  Victory  P.  Collier,  afterward  state 
treasurer  for  two  terms,  was  assistant  and  C.  H.  Stewart,  secretary.  At 
a  meeting  of  the  company  held  August  12,  the  following  were  elected 
permanent  officers  and  "Tempest"  selected  as  the  name  of  the  new 
company  :  Foreman,  John  Nichols,  founder  and  president  of  the  Nichols 
and  Shepherd  Company;  first  assistant,  John  J.  Wheeler;  second  as- 
sistant, George  Hyatt;  third  assistant,  W.  G.  Morehouse;  secretary, 
N.  Fillis ;  treasurer.  Victory  P.  Collier. 

From  its  organization  to  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  this  company 
maintained  a  leading  position  among  the  volunteer  fire  companies  of 
the  state.  The  company  took  part  and  won  victories  in  the  old  time 
state  tournaments. 

Among  the  names  on  the  roll  besides  those  already  mentioned,  we 
find  W.  W.  AVooluough,  long  one  of  Battle  Creek's  most  prominent  citi- 
zens ;  Edwin  C.  Nichols,  the  present  president  of  the  Nichols  and  Shep- 
herd Company:  William  H.  Neal ;  David  Shepbard ;  George  W.  Hyatt; 
Thomas  Hart:  James  C.  Halladay ;  P.  H.  Barnes;  W.  H.  Green;  S.  S. 
French,  who  became  a  surgeon ;  L.  H.  Rhines,  who  rose  from  the  rank 
of  captain  to  that  of  colonel  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  in 
one  of  the  many  engagements  before  Petersburg,  Virginia;  George  C. 
Barnes,  who  became  a  major  of  volunteers  and  gallantly  gave  his  life 
in  battle  for  his  country ;  Cornelius  B.yington,  who  also  rose  to  the  rank 
of  major  and  while  commanding  his  regiment  in  a  desperate  assault  on 
the  enemy  during  the  siege  of  Kuoxville  was  mortally  wounded,  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  and  dying  a  few  days  after;  Captain 
George  C.  Knight;  Lieutenants,  Charles  Galpin,  George  Hicks,  M.  Pish 
and  Sergeants,  Martin  Wagner  and  Richard  H.  Freeleigh,  all  members 
of  old  Tempest  No.  2. 

During  the  Civil  war  No.  2  disbanded.     It  was  not  until  1872  that 


HISTORY  OF  ('ALIIOITN  COUNTY 


321 


another  volunteer  ((Hiipaiiy  was  organixi'd  with  Charles  H.  Jeffers  as 
t'orenian;  James  Fiiile\-.  liist  assistant;  and  Lewis  Williams,  second 
assistant;  secretary,  II.  Phelps;  and  A.  A.  Ellsworth,  treasurer.  This 
company  came  to  be  regarded  as  the  model  fire  company  of  the  state. 
It  repeatedly  carried  off  the  first  prize  at  state  tournaments,  its  victo- 
ries heralding  the  name  of  Battle  Creek  through  the  commonwealth. 

On  the  eleventh  of  May,  1863,  the  common  council  appointed  a 
committee  with  authority  to  purchase  a  Button  and  Blake  steam  lire 
engine.  The  committee  reported  they  had  selected  such  engine,  weigh- 
ing four  thousand  four  hundred  pounds,  which,  with  a  hose  cart  and 
eight  hundred  feet  of  hose,  the  city  could  purchase  for  five  thousand 
dollars.     The  committee  was  authorized  to  buy  the  same.     In  1874  the 


Fire  Department 


Goguac  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  was  organized  and  equipped  with 
one  thirty  foot  practice  ladder,  one  scaling  and  two  extension  ladders 
and  eight  Babcock  extinguishers. 

This  year,  1912,  the  equipment,  strength,  personnel  and  cost  of  the 
department  is  as  follows:  No.  1  Station — W.  P.  Weeks,  chief;  Charles 
II.  Ireland,  assistant  chief;  D.  P.  Kibby,  captain;  N.  J.  Hicks,  lieu- 
tenant; and  fourteen  full  paid  firemen.  One  motor  car  for  the  chief; 
one  combination  ehemical  engine  and  hose  motor  car;  one  combination 
pumping  engine,  chemical  engine  and  hose  motor  car;  one  (>")  ft.  aerial 
hook  and  ladder  truck,  three  horse. 

No.  2  Station — George  W.  Collins,  captain;  A.  V.  Fuller,  lieutenant; 
four  full  paid  firemen.  One  combination  chemical  engine  ami  hose 
wagon,  horse-drawn ;  one  extra  first  size  steam  fire  engine,  1,000  gallons 
per  minute,  horse-drawn. 

No.   '■]   Station — E.   E.   Sager,   captain-.   F.   ^I.   Huggett,   lieutenant; 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALllOrX  COrXTY  323 

three  full  paid  Hi-fiiifii.     One   coiuliiniition   i-lR'iiiic;il    ciiiiiiic   aiul    liose 
wagon,  horse-drawn. 

No.  4  Station — W.  II.  Fisher,  eaptaiu ;  R.  B.  Burnhaiii,  lieiitenaut ; 
three  full  paid  tirenien.  Oue  eonibination  eheniieal  engine  and  hose 
wagou,  liorse-drawn ;  one  third  size  steam  tire  engine,  500  gallons  per 
minute,  horse-drawn.  Gamewell  Fire  Alarm  system  with  92  street 
boxes;  10,000  feet  2\U  inch  cotton  rubber  lined  tire  hose.  The  yearly 
maintenance  of  the  department  $-40,000.00. 

Battle  Creek  and  its  ^Ilnicipal  Government 

"The  village  of  Battle  Creek  was  tirst  surveyed  in  1835  by  General 
Ezra  Convis  assisted  by  John  ^leaehem,  though  no  regular  plot  was 
made  from  that  survey.  During  this  year  ilessrs.  Joseph,  Abraham  and 
Isaac  Merritt  and  Jonatiian  Hart  purchased  the  interest  of  General 
Convis  and  the  year  following,  in  conjunction  with  Sands  McCamley, 
engaged  the  service  of  Samuel  D.  Moore,  a  practical  civil  engineer  to 
re-survey  the  village  and  make  a  plot  of  the  same,  which  was  accordingly 
done."  In  1837  the  connnunity  at  Battle  Creek  contained  an  estimated 
population  of  four  hundred.  At  that  time  it  had  six  stores,  two  taverns, 
two  saw  mills,  two  flouring  mills,  two  machine  shops,  one  cabinet  fac- 
tory and  two  blacksmith  sliops.  There  was  an  air  of  thrift  and  enter- 
prise about  the  village  that  gave  promise  of  a  future.  In  1850  the 
tirst  charter  was  obtained  aiul  Battle  Creek  became  an  incorporated 
village.  AVilliam  Brooks;  Charles  ]\Iason,  two  years;  Edward  ("ox, 
.M.  D.;  R.  T.  ;\Ierrill,  two  years;  Chester  Buckley,  two  years;  Jonathan 
Hart ;  Leander  Ethridge,  appointed  the  same  year  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Hart,  served  as  presidents.  During  tiie 
same  time  the  office  of  clerk  was  filled  by  Isaac  C.  ]\Iott ;  Dwight  May ; 
Leonard  H.  Stewart,  two  years;  Charles  S.  Gray,  resigned  July  13, 
1854;  Eli  L.  Stillson.  appointed  to  fill  vacancy;  Joseph  Dodge;  William 
F.  Xeal ;  Cornelius  Byington  and  William  F.  Neal. 

Battle  Creek  A  City 

Such  was  the  growth,  development  and  prospects  of  the  town  that  in 
the  winter  of  1858-59  a  public  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the 
advisability  of  procuring  a  new  charter  and  adopting  a  city  government. 
The  proposition  was  regarded  favorably  and  a  committee  consisting  of 
Leonidas  D.  Dibble,  ]\Iyron  H.  Joy  and  Walter  W.  Woolnough  was 
appointed  to  draft  a  charter  for  the  city. 

There  seems  to  have  been  a  considerable  difference  of  opinion  as  to 
what  name  the  city  should  bear.  There  is  a  legend  that  in  the  long  ago 
two  powerful  tribes  of  Indians  fought  a  bloody  battle  on  the  banks  of 
the  stream  flowing  through  Battle  Creek  near  where  the  city  is  now 
located.  So  sanguinary  was  the  contest  that  the  waters  of  the  river  were 
stained  with  the  blood  of  the  warriors.  Another  seemingly  well  authen- 
ticated story  is  that  one  of  the  earliest  surveying  parties  in  this  section 
had  an  encounter  at  this  point  with  some  Indians  in  which  the  blood  of 
the  aborigines  flowed  (juite  freely,  but  that  the  whites  were  so  alarmed 


324  HISTORY  OP  CALHOLW  COUNTY 

that  they  left  their  work  of  surveying  unfinished  and  hurried  to  Detroit, 
followed  by  the  aggrieved  Indians  where  both  parties  laid  their  case 
before  Governor  Cass  leaving  to  that  astute,  but  withal  just  official,  the 
task  of  settling  the  difficulty  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties.  What- 
ever of  truth  there  may  be  in  legend  or  story,  certain  it  is  that  the  river 
on  which  Battle  Creek  is  located  was  known  to  the  children  of  the  forest 
as  Waupokisko,  which  signifies  in  the  Indian  tongue  "bloody  river"  or 
' '  river  of  blood. ' '  The  honorable  committee  which  drafted  the  city  char- 
ter recommended  that  the  Indian  name  rather  than  its  English  transla- 
tion be  given  to  the  new  city.  The  recommendation  of  the  committee 
was  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  and  all  but  sixty  registered  in  favor 
of  giving  the  city  its  present  name. 

The  fifty-three  years  of  Battle  Creek's  existence  as  a  city  have  been 
years  of  growth,   development  and  progress  gratifying  to   the  whole 


Photo    by    J.    H.    Brown 

Oldest  Building  in  Battle  Creek 

First  stood  on  Momimeut  Square;  has  been  moved  several  times 

county.  By  the  census  of  1910  the  population  was  25,267.  The  old 
city  hall  built  nearly  a  half  century  ago  is  soon  to  be  abandoned  for  a 
new  structure  to  be  erected  at  the  intersection  of  Division  and  Marshall 
streets,  at  a  cost  of  about  $200,000.00.  The  county  has  an  alternate 
circuit  court  held  in  the  city  of  Battle  Creek,  which  is  presided  over  by 
Judge  Walter  H.  North.  Its  municipal  court  rooms  are  at  this  time  in 
the  old  Ward  building.  This  court  is  presided  over  by  Justice  John  C. 
Davis  and  Justice  JMaxwell  B.  Allen,  with  Charles  R.  Young  as  clerk. 
The  city  is  supplied  with  water  from  Goguac  lake.  The  arc  and  cluster 
lighting  system  is  used  with  admirable  effect.  The  gas  plant  and  the 
electric  light  plant  by  which  the  homes,  public  buildings  and  streets 
are  lighted  are  owned  by  private  corporations.  The  city  has  about 
twelve  miles  of  brick  pavement  and  thirtv-one  and  one-half  of  sewer. 


IIISTOKY  OF  ("ALllorX  ("Ol'XTY  :')25 

Goguae  lake  and  park  and  the  McCamley  park  an-  pojiular  iiiid  iniicli 
fre<iuented  resorts.  The  Post  Theater  and  the  United  States  postottiee 
buildings  are  recent  but  much  needed  improvements. 

The  first  election  under  the  city  charter  was  held  in  April,  185!), 
and  the  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  mayors  and  recorders,  re- 
speetivelv,  during  the  intervening  years: 

Mayors— E.  W.  Pendill,  185!);  E.  W.  Pendill,  18(10;  E.  W.  I'eiulill. 
1861;  Alonzo  Noble,  1862;  Chester  Buckley,  1863;  E.  W.  Pendill,  1864; 
Talman  W.  Hall,  1865;  Theron  II.  Tracy,  1866;  Erastus  Ilussey,  1867; 
William  Wallace.  1868;  Thomas  Hart,  1869;  Thomas  Hart,  1870;  Nel- 
son Eldrcd,  1871;  George  N.  Wakefield.  1872;  Edward  Cox,  1873; 
Edward  Co.x,  1874;  Victor  P.  Collier,  1875;  Charles  Austin,  1876; 
Charles  Austin,  1877;  James  L.  Whitcomb.  1878;  C.  R.  Thompson, 
1879;  Edwin  C.  Nichols,  1880;  George  E.  Howes,  1881;  William  C. 
Gage,  1882;  Simeon  S.  French,  1883;  Simeon  S.  French.  1884;  Frank 
M.  Rathbun,  1885;  Henry  C.  Hall,  1886;  Henry  C.  Hall,  1887;  Henry 
C.  Hall,  1888;  James  Green,  1889;  John  W.  Bailey,  1890;  Fred  M. 
Wadleigh,  1891;  Joseph  L.  Cox,  1892;  A.  S.  Parker,  1893;  A.  S.  Parker, 
1894;  J.  II.  Mvkins,  1895;  Frank  Turner,  1896;  A.  T.  jMetcalf.  1897; 
M.  S.  Curtis,  1898;  E.  Z.  Moore,  1899;  L.  M.  Gillette,  1900;  L.  M.  Gil- 
lette, 1901;  Fred  II.  Webb,  1902;  Fred  H.  Webb,  1903;  Frank  W. 
Clapp,  1904;  George  S.  Barnes,  1905;  George  S.  Barnes,  1906;  C.  C. 
Green,  1907;  C.  C.  Green,  1908;  John  W.  Bailey,  1909;  John  W.  Bailey, 
1910;  Thos.  Zelinskv,  1911;  Thos.  Zelinskv,  1912. 

Recorders— William  F.  Neal,  1859;  William  F.  Neal,  I860;  Paul 
Geddes,  1861;  H.  H.  Hubbard.  1862;  II.  II.  Hubbard,  1863;  Paul 
Geddes,  1864;  II.  II.  Hubbard.  1865;  II.  H.  Hubbard.  1866;  H.  II. 
Hubbard.  1867;  II.  II.  Hubbard.  1868;  Paul  Geddes.  1869;  C.  H.  Ilod- 
skin,  1870;  Charles  S.  Grav,  1871;  Charles  S.  Gray,  1872;  Charles  S. 
Gray,  1873;  .M.  H.  Neale.  1874;  Charles  S.  Gray,  1875;  Charles  S.  Gray, 
1876;  Loval  C.  Kellogg.  1877;  Loval  C.  Kellogg.  1878;  Alfred  H.  Chase, 
1879;  :\I.  II.  Neale,  1880;  Loyal  C.  Kellogg,  1881;  Loyal  C.  Kellogg, 
1882;  Henrv  A.  Whitnev,  1883;  Henry  A.  Whitney.  1884;  Henry  A. 
Whitnev,  1885;  Henry  A.  Whitney,  1886;  C.  R.  Thompson.  1887;  C. 
R.  Thompson,  1888;  C.  R.  Thompson.  1889;  C.  R.  Thompson,  1890; 
C.  R.  Thompson,  1891;  C.  R.  Thompson,  1892;  C.  R.  Thompson,  1893; 
C.  R.  Thompson,  1894;  C.  R.  Thompson,  1895;  C.  R.  Thompson,  1896; 
A.  B.  Simpson,  1897;  H.  A.  WHiitney,  1898;  George  W.  Hamm,  1899; 
George  W.  Hamm,  1900;  George  W.  Hamm,  1901;  George  W.  Ilannn, 
1902;  George  W.  Hamm.  1903;  George  W.  Hamm.  1904;  Thos.  A. 
Thorne,  1905;  Thos.  H.  Thorne,  1906;  Thos.  II.  Thorn.-.  1907;  Thos.  H. 
Thorne,  1908;  Thos.  H.  Thorne,  1909;  Thos.  II.  Thorne.  1910;  Thos.  II. 
Thorne,  1911;  Thos.  H.  Thorne,  1912. 

B.vTTLE  Creek  Postofkice   (1877-1912) 

The  article  on  the  postoffice,  which  appears  in  another  chapter,  gives 
its  general  histoi-y,  but  for  the  purposes  of  comparison  and  showing  the 
remarkable   growth   of  the   city   in   postal   business,   wc   snlimit   the   re- 


326  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

port  for  the  year  ending  April  1,  1877,  and  the  report  for  the  year  ending 
June  30,  1912. 

1877  1912 

Postal  receipts    $13,880.51  $19-4,377.53 

Expenses,  including  postmaster's  salary  ....        6,453.97  76,314.75 

Net  postal  receipts   ". 7,426.54  118,082.78 

Number  of  monev  orders  issued 3,760  49,107 

Amount  for  money  orders  issued $42,212.43  $337,770.40 

Fees  on  money  orders 436.65  3,164.53 

Total  receipts,  money  order  department   . .    .  .  42,648.48  340,934.93 
Number  of  registered  letters  originally 

dispatched      525  12,268 

Number  of  packages  deposited  1,568  4,381 

Registered  letters  and  parcels  received 3,126  22,396 

Number  of  officers  and  employes 5  71 

Officers  in  1877 — "William  Wallace,  postmaster;  J.  Donald  Ferguson, 
assistant  postmaster ;  John  K.  Lothridge,  ]\liss  Alice  Wallace,  and  Philo 
D.  Ferguson,  mailing  clerks. 

Officers  and  chiefs  of  divisions  in  1912 — Miles  S.  Curtis,  postmaster : 
J.  Donald  Ferguson,  assistant  postmaster;  Charles  S.  Jones,  superinten- 
dent of  mails;  Frank  Zang,  superintendent  of  city  delivery;  Freeman 
Jeffers,  superintendent  mone}'  order  division ;  Geo.  Hamilton,,  superin- 
tendent of  registry  and  postal  savings  division ;  Earl  Minor,  superinten- 
dent of  stamp  division;  Ernest  Willbur,  superintendent  of  general 
delivery. 

The  office  force  is  divided  as  follows:  Office  force  proper,  including 
postmaster  and  assistant  postmaster,  27 ;  city  letter  carriers,  26 ;  rural 
letter  carriers.  11 ;  mail  messengers,  2 ;  special  delivery  messengers,  2 ; 
.ianitor  and  firemen.  3;  total,  71. 

Postmasters  (1832-1906) 

By  William  H.  Mason 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  postmasters  at  Battle  Creek,  giv- 
ing date  of  appointment  and  the  presidents,  under  whom  they  served. 
The  office  was  originally  established  ilay  7,  1832,  and  was  called  Garn- 
sey,  w^ith  Samuel  Foster,  postmaster.  Mr.  Foster  served  until  September 
18,  1832,  when  D.  G.  Garnsey  was  appointed.  Previous  to  this  it  was 
called  Waupakisco.  May  8,  1834,  Nedabiah  Angell  was  appointed  post- 
master and  the  name  of  the  office  was  changed  to  Battle  Creek.  The 
above  men  served  ixnder  Andrew  Jackson,  then  followed : 

Sands  McCamley,  March  23.  1835,  Jackson  and  Van  Buren. 

John  L.  Balcom,  June  15,  1841,  Harrison  and  Tyler. 

Alonzo  Noble,  April  9,  1845,  Polk. 

Homer  Marsh,  February  28,  1849,  Taylor. 

Leonard  H.  Steward,  March  22,  1849,  Tavlor. 

Alonzo  Noble,  April  12,  1853.  Pierce. 

Wm.  S.  Pease.  June  14.  1858.  Buchanan. 


•()i;v  oi 


ALII 


N  (•(»|■N'l'^■ 


George  .Meiul.  Auj;ust  2.3.  hs.'jS.  Hurliaiuui. 
William  M.  Ciiiiiphell,  .March   1.  ISfil),   lin.-lia.uin. 
George  :\Ieail.  .lulv  25.  18ti().  Hueliauaii. 
Toiniaii   W.   Hall.  .Maieli  27.  ISCil,  LiiHolii. 
Kiiwar.l  Vail  Deiuark,  Oetolier  "),  18(Ui,  ,loliii.-oii. 
Cliaiuller  Ford.  .March  28.  18{)7.  .Jolmson. 
James  S.  Cpton.  .Iiilv  8.  186!).  Grant. 
Dighy  V.  Hell.  :\Ia,v  19.  1871.  Grant. 

William   Wallace.   November  4,    1871,    Grant.    Hayes,    Garfield    and 
■thur. 

John   W.   Fi.tciicr.  June  2:5,  1886,  Cleveland. 
William  il.  .Mason.  J  one  2.  18!)U.  Harrison. 
Charles  K.  Thomas.  June  16.  1894,  Cleveland. 
Frank  H.  Latta.  July  7.  1898.  iMcKinley,  Roosevelt. 
.Miles  8.  Curtis.  June  26.  1906.  Roo.sevelt.  Tatt. 


RuR.^L  Mail  Carriers.  Battle  Creek 


From  this  it  will  he  seen.  that,  while  Sands  ]\IcCamley  was  the  second 
postmaster  of  Battle  Creek.  Nedabiah  Angell  was  the  first.  But  there  was 
a  postoffice  here  May  7,  1832,  originally  called  Garnsey,  till  May  8, 
1834,  or  .iust  two  years,  during  which  time  Samuel  Foster  and  D.  G. 
Garnsey  served. 

City  delivery  service  was  established  July  1.  1886,  with  four  letter 
carriers.  There  are  now  employed  26  letter  carriers,  six  of  them  being 
mounted. 

Rural  delivery  service  was  established  April  2,  1900,  with  one  mounted 
carrier.  There  are  now  employed  11  rural  carriers,  all  of  the  territory 
ad.iacent  to  Battle  Creek  within  the  radius  of  six  to  eight  miles  now 
being  served  by  these  carriers. 


328  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

In  1870  there  was  a  total  of  five  employees  in  the  office,  including 
the  postmaster  and  assistant,  where  now  28  are  employed. 

In  1904,  Hon.  Washington  Gardner,  congressman  from  this  district, 
secured  an  appropriation  of  $110,000.00  for  a  federal  building.  Mr. 
Gardner  later  secured  an  additional  appropriation  of  $19,500.00,  with 
which  to  purchase  additional  grounds,  making  a  total  of  $129,000.00. 
The  new  federal  building  was  opened  to  the  public  .May  5,  1907. 

The  Public  Schools  of  Battle  Creek 
By   Eva   Warriner 

Battle  Creek  is  proud,  and  justly  so,  of  the  high  reputation  she  has 
earned  for  providing  the  most  advanced  educational  facilities  for  her 
youth.  From  the  first,  the  people  have  afforded  the  best  means  possible, 
and  the  condition  of  the  schools  at  present  shows  that  this  interest  has 
been  kept  in  the  foreground  and  engaged  the  attention  of  the  best  citi- 
zens, and  she  lias  a  system  unsurpassed  by  a  city  of  its  size  in  the  state. 

The  first  school  for  the  early  settlers  of  Battle  Creek  was  opened 
under  the  old  territorial  law:  "Every  township,  containing  fifty  in- 
habitants or  householders  shall  employ  a  schoolmaster  of  good  morals 
to  teach  children  to  read  and  write,  and  to  instruct  them  in  the  English 
and  French  languages,  as  well  as  orthography  and  decent  behavior." 
This  school  was  outside  the  present  city  limits  on  Goguac  Prairie,  in  an 
abandoned  grocery  building.  It  was  a  small,  one  story  structure,  rudely 
built  of  oak  logs.  The  roof  was  composed  of  shakes,  held  in  place  by 
long  poles  laid  lengthwise;  the  floor  was  of  puncheons.  There  was  a 
fireplace  with  a  stick  chimney  outside ;  one  window ;  and  oiie  door,  which 
swung  upon  oaken  hinges  and  had  a  latchstring.  The  logs  were  chinked. 
If  the  Iniilding  was  crude,  the  furniture  was  more  so.  The  desks  ( 1)  were 
broad  boards  resting  on  pegs  which  were  driven  into  the  logs  about 
three  feet  from  the  floor,  and  rough  boards  on  pegs  formed  the  seats. 
There  were  no  blaeklioards. 

A  few  liooks.  slate  and  pencil,  and  a  homemade  writing  book  of 
fools-cap  jiaiiri-  comprised  the  equipment  of  the  scholar;  a  ruler,  whip, 
penknife  ;iii(l  lnains.  that  of  the  teacher.  School  was  called  by  rapping 
upon  the  window  sash  with  a  book. 

The  fii-st  school  district  within  the  city  limits  was  organized  in  1834, 
embracing  twelve  sections  and  known  as,  District  No.  3,  Township  of 
Milton.  Sixty  dollars  was  raised  by  tax  and  a  log  house  built  on  the 
corner  of  East  Main  and  Monroe  streets.  This  answered  the  purpose 
for  three  years  only,  when  the  numbers,  rapidly  increasing  by  the  ar- 
rival of  settlers,  a  larger  five  hundred  dollar  building  was  erected  on 
Jackson  street  (the  old  wood  market).  This  building  would  now  be  call- 
ed "asocial  center."  It  was  used  as  a  meeting-house  for  all  denomina- 
tions and  for  public  meetings  of  the  citizens.  In  1840  a  library  was  added 
and  resolutions  adopted  to  have  school  through  the  academic  year. 

The  first  high  school  was  established  in  the  early  forty's  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Nichols.  This  was  for  young  ladies  and  had  an  attendance 
of  fifteen  or  twenty.  The  curriculum  covered,  besides  the  ordinary 
branches,  music,  painting,  drawing  and  botany. 


lilSTORY   OF  CALIIUIN   COrXTV 


29 


ilc'(|uate  to 
I'lii'iids  of 


In  184-i,  feeling  that  district  and  select  schools  wciv 
meet  the  wants  of  the  (•oiuniunity.  the  active  and  lihei 
education  started  the  project  of  a  union  school  and  began  to  canvass 
the  subject  with  determination.  They  were,  however,  met  by  strong  op- 
position from  those,  who  not  realizing  the  importance  of  such  a  system, 
preferred  the  old  district  system  with  its  rate  bill.  The  large  number 
of  children  seemed  to  demand  action  in  the  matter,  the  subject  was 
constantly  agitated,  and  finally  a  plan  was  adopted,  1847. 

The  schools  under  this  new  plan  were  held  in  hired  apartments  in 
ditferent  places  and  known  as,  Union  School  District,  of  Battle  Creek, 
Emmett  and  liedford,  being  composed  of  fractional  parts  of  these 
districts;  in  185!1  the  name  was  changed  to  Union  Graded  and  High 
School. 


ScHuDi-.  Battle  Creek 


In  1850,  a  fine,  three-story  brick  building,  old  No.  1,  which  with 
the  two  aci-es  on  which  it  stood,  cost  $5,500,  was  opened.  It  was  forty 
by  sixty  feet,  there  were  three  departments  with  two  teachers  in  each, 
an  enrollment  of  four  hundred  thirty-six  pupils,  who  furnished  their 
own  desks  and  chairs.  On  account  of  its  size  and  grandeur  the  struc- 
ture was  known  as  The  Capitol. 

In  1870,  the  needs  of  the  community  having  outgrown  the  Old 
Capitol,  although  there  were  four  three-room  buildings  in  the  different 
wards  of  the  city,  a  large  brick  and  stone  $90,000  building  was  erected 
upon  the  old  site.  This  was  one  of  the  most  complete  school  buildings 
of  the  time,  having  rooms  for  library,  museum  and  laboratories.  It  is 
still  in  use  and  accommodates  about  one  thousand  grade  pupils.  It  has 
been  recently  remodeled  and  modernized. 

On  the  Old  Capitol  grounds,  which  were  enlarged  by  purchasing 
adjoining  proiDerty,  is  the  pride  of  the  city — the  new  high  school  building, 


330  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

which  was  completed  and  opened  September,  1909.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  commodious,  the  most  completely  equipped  school 
building  in  the  state.  No  expense  was  sjjared  in  obtaining  the  best 
possible  furnishings  and  apparatus  for  each  line  of  work.  Spacious 
laboratories  with  ade(iuate  facilities  for  study  of  the  sciences,  a  science 
lecture  room,  which,  with  stei-eopticon  and  slides  is  open  to  the  use  of 
clubs  and  societies  in  the  city  of  an  educational  nature.  Nature  Study 
Club,  Conversational  Club,  etc.  Reading  rooms  and  department  libraries 
for  history  and  literature  classes;  museum,  aquarium,  vivarium,  con- 
servatory for  biology;  revolving  tower,  with  the  neces.sary  instruuients 
for  astronomy,  are  only  a  part  of  provision  made  for  thorough  work. 

The  departments  for  domestic  science  and  domestic  art  are  also 
fuUy  up  to  date. 

The  gymnasium,  with  track,  baths,  lockers,  apparatus,  appeals  to 
the  boys,  girls  and  teachers  alike. 

Excellent  records  in  debating,  oratorical  and  athletic  contests  are 
made  by  the  students,  who  after  graduating,  whether  in  college,  pro- 
fessional or  business  life  have  given  the  city  cause  to  be  proud  of  their 
achievements. 

The  enrollment  was  seven  hundred  and  eighty  in  1911-12,  and  the 
faculty  numbering  twenty-one. 

A  night  school  is  held  during  the  winter  season.  Although  the  first 
season  is  just  completed,  much  interest  has  been  shown,  as  indicated  by 
an  enrollment  of  tive  hundred. 

The  four  thousand  grade  pupils  under  the  charge  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  regular  and  nine  special  teachers  are  accommodated  in 
thirteen  ward  buildings,  varying  in  size  from  two  to  sixteen  rooms.  As 
new  ones  are  added,  they  are  as  carefully  planned  and  fitted  for  the 
work  required  as  is  the  high  school  building.  As  Battle  Creek  is  an 
industrial  city,  particular  attention  is  given  to  manual  training,  not, 
as  yet  from  a  vocational  view  point;  but  the  knife,  bench  work  and 
mechanical  drawing  which  embody  principles  underlying  all  trades 
and  art  work. 

Specialists  have  chax-ge  of  music,  drawing,  domestic  art  and  science, 
and  physical  training. 

All  the  seventh  and  eighth  grades  in  the  city  are  in  one  building. 
The  work  follows  the  departmental  plan  with  a  corps  of  fourteen  teachers. 

There  is  an  ungraded  department  and  a  department  for  pupils  re- 
tarded on  account  of  illness,  defective  eyesight,  hearing  or  adenoids. 

Health  is  guarded  by  making  conditions  as  sanitary  as  possible. 
The  most  approved  systems  of  lighting,  heating,  ventilation,  drinking 
fountains;  by  frequent  disinfecting  of  the  buildings,  daily  disinfecting 
of  pencils,  frequent  out-of-door  recesses,  the  grounds  being  fitted  with 
many  play  ground  devices. 

While  a  plan  of  medical  inspection  is  not  yet  perfected,  a  visiting 
nurse  who  gives  time  regularly  each  week  does  much  in  the  way  of 
examining  children  and  advising  teachers  and  parents  in  regard  to  cases 
needing  attention.  The  sanitarium  cares  for  many  whose  parents  are 
unable  to  meet  extra  expenses. 

To  encourage  habits  of  thrift,  pupils  are  encouraged  to  start  savings 
accounts.     $2,999  were  deposited  during  the  school  year,  1911. 


HISTORY  OF  CAI.IIOIX  COIXTV  :i;ii 

One  ol',  ir  not  the  most  useful  adjuncts  to  school  woi'k  is  the  library, 
which  \\;is  iiuulc  |)ossible  by  two  public  spirited  men:  Henry  15.  Denman 
and  Charles  Willard.  It  is  the  most  beautiful  structure  in  the  city. 
It  contains  30.000  volumes.  It  is  used  by  the  general  public ;  yet  its 
first  purpose  is  for  the  public  school  pupils  and  books  for  their  needs 
are  first  selected,  they  use  it  constantly  aud  the  tabh's  in  both  reading 
and  reference  rooms  are  completely  surrounded  by  them  between  ses- 
sions and  Saturdays. 

The  offices  of  the  superintendent  and  school  board  and  teachers'  as- 
sembly room  are  also  in  the  library  building. 

What  is  true  of  the  library  is  true  of  the  museum.  It  does  not 
contain  a  collection  of  simply  curious,  unusual  things,  but  the  speci- 
mens are  such  as  will  aid  in  the  various  branches  of  work,  which,  sup- 
plementing the  hundreds  of  lantern  slide.s  make  it  a  valuable  asset. 

That  teachers  and  parents  may  co-operate  for  the  betterment  of  the 
schools,  a  parent-teachers'  association  has  tended  to  bring  good  results. 
Meetings  at  which  topics  of  mutual  interests  are  discussed  are  held. 

Since  1899,  free  text-books  and  supplies  of  every  kind  have  been 
furnished  by  the  board  of  education.  All  supplies  are  free  to  resi- 
dent pupils;  non-residents  are  required  to  pay  a  small  rental  for  the 
use  of  books.  There  are  one  huiulred  fifty  non-residents,  not  only  from 
the  surrounding  country  but  from  Iceland,  Switzerland,  South  America, 
India  and  several  other  foreign  countries. 

The  first  class  to  graduate,  1869.  consisted  of  two  members;  the 
class  of  1911  had  seventy-eight.  One  thousand  and  twenty-nine  have 
completed  the  four  years  course,  and  since  1877,  when  the  graduates 
were  first  admitted  to  the  University  of  Michigan  a  goodly  number  enter 
that  institution  each  year. 

The  system  of  supervision  provides  for  a  professionally  trained 
teacher  in  each  special  subject  and  a  principal  for  each  building.  The 
full  control  of  alfairs  is  in  charge  of  the  board  of  education,  consisting 
of  six  members,  and  a  superintendent.  Supt.  W.  G.  Coburn  has  been  in 
Battle  Ci-eek  seventeen  years.  To  the  united  efforts  of  board,  superin- 
tendent, a  large  bod.y  of  efficient  teachers,  loyally  supported  by  liberal- 
minded  patrons  is  due  the  reputation  for  a  high  standard  of  scholar- 
ship which  the  schools  have  earned. 

Although  not  a  village  in  this  part  of  Michigan  had  so  little  capital 
at  the  start  as  Battle  Creek,  she  now  spends  $135,000  annuall.y  for  the 
educaton  of  her  children,  and  will  increa.se  that  amount  as  time  demands 
it;  for  the  cause  that  is  the  "glory  of  the  past,  the  pride  of  the  present, 
the  hope  of  the  future." 

The  Battle   Creek   Press 

By   George  B.    WiUanl 

Battle  Creek  and  vicinity  possessing  a.s  it  has  almost  continuously 
from  its  earliest  history,  a  practically  pure  American  population,  not 
all  of  them  Amei-iean  born,  but  thoroughly  American  in  icleas  of  living 
and  progressiveness,  ha.s  ever  been  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  pul)lic 


332  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

press,  and  though  from  lack  of  population  and  the  vicissitudes  of  its 
sturdy  settlers  some  of  its  earliest  publications  succumbed  for  want 
of  patronage,  it  is  probably  today,  the  strongest  supporter  of  news- 
papers of  any  city  of  its  population  in  the  state,  having  four  daily 
newspapers  to  its  credit,  all  apparently  well  supported,  while  most  of  its 
contemporary  cities  are  sti'Uggling  along  with  one,  and  in  rare  cases  two. 

No  one  thing  except  natural  environment,  is  of  more  vital  necessity 
in  the  upbuilding  of  a  town  than  a  live,  energetic  and  conscientiously 
conducted  newspaper,  and  Battle  Creek  was  but  in  its  swaddling  clothes 
when  its  first  newspaper  was  born,  for  our  historians  say  its  first  log 
liouse  arrived  in  1831 ;  its  first  frame  dwelling  in  1837 ;  but  its  first 
newspaper  arrived  one  year  before  the  first  brick  dwelling  was  erected 
in  1846,  for  the  year  previous,  1845,  Leonard  Stillson  was  sent  to 
Rochester,  New  York,  by  some  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  village 
to  purelia.se  the  needed  supplies  to  found  a  weekly  newspaper.  Equall.v 
if  not  more  important  than  the  supplies  he  secured,  was  his  capture  of 
a  young  printer,  Walter  W.  Woolnough,  one  blessed  with  the  true  spirit 
of  journalism,  and  who  was  destined  from  that  time  on  until  his 
death  in  1904,  to  be  a  valuable  worker  in  the  field  of  newspaperdom 
of  his  adopted  city.  Thus  the  Western  Citizen  and  Battle  Creek 
Champion  made  its  first  bow  in  July,  1845,  under  their  joint  manage- 
ment. It  was  Democratic  in  politics  and  lasted  a  year  and  a  month 
when  ]Mr.  Woolnough  and  E.  Dougherty  took  the  plant  over,  changed 
the  name  of  the  jiaper  to  the  Mivliigan  Tribune,  and  its  politics  to  the 
Whig  pei-suasion,  it  sni-viving  until  February,  1848. 

The  foUowiiit;'  snininiT  the  Liberty  Press,  a  state  publication  of 
the  anti-slavery  (u^.mi/.ii  ion.  suspended  at  Ann  Arbor  and  through 
the  instrument;! lii\  u\  liiastus  Hussey,  its  editor  and  publisher  was 
removed  to  Battle  (reek  and  its  publication  continued  by  Messrs. 
Woolnough  &  Dougherty,  Mr.  Hussey  retaining  the  editorship  and  man- 
agement. Against  nuich  bitter  opposition  and  difficulty  it  was  continued 
for  about  a  year,  when  the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  summer 
of  1849,  after  which  for  a  short  time  they  continued  its  publication 
at  Marshall  but  were  finally  forced  to  abandon  it. 

Then  the  city  was  without  a  paper  until  October,  1851,  when  Gannt 
&  Burton  established  the  Battle  Creek  Journed,  a  weekly  Whig  paper, 
selling  it  in  the  February  following,  to  ilr.  Woolnough  who  conducted 
it  until  1863  (its  politics  became  Republican  with  the  birth  of  that 
party)  when  it  was  purchased  by  Chas.  E.  GrfQth,  who  in  November, 
1867,  sold  it  to  George  Willard,  who  later  on  associated  with  his  son- 
in-law,  Chas.  D.  Brewer,  established  the  Battle  Creek  DaUy  Journal, 
July  2,  1872,  still  continuing  the  weekly.  Mr.  Brewer  later  on  retired 
because  of  ill  health  and  some  years  later  his  son,  Geo.  B.  Willard  and 
E.  W.  Moore,  another  son-in-law,  became  associated  in  its  publication, 
succeeding  to  the  full  ownership  following  the  death  of  Hon.  George 
Willard,  in  1901,  and  continuing  its  publication  until  June  1,  1908, 
when  it  was  sold  by  them  to  Messrs.  A.  D.  Welton  and  A.  E.  McKinnon, 
the  former  editor-in-chief  and  the  latter  formerly  circulation  manager 
of  the  Detroit  Free  Press,  a  stock  company  being  formed  to  take  over 
the   paper,   with   the   above   gentlemen   as   its   editor   and   manager   re- 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  :]33 

spectively.  The  price  paid  was  $50,000  cash  down,  so  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  newspaper  field  had  improved  in  scope  and  importance  in 
the  forty-one  years  in  which  it  had  remained  under  the  management 
of  the  one  family,  the  "good- will"  forming  fully  two-thirds  of  the 
sum  mentioned.  The  new  management  also  purchased  the  Sunday 
Record,  o\\'ned  by  Chas.  E.  Moore,  and  this  was  merged  with  the  daily 
as  the  Sunday  Record-Journal. 

On  June  1,  1909,  the  Journal  passed  into  the  hands  of  Eugene  R. 
Cole  and  Victor  Polachek,  who  continued  its  publication  until  June, 
1911,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  Thompson,  its  present 
owner.  During  the  Cole-Polachek  regime,  the  old  weekly  was  dis- 
continued, the  name  Record  was  dropped  from  the  Sunday  edition  and 
the  Daily  Journal,  is  a  continuous  publication  seven  days  in  the  week, 
the  Sunday  issue,  however,  appearing  as  a  morning  instead  of  an  evening 
edition. 

But  the  Journal  has  not  been  alone  in  tht'  field  all  these  years  since 
1851,  for  in  1857  Tlir  Jcffersoninn  (the  name  denotes  its  politics)  was 
established  by  Wm.  S.  Pease,  who  soon  after  was  rewarded  with  the 
postmastership  under  Buchanan,  and  the  paper  passed  into  the  hands 
of  John  C.  Gentzler,  who  conducted  it  but  a  short  time  when  it  was 
discontinued. 

Tlien  in  February,  1868,  Pease  &  Lewis  established  the  Constitutional 
I'll  ion  which  survived  a  little  over  two  years  and  upon  its  foundation 
Alfred  B.  Tozer,  a  graduate  of  the  Jouriud  staff,  an  able  story  writer 
as  well  as  able  newspaper  man,  founded  the  Michigan  Tribune,  which 
he  sold  the  following  August  to  C.  N.  Pease  and  Lyman  Reade,  who  in 
turn  sold  their  interests  to  Messrs.  W.  W.  Woolnough  and  W.  H. 
Bordine  in  1871,  JMr.  Woolnough  holding  the  editorship  and  manage- 
ment. They  conducted  it  as  a  Democrat  paper  until  September,  1877, 
when  the}'  sold  out  to  Charles  E.  Barnes,  another  Journal  graduate, 
and  George  W.  Buckle.v. 

June  19,  1880,  Mr.  Barnes  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Buckley,  who 
later  took  E.  A.  Onderdonk  into  partnership  and  the  paper  was  later 
sold  to  Joseph  Saunders,  who  discontinued  the  Tribune  and  started  the 
Daily  Republican.  The  plant  was  later  severely  damaged  by  fire,  and 
the  paper  was  abandoned. 

On  August  8,  1884,  Messrs.  Barnes  and  Eugene  Gla.ss  started  the 
Sunday  Morning  Call,  which  in  June,  1886,  was  sold  to  the  Call  Printing 
Company,  representing  the  Knights  of  Labor,  who  added  a  daily  the 
Evening  Call,  born  June  28,  1886.  Mr.  Barnes  was  made  president 
of  the  company  and  editor-in-chief  of  the  paper,  but  resigned  to  go  to 
Lansing  as  labor  commissioner,  February,  1887.  The  paper  suspended 
after  about  four  years  existence.  On  his  return  from  Lansing  in 
1891,  Mr.  Barnes  started  the  Michigan  Patriot,  a  weekly  paper  devoted 
to  propagating  the  People's  party  principles,  which  was  continued  aliout 
a  year,  when  it  was  sold  to  parties  who  removed  the  ]ilant  to  ( 'aliniirt, 
Jlichigan. 

In  April,  1881,  Tlie  Commoner,  a  Greenback  paper,  was  brought  here 
from  .Alassachusetts  and  published  by  ^Messrs.  Hull  and  Robiii.^on  as  a 
weekly,  Irat  survived  only  a   few  months.     Mr.   Hull,  the  editor,  then 


334  IIISTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

started  the  Battle  Creek  Citizen,  also  a  weekly,  which  was  continued  until 
1884. 

The  Battle  Creek  News,  D.  J.  Westfall,  proprietor,  J.  W.  Bryce, 
city  editor,  had  but  a  few  months  existence  following  its  birth,  October 
19,  1894. 

The  Daihj  Xeirs,  started  in  December,  1898,  by  D.  Z.  Curtis,  as  a 
morning  paper,  lasted  only  until  the  following  February,  because  there 
seemed  no  room  for  it  at  that  time. 

The  second  daily  paper  to  obtain  a  permanent  foothold  in  Battle 
Creek  was  the  Nightly  Moon.  It  was  started  in  1878  as  a  morning  paper 
by  IMartin  E.  Brown  (who  had  served  at  the  ease  on  the  old  Michigan 
Tribune  under  ilr.  Woolnough),  and  Dennis  E.  Alward.  who  had  some 
experience  at  the  news  end  of  the  business  and  the  paper  at  fii-st  was  an 
adjunct  to  the  Detroit  Evening  Xews.  It  was  soon  changed  from  a 
morning  paper  to  an  evening  paper,  at  which  time  the  name  changed 
from  nightly  to  Daily  Moon,  and  I\Ir.  Brown  purchased  the  interest  of 
his  partner."  Brown  continued  the  Moon  and  enlarged  it  from  time  to 
time,  until  from  about  "postal  card  size,"  as  it  was  quoted  by  an  ex- 
change of  those  days,  it  grew  and  grew  until  it  became  full  size  and  is  a 
permanent  fixture  in  the  city's  excellent  galaxy  of  newspapers,  still 
under  Brown's  sole  ownership.  After  it  had  gotten  a  foothold,  that 
old  pioneer  of  journalism,  Hon.  Walter  W.  Woolnough,  assumed  charge 
of  the  editorial  columns,  and  continued  in  the  position  up  to  within  a 
few  years  of  his  death. 

A.  B.  Tozer  once  more  entered  the  newspaper  field  here,  by  establish- 
ing the  Sunday  Record,  February  6,  1898,  but  sold  out  in  October 
following  to  Eugene  R.  Cole,  under  whose  management  it  continued  for 
seven  years,  when  Chas.  E.  Moore  was  taken  in  as  a  partner,  the  latter 
purchasing  Mr.  Cole's  interest  in  July  1906,  afterward  selling  to  the 
Journal  Publishing  Company  as  mentioned  elsewhere. 

Jos.  L.  Cox,  first  inventor  of  the  Duplex  Press,  ex-mayor  of  the  city, 
and  a  former  newspaper  man  of  Indiana,  fresh  from  Lansing,  where  he 
had  held  the  office  of  labor  commissioner  under  Pingree.  launched  the 
Morning  Enquirer  July  21,  1900,  and  made  a  live,  bright  paper  out  of 
it,  but  it  was  an  uphill"  fight  with  limited  capital,  and  Jlr.  Cox,  knowing 
the  field  of  inventions  promised  more  lucrative  returns,  together  with 
his  brother,  Paul  F.  Cox,  who  was  associated  with  him,  sold  the  paper  to 
Dr.  Chas.  W.  Green  and  Eugene  R.  Cole,  July  30,  1906.  About  a  year 
later  Chas.  W.  Post  bought  ]\Ir.  Cole's  interest,  and  Air.  Green  assumed 
the  management  for  another  year,  when  the  control  of  the  paper  passed 
into  the  hands  of  jMr.  Post,  who  organized  the  Enquirer  Publishing 
Company,  which  has  since  greatly  increased  the  mechanical  facilities  of 
the  paper,  enlarged  the  official  staff  and  launched  the  Evening  News, 
under  the  management  of  the  Evening  News  Publishing  Company, 
naking  four  daily  papers  now  in  the  field  and  all  a  credit  to  the  city, 
to  which  may  be  added  one  small  weekly,  The  Worker's  Herald,  a 
Socialist  paper,  started  in  the  fall  of  1911,  under  the  local  editorship 
of  Levant  C.  Rogers. 

Good  Government,  a  weekly,  was  started  by  Chas.  R.  Mains,  March 
1,  1900,  but  had  only  a  brief  existence. 


IIISTOKY   OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY  :i35 

On  October  18,  tlie  same  year,  Tlu  Sonal-Dt  iin„nil  was  launched  by 
the  Socialists  and  Union  Labor  people,  with  Ed.  11.  Ellis,  as  editor,  Inil  it 
was  soon  discontinued. 

Some  twenty  one  or  two  years  ago  lleni'v  S.  Kees.  scarcely  nf  n'^e, 
started  a  small  paper  called  the  Morniiui  Star  in  conned  ion  with  his 
small  job  printing  plant,  l)iit  he  soon  sold  out  his  plant  and  the  papei'  was 
dropped. 

This  completes,  so  far  as  we  are  able  to  learn  oi'  recall,  the  list  of 
Battle  Creek's  newspapers  but  in  addition,  the  city  has  been  and  still 
is  the  center  of  other  publictions,  devoted  to  religion,  ])oultr>-,  animal 
pets  and  others. 

So  long  ago  as  1S&2,  Nathaniel  Potter  started  the  Albimi  and  Battle 
Cr<ch-  News,  which  was  more  of  a  literary  production  than  a  newspaper, 
and  survived  but  a  short  time. 

Battle  Creek  was  for  many  years  the  publication  head(|uarters  of  the 
Sevenfli  Day  Adnnfists,  w-ho  commenced  the  publication  of  the  AdiuuU 
Kciuw  and  Sabl)ath  Herald,  a  religious  journal,  in  18:i'i,  together  with 
the  Youth's  Instnirtor  and  in  1866  the  Health  Reformer,  now  Good 
Health.  The  two  former  were  published  also  in  several  foreign  lang- 
uages, mostly  circulated  abroad.  Their  large  publication  business  was 
removed  to  Washington,  following  the  destruction  of  the  plant  by  fire 
some  years  ago,  but  Gooil  Hialth,  edited  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Kellogg,  head  of 
the  sanitarium,  is  still  published  here,  improved  and  embellished,  and 
has  a  wide  circulation  in  the  United  States  as  well  as  a  large  list  in  other 
English  speaking  countries.  It  is  published  by  the  Good  Health  Publish- 
ing Company. 

During  1873-74,  a  Spiritualist  paper,  Our  Age,  was  published  here 
by  ilr.  Waisbrooker,  a  well-known  author  and  journalist. 

February  1,  1857,  Fred  H,  Gray  established  the  Game  Fanciers 
Journal,  a  monthly  magazine,  devoted  to  that  one  department  of  poultry 
breeding.  He  sold  the  business  to  George  S.  Barnes  in  1888,  who  imd 
with  Wm.  A.  Cady  launched  the  Miehigan  Poultry  Breeder  in  January, 
1881.  Mr.  Barnes  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  in  the  I'liullry 
Breeder  and  still  continues  publishing  both  monthlies. 

Eugene  T.  Glass  launched  the  Dog  Faneier  in  1891.  a  monthly  maga- 
zine devoted  exclusively  to  "]Man's  best  friend,"  and  has  made  it  a 
thoi-ough  success. 

Eugene  R.  Cole,  some  eight  years  ago,  cstai)lished  Doydoin,  a  .second 
magazine  devoted  to  dogs,  placed  it  on  an  excellent  footing  and  after- 
ward purchased  another  magazine  of  the  same  nature,  Doglover's  Maga- 
zine, formerly  published  at  Philadelphia,  and  removed  it  here,  so  that 
the  city  has  three  excellent  magazines  devoted  to  canine  news,  and  all 
doing  a  most  pro.sperous  business. 

The  Rural  Adroceite,  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  farm  and  country 
life,  was  started  in  1905,  by  J.  H.  Brown  and  J.  W.  Gordon,  and  con- 
ducted until  July,  1908,  when  it  was  merged  with  The  Trin  Am(rl(an, 
a  monthly  paper,  devoted  to  Prohibition  principles,  Avith  Wm.  A.  Taylor 
as  its  editor  and  publisher,  who  disposed  of  it  to  Detroit  parties,  and  it 
was  merged  with  other  Prohibition  publications. 

The   Pilgrim   Publishing  Company   erected  a   handsome   building   in 


336  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

this  city  in  1897,  and  installed  a  most  complete  plant  for  the  publication 
of  the  Pilgrim  Magazine,  but,  though  they  gathered  a  fine  staff  of  editore 
and  artists  under  the  editorship  of  the  able  Willis  J.  Abbott,  the  maga- 
zine failed  to  make  good  tinaneially,  and  after  being  removed  to  Detroit 
for  publication,  it  was  sold  to  St.  Louis  parties,  who  removed  it  to  that 
city,  where  it  was  finally  discontinued. 

The  Early  Bar  op  Battle  Creek 

Bij  Charles  E.   Thomas 

The  territory  known  as  Calhoun  county  for  judicial  purposes  was 
connected  in  1829  and  made  a  part  of  St.  Joseph  county,  and  in  1831 
was  changed  over  to  Kalamazoo  county.  In  1832  the  present  county 
was  formed  and  named  Calhoun  county  with  a  single  township  of 
Marshall,  and  was  organized  as  a  county  for  judicial  purposes  ilarch 
6,  1833.  Honorable  W.  A.  Fletcher  of  Detroit  was  the  first  judge.  His 
district  was  composed  of  all  the  counties  of  the  state  outside  of  Wayne. 
The  first  court  was  named  to  be  held  in  Calhoun  county,'  November 
1.  1833,  but  for  want  of  an  organization  of  sheriff,  clerk,  etc.,  was  not 
hehl  until  May.  1834. 

Cepluis  Smith  of  BattU-  Creek  was  made  prosecuting  attorney  of 
Calhoun  county  in  1835,  and  no  doubt  was  the  first  attorney  that 
settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  city. 

Jn  that  year  John  Mechem,  who  then  resided  in  Bedford  township 
and  afterwards  moved  to  Battle  Creek,  took  a  census  and  gives  the 
names  of  all  the  male  voters  then  living  in  the  territory  comprising  the 
city,  and  the  total  we  found  to  be  fourteen.  Among  the  names  was 
Cephus  Smith.  Old  residents  such  as  Alonzo  Noble  and  Dr.  Edward 
Cox  used  to  speak  (juite  highly  of  Mr.  Smith  as  a  citizen  and  attorney. 

Among  others  named  in  this  census  of  John  Mechem  was  Moses 
Hall  and  Polydore  Hudson.  Botli  these  men  were  subseciuent  justices 
of  the  peace  of  good  ability;  drew  up  conveyances;  performed  mar- 
riage services;  and  gave  advice  to  their  neighbors  and  practiced  in 
the  justice  courts.  They  were  not  probably  ever  admitted  to  the  bar, 
but  performed  and  acted  as  attorneys  in  the  new  settlement. 

Tolman  W.  Hall  does  not  appear  in  the  first  census  although  he 
came  to  Battle  Creek  in  .inly,  1834,  the  year  previous.  It  is  well 
known  that  he  returned  to  \'ermont  on  a  visit  soon  after  his  coming 
to  JMichigan  and  no  doubt  was  away  at  the  time  that  Mr.  Mechem  took 
his  census.  He  was  an  associate  judge  (sometimes  called  side  judge) 
of  Calhoun  county  in  1836.  He  was  never  in  active  practice  althougli 
admitted  to  the  bar.  He  was  several  terms  mayor  of  tlfe  city  of  Battle 
Creek,  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  postmaster  and  other 
positions  of  trust.  He  died  on  July  3,  1890.  He  was  a  man  of  good 
judicial  training,  honest  and  upright,  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  he 
had  his  full  mental  faculties,  and  although  advanced  in  years,  he  was 
considered  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  the  best  posted  man  in  Battle 
Creek  as  to  its  early  history  and  of  its  landmarks.  He  was  the  one 
to  whom  all  looked  for  information  and  early  dates. 


IILSTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COITXTY  337 

Abner  C.  Campl)eU  came  to  Battle  Creek  as  early  as  18:l!»  and 
enjoyed  a  good  practice  aud  was  known  throughout  the  stale.  He 
helped  organize  the  several  townships  and  was  quite  active  in  politics. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  National  Democratic  Convention  that  nomi- 
nated James  Buchanan  for  president.  He  died  shortly  after  attending 
the  convention.  Among  his  students  were  Myron  H.  Joy  and  L.  H. 
Stewart.  Afterwards  Mr.  Stewart  became  a  partner  and  was  a  partner 
at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Myron  H.  Joy  was  a  good  office  lawyer.  He  was  reliable  and  honest 
and  his  clients  could  depend  upon  the  opinions  that  he  gave  them.  He 
was  the  first  city  attorney  of  Battle  Creek. 

At  an  early  date  Benjamin  F.  Graves  came  to  Battle  Creek  from 
Monroe  county,  New  York,  and  practiced  law  until  elected  to  the  Cii-cuit 
Bench  in  1837.  He  was  known  more  as  an  office  lawyer  and  obtained 
a  great  reputation  both  on  the  circuit  and  on  the  supreme  court.  He 
was  nine  years  on  the  circuit  court  bench  and  was  ex-officio  a  member 
of  the  supreme  court  until  January  1,  1858,  when  the  present  supreme 
court,  was  organized.  His  district  composed  the  counties  of  Calhoun, 
Kalamazoo,  Van  Buren  and  Barry.  He  was  promoted  and  made  a 
member  of  the  supreme  court  January  1,  1868,  and  held  the  position 
until  1881,  being  twice  chief  justice  of  the  state.  He  was  known  as 
one  of  the  Big  Four  on  that  bench,  being  given  the  same  standing  as 
was  given  to  Cooley,  Walker  and  Campbell.  His  decisions  are  upheld 
and  ((uoted  throughout  the  United  States.  After  retiring  from  the 
supreme  court  he  resided  several  years  at  Battle  Creek  and  then  re- 
moved to  Detroit  where  he  died.  To  his  praise  it  can  be  said  that  he 
was  a  great  aid  to  the  young  attorney.  He  for  a  long  time  had  the 
best  law  library  in  town  and  his  office  was  often  sought  by  the  young 
attorneys  in  looking  up  their  cases.  Notwithstanding,  he  was  a  very 
cautious  man,  he  would  watch  the  young  lawyer  that  was  looking  over 
his  books  and  tiiid  what  points  he  was  looking  for  and  would  then  go 
to  some  book  containing  notations  of  his  own  and  throw  the  searcher 
light  upon  the  subject.  This  was  often  done  without  a  question  being 
asked.  A  brief  could  quickly  be  made.  This  assistance  that  he  rendered 
was  always  known  to  be  reliable.  At  the  time  he  went  on  the  circuit 
the  methods  of  practice  of  the  law  was  dift'erent  than  at  the  present 
day.  Attorneys  territoi-y  covered  the  circuit.  His  appointments  for 
court  would  cover  every  month  of  the  year  and  the  most  of  the  bar 
of  the  district  usually  followed  him  around  the  circuit.  On  starting 
out  for  the  count  seat  of  Hastings  or  Kalamazoo  or  Paw  Paw,  he  would 
pack  up  a  large  number  of  books  that  he  knew  he  would  need.  Following 
him  along,  not  horseljaek  as  in  the  Lincoln  times  but  by  railroad  and 
stage,  the  attorneys  would  cover  the  whole  territory.  As  a  conse- 
■  quence  the  attorneys  from  the  whole  district  became  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  each  other.  Their  practice  was  not  confined  to  any  local- 
ity. At  that  time  it  would  be  expected  to  tind  in  Calhoun  county  such 
men  as  Judge  David  Johnson  and  Fidus  Livermore  of  Jackson ;  and 
Nathaniel  Balch  and  others  of  Kalamazoo;  Martin  S.  Brackett  of 
Bellevue;  Isaac  Holbrook  of  Hastings;  and  many  others  of  local  repu- 
tation.   ?"'rom  Battle  Creek  there  would  be  found  Dibble.  Jov.  Emerson, 


338        ■  H]  STORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Rhiues  aud  Sherman ;  Hughes  and  Wooley,  Bi-own  and  Judge  Noyes  of 
Marshall,  who  each  followed  the  circuit  with  the  circuit  judge  to  the 
several  counties  mentioned.  Their  territory  was  not  confined  to  Cal- 
houn county. 

L.  D.  Dibble  came  to  Battle  Creek  from  Central  New  York  sometime 
in  the  year  1845.  He  at  once  obtained  a  good  practice  and  at  one 
time  was  a  partner  of  Judge  Graves.  He  was  of  a  most  pleasing  ad- 
dress and  a  good  jury  lawyer.  To  him  Calhoun  county  owes  the  building 
of  the  Peninsular  railroad,  now  Grand  Trunk.  He  quit  the  practice 
of  law  to  build  this  road  and  after  it  was  sold  to  the  Grand  Trunk  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  law.  On  account  of  his  health  removed  to 
Texas,  retui-ning  to  Battle  Creek  a  year  or  two  before  his  death.  His 
old  clients  always  spoke  of  him  with  the  greatest  praise  and  we  hear 
them,  even  to  this  day,  quote  L.  D.  Dibble  from  time  to  time.  Among 
his  students  was  Nelson  E.  Sherman.  He  was  full  of  life  and  energy, 
veiy  brilliant  and  built  himself  up  (juite  a  practice.  He  died  at  an 
early  age  respected  by  all.  He  held  the  office  of  city  and  county  prose- 
cuting attorney  and  other  offices  of  trust. 

In  1850,  Gen.  Dwight  May  commenced  the  practice  of  law  at  Battle 
Creek.  Removed  to  Kalamazoo  in  1852.  He  was  attorney  general  of 
the  state  two  terms  commencing  in  1868. 

Charles  S.  May,  who  was  afterwards  lieutenant  governor  of  the 
state,  practiced  law  in  Battle  Creek  a  short  time.  He  was  a  brilliant 
orator  and  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  of  Calhoun  county  before 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  or  of  age.  He  was  not  allowed  to  ({ualify 
by  Judge  Pratt.  After  staying  in  Battle  Creek  a  short  time  he  moved 
to  Kalamazoo. 

Among  other  brilliant  lawyers  of  Battle  Creek,  prior  to  the  war, 
was  Levant  C.  Rhines  who  was  prosecuting  attorney  for  two  terms  and 
city  attorney.  He  enlisted  for  the  war  in  the  First  Michigan  Sharp 
Shooters  and  was  killed  while  leading  his  regiment  to  battle  at  Peters- 
burg, Virginia.    At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  major. 

About  the  same  time  Philip  Emerson  practiced  law  in  Battle  Creek, 
was  elected  state  senator  for  two  terms  and  afterwards  appointed  a 
district  judge  in  the  United  States  court  for  the  territory  of  Utah.  He 
was  a  man  of  excellent  reputation  both  in  business  and  as  a  lawyer.  He 
died  in  Utah  just  before  the  admission  of  the  state. 

Joseph  G.  Lodge  came  to  Battle  Creek  from  New  Jersey  and  was 
at  one  time  a  partner  of  Mr.  Emerson.  He  was  a  prosecuting  attorney 
of  the  county  for  two  terms  and  gave  himself  a  great  reputation  as  a 
criminal  lawyer.  He  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  M'here  he  main- 
tained the  reputation  that  he  had  obtained  in  Calhoun  county  as  a 
criminal  lawyer. 

Henry  H.  Brown  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Michigan  and  after 
seven  years  in  the  United  States  naval  service  and  several  years  active 
life  in  California,  Mississippi  and  Oi"egon  (in  which  last  state  he  came 
within  one  vote  of  being  the  first  United  States  Senator)  he  commenced 
to  practice  law  in  Battle  Creek  in  1865  and  died  in  Battle  Creek  in 
1887.    He  was  a  man  of  great  force  and  very  successful  in  his  practice. 

Among  the  early  attorneys  in  Battle  Creek  was  John  Van  Arman, 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  ('OINTY  md 

living  here  as  early  as  1840.  lie  afterwards  moved  to  .Marshall  aiul 
then  to  Chieago.  lie  was  one  of  the  most  noted  eriiiiinal  lawyers  of 
his  day  in  the  United  States.  He  received  the  title  of  eaiitaiii  during  liui 
Mexican  war. 

Joel  C.  Hopkins  was  one  of  the  later  attorneys.  He  studied  law  in 
the  office  of  Brown  and  Thomas,  at  Battle  Creek.  He  was  elected 
circuit  judge.  Shortly  after  retiring  from  the  bench  he  died  respected 
by  his  fellow  members  of  the  bar  and  the  citizens  of  Battle  Creek. 

Among  the  later  attorneys,  many  of  whom  are  now  in  practice,  I 
might  mention  Charles  E.  Thomas.  Frank  W.  Clapp,  Fred  Wadleigh 
and  Albert  C.  Kingman;  and  at  a  later  date,  Steven  S.  Hulbert  (now- 
dead).  Floyd  R.  ileachem,  now  of  the  Chieago  Univei-sity;  George 
W.  Meaehem ;  0.  S.  Clark ;  Bernard  Onen ;  Hugh  Stewart ;  Henry 
F.  Jacobs;  Louis  E.  Stewart;  Leland  H.  Sabiu;  Walter  S.  Powers; 
J.  M.  Powers;  A.  B.  Williams;  Albert  N.  Ford;  M.  B.  Allen;  Ira 
Beck;  Willard  Knight;  Edwin  C.  Lewis;  John  W.  Bailey;  Judge 
Jesse  Arthur;  Howard  W.  Cavanagh ;  Burritt  Hamilton;  Joseph  L. 
Hooper;  Robert  H.  Kirschman;  W.  D.  Kline;  Francis  A.  Kulp; 
Charles  F.  McKenzie ;  James  H.  Mustard ;  Judge  Walter  H.  North ; 
D.  C,  Salisbury;  William  E.  Ware;  Homer  C.  Van  Akeu;  Nathan  H. 
Briggs;   Roy  ^I.  Ludlum  and  John  A.  Wagner. 

The  Ciiaklks  Willard  Libr.\rv. 

Hfj  Mr.s.  Fanni,   Bnwcr. 

(Including  a  history  of  the  Public  Library  in  Battle  Creek.) 

The  Battle  Creek  Public  School  Library  had  its  origin  in  the  system 
of  township  libraries,  for  which  provision  was  made  in  the  first  consti- 
tution adopted  by  the  people  of  Michigan,  upon  its  admis.sion  into  the 
ITnion  as  a  state,  in  1837.  As  early  as  1840  it  is  recorded  that  a  library 
was  added  to  the  school  in  this  district ;  in  1843,  a  slight  change  in  the 
law  brought  it  under  control  of  the  township,  the  town  clerk  acting  as 
librarian,  and  after  the  city  was  incorporated,  in  1859,  a  register  of  the 
books  was  kept  by  the  recorder  under  supervision  of  the  board  of  school 
inspectors,  libraries  in  this  state  having  always  been  treated  as  a  part  of 
the  public  school  system. 

The  present  organization,  however,  properly  dates  from  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  in  1871,  incorporating  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  at 
which  time  the  library,  belonging  to  the  old  school  district,  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  new  corporation,  and  has  since  been  undei'  the  manage- 
ment of  its  board  of  trustees. 

For  the  first  few  years  following  the  incorporation,  its  affaiis  were  not 
very  prosperous,  as  is  shown  by  the  report  of  the  superintendent,  I.  L. 
Stone,  in  June.  1875,  which  stated,  that  out  of  nearly  1,000  books  regis- 
tered, only  about  400  could  be  accounted  for.  A  determined  effort  to  rem- 
edy the  matter  resulted  in  the  removal  to  the  library  from  the  city  iiall 
to  a  room  in  the  central  school  building,  the  purchase  of  150  new  Iiooks 
and  rebinding  of  100  old  ones,  the  publishing  of  a  new  classified  catalogue 


340 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 


and  adoption  of  such  rules  and  regulations  as  to  prevent  further  loss 
and  damage. 

At  the  close  of  the  same  year  the  public  schools  received  from  the 
estate  of  Henry  B.  Denman  the  sum  of  $10,000,  as  a  donation  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  the  library,  which,  by  an  amendment  to  the  act  of 
incorporation,  was  later  made  a  permanent  fund,  the  income  to  be  ex- 
pended in  the  purchase  of  books  and  publications.  Placed  by  this  mu- 
nificent bequest  upon  an  assured  basis  of  support,  the  library  has 
experienced  a  steady  growth.  In  1876,  through  Hon.  Geo.  Willard, 
member  of  congress,  it  was  made  a  depository  of  the  government  publi- 
cations, which  it  continues  to  receive,  and  which  have  added  materially 
to  its  value  and  usefulness. 

In  1893  the  entire  library,  consisting  of  over  12,000  volumes,  was  re- 
classified  and    numbered   according   to   the   Dewey   decimal    system ;    a 


Oi  1)  ^  UkooK'-   M  W'-kin 
Erected  in  1830  on  site  of  Willaid   Library 


complete  card  catalogue  was  introduced,  and  a  dictionary  catalogue 
printed,  the  work,  which  lasted  several  months,  lieing  done  under  the 
direction  of  Miss  Ganley,  of  the  Detroit  Public  Library.  A  supplement 
was  added  two  years  later,  but  since  then  the  use  of  the  cards,  which  are 
kept  thoroughly  up  to  date,  has  lieen  found  sufficient. 

The  close  relationship  of  tlie  library  to  the  schools  has  resulted  in 
giving  a  prominent  place  upon  its  shelves  to  those  books  most  helpful 
to  teachers  and  pupils,  such  as  works  of  history,  liiography,  travel  and 
general  literature,  and  while  an  increasing  demand  on  the  part  of  the 
general  public  has  made  necessary,  a  corresponding  increase  in  the 
supply  of  fiction,  an  effort  is  made  to  select  only  that  of  the  highest 
order. 

Since  the  location  of  the  library  in  the  central  school  building  and 


HISTORY  OK  CALllorX  col'N'I'V 


iHM'ii  few  i-liiiiiircs  ill  the  ol'lici'  of  lilifariaii.  -Miss  Xdlir  l!ui-|-all.  who 
had  charge  of  the  books  from  lS7:MST(i.  was  followed  liy  Miss  M.  The- 
rese  French,  whom  many  still  recall  as  one  unusually  well  fitted  for  the 
position,  combining  high  ideals  with  unbounded  enthusiasm  and  great 
executive  ability.  Having  been  compelled,  by  failing  health,  to  re- 
sign in  1884,  she  was  succeeded  by  Prof.  Fred  P.  Jordan,  who  served  un- 
til 1889,  when  he  left,  to  accept  the  position,  which  he  now  holds,  of 
assistant  librarian  at  the  University  of  ^Michigan.  Mrs.  Frances  Wil- 
lard  Brewer  occupied  the  office  for  the  next  fourteen  years,  and  upon 
her  resignation,  in  1903,  IMiss  Isca  Amberg.  formerly  assistant,  became 
head  librarian,  her  assistants  being  iliss  Helena  P^ldrcd  and  .Mi.ss  Jean 
Climie. 

The  constant   increase   in  books  from  year   to  year   had    made   the 


question  of  new  quaitcrs  for  their  iic-coiiniiiMlatioii  an  iiiipcrative  one. 
when  the  generous  bequest  of  the  lale  Charles  Willard  made  possible 
the  erection  of  the  beautiful  and  commodious  building  recently  I'oni- 
pleted.  The  donor,  who  was  a  Vermonter  by  birth,  had  been  a  resident 
of  Battle  Creek  since  early  boyhood,  coming  here  in  183(3  with  his 
parents.  ]\lr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  Willard,  and  an  older  brother,  the  late 
Hon.  George  Willard.  ^lost  of  his  life  had  been  spent  upon  the  farm 
at  Goguac  Lake,  adjoining  the  city,  where,  by  thrifty  management  and 
the  judicious  investment  of  his  means,  he  had  amassed  a  handsome 
fortune.  The  father,  though  a  hard-working  pioneer  farmer,  was  an 
educated  man,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  college,  and  the  son  Charles, 
while  his  tastes  and  opportunities  did  not  lead  to  a  literary  or  i)ro- 
fessional  life,  was  always  a  lover  of  books  and  reading  of  the  more  solid 
kind,  and  a  firm  believer  in  the  benefits  to  be  derived  therefrom.     His 


342  IILSTORY  OF  CALHOITN  COUNTY 

thorough  sj'mpathy  with  the  cause  of  education  was  shown  by  his  many 
public  benefactions  in  that  line. 

The  fine  edifice,  for  which  his  will  provided,  occupied  nearly  two 
years  in  construction,  being  formally  opened  April  27th,  1905,  with 
a  public  reception  lasting  during  the  afternoon  and  evening,  which  was 
attended  by  hundreds  of  citizens,  who  were  cordially  welcomed  by  a 
committee,  consisting  of  the  librarians,  the  architect  of  the  building, 
J.  C.  Llewellyn,  of  Chicago,  superintendent  Coburn,  members  of  the 
school  board,  trustees  of  the  Willard  estate  and  their  wives.  The  beauty 
of  the  interior  was  enhanced  by  a  profusion  of  flowers,  ferns,  palms  and 
potted  plants,  distributed  about  the  rooms,  while  music  by  the  Germania 
orchestra  added  greatly  to  the  enjoyment.  In  the  evening,  myriads  of 
incandescent  lights  lent  increased  brilliancy  to  the  scene,  and  on  every 
hand  were  heard  expressions  of  admiration  and  praise  for  the  building. 

The  structure,  which  is  two  stories  in  height,  is  Grecian  in  architec- 
ture, and  built  of  terra  cotta  pressed  brick,  with  terra  cotta  stone  trim- 
mings. Four  massive  granite  columns  ornament  the  front  entrance, 
which  is  reached  by  a  flight  of  granite  steps.  The  first  room  entered 
is  a  large  and  handsome  lobby,  whose  wainscoting  is  of  choice  white 
marble.  Opening  to  the  left  is  the  librarian's  private  office,  finished  in 
white  enamel,  with  mahogany  furniture,  and  leading  from  this,  as  well 
as  from  the  lobby,  is  the  main  or  delivery  room,  which  is  finished  in 
mahogany,  with  arched  ceiling  of  handsomely  designed  staff  work,  and 
dome  having  a  skylight  of  frosted  glass.  At  the  left  is  the  stack  or  book 
room,  over  the  entrance  to  which  is  a  bronze  tablet  with  the  following 
inscription:  "Henry  B.  Denman,  Bequeathed  to  the  City  of  Battle 
Creek  Ten  Thousand  Dollars  for  the  establishment  of  a  Public  School 
Library,  1875." 

To  the  right  of  the  delivery  room  is  the  magazine  room,  in  quarter- 
sawed  oak,  with  walls  of  delicate  buff,  the  ceiling  in  white,  and  furnished 
with  massive  tables  and  chairs  of  oak.  The  children's  room,  next 
this,  is  a  large  and  attractive  one,  fitted  with  every  modern  convenience 
for  their  comfort,  and  the  remaining  fioor  space  is  occupied  by  the 
reading  and  reference  room,  having  a  pleasant  outlook  to  the  west,  and 
containing  a  handsome  fireplace.  It  is  finished  in  oak,  with  ceilings  of 
white  staff  work.  In  the  delivery  room  are  hung  the  portraits  of  Charles 
^Yi]lard  and  Henry  B.  Denman,  with  bronze  tablets  underneath  each, 
on  which  are  inscribed  their  names. 

Ascending  the  stairway  of  marble  and  wrought  iron,  at  the  right  of 
the  lobby,  an  ample  hallway  is  entered,  to  the  right  of  which  is  a  large 
room  set  apart  for  the  school  board,  which  opens  into  the  superintendent's 
private  office,  both  rooms  being  finely  finished  in  oak,  with  furniture 
to  correspond.  Connecting  with  the  board  room  also,  is  a  large  fire- 
proof vault  for  the  storing  of  important  records.  The  rooms  reserved 
for  the  Woman 's  League  and  Woman 's  Club  occupy  the  west  part  of  the 
floor,  and  are  finished  in  white  enamel,  with  buff  walls  and  ceilings. 
At  the  extreme  left  of  the  hall  is  the  teacher's  assembly  room,  having 
a  seating  capacity  of  about  200.  It  is  fitted  with  a  stage,  and  hand- 
somely finished  in  white  enamel,  with  staff  cornice  work.  In  the  base- 
ment  is   located   an   auxiliary   l)ook   room,    containing   the   government 


niSTOKY  OF  CALHOCX   COrXTY  ;i4;! 

documents,  wliieh  have  been  newly  catalogued  and  arranged  in  a  con 
venient  manner.    A  room  has  also  been  reserved  here  for  the  museum. 

The  choicest  materials  have  been  used  .throughout  in  the  constinic- 
tion,  and  situated,  as  it  is,  on  a  beautiful  site,  with  extensive  and  at- 
tractive grounds,  and  of  graceful  and  imposing  architecture,  the  build- 
ing will  always  remain  one  of  the  city's  chief  ornaments. 

In  addition  to  the  bequests  already  noted,  there  have  been  from 
time  to  time  small  donations  of  books  and  periodicals,  and  several  years 
since  the  sum  of  $500.00  was  received  from  the  estate  of  the  late  John 
Meachem.  The  children  of  the  late  Hon.  George  Willard,  also,  have 
presented  recently  a  portion  of  his  library,  consisting  of  about  -400 
volumes,  chietly  classical,  and  many  of  them  old  and  rare  editions,  re- 
presenting years  of  careful  selection,  which  will  be  installed  as  soon  as 
a  suitable  place  is  provided. 

Xuniliering  now  aliout  20,000  volumes,  housed  in  a  magnificent  build- 
ing, fitted  with  every  modern  appliance,  and  with  a  large  and  increasing 
cii-culation,  the  library  enters  upon  a  new  period  of  usefulness  and 
prosperit\-.  which  cannot  but  be  gratifying  to  every  citizen  of  Battle 
C;reek. 

Miss  Lynne  Worth  held  the  position  of  librarian  from  September, 
190n.  until  September.  1911,  her  assistants  being  Jean  Climie,  Leila 
Williams  and  Xancy  Beadle,  who  is  the  binder.  From  September,  1911, 
librarian,  Jean  Climie:  children's  librarian,  Leola  Barnes;  reference 
librarian,  Leila  Williams;  and  desk  assistant,  Winifred  Davis,  with 
Miss  Xancy  Beadle  as  binder. 

B.VTTLE  Creek  in  the  Civil  War 
By  A.   B.  Simpson 

The  echo  of  the  gun  that  fired  on  Fort  Sumter  aroused  the  dormant 
spirit  of  patriotism,  loyalty  and  love  of  the  Union,  throughout  the 
North.  Meetings  were  called  in  everj-  town,  hamlet  and  city  and  the 
answer  sent  back  to  the  South  was,  that  the  Union  must  be  preserved, 
the  states  must  not  be  divided,  the  government  of  the  United  States 
must  and  shall  be  maintained,  whatever  the  cost  and  sacrifice. 

Battle  Creek  wa.s  not  behind  her  sister  cities  in  stepping  to  the 
front.  As  in  other  localities  meetings  were  called  to  make  preparations 
for  the  coming  struggle.  Our  prominent  citizens,  the  Woolnoughs, 
the  Willards,  the  Hinmans  and  all  other  of  that  class  gave  their  time, 
their  counsel  and  of  their  means  to  aid  in  the  just  cause  of  preserving 
the  Union. 

Lincoln's  first  proclamation  calling  for  seventy-five  thousand  troops 
and  convening  both  houses  of  congress,  to  meet  July  4,  was  issued 
April  14,  1861.  On  the  22d  of  April,  '61,  a  public  meeting  was  called  at 
which  the  late  Judge  B.  F.  Graves  presided,  and.  addressing  the  assembly, 
made  an  earnest  appeal  to  all,  to  "bury  all  differences  and  unite  in  the 
support  of  our  country."  and  requested  the  as.sembled  multitude  to 
unite  in  the  following  declaration  of  allegiance  to  our  country's  flag: 
"We  do  solemnly  declare,  that  we  continue  steadfast  in  our  love  for. 


344  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  loyalty  to,  the  ensign  of  the  republic;  and  that  to  the  utmost  of 
our  ability  we  will  uphold  and  maintain  against  all  opposers  whatso- 
ever. "     • 

It  is  lamentable  that  in  some  localities  there  were  some  few  of  the 
citizens  who  were  tainted  with  the  disease  called  ' '  Copperheadism, ' '  but 
Battle  Creek  had  a  cure  for  the  disease  which  was  very  effective.  To 
illustrate,  one  of  our  citizens  who  was  troubled  with  the  distemper  and 
was  denouncing  the  government  in  vitriolic  terms  was  marched  upon 
the  balcony  of  the  old  Battle  Creek  House  with  a  rope  around  his 
neck  and  then  made  to  kneel  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance. 

At  the  date  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  Battle  Creek  had  a 
population  of  about  five  thousand  people.  There  are  no  statistics  to 
tell  just  how  many  men  were  sent  to  the  front  from  our  city,  but  she 
sent  her  quota  at  every  call.     The  first  company  to  organize  for  the 


Soldiers"  iloxr.MEXT,  Battle  Creek 

fray  was  ""C"  and  it  was  attached  to  the  Second  ilichigan  Infantry. 
This  company  was  officered  as  follows:  Captain  Cornelius  Byington 
(who  gave  his  life  at  the  seige  of  Knoxville)  ;  Fir.st  Lieutenant,  Joseph 
Barton,  Jr. ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Gillman ;  First  Sergeant,  D. 
Cameron  Morrison;  Second  Sergeant,  A.  S.  Phelps;  Third  Sergeant, 
John  Hollman ;  Fourth  Sergeant,  George  W.  Freeman ;  First  Corporal, 
C.  H.  Hodskin ;  Second  Corporal,  C.  D.  Wliite ;  Third  Corporal,  S.  M. 
Holton ;    Fourth  Corporal,  Jerome  Angell. 

Privates:  Edward  Leggett;  J.  H.  Renick ;  J.  E.  Cummings;  S. 
A.  Sheldon  ;  M.  Livingston  ;  J.  Q.  Elliott ;  James  Ethridge ;  A.  Fiero ; 
J.  Richardson  ;  Alonzo  Campbell ;  J.  C.  Barnes ;  J.  J.  Leonard ;  Stephen 
Russell ;  James  Frey ;  T.  P.  Jones ;  G.  W.  Hayes ;  Wm.  H.  Mason ; 
W.  H.  Brininstool ;  H.  T.  Hummistou  :  Geo.  H.  Holland ;  B.  C.  Kidder ; 
C.  C.  Barker:    Alfred  Shepavd :    H.  C.  Bigelow ;    I.  W.  Kelsey;    Robert 


lllSTOin'   OK  CALIIOIN   CorXTV  IMf) 

Bowles;  Eugeue  Stewart ;  W.H.Jewell;  E.H.Jewell;  Darwin  Moore; 
George  C'astan ;  C.  A.  Daley;  R.  W.  Howe;  Henry  Percy;  Heui7 
Berry;  R.  W.  JMolyneaux;  U.  Scowgal;  W.  Baleh;  S.  Beutley;  Squire 
Reasoner;  C.  S.  Taylor;  W.  H.  Knights;  John  Mingus;  \V.  E.  Culver; 
H.  B.  Can-;  Robert  Percy;  W.  E.  Whaley;  Robert  Short;  James 
O'Brien;  Isaac  Perrine;  John  Barringer;  JMahlon  Gore;  James  Nor- 
ton; E.  Lewis;  Jabez  Burley ;  T.  H.  Kelley ;  W.  A.  Pygall;  Charles 
Hume;  Charles  Risdorph;  J.  C.  Bevier;  William  Laberteaux ;  C.  E. 
Connelly;  Stephen  Manchester;  John  Connelly;  LeRoy  I).  Fish;  D. 
S.  Carr;   C.  R.  Galpin ;    William  Harris  and  James  Willison. 

The  writer  of  this  lias  thought  that  these  named  above,  who  were 
the  first  in  our  city  to  otter  their  services  in  defense  of  the  Hag,  who 
were  iii"st  to  offer  their  lives  in  defense  of  the  Union  are  entitled  to 
have  their  names  recorded  in  this  history. 

It  was  inspiring  to  note  the  great  enthusiasm  of  our  people  when 
we  left  our  city  for  the  front.  It  seemed  that  all  the  people  including 
the  children  turned  out  to  give  us  godspeed.  To  illustrate,  the  Hon. 
E.  C.  Hinman,  then  a  mere  child,  sat  upon  the  fence  and  shouted  his 
feeble  voice  hoarse  in  trying  to  give  us  good  cheer.  However,  we  were 
aware  that  .some  among  the  adults  were  of  the  Artemus  Ward  Class, 
who  said  he  was  "Willing  to  sacrifice  all  his  first  wife's  relations  on 
the  altar  of  his  country  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union." 

The  Second  Michigan  Infantry  commenced  to  organize,  first  as  three 
months  men,  but  before  the  organization  was  complete  the  enlisted 
men  were  given  their  choice  (by  an  order  from  the  war  department) 
to  reinlist  for  three  years  or  return  home.  To  many  of  the  boys,  the 
three  years  seemed  too  long  a  picnic,  so  (juite  a  number  preferred  to 
return  to  mother.  This  necessitated  the  return  from  camp  of  the  officers 
to  fill  up  their  ranks  which  was  very  ((uickly  done  and  for  the  three 
years  service.  Company  "C"  was  composed  of  the  following  named 
volunteers :  Captain,  C.  Byington ;  First  Lieutenant,  J.  Barton,  Jr. ; 
Second  Lieutenant,  J.  E.  Gillman ;  First  Sergeant,  D.  C.  Morrison ; 
Second  Sergeant,  C.  H.  Hodskin ;  Third  Sergeant,  G.  W.  Freeman ; 
Fourth  Sergeant,  S.  A.  Sheldon;  Fifth  Sergeant,  J.  M.  HoUman; 
First  Corporal,  C.  D.  White;  Second  Corporal,  S.  M.  Holton;  Third 
Corporal.  J.  E.  Angell;  Fourth  Corporal,  G.  W.  Hayes;  Fifth  Cor- 
poral, C.  C.  Baker;  Sixth  Corporal,  M.  Burt;  Seventh  Corporal,  T. 
P.  Jones;  Eighth  Corporal,  C.  R.  Galpin;  Fifer,  Eugene  Stewart; 
Drummer,  George  ileConnelly ;  Wagoner,  Squire  Reasoner. 

Privates :  M.  Adams ;  William  Balch  ;  George  Bentley  ;  S.  M.  Bent- 
ley;  J.  C.  Barris;  D.  Boswiek;  R.  Bowles;  J.  H.  Brown;  William  Brin- 
instool;  George  E.  Conley;  W.  E.  Culver;  J.  E.  Cummings;  D.  D. 
Davis;  H.  S.  Dickinson;  A.  Dennison ;  H.  Dengman ;  J.  Etheridge; 
C.  Evans;  T.  R.  Fish;  E.  Fish;  A.  Fiero;  James  Frey;  W.  E.  Fox; 
William  II.  Flagg:  L.  Fairehilds;  0.  Harris;  William  Himes;  E. 
Hodge  ;  George  Holland ;  H.  J.  Humiston ;  C.  W.  Hume  ;  C.  Halistoad ; 
C.  Icher;  A.  C.  Ide;  A.  Jones;  F.  Kinsley;  B.  C.  Kidder;  J.  J. 
Leonard;  C.Lee;  E.Lewis;  M.Livingston;  S.Manchester;  E.  Marsh; 
W.  H.  Mason;    D.  Moore;    M.  IMarion;    D.  Mack;    P.  Mayo;    R.  W. 


346  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN-  COUNTY 

Maleiieux;  L.  G.  Mills;  J.  H.  Norton;  R.  Poole;  C.  J.  Palmeter;  H 
Percy;  J.  Perrien,  Jr.;  W.  A.  Pigall;  C.  P.  Porter;  P.  Pugsley;  C.  C 
Roorniaii;  S.  J.  Rath;  C.  Risdorph;  J.  Richardson;  D.  Rogers;  N 
Rogers;  G.  Rogers;  J.  H.  Renick;  C.  W.  Robinson;  S.  R.  Russell 
R.  Sharp;  S.  E.  Simonds;  A.  B.  Simpson;  E.  Spencer;  A.  N.  Smith 
J.  Sullivan;  D.  Swanson;  D.  Tainter;  C.  S.  Taylor;  H.  E.  Van  Woert; 
W.  F.  AVhaley ;  D.  Wilson ;   C.  Wilson  ;   W.  A.  Wright. 

As  a  memento  of  the  service  of  its  soldiers  in  the  Civil  war,  Battle 
Creek  has  erected,  through  the  energy  and  patriotism  of  the  late  C.  F. 
Bock,  president,  and  Mr.  Frank  E.  Halladay,  secretary  of  the  monument 
committee,  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  fallen  and  surviving 
veterans,  thus  in  a  substantial  manner  recognizing  its  indebtedness  to 
the  men  who  went  in  defense  of  the  Union. 

Farr.\gut  Post  G.  A.  R. 
By  Austin  W.  Alvord 

Farragut  Post  Number  82,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  was  or- 
ganized in  the  fall  of  1881,  by  Ur.  S.  S.  French,  late  surgeon  of  the 
Twentieth  Michigan  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry.  A  charter  was  is- 
sued to  thirty-four  members  on  the  fifth  day  of  November,  1881.  The 
charter  members  were  S.  S.  French;  William  H.  Mason;  W.  C.  Barden; 
G.  11.  Lunt;  Albert  Griswold;  I.  W.  Taylor;  R.  W.  Surby;  J.  C. 
Hall;  L.  J.  Allen;  W.  W.  Stillson;  W.  J.  ]Miller;  A.  A.  Beach;  J. 
W.  Wood;  H.  H.  Hubbard;  Josiah  Caldwell;  H.  0.  Paine;  Abraham 
Piero;  R.  Kellogg;  J.  R.  Cooper;  W.  H.  Hall;  J.  R.  Sweeney;  E.  L. 
Conklin ;  J.  G.  Bohnett ;  Benjamin  F.  Chase ;  Robert  Nevin ;  J.  P. 
Russell;  J.  G.  Cleveland;  John  L.  Dolan;  J.  B.  Lobdell;  Charles  E. 
Robinson;  C.  VanValkenburg ;  William  Pettibone ;  E.  Ben  Fisher  and 
Albert  Gore.     Of  these  twelve  are  still  living. 

The  name.  Farragut  Post,  was  adopted  at  the  suggestion  of  J.  C. 
Hall,  who  had  served  under  this  great  commander  on  board  his  flagship, 
during  the  war.  The  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and  twelve.  It 
is  estimated  that  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  former  membere  have 
passed  away. 

The  G.  A.  R.  has  a  very  comfortable  home  near  the  center  of  the 
city,  on  College  and  Calhoun  streets,  in  a  brick  building  of  ample  size, 
formerly  used  as  a  tire  station,  and  donated  by  the  city  for  their  use. 
It  is  located  on  a  lot  owned  by  the  school  board.  The  Woman's  Relief 
Corps  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans  also  have  a  home  in  it. 

The  needs  of  the  Grand  Army  have  been  genei-ously  provided  for 
year  by  year;  by  the  people  of  Battle  Creek,  and  the  city  council.  The 
kindly  spirit  of  the  community  toward  the  post  has  been  deeply  ap- 
preciated and  speaks  volumes  for  the  patriotism  of  its  citizens. 

Officers  of  Post 

Commander,  J.  H.  Stephens,  Co.  A,  1st  M.  S.  S. 
S.  V.  C,  Wyatt  Burch,  Co.  H,  Merrill's  Horse  Cav. 
J,  V.  C,  Geo.  H.  Lunt,  111.  Inft. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  :!47 

Chaplain,  Win.  G.  Mulford,  Co.  H,  8rd  Mich.  Inft. 

Surgeon,  Horace  R.  Wood,  Co.  E,  8th  O.  V.  I. 

Quartermaster,  Lewis  L.  Flint,  Co.  C,  4th  Mich.  Inft. 

Off.  of  Day,  Emuierson  W.  Bordo,  Co.  P,  7th  Vt.  Inft. 

Adjutant,"  C.  L.  Ward,  Co.  D,  12th  Pa.  Inft. 

Off.  of  Guard,  Truman  G.  Wilder,  Co.  C,  8th  111.  Cav. 

Sergt.  JIajor,  Wm.  Forward,  Co.  H,  8th  ilass.  Inft. 

Qm.  Sergt..  John  Blakeslev  Co.  K,  13th  Mich.  Inft. 

Board  of  Trustees :  Wm.  Dowsett,  U.  S.  Steamer  Vt. ;  R.  M.  Bell- 
inger, Co.  A.  7th  Mich.  Cav.;  Chas.  H.  Browning,  Co.  M,  11th  Mich. 
Cav. 

Members 

Austin  W.  Alvord,  Capt.,  Co.  H,  109  N.  Y.  Cav. 
W.  H.  Ashley,  Co.  A,  9th  Mich.  Inft. 
Wm.  C.  Barden,  Co.  G,  7th  Mich.  Cav. 
Howard  A.  Beardslev,  Co.  P,  19th  N.  Y.  Inft. 
John  G.  Bohnett,  Co.  C,  28th  ]Mieh.  Inft. 
0.  C.  Bliss,  Co.  A,  2d  111.  Art. 
John  R.  Barker.  Co.  I.  Merrill's  Horse  Cav. 
G.  H.  Clough,  Co.  D,  17th  Pa.  Cav. 
S.  L.  Cooper,  Co.  K,  9th  N.  Y.  Inft. 
Edward  Cunningham,  Co.  A,  8d  N.  Y.  Art. 
Gordon  Crossett,  Co.  C,  1st  Mich.  Cav. 
Wm.  H.  Clevenger,  Co.  D,  18th  Ind.  Inft. 
John  Cotton,  Co.  A,  7th  Mich.  Cav. 
Alexander  M.  Clavman,  5th  Wis.  Lt.  Art. 
John  W.  Caton,  Co.  C,  38th  Mass.  Inf. 
Malcolm  B.  Dnffv,  Drummer  19th  Mich.  Inf. 
R.  W.  Davidson,  Co.  I.  20th  :\Iich.  Inf. 
Friend  T.  Denison,  Co.  D,  1st  Mich.  Inf. 
Thomas  C.  Duffy,  Co.  L,  8th  N.  Y.  H.  Artillery. 
John  Dunn.  Co.  G,  2d  Mich.  Inf. 
John  G.  Dowd,  Co.  P,  8th  Mich.  Inf. 
Peter  Davis,  Co.  K,  1st  Mich.  Eng.  3. 
Wm.  E.  Doekery,  Co.  G.  Ohio,  19th  Inf. 
John  Easey,  Co.  D,  1st  Mich.  S.  S. 
Alson  Evans,  Co.  D.  6th  Mich.  Cav. 
A.  L.  Edwards,  Co.  P.  2d  Mich.  Inf. 
Amos  H.  English.  Co.  K,  4th  .Mich.    Inf. 
John  Estell,  Co.  C.  111th  Pa.   Inf. 
Putnam  Pish,  Co.  A,  7th  Mich.  Cav. 
Wm.  II.  Flagg,  Co.  C.  2d  Midi,  Inf. 
Luther  Panning,  Co.  D,  6tli  Mich.  Inf. 
Chas.  D.  Purner,  Co.  C,  44th  N.  Y.  Inf. 
Albert  A.  Griswold,  Co.  L,  Merrill's  Horse. 
Samuel  E.  Gustin,  Co.  F,  56th  111.  Inf. 
James  Gardner,   Co.   I,   128tli   Ind.   Inf. 
George  A.  Godsmark,  Co.  P,  7th  Mich.  Cav. 


348  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

George  Holland,  Co.  C,  2d  Mich.  Iiif. 

Myrou  T.  Hill,  Co.  L,  1st  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Horace  B.  Hays,  Co.  C,  100th  Ohio  Inf. 

Geo.  :M.  Hodges,  Co.  M,  8th  Mich.  Cav. 

Chius.  T.  Hall,  Co.  K,  13th  Mich.  Inf. 

Sanmel  M.  Holtou,  Co.  C,  2d  Mich.  Inf. 

Geo.  C.  Hicks,  Co.  L,  Merrill's  Horse  Cav. 

Win.  0.  Holmes,  Co.  D,  1st  Mich.  S.  S. 

Hiraui  J.  Johnson,  Co.  H,  ^Merrill's  Horse. 

Wni.  K.  Jackson,  Co.  F,  46th  Mass.  Inf. 

M.  J.  Jones,  Co.  K,  5th  jMich.  Cav. 

Levi  A.  Juckett,  Co.  K,  1st  Mich.  Engineers  &  JMechanics. 

Wm.  Karcher,  Co.  A,  8th  Mich.  Cav. 

Geo.  M.  Knowles,  Co.  C,  20th  Mich. 

Geo.  Kocher,  Co.  G,  9th  Mich.  Inf. 

Edgar  D.  Kaine,  Co.  B,  156th  N.  Y.  Inf. 

John  W.  King,  Co.  G,  9th  Mich.  Inf. 

Andrew  Knight,  Co.  C,  20th  Mich.  Inf. 

Philitus  Laphani,  Co.  F,  1st  Mich.  Cav. 

Edgar  L.  Lewis,  Co.  F,  8th  N.  Y.  H.  Artillery. 

Jerome  V.  Lucas,  Co.  A,  8th  Iowa  Inf. 

Emory  Morse,  Co.  C,  51st  Ind.  Vols. 

Geo.  R.  McCreary,  Co.  D,  145  Pa.  Vols. 

D.  L.  Merrill,  Capt.,  Co.  B,  24th  Wis.  Inf. 

Erastus  S.  Marsh,  Co.  L,  24th  N.  Y.  Cav. 

L.  M.  McCoy,  Co.  F,  33d  Iowa  Inf. 

Chas.  E.  Manchester,  Co.  F,  1st  Mich.  Cav. 

Jerome  Morse,  Co.  K,  44th  Ind.  Vols. 

Pierce  Llitchell,  Co.  H,  U.  S.  Artillery. 

Wm.  H.  Mason,  Co.  C,  2d  Mich.  Inf. 

II.  .^IcDonald.  X.  Y.  Inf. 

Jiiinrs  .M,-F;i:-i;nHl.  (o.  G,  ."..jih  Ohio  V.  L 

Win.  II.  Oudcn.  C).  A.  o6th  111.  Inf. 

Alhrit    I'ci-iiiiK.   (  n.   F,   139th    hid.   Inf. 

John  Pollack,  Co.  C,  42d  ().  \'.   Inf. 

James  Phillips,  Co.  I,  7th  Mich.  Vols. 

ai.  H.  Perkins,  Co.  D,  1st  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Austin  8.  Parker,  Co.  B,  23d  Ohio  Inf. 

Wm.  Pratt,  Co.  H,  Merrill's  Horse. 

Abram  Powers,  Co.  C.  IBtli  Mich.  Inf. 

Chas.  Parker,  Co.  H.  Mniiirs  Horse. 

Wm.  D.  Rogers.  Co.  K.  l()4tli  X.  V.  Inf. 

Robert  W.  Raynor,  Co.  E,  5tli  Wis.  Inf. 

John  R.  Robinson,  Co.  E,  1st  Lt.  Art. 

Geo.  H.  Rowell,  Co.  H,  Merrill's  Horse. 

Wm.  J.  Reed,  Co.  C,  93d  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Chas.  W.  Robinson,  Co.  C,  2d  Mich.  Inf. 

Ephraim  Rebell,  Co.  C,  14th  Mich.  Inf. 

Chas.  J.  Shoemaker,  Co.  I),  17th  ^lich.  Inf. 


HISTORY    OF   CAI.llorX    CorXTV  lUll 

Alphonso  Sharpsteeu,  C"o.  H,  Merrill's  Horse. 

Amos  Swanagan,  Co.  F,  107th  U.  S.  Vols. 

Chas.  M.  Stephens,  Co.  A,  1st  Mich.  S.  S. 

Albert  B.  Simpson,  Co.  C,  2d  Mich.  Inf. 

Geo.  F.  Stone,  18th  N.  Y.  Battery. 

M.  D.  Strickland,  Co.  A.,  9th  Mich.  Cav. 

Daniel  D.  Strain,  Co.  H,  27th  X.  Y.  Inf. 

Daniel   Snyder,   Co.   L,  Merrill "s  Horse. 

Enos  Short.  Co.  F,  98th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

I.  W.  Taylor,  111.  Inf. 

Alonzo  Traver,  Co.  D,  20th  Mich.  Inf. 

Stephen  R.  Travis,  Co.  C,  2d  Mieh.  Cav. 

John  Tenipleton,  Co.  L,  Merrill's  Horse. 

Albert  E.  Thayer,  Co.  E.  O.  V.  I. 

Frank  Thayer,  Co.  D,  27th  Iowa.  Inf. 

Wm.  Vickerv.  Co.  H,  6th  .Mich.  Inf. 

Geo.  L.  Wallace.  Co.  IT.  12th  Mi' li.  liif. 

S.  Van  Horn.  Co.  F.  7th  .Mirh. 

I.  C.  Williams,  Co.  I.  Merrill's  Horse, 

John  H.  Williams,  Co.  M.  1st  X.  Y.  Artillery. 

Wm.  O.  Wells,  Co.  A.  25th  Mich.  Inf. 

Henrv  C.  Winbrenuer.  Co.  B.  88th  Ind.  Vols. 

T.  J.  "Young.  Co.  A.  1st  Penn.  Cav. 

F.\RRAGTT  RkLIEF   CoRl'S,  No.  4. 

Bif  Mrs.  J<inn<    Jones. 

Farragut  Relief  Corps  Xo.  4,  auxiliary  to  Farragut  Post  Xo.  32, 
G.  A.  R..  Department  of  Michigan,  was  organized  in  Grand  Army  Hall 
at  Battle  Creek.  January  29.  1884. 

The  first  meeting  was  called  December  4,  1883,  in  G.  A.  R.  Hall, 
by  L.  G.  Allan,  committee  appointed  by  Farragut  Post,  having  in  charge 
the  preliminary  work  of  organizations.  ^Irs.  A.  E.  Preston  was  elected 
temporary  president,  ilrs.  Robert  Percy,  temporary  secretary  and  Mrs. 
A.  S.  Parker,  temporary  treasurer.  A  committee  of  three  on  aiTange- 
ments  was  appointed  by  the  temporary  president  to  co-operate  with  a 
committee  from  Farragut  Post  in  obtaining  a  charter  and  supplies.  An 
assessment  of  one  dollar  on  each  charter  member  was  voted  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  organization.  The  charter  members  were  12  in  number  and 
were  as  follows:  i\Irs.  Geo.  II.  Lunt.  Mrs.  Geo  H.  Rowell,  Mrs.  R.  W. 
Surby.  Mrs.  H.  ilattoon,  :Mrs.  James  H.  Cleveland.  :\Irs.  A.  D.  Gifford, 
Mrs.  A.  S.  Parker.  Mrs  AV.  H.  Hall,  :\lrs  John  Hill,  :\Irs.  Albert  Gris- 
wold,  Mrs.  James  R.  Cooper  and  Mrs.  James  Finlay. 

A  second  meeting  was  called  bv  the  committee  on  arrangements 
January  29,  1884,  at  2 :30  p.  m.,  in  "G.  A.  R.  Hall.  Col.  S.  S.  French 
was  elected  chairman  of  the  meeting  and  Mi-s.  Y.  E.  Revere  as  secretary. 
At  the  command  of  the  national  president,  Mrs.  E.  Florence  Barker.  Col. 
S.  S.  French,  commander  of  Farragut  Post,  instituted  a  branch  of  the  W. 
R.  C.  by  giving  our  corps  its  name  and  numlier.  Farragut  Coi-ps.  Xo.  4., 


350  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Dept.  of  Michigan.  At  this  meeting  the  following  officers  were  elected  by 
ballot:  President,  Miss  M.  Therese  French;  senior  vice-president,  Mrs. 
Geo.  H.  Rowell ;  junior  vice-president,  Mrs.  A.  E.  Preston ;  secretary, 
Mrs.  Julia  E.  Revere;  treasurer,  Mrs.  A.  S.  Parker;  chaplain,  Mrs.  R.  W. 
Surby ;  conductor,  ilrs.  James  Finley ;  guard,  ]\Iiss  Jennie  Harris.  The 
officers  were  installed  by  Col.  P^rench,  who  delivered  the  supplies,  in- 
cluding a  sealed  package  of  the  instructions  on  the  secret  work,  to  our 
president  and  left  the  hall  to  the  newly  organized  corps.  The  president 
appointed  her  several  committees ;  assessments  amounting  to  $11.00  were 
collected  and  paid  over  to  the  treasurer,  Mrs.  Parker,  $5.00  of  which 
had  been  appropriated  in  the  previous  meeting  to  pay  the  charter  fee. 
The  remainder  of  the  afternoon  was  devoted  to  the  secret  work,  until 
adjournment  to  February  5,  1884,  when  Farragut  Post,  No.  4,  had  its 
first  meeting. 

The  first  work  taken  up  by  the  corps  was  the  admission  of  several 
candidates.  It  was  decided  that  they  should  be  voted  on  separately  and 
initiated  in  a  body.  A  conmiittee  was  appointed  at  this  meeting  to  draft 
the  rules  and  by-laws  for  the  government  of  the  corps,  which  were  read 
and  accepted  at  a  later  date,  with  the  exception  of  one  clause  on  as- 
sessments. That  clause  was  laid  on  the  table  until  the  members  were 
larger  in  number.  It  was  voted  about  this  time  that  none  but  soldiers' 
wives,  widows  and  daughters,  would  be  received  into  the  order  and  the 
regular  meeting  day  of  the  corps  was  set  for  the  first  and  third  Tuesday 
of  each  month.  At  a  later  day,  December  16,  1884,  the  meeting  day  was 
changed  to  Thursday,  which  day  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  Up 
to  this  time  they  met  once  a  week.  The  Post,  then  as  now  were  very 
generous,  giving  the  corps  all  the  aid  they  could  in  every  way  They 
donated  the  use  of  their  hall  and  fire  free  of  charge,  the  ladies  to  furnish 
their  own  janitor,  who  was  paid  according  to  his  services  rendered, 
usually  fift.v  cents  for  a  meeting.  In  the  spring  the  help  of  the  janitor 
was  dispensed  with  after  the  fire  was  built  at  noon  and  a  lady  appointed 
by  the  president  at  the  beginning  of  each  meeting  to  superintend  the  fire. 

The  first  summer  no  meetings  were  held  during  the  hot  weather 
from  June  until  September,  but  the  members  enjoyed  several  social 
afternoons  at  lawn  parties,  etc.,  at  the  homes  of  the  different  members, 
by  invitation.  The  first  of  these  was  held  at  the  home  of  ^liss  French 
early  in  July,  and  all  business  of  the  corps  was  finished  for  the  summer. 
On  August  19,  20  and  21,  a  re-union  was  held  at  Battle  Creek  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  at  a  special  meeting,  to  decorate  the  tent  and 
provide  lodging  for  the  department  officers.  The  corps  was  growing 
rapidly,  and  the  members  were  becoming  more  interested  in  other  lines 
of  work.  A  motion  was  made  that  the  ladies  bring  calicoes  and  busy 
their  hands  during  the  session  for  the  benefit  of  the  corps,  and  later 
a  sewing  society  was  organized  which  met  once  a  week  to  sew  for  poor 
families,  etc.  Poor  families  were  not  given  charity,  however,  until 
thoroughly  investigated  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  incidents  taken 
from  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  held  July  16,  1885.  The  president, 
having  gained  some  information  relative  to  the  Houston  family,  de- 
cided that  they  were  not  objects  of  charity,  having  a  horse,  cow.  and  a 
a  sewing  machine,  and  can  make  a  living  if  so  disposed,   and  be   in- 


IIISTOIJY   OF  CALIIorX   ('OINTY  :i51 

depeudeut.  The  president  imported  having;  srcii  .Mrs.  Tlidiiipsiin,  also, 
aud  she  would  like  sometliiiiij  to  make  a  pair  of  pants  lor  licr  youngest 
boy.  At  another  meeting,  a  ramily  was  unable  to  cook  food  sent  to 
theui  on  aceount  of  sickness,  and  a  eoniinittee  of  two  was  appointed  each 
week  to  see  that  tlie  food  was  properly  ])re]iaretl.  Another  family  was 
reported  as  being  destitute  of  shoes  and  tlircc  pairs  were  purehased 
aud  sent  to  them. 

A  great  many  little  ineideuts  haxc  happened  during  the  history  of 
our  corps  that  most  of  y(ui,  aiul  especially  the  ohh'r  members  will  be 
interested  in. 

May  27,  1884.  Record  of  the  pre\ious  uu'cting  was  reail  but  not  ac- 
cepted as  the  names  of  the  ladies  who  paid  their  dues  was  inserted. 

June  10.  It  was  moved  and  supported  that  the  corps  receive  and 
entertain  a.s  guests  any  true  and  loyal  woman  who  served  her  country 
and  its  defenders  in  its  time  of  need  as  nurse  or  attendant. 

August  5,  1884.  Special  meeting.  A  motion  was  made  to  have 
the  charter  framed.  The  frame  was  purchased  of  George  Steele  for  the 
sum  of  two  dollars. 

November  4.  1884.    Treasurer  reports,  $110.4!)  on  hand. 

February  5,  1885.  The  president  read  the  by-laws  of  the  Woman's 
Relief  Corps  in  Lansing,  Farragut  Coi-jis,  thought  them  more  perfect 
than  ours,  and  voted  to  adopt  them,  with  some  amendments. 

April  2,  1886.  Ladies  decide  to  make  a  handsome  spread  for  the 
new  altar  for  the  Post  to  show  their  appreciation  of  the  many  acts 
of  kindness  shown  them. 

I\Iay  6.  1886.  It  was  moved  and  supported  that  a  retpiest  be  made 
through  the  press  of  the  city,  for  citizens  not  to  decorate  any  but  sol- 
diers' graves  on  ^lay  -M.  Flowers  were  undoubtedly  very  scarce  at 
that  time. 

June  17,  1886.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  teiulered  to  :\lr.  A.  S.  Parker 
for  the  picture,  The  Battle  of  Shiloh. 

August  .'),  1886.  Meeting  could  not  be  called  to  ordei',  as  there  was 
not  a  (piorum. 

August  1!),  1886.  Janitor  went  to  Kalamazoo  and  forgot  to  leave 
keys  to  hall,  so  no  meeting  was  held. 

January  6,  1887.  Mrs.  Carrie  Surby,  newly  eleeted  presitlent,  in 
Iier  remarks,  gave  a  thrilling  account  of  her  experience  during  the  re- 
bellion between  the  North  and  South.  She  gave  up  her  husband  for  a 
soldier,  there  worked  through  the  long  weary  mouths  soliciting  the 
many  little  necessities  for  the  boys  in  blue,  that  oidy  a  devoted  wife 
or  mother  could  prepare.  She  also  made  many  beautiful  i-emarks 
about  Gen.  John  A.  Logan. 

February  7,  1889.  Organ  with  stool  was  purchased  for  the  sum 
of  seventy-five   dollars. 

The  first  member  to  be  laid  to  rest  was  Mrs.  Anderson,  who  died 
shortly  after  the  corps  was  organized.  ]\Iiss  Therese  French,  the 
Corp's  first  president,  was  the  second  member  to  pass  away,  her  death 
occurring  in  April,  1887.  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  treasury  for 
four  dollars  to  pay  for  flowers  for  her  funeral,  the  first  flowei-s  sent  to 


352  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

any  funeral  by  the  corps.  It  was  not  a  practice  then  but  became  cus- 
tomary later. 

Mrs.  A.  S.  Parker  is  the  only  member  with  us  now  who  attended 
the  first  meeting  of  the  Farragut  Corps,  being  a  charter  member.  She 
was  the  first  treasurer,  first  delegate  to  the  department  meeting  at 
Lansing,  April  2,  1884,  first  delegate  to  the  National  Convention,  May 
6,  1886,  and  also  department  treasurer  in  1890.  A  few  other  older 
members  are  as  follows : 

IMrs.  Ellen  Taylor,  initiated  February  29,  1884,  the  first  year  of 
the  corps;  Mrs.  Flagg,  initiated,  February  5,  1885;  Mi-s.  Mary  E. 
Beach,  balloted  on  and  duly  initiated  April  1,  1886 ;  and  Mrs.  Ann  Howe, 
initiated,  March  7,  1889 ;  Mrs.  Flagg  was  elected  department  president 
in  1900  and  appointed  Mrs.  Willard,  her  secretary. 

Following  is  a  list  of  past  presidents: 

1884 — Miss  Therese  French,  deceased. 

1885 — Mrs  Nichols,  withdrawn. 

1886— Mrs.  N.  J.  Roberts,  deceased. 

1887 — Mrs.   Carrie  Surby.  deceased. 

1888— Mrs.  Stella  L.  Parker. 

1889 — Mrs.  Amity  Manchester,  withdrawn. 

1890— Mrs.    Eliz.   Rhodes,   -srithdrawai. 

1891 — Mrs.  May  Percv,  withdrawn. 

1892— Mrs.  Abbie  Flagg. 

1893 — Mrs.  Nettie  Cummings,  deceased. 

1894 — Ellen   Raynor,   deceased. 

1895 — May  M.  Perring,  deceased. 

1896 — Sara  J.  Cooper. 

1897 — Laura   L.   Barrows. 

1898— Mrs.  Alary  Beach. 

1899— Mrs.    Lillian    M.    Proceus. 

1900 — Mrs.  Mary  Flowers,  deceased. 

1901 — Mrs.  Julia  Stayman,   deceased. 

1902— Mrs.  Marie  Traver. 

1903— Mrs.   Eliz.   Dowsett. 

1904 — Mrs.  Mary  0.  Hayes. 

1905— Mrs.  F.  Bellinger. 

1906 — Mrs.  Dennison. 

1907— ilrs.  Allen. 

1908— Mrs.  D.  McMillan. 

1909— Mrs.   Cora  M.  Quayle. 

1910— Mrs.  Ollie  Senker. 

1911 — Mrs.  Jennie   Stephens. 

1912 — Mrs.  Jennie  Jones. 

I  am  pleased  to  say  the  corps  at  present  is  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion and  has  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  members. 

Every  two  weeks  a  social  is  held  where  the  post  and  corps  unite 
in  having  a  good  time.  The  members  who  cannot  attend  are  remem- 
bered and  visited  and  flowers  are  sent  in  sickness  and  death. 


CHAPTER  XX 

FINANCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL 

Banks  and  Banking  (by  Charles  Austin) — Thresher  and  Engine 
Industry — Steam  Pump  Industry — American  Steam  Pump  Com- 
pany — ■  Advance  Pump  and  Compressor  Company  —  Duplex 
Printing  Press  Company — Battle  Creek  Prepared  Food  In- 
dustry 

The  financial  and  industrial  interests  of  Battle  Creek  are  detailed 
in  the  following  pages. 

Banks  and   Banking 

By  Charles  Austin 

The  first  bank  organized  in  what  is  now  the  city  of  Battle  Creek 
was  in  1837,  when  the  Bank  of  Battle  Creek  was  organized  as  a  bank 
of  issue.  It  was  in  business  for  some  six  months  and  some  of  its  bills 
are  still  in  existence  among  the  older  residents. 

As  money  was  a  scarce  commodity  in  those  daj^,  there  was  little  to 
deposit,  but  the  private  banks  of  W.  H.  Coleman,  Leon  &  Sanborn 
and  W.  H.  Skinner  satisfied  the  needs  of  the  community  by  the  trans- 
action of  the  busiuess  incident  to  a  new  country.  This  included  the 
selling  of  exchange,  the  buying,  selling  or  exchanging  of  business 
notes,  the  handling  of  due  bills  on  individuals  or  firms  for  goods  to  be 
delivered  on  demand,  even  the  swapping  of  due  bills  where  two  persons 
could  not  effect  an  exchange,  using  cash  onh'  to  match  up  the  uneven 
ends  of  a  trade. 

In  July,  1851,  L.  C.  Kellogg  started  a  private  bank  and  continued 
it  until  1865,  when  he  organized  the  First  National  Bank  of  Battle 
Creek.  There  were  others  interested  and  the  first  board  of  directors 
consisted  of  L.  C.  Kellogg,  D.  Miller,  W.  Andrus,  T.  Hart,  H.  D.  Hall, 
W.  Wallace  and  "W.  Brooks.  Their  first  statement  was  published 
October  2,  1865.  and  showed  deposits  of  .$38,821.06  and  total  assets 
$149,511.88,  which  constituted  the  total  banking  deposits  and  assets  of 
Battle  Creek  at  that  time.  The  business  established  at  that  time  is  still 
continued  by  the  old  National  Bank  of  Battle  Creek. 

In  1871  the  City  bank  opened  for  Inisiness  on  June  7.     The  di- 

Vol.  1—23 

353 


354  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

rectoi-s  were  R.  Kingman,  N.  Eldred,  C.  Wakelee,  J.  F.  Moulton,  R. 
P.  Kingman,  E.  W.  Pendle  and  A.  Noble.  It  is  still  in  operation  as 
the  City  Bank. 

The  private  bank  of  A.  C.  Hamblin  succeeded  that  of  Leon  &  San- 
born in  1859,  and  was  continued  by  him  until  May  23,  1888,  when  it 
was  succeeded  by  the  Merchants  National  Bank,  organized  with  di- 
rectors as  follows,  viz.,  A.  W.  Wright,  F.  Turner,  F.  A.  Smith,  A.  C. 
Hamblin,  and  S.  Field,  and  in  April  1895,  was  re-organized  as  the 
Merchants  Savings  Bank  and  is  still  in  business. 

On  November  21,  1903,  the  Central  National  Bank  opened  for  busi- 
ness with  C.  W.  Post,  H.  B.  Sherman,  E.  C.  Hinman,  F.  Wolfe,  C.  L. 
Post,  H.  P.  Stewart,  L.  Werstein,  G.  L.  Gilkey,  L.  W.  Robinson  and 
F.  G.  Evans  constituting  its  board  of  directors.  It  is  now  one  of  the 
four  successful  banks  of  the  city.  ■ 

Our  banks  have  never  had  a  clearing  house,  but  the  establishment 
of  one  is  contemplated. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  how  the  banking  interest  has  kept  pace  with 
the  grofli,h  of  the  city  We  have  seen  that  the  total  deposits  on  October 
2,  1865,  was  $38,821.06,  but  are  now,  as  showTi  by  the  published  state- 
ment of  June  14,  1912  over  ten  millions  or  to  be  exact  the  sum  of 
$10,603,132.89,  and  this  immense  growth  is  paralleled  by  the  increase 
in  assets  which  in  October,  1865,  were  only  $149,511.88,  but  on  June 
14,  1912,  were  $12,273,072.29. 

All  banks  have  been  liberal  in  advancing  for  the  enterprises  of  our 
city  and  the  needs  of  the  surrounding  country,  but  have  not  permitted 
sentiment  to  endanger  the  depositors,  as  the  officers  have  always  deter- 
mined that  safety  must  be  the  first  consideration.  As  a  consequence, 
there  has  been  no  bank  failure  in  our  city  nor  has  anj^  bank  demanded 
notice  of  withdrawals  of  deposits.  It  did  not  matter  how  severe  the 
money  stringencj-,  nor  that  New  York,  Chicago  or  Podunk  were  refusing 
to  pay  their  depositors  cash,  our  tellers  have  always  paid  it  smilingly, 
thanking  the  depositor  and  inviting  him  to  call  again  and  bring  his 
sisters  and  cousins.  This  condition  is  largelj'  due  to  the  intelligence  and 
confidence  of  our  citizens,  both  in  the  city  and  its  vicinity,  convincing 
us  rtiat  while  our  past  is  bright  the  future  is  big  wdth  promise  of  still 
brighter  days. 

Thresher  and  Engine  Industry 

Contributed 

Among  Battle  Creek's  industries,  that  of  manufacturing  threshing 
machinery,  traction  engines,  etc.,  has  been  very  prominent  for  a  long 
series  of  years.  It  began,  as  so  many  successful  industries  have  started, 
in  a  very  modest  way. 

In  1848  or  thereabouts,  John  Nichols  and  David  Shepard  opened 
up  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  on  what  is  now  North  State  street, 
doing  such  job  and  custom  work  as  such  a  shop  was  capable  of  handling. 

The  firm  started  under  the  title  of  Nichols  &  Shepard.    It  ran  along 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COUNTY  355 

a  number  of  years,  building  plows,  harrows  and  similar  implements,  and 
in  the  early  sixties  produced  what  was  at  that  time  kuo\ra  as  tlie 
Vibrator  thresher. 

Previous  to  that  time,  grain  threshmg  was  accoini)lished  by  what 
■was  known  as  the  endless  apron  type  of  thresher,  whieh  was  eoiuprised 
of  an  endless  web  back  of  the  cylinder  carrying  the  intermingled  straw, 
chaff  and  grain  partiallj-  through  the  machine  and  delivering  it  upon 
an  open  raddle.  Both  the  web  and  the  raddle  received  some  agitation, 
which  was  given  to  them  by  their  running  over  elliptically-shaped  rollers, 
and  beaters  and  pickere  were  used  to  further  shake  up  or  agitate  the 
straw. 

The  Vibrator  thresher  which  was  brought  out  by  Nichols  &  Shepard 
was  built  and  designed  upon  an  entirely  different  plan,  using  an  entirely 
new  method  for  separation.  It  consisted  of  two  shakers  extending  from 
the  cylinder  to  practically  the  rear  of  the  threshei',  the  upper  one  open 
so  as  to  permit  loose  grain  to  fall  through  it  upon  the  lower  shaker, 
whieh  upper  shaker  was  provided  with  lifting  fingers  which  tossed  and 
beat  the  straw  as  the  shakers  s^^■^ulg  back  and  forth.  The  grain  and  fine 
chaff'  fell  through  this  shaker  upon  the  lower  shaker,  or  grain  pan  as 
more  commonly  called,  which  vibrated  lengthwise  of  the  machine,  carry- 
ing the  gi-ain  and  chaff  to  the  fanning  or  cleaning  mill,  to  whieh  it  was 
delivered  for  the  purpose  of  thoroughly  cleaning  from  dust  and  chaff. 
This  machine  was  such  an  innovation  in  thresher  building  that  it  met  the 
aggressive  opposition  of  all  the  old  builders.  But  notwithstanding  that 
fact  it  became  i-apidly  popular. 

The  business  management  of  this  company  at  an  early  date  fell  to 
Mr.  Edwin  C.  Nichols,  the  son  of  John  Nichols,  who  is  today  president 
and  at  the  head  of  the  Nichols  &  Shepard  Company  factory,  and  who  is 
recognized  as  the  dean  of  the  threshing  maeliine  industry  througliout  the 
United  States.  While  the  company  had  the  u.sual  experiences  of  an 
institution  growing  from  a  modest  beginning,  it  became  one  of  the  large 
thresher  industries  of  the  country  through  the  great,  merit,  effectiveness 
and  popularity  of  its  machine  and  the  business  ability  which  Mr.  Nichols 
brought  into  the  management  of  the  institution. 

This  new  thresher,  to  designate  it  from  the  old  endless  apron  type 
that  had  been  previously  built,  was  termed  the  "Vibrator,"  the  word 
being  coined  and  copyrighted  by  the  company.  Notwithstanding  the 
opposition  which  it  met  from  competitors,  it  became  so  noted  for  its 
meritorious  qualities  and  .so  popular  among  threshermen  of  the  country 
that  competitors  were  compelled  to  change  their  designs  and  follow  the 
type  of  the  Vibrator  as  closely  as  they  could.  In  within  practically 
twenty  years  from  the  advent  of  the  Vibrator,  the  endless  apron  type 
of  machine  had  been  abandoned  and  all  builders  had  designed  and  were 
constructing  threshers  using  the  vibrating  or  agitating  principle. 

In  1854  Mr.  Roswell  T.  Merrill  began  the  manufacture  of  a 
thresher  which  was  called  the  "Double-mill  separator."  In  1856  his 
son-in-law.  I\Ir.  William  Brown,  assumed  the  business.  Mr.  Brown  aban- 
doned the  double-mill  machine  in  1859  and  began  the  manufacture  of  a 
separator  or  thresher  which  wa.s  so  near  like  the  then  popular  Joseph 


356  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Hall,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  machine  that  the  United  States  court  decided  it 
an  infringement  and  rendered  a  judgment  against  him.  At  about  that 
same  time,  James  S.  Upton  became  his  partner,  the  firm  being  styled 
Upton  &  Brown.  In  1863  they  began  building  and  selling  a  thresher 
called  the  "Michigan  Sweepstakes."  In  1867  they  took  in  Mr.  WiUiam 
Brooks  as  a  partner,  and  Mr.  Parley  Upton  became  a  member  of  the  firm 
in  1869,  at  which  time  the  firm  was  styled  Upton,  Brown  &  Company.  In 
1874  a  new  firm  or  company  was  organized,  consistng  of  William  Brown, 
James  S.  Upton  and  Henry  M.  Strong;  and  two  years  later,  1876,  they 
were  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  Upton  Manufacturing  Company, 
remaining  in  business  until  1885.  when  the  business  and  plant  were 
removed  to  Port  Huron,  Michigan,  forming  the  basis  of  what  is  now 
kno-rni  as  the  Port  Huron  Engine  and  Thresher  Company. 

In  the  early  eighties  Mr.  C.  G.  Case,  who  had  been  in  the  employ 
of  Nichols  &  Shepard  Company  to  some  extent,  designed,  invented  and 
patented  a  new  thresher  which  was  afterwards  named  the  Advance.  A 
company  to  manufacture  it  was  organized  imder  the  name  of  Case  & 
Willard.  Mr.  Charles  Willard  was  induced  to  contribute  towards  the 
building  of  this  new  thresher  and  a  number  of  other  business  men  of 
Battle  Creek  as  well,  among  them  IMr.  William  H.  ]\Iason,  Mr.  James 
Green,  Mr.  B.  T.  Skinner,  Mr.  F.  M.  Rathbun  and  Mr.  Charles  E.  Thomas. 

This  company  grew  and  thrived,  afterwards  becoming  the  Advance 
Thresher  Company.  Mr.  A.  W.  Wright  of  Alma,  Michigan,  purchased 
a  large  interest  in  the  comjiany  and  was  its  president  for  a  great  many 
years.  The  stock  of  this  company  was,  in  the  latter  part  of  1911,  pur- 
chased by  the  M.  Rumely  Company,  also  thresher  manufacturers  of 
La  Porte,  Indiana,  and  while  it  maintains  a  separate  existence  to  some 
extent  is  practically  managed  at  the  present  time  by  the  said  Rumely 
Company. 

These  two  thresher  factories  have  grown  in  magnitude  until  the  city 
of  Battle  Creek  produces  practically  ten  per  cent  of  the  threshing  ma- 
chinery and  traction  engines  built  in  the  entire  United  States.  Their 
prosperity  has  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  community,  and  they 
are  at  the  present  time  furnishing  employment  to  not  less  than  one 
thousand  men. 

Other  industries  sprung  up  in  their  wake  in  the  city  of  Battle  Creek 
and  have  helped  to  give  it  its  present  growth,  but  the  base  of  its  pros- 
perity and  its  enterprise  is  practically  the  threshing  machine  industry. 
Instead  of  the  little  light  threshers  with  limited  capacity,  and  the  old 
"do'wn"  horse  powers  trailed  around  the  country  under  the  trucks  of 
a  wagon,  these  companies  now  produce  the  largest  threshing  machine 
outfits  built. 

The  steam  engine  for  threshing  came  into  use  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  sixties,  and  in  the  seventies  was  built  into  a  traction  or  self-propeller. 
Instead  of  the  old  small  thresher  with  a  capacity  to  thresh  not  to  exceed 
300  to  500  bushels  of  wheat  per  day,  these  factories  now  produce  a 
thresher  with  a  capacity  of  4,000  to  6,000  bushels  of  wheat  per  day  and 
traction  steam  engines  that  will  develop  not  less  than  125  to  150  brake 
horse  power. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUxX  COUNTY  ar)7 

The  policy  of  these  companies  toward  their  employees  has  always 
beeu  the  best.  They  have  insisted  upon  skilled  labor  and  clean,  honest 
workmen.  Employees  have  been  treated  in  a  manner  so  different  from 
other  communities  that  today  Battle  Creek  has  no  impoverished  settle- 
ment but  is  built  up  with  mechanics'  and  shopmen's  homes,  which  they 
own  and  in  which  they  take  pride,  until  the  visitor  from  other  parts  is 
amazed  at  the  clean  town  and  comfortable  homes  for  working  men,  with 
their  well-kept  lawns  and  bright  surroundings. 

There  have  been  efforts  made  at  dift'erent  times  in  a  meager  way  to 
introduce  into  Battle  Creek  the  building  of  other  lines  of  farm  imple- 
ments and  machinery,  but  never  to  any  considerable  extent,  nor  have 
any  such  institutions  or  efforts  been  considerably  developed. 

Ste.vm  Pump  Industry 

Contributed 

In  1886  Elou  A.  Marsh  was  cinpldyrd  by  the  Battle  Creek  Machinery 
Company  to  develop  a  boiler  feed  pinn])  tor  traction  engines — his  early 
efforts  were  dii-ected  with  the  idea  of  (ipeiating  the  same  by  the  engine's 
exhaust,  which  was  at  considerable  pressure  for  the  purpose  of  forcing 
draught  in  the  smoke  stack  through  a  reduced  exhaust  nozzle.  He  worked 
along  these  lines  for  about  two  years,  making  what  he  termed  a  "gravity 
pump"  of  vertical  design  and  single  acting — work  being  done  on  the 
"up"  stroke,  and  the  heavily  weighted  piston  falling  for  renewed  action 
by  gravity.  This  scheme  proved  a  complete  failure,  and  was  abandoned 
early  in  1888,  all  patterns  and  eastings  being  scrapped.  He  kept  at  work, 
however,  experimenting  on  other  designs,  and  December  18,  1888,  issued 
his  tirst  patent.  No.  394.656,  for  a  single-acting  plunger  pump  the  piston 
of  which  was  operated  both  ways  by  high  pressure  steam  direct  from  the 
boiler. 

This  constriietion,  while  obviously  more  practical  than  the  first,  was 
decidedly  faulty,  and  soon  followed  its  predecessor,  never  arriving  at  the 
stage  of  marketability.  His  next  attempt  brought  out  the  double-acting 
piston  pattern  patented  August  27,  1889,  No.  409,851.  This  was  practical 
from  the  start,  and  with  modifications  and  later  improvements  formed 
a  basis  for  the  immense  business  interests  represented  by  Battle  Creek 
pump  makers  today.  From  the  peculiar  construction  of  the  Marsh 
piston — and  the  fact  that  it  was  made  in  the  form  of  an  extended  spool, 
the  space  between  the  heads  being  constantly  under  live  steam  pressure 
much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  providing  the  heads  with  a  suitable 
packing  that  would  be  perfectly  tight  under  all  conditions,  and  to  meet 
this  emergency  the  improved  process  of  making  piston  i-ings  which  was 
patented  by  Fo-ster  ]\I.  Metcalf  September  3,  1889,  No.  410,426,  was 
developed,  and  is  now  universally  used  by  all  pump  and  engine  builders. 
Its  adoption  was  vital  to  the  success  of  Marsh  pumps,  and  proved  the 
needed  link  to  prevent  another  impending  failure. 

The  original  Marsh  pumps  were  made  and  intended  for  but  small  and 
comparatively  short  stroke  machines,   and  as  the   business  grew  and 


358 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


demands  for  larger  pumps  increased,  a  new  design  was  brought  out  by 
Metcalf  and  patented  December  16,  1890,  No.  442,905,  and  all  Marsh 
pumps  except  the  few  small  sizes  have  been  made  under  this  patent. 

The  most  important  subsequent  patent  taken  out  by  Battle  Creek  in- 
ventors and  mechanics  in  the  pump  line  are  as  follows :  No.  452,312,  May 
12,  1891,  by  Foster  il.  Metcalf ;  deflecting  valve  for  directing  the  exliaust 
steam  used  to  run  the  pump  into  the  water  being  pumped  whereby  it  is 
condensed  and  returned  to  the  boiler  from  which  it  came  in  the  form  of 
heat. 

No.  469,230,  February  9,  1892,  by  Frank  A.  Burnham;  improvement 
in  deflecting  valves,  for  the  same  purpose  as  last. 


American  Steam  Pump  Company 


No.  468,448,  February  9,  1892,  by  Elon  A.  Marsh;  improvement  in 
water  valves. 

No.  649.739,  May  15,  1900,  by  Foster  M.  Metcalf;  improvement  in 
steam  valve  mechanism. 

No.  713,661.  November  18,  1902,  by  Foster  M.  Metcalf;  improvement 
in  air  compressor  valves. 

No.  750,331,  January  26,  1904,  by  Rollin  D.  Ackley ;  improvement  in 
steam  valve  mechanism. 

No.  431,045,  July  1,  1890,  by  Richard  L.  Frost ;  steam  actuated  valve. 

No.  598,949,  February  15,  1898,  by  Ha  N.  Moore ;  steam  engine  for 
pumps. 

No.  641,132,  January  9,  1900,  by  Ha  N.  Moore ;  slide  valve. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  359 

No.  492,188,  February  21,  1893,  by  Frank  A.  Buriiham;  steam  valve 
mechanism. 

No.  561,682,  June  9,  1896,  by  Ila  N.  Moore ;  steam  engine  valve. 

No.  533,789,  February  5,  1895,  by  Richard  L.  Frost ;  valve  for  steam 
pumping  engines. 

No.  -497,470,  May  16,  1893,  by  Richard  L.  Frost ;  steam  actuated  valve. 

No.  519,857,  May  15, 1894,  by  Prank  A.  Burnliam ;  direct  acting  steam 
pump. 

No.  544,476,  August  13,  1895,  by  Frank  A.  Burnham;  steam  engine 
valve  mechanism. 

No.  421,355,  February  11,  1890,  by  Richard  L.  Frost;  steam  engine 
valve. 

No.  814,793,  March  13,  1906,  by  Foster  M.  Metealf ;  steam  pumping 
engine. 

No.  846,041,  March  5,  1907,  by  Foster  M.  Metealf;  steam  valve 
mechanism. 

The  two  latter  mentioned  are  the  patents  under  which  the  new 
American  line  of  steam  pumps  and  pumping  engines  are  made  b\'  the 
American  Steam  Pump  Company. 

No.  454,753,  June  23,  1891 ;  Ila  N.  Moore,  steam  pump. 

The  above  named  gentlemen  were  all  mechanics  who  were  originally 
employed  by  the  Battle  Creek  Machinery  Company,  and  from  their 
inventions  have  evolved  the  business  of  the  American  Steam  Pump  Com- 
pany, the  Union  Steam  Pump  Company  and  the  Advance  Pump  and 
Compressor  Company.  The  three  concerns  are  reputed  to  make  more 
steam  pumps  annually  than  are  made  in  any  other  city  in  the  world. 

Americ.vn  Steam  Pump  Company 

The  Battle  Creek  ^Machinery  Company  was  the  pioneer  in  the  steam 
pump  industry  in  Battle  Creek,  and  its  successor,  the  American  Steam 
Pump  Company,  has  developed  the  business  from  a  small  beginning. 
This  company  has  manufactured  and  sold  in  twenty-two  years  11. ">,()()() 
steam  and  power  pumps  and  compressors.  It  has  agencies  in  all  jtarts 
of  this  country  and  many  foreign  countries.  The  business  has  gradually 
grown  until  now  the  factory  site  occupies  the  most  of  two  city  blocks. 
The  company  emplo.ys  250  mechanics  and  with  its  office  force  and  travel- 
ing men  gives  employment  to  about  300  men.  The  present  officers  are 
Edward  C.  Hinman,  president  and  treasurer;  Leopold  Werstein,  vice- 
president;  Richard  R.  Hicks,  secretary,  who,  with  William  H.  Mason 
and  John  W.  Bailey,  form  the  Iward  of  directors. 

Advance  Pump  and  Compres.sor  Company 

In  August,  1902,  the  Advance  Pump  and  Compressor  Company  was 
incoi-porated  with  forty-seven  stockholders  representing  a  capital  stock 
of  $150,000  which  had  been  contributed  by  residents  of  Battle  Creek  for 
this  new  industry.  The  original  directors  of  the  company  were :  Charles 
T.  Allen,  Ila  N.  Moore,  Homer  A.  Latta,  John  Heyser,  Harry  E.  Burt  and 


360  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Lewis  B.  Anderson,  and  it  was  the  purpose  of  the  company  to  manufac- 
ture duplex  steam  pumps  and  air  compressors  with  the  addition  of  such 
other  pumping  machinery  as  might  be  found  desirable  from  time  to  time. 

The  factory  of  the  company  is  located  upon  the  corner  of  Flint  and 
Division  streets,  the  company  having  acquired  a  large  section  of  land 
from  the  J.  M.  Ward  estate  and  erected  a  two-story  brick  building  with 
wing  attached  thereto  for  power  plant. 

The  business  started  in  a  modest  way  and  has  continued  to  improve 
its  output  yearly  since  organization.  Its  products  have  been  exported  to 
a  large  number  of  countries  throughout  the  world  and  its  pumping 
machinery  may  be  found  in  some  of  the  largest  and  best  known  institu- 
tions in  our  country.  The  special  characteristics  of  fuel  and  power 
economy  for  operation  have  made  it  possible  for  this  company  to  build 
up  its  business  in  the  short  period  of  ten  years ;  necessitating  forty  factory 
employes  and  an  organization  that  is  known  wherever  pumping  ma- 
chinery is  used. 

The  management  of  the  company  is  in  the  hands  of  John  Heyser, 
president ;  I.  N.  Moore,  vice-president ;  Lewis  B.  Anderson,  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  the  active  manager  of  the  institution  and  has  been 
with  the  company  since  its  inception. 

Recently  a  large  shipment  of  Advance  pumps  was  made  for  use  on  the 
Panama  canal,  while  many  are  to  be  found  in  Government  service  and 
with  municipalities  throughout  the  United  States  for  water  works  service, 
boiler  feeding  and  other  duties.  The  Advance  plant  is  located  on  the 
Michigan  Central  railroad,  on  Division  street — almost  in  the  heart  of  the 
city. 

Duplex  Printing  Press  Company 

Contrihuted 

One  of  the  industries  which  for  the  past  quarter  of  a  century  has  done 
much  to  spread  the  name  of  Battle  Creek  through  the  sending  of  products 
to  all  portions  of  the  world,  and  yet  of  which  little  is  known  locally,  is  the 
Duplex  Printing  Press  Company.  Because  of  the  nature  of  its  product 
there  is  little  occasion  for  the  average  person  of  Battle  Creek  or  its 
vicinity  to  visit  the  works  or  to  know  much  of  what  is  done  there.  The 
fact  is  that  the  company's  plant  is  one  of  the  largest  in  the  world  in 
the  printing  press  line,  and  machines  built  there  are  in  use  throughout 
all  the  civilized  world,  wherever  newspapers  of  any  considerable  daily 
circulation  exist.  Not  only  is  it  one  of  the  largest  plants,  but  it  is  also, 
if  not  the  best-equipped,  at  least  one  of  the  best-equipped  in  the  world. 
The  company  operates  its  own  extensive  foundries  for  both  iron  and  brass, 
being  thus  in  a  position  to  entirely  control  the  quality  of  material, 
rejecting  anything  that  is  not  up  to  standard.  They  also  have  a  large 
forge  room,  in  which  all  of  their  work  of  that  sort  is  done,  none  of  it 
being  let  out  by  contract  to  other  parties,  who  might  or  might  not  take  an 
interest  in  the  quality  of  material  and  grade  of  work.    Even  the  screws 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  :!()! 

and  bolts,  nuts,  etc.,  used  in  the  Duplex  press  are  all  made  in  the  I'aetory 
at  Battle  Creek.    The  equipment  is  complete  in  every  detail. 

The  product  of  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company's  shops  is  entirely 
newspaper  printing  presses.  They  make  no  presses  of  smaller  type. 
Their  lines  comprise  machines  adapted  for  daily  papers  of  any  circula- 
tion from  1,000  upward  to  the  largest  in  the  world,  and  their  trade  has 
been  so  large,  and  their  machines  in  tlie  hands  of  users  so  uniformly 
successful  in  operation,  that  the  name  Duplex  has  come  to  be  the  standard 
of  printing  press  excellence  in  the  American  newspaper  world.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  large  domestic  trade  tlie  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company 
does  an  extensive  foreign  business,  having  agencies  in  almost  every  coun- 
try of  the  globe,  and  its  products  being  manufactured  aud  handled  in 
the  European  market  under  license  by  two  of  the  largest  concerns  in  the 
world,  Linotype  &  Machinery,  Limited,  of  London,  England,  and  the 
Marinoni  Company,  of  Paris,  Fi-ance,  at  whose  works  in  Manchester, 
England,  and  in  Paris,  respectively.  Duplex  machines  are  being  built 
for  this  large  field. 

The  principal  names  connected  with  the  company  are  all  well  known 
in  Battle  Creek  affairs.  Mr.  I.  L.  Stone  has  always  been  the  moving 
spirit  in  the  company  having  started  its  organization  and  been  its  presi- 
dent throughout  its  history.  Associated  with  him  as  officers  and  directors 
are  Mr.  W.  W.  Collier,  vice-president;  Mr.  E.  C.  Nichols,  Prof.  F.  R. 
Mechem,  directoi-s;  Mr.  F.  W.  Dunning,  secretary,  and  Mr.  Chas.  G. 
Mechem.  treasurer. 

The  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  was  organized  in  Battle  Creek 
in  December  of  1884,  their  chief  possession  being  an  idea — a  patent — to 
which  the  organizers  pinned  their  faith.  The  idea,  enide  in  its  develop- 
ment at  the  time  of  organization,  was  that  of  a  flat-bed  printing  press 
capable  of  high  speed,  in  fact,  double  the  speed  then  considered  the 
limit,  this  speed  to  be  obtained  by  utilizing  both  strokes  of  a  reciprocating 
mechanism  as  printing  strokes,  instead  of  printing  on  one  stroke,  and 
"going  back  empty." 

For  six  years  elaborate  experiments  were  carried  on  and  machines 
built  and  rebuilt  in  the  development  of  the  ideas  and  inventions  of  the 
company,  for  the  production  at  a  reasonable  cost  of  a  comparatively  sim- 
ple machine  embodying  the  devices,  a  large  amount  of  money  being 
invested  in  this  way  before  any  commercial  use  of  the  company's  product 
was  at  all  possi])le.  But  mechanical  skill  and  perseverance  in  the  end 
produced  the  desired  press — a  machine  capable  of  printing  from  a  web 
of  continuously-running  paper  at  a  speed  of  4,000  complete  and  folded 
newspapers  per  hour,  and  without  the  use  of  any  expensive  stereotyping 
methods  and  machinery.  The  successful  flat-bed  web  perfecting  press, 
the  Duplex,  was  then  offered  to  the  newspaper  world  and  proved  by  the 
instant  demand  that  it  met  all  the  claims  that  had  been  made  for  it. 

With  the  introduction  of  this  Duplex  stationary  tlat-bed  perfecting 
newspaper  press,  in  1890,  a  unique  and  exceedingly  important  advance 
was  made  in  the  printing  world.  It  was  one  of  those  instances,  notable 
in  the  history  of  mechanical  arts,  in  which  an  urgent  and  universal  need, 
constantly  becoming  more  and  more  pressing,  was  met  by  the  invention 
of  the  means  of  supplying  it — long  sought  in  vain. 


362  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Previous  to  1890  there  was  in  existence  no  printing  machine  capable 
of  meeting  the  requirements  of  publishers  of  daily  newspapers  with  circu- 
lations ranging  from,  say,  1,200  to  10,000,  or  under  certain  conditions  of 
publication,  to  15,000  and  weeklies  with  circulations  up  to  100,000.  The 
hand-fed  presses  were  too  slow — the  rotary  presses,  involving  the  stereo- 
typing process,  too  costly  and  too  cumbersome  and  expensive  in  operation. 

The  Duplex  press,  no  more  expensive  in  operation  than  an  ordinary 
flat-bed  cylinder  press,  with  all  the  advantages  of  a  flat-bed  type  printing 
press,  but  with  a  speed  of  5,000  to  6,000  perfected  papers  per  hour,  of 
four,  six,  eight,  ten  or  twelve  pages  beautifully  printed  and  folded  to 
half-page  or  quarter-page^size,  exactly  met  the  demand  of  these  papers. 
That  this  is  so  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  since  its  introduction  the  demand 
has  been  constantly  beyond  the  supply.  It  is  univei*sally  recognized  as 
the  only  press  now  available  adapted  to  the  economical  production  of 
daily  papers  whose  circulation  is  such  as  to  require  more  speed  than  that 
of  a  hand-fed  machine,  and  yet  not  so  large  as  to  require  more  than  6,000 
per  hour.  The  Duplex  has  achieved  its  present  wide  reputation  solely 
upon  its  merits.  Its  makers  have  not  spent  any  time  proclaiming  its 
excellences  to  the  world.  They  have  been  very  busy  building  the  machines, 
realizing  that  these  in  hundreds  of  newspaper  offices  would  best  tell  the 
story. 

A  little  over  two  yeai-s  after  the  introduction  of  the  Duplex  press 
to  the  market,  was  held  the  World's  Pair  at  Chicago,  in  which  exposition 
the  Duplex,  alreadj'  becoming  well  known  among  newspaper  publishers, 
was  exhibited,  and  where  it  received  first  award. 

The  history  of  the  company  since  has  fulfilled  the  augury  of  this 
early  recognition  of  the  supremacy  of  its  machinery.  The  years  have 
been  marked  by  steady  growth  and  increase  of  plant  and  output,  until 
at  this  writing  the  factory  is  one  of  the  largest  printing  press  factories 
in  the  world,  and  the  only  one  devoted  exclusively  to  the  manufacture 
of  newspaper  machinery.  From  a  small  beginning  the  industry  has 
grown  until  its  main  buildings  cover  practically  an  entire  block  of  the 
city,  other  buildings  and  lands  occupying  two  more,  with  magnificent 
railroad  facilities,  the  private  side  track  totaling  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
length.  This  growth  and  development  was  not,  however,  all  smooth 
sailing.  No  sooner  was  the  Duplex  press  established  as  a  success  and 
recognized  as  the  only  type  of  machine  for  the  newspaper  offices  whose 
needs  it  was  designed  to  meet  than  imitators  sprang  up,  whose  infringe- 
ments of  the  basic  patents  owned  by  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company 
had  to  be  disposed  of  by  protracted  and  expensive  legal  proceedings  under 
the  United  States  patent  laws,  which  in  their  various  forms  dragged 
on  for  many  years,  all  being  eventually  decided  in  favor  of  the  Duplex 
Printing  Press  Company,  which  found  itself  then,  by  virtue  of  the  merit 
of  the  machine  it  was  building  and  the  decision  of  the  courts'  sustaining 
the  patent  rights,  practically  in  sole  possession  of  the  large  press  market 
afforded  by  the  moderate-sized  daily  newspapers. 

Additions  to  the  plant  followed  with  great  frequency,  the  capacity 
of  the  factory  being  doubled  time  and  again  by  additional  buildings  and 
equipment.     The  Duplex  press  became  the  standard  for  the  small  city 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUxXTY  ;]63 

daily  throughout  the  United  States  and  also  filled  a  large  demand  in 
Europe  and  the  Orient,  presses  being  shipped  even  in  the  early  j'ears  to 
England.  Sweden,  Germany  and  other  European  countries,  and  also  to 
South  Africa,  Australia,  Japan,  etc.  Everywhere  their  success  was 
marked. 

The  development  of  this  field  opened  naturally  to  the  Duplex  Printing 
Press  Company  the  field  of  the  larger  daily  papers.  As  the  users  of  the 
Duplex  flat-bed  machine  found  their  business  rapidly  increasing,  hirgely 
due  to  the  economies  and  facilities  furnished  by  the  use  of  the  Duplex, 
their  natural  inclination  was  to  turn  to  tlie  Duplex  Printing  Press  Com- 
pany again  for  a  machine  to  fit  their  larger  needs.  As  a  result  of  this 
demand  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  in  1904  turned  its  attention 
to  the  development  of  rotary,  or  stereotype,  machines  of  improved  pat- 
tern,— machines  to  be  as  great  an  advance  in  the  rotaiy  press  field  as  the 
Duplex  flat-bed  had  been  in  the  flat-bed  field. 

But  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  this  was  the  fii-st  move  of  the  Duplex 
Printing  Press  Company  along  these  lines.  As  much  as  ten  or  twelve 
years  before  this  date  the  far-seeing  members  of  the  company  had  realized 
that  there  would  inevitably  come  a  call  for  a  Duplex  rotary  press,  and 
at  that  early  date  the  superintendent  and  designer,  Mr.  H.  F.  Bechman, 
was  thinking  of  tlie  problem  and  planning  machines  with  which  to  meet 
the  demand  when  it  should  be  found  sufficient  to  warrant  going  ahead 
■nith  the  work.  Therefore,  when  in  1904  it  was  decided  that  the  time  had 
come  to  reach  forward  into  the  field  of  larger  machines,  there  was  no 
hesitation  or  groping  in  the  dark  for  an  idea.  The  press  to  be  built,  was 
already  planned  in  its  general  principles,  and  it  was  only  necessary  to 
develop  and  perfect  the  details  of  construction.  One  of  the  old  erecting 
rooms,  outgrown  by  the  flat-bed  business  and  used  more  or  less  for  storage, 
was  cleared  out  and  soon  again  became  a  center  of  activity,  the  experi- 
mental room  in  which  the  new  Duplex  rotary  was  developed  and  built. 
The  first  machine  was  put  forward  in  the  factory  just  as  fast  as  drawings 
and  patterns  could  be  made,  and  before  many  weeks  had  passed  the  press, 
an  entirely  novel  arrangement  of  printing  mechanisms,  resulting  in  great 
economy  of  space  and  simplification  of  gearing  and  frame  work,  with  the 
natural  result  of  extreme  solidity  and  compactness,  was  ready  for  demon- 
stration and  exhibition  to  the  public. 

The  new  Duplex  rotary  press  attracted  wide  attention  throughout 
the  country.  Many  publishers  and  mechanical  superintendents  of  press- 
rooms in  New  York,  Chicago,  San  Francisco,  Detroit  and  numerous  other 
places  visited  Battle  Creek  to  inspect  this  machine,  and  their  opinion 
as  to  its  merits  was  unanimous.  Without  exception  they  agreed  that  it 
was  the  most  remarkable  advance  in  printing  presses  that  had  been  made 
for  many  years.  The  press  first  built  was  a  32-page  stereotype  machine, 
commonly  called  a  quadruple  press,  but  it  fully  illustrated  the  possi- 
bilities of  larger  machines  built  on  the  same  plan,  with  all  of  the  advan- 
tages obtained  thereby. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  exhibition  of  this  press  resulted  verj' 
promptly  in  sales  in  the  large  cities.  In  fact,  the  first  press  sold  of  this 
type  was  sold  to  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  of  New  York  City.    Similar 


364  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

machines  were  early  placed  in  Minneapolis,  Milwaukee  and  other  cities. 

The  facts  connected  with  the  shipment  and  erection  of  the  press  for 
the  Journal  of  Cmnmerce  sufficiently  demonstrate  the  marvelous  sim- 
plicity of  the  press.  This  machine,  the  very  first  to  be  sold  or  erected, 
left  Battle  Creek  via  Grand  Trunk  railroad  at  5 :30  a.  m.,  Friday,  June 
22,  1906.  It  reached  New  York,  828  miles  distant,  on  Monday,  June  25. 
It  was  transferred  to  the  pressroom  of  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  32 
Broadway,  and  erection  was  begun  Tuesday,  June  26.  At  midnight  of 
Sunday,  July  1,  the  press  was  ready  for  the  forms,  but  at  that  time  not 
a  wheel  had  been  turned  nor  paper  put  into  the  machine.  At  1 :00 
o'clock  a.  m.  Monday,  the  plates  were  put  on  and  the  regular  edition  of 
the  Journal  of  Commerce  and  Comiiu nial  liulhtin-  was  run  off  with- 
out a  hitch.  In  ten  days  from  the  tiinc  this  :;L'-page  rotary  press  left 
Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  it  had  printed  a  complete  edition  of  the  Jour- 
nal of  Commerce  iu  New  York  City. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Duplex  Company  had  but  three 
of  their  men  in  New  York  to  do  this  work,  that  these  men  had  never 
erected  (nor  had  any  one  else  in  any  pressroom)  a  similar  machine  be- 
fore, and  that  these  erectors  were  not  the  buildei-s  of  the  machine,  only 
one  of  them  being  a  machinist  who  had  worked  upon  it.  Had  the  press 
not  been  far  and  awa.y  simpler  and  easier  to  erect  and  operate  than  the 
ordinary  style  of  machine,  the  above  record,  which  had  never  before  been 
approached,  would  have  been  impossible. 

It  was  apparent  at  once  to  all  connected  with  the  Duplex  Company 
that  there  would  be  a  demand  for  this  machine  fully  equal  to  that  enjoyed 
by  the  flat-bed  department,  and  even  greater.  Additional  facilities  were 
immediately  required,  and  furnished  by  the  erection  of  another  large 
machine  shop  to  be  used  exclusively  for  the  rotary  press  department. 

In  connection  with  the  development  of  this  new  type  of  press  the 
Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  designed  and  built  a  full  line  of  stereo- 
typing machinery  of  a  quality  in  complete  accord  with  that  of  the  press 
it  was  to  accompany. 

But  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Companj%  having  entered  the  rotary 
press  field  and  not  being  in  a  rut  through  long  building  of  certain  types 
of  machines,  was  not  satisfied  that  this  machine  that  they  had  .just  built, 
and  Avhich  was  admittedly  a  great  advance,  could  not  be  still  further 
improved  upon.  By  changes  of  design,  rearrangement  of  parts,  and  im- 
proved designs,  the  Duplex  rotary  had  reduced  by  about  fifty  per  cent 
the  space  required  for  the  operation  of  large-sized  pi-esses,  but  it  still 
continued  to  use  two  plates  to  each  page  to  be  printed.  Obviously  this 
was  a  wasteful  proceeding.  The  simple  machine  should  be  one  which 
operated  ■(\'ith  one  plate  for  a  page,  but  builders  and  printing  press 
experts  who  had  been  studying  the  problem  for  many  years  in  various 
factories  declared  that  such  a  machine  was  an  impossibility.  This  did 
not  deter  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  and  Mr.  Bechman  from 
attacking  the  problem,  and  attacking  it  so  successfully  that  within  three 
years  from  their  first  entry  into  the  rotary  field  the  Duplex  Printing 
Press  Company  announced  to  newspaper  publishers  that  the  problem 
was  solved  and  a  press  was  on  the  market  which  required  no  more  than 
one  plate  to  be  made  per  page  to  be  printed. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  365 

This  inveution  was  so  uovel,  and  the  claims  made  for  it  were  so 
revolutionary  and  exceedingly  important  that  the  announcement  was 
received  with  more  or  less  incredulity,  but  the  reputation  which  the 
Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  had  so  thoroughly  established  in  the 
years  gone  by  for  progress  and  the  practical  application  of  new  ideas  in 
the  production  of  improved  machines,  gave  credit  to  the  claims  The 
inveution  which  characterized  this  machine  is  the  use  of  cylindrical  or 
tubular,  plates,  instead  of  the  old  style  semi-cylindrical  used  on  all  other 
stereotype  presses.  The  advantage  obtained  by  this  invention  is  that  a 
Duplex  tubular-plate  machine  carrying  exactly  the  same  number  of 
plates  as  any  other  style  machine  and  running  at  the  same  speed  will 
give  just  doidile  the  product. 

The  Duplex  tubular  was  not  long  in  demonstrating  the  validity  of  the 
claims  made  for  it,  and  it  attracted  more  attention  and  interested  investi- 
gation, because  of  its  novelty,  than  had  the  other  style  of  rotary  press. 
Although  at  this  wTiting  a  comparatively  novel  machine,  the  tubular 
press  is  recognized  and  acknowledged  by  the  leading  press  experts  of 
the  world  to  be  the  type  of  machine  bound  to  dominate  the  whole  rotary 
press  field. 

In  brief,  the  history  of  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  has  been 
marked  by  development  of  distinct  and  notable  advances  in  printing 
press  construction  in  every  field  which  the  company  has  entered.  Each 
product  has  been  more  than  an  improvement.  They  have  been  radical 
changes,  involving  new  and  in  many  respects  revolutionary  features. 
Also  the  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company  was  the  first  printing  press 
concern  to  develop  and  build  a  complete  line  covering  the  whole  field 
of  newspaper  perfecting  presses.  Other  companies  had  individually 
covered  different  portions  of  the  field.  When  the  Duplex  Printing  Press 
Company  added  to  its  line  the  rotary  machines  it  assumed  a  unic(ue 
position  among  press  builders  and  attained  a  preeminence  which  it  lias 
maintained  by  the  perfection  of  workmanship  and  design. 

Battle  Creek  Prep.vred  Food  Industry 

Contributed 

Through  the  millions  of  dollars  spent  in  tliis  country  and  abroad  in 
advertising  food  products.  Battle  Creek  has  come  to  be  known  as  the 
home  of  the  breakfast  food.  This  is  the  true  conclusion  for  the  city 
produces  and  markets  a  greater  amount  of  prepared  food  annually  than 
any  other  city  in  the  world.  The  food  industry  is  the  city's  chief  revenue 
producer  and  furnishes  employment  to  more  men  and  women  than  any 
other  line  of  manufacturing  in  the  city,  although  Battle  Creek  is  one  of 
the  principal  manufacturing  points  of  the  state  and  produces  a  varied 
line  of  goods  including  printing  presses,  stoves,  steam  pumps,  threshing 
machines  and  the  like. 

The  number  of  concerns  actively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and 
sale  of  prepared  foods  in  Battle  Creek  has  narrowed  down  to  a  few  out  of 
the  many  which  have  been  started. 


366  HISTOKY  OF  CALHOUxN  COUNTY 

Records  show  that  fifty-four  companies  have  been  organized  in  Cal- 
houn county  for  the  manufacture  of  cereal  food  and  drinks,  representing 
a  capitalization  of  more  than  $28,000,000. 

Nearly  forty-five  years  ago  a  band  of  men  ' '  who  believed  in  altruism 
and  human  progress  purchased  a  small  two-story  farmhouse  in  a  fine 
grove  at  the  edge  of  Battle  Creek  and  opened  a  water  cure  under  the 
name  of  the  Health  Reform  Institute."  Ten  years  later  it  was  turned 
over  to  the  Seventh  Day  Adveutists  church  and  by  people  of  that  faith 
operated  as  a  sanitarium.  This  sanitarium  alienated  from  the  faith  of 
the  Adveutists  is  now  operated  under  the  name  of  The  Battle  Creek 
Sanitarium  and  incidental  to  its  operation  various  experiments  were  made 
to  perfect  healthful  food.  Later  the  idea  of  a  cereal  substitute  for  coffee 
was  given  attention  and  resorting  to  the  processes  used  by  the  soldiers  in 
the  Civil  war,  a  beverage  made  of  bran  and  molasses  was  evolved.  No 
attempt  was  made,  however,  until  many  years  later  by  the  Sanitarium 
authorities  to  market  these  various  food  products.  They  merely  made 
use  of  the  products  as  an  aid  to  the  system  of  dietetics  which  has  been 
used  with  splendid  effect  at  that  institution.  On  January  1,  1895,  C.  W. 
Post  started  the  manufacture  of  a  cereal  coffee  which  he  called  "Postum. " 

The  business  was  skilfully  advertised  and  grew  very  rapidly,  demand- 
ing frequent  additions  to  the  manufacturing  equipment,  and  the  plant 
grew  fast.  This  attracted  widespread  attention  and  other  capitalists  and 
brought  in  a  great  number  of  promotors  who  inaugurated  a  veritable 
'"boom"  later  on. 

Before  the  "boom"  was  started  Mr.  Post  had  perfected  the  now 
widely -known  food  called  ' '  Grape-Nuts. ' '  After  this  product  had  added 
to  the  fame  of  Battle  Creek  food  products  the  "boom"  got  well  under 
way. 

The  first  competing  company  to  be  organized  was  The  Battle  Creek 
Cereal  Food  Company  which  was  chartered  March  20,  1897.  Associated 
in  the  management  of  this  company  which  had  a  capital  of  $25,000,  M'ere 
Wm.  HefBey,  David  Quinn,  J.  A.  S.  Derby  and  W.  H.  Jones.  This  com- 
pany produced  a  cereal  beverage  which  was  widely  advertised  and  for 
a  time  was  successfully  mai-keted. 

On  June  11,  1897,  another  company  came  into  being  known  as  The 
Moko  Health  Drink  Company,  claiming  a  capitalization  of  $50,000. 
Managing  the  affairs  of  this  corporation  were  John  C.  Reynolds,  C.  W. 
Sellers  and  W.  A.  Crosby.  The  product  of  the  company  was  a  cereal 
drink  called  ' '  Moko ' '  and  it  was  the  first  to  possess  a  fanciful  name  the 
like  of  which  characterized  the  ' '  boom. ' '  Most  of  the  products  were  given 
old  soubriquets,  catchy  in  many  instances  and  easy  to  remember.  These 
names  M'idely  advertised  made  possible  many  a  sally  of  wit  at  the  expense 
of  the  breakfast  food  industry.  These  companies  floui-ished  briefly,  at 
least,  and  furnished  an  incentive  for  the  organization  of  others.  The  idea 
of  preparing  food  from  the  kernels  of  nuts  then  was  capitalized,  the 
Sanitas  Nut  Food  Company,  Ltd.,  being  authorized  to  begin  operation 
January  25,  1899.  Directing  the  destinies  of  this  company  were  W.  K. 
Kellogg,  "Wilfred  C.  Kellogg,  L.  E.  D.  Lawson  and  others. 


IlISTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COrXTY  367 

Many  other  similai-  compauies  were  organized  along  the  same  general 
lines,  all  producing  cereal  foods  and  drinks. 

On  August  12,  1901,  the  Korn  Krisp  Company  was  organized  with 
a  capital  of  $300,000  and  began  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  flake  food 
in  commercial  quantities  in  Battle  Creek.  The  success  of  tliis  venture, 
temporarily,  was  very  marked.  The  light,  palatable  flaked  corn  proved 
verj'  salable  and  many  new  companies  subsequently  undertook  the  manu- 
facture of  other  varieties  of  flake  foods. 

P"'rom  1901  to  1905  new  companies  were  formed  over  night.  There 
were  at  one  time  thirty-two  food  manufacturing  concerns  in  operation 
in  Battle  Creek.  Records  of  incorporation  do  not  include  all  of  the  com- 
panies that  were  launched.  Many  were  never  incorporated.  Families 
invested  savings  in  cereal  manufacturing  machinery  and  set  up  manu- 
facturing plants  in  sheds  and  even  in  tents.  The  market  at  the  begin- 
ning clamored  for  new  foods,  but  in  a  short  time  the  inevitable  reaction 
came,  leaving  intact  the  original  food  factories,  whose  successes  the  imi- 
tators have  sought  to  follow. 

The  present  large  food  factories  in  Battle  Creek  supply  many  million 
dollars'  worth  of  food  and  beverages  to  the  world  at  large,  the  products 
going  into  every  corner  of  the  globe. 

These  food  factories  are  notably  clean  and  their  products  pure  and 
manufactured  on  scientific  principles. 

The  largest  plant  is  that  of  the  Postum  Cereal  Co.,  Ltd.,  which  is 
owned  by  C.  W.  Post  and  his  daughter,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Close. 

This  business  was  conducted  for  a  time  without  being  incorporated 
and  previous  to  its  incorporation  ilr.  Post  joined  in  another  small  cor- 
poration for  the  purpose  of  marketing  some  other  products. 

This  \vill  account  for  the  fact  that  his  name  appears  as  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Battle  Creek  Health  Food  Company  in  December  6, 
1895 — whereas  the  Postum  Cereal  Company,  Ltd.,  was  organized  October 
26,  1896. 

The  sanitarium,  under  Dr.  Kellogg,  produces  a  great  variety  of  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  healthful  foods,  which  are  served  on  the  sanitarium 
tables  and  shipped  to  customers  from  the  sanitarium  food  factories. 

It  is  safe  to  say  that  every  prepared  food  made  in  Battle  Creek  is 
not  only  made  in  a  cleanly  manner,  but  is  healthful  and  nourishing. 

This  is  a  well-known  fact,  and  can  be  proven  by  a  visit  to  any  of  the 
factories.  Visitors  are  given  a  cordial  welcome  and  in  some  of  the 
factories — notably  the  Postum  Cereal  Company,  Ltd.,  large  numbers  of 
visitors  are  in  attendance  daily  being  shown  every  niche  and  corner  of  the 
works. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  SANITARIUM  AND  MEMORIAL  HOSPITAL 

Birth  op  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium — Enter  Dr.  J.  H.  Kellogg — 
Change  of  Name — First  Sanitarium  Buildings — Fire  op  1902 — 
New  Main  Structure — Courses  and  Means  op  Treatment — Train- 
ing School  for  Nurses — Educational  Work — A  Purely  Philan- 
thropic Institution — Haskell  Home  for  Orphans  and  Destitute 
Children — Nichols  Memorial  Hospital  and  Charitable  Union. 

This  chapter  is  worthily  devoted  to  the  histoiy  and  description  of  two 
institutions  of  which  Battle  Creek  is  justly  proud— the  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
tarium and  the  Nichols  Memorial  Hospital. 

Birth  op  Battle  Creek  Sanit.vrium 

The  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium,  as  hefits  an  American  institution  that 
has  attained  phenomenal  success,  began  in  a  humble  way.  It  was  not 
born  in  a  log  cabin,  it  is  true,  but  what  was  almost  as  modest,  it  began 
in  a  frame  farm  house,  in  the  environs  of  what  was  then  the  village  of 
Battle  Creek. 

The  Western  Health  Reform  Institute — the  original  name  of  the 
institution — was  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1866,  with  a  physician  and 
assistants  in  charge.  The  following  winter  the  legislature  enacted  a  law, 
making  provision  for  the  incorporation  of  health  institutions,  and  May 
17,  1867,  the  institute  entered  upon  its  corporate  existence,  stock  to  the 
extent  of  $26,100  having  been  sold. 

The  points  of  "reform"  on  which  the  founders  laid  emphasis  were 
chiefly  diet,  dress,  and  the  substitution  of  water  treatment  for  drugs. 
To  supplement  its  work  the  institute  issued  a  monthlj^  journal,  called 
The  Health  Reformer.  The  Reformer  was  a  small  sixteen-page  sheet, 
and  was  edited  by  the  physician  in  charge. 

Enter  Dr.  J.  H.  Kellogg 

Nine  years  later,  Dr.  J.  H.  Kellogg  having  become  associated  with  the 
institute  in  the  capacity  of  physician-in-chief,  plans  were  laid  for  a  more 
commodious  building,  the  growing  patronage  tilling  the  original  structure 
and  necessitating  the  renting  of  rooms  in  the  neighborhood  to  aeeom- 


370  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

modate  the  patients.  Work  was  soon  begun  on  a  building  one  hundred 
and  forty-six  feet  long,  four  stories  and  basement,  situated  on  the  site 
occupied  by  the  present  main  building.  This  structure  was  completed 
and  dedicated  April  10,  1878.  A  large  number  of  prominent  men  and 
women  from  various  parts  of  the  United  States  were  present  at  the  dedi- 
cation, and  the  building  was  declared  to  be  the  "largest  and  most  per- 
fectly constructed  edifice  of  its  kind  in  America,  and  the  only  one  of  note, 
especially  built  for,  and  adapted  to,  the  purpose  of  a  hygienic  hospital  and 
home  for  the  sick ; ' '  but  the  renting  of  rooms  in  nearby  residences  again 
became  necessary. 

Coincident  with  the  increase  in  patronage  under  the  new  manage- 
ment was  the  growing  recognition  by  physicians  and  scientists  throughout 
the  country  of  the  importance  of  the  scientific  principles  upon  which 
the  work  of  the  Sanitarium  was  based.  Institutions  of  healing  were  not 
unknown ;  there  were  hospitals  which  represented  each  some  new  thera- 
peutic agent  that  in  most  cases  was  regarded  as  a  panacea  for  human  ills 
and  that  was  thus  exploited  to  the  neglect  of  other  measures  etpially 
valuable.  This  was  true  of  the  so-called  "water  cures"  that  were  so 
numerous  both  in  this  country  and  Europe  about  the  middle  of  the  last 
century,  and  of  the  electrical  establishments,  movement  institutes,  diet 
cures,  and  other  institutions.  The  new  management  of  the  sanitarium 
was  early  impressed  \vith  the  need  of  an  establishment  where  patients 
could  have  the  advantages  of  all  the  natural  methods  of  cure — scientifie 
feeding,  massage,  applications  of  electricity,  baths  and  other  like  meas- 
ures. The  idea  was  to  add  to  the  advantages  of  the  ordinary  hospital 
all  the  recently  developed  resources  of  physiological  medicine  and  to 
make  provision  for  the  practical  application  of  the  discoveries  of  Voit, 
Pettenkofer  and  others  in  diet  and  scentific  nutrition. 

Change  op  Name 

In  view  of  this  larger  conception  of  a  sanitarium  and  its  work,  the 
name  W(sf(  ni  IlialUi  Reform  Institnte  was  felt  to  be  inadequate,  and 
so  the  word  '"sanitarium"  was  coined  to  meet  the  case  by  modifying  the 
word  ' '  sanatorium, ' '  which  was  then  defined  by  Webster 's  dictionary  as 
"in  England  a  health  resort  for  invalid  soldiers."  This  was  the  first  use 
of  the  word  "sanitarium." 

The  unique  character  of  the  sanitarium  came  to  the  recognized  by 
physicians  in  every  part  of  the  world,  and  the  institution  rapidly 
acquired  a  reputation  for  the  diversity,  thoroughness  and  scientific  accu- 
racy of  its  treatments.  The  result  was  that  the  sanitarium  soon  con- 
tained patients  from  every  state  in  the  Union — extremely  difScult  cases, 
many  of  them,  sent  by  physicians  who  wished  them  to  benefit  by  certain 
kinds  of  treatment  whose  administration  the  institution  had  carried  to 
approximate  perfection,  or  of  a  combination  of  treatments.  Thus  as  early 
as  1877  a  report  showed  the  treatment  of  493  patients  without  a  single 
death. 

In  1884  the  need  of  more  room  had  become  urgent,  so  urgent,  indeed, 
that  the  new  gymnasium  recently  erected,  forty-five  by  eighty-five  feet  in 


IlISTOKY  OF  CALIIOrX  COl'XTY  ;!71 

size,  was  pressed  into  service  as  a  diuini;  room:  the  diuiii-;'  nidiii  in  ilie 
older  structure.  \)vmg  iiuule(|iia1e  for  the  iiiei'eased  patronage,  was  con- 
verted into  offices  and  laboratories.  A  six-story  addition  was  accoi'dinjrl.v 
erected  at  the  south  end  of  the  main  building,  devoted,  the  first  floor  to 
a  beautiful  dining  room  that  accommodated  tive  hundred  guests,  and  the 
remaining  floors  to  patients"  rooms. 

First  S.vnitarium  Building.s 

Including  this  new  addition  the  sanitarium  now  measured  lour  hun- 
dred and  seventy-flve  feet,  including  a  rear  extension  of  one  hundred 
feet  that  had  been  built,  with  a  width  of  from  forty  to  fifty-four  feet. 
The  south  extension  practically  doubled  the  capacity  of  the  building,  but 
it  was  not  long  before  the  need  of  more  room  was  again  felt. 


t^^Bp  ^^^^^^BffSKi^^ia^fj 

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|{^^^^9^HHe'W$I'":i'i  iii"!i!  i:ii;:"'ij!i:iiiH".liM 

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'■"      1'     BlP'  I 

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^ 

({rand  March  in  Gymnasium 


In  1888,  accordingly,  a  hospital  building,  five  stories  high,  was  erected 
just  north  of  the  main  structure,  across  what  was  known  a.s  Barbour 
street.  Here  were  aceominodated  charity  patients,  of  which  the  sani- 
tarium has  always  cared  for  a  large  number,  together  with  a  surgical  ward 
and  operating  room. 

So  rapid  was  the  growth  of  the  sanitarium  patronage,  however,  that 
even  these  extensions  did  not  afford  sufifieient  capacity,  and  in  18f)0  there 
was  added  to  the  north  end  of  the  main  building  a  six-stor>'  addition, 
uniform  in  general  style  with  the  south  addition  built  in  1884.  The  main 
building  at  the  same  time  was  raised  one  story,  giving  the  sanitarium 
a  total  capacity  of  five  hundred  patients. 


372  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Room  still  remained  at  a  premium,  however,  and  a  large  number  of 
rooms  continued  to  be  hired  in  neighborhood  houses,  although  the  insti- 
tution had  purchased  and  erected  a  considerable  number  of  cottages, 
while  during  the  summer  months  several  patients  were  accommodated  in 
a  commodious  villa  built  at  Lake  Goguac  in  1867,  and  which  still  stands. 

With  the  rapid  growth  in  patronage  the  housing  of  the  large  army 
of  employees  became  a  pressing  problem.  Thus  far  these  had  been  roomed, 
for  the  most  part,  in  cottages,  but  in  the  year  1894  a  large  building,  five 
stories  and  basement,  was  erected  on  a  site  a  hundred  yards  back  of  the 
main  building.  This  structure,  which  became  known  as  East  Hall,  still 
stands,  but  since  the  fire  has  been  used  for  patients. 

In  the  year  1897  a  beautiful  chapel  was  added  to  the  gymnasium, 
being  connected  with  the  latter  by  sliding  partitions,  the  two  being  com- 
bined for  the  holding  of  lectures  and  other  meetings,  affording  a  seating 
capacity  of  a  thousand  persons. 

Fire  of  1902 

In  the  early  morniug  of  February  18.  1902,  the  main  building  and 
hospital,  together  with  the  "annex,"  the  original  building,  were  com- 
pletely destroyed  by  fire,  the  patients  (about  four  hundred  in  number) 
and  helpers  providentially  escaping  without  loss  of  life.  Homes  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  sanitarium  were  very  generously  thrown  open 
for  the  reception  of  patients  until  permanent  quarters  could  be  arranged 
for ;  East  Hall  was  hastily  fitted  up  for  the  use  of  patients,  as  were  also 
South  and  West  Halls,  dormitories  of  the  Battle  Creek  College,  while 
many  of  the  rooms  in  the  college  building  itself  were  made  over  for  guest 
rooms.  lu  this  way,  and  by  economizing  in  the  accommodations  afforded 
by  the  numerous  cottages,  the  patients  were  soon  comfortably  housed. 
Treatment  rooms  were  fitted  up  in  East  Hall  and  in  the  college  building, 
and  dining  facilities  in  East  Hall,  so  that,  save  for  the  slight  inconve- 
nience to  the  guests  iu  getting  to  their  treatments  and  meals,  sanitarium 
life  proceeded  very  much  as  before. 

New  ilAiN  Structure 

The  management  turned  its  attention  without  delay  to  the  construc- 
tion of  a  new  building;  on  the  lltli  of  May  following,  the  Corner  stone 
was  laid  amid  impressive  ceremonies,  and  a  j'ear  later,  on  May  31,  1903, 
the  new  main  building  was  dedicated.  Invitations  were  sent  out  by  state 
officials,  and  Governor  Bliss,  though  unable  at  the  last  moment  to  be 
present,  sent  a  representative  in  the  person  of  his  private  secretary, 
Major  H.  E.  Johnson.  President  Roosevelt,  Attorney-General  KJiox  and 
Secretary  Root  sent  messages  of  cougratulaton,  and  regretted  that  they 
were  unable  to  be  present.  Governors  Toole,  of  Montana,  Cummins,  of 
Iowa,  Durbin,  of  Indiana,  Smith,  of  Maryland,  Pennypacker,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Bates,  of  Massachusetts,  White,  of  Dakota,  Dockery,  of  Missouri, 
and  Mickey,  of  Nebraska,  also  acknowledged  their  personal  interest  in  the 
occasion  in  appropriate  terms.   And  Hon.  Perry  F.  Powers,  who  presided 


374  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

over  the  exei'cises,  remarked  in  his  opening  address:  "There  has  come 
into  our  national  and  individual  lives  a  realization  of  the  fact  that  he 
gains  most  for  himself  who  gives  out  most,  from  whose  life  comes  the 
greatest  benefits  to  those  about  him.  We  are  celebrating  today  a  gloriovis 
victory,  the  dedication  of  an  institution  that  will  make  life'  better  and 
the  term,  'a  citizen  of  Michigan'  a  prouder  title  than  ever."  In  a  special 
article  to  the  press,  in  which  he  called  public  attention  to  the  work  of  the 
sanitarium,  Mr.  Powers  pointed' out  that  "the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium 
is  not  a  state  institution,  so  far  as  state  control  and  state  appropriations 
are  concerned.  It  adds  nothing  to  the  burden  of  state  taxation,  and 
requires  from  no  citizen  payments  of  rates  or  taxes  to  provide  for  its 
helpful  existence ;  but  it  is  a  worthy  and  most  desirable  state  institution 
from  every  other  point  of  view.  It  has  assisted  in  spreading  the  name 
and  fame  of  Michigan  throughout  the  civilized  sections  of  the  globe;  and 
in  far-off  South  Africa  and  Austi*alia  and  New  Zealand,  in  all  the  great 
commercial  centers  of  Europe,  and  in  the  islands  of  the  sea,  iMichigan  is 
known,  and  the  ac(|uaintance  will  be  increased  through  the  establishment 
of  institutions  similar  to  the  greater  and  older  establishment  at  Battle 
Creek.  An  important  public  purpose  fulfilled  by  the  Battle  Creek 
Sanitarium,  and  one  which  gives  it  especial  value  to  Michigan  and  our 
neighboring  states,  is  the  service  it  has  rendered  as  a  training-school  for 
physicians  and  nurses.  Michigan  is  proud  of  its  great  university  at 
Ann  Arlior,  and  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  annually  required 
to  meet  the  expenses  of  that  great  educational  institution  are*  cheerfully 
paid  from  the  pockets  of  the  people  in  order  that  its  great  work  may  be 
continued  and  its  pi-ogi-ess  encouraged.  Yet  it  can  hardly  be  said  that 
less  value  has  come  to  our  state  from  an  institution  such  as  the  Battle 
Creek  Sanitarium,  which  has  sent  out  over  one  thousand  nurses  and 
physicians  (now  more  than  2,200),  trained  and  equipped  not  only  through 
demonstrations  of  the  laboratory  and  discussions  in  the  class-room,  but 
by  anxious  days  and  nights  of  careful  and  conscientious  service  in  the 
practical  battle  against  death  and  disease." 

Professor  M.  V.  O'Shea,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  in  the  course 
of  an  address,  remarked,  of  the  ideals  for  which  the  new  institution 
stands :  ' '  This  magnificent  institution  which  we  dedicate  today  is  a  grand 
and  glorious  exponent  of  rational  methods  in  therapeutics  and  hygiene. 
It  is  the  leader  in  the  great  movement  to  adopt  natural  methods  in  the 
cure  of  disease  and  in  the  conduct  of  daily  life.  In  its  laboratories  it  is 
striving  ever  to  add  to  the  sum  of  human  knowledge  regarding  the  way 
in  which  the  human  body  is  constructed  and  the  manner  in  which  every 
member  thereof  serves  the  whole  most  effe^ctively.  And  then  it  seeks  to 
discover  what  alterations  occur  in  the  work  of  any  organ  in  cases  of 
disease;  and  finally  it  aims  to  discover  by  observation  and  experi- 
mentation how  members  that  have  fallen  out  of  tune,  as  it  were,  may 
be  brought  back  into  harmony  with  other  organs.  This  institution 
has  developed  a  great  system  of  rational  hygiene,  and  its  influence 
is  spreading  to  every  corner  of  the  earth.  Go  where  one  may  in 
this  or  other  lands  and  you  mil  find  those  who  are  loud  in  their  praises 
of  Battle  Creek,  for  it  has  taught  them  how  to  live  so  that  they  mav 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  C'orXTY  375 

not  only   have   health  and   strength,   but   also   that   they    may   through 
rational  living  feel  in  tune  with  the  infinite. " 

The  new  building  is  six  stories  high,  five  luuulred  fifty  feet  long  and 
from  fifty  to  sixty  feet  deep,  built  in  a  niodiiied  Kenaissanee  style.  The 
front  elevation  is  marked  by  a  beautiful  series  of  six  lonie  pillars,  super- 
imposed upon  massive  arches  and  flanked  by  a  series  of  arehes  that  extend 
in  either  direction  to  the  wings,  forming  beautiful  loggias.  The  north 
and  south  elevations  of  the  building  bear  similar  porticoes  with  four 
columns  each.  At  the  rear  of  the  sanitarium  a  semi-circular  space  con- 
tains a  palm  garden,  in  which  are  to  be  found  a  beautiful  rockery  and  a 
splendid  growth  of  tropical  plants  such  as  the  banana,  orange,  palms,  etc. 
Radiating  from  the  palm  garden,  like  the  spokes  of  a  wheel,  and  con- 
nected by  a  semi-circular  corridor,  are  three  wings  which  contain,  that  to 
the  right  and  left  treatment  i-ooms  for  ladies  and  for  gentlemen,  respec- 
tively, and  the  center  a  large  gymnasium. 

Physicians'  offices  and  a  commodious  parlor  occupy  the  first  floor  of 
the  main  building.  The  second,  third,  fourth  and  fifth  floors  are  given 
up  to  patients'  rooms,  the  north  half  of  the  fifth  floor  being  devoted  to 
surgical  cases.  The  operating  rooms  are  at  the  extreme  north  entl  of  the 
sixth  floor. 

Courses  and  Means  op  Treatment 

In  the  treatment  rooms  are  to  be  found  every  facility  and  device 
known  to  modern  therapeutics  for  the  cure  of  disease.  Besides  the  large 
number  of  treatments  which  have  originated  at  the  sanitai-ium,  the  great 
medical  centers  of  Europe  have  been  frequently  visited  and  the  methods 
in  use  in  the  great  clinics  and  hospitals  have  been  adapted  to  sanitarium 
use  wherever  practicable,  with  the  result  that  no  institution  in  the  world 
is  so  fully  equipped  and  able  to  treat  so  w'ide  a  variety  of  disorders  as  the 
Battle  Creek  Sanitarium ;  or,  as  a  visitor  from  the  old  world,  prominent 
in  social  and  business  life  of  the  great  cities  of  the  Continent,  once  said,: 

"I  have  visited  all  the  great  scientific  laboratories  of  Europe.  I  am 
familiar  with  all  the  tabulated  work  that  has  been  done  in  nearly  all  the 
great  hospitals  of  Europe,  and  I  am  surprised,  I  am  amazed,  I  am  almost 
confounded,  to  find  that  in  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  laboratory,  in 
its  analytical  work,  in  its  chemical  M'ork,  and  in  other  work  done  by  the 
Battle  Creek  corps  of  physicians  and  chemists,  they  have  far  exceeded 
anything  that  I  have  ever  known  in  Europe.  They  are  not  only  far  ahead 
as  to  things  that  they  have  actually  discovered,  but  they  have  taken  the 
data  which  has  been  furnished  them  elsewhere,  and  they  have  carried 
their  application  far  beyond  those  of  any  other  medical  soientists  in  the 
world. ' ' 

We  may  at  this  point  summarize  the  various  methods  of  cure  as  per- 
fected at  the  sanitarium  and  employed  at  the  present  time,  in  pursuance 
of  the  avowed  purposes  of  the  management :  "To  put  into  actual,  effective 
and  systematic  use.  every  practical  method  which  modern  medical  sci- 
ence has  provided  for  the  accurate  determination  of  deviations  from  the 
normal  standard  of  health  in  structure  or  function,  and  for  the  estima- 
tion of  the  amount  of  such  variation,  so  far  as  possible  expressing  these 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


;]77 


variations  by  means  of  co-efficients,  so  as  to  make  exact  comparison  possi- 
ble, to  make  available  in  most  approved  form  every  rational  curative 
means  known  to  medical  science,  so  that  the  same  may  be  brought  to 
bear  in  any  individual  case,  giving  special  prominence  to  physical 
therapy,  or  so  called  physiologic  therapeutics. ' ' 

Chief  among  the  treatment  is  the  system  of  hydrotherapeutic  appli- 
cations, of  which  there  are  more  than  two  hundred,  including  among 
others,  the  follo^\^ng:  cold,  cool,  neutral,  warm,  hot,  alternate,  percus- 
sion, and  vapor  douches;  cold,  cool,  tonic,  neutral  and  hot  graduated 
douchrs:   hot,  tepid,  and  cool  luilf-hatlis;   cool  and  tepid  shallow  baths; 


Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  in  1876 


hot,  cold,  shallow,  running  Mini  revulsive  fiioi -baths ;  Wiu-iii.  hot,  revul- 
sive, and  walking  leg  baths;  general,  trunk,  hip.  leg,  chest,  throat  and  al- 
ternate packs;  hot,  tepid,  cool  alternate,  saline  and  alcohol  sponging; 
oil,  dry,  alcohol,  witch  hazel,  dry  shampoo,  wet  mitten,  towel,  half  sheet, 
and  salt  ruJjs;  fomentations;  compresses;  sinusoidal  and  galvanic  clcc- 
tro-hydric  t)aths;  air,  hot  air,  Russian,  and  vapor  baths. 

Many  of  these  water  applications  originated  at  the  sanitarium,  while 
others  were  devised  in  Europe  and  were  proved  of  worth  by  long  yeai-s  of 
practice  before  being  adopted  at  the  sanitarium :  Hot  and  cold  water  ac- 
complish a  wide  variety  of  results,  in  single  or  in  a  large  number  of  com- 
plications— effects  both  stimulant  and  quieting,  not  only  upon  the  skin. 


378  IliSTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

with  which  the  applications  are  brought  into  direct  contact,  but  upon 
every  organ  and  function  of  the  body.  Wonderful  effects  are  produced 
by  proper  applications  upon  the  heart  and  circulation,  the  absorption  of 
oxygen  by  the  lungs,  heat  production  and  elimination,  absorption  of  food- 
stuffs, liver  action,  kidney  activity,  stomach  and  intestinal  secretion  and 
movement  and  general  vital  resistance.  By  suitable  applications,  either 
hot  or  cold,  or  hot  and  cold  in  alternation,  reflex  effects  may  be  produced 
which  exert  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  circulation  and  in  this  way 
excite  or  depress  the  activity  of  the  heart,  the  brain  and  the  spinal  cord, 
the  stomach,  the  intestines,  the  bladder,  the  kidneys,  or  any  organ  the 
work  of  which  it  may  be  desirable  to  influence. 

Along  with  water,  light  has  been  found  of  immense  value,  both  the 
arc  and  the  incandescent  lights  being  applied  in  a  large  variety  of  ways 
and  in  a  large  nundjer  of  diseases.  Many  of  the  light  treatments  were 
devised  at  the  sanitarium,  notably  the  electric  light  bath,  which  is  now 
employed  in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

The  electric  current  is  also  used  with  success,  the  sanitarium  being 
the  flrst  institution  to  use  what  has  become  knowTi  as  the  "  sinusoidal  "^ 
current,  and  the  application  of  which,  like  the  electric  light  bath,  is  found 
not  only  in  America  but  in  Europe  as  well.  Besides  the  sinusoidal  cur- 
rent the  sanitarium  employs  in  a  large  number  of  cases  the  galvanic, 
faradic,  static  and  high  frequency  currents. 

Another  instrument  that  has  recently  been  brought  from  Europe 
further  employs  the  electric  current  as  a  means  of  applying  heat  to 
any  point  of  the  interior  of  the  body.  The  treatment  is  known  as 
"diathermy,"  or  "thermo-penetration,"  and  is  especially  effective  in  the 
relief  of  pain. 

A  radium  department  has  also  been  recently  added,  one  of  the  most 
complete  radium  departments  in  the  world,  by  means  of  which  radium 
is  applied  in  Battle  Creek  quite  as  effectively  as  in  Joachimsthal  and 
other  places  in  Europe. 

The  X-ray  has  proved  of  immense  value  not  only  in  the  treatment 
of  disease,  but  in  diagnosis  as  well.  One  of  the  latest  additions  to  the 
sanitarium  equipment  is  what  is  known  as  the  X-ray  cinematograph. 
This  instrument  not  only  photographs  the  internal  organs,  but  repro- 
duces their  movements  on  a  moving-picture  film.  This  is  especially 
valuable  in  the  diagnosis  of  cases  in  which  the  action  of  the  stomach  and 
alimentary  canal  is  faulty,  as  it  enables  the  physician  to  give  these  pro- 
longed study  and  to  discover  the  precise  point  of  derangement. 

The  sanitarium  contains  extensive  facilities  for  the  application  of 
vibration,  several  vibratory  treatments  having  been  devised  here,  such 
as  the  vibrating  chair,  vibrating  bars,  etc.  Mechanical  massage  is  also 
much  used,  the  treatment  rooms  containing  several  apparatus  for  ap- 
plying rolling  movements  to  the  back,  abdomen  and  other  parts  of  the 
body.  Other  ingenuous  devices  in  the  mechanic-therapy  rooms  are  ma- 
chines which  reproduce  with  great  accuracy  the  movements  of  horse-back 
and  camel  riding.  Th«  gymnasium  and  the  facilities  which  it  affords  for 
exercise  are  described  elsewhere. 

The  sanitarium  has  gained  a  world-wide  reputation  for  the  perfection 


380  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

of  its  dietary  system,  based  upon  the  fact  that  the  poisons  which  the 
system  absorbs  and  which,  entering  the  circulation,  are  carried  to  every 
part  of  the  body  and  cripple  the  functions  of  the  liver  and  other  vital 
organs,  are  for  the  most  part  derived  from  the  putrefaction  of  protein, 
or  nitrogenous  substances,  in  the  alimentary  canal;  inasmuch  as  meats 
are  rich  in  protein,  flesh  foods  of  all  kinds  are  eliminated,  and  their 
place  taken  bj'  various  foods  which  have  been  devised  at  the  sanitarium. 

The  elaborate  method  of  examination  employed  at  the  sanitarium 
makes  it  possible  to  prescribe  for  any  patient  the  amount  of  food  Mhich 
he  should  eat  and  the  proportion  of  the  various  food  elements  which 
his  food  should  contain.  An  important  feature  of  the  sanitarium  menu, 
therefore,  is  the  statement  beside  each  dish  of  the  number  of  units  of 
the  food  elements  which  the  dish  contains,  whether  it  be  proteins,  fats 
or  carbohydrates.  This  enables  the  patient  so  to  order  his  meals  that  he 
shall  eat  precisel.y  the  amount  of  food  his  examination  indicates,  and  also 
to  approximate  very  closely  the  proper  proportion  of  the  various  food 
elements.  The  figures  in  the  case  of  each  food  are  based  upon  experi- 
ments made  by  the  Federal  Department  of  Agriculture  and  by  the  sanita- 
rium laboratories. 

The  sanitarium  equipment  contains'one  of  the  best  appointed  surgical 
wards  in  tlie  United  States.  Every  precaution  possible  is  taken  to  elimi- 
nate germs  and  to  make  every  detail  connected  with  the  operation  aseptic. 
A  large  number  of  operations  are  performed  each  week,  many  of  them 
of  an  extremely  critical  nature,  but  with  a  very  high  avei-age  of  success. 

A  special  ward  is  maintained  for  obstetrical  work,  in  which  the  same 
care  is  taken  to  prevent  infection  of  any  kind  and  to  eliminate  every 
possible  source  of  danger. 

The  system  of  examinations  which  makes  the  accurate  application  of 
this  number  of  treatments  possible  is  unequalled  in  its  completeness,  giv- 
ing a  complete  inventoiy  of  the  patient's  vital  assets:  the  patient  gives 
his  attending  physician  not  only  a  complete  history  of  his  case,  but  in 
addition  his  blood  is  tested  for  pressure,  rate,  visco.sity  and  hemoglobin; 
every  means  is  employed  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  heart,  kidneys, 
liver  and  other  ^^tal  organs;  the  gastric  juice  is  analyzed  and  careful 
note  taken  of  the  extent  to  which  the  various  digestive  ferments  are 
present ;  by  means  of  an  ingenius  device,  known  as  the  dynamometer, 
careful  measurement  is  made  of  the  strength  of  the  several  sets  of  muscles 
in  the  entire  body,  and  the  records  compared  from  time  to  time  to  as- 
certain wlii'ther  the  liody  strength  is  gaining  or  decreasing,  while  com- 
pletely eiiuipped  dental,  nose  and  throat  departments  examine  patients 
when  necessary  and  give  thorough  treatments. 

A  University  of  Health 

The  ideal  that  the  sanitarium  management  has  kept  before  it  from 
the  first  has  been  an  educational  ideal.  A  prominent  part  of  the  daily 
program  are  the  lectures  on  various  subjects  relating  to  health,  hygiene, 
sanitation,  etc.,  so  that  the  patient  who  makes  the  most  of  his  opportuni- 
ties is  able  when  he  returns  home  to  continue  many  of  the  curative  meas- 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


381 


ures  that  benefitted  him  at  the  sanitarium.  Doctor  Kellogg "s  Monday 
night  question-box  lecture  has  been  one  of  the  most  popular  features  of 
the  sanitarium  program  for  many  years ;  at  this  lecture  Doctor  Kellogg 
opens  a  box  to  which  patients  during  the  week  have  contributed  ([ucs- 
tions  on  various  subjects  relating  to  health  and  hygiene,  and  answers 
them.  On  Thursday  night  Doctor  Kellogg  again  lectures,  taking  for 
his  subject  a  question  of  current  interest  and  illustrating  his  remarks 
by  the  use  of  stereopticon,  moving  pictures  and  charts  made  especially 
for  the  occasion.  On  Wednesday  night  some  member  of  the  sanitarium 
medical  staff,  delivers  a  lecture  relating  to  a  certain  phase  of  hygiene. 
Several  evenings  of  each  week  are  occu])ied  by  concerts,  and  by  lectures 


B.\TTLE  Creek  Sanitarium  ix  ISfiH 


and  addrt'sse-s  by  iiotetl  guests  at  the  siiniliirium,  jjeople  wlio  h.ive  won 
distinction  in  various  lines  of  human  activity;  these  gladly  place  them- 
selves at  the  disposal  of  the  other  guests  aud  give  addresses  that  are  not 
only  entertaining  but  inspiring  and  instructive. 

Among  the  pei-sons  of  international  fame  who  often  visit  the  sani- 
tarium, aud  whose  addresses  never  fail  to  draw  lai-ge  sanitarium  audi- 
ences, are  Sir  Horace  Plunkett,  the  leading  spirit  of  the  Irish  back-to- 
the-land  movement,  Irving  Fisher,  Ph.  D.,  Professor  of  Political  Econ- 
omy at  Yale,  Mr.  Horace  Fletcher,  Mr.  S.  S.  McClure,  Editor  of  Mc- 
Clure's  ilagaziue,  Mr.  Gilford  Piuehot,  former  head  of  the  federal 
Forestry  Bureau. 

A  school  of  health  is  held  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  at  which 
lectures  are  given  by  the  sanitarium  dietitian  and  other  experts  on  the 


382  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOILN  COUNTY 

subject  of  nutrition.  These  lectures  attempt  to  give  expert  iustniction 
ui  the  science  of  food  so  that  the  principles  underlying  the  sanitarium 
system  of  dietetics  may  be  applied  in  an  ordinary  kitchen  and  in  various 
lines  of  health  culture. 

The  gynniasium  is  open  at  all  hours,  and  several  classes  in  gym- 
nastics and  physical  culture  are  daily  conducted  by  experts  in  this  line 
of  work.  Here  the  patient  is  taught  to  sit,  walk  and  stand  correctly, 
with  the  chest  held  high,  the  chin  drawn  in,  the  lips  held  back,  and  the 
abdominal  muscles  tense.  In  this  position  he  takes  various  exercises 
with  the  arms,  limbs  and  trunk,  until  the  muscles  of  the  back  are  so 
strengthened,  that  they  are  al)le  to  hold  the  body  in  correct   jiosition. 


Outdoor  Swimming  Tourn.ument 

For  those  in  whom  the  muscles  are  so  weak  that  the  desired  result  can 
not  be  accomplished  by  gymnastic  exercises,  manual  Swedish  move- 
ments and  the  sinusoidal  electrical  current  are  called  upon  to  accom- 
plish the  first  stages  of  the  cure.  Nothing  is  left  uncertain,  and  no  pre- 
scription for  exercise  is  made  until  the  patient's  strength  has  been 
thoroughly  tested  and  a  strength  graphic  has  been  prepared.  With  the 
chart  before  him,  the  physical  director  gives  work  suited  to  each  case. 
The  exercises  taken  in  general  classes  are  of  such  a  character  as  to  be 
suited  to  nearly  all  cases. 

Individual  work  is  given,  that  is  depended  upon  chiefly  for  cor- 
rective development.  They  are  special  exercise  classes  for  feeble  pa- 
tients,  and   the   very   feeblest   convalescents   of   the   surgical   ward    are 


HISTORY  OF  OALIIOrX  COrXTY  383 

visited  several  times  daily  and  directed  iu  taking  various  deep-breatliing 
movements,  which  are  especially  adapted  to  their  individual  eases.  The 
gymnasium  work  of  the  day  is  concluded  at  (5 :45  by  a  drill  and  grand 
march,  in  which  several  hundred  patients  take  part. 

Swimming  also  occupies  an  important  part  of  the  educational  work 
of  the  Sanitarium.  In  addition  to  the  indoor  gymnasium  there  are  two 
enormous  outdoor  gymnasiums,  one  for  ladies  and  one  for  men.  These 
contain  each  a  fine  swimming-pool,  while  nearby  are  iieaps  of  clean  white 
sand,  where  one  may  lounge  in  the  sun ;  horizontal  I)ars,  ladders,  swing- 
ing rings,  a  running  track  and  various  appliances  for  gymnastic  games; 
in  one  corner  is  an  old-fashioned  woodyard  with  logs,  crosscut  saws, 
sawbucks,  wood-saws  and  sharp  axes.  Besides  the  two  swimming  pools 
in  the  outdoor  gymnasiums,  each  of  the  two  bathrooms  contains  a  capa- 
cious pool,  thus  giving  unlimited  facilities  for  water  exercises.  For 
those  who  can  not  swim,  competent  instructors  are  afforded. 

The  educational  feature  of  the  sanitarium  work  does  not  end  here. 
From  the  very  first,  owing  to  the  wide  range  of  the  curative  methods 
employed,  need  was  felt  for  especially  trained  physicians  and  nurses. 
This  was  necessarily  true  in  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  the  treat- 
ments originated  at  the  sanitarium  and  so  could  not  be  included  in  the 
work  of  the  ordinary  medical  school,  while  on  the  other  hand  many  of 
the  methods  were  brought  from  Europe,  and  outside  of  the  sanitarium 
were  unknown  in  this  countrj'.  Accordingly  schools  in  nursing  and 
medicine  were  organized. 

Tr.\.ining  School  for  Nurses 

First  came  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  and  Hospital  Training 
School  for  Nurses,  organized  in  1883.  This  school  is  not  only  one  of  the 
oldest,  but  also  one  of  the  largest  and  most  thoroughly  equipped  of  any 
similar  institution  in  the  United  States.  The  school  has  a  faculty  of 
thirty  teachers,  and  a  curriculum  that  covers  not  only  all  the  ground 
ordinarily  required,  but,  in  addition,  the  subjects  of  hydrotherapy,  elec- 
trotherapy, medical  dietetics,  and  other  features  peculiar  to  the  sanita- 
rium system.  Training  is  carried  forward  during  the  entire  year,  so 
that  the  amount  of  actual  in.struction  received  by  the  students  of  this 
school  is  more  than  double  that  given  in  most  other  training-schools. 
The  school  gives  a  post-graduate  course  of  six  mouths'  instruction  in 
physiologic  methods,  while  there  is  a  two  years'  course  in  nursing  for 
men,  the  diploma  entitling  the  possessor  to  registration  as  a  trained 
nurse.  ;More  than  one  thousand  young  men  and  women  have  received 
their  training  in  this  school. 

Americ.\n  Medical  Mission.\ry  College 

A  few  years  later  came  the  organization  of  the  American  ^Medical 
Missionary  College,  incorporated  July  3,  1893,  under  the  laws  of  the 
State  of  Illinois.  The  organization  of  this  college  was  an  expression  of 
the  religious  ideals  which  have  characterized  the  sanitarium  work  from 
the  first,  and  had  for  its  purpose  the  attempt  to  meet  the  increasing 


384  HISTOKY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

demand  for  medical  missionaries.  Experience  had  proved  that  the 
highest  type  of  medical  training  demands  a  broad  education,  that  can 
not,  in  the  very  nature  of  the  ease,  be  given  in  the  ordinary  college. 
It  often  happens  too,  that  in  many  cases  young  men  and  women  were 
anxious  to  devote  their  lives  to  medical  missionary  work,  but  lacked  the 
necessary  means  for  carrying  out  their  ideals.  Ample  provision  was 
made  whereby  cases  of  tliis  kind  could  sustain  themselves  throughout 
the  course.  Part  of  the  college  work  was  done  at  the  College  Dispens- 
ary in  Chicago,  and  an  able  faculty  and  every  facility  were  maintained 
for  acquiring  clinical  and  practical  experiences,  the  dispensary  being 
located  in  the  stockyards  district,  wliere  hospital  assistance  is  in  much 
demand. 

The  work  of  the  college  was  of  the  very  highest  character.  Battle 
Creek  graduates  have  received  honors  in  post-graduate  work  in  many 
of  the  foremost  American  and  European  universities,  and  today  much 
of  this  talent  may  be  found  in  every  part  of  the  world,  many  graduates 
being  at  the  head  of  sanitariums  and  hospitals,  based  upon  the  principles 
and  ideals  of  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium. 

Owing  to  the  extremely  rapid  growth  of  the  sanitarium  itself,  how- 
ever, and  the  rapid  development  of  several  new  branches  of  natural  ther- 
apeutics, it  seemed  necessary  to  concentrate  the  energies  of  the  institu- 
tion upon  strictly  curative  work,  and  accordingly  in  the  year,  1908,  the 
college  was  merged  with  the  University  of  Illinois. 

School  of  Home  Economics 

The  necessity  for  training  a  large  number  of  cooks,  dietitians,  and 
expert  hygienic  housekeepers  for  the  work  of  the  sanitarium,  and  to 
meet  the  calls,  which  are  constantly  being  made  for  dietitians  especially 
trained  in  the  sanitarium  methods,  led  the  management  to  establish  the 
Battle  Creek  Sanitarium  School  of  Health  and  Household  Economics 
This  school  presents  in  its  curriculum  all  the  branches  usually  taught 
in  the  best  schools  of  domestic  and  household  science,  besides  giving  at- 
tention to  the  dietetic  features  which  have  rendered  the  sanitarium  fam- 
ous throughout  the  world  in  the  treatment  of  digestive  and  other  dis- 
orders. The  school  offers  a  comprehensive  one-year's  course  for  matrons 
and  housekeepers  of  institutions;  and  a  two  years'  course  for  dietitians 
and  in  addition  to  these  courses  the  Sanitarium  conducts  a  cooking-school 
for  the  beneiit  of  the  sanitarium  nurses  and  cooks.  These  schools  are  all 
the  outgi'owth  of  a  practical  cooking  school  and  "experimental  kitchen," 
organized  by  Mrs.  J.  H.  Kellogg,  in  the  year  1883,  upon  the  researches 
and  findings  of  which  the  diet  system  of  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium 
is  largely  based. 

The  Noemal  School  op  Physical  Education 

The  sanitarium  has  unrivalled  facilities  for  the  scientific  study  of 
exercises  and  physical  culture,  and  a  Normal  School  of  Physical  Educa- 
tion was  organized  to  make  these  facilities  available  to  students  desiring 
to  carry  out  a  definite  course  of  instruction.    The  school  gives  a  two-year 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOrX  t'OrXTY  385 

course,  and  its  curriculum  not  only  includes  every  phase  of  physical 
education  and  related  sciences,  but  embraces  as  well  a  large  group  of 
cultural  subjects.  The  faculty  represents  the  best  talent  obtainable,  and 
its  splendid  opportunities  for  practical  gymnasium  work  makes  it  one 
of  the  most  thorough  and  best  equipped  schools  of  this  kind  in  the 
country. 

Post  Gr.\duate  Courses 

Besides  the  schools  wliich  have  been  enumerated,  a  number  of  post- 
graduate courses  are  offered.  Graduate  nui-ses  receive  post-graduate 
instruction  in  hydrotherapy,  electrotherapy  and  other  branches  of  physio- 
therapy. A  second  post-graduate  course  is  offered  graduates  in  domestic 
science,  or  home  economics.  This  course  gives  special  attention  to  di- 
etetics, a  subject  which  has  been  carried  farther  in  its  development  in 
this  institution  tlian  in  any  other  place.  The  course  includes  an  oppor- 
tunity for  actual  practical  experience  as  assistants  to  the  regidar  dieti- 
tians who  are  daily  required  to  arrange  hundreds  of  balanced  bills  of 
fare  or  diet  prescriptions. 

The  Health  and  Efficiency  League,  Chautauqua  Courses,  Etc. 

Other  featiu-es  of  the  sanitarium  educational  campaign  are  the 
Healtteand  Efficiency  League,  and  correspondence  courses  in  health  and 
hygiene.  This  campaign  is  not  confined  to  Chautauqua  platforms, 
but  includes  as  well  the  organization  of  health  clubs  and  health  schools 
by  sanitarium  experts.  The  Health  and  Efficiency  League,  organized 
at  Chautauqua,  New  York,  includes  among  its  vice-presidents  and  mem- 
bers of  its  central  committees,  a  considerable  number  of  men  and  women 
who  are  well  known  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  among  others  Judge 
Ben  Lindsey,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Henderson,  of  Washington,  Dr.  J.  N.  Hurty, 
Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Health  of  Indiana, -Commandant  Ni- 
black,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  Ex-Governor  Van  Sant  of  Minnesota, 
Gifford  Pinchot,  Horace  Plunket,  and  others  of  equal  prominence.  The 
correspondence  course  embraces  a  series  of  prepared  courses  on  food 
and  diet,  health  exercises,  home  nursing  and  other  topics  of  hygiene, 
home  economics,  etc.,  supplemented  by  suggestions  and  questions  for  home 
study.  In  addition  to  securing  individual  students,  an  organized  effort 
is  made  to  form  health  clubs  in  every  community,  the  members  of  whicli 
are  to  study  in  groups,  and  listen  to  lectures,  demonstrations,  etc.,  afforded 
by  the  department. 

Even  the  press  has  l)een  brought  into  service  in  behalf  of  the  sanita- 
rium educational  work,  and  books,  tracts,  pamphlets  and  periodicals, 
representing  the  principles  upheld  by  the  sanitarium,  are  mailed  to 
every  part  of  the  world.  x\.mong  the  periodicals  are  (innd  Ilealtli,  the 
Medical  Mis.sionarij.  and  the  Baffle  Creek  Idea,  (lexid  Health,  recognized 
everywhere  as  the  leading  health  journal  in  the  woi'ld.  is  issued  every 
month,  and  is  the  oldest  health  magazine  in  the  world.  It  was,  as  we 
have  learned,  the  first  product  of  the  Battle  Creek  health  movement, 
being  established  several  months  before  the  sanitarium  itself,  and  called 
the  Healfh   licformer.     Dr.  J.  II.  Kellogg,  the  superintendent  of  the 


386 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


sanitarium,  has  been  its  editor  for  more  tlian  thirty-nine  years.  It  is  an 
attractively  written  and  practical  monthly,  and  has  a  large  popular 
circulation.  The  Medical  Missionary  is  a  monthly,  devoted  particularly 
to  the  spread  of  the  medical  missionary  movement  backed  by  the  sani- 
tarium. It  is  the  organ  of  the  Medical  Missionary  Conference,  held  at 
the  sanitarium  in  Januai-y  of  each  year.  The  Battle  Creek  Idea  is  a 
bi-monthly  health  newspaper,  the  news  organ  of  the  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
tarium and  its  allied  interests.  It  is  intended  particularly  for  past  and 
present  patients  of  the  sanitarium,  and  all  who  wish  to  keep  informed  of 
the  progress  of  the  work  of  the  institution. 

A  Purely  Philanthropic  Institution 

The  sanitarium  is,  by  virtue  of  its  constitution  and  the  large  number 
of  charities  which  it  conducts,  a  purely  philanthropic  institution.  Benev- 


A  CoRNEK  IN  One  op  the  Greenhouses 


oleut  work  has,  indeed,  been  kept  to  the  front  from  the  very  first  year 
of  its  organization.  A  reorganization  in  1898  incorporated  the  institu- 
tion as  a  philanthropic  and  charitable  institution  under  the  provisions 
of  Act  No.  242,  of  the  Public  Acts  of  the  State  of  Michigan.  In  ac- 
cordance with  the  law,  and  its  recognized  character  as  a  charity,  the 
sanitarium  is  exempt  from  taxation.  In  a  test  case  brought  before  the 
supreme  court  of  the  state  of  Michigan  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  status  of  the  sanitarium  and  whether  it  should  be  required  to  pay 
taxes,  the  decision  of  the  court  was  in  favor  of  .the  institution.  A  still 
stronger  test  came  immediately  after  the  fire  of  1902,  when  a  committee 
of  Battle  Creek  citizens  investigated  the  books  of  the  sanitarium  to  de- 


lllSTOin'   OF  CALllorX   COINTY  387 

Irniiine  whctli.T  its  \V(irk  was  a  surii<-iriitly  liciicvoli'iit  rliai-actcf  to 
justily  iMiblic  assistance  in  tiic  wdi'k  ,.r  ivlinildiiiK.  Thr  coniniittco 
found  tliat  the  sanitarium  was  conducted  on  purely  philanthropic  lines, 
and  gave  its  opinion  in   paft : 

"1.     The  sanitarium  is  organized  under  tiie  pro\isii f  Ad  Xo.  '2A2 

of  the  l'ul)lie  Aets  of  tlie  State  of  .Mieliigan  as  a  philanthroi)ic  and 
charitable  institution. 

•■■2.  The  articles  of  association  of  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium,  so 
far  as  they  relate  to  the  i|Uestion  invohctl  in  our  inxcstigation.  i)i-o\ide 
as  follows: 

"  'The  objects  of  said  corporation  and  other  matters  germane  and 
auxiliaTy  thereto,  are  as  follows : 

■■  'To  found  a  hospital  or  charitable  asylum  within  the  state  of  .Mich- 
igan for  the  care  and  relief  of  indigent  or  other  sick  or  infirm  persons, 
at  which  institution  may  be  received  also  patients  and  patrons  who  are 
able  to  and  do  pay  for  the  benefits  there  received ;  and  which  institution 
.shall  devote  the  funds  and  property  ac(|\ured  and  received  by  it  from 
time  to  time  from  all  sources,  exclusively  to  maintaining  itself,  improv- 
ing its  conditions  and  facilities  and  i)romoting  its  purposes,  by  such 
sanitary,  dietetic,  hygienic  and  philanthropic,  humanitarian,  charitable, 
and  benevolent,  and  in  no  manner  directly  or  indirectly  for  private 
profit  or  dividend  paying  to  any  one. 

"3.     It  is  therefore  clear — 

"a.  That  no  profits  of  the  institution  can  ever  accrue  or  lie  law- 
fully paid  to  any  private  party  or  parties  whatsoever. 

"b.  That  no  funds  of  the  institution  can  be  lawfully  .sent  outside 
of  the  state  to  build  or  support  other  enterprises  of  any  kind. 

"c.  That  any  and  all  revenues  of  the  institution  nnist  he  devoted  to 
philanthropic  and  charitable  work  within  the  state  of  .Michigan,  and 
to  developing  and  extending  the  facilities  of  the  institution,  and  for 
these  purposes  only. 

"d.  That  all  the  jjroperty  of  the  in.stitntion  is  held  in  1  rust  for  tli.' 
above  philanthropic  and  charitable  purposes  only. 

"e.  That  title  to  any  of  the  propert.y  of  the  institution  can  never  be 
passed  to  any  private  party  or  parties  whatsoever,  but  can  only  be  trans- 
ferred at  the  expiration  of  the  s-fatutory  limit  of  the  eoi-poration  to 
the  trustees  of  another  corporation  organized  for  the  same  purposes 
and  under  similar  restrictions. 

"The  revelations  made  by  our  investigations  ha\c  been  a  surprise  to 
us.  Not  only  were  we  personally*  unaware  of  the  wholly  j)hilanthropic 
nature  of  the  institution,  under  the  law,  but  were  also  unaware  of  the 
vast  amount  of  charitable  work  performed  by  it,  and  the  wonderful 
sacrifices  made  by  the  managers  and  employees  generally.  There  are 
over  eight  hundred  of  these  employees — physicians,  nurses,  helpers,  etc. 

"The  more  deeply  we  have  gone  into  the  investigation,  the  more 
convincing  and  overwhelming  the  proofs  have  become  of  the  straight- 
forward management,  the  lofty  imi'poses.  the  widespread  beneficence 
of  the  institution,  and  abovi-  all.  of  the  personal  devotion  and  wonder- 


388  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ful  self-sacrifice  of  the  nearly  one  thousand  persons  employed  in  it,  from 
Doctor  Kellogg  down  to  the  youngest  helper. 

"Respectfully  submitted, 
"S.  O.  Bush, 
"I.  L.   Stone, 
"Geo  E.  Howes, 
"W.  S.  Potter, 
"Nelson  Eldred, 

"Committee." 
In  harmony  witli  the  purposes  of  the  sanitarium  as  outlined  by  the 
committee,  the  sanitarium  has  expended  by  far  the  gi-eater  portion  of 
its  earnings  in  charitable  disbursements,  chiefly  for  the  sick  poor — ■ 
nearly  seven  hundred  thousand  dollai's  out  of  a  total  of  a  million  dollars. 
Part  of  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  the  Battle  Creek  College 
has  been  fitted  up  for  use  as  a  dispensary.  This  contains  not  only  com- 
modious examining  offices,  but  also  two  complete  suites  of  treatment 
rooms — for  men  and  for  women.  Here  the  poorest  patient  may  receive 
whatever  treatment  his  ease  may  require,  without  paying  anything,  either 
for  treatment,  medical  attention,  or  examination,  the  poorest  sufferer 
receives  the  same  painstaking,  careful  investigation  as  that  of  the 
wealthiest  patient.  Connected  with  the  dispensary  is  what  is  known  as 
the  "food  dispensary,"  where  each  day  great  ba.sketfuls  of  food  are  dis- 
tributed to  the  poor  who  apply. 

Haskell  Home  for  Orphans  and  Destitute  Children 

In  1894  the  Haskell  Home  for  Orphans  and  Destitute  Children,  an 
allied  charity,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Caroline  E.  Haskell,  of  Michigan  City, 
Indiana,  a  friend  of  the  sanitarium,  was  organized.  The  Home  was 
housed  in  a  beautiful  new  building  in  the  western  part  of  the  city,  with 
a  capacity  of  more  than  one  hundred  children.  The  founders  of  the 
home  desired  to  surround  the  children  with  a  home  atmosphere  and 
eliminate  the  stiff  formalism  that  is  usually  associated  with  an  institu- 
tion of  this  kind.  Accordingly  tlie  family  was  divided  into  small  groups 
of  from  ten  to  twelve  children  with  a  "mother"  or  matron  over  each 
group.  The  idea  was  constantly  born  in  mind  that  the  home  was  not 
intended  to  be  simply  a  transient  home  for  homeless  children,  but, 
instead,  a  home  school,  in  which  homeless  boys  and  girls  are  given  a 
training  and  education  to  fit  them  for  life.  A  special  effort  is  hence 
made  to  render  the  institution  as  home-like  as  possible,  and  to  encourage 
the  children  to  look  upon  it  as  really  their  home.  This  ideal  has  never 
been  lost  sight  of.  The  same  habits  of  life  which  prevail  in  the  sanita- 
rium, we  might  add,  are  cultivated  among  the  children  of  the  home, 
including  diet.  This  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1910,  but  a  new 
and  similar  institution  was  innnediately  erected. 

AVith  all  these  activities,  and  with  all  the  facilities  for  the  cure  of 
disease  which  it  enjoys,  the  usefulness  of  the  sanitarium  is,  it  would 
seem,  but  beginning.  Particularly  noticeable  is  the  steady  growth  in 
patronage,  as  shown  by  the  fact  that  although  the  number  of  patients 
treated  had  grown  from  52  in  the  year  1866  to  3,869  in  1906,  forty  years 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALlIOrX   COrXTY  :!89 

later,  in  the  year  1911  tlie  number  had  reached  the  enormous  figure  of 
5,035,  by  far  the  largest  gain  of  any  previous  (iuin(iueunial  period.  Al- 
ready the  need  of  more  room  has  beeome  pressing,  especially  in  the 
summer  months,  when  the  parlors  on  the  various  Hoors  are  fitted  up 
with  beds,  and  the  porches  are  utilized  as  outdoor-sleeping  rooms;  even 
the  roof  is  converted  into  sleeping  ipiarters,  while  a  considerable  number 
of  guests  sleep  in  tents  pitched  in  a  convenient  part  of  the  sanitarium 
grounds.  In  the  year  lf)ll  the  sanitarium  leased  from  the  National 
Trade  and  AVorkers  Association  their  beautiful  five-story  stone  building, 
situated  two  hundred  yards  from  the  sanitai-ium  itself.  This,  added  to 
the  capacity  of  725  attendance  afforded  by  the  main  building,  cottages 
and  East  Hall,  gives  a  further  acconnnodation  for  325  making  a  total 
rooming  capacity  of  1,050  patients.  But  the  relief  is  only  temporary  and 
the  growing  popularity  of  the  institution  will  make  further  arrange- 
ments necessary  at  an  early  date. 

The  sanitarium  has  always  taken  a  keen  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
the  comnninity.  The  doors  are  alwa.ys  open  to  the  pid)lic,  entertainments, 
lectures  and  other  exercises  being  quite  as  much  for  the  benefit  of  the  city 
as  for  the  sanitarium  itself.  Every  helper  at  the  sanitarium  is  proud  of 
the  city  in  which  it  resides,  and  maintains  a  feeling  of  genuine  loyalty 
to  the  spirit  of  progress,  which  it  represents.  The  thousands  of  patients 
who  visit  the  institution  every  year,  become  scarcely  less  attached  to 
the  community,  many  of  them  remaining  with  us  for  months,  and  their 
patronage  affording  a  very  considerable  source  of  revenue  to  the 
merchants  of  the  city. 

Nichols  Memorial  Hosprr.vL  and  The  Charitable  Union 

The  above  named  institutions  are  so  intimately  associated  with  each 
other  that  no  complete  liistory  of  either  could  be  given  without  in- 
cluding both. 

It  was  during  tlie  mouth  of  January,  1887,  a  coiiimittt'c  nf  women 
of  Battle  Creek  arranged  for  a  charity  ball,  the  ]iroceeds  to  be  used  in 
the  work  of  assisting  the  sick  and  unfortunate  of  the  city  and  its  vi- 
cinity. This  first  venture  netted  $232.75,  and  to  provide  for  the  expen- 
diture of  the  money  judiciously  and  systematically,  an  invitation  was 
extended  to  the  various  churches  and  benevolent  organizations  of  the 
city  to  meet  with  them  to  consider  the  advisability  of  forming  a  per- 
manent organization  of  Associated  Charities.  After  much  consideration, 
it  was  decided  that  the  membership  should  consist  of  two  delegates  from 
each  church  and  from  each  fraternal  societ.y  desiring  representation. 

The  name  determined  upon  was  The  Charitable  Union  of  Battle 
Creek,  iliehigan,  and  its  first  ofificers  were:  Mrs.  Caroline  Kingman, 
president ;  ]Mrs.  Love,  vice-president ;  Mrs.  J.  Larkin,  secretary ;  Mrs. 
:\Iartha  Pugsley,  treasurer.  A  set  of  by-laws  for  governing  The  Chari- 
table Union  was  adopted  by  the  first  board  of  trustees  numbering  twenty 
women.  Soon  the  necessity  of  a  place  where  the  sick  could  be  fully  eared 
for  became  evident  and  definite  action  to  this  end  was  taken  in  January 
1889,  when  an  executive  committee  consisting  of  ]\lrs.  Helen  Nichols 
Caldwell,  Mrs.  M.  B.  Parker,  .Mrs.  Fannie  Alvord,  Jlrs.  Abbie  R.  Flagg, 


390 


IirSTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


and  Mrs.  Almon  Preston  were  elected  and  instructed  to  take  the  pre- 
liminary steps  towards  securing  a  proper  location  for  a  hospital  and  to 
make  a  selection  of  a  matron  and  other  help  for  the  institution. 

The  Chadvvick  house  on  College  street  was  secured  at  a  rental  of 
$12.00  per  month  and  the  name  Union  Home  adopted.  Mrs.  Eva  Cobb 
was  installed  as  matron  and  Mrs.  Julia  Griggs  as  nurse.  A  call  was 
made  through  the  daily  papers  for  room  furnishings,  which  met  with 
prompt  response,  and  the  I'nion  Home  under  the  control  and  direction 
of  The  Charitable  Union  opened  on  Feb.  4,  1889.  Within  six  months, 
this  building  was  filled  to  overflowing  and  the  commodious  residence  of 


Nichols  ^Memorial  Hospital 


Walter  Clark  on  West  Van  Buren  street  was  leased  at  $25.00  per  month. 
This  soon  became  inadequate  and  the  need  of  a  permanent  and  com- 
modious building  and  grounds  was  very  urgent. 

Many  meetings  of  the  executive  committee  were  held  to  discuss  the 
needs  and  possibilities  and  several  locations  were  visited.  At  a  meeting 
held  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Kingman,  the  president  of  the  associa- 
tion, Mrs.  Helen  Nichols  Caldwell,  told  of  her  desire  to  have  her  father, 
Mr.  John  Nichols,  found  a  memorial  hospital  in  memory  of  her  daugh- 
ter, Fannie  Caldwell  Abel,  and  she  said  that  after  thinking  it  over, 
she  had  sent  for  her  father  and  told  him  what  was  so  near  her  heart 
and  that  he  listened  for  a  moment  in  silence  and  then  with  tears  in  his 
eyes  said,  "Of  course  I  will  do  that.  I  would  rather  do  it  than  any- 
thing I  can  now  think  of.    I  only  wonder  T  never  thoi.ght  of  it  before 


inS'roUY   OF  (WlJIorX   COINTY  :'.'.ll 

myself."  Tliis  was  the  starting  of  flie  Xit-hols  .Memorial  lIosi)ital, 
aud  later  when  it  was  suggested  that  other  coiitrihiitions  l)e  re- 
ceived for  the  purehase  of  a  lieating  i)lant,  Jlr.  Nichols  iiit'orined  the 
assoeiation  that  he  wished  to  do  it  all  himself  and  to  pay  all  the  hills 
saying,  "All  I  ask  of  the  people  is  to  take  eare  of  it  after  it  is  tinished." 
The  plaee  selected  and  purchased  hy  him  for  the  hospital  was  what 
was  then  known  as  the  L.  H.  Stewart  property,  corner  of  West  Van 
Buren  and  Tompkins  streets  and  fronting  on  West  Main  street.  The 
hospital  buildings  were  hiiilt  during  the  summer  and  formally  dedi- 
cated September  17.  1890.  The  property  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
The  Charitable  Union  for  its  free  use  and  management  so  long  as  they 
should  support  it  properly  and  do  the  charitable  work.  A  year  or  so 
later  Mrs.  Xaney  C.  Nichols  and  her  daughter,  Jlrs.  Helen  Nichols 
Caldwell,  made  a  large  addition  to  the  hospital  building,  providing 
twenty-four  more  rooms.  On  the  first  of  February,  1901,  Mr.  Edwin 
C.  Nichols  and  his  sister,  ]\Irs.  Helen  Nichols  Caldwell,  made  the  formal 
deed  of  conveyance  of  all  the  hospital  property  to  The  Charitable 
Union  of  Battle  Creek  (a  corporation  existing  under  the  laws  of  the 
state  of  ilichigan)  thus  vesting  the  entire  fee  and  title  in  The  Charita- 
ble Union,  but  subject  to  the  provision  that  the  institution  should 
always  be  known  as  the  Nichols  Memorial  Ho.spital  and  used  only  as 
a  public  and  charitable  hospital  for  necessary  and  proper  medical  pur- 
poses for  the  eare  of  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and  that  whenever  from  any 
cause  said  property  should  cease  to  perform  and  to  carry  on  said  work, 
then  the  conveyance  to  be  void  and  the  property  to  revert  to  the  grant- 
ors, their  heirs  or  assigns. 

This  gave  The  Charitable  Union  a  permanent  and  commodious 
hospital  building  and  grounds  and  Mr.  Nichols  and  his  sister,  ilrs. 
Caldwell,  have  since  continued  to  give  it  generous  financial  support. 
The  various  organizations  and  many  citizens  have  also  contributed  well 
to  the  maintenance  of  the  hospital,  and  the  city  of  Battle  Creek  ap- 
propriates a  small  sum  each  year  towards  it. 

The  hospital  contains  sixty  rooms  exclusive  of  halls,  toilet  rooms 
and  closets,  and  with  two  large,  pleasant  verandas.  There  are  forty-five 
beds  for  patients ;  fourteen  rooms  for  nurses  and  help ;  three  operating 
and  auxiliary  rooms ;  one  treatment  room ;  one  laboratory,  together  with 
suitable  office,  reception,  dining,  kitchen,  laundry  and  store  rooms. 
Two  graduate  nurses  and  twenty  pupil  nurses  are  employed  besides 
the  necessary  house  help.  The  family  averages  seventy-five  in  number 
and  the  patients  cared  for  the  past  year  numbered  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-one. 

The  Nichols  ^Memorial  Training  School  of  Nurses  was  organized 
during  the  year  1899,  the  medical  staff  consisting  of  prominent  local 
physicians  and  surgeons  who  give  their  time  and  talent  in  lectures  and 
instructions  to  the  classes  and  have  greatly  assisted  in  the  regular 
school  work.  The  nurse's  course  is  a  three  year  one  and  graduates  of 
this  school  are  received  and  accepted  by  the  State  Medical  As.sociation 
equally  with  any  or  all  of  the  other  hospitals  in  the  state. 

The  Charitable  Union  is  organized  primarily  to  administer  the 
affairs  of  the  Nichols  Memorial  Hospital  or  such  other  hospitals  as  it 


392  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

may  or  shall  conti-ol,  by  receiving  and  caring  for  therein  botli  medically 
and  surgically  such  sick  and  deserving  persons,  with  or  without  com- 
pensation therefor  and  for  such  length  of  time  and  under  such  cir- 
cmnstances  as  the  board  of  trustees  shall  in  their  discretion  determine. 

Its  secondary  object  is  to  dispense  aid  to  the  worthy  poor  of  the 
city  and  vicinity  in  a  way  not  to  supersede  the  poor  officers  of  the 
county  or  of  any  benevolent  society,  but  to  co-operate  therewith  in  all 
such  work. 

Its  membership  is  composed  entirely  of  women,  viz. :  Two  from  each 
church  and  two  from  each  fraternal  society  desiring  representation. 

At  is  annual  meeting  eleven  trustees  are  selected,  from  which  num- 
ber the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  are  chosen.  The  present  board  of 
trustees  are:  Mi-s.  Abbie  R.  Flagg,  president;  Mrs.  Alary  Anderson, 
first  vice-president;  Mrs.  Lillie  Ranger,  second  vice-president;  Mrs. 
Lottie  B.  Whipple,  recording  secretary;  Mrs.  Angle  Keet,  financial 
secretary ;  ]\Irs.  Martha  Welil),  treasurer  general  fund ;  Airs.  Ida  Wat- 
tles, treasurer  relief  fund;  Airs.  Alary  Bell;  Airs.  Leila  Penner;  Airs. 
Emma  J.  Evans;  Airs.  Phoebe  Rogers;  Aliss  Elizabetn  Lee,  superin- 
tendent ;  Miss  Elsie  Russ,  surgical  nurse ;  Aliss  Lulu  N.  Young,  office 
clerk. 

No  member  of  The  Charitable  Union  receives  any  pay  or  remunera- 
tion whatever  for  work  or  services.  They  labor  loyally  and  heartily 
for  the  good  of  humanity  and  are  justly  proud  of  their  past  record  and 
duly  hopeful  for  the  future.  From  the  small  beginning  of  a  few  j'ears 
ago  the.y  have  wrought  out  a  great  and  beneficent  institution  carrying 
its  message  of  love,  charity  and  Christian  helpfulness  into  the  hearts 
and  homes  of  hundreds  and  thousands  of  suffering  and  afflicted  people. 
But  the  need  for  still  greater  room  and  increased  and  improved  hospital 
facilities  is  most  urgent  and  the  ways  and  means  are  now  being  con- 
sidered for  making  these  additions  and  improvements  and  greatly 
enlarging  the  work  and  extending  the  blessings  of  this  truly  Christian 
charitable  hospital. 

The  excellent  work  done  and  the  beautiful  spirit  shown  by  The  Char- 
itable Union  have  received  recognition  on  the  part  of  many  good  people 
by  way  of  bequests  and  endowments,  of  which  the  following  are  e.s- 
pecially  mentioned:  Airs.  Charlotte  Stillson  Rogers,  bequest  of  $20,- 
000.00 ;  Air.  and  Airs.  George  Davis,  bequest  of  .$15,000.00 ;  Airs.  Ange- 
line  Phillips,  bequest  of  $1,500.00;  Airs.  Jane  Wakelee,  bequest  of 
$500.00 ;  Airs.  Alta  Clark,  bequest  of  $300.00. 

The  money  realized  through  the  above  beciuests  is  to  be  used  for  the 
enlargement  of  the  hospital  and  for  building  a  new  Nurses'  Home  and 
the  improvement  where  possible  in  the  means  and  appliances  for  the 
extension  and  betterment  of  the  work. 

The  people  cannot  but  feel  deeply  grateful  to  those  whose  hearty 
support  and  generous  contributions  have  helped  to  encourage  and 
maintain  this  great  institution.  It  is  the  hope  and  expectation  of  the 
trustees  that  as  time  goes  on  the  capable  administration  of  its  affairs  by 
the  Charitable  Union  will  be  more  and  more  appreciated  and  under- 
stood and  will  lead  others  to  make  simifer  liequests  to  the  hospital  fund. 

The  Nicholas  Alemorial  Hospital  is  pre-eminently  "of  the  people, 


II18T0HY    OF   CALIIorX    COIXTY  393 

for  the  people  and  by  the  people."  Administered  as  it  is  In-  its  corps 
of  self-saerificing  and  devoted  women  who  give  of  their  time  and  eflFort 
freely  and  without  fee  or  reward,  non-sectarian,  but  warmly  sympathetic 
and  deeply  religious,  not  dependent  upon  nor  controlled  by  local  physi- 
cians and  surgeons  or  by  any  medical  school,  they  are  free  to  adopt  such 
modem  ways  and  improved  means  as  appeal  to  the  conscience  and 
judgment  of  its  trustees.  It  opens  its  doors  night  and  day  to  the  vic- 
tims of  disease,  the  injured,  the  sick  and  suffering,  without  distinction 
of  class  or  color  and  equally  to  the  rich,  the  poor,  the  high  and  the 
lowly,  freely  and  lovingly  to  each  and  to  all. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

BATTLE  CREEK  CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church — First  Baptist  Church— St.  Thom- 
as Church — First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — Maple  Street 
M.  E.  Church — Upton  Avenue  M."  E.  Church — The  Seventh-Day 
Adventist  Tabernacle — Independent  Congregational  Church — 
First  Church  op  Christ  Scientist — Immanuel  Apostolic  Holi- 
ness Church — German  Evangelical  St.  Paxil's  Church — Literary 
AND  Secret  Societies  op  Battle  Creek  (by  W.  R.  Wooden) — The 
Woman's  League — Young  Men's  Christian  Association  (by  Wil- 
liam S.  Potter) — Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union  (by  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Keet,  Calhoun). 

Battle  Creek  has  an  unusual  number  of  well-supported  churches  and 
societies  for  a  place  of  its  size,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  followdng  sketches. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church 

By  W.  S.  Potter 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Battle  Creek  was  organized  May 
27,  1883,  by  eighty-nine  persons,  the  majority  of  whom  had  withdrawn 
for  doctrinal  reasons  from  what  was  then  known  as  the  Congregational- 
Presbyterian  church  of  this  city.  The  congregation  worshipped  in  vari- 
ous halls  and  in  the  old  Dutch  Reformed  church  building  for  about  two 
years  until  the  present  lot  was  bought  and  a  commodious  chapel  erected. 
For  about  a  year  and  a  half  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  various  ministers, 
especially  by  Professors  Loba  and  Daniels  of  the  faculty  of  Olivet  college. 
In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1884,  the  Rev.  George  F.  Chipperfield  was 
called  as  the  first  pastor,  who  remained  four  years.  In  November,  1888, 
the  Rev.  William  S.  Potter  succeeded  Mr.  Chipperfield  and  continued  as 
pastor  for  nearly  twenty-three  years,  when  on  August  1,  1911,  he  re- 
signed to  take  a  vacation  from  his  church  labors,  but  maiutainiug  his 
residence  in  the  city.  When  he  took  charge  of  the  church  in  1888,  there 
were  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  members  and  when  he  resigned 
there  were  seven  hundred.  A  new  church  building  was  erected  during 
his  pastorate,  the  dedication  taking  place  in  Februai\y,  1896.  The  his- 
tory of  this  church  has  been  especially  marked  by  a  firm,  yet  broad  and 

394 


HISTORY  OK  oALiioiN  coiN'i'V  ;;'.i:i 

charitable,  atiherence  to  sound  eveiigelical  doctrine;  by  I  Ik-  unil.s  jiiid 
loyalty  of  its  people;  by  eatholieity  of  spirit  and  nady  i()-o|m  ratimi 
with  other  churches  and  christians;  by  constant  participation  in  move- 
ments for  reform  and  civic  betterment;  by  the  prompt  disciiargc  of  all 
its  financial  obligations;  and  in  general  by  a  high  and  uuirked  moral  in- 
fluence on  the  community.  The  growth  of  the  church  in  membcrslnp.  in 
influence,  and  in  usefulness  is  worthy  of  special  renuirk. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Potter  the  church  was  fortiuiMlc  in  sr- 
curing  a  successor,  after  in  interval  of  oidy  three  months,  in  the  person 
of  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Horton,  district  seci-etary  of  the  American  Hilile  Society, 
for  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Michigan,  who  already  gives  decided  promise  of 
continuing  and  carrying  forward  successfully  the  work  previously  ac- 
complished. 

The  First  B.vptist  CiirKcii 

The  early  records  were  lost.  In  ISTS  the  clerk,  ('.  G.  Conklin  lound 
to  of  the  nineteen  charter  members  of  the  church  and  leaiiicd  tlie  follow- 
ing items  from  them:  The  church  was  organized  in  April,  188"),  in  a  log 
sehoolhouse  over  the  race,  the  first  and  only  one  in  town  at  that  time. 
Robert  Adams  was  minister  for  ten  years  after  it  was  organized  till  his 
death.  The  town  was  then  called  Milton.  Changed  to  Battle  Creek  in 
1843.  In  1844,  a  house  of  worship  was  begun.  In  1848,  it  was  enclosed 
and  the  basement  finished  for  worship.  At  that  time  there  were  forty 
scholars  in  the  Sunday-school  and  eight  teachers  and  they  were  favored 
with  the  laboi-s  of  a  pastor  one-half  of  the  time.  Wm.  Carter  was  clerk 
for  ten  years  or  more.  As  delegates  to  the  various  associations  in  the 
early  days  we  read  the  names  of  Wm.  Betterly,  E.  McGowen,  and  Rev. 
John  Harris,  who  labored  in  the  a.ssociation  without  interruption  for 
twenty  years.  He  was  a  faithful  helper  in  educational  work  especially 
in  Kalamazoo  college.  It  has  been  said  that  he  and  Judge  Eldred,  Hon. 
Nelson  Eldred 's  father,  walked  to  Kalamazoo  to  attend  counnittee  and 
board  meetings  many  times.  In  1850,  the  first  meeting  house  was  com- 
pleted and  during  that  year  one  hundred  members  united  with  the 
church.  In  1852,  there  was  a  Sunday  school  of  one  hundred  mendiers. 
In  1864,  there  was  talk  of  enlarging  the  house  of  worship.  .  In  1866, 
there  were  sixty-seven  additions  to  the  church.  In  1867,  a  movement 
to  raise  funds  for  a  new  meeting-house  was  started.  In  1871,  the  old 
church  was  torn  down  to  give  place  to  the  present  edifice.  Nineteen 
pastors  have  served  the  church  since  its  organization,  and  many  men 
prominent  in  the  community  have  been  associated  in  its  work.  The 
names  of  R,  S.  Poole,  Alexander  Wattles,  Harmon  Bradley,  William  and 
George  Betterly  and  Peter  Hoft'master  are  among  the  members  of  the 
church  who  did  much  for  its  upbuilding.  Hon.  Nelson  Eldred  and 
Charles  Willard  were  members  of  the  congregation  who  contributed  much 
to  the  church  in  the  way  of  wise  council  and  liberal  gifts.  Mr.  Willard 
presented  the  church  with  the  substantial  brick  building  adjoining  the 
meeting  hou.se  on  the  east  as  a  memorial  gift  in  memory^  of  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Laura  Willard.  The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  seven 
hundred   and   twenty-three   with   about   six   hundred   enrolled   in   the 


396  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Sunday-school.  The  present  pastor  Rev.  B.  Frank  Taber  was  settled  in 
1905.  In  1911,  a  building  was  erected  to  the  west  of  the  house  of  worship 
mainly  for  the  use  of  the  men  of  the  church,  the  Baraea  class  for  men 
numbering  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  church  has  a  valuable  property 
fronting  on  Main  street,  and  is  one  of  the  most  active  religious  bodies  in 
the  city. 

St.  Thomas  Church 

We  shall  attempt,  to  touch,  only,  upon  those  incidents  in  the  early 
history  of  St.  Thomas  church  with  which  the  present  generation  are 
unfamiliar. 

Preaching  and  services  according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Episcopal 
church  was  held  in  this  locality  as  early  as  1839  by  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Cun- 
nin,  D.  D.,  and  piiblic  worship  was  later  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Buel,  who  was  entertained  at  the  homes  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  W. 
aieCamly  and  Mrs.  Barton,  at  that  time  the  only  Episcopalians  in  the 
village. 

Again,  in  1841,  the  Rev.  Montgomery  Schuyler  visited  the  village  and 
held  services,  which  were  largely  attended  by  the  townspeople,  and  much 
interest  was  manifested. 

On  April  21,  1842,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel  A.  McCoskry,  Bishop  of  the 
Diocese,  visited  the  place  and  administered  confirmation  to  six  persons. 
This  gave  an  impetus  to  the  work,  an'd  things  were  in  such  a  hopeful  state 
that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  organize  a  parish.  The  work  was  in  the 
hands  of  Rev.  Mr.  Schuyler,  who  saw  his  laboi-s  rewarded  by  the  organi- 
zation of  a  parish  on  August  7,  1842,  under  the  name  and  title  of  St. 
Thomas  Church  of  Battle  Creek,  Michigan. 

The  following  year  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  R.  G.  Cox.  He  ac- 
cepted the  same,  l)ut  remained  for  only  a  few  months,  being  succeeded 
by  the  Rev.  R.  S.  Adams  on  May  1,  1845.  Mr.  Adams  remained  for  near- 
ly three  years  as  Rector,  during  which  time  a  neat  and  substantial 
church  was  erected  and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God. 

This  church  was  used,  and  from  time  to  time  improved,  during  a 
period  of  twenty-five  years,  until  1875,  when  it  was  torn  down  to  give 
place  for  the  present  church  building. 

Among  those  who  were  prominent  in  carrying  out  the  work,  were  the 
following:  William  Andrus,  C.  Wakelee,  J.  M.  Ward,  Edward  Cox,  M. 
D.,    C.  F.  Bock,  ]\lrs.  A.  T.  Havens  and  Mrs.  J.  S.  Townsend. 

The  plan  and  design  was  by  Mortimer  S.  Smith  of  Detroit,  and  the 
building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $20,000.  At  that  time,  and  for 
many  years  afterwards,  it  was  the  most  costly  church  edifice  in  this  city, 
and  now,  after  many  years,  it  is  universally  admired  for  its  solidity  and 
splendid  proportions. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  by  Bishop  Gillespie,  on 
Wednesday,  June  14,  1876,  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  The  address  on 
the  occasion  w^as  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McKurdy,  of  Niles.  The  con- 
secration of  the  church  occurred  on  February  27,  1878,  with  very  im- 
pressive ceremonies.  The  ceremony  was  by  Bishop  Gillespie,  who 
preached  au  eloquent  sermon  on  the  occasion.    A  large  crowd  attended, 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  ;J97 

and  in  additiou  to  the  laity,  the  following  clergy  were  present :  Bishop 
Gillespie,  Rev.  A.  Bush  and  Rev.  J.  I).  Webster,  Detroit;  Rev.  G.  E. 
Petei-s,  Albion;  Rev.  H.  J.  Cook,  Coldwater;  Rev.  II.  B.  Whitteniore, 
Marshall;  Rev.  J.  F.  Conover,  Kalamazoo;  Rev.  S.  R.  Jieekwitli,  Grand 
Rapids;   Rev  ^V.  Raymond  and  Rev.  John  T.  MeGratli,  Reetor. 

The  eonseeratiou  service  was  at  10 :30,  followed  by  a  sumirtuous  ban- 
([net  at  Centennial  Hall  in  the  afternoon,  at  which  three  hundred  and 
fifty  persons  were  present.  Thei-e  was  a  second  service  in  tlie  evening, 
with  addresses  by  the  visiting  clergy,  and  altogether  it  was  a  day  long 
to  be  remembered. 

Memorial  windows  were  placed  in  the  new  church,  and  with  these 
were  associated  the  names  of:  John  K.  Lothridge,  Sylvester  Reed,  Na- 
thaniel Tapscott,  John  Stuart,  James  and  Alice  Townsend,  Allan  T. 
Havens.  Among  other  gifts  presented  was  a  handsome  lectern  given 
by  Mrs.  A.  T.  Havens'  Bible  class. 

The  Rectoi-s  who  have  followed  the  Rev.  R.  S.  Adams  were : 

Rev.  H.  Safford,  who  served  the  parish  from  June  14,  1849,  to  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1852.  I).  B.  Lyon,  from  June  1,  1852,  to  April  1,  1855.  George 
Willard,  from  April  15,  1855,  to  April  9,  1860.  Augustus  Bush,  from 
September  23,  1860,  to  August,  1866.  Charles  Ritter,  from  October  1, 
1866,  to  October  27,  1867.  Josiah  Phelps,  from  February  4,  1868,  to 
February  17,  1871.  George  W.  Wilson,  from  June  1,  1871,  to  March  15, 
1872.     1.  E.  Jackson,  for  a  few  months  only,  in  1874. 

Each  of  them  faithfully  served  tlie  parish,  and  each  one  contributed 
his  share  to  its  upbuilding. 

The  parish  was  then  vacant  until  the  Rev.  John  T.  McGrath  came  as 
Rector  on  December  17,  1877.  His  services  were  appreciated,  and  he 
labored  with  success  until  September  10,  1879,  when  he  accepted  an 
urgent  call  to  a  parish  in  Philadelphia.  Rev.  Dr.  Corbett  followed  in 
March,  1880,  and  remained  for  four  years,  being  succeeded  in  August, 
1884,  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Taylor.  In  1887,  Rev.  A.  P.  Greenleaf  became 
Rector,  and  was  succeeded  in  1892  by  Rev.  Preston  Barr.  After  Mr. 
Barr's  departure  the  parish  remained  without  a  Rector  al)out  nine 
months,  although  during  that  time  occasional  services  were  held  as  well 
as  lay  meetings  and  Sunday-school.  At  the  close  of  1893,  a  call  was 
extended  to  the  Rev.  Lewis  Brown,  B.  D.,  of  St.  Luke's,  Cincinnati,  and 
he  entered  on  his  duties  as  Rector  on  Ash  Wednesday,  February  7,  1894. 
His  work  was  ver\-  successful. 

The  handsome  and  commodious  Rectory  was  built  in  1891,  during  the 
incumbency  of  Rev.  A.  P.  Greenleaf.  The  parish  hall,  in  the  basement 
of  the  church,  was  built  in  1902,  with  funds  created  by  a  bequest  from 
the  estate  of  ilrs.  Jane  Wakelec.  Mrs.  Wakelee's  life  wa.s  one  of  service 
to  the  church,  and  her  work  lives  on  in  the  spacious  I'ooms  provided  by 
her  thoughtfulness  and  love  for  St.  Thonuis  church.  The  parish  rooms 
were  dedicated  on  October  28.  1902.  The  vestibule  of  the  church  was 
decorated  and  beautified  with  funds  left  by  Jlrs.  A.  T.  Havens.  JIi's. 
Havens  left  many  things  about  the  church  that  will  slaiid  as  iiiniiunieiils 
to  her  memory  as  an  earnest  Christian  woman. 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  St.  Thomas  cliuivli  was  eelt'lir.iti'd  with 


398  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ceremonies  covering  five  days,  from  Wednesday,  June  13,  and  ending 
Sunday,  June  17,  1894.  The  Rt.  Rev.  George  D.  Gillespie,  D.  D.,  Bishop 
of  Western  Michigan,  conducted  the  evening  services  Wednesday,  preach- 
ed a  sermon  and  confirmed.  This  service  was  followed  by  an  informal 
reception  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  George  Willard,  by  the  Daughters  of  the 
King.  Thursday,  June  14,  was  taken  up  by  carriage  drives  to  Goguae 
Lake  and  about  the  city.  At  8  :00  in  the  evening,  an  historical  meeting 
was  held.  Friday,  June  15,  a  banquet  was  held  at  the  Auditorium  from 
6:00  to  10:00  P.  M.,  at  which  Dr.  A.  T.  Metcalf  acted  as  toastmaster. 
Saturday,  June  16,  there  was  an  entertainment  by  the  Sunday-school, 
and  on  Sunday,  June  17,  Rev.  Lewis  Brown,  the  Rector,  delivered  the 
baccalaureate  sermon  before  the  graduating  class  of  the  high  school. 
This  M'as  followed  by  an  evening  service  at  7 :45,  and  installation  of 
Daughters  of  the  King. 

The  Rev.  W.  H.  Osborn  became  Rector  in  1900,  and  remained  until 
October,  1905.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Chester  Wood,  January  1, 
1906.  :Mr.  Wood  served  the  parish  until  June,  1909.  The  following  Sep- 
tember the  Rev.  George  PauU  Torrence  Sargent  was  called  to  be  Rector. 

Much  might  be  written  about  the  struggles  through  which  this  church 
has  pa.ssed.  A  long  list  of  noble,  self-sacrificing  pastors  have  labored 
here,  with  a  company  of  zealous  men  and  women,  whose  desire  was  al- 
ways for  God's  church  and  the  truth. 

There  is  a  tender  spot  in  the  hearts  of  multitudes  of  men  and  women 
for  St.  Thomas  church,  because  some  event  in  their  lives  or  in  the  lives 
of  their  dear  ones  takes  its  rise  in  this  parish.  Scores  of  memories  sur- 
round our  sanctuary  and  nmke  it  most  sacred  to  us  who  enter  into  the 
labors  of  our  forefathers. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 

About  the  year  1833  a  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  Marshall,  the 
only  village  in  Calhoun  county,  and  a  little  later  twelve  miles  west  at 
a  settlement  called  Waupakisco,  now  Battle  Creek. 

Rev.  Asa  Phelps,  father  of  Silas  Phelps  of  Emmett,  preached  the  first 
sermon  in  Battle  Creek  in  1835  and  organized  the  first  class  in  connec- 
tion with  the  M.  E.  church,  consisting  of  seven  members:  Mr.  and  JMrs. 
Samuel  Gregory,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Clark,  Addison  Clark,  Miss  Altha 
Spink  and  himself.  The  class  book  containing  these  names  and  the  ad- 
ditions made  to  them,  was  in  the  Phelps  family  for  many  years,  and  may 
now  be  in  existence. 

They  met  first  in  a  log  cabin,  and  then  in  a  log  school  house,  situated 
about  where  the  little  triangle  is,  at  the  intersection  of  Jackson  and  Madi- 
son streets.  Later  they  bought  the  present  city  hall  site,  opposite  the 
post  office,  aud  the  present  church  site  on  the  fiat-iron  between  Main 
and  Marshall  streets.  In  the  year  1859  the  trustees  built  a  fine  brick 
church,  with  a  graceful  spire,  upob  this  triangular  lot,  selling  the  former 
church  and  lot  for  a  ridiculously  small  price.  This  served  them  splendid- 
ly for  nearly  fifty  years. 

On  February  23,  1906,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  W.  Robinson  sent  a  proposi- 


IIISTOKV   OK  CAMlolN   COINTV  ;{<)9 

tioii  to  till'  (lUiuiiTly  i-mitVvcncc,  oircrini;-  tii  uivc  tni  thousand  dollars 
toward  a  lU'W  clmi-rli  to  lie  luiilt  in  IIKIT.  'I'liis  new  clnirch  costing  over 
sixty  thousand  dollai's,  was  started  during:  the  pastorat(,'  of  Rev.  P.  J. 
iMaveety.  I).  1)..  and  was  dedicated  on  September  27,  1908,  by  liishop 
Hamilton.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  W.  Robinson  celebrated  the  third  anni- 
versary of  the  new  t-hui-cli  by  irivinj;  theii'  beautil'ul  lioiiie  to  be  used 
as  a  parsonage. 

A  brief  synopsis  of  llie  piTsonnel  of  its  pastors  ina\'  not  lie  amiss. 

List  of  pastors:  Alvin  Hillings,  Allen  Staples.  EJijali  ("rane,  Rev. 
Davidson,  Rev.  Lawrence,  Peter  Savin,  Roswell  Parker.  Joseph  Jen- 
nings, Resin  Sapp,  F.  Gage,  E.  N.  Pilcher,  W.  Jackson,  Richard  Law- 
rence, 0.  Mason,  N.  B.  Camburn,  Wm.  Kelley,  R.  C.  Crawford,  Enoch 
Holdstock,  F.  B.  Bangs,  Jacob  Odell.  All  restricted  in  service  by  the 
short  time  limit,  and  all  pastors  in  the  old  frame  church,  none  of  whom 
are  now  living. 

The  pastors  of  the  second  church  were:  N.  S.  Fassett;  D.  D.  Gillett; 
Thos.  Jacokes.  1867:  L.  W.  Earl.  1868;  J.  I.  Buell,  1869;  E.  Cooley, 
1872:  L.  n.  Pearee,  1875;  A.  A.  Knappen,  1877;  D.  F.  Barnes,  1879; 
A.  P.  Moors,  1882;  Thos.  Cox,  1884;  Geo.  S.  Hickev,  1884;  James  Ham- 
ilton. 1887;  Geo.  B.  Kulp,  1890;  Wm.  Denman,  1895;  M.  L.  Fox,  1898; 
D.  D.  Martin.  1898;   P.  J.  Maveety,  1903;   W.  H.  Phelps,  1907. 

The  mend)ership  ha.s  largely  increased  and  only  a  very  few  of  the  old, 
long  time  members  remain.  It  is  a  pity  not  to  name  many  noble  men 
and  women  who  have  served  the  church  so  faithfully  but  it  is  impos- 
sible. We  maj'  name  the  organists.  Mi's.  Belle  Hinman-Ward,  now  of 
Evanston,  l\Iiss  Fi'anc  Brookins  of  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  Mrs.  Carrie  Skin- 
ner-Cooper of  Detroit,  IMiss  Elizabeth  Simpson  of  California,  Pi'of.  Ed- 
win Barnes,  Paul  Estei-brook,  ]\Irs.  Wm.  Denman,  Mrs.  Lissa  Hunger- 
ford-Ackley,  Fred  Farley,  Prof.  Wm.  C.  Columbus  now  of  New  York 
City  and  at  present  Miss  ]\Iabel  Landon  of  this  city. 

From  this  mother  church  have  gone  out  two  other  strong  churches 
in  different  parts  of  the  city,  and  we  still  have  a  memliership  of  seven 
hundred  and  seventy. 

Upton  Avenue  church  occupies  a  beautiful  church  home  in  a  most 
strategic  place  in  the  city,  and  has  a  membership  of  two  hundred.  Rev. 
Chas.  Nease  is  now  the  pastor.  ]Maple  Street  church  has  two  hundred 
and  eighty  memliers  and  is  located  in  the  residential  part  of  the  citv. 
Rev.  .M.  D.  Carn-l  is  pastoi-.  The  three  chuivbcs  have  propeily  valuiMl 
at  .1^122. (10(1. 

Maple  Street  .Methodist  Ei-iscop.m.  Ciu'rcii 

is  located  ill  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  rapidly  growing  |)ortions  of 
the  city,  at  the  corner  of  JIaple  and  Merritt  streets.  It  originated  in  a 
mission  Sunday-school,  which  was  started  in  that  part  of  the  city  by 
members  of  the  First  Jlethodist  church  in  the  summer  of  1888.  In  De- 
cember of  the  same  year  the  work  had  developed  such  interest  and 
strength  as  to  warrant  the  procuring  of  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  mis- 
sion, and  a  board  of  trustees  was  elected  by  the  (juarterly  conference  of 
First  Ciiurch  for  that  iiurjiose.     Soon  after  the  ])resent  site  was  secured 


400  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  work  of  raising  funds  for  a  church  building  was  successfully  prose- 
cuted and  on  the  31st  day  of  August,  1890,  the  completed  building 
was  dedicated  by  Bishop  E.  G.  Andrews,  of  New  York.  At  the  confer- 
ence, which  met  in  September,  the  Rev.  E.  0.  Mather  was  appointed  first 
pastor  of  the  new  charge.  In  October  a  church  society  was  organized, 
consisting  of  forty-five  members,  forty-three  of  whom  were  transferred 
from  the  First  Methodist  church,  and  two  probationers.  The  society 
now  numbers  nearly  three  hundred  members,  with  a  vigorous,  growing 
Sunday-school,  an  active  Epworth  League,  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and 
Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  The  original  church  building  has 
been  greatly  enlarged  and  improved,  and  a  beautiful  and  commodious 
parsonage  erected  adjoining  the  church.  The  property  is  now  valued  at 
$20,000.  The  society  contributed  to  all  benevolent  purposes  last  year 
$1,236.00,  and  paid  for  ministerial  support  and  other  current  expenses 
$2,455.00. 

Upton  Avenue  ^Iethodist  Episcopal  Church 

Like  many  an  other  church,  this  society  had  its  inception  in  a  Sun- 
day-school, which  was  organized  as  a  Mission  Sunday-school  by  Rev. 
James  Hamilton,  April  4,  1889,  he  being  at  that  time  pastor  of  the 
First  J\Iethodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Battle  Creek.  The  sessions  of  this 
school  were  held  in  a  small  rented  building  at  219  S.  Kendall  street. 
Mr.  James  Tuttle  was  its  first  superintendent,  and  Mrs.  A.  M.  Smith  was 
secretary,  and  ^1.  Edward  Keith  was  treasurer.  This  was  known  as  the 
Kendall  Street  ilission  Sunday-school.  It  had  an  attendance  during  the 
first  year  of  an  average  of  eighty. 

At  the  end  of  five  years  the  school  had  outgrown  the  building  and 
something  had  to  be  done.  Under  the  supervision  and  help  of  the  First 
Church,  the  Rev.  Geo.  B.  Culp  at  that  time  pastor,  a  lot  was  purchased 
of  William  Dumphrey,  at  the  corner  of  Upton  avenue  and  Frederick 
street,  and  on  this  lot  a  chapel  was  built.  This  was  dedicated  September 
2,  1894.  The  fii-st  sermon  in  the  new  building  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  John  Graham,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  Albion  district. 

The  Sunday-school  held  its  first  session  in  the  new  building  September 
9,  1894,  with  Charles  H.  Gillis  as  superintendent  and  0.  T.  Morgan, 
secretary.  Thereafter  the  school  was  called  the  Upton  Avenue  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Sunday-school. 

During  the  month  of  September  of  this  year,  fifty  members  were 
transferred  from  the  First  Church  and  united  in  organizing  the  Upton 
Avenue  Jlethodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  at  the  conference  the  Bishop 
appointed  Ralph  Newman  its  first  pastor.  From  that  time  on  this 
church  has  been  self-sustaining.  During  the  two  years  of  Rev.  New- 
man 's  pastorate  the  society  greatly  prospered,  the  membership  increasing 
to  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

At  some  time  during  these  two  years  the  Ladies  Aid  Society  was 
organized  and  Mrs.  M.  M.  Maynard  was  elected  its  first  superintendent. 
Mrs.  C.  A.  Webster  was  elected  secretary  and  ]\Irs.  M.  L.  Smith  treasurer. 
This  society  has  ever  since  been  of  great  assistance  to  the  church. 

In  the  first  year  of  this  pastorate  the  Epworth  League  was  organized 


HISTORY  OF  TALIIorX   COIXTY  401 

with  fourteen  eliarter  members.  jMrs.  Kate  Smith  was  president,  .Mrs. 
O.  T.  Morgan  first  vice-president,  Mrs.  Gertrude  Wilson  was  second  vice- 
president,  O.  T.  Morgan  was  third  vice-president,  Rali)li  Xewiiian  was 
fourth  vice-president  and  J\Iiss  (.'ora  Lewis  was  secretary. 

In  September,  1896,  the  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Kendriek  was  apixiinlrd  id 
succeed  the  Rev.  Newman,  and  during  his  three  years  minislry  the 
church  bougiit  a  lot  at  :«!()  L'pton  avenue  and  erected  a  parsonage  there- 
on. The  Ladies  Aid  Society  came  to  the  relief  of  the  trustees  and  prac- 
tically payed  the  full  amount  of  the  cost  of  this  building.  Since  its 
erection  the  parsonage  has  been  undci-  tiieir  supervision  and  it  lias  been 
kept  in  repair  by  them. 

The  Junior  League  was  organized  October  31,  1898,  with  Mrs.  W. 
F.  Kendriek  superintending.  Miss  Margaret  Snyder  is  the  present 
superintendent.  The  league  holds  a  devotional  meeting  every  Sunday 
afternoon,  except  during  tlie  summer  months,  with  an  attendance  of 
about  tiftv. 

The  Rev.  A.  T.  Cartland  succeedeil  the  Rev.  Kcndiick.  and  his 
pastorate  continued  through  one  year,  in  September,  11)110,  he  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Laity.  In  September,  1901,  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Foy  took  up  the  work  and  was  with  the  church  for  three  /ears. 
During  these  years  the  membership  had  increased  and  the  Sunday-sciiool 
now  numbered  over  two  hundred  enrolled  members.  ;ind  tlicy  were 
again  asking  for  more  room. 

In  1904-  the  Rev.  W.  I.  Elmer  became  pastor,  and  during  his  four 
yeai-s  pastorate  the  present  church  was  built.  The  corner  stone  was 
laid  October  27,  1907,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  January  12,  1908. 
The  Rev.  W.  M.  Parr  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon.  On  .Monday  of 
dedication  week  Dr.  F.  E.  Day,  pastor  at  Albion,  gave  his  lecture,  "Why 
I  am  a  Methodist."  Tuesday  evening  Dr.  D.  D.  Martin  preached.  Wednes- 
day evening  Professor  Goodrich  of  Albion  spoke,  and  on  Thursday 
evening  Dr.  W.  M.  Puffer  preached.  On  Friday  evening  the  Ladies 
Aid  Society  gave  a  banfjuet  in  the  church  parlors,  laying  three  hundred 
covers,  and  for  three  years  this  was  made  an  annual  affair. 

At  the  dedication  of  the  church  the  Ladies  Aid  Society  again  came 
to  the  rescue  and  pledged  three  thousand  dollars  on  the  church  debt. 
At  this  time  Dr.  Kellogg  of  the  sanitarium  offered  to  give  the  church  a 
banquet  at  the  sanitarium,  he  furnishing  the  menu  and  the  church  to  sell 
the  tickets.  The  ladies  took  the  work  and  the  banquet  was  served,  but 
the  Doctor  kindly  gave  all  to  the  church,  amounting  to  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars. 

The  Upton  girls,  Mrs.  Bathrick  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Strong,  gave 
the  church  the  large,  beautiful  memorial  windows  and  also  subscribed 
five  hundred  dollars  on  the  debt. 

In  September,  1908,  the  Rev.  Geo.  A.  Brown  was  aiipoinfcd  to  this 
charge,  and  he  proved  to  be  the  right  man  for  the  place.  And  his  llircc 
years  pastorate  proved  to  be  a  spiritual  uplift  to  the  church. 

January  3,  1911,  a  Woman's  Foreign  ilissionary  Society  was  organ- 
ized, and  Jlrs.  Geo.  A.  Brown  was  elected  its  first  president.  The  officers 
of  the  society  are :  President,  'Sirs.  Ettie  Ilumiston ;  first  vice-president, 
Mrs.  Alice  Waite ;  second  vice-president,  Mrs.  Efifie  N.  Enos ;  correspond- 


402  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

ing  secretary,  Miss  Mareia  Jones;  recording  secretary,  Mrs.  Frances 
Sprague;  and  Mrs.  Kate  Caine  was  elected  treasure!'.  Mrs.  Henry 
Halladay  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  mite  box  department. 

In  September,  1911,  the  Rev.  Charles  Nease  was  appointed  pastor. 
Under  the  direction  of  the  pastor.  ]\Iiss  Zoa  Mitchell,  deaconess,  with  tlie 
help  of  the  women  of  the  church  made  a  house  to  house  canvass,  this  with 
the  follow-up  work  of  the  pastor  and  faithful  women  of  the  church,  has 
resulted  iu  a  large  increase  in  the  membership  of  the  Sunday-school. 
Thus  far  during  the  year,  thirty-five  new  members  have  been  added  to 
the  church  roll,  making  the  present  membership  number  two  hundred  and 
twenty-five. 

The  Supday-school  has  at  the  present  time  385  members  enrolled, 
and  130  babies  on  the  cradle  roll,  making  over  five  hundred  in  all. 

The  Sunday-school  is  organized  into  a  missionary  society,  with  Miss 
Grace  Darling  as  superintendent,  and  also  is  organized  into  a  temperance 
society,  with  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Austin  as  superintendent.  William  Cart- 
lidge  is  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 

The  Epworth  League  is  doing  good  work  with  a  membership  of 
sixty-five.  Charles  W.  Wheeler  is  president.  Mre  Kate  Caine  is  first 
vice-president;  Miss  IMillie  Emhuff  is  second  vice-president;  Mrs.  F.  L. 
Seage  is  third  vice-president  and  Miss  Opal  Armour  is  fourth  vice- 
president.  Mrs.  C.  W.  Wheeler  is  secretary  and  Frank  Darling  is 
treasurer. 

Seven  hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars  have  been  paid  on  the  principal 
of  the  indebtedness  and  the  interest,  which  amounted  to  $43'4.00,  during 
this  year.  The  prayer-meeting  and  Bible  study,  held  each  Thursday 
evening  is  exceptionally  good,  as  are  also  the  sermons.  The  city  is  grow- 
ing very  rapidly  and  the  outlook  for  this  society  is  very  promising  for 
larger  membership  and  wider  influence. 

The  Seventh-Day  Apventist  T.vbernaci.e 

One  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  old  landmarks  of  the  city  of  Bat- 
tle Creek,  is  the  Seventh-day  Adventist  Tabernacle,  located  on  Wash- 
ington and  Main  streets,  just  opposite  ilcCamly  park  on  Washington 
street.  This  is  the  largest  auditorium  in  the  city,  having  a  seating 
capacity  to  accommodate  thirty-two  hundred  people  when  the  spacious 
galleries  and  all  the  vestries  are  thrown  open.  The  auditorium  alone 
will  seat  about  twelve  hundred  people  and  it  forms  the  place  of  wor- 
ship of  the  ordinary  congregation,  the  vestries  on  all  sides  of  the  house 
being  separated  from  the  auditorium  by  movable  partitions.  The  ves- 
tries are  used  by  the  kindergarten  and  other  divisions  of  the  large 
Seventh-day  Adventist  Sabbath-School,  which  meets  every  Sabbath  (Sat- 
urday) at  9:30  A.  ]\I.,  before  the  regular  preaching  service  which  takes 
place  at  10 :45  A.  M. 

The  Tabernacle  has  been  used  for  the  graduating  exercises  of  the 
Battle  Creek  high  school  for  many  years,  also  for  temperance  conven- 
tions, and  other  large  public  gatherings  of  a  religious  character. 
It  was  the  meeting-place  and  general  headquarters  of  the  Seventh-day 
Adventist  denomination  until  the  removal  of  the  Revieiv  and  Herald, 


IllSTOKV   OF  CALllOl  \   COINTV 


403 


the  deuominatioual  organ  ol'  tlic  Si'vcntli-ilaN-  Advent ists,  to  Wasliiug- 
ton,  D.  C,  in  consequern'O  of  the  Ixirning  of  the  office  buildings  of  the 
papei"  which  occurred  in  the  year  l!)t)2. 

The  Tabernacle  was  erected  in  1878  on  the  site  inoviously  occu- 
pied by  the  old  Seveuth-day  Adventist  church  which  was  too  small 
to  accommodate  the  rapidly  growing  congregation  of  that  time.  The 
old  church  building  was  removed  to  the  rear  of  the  Reriiw  and  Herald 
office,  and  was  finally  incorporated  witli,  and  became  a  part  of  that 
building. 

The  Tabernacle  is  the  fourth  church  building  erected  by  the  Seventh- 
day  Adventists  in  Battle  Creek  since  they  first  came  to  the  city.     As 


Adventist  Tap-ekxaclp: 


early  as  18.')2  there  were  a  few  Seventh-day  observers  in  the  vilhige 
of  Battle  ("I'cik,  h\it  this  number  was  largely  increased  by  the  removal 
of  the  Rcvii  ic  mill  llinild  to  this  place  from  Rochester,  New  York,  in 
November,  IS.");").  Hence  the  necessity  of  providing  a  house  for  pul)lic 
worship.  In  December,  1855,  a  small  chapel  18  by  24  was  erected  on 
the  west  side  of  Cass  street,  midway  between  Van  Buren  and  Champion 
streets.  At  that  time  there  were  about  forty  Seventh-day  Adventists  in 
Battle  Creek,  but  this  number  soon  increased  to  the  extent  that  a 
larger  place  of  worship  liecame  a  necessity,  and  a  second  church  build- 
ing, 28  by  42,  was  erected  in  1857  on  the  north  side  of  Van  Buren 
street,  just  off  of  Cass  street.  This  building  served  the  purpose  o^  a 
place  of  worship  for  four  or  five  years  when  the  congregation  had  aj;ain 
outgrown  its  seating  capacity,  and  it  was  dispo.sed  of  to  the  A.  M.  E. 


404  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

people  who  still  occupy  the  site.  The  membership  of  the  Seventh-day 
Adventists  at  this  time  was  about  one  hundred. 

The  publishing  business  of  the  denomination  increased  so  rapidly  that 
on  May  3,  1861,  the  Seventh-day  Adventist  Publishing  Association  was 
legally  incorpoi-ated.  In  the  year  1866,  another  enterprise  was  estab- 
lished in  Battle  Creek  by  the  Seventh-day  Adventists.  This  was  the 
Health-Reform  Institute,  now  known  as  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium. 
This  institution  was  incorporated  in  1867.  This  drew  a  large  number 
of  people  to  Battle  Creek,  and  the  need  of  a  more  commodious  house 
of  worship  soon  became  apparent.  Accordingly  a  third,  and  larger 
building  was  erected  in  1868,  44  by  60  feet  in  size,  on  the  present  site 
of  the  Tabernacle.  The  membership  of  the  congregation  at  this  time  was 
about  three  hundred. 

In  the  year  1874  the  Battle  Creek  college  was  established,  and  the 
remarkable  patronage  which  it  received  from  various  states  of  the 
union,  and  from  foreign  countries,  so  increased  the  size  of  the  congre- 
gation that  by  the  year  1878  the  church  for  the  fourth  time  found 
itself  in  need  of  a  larger  place  of  worship,  and  by  liberal  contributions 
from  the  resident  members  of  the  church  in  the  city,  added  to  by  a 
multitude  of  contributions  from  other  places  as  well  as  from  many  who 
were  not  members  of  the  denomination,  the  magnificent  structure  known 
;is  the  Tabernacle  was  built.  It  was  known  at  the  time  as  "The  Dime 
Tabernacle,"  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the  design  of  the  originators  of 
the  building  to  construct  it  from  dime  contributions  of  the  people  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  The  pi-esent  membership  of  the  Tabernacle  con- 
gregation is  something  over  nine  hundred. 

The  Independent  Congregational  Church 

Being  organized  on  the  26th  of  March,  1836,  in  a  log  school  house  by 
eight  persons  presenting  letters  from  churches  in  the  East,  and  electing 
officers,  its  history  began.  For  eight  years  there  seems  to  have  been  no 
stated  preaching  in  the  young  church.  Its  dependence  for  what  it  called 
"the  preaching  of  the  word  and  the  administration  of  the  sealing  ordi- 
nances" was  upon  the  somewhat  precarious  and  uncertain  supply  which 
itinerant  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  missionaries  furnished. 
Within  those  eight  years  at  different  intervals  the  names  of  Silas  Wood- 
bury, William  Jones.  Calvin  Clark,  Stephen  Mason,  H.  Hyde,  R.  B. 
Bement  and  S.  H.  Ogden  all  appear  as  having  preached  and  admin- 
istered the  church  sacraments.  In  1844,  Alex.  Trotter  became  the  regu- 
lar minister  of  the  church.  Following  him  in  the  order  named,  and 
remaining  from  two  to  six  years,  the  pa.stors  were — Joel  Byingfon. 
S.  D.  Pitkin,  Chas.  Jones,  E.  L.  Uavies,  S.  E.  Wishard,  W.  H.  Dickin- 
son and  W.  W.  Halloway.  Reed  Stuart  became  pa.stor  of  the  churcli 
on  the  first  Sunday  of  July,  1877.  In  1883  during  his  pastorate,  the 
orsiinizatiou  became  modern  and  shortly  after  adopted  the  name  of 
the  Independent  Congregational  church.  In  December  of  that  year 
arlieles  of  faith  in  accordance  with  the  new  position  were  adopted  and 
the  work  of  the  church  as  a  progressive  organization  was  thus  formally 


lliSTOlJV   f>F  CALlIorX   CorXTV  403 

begun.  Ml-.  Stuart's  pastorate  teriuinated  iu  1886.  'Plien  followed 
tlie  pastorates  of  T.  W.  llaveu,  1886-1888;  W.  D.  Sinioiuls,  1888-1894; 
T.  J.  Horner,  1895-1897;  S.  J.  Stewart,  1897-1904;  in  April,  1905 
F.  H.  Bodman  became  and  is  still  the  pastor  of  the  church.  During 
his  pastorate  a  beautiful  new  church  building  has  been  erected,  costing, 
together  with  the  lot  aiul  furnishings,  in  the  neighborhood  of  eighty 
thousand  dollars. 

At  no  time  since  the  organization  has  this  church  belonged  1o  a 
denomination.  Made  up  originally  of  Congregational  and  Presbyterian 
elements,  it  sustained  fraternal  relations  with  both  bodies  but  remained 
essentially  independent  of  each.  Since  the  beginning  of  the  pastorate 
of  Reed  Stuart,  in  1877,  the  church  has  welcomed  the  established  con- 
clusions of  natural  science,  matle  such  adjustments  in  its  theological  and 
philosophical  thought  as  the  facts  of  science  necessitated,  adopted  the 
principle  of  evolution  as  a  working  hypothesis,  followed  the  lead  of  a 
reverent  biblical  criticism,  been  loyal  to  the  life,  spirit,  principles,  ideals, 
leadership  of  the  Man  of  Galilee  and  has  stood  fast  in  the  liberty  where- 
with the  spirit  of  Christ  hath  made  it  free.  It  has  always  occupied  a 
leading  position  among  the  churches  of  the  city. 

First  Church  op  Christ,  Scientist 

Attention  of  this  communitj-  was  first  dra\TO  to  the  principles  of 
Christian  Science,  as  taught  by  Mrs.  Mary  Baker  Eddy,  alwut  the 
year  1883,  the  first  to  adopt  the  faith  being  actuated,  as  having  been 
the  larger  number  of  its  adherents,  by  the  physical  healing  that  fol- 
lowed the  application  of  the  teaching. 

From  small  beginnings  the  number  of  those  interested  in  Christian 
Science  grew  until  a  society  was  formed  and  meetings  were  regularly 
held,  the  society  giving  place  in  1898  to  the  present  church  organization. 

In  1906  an  opportunity  came  to  secure  a  most  desirable  building 
site,  at  the  corner  of  Maple  and  Adams  streets.  The  large  residence  on 
the  lot  was  easily  remodeled  to  accommodate  the  requirements  of  the 
congregation.  Eventually  it  is  planned  to  erect  a  new  edifice  adequate 
for  future  needs,  and  one  that  will  be  a  credit  architecturally  to  the 
community. 

Seiwices  are  held  on  Sunday  morning  and  Wednesday  evening,  the 
former  being  identical  with  those  held  in  all  other  Christian  Science 
churches  and  comprising  readings  from  the  Bible  and  the  Christian 
Science  text  book.  Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the  Scriptures,  by 
;Mrs.  Eddy,  the  latter  being  devoted  to  giving  of  testimonies  of  healing 

IiiMANTEL,  Apostolic  Holiness  Chukch 

By  Rev.  George  B.  Kiilp 

The  Immanuel  Holiness  Church  was  incorporated  April  14,  1899, 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  .state  of  Michigan,  an<l  on  April  the  20tli, 
the  following  persons  were  elected  trustees:  J.  E.  Strong,  J.  A.  Ross- 


406  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY 

man,  Aunie  R.  Kulp,  Asa  Jlartin,  AV.  S.  Keet,  Ella  Martin,  C.  M.  Beebe, 
Angle  Keet  and  Jaines  Gilbert.  The  board  organized  by  electing  the 
following  as  officers:  vice-president,  W.  S.  Keet;  secretary,  J.  E.  Strong; 
treasurer,  C.  il.  Beebe.  By  an  unanimous  vote  of  the  board  Rev.  George 
B.  Kulp  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church. 

September  20,  1900,  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  church,  it  was 
unanimously  voted  "we  adopt  the  manual  of  the  'International  Apos- 
tolic Holiness  Union,'  and  by  this  action  the  church  became  a  society  of 
the  denomination  known  as  'The  International  Apostolic  Holiness 
Union,'  "  founded  by  Rev.  M.  W.  Knapp  and  his  co-workers  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  in  1897.  The  meetings  of  the  church  were  lirst  held  in  the 
building  owned  by  the  German  Evangelical  Church  on  Adams  street. 
Here  the  work  prospered  to  such  an  extent,  that  the  building  was  too 
small  to  accommodate  those  desiring  to  attend.  The  services  were  all 
evangelistic  and  were  all  conducted  by  the  pastor,  the  one  aim  being  to 
win  men  for  God  and  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  KingiTbm. 
The  doctrines  for  which  the  church  stood  and  which  were  preached  and 
upheld  forcibly  by  the  pastor,  were  the  regeneration  of  sinners,  Sanctifi- 
cation  of  believers,  healing  in  the  Atonement,  and  the  pre-millennial  com- 
ing of  Jesus,  all  being  neither  more  nor  less  than  old-fashioned 
Methodism,  as  held  and  practiced  by  John  Wesley,  the  father  and  founder 
of  Methodism.  The  church  held  to  tiie  scriptural  metiiod  of  finances, 
"free  will  offerings,"  no  other  methods  lieing  resorted  to,  socials,  fairs, 
festivals,  rumnuige  sales,  and  entertainments  of  all  kinds  for  the  revenue 
being  condemned  as  contrary  to  the  plain  teachings  of  the  Word  of  God 
and  detrimental  to  the  spirituality  of  the  church. 

The  pastor  of  the  church  receives  no  stated  salary,  accepting  the 
pastorate  upon  his  own  suggestion  adopted  unanimously  by  the  church 
that  "there  shall  be  no  other  method  of  finances  then  free  will  offerings, 
that  all  current  expenses,  such  as  light,  heat  and  fuel  be  paid  first  and 
the  balance  be  paid  to  the  pastor  at  the  end  of  every  month.  This  has 
been  adhered  to  strictly  through  these  years  and  the  church  has  no 
indebtness.  the  pastor  has  been  well  eared  for,  and  all  interests,  home  and 
foreign,  have  been  looked  after. 

On  January  26,  1903,  the  board  of  trustees  resolved  to  purchase  a 
lot  on  which  to  build  a  church  house,  to  be  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God,  "said  building  to  be  preserved  forever,  inviolate  from 
all  desecration  by  worldly  methods  of  providing  revenue  and  reserved 
solely  for  the  worship  of  God,  according  to  the  doctrines  of  holy  scrip- 
tures, as  set  forth  in  the  mauual  of  the  Union. ' '  February  1.  1903,  after 
a  sermon  by  the  pastor,  an  offering  was  taken  in  the  method  peculiar 
to  this  society,  no  subscriptions  being  called  out  publiel.y,  but  each 
person  after  prayer  advancing  to  the  open  Bible  laid  upon  the  altar 
and  placing  thereon  a  paper,  on  which  was  written  the  amount  of  the 
pledge  or  the  cash  in  lieu  thereof  was  put  on  the  Bible.  The  fir.st  offer- 
ing amounted  to  $2,583.00,  three  gold  watches  and  five  wedding  rings. 
On  February  19,  the  lot  on  which  the  church  now  stands,  was  purchased 
at  a  cost  of  $1,980.00,  from  iladison  Barr. 

March  16th  the  work  of  laying  the  foundation  of  the  new  building  be- 
gan, Frank  Stampler  being  the  contractor.  Rev.  George  B.  Kulp,  Jay 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  4()T 

E.  Sti'ong,  James  Gilbert  and  Smith  Hickman  l)oing  tlie  Imilding  coin 
luittee  iu  cliarge  of  the  work.  On  August  18,  the  main  audience  room 
and  prayer  room  were  completed,  tive  months  and  two  da.ys  from  the 
date  of  breaking  ground.  On  August  18,  1903,  the  dedication  services 
were  lield  at  10:30,  the  Rev.  George  B.  Kulp,  the  pastor,  preached  the 
dedicatory  sermon,  at  3  P.  M.  the  Rev.  Allie  Irick  preaclied  ami  Rev. 
C.  E.  Roberts  at  7  :30.  During  the  day  an  offering  to  the  Lord  for  the 
expense  of  building  was  taken,  amounting  to  $2,708.00,  making  a  total 
of  $5,571.00,  given  as  free-will  offering  towards  the  $7,500  paid  for 
lot  and  building.  Four  persons  were  at  the  altar  during  the  day.  The 
pulpit  in  the  church  was  a  love  offering  from  Mrs.  and  Mi-.  J.  E. 
Strong  in  memory  of  the  sainted  mother  of  Mrs.  Strong,  Mrs.  "W.  T. 
North.  Several  state  conventions  of  the  Apostolic  Holiness  Union  have 
been  held  in  this  church,  and  in  1906  the  general  assembly  of  tlie  in- 
ternational Holiness  Union  was  held  here  from  November  30  to  Decem- 
ber 9th. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  pastor.  Rev.  George  B.  Kulp,  having  been 
elected  general  superintendent  of  the  International  Apostolic  Holliness 
Union  in  December,  1905,  and  the  work  at  large  increasing,  making  de- 
mands upon  him  that  took  him  away,  the  board  of  trustees  elected  Miss 
Sadie  Kulp,  the  daughter  of  the  pastor,  and  an  ordained  minister  to  be 
assistant  pastor.  She  had  previously  assisted  in  revival  work  on  sev- 
eral occasions  in  the  church,  and  also  had  been  pastor  at  Orleans,  In- 
diana, in  the  Holiness  church,  the  church  in  this  way  thus  generously 
assisting  other  churclies  and  camp-meetings  their  pastor  is  called  to 
attend  or  conduct. 

The  Immanuel  church  has  at  different  times  contributed  as  much 
to  aid  in  foreign  and  home  mission  work  as  in  its  own  immediate  work 
in  Battle  Creek.  Africa,  India  and  Japan  liave  lieen  ghuldencd  liy  le- 
eeiving  its  contril)utions  direct.  Rescue  homes  have  been  helped  to 
the  extent  of  hundreds  of  dollars  in  single  offerings.  Men  and  women 
converted  and  sanctified  at  its  altars  a-re  out  preaching  the  Go-spel.  The 
financial  methods  of  the  church  have  stood  the  test  of  the  years,  at 
this  time  fourteen  years  of  experience  find  the  church  without  any  in- 
debtedness and  money  in  its  poor  fund  to  help  the  needy  and  deserving. 
Tliree  hundred  and  thirty-five  pei-sons  have  been  upon  its  rolls,  some 
during  the  years  have  passed  beyond  the  skies,  but  a  good  number 
strong  iu  tlie  faith  are  still  continuing  the  battle  looking  for  the  coming 
of  Him  whose  right  it  is  to  reign.  Tlie  present  officiary  of  the  churcli 
is  as  follows:  Rev.  George  B.  Kulp,  pastor;  Rev.  Sadie  Kulp,  assistant 
pastor;  Mrs.  Wesley  Clark,  clerk  of  the  church;  Jay  E.  Strong,  treas- 
urer. Trustees,  Ella  Martin,  Frank  Bodine,  Geo.  Quick,  Wesley  Clark. 
Annie  R.  Kulp,  Pdanche  Clarke,  Mrs.  Charles  Kenuard  and  Henry 
Jacobs. 

German  Evangelical  St.  Paul's  Church 

Si.  Paul's  church  was  organized  b.y  the  Rev.  Reiuicke  iu  1894.  with 
about  twenty  families. 

Soon  after  the  organization,  the  small  congregation  went  at  work 
to  raise  funds  for  a  new  church,  which  was  erected  on  Adams  sti'eet. 


408  HISTORY  .OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  church  has  no  debts  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  since 
holding  also   English   services   besides  the   German. 

The  congregation  now  has  a  membership  of  about  thirty  families, 
making  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-tive  baptized  and  confirmed 
members. 

The  Sunday  school  has  about  thirty-five  pupils,  with  tiiree  teachers. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  society  has  thirty-five  members  and  is  a  growing 
condition. 

The  congregation  supports  the  missions  of  the  German  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Synod,  of  Missouri,  Ohio,  and  other  states. 

Rev.  Chr.  Heidenreich,  of  Marshall,  has  been  pastor  of  the  church 
since  1908. 

Literary  and  Secret  Societies  of  Battle  Creek 
By  W.  R.  Wooden 

The  city  of  Battle  Creek  has  been  blessed  with  a  few  literary  so- 
cieties that  have  been  very  effective  and  an  element  for  much  progress 
and  benefit  in  the  community. 

The  greatest  credit  must  be  given  to  her  women's  clubs.  During 
the  early  years  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  a  Ladies"  Library  Associa- 
tion was  established  through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  E.  H.  Hussey,  widely 
known  for  her  culture  and  originality,  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  F.  Graves, 
a  woman  of  clear,  strong  intellect,  sound  judgment  and  resolute  pur- 
pose. A  plan  of  work  was  developed,  a  constitution  signed,  and  of- 
ficers elected,  with  Mrs.-  Graves  president.  Through  strenuous  effort 
and  untiring  interest  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  this  society,  a  large 
circulating  library  was  formed  and  its  benefits  extended  to  the  town 
and  surrounding  country.  A  town  library  came  into  existence  a  few 
years  later,  and  from  that  time  the  society  devoted  itself  almost  entirely 
to  the  study  of  literature,  science,  history  and  art. 

The  Ladies'  Li])i-aiy  Association  was  called  by  various  names,  such 
as  Ladies'  Literary,  Ladies'  Library  and  Literary  Association,  Ladies' 
Literary  and  Art  Club.  Through  varying  fortunes  the  Ladies'  Library 
Association  continued  iintil  1893,  when  it  was  incorporated  as  the 
Woman's  Club,  the  name  which  it  now  retains.  Mrs.  Graves  was  presi- 
dent until  her  death  in  1894.  The  purposes  of  the  Woman's  Club  are 
intellectual,  scientific,  aesthetic,  liberal  culture  and  inquiry. 

In  later  years  there  was  organized  and  developed  another  woman's 
club  called  the  Woman's  League,  having  for  its  object  similar  purposes. 

Both  of  these  clubs  have  grown  and  progressed  until  they  have  de- 
veloped into  great  institutions  for  benefiting  the  community  and  have 
become  permanent  institutions  for  good,  both  enjoying  a  large  member- 
ship at  the  present  time. 

The  Conversational  Club  was  founded  in  1898  by  Charles  E.  Barnes, 
Hon.  J.  D.  Bartholf,  and  George  W.  Buckley.  The  name  Convei-sa- 
tional  indicates  the  procedure  of  its  meetings,  which  usually  take  place 
at  some  private   residence  on  some  evening  of  each  week  during  the 


lilSTOIJY   OK  CALIIOIN   CorXTY  JO'.) 

cold  season.  For  each  iiieeliiig  a  ditfereiit  leader  and  tliffereul  topic 
are  selected  by  a  conunittee  appointed  by  the  president,  and  a  general 
conversation  or  discussion  follows  the  opening  talk.  In  tiie  earlier 
years  of  the  club  the  programs  bore  considerably  more  of  a  literary 
aspect  than  has  been  the  case  in  the  last  few  years.  Its  purpose  now 
is  not  merely  to  be  an  agency  of  self-culture  to  its  members,  but  to 
be  an  agency  also  of  ethical  influence  upon  public  sentiment.  A  wide 
variety  of  practical  subjects  is  considered,  and  many  notables,  both  men 
and  women,  have  spoken  under  its  au.spices. 

The  Nature  Club.  it.s  name  indicating  its  object,  is  ]irobabIy  the 
tirst  club  of  its  kind  organized  in  America.  Its  work  has  been  study 
along  the  lines  of  ornithology,  entomology,  geology,  forestry,  astronomy, 
microscopy,  botany  and  other  nature  studies.  During  the  spring  and 
early  summer  months  the  club  as  a  whole  makes  a  practice  of  making 
excursions  into  the  country,  studying  nature  in  a  section  that  seems 
to  be  a  veritable  treasure  trove  to  nature  lovers.  During  the  colder 
months  it  holds  weekly  meetings,  each  meeting  generally  addressed  by 
some  one  individual  upon  a  chosen  subject,  which  is  followed  by  a  general 
discussion  of  members. 

The  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union  is  a  thriving  institution 
working  along  usual  lines. 

The  Young  Women's  Christian  Association  is  also  prosperous  and 
has  l)een  a  potent  agent  for  much  good  in  the  community.  Unlike  most 
similar  institutions  in  other  cities,  it  has  been  most  wonderfully  man- 
aged from  a  business  standpoint,  and  has  really  been  more  eifective 
and  successful  than  similar  organizations  in  cities  approximating  the 
size  of  Battle  Creek. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  has  provided  itself  with  its 
o\ni  building  and  club  rooms.  It  has  been  most  excellently  managed 
for  a  number  of  years,  being  cared  for  and  supported  by  all  of  the 
good  people  in  the  community.  Its  line  of  work  is  of  course  along 
lines  usual  to  the  institution  in  other  cities.  However,  the  progress, 
activity  and  accomplishments  of  the  Battle  Creek  Y.  M.  C.  A.  are 
phenomenal. 

Battle  Creek  is  also  blessed  with  a  large  nuudier  of  thriving  secret 
societies. 

Masons. — The  first  Masonic  lodge  was  instituted  in  1846.  The  lodge 
grew  and  thrived  until  in  1897  it  swarmed,  forming  the  A.  T.  Metealf 
lodge,  which  has  also  become  active  and  prosperous  until  at  the  present 
time  there  are  over  seven  hundred  ma.sous  in  the  jurisdiction,  prepara- 
tions being  undei-  way  to  construct  for  Masonic  uses  a  suitable  temple, 
which  will  undoubtedly  be  commenced  ere  this  history  is  published. 
A  chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  was  instituted  in  1857,  and  a  com- 
mandery  of  Knights  Templar  organized  in  August,   1882. 

Knights  of  Pythias. — This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  thriving 
secret  societies  in  the  city.  It  was  organized  in  1879,  and  since  the 
organization  of  the  lodge  they  have  taken  in  an  additional  membership 
of  over  seven  hundred  members.  In  1883  a  Uniform  Rank,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  was  organized,  which  in  later  year  became  somewhat  of  a 


410  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

military  body.  This  organization  contemplates  the  immediate  building 
of  a  temple  for  its  uses. 

The  Elks. — This  purely  social  order  has  become  one  of  the  great 
institutions  of  the  city.  It  has  a  membership  of  nearly  one  thousand, 
and  has  a  beautiful  temjile  representing  an  investment  of  about  $65,- 
000.00  and  devoted  entirely  to  its  use. 

The  Woman's  League 

which  was  organized  in  1895,  federated  1896  and  was  incorporated  in 
1901. 

The  object  of  this  league  is  to  create  an  organized  center  of  action 
among  women  for  the  establishment  of  co-operation  in  educational,  civic, 
literary  and  philanthropic  interest  in  science,  art,  literature  and  music. 

For  convenience  in  carrying  on  this  work,  the  league  is  divided  into 
four  departments  :  education  and  literature  ;  art  and  music  ;  home;  sun- 
shine. 

The  league  has  a  membership  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  women, 
holding  its  meetings  in  the  Willard  library  on  Wednesday  afternoon  of 
each  week  from  October  first  to  May  first. 

There  are  two  large  and  thriving  lodges  of  Odd  Fellows,  besides  in- 
numerable mutual  insurance  societies,  among  which  are  the  Maccabees, 
the  Ancient  Order  of  TTnited  Workmen,  the  National  Union,  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  the  Modern  AVoodmen  of  Ameriea.  and  innumerable  others. 

YoiNG  ^Iexs  Christian  Association 
Bu  William  S.  Potter 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  was  organized  January 
14,  1891,  and  was  incorporated  by  the  state  on  January  29,  of  the  same 
year.  The  organization  grew  out  of  a  resolution  offered  by  the  Rev. 
William  S.  Potter  in  the  Battle  Creek  ministerial  association.  The 
resolution  was  followed  by  the  appointment  of  the  mover  as  chairman 
of  a  committee  on  organization.  A  mass  meeting  was  held  at  the  Bap- 
tist church,  with  the  state  Y.  M.  C.  A.  secretary  present.  This  meeting 
approved  the  action  of  the  ministerial  association  and  decided  to  organize 
a  Y.  M.  G.  A.  The  association  was  incorporated  for  thirty  years.  The 
association  had  no  building  at  the  time,  hut  had  rooms  on  the  second 
floor  at  15  and  17  South  Jefferson  street.  The  following  men  were 
directors  that  signed  the  articles  of  incorporation. 

W.  D.  Farley ;  I\I.  Rorabacher,  M.  D. ;  Harlan  K.  Whitney ;  F.  R. 
Poole;  I.  Bleasdale;  T.  W.  Case;  A.  Raymond;  William  J.  Dowsett; 
Peter  Hoffraaster;  W.  W.  Bridgen;  Fred  D.  Stebbins;  H.  W.  Landreth 
and  H.  W.  Fillebrown. 

The  following  men  were  the  officers  elected  : 

W.  D.  Farley,  president :  M.  Rorabacher,  ^I.  D.,  vice-president ;  II. 
K.  Whitney,  secretary ;  Floyd  R.  Poole,  treasurer.  H.  W.  Fillebrown 
was  the  first  general  secretary  of  the  association.  He  labored  earnestly 
with  Mr.  Farley,  the  first  president:  and  the  directors,  to  establish  the 
work  in  ;i  substantial  manner. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COrXTY 


411 


JMr.  W.  W.  Bridgen  is  the  only  director  still  with  the  boanl.  He  has 
served  over  twenty-cue  years,  since  the  organization. 

The  following  men  have  been  presidents  of  the  association :  W.  D. 
Farley,  Rev.  W.  S.  Potter,  L.  W.  Robinson,  Dr.  C.  C.  Landon,  W.  J.  Mul- 
ford,  L.  E.  Stewart,  1.  N.  Moore,  C.  F.  Dick  and  I.  K.  Stone. 

The  following  men  have  served  as  general  secretaries:  H.  \V.  Fille- 
brown,  JMr.  White,  Samuel  Ackley,  E.  C.  Cotton,  W.  J.  Mulford,  F.  A. 
ilessler,  Claude  Lockwood  and  C.  A.  Richmire. 

In  the  year  1900,  Chas.  Willard  left  a  legacy  of  $40,000.00  for  the 
purchase  of  a  site  and  a  new  Y.  JM.  C.  A.  building.  Of  this  amount,  the 
court  set  aside  !|>3,24o.00  to  go  to  Geo.  Willard,  brother  of  the  deceased. 


Y.  ;\1.  ('.  A.  P>rii.DiNG.  Battle  Creek 


On  JMareh  25,  1901,  Ephraim  W.  jMoore  and  Chas.  E.  Thomas,  acting 
as  trustees,  purchased  for  $7,500.00  village  lot  number  54,  on  East  ilain 
street,  from  Mary  Sherman.  $468.00  was  realized  from  the  sale  of  the 
buildings  on  this  lot,  leaving  a  balance  of  nearly  $30,000.00  that  was 
put  into  the  building  proper.  About  $4,000.00  in  addition  was  raised 
by  general  subscription  toward  the  furnishings.  The  officers  at  the  time 
of  the  opening  of  the  new  building  were :  Dr.  C.  C.  Landon,  president ; 
Henry  McCoy,  vice-president :  E.  C.  Fisher,  recording  secretary ;  L.  W. 
Robinson,  secretary.  At  that  time  E.  C.  Cotton  was  the  general  secretaiy, 
who  labored  long  and  zealously  for  the  securing  of  the  new  building. 
Periy  J.  Stephens  was  the  first  physical  director  elected  to  handle  the 
physical  department  activities  in  the  new  plant. 


412  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COl'XTY 

The  building  contains  gymnasium  with  running  track,  bowling  alleys, 
swimming  pool,  shower  baths,  locker  rooms,  in  the  basement.  The  first 
Hoor  front  contains  two  stores  that  are  rented.  The  second  floor  eon- 
tains  the  main  offices  of  the  association,  reception  lobby,  game  rooms, 
library,  parlor,  and  educational  class  rooms.  On  the  third  floor  are 
located  seven  dormitory  rooms,  kitchen,  dining  room,  dark  room,  linen 
closet,  Iiesides  wash  and  bath  rooms. 

The  building  was  opened  December  15,  1902.  AVith  the  opening  of 
the  new  building,  the  association  innnediately  took  on  a  new  lease  of 
life  and  the  membership  increased  very  rapidly.  After  the  first  year 
the  growth  of  the  work  has  been  gradual  but  steady.  The  following 
facts  taken  from  the  yeai'  book  will  give  some  idea  of  the  growth  of  the 
last  six  years. 

1906  1912 

ilembership    288  448 

Situations  secured    1  34 

In  educational  elaases   0  87 

Average  daily  attendance  at  building 45  200 

Members  on  committees  20  194 

Number  of  Bible  classes   1  18 

In  Gymnasium  classes   249  346 

Enrollment   Bible   classes    12  144 

Number  of  shop  meetings 

(held  in  9  different  shops) 0  55 

Attendance,  shop  meetings    0  3,567 

Budget   $5,000.00  $9,600.00 

The  present  directors  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  are  H.  R.  Atkinson,  W.  W. 
Brigden,  P.  L.  Christian,  C.  F.  Dick,  0.  C.  Edwards,  0.  H.  Fox,  L.  R. 
Halsey,  W.  H.  Hamilton,  W.  W.  Hastings,  W.  C.  Kellogg,  A.  F.  Kings- 
ley,  M.  D.,  I.  N.  Moore,  F.  E.  McNary,  W.  H.  North.  E.  A.  Richmond, 
W.  P.  Sellers,  L.  E.  Stewart,  I.  K.  Stone.  C.  R.  Sylvester.  Last  January, 
Irving  l\.  Stone,  of  tlie  Duplex  Printing  Press  Company,  was  elected 
president  (if  the  association;  W.  C.  Kellogg,  manager  of  the  Good  Health 
Publishint;  Cdiupany,  was  elected  vice-president;  F.  E.  ^IcNary,  ex- 
county  clerk,  was  cji'i-ted  as  recording  .secretary ;  and  E.  A.  Richmond, 
assistant  supciintt-ndcnt  of  Postum,  is  the  new  treasurer. 

C.  A.  Richiiiire  has  been  general  secretary  for  the  past  three  years. 
Mr.  Richmire  is  a  graduate  of  Allegheny  Coliege,  class  of  1900.  and  has 
served  ten  years  as  a  secretary.  -  He  was  assistant  secretary  at  23d  street 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  New  York  City,  for  two  years,  and  five  years  general  sec- 
retary at  Ithaca,  New  York,  before  coming  to  Battle  Creek.  While  at 
Ithaca,  a  new  Iniilding,  costing  $78,000.00,  was  erected. 

R.  C.  Sidenius.  the  associate  secretary,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Chicago 
Training  School,  class  of  1904.  ^Mr.  Sidenius  has  so'vcd  as  assistant  at 
Elgin,  Illinois,  and  Bristol,  Tennessee;  county  sfcictai y  in  Kenturky : 
and  general  secretary  at  Owosso,  and  has  held  his  jiresent  positiou  for 
the  past  two  years. 

E.  C.  Cunningham,  physical  director,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Spring- 
field Training  School,  class  of  1909.     ;\Ir.  Cunningham  served  as  di- 


HISTORY  OF  cAMiorx  corxTV  4i;] 

rector  in  play  grouiul  work  several  suiiuiirrs  wliilc  a  sluiiciit.  Ili'  was 
for  two  years  physical  director  at  Itiuira.  Ni'W  Ym-k.  and  lias  lirld  his 
present   position   for   the   past  year. 

C.  H.  BabfOfk.  otfiee  secretary,  is  a  graduate  of  the  .Michigan  Busi- 
ness &  Normal  College,  and  has  heeii  wilii  the  local  assncialinti  for 
nearly  two  .vears. 

Woman's  Christian  Temperancb:  Union 

Bij  Mrs.   W.  S.  K<(t  Calhnini.  CoNiihi  l'i;sid,ul 

In  April,  1874,  the  women  of  Battle  Creek,  seeing  and  feeling  the 
necessity  of  something  heing  done  to  save  the  men  and  boys,  yea,  even 
the  women  and  girls,  from  the  dread  demon  drink,  issued  a  call  for  all 
who  were  interested,  to  meet  at  one  of  the  churches  for  prayer,  and  a 
general  discussion  of  the  subject.  Pursuant  to  this  call  a  large  number 
gathered  together,  and  after  many  meetings,  much  earnest  prayer,  and 
deep  discussion,  it  was  decided  to  orgaiii.?e  a  temperance  society,  so  as 
to  do  effective  work,  for  we  well  knew  that  in  union  there  was  strength, 
and  that  a  well  organized  societ.v  of  women  could  accomplish  more  than 
each  individual  working  in  her  own  way  and  according  to  her  own 
methods. 

Their  first  work  was  to  send  out  women  to  the  saloons,  who  would  ask 
the  privilege  of  coming  in  and  talking  with  them,  and  having  a  few  songs 
and  praying  with  them.  In  some  instances  this  was  a  successful  way  of 
reaching  them,  but  the  women  felt  that  it  was  not  merely  for  a  short 
time  they  would  be  engaged  in  this  warfare,  so  sought  to  strengthen  their 
methods,'  and  formed  a  permanent  organization  called  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union.  The  first  officers  were  elected  April  13, 
1874,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  Baptist  church.  The  meeting  was  called 
to  order  by  Mrs.  D.  J.  Downis,  and  Mrs.  L.  B.  Clapp  was  called  to  the 
chair,  Mrs.  J.  iM.  Wardell  being  appointed  secretary.  The  ladies  then 
proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers.  President,  Mrs.  S.  H.  Morley,  vice- 
presidents,  Miss  Dr.  Lampson,  Mrs.  P.  H.  Green,  Mrs.  James,  Jlrs.  Rich- 
ard Merritt,  Mrs.  Ur.  Bartlett  and  Mrs.  B.  F.  Hinman;  secretary,  Mrs. 
C.  C.  Peary,  with  Jlrs.  J.  M.  Wardell  and  Mrs.  J.  F.  Warren  as  assistants ; 
corresponding  secretary,  ]Mrs.  Lyman  Pittu ;  treasurer,  Mrs.  L.  C.  Kel- 
logg. Of  all  this  list  but  one  remains,  Mrs.  Pittu,  and  today  she  is  an 
active  worker  in  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  in  fact,  she 
is  the  one  to  whom  we  go  for  advice  and  help.  It  would  make  this  article 
too  long  to  follow  the  work  through  the  succeeding  years,  when  success 
would  come  and  then  disappointment,  but  through  it  all.  the  women  have 
been  faithful  and  loyal,  giving  freely  of  their  time  and  money  to  bring 
about  the  overthrow  of  this  dreadful  evil,  which  is  at  least  the  beginning 
of  most  of  the  sorrow  and  misery  in  this  world.  Much  has  been  accom- 
plished under  the  guidance  and  direction  of  our  state  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union,  as  there  are  forty  departments  of  work,  and  all  for 
the  betterment  of  society  in  general.  In  1897,  the  local  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Temperance  Union  received  a  legacy  of  real  estate  which  was  heavily 
incumbered,  but  by  economy  and  persistent  work  on  the  part  of  the 


414  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

members,  was,  in  less  than  ten  years,  freed  from  the  indebtedness  and 
today  we  are  looking  forward  to  a  building  of  our  own.  During  the 
local  option  campaigns  the  Union  has  stood  nobly  by  the  men,  and  by 
their  work  and  gifts  have  helped  to  bring  about  the  one — two  years — 
when  the  saloon  was  banished  from  our  city,  and  then  when  we  lost  and 
the  city  was  thrown  open  to  the  saloon  element.  We  do  not  feel  we  are 
defeated,  as  we  are  sure  of  state- wide  prohibition  and  also  the  enfranchise- 
ment of  women.  Today  we  have  a  membership  in  the  Central  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union  of  over  one  hundred,  while  at  the  Sanita- 
rium there  is  one  of  over  fifty.  We  are  still  working  and  expect  to  work 
until  we  can  see  our  city,  our  state  and,  yes,  the  whole  round  world  free 
from  the  contaminating  inHuence  of  the  saloon. 

The  officers  of  the  Union  at  present  are :  President,  Mrs.  W.  S.  Keet; 
secretary,  Mrs.  ^1.  E.  Gray;  corresponding  secretary,  .Mrs.  G.  A.  Wood- 
ard ;  treasurer,  Mrs.  Janette  Terring ;  vice-presidents :  .Mesdames,  C.  V. 
Pittu,  A.  G.  Mitchell,  M.  N.  Austin,  L.  W.  Hunt,  Mary  Woodhead,  W. 
H.  Russ,  A.  P.  Holm,  A.  C.  White,  H.  L.  Hunt:  superintendents  of  de- 
partments, Sunday-school  work,  vice-presidents;  press,  ilrs.  il.  V. 
Angell;  Temple,  Mrs.  L.  K.  Phelps ;  Mothers'  meeting,  airs.  J.  H.  Kel- 
logg; temperance  literature,  Mrs.  Jennie  Garriott;  flower  mission,  Mrs. 
Pittu ;  medical  temperance,  Dr.  Dana  Cook ;  school  savings  banks,  Mrs. 
F.  C.  Root;  a.ssistants:  Mrs.  Ilattie  Wheeler,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Powers,  Mrs. 
Viola  Smith,  Mrs.  Minnie  Rolfe,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Hunt ;  franchise,  Mi-s.  C.  V. 
Pittie;  medical  temperaflce.  Dr.  Dana  Cook;  school  savings  banks,  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Keet. 

As  we  are  an  incorporated  body  we  have  a  board  of  trustees  con- 
sisting of  twelve  ladies:  Mesdames  Phelps,  Angell,  Westermau,  Keet, 
Roberts,  Root,  Stephens,  Church,  Pittu,  Perring,  Kezartu  and  Austin. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

ALBION 

Coming  of  the  Peabodys — The  Finches — Jesse  Crowell  and  What 
He  Did  for  Albion — The  E slows— William  H.  Brockway— James 
iloNROE — Coming  of  the  Gales — Albion  Malleable  Iron  Plant, 
ETC. — Albion  College— Flood  op  1908 — Albion  National  ];5ank. 

The  appearance  of  the  country  in  this  section  of  Michigan  when  the 
pioneei's  first  gazed  npon  it,  in  its  pi'imitive  state,  was  charming  to  the 
lover  of  nature  and  of  solitnde.  To  him  wlio  saw  in  it  the  rewards  of 
industry  and  enterprise,  it  was  inviting  and  stimulating.  A  wide  expanse 
of  "oak  openings,"  with  occa.sional  considerable  spaces  entirely  cleared, 
stretched  away  in  every  direction.  Here  and  there  a  copse  with  occasional 
densely  timbered  tracts  furnished  shelter,  from  storms  and  biting  winds, 
to  the  deer  and  lairs  for  the  bear,  the  wild  cat  and  the  wolf,  as  well  a.s  the 
lesser  animals  that  roamed  the  forests.  Beautiful  streams  througii  whose 
well-defined  courses  the  clear  waters,  abounding  in  fish,  flowed  un- 
hampered by  dam,  or  mill  or  flume  to  the  lakes  and  from  the  lakes  to 
the  sea.  Numerous  inland  bodies  of  crystal  waters  fringed  with  giant 
forest  trees  and  alive  with  fish,  disturbed  only  by  the  occasional  pa.ssage 
of  the  Indian  canoe,  lay  basking  in  the  sunshine.  Springs  of  pure  cold 
M^ater.  refreshing  to  man  and  beast,  issued  from  the  hillsides  and  in  the 
valleys.  A  soil,  fertile  and  easy  of  cultivation,  awaited  the  coming  of 
the  husbandman.  A  climate  of  neither  extreme  of  heat  or  cold  welcomed 
the  home  builder. 

Such  were  the  scenes  and  such  the  conditions  that  met  the  venture- 
some sons  and  daughters  of  the  older  states,  who  came  into  this  part  of 
Michigan  seventy  and  eighty  years  ago,  Sidney  Ketchum,  the  recognized 
pioneer  of  Calhoun  county,  was  the  fii-st  ^\hite  man  to  note  the  advan- 
tages of  a  location  that  lay  at  the  junction  of  Rice  creek  and  the  Kala- 
mazoo river,  where  Marshall  is  now  situated,  and  another  at  the  confluence 
of  the  southwestern  and  eastern  branches  of  the  Kalamazoo,  where  Albion 
has  been  built. 

The  entry  of  land  covering  the  water  power  at  the  "Forks,"  a.s  the 
place  subsequently  called  Albion  was  first  known,  was  made  at  the  United 
States  land  office  in  Monroe,  by  Ephraim  Harrison  on  the  16th  day  of 
October,  1830.  Harrison's  entry  embraced  the  south  half  of  the  north- 
east quarter,  section  2,  73  south,  range  4  west.     This  with  the  location 

415 


416 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOl^-  ("Ol^XTY 


made  by  Noble  ilcKinstry,  covering  the  water  power  at  Marshall,  were 
the  only  lands  entered  in  Calhonn  county  in  1830.  Early  in  1831  some 
fifty  parcels  were  taken,  among  these  was  the  northwest  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 2,  on  which  is  now  situated  the  naain  part  of  Albion.  Sidney  Ket- 
chum  entered  section  35  in  Sheridan  township,  bordering  on  Albion. 

At  this  time  there  was  no  road,  not  even  a  trail,  leading  to  or  from 
the  present  site  of  Albion.  Prom  Detroit  there  was  one  main  territorial 
road  westward  through  Ypsilanti,  Ann  Arbor  and  Dexter  to  Jackson. 
From  Jackson,  two  territorial  roads  diverged  to  the  westward ;  one  lead- 
ing through  Sandstone,  Parma,  Marengo  and  Marshall ;  the  other  going 
through  Spring  Arl)or,  Concord  and  Homer  on  to  Niles.     The  future 


Tenney  Peabody 

Albion  lay  between  these  two.  Eastward  the  nearest  point  to  the  terri- 
torial road  was  about  three  miles,  and  to  the  westward  about  four  miles 
at  Waterburg,  located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Reuben  Emery. 


The  Coming  of  the  Peabodys 

To  the  "Forks  of  the  Kalamazoo,"'  now  Albion,  on  the  4th  day  of 
March,  1833,  came  Tenney  Peabody  and  his  family,  consisting  of  wife 
and  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  With  him  also  came 
Charles  Blanchard,  a  nephew.  Mr.  Peabody  was  in  the  forty-first  year 
of  his  age.  He  had  been  a  jeweler  in  the  East.  Gathering  up  what  little 
worldly  effects  he  had,  he  purchased  two  wagons  and  three  yoke  of  oxen, 
loaded  up  his  household  goods  and  with  his  family  and  .young  nephew. 


HISTORY  OK  TALIlOrX  COINTY  417 

after  a  long  and  wearisome  journey  from  New  York  state  through  Canada 
and  Detroit  westward,  ended  his  journey,  unyoked  his  oxen  and  estab- 
lished his  family  very  near  where  the  Presbyterian  church  now  stands. 
He  first  put  up  a  rude  shack  on  East  Erie  street,  about  where  the  resi- 
dence of  Dr.  Marsh  is  now  located.  The  roof  was  of  thatched  grass  cut 
from  the  marsh  by  the  river.  Soon  a  substantial  and  commodious  log 
house  was  built  just  across  the  road  from  the  site  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  This  home  was  long  the  centre  of  the  social  and  intellectual  life 
and  the  birthplace  of  many  of  the  activities  of  the  new  and  growing 
settlement. 

Indeed,  the  history  of  Albion  cannot  be  written  and  leave  the  Peabody 
family  out.  The  husband  and  father  was  one  of  the  men  who  helped 
to  lay  wisely  and  well  the  foundations  of  our  city.  The  wife  and  mother 
exercised  a  most  wholesome  social,  intellectual  and  religious  influence  in 
the  formative  period  of  the  community.  The  sons  all  became  more  or  less 
prominent  in  the  business  affairs  of  the  to\\'n.  The  oldest  daughter 
became  the  wife  of  the  first  president  of  the  Wesleyan  Female  Seminary 
and  her  daughter,  after  having  graduated  from  the  seminary  in  Albion, 
was  the  fii-st  woman  to  take  a  degree  in  Cursu  from  the  university  at 
Ann  Arbor.  The  second  daughter  married  Marcus  H.  Crane,  for  many 
years  one  of  the  leading  men  in  this  part  of  the  county.  The  third 
daughter  married  James  W.  Sheldon,  who  was  a  banker  and  business 
man  of  state  reputation.  He  wa.s  long  a  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the 
college.  He  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  possessed  of  more 
nujterial  wealth  than  any  man  who,  up  to  this  time,  has  amassed  in 
Albion  or  immediate  vicinity.  Mrs.  Sheldon,  who  survived  her  husband, 
caused  to  be  erected  the  commodious  building  occupied  by  the  Leisure 
Hour  Club  and  the  "Ladies'  Library.'"  As  a  contribution  to  the  city, 
it  is  greatly  appreciated  by  many  of  our  citizens. 

The  second  family  to  settle  in  what  is  now  Albion  was  of  French 
extraction,  named  DeVoe.  They  lived  on  Ionia  street,  just  north  of 
Michigan  avenue.  The  first  school  in  Albion  was  conducted  in  DeVoe's 
barn,  which  stood  just  south  of  the  freight  house  of  the  Lake  Shore  and 
Michigan  Southern  Railroad. 

The  Finches 

At  this  time  there  are  living  in  Albion,  Robert  Y.  and  James  Finch ; 
the  former  in  his  86th  and  the  latter  in  his  85th  year.  As  a  child  of  seven, 
Robert  remembers  when  in  the  spring  of  1834  his  father  set  out  on  foot 
and  alone  and  walked  all  the  way  from  his  home  in  Monroe  county.  New 
York,  through  Canada  and  as  far  west  in  Michigan  as  the  "Forks  of  the 
Kalamazoo"  in  search  of  a  home.  Having  determined  to  locate  here,  he 
sent  for  his  family,  which  arrived  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  and  built, 
at  what  is  now  the  junction  of  Clinton  and  Centt;r  streets,  the  first  house 
west  of  the  river.    The  Finch  family  was  the  third  to  settle  in  Albion. 

As  one  looks  upon  these  two  brothel's,  the  universally  respected  sons 
of  godly  parents,  passing  to  and   fro   upon   our  streets,   it   is  hard  to 


418  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COFXTY 

realize  that  when  they  eame  to  Albion  there  were  no  railroads,  no  high- 
ways, no  bridges,  no  mills,  no  postoffice,  no  public  utilities  of  any  sort 
or  kind ;  that  for  years  after,  the  homes  were  heated  by  and  the  cooking 
done  at  the  open  fireplace;  that  the  light  in  the  hovLse  was  from  a  tallow 
dip  or  a  saucer  of  liquid  fat  which  fed  the  flame  from  a  lighted  wick; 
that  oxen  were  the  beasts  of  burden  in  genei-al  use;  that  the  wool  clipped 
from  the  few  sheep  grown  was  carded  into  rolls  and  spun  into  yarn  and 
knitted  into  socks  or  mittens  or  woven  into  cloth  and  made  into  garments, 
all  by  the  same  hands  that  rocked  the  cradle,  tliat  did  the  cooking,  the 
washing,  the  ironing,  the  sewing  and   the  mending   for  the   household. 


Second  Family  Tuat  Cajie  to  Albion 

These  were  the  pioneer  motliers  and  daugliters  who  toiled  side  by  side 
with  the  pioneer  fatliers  and  sons,  who  wrought  so  well  in  laying  the 
foundations  of  our  splendid  later-day  civilization.  Honor  a2id  reverence 
to  these  worthy  toilers  of  the  earlier  time  who,  in  the  deepening  twilight 
of  life's  long  day,  still  linger  in  our  midst ! 

Wareham  Warner  was  another  who  came  in  1834.  Though  born  in 
Connecticut,  he  came,  wlien  fifty  years  of  age,  direct  from  the  state  of 
New  York  and  settled  in  Albion.  He  was  one  of  the  first  in  endeavor  to 
build  up  tlie  new  town.  He  and  his  children  are  still  held  in  honor  liy 
those  who  reap  where  they  sowed. 

Jesse  Crowell  and  What  He  Did  for  Albion 

In  the  early  spring  of  1835  came  Jesse  Crowell,  who  for  the  ensuing 
twenty-five  years  was  to  be  Albion's  most  enterprising  and  influenti:il 


iti!=;tory 


AlJIorX   COIXTY 


419 


(.■itizen.      Crowrll   was   honi    in 

tliirty-eiglit  yrar  whoi  hv  faiii 

excellent  water  power,  that  tin 

advantageous  place  to  locate. 

of  pleasing  address.     lie  had 

native  state,  which  gave  him  some  knowledge  of  men  and 

had  aceumidated  some  money,  which  he  brought  with  hii 


he  stale  ol'  New  York  and  was  in  his 
to  .Michigan  and  tlecideil,  because  of  the 
'Forks  of  the  Kalamazoo"  woidd  be  an 
He  was  a  man  of  tine  appearance  and 
■rved  one  term  in  the  legislature  of  his 
rs.  lie 
1   which 


gave  him  a  great  advantage  in  a  new  ; 
Honest  and  enterprising;   resointi 
long  continued  a  dominating  iH'ison; 
community. 


owuig  section. 

(actful.  he  soon  became  and 

II   the  business  affairs  of  the 


Jksse  Crowell 


Mr.  Crowell,  in  (■oniiiany  with  'rciiney  Pealwdy,  Issachor  Frosl  and 
1).  L.  J5acon.  the  last  iiamed  of  JMoiiroe,  and  father  of  the  wife  of  the 
late  General  (-uster,  formed  the  Albion  Company.  This  company  bought 
up  different  holdings,  so  that  it  controlled  about  three-fourths  of  the 
ground  on  which  the  present  cit\-  is  located.  Mr.  Crowell  was  jiresident 
and  general  manager  of  the  company.  In  18:^6,  the  vilhiuc  jilnl  was  laid 
out  and  the  place  given  the  name  il  now  bears.  It  is  said  that  the  honor 
of  naming  the  town  was  given  to  Mrs.  Peabody,  in  recognition  of  her 
having  been  the  first  white  woman  to  live  in  the  place,  and  that  she 
recommended  that  it  lie  called  Albion,  out  of  regard  for  Mr.  Crowell  who 
came  from  a  town  of  that  name  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

At  the  time  the  village  was  plotted,  the  township  had  not  bi'cii  named. 
It  was  known  only  by  the  surveyor's  description  as  "Town   :!   South, 


420  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Range  4  West. "  For  judicial  purposes  it  was  attached  to  Homer.  Homer 
and  Concord  were  considerable  communities  before  Albion  had  a  name. 
After  the  village  was  plotted  and  the  first  mill  built,  the  Jackson  road 
was  opened,  intersecting  the  territorial  road  about  three  miles  to  the  east. 
A  road  was  also  opened  to  the  northwest,  striking  the  territorial  road 
about  four  miles  from  Albion.  At  this  point,  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Reuben  Emery,  was  a  postoffice  named  Waterburg.  To  this  place  the 
people  in  Albion  went,  or  sent,  for  their  mail  until  1838  when,  through 
the  influence  of  Jesse  Crowell,  the  Albion  postoffice  was  established  and 
that  at  Waterburg  taken  up.  Mr.  Crowell  was  the  first  postmaster  and 
retained  the  position  until  1849.  At  that  time  the  office  was  located  on 
the  southwest  corner  of  Erie  and  Superior  streets,  where  the  Warner 
block,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Mounteer,  stands.  A  hotel  was 
built  on  the  opposite  corner  on  the  site  of  the  Sheldon  block.  As  an 
inducement,  the  Albion  Company  proposed  to  give  a  lot  to  any  one  who 
■would  put  up  a  building  and  conduct  a  general  store.  This  proposition 
was  accepted  by  Philo  Taylor,  who  built  and  ran  a  store,  which  first 
stood  on  Superior  street  near  Erie  and  later  moved  on  to  the  present 
site  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  grist  mill  stood  where  the 
Commonwealth  Power  Company's  building  now  stands.  The  saw  mill 
was  a  little  north  of  the  grist  mill,  about  in  the  rear  of  the  old  National 
bank,  while  the  east  side  of  Superior  street  from  Bullen's  store  to  the 
stone  mill  was  used  as  a  log  yard.  Later  there  was  a  store,  conducted 
by  Jesse  Crowell,  where  the  Commei^cial  and  Savings  Bank  building 
stands. 

The  first  death  in  Albion  was  that  of  a  young  millwright  named 
Green,  who  was  employed  in  the  construction  of  the  grist  mill.  A  place 
for  his  burial  was  selected  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  Later  Mr. 
Crowell  dedicated  a  plot  of  ground  for  burial  purposes  which,  with  the 
additions  made  from  time  to  time  since,  now  constitutes  beautiful  "River- 
side cemetery." 

The  purpose  to  establish  an  institution  of  learning  of  the  higher 
grade  at  Spring  Arbor,  in  Jackson  county,  having  been  abandoned,  the 
people  called  "Methodists"  were  attracted  by  the  exceedingly  liberal 
offer  made  by  the  Albion  Company,  through  Mr.  Crowell,  consisting  of 
sixty  acres  of  land  lying  east  of  Ingham  street  and  in  addition  two  full 
blocks  and  two  half  blocks  for  a  college  campus.  This  proposition  was 
accepted  by  the  Michigan  Annual  Conference,  at  that  time  the  Methodists 
of  the  entire  state  were  under  one  conference  supervision,  and  in  1839  a 
successful  application  was  made  to  the  legislature  for  an  amendment 
to  the  charter,  changing  the  location  to  Albion.  The  board  of  trustees 
was  re-organized.  The  new  institution  was  named  Wesleyan  Female 
Seminary.  Jesse  Crowell  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
He  was  a  good  friend  and  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  institution  in  the 
days  when  its  wants  were  many  and  its  friends  comparatively  few.  Not 
only  did  the  Albion  Company  give  the  lands  already  named,  but  it  gave 
to  each  of  the  churches  putting  up  a  house  of  worship  the  land  on  which 
it  was  to  stand.  It  also,  largely  under  the  favoring  influence  of  ]\Ir. 
Crowell,  gave  the  ground  for  the  beautiful  park  on  "Baptist  Hill." 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALllOrX  COLNTY  4l'1 

The  stoue  mill  was  built  in  the  year  1845.  It  is  another  nioniunent  to 
the  enterprise  of  Jesse  Crowell.  Though  built  nearly  seventy  years  ago 
and  when  there  was  but  a  handful  of  people  in  Albion,  it  is  still,  in  1912, 
the  most  pretentious  structure  in  the  business  part  of  town.  This  mill 
made  Albion,  for  many  years,  a  sort  of  wheat  emporium  for  all  this  sec- 
tion. A  high-grade  iiuality  of  flour  was  manufactured,  nuich  of  which 
found  a  ready  market  in  Europe.  Jesse  Crowell,  Albion's  greatest  bene- 
factor, died  at  his  home  on  Michigan  avenue,  this  city,  in  1872.  Business 
reverses  came  to  him  in  his  later  years,  but  no  stain  ever  rested  on  his 
financial  honor.  He  died,  as  he  had  lived,  deserving  and  receiving  the 
respect  of  all  wiio  knew  him.  For  forty  years,  Mr.  Crowell  slept  in  an 
unmarked  and  neglected  grave  in  the  plot  of  ground  he  had  given  for 
cemetery  purposes.  Recently  the  people,  awakening  to  the  debt  of  grati- 
tude they  owed  him,  placed  a  substantial  and  an  enduring  monument 
above  ids  mortal  remains.  The  name  of  the  park  he  gave,  long  called 
Washington,  has  within  a  few  weeks  been  changed  to  Crowell.  A  street, 
opened  and  dedicated  to  the  city  last  year,  is  called  Crowell  in  honor 
of  this  man,  who  did  so  much  for  Albion. 

The  Eslows 

In  183(j,  there  came  to  Albion  another  man  destined  lo  leave  his 
impress  on  the  material  features  of  our  city.  Champion  Eslow,  a  hlack- 
smith  by  trade,  came  from  Homer  to  Albion  in  the  fall  of  the  year 
named,  and  built  the  second  frame  house  in  the  then  hamlet.  It  stood 
on  the  southwest  corner  of  Cass  and  Eaton  streets.  James  Eslow,  his 
son,  now  in  his  77th  .year,  was  a  babe  but  six  months  old  when  his 
parents  moved  to  this  place.  For  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century, 
he  has  gone  in  and  out  of  Albion  and  the  mental  and  physical  vigor  lie 
manifests  gives  promise  of  many  more  years,  ilr.  Eslow,  senior,  at 
once  became  a  felt  force  in  the  town.  He  was  not  only  u  first  class  me- 
chanic, but  withal  a  man  of  thrift  and  enterprise  and  did  much  for  the 
material  advancement  of  Albion.  In  his  later  years,  his  son  James  was 
associated  with  liim  in  wool  carding,  clotli  making,  and  in  the  manu- 
facturing of  sash  doors  and  blinds.  These  industries  were  located  just 
east  of  .Superior  street  and  back  of  the  stone  mill.  An  enduring  me- 
morial to  the  Eslows,  father  and  son,  is  the  imposing  four  story  brick 
block  standing  on  the  northwest  comer  of  Porter  and  Supei'ior  streets. 

WiLLI.VM   H.    Brockw.w 

Among  those  of  a  generation  next  following  tlie  earliest  pioneers, 
there  is  perhaps  not  one  who  has  done  more  for  the  upbuilding  of  the 
town  than  William  H.  Brockway.  Born  in  the  Green  .Mountain  state, 
he  went,  as  a  lad,  to  the  State  of  New  York,  where  lie  learned  the 
blacksmith's  trade.  At  sixteen  he  was  converted  and  .ioined  the  jMeth- 
odist  Episcopal  church.  At  seventeen  he  came  to  Michigan,  making  his 
home  for  a  time  at  Dexter,  where  he  was  made  a  class  leader  in  the 
cluirch.  In  the  spring  of  1883,  he  was  licensed  to  preacli  and  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year,  .ioined  the  Ohio  conference,  which  a1   tluit  lime  em- 


422 


HISTORY  OF  CALPIOUN  COUNTY 


braced  all  of  Michigan  and  nearly  all  of  Ohio.  For  four  years  he  per- 
formed the  arduous  duties  of  a  junior  pioneer  preacher.  In  1838  he 
was  sent  to  take  charge  of  and  develop  the  Indian  Mission  at  Sault 
Ste.  Marie  and  in  the  Lake  Superior  country  generally.  For  ten  years 
he  was  a  very  laborious  and  useful  missionary  in  that  then  far  away 
country. 

In  1848,  Mr.  Brockway  came  to  Albion  and  for  the  next  forty-three 
years,  or  until  his  death  in  1891,  was  a  positive  force  in  all  that  made  for 
Albion's  betterment.  He  became  thoroughly  identified  with  the  inter- 
ests of  the  town.  Few,  if  any,  have  sat  so  manj'  years  in  the  cit}-  council, 
as  did  he.    For  a  long  period  he  served  as  agent  of  the  college.    He  was 


William  H.  Brockway 


a  trustee  and  for  a  time  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  served 
successively  in  both  house  and  senate  of  the  Michigan  state  legislature. 
Though  in  his  forty-ninth  year,  when  the  war  for  the  Union  broke  out, 
such  was  the  temper  of  the  man  and  such  the  quality  of  his  patriotism 
that  he  not  only  gave  his  son.  Porter,  to  be  a  soldier,  but  himself  went 
as  chaplain  into  the  army.  In  all  these  varied  positions,  Mr.  Brockway 
served  faithfully  and  well  those  who  entrusted  their  interests  to  his  care. 
As  agent,  he  made  friends  for  tlie  college  and  brought  it  both  mone.y 
and  students.  It  was  during  his  term  of  service  and  under  his  direction 
that  the  north  and  south  college  buildings  were  erected.  In  a  way, 
they  serve  to  typify  the  man,  who  supervised  their  construction,  in 
that  they  are  plain,  substantial  and  enduring;  meeting  well  the  pur- 
poses for  which  they  were  built.    Nine  stores  and  some  twenty  dwelling 


liis'roijv  OF  cALiioix  corxTV  4l>;{ 

houses  attest  his  material  eoiitribution  to  tiie  city  of  Albion.  To  liiin,  i)er- 
haps  more  than  to  any  other  one  man,  is  the  city  ami  seetion  iudehteil 
for  the  Lansing  hraneh  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Miehigaii  Southern 
Railroad.  For  many  years  a  locomotive,  wiiieh  made  the  rounil  ti-ip 
daily  with  the  jiassenger  train  between  Lansing  and  Hillsdale,  was  called 
the  "William  IL  Broekway,"  in  his  honor  and  in  recognition  of  his 
valuable  services  in  l)uilding  the  road.  "Sir.  Broekway  was  one  of  Ihe 
leading  spirits  in  planning,  one  of  the  liberal  coutril)utors  to  tiic  build- 
ing fund  and  one  of  the  valuable  members  of  the  committee  charged  witli 
the  construction  of  the  present  Jlethodist  Episcopal  churcii.  The  deep 
and  rich  toned  bell,  that  serves  to  call  together  the  people  who  worship 
in  that  edifice,  was  bought  at  his  sole  expense.  But  of  all  his  vai-ied 
public  service,  that  which  is  perhaps  most  enduring  and  which  gave  to 
him  most  of  satisfaction  while  living,  was  what  he  did  for  the  college. 
It  is  eminently  fitting  that  his  only  daughter  should  be  the  accom- 
plished wife  of  one  who  served  long  as  a  professor,  and  wlio  now  and  for 
some  years  past  has  filled  the  position  of  president  with  great  credit  to 
himself  and  profit  to  the  institution.  Samuel  Dickey.  iiusl)and  of 
Mary  Broekway  Dickey,  will  long  be  enrolled  among  the  ablest  and 
most  successful  of  Albion  College  presidents. 

James  .AIo.nroe 

In  1846,  a  young  man,  James  Monroe  l)y  name,  came  to  Albion  and 
erected  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  on  the  east  side  of  south  Superior 
street  and  .just  north  of  the  stone  mill.  Monroe  was  a  practical  molder 
as  well  as  a  business  man.  Threshing  machines,  plows  and  other  farm 
implements  were  made.  Under  Mr.  Monroe's  management,  the  business 
grew  and  prospered.  After  operating  the  plant  for  twelve  years,  it 
was  sold  to  Robert  Y.  Finch  and  Fred  Sheldon.  ;\Ir.  ilonroe  removed 
from  the  city.  In  his  later  years  he  gave  much  attention  to  politics 
and  he  was  generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  influential  men  in 
the  Republican  party  in  ^Michigan. 

The  Coming  of  The  G.vles 

In  the  year  1836,  a  family  came  from  New  York  State  to  JIoscow, 
Hillsdale  county,  which  was  destined  to  exercise  a  great  and  lasting  in- 
fluence upon  the  future  of  Albion.  It  was  in  the  year  named  that 
George  Gale,  with  his  wife  and  seven  children,  first  settled  in  the  county 
next  south  of  us,  where  he  built  a  furnace  and  began  the  manufacture 
of  plows.  The  coal  used  for  melting  the  iron  was  hauled  by  ox  teams 
from  Detroit  or  Toledo  and  in  the  same  way,  the  pig  iron  was  brought 
from  Mishawaka,  Indiana.  Mr.  Gale  went  to  the  forest  and  cut  the 
timber  that  was  to  be  shaped  into  beams  and  handles  for  his  jjIows. 
After  operating  for  a  few  years  at  ]\Ioscow,  the  Gale  plant  was  moved  to 
Jonesville  and  drags  were  added  to  the  output  of  jtlows.  .Mioul  this 
time,  Orlando  C.  the  oldest  son,  came  to  .Mbion  and  cngaircii  in  the 
hardware  business,  wliich  is  now  liciiifr  succi'ssfiiDy  corHJuctcd  by  his 
youngest  son.  Harry. 


424  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Some  two  years  after  Orlando  came,  he  was  followed  by  his  brothers, 
A.  J.  and  Horatio.  The  three  brothers,  together  with  E.  W.  Hollings 
worth,  a  brother-in-law,  purchased  the  establishment  founded  by  I\lon 
roe,  but  then  owned  by  Lane  and  Porter,  successors  to  Finch  and  Shel 
don,  and  organized  the  Gale  Manufacturing  Company,  with  Orlando  C. 
Gale  as  president.  The  new  company  added  to  the  already  somewhat  ex 
tended  list  of  agricultural  implements  made.  The  business  grew  and 
prospered  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  necessary  to  enlarge  the  plant. 
To  this  end,  a  new  location  was  selected  and  a  large  brick  structure  cov- 
ering the  site  of  the  present  postoffice  block  was  erected  where,  for  many 
years  a  large  number  of  men  were  employed  and  the  output  of  the  fac- 
tory found  a  market  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States. 

The  G.vle  Works  Re-Org.\nized 

About  the  year  1837,  the  company  was  re-organized.  Mr.  H.  K. 
AVhite,  of  Detroit,  purchased  the  eontroling  interest ;  new  and  greatly 
enlarged  buildings  were  put  up  in  the  western  part  of  the  city,  side 
tracks  were  laid  and  much  new  and  up-to-date  equipment  was  added 
and  the  establishment  that,  when  originally  bought  by  the  Gales,  gave 
employment  to  from  twelve  to  fifteen  men  and  supplied  the  local  market 
with  its  output,  now,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  A.  J.  Brosseau  and 
his  able  corps  of  assistants,  furnish  work  for  five  hundred  men,  largely 
skilled  mechanics;  the  mimufactured  product  competing  successfully 
in  the  lines  made,  in  evci>  ;iiii'icullur:il  iiiipliMiicnt  market  on  the  globe. 
Though  the  Gale  brothers  incntiuiKMl  Ikivc  all  passed  from  the  living  and 
though  no  one  of  their  descendants  is  now  connected  with  the  establish- 
ment that  bears  the  family  name,  it  still  remains  that  much  is  due  to 
them  for  Albion's  oldest  and  most  important  manufacturing  industry. 

The  Albion  ^Lvlleable  Iron  Plant 

Shortly  after  the  Gale  plant  moved  out  of  the  old  buildings  into  their 
present  quarters,  the  Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company  was  organized 
and  began  operations  in  a  small  way.  Its  capital  was  small,  its  mana- 
gers inexperienced  and  the  stockliolders  were  doubtful  of  the  ultimate 
outcome.  The  first  years  were  attended  by  many  discouragements,  but 
the  business  gradually  increased,  the  product  commended  itself  to  the 
trade  and  confidence  in  its  future  took  the  place  of  doubt.  After  a 
time  the  old  quarters  proved  too  small,  besides  being  poorly  adapted  to 
the  making  of  malleable  iron. 

In  1898,  the  company  purchased  67  acres  of  land  northwest  of  the 
city  and  lying  between  the  Michigan  Central  and  Interurban  railroads. 
On  this  plot  was  constructed  a  new  and  up-to-date  plant  and  at  that  time 
thought  to  be  sufficiently  large  to  meet  eveiy  necessity  for  many  years, 
but  such  was  its  growth  and  such  the  increasing  demand  for  malleable 
iron,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  enlarge.  During  the  past  five  years, 
the  plant  has  been  virtually  rebuilt.  It  now  has  eight  acres  of  ground 
under  roof.  It  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  equipped  factories  of  its 
kind  anywhere  in  the  country.     It  is  melting  at  this  time  at  the  rate  of 


iiisroijv  OF  cALiiorx  corN'rv  a-2:> 

sixteen  tliciisaml  tons  nf  ii'cii  ;i  wnr.  It  jiivcs  eiiipldyiiicnt  lo  dvci-  live 
humh-ed  men.  In  order  to  a.-eoninm,iate  many  of  its  worUin-  m.m,  it 
has  from  time  to  time  felt  compelled  to  build  houses  foi-  tliem.  niilil 
now  it  has  on  its  own  laud  ad.jiieeut  to  the  works,  thirty  dwcllinus  w  holly 
occupied  by  its  own  employees. 

To  W.  8.  Kessler,  president  ami  general  manager;  Harry  15.  I'arker, 
vice  president  and  assistant  general  manager;  and  M.  li.  Murray, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  is  the  credit  largely  due  for  nuiking  this  one 
of  our  city's  most  important  industries.  These  three  have  lieen  with  it 
from  the  beginning  and  have  guided  it  through  every  change  and  vi-, 
eissitude  to  its  present  magnitude  and  to  assured  success.  Washington 
Gardner  and  Ben.jamin  1).  Brown  together  with  the  three  above  named 
constitute  the  board  of  directors. 

Another  modern  Albion  industry  of  increasing  im])()rtanee  and 
magnitude  is  the 

I'xiox  Steel  Screen  Co.mpaxy 

The  success  of  this  enterprise,  so  gratifying  to  the  citizens  of  Albion, 
is  largely  due  to  ;\Ir.  George  E.  Dean,  secretary  and  general  manager. 
The  plant  started  in  a  small  building  near  the  ^Michigan  Central  depot. 
Later,  the  company  bought  the  wooden  buildings  formerly  used  by  the 
Elms  Buggy  Company.  These  have  been  largely  replaced  by  modern 
brick  buildings  and  still  other  additions  are  in  contemplation. 

Another  eompai'atively  new  and  growing  manufacturing  industr.\'  is 
the 

X.iTiox.vi,  Si'Rixd   \xi>  Wire  Coiipaxy 

which  is  owned  and  controlled  by  Albion  men. 

A  new  and  what  promises  to  be  a  very  substantial  ;iddition  tt)  the 
manufacturing  intei'ests  of  Alt>ion  is  the  branch  of  the 

Haves  Wiieee  ('ii.\]paxv 

recently  established  in  the  old  Prouty  works"  buildings.  An  increasing 
force  of  skilled  mechanics  is  being  emj)loyed  and  constant  aildilions  of 
complicated  and  expensive  machinery  are  being  made.  This  ])lant, 
which  came  so  quietly  and  unostentatiously  into  our  city.  i)romiscs  to 
soon  take  an  important  place  among  our  industrial  interests. 

The    Cook    .MAxrFACTiRixG    Compax^' 

a  historical  sketch  of  which  appears  elsewhere,  is  now  under  the  man- 
agement of  ^Ir.  John  A  Rathbone,  formerly  of  Detroit.  It  is  the  hope  of 
all  Albion  people  that  this  interest,  so  long  identified  with  the  city,  may, 
under  its  new  management,  take  a  jilace  among  tiie  suci-.-ssful  enter- 
prises of  the  city. 

During  the  years  of  its  histoi'y.  Alliion  has  had  a  number  of  in- 
dustries, other  than  those  mentioned,  of  more  or  less  importance,  which 
have  for  a  time  flourished  and  then  passed  out  of  existence.  There  has, 
however,  never  been  a  time  when  the  city  had  so  many  manufacturing 


426  lUSTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

concerns  as  now;  never  when  there  was  so  much  money  invested  in 
buildings,  grounds  and  equipment ;  never  so  much  money  paid  in  wages, 
and  never  from  this  point  of  view  has  the  outlook  for  the  future  of 
Albion  been  so  full  of  promise. 

Albion  College 

Under  the  aljle  administration  of  president  Samuel  Dickey,  the 
burdensome  debt  that  long  rested  upon  the  college  has  l)een  lifted  and 
the  institution  is  now  free  from  financial  obligation.  A  hundred 
thousand  dollars  have  this  year,  1912,  been  added  to  the  productive 
endowment.  There  are  more  students  in  the  college  cla,3ses  than  at  any 
time  in  the  history  of  the  institution.  Its  hold  upon  its  patrons  was 
never  so  secure  and  its  future  never  so  full. of  promise  as  now. 

The  churches  and  the  schools,  with  other  interests,  are  fully  set  forth 
elsewhere.  It  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  they  have  grown  and  de- 
veloped with  the  growth  of  the  city. 

The  Flood  of   1908 

The  greatest  single  disaster  that  has  come  to  the  city  within  the 
memory  of  the  present  generation,  if  not  in  its  history,  was  the  flood 
in  the  second  week  of  March,  1908.  There  was  an  unusual  combination 
of  conditions  that  made  the  disaster  possible.  The  February  preceding, 
closed  with  the  heaviest  fall  of  snow  Michigan  had  known  in  many 
years;  IMarch  was  ushered  in  with  a  rain  that  froze  into  a  sleet  as  it 
fell,  holding  the  recipitation  on  the  surface;  two  or  three  days  later  it 
rained  very  hard  again,  and  following  this  it  turned  very  warm  with 
bright  sunshine.  The  large  quantity  of  snow  and  ice  was  suddenly 
changed  to  water.  The  brooks  and  rivulets  became  torrents.  The 
marshes  appeared  changed  into  lakes.  Everywhere  the  surplus  water 
seemed  to  be  seeking  an  outlet.  Before  nine  o'clock  on  a  Saturday 
morning  the  Kalamazoo  had  overflowed  its  banks;  before  noon  it  had 
carried  away  the  Porter  street  bridge,  the  north  foot  bridge  on  Erie 
street  and  had  made  a  lake  of  the  market  place.  By  night  the  south 
foot  bridge  on  Erie  street  gave  way.  Dynamite  was  used  to  break  up 
the  ice  jams  against  the  wagon  bridge  and  every  eifort  made  to  save 
endangered  property.  By  dark  the  water  was  flowing  over  the  Supe- 
rior street  bridge  and  through  the  stores  on  both  sides  of  the  street. 
Two  dams  at  Homer  had  given  way  under  the  unusual  pressure  and  the 
water  they  had  been  holding  back  was  emptied  upon  Albion.  At  mid- 
night the  water  on  Superior  street  bridge  was  a  foot  deep,  on  the  Cass 
street  bridge  eighteen  inches  deep,  and  on  the  Erie  street  bridge  two 
feet  deep.  Wlien  Sunday  morning  came  it  was  found  that  not  only 
were  many  of  the  cellars  in  the  business  houses  filled  with  water,  result- 
ing in  great  damage  to  goods,  but  in  addition  to  the  bridges  already  men- 
tioned, the  foundation  of  the  nortli  end  of  the  new  cement  bridge  on 
Superior  street  had  been  undennined  and  the  bridge  so  damaged  that 
later  it  had  to  be  entirely  rebuilt.  Six  stores  over  and  ad.ioining  the 
river  were  in  ruins,  the  water  washing  away  the  foundations  preeipi- 


lllSTOltV   OK  CAMlorX   COrXTY  4-J7 

tating  the  superslnu-turcs  iiiln  the  rivrr.  Tin-  dii'crl  il;iin;it:v  was  es- 
timated at  $125.()()0.(ll).  while  llie  iiulire.-t  injury  nmUl  hanli.v  hr  eoiu- 
puted  in  figures.  I)ut  it  was  very  great. 

The  greatest  shoek  in  finaneial  circles  and  to  tlie  ((inliilciii f  the 

people  in  the  integrity  of  trusted  ofificials  was  i,nven  on  New  Year's 
day.  1!I12.  when  it  lieeanie  generally  known  that' 

The  Albion  National  Bank 

had  closed  its  doors  and  that  its  cashier,  a  man  over  seventy  years  of 
age  and  having  long  enjoyed  the  unquestioned  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity, was  in  custody  of  the  United  States  officials.  Later  investiga- 
tion and  developments  revealed  a  systematic  scheme  of  deception,  run- 
ning through  a  series  of  years,  so  perfectly  conceived  and  so  adroitly 
manipulated  as  to  long  hatWe  alike  the  scrutiny  of  the  bank  directors 
and  of  the  National  bank  examiners. 

ilany  who  had  trusted  the  bank  with  the  custody  of  their  funds 
suddenly  discovered  that  they  were  bereft  of  the  savings  of  a  life  time. 
Elderly'  people,  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  life,  who  had  placed 
their  surplus  here  for  support  and  maintenance  for  the  remainder  of 
their  years,  saw  that  support  swept  away  as  by  a  flood.  Widows,  aged 
and  alone,  found  the  staff  upon  which  they  leaned  broken  and  them- 
selves left  helpless  and  destitute.  Frugal  and  industrious  working  girls, 
who  through  a  series  of  years  had  denied  themselves  that  out  of  their 
meager  earnings  they  might  each  week  make  a  small  deposit  in  the  bank 
and  so  have  something  in  the  day  of  need,  suddenly  realized  that  their 
frugality  and  self-denial  availed  them  nothing.  Not  only  manufactur- 
ers and  business  men  and  farmers,  who  deposited  here,  found  the  de- 
posits swallowed  up,  but  the  working  man,  who  left  in  tru.st  a  portion 
of  his  weekly  earnings  until  he  could  have  accumulated  enough  to 
make  a  payment  on  his  home,  found  his  trust  betrayed  and  his  money 
gone.  Township  treasurers,  fraternal  societies,  churches,  missionary  so- 
cieties, Sunday-schools,  teachers  and  students  in  the  college,  who  had 
placed  confidence  in  the  bank,  found  their  deposits  gone  beyond  n- 
covery. 

Henry  JI.  Dearing,  long  the  trusted  cashier  and  honored  citizen,  but 
by  self-confession  the  betrayer  of  the  people's  confidence,  the  mal- 
manipulator  of  their  funds,  and  the  violator  of  the  Nation's  laws,  not 
only  brought  himself,  but  with  him  his  own  soil  to  serve  a  federal  sen- 
tence behind  prison  liars. 

Great  as  was  the  shock  to  the  general  public  and  severe  as  was  the 
strain  upon  the  finances  of  the  people,  it  is  due  all  to  sey  that  the  otiier 
banks  of  the  city  felt  the  adverse  wave  of  influence  but  a  brief  time, 
business  revived  with  the  coming  of  spring  and  the  summer  found  the 
manufacturers,  the  merchants,  the  builders  and  the  people  generally 
busy  and  trying  to  forget  the  shadow  that  had  so  recently  enveloped 
the  fair  name  of  our  city.  It  still  remains,  however,  that  many  incfi- 
viduals  will  never  be  able  to  recover  from  their  losses. 

Albion's  increase  in  population  has  been  constant  and  licaltii.x.  The 
moral,    religious,    educational   and    business   intere.sts.    upon    which    its 


428  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

present  and  future  depend,  have  kept  pace  with  its  growth  in  popula- 
tion. In  its  material  aspects,  it  is  gratifying  to  note  the  many  and  in- 
creasing evidences  of  thrift  and  enterprise  as  seen  in  the  growing  number 
of  new  and  beautiful  homes,  the  well  kept  lawns  with  shrubbery  and 
shade,  its  system  of  water  works  and  sewage,  its  electric  and  gas  lights, 
its  increasing  number  of  paved  streets  and  extension  of  sidewalks. 

In  the  seventy-six  years  since  the  first  plot  of  Albion  was  made  and 
recorded,  many  men  and  women  have  wrought  faithfully  and  well  for 
its  upbuilding.  The  names  of  a  few  and  the  things  they  did  or  at- 
tempted to  do  have  been  noted  elsewhere,  but  for  this  reason  to  infer 
there  were  not  many  others  worthy  of  special  mention  would  do  great 
injustice.  Augustus  P.  Gardiner,  George  N.  Cady,  Phineas  Graves,  Don 
C.  Seranton,  A.  M.  Pitch,  Charles  Dahymple,  Martin  Haven,  Samuel 
Irwin,  John  Fanning,  Lewis  R.  Fisk,  John  Brown,  Henry  Crittenden 
and  George  Maher  are  a  few  among  many  who  have  helped  to  make 
Albion  what  it  is  and  are  gratefully  remembered  by  the  later  genera- 
tion. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

CITY  OF  ALBION 

Public  Improvements  (by  Adrian  F.  Cooper) — City  Officials  (1885- 
1912) — Albion  Public  Schools  (by  W.  J.  MoKoke)— The  Press 
OP  Albion  (by  William  B.  Gildart) — Albion  Post  Office  (by  A.  D. 
Baugiiam) — Albion  Attorneys — City  Hospital  (by  Mrs.  A.  J. 
Brosseau) — Banks  and  Bankers  of  Albion  (by  Arthur  C.  Hud- 
nutt) — The  Gale  Manufacturing  Company  (by  L.  E.  White)  — 
Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company  (by  Raymond  H.  Gardner) — The 
Union  Steel  Screen  Company  (by  George  E.  Dean) — The  Cook 
jNIanufacturing  Company  (by  L.  J.  Wolcott) — National  Spring 
AND  Wire  Company. 

Public  Improvements  of  Albion 

By  Adrian  F.  Cooper 

The  first  public  improvement  of  any  magnitude  undertaken  by  the  city 
of  Albion  was  the  installation  of  a  waterworks  system.  This  improve- 
ment was  begun  in  the  year  1885,  just  as  the  village  had  risen  to  the 
dignity  of  a  city.  The  original  cost  was  .$50,U00,  wliich  sum  was  raised 
by  bonding  the  city.  This  was  afterwards  found  to  be  insufficient  to  com- 
plete the  system,  and  an  additional  $5,000  was  borrowed  for  that  pui-j^ose.. 
Since  that  time  water  mains  have  been  added  to  the  system  until  at  the 
present  time  there  is  about  twenty-three  miles  of  water  main,  which  has 
cost  the  city  all  told  approximately  $100,000.  The  pumping  station  is 
located  on  Cass  street  about  one  block  east  of  Superior  street,  and  pumps 
the  water  into  a  l:{2-foot  staiulpipe,  located  in  Washington  park.  The 
water  supply  of  the  city  at  pn-sent  comes  from  three  eight-inch  artesian 
wells  over  a  hundnd  iVct  ilicp,  which  flow  into  a  250,000-gallon  rein- 
forced concrete  resi-rvnii'  whidi  was  constructed  in  the  year  1909,  to 
replace  the  old  reservoir  which  was  built  of  brick  and  had  a  capacity  of 
about  one-third  of  the  present  reservoir.  The  water  sujtply  of  the  city 
originally  came  from  two  six-inch  wells,  tiie  casings  of  wliicli  became 
so  decayed  that  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  new  reservoir  it  was 
found  necessary  to  plug  them.  The  plant  was  originally  opei'atcd  by 
two  steam  pumps  which  were  replaced  in  !!)()()  by  a  siiiglc-stagi'  clcctrir 
driven  i-cntrif\igal   |)uiii|i  opei-ati'il   hy   electric   power   furiiislied   hy   the 


430  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Commonwealth  Power  Company.  In  1909  a  two-stage  electric  driven 
centrifugal  pump  was  installed.  The  cost  of  pumping  by  electricity  was 
found  to  be  more  economical  than  by  steam,  the  present  rate  for  current 
being  one  and  a  half  cents  per  thousand  gallons.  The  amount  of  water 
pumped  varies  according  to  the  season ;  the  amounts  for  the  first  half  of 
the  year  1912  being  as  follows:  January,  IT.ri.'iO.ddd  callous;  February, 
17,340,000  gallons;  March,  16,290,000  gallons;  April.  l:;,S,")0,000  gallons; 
May,  13,120,000  gallons;  June,  18,300.000  gallDus;  July,  18,830,000  gal- 
lons; August  19,930,000  gallons.  The  greatest  number  of  gallons  pumped 
in  any  one  day  was  1,020,000  on  July  5,  1912. 

The  fir.st  bridges  were  of  timber  construction,  but  in  1900  a  handsome 
double-arch  bridge  was  built  over  the  Kalamazoo  river  on  Superior  street 
in  tiie  block  just  north  of  Cass  street,  and  in  1896  a  triple-arch  stone- 
faced  concrete  bridge  was  built  on  Cass  street  just  east  of  Superior.  At 
the  time  of  the  flood  in  the  spring  of  1907  most  of  the  bridges  in  the  city 
were  swept  away,  and  the  double-arch  brick  and  concrete  Superior  street 
bridge  was  destroyed.  The  old  wooden  bridges  were  replaced  by  rein- 
forced concrete  structures  with  the  exception  of  Superior  street  bridge 
just  referred  to  which  is  built  on  heavy  concrete  abutments  with  massive 
iron  beams  spanning  the  river.  Owing  to  the  great  expense  in  building 
and  keeping  up  bridges,  the  city  has  been  unable  to  make  the  street 
improvements  that  otherwise  would  have  been  made. 

Albion's  first  pavement  was  laid  in  1903,  from  the  south  line  of  Ash 
street  along  Superior  street  to  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern 
Railway,  at  a  cost  of  !fi25,500.  This  pavement  was  made  of  asphalt  l)locks 
which  did  not  prove  very  durable,  and  when  the  next  paving  was  done 
in  1910,  a  Tarvia  macadam  was  tried  on  Superior  street  from  Ash  street 
to  Irwin  avenue.  On  either  side  of  the  macadam  is  a  combination  curb 
and  gutter  of  concrete,  and  the  street  is  provided  with  ample  system  of 
underground  drainage.  This  was  at  a  cost  of  $1.11  per  squan'  yard.  In 
1911  a  solid  concrete  pavement  was  laid  on  Cass  street  betwei'u  SupiMJoi- 
and  Eaton  street,  and  the  same  year  ^licliiirau  a\-cniU'  was  pa\'(Ml  IVoiu 
Superior  street  to  Mingo  street  in  llii'  same  iiiaiiiici-  as  was  soutli  Siipcr- 
ior  street,  except  that  tin-  work  was  ilmu'  liy  cdutrart  and  liinestouc  was 
substituted  for  the  lianln-  niatnia]  used  nn  South  Superior  street. 

The  city  iiad  ;ipprnximatcl\  nineteen  miles  of  sewer,  all  of  which  have 
been  built  liy  special  assessment,  the  city  jiaying  from  one-third  tO'  one- 
sixth  of  the  cost,  and  the  property  benefited  paying  the  balance.  No 
sewer  Iwnds  have  ever  been  issued  by  the  city.  The  first  sewers  M-ere 
constructed  as  a  combination  of  sanitary  sewers  and  surface  drain,  but 
the  sewers  now  being  built  are  sanitary  sewers  strictly.  The  surface 
water  being  taken  care  of  by  a  separate  system.  The  sewage  is  all 
emptied  into  the  Kalamazoo  river  at  various  points. 

City  Officuls    (1885-1912) 

Mayors:  1885,  Charles  F.  Austin;  1886,  Robert  J.  Frost;  1887, 
L.  J.  Wolcott;  1888,  E.  F.  Mills;  1889,  Robert  J.  Frost;  1890,  Eugene 


IIISTOIJY   OF  CALlIorX   COINTY  4:51 

r.  Robertson;  18!)1,  Isaac;  N.  Sibley;  l.Slfi,  lleury  1).  Tlioiiiason ;  18!):J, 
Henry  I).  Thoniason ;  18!)4,  William  H.  Kniekerbocker ;  1895,  William 
H.  Kniekerboeker ;  ]89(j,  Samuel  Diekie ;  1S!)7.  A.  L.  .^IcCutelieou ;  18i)8, 
Almon  G.  Bruee;  18!)!),  Edward  K.  Loud;  lilOO,  Cbarles  W.  Dalryiiiple ; 
1901,  James  Shanlev;  1!)(»L',  .James  Sbauley ;  litO^,  Frank  K.  Palmer; 
]9()4.  C.  Owpu  Hrownell;  l!)0o.  (".  Owen  F.rownell ;  19()(i,  U.  -M.  .MeAu- 
litfe;  1907,  D.  M.  .^leAuliffe;  19(IS.  1).  .M.  .MrAulitfe;  1!)0!).  Adrian  F. 
Cooper;  1910,  Adrian  F.  Cooper;  llHl,  William  W.  Austin;  1912, 
George  U.  MeCarty. 

Citv  clerks:  1885,  Chas.  H.  Foster;  1886,  Chas.  II.  Foster;  1887, 
William  W.  Austin  ;  1888,  William  W.  Austin ;  1889,  William  W.  Austin ; 

1890,  F.  D.  Roudenbush;  1891,  F.  D.  Roudenbush -.  1892,  C.  H.  Kniek- 
erlxicker;  lS9:i  Paliiiei'  M.  Bearing;  William  II.  Manning,  (fill  va- 
eancy)  ;  1894,  Frank  Lal)erteaux;  1895.  Frank  Laberteaux ;  1896,  Ed- 
ward R.  Loud;  1897.  Edward  R.  Loud;  1898,  Charles  H.  Burnett; 
1899.  Charles  H.  Burnett;  1900,  Frank  W.  Culver;  1901,  Frank  W. 
Culver;  1902,  Frank  W.  Culver;  1903.  Adrian  F.  Cooper;  1904.  Adrian 
F.  Cooper;  1905,  L.  W.  Cole;  1906,  11.  E.  Robertson;  1907.  W.  K.  .\oyes; 
1908,  W.  R.  Noyes;  1909,  W.  R.  Noyes;  1910.  \V.  R.  Xoycs ;  1!)11.  \V.  R. 
Noyes;  1912,  W.  R.  Noyes. 

Citv  attornevs:  1885,  N.  B.  Gardner;  1886,  N.  B.  Gardner;  1887, 
Rienzi'Loud;  1888,  M.  D.  Weeks;  1889,  Rienzi  Loud;  1890.  Rien/.i  Loud; 

1891,  M.  I).  Weeks;  1892,  Rienzi  Loud;  1893.  Rieiizi  Loud;  1894.  M.  I). 
Weeks;  1895,  M.  D.  Weeks;  1896,  M.  D.  Weeks;  18!)7,  A.  M.  Culver; 
1898,  E.  R.  Loud;  1899,  Adelbert  Culver;  1900,  L.  E.  Stewart;  1901, 
H.  R.  H.  Williams,  M.  U.  Weeks;  1902.  M.  D.  AVeeks;  1903,  M.  I). 
Weeks;  1!)04,   E.  R.  Loud;  1905,  A.  F.  Cooper;   1906.  A.   F.   Cooper; 

1907,  A.  F.  Cooper;  1908,  A.  F.  Cooper;  1909,  M.  D.  Weeks;  1910, 
M.  D.  Weeks;  1911.  .M.  D.  Weeks;  1912,  A.  F.  Cooper. 

City  treasurers;  1885,  Wellington  B.  Crane;  1886,  John  Fanning; 
1887,  John  Fanning;  1888,  John  Fanning;  1889,  John  Fanning;  18!K), 
John  Fanning;  1891.  George  W.  Schneider;  1892.  George  W.  Schneider; 
1893,  Jav  D.  ilapes;  1894.  Charles  II.  Knickerbocker;  1895,  Charles 
H.  Knickerbocker;  1896,  Frank  L.  Irwin;  1897,  Robert  Y.  Finch;  1898, 
Robert  Y.  Finch;  1899,  Solomon  M.  Rafterv ;  1!)00.  Solomon  M.  Raftei-y ; 

1901.  Henrv  D.  Smith;  1902,  D.  .M.  .AIcAulitt'e ;  1903,  U.  'SI.  McAuliffe ; 
1!)01.  Afton  A.  Dibble;  1905,  Afton  A.  Dibble;  1906,  E.  C.  Carrington: 
1!H)7.  E.  C.  Carrington;  1908,  E.  C.  Devoe;  1909.  E.  C.  Devoe;  1910, 
W.  J.  .Morse;  1911,  W.  J.  Morse;  1912,  Charles  E.  Ashdown. 

Marshals:  1885.  John  Phipps;  1886.  Nicholas  Plough;  ISSi.  Jdlm 
I'hipps;  1888,  Frank  N.  Austin;  188!).  Ilenrv  F.  Gutciies;  ].si)n.  liniiv 
F.  Gutches;  1891.  Frank  A.  Graham;  1892.  William  S.  I'ri.c;  18!)3, 
William  S.  Price;  1^94.  Edward  ('.  Shaffer;  1895.  George  Caleb;  1896, 
Frank  A.  Graham:  18!)7.  George  R.  Carver;  1898.  Fred  W.  Clark;  1899, 
Fred  W.  Clark;  1900,  Fred  W.  Schumacher;  1901.  N.   Dcau   Ilarnmn; 

1902.  X.  Dean  Ilarroun;  1!)03,  Erva  J.  Mallorv;  1904.  Kiv,-i  J.  .Mallory; 
1905,   Erva  J.  Mallorv ;   1906,  Fred   W.  Clark;   1907.    Fiv.l    W.   Clark; 

1908,  Fic.l  W.  Clark:  1909.  Oscar  II.  Cooper:  19111.  Os,-;ir   11.  Cooper; 

1911.    Hnicsl    Wim-hclj;    IDI'J.    Elllcst    Willrllrll. 


432  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Albion  Public  Schools 
Bij  W.  J.  McKone 

The  history  of  the  public  schools  of  Albion  does  not  differ  in  any 
material  aspect  from  that  of  any  other  town  in  southern  Michigan  whose 
beginnings  dates  back  to  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  Hand  in  hand 
the  little  red  school  house  and  the  little  white  church  have  kept  pace 
with  the  westward  march  of  civilization.  The  early  settlers  of  Albion 
brought  with  them  from  western  New  York  a  knowledge  of  and  a  fa- 
miliarity with  good  schools. 

As  was  the  custom  in  the  early  Jlichigan  comiininities  the  first 
schools  were  private  or  "select"  schools.     These  were  held  in  the 


Old  Red  Schoolhouse,  Albion 

of  the  teachers  or  the  pupils.  The  numlier  attending  was  very  small 
and  no  revenue  was  received  at  all  from  the  state. 

The  first  public  school  ])uilding  was  erected  a  little  later  than  1850 
near  the  present  site  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  on  South  Superior 
street  and  was  known  for  years  as  "The  Little  Red  Sdiool  House." 
Although  long  since  altandoiied  the  building  still  stood  witli  its  (piaint 
little  window  panes  and  faded  red  sides  until  the  spiing  of  1912  when 
it  was  obliged  to  yield  to  the  needs  of  the  growing  city.  While  crude  in 
architecture  and  of  meager  equipment  it  served  a  useful  purpose  until 
the  needs  of  the  community  demanded  larger  and  better  acconunoda- 
tions.    A  Mr.  Dowery  assisted  by  his  wife  were  the  first  teachers. 

The  old   Presbyterian   church   on   the   corner  of   Clinton   and   Erie 


HISTORY  OF  OALiiorx  corxTv  4:i;] 

streets  was  utilizfd  for  the  growing  school  until  it  was  liui'ncd  when  tlir 
Salem  Lutheran  on  Pine  .stivet  was  presseil  into  service.  Tlic  old  pail 
of  the  building  facing  on  Washington  park  was  where  some  of  Albion's 
older  residents  "got  their  start."  Still  more  room  was  needed  and  the 
school  was  removed  to  tlie  engine  house  on  Superior  street  just  north 
of  the  stone  mill.  ITon.  J.  A.  Parkinson,  judge  of  the  Jackson  circuit 
court  and  -Mrs.  i'hcbc  Anthony  were  the  first  faculty  in  the  engine 
house. 

The  first  step  leading  to  the  present  organization  was  the  consolitla- 
tiou  of  three  rural  school  districts  into  a  "Union"  school  district.  Tlie 
districts  uniting  were  Albion  number  one,  Albion  and  Sheridan 
number  one,  fractional,  Sheridan  and  Albion  number  three,  fractional. 
This  was  eonsunmiated  Septemlier  17,  1867.  iMrs  Phineas  T.  Graves 
being  the  leading  spirit  in  a  warm  fight  for  the  new  movement.  The 
three  primary  buildings,  the  north,  south  and  east  were  erected  in 
1869,  at  a  cost  of  about  #12,000.00.  There  were  at  first  one  teacher  in 
the  east,  two  in  the  "Little  Red  School  House"  two  at  the  north  and 
one  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Women  teachers  received  !i!28  per 
month,  a  man  at  the  east  school  $50,  and  the  "high"  $60.  The  present 
central  building  with  grounds  occupies  lots  two  to  eleven  on  Michigan 
avenue.  The  lot  cost  $2,500.00.  The  original  building  was  erected  in 
1870  by  G.  W.  Maher  at  a  total  cost  of  16,826.00.  A  dedicatory 
committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Rev.  R.  ^I.  Fitch,  Phineas  Graves  and 
W.  D.  Fox  for  the  board  and  Messrs.  Stoddard,  Haven  and  Bidwell  for 
the  citizens  was  appointed.  Professor  Doty  of  Ann  Arbor  delivered 
the  dedieatoi\v  address. 

Mr.  J.  B.  MeClellau  was  elected  the  first  superintendent  in  1870  and 
served  until  the  end  of  the  school  year  in  1877.  The  last  of  the  "Ward" 
buildings,  the  west,  was  located  in  November,  1871.  At  this  time  the 
school  attendance  was  -464  and  the  school  census  58-1. 

The  second  superintendent,  Mr.  E.  C.  Thompson,  was  elected  June 
5,  1877,  and  served  ten  years.  The  schools  were  graded  under  superin- 
tendent ilcClellan  but  the  first  graduating  class  was  in  1878  consisting 
of  seven  members,  Marion  Crosby,  Kirtland  Davis,  Mary  R.  Fanning, 
George  Graves,  Emma  T.  Lewis,  Lulu  Torrey,  Maggie  Woolsey. 

The  school  has  up  to  date  graduated  333  boys  and  587  girls  or  a 
total  of  920. 

November  5.  1879,  the  central  building  suffered  a  loss  li.v  fire  of 
$1,200  and  again  January  12,  1887,  a  very  slight  loss.  March  12,  1885,  a 
contract  was  let  to  Geo.  W.  ]Maher  for  $9,900  for  wings  on  the  east  and 
west  of  the  central.  In  1892  the  capacity  of  the  wings  was  doubled  by 
additions  on  the  north  ends.  A  central  steam  heating  plant  w-as  erected 
in  1893  at  a  cost  of  $5,000. 

Superintendent  E.  C.  Thompson  resigned  August  8,  1887,  and  Mr. 
Warren  C.  Hull  was  elected  superintendent.  ^Mr.  Hull  remained  eleven 
years  being  succeeded  by  W.  J.  ^McKone  who  is  still  superintendent, 
having  served  fifteen  years. 

In  1906  the  central  building  used  as  the  high  school  had  become  en- 
tirely inadequate  and  was  torn  down  to  give  place  to  a  $30,000  high 
school  building  which  promises  to  be  ample  for  some  time  to  come.     The 


434 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


latest  additions  to  the  material  facilities  in  the  way  of  Iniildings  was 
the  erection  of  the  Charles  P.  Austin  school  on  the  site  of  the  "North 
Ward"  torn  down.  The  new  school  is  a  strictly  modern  building  and  the 
best  appointed  in  the  city.     It  contains  eight  rooms. 

Much  of  the  success  of  the  schools  is  due  to  the  careful  planning  and 
the  wisdom  of  the  men  who  have  been  honored  in  serving  as  members 
of  the  board  of  education.  This  is  a  comparatively  short  list,  many  of 
the  men  having  served  for  a  long  term  of  years,  but  is  a  distinguished 
one.  The  list  is  as  follows:  Augustus  Gale,  Phineas  Graves,  Samuel 
V.  Irwin,  Charles  W.  Dalrymple,  Rev.  A.  :\I.  Fitch,  Wellington  Bid- 
well,  James  W.  Sheldon,  W.  D.  Fox,  John  Fanning,  Theron  Soule,  L. 
Silliman,  Dr.  John  P.  Stoddard,  E.  W.  HoUingsworth,  H.  :\I.  Bearing, 
E.  P.  Robertson,  Charles  F.  Austin,  William  Howard.  E.  F.  Mills, 
•John  G.  Brown,  Delos  Fall,  Elizabeth  F.  Palmer,  Earle  Knight,  Samuel 
M.  Reed,  George  W.  Schneider,  William  T.  Jaquess,  E.  R.  Loud,  G.  S. 


High  School,  Albion 


Kimball,  George  T.  Bullen,  Homer  C.  Blair,  Henry  Wochholz,  Walter 
M.  Watson,  D.  A.  Garfield,  George  P.  Griffin,  George  C.  Hafford,  Dr. 
B.  J.  Howlett,  Walter  S.  Kennedy. 

There  are  now  employed  in  the  system  thirty-seven  teachers,  including 
special  teachers  of  drawing,  music,  manual  training  and  domestic  science 
and  art. 

Corps  op  1912-1913 

W.  J.  McKone,  superintendent ;  L.  A.  McDiarmid,  principal  of  high 
school;  F.  M.  Langworthy,  science;  M.  Belle  Pratt,  Latin;  Fanny  May 
Green,  history;  Alice  P.  Steere,  German;  Blanche  E.  Martin,  English; 
Leona  Bean,  assistant ;  Edith  G.  Bolster,  assistant ;  Rena  T.  Root,  assist- 
ant; commercial. 

Central— M.  Myrtle  Moulton,  eighth  and  seventh  grades;  Flora  A. 
King,  seventh  grade ;  Mabelle  C.  Seelye,  seventh  grade ;  Julia  G.  Murden, 
sixth  grade ;  Mary  R.  Rood,  sixth  grade ;  Ellen  Pilcher,  fifth  grade ;  Cora 


iiisToin'  OF  cALiiorx  corxTY  4;jr) 

R.  Maaou,  lifth  grade;  Grace  E.  Hubert,  fourth  grade;  Mabel  Burns, 
fourth  grade;  Grace  H.  Wells,  third  and  second  grades;  Mab.  E.  Elms, 
first  grade. 

Charles  F.  Austin  School — Dora  M.  Ottgen,  sixth  aiul  fifth  grades; 
Bessie  B.  Waite,  fourth  grade ;  Emily  ('.  Meinke,  third  and  second  grades; 
Nora  M.  Gutehess.  first  grade;  Marie  G.  Douglas,  kindergarten. 

South  School — Hattie  E.  Hungerford,  third  and  second  grades;  Ada 
Beard,  first  grade. 

East  School — Grace  E.  Griffin,  third  and  second  grades; 

West  School — Elsa  W.  Schcid,  Ihird  and  second  grades;  Meryl  B. 
Sewell,  first  grade. 

Special  Teachers — Sybil  G.  Roliinson.  drawing;  Jennie  A.  Worthing- 
ton,  music ;  Effie  E.  Thra.sher,  domestic  science  and  art ;  Charles  D.  Ray- 
nor,  manual  training. 

The  Press  of  .\lbion 

By  William  B.  Ciklart 

In  Decemlier,  184!).  James  Hugli  Perry  opened  a  printing  office  in 
Albion,  which  was  the  first  effort  in  that  direction  for  the  village.  The 
plant  which  was  but  a  small  affair,  was  located  on  the  west  side  of 
Superior  street,  between  West  Porter  and  Center  streets.  He  issued  a 
weekly  newspaper  from  that  place,  which  he  called  The  Albion  Press. 
According  to  recollection  of  old  residents,  the  paper  met  with  poor  sup- 
port and  lasted  but  a  short  time.  The  writer  has  been  unable  to  obtain  a 
copy  of  this  first  newspaper  effort  and  no  one  appears  to  remember  if  it 
had  any  political  party  affiliation.  Its  editor  was  an  Englishman  and  the 
paper  was  probably  neutral  or  independent. 

The  second  effort  was  far  more  successful.  On  October  11,  1855, 
Lawrence  W.  Cole  started  the  publication  of  The  Albion  Mirror.  The 
editor  of  the  Mirror  was  a  printer  of  experience,  and  probably  familiar 
with  the  cpnditions  necessary  for  success  in  the  field ;  knew  of  the  fail- 
ure of  others  who  had  souglit  to  mold  public  opinion,  or  to  direct 
thought  into  new  channels.  Tiie  editor  chose  neutral  ground  and  prom- 
ised to  maintain  a  neutral  policy  as  is  evident  by  following  statement  of 
the  initial  number:  "In  party  politics."  said  Jlr.  Cole,  "sucli  as  Demo- 
crat, Loco  Foco,  Hard  Shell,  Soft  Shell,  Hunker,  Free  Soil,  Republican, 
Know  Nothing  and  Know  Something,  we  shall  be  a  looker-on.  and  shall 
steer  clear  of  everything  which,  in  our  .judgement,  will  have  a  tendem-y  to 
make  the  friends  of  either  party  unfriendly  toward  us." 

The  first  ten  years  of  the  paper's  life  were  stirring  and  eventful  ones; 
the  war  coming  on,  people  were  compelled  to  take  sides.  We  do  not  know 
how  long  Editor  Cole  was  able  to  maintain  the  neutral  policy,  which 
his  initial  number  promised,  but  we  are  informed  by  one  of  his  aged 
contemporaries  that  when  the  Civil  war  came  on,  Mr.  Cole's  paper  was 
opposed  to  it,  and  that  many  of  his  editorials  were  regarded  as  disloyal. 
His  paper  then  was  Democratic  in  politics,  and  ever  remained  so.  It  is 
.said  that  feeling  against  the  paper  l)ecame  very  bitter,  and  so  pronounced 


436  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

that  it  was  believed  that  a  conspiracy  was  formed  in  all  adjoining  coun- 
ties to  come  over  to  Albion  and  wreck  the  office.  It  was,  however,  headed 
off  by  the  counsels  of  some  loyal  Albion  Republicans. 

The  Mirror  during  its  firat  years  was  more  of  a  literary  publication 
than  a  news  sheet.  Mr.  Cole  was  an  able  writer,  but  his  editorials  were 
more  like  essays  than  editorials.  That,  at  least,  was  the  case  with  the  first 
year's  elfort  on  the  paper,  the  whole  fifty-two  numbers  of  which  we  have 
been  privileged  to  examine. 

The  Mirror  continued  as  a  weekly  publication  down  to  some  time  in 
the  summer  of  1909.  It  passed,  vipon  the  death  of  its  founder,  to  his  son, 
the  late  Frank  F.  Cole,  and  upon  his  death,  it  went  to  the  founder's 
grandson,  Lawrence  W.  Cole,  Jr.  For  more  than  half  a  century  the 
Mirror  was  published  by  the  Cole  family. 

Soon  after  the  grandson  came  into  control  of  the  paper,  a  stock  com- 
pany was  formed,  called  The  ]\lirror  Printing  Company,  and  that  con- 
cern took  over  the  publication.  In  the  summer  of  ]90f).  the  Wcel.bi 
Mirror,  which  had  reflected  the  life  of  Albion  for  more  than  fifty-three 
years,  was  suspended,  and  the  company  started  the  publication  of  a  daily, 
which  they  styled  the  Mirror  Gazcttr.  The  daily  published  its  last  num- 
lier  January  22.  1910,  when  its  pulilication  was  also  discontinued,  and 
the  Mirror  h;is  ceased  to  be  a  paper  of  Albion. 

A  paper  known  as  TJie  Herald  was  the  next  newspaper  effort,  but  we 
have  not  liccii  able  to  give  the  date  of  its  founding,  or  who  was  its  editor. 
The  office  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1867,  and  to  take  the  place  of  the 
Herald,  the  h'(conltr  was  started. 

The  Albion  h\curder  was  established  in  May,  1868.  Iiy  P.issell  & 
Burgess,  as  a  Republican  sheet.  The  late  B.  B.  Bissell  was  its  tiist  editor. 
A  year  later,  Mr.  Bissell  formed  a  co-partnership  with  William  (i.  Heed 
and  the  firm  l)ecame  known  as  Reed  &  Bissell.  Later,  it  came  under  the 
management  of  Bissell  &  Warren. 

About  1886,  Vernor  J.  Teft,  who  had  been  publisher  of  the  Ingham 
county  Nctcs,  became  the  owner  of  the  paper.  After  publishing  the  paper 
a  few  years,  Mr.  Teft  died,  and  jMrs.  Teft  became  owner  of  the  office. 
Later,  Newman  IMiller,  of  Springport,  bought  an  interest  in  the  Recorder. 
In  1903,  a  stock  company  was  formed  and  the  Recorder  Press  Company 
was  incorporated ;  Walter  S.  and  Rex  B.  Kennedy  })ecame  the  managers 
of  the  company.  In  1904,  the  Dailti  Recorder  was  launched  and  has  been 
a  success.  In  1911,  Rex  B.  Kennedy  sold  liis  stock  to  Arthur  Hudnutt, 
and  the  managers  of  tlie  company  now  are  W.  S.  Kennedy  and  Arthur 
Hudnutt.  The  Recorder  enjoys  a  liberal  patronage.  It  circulated  in  con- 
nection with  the  Kalamazoo  Telegraph. 

Several  other  newspaper  efforts  were  started,  about  a  dozen  years  ago. 
A  man  named  Green  started  a  paper  called  the  News,  later  he  started  a 
daily  which  he  called  the  Dailn  L<ader.  Along  about  that  time  B.  B. 
Bissell  became  publislier  of  a  papei'  known  as  The  Treinscript.  The 
Transcript  died;  the  Daih/  Li(i<l,r  succumbed,  and  Green  continued  the 
pulilication  for  a  while  as  the  Albion  Neics-Leader.  In  1903  he  sold  out 
to  C.  D.  Potter,  who  for  some  time  had  been  publishing  a  paper  in  Parma. 
Mr.  Potter  soon  sold  to  a  man  named  Brooks.     He  published  the  Neivs- 


IIISTOUV  OK  CAlJlorx  forxi'V  t:!7 

J.,a<l<r  iilMiut  a  vrar,  aii.l  Mr.  I'oltcT  took  the  paper  lia.'k.  On  May  1, 
liR).-),  William  W.  (iiidarl  iKuHiasci  Th,  Alhi,,,,  N,  ,rs-L<  <i<hr  imd  l.r.aiii.. 
its  editor.  In  a  IVw  months,  tlii'  liypluMiatcd  name  was  eliauiied  to  Albion 
Leader,  and  the  i>aper  luus  been  edited  by  :\lr.  Gildart  ever  sinee.  It  is  n 
six-cohinin  cjuaito.  published  every  Friday  and  as  the  seeoud  paper  in 
the  city,  it  enjoys  a  liliei'al  patronage. 

Albton  Post  Office 

Bij  Arthur  D.  Baugham 

Albion's  first  post  ottiee  established  in  1838,  was  located  in  a  small 
wooden  building  where  the  Warner  block  is  now,  corner  of  Erie  and 
Superior  streets.  After  remaining  there  for  a  few  years  it  was  changed 
to  the  following  locations  in  the  order  named  :  Wright  block  on  Superior 
street;  Howard  block  on  Superior  street;  Dalrymple  block  on  Superior 
street;  Wright  block  on  Porter  street;  Commercial  hotel  building  on 
Porter  street;  back  of  Brown  &  Moore's  drug  store  on  Porter  street; 
Brockway  block  on  Superior  street ;  Eslow  block,  corner  of  Porter  and 
Clinton  streets;  Kesler  &  Parker  block,  corner  of  Superior  and  Cass 
streets,  its  present  location. 

During  the  session  of  Congress,  1910,  Hon.  Washington  Gardner, 
congressman  from  this  district  (the  third  congressional)  secured  an  ap- 
propriation of  $70,000  for  the  erection  of  a  post  office  building  in  his 
home  city-.  The  site  for  its  location  was  chosen  in  1911  which  is  situated 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Superior  street  and  ^lichigan  avenue  and  com- 
prises the  whole  block. 

Jesse  Crowell  was  the  first  postmaster,  serving  from  1838  to  lS-1!). 
After  Mr.  Crowell 's  term  expired  the  following  were  appointed  and 
served  during  the  periods  stated:  1849-1853,  Dr.  Frederick  W^heelock; 
1853-1857,  Don  C.  Scranton;  1857-1861,  A.  J.  Thompson;  1861-1866, 
Chas.  W.  Dalrymple ;  1866-1867,  E.  W.  Hollingsworth ;  1867-1875,  Phin- 
eas  Graves;  1875-1887,  :Martin  Haven;  1887-1891,  Frank  Cole;  1891- 
1898,  John  Fanning;  1898-1910,  Frank  L.  Irwin;  1910,  Arthur  D.  Bang- 
ham. 

Albion's  fir.st  city  carrier  service  was  established  October  1.  1889, 
with  three  eai-riers,  .1.  ('.  Saniiison.  Sainuel  S.  Beriv  ami  Benjamin  Bis- 
sell. 

The  first  rural  delivery  service  was  established  .March  l-">,  l!i(ii),  three 
carriers  were  appointed — Fred  C.  Reichow  on  Route  No.  1 .  H.  ( ).  Wat- 
kins  on  Rotate  No.  2.  Roger  C.  Cotton  on  Route  Xo.  3. 

The  present  post  ottice  employees  are  as  follows:  Arthur  D.  P.ang- 
ham,  postmaster. 

Clerks — J.  Morris  ^lartin,  a.ssistant  postmaster:  Mary  R.  Fanning, 
Fred  H.  Blanchard,  Grover  W.  Cleveland,  Ira  C.  Denton. 

Carriers  (City), — Burnia  J.  Blanchard,  Dean  C.  Young,  Willard  B. 
Gardner.  Fred  C.  Durkee.  Jolm  AY.  Robinson,  Charles  E.  Dernier. 

Carriers  (Rural), — Benjamin  F.  Deweese,  Elbert  V.  Reed,  Gardner  J. 
Low,  Orville  L.  Biggs,  Bert  Wright.  Carl  Pretzel,  John  Miller,  Fred  L,  D. 
Grolf. 


438  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOIX  COr.XTY 

Albion  receives  each  day  fourteen  mails  and  dispatches  twelve. 
The  gross  receipts  of  the  Albion  post  office  steadily  increased  from 
$13,111.26  in  1896  to  $24,427.33  in  1911. 

Albion  Attorneys 

BijMuHJorl  I).  Weeks 

Fenner  Ferguson  was  the  lirst  lawyer  who  settled  in  Albion,  arriving 
here  about  1S42.  He  is  said  to  have  lived  and  practiced  here  until  the 
territory  of  Nebraska  was  formed  when  he  received  some  official  appoint- 
ment and  removed  to  that  territory. 

George  Monroe  was  the  next  attorney  to  settle  in  Albion  and  take  up 
the  practice  of  the  profession  and  was  ((uickly  followed  by  Thomas  G. 
Pray,  whose  father  owned  and  occupied  a  farm  east  of  Albion  and  on  the 
eastern  branch  of  the  Kalamazoo  river.  Monroe  left  Albion  about  the 
time  the  war  between  the  states  opened  and  took  up  his  residence  at  or 
near  South  Haven,  ^Michigan.  Thomas  G.  Pray  had  a  good  practice  for 
those  days  and  resided  and  practiced  in  Albion  until  the  early  '70s  when 
he  removed  to  Marshall,  Michigan,  where  he  practiced  until  about  1880. 
From  Marshall  he  went  to  San  Antonio,  Texas,  where  he  died  a  few 
years  later. 

In  the  early  days  of  Albion  the  country  lawyers  had  but  little  busi- 
ness in  the  circuit  or  supreme  courts,  their  main  dependence  was  justice 
court  work;  and  such  little  office  business  as  was  obtainable  in  those  days. 

George  H.  Pennaman  arrived  in  Albion  about  1860  or  1861,  practiced 
a  few  years  in  the  village  of  Albion  and  then  removed  to  Detroit  where 
he  died  a  few  years  ago. 

Allen  M.  Culver  was  born  in  the  .state  of  New  York  in  the  year  1828 
where  he  received  his  literary  education.  He  was  there  admitted  to  the 
bar  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of  New  York,  but 
his  health  becoming  impaired  he  came  to  Albion  in  1859,  established  a 
home  and  began  the  practice  of  law  and  continued  active  in  legal  work 
until  his  death  in  1906.  For  many  years  Mr.  Culver  had  the  most  lucra- 
tive and  the  most  desirable  law  business  in  Albion  and  his  advice  on  the 
difficult  legal  propositions  was  frequently  sought  by  clients  and  by  mem- 
bers of  the  legal  profession  as  well.  He  was  a  painstaking  lawyer,  careful 
and  accurate  in  the  preparation  of  his  cases  and  in  the  drafting  of  legal 
papers.  Mr.  Culver  was  an  excellent  chancery  and  court  lawyer  and 
made  strong  and  logical  arguments  on  questions  of  law.  He  was  a  man 
of  aristocratc  tastes,  exclusive  in  social  life  and  one  of  the  last  of  the  old 
school  of  lawyers. 

Rienzi  Loud,  the  father  of  Edward  R.  Loud,  Esr[uire,  began  the  prac- 
tice of  law  in  Albion  after  the  close  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  iln  which 
he  had  been  a  soldier.  About  1876  he  removed  to  Detroit  and  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  in  that  city  where  he  made  his  home.  He  returned 
to  Albion  in  1880  and  continued  in  active  business  until  his  death.  For 
some  years  he  had  offices  in  Jackson  where  he  transacted  the  major  part 
of  his  legal  business  but  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death  he  made  his 


IIISTOKY  OF  OALIlUlfN  COUNTY  439 

home  towu  his  business  headiiuarters.  Rienzi  Loud  had  a  splendid  voice 
for  public  speaking  and  a  tine  command  of  language;  he  was  a  good  trial 
lawyer  and  an  excellent  advocate. 

Nelson  B.  Gardener  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  and  lost 
an  arm  on  one  of  the  battletields  near  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  returned 
to  Albion,  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  his  profes- 
sion for  about  thirty  years.  Impaired  hearing  which  became  more 
serious  as  the  years  passed  finally  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  practice 
and  he  retired  a  few  years  ago.  ^Ir.  Gardner  was  well  versed  in  the 
law  and  was  a  very  good  justice  court  lawyer,  also  at  one  time  had 
considerable  business  in  the  circuit  court.  Mr.  Gardener's  ilefective 
hearing  without  doubt  prevented  him  taking  a  much  higher  rank  as 
lawyer  than  he  was  able  to  achieve. 

James  j\I.  Welsh  and  Frederick  Annis  began  the  practice  of  law  as  a 
tirm  in  tlie  latter  part  of  "76  or  early  part  of  77.  Annis  got  into  serious 
financial  troubles  and  after  about  a  year  in  Albion  aliandoned  his  family 
and  betook  himself  to  parts  unknown.  Welsh  remained  in  Albion  until 
the  latter  part  of  1879  or  beginning  of  1880  when  he  went  west  where  he 
remained  a  short  time.  Returning  to  JMichigan  he  resided  with  his  father 
in  the  town  of  Parma  and  died  very  suddenly  while  present  at  a  trial 
in  the  Jackson  circuit  court. 

S.  W.  Fitzgerald  resided  in  Albion  for  many  years  practicing  exten- 
sively in  the  justice  courts  and  had  some  divorce  work  in  the  circuit 
court.  He  died  aliout  twenty-three  years  ago.  He  was  a  brother  to  the 
late  J.  ('.  Fitzgei'aki,  for  many  years  a  distinguislied  lawyer  of  Grand 
Rapids. 

Alvan  Peck  was  a  lawyer,  justice  of  the  peace  and  conveyancer,  who 
lived  in  Albion  for  several  years,  but  was  not  very  active  in  the  practice 
of  law  and  had  few  cases.  He  died  about  thirty-four  or  thirty-five  years 
ago. 

Briggs  &  Drake  formed  a  co-partnership  for  the  practice  of  law  in 
Albion  in  the  early  'DOs,  Drake  having  preceded  Briggs  liy  a  year  or 
thereabouts.  This  partnership  was  shortlived.  Drake  went  to  Iowa  where 
he  died.  Biggs  went  west,  subsetiuently  returned  to  ^Michigan.  A  few 
years  ago  he  received  the  appointment  of  referee  in  bankruptcy  for  the 
western  district  of  Michigan,  having  an  office  in  the  federal  building  of 
Kalamazoo  in  which  citj-  he  resides. 

Adelbert  Culver,  only  .son  of  Allen  il.  Culver,  was  graduiited  from 
tlie  law  department  of  the  university  of  Michigan  in  1877.  A  short  time 
after  his  graduation  he  established  a  law  office  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Jlaryland,  but  the  acquisition  of  legal  business  was  a  slow  process  in 
that  old  conservative  city,  so  that  after  spending  upwards  of  a  year 
there  he  returned  to  Albion  and  associated  himself  with  his  father, 
occupying  the  same  offices  with  him  and  assisting  him  in  the  business 
until  the  deatli  of  his  fatiirr  in  l!l()6.  Mr.  Culver  ceased  practice  about 
two  years  ago  and  has  iviiiovcmI  with  his  family  to  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Frederick  IMains.  brother  of  the  notorious  ('has.  R.  ^MmIhs.  late  of 
Battle  Creek,  opened  an  office  in  Albion  in  1891  and  for  a  time  the  busi- 


440  HISTORY  OP  CALIIOUN  COUNTY 

uess  was-  carried  ou  under  the  tirm  name  of  Mains  &  ilains.  Chas.  R. 
Mains,  the  other  member  of  the  firm,  then  lived  in  Homer,  maintaining 
an  office  there  and  was  a  very  active  practitioner.  Chas.  R.  Mains  sub- 
sequently established  himself  in  Battle  Creek  and  the  firm  of  Mains  & 
Mains  appears  to  have  dissolved.  Louis  E.  Stewart,  now  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  the  Battle  Creek  bar,  formed  a  co-partnership  with 
Frederick  Mains  under  the  name  of  Mains  &  Stewart,  but  the  firm  was 
of  short  duration.  Mains  went  to  the  city  of  Chicago  and  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law  iu  that  city  and  now  resides  there. 

Howard  H.  Williams  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  the 
University  of  Michigan  in  1900,  settling  iu  Albion  in  that  year  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  law.  In  the  spring  of  1901  he  was  appointed  city 
attorney  and  iu  the  summer  of  the  same  year  he  formed  a  co-partnership 
with  ^1.  D.  Weeks  under  the  firm  name  of  Weeks  &  Williams.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams" health  began  to  fail  so  that  in  October,  1901,  he  gave  up  practice, 
removed  from  Albion  and  took  up  his  residence  on  the  farm.  About  a 
year  later  he  removed  to  Nebraska  where  he  has  taught  school,  farmed 
and  practiced  law  to  a  limited  extent.  While  in  Albion  he  gave  promise 
of  becoming  a  very  good  lawyer. 

Frederick  A.  Wheelock,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  early  physicians 
of  Albion,  was  a  student  in  Albion  College  and  later  became  a  merchant, 
which  business  he  followed  for  quite  a  good  many  years.  He  retired 
from  the  mercantile  business  and  a  little  later  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  iu  which  office  he  served  the  public  for  two  or  three  tei-ms.  After 
his  last  term  of  office  expired  he  practiced  law  to  a  limited  extent  having 
been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  his  early  manhood.  He  tried  but  very  few 
cases,  but  did  considerable  office  work  and  assisted  other  lawyers  to  some 
extent  in  taking  care  of  their  matters.  Mr.  Wheelock  was  naturally  a 
bright  man,  but  took  up  the  profession  of  the  law  too  late  in  life.  He 
died  in  AUiion  a  number  of  years  ago. 

Albion  City  Hospital 

On  a  cold  winter  night  in  the  closing  month  of  1908,  two  women,  in 
whom  civic  pride  is  strong,  sat  before  a  blazing  grate  fire  and  discussed 
the  failing  strength  of  an  institution  in  whose  mission  they  had  the 
utmost  faith. 

That  institution  was  the  little  hospital  that  iliss  Sarah  Wade,  one 
of  Albion's  foremost  nurses,  had  established  the  preceding  year.  And 
to  keep  it  alive,  she  had  struggled  as  only  a  woman  of  faith  and  courage 
can  struggle  for  a  loved  project. 

It  is  to  ;Miss  Wade  that  the  Albion  city  hospital  owes  its  existence, 
I'or  it  is  Init  the  outgrowth  of  her  brave  beginning. 

She  relincjuished  her  institution  eveutuallj^  not  because  of  ina- 
bility to  manage  it,  but  the  project  presented  complications  too  great 
for  oue  woman  to  i-ii))e  with  single-lianded.  What  Miss  Wade  had  sac- 
rificed two  ycais  of  her  life  to  estal)lish  and  prove  tl.e  need  of,  her 
friends  felt  should  not  be  allowed  to  pass  out  of  existence. 

Accordingly,  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  issued  an 
appeal  to  all  the  women's  organizations  of  Albiou  to  come  to  the  front 


iiis'r(Hn'  di-"  cALiiorx  corxTY  in 

and  save  the  little  liosi)ital  and  re-erente  it  for  public  service.  The  appeal 
was  not  in  vain.  Tlu'  women  of  Albion  unitedly  concentrated  their 
efforts,  and  the  result  was  that  on  Ai)ril  IS.  1!)0!),  tlie  Albion  City 
Hospital  was  oiiened  at  1218  east  Erie  stiret,  -Aliss  \Vade"s  old  (iniirtcis. 
with  a  modest  i)ank  account  of  about  H^.l..')!  10.01)  raised  by  popiihir  miIi 
scription  among  the  generous  citixens  of  the  town.  .Miss  Mary  L.  I'>ini,nr, 
of  Battle  Creek.  .Michigan,  was  the  efficient  nuitron  in  ciuirge.  and  th.' 
board  of  control  was  composed  of  five  .Mbion  residents,  viz:  .Mr.  Dan 
McAidiffe,  .Mr.  Charles  E.  Barr,  I'rof.  W.  .1.  .McKon.-.  .Mrs.  W.  S.  Ken- 
nedy, ]Mrs.  A.  J.  Brosseau. 

The  mendiers  of  the  board  had  been  elerted  at  a  nia.ss  iiirelin<;'  „['  thr 
citizens,  held  the  previous  January  when  the  organization  nf  a  liosjiital 
had  been  definitely  decided  upon. 

The  beginning  was  most  hundile.  There  were  hxc  beds  ami  two 
nurses. 

During  the  three  years  and  a  half  of  its  life,  the  hospital  has  had  a 
marvelous  growth.  Four  hundred  and  ten  patients  have  been  entered 
upon  the  books,  a  large  percentage  of  which  number  have  been  o]ierative 
cases. 

It  now  maintains  eleven  beds,  and  has  a  traiiung  school  witii  lixc 
pupil  nurses.  JMiss  Ethel  Mench,  the  superintendent,  has  direct  charge 
of  the  nurses  in  training,  her  work  being  supplemented  by  a  l)oard  of 
control  composed  of  three  physicians,  viz:  Dr.  Marsh,  Dr.  Ilafford  and 
Dr.  Heman  Grant.  Class  lectures  are  delivered  twice  a  week  by  the 
various  city  physicians  associated  with  and  interested  in  the  hospital. 

Private  rooms  have  been  furnished,  and  are  being  generously  main- 
tained by  the  following  organizations:  E.  L.  T.  Club,  Eastei'n  Star. 
Review  Club  and  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

The  operating  room  has  been  equipped  with  the  most  iiiodcin  ap- 
pliances, largely  through  the  generosity  of  ili-s.  H.  K.  White,  of  Detroit. 

The  Woman  "s  Auxiliary  has  done  a  wonderful  work  in  the  raising  of 
supplementary  funds,  and  in  keeping  vip  the  general  e<iuipment.  aside 
from  the  private  rooms. 

The  Albion  City  Hospital  is  duly  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 
the  state  of  Michigan,  and  while  it  is  not  under  city  control,  the  (•(uincil 
voted  in  June,  1912,  to  give  $600.00  toward  its  maintainance  for  the  en- 
suing year.  The  success  of  the  institution  is  due,  in  part,  to  the  fact 
that  it  is  a  community  interest  and  all  work  for  the  connnon  good. 
Another  factor  is  the  perfect  harmony  that  has  always  existed  among 
the  physicians,  nurses  and  the  board  of  managers.  Where  the  spirit 
of  all  concerned  is  so  kindly,  the  institution  cannot  but  succeed  in  its 
s[>leiidid  mission. 

Hanks  and  Bankers  of  Albion 

r,!i  Arllnir  ('.  Iludiuitl'' 

We  would  pause  and.  if  possililc.  i)ass  over  this  blct  oii  the  fair  nam.' 
of  our  city,  but  ""Truth  is  mighty  and  must  prevail.""     The  liistoi'y  of 


*  The  article  on   the  Banks   and  Bankers   of  Albion  was.   liy 
by  Mr.  Arthur  C.  Hudnutt,  one  of  the  bright  young' men  of  tliat 


442  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUXTY 

the  National  Bank  of  Albion  is  the  history  of  one  of  the  greatest  whole- 
sale forgeries  in  modern  times.  It  is  the  history  of  the  downfall  of  one 
of  the  most  respected  men  of  the  community.  Trusted,  reverenced  and 
honored,  H.  jM.  Bearing,  cashier  of  the  National  Bank,  betrayed  his 
sacred  tnist.  January  1,  1912,  will  be  a  day  long  remembered  by  the 
people  of  Albion.  It  records  the  failure  of  the  Albion  National  Bank. 
It  was  upon  this  day  that  National  Bank  Examiner,  Herbert  E.  John- 
son, closed  the  doors  of  the  institution.  Following  directly  came  the 
news  from  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  at  Washington  that  he 
had  found  forged  paper,  to  the  astounding  amount  of  over  $150,000.00. 
The  residents  of  the  college  town  were  dumbfounded. 

The  National  Exchange,  with  a  capital  of  .$100,000.00,  was  the  parent 
organization  of  the  present  National  and  was  organized  in  ilarch,  1865, 
succeeding  to  the  business  of  Jlayhew  &  Irwin.  Upon  its  organization, 
Samuel  V.  Irwin  was  elected  its  president.  In  1885,  the  First  National 
Bank,  with  a  capital  of  $150,000.00,  was  organized  and  took  over  the 
business  of  its  predecessor  and  continued  in  business  until  the  expira- 
tion of  its  charter  in  1905.  During  this  period,  in  1897,  through  mis- 
managi'incnt  on  the  part  of  H.  ^1.  Bearing,  the  bank  was  forced  to  re- 
duce its  iai)ital  $50,000.00  and  also  charge  off  approximately  an  equal 
amount  of  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  when  the  present  organiza- 
tion was  formed  and  undertook  the  liquidation  of  its  predecessor,  the 
First  National  Bank,  in  the  course  of  which  it  developed  there  were 
shortages  existing  in  that  bank  to  a  large  amount,  and  owing  to  these 
shortages  which  tlie  the  present  bank  was  forced  to  assume  and  coupled 
with  the  losses  of  the  Cook  Company,  the  present  bank  .vas  foi-ced  into 
the  hands  of  a  receiver  in  January,  1912. 

Soon  after  the  bank's  reorganization  in  1905,  a  man  named  Charles 
Youngs,  a  hay  dealer  in  Jackson,  ;\lichigan,  involved  Bearing  in  one 
of  a  number  of  fraudulent  deals  he  had  perpetrated  at  the  time,  causing 
the  loss  of  $21,000.00  of  the  bank's  funds,  which  Bearing  used  to  invest 
in  the  pro.ject.  Soon  after  Youngs  "skipped,"  and  to  this  day  is  a 
fugitive  from  justice. 

Fearing  to  tell  his  directors  of  the  loss.  Bearing  committed  the 
crime  of  placing  forged  notes  in  the  bank  on  prominent  men  of  Albion, 
to  cover  the  loss,  probably  hoping  soon  to  repay  the  money  from  his 
private  account.  It  seemed  such  an  easy  matter,  however,  to  hide  the 
shortage  from  his  associates  and  the  bank  examiner,  that  he  soon  gave 
up  the  idea  of  replacing  the  funds,  until  he  should  lie  compelled,  by  cir- 
cumstances, to  do  so. 

Soon  after  the  Youngs'  episode.  Bearing  had  an  opportunity  to  l)uy 
tile  controling  interest  in  the  Cook  Manufacturing  Company,  a  promis- 
ing Albion  concern  making  wind-mills  and  gasoline  engines.  He  became 
its  president,  and  he  placed  his  son.  Palmer  M.  Bearing,  in  active  charge 
of  the  plant,  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  Palmer  had  been  prominent  in 
local  affairs  in  the  city.  He  had  also  taken  a  noticeable  part  in  local 
politics,  and  had  been  a  member  of  the  common  council  and  city  clerk 
for  several  years.  It  was  soon  after  their  connection  with  the  Cook 
( 'ompany  that  tlie  great  series  of  forgeries,  which  makes  the  ease  almost 
unique,  was  commenced. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIIorX   COUNTY  44:i 

It  happened  in  this  way:  In  making  loans  to  the  Cook,  as  eashier 
of  the  National,  Montgomery  Deariug  found  that  more  money  was 
going  into  the  eomi)any  than  its  earnings  warranted,  and  he  soon  dis- 
covered that  the  eoneern  owed  a  sum  to  the  tiank,  the  eolleetion  of 
whieh  was  impossihle  without  forcing  the  company  into  haid<ruplcy. 
It  was  then  that  he  went  to  his  son,  told  him  of  the  ease  witii  whieh  he 
had  covered  the  Youngs'  shortage  by  "faking"  notes,  and  how  it  would 
he  an  easier  matter  to  cover  the  Cook  loans  in  the  same  way.  from  the 
fact  that  notes  in  the  case  of  the  Cook  Company  could  be  fraudulent ly 
signed  by  people  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  instead  of  ri^iit  in  the 
city,  making  the  chances  of  disclosure  much  less. 

The  son  may  or  may  not  have  been  greatly  surprised  antl  shocked  at 
learning  of  his  father's  privious  crime,  and  his  suggestion  that  they 
jointly  connnit  a  further  one.  As  time  passed  and  the  needs  of  the 
Cook  Company  increased,  Miss  Addie  M.  HoUon,  Palmer  Hearing's 
stenographer,  was  introduced  to  the  forging  system  and  the  three  started 
on  a  forging  campaign,  unprecedented  in  the  banking  world. 

The  total  deposits  were  above  $400,000.00,  while  the  last  statement 
issued  December  5,  showetl  only  $211,876.  The  defalcations  weie  ap- 
proximately $;^00,000.00,  divided  as  follows:  Bearing  forgeries,  $1  ()(),- 
000.00;  Cook  forgeries,  .$52,000.00;  suppressed  deposits,  ovei'  $S(l. ()()(), (H), 
leaving  a  balance  of  about  $70,000.00  whieh  has  disappeared  and  still 
remains  a  mystery. 

All  three,  Henry  M.  Bearing,  Palmer  M.  Bearing  and  Miss  Atidie 
M.  IloUon,  were  indicted  and  confessed  to  their  crime.  On  Ai)ril  18, 
1912,  Henry  M.  Bearing  and  Palmer  M.  Bearing  were  sentenced  five 
years  each  in  the  Federal  penitentiary  at  Leavenworth.  Kansas,  and 
Miss  Hollon  w'as  given  a  year  in  the  Betroit  house  of  corrertion.  After- 
wards her  term  was  changed  to  three  months. 

And  thus  passed  two  men  from  honor  and  position  to  disgrace. 

^Ir.  Frank  Irwin  was  appointed  receiver  of  the  National  Bank  and 
through  his  careful  and  prudent  management,  the  bank  up  to  writing 
has  paid  20  per  cent  in  dividends,  with  good  prospects  for  later  divi- 
dends. 

Throughout  the  evil,  dark  days  whieh  followed  the  bank's  failure, 
the  people  of  Albion  bravely  faced  the  issues,  fought  their  personal 
trials  with  fortitude  and  courage.  Business  prui^ii'ssed  as  usual,  which 
speaks  volumes  for  the  stability  of  Albion  penjile  and  Albion  institu- 
tions. 

Br.  Willoughby  O'Bonoughue,  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  was  born  in  Bergen,  Genesee  county.  New  Yoilv,  A]iril  lA.  1882. 
His  medical  education  was  completed  in  Albany  ^ledical  College  in 
1853.  He  came  to  Albion,  ^Michigan,  shortly  afterwards  and  practiced 
medicine  until  the  fall  of  1861.  He  then  entered  the  army  as  assistant 
surgeon  of  the  First  Michigan  Engineers  and  Mechanics,  in  1S65.  he 
was  mustered  out  as  surgeon  and  afterwards  engaged  in  connnercial 
activities.    He  w-as  elected  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  in  ISIIO. 

At  the  time  of  the  failure  of  the  bank  and  all  during  the  trying  days 
that  followed,  the  Boctor  was  at  his  post  answering  (|uestions  of  the 
depositors.     It  is  a  tribute  to  the  man  that  today,  after  the  tremendous 


444  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUX  COUNTY 

failure,  depositors  and  non-depositors  of  the  bank  liave  a  profound  re- 
spect for  this  aged  gentleman  and  his  character  is  above  suspicion  and 
i-epi-oaeh. 

Henry  ilontgomery  Bearing  was  born  August  15,  1839,  at  Pough- 
keepsie.  New  York.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  attended 
Albion  college  for  a  few  terms.  His  first  commercial  activity  was  in  a 
dry  goods  store  beginning  at  the  age  of  17.  In  1877,  he  was  elected 
cashier  of  the  National  Exchange  Bank  of  Albion.  He  still  retained  this 
position  throughout  the  re-organization,  as  explained  in  the  above  nar- 
ative,  until  the  failure  of  the  bank,  January  1.  1!)112. 

The  Albion  State  Bank  received  its  charter  from  the  commonwealth 
of  Michigan,  March  29,  1895.  It  had  for  its  organizer,  Eugene  P.  Robert- 
son, who,  since  the  daj'  of  its  birth,  has  been  identitied  with  all  of  its 
activities. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Robertson  entered  the  employment  of  Messrs.  Mayhew  & 
Irwin,  who  were  operating  a  private  bank  in  the  then  village  of  Albion. 
At  a  later  date,  during  that  same  year,  Mr.  Mayhew  sold  out  his  interest 
to  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Sutton,  who  became  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  bank. 

At  the  dissolution  of  the  firm  of  Mayhew  &  Irwin,  ^Ir.  Robertson 
went  as  clerk  with  Mr.  James  W.  Sheldon,  a  private  banker  in  the  village. 
This  bank  was  known  as  the  Albion  Exchange  Bank.  Robertson  event- 
uallv  became  a  partner  in  this  institution  and  continued  as  such  until 
the  death  of  Mr.  Sheldon,  September  24,  1894. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  Mr.  Robei-tson  conceived  the  idea  of  organiz- 
ing a  state  bank.  It  was  organized,  and  April  2,  1895,  found  the  Albion 
State  Bank  inviting  the  public  to  its  home. 

It  has  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  with  surplus  and  undivided  profits  of 
over  $20,000. 

From  the  first,  this  bank  has  appealed  to  the  depositing  public  as  a 
safe,  sane  and  substantial  institution.  Along  with  this  spirit  of  confid- 
ence has  gone  a  steady  increase  in  deposits  in  the  savings  and  com- 
merciiil  (l(']iartiiients.  until  today  the  total  deposits  in  both  departments 
aggregate  the  sum  of  $370, 395. 02. 

A  uni(|ue  feMture  of  the  l>ank  is  a  very  progressive  school  savings 
department,  which  is  having  a  marked  influence  upon  the  youths  of  the 
city.  In  this  department,  as  well  as  in  the  regular  savings  department 
and  upon  certificates  of  deposits,  three  per  cent  interest  is  paid  upon 
deposits  if  left  in  the  bank  for  three  months. 

There  has  been  but  a  slight  change  in  the  personnel  of  the  officers  and 
directors  of  the  bank  since  its  organization.  At  present,  Seth  Hyney 
is  cashier  and  T.  W.  Brockway,  assistant  cashier,  with  0.  A.  Leonarcl, 
George  T.  Bullen  and  D.  M.  ilcAuliffe  occupying  the  positions  as  direc- 
tors, with  S.  Y.  Hill,  W.  H.  Rodenbach,  G.  W.  Schneider,  W.  S.  Kessler, 
D.  A.  Garfield  and  Eugene  P.  Robertson. 

The  bank  at  all  times  has  been  a  most  prosperous  and  useful  institu- 
tion, serving  its  patrons  in  a  most  courteous  and  efficient  manner.  It 
has  been  a  favorite  institution  with  small  and  large  depositors,  pru- 
dently managed  and  well  officered. 

Tlie  orignal  officers  were  as  follows:  President,  Eugene  P.  Robertson; 


IIISTOKV  OK  CAI.IlorX  COINTY  1 1:, 

vice-presideut,  W.  S.  Kessler;  cashier,  U.  A.  (iiirlifld  :  dirci-tdis,  A.  .1. 
Gale,  S.  Y.  Hill,  M.  0.  Shepard,  W.  H.  Rodcniuu-li,  (i.  W.  Scliiui<lrr, 
Eugene  P.  Robertson,  W.  S.  Kessler  and  D.  A.  Garfiekl. 

Eugene  P.  Robertson  president  of  the  Albion  State  bank  since  its 
organization,  was  born  in  Albion  and  received  his  rudinienary  education 
in  the  typical  little  red  school  house  of  the  time  and  later  completed  his 
edncatioual  activities  at  Albion  College  and  at  the  univei-sity  of  Michigan. 
Mr.  Robertson  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  business,  poli- 
tical and  social  life  of  his  native  city. 

He  has  been  president  of  the  village  of  Albion  and  mayor  and  treasurer 
of  the  city  of  Albion,  served  upon  the  school  board,  director  and  treasurer 
of  several  industrial  companies  and  at  present  he  is  treasurer  of  Albion 
College.  From  IS!)!  to  1S!I2.  lie  was  li'wisurer  o\'  tlu'  .Michipin  Bankers" 
Association. 

Mr.  Robertson  is  a  very  prominent  Mason  in  jMichigan,  having  held 
a  number  of  very  exalted  positions  in  that  order,  including  those  of  R.  E. 
grand  counnander  of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar  of 
Michigan  and  M.  E.  grand  high  priest  of  the  Grand  Chapter  Royal  Arch 
Masons  of  Michigan.  He  is  a  man  of  unswerving  business  judgment, 
uncompromising  in  his  duty  to  his  depositors,  kind-hearted  and  a  cour- 
teous gentleman.     He  fills  his  office  as  with  a  sacred  trust. 

With  the  growth  of  tlic  industrial  activities  and  increase  in  the  popu- 
lation of  Albion,  the  need  for  larger  banking  facilities  b(^;Mme  apparent. 
To  meet  this  need,  the  Commercial  and  Savings  Bank  of  Albion  was 
organized  September  30,  1893,  by  Messrs.  L.  J.  Woleott,  John  G.  Brown, 
S.  B.  Allen  and  Fred  F.  Hoaglin. 

The  capital  stock  of  the  new  institution  was  $35,000.  Its  early  officers 
and  directors  were:  John  G.  Brown,  president;  S.  B.  Allen,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  C.  G.  Bigelow,  assistant  cashier ;  directors,  Samuel  Dickie,  Wash- 
ington Gardner,  Robert  J.  Frost,  Fred  F.  Hoaglin,  E.  Sutton,  S.  B. 
Allen,  L.  J,  Woleott,  F.  E.  Marsh,  of  Quincy,  and  John  G.  Brown  This 
enterprising  establishment  has  enjoyed  the  esteem  of  the  public  which 
is  evidenced  by  the  gi-owth  in  deposits  since  its  organization. 

The  bank  pays  its  depositors  3  per  cent,  interest  on  savings  accounts 
and  upon  certificates  of  deposit.  Very  recently  it  was  given  the  commis- 
sion as  depository  for  the  United  States  Postal  Savings  fund.  At  the 
last  election,  the  following  officers  and  directors  were  elected  to  represent 
the  stock  holdings  in  the  bank's  management:  President,  Homer  C. 
Blair;  Vice-president,  Dr.  W.  C.  i\Iarsh;  Ca-shier,  C.  G.  Bigelow;  Di- 
rectors, Samuel  Dickie,  Washington  Gardner,  L.  J.  Woleott,  E.  R.  Loud 
and  B.  D.  Bro\™. 

The  bank  is  located  very  prominently  on  the  corner  of  Superior  and 
Erie  streets  which  is  a  popular  factor  with  its  depositors,  and  is  known 
as  the  "Bank  on  the  Corner."  Among  its  officers  and  directors  are 
found  some  of  the  most  capable  and  solid  business  men  of  the  commun- 
ity. The  bank  at  all  times  has  adopted  a  In-oad  and  liberal  policy,  a.ssist- 
ing  and  encouraging  all  movements  for  the  betterment  of  Albion.  It  is 
progressive  and  prospei-ous.     Its  clientage  is  friendly  and  loyal. 

John  G.  Brown,  the  first  president  of  the  Commercial  and  Savings 


446  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Bank,  oeupied  that  position  from  the  date  of  its  orgauization  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  October  25,  1909,  with  the  exception  of  two  years. 
During  this  period,  Mr.  Fred  F.  Hoaglin  served  very  efficiently  as  the 
head  of  the  institution.  Mr.  Brown  was  born  June  7,  1850,  and  died 
October  25,  1909,  death  being  due  to  two  attacks  of  apoplexy.  A  native 
of  New  York  state,  Mr.  Brown  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents  when 
he  was  five  years  of  age.  Until  he  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  he 
resided  in  Battle  Creek  and  then  came  to  Albion.  While  in  Battle  Creek, 
John  Bro\\ii  attended  Olivet  college  for  a  short  time  and  after  coming 
to  Albion,  lie  graduated  from  Albion  college,  with  the  class  of  '71.  Two 
years  later  he  graduated  from  the  pharmaceutical  chemistry  course  at 
the  University  of  Michigan.  He  then  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in 
this  city.  April  3,  1879,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  R.  Fair- 
banks, at  Litchfield.  To  this  union  one  son,  Benjamin,  was  given,  and 
he  and  his  mother  survive. 

Mr.  Brown  was  interested  in  the  Albion  Malleable  Iron  Company  and 
was  one  of  its  directors.  He  was  a  member  of  Murat  Lodge  No.  14,  P. 
and  A.  M.,  Albion  Chapter  No.  32,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Albion  Council  No. 
57,  R.  and  S.  M.  Mr.  Brown  always  took  a  lead  in  anything  for  the 
betterment  of  Albion,  and  was  especially  interested  in  the  city  schools 
and  for  many  years  served  as  treasurer  of  the  school  board.  He  was  a 
keen  business  man  and  a  good  friend. 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  John  G.  Brown,  Dr.  P.  E.  Palmer  was  elected 
as  chief  executive  of  the  bank,  holding  this  position  until  May  9,  1912,  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Frank  E.  Palmer  was  born  in  Rochester  township,  Lorain  county, 
Ohio,  August  7,  1847,  and  was  therefore  nearly  sixty-five  years  of  age, 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  parents  were  Gile  E.  and  Phoebe  Maria 
(Noble)  Palmer,  who  had  come  to  Ohio  from  New  York  state.  The  an- 
cestry dates  back  to  Sir  Walter  Palmer,  who  came  to  America  in  1620 
and  located  at  Stonington,  Connecticut.  The  Noble  family  was  also  one 
of  the  earliest  in  this  country. 

Dr.  Palmer  pursued  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county,  but  before  he  had  completed  his  studies,  March  19,  1865, 
he  enlisted  in  the  LTnion  army  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  197th  Ohio 
Infantry.  He  was  discharged,  by  reason  of  the  general  order.  August 
7,  1865,  after  which  he  became  a  student  at  Oberlin  college,  Oberlin, 
Ohio.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  teaching,  for  a  short  time,  but,  hav- 
ing decided  that  he  wished  to  make  his  life  work  that  of  the  practice  of 
medicine,  he  entered  upon  preparation  for  the  calling  as  a  student  in 
the  office  and  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  E.  R.  Sage,  of  Prairie  Depot, 
Ohio.  He  became  a  student  in  the  Eclectic  Medical  College,  of  Cincin- 
nati. He  next  entered  the  Homeopathic  Hospital  College,  of  Cleve- 
land, from  which  he  graduated,  in  1876,  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine. 

He  first  located  for  practice  at  Republic,  Ohio,  where,  in  1882,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  P.  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  who  had  studied 
medicine  in  the  same  school  from  which  her  husband  graduated.  Soon 
after  their  marriage  they  removed  to  this  city,  where  both  enjoyed  a  large 


HISTORY   OK  CALIIOIN   (  OINTV  U7 

patronage  among:  the  i)co|)lc  of  tliis  coiiuiiiinilx .  Mrs.  I'lilmci-  |i;issimI 
away  July  27,  IS!)'). 

After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Pahner,  Dr.  Pahiier 'rclii'ml  from  nctivi: 
praetiee  and  directed  his  energies  along  other  lines  of  business  activity. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  was  president  of  the  Albion  liuggy  ('om])any, 
and  director  of  the  Malleable  Iron  Company,  and  the  Commercial  and 
Savings  Bank.  He  was  vice-president  of  the  latter  organization  for  many 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  Murat  Lodge,  No.  14,  P.  and  A.  M.,  Albion 
Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  Albion  Council  R.  and  S.  il.,  and  Marshall  Com- 
mandry  No.  19,  Knights  Templar.  He  was  likewise  a  member  of  Moslem 
Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at  Detroit.  Because  of  his  services  in  the 
Civil  war,  he  was  a  member  of  E.  W.  Hollingsworth  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
had  represented  the  local  post  at  the  state  encampment.  He  had  also 
been  commander  of  the  Albion  Post. 

In  politics  he  had  held  the  highest  position  the  city  could  accord  him, 
that  of  mayor,  which  he  held  from  May,  1903  to  May,  1904.  Prior  to 
that  he  had  served  very  efficiently  on  the  common  council  of  the  city. 

In  the  passing  of  Dr.  Palmer,  one  of  Albion's  most  prominent  and 
highly  respected  citizens  was  taken  from  the  community.  .Most  prominent 
in  every  line  of  endeavor  relating  to  the  advancement  of  Albion's  in- 
terests as  a  city  and  as  a  community,  ex-mayor  of  the  city,  president  of 
the  Commercial  and  Savings  Bank,  a  practicing  physician  here  for  many 
years  and  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  lines  of  public  service. 

Following  the  death  of  Dr.  Frank  E.  Palmer,  the  directors  elected 
Homer  C.  Blair  as  president  of  "The  Bank  on  the  Corner."  Previous 
to  his  election,  jMr.  Blair  had  acted  as  vice-president  and  for  several  years 
had  been  a  director  of  the  bank.  Mr.  Blair's  long  and  successful  ac- 
tivity in  Albion  business  affairs  makes  him  exceedingly  well  qualified  to 
head  the  concern. 

ilr.  Blair  but  recently  retired  from  the  drug  business,  in  winch  he 
had  been  engaged  for  over  eighteen  years,  for  fifteen  of  which  he  owned 
and  operated  his  own  store,  and  during  that  time  he  made  a  countless 
number  of  friends.  The  placing  of  Mr.  Blair  in  the  office  occupied  so 
capably  by  the  late  Dr.  Palmer,  means  a  continuation  for  the  Commer- 
cial Bank  of  the  prestige  enjoyed  by  it  in  the  past. 

At  the  same  meeting  Dr.  W.  C.  Marsh  was  elected  to  succeed  Mr. 
Blair  as  vice-president.  Dr.  Marsh  is  one  of  the  city's  most  prominent 
physicians.  He  without  a  doubt  will  fill  the  place  recently  occupied  by 
Mr.  Blair  most  acceptably. 

The  G.\le  M.vnufacti'ring  Company 

By  L.  E.   White 

In  1844,  Mr.  O.  C.  Gale,  at  the  age  of  twenty  (20)  years,  bought  a 
shop  at  Moscow,  Michigan,  and  started  what  finally  became  the  Gale 
^Manufacturing  Company.  A.ssociated  with  him  at  the  time  was  his 
father,  George  Gale.  They  ran  this  shop  four  (4)  years,  ]\Ir.  Geo.  Gale, 
the  father,  then  went  to  California.  Mr.  0.  C.  Gale  continued  alone  for 
five  (5)  years  and  then  sold  out. 


448 


History  op  CALiiorx  county 


In  185il,  which  is  the  date  generally  taken  as  the  estalilishnient  of 
the  Gale  Manufacturing  Company,  Mr.  0.  C.  Gale  went  to  Jonesville, 
Michigan,  bought  a*  small  shop  and  a  little^  later  took  in  his  brother, 
Augustus  Gale,  who  had  learned  the  moulding  business.  They  ran  this 
shop  for  eight  (8)  years,  selling  out  to  Mr.  E.  W.  Hollingsworth  and 
another  brother,  Mr.  Horatio  Gale,  Mr.  Augustus  Gale  i-etaining  his  in- 
terest. 

Simultaneously  with  the  above,  in  1842,  Mr.  Alexander  Moore  built 
a  foundry  on  the  northwest  lorner  of  South  Superior  and  Elm  streets, 
at  Albion,  Michigan. 

In  1846.  Mr.  J.  Monroe  started  a  foundry  near  the  southeast  corner  of 
Superior  and  Cass  streets,  wheie  Wcehholz  &  Gre.'^s  now  ha\e  their 
grocery  store. 


The  G.\le  M.\nuf.\cturing  Comp.vxy 


in  1848,  Mr.  Moore  associated  himself  with  Mr.  Joseph  Hall  of 
Roche.ster,  and  they  began  the  manufacture  of  threshing  machines,  em- 
ployin.o-  fi-om  twenty-five  (25)  to  thirty-five  (:?5)  men.  Messrs.  D.  Pea- 
body  ^c  r>r(i.  liou^uiil  thrill  Dut  in  l.'^4!l.  and  ;\Ir.  James  ilonroe  bought  out 
Peabnily  &  lirci.  in  is.')!!  and  eoiiduetcd  tlie  fai-tories  employing  about 
twentv-tivc  i 'i.')  i   iin'ii. 

In  185 
Sheldon,  a 
of  Elm  sti 


,  :\Ir.  .Mdiiroe  sold  out  the  business  to  Messrs.  Finch  and 
id  tlii'N.  Iiaving  abandoned  the  upper  factory  cto  the  corner 
et  in  1854,  continued  making  threshing  machines  until  1862, 

when  they  sold  out  to  Jlessrs.  Lane  &  Ensign,  who,  in  1863  began  the 

manufacture  of  a  general  line  of  implements.     In  1864,  Mr.  Ensign  sold 

out  his  interest  to  W.  G.  Porter. 

Mr.  0.  C.  Gale  came  to  Albion  in  1861  and  started  in  the  hardware 

business.     In  a  year  or  so,  E.  W.  Hollingsworth,  Horatio  Gale,  and 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  449 

Augustus  Gale  came  here,  entering  in  business  with  O.  V.  Gale  and 
forming  the  0.  C.  Gale  &  Company. 

In  1863,  0.  C.  Gale  &  Company  built  an  implement  factory  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Superior  and  Cass  streets,  which  was  enlarged  from 
time  to  time  until  tlieir  plant  covered  the  entire  block  at  Superior,  Cass 
and  Clinton  streets  and  the  river.  Before  building  this  plant  they  had 
bought  out  W.  G.  Porter  in  1863-1864. 

In  1863,  the  company  was  incorporated  with  $58,000  capital,  0.  C. 
Gale,  president,  and  J.  Hyde  Monroe,  secretary-treasurer.  On  De- 
cember 10,  1884,  the  works  was  partially  destroyed  by  fire. 

July  19,  1887.  the  entire  stock  of  this  company  was  sold  to  a  com- 
pany consisting  of  li.  Kirke  White,  II.  R.  Stoepel,  G.  H.  Gale,  Horatio 
Gale,  A.  J.  Gale,  K.  C.  Lester  and  F.  A.  Alsdorf. 

The  present  plant  was  built  in  1888,  enlarging  from  time  to  time, 
until  it  now  contains  248,729  square  feet  of  floor  space,  equal  to  5.71 
acres. 

July  7, 1890,  the  above  company  purchased  the  Albion  Manufacturing 
Company.     In  1903,  the  company  was  re-incorporated. 

Previous  to  1888,  this  company  used  a  building  for  the  storage  of 
eastings  on  the  south  side  of  Cass  street  now  owned  by  the  city  of  Albion 
and  used  for  fire  department  headtiuarters  and  council  rooms. 

It  was  very  interesting  to  hear  Mr.  0.  C.  Gale,  who  was  born  in 
L'Acadie,  Lower  Canada,  June  3,  1823,  and,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight, 
passed  away  on  the  29th  of  February  1912,  relate  the  difficulties  they  were 
put  to  when  located  at  Moscow  as  compared  \\-ith  the  present  facilities. 
At  that  time  all  iron,  bolts,  screws,  etc.,  had  to  be  hauled  l>y  teams  over 
the  road  from  Toledo,  Ohio.  It  was  necessary  to  make  nearly  everything 
by  hand,  modern  machinery  being  unknown. 

At  the  time  the  company  was  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Superior  and  Cass  streets  only  two  employees  worked  in  the  foundry, 
and  the  same  number  in  the  wood-working  department. 

The  following  list  shows  some  of  the  prominent  persons,  residents 
of  Albion,  who  have  been  connected  with  the  company :  0.  C.  Gale, 
president,  1873-1879;  E.  W.  HoUingsworth,  vice-president,  1873-1879; 
president,  1879-1884 ;  Augustus  J.  Gale,  superintendent,  1873-1878,  1880- 
1887  ;  Horatio  Gale,  general  agent,  1873-1876  ;  vice-president  1887-1892 ; 
J.  Hyde  Monroe,  secretary  and  treasurer,  1873-1875;  S.  P.  Brockway, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  1875-1881 ;  general  agent,  1879-1881 ;  J.  W. 
Sheldon,  vice-president,  1880;  president,  1881-1887;  C.  C.  Lane,  gen- 
eral agent,  1876-1879,  1881-1883;  Chas.  Blanchard;  W.  O'Donoghue, 
vice-president,  1879-1884;  E.  P.  Robertson;  R.  Y.  Finch;  C.  II.  :\Iann, 
vice-president,  1884-1887;  G.  H.  Gale,  superintendent,  1878;  J.  J. 
Alley ;  W.  H.  Brockway ;  F.  A.  Alsdorf,  secretary  and  treasurer,  1881- 
1889;  D.  P.  Biglow,  superintendent,  1881;  S.  W.  Hill,  general  agent. 
1883-1887;  H.  Kirke  White,  president,  1887:  H.  R.  Stoepel,  general 
agent,  1887-1889;  secretary  and  treasurer,  1889-1894;  treasurer  and 
general  manager,  1895-1904;  E.  W.  Backus,  superintendent,  1888;  E. 
C.  Lester,  1888-1897;  C.  D.  Wiselogel;  A.  E.  F.  White,  vice-president, 
1892-1897;  H.  K.  AVhite,  Jr.,  secretarv,   1895;  L.   E.  White,  auditor, 


450  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

1896;  secretary,  1892-1904;  treasurer,  1904;  W.  D.  Brundage,  as- 
sistant superintendent,  1896;  superintendent,  1898-1904;  M.  T.  Conk- 
lin,  vice-president,  1897 ;  A.  J.  Brosseau  secretary  and  general  man- 
ager, 1904;  W.  L.  Beall,  superintendent,  1904;  Geo.  W.  Bortles,  as- 
sistant secretary,  1904 ;  Earl  Knight,  assistant  treasurer,  1904-1906. 

The  company's  line  of  tools  now  embraces  a  complete  assortment 
as  follows:  Foot  Lift  Gang  Plows,  combination  or  all  steel;  Foot  Lift 
Sulky  Plows,  chilled,  combination  or  all  steel;  Lever  Lift  Sulky  Plows, 
chilled,  combination  or  all  steel;  Walking  Plows,  all  kinds  (wood  or  steel 
beam)  in  chilled,  combination  or  all  steel;  Disc  Harrows,  Regular,  Cut- 
Out  or  Plow-Cut,  also  Tongue  Trucks;  Single  Row  Stalk  Cutters,  5- 
Knife  or  7-Knife;  Steel  Spike-Tooth  Lever  Harrows  (all  sizes)  ;  Wood 
Bar  Spike-Tooth  Harrows  (all  sizes)  ;  Flexible  Wood  Bar  Spike-Tooth 
Harrows  (all  sizes)  ;  Steel  Frame  Spring-Tooth  Lever  Harrows  (all 
sizes)  ;  Wood  Frame  Spring-Tooth  Harrows  (Lined  or  Uuliued)  ;  Listers 
and  Combined  Listers  and  Drills  (Walking  or  Riding)  ;  One-Horse 
Planters,  with  or  without  Fertilizer  Attachment ;  Sure  Drop  Two-Horse 
Planters,  with  or  without  Fertilizer  Attachment  for  checking  or  drill- 
ing; Riding  Cultivators,  Single  or  Double  Row  with  shovels,  spring- 
teeth,  or  disc  gangs;  Walking  Two-Horse  Cultivators,  with  shovel  or 
spring-teeth  gangs;  Walking  One-Horse  Cultivators,  with  spike-teeth, 
spring-teeth,  or  regular  shovels;  Garden  (Hand)  Cultivators;  Wagon 
Loadei's,  for  Manure,  Sand,  Gravel,  etc. ;  Spalding  Deep  Tilling  Ma- 
chines. 

The  Albion  Malle.\ble  Iron  Company 

By  Raymond  H.  Gardner 

As  indicated  by  its  name,  this  is  a  corporation  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  malleable  iron.  This  commodity  differs  from  ordinary  "cast" 
or  grey  iron  in  that  it  is  much  stronger  and  tougher  and  to  a  certain  de- 
gree, ductile  or  malleable.  The  product  of  any  malleable  iron  plant  is 
not  of  itself  a  finished  article  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  iiltimate 
consumer,  but  goes  to  manufacturers  of  automobiles,  carriages,  wagons, 
agricultural  implements,  railroad  cars,  etc.,  etc.,  of  which  it  forms  a 
part. 

The  Albion  Company  the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  the  county,  was 
founded  in  December,  1888,  b.y  W.  S.  Kessler,  then  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Kessler  was  largely  influenced  to  locate  in  Albion  by  Horatio 
Gale  and  B.  P.  Burrall.  The  factory  formerly  occupied  by  the  Gale 
Manufacturing  Company,  located  on  the  corner  of  Superior  and  Cass 
streets,  was  remodelled  and  the  necessary  equipment  installed.  It  soon 
became  evident  that  a  considerable  amount  of  capital  would  be  re- 
quired for  improvements  and  additional  equipment.  Therefore,  in  June, 
1889,  a  meeting  of  Albion  citizens  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
a  stock  company.  The  names  of  a  large  number  of  Albion's  most  promi- 
nent men  are  found  in  the  original  list  of  stock  holders.  These  selected 
J.  C.  Eslow  as  president;  R.  J.  Frost,  vice-president;  W.  S.  Kessler, 
secretary  and  treasurer  and  Horatio  Gale,  J.  C.  Eslow,  W.  S.  Kessler,  J. 


452  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

G.  Browu  and  R.  J.  Frost  constituted  the  board  of  directors.  The  newly 
fonned  company  started  out  with  about  twenty-five  employees. 

E.  P.  Burrall,  R.  J.  Frost,  and  J.  G.  Brown  successively  held  the  office 
of  president  until  October,  1894,  when  W.  S.  Kessler  the  present  in- 
cumbent, was  elected.  From  the  first  Mr.  Kessler,  however,  was  the 
active  manager. 

In  1891,  after  a  number  of  discouraging  set  backs,  the  outlook  began 
to  brighten  and  the  board  of  directors  authorized  a  considerable  addition 
to  the  factory,  which  addition  was  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  old 
plant,  over  the  Kalamazoo  river.  The  number  of  employees  soon  rose 
to  about  one  hundred. 

The  company  gradually  acquired  an  enviable  reputation  as  producers 
of  high  grade  eastings  and  the  volume  of  business  steadily  increased 
until  in  1898  the  necessity  for  a  much  larger  plant  became  imperative. 
A  piece  of  land  sixty-seven  acres  in  extent,  on  the  west  side  of  the  city 
was  purchased.  Here  a  thoroughly  modern  plant  was  erected,  under  the 
management  of  W.  S.  Kessler,  president,  H.  B.  Parker,  vice-president 
and  M.  B.  Murray,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  new  factory  covered 
about  four  acres  of  ground  and  employed  three  hundred  men  and  had 
a  capacity  of  from  8,000  to  10,000  tons  annually. 

The  new  ((uarters  were  ample  for  the  first  few  years,  but  business 
grew  steadily  and  in  about  seven  years  after  occupying  its  lai"ge,  new 
plant,  the  company's  operation  and  output  were  again  hampered  by  the 
congestion  in  its  various  departments. 

In  1906  plans  for  extensive  improvements  were  drawn  up.  The  work 
of  erecting  the  buildings  laid  out  covei-ed  a  period  of  five  years,  and  when 
completed,  the  factory  as  it  stands  today,  was  the  result.  It  covers  eight 
acres  of  ground,  and  has  the  capacity  to  produce  25,000  tons  of  castings 
annually  to  do  which  requires  from  nine  hundred  to  one  thousand  em- 
ployees. 

Having  provided  itself  with  sufficient  buildings  and  machinery,  the 
managemeut  was  next  confronted  with  the  problem  of  securing  labor. 
It  was  a  comparatively  easy  matter  to  secure  the  necessary  men  from 
other  cities,  but  there  were  not  enough  vacant  houses  to  be  found  in  the 
city  to  accommodate  them.  The  company  was  finally  obliged  to  con- 
struct thirty  houses  on  its  property,  adjacent  to  the  factory.  These  it 
maintains  for  the  benefit  of  its  employees,  who  are  unable  to  find  homes 
elsewhere. 

The  Albion  Company's  plant,  as  it  is  today,  is  one  of  the  largest 
malleable  iron  plants  in  the  country  and  there  is  probably  not  another 
institution  of  its  kind  so  complete  and  modern  in  equipment.  Its  output 
is  sold  to  many  of  the  largest  and  best  known  concerns  in  the  country 
and  goes  not  only  all  over  the  United  States,  but  to  practically  every 
country  in  the  world. 

Its  present  board  of  officers  and  directors  is  composed  as  follows: 
"Warren  S.  Kessler,  president  and  general  manager;  Harry  B.  Parker, 
vice-president  and  assistant  general  manager;  M.  B.  Murray,  secretary 
and  treasurer  and  Washington  Gardner  and  Benjamin  D.  Brown,  di- 
rectors. 


IIISTOHY   OF  (WLIIOrX   COrXTY  453 

The  Union  Steel  Screen  Comi-any 
By  George  E.  Dean 

The  Union  Steel  Screen  Company  was  organized  and  incorporated 
under  the  laws  of  Michigan  in  January,  1903,  in  the  city  of  Battle  Creek, 
Michigan. 

Early  in  1904,  Jackson  capital  was  interested  and  the  company  moved 
to  Jackson  where  they  remained  until  October  30,  1905. 

The  company  was  organized  originally  to  make  sand  and  gravel 
screens  under  patent  covering  special  construction  which  applied  to  this 
line  of  work. 

Later,  through  the  suggestion  of  Detroit  parties,  the  then  so-called 
screens  were  adopted  to  the  use  of  gas  stove  ovens,  making  an  article 
called  oven  racks  and  broiler  racks;  both  being  used  by  the  manufac- 
turers of  gas  stoves  in  their  ovens  and  broiler  pans. 

In  the  fall  of  1905,  through  the  efforts  of  C.  Owen  Brownell,  then 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Albion,  Albion  capital  was  interested  and  Jackson 
parties  were  bought  out  and  tlie  concern  moved  to  Albion  where  they 
continued  to  manufacture  oven  racks,  sand  screens  and  added  concrete 
reinforcement.  All  racks  up  to  this  time  being  manufactured  under  what 
is  kno\ra  as  the  Agnew  Patent  for  screens. 

When  the  company  moved  to  Albion  they  were  employing  approxi- 
mately ten  people  including  the  office  force. 

For  about  a  year  tilings  did  not  go  very  smoothly  with  this  company 
so  that  in  September  1906  there  was  a  re-organization  and  change  of 
officers  and  the  company  put  on  a  better  financial  basis. 

In  October  of  this  year  the  new  board  of  managers  decided,  in  order 
to  make  the  company  a  success,  that  it  was  necessary  to  add  new  lines 
and  also  to  add  new  articles  which  would  go  along  with  racks  they  were 
already  making. 

They  decided  then  to  make  a  complete  line  of  oven  racks  and  broilers 
of  all  styles  and  description  which  would  meet  the  demand  of  the  stove 
manufactui'ers. 

Immediately  after  this  decision  special  machines  were  made  up  and 
the  factory  equipped  to  handle  a  complete  line  of  oven  racks  and  broil- 
ers so  that  early  in  the  year  1907  the  factory  was  pretty  well  equipped 
to  handle  the  large  volume  of  business  which  they  were  able  to  pick 
up  from  the  stove  manufacturers  all  over  the  United  States. 

This  addition  added  about  fifteen  more  men  to  the  company's  pay  roll. 

Improvements  were  being  made  all  the  time  to  the  oven  racks  and 
broilers  and  new  patents  taken  out  ou  this  product  so  that  by  the  year 
1908  the  Union  Steel  Screen  Company  was  probably  the  largest  manu- 
facturer of  oven  and  broiler  racks  in  the  United  States. 

In  June,  1908,  the  management  decided  to  handle  another  line,  this 
being  the  manufacture  of  refrigerator  shelves  to  go  to  the  refrigerator 
manufacturers. 

The  addition  of  this  department  up  to  the  present  time  has  added 
about  thirty  more  men  to  the  company's  pay  roll. 


454  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

With  the  installation  of  the  woven  wire,  or  refrigerator  shelf  de- 
partment, the  companj'  installed  their  own  tinning  plant. 

Previous  to  this  time  all  the  tinning  that  was  necessary  to  be  done 
on  the  company's  product  was  sent  to  Jackson  and  then  reshipped  to 
customers  from  thei'e.  . 

The  addition  of  this  tinning  plant  added  about  five  more  men  to 
the  pay  roll  and  placed  them  in  position  to  handle  their  own  product 
in  a  much  more  satisfactory  manner  and  also  placed  them  in  a  position 
to  meet  competition. 

Early  in  the  year  1909  the  company  added  another  line  known  as  the 
brass  department.  This  department  now  manufactures  fan  guards  such 
as  ai-e  used  to  protect  desk  fans,  and  in  fact  are  a  part  of  desk  fans  such 
as  are  used  in  offices  or  any  place  where  an  electric  fan  is  desii-ed. 

This  company  turns  out  large  (juantities  of  these,  guards  made  out  of 
solid  brass,  finished,  lacquered  and  furnished  to  the  largest  manufactures 
of  electric  motors  and  fans  in  the  United  States. 

The  addition  of  this  department  added  about  fifteen  more  men. 

A  little  later  in  this  same  year  the  company  ]mt  out  a  sanitary  bread 
rack  and  shelf  which  went  to  the  baker,  and  a  large  out-put  and  demand 
for  this  shelf  has  been  such  that  a  department  for  the  manufacture  of 
this  line  has  also  been  added,  employing  about  fifteen  more  men. 

Early  in  1910  another  department  was  added,  known  as  the  channel 
iron,  or  wire  and  iron  working  department.  This  has  been  gradually 
growing  and  special  men  were  procured  to  handle  this  line  so  that  today 
the  company  is  getting  to  be  quite  a  factor  in  the  manufacture  of  wire 
and  iron  goods. 

This  line  consists  of  office  railing,  bank  railing,  large  wire  signs,  mre 
baskets,  and  in  fact  all  kinds  of  wire  e<iuipment,  even  including  fire 
escapes. 

In  1910,  the  company  added  its  own  galvanizing  plant  in  order  to  be 
able  to  galvanize  the  product  that  was  naturally  going  to  the  bread 
rack  and  baker  trade,  so  that  today  they  have  a  complete  equipment 
in  the  shape  of  a  galvanizing  plant,  tinning  plant  and  plating  and  lac- 
quering plant. 

The  company  purchased  the  old  plant  formerly  known  as  the  Albion 
Buggy  plant,  and  during  the  la.st  two  years  have  added  two  large  brick 
additions. 

New  side  tracks  were  put  in  so  that  the  company  has  sidings  each 
side  of  its  buildings  and  can  load  and  unload  seven  cars  at  the  same 
time. 

The  company's  product  is  being  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  Canada  and  just  recently  through  a  representative  in  New 
York  has  begun  an  export  business  which  probably  will  develop  into  quite 
a  business. 

Owing  to  the  large  variety  of  lines  that  the  company  manufacture  we 
should  grow  to  be  a  concern  of  much  larger  size  than  at  the  present  time. 

At  the  present  time  we  have  the  distinction  of  being  the  largest  rack 
manufacturers  in  the  world  and  make  the  largest  variety  of  racks  of  any 
concern  in  the  business. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  455 

The  authorized  capital  of  the  Union  Steel  Screen  Company,  limited, 
is  $200,000.00  and  practically  all  of  the  stock  in  the  institution  is  owned 
in  Albion ;  a  small  propoi-tiou  of  it  l)eiug  held  at  Battle  Creek  and 
Detroit. 

The  present  officers  of  the  company  are  as  follows:  E.  L.  Parmeter, 
president;  K.  D.  Davis,  Treasurer;  Geo.  E.  Dean,  secretary  and  man- 
ager; B.  D.  Brown,  first  vice-president;  F.  L.  Suthei'Iand,  second  vice- 
president. 

The  first  four  named  gentlemen  are  all  residents  of  Albion,  the  last 
being  a  resident  of  Detroit. 

Geo.  E.  Dean,  manager  of  the  company  has  been  its  secretary  since 
the  company  moved  from  Jackson  in  the  fall  of  1905  and  was  made  its 
general  manager  in  September,  1906,  and  has  held  that  position  ever 
since. 

It  w^as  Mr.  Dean 's  demand  for  an  expansion  and  broadening  out  that 
caused  the  company  to  add  these  different  lines. 

Mr.  K.  D.  Davis,  who  is  Mr.  Dean's  assistant  manager,  was  formerly 
an  employee  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad  at  Niles,  Michigan,  for 
about  fifteen  years  and  it  was  through  the  hard  w-ork  and  business 
ability  of  these  two  men  that  the  company-  has  gro\\Ti  to  its  present  size, 
they  being  the  only  members  of  the  board  of  directors  who  are  actively 
connected  with  the  company. 

The  company  now  emplo.ys  about  one  hundred  and  twonty-tivc  men 
and  is  doing  a  business  of  many  thousand  dollars  per  year,  shipping 
goods  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  company  has  grown  steadily  ever  since  its  i-emoval  to  Alliion  and 
has  increased  its  out-put  even-  year,  and  even  during  the  panic  in- 
creased their  sales  over  the  sales  of  the  previous  year. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  many  new  lines  have  lieen  added  there 
is  practically  no  dull  season. 

Power  used  is  electric  and  all  machines  are  run  from  electric  motors 
by  current  furnished  by  the  Commonwealth  Power  Company. 

The  Cook  Manufacturixg  Company 

By  L.  J.   Wolcott 

The  predecessors  of  the  Cook  Manufacturing  Company  dates  back 
to  1874.  when  the  first  patent  was  issued  to  II.  J  .Wolcott  for  a  sectional 
wheel  \\'ind-mill.  He  built  the  mills  in  a  limited  number.  When  in  1878, 
L.  J.  Woolcott  became  interested.  The  demand  was  increasing  from 
all  sections  of  the  country,  and  to  meet  the  growing  demand  it  Iiecame 
necessary  to  organize  a  stock  company.  The  said  company  was  in- 
corporated in  October,  1880,  with  M.  B.  Wood,  its  first  president  and  L. 
H.  Brockway.  secretary  and  treasurer,  H.  J.  Wolcott,  superintendent. 
In  1883,  L.  J.  Wolcott  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  and  con- 
tinued to  hold  that  office  until  1891.  In  1881-2  there  was  a  growing 
demand  for  a  solid  wheel  wind-mill :  to  meet  that  demand  H.  J.  Wolcott 
invented    and   secured    a   patent    on    a    mill    that    soon    took    i>lace    of 


456  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  sectional  wheel  to  quite  an  extent.  However  the  company  continued 
to  build  both  kinds,  and  ship  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

W.  H.  Brockway  was  president  in  1882-83.  In  1884  the  business  had 
grown  to  that  extent  that  the  company  was  re-organized,  and  the  cap- 
ital stock  was  increased.  R.  J.  Frost  was  elected  president  and  con- 
tinued to  hold  that  office  until  1891,  when  0.  B.  Wood  was  president. 
L.  J.  Wolcott,  treasurer  and  superintendent  and  V.  S.  Wolcott,  secretary. 

In  1891,  L.  J.  Wolcott  invented  a  new  solid  wheel  windmill,  known 
as  the  Wolcott  Improved.  There  was  a  tremendous  demand  for  that 
mill,  and  was  a  good  business  of  itself.  The  building  of  said  mill  has 
been  continued  through  all  the  different  managements,  up  to  the  failure 
of  the  company  in  January,  1912. 

In  1892,  the  business  was  in  fine  shape  having  recovered  from  a 
fire,  that  burnt  the  factory  in  1887.  When  the  loss  was  $5,000,  over  and 
above  the  insurance. 

In  1891  and  '92  the  company  owed  the  bank  about  $3,600  and  had 
in  good  notes  and  accounts  $8,000,  and  could  have  paid  every  dollar  on 
a  day's  notice.  In  1892,  E.  J.  Wood  was  elected  president  and  0.  B. 
Wood,  secretary  and  treasurer.  _The  Woods  having  secured  a  majority 
of  the  stock,  took  full  control  and  bought  the  interest  of  L.  J.  Wolcott, 
who  had  successfully  managed  the  company  for  several  years.  The 
Woods  managed  the  business  for  a  year,  having  run  the  company  in  debt 
about  $17,000  and  used  all  the  good  assets,  when  the  bank  insisted  they 
turn  the  management  back  to  L.  J.  Wolcott,  who  on  investigating  the 
books  after  thii-ty  days  reported  to  the  bank,  which  was  the  principal 
creditor  that  the  stock  was  worthless  and  the  bank  could  take  it  over  any 
time.  L.  J.  Wolcott  and  V.  S.  Wolcott  were  instructed  to  do  the  best 
they  could  until  other  arrangements  could  be  made. 

From  1895  to  1900  the  company  could  make  no  money  owing  to  the 
large  indebtedness.  In  1899  or  1900  Dr.  Foster  was  elected  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank,  and  a  new  board  of  directors  with  Prank  Irwin 
as  director.  They  proceeded  to  take  over  the  Wind  Mill  Company,  and 
place  the  business  in  the  hands  of  Frank  Bothwell  as  manager,  but  little 
was  accomplished  during  the  year. 

In  1901,  the  bank  officers  were  changed,  also  the  management  of  the 
Wind  Mill  Company.  W.  W.  Austin  was  in  charge  for  a  while  or  until 
the  organization  of  the  Cook  ^Manufacturing  Company,  with  I.  L.  Sibley 
as  president  and  P.  M.  Bearing,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Later  Sibley 
resigned  and  H.  M.  Bearing  was  elected  president  and  continued  in  that 
office,  and  P.  M.  Bearing,  secretary  and  treasurer,  up  to  the  failure  of  the 
company,  January  3,  1912. 

When  the  Cook  Company  was  organized  James  Cook  was  taien  into 
the  company  and  for  a  time  was  vice-president  and  manager.  The  name 
of  the  company  was  changed  and  the  articles  of  incorporation  were 
amended  to  enable  the  company  to  build  gasoline  engines.  The  public 
are  well  acqiiainted  with  the  winding  up  of  the  company  or  its  manage- 
ment that  for  several  years  was  entirely  under  the  management  of  the 
Bearings,  who  had  no  previous  experience  in  manufacturing  hence  the 
failure.     The  plant  has  been  sold  to  the  Wormer  Company  of  Betroit, 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  457 

who  no  doubt  w-ill  operate  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  hundreds  who  are 
using  and  needing  wind-mills  and  engines. 

National  Spring  and  Wire  Company 

Wliolesale  manufae-tures  of  automobile,  carriage  and  all  kinds  of  up- 
holstering springs,  operating  under  United  States  and  Foreign  Patents, 
shipping  product  to  this  and  other  countries. 

Organized  October,  1902,  it  began  in  the  old  Egg  House,  corner  Eaton 
and  Ash  streets,  started  with  a  force  of  three  men,  remained  there  two 
years  employing  twenty  men  and  then  bought  the  brick  building,  former- 
ly owned  by  the  Albion  Buggy  Company,  employing  forty  men,  after 
two  years,  rebuilt  and  remodeled,  increasing  capacity  three  times.  In 
1907  established  a  branch  in  St.  Catharines,  Ontario,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1911  built  a  new  fire  proof  factory  building  at  Windsor,  moving  from 
St.  Catharines,  Ontario.    Employing  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men. 

The  officers  and  stock  holders  of  the  company  are  A.  J.  Abbott,  S. 
M.  Rafterv,  Elmer  Jacobs,  Otis  Leonard,  H.  W.  Wochholz,  F.  B.  King. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES 

First  Baptist  Church — Methodism  in  Albion  (by  Edwin  N.  Parsons) 
—First  Presbyterian  Church  (by  Mrs.  Samuel  M.  Reed)— St. 
John's  Catholic  Church — German  Evangelical  Lutheran 
S.U.EMS  Church — St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church — 
First  Church  of  Christ  Scientist — F.  W.  Hollingsworth  Post 
No.  210,  G.  A.  R.  (by  Levi  S.  Warren) — Woman's  Relief  Corps- 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  (by  Mrs.  Mary  Brock- 
vs^AY  Dickie). 

First  Baptist  Church 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Albion  was  organized  in  1837.  The 
first  preaching  was  in  the  jear  previous  by  the  Rev.  ilr.  Twiss,  and  on 
February  21,  1837,  the  first  business  meeting  M-as  held  in  the  town  school- 
house  located  just  south  of  the  German  church  on  the  East  side  of  Su- 
perior street,  and  Rev.  T.  Z.  R.  Jones,  who  was  theu  preaching  for  the 
Baptists  was  choseu  moderator,  and  L.  Crittenden,  secretary.  The  first 
to  hand  in  their  letters  were  Thomas  Z.  R.  Jones,  Joel  Taylor,  Polly 
Taylor,  Orris  Clapp  and  wife.  Lumen  Crittendeu,  Experience  Critten- 
den, John  Coonradt,  Magdalen  Coouradt  Cynthia  Warner  and  Fedelia 
Phelps. 

The  first  Sunday-school  was  in  the  old  red  schoolhouse  about  1846, 
and  during  the  year  1849  a  new  church  building  was  planned,  and  on 
January  23,  1851,  it  was  dedicated.  This  building  which  was  a  frame 
building  and  cost  about  $2,500.00  gave  place  to  the  present  house  of 
worship,  the  corner  stone  of  which  was  laid  October  10,  1882.  The  audi- 
ence room  was  dedicated  October  12,  1884,  and  this  substantial  struc- 
ture has  served  as  the  Lord's  House  to  the  present  time. 

The  gi-eatest  growth  that  the  church  experienced  was  between  the 
years  1856  and  1870.  From  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  church 
to  the  present  twenty-eight  men  have  sensed  as  pastors. 

Methodism  in  Albion 
By  Edwin  N.  Parsons  * 

The  history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Albion  dates  back 
to  Albion  itself  as  a  platted  town.     As  soon  as  there  was  a  sufficient 


*For  this  comprehensive  and  carefully  prepared  article  the  Albion  church  and 

comunity  are  mainly  indebted   to  Mr.   Edwin   N.   Parsons,   now  and  for  the   many 

years   past,    a    deroted    and    exemplary   member   of   the    Albion  Methodist    Church. 
[Editor.] 

458 


II [STORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COIXTY  4r,9 

number  of  people  to  coustitute  anything  of  a  congregatitin  tlie  settle- 
ment was  supplied  with  preaching.  The  tirst  minister  who  took  up 
this  place  as  an  appointment  was  the  Rev.  Henry  Ercanbrack,  A  super- 
annuated member  of  the  Oneida  Conference.  This  continued  about  two 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1836  the  Rev.  John  Kinnear,  traveling  preacher 
of  the  Spring  Arbor  circuit,  came  to  Albion  and  organized  a  society  of 
seven  members  and  made  it  a  regular  appointment  on  that  charge. 

The  names  of  the  persons  who  constituted  this  first  organized  Chris- 
tian church  in  Albion  were  Almon  Herrick.  Lorenzo  Herrick,  Thomas 
Pray.  Policy  Pray,  Betsey  Montcalm,  Noah  Phelps,  Mary  p]rcanbrack. 
^Mr.  Herrick  was  appointed  the  tirst  class  leader.  Soon  after  this,  botii 
the  Presbyterian  ancl  Baptist  eluiiclics  m-fiaiiized,  but  there  was  no  hou.se 
of  worship  for  any.  In  about  the  yi;ii'  ls:i,S.  these  three  societies  raised 
one  hundred  dollars  and  contributed  lnwaid  the  building  of  the  "old  red 
schoolhouse"  on  south  Superior  street,  where  the  German  church  now 
stands,  with  the  provision  that  it  should  be  made  of  a  certain  size  and 
should  be  open  for  their  use  as  a  church.  The  first  quarterly  meeting 
was  held  January  19  and  20,  1839.  Rev.  George  W.  Breckinridge  and 
Rev.  Thomas  Jaekway  were  the  ti-aveling  preachers,  and  the  Rev.  Elijah 
H.  Pilcher  was  the  presiding  elder.  This  historic  feature  of  the  Methodist 
economy  came  on  a  Sunday  when  the  use  of  the  s«hoolhouse  was  not 
regularly  assigned  to  the  Methodist  societj'.  Certain  circumstances  grow- 
ing out  of  this  eontiict  iu  dates  caused  this  event  to  be  impressed  upon 
the  traditions  of  the  settlement,  and  led  the  ^Methodists  to  determine  to 
secure  a  house  of  worship  for  themselves.  On  their  next  "preaching 
day."'  only  two  weeks  later,  sei-vices  were  held  in  their  own  building 
constructed  by  volunteer  labor  during  that  time.  This  structure,  being 
remodeled  and  improved  in  the  spring  of  1840  was  occupied  for  over 
ten  years.  The  site  of  this  church  was  what  is  now  the  northeast  corner 
of  Perry  and  Monroe  streets  where  the  Presbyterian  church  now  stands. 
To  sketch  the  progress  of  the  Albion  society  from  being  a  remote  ap- 
pointment on  a  large  circuit  until  it  was  of  sufficient  strength  to  support 
its  own  pastor  is  to  recite  the  common  history  of  hundreds  of  pioneer 
settlements  developing  into  towns  and  cities. 

From  the  time  preaching  was  established  in  1834  until  Albion  became 
a  station  in  1846,  thirteen  itinerants  ministered  to  the  community.  The 
greatest  event  which  mai-ked  this  eaidy  period  was  the  revival  of  1840. 
In  the  month  of  April  of  this  year  a  religious  awakening  seemed  to  pos- 
sess the  whole  connnunit.y.  AH  of  the  churches  were  increased  in  num- 
bers, the  Methodist  church  adding  one  hundred  twenty-seven  to  its  roll. 
Prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  second  period  in  the  history  of  tlie  Albion 
church  came  also  the  locating  of  the  college  in  this  place.  .Vnd  this  in- 
stitution had  already  become  a  great  source  of  influence  and  strcngtli  to 
the  society. 

The  second  period  in  the  history  of  Albion  Methodism  began  with 
the  heroic  and  successful  attempt  of  the  little  flock  in  1846  to  support 
their  own  pastor.  The  Rev.  William  Mothersill  was  the  first  man  who 
devoted  his  entire  time  to  this  community.  And  the  high  standard  for 
capable  and  devoted  pastoral  service  which  characterized  the  first  resi- 


460  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

dent  minister  lias  been  well  sustained  by  the  twenty-nine  men  whose 
leadership  has  made  secure  the  sacrifice  of  the  early  days.  In  the  year 
1847  the  Rev.  Jacob  B.  Parker  was  appointed  pastor,  and  he  was  fol- 
lowed in  1848  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Davidson,  who  gave  two  years  of  service 
to  the  charge.  In  1850  the  Rev.  Resin  Sapp  became  pastor  and  remain- 
ed the  limit  of  two  years.  Another  stage  in  the  progress  of  the  church 
was  reached  in  1850  with  the  entertainment  in  Albion  of  the  Michigan 
Annual  Conference.  Bishop  Morris  was  the  president  of  this  first,  among 
many  sessions  of  conference  to  be  held  here.  In  that  same  year  also 
the  congregation  erected  the  "Old  Brick  church"  that  so  long  occupied 
the  site  where  the  present  church  stands.  This  building  was  properly 
considered  a  fine  structure,  and  was  made  possible  only  by  great  saci-i- 
fice.  The  extreme  difficulty  in  raising  funds  was  partially  overcome 
by  adopting  the  method  of  selling  pews.  Any  person  paying  fifty  dol- 
lars was  given  a  deed  to  his  pew.  This  became  later  on  a  source  of 
great  embarrassment  in  the  management  of  the  finances  of  the  church. 
Persons  leaving  the  commuuity  would  transfer  their  deeds  to  the  other 
members  for  a  small  consideration,  until  a  large  propo>-tion  of  the  sit- 
tings of  the  church  were  owned  by  a  few,  and  rented  for  a  personal  gain. 
These  holdings  were  not  finally  cancelled  until  1876. 

In  1853  the  Rev.  Francis  A.  Blades  came  to  the  charge.  He  was  not 
only  strong  as  a  spiritiuvl  leader  but  was  possessed  of  notable  capacity 
as  an  administrator.  In  his  case  there  is  seen  the  sacrifice  whicli  the 
itinerancy  entailed  upon  these  men  who  foresook  the  glowing  oppor- 
tunities of  those  eai-ly  days  in  order  that  moral  and  religious  interests 
might  be  served.  For  even  after  Rev.  Blades  had  retired  from  the  active 
ministry  his  ability  and  integrity  were  so  impressed  upon  the  city  of 
Detroit  that  he  was  continuously  elected  controller  until  the  time  of  his 
death.  During  1854  and  1855  the  church  was  in  charge  of  Rev.  William 
Mahon.  During  the  full  pastoral  limit  thorough  and  constructive  service 
was  given.  The  Rev.  Francis  B.  Bangs,  a  faithful  and  successful  pastor 
and  typical  representative  of  the  great  Bangs  family,  served  the  charge 
from  1856  to  1858.  The  Rev.  Israel  Cogshall  was  pastor  during  1859  and 
1860.  Those  who  attended  the  "Albion  Camp  Meeting,"  famous  for  its 
great  revival  power  during  all  those  early  years,  report  that  this  pastor 
made  show  of  muscular  Christianity  in  defending  the  peace  of  the  camp 
ground  upon  one  notable  occasion.  A  shanty,  erected  at  the  edge  of 
the  encampment  for  the  sale  of  liquor,  was  removed  by  its  would-be 
proprietor  in  less  than  thirty  minutes,  while  the  belligerent  pastor,  with 
coat  off  all  ready  for  action,  timed  the  effort  with  his  open  watch.  Those 
troublous  times  both  demanded  and  produced  such  sturdy  and  heroic 
souls.  The  Rev,  Resin  Sapp  was  appointed  to  a  second  pastoral  term 
in  1861.  His  steady  advancement  in  the  conference  ranks  had  kept  pace 
'  with  the  rapid  progress  of  the  charge.  His  long  and  successful  cai-eer 
.  gives  him  a  high  place  among  the  makers  of  Michigan  I\Iethodism.  The 
Rev.  Riley  Crawford  became  pastor  in  1863,  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
tense  excitement  of  the  time,  he  gave  a  year  of  faithful  service  to  the 
charge.  The  most  notable  event  in  any  pastorate  in  the  history  of  the 
church  occurred  in  1864.     The  country  was  in  the  throes  of  Civil  war. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  461 

Men  were  esteemed  quite  as  much  for  their  loyalty  as  for  their  religiou. 
The  conference  that  year  was  held  at  Niles.  The  Rev.  A.  J.  Eklrcd 
was  at  home  from  the  army,  where  he  had  sei-ved  as  chaplain  since  1861. 
No  one  seemed  to  know  why  he  left  the  army — but,  since  he  was  a 
Democrat  by  party  relation,  there  was  in  the  minds  of  many  a  question 
as  to  his  loyalty  to  the  cause  of  the  Union.  During  the  conference  ses- 
sion word  reached  the  local  church  that  he  was  to  be  appointed  to  Albion. 
This  created  great  excitement  and  provoked  a  protest  which  was  for- 
warded to  the  bishop  with  the  warning  that  the  church  would  not 
receive  him  nor  tix  him  a  salary,  if  he  came.  But  he  came,  nevertheless. 
The  officials,  true  to  their  pledge,  refused  to  estimate  a  salary,  and  many 
went  to  the  other  churches,  and  would  not  hear  him  preach.  In  answer 
to  the  repeated  (juestion  "What  are  your  politics,"  he  would  reply 
"I  am  an  ambassador  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  am  here  on  His 
business. " "  The  first  result  of  his  efforts  was  the  repairing  of  the  church 
building. 

Afterward  there  came  the  greatest  revival  in  the  history  of  Albion. 
The  church  which  had  refused  to  estimate  him  a  support  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  paid  double  the  customary  salary.  Twice  as  much  was 
given  to  the  benevolences  as  in  any  previous  j'ear,  and  among  the  great 
throng  of  new  members  were  many  of  the  most  prominent  business  men 
of  the  city.  The  prestige  of  the  church,  as  an  organization,  was  raised 
to  higher  levels,  and  the  moral  life  of  the  community  thoroughly  aroused. 
The  Rev.  D.  F.  Barnes,  who  was  the  pastor  froiu  1866  to  1868,  was 
calm,  sedate,  but  convincing  as  a  preacher,  and  was  a  genuine  fisher  of 
men.  Results  seemed  to  ensue  on  every  hand  as  he  went  quietly  for- 
ward wthout  any  one  being  able  to  see  just  how  they  were  brought  about. 
A  brief  and  effective  pastorate  was  given  to  the  charge  in  1869  by  the 
Rev.  J.  W.  Robinson.  In  1870  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Wortley  was  transferred 
from  the  Detroit  conference  and  served  the  charge  successfully  for  two 
years,  and  at  the  close  of  the  pastorate  returned  to  his  former  confer- 
ence. The  next  pastor,  the  Rev.  II.  M.  Joy,  who  served  the  charge  with 
great  popularity  through  1872  and  1873,  was  a  young  man  of  great 
promise.  The  tragic  ending  of  his  bright  career  caused  the  events  of  his 
pastorate  to  be  the  more  strongly  impressed  upon  the  communitj'.  His 
removal  from  Albion  was  in  response  to  an  urgent  request  from  the  Uni- 
versity church  at  Green  Castle,  Indiana.  After  preaching  one  Sunday 
in  his  new  field,  he  was  killed  by  a  runaway  horse  while  driving  with 
one  of  his  official  members.  A  brief,  but  earnest  and  effective  pas- 
torate was  given  the  charge  in  1874  by  the  Rev.  Levi  Tar^.  Professor 
W.  H.  Perrine,  of  the  Albion  college,  served  a  full  pastoral  term  from 
1875  to  1878. 

It  was  during  the  year  of  1876  that  the  churcli  was  so  extensively 
repaired  as  to  make  it  to  be  practicallj'  a  new  plant.  The  floor  was 
raised,  providing  a  spacious  basement,  and  Dr.  Perrine  executed  for  the 
use  of  the  Sunday-school  his  well  known  map  of  Palestine.  This  pro- 
duction covered  the  entire  south  wall  of  the  basement.  It  was  at  this 
time  that  the  board  was  induced  to  reseat  tlie  entire  church ;  and  to  the 
great  relief  of  the  general  congregation,  but  to  the  disappointment  of 


462  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

the  few  pew-holders,  it  was  found  that  the  right  to  control  did  not 
pass  over  to  the  new  sittings.  The  next  pastor,  the  Rev.  George  Hickey, 
served  a  full  pastoral  term,  from  1878  to  1880.  While  a  transfer  from 
California  at  the  time  of  his  appointment,  he  was  a  Michigan  man 
and  a  former  student  of  the  Albion  college.  Each  year  of  his  service 
was  increasingly  acceptable  to  the  charge,  and  at  the  end  of  his  term,  he 
was  assigned  to  the  Lansing  district.  The  Rev.  Levi  blasters,  who  came 
in  1881  and  served  a  full  term,  sustained  the  pastoral  standard  of  his 
predecessors  with  earnest,  thoughtful  preaching,  with  a  home  life  that 
was  exemplar}',  and  with  a  transparency  of  character,  which  left  its  im- 
pression upon  all  who  knew  him.  The  Rev.  John  Graham  was  called 
to  this  charge  in  1884.  After  one  year  of  strong  and  acceptable  service  , 
as  preacher  and  pastor,  was  advanced  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Division 
Street  Church  in  Grand  Rapids.  Following  this,  two  years  of  earnest  and 
constructive  service  were  given  the  charge  bj'  the  Rev.  C.  L.  Earnhardt. 
This  pastorate  may  properly  be  considered  as  closing  the  second  period 
in  the  development  of  this  church.  Full  forty  .years  had  passed  since 
the  church  had  broken  away  from  dependent  relation  to  a  circuit  and 
had  imdertaken  the  task  of  self  support.  The  faithful  and  spiritual  min- 
istration of  this  long  line  of  apostolic  preachers,  supported  by  the  prayers 
and  the  finances  of  a  devoted  and  constantly  increasing  membership,  had 
developed  the  oi-ganization  to  that  place  in  its  historj'  where  a  new  and 
thoroughly  modern  building  was  a  necessity  to  its  further  growth. 

It  was  at  this  time  and  under  these  conditions,  that  Washington 
Gardner  came  to  the  pastorate  in  1888.  He  solicited  the  funds  which 
px-ovided  for  the  erection,  in  a  town  that  was  then  only  a  village,  of 
a  temple  which  was  at  the  time  onlj'  surpassed  for  beauty  and  capacity 
by  a  few  churches  in  the  entire  state.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  but  not 
before  the  success  of  the  enterpi'ise  was  made  secure,  he  was  appointed  to 
St.  Paul's  church,  Cincinnati.  The  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  John  C.  Floyd 
from  1889  to  1890  was  constructive  in  every  sense.  First,  the  building 
for  which  funds  had  been  subscribed  and  the  structure  well  under  way, 
was  completed  under  his  skillful  leadership.  Then  came  the  task  of  gath- 
ering a  congregation  that  would  fill  the  church.  This  successful  pastor- 
ate was  terminated  by  the  appointment  of  Dr.  Floyd  as  a  missionary  to 
Malaysia.  The  briefest  pastorate  in  the  history  of  the  Albion  church 
was  also  one  of  its  most  notable.  Following  the  appointment  of  Dr. 
Floyd  as  a  missionarj'  there  was  an  interval  of  three  months  before 
another  regular  pastor  was  secured.  And  it  was  during  this  time  that 
Bishop  W.  F.  Oldham  was  a  resident  of  Albion  and  acting  pastor  of 
the  church.  Into  the  work  upon  this  field  he  flung  himself  with  the 
same  missionary  enthusiasm  which  has  characterized  his  work  all  round 
the  world.  The  entire  citizenship  of  the  city  accorded  him  a  place  in 
their  esteem  which  caused  him  to  be  the  pastor  of  the  whole  community, 
rather  than  of  anj'  one  church.  The  tilling  of  the  vacancy  was  perma- 
nently efi'ected  by  the  transfer  of  the  Rev.  R.  W.  VanSchoick  from 
Pennsylvania.  His  pastorate  covered  the  years  from  1881  to  1894. 
Additions  were  constantly  received,  the  deeper  truths  of  the  bible  were 
attractively  presented  and  attentive  and  acceptable  leadership  was  given 
to  every  department  of  the  church.     He  was  called  from  Albion  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  OALHOrX  COIXTY  463 

presiding  eldership  of  the  Cokl  Water  district.  In  1895  the  Rev.  Alfred 
E.  Craig  was  appointed  pastor  and  through  each  of  the  six  years  over 
which  his  labor  extended  there  was  steady  progress.  Both  as  a  speaker 
and  as  an  administrator  he  gave  evidence  of  those  capacities  which  liave 
since  been  so  signally  recognized  bj'  the  general  church.  His  pastorate 
here  was  terminated  by  response  to  an  invitation  to  become  pastor  of  the 
First  church  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa.  The  Rev.  W.  H.  B.  Urch  who  was  the 
pastor  from  1901  to  1905  pursued  all  of  his  duties  on  the  basis  of  lofty 
standards  and  made  every  Sabbath  an  occasion  for  penetrating  and  in- 
spiring study  of  the  Word.  His  removal  from  this  charge  was  to  that 
great  post  of  importance  in  the  new  southwest,  First  church  in  Okla- 
homa city.  The  man  who  came  to  Albion  in  exchange  for  Doctor  Urch 
was  the  Rev.  Frank  B.  Day.  During  every  week  of  the  five  years  in 
which  he  ministered  to  the  Albion  church  the  congregation  was  conscious 
of  having  in  him  one  of  the  foremost  platform  men  in  Methodism.  His 
vigoi'ous  and  successful  career  gained  such  recognition  for  him  through- 
out the  Michigan  conference  that  he  was  elected  as  one  of  the  delegates 
to  General  Conference  in  1908.  This  pastorate  terminated  in  1900  by 
an  exchange  with  Rev.  Charles  J.  English  of  the  First  church  in  St. 
Joseph,  Missouri.  Doctor  English  had  recently  led  his  church  in  the 
erection  of  one  of  the  finest  stnictures  in  the  centi-al  west.  His  prefer- 
ence for  work  in  that  territory  caused  him  to  request  to  be  returned  at 
the  close  of  his  second  conference  year,  and  an  adjustment  was  eft'ected 
by  the  bishops  whereby  he  was  appointed  to  First  Church,  Cameron, 
Missouri,  and  the  Rev.  Charles  0.  Mills,  superintendent  of  the  St.  Joseph 
district  in  the  iMissouri  conference,  was  transferred  and  appointed  to 
Albion.  His  pastorate  has  continued  for  nine  months  at  the  time  of 
the  writing  of  the  sketch,  ilore  than  one  hundred  additions  to  the  church 
membership  have  been  made  during  that  time  with  a  net  increase  of 
sixty-five.  During  January  of  1912  a  steam  heating  plant  was  installed 
in  the  church  and  in  the  parsonage  and  other  substantial  improvements 
were  made  at  a  total  cost  of  two  thousand  dollars.  A  subscription  of 
five  thousand  dollars  has  been  secured  to  pay  for  these  and  other  im- 
provements previously  made.  The  average  attendance  upon  the  various 
services  is  the  largest  in  the  history  of  the  church,  and  there  is  every 
indication  of  continued  and  substantial  growth. 

The  statistics  tell  an  inspiring  story  of  how  this  communion  has 
grown  from  seven  members  in  1836  to  eleven  hundred  in  1912,  how  three 
houses  of  worship  have  been  erected  by  succeeding  generations,  each 
of  them  at  great  sacrifice  and  each  of  them  prophetic  of  the  future  needs 
of  the  church,  how  the  contributions  of  the  people  have  advanced  to  a 
Dudget,  including  benevolences  of  ten  thousand  dollars  a  year.  All  of 
tne  organizations  are  prosperous  and  effective.  A  strictly  modern  Sun- 
day-school, thoroughly  organized  in  all  of  its  various  departments,  has 
an  enrollment  of  six  hundi-ed  scholars.  The  Methodist  Brotherhood,  the 
Epworth  League,  the  Woman's  Home,  and  the  Woman's  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society,  have  each  a  membership  of  about  two  hundred,  and  are 
extending  the  interests  of  the  church  through  their  respective  lines  of 
effort.  While  this  sketch  has  necessarily  followed  the  lines  of  pastoral 
leadership  as  indicated  by  the  records  of  the  conference  from  year  to 


464  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

year,  it  should  ever  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  results  here  outlined  were 
only  made  possible  by  the  loyalty,  the  devotion,  the  sacrifice  of  the  mem- 
bers and  the  friends  of  the  church  through  more  than  three  quarters 
of  a  century.  To  make  this  history  complete  there  should  also  be  re- 
corded the  names  of  scores  of  laymen  whose  wisdom  and  foresight  in  the 
counsels  of  the  church  and  whose  self-denying  generosity  in  the  crises 
through  which  it  has  come  have  made  its  present  rank  a  possibility.  But 
lest  we  do  seeming  injustice  to  some,  we  refrain  from  mentioning  any. 

First  Presbyterian  Church 

By  Mrs.  Samuel  M.  Beed 

In  the  year  1831  a  little  band  of  pioneers  took  up  the  land  from  the 
government  which  is  the  present  site  of  our  ' '  Just  Right ' '  city  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  called  the  ' '  Forks. ' '  During  the  next  five  years, 
the  few  scattering  settlers  occasionally  held  religious  seiwices  in  their 
homes.  In  1836  the  Methodist  church  was  started  and  the  following  year, 
the  Baptist  and  the  Presbytei-ian  churches  were  organized  the  same 
month.  It  is  very  fitting  that  we  come  together  tonight,  a  goodly  number 
of  pastors,  members  and  friends  to  celebrate  the  75th  birthday  anni- 
versary of  the  founding  of  our  much  beloved  Christian  home. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Albion,  was  organized  in  the  old 
Albion  hotel,  (now  destroyed)  by  Rev.  Calvin  Clark.  Application  having 
been  made  to  the  St.  Joseph  Presbytery  to  appoint  a  committee  to  organ- 
ize a  chiu'ch.  The  request  being  granted,  a  proper  notice  was  given 
and  a  meeting  held  in  the  school  house.  On  Sabbath  day,  the  5th  of 
February,  1837,  twenty-four  persons,  who  had  previously  presented 
letters,  entered  into  covenant  with  God  and  were  organized  into  a 
church. 

For  a  time  meetings  were  held  in  the  school  house  and  other  places. 
In  1839  the  society  purchased  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Erie  and  Clinton 
streets — directly  west  of  the  present  St.  James  church  and  began  the 
work  of  building  a  church.  In  1840  it  was  eom-pleted  and  some  years 
later  enlarged.  For  a  number  of  years  this  building  stood  upon  South 
Superior  street,  on  the  site  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  German 
Lutheran  church.  In  1857  it  was  decided  to  build  a  new  church  upon 
the  present  location.  The  work  of  building  was  commenced  in  May, 
the  corner-stone  laid  in  June,  and  the  church  was  finished  the  following 
summer.    The  dedication  took  place  August  26th,  1858. 

The  society  incurred  a  heavy  debt  in  building  and  for  a  number  of 
years  there  was  a  severe  struggle  for  existence.  This  continued  for 
some  time  but  the  debt  was  finally  cleared  and  they  were  able  to  finish 
and  furnish  the  basement.  January  2nd,  1870,  services  were  held  in  the 
new  rooms  of  the  basement — Rev.  Calvin  Clark  preaching  the  sermon. 
In  the  afternoon  the  Sunday-school  took  possession  of  their  new  rooms 
and  also  had  appropriate  services.  The  church  edifice  was  now  com- 
pleted and  the  society  almost  out  of  debt.  In  1871  the  bell  was  pur- 
chased. Everything  was  moving  along  nicely,  until  Sunday  morning 
February  9th,  1873,  the  church  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire  causing  a 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  4t>5 

loss  of  $15,000  and  without  a  dollar  of  insurance.  This  truly  was  a  sad 
Sabbath  morning  for  the  members  of  the  Presbyterian  churcii. 

While  the  chui-ch  was  still  burning,  a  little  boy  came  to  the  Pastor 
and  gave  him  the  following  note :  ' '  Dear  Mr.  Cooper — I  want  to  give  you 
these  twenty-one  cents,  all  I  have  in  my  savings  bank,  to  help  build 
your  new  church.  Signed,  H.  H.  B."  These  twenty-one  cents  were 
placed  in  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  church,  where  they  remain  today. 
For  a  year  meetings  were  held  in  Howard  Hall.  Mr.  M.  B.  Wood  gener- 
ously offered  to  double  the  largest  subscription,  and  when  one  from  A.  M. 
Augevine  for  $500  was  secured,  ^Ir.  Wood  promptly  and  cheerfully  gave 
the  $1,000.  On  the  first  Sabbath  morning  after  the  fire,  ]\Ir.  Cooper 
announced  there  had  been  subscribed  over  $7,000  towards  rebuilding  the 
church.  The  Second  Sabbath  amount  was  increased  to  $8,000  and  the 
third  $10,000.  Finally  on  September  16th  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
took  place  and  on  Sunday  morning  March  24th,  1874,  the  basement  rooms 
of  the  new  church  were  dedicated.  A  collection  of  $82  was  taken  and 
the  society  declared  out  of  debt.  Services  were  held  in  the  basement  for 
nearly  six  years  when  the  audience  room  was  finished  and  services 
were  held  Sunday  morning,  Nov.  16th,  1879,  Rev.  D.  M.  Cooper  preach- 
ing. In  1880  a  fine  pipe-organ  at  a  cost  of  $1,000  was  placed  in  the 
church.  Then,  on  the  night  of  October  6th,  1883,  the  second  churcli  fire 
occurred  and  everything  was  destroyed,  with  the  exception  of  the  brick 
walls.    This  time  it  was  well  insured. 

The  work  of  rebuilding  was  soon  finished  and  on  Sunday  morning 
February  3,  1884,  services  were  again  held  in  the  basement,  conducted  by 
the  Pastor,  Rev.  E.  Van  der  Hart.  During  the  summer  the  church  was 
completed  and  furni-shed.  Dedication  services  were  held  Sunda.y,  Au- 
gust. 10th,  1884,  Rev.  Joseph  Esterbrook  having  charge.  In  the  evening 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Willis  E.  Parsons,  who  on  that  day  com- 
menced his  labors  as  Pa.stor  of  this  church. 

During  the  last  twenty-eight  years,  no  serious  calamity  has  befallen 
and  we  are  now  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

The  Pastors  of  the  church  have  been  as  follows:  first,  Rev.  Elias 
Childs,  1837  to  1839,  second.  Rev.  John  L.  :\Iarvin,  1839  to  1840.  third, 
Rev.  Alexander  Trotter,  1840  to  1841.  fourth.  Rev.  Calvin  Clark,  1S43  to 
1845,  fifth.  Rev.  Marvin  Hawley,  1843  to  1845,  sixth.  Rev.  ilills  H.  Gel- 
ston,  1845  to  1855,  seventh.  Rev.  Maltby  Gelston  succeeding  his  brother 
in  1855  to  1860.  It  was  during  his  tenn  of  service  and  largely  by  his 
efforts  that  the  new  church  was  built  in  1857 ;  eighth,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Odell 
was  pastor  1860  to  1862,  ninth.  Rev.  James  Vincent,  1862  to  1864,  tenth. 
Rev.  Joel  Kennedy,  1864  to  1866,  eleventh.  Rev.  David  M.  Cooper  was 
the  faithful  pastor  from  1866  to  1874.  The  church  and  .society  owe  him 
a  debt  of  gratitude  for  his  untiring  efforts  and  liberality  in  connection 
with  the  rebuilding  of  the  burned  church;  twelfth.  Rev.  Edward  H. 
Harvey.  1874  to  1878,  thirteenth,  Henry  E.  :Mott,  1878  to  1881.  four- 
teenth Rev.  Evert  Van  der  Hart.  1881  to  1884.  It  was  during  tiiis  per- 
iod the  church  burned  in  1883 ;  fifteenth.  Dr.  WiUis  E.  Parsons,  began 
his  labors  with  us  in  1884  remaining  until  1893,  he  being  the  pastor 
at  the  time  we  celebrated  the  Fiftieth  Anniversary  and  through  his 
efforts  the  C.  E.  Society  was  organized.    During  those  years  the  parson- 


466  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

age  was  built.  Dr.  Parsons  is  beloved  by  all  who  know  him  and  has  many 
warm  friends  in  this  church  today;  sixteenth,  Rev.  Richard  Wightmau, 
1893  to  1895,  seventeenth,  Rev.  Fred  G.  Cadwell,  1895  to  1897,  eighteenth. 
Dr.  W.  T.  Jaquess  was  pastor  from  1897  to  1904  during  which  time  his 
labors  were  abundantly  blessed.  We  were  sori-y  to  part  with  Dr.  Ja(iuess, 
whose  pastorate  we  felt  was  a  great  uplift  to  the  church  both  in  spiritual 
and  temporal  affairs,  and  we  are  truly  happy  to  have  him  with  us  at  this 
anniversai-y ;  nineteenth.  Rev.  Chai-les  E.  Scott  was  an  earnest  and  faith- 
ful pastor  from  1904  to  1906 ;  twentieth,  Rev.  Charles  B.  Buffer,  the  last 
and  present  pastor  came  to  us  in  1906  and  Jias  ti-uly  proven  to  be  at  all 
times  an  energetic  and  devoted  pastor,  doing  earnest,  faithful  and  we 
trust  effective  work.  Mr.  Huffer  and  family  are  a  comfort  and  help  to 
this  people  and  this  church  in  all  of  its  departments. 

Thus,  we  find  in  these  yeai-s  of  history,  there  have  been  twenty  pastors 
of  whom  seven  are  now  living.  Rev.  ]\lills  B.  Gelston  served  us  for  ten 
years.  Dr.  Parsons  nine  and  a  half.  Dr.  Cooper  eight  and  Dr.  Jaquess 
seven.  Mr.  William  Boyd  is  now  the  senior  member  of  the  present 
session — the  Honor  Elder  of  this  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  elected 
in  the  year  1876,  thus  having  served  us  faithfully  and  honorably  for 
thirty-six  years.  We  hope  and  pray  that  I\Ir.  Boyd  may  be  with  us 
many  j'ears  more.  E.  H.  Johnison  was  elder  thirty-two  years,  Ira  W. 
Reed  twenty-seven  and  R.  B.  Shipman  twenty-three  years. 

The  membership  at  the  time  of  the  Fiftieth  anniversary  was  168; 
the  present  membership  is  428.  Mrs.  John  White  has  been  a  member  of 
this  church  for  fifty-two  years  and  Mr.  Jacob  Escher  forty-nine  years. 
There  are  just  thirty-four  members  on  the  roll  today,  who  were  mem- 
bers at  the  time  of  the  Fiftieth  anniversaiy. 

We  have  a  flourishing  Sunday-school  attendance  of  250,  an  energetic 
superintendent.  Prof.  F.  M.  Langworthy.  The  school  has  attained  all 
of  the  ten  points  required  by  the  Presbyterian  church  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one  and  that  is  the  adult  Bible  class.  They  have  a  large  number 
taking  the  Bible  study  and  teachers  training  course.  Several  are  work- 
ing for  the  national  diplomas  and  some  have  taken  the  examination.  Tlie 
graded  system  is  completely  installed. 

The  various  societies  of  the  elmrch  are  all  doing  excellent  work. 
The  history  of  this  church  during  the  seventy-five  years  has  been,  on 
one  hand,  a  record  of  struggle  and  hardship ;  on  the  other,  an  example 
of  God's  favor  and  blessing.  With  an  earnest  work  much  has  been  done 
in  the  past  and  more  may  be  done  in  the  future. 

St.  Johns  C.vtholic  Church 

Contributed 

The  corner  stone  of  St.  Johns  Catholic  church  was  laid  September 
25th,  1873,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  the  following  spring.  Prior  to 
the  building  of  this  church  services  were  held  in  a  private  dwelling. 
Rev.  Fr.  Callart  was  the  pastor  in  charge  at  that  time  and  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Fr.  Farley  who  was  succeeded  by  Fr.  Callart  who  returned 
and  was  in  charge  for  about  a  year,  he  being  succeeded  by  Fr.  Baart 
who  like  Frs.  Callart  and  Farley  were  located  in  Marshall,  Mich. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUX  COrXTY  4U7 

About  the  year  ]S!J2  Fr.  Slane  of  Ilillstlale,  :\lioli.  atlfiuled  the 
Albion  church  and  in  turn  by  Fr.  IMc.Glaughlin  who  succeeded  Fr. 
Slane;  in  the  year  1896  Father  Korst  of  Coldwater  took  charge  and  was 
pastor  up  to  the  time  Albion  was  made  a  regular  parish.  In  the  year 
1898  Fr.  Sullivan  was  sent  to  Albion  to  establish  a  regular  parish  and 
remained  here  for  two  years,  he  in  turn  being  succeeded  by  Fr.  J.  S. 
Marx  our  present  pastoi-. 

German  Evangemc.\l  Lutheran  Salems  CiirKcii 

Contributed 

Was  founded  on  :\Iay  17,  1896,  by  Rev.  Otto  W.  Sehettler  in  the  old  W. 
C.  T.  U.  hall.  During  July,  1896,  the  church  society  purchased  the 
school  building  on  the  north  side  of  Washington  Park,  facing  Pine  street, 
immediately  remodeling  it  into  a  Church  Auditorium,  which  was  dedi- 
cated the  first  Sunday  in  August  of  the  same  year.  The  present  church 
was  erected  during  the  year  1S!)S  and  fonnally  dedicated  on  Sunday, 
October  9th,  of  the  same  year.  The  chinch  society  under  the  able  leader- 
ship of  Rev.  Otto  W.  Sehettler,  gradually  increased  in  membership  and 
is  now  growing  and  developing  into  one  of  Albion's  progressive  and  God 
fearing  congregations. 

Rev.  Sehettler  having  completed  a  service  of  fifty  yeai's  in  the  min- 
istry early  in  1910,  felt  obliged,  owing  to  ill  health,  to  resign,  but  the 
congregation  induced  him  to  remain  until  July  2,  1911,  when  lie  gave 
his  farewell  sermon.  However,  he  remained  here  until  his  death  which 
occurred  on  December  14th,  1911.  Rev.  E.  W.  Pusch,  a  veiy  able  and 
brilliant  young  man  was  formally  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church  on 
July  16,  1911,  and  is  its  present  pastor.  The  official  Board  consists  of  the 
pastor,  a  president,  four  elders,  and  six  tinistees  who  are  chosen  annually. 
The  church  is  a  member  of  the  German  Evangelical  Synod  of  North 
America. 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 

Contributed 

Its  beginning  dates  back  to  the  year  1868.  The  first  services  were 
conducted  October  25,  1868,  in  the  old  Presbyterian  church,  by  a  Rev. 
Frederick  Wilhelm.  It  was  organized  as  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church,  November  15.  1868,  with  a  membership  of  fiftj'-four.  Its  first 
officers:  Elder.  Ludwig  Steinkrauss;  deacons,  Fred  Schultz  and  John 
Weiss;  trustees,  John  Wochholz  and  August  Beilfuss;  members  Hein- 
rich  Tuchtenhagen,  John  Weiss,  Gottlieb  Fandre.  George  Weislogel, 
Frederick  Hardt,  August  Beilfus.  Herman  Rubach,  Ludwig  Steinkrauss 
Michael  Weislogel,  William  Voigt,,  August  Btermann,  Carl  Schwantz, 
Hermann  Pahl,  Ferdinand  Beilfuss,  Herman  Steinkrauss,  Frederick 
Schultz.  Ludwig  AVoehholz,  August  Beilfuss,  Carl  Krueger.  Carl 
Schuhmacher,    Augu.st    Steinkrauss,    William    Giith,    Rudolf    Tuscher, 


468  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Fredrick  Kossack,  August  Schmidt,  Mr.  Einhardt,  Gottlieb  Steinkrauss, 
Carl  Frederick,  Carl  Bunde,  Ferdinand  Ott,  Carl  Steinkrauss,  Fredi-ick 
Pahl,  John  Welter,  Carl  Krueger,  Carl  Reicher,  William  Behling,  August 
Frederick,  Michael  Weislogel,  William  Frederick,  John  Weislogel,  Fred- 
rick Lidle,  Adam  Krenrick,  Fredrick  Sebastian,  Ludvvig  Glauk,  Matthias 
Kimmer,  Peter  Krenrich,  Carl  Schultz,  Mr.  Ruf,  Caroline  Steinkrauss, 
Ferdinand  Steinkrauss,  Wilhelmine  Gress,  Louise  Wocholz,  Carl  Nseren- 
berg,  Jacob  Weislogel. 

Their  effoi-ts  were  at  once  directed  to  procuring  suitable  (luarters 
for  worship,  they  buying  the  aforementioned  Presbyterian  church,  mov- 
ing it  to  the  site  where  its  present  edifice  stands,  Superior  and  Elm  streets. 
Here  the  building  immediately  was  altered  and  changed  to  comply  with 
the  wishes  and  desires  of  its  members 

Pastors  and  terms  of  office  since  1879:  Hoeck,  1879-1887;  Fritz, 
1887-1892;  Mayer,  1892-1905;  Griinm,  1905-1911;  Spiegel,  present 
pastor. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Fritz,  the  present  church  building  was 
erected  and  completed  in  1888;  dedicated  in  the  fall  (26th  Sunday 
after  Trinity).  The  Ladies  Aid  and  Young  Peoples  societies  aided  in 
its  erection.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mayer,  the  church  interior 
was  decorated,  equipped  with  gas  and  pipe  organ.  In  1906,  the  par- 
sonage was  built,  next  to  'church. 

Latest  statistics :  Souls,  995 ;  communicant  members,  600 ;  active 
members,   253. 

It  conducts  a  Sunday-school  with  ninety  children,  instructed  by  eight 
teachers:  Superintendent,  the  pastor;  Carl  Pretzel,  Herman  Zick, 
Berthold  Pahl,  Reinhold  Jahnke,  Clara  Pretzel,  Emma  Pahl,  Marie  Zick. 

Also  German  school  during  the  summer  months  for  the  promotion 
of  the  German  language.  It  maintains  a  ladies'  aid,  young  people's 
society,  mixed  chorus  and  male  chorus.  Its  present  officers:  Chairman, 
Rev.  A.  G.  Spiegel ;  secretary,  Wm.  Bohm,  Sr. ;  treasurer,  Herman  Scliuh- 
maeher;  elders,  Albert  Bloedorn,  August  Holtz;  deacons,  Ernest  Kabel, 
Albert  Fischer ;  trustees,  Ferdinand  Holtz,  Fred  Fischer,  Herman  Kamp. 

First  Church  of  Christ.  Scientist 

Contributed 

First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  of  Albion,  Michigan,  was  organized 
Febiniary  21,  1896,  in  support  of  the  doctrines  of  Christian  Science  as 
taught  by  Mary  Baker  Eddy.  Sunday  services  were  held  in  the  A.  0. 
U.  W.  hall  until  IMarch  1900,  when  the  present  site  on  the  corner  of  Clin- 
ton and  Erie  streets,  known  as  the  Burrall  property,  was  purchased 
and  the  house  thereon  fitted  up  for  temporary  use  as  a  church  edifice. 
Here  services  are  held  every  Sunday  morning  at  10 :30,  followed  by  Sun- 
day-school at  11:45,  to  which  all  children  under  twenty  years  of  age 
are  welcome.  Wednesday  evenings  are  devoted  to  testimonial  meetings. 
A  reading  room  is  maintained  in  connection  with  the  church,  which  is 
open  from  two  until  four  p.  m.  each  week  day. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  469 

*E.  W.  HOLLINGSWORTH  PosT  No.  210,  G.  A.  R. 
By  Levi  8.  Warren. 

The  origin  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  found  its  inspiration 
in  tlie  hearts  and  minds  of  a  patriotic  few  of  those  who  survived  the  ti-ials 
and  dangers  of  the  Civil  war. 

The  idea  so  conceived  fructified  in  the  eft'ecting  of  a  national  organi- 
zation at  Springfield,  Illinois,  April  6,  1866,  by  the  adoption  of  a  tem- 
porary code  of  rules  and  regulations  and  the  election  of  Maj.  Surg.  Ben- 
jamin F.  Stephens,  author  of  the  first  ritual  of  the  order,  as  provisional 
commander-in-chief.  As  soon  as  the  requisite  number  of  posts  were 
mustered,  department  organizations  speedily  followed,  which  soon  in- 
cluded all  of  the  states  not  having  been  in  rebellion. 

The  first  regularly  organized  national  encampment  convened  at 
Indianapolis.  Indiana,  November  20,  1866,  when  the  rules  and  regulations 
were  adopted,  together  with  the  necessary  equipment  and  paraphernalia, 
etc.,  of  a  national  fraternal  organization,  and  General  Stephen  A.  Hurl- 
Dut  elected  fii-st  commander-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  objects  of  the  association  ai'e :  (1st.)  Fraternity:  To  preserve 
and  strengthen  those  kind  and  fraternal  feelings  which  bind  together  the 
soldiers,  sailors  and  marines,  who  united  to  suppress  the  late  rebellion, 
and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  and  historj-  of  the  dead. 

(2nd.)  Charity:  To  a.ssist  such  former  comrades  in  arms  as  need 
help  and  protection,  and  to  extend  needed  aid  to  the  widows  and  orphans 
of  those  who  have  fallen. 

(3rd.)  Loyalt}':  To  maintain  true  allegiance  to  the  United  States 
of  America,  based  upon  a  paramount  respect  for  and  fidelity  to  its  con- 
stitution and  laws ;  to  discountenance  whatever  tends  to  weaken  loyaltj^ 
incites  to  insurrection,  treason  or  rebellion,  or  in  any  manner  impairs 
the  efficiency  and  permanency  of  our  free  institutions;  and  to  encourage 
the  spread  of  universal  liberty,  equal  rights  and  justice  to  all  men. 

The  society  is  sadly  unique  in  this :  it  is  the  only  fraternal  organiza- 
tion the  world  has  known  that  in  its  charter  provides  for  its  o^vn  extinc- 
tion. None  but  honorably  discharged  soldiers  of  the  Civil  war  are  eligible 
to  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  when  the  last 
member  has  been  nuistered  out  to  liis  final  reward,  the  order  will  cease 
to  exist. 

Under  General  John  A.  Logan,  the  second  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Grand  Army,  was  established  the  beautiful  custom  of  observing  Memorial 
day,  and  his  general  order  No.  11,  issued  I\Iay  5,  1868,  was  this  year  1912, 
and  will  be  read  each  year  hereafter  wherever  public  .services  are  held, 
by  posts  of  the  Grand  Army.  This  pathetic  outpouring  of  the  great 
tender  heart  of  gallant  General  Logan  reads  as  follows : 

"Headquarters,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Washington,  D.  C, 
May  5,  1868.— General  Orders,  No.  11 :    The  30th  day  of  May,  1868,  is 


*  This  instructive  article  by  Post  Commander  Warren,  is  well  worth  reading  by 
all  who  know  something  of  the  objects  and  aims  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, as  well  as  the  history  of  E.  W.  HoUingsworth  Post.     Editor. 


470  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

designated  for  the  purpose  of  strewing  with  flowers  or  otherwise  decorat- 
ing the  graves  of  comrades  who  died  in  defense  of  their  country  during 
the  late  rebellion,  and  whose  bodies  now  lie  in  almost  every  city,  village 
and  hamlet  churchj-ard  in  the  land.  In  this  observance  no  form  of 
ceremony  is  prescribed,  but  posts  and  comrades  will  in  their  own  way 
arrange  such  fitting  services  and  testimonials  of  respect  as  circum- 
stances may  permit. 

' '  We  are  organized,  comrades,  as  our  regulations  tell  us,  for  the  pur- 
pose, among  other  things,  'of  preserving  and  strengthening  those  kind 
and  fraternal  feelings  which  have  bound  together  the  soldiers,  sailors  and 
mariners,  who  united  to  suppress  the  late  rebellion. '  What  can  aid  more 
to  assure  this  result  than  by  cherishing  tenderly  the  memory  of  our 
heroic  dead,  who  made  their  breasts  a  barricade  Ijetweeu  our  country 
and  its  foes?  Their  soldier  lives  were  the  reveilles  of  freedom  to  a  race 
in  chains,  and  their  deaths,  the  tattoo  of  rebellious  tyranny  in  arms.  We 
should  guard  their  graves  with  sacred  vigilance.  All  that  the  consecrated 
wealth  and  taste  of  the  nation  can  add  to  their  adornment  and  security 
is  but  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  her  slain  defenders.  Let  no  wan- 
ton foot  tread  rudely  on  such  hallowed  grounds.  Let  pleasant  paths 
invite  the  coming  and  going  of  reverent  visitors  and  fond  mourners. 
Let  no  vandalism  of  avarice  or  neglect,  no  ravages  of  time  testify  to  the 
present  or  to  the  coming  generations  that  we  have  forgotten  as  a  people 
the  cost  of  a  free  and  undivided  republic. 

"If  other  eyes  grow  dull  and  other  hands  slack,  and  other  hearts 
cold  in  the  solemn  trust,  ours  shall  keep  it  well  as  long  as  the  light  and 
warmth  of  life  remain  to  us. 

"Let  us,  then,  at  the  time  appointed,  gather  around  their  sacred 
remains  and  garland  the  passionless  mounds  above  them  \\'ith  the 
choicest  flowers  of  springtime ;  let  us  raise  above  them  the  dear  old  flag 
they  saved  from  dishonor;  let  us  in  this  solemn  presence  renew  our 
pledges  to  aid  and  assist  those  whom  they  have  left  among  us,  a  sacred 
charge  upon  a  nation's  gratitude — the  soldier's  and  sailor's  widow  and 
orphan." 

"By  command  of  John  A.  Log.\n,  Commander-in-Chief." 

At  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in  1889,  the  department  of  Michigan  re- 
ceived its  first  and  last  honor  in  the  selection  of  one  of  her  sons,  General 
Russell  A.  Alger,  for  the  high  position  of  commander-in-chief.  He  gave 
a  splendid  administration. 

The  association  received  its  largest  growth  in  the  years  1880,  '81,  '82 
and  '83,  immediately  following  the  adoption  of  Article  XI,  taking  politics 
wholly  out  of  the  order. 

Post  No.  210 

December  26,  1883,  the  date  of  its  charter,  witnessed  the  organization 
of  E.  W.  HoUingsworth  Post  No.  210,  Department  of  Michigan,  G.  A.  R., 
by  the  muster  in.  by  W.  H.  Tallman,  assistant  adjutant  general  of  the 
department,  of  the  following  comrades  as  charter  members,  viz :  William 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  471 

H.  Brockway,  K,  A.  Babcock,  Warren  E.  Brezette,  Charles  S.  Daskaiu, 
Robert  J.  Frost,  Emery  E.  Goodeuough,  Decatur  H.  Goodenough,  Hiram 
Herrick,  Charles  E.  Haight,  Ira  A.  Hutchinson,  Russell  R.  King,  Rienzi 
Loud,  Thomas  O'Hara,  Loren  Parmelee,  Lafayette  G.  Rafter,  Calvin  T. 
Smith,  J.  T.  Sykes,  Judson  A.  Thomas,  Sauford  D.  Wiley  and  J.  H. 
Wood.  Of  these,  ten  have  been  promoted  to  "fame's  eternal  camping 
grounds."  The  first  meeting  was  held  in  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hall,  post  ofidcers 
were  elected  and  a  committee  appointed  to  formulate  and  report  for 
adoption  a  code  of  by-laws  for  the  government  of  the  post  under  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  order.  Rienzi  Loud  was  elected  as  the  first 
commander  of  the  post.  Those  who  have  succeeded  him  to  that  office  are : 
Lafayette  G.  Rafter,  elected  December  7,  1884;  Almon  G.  Bruce,  elected 
December  1,  1885;  Charles  S.  Daskam,  elected  December  7,  1886;  Robert 
L.  Warren,  elected  December  6,  1887 ;  Oscar  G.  Hubbard,  elected  Decem- 
ber 6,  1888,  December  1,  1896,  and  December  7,  1897;  Calvin  T.  Smith, 
elected  December  2,  1889,  December  6,  1898,  and  January  1,  1903,  Henry 
D.  Smith,  commander-elect,  refusing  to  qualify ;  Frank  E.  Palmer, 
elected  December  2,  1890;  Sanford  D.  Wiley,  elected  December  1,  1891, 
and  December  6,  1904 ;  William  M.  Loder,  elected  December  1,  1892,  and 
December  18,  1906,  A.  F.  Fuller,  commander-elect  refusing  to  qualify; 
Charles  L.  Toner,  elected  December  5,  1893 ;  Henry  F.  Gilbert,  elected 
December  4,  1894;  Warren  E.  Brezette,  elected  December  3,  1895;  Wil- 
liam Hastings,  elected  December  5,  1899 ;  Levi  S.  Warren,  elected  Decem- 
ber 12,  1900,  December  21,  1909,  December  6,  1910,  December  5,  1911, 
and  December  3.  1912;  John  0.  Banks,  elected  December  3,  1901,  and 
December  5,  1905 ;  Phineas  Graves,  elected  December  1,  1903,  died  June 
17,  1904;  Jacob  Perine,  elected  August  30,  1904;  0.  Spencer  Stevens, 
elected  December  3,  1907 ;  and  Robert  R.  Robertson,  elected  December  1, 
1908.  Of  these  twenty  post  commanders,  ten  have  joined  the  grand 
army  of  the  immortals. 

The  post  was  named  after  Lieut.  Col.  E.  W.  HoUingsworth,  the  first 
field  officer  to  die  in  the  city  of  Albion,  the  home  of  the  post.  The  post 
had  its  first  regular  quarters  in  the  third  story  of  the  Mre.  Rose  Fox 
building.  From  there  it  moved,  March  22,  1892,  to  the  third  floor  of  the 
Brockway  (now  Bullen)  building.  In  1901,  the  fact  became  apparent 
that  the  boys  of  the  Civil  war  were  ageing  into  physically  feeble  and 
decrepit  old  veterans  and  the  task  of  climbing  two  flights  of  stair.s  to 
attend  post  meetings  had  become  so  irksome  to  many  of  them,  that  it 
was  determined  to  in  some  way  secure  post  quartei-s  on  the  ground  floor. 
At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  post  hfeld  November  19,  1901,  comrade  Post 
Commander  Warren  E.  Brezette,  in  a  spirit  of  inspiration,  made  the 
following  motion : 

"That  the  post  buy  a  suitable  building  for  a  grand  army  hall  and 
that  the  commander  appoint  a  committee  of  ways  and  means  consisting 
of  three  members,  who  shall  find  .such  a  building  and  ascertain  for  what 
price  it  can  be  purchased  and  upon  what  terms  and  conditions,  and 
report  at  the  next  post  meeting. ' ' 

The  motion  enthusiastically  carried  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the 
post,  and  the  commander  appointed  Comrades  John  0.  Banks,  William 
^I.  Loder  and  Henrv  F.  Gilbert  as  such  committee. 


472  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

At  a  regular  meetiug  of  the  post  held  December  3,  1901,  the  chairman 
of  the  ways  and  means  committee  offered  the  following  report :  ' '  Your 
committee  reports  that  the  building  situated  at  No.  114  East  Erie  street, 
adjoining  the  M.  E.  church,  known  as  the  Hayes  building,  can  be  pur- 
chased for  the  sum  of  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  that  Comrade 
Calvin  T.  Smith,  agent  of  the  owner,  will  donate  his  commission, 
amounting  to  fifty  dollars,  leaving  thirteen  hundred  dollars  for  the 
post  to  pay.  Your  committee  recommends  that  the  purchase  be  made 
of  said  building;  that  the  sum  of  $1,150.00  be  raised  by  popular  sub- 
scription, of  which  sum  $1,000.00  shall  be  paid  as  part  purchase  price  and 
the  balance  used  in  putting  the  building  in  shape  for  grand  army  pur- 
poses ;  in  the  event  of  the  post  making  such  purchase,  it  shall  be  stipulated 
in  the  deed  of  conveyance  that  upon  the  disbandment  of  the  post  and  the 
surrender  of  its  charter,  the  said  building  shall  be  sold  at  its  then  cash 
value  and  the  proceeds  expended  in  the  erection  of  a  soldiers '  monument 
to  be  located  on  some  suitable  site  in  the  city  of  Albion ;  that  a  committee 
of  three  shall  be  appointed  to  carry  into  effect  the  recommendation  of 
your  committee. 

' '  Respectfully  sulmiitted. 

"John  0.  Banks, 
Wm.  M.  Lodee, 
Henry  F.  Gilbert, 

Committee. ' ' 

Moved  by  Comrade  William  Hastings,  supported  by  Comrade  Calvin 
T.  Smith,  that  the  report  be  accepted  and  adopted  and  the  purchase  of 
the  premises,  a.s  recommended  by  the  committee,  made,  provided  that  a 
good,  free  and  unencumbered  title  thei'eto  can  be  obtained. 

The  motion  unanimously  prevailed  and  the  commander  appointed 
Comrades  John  O.  Banks,  C.  T.  Smith,  N.  T.  Kirk,  H.  F.  Gilbert  and 
W.  E.  Brezette  as  a  committee  to  make  the  purchase  and  carry  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  committee  on  ways  and  means  into  effect. 

The  present  Grand  Army  hall  was  purchased  January  21,  1902.  The 
building  is  a  comfortable,  roomy  two-story  brick  striicture,  of  dimensions 
24  feet  by  60  feet,  conveniently  located  on  the  south  side  of  East  Erie 
street,  one  of  Albion's  most  beautiful  residence  streets,  close  to  the  busi- 
ness center  of  the  city.  The  first  floor  is  conveniently  divided ;  in  front 
is  the  ante-room,  12  feet  by  18  feet  in  size.  This  opens  into  the  auditory, 
or  post  room,  as  it  is  called  in  grand  army  parlance,  a  room  22  feet  by  36 
feet  in  size,  amply  large  for  the  uses  of  the  post.  On  extraordinary 
occasions,  the  post  room  and  ante-room  can  be  thrown  together,  the 
division  being  constructed  of  folding  doors.  Back  of  the  post  room  is  a 
good-sized  kitchen,  well  equipped  with  cupboards,  stoves  and  culinary 
paraphernalia.  On  one  end  and  off  of  the  kitchen  is  the  downstairs  toilet 
room.  The  second  story  is  reached  by  both  front  and  rear  stairways,  and 
is  divided  into  three  rooms :  a  grand  army  club  room,  library  and  recep- 
tion room,  all  entered  from  a  hall  and  connected  by  doors.  This  second 
floor  is  also  furnished  with  a  toilet  room,  city  water  and  the  usual  con- 
veniences. The  formal  dedication  of  the  hall  was  in  March,  1902.  Hon. 
Charles  A.  Blair  gave  the  principal  oration,  as  part  of  an  interesting 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  ITii 

program.     This  was  followed  by  a  haiKiuct  given  I)y   the  corps  in   the 
basement  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

The  following  is  the  present  post  roster:  1 — John  Aiken,  Co.  C,  lird 
N.  Y.  Hy.  Arty. ;  2— Charles  A.  Aiken.  Co.  K.  ;)th  Mk-h.  Cav. ;  :i— Hurley 
Austin,  Co.  H,  35th  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  4^Frank  N.  Austin,  Co.  D,  3rd  Mich. 
Cav. ;  5 — William  Birmingham,  Co.  H,  1st  Mich.  E.  ami  j\l. ;  tj — James  J. 
Baker,  Co.  F,  11th  Mich.  Cav.;  7— Benjamin  B.  Cook,  Co.  G,  7th  Mich. 
Cav. ;  8— John  Cowlin,  Co.  H,  21st  N.  Y.  Cav. ;  9— James  II.  Clifton,  Co. 
K.  12th  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  10— Henry  C.  Conant,  Co.  B,  8th  Mich.  Cav. ;  11— 
Charles  A.  Davis,  Co.  I,  6th  Mich.  Inf. ;  12— Willard  C.  Durkee,  C.  B. 
11th  U.  S.  Inf. ;  13— John  N.  Ford,  Co.  I,  6th  Mich.  Hy.  Arty. ;  71— 
James  Finton,  Co.  P,  16th  Mich.  Inf.;  14 — Arthur  K.  Faurot,  Co.  A, 
118th  Ohio  Inf. ;  15— Robert  J.  Frost,  Co.  G,  9th  Mich.  Cav. ;  16— Wash- 
ington Gardner,  Co.  D,  65th  Ohio  Inf. ;  17 — George  H.  Graves,  Co.  D, 
12th  Midi.  Inf. ;  18— Henry  F.  Gilbert,  Co.  E,  1st  Mich.  Inf. ;  19— Emery 
E.  Goodenow,  Co.  F,  8th  111.  Cav. ;  20— Oscar  G.  Hubbard,  Co.  D,  28th 
N.  Y.  Inf. ;  21— Samuel  Horton,  Co.  C,  148th  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  22— Cvrus  B. 
Hungerford,  Co.  C,  13th  Mich.  Inf. ;  23— Hiram  Herrick,  Co.  C,  101st 
N.  Y.  Inf. ;  24— William  Hastings,  Co.  I,  7th  Mich.  Cav. ;  25— Ezra  In- 
man.  Co.  E,  6th  N.  Y.  Cav.;  26— Henrv  B.  Jordan,  Co.  A.  17th  Yt. 
Inf. ;  27— Henry  Johnston,  Co.  K,  3rd  U.  S.  Inf. ;  28— Frederick  Ki.iiii.,r, 
Co.  A,  1st  Mich.  E.  and  M. ;  29— James  D.  Kincaid,  Co.  A,  i2:)tli  .Mirh. 
Inf.;  30— Everett  G.  Knapp,  Co.  I,  25th  111.  Inf.;  31— Emoiv  l.anib, 
Co.  I,  6th  Mich.  Hy.  Arty. ;  32— William  M.  Loder,  Co.  B,  2nd  Kan. 
Inf.  and  Co.  C,  176th  Pa.  Inf. ;  33— Frank  E.  Ludlow,  Co.  K,  16th  Mich. 
Inf. ;  34— Ezra  G.  Lownsbery,  23rd  N.  Y.  Indpt.  Batty. ;  72— Andrus  J. 
Little,  Co.  L.  6th  Ohio  Cav.;  35— Robert  jManuing,  Co.  A,  2nd  :\Iich. 
Inf. ;  36— Oliver  C.  Monroe,  Co.  C,  148th  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  37— Benson  Man- 
chester, Co.  A.  1st  Mich.  E.  and  M. ;  38— William  H.  Mufflev,  Co.  C, 
10th  Mich.  Inf. ;  39— Charles  A.  McGee,  Co.  F,  11th  Mich.  Cav. ;  40— 
Reuben  H.  McWethy,  Co.  B,  5th  Mich.  Cav. ;  41 — George  Minard,  Co. 
L,  6th  Ohio  Cav. ;  42— James  H.  Ott,  Co.  E,  72nd  Penn.  Inf. ;  43— Wil- 
loughby  O'Donoghue,  1st  Mich.  E.  and  M. ;  44 — Leraudo  A.  Pennell, 
Co.  A,  151st  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  45— Jacob  H.  Perine,  Co.  E.  4th  .Mich.  Inf. ; 
46— Reuben  Page,  Co.  B,  5th  Mich.  Inf. ;  47— Frank  E.  Palmer.  Co.  I, 
197th  Ohio  Inf. ;  48— Adam  Porr,  Co.  H,  37th  Ohio  Inf. ;  49— George  T. 
Pratt,  Co.  D,  157th  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  50— James  J.  Peaehv,  Co.  I,  91st  N.  Y. 
Inf. ;  51— Charles  Pickett,  Co.  E,  20th  Mich.  Inf. ;  52— Isaac  H.  Riddick, 
Co.  A,  135th  Ind.  Inf.;  53— Ferdinand  D.  Roudenbush,  Co.  B,  136th 
N.  Y.  Inf.;  54— Joseph  Ruff.  Co.  D,  12th  Mich.  Inf.;  55— Robert  R. 
Robinson,  Co.  C,  21st  Mich.  Inf.;  73 — Benjamin  F.  Richardson,  Co.  C,- 
14th  Ohio  Inf.  and  Co.  K,  68th  Ohio  Inf. ;  56— Henrv  D.  Smith,  17th 
N.  Y.  Indpt.  Batty. ;  57— Isaac  L.  Sibley,  Co.  E,  9th  Mich.  Inf. ;  58—0. 
Spencer  Stevens,  Co.  B,  160th  N.  Y.  Inf.;  59— William  H.  Simmons, 
Co.  I.  13th  N.  Y.  Hy.  Artv. ;  60— Joseph  C.  Sampson,  Co.  B.  27th  N.  Y. 
Inf. ;  61— Ferdinand  Steinkraus,  Co.  C,  28th  Mich.  Inf. ;  74— Charles  E. 
Shumwav,  U.  S.  Marine  Corps;  75 — James  A.  Sherwood,  Co.  E,  105th 
N.  Y.  Inf..  Co.  I,  8th  N.  Y.  Hy.  Arty. ;  and  Co.  C,  4th  N.  Y.  Inf. :  62— 
John  N.  Towers,  Co.  K,  1st  Mich.  Inf. ;  63— Joseph  L.  Thomas,  Co.  F, 
11th  Mich.  Inf. ;  64— James  I.  Vandeburg,  Co.  C,  1st  U.  S.  S.  S. ;  65— 


474  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Charles  H.  Williams,  Co.  A,  20tli  N.  Y.  Inf. ;  66— George  R.  Weldon, 
Co.  D,  12th  Mich,  Inf. ;  67— Benjamin  W.  Wheat,  Co.  I,  6th  Mich.  Hy. 
Arty. ;  68— Bradley  Waterman,  Co.  I,  2nd  Mich.  Inf. ;  69— Levi  S.  War- 
ren, Co.  F,  4th  Mich.  Cav.  and  Co.  A,  27th  Mich.  Inf.;  70— Albert 
Young,  Co.  B,  124th  N.  Y.  Inf. 

Roll  of  Honor — The  post's  roll  of  honor  at  this  date  includes  the 
names  of  161  defenders  of  the  Republic.  Of  these,  two  served  in  the  war 
of  the  Revolution,  thirteen  in  the  war  of  1812,  two  in  the  war  with  ]\Iexico, 
three  in  the  war  with  Spain,  one  in  the  regular  army,  and  140  in  the  Civil 
war.  Of  the  latter,  76  were  members  of  this  post  at  the  time  of  their 
demise.  Each  year  a  carefully  selected  geranium  is  planted  on  the  grave 
,of  each  one  of  the  161  soldiers  who  have  answered  to  the  last  roll  call, 
and  on  Memorial  day  all  are  decorated  with  flowers. 

Woman's  Relief  Corps 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  soldiers'  aid 
societies,  which  spontaneously  sprang  into  existence  among  the  loyal 
women  of  the  uorthland  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  war,  and  their 
watchword,  ''Here  am  I,"  has  ever  responded  to  the  call  for  help  of  the 
soldiery  of  the  nation.  These  societies  were  followed  by  the  formation 
of  like  associations  in  many  of  the  states,  under  the  names  of  "Woman's 
Relief  Corps,"  "Post  Ladies'  Aid  Society,"  and  like  names,  until  July 
25,  1883,  at  Denver,  Colorado,  when  these  societies  united  and  a  national 
organization  was  effected.  By  the  unanimous  adoption  of  the  resolution 
at  the  15th  annual  encampment  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  their  own  initiative, 
this  new  organization  took  the  name  of  "The  Woman's  Relief  Corps  and 
Auxiliary  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic."  April  2,  1884,  the 
Department  of  Michigan  was  organized  at  Lansing,  with  Mrs.  Etta  W. 
Shank,  of  that  city,  as  its  first  president. 

Hollingsworth  W.  R.  C.  No.  136,  Department  of  Michigan,  was  orga- 
nized February  8,  1888.  Mrs.  Agnes  M.  Wiley  was  elected  the  first 
president  of  the  corps  and  has  ever  been  an  efficient  and  energetic  worker 
in  the  cause  for  which  the  corps  was  organized.  Mrs.  Wiley  is  a  bright, 
resourceful  woman  of  good  attainments.  It  was  she  who  suggested  the 
patriotic  idea  of  selling  Grand  Army  hall  upon  the  disbandment  of  the 
post  and  converting  the  pi-oceeds  into  a  fund  for  the  erection  of  a  sol- 
diers' monument  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  those  from  Albion  and  vicin- 
ity who  gave  their  might  to  the  preservation  of  the  nation.  At  this  year's 
encampment  of  W.  R.  C.  in  Port  Huron,  with  four  candidates  in  the  field, 
Mrs.  Wiley  was  elected  department  president  on  the  first  ballot,  by  a 
majority  over  all — a  fitting  tribute  to  her  efficiency.  She  brought  addi- 
tional honor  to  Albion  and  the  corps  by  the  selection  of  Mrs.  Emma  A. 
Niver  as  department  secretary  and  Mrs.  M.  Jenette  Gardner  as  depart- 
ment treasurer,  two  ladies  of  much  culture  and  fine  abilities. 

Here  this  historical  sketch  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  of 
its  membership  may  fittingl.y  be  closed.  The  personalities  of  the  soldiers 
of  the  Civil  war,  like  that  of  those  of  the  soldiers  of  the  other  wars  of  the 
Republic,  as  a  class  will  soon  be  lost  in  the  seas  of  oblivion,  except,  per- 
haps, in  the  memory  of  a  few  descendants  who  may  treasure  their  memory 


niSTOKY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  475 

as  some  treasure  the  memory  and  personal  histories  of  their  heroic 
ancestors  of  the  Revolution.  Their  deeds,  however,  wrought  such  lasting 
benefits  to  the  nation,  that  the  corroding  elements  of  time  will  not  efface 
them.  The  future  Matthews,  Marks,  Lukes  and  Johns  will  continue  to 
keep  the  pages  bright  with  the  story  of  their  marvelous  achievements  in 
the  histories  to  be  written  throughout  tlie  unboi-n  ages.  -Men  die;  but 
honor,  brave  deeds,  gratitude  live. 

' '  Fresh    tlowors,    green    wreaths 

And  tenderest   thought. 
These  are  the  tributes 

That  we  brought. 
Sweet  be  your  sleep 

'Neath  verdaut  sod, 
Safe  be  your  welcome 

Home  "to  God. 
Men  of  the  dark 

And  blood-stained  days. 
«  Honor  and  love 

We   give,  and  praise. ' ' 

Albion  Woman's  Relief  Corps 
By  Mrs.  Ada  Gilbert 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps  of  Albion,  Michigan,  auxiliary  to  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  was  organized  February  8,  1888,  with 
thirty-nine  chai'ter  members.  Nineteen  have  passed  away  since  that 
time.  Its  object  is  said  to  aid  and  assist  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  their  heroic  dead.  Their  aim 
also  is  to  assist  such  Union  Veterans  as  need  their  help  and  protection 
and  to  extend  needful  aid  to  their  widows  and  orphans;  to  assure  them 
of  sympathy  and  friends ;  also  to  cherish  and  emulate  the  deeds  of  our 
army  nurses  and  of  all  loyal  women  who  rendered  loving  service  to  our 
country  in  her  hour  of  peril. 

The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  organized  at  the  close  of  the  war 
to  promote  the  great  principles  of  fraternity,  charity  and  loyalty,  had 
been  doing  its  utmost  to  aid  and  comfort  their  unfortunate  comrades, 
but  the  organization  was  small  in  numbers  and  had  no  sources  of  re- 
plenishment for  the  steady  drain  upon  its  treasury.  Then  it  was  that 
the  loyal  women  answered  again.  ' '  Here  am  I "  to  the  call  of  the  men  who 
saved  a  nation. 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps  joins  with  the  Post  in  making  prepara- 
tions for  Sunday  and  ilemorial  Day  services;  enlist  the  services  of  the 
children  by  asking  them  to  bring  flowers  and  take  a  part  in  this  work 
for  it  is  the  children  who  will  carrj-  on  this  work  after  we,  the  members 
of  this  order,  have  passed  away.  The  past  presidents  of  Albion  Relief 
Corps  are  Agnes  Wiley.  Nettie  Gardner,  Belle  Bigelow,  ^Margaret 
Chatfield.  Libbie  Smith,"  Marion  Durkee,  Mamie  O'Hara,  Fannie  Bur- 
nett, Hannah  Gray,  :Mary  Deyoe,  Ada  Gilbert,  Lucinda  Page,  Alice  Per- 
ine  and  ^lary  B.  Ferine  who  is  the  president  at  this  time.  There  is  al.so 
one  pensioned  army  nurse,  Jlary  Bell. 


476  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Amended  Eoster :  Rhoda  M.  Bussard,  Hellen  E.  Wilber,  Mattie  Deer- 
ing,  Lena  P.  Riddick,  Mary  Keck,  Mary  E.  Davis,  Electa  Pennell,  Emma 
R.  Timberlake,  Lillian  H.  Titman,  Caroline  Shutt,  Katherine  Brox- 
holm,  Mai-y  Davis,  Saphroua  Davis,  Lillian  Turner,  Altha  Hubbard, 
Minnie  P.  Horning,  Sarah  J.  Haines,  Mollie  E.  Johnston,  Adelaide  M. 
Lincoln,  Viola  E.  Kingsworth,  Vira  McGee,  Ann  A.  Marsh,  Martha  J. 
McWethy,  Emma  A.  Niser,  Saphrona  J.  Nellison,  Lusina  Page,  Annie 
E.  Watterman,  Mary  Wakelan,  Mary  E.  Bell,  Mary  Austin,  Nellie  B. 
Allen,  Kate  Aikin,  Lydia  A.  Bolles,  Mamie  Bennett,  Nancy  0.  Bliss, 
Dora  E.  Perry,  Maggie  L.  Chatfield,  Elizabeth  A.  Carris,  Sarah  Holton, 
Nettie  M.  Gardner,  Ada  L.  Gilbert,  Hannah  Gray,  Martha  B.  Gale, 
Alice  Perine,  Martha  Pike,  Nettie  A.  Parker,  Louisa  Peck,  Mary  B. 
Perine,  Hattie  J.  Pickett,  Kate  E.  Ruff,  Carrie  E.  Rodgers,  Mary  A. 
Simmons,  Janet  Sebastian,  Elizabeth  Smith,  Elizabeth  A.  Smith,  Jennie 
E.  Schermerhorn,  Olive  A.  Toner. 

Woman  's  Christian  Tempkrance  Union 

By  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Dickie 

The  Michigan  State  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  was  or- 
ganized at  Lansing,  in  June,  1874. 

Through  its  inliuence  Dr.  Henry  A.  Reynolds  was  brought  into  the 
state  for  a  campaign  of  pledge  signing  and  organization.  In  the  winter 
of  1877  he  held  a  series  of  revival  meetings  in  Albion,  that  resulted  in  the 
organization  of  a  Red  Ribbon  Reform  Club  and  the  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union,  of  which  ilrs.  Antoinette  B.  Brockway  was  the  first 
president.  No  one  who  attended  those  wonderful  meetings  can  ever  for- 
get the  inspiration  of  Dr.  Rej-nold  's  strong  personality,  for  he  was  a  noble 
looking,  magnetic  man,  who  had  been  saved  from  a  drunkard's  life 
through  the  influence  of  the  Woman's  Temperance  Crusade  and  pressed 
into  service  by  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  to  "Rescue  the  Perishing."  With  per- 
.sistent,  loving  entreaty  he  went  into  the  saloons,  and  brought  out  hopeless 
drunkards  and  young  men  who  were  just  commencing  to  enter  those 
dangerous  places  of  sin  and  shame.  His  appeal  to  church  members  was 
a  bugle  blast,  which  awakened  Christians  from  their  lethargy,  and  sent 
them  out  to  seek  and  save  the  drunkard  and  also  to  go  into  the  drunkard 's 
home  with  love  and  hoj^e  for  the  heart  broken  wives  and  children. 

Por  once,  denominational  fences  were  broken  down,  so  that  the  good 
people  of  Albion  joined  heart  and  hand  to  save  their  fallen  brothers. 

Dr.  William  H.  Perine,  a  most  gifted  and  eloquent  man,  was  at  that 
time  pastor  of  the  Methodist  church  in  Albion.  His  sympathy  with  this 
movement  made  him  instrumental  in  persuading  all  of  the  churches  to 
unite  with  the  Reform  Club  in  union  Sunday  evening  mass  meetings  for 
nearly  a  year.  During  that  time  many  of  the  most  famous  and  eloquent 
speakers  spoke  in  Opera  Hall,  Sunday  evenings,  such  as  Francis  E. 
Willard,  Mary  T.  Lathrop,  Mrs.  Annie  Wittenmyer,  George  W.  Bain. 
Michael  Panning,  and  many  others.  When  there  were  no  special  speakers 
from  abroad,  the  pastors  stood  loyally  by  to  occupy  the  time.  The  Red 
Ribbon  Club  included  all  good  citizens,  as  well  as  those  who  had  been 


IIISTONY  OF  CALlIOrX  COrXTV  477 

victims  of  drink.  I'or  all  were  glad  to  sign  the  pledge  and  wear  the  reil 
ribbon  in  their  button  hole,  iu  order  to  help  and  eneourage  their  weaker 
brothers,  so  that,  we  were  told,  there  were  a  thousand  men  enrolled  in 
that  Red  Ribbon  Club  and  five  hundred  women  who  put  on  tlie  white 
ribbon  when  the  W,  C.  T.  U.  was  first  organized  in  Albion. 

The  opera  house  was  rented  for  two  years  by  the  Reil  Ribbon  Club 
and  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  During  these  years  there  were  entertainments  of  a 
high  order  nearly  every  night.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  all  this  time,  the 
saloons  were  licensed  to  sell  rum  and  drag  back  these  reformed  men  into 
their  uets  of  destruction,  yet  many  remained  true  and  have  lived  lives 
of  noble  usefulness. 

The  organization  of  the  Woman's  Chri.stiau  Temperance  Union,  was 
called  by  Miss  Willard,  "The  sober  second  thought  of  the  temperance 
crusade."  The  Red  Ribbon  Club,  the  Good  Templars,  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, and  other  organizations  have  tiourished  for  a  time  and  thereby 
saved  many,  and  have  done  much  lasting  good,  but  it  is  noteworth.y  that 
the  only  organization  that  has  endured  to  the  present  time  in  Albion  is 
the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  For  thirty-five  years  the 
Albion  W.  C.  T.  U.  has  held  the  fort,  and  in  every  way  possible  it  "Has 
waged  its  peaceful  w-ar,  for  God  and  home  and  native  land."  The 
faithful,  elect  women  who  have  considered  it  an  honor  to  be  active  mem- 
bers of  this,  the  largest  organization  of  women  in  the  world,  continue  to 
work  on  with  persistent  courage,  assured  that  the  "Battle  is  the  Lord's," 
and  "He  will  not  be  discouraged  till  righteousness  is  established  in  the 
earth."  At  the  last  state  convention,  June,  1912,  the  Albion  Union  was 
declared  the  largest  in  the  state,  .judged  by  the  payment  of  dues  into 
the  state  treasury.  They  have  234  regular  members  and  102  honorary 
members.  During  these  thirty-five  years,  the.v  have  kept  up  their  regular 
weekly  meetings  with  programs  which  are  educational  and  a  never 
failing  source  of  inspiration.  Oftentimes  they  have  held  Sunday  after- 
noon meetings,  children's  meetings,  concerts,  banquets,  receptions  and 
lectures,  for  you  know  it  has  been  said  that  "When  a  woman  will,  she 
W'ill,"  and  one  of  our  crusaders  has  said,  "There  is  deep  meaning  in 
this  old  saying,  and  it  means  just  about  this,  that  women  never  weary 
in  good  works;  that  if  a  thing  can  be  done,  if  it  is  w'ithin  the  range  of 
human  possibilities,  they  will  do  it,  and  the.v  have  such  will  in  great 
moral  movements  that  they  cannot  be  intimidated  or  discouraged."  The 
history  of  the  Albion  W.  C.  T.  U.  building,  reads  like  a  romance  of  faith 
and  courage.  The  first  attempt  to  raise  money  for  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  head- 
quarters for  which  these  women  had  dreamed  and  prayed  was  in  1894, 
when  a  gift  of  fifty  dollars  came  as  a  dying  bequest  fi-om  Mrs.  V.  Mather, 
and  inspired  the  ladies  to  believe  that  they  mu.st  "Arise  and  build." 
The  committee  recommended  that  they  build  on  the  subscription  plan. 
About  this  time,  they  arranged  for  a  ma.ss  meeting  in  Opera  hall,  which 
was  addressed  by  the  "silver  tongued"  orator.  Col.  George  W.  Bain 
of  Kentucky,  at  which  time  much  enthusiasm  was  aroused  and  many 
generous  subscriptions  were  secured.  These  subscriptions  were  made  on 
the  condition  that  they  should  not  be  called  for  or  the  building  started, 
until  three  thousand  dollai-s  were  secured.  But  this  work  was  delayed 
on   account  of  the   heavy   debt  on   the    college   and   the   newly   buil' 


478  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUiNTY 

Methodist  church.  As  the  members  were  all  loyal  church  members, 
they  did  not  push  the  subscriptions  for  their  building  but  continued 
their  work  iu  other  ways.  In  1904  they  again  became  more  active. 
Mrs.  E.  G.  Taylor  was  authorized  to  canvass  the  city  to  collect  the  old 
subscriptions  and  secure  new  ones.  Be  it  said  to  the  honor  of  the  Albion 
friends  who  had  subscribed  ten  years  before,  that  a  large  proportion  of 
these  old  subscriptions  were  collected  and  many  new  ones  secured  bj'  the 
self-sacrificing  labors  of  this  indefatigable  'Slvs.  Taylor.  The  laying  of 
the  cornerstone  of  the  building  occurred  Monday,  August  14,  1905, 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  On  Sunday,  April  22,  1906,  the  new 
W.  C.  T.  U.  building  was  formerly  dedicated.  It  was  called  "Dedica- 
tion Day"  iu  Albion,  as  in  the  morning,  all  the  churches  united  in  a 
mass  meeting  held  in  the  Methodist  church  where  an  eloquent  address 
was  given  by  Dr.  Eaton,  of  Chicago,  and  subscriptions  were  taken  for 
the  building.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the  formal  dedicatory 
service  was  held  iu  the  new  auditorium.  The  pastors  of  the  city  united 
in  congratulatory  speeches.  Dr.  Samuel  Dickie  gave  the  dedicatory  ad- 
dress and  handed  over  the  keys  of  the  new  building  to  Mrs.  Cummings, 
president  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  who  responded  in  a  pleasing  manner.  The 
new  auditorium  was  well  filled,  and  about  .$1,600  was  pledged  during  the 
day. 

The  next  day  ilrs.  Kennedy  was  installed  as  matron  of  the  building, 
which  opened  up  immediately  and  for  three  j-ears  was  kept  open  every 
day  and  evening.  The  following  was  printed  in  the  Jackson  Citizen 
Press,  as  an  unsolicited  account  of  the  success  of  the  new  enterprise,  as 
seen  by  Mr.  Barrj^  who  was  a  daily  visitor  and  boarder  in  the  restaurant: 

Multitude  Fed  at  W.  C.  T.  U.  Ee.st.\ur.\nt 

Guests  Eegistered  From  Nineteen  St.^tes  .\xd  Four  Foreign  L.\nds 

Albion,  March  14,  1907.— A  thousand  persons  have  registered  at  the  W.  C.  T.  U. 
building  during  the  past  four  months.  Guests  from  nearly  every  city  in  Michigan, 
and  from  eighteen  states  outside  of  Michigan,  have  taken  meals  at  this  popular  eat- 
ing place  since  last  October.  One  man  who  dined  at  the  building  gave  his  residence 
as  London,  another  came  from  Paris;  there  was  a  man  from  India,  and  one  from 
Egypt.  The  reputation  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  restaurant  and  dining  room  has  been 
spread  through  Maine,  Mississippi  and  California  by  guests  from  those  states  who 
have  been  delighted  with  the  food  and  service  and  welcome  at  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  building. 
Traveling  men  frequently  drop  into  the  place  for  a  meal,  and  one  of  them  said,  ' '  It 
seems  like  home,  and  that  matron  reminds  me  of  my  own  old  mother.  She  has  a 
way  of  making  a  man  feel  he  is  welcome,  and  I  conisder  myself  lucky  that  I  dropped 
in  there  today. ' ' 

The  building  is  paying  expenses,  but  when  meals  are  served  in  hotel  style  for  23 
cents  it  doesn't  leave  a  large  margin  of  profit.  The  local  union  is  still  in  debt,  but 
people  are  coming  to  appreciate  the  work  that  is  being  done,  and  it  is  believed  that 
financial  support  will  he  generously  provided  by  a  grateful  community.  Eeading 
rooms  for  men  and  for  women  and  rest  rooms  are  free  to  the  public  and  are  being 
used  more  as  the  fact  becomes  known.  It  is  a  credit  to  the  city  to  have  an  institu- 
tion that  calls  forth  high  praise  from  the  people  of  other  states  and  other  countries, 
and  this  being  the  first  W.  C.  T.  U.  building  in  Michigan  it  gives  Albion  a  sort  of 
distinction. 

Many  more  than  a  thousand  persons  have  dined  at  the  place  during  the  past  four 
months,  for  during  the  rush  hours  a  great  many  get  away  without  registering.  The 
thousand  names  on   the  register  are  those  of  a  thousand  different  persons,  for  no 


HISTORY  OF  CALllorX  COINTY  479 

one  is  asked  to  register  a  second  time.  This  has  been  a  banner  week  on  account 
of  so  many  strangers  being  in  the  city  to  view  the  damages  wrought  by  the  flood.  The 
patronage  of  the  place  is  steadily  growing  and  that  seems  to  be  conclusive  proof  that 
it  is  being  conducted  successfully  and  along  right  lines. 

However,  the  ladies  foiiud  that,  in  the  expense  and  re.sponsibility  of 
keeping  the  buikling  open,  and  paying  the  iusuranee  and  interest,  they 
were  not  making  satisfactory  progress  in  paying  off  the  debt.  So  in 
January,  1910,  they  thought  best  to  close  the  restaurant  for  a  time,  so 
as  to  put  all  their  efforts  into  wiping  out  the  mortgage,  which  at  that 
time  was  $2500.  During  this  time  the  beautiful  auditorium  has  been 
rented  for  lectures,  the  college  basket  ball,  and  for  banquets.  Five 
hundred  can  be  seated  at  tables  in  the  auditorium  and  two  hundred  in 
the  dining  room  below.  The  W.  C.  T.  U.  ladies  have  served  the  college 
banquet  several  times  in  this  auditorium.  The  Lincoln  Club  of  Calhoun 
county  held  their  1912  annual  banquet  there,  seating  five  hundred  at 
the  tables,  when  Governor  Osborn  and  other  guests  of  honor  were  present. 

The  Methodist  ladies  served  their  large  conniieucement  banquet  there 
for  the  second  time  last  June.  In  fact  it  is  the  largest  and  most  con- 
venient place  in  Albion  for  such  gatherings.  With  a  competent  director 
of  boys  sports,  the  basement  might  be  given  over  to  our  boys.  The  ladies 
parlors  are  most  convenient  for  the  local  union  to  their  weekly  meet- 
ings and  for  rest  rooms  for  women.  If  the  ladies  were  not  cramped  for 
money,  they  would  be  glad  to  make  many  improvements,  especially  tit- 
ting  up  comfortable  rooms  for  the  matron  or  janitor '.s  family,  raising 
the  roof  so  as  to  have  rooms  for  rent  above.  The  women  have  worked  long 
and  faithfully  for  this  project,  which  when  paid  for  and  finished,  will 
be  a  credit  to  Albion.  It  ought,  not  only  to  be  freed  from  debt,  but 
liberally  endowed  by  the  generosity  of  public  spirited  citizens.  The 
W.  C.  T.  U.,  if  it  means  to  have  any  permancy  should  own  its  own  head- 
quarters in  every  city  in  the  country.  In  Detroit  there  is  now  an  effort 
started  to  raise  money  for  W.  C.  T.  U.  headquarters  in  that  city,  but 
Albion  is  the  first  city  in  ^lichigan  to  own  its  own  headquarters.  While 
other  cities  are  just  commencing  to  build.  Albion  is  on  the  "Home 
stretch,"  and  expects  to  wipe  out  the  debt  soon. 

"Indifference  to  the  temperance  cause  is  supreme  disloyalty  to  Christ. 
Neutrality  toward  the  saloon  is  treachery  to  humanity." 

Statemext  Concerning  Our  Building  Fund 

Our  building  on  Erie  street  has  cost,  in  round  numbers  $12,000.  We 
have  a  fine  auditorium,  rest  rooms,  dining  room  and  lunch  room.  A 
number  of  our  citizens  have  made  wills  containing  bequests  to  our 
organization.  The  following  form  of  bequest  is  suggested :  "I  give 
and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Tnion.  of  Albion, 
ilichigan,  a  body  corporate,  the  sum  of Dollars. ' ' 

Less  than  two  thousand  dollars  now,  would  wipe  out  the  debt  on  our 
W.  C.  T.  U.  building,  so  that  these  faithful  women  could  open  up  these 
closed  doors.  We  believe  there  are  friends  in  Albion  with  money  to 
consecrate  to  the  Lord  for  this  purpose.  Why  should  the  temperance 
cause  be  left  as  a  doubtful  benefieiaiy  at  the  end  of  all  other  giving? 
While  the  saloons  are  filling  their  coffers  with  "blood  money,"  we 
mothers  plead  for  monej'  to  save  our  boys  from  the  legalized  saloon. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

MICHIGAN  AND  CALHOUN  COUNTY  IN  WAR 

The  Mexican  War — The  Civil  War — First  War  Fund  Subscribers — 
First  Western  Regiment  at  the  Front — Troops  Raised  in  State 
and  County — Press  and  Church  for  the  Union — The  Grand 
Muster-Out — Money  for  the  War — Historical  Authorities  Re- 
lied Upon 

From  the  nature  of  the  case  Michigan  could  not  participate  in  the 
War  of  the  Revolution,  nor  to  any  appreciable  extent  did  the  territory 
take  part  in  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain.  The  Toledo  and  the 
Black  Hawk  wars  while  they  served  to  show  the  spirit  of  our  people, 
were  fortunately,  as  far  as  Michigan  was  concerned,  bloodless  affairs. 

In  the  war  with  Mexico,  in  the  war  for  the  Union  and  in  the  Spanish 
American  war  the  state  of  Michigan  bore  an  honorable  and  in  the  latter 
two,  relatively,  a  conspicuous  part.  In  all  three  of  these  wars  Calhoun 
county  assumed  and  faithfully  carried  its  full  proportionate  share  of  the 
burden.  To  date,  no  chapter  in  this  or  any  other  history  pertaining  to 
Michigan  has,  or  will  have,  the  abiding  interest  to  so  many  people  as 
that  pertaining  to  the  Civil  war.  This,  because  of  the  importance  of  the 
issues  involved,  the  permanent  and  beneficial  results  achieved,  the  num- 
ber of  the  participants  from  the  state,  the  patriotism  and  the  heroism 
manifested  and  the  sacrifices  made. 

No  other  chapter  has  caused  the  editor  so  much  painstaking  work  as 
this.  3Iore  than  sixty  volumes  have  been  carefully  consulted.  Errors 
in  previous  publications  have  been  run  down  and  corrected  and  great 
care  has  been  exercised  to  avoid  mistakes;  still,  it  will  not  be  surprising 
if  in  the  review  of  so  many  thousand  names  there  may  not  be  some  errors 
and  omissions. 

In  so  far  as  Calhoun  county 's  part  in  the  Civil  war  is  concerned  it  is 
believed  to  be  the  most  complete  of  any  single  publication  hitherto 
issued.  It  has  been  the  purpose  of  the  editor  not  so  much  to  give  a  history 
of  the  war  or  even  of  the  Michigan  regiments  participating  therein,  as 
to  give  space  to  Calhoun  county  and  Calhoun  county  soldiers.  In  the 
years  to  come  any  soldier  credited  to  this  county  can  easily  be  traced 
by  means  of  this  volume  to  a  more  extended  personal  history  and  through 
that  to  the  regiment,  brigade,  division,  corps  and  army  in  which  the 
soldiers'  service  was  performed.  Had  space  permitted,  it  would  have 
been  a  pleasui-e  to  present  in  these  pages  a  more  extended  record  of  the 

480 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX   COIXTY  4H1 

many  sons  of  Calhoun   whose  i;alhuit   iliH'ds  arc  at  once  the  Rlory  and 
pride  of  the  county. 

The  war  with  Spain,  like  the  war  for  the  Union,  is  so  presented  that 
those  who  wish,  will  find  in  this  book  a  eorreet  start  with  a  sign  board 
pointing  the  way  to  further  information  if  desired.  In  this  connection 
I  wish  to  acknowledge  the  services  of  Captain  William  .M.  Hatch.  The 
article  prepared  by  him  will  have  permanent  value  as  a  part  of  the 
military  history  of  our  county. 

The  .A1exic.\n  W.\k 

In  the  war  with  Mexico,  Jliehigan,  played  a  comparatively  incon- 
spicuous part.  Governor  Ransom  in  his  message  of  January  3,  1848, 
says:  "On  the  19th  of  Jlay,  1846,  a  requisition  was  made  by  the  War 
Department  upon  the  executive  of  the  state  for  the  enrollment  of  a  regi- 
ment of  volunteer  infantry  of  ten  companies  to  be  held  in  readiness  for. 
active  service  when  called  for  by  the  president."  February  13,  1847, 
the  legislature  by  joint  resolution  appropriated  ten  thousand  dollars  to 
be  applied  at  the  discretion  of  the  governor  in  fitting  out  any  troops  that 
might  be  called  for  to  serve  in  the  war  with  Mexico. 

In  October,  1847,  a  call  came  from  the  president  for  the  mustering 
of  ten  companies  from  Michigan  into  the  United  States  service.  These 
companies  were  mustered  into  service  the  latter  part  of  1847  and  during 
the  mouths  of  January  and  February,  1848,  and  organized  into  what 
was  known  as  the  First  Regiment  Jlichigan  Volunteers.  The  regiment 
did  faithful  service  principally  on  garrison  duty  at  different  points  in 
Mexico. 

While  not  seriously  engaged  in  battle  it  suffered  from  disease,  and 
many  resultant  deaths,  incident  to  the  climate.  In  this  regiment  Cal- 
houn county  had  one  company  recruited  largely  from  IMarshall  and 
Battle  Creek.  The  company  was  officered  by  Captain  John  Van  Armen ; 
first  lieutenant,  James  S.  Kingsland ;  second  lieutenant,  James  D.  Pierce, 
who  was  a  youth  of  eighteen  when  commissioned,  contracted  disease 
while  in  ^Icxico  wiiicli  caused  his  deatli  in  the  following  November. 

The  Civil  War 

The  shots  that  echoed  across  the  waters  of  Charleston  harbor  in  the 
gray  dawn  of  the  morning  of  April  12,  1861,  awoke  the  nation  from  the 
repose  of  peace  to  the  perils  of  war,  and  when  at  high  noon  on  the  14th 
the  flag  of  our  country  was  lowered  over  the  walls  of  Fort  Sumter  at 
the  behest  of  those  whose  avowed  pui-pose  was  to  sever  the  Union  of  tiie 
states  and  destroy  the  government  founded  by  Washington  and  his  com- 
patriots, the  blood  of  patriotic  men  and  women  was  stirred  as  it  had  not 
been  within  the  memory  of  men.  In  that  momentous  hour  one  supreme 
question  challenged  every  loyal  American,  "The  Federal  Union,  shall 
it  be  preserved?"  Upon  the  issue  involved  in  that  cpiestion  Lincoln 
made  his  appeal  to  the  country.  IIow  well  the  people  responded,  the 
history  of  our  restored  Union  will  forever  make  answer,  and  will  be 
read  with  interest  and  pride  by  patriotic  Americans  so  long  as  the  re- 
public endures. 


482  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  part  the  state  of  Michigan  took  in  that  war,  the  sustained  pa- 
triotism of  her  people  at  home  and  the  heroism  and  sacrifice  of  her  sons 
in  the  field  attests  her  unfaltering  devotion  to  the  Federal  Union. 

It  is  not  our  purpose  in  these  pages  to  do  more  than  attempt  to  show 
the  spirit  of  our  people  as  revealed  by  their  declarations  and  acts  and  to 
make  record,  imperfect  and  incomplete  though  it  must  necessarily  be,  of 
the  part  Calhoun  county  played  in  the  memorable  conflict. 

The  impression  is  sometimes  erroneously  made  that  war  is  simply  a 
matter  of  campaigns  and  battles,  of  courage  and  of  heroism  on  the  field  of 
(Combat.  It  should  not  be  overlooked  that  soldiers  must  be  enlisted,  and 
rendezvoused ;  they  must  be  fed  and  clothed  and  drilled  and  disciplined 
and  equipped ;  they  must  be  transported  to  the  supposed  theater  of  ac- 
tion, they  must  be  sustained  while  in  the  service  and  be  paid  their  sti- 
pend, small  though  it  be,  that  those  at  home  dependent  upon  them,  may, 
in  part  at  least,  be  eared  for  while  they  are  absent.  When  men  become 
soldiers  they  cease  to  be  producers  and  become  expensive  consumers,  hence 
it  is,  that  money  plays  not  only  an  increasingly  important  but  an  indis- 
pensable part  in  modern  warfare. 

Fort  Sumter  surrendered  on  Sunday  the  14th  day  of  April.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  issued  a  call  for  75,000  troops  on  IMonday  the  15th  and 
Governor  Austin  Blair  on  Tuesday,  the  16th,  called  for  ten  companies, 
making  a  full  regiment,  as  I\Iichigan's  quota  of  the  75,000.  It  was 
estimated  that  .-j^KlO.OOO  would  be  at  once  required  for  this  purpose,  but 
the  state  treasury  was  comparatively  empty  and  therefore  unable  to 
meet  the  immediate  and  pressing  necessity  for  money.  At  a  largely 
attended  meeting  of  patriotic  citizens  in  Detroit  whither  Governor  Blair 
had  gone  on  the  16th,  it  was  decided  to  ask  the  citizens  of  the  state  to 
advance  a  loan  of  $100,000  by  popular  subscription,  that  the  financial 
emergency  might  be  tided  over. 

First  War  P^'rxD  Subscribers 

It  was  at  this  time  and  under  these  circumstances  that  the  financial 
side  of  the  patriotic  men  of  Calhoun  county  was  first  manifested.  The 
following  is  the  honorable  list  of  those  who  responded  to  this  call  for 
money  which  came  simultaneousl.y  with  the  call  for  troops.  From  Battle 
Creek  subscriptions  were  made  by :  Charles  S.  Gray,  B.  F.  Graves,  John 
F.  Hinman,  W.  H.  Raymond,  T.'b.  Skinner,  L.  C."  Kellogg,  C.  Buckley, 
William  Andres,  Barrett  and  Wakelee,  Coob  and  Pettie,  Sutton  and 
Company,  Stone  and  Hyall,  L.  B.  Clapp,  V.  P.  Collier,  T.  W.  Hall, 
Thomas  Hart.  James  D.  LaBar,  William  Wallace.  M.  Neal  &  Company, 
W.  C.  Hamlin,  S.  Reed.  W.  H.  Skinner,  Erastus  Hussev,  T.  B,  Sand- 
erson, J.  P.  Buckley,  0.  S.  ]Morton.  G.  W.  Wakefield,  R.  F.  Titus,  B.  F. 
Hinman,  H.  F.  Hinman,  E.  W.  Pendill,  C.  M.  Rash,  John  Barbour,  Alonzo 
Noble,  Charles  Coy,  J.  P.  aiarkhani,  K.  AVhiteomb,  Ed.  Packer,  William 
JMeeritt,  Alex  Rowley,  W.  and  F.  W.  Brooks,  and  A.  L.  Clark. 

Fi'oni  JIai-shall  the  following  named  persons  came  forward  with  su'b- 
scriptioiis:  J.  C.  Frink,  G.  B.  Murray,  W.  PI.  Brown,  S.  A.  Tyler,  E.  L. 
Crockir.  M.  1).  Strong,  Ira  Nash,  S.  \v.  Dodge,  Charles  Killam,  51.  Har- 
rigan,  Setli  Lewis,  D.  S.  Beach,  C.  II.  Cook,  C.  P.  Dibble,  A.  Y.  Vary, 


HISTORY  OF  CALIlorX  COUNTY  483 

Philo  Dibble,  J.  D.  Wooley,  S.  S.  La.y,  M.  II.  ('inm,  K.  h.  Hadger, 
Samuel  Thomas,  Josiah  Lepper,  S.  V.  R.  Lt-jiinT.  Z.  M.  Lester,  (ieorge 
H.  Barber,  E.  Carning  and  Company,  A.  HiDsic,  I'.  .Mitihcll.  .1.  L, 
Evans,  and  II.  J.  Perrin. 

It  seems  that  Battle  Creek  and  Marshall  were  the  only  towns  in  the 
country  whose  citizens  contributed  to  this  fund.  It  is  probable  the  others 
were  not  called  upon.  By  means  of  the  generous  contributions  made  by 
the  citizens  of  the  state  the  first  three  months'  regiment  from  ^Michigan 
was  well  equipped  and  left  the  state  on  the  13th  of  May  under  command 
of  Colonel  Orlando  B.  Wilcox.  It  stirs  the  pride  of  every  loyal  son  of 
the  state  to  read  the  encomiums  pronounced  upon  this  our  first  regiment 
enroute  to  and  after  its  arrival  in  Washington. 

The  Cleveland  Plaiiidealer  said:  "A  great  many  of  our  citizens 
visited  the  Michigan  troops  and  expressed  admiration  of  the  men  and 
the  very  admirable  manner  in  which  they  had  been  armed  and  e((uipped 
for  service  by  their  state. ' ' 

First  Western  Regiment  at  the  Front 

The  Baltimore  American  said:  "The  Michigan  regiment  attracted 
general  attention  and  commendation  by  their  soldierly  appearance  and 
well  disciplined  movements,  a  la  Hardee.  It  was  composed  almost  entirely 
of  young,  steady  and  intelligent  looking  men,  and  it  appeared  to  be  capi- 
tally officered.  They  were  exceedingly  well  equipped,  thanks  to  the 
liberality  of  the  state  of  ^Michigan,  which  had  furnished  them  with  an 
entire  outfit  from  head  to  foot,  and  were  armed  with  new  minute  guns." 

A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Post,  writing  from  Washington 
under  the  date  of  ^lay  17th,  said :  ' "  The  Michigan  rifle  regiment  came 
into  town  about  ten  o'clock  last  night,  marching  from  the  depot  up  the 
avenue  to  Eleventh  street.  They  were  preceded  by  a  splendid  band  of 
music  which  soon  aroused  our  citizens  and  long  before  they  had  reached 
the  quarters  assigned  them,  hundreds  of  people  were  out  to  give  them 
welcome.  The  enthusiasm  of  the  crowd  was  irrepressible  for  this  was. 
the  first  western  regiment  which  had  arrived  at  the  capital." 

Calhoun  county  furnished  oik  company  (1)  in  this  historic  regiment, 
officered  by  Captain  DeVille  Hubbard;  first  lieutenant,  Seldon  H.  Gor- 
ham,  and  second  lieutenant,  Hiram  S.  Warner.  All  of  whom  were  from 
Marshall  as  were  most  of  the  men  who  composed  the  militia  company  of 
that  city,  known  as  the  "Marshall  Light  Guard." 

This  was  but  the  beginning  of  preparation  for  a  conflict  which  few 
foresaw  would  continue  and  grow  in  intensity  for  four  years,  and  be 
fraught  with  consequences,  unanticipated  by  the  contestants  on  either 
side.  It  is  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  that  Michigan  never  faltered 
in  her  devotion  to  the  Union.  The  state  was  fortunate  in  having  a  man 
like  Austin  Blair  for  its  governor.  An  ardent  patriot,  an  elo(|uent 
orator  and  withal  a  man  of  good  practical  sense  and  excellent  judgment. 
He  gave  to  the  service  of  his  state  and  the  country  four  years  of  his  life, 
in  the  prime  manhood  and  with  intense  zeal,  almost  without  money  and 
without  price — for  the  state  at  that  time  paid  its  governor  but  one  thou- 
sand dollars  a  year.     He  retired  fi-oin  office  a  poor  man.  but  witli  clean 


484  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

hands  and  stainless  honor,  bearing  with  him  to  private  life  the  esteem 
of  the  people  at  home  and  the  love  and  gratitude  of  the  soldiers  in  the 
field. 

In  his  first  message  to  the  legislature  on  the  first  day  of  January, 
1861,  he  gave  utterance  to  these  ringing  words  which  sent  a  thriU  of 
delight  through  every  loyal  heart:  "I  recommend  that  at  an  early  day 
you  make  manifest  that  Michigan  is  loyal  to  the  Union,  the  constitution 
and  the  laws  and  will  defend  them  to  the  uttermost :  and  to  proffer  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  the  whole  military  power  of  the  state  for 
that  purpose." 

On  the  second  of  February  the  legislature  responded  to  the  governor's 
appeal  in  these  words:  "Resolved.  That  Michigan  adheres  to  the  govern- 
ment as  ordained  by  the  constitution  and  for  sustaining  it  .intact  hereby 
pledges  and  tenders  to  the  general  government  all  its  military  power  and 
material  resources." 

The  people  of  the  state  were  soon  called  upon  to  make  good  the  patri- 
otic declarations  and  pledges  of  Governor  Blair  for  on  Ma.v  3,  1861. 
President  Lincoln  issued  another  call  for  troops  which  was  confirmed 
by  act  of  Congress,  approved  August  6,  1861.  Under  this  second  call 
for  500,000  men  Michigan's  quota  was  21,357.  The  temper  and  deter- 
mination of  the  people  were  revealed  in  the  fact  that  under  this  call 
26,499  sons  of  the  commonwealth  volunteered  for  three  years  or  during 
the  war.  Again  in  July,  1862,  there  was  a  call  for  300,000  more,  of 
which  the  state's  quota  was  11,686  and  it  furnished  17,656.  October  17, 
1863,  and  February  1,  1864,  calls  were  made  which  aggregated  500,000 
men;  of  these  Michigan's  quota  wa.s  19,553  and  she  furnished  19,330. 
March  14,  1864,  there  was  a  call  for  200,000  men  for  three  years  service. 
Under  this  call  Jlichigan  furnished  7,667  or  M'ithin  144  of  the  full  num- 
ber required.  July  18,  1864,  500,000  additional  men  were  called  for,  but 
credit  being  given  for  excess  in  previous  calls,  Michigan's  (|Uota  was  but 
12,098,  and  she  furnished  12,532,  The  last  call  made  by  President  Lin- 
coln was  on  December  19,  1864,  for  300,000,  but  before  most  of  the 
states  had  completed  their  quotas  the  necessity  for  more  men  had  ceased 
to  exist.  Under  this  last  call  i\Iichigan  furnished  7,860.  During  the 
entire  war  the  state  furnished  a  total  of  89,787.  Reduced  to  a  three-year 
basis  the  aggregate  was  80,111.  The  population  of  the  state  according  to 
the  Federal  census  of  1860,  was  749,113.  Out  of  every  eight  and  one- 
third  of  her  population,  men,  women  and  children,  she  sent  a  fighting 
unit  to  the  war. 

Troops  Raised  in  State  and  County 

Duriug  tlie  war  the  following  number  of  organizations  were  raised 
in  the  state  and  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  for  various 
periods.  The  organizations  do  not,  however,  represent  all  the  men  fur- 
nished, for  large  numbers  were  sent  as  recruits  to  fill  and  strengthen 
old  organizations  already  in  the  field: 

Cavalry — For  three  years  service  and  over,  a  total  of  twelve  regiments 
and  two  companies. 

Heavy  Artillery — For  three  years  service  and  over,  one  regiment. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COrXTY  485 

Light  Artillery — For  three  years  service  ami  o\cr.  one  rcirinient :  for 
three  years  service,  eleven  batteries,  or  a  total  ol'  one  rcj,niiiciit  mikI  clcvin 
batteries. 

Engineers — For  three  years  service  and  over,  one  regiment ;  for  three 
years  service,  one  company.    Total,  one  regiment  and  one  company. 

Sharp  Shooters — For  three  years  service,  one  regiment  and  two  com- 
panies ;  for  one  years  sei'vice,  two  companies.  Total,  one  regiment  and 
four  companies. 

Infantry — For  three  years  service  and  over,  thirteen  regiments;  for 
three  years  service,  seventeen  regiments  and  two  companies;  for  thi'ce 
years  service,  one  regiment  of  colored  troops;  for  one  years  service,  two 
regiments;  for  three  months  service,  one  regiment.  Total  of  infantry, 
thirty-four  regiments  and  two  companies.  Total  of  all  arms,  fifty  regi- 
ments, nine  companies  and  eleven  batteries.  When  it  is  understood  that 
it  was  Michigan's  policy  to  fill  the  ranks  of  the  old  regiments  with 
recruits  rather  than  create  new  organizations,  this  is  a  most  creditable 
showing. 

Of  the  89,123  soldiers  furnished  by  Michigan,  Calhoun  county  was 
ei'edited  with  3,878,  or  one  soldier  in  every  23  furnished  by  the  state  in 
the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

Any  one  who  thinks  this  large  proportion  of  the  citizenship  of  the 
state  was  enlisted  as  soldiers  without  effort  is  grievously  mistaken  and  to 
suppose  there  was  not  more  or  less  prevalent  an  anti-war  sentiment 
would  be  a  serious  error.  Governor  Blair  in  his  message  to  the  legislature 
in  January,  1862,  defined  the  issue  so  clearly  that  no  one  could  be  mis- 
taken when  he  said,  "He  who  is  not  for  the  Union,  unconditionally  in 
this  mortal  struggle,  is  against  it."  The  spirit  of  opposition  was  so 
pronounced  at  one  time  in  the  city  of  Detroit  that  a  public  meeting, 
called  on  the  Campus  Martins  in  that  city,  for  the  purpo.se  of  .stimulating 
enlistments,  was  surprised  by  a  mob  of  men  who  furiously  interrupted 
the  deliberations  and  entirely  broke  up  and  dispersed  the  meeting,  driv- 
ing the  officers  from  the  stand  and  compelling  some  of  them  to  seek 
shelter  and  safety  in  the  Russell  house,  which  at  that  time  stood  near  by. 

The  adjutant  general  of  the  state  in  his  report  for  1862  gives  a 
brighter  view  of  the  general  sentiment  when  he  says,  "The  response  of 
the  people  of  the  state  to  the  President's  call  was  patriotic  and  prompt 
almost  beyond  expectation.  Individuals  of  every  degree  of  prominence 
forthwith  began  to  interest  themselves  in  the  business  of  filling  the  regi- 
ments. Communities  gave  to  it  their  time  and  their  almost  exchisive 
attention,  while,  better  than  all  the  substantial  masses  of  the  people 
offered  themselves  in  person.  War  meetings  were  held  in  almost  every 
village  and  township  in  the  state.  Representatives  of  all  classes  con- 
verted themselves  either  into  recruits  or  recruiting  officers  and  among 
the  most  efSc-ient  of  the  latter  were  ministers  of  the  gospel,  some  of  whom 
led  the  men  they  had  enlisted  into  the  field." 

Press  and  Church  for  the  Union 

Among  the  forces  that  made  for  Union  Sentiment  and  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war  to  a  successful  issue  was  the  loyal  press  fliroughout  the 


486  HISTORY  OF  (lALIIOUN  COUNTY 

state.  Its  services  in  "strengtheniug  the  hands  of  public  officers,  in 
moulding  public  opinion,  in  favor  of  loyalty  to  the  government,  in 
encouraging  patriotism  among  the  masses  and  inspiring  those  at  the  front 
with  a  iieroisni  leading  to  gallant  deeds,  cannot  be  overestimated." 

During  the  entire  war  the  Christian  church  of  the  state  without 
regard  to  denomination,  "generally  proved  by  its  pronounced  patriotism 
and  manifest  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  country  an  element  of  immense 
success.  From  the  time  that  Sumter  was  fired  upon  until  Lee  and  John- 
son laid  down  their  rebellious  arms  and  Davis  fled  for  his  life,  it  encour- 
aged and  nerved  by  word  and  deed  the  soldiers  in  the  field,  aided  much 
in  the  recruitment  of  men  by  its  approval  of  the  cause  and  its  openly 
avowed  abhorrence  of  rebels  and  those  who  sympathized  with  them  and 
opposed   the   war." 

This  sustained  devotion  to  the  Union  by  the  press  and  church  and 
people  at  home  was  surpassed  only  by  the  heroism  and  valor  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  field.  Their  conduct  at  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  Vicksburg, 
Stone  River,  Chickamauga  and  many  other  fields  of  conflict  added  im- 
perishable lustre  to  the  fame  of  the  commonwealth  of  Michigan.  As  the 
end  of  the  w^ar  drew  near  and  the  triumph  of  the  Union  arms  became 
assured  manifestations  of  praise,  of  appreciation  and  of  gratitude  to  the 
soldiers  took  many  forms  of  expression. 

Governor  Blair,  the  steadfa.st  friend  of  the  soldiers  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  the  war,  in  his  last  message  to  the  legislature,  January 
4,  1865,  said,  "Again,  and  for  the  last  time,  I  commend  the  Michigan 
troops  to  your  continued  care  and  support.  They  have  never  failed 
in  their  duty  to  the  country  or  to  the  state.  Upon  evei*y  great  battlefield 
of  the  war  their  shouts  have  been  heard  and  their  sturdy  blows  have  been 
delivered  for  the  Union  and  victory.  Their  hard-earned  fame  is  the 
treasure  of  every  household  in  the  state.  In  every  situation  their  bravery 
has  won  the  approval  of  their  commanders  and  their  heroic  endurance 
of  hardships  has  added  lustre  to  their  name." 

The  Grand  Muster-Out 

The  armies  of  the  Confederacy  having  surrendered  in  the  spring  of 
1865,  the  muster-out  of  the  troops  and  the  disbanding  of  the  Union 
armies  followed  as  rapidly  as  cii-cumstances  would  allow.  By  July  10th, 
the  Michigan  regiments  had  nearly  all  reached  the  state.  On  the  14th 
of  the  same  month,  four  years  and  three  months,  to  a  day,  from  the 
low'ering  of  the  flag  over  Sumter,  Governor  Crapo,  who  had  succeeded 
Austin  Blair  in  the  executive  chair,  welcomed  by  proclamation  the 
Michigan  soldiers  back  to  their  state  and  homes.  Among  other  things 
he  said:  "In  the  hour  of  national  danger  and  peril  when  the  safety, 
when  the  very  existence,  of  your  country  was  imperiled,  .you  left  your 
firesides,  your  homes  and  your  families  to  defend  the  Government  and 
the  Union.  But  the  danger  is  now  averted,  the  struggle  is  ended,  and 
victory,  alisolute  and  complete  victory,  has  perched  upon  your  banners. 
You  have  conquered  a  glorioiis  peace  and  are  thereby  permitted  to 
return  to  your  homes  and  to  the  pursuits  of  tranquil  industry  to  which 


HISTORY   OK  CALIIOIX  COI-XTV  4H7 

I  welcome  you.     And  not  only  for  mj'self,  but  for  the  people  of  the 
state  do  1  tender  you  a  most  cordial  greeting. ' " 

One  of  the  greatest,  if  not  the  greatest  day  Detroit  aiul  Michigan 
ever  saw  was  July  4,  1865,  when  amidst  a  mighty  concnursi'  dl'  sokliers 
and  citizens  the  state  received  back  the  flags  she  had  ciitnisird  to  lier 
soldieiy — these  flags  now,  1912,  rest  secure  in  air-tight  ri((])tacl('.s  in  the 
state  military  museum  in  the  capitol  building  in  Lausing  and  constitute 
the  most  interesting  feature  of  a  large  collection  of  treasured  mementoes. 
Major  General  Orlando  B.  Wilcox — who  as  colonel  commanded  the  first 
regiment  the  state  sent  to  the  war — in  his  presentation  address  said, 
"Of  all  these  flags  there  is  scarcely  one  which  has  not  waved  in  the 
thickest  of  the  flght ;  scarcely  a  color  which  has  not  seen  its  heroic  bearers 
one  after  another  struck  down  in  battle.  Many  a  hand  that  vigorously 
grasped  these  flag  staffs,  and  led  the  van  now  lies  crumbling  in  the 
grave :  aud  uot  color  bearers  alone,  but  15,000  others  who  fought  beside 
them — the  flower  of  Michigan — return  not  to  receive  your  thanks  and  the 
plaudits  of  their  grateful  countrymen."  In  concluding  his  remarks 
General  Wilcox  said,  "It  only  now  remains  for  me,  in  the  name  of  the 
Michigan  soldiers,  to  surrender  to  the  state  these  flags,  tattered  but  not 
stained,  emblems  of  a  war  that  is  past.  We  shall  ever  retain  our  pride 
in  their  glorious  associations  as  well  as  our  love  for  the  old  peninsula 
state."  Governor  Crapo  in  receiving  them  on  behalf  of  the  state  in  the 
concluding  sentence  of  his  address  said,  "Let  us,  then,  tenderly  deposit 
them  as  sacred  relics  in  the  archives  of  our  state  there  to  stand  forever, 
her  proudest  possession,  a  revered  incentive  to  liberty  and  patriotism  and 
a  constant  rebuke  and  terror  to  oppression  and  treason." 

Money  for  the  War 

In  the  long  struggle  which  so  severely  taxed  the  people  of  the  state 
at  home  and  her  soldiers  in  the  field,  Calhoun  county  bore  her  full  share. 
By  only  four  counties  in  the  state  was  she  outnumbered  in  the  aggregate 
enlistments  for  the  war.  To  aid  in  procuring  volunteers  aud  to  prevent 
the  necessity  of  drafts  Calhoun  county  raised  and  paid  through  its 
various  townships,  cities  and  wards  the  sum  of  $354,432.32,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  this  sum  it  raised  and  paid  for  the  relief  of  soldiers'  families 
under  the  provisions  of  the  soldiers'  relief  law  the  munificent  sum  of 
$200,193.66.  In  addition  to  these  funds,  there  were  constant  contribu- 
tions through  various  organizations,  as  for  example  the  ]\Iichigau  Sol- 
diers' Aid  Society,  the  Michigan  Soldiers'  Relief  Association,  the  Chris- 
tian Commission,  the  Ladies'  Soldiers'  Aid  Societies  having  branch  or- 
ganizations in  every  township  and  ward;  local  organizations  gathering 
together  in  the  aggregate  large  amounts  of  necessary  supplies  and  send- 
ing them  to  the  sick  and  wounded  in  hospitals  and  to  the  well  in  the 
camps  at  the  front.  Everything  thought  useful  and  needful  for  the 
soldiers  whether  sick  or  well  were  sent  forward.  The  value  of  these 
in  money  amounted  to  many  thousands  of  dollars  for  which  no  accounting 
was  made.     It  was  a  labor  of  love  on  the  part  of  the  people  at  home 


488  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

and  they  found  compeusation  in  the  thought  that  they  brought  comfort 
and  good  cheer  to  the  soldiers  whether  in  the  hospitals  or  the  camps. 

Historical  Authorities  Relied  Upon 

Calhoun  county  furnished  sixteen  companies  distributed  among  ten 
different  regiments,  besides  the  Merrill  Horse,  and  many  enlistments  in 
other  regiments  and  in  batteries.  We  will  endeavor  to  speak  briefly 
of  these  different  commands  in  which  the  county  had  a  distinct  organiza- 
tion. Such  treatment  must  of  necessity  be  brief,  but  will  be  sufficiently 
extended  to  show  our  readers  the  kind  of  officers  and  soldiers  sent  to  the 
army.  For  our  authority  we  have  relied  mainly  upon  the  official  "Rec- 
ords of  the  Union  and  Confederate  Armies :  War  of  the  Rebellion.  Pre- 
pared under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War  and  published  by 
authority  of  the  Government. "  We  once  asked  General  Longstreet  which 
he  regarded  as  the  best  history  of  the  war  from  the  Confederate  point 
of  view.  He  replied:  "We  hav'nt  any  best  history;  none  that  will  stand 
the  test  of  comparison  with  the  reports  published  in  those  volumes," 
pointing  to  a  set  of  "War  of  the  Rebellion  Records"  on  the  shelves  in 
his  library.  "Every  true  history  of  the  war,"  he  said,  "must  square 
with  the  reports  in  these  books  for  they  contain  the  correspondence, 
orders  and  reports  of  the  actual  participants,  made  at  that  time." 

We  have  found  "Michigan  in  the  War,"  by  the  late  Adjutant  General 
John  Robertson,  a  fruitful  source  of  information.  Greely's  "American 
Conflict"  has  some  valued  reference  to  Michigan  troops.  To  some  extent 
we  have  availed  ourself  of  a  "History  of  Calhoun  County,"  published 
in  1877  by  L.  H.  Evarts  &  Company  of  Philadelphia.  For  statistics  we 
have  relied  largely  upon  "Statistical  Record  of  the  United  States  Army" 
by  Frederick  Phisterer,  an  officer  in  the  regular  army.  For  the  military 
history  of  each  soldier  who  enlisted  from  this  county  we  are  indebted 
to  a  most  valuable  compilation  made  in  the  office  of  the  adjutant  general 
at  Lansing  during  the  administration  of  the  late  Governor  Bliss. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

CIVIL  WAR  INFANTRY 

First  Michigan  Enters  Virginia — At  First  Bull  Run — Calhoun 
County  Officers  and  Privates — Second,  Third  and  Fourth  Regi- 
ments— Histories  op  Regiments  From  the  Sixth  to  the  Twen- 
tieth, Inclitsive — Twenty-fourth  to  the  Twenty-eighth  Regi- 
ments and  the  Thirtieth  Infantry — First  Michigan  Engineers 

AND    JIeCHANICS — HOWLAND 's     ENGINEERS — FiRST     MICHIGAN     SlIARP 

Shooters — Berdan's  First  and  Second  United  States  Sharp 
Shooters — Company  I — Western  Sharp  Shooters — First  ilicHi- 
GAN  Colored  Infantry — Forty-second  and  Forty-fotrth  Illinois 
Infantry. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  First  j\Iichigan — three  montli's  regi- 
ment, of  its  prompt  recruitment  and  equipment,  of  its  journey  to 
Washington  and  of  the  favorable  comments  it  received  enroute  and  on 
its  arrival  at  the  National  capital.  From  the  steps  of  the  executive 
mansion  the  regiment  was  reviewed  by  President  Lincoln,  by  whom  it 
was  complimented  not  only  on  its  soldierly  appearance  but  also  on  the 
fact  that  is  was  the  first  regiment  from  out  the  great  west  to  reach 
the  endangered  capital. 

First  ^Michigan  Enters  Virginia 

Eight  days  after  its  arrival  in  Washington  it  participated  in  one 
of  the  memorable  incidents  of  the  war.  The  city  of  Alexandria  located 
on  the  Potomac  nearly  midway  between  Mount  Vernon  and  the  capital 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  Confederates.  From  some  of  the  wiiulows 
in  the  White  House  'Sir.  Lincoln  with  the  aid  of  a  field  glass  could  see  a 
Confederate  flag  floating  defiantly  over  Alexandria. 

Death  op  Ellsworth 

An  expedition  by  land  and  water  was  sent  against  the  town.  The 
brilliant  young  Ellsworth  was  sent  with  his  regiment,  the  New  York 
Zouaves,  by  steamer  down  the  Potomac  while  the  land  force  advanced 
under  General  Heintzelman.  The  latter  command  included  the  First 
Michigan  which  was  among  the  first  Federal  troops  to  cross  the  famous 
"long  bridge"  and  enter  the  state  of  Virginia.     Colonel  Wilcox  com- 


490  IIISTOKV  OF  CALIIOKX  COI'XTY 

manding  the  First  Michigan  reported  at  5:30  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  May  24th,  the  capture  of  Alexandria  with  a  number  of  prisoners. 
Colonel  Ellsworth  had  advanced  from  the  river  landing  and  with  his 
own  hands  had  removed  the  objectionable  Confederate  Hag,  but  in 
doing  so  was  shot  and  instantly  killed.  His  assailant  was  at  once  shot 
to  death  by  a  soldier  of  the  First  Michigan  regiment.  The  tragic  death 
of  the  promising  young  officer  cast  a  gloom  over  the  entire  country. 

At  First  Bull  Run 

The  First  lind  the  honor  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Hull  Run 
which  took  i)l;iic  near  .Manassas  Junction,  Virginia,  on  the  21st  of  July, 
1861.  and  was  the  first  serious  engagement  of  the  war.  While  this 
battle  nsullcd  disastrously  to  the  Union  arms,  it  brought  great  credit 
to  many  of  the  I'nion  troops  and  perhaps  to  none  more  than  the  First 
Michigan  Infantry. 

Ma.ior  General  Heintzleman  who  commanded  the  division  in  which 
the  First  t(iu<;lit  .says  in  his  official  report:  "The  First  Michigan  on  the 
e.Miciiic  li^hl  held  the  most  advanced  position  we  occupied  that  dis- 
astrous day. 

Colonel  Wilcox,  commanding  the  brigade,  says  in  his  official  report: 
"The  P^'irst  Michigan  deserves  the  credit  of  advancing  farther  into  the 
enemies  lines  than  any  other  of  our  troops  as  their  dead  bodies  proved 
after  the  battle." 

Colonel  J.  II.  Hobart  AVard  of  38th  New  York  Infantry  who  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  of  the  brigade  after  Wilcox  was  wounded  and 
captured,  said  in  his  report:  "The  officers  and  men  of  the  First  Michi- 
gan nobly  discharged  their  duty  to  their  country  and  well  may  their 
state  feel  proud  of  her  defenders." 

Major  Alonzo  F.  Bidwell,  who  commanded  the  regiment  during  the 
battle,  in  his  official  report  says:  "Hurried  into  action  after  a  march 
of  twelve  miles  over  an  exceedingly  dusty  road  with  but  little  water  and 
no  time  for  rest  and  refreshment,  our  fatigued  men  evinced  a  courage, 
coolness  and  endurance  that  entitles  them  to  the  highest  praise." 

The  regiment  went  into  action  four  hundred  and  seventy-tive  men 
and  twent.y-tive  commissioned  officei-s,  sti'ong,  and  returned  with  a  loss 
of  nine  officers  and  one  hundred  and  eight  men  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing, being  a  proportion  of  one-third  of  the  officers  and  one-fifth  of  the 
men  lost  or  injured  in  the  vicissitudes  of  the  day. 

Among  the  wounded  officers  was  Lieutenant  Warner  of  Co.  I,  of  Mar- 
shall, who  was  taken  from  the  field  and  cared  for  in  a  hospital  in  Wash- 
ington. Among  the  killed  was  Calvin  Colgrove  from  Marshall.  He  was 
color  sergeant  of  the  First  regiment  and  was  shot  early  in  the  engage- 
ment. It  is  believed  that  Marshall  has  the  honor  of  furnishing,  in  Col- 
grove's  death,  the  first  sacrifice  ilichigan  made  in  the  war  for  the  Union. 
The  C.  Colgrove  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  located  at  Marshall, 
fittingly  commemorates  the  name  of  the  dead  hero.  The  regiment,  on  the 
expiration  of  its  three  months'  term  of  service,  returned  and  was  mus- 
tered out  August  7,  1861. 

The  First  regiment  as  a  three-years  organization,  was  recruited  in 


lIiyTOHY   OF  CAhilOIX   CorXTY  I'.ll 

all  parts  of  the  state.  The  work  of  reorganization  was  begun  in  June, 
1861,  and  completed  in  the  following  September.  It  was  commanded  by 
Colonel  John  C.  Roliiuson.  He  was  captain  in  the  United  States  army, 
having  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  witii  tlic 
class  of  18:39.  He  had  a  brilliant  record  as  an  officer  in  the  Union  army, 
rising  to  the  rank  of  major  general  of  volunteers.  He  was  several  limes 
brevetted  for  meritorious  service  and  in  1869  was  retired  with  the  lank 
of  major  general  because  of  wounds  received  in  the  line  of  dut\ . 

C.M.not'N  Coi'NTV  Officers 

There  was  not  any  one  company  complete  from  Calhoun  in  the  New 
First,  but  there  were  recruits  from  the  county  in  several  companies. 
Hiram  S.  Warner,  of  IMarshall,  who  served  in  the  three-months  regi- 
ment as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  I,  entered  the  three-year  regiment 
as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  I,  and  Oliver  C.  Comstock,  of  iMarsliall, 
was  made  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E.  He  was  a  brave  and  gallant 
officer;  made  first  lieutenant  November  18,  1861;  captain,  May  26,  1S62; 
killed  in  action  at  Gaines  Mill,  June  27,  1862.  Colonel  Horace  S.  Rob- 
erts who  commanded  the  regiment  in  the  battle  spoke  of  Comstock  as  a 
"brave  and  promising  officer."  Lieutenant  Warner  was  made  captain 
on  the  10th  of  December,  1861 ;  resigned  in  January,  1862,  and  in  July 
of  the  same  year  reentered  the  service  as  first  lieutenant  and  adjutant 
of  the  20th  Infantry. 

The  First  took  part  in  the  peninsula  campaign  under  .McCli'llaii ;  was 
in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  in  Fitzjohn  Porter's  command  ;  it  fought 
at  Antietam.  Fredricksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg  and  in  the 
surrender  at  Appomatox.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  July  9,  1865,  and  on  the  12th,  was  paid  off  at  Jackson,  Michi- 
gan. The  total  eni-ollment  in  the  regiment,  including  the  tiiree-months 
and  the  three-years  service,  was  1,884.  Of  these  there  were  killed  in 
action,  130;  died  of  wounds,  39;  died  in  Confederate  prisons.  9;  died  of 
disease,  76:  discharged  for  disability  (wounds  and  disease),  303. 

Alph.\betic'.\l  List  uf  Soldiers 

The  following  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  who 
served  in  this  the  First  Michigan  regiment  from  Calhouu  county : 

Allen,  Edwin.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  18(3]. 

Alsdorf,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Jlarshall,  April  22,  1S6]. 

Armstrong,  John  N.    Company  E.     Eiilistp.l  .-it  Biirliiiytnii.  Si>|iti'iiiliiT  \K   Isiil. 

Baker,  Daniel.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   .M:irsli,,ll,  April  ll',  ls(il. 

Becket,  James.     Company  I.     Enlisted  .'it   M:ir-<li,ili.  Ainil  --.  IMil. 

Bliss,  Henry  P.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tckou.slm,  Hoi.tunibcr  11,  ISfil. 

Boody,  Nelson.     Company  E.     Drafted  at  Burliugtou,  mustered  .Iiiim'  Id,   1s(>4. 

Borne,  Linard.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  It.  l~'(il.  Tuiie 
wounded   in   action. 

Buckland,  Charles  H.    Company  A  from  Tekon.sha.    Enlisted  August  27,  1S()2. 

Carey,  Jesse.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Carr,  Sanford  Daniel.  'Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Jlarshall,  July  26,  1S6I.  Twi.e 
wounded  in  action. 


492  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Carriek,  Charles.  Company  E.  From  Calhoun  county  but  enlisted  at  Coldwater, 
July  27,  1861.  Twice  wounded  in  action.  Promoted  to  Lieutenant  and  Brevet  Cap- 
tain for  gallantry  in  battle. 

Colgrove,  Calvin.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at   Bull  Hun,   Va.,   July   21,   1861. 

Collins,  Albert.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   April   22,    1861. 

Comstock,  Oliver  C.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  A)iril  22,  1861.  Killed 
in  action  as  Captain  Co.  K.  at  Gaines  Mills,  Va.,  June  27,   1M12. 

Cooper,  Daniel  B.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  MarslKili,  April  22,  ISGI. 

Cooper,  James  E.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marsliall,  .July  24,  ls61.  Wounded 
in  action,  August   30,  1862. 

Corby,  Peter.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Cougblin,  Jeremiah.  Company  B.  From  Calhoun  county,  but  enlisted  at  Ann 
Arbor,  September  9,  1861.     Wounded  at  Chaneellorsville,  Va.,  May  5,  1863. 

Crofoot,  David.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Crofoot,   Oscar.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   April  22,  1861. 

Davis,  Adoniram  J.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  28,  1861. 
Killed  in  action  at  Manassas,  Va.,  August  30,  1862. 

Davison,  Robert.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

DeWolfe,  Eugene.  Company  C.  From  Calhoun  county,  but  enlisted  at  Lima, 
November  2,  1861.  Wounded  in  action  at  Fredericksburg  and  again  at  the  Wilder- 
ness. 

Doolittle,  Monroe.  Company  E.  From  Calhoun  county,  but  enlisted  at  Cold- 
water,  August  0,  1861.     Wounded  at  Gaines  Mills  and  again  at  the  Wilderness. 

Eddy,  Gardener  P.,  Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  21,  1861. 

Eldred,  Joseph  G.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  August  23,  1861. 

Emerson,  William.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Engle,  John,  Jr.    Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  12,  1861. 

Failing,  John  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  14,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Chaneellorsville,  Va. 

Fegles,  Sylvester.  Company  H.  Enlisted  February  24,  1862.  Wounded  near 
Laurel  Hill,  Va. 

Fero,  David.  Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Ford,  Eugene  V.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  10,  1861.  Died 
August  12,  1863  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Gettysburg. 

Freeman,  George  B.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  October  3,  1861. 

Frink,  Daniel.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  September  23,  1861. 

Gilbert,  Henry  F.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  15,  1861. 
Beenlisted  February  17,  1864.  Mustered  out  July  9,  186.5.  Participated  in  all  the 
campaigns  and  battles  in  which  his  regiment  took  part.     Twice  slightly  wounded. 

Gillespie,  Lewis.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  February  27,  1862. 

Gordon,  John  S.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  11,  1861. 

Granger,   George.     Company   H.     Enlisted   March   10,   1862. 

Hardy,  William.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Hatch,  John  G.  Enlisted  from  Homer,  July  18,  1861.  Was  respectively  first 
Sergeant,  second  Lieutenant,  first  Lieutenant  and  Captain.  Severely  wounded  in 
action  at  second  Bull  Eun,  Va. 

Hewlitt,  Orlo.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Howard,  Seymour  B.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  18,  1861.  Com- 
missioned second  Lieutenant  March  10,  1863. 

Hoyt,  Samuel.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  September  27,  1861. 

Hubbard,  Deville.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861.  First 
Captain  of  Company  I.     Mustered  out  August  7,  1861. 

Humphrey,  Hugh.  Company  K,  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  20,  1861.  Wounded 
in  action  August  30,  186—. 

Hunter,  Joseph.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Hutchinson,  Clinton.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Kent,  Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Kern,  Henry.     Company  I.     Enlisted  as  a  musician  at  Marshall  May  1,  1861. 

Ke.yes,  George  M.  Company  E.  Enlisted  February  24,  1862.  Wounded  and 
taken  prisoner  at  Malvern  Hill,  Va.  and  again  wounded  at  Gettysburg. 


HISTORY   OF  CALHOUN   COUNTY  493 

Lane,  Hiram  F.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  :22,  ISOl.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 

McCamley,  Chancy.  Company  I.  Eulisteil  at  Marshall  April  2-2,  ISOl.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Bull  Run,  July  2\,  1S61. 

Mains,  Lorengo.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  L"J,  ls(il.  Died  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  July  121,  1S61. 

Merritt,  Charles  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  :2l\  IStil. 

Mills,  Lucius  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  February  24,  1S61.  Displayed  special 
gallantry  in  the  battle  of  Allsop's  farm.  May  8,  1864,  in  which  battle  he  was 
wounded. 

Mills,  William.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  5,  1861.  Killed  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  September  30,  1864. 

Miner,  Peter.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  22,  1S61.  Killed  in 
action  at  Manassas,  Va.,  August  30,  1862. 

Mintline,  Daniel.  Company  E.  Enlisted  August  5,  1861.  Died  from  wounds 
received  in  action  at   the  second  Bull  Bun  battle. 

iloraii,  Patrick.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  9,  1861.  Twice  wounded 
in   action. 

Morris,  Theodore.     Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Morrow,  Sandy.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  12,  1861. 

Niekerson,   Constant.     Company   I.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   April   22,   1861. 

Owens,  Daniel  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  7,  1861. 
Died  of  disease,  January  15,  1862. 

Owens,  Uriah.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  6.  1861. 

Pease,  Peter  H.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Perkins,  Martin.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  October  21,  1861.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Gaines  Mills,  Va. 

Pierce,  Delazen  S.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  October  19,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  August  30,  1861. 

Pierce,  Titus  V.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  October  19,  1861.  Died 
of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Preston,  Marvin.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  ilarshall,  July  16,  1861. 

Pugh,  Theophilus.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  9,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at  JIanassas,  August  30,  1862. 

Randall,  Edgar  A.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  14,  1861. 
Severely  wounded  in  action  at  Manassas,  Va.,  August  30,  1861. 

Eeardian,  Dennis.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Russell,  James  F.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  5,  1861.  Severelj 
wounded  in  action.     Was  Sergeant,  First  Sergeant,  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain. 

Russell,  Stephen  P.    Company  G.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  9,  I860. 

Scouten,  Isaac.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Seaman,  Isaac  H.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  28,  1861. 

Shaw,  George  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  8,  1861.  Died  in 
hospital  at  Bladensburg,  Md..  November  1,  1861. 

Shedd,  James  0.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  10,  1861. 

Shriner,  Robert   W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,   1861. 

Shumway,  Francis.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  October  19,  1861. 
Wounded  at  Gaines  Mills  and  again  at  Chancellorsville. 

Sibley,  John  E.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  6,  1S61.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Culpepper,   Va.,  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison. 

Simons.  Frederick.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Siseo,  Rufus.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Skutt,  Marion  W.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  October  19.  1S61.  Wounded 
May  4,  1864. 

Smith,  John.    Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 

Thomas,  Mathew  C.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  October  23,  1861. 

Thomas,  Robert.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha.  October  10,  1861. 

Thomilson,  Henry.     Company  I.     Enlist,.!  ;it   >r.ir-li.-ill,  April  22.   1861. 

Thompson,  Emanuel  E.     Company  I.      KhIim.,!   .n    Marshall.  April   22,   1861. 

Tyler,  George.     Company  L     Enlisted  :it    M,ir-li;.ll.  April  22,  1861. 

I'pright,  Edmond.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  April  22,  1861. 


494  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

VanDyke,  Abner.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  September  12,  1861. 

Van  Gordon,  Abraham  D.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  April  22,   1861. 

Watkins,  Hiram  T.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  18,  1861.  Color 
guard  corporal.     Wounded  in   action  at  Gettysburg. 

Watson,  George  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  February  26,  1862.  Wouniled  in 
action  at  Gaines  ilills,  Va. 

West,   George   P.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  8,   1861. 

Wilder,   Samuel   S.     Company   E.     Enlisted   September   14,   1861. 

Wise,  Eaton.     Company  H.     Enlisted  February  24,  1862. 

Wolf,  Elisha.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  18,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at  Manassas,  Va.,  August  30,  1862. 

Woodruflf,  William  S.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  16,  1861. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Manassas.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg.  Died  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Petersburg.  He  was  successively  Sargeant,  Second 
Lieutenant   and  First  Lieutenant   commanding  Company. 

Woolever,  Charles.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861.  Mustered  out  August 
7,  as  sergeant. 

Worth,  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  February  24,  1862.  Killed  in  ,-ic-tinn 
at  Gaines  Mills,  Va.,  June  27,  1862. 

The  Second  Michigan  Inf.vntry 

Was  inadi'  up  almost  wholly  of  uniformed  militia  companies  which  in 
obedience  to  orders  assembled  in  camp  of  instruction  on  the  old  fair 
grounds  in  Detroit  during  the  last  week  of  April,  1861.  The  first  colonel 
of  the  Second  was  Israel  Bush  Richardson,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
military  academy  1840.  He  was  brevetted  captain  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  service  in  the  war  with  Mexico.  He  was  made  a  brigadier 
and  major  general  successively  in  the  Union  army ;  was  mortally  wounded 
at  Antietam;  his  body  rests  in  Oak  Hill  cemeterj',  Pontiac,  Michigan. 
The  regiment  participated  in  the  peninsula  campaign  under  McClellan, 
being  commanded  by  Colonel  Orlando  M.  Poe,  who  succeeded  Richardson 
when  the  latter  was  promoted  to  brigader  general.  Col.  Poe  was  also  a 
graduate  of  West  Point,  who  became  especially  distinguished  as  a  civil 
engineer.  His  greatest  single  achievement  as  an  engineer  was  subse- 
quent to  the  war  in  the  building  of  the  the  "Poe  Lock"  at  the  Sault  St. 
Marie,  which  at  the  time  of  its  construction  was  the  largest  lock  in  the 
world. 

The  third  I'oginieiital  commander  was  William  H.  Humphrey,  a 
civilian  who  entered  the  service  from  Adrian  as  captain  of  Company  U. 
He  was  commissioned  colonel  in  April,  1863,  and  commanded  his  regi- 
ment with  great  skill  and  gallantr.v  under  Burnside  in  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee  and  later  in  the  great  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
He  became  a  brigade  commander  and  was  brevetted  brigadier  general  for 
conspicuoiis  and  gallant  service.  Edwin  J.  March  was  made  lieutenant 
colonel  April  1,  1864,  and  colonel  September  30  same  year.  A  brave  and 
capable  officer. 

The  fifth  and  last  colonel  of  this  regiment  was  Frederick  Schneider, 
who  rose  from  the  ranks  step  by  step  through  almost  every  grade  of  non- 
commissioned and  commissioned  officer  until  April  18,  1865,  when  he  was 
made  colonel.  Col.  Schneider  is  the  only  commander  of  the  regiment  now 
living.  At  his  home  in  Lansing  he  is  as  modest  and  retiring  in  peace  as 
he  was  brave  and  gallant  in  war. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  495 

Cornelius  Byiugton,  who  entered  the  service  from  Battle  Creek  as 
captain  of  Coinpau}'  C,  was  promoted  to  major  and  as  such  commanded 
his  regiment  in  repeated  engagements  and  always  with  great  personal 
gallantry.  He  was  mortally  wounded  while  leading  his  regiment  in  an 
assault  on  the  enemies"  works  in  front  of  Fort  Saunders,  Kiioxville, 
Tennessee,  November  24,  1864.  He  was  sincerely  mourned  !)>■  his  enm- 
rades  in  the  tield  and  by  citizens  at  home. 

Isaac  Perrine,  Jr.,  was  another  soldier  from  Calhuuii  cduiily  in  this 
historic  regiment  who  received  honorable  mention  in  general  orders. 
Perrine  was  but  eighteen  years  old  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany C  at  Battle  Creek.  He  was  made  first  lieutenant  August  27,  18(34, 
and  captain  August  25,  1865.  He  was  recommended  for  a  brevet  cap- 
taincy by  i\Iajor  General  Parke,  commanding  Ninth  Army  Corps,  and 
approved  by  General  ]\Iead  "for  conspicuous  gallantry  at  Port  Stedman, 
Virginia,  March  22,  1865." 

Total  enrollment  was,  1,819. 

Total  killed  in  action,  118. 

Total  died  of  wounds,  100. 

Total  died  in  Confederate  prisons,  16. 

Total  died  of  disease,  109. 

Total  discharged  for  disability,  208. 

Pew  regiments  from  any  state  can  show  a  record  ecjual  to  the  above. 
Out  of  a  total  mortality  of  343,  two  hundred  and  eighteen  were  killed  in 
battle  or  died  from  wounds  received  in  action. 

Adams,  Marvin  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  ISIJI. 

Allen,  Kirk  P.     Company  I.     Enlisted  April  ■22,  1861.     Discharged  July  i;4.  ]sr,4. 

Angell,  Jerome  E.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1S61. 

Baker,  Charles  C.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  in  159th  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  November  10,  1862. 

Baloh,  William.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Barringer,  James  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  10,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Campbells  Station,  Tenn.,  Novemoer  16,  1861,  and  again  at 
Knoxville,   Tenn..   November   24,   1863. 

Barris,  Joseph  C.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Mas- 
tered out  July  28,  1865. 

Barton,  Joseph  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  May  10,  1861.  First  Lieutenant  and 
Regimental  Quartermaster.  Later  Captain  in  the  1.3th,  and  Acting  Assistant  In- 
spector General  First  Division  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.     Mnstorod  mit  July  25,   1S65. 

Bently,  George.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battir  inrk,   M,iy   10,  ls(il. 

Bostvvick,  Dana.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battir  i  rnk,  Al:i\  i  n.  Isiil.  Wnim.!,.,] 
in  action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1863.    Died  DciiMiilicr  !i,  1863. 

Bowls,  Robert.     Company  C.     Enlisted  Battle  Creek,   May    In.    Isiil. 

Bradley,  Albert.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861.  '  Wnnn.lcd  in  action  at 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1863. 

Brininstool,  William.    Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .May  Hi,   Isiil. 

Brown,  James  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  ilay   in.  IMil. 

Brown,  John  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  April  22,   1S61. 

Burt,  Marcina.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jlay  in,  1S61. 

Byington,  Cornelius.  Entered  service  at  Battle  Creek  as  Captain  Company  C, 
May  10,  1861.  Major,  July  26,  1862.  Jlortally  wounded  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
November  24,  1861. 

Cole,  Archibald.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Jlardi  2!l.  lS(i4.  Died  from 
wounds  received  in  action  June  18,  1864. 

Conley,  Geo.  C.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  In.  IMil.  March 
27,   1862,   discharged   for   disability   on   account   of  wounds    n'ceived    in   act  ion. 


496  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Culver,  William  E.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Cunimings,  Willis  A.  Company  F.  Enlisted  March  27,  1862.  Died  in  Ander- 
sonville  prison  July  22,  1864. 

Davis,  Darwin  D.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1863.  Taken  prisoner  and 
Buffered  amputation  of  leg. 

Denman,  Horace.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  De- 
serted October  19,  1862. 

Dennison,  Alvin.  Company  C.  Enlisted  in  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Wounded 
in  action  June  30,  1862. 

Diekman,  Alphonso  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861.  Wounded  June 
30,  1862.     Taken  prisoner  January  21,  1864.     Discharged  June  30,  1865. 

Dorlin,  Martin.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861. 

Dunn,  John.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861. 
Wounded   before  Petersburg,  Va.,   June   17,   1864. 

Edwards,  Albert  L.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861. 

Ethridge,  James.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Evans,  Charles.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1864.  Dis- 
charged by  order  of  secretary  of  war,  being  a  minor. 

Fairchilds,  Lansing.    Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Fish,  Eugene  P.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Fish,  Timothy  E.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Was 
Sergeant,  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant.     Wounded  in  action  March  25,  1866. 

Fisher,  Martin.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861.  Died 
of  disease  June  9,  1862. 

Flogg,  William  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  10,  1861. 
Sergeant.     Wounded  in  action  at  Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  October  10,  1863. 

Foster,  Francis  A.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  September  7,  1861. 

Freeman,  George  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 
Sergeant,  First  and  Second  Lieutenant.  Aide  de  Camp  on  the  staff  of  General  Berry 
and  later  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General  Artillery  Brigade  Eleventh  Corps. 

Frey,  James.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Wounded 
at  Willjamsburg,  Va.,  May  5,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November 
24,   1863. 

Galpin,  Charles  R.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Suc- 
cessive Sergeant,  Sergeant  Major  and  Second  Lieutenant.  Killed  in  action  at  Knox- 
ville, Tenn.,  November  24,  1863. 

Gardner,  Nelson.  Company  K.  Enlisted  May  10,  1861.  Wounded  in  action  at 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1863.  Lost  an  arm  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17, 
1864. 

Oilman,  Joseph  F.  Company  C.  Entered  service  with  company  as  Second 
Lieutenant.  Commissioned  First  Lieutenant  September  22,  1861  and  resigned 
because  of  disability  November  6,  1861. 

Glass,  Wm.  H.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1864. 

Gregg,  John  C.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861.  Died  of  disease  in 
hospital  January  9,  1863. 

Grover,  Hiram  A.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861.  Wounded  in  action, 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June   17,   1864." 

Harper,  or  Hoyes,  George  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  ilay  10, 
1861.    Wounded  in  action  at  Williamsburg.  Va.,  and  again  at  Fair  Oaks,  Va. 

Harris,  Charles.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  September  7,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  24,  1863.    Lost  left  arm. 

Harris,  Orville.     Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Harris,  William.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  May  10,  1S61. 

Hethcoat,  James  K.    Company  G.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  7,  1861. 

Hodges,  Edward.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1S61. 

Hodskin,  Charles  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  25,  1861. 
Successively  Sergeant,  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain.  Acting  In- 
spector General,  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division  Ninth  Army  Corps. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COITXTY  497 

Holliman,  John  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Mny  in,   lS(i1.     Ser- 

^^^°Holton,  Samuel  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Miiy  10,  isiil.  Suc- 
cessively  Hospital   Steward,   Assistant    Surgeon   and   Surgeon  ,„    ,.,-1 

Humiston.  Hubert  I.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1801. 

lehor,  Charles.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  lU,  1861. 

Ide,  Alonzo  C.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  18(31.  Wounded 
at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  11,  1863.  ,    ,„,, 

Jones,  Austin.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  ISbl.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Jackson,  Miss.     No  further  record.  m     loci 

Jones  Thomas  P.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 
Sargeant.     Wounded  in  action   at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  IM,  1863 

Kidder,  Benjamin  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Kingsley,  Fenton.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Killed 
in  the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864. 

Lee    Curtis.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,   May  10,  18fal. 

Leonard.  John  I.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  May  10,  1861. 

Lewis,  Eugene.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Livingston.  Myron.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Died 
at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  December  27,  1863  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Lunt,  Mortimer  F.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  September  ,,  1861. 
Deserted  in  the  field,  June  30,  1862.  t,      ,      n      i, 

McConnelly,   George.     Company   C.      Enlisted   as   a    drummer   at    Battle   Creek, 

^^Ma'ek,  Daniel.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Died  of 
disease  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  Aug.  29,  1862.  ,„,„<•! 

Manchester,  Stephen.    Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Marion,  Michael.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Marsh   Ephraim.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10.  1863. 

Mason',  William  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861 

Mayo  Perry.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Wounded 
in  action  'at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  24,  1863  and  again  in  the  Battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness, May  6,  1864. 

Mills    Lumon  G.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Molyneaux,  Bobert  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 
Transferred  to  Battery  H.  First  U.  S.  Artillery,  January  12,  1863  and  severely 
wounded  while  in  service  of  battery.  -,,.    -.ori 

Morrison,  D.  Cameron.    Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Norton,  James  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.     Died 

pIrmateTf  Charle's  I.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Died 
of  disease  June  24,  1862. 

Perrine,  Isaac,  Jr.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1M.1.  Com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant,  1864  and  Captain,  I860. 

Pigott,  William  A.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  1",  IShl 
Wounded  in  action  June  30,  1862.  ,«    -.oci 

Poole,  Eansom  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Poorman,  Charles  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  May  10,  1S61. 

Rath,  Samuel  J.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10    ]86^1 

Eeesier,  Squier.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Served 
as  Brigade  Wagon  Master. 

Renick   John  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Richardson,   Joseph.      Company   C.      Enlisted    at    Battle    Creek.    May    10.    1861. 

^'^^lUsdorph,  Charles  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  May  10,  1861. 
Corporal,  Sergeant,  and  Second  Lieutenant. 

Eisler,  Palmer.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  May  10,  1861.  Died  in 
hospital  in  Va.,  February  13,  1862. 

Rogers,  Dezero.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  Id.  ]s61.  Deserted 
March  31,  1863. 


498  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Eussell,  Stephen.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Dis- 
charged on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Sharp,  Bobert.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Sheldon,  Stephen  A.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  11,  1863.  Was  successively  Sergeant,  First 
Sergeant,  Sergeant  Major,  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieutenant,  Brevet  Captain  and 
Brevet  Major. 

Smith,  Albert  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1S61.  Cor-; 
poral.     Died  of  wounds  received  in  action, 'July  11,  1863. 

Spencer,  Edgar.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Deserted; 
March  31,  1863. 

Stewart,  Eugene.  Company  C.  Enlisted  as  tifer  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,- 
1861.     Deserted  June  23,  1862. 

Swanson,  Donald.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Sullivan,  John.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Deserted 
December,  1861. 

Taylor,  Clark  S.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 

Van  Woert,  Henry  E.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1863. 
Died  November  24,  1863  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Woldron,  George.     Company  I.     Enlisted  April  22,   1861.     Drummer.  ; 

Whaley,  William  F.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action  June  30,  1862.  Killed  in  action  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  August  11,- 
1864. 

White,  Charles  D.    Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  :May  10,  1861.   Sergeant. 

Wright,  Wm.  A.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  10,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability  May,  1862. 

THIRD    AND    FOURTH    INFANTRYMEN. 

Third:  Romans,  Edward  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek  for  nine 
months.  Substitute  for  Isaac  Eouse.  Wounded  in  action  at  Chancellorsville,  Va., 
May,  1863. 

Fourth:    Ainsley,  George.     Company  C.     Enlisted  June  20,  1861. 

Burrow,  Charles.  Company  I.  Enlisted  June  20,  1861.  Wounded  in  action  May 
24,  1862. 

Collins,  George.     Company  C.     Enlisted  June  20,  1861.    Deserted  July  2.5,  1861. 

Craig,  Orlando.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  June  20,  1861.  Mortally 
wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  13,  1862. 

David,  or  Davis,  Orson.  Company  C.  Enlisted  June  20,  1861.  Supposed  to 
have   been  killed  at   Gettysburg,   July   2,  1863. 

Hyndell,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted  June  20,  1861. 

Ketchum,  Alvah.     Company  C.     Enlisted  June  20,  1861. 

Lovett,  George  E.     Company  I.     Enlisted  June  20,  1861. 

Ferine,  Jacob  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  August  15,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  2,  1863. 

Eobinson,  Charles  W.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  February  13,  1864.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, February  28,  1866.    Mustered  out  at  Houston,  Texas,"  May  26,  1866. 

Van  Zant,  Oliver.  Company  C.  Enlisted  June  20,  1861.  Wounded  in  action 
May  5,   1864. 

Wright,  James  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  June  20,  1861.  Mustered  out  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  February  23,  1866. 

Sixth  Inf.vntry 

The  Sixth  Michigan  had  two  companies  credited  to  Calhoun  county, 
viz :  the  ' '  Wolverine  Ritle  Rangers ' '  of  Marshall  and  the  ' '  Albion  Rifle 
Rangers"  of  Albion.  The  Marshall  company  was  assigned  the  letter  E 
and  was  officered  by  James  Winters,  captain;  Sylvester  Cogswell,  first 


IIISTOKY  OF  CALIIOIX   COrNTV  JO'.I 

lieutenant,  and  Charles  Heine,  second  lieutenant,  all  of  .Marshall.  Harri- 
son Soule  was  captain  of  the  Albion  company.  The  lirst  and  second 
lieutenants  were  taken  one  from  Jackson  and  the  other  from  Hillsdale 
county. 

This  regiment  is  known  also  as  the  Sixth  Heavy  Artillery.,  General 
Banks  having  converted  it  into  such  in  July,  1863.  Its  service"  was  almost 
wholly  in  the  extreme  southwest  of  the  Mississippi  river  and  along  the 
Gulf  of  .Mexico.  While  its  list  of  casualties  iu  battle  was  not  large  its 
aggi-egate  number  of  deaths  is  perhaps  greater  than  that  of  any  other 
Michigan  regiment. 

In  this  regiment  was  Dr.  Simeon  S.  French  of  Hattlc  CrcrU,^  wliu 
went  out  as  assistant  surgeon  and  later  was  commissioned  major*  and 
surgeon  of  the  Twentieth  Infantry.  Surgeon  French  lived  to  be  over 
ninety  years  of  age,  retaining  his  faculties  to  a  remarkable  degree  and 
enjoying  to  the  last  the  love  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

William  H.  Dickey  who  went  out  from  Marshall  as  fii-st  sergeant  of 
Company  D,  made  a  very  unusual  record.  He  was  commissioned  second 
lieutenant  October  9,  1861 ;  first  lieutenant,  September,  1862 ;  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general,  March,  1863 ;  colonel  of  U.  S.  Colored  Troops, 
October  16,  1863 ;  commanding  a  brigade,  March,  1864.  He  was  repeat- 
edly mentioned  with  commendation  by  his  superior  officers  and  his 
responsibilities  continually  increased.  The  following  "field  order,"  one 
among  a  number,  in  "Rebellion  Records''  will  be  read  with  interest  by 
all  who  know  what  it  means  to  go  from  sergeant  in  the  ranks  to  the  coiu- 
mand  of  a  brigade  iu  the  field. 

Field  Orders,  No.  7 — Headquarters.  Department  of  the  Gulf.  Alex- 
andria, Louisiana,  March  29,  1864.  Colonel  Dickey,  commanding  First 
Brigade,  First  Division  Corps  d'  Afrique  will  supply  himself  with  ten 
days'  rations  and  five  days'  forage,  and  will  march  this  afternoon  by  the 
Bayou  Rapides  road,  encamping  tonight  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
pontoon  train  ;  he  will  continue  his  march,  keeping  near  this  train,  report- 
ing to  Major  General  Franklin  upon  reaching  his  column. 

By  command  of  ]\L\jor  General  Banks." 

Richard  R.  Thayer,  a  youth  of  but  nineteen,  who  went  out  in  tiiis 
regiment  from  Battle  Creek  as  a  sergeant  in  Company  K,  is  commended 
in  General  Orders  by  ilajor  General  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  "for  fearless 
conduct,  after  he  was  wounded,  in  supporting  Lieutenant  Brown's  bat- 
tery." It  is  rare  that  the  conduct  of  a  non-comiuissoued  officer  in  battle 
is  mentioned  by  the  commanding  general. 

The  total  enrollment  in  the  Sixth  regiment  was  1.992,  of  whom  4.'> 
were  killed  in  action ;  25  died  of  wounds ;  13  died  in  Confederate  prisons ; 
432  died  of  disease  and  327  were  discharged  on  account  of  disabilities, 
wounds  or  disease. 

ALPHABETrc.\L   LIST  OF  SlXTII   I.VFA.NTRY.M  EX 

Abbott,  Thomas  J.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Crock.  April  7.  1S('>1.  I>i>'a 
at  New  Orleans,  October  27,  1862. 

Allen.  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marsljall,  Au-hM  '.i.  ImH.  Micl  uf 
disease  at  Ship  Island,  Miss.,  March  30,  1862. 


500  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Amy,  DaviJ.  Company  E.  From  Tekonsha.  Enlisted  August  9,  1861.  Died  of 
disease  at  Port  Hudson,  La.,  1863. 

Amy,  Edwin  M.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  August  12,  1861. 

Amy,  Osear.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  August  9,  1861. 

Ainsley,  Sherman.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  29,  1861.     Corporal. 

Austin,  John.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  August  9,  1861.     Corporal. 

Austin,  Richard.     Company  E.     From  Marengo.     Enlisted  August  9,  1861: 

Avery,  Amos  D.     Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Albion,  November  10,  1862. 

Avery,  Orange  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  28,  1861. 

Banta,  John.     Enlisted  in  August  20,  1861. 

Barto,  Andrew  J.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  29,  1861. 

Baum,  Henry.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.,  1861.  Died  of  disease, 
Sept.  .5,  1862. 

Bayfield,  Alexander.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  7,  1861. 

Benham,  Willis.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  13,  1861.  Died  in  La., 
1863. 

Bennett,  Myron.  Company  E.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Aug.  8,  1861.  Died 
Feb.  6,  1862. 

Blanchard,  Charles.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  23,  1861.  Killed 
in  action  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  5,   1S62. 

Blashfield,  William  B.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Jlarshall,  Aug.  8,  1861.  Cor- 
poral. 

Bostiek,  Henry.  Company  E.  Enlisted  July  1,  1861.  Killed  in  action  at  Port 
Hudson,  La.,  June  30,  1863. 

Brenenstrahl,  John.  Company  G.  Pinlisted  at  Albion,  March  22,  1864.  Died  at 
Fort  Gaines,  Ala.,  Oct.  9,  1864. 

Brooks,  Stanly  C.     Company  B.     Enlisted  June   19,  1861. 

Brownhill,  Charles  E.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  3,  1861. 

Buck,  Frederick.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  .June  19,  1861.  Sergeant, 
First  and  Second  Lieutenant. 

Burgess,  William  J.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  3,  1861.  Corporal, 
Sergeant,  First  Sergeant  and  Second  Lieutenant. 

Burley,  Jabez.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  10,  1861.  Died  Oct. 
14,  1862. 

Burnham,  John.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Burton,  Lyman.     Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9.  1861. 

Carnes,  John.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marsliall,  June  19,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Died  July  7,  1863. 

Carpenter,  Charles.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  20,  1861. 

Carpenter,  RoUa.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  August  9,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner  and  no   further  record. 

Case,  Ulysses.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1861. 

Casey.  Mathias.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  10,  1861.  Died  in  New 
Orleans,  Sept.  23.  1862. 

Cnssody.  Abram  M.     Company  A.     Enlisted  Aug.  5,  1861. 

(■iKin.llor.  Walter  D.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  20,  1861. 

i|i;iM..  Aliltnn.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  3,  1861.  Hospital 
stcvvai'l.     I 'omiiiissioned  assistant  surgeon,   1862. 

ClKittenlon,   Andrew  J.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  18,  1861. 

Cln-isty,  WilliMm.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  10,  1861. 

Clark,'  Boone.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Aug.  10,  1861.  Died  of 
disease  in   New  Orleans,  May,  1862. 

Cogswell,  Sylvester.  Company  E.  Enlisted  service  as  First  Lieutenant.  .Tune 
19,   1861.     Captain,   October   IS,   iSBl.     Ma.ior,  Aug.   23,   1864. 

Coldstream,  George.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  30,  1861.  Died 
of  disease  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  Nov.  7,  1862. 

Colstock,   Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.   19,   1861.     Corporal. 

Collins.  George  Jr.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  19,  1861.  Corporal, 
Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant. 


HISTORY   OF  CAIJIOIN   COINTY  :M 

Conant,  Otis  B.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  H,   IMil. 

Conlin,  John.     Company   V.     Enlisted  July   :29,   1H61. 

Cooper,  Stephen.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall    Any.  N   l'^''  ; 

Coriell,  Robert  U.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Auk.  '.',  l^'l-  I'>^"1  -it 
Urummond,  Va.,  Nov.  20,  1861. 

Courtright,  Walter.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  August  o,   1S(.1. 

Cryderman,  William  V.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  lii,  IM.l.  I'lea 
at   New  Orleans,   La.,   Jan.   17,   1863. 

Dailey,  Arthur  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  June  19,  1S61.  Corporal,  bergeant, 
Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieutenant  and  Acting  Adjutant. 

Davis,  Harvey  W.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  a,  ISbl. 

Davis,  Samuel.    Company  1.    Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Davis,  Seymour  W.     Company  E.     Enlisted  June  19,  1861.     Sergeant  :uul   l-.rst 

'^^^Tcker,  Eli.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  10,  1861. 

Dyoe!   James   F.      Company    L    Enlisted   at    Albion,    Aug.    8,    1861.      Corpora  . 

Dickey  William  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  June  19,  1861.  First  Sergeant 
Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieutenant  and  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Col. 
84  U    S    Colored  Troops  1863  and  Brevet  Brigadier  General  Volunteers,  1865. 

Dickson,  William.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  6,  1861.     Deserted 

'  "^D'oak    Francis  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  28,  1864. 

Dorman,  Levi  C.  Company  L  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  8,  1861.  Bugler.  Mus- 
tered out,  Aug.  20,  1865.  .,       _,  , 

Day,  Alfred  E.     Company  F.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1861.     Corporal 

"""^  Esmond!" Edward  V.  Company  I.  'Enlisted  at  Albion,  .Ii.ly  29,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner,  1863.     Corporal  and  Sergeant.     Mustered  out,  I860.  ,      ^  , 

Ferguson,  Perry  H.  Company  L  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Taken  pris- 
oner,   1863.     'Mustered    out,    1864. 

Fero,  Daniel.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  5,  ISt.l.  Corporal  and 
Sergeant.    Mustered  out,  1865. 

Fish,  Charles  E.     Company  E.     Enlisted  March  6,  1862. 

Fish'  Charles  L.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  1.  1861. 

Fish'  Edwin  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .luly  29,  1861.  Cor- 
poral.    Mustered  out,  1865.  _    ,„.,      r^        ^   1 

Fowler,  John  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  0,  18bl.  Deesrtcd 
Oct.  1861.  .  ^  ,„„, 

French,  Simeon  S.  Entered  service  with  regiment  as  assistant  surgeon,  18bl. 
Surgeon  of  20th  Infantry,  1862.  ,„    ,c..i 

Gay    Seymour.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  20,  1861. 

George,  William  H.  Company  E.  EnUsted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  1865.  ^_^,      ^        ^   ,      .,.,, 

Gervey   John      Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9.  1861.    Deserted,  1862. 

Gibson!  Edward  M.  c'ompany  C.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Aug.  13,  1861.  Died  at 
Ship  Island,  Miss.,  March  15,  1862.  m„,„„.„1 

Glasgow,  Samuel  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Ai.t;.  1.  IM'l.  .Mustirci 
out  for  disability,  November  20,  1863.  

Gordon,  William  H.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1861.     .\iusterori 

""*'  Gould,  James  M.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek    Aug.  3,  1861 

Greenleaf,  Franklin.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  30,  1861.  Cor- 
poral.    Died  at  Port  Hudson,  La.,  1863.  -    ,0^,      tv    1 

Greenleaf,  Isaac  P.  Company  A.  Enlist«d  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  ;).  1S6I.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  1862.  ,    „     .         o    iqci 

Hadsell,  Homer.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Hammond,  George.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Aug.  5    1S6I. 

Harris,  George.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  14,  1861.  Regimental 
bugler. 


502  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

Henshaw,  Hoyt.     Company   E.      Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Aug.   9,    1861. 

Hewett,  Charles  H.    Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  31,  1864. 

Hills,  Charles  E.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1861. 

Hills,   Perry   L.     Company    E.      Enlisted   at    Marshall,   Aug.   8,   1861. 

Hoag,  Joel.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  5,  1861. 

Hoaglin,  Geo.  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Died  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

Hoeg,  Christopher.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  15,  1861. 

Hogue,  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  August  8,  1861.  Mustered 
out  as  corporal.  August  20,  186.5. 

Howard,  Harry.  Company  1.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Wounded  in 
action  at  Baton  Kouge.  La.,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Hutley,  Marcus  C.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  August  20,  1861.    Corporal. 

Hutchins,  Delos.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  31,  1861.  Quarter- 
master 83  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry. 

Jackson,  James  W.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.     Corporal. 

Jenkins,  Benjamin.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  August  1,  1861. 
Died  of  disease  in  La.,  Oct.  6,  1862. 

Johnson,  James  E.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.     Corporal. 

Karr,  Hiram  B.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.   20,  1861. 

Kelley,  William  M.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Cor- 
poral and  Sergeant. 

Kenyon,  James  L.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  30,  1861.  Died  at 
Camp  Williams,  La.,  Oct.  18,  1862. 

Ketchum,  William  D.     Company  E.     Enlisted    Aug.  24,  1864. 

Klinesmith,  Andrew.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  8,  1861.  Died 
Aug.  6,  1862  of  wounds  received  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

Knause,  Frank  B.     Company  E.     Enlisted  July  1,  1861.     Corporal. 

Krone,  Henry.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  3,  1861. 

Lamb,  Emory.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  5,  1861. 

Lathrop,  Julius  B.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  10,  1861. 

Linne  or  Linnie,  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  June  20,  1861. 
Sergeant,  Aug.  11,  1863,  made  Lieutenant  in  Eleventh  Corps  d'  Afrique. 

Lemunion  or  Lemamin,  Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  6,  1861. 

Lubdell,  Hiram  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  31,  1861. 

Lyons,  Seymour.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  .'),  1861. 

McGraw,  John  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.   1,  1861. 

McKinney,  Michael.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  5,  1861.  Acci- 
dentally drowned  at  St.  Charles,  Ark.,  July  30,  1864. 

McKinney,  West  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  Port  Hudson,  La.,  May   31,   1863. 

McNeil,  William  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  8,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Mack,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  22,  1864. 

Jlagin,  Joseph.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Martin,  David  C.    Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1861. 

Merrill,  Reuben  H.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Aug.  8,   1861. 

Mills,  Oscar  A.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Feb.  17,  1864.  Died  of  disease 
at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  July  20,  1864. 

Moore,  George  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Aug.  4.  IsGl.  Died  of  dis- 
ease at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  13,  1862. 

Moore,  John  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1,  18G1.  Cor- 
poral, Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant. 

Moore,  Robert  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  4,  1861.  Killed  in 
action   at  Baton  Rouge,   La.,  Aug.   .5,  1862. 

Naldrett,  Charles.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  .5.  1861. 

Nichols,  Edward  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1,  1861.  Died 
Nov.  22,  1862. 

Norton,  John.    Company  K.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  3,  1861. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  503 

Olds,  Homer  II.     Company  K.     Enlisted  June   U    1861.     ^"n^"f\ 

Parrott,  Ed^vin  B.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Marshall    —l-.,  ISbl. 

PipvPP    Bobert      Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  18bl. 
S  'g'IS;    Com^a^'E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug^  ^',  «<;^\,,.^:S  "  re- 
Preston,   Sidney.     Company   A.     Enlisted  Aug.   o,    18bl.     Died  ot   pounds   re 
ceived  in  action  at  Baton  Kouge,  La.,  Aug.  5,  1861. 

Pryor,  Charles  S.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  ilaieh   ■'^.   1'"':^; 
Bapsher,  William.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall    Aug.  ^,  1M,1.     ^ii^iant. 
Kay,  Frances  C.     Company  I.     Enlisted  Aug.  -0-  !''''>: 


Kaymond,  George.     Company  E.     Enlisted  June  9,   1861 
Eeardon,  Alva.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  5 


1861 


Z:Zs    J  hn      cZ       y  A.  ^i^^Ii^^d  ;;  Battle  bre^,  Aug.  9,  186K 

Elides    Henry.     Compan^  E.     Enlisted  at   Marshall    Aug.  8,   186        Sergeant. 

Kichev    Henry  B.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.   10.  l/"- 

E    hey,  Law'rLce.    Compan'y  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  10    16 

Eichey,  William  H.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.     Dud  at 

^'" Ewers'  Ed.4n"com'pfny  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  12,  1861. 

Eoot   Danie   W.    Co7pa/y  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek   Aug   5,  186  .    Corporal. 
Eoot    James  E.     Company  A.     Enlisted,  Battle  Greek.  July  oO,  1861. 
ShtmarPeleg.     Com'pan'y  E.     E'lUsted  Aug.  9,  1861    at  Marshal 
Shinnick;  William  C.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  10,  1861. 

in  action  at  Baton  Eouge,  La.,  Aug.  o,  1862,  r^.,i^       nis.harffed  on 

Sibley    Levi  B,     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  5,  1861.     Dib^harged  on 

account  of  wounds  received  at  Baton  Eouge,  La 

Sibley,  Eeuben  C.    Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  18,  186  .^^j 

Smalley,  James  M.    Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  IJ,  1861.    D.schaiged 

on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Smith,  Cyrus.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshal     Aug.  o,  1861. 
Smith,  George.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug    20,  1861,  Secnn,!  Lieu- 

Smith;  Geo.  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9,  1861.     Second  Lieu 

''°t,;ii'h!'jf;orJr.,  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  5,  1861.  Sergeant, 
"""smiL^'peter.  Company  E.  From  Marengo,  Enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.  Died  at 
New  Orleans,  La,,  Aug,  17,  1862.  ».,  ,    i-i    laRi 

.    S'^Sc"S;in^^°S^^^a^^Iu^:8:^^^l.     D.d  of 

"^^^l^ui:  H^^ir^-C'om^an^t  EnS  at  Albion,  June  10,  1861.  Captain  and 
Major  commanding  regiment.     Severely  wounded,  Aug.  5,  186  Wounded 

Strickland.  Arthur  T.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  10.  1861,     Wounded 
in  action  at  Port  Hudson.     Sergeant.  ,     ,  ^,      ,    ,,     .„,    -    i^hi       Died   in 

Sweet,  William  F.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  o.  IShl. 
hospital  in  La.,  Dec.  26,  1862. 

Swope,  Barney.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug_     .,  1861. 

Taylor  Quincy  L.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  29,  1864. 

Thaye  ,  Eieha'rd  E.     Company  K.     Enlisted  June  19    186L     Wound  d  m  ...  tm,, 

at  Baton  Eouge,  La.,  Aug^  5    1861.     «--";^^^'-f^?°;;,^,     er-eek    Jidv  29,  1861. 
Thompson,  Benjamin  F.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Batt].   LreeK,  ouix 

Died  Aug.  8,  1862.  t:,   ,■  *    i    i  u.     isdl       WmuHlcd   iit    Port 

Tompkins,  Willet  W.     Company   I.     Enlisted  .lunr   19.   IM.I.      \muiti 

Hudson,  La.,  May  27,  1863.     Sergeant 

Upham,  Edward.     Company  E.     Enlisted  Aug.  30,  1861.  ,„,^,.,      ,.,„.„„,.,, 

Upham,  Freeman.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Mar.nall.  Anu.l.M,!         ,,,    k   . 
Urwiler,  or  OrwUer,  Jacob.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at    Ma, .hall.  Aug.  X   1-61. 

""^^-Arnian,  John.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Ma,.„a,,.  ^u^  9,  1S61. 
Van  Brocklin,  Philip.     Company  B.     Enlistc.l  Any.   -.    i    <'<■ 


504  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Vessey,  George.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1S61. 

Waggoner,  Reuben.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861. 

Waldron,  Edward.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Watson,  Charles  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  June  19,  1861.  First  Lieutenant, 
Oct.  1,  1863. 

Watson,  Charles  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  4,  1861.  Died  of 
disease. 

Watson,  Ira.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  Aug.  9,  1861. 

Watters,  Joseph  P.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1861.  Died 
while  on  veteran  furlough,  April  9,  1864. 

Weiss,  William.     Company  I.     EnUsted  at  Albion,  Aug.  9,  1861. 

Welton,  George  A.  Company  E.  Enlisted  Aug.  22,  1861.  Sergeant,  January, 
1864. 

Wilson,  Charles  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  12,  1861.  Discharged 
on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Winters,  James.  Company  E.  Captain,  June  19,  1861.  Resigned  and  honor- 
ably discharged,  Oct.  9,  1861. 

Witherell,  Noah.  Enlisted  at  Marengo  as  Sergeant,  June  19,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  July  17,  1862. 

Wood,   Philip.     Company   E.     Mustered  Aug.  20,   1861. 

Woods,  Freeman  E.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1861. 

Yarrington,    William.     Company   1.      (171)    Enlisted   at   Albion,   Aug.   3,    1S61. 

Seventh  and  Eighth  Inpantky 

.Seventh:  Carter,  Phineas.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  Dee.  11,  1862. 

Cullem,  John.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  16,  1863.  Killed  in  action 
at  Meadow  Run,   Va.,  May  31,   1864. 

Moyer,  Mahlon.  Company  1.  Enlisted  at  Athens.  Aug.  22,  1861.  Died  .Fiilv 
7,  1862. 

Outman,  David  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861.  Wounded 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6,  1864. 

Outman,  George  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861.     Corporal. 

Outman,  William  P.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861.  Died  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  Dec.  10,  1862. 

Rilov.  David  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861.  Discharged, 
Nov.    14,"  1862. 

Wile. IX,  Eleazar.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,  1861. 

Wilcox,   Robert.     Company   I.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  12,   1861. 

Weise,  Edward.     Company  I.     Enlisted  Aug.  7,  1861.     Deserted  June  30.  1862. 

Eighth:     Needham,  Joseph.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Russell,  William.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1862. 

The  Ninth  Infantry 

was  organized  at  Fort  Wayne,  near  Detroit,  in  Oetober,  1861.  Its 
service  was  wliolly  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1862  the  regiment  was  complimented  by  General 
.George  H.  Thomas  in  being  detailed  by  him  as  special  guard  at  his 
headqnarters  and  Provost  Guard  for  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  The  regi- 
ment continued  on  provost  duty  till  mustered  out  of  service  September 
15,  1865.  While  the  regiment  performed  services  of  great  value  to  the 
army  and  was  more  than  once  complimentarily  mentioned  in  general 
orders,  it  was  so  situated  that  its  casualties  were  reduced  to  the 
minimum.  Company  F,  of  this  regiment  was  from  ilarshall.  Samuel 
S.  Bangs  was  first  and  Ephriam  ^Marble  second  lieutenant.  Bangs  and 
Marble  both  became  captains.     Captain  Marble  is  at  this  writing,  July 


HISTORY   OF  CALllorX   CorXTY  505 

26,  1912,  living  iu  .Marsliall  at  tho  advaueed  age  ol'  eighly-six  years. 
He  is  one  of  the  few  surviving  participants  in  the  war  with  ilexieo. 

July  13,  18t)2,  six  eonipanies  with  a  small  force  from  other  troops 
were  captured  at  ]\Iurfreesboro,  Tennessee,  by  the  Confederate  General 
Forest.  Among  the  captured  was  Captain  ^larble,  at  that  tiine  a 
lieutenant,  who  was  held  a  prisoner  until  the  following  Novemiter. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  his  regiment  in  figures: 

The  total  enrollment,  1,947. 

The  total  killed  in  action,  14. 

The  total  died  of  wounds,  11. 

The  total  died  of  disease,  271. 

The  total  discharged  for  disability,  208. 

Ninth  Infantry  Alphabetical  List 

Baker,  Henry.     Company  F.     Knlisted  Aug.  14,  1861. 

Baker,  Hozele.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Au^.  14,  1861.  Died  of  disease  at  Luuis- 
Tiile,  Ky.,  April  30,  186J. 

Bangham,  George  K.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Sergeant.  .Mustered 
out  as  First  Lieuteant,  Sept.  15,  1865 

Barton,  Nathan.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861. 

Belden,  Anson.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  .Mustered  out  Se|it.  15, 
1865. 

Burns,  Charles.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861. 

Carris,  Jacob.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  14,  1861.  Sergeant, 
1861.     Mustered  out  as  captain,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Chambers,  John.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  li;,  1862. 
Wounded  July   13,   1862.     Discharged   for  disability,   Nov.   22,   1862. 

Chapin,  Horace  S.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Corporal.  .Mu.slered 
out,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Clark,  James.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.     Corporal. 

Clark,  Lorenzo  T.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  .Mustered  out  as 
Sergeant,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Clayborn,  William  J.     Company  E.     Enlisted  Aug.  30,  1864. 

Conley,  or  Cauley,  Elijah.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  .Mustereil  out 
Sept.   15,  1865. 

Cortwright,   Edgar.     Company   F.     Enlisted  Aug.   14,   1861. 

Elms,  George  R.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  JIustered  out  as  sergeant 
major,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Fountain,  Charles.     Company  B.      Enlisted   Feb.   22,   1865. 

Giles,  William  V.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Mustered  out  Sept. 
15,  1865. 

Graham,  George.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Mustered  out  as  Ser- 
geant, Sept.  15,  1865. 

Hadden,  Newton  D.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  .\ug.  14,  1861.  Died 
at  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  Feb.  8,  1862. 

Holly,  Luther  S.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  9,  186."i.  .Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  15,  1865. 

House,  Calvin  C.     Company  G.     Enlisteil  from  Albion,  Sept.  7.  1864. 

Hyde.  James  D.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  10,  1862.  Mustered 
out  as  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Knickerbocker,  Jerome  B.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Feb.  18, 
1865.     Discharged  July  19,  1865. 

Lusk,  Dennis  F.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  ISGl.  Corporal.  Musterecl  out 
Sept.  15,  1865. 

Marble,   Ephraim.      Company   F.      Entered   service   as   Second   Lieutenant,   Axig. 


506  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUJs'TY 

14,  1861.     Taken  prisoner  July  13,  1861'.     Eesigned  and  honorably  discharged  Sept. 

26,  1864. 

Mumbrue,  John.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Jan.  5,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Mumbrue,  Sylvester.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Died  of 
disease  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  March  7,  1864. 

Mumbrue,  Vernon.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Newton,  Warren.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Feb.  28,  1865.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Rhodes,  Charles  E.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 15,  1865. 

Short,  Clark  H.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Discharged  for  disability, 
May  11,  1864. 

Sine,  Henry.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Mustered  out  as  Corporal, 
Sept.  15,  1865. 

Sine,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.     Corporal.     Discharged  Sept. 

27,  1865. 

Smith,  Joseph  L.     Company  F.  .Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861. 

Snyder,   Albert.      Company    F.      Enlisted   Aug.    14,    1861.      Mustered   out    Sept. 

15,  1865. 

Snyder,  William.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, April  17,  1862. 

Tieeh,  Emanuel  E.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Taken  prisoner,  1863. 
Mustered  out  as  Corporal,  Sept.  15,   1865. 

Tilton,  James  R.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  Dec.  18,  1863.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.   15,   186.5. 

Townsend,  William  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  Jan.  22,  1864.  Discharged  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  June  14,   1865. 

Van  Zandt,  Bornt.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Feb.  16,  1865.  Dis- 
charged at  Detroit,  Mich.,  Aug.  10,  1865. 

Wines,  William  W.  Company  F.  Enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861.  Corporal.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Dec.  14,  1862. 

C.\LHOUN  County  Soldiers  ix  the  Tenth  and  Eleventh 

Bostock,  George.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  12,  1861. 

Bostock,  William.    Company  K.     Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  Dec.  12,  1861. 

Hanliii,  Jeremiah.  Company  K.  Enlisted  Feb.  12,  1862.  Discharged  Sept. 
26,  isii.-,. 

Haitsell,  Xatlian  H.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Xov.  5,  1861.  Died 
at  Farmingtim,  .Miss..  July  28,  1862. 

Holton,  Thomas.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Oct.  25,  1861.  Killed  Nov. 
29,  1864. 

Hooper,  Samuel  A.     Company  G.     Enlisted  from  Clarence,  Nov.  16,  1861. 

Hoskins,  Henry.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Nov.  15,  1861. 

Hutchins,  Stephen  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Substitute. 

Merrill,  Daniel   S.     Company  K.     Enlisted   at  Marshall,  Dec.   12,   1861. 

Quigley,  Charles.     Company  G.     Enlisted  Nov.  12,  1861. 

Thornton,  Charles  H.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Jan.  10,  1862.  Killed 
in  action  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Tuttle,  Oscar  W.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Nov.  4,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  Ga.,'  Feb.  25,  1864. 

Way,  Edward.     Drafted   March,  1865,  from  Convis. 

The  Following  Served  in  the  Eleventh  Inf.vntrt  from  C.ilhoun  County 
Carpenter,  Calvin  L.,  Jr.     Company  A.     Enlisted  August  24,  1861. 
Carpenter,  Robert.     Company  A.     Enlisted  .A.ug.  24,   1861. 
Guyer,  James.     Company  H.     Enlisted  Aug.   24,   1861. 
Huxley,  Stephen.     Company  A.     Enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861. 

Naughton,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861.  Died  at  Louis- 
ville,   Ky.,    July    7.    1864. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  rOUXTY  -,07 

Nichols,  Geo.  \V.     Company  B.     Enlisteil  from  Clarendon,  Aug.  24,  ISlil. 

Nichols,  John  W.     Company  B.     Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Aug.  24,  ISlJl. 

Price,  Charles  O.    Company  B.    Enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861.     Deserted  Aug.  2><,  18G2. 

Shepard,  William  R.  Company  B.  Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Aug.  24,  ISOI. 
Corporal. 

Reorgani?ed  pjleventh :  Amy,  Michael.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Tckonsha, 
Feb.  27,  1865. 

Dorrance,  J.  B.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  25,  1865. 

Engles,  or  Engalls,  Robert.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Lekonsha,  Feb.  23,  1S65. 

Hayes,   Enoch.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Greek,   Feb.   21,   1865. 

Munger,  Emory  W.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Lekonsha,  Feb.  23,  1865. 

Shipman,  Phineas  H.     Company  G.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  21,  1865. 

Slayton,   Daniel  W.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Feb.  27,   1865. 

Somerville,  John.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  10,  1865.  De- 
serted, March  15,  1865. 

Spaulding,  Henry.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  March  11,  1865. 

Wingate,  Joseph  A.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Feb.  27,  1865. 

The  Twelfth   1nf.\ntrv 

Was  organized  at  Niles  during  the  fall  and  winter  of  1861-62.  On  the 
18th  of  .March,  1862,  it  left  the  state  mth  an  enrollment  of  1,000  officers 
and  men.  In  this  regiment  were  two  companies,  D  and  E.  recruited  in 
large  part  from  Calhoun  county.  Company  D  was  conunanded  by  Cap- 
tain Phineas  Graves  of  Albion.  First  Lieutenant  Isaak  McClo.y  was  from 
Jackson  and  Second  Lieutenant  George  H.  Graves  was  from  Albion.  Com- 
pany E  had  for  first  lieutenant  Charles  E.  Harvey  of  Marshall.  The 
chaplain  of  the  regiment  was  the  Reverend  Andrew  J.  Eldred,  later 
widely  known  to  the  people  of  Calhoun  county  as  pastor  of  the  ^Methodist 
Episcopal  church  of  Albion  during  the  latter  part  of  the  war. 

The  regiment  went  by  rail  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  from  there  by 
steamer  via  the  Mississippi,  the  Ohio  and  the  Tennessee  rivers  to  Pitts- 
burg Landing,  where  in  less  than  three  weeks  from  the  time  they  left 
the  state  they  were  in  desperate  battle  at  Shiloh.  It  fell  to  the  honor  of 
Albion  to  have  one  of  the  two  companies  con'imanded  by  Captain  Phineas 
Graves,  detailed  to  picket  duty  on  the  left  of  the  line  the  night  before  the 
battle  and  to  help  arouse  the  sleeping  army  in  the  early  morning  of 
April  6  and  warn  them  that  the  enem.y  was  not  only  close  at  hand  but 
was  advancing  in  force.  This  service  was  greatly  appreciated  at  the 
time  and  indeed  it  well  might  be  for  its  value,  under  the  circumstances, 
could  hardly  be  over-estimated. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1862,  a  detachment  of  the  regiment,  con- 
sisting of  portions  of  Companies  D,  E,  P  and  K,  in  all  about  120  muskets 
were  located  in  a  stockade  at  Middleburg,  Tennessee,  when  a  staff  officer 
of  the  Confederate  general,  Van  Dorn,  advanced  under  a  flag  of  truce 
and  demanded  the  surrender.  This  demand  was  declined  by  the  com- 
manding officer.  Col.  W.  H.  Graves,  wherefore  a  force  estimated  at  )!,000 
moved  to  the  attack.  Their  repeated  assaults  were  repulsed  and  they 
finally  withdrew  with  a  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  captured  equal  Id  all 
the  officers  and  men  in  the  stockade.  This  affair  was  deemed  by  (ieneral 
Grant  of  sufficient  importance  to  make  it  the  subject  of  a  general  order, 
in  which  among  other  things  he  said,  "The  following  general  order  from 


508  HISTORY  OF  CALllOUX  COrXTY 

the  headquarters  of  the  department  of  the  Tennessee  is  px-oinulgated,  to 
be  read  on  dress  parade  at  the  head  of  each  regiment  and  detachment 
in  this  command. 

"The  general  commanding  availing  himself  of  the  appropriate  occa- 
sion, made  immediate  report  of  the  circumstances  attending  the  gallant 
and  successful  defense  of  Middleburg,  and  gratefully  commended  Col. 
W.  H.  Graves  and  his  heroic  little  band  of  the  Twelfth  Michigan  to  the 
notice  of  the  general  commanding  the  district  and  the  department." 

Again  General  Grant  said, ' '  The  heroic  defense  of  the  gallant  Twelfth 
Michigan  at  Middleburg  is  deserving  of  the  thanks  of  the  army." 

Captain  Phineas  Graves  having  been  promoted  successively  to  major 
and  lieutenant  colonel,  commanded  the  Twelfth  for  some  time  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  his  superior  officers. 

The  regiment  remained  on  duty  in  the  southwest  until  the  early  part 
of  1866.  It  arrived  at  Jackson.  Michigan,  on  the  27th  of  February, 
and  on  the  6th  of  March  following  was  paid  off  and  discharged. 

The  total  enrollment  was  2,857. 

The  total  killed  in  action  was  29. 

The  total  died  of  wounds  was  26. 

The  total  died  in  Confederate  prisons  was  17. 

The  total  died  of  disease  was  316. 

The  total  discharged  for  disability  was  221. 


'UAUKrU'AI,    LlbT    OF 


Aiidifus,  William.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  17.  JSUl.  .Mustered, 
Dee.  m,  JSUl.     A'o  further  record. 

Arsnell,  Nelson.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec  17,  ISIJI.  .Mustered 
out  at  Camdeu,  Ark.,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Avery,  Charles  S.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Xov.  13,  1861.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Bailey,  Eihvard  JV.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861.  .Mustered 
out  Jan. '8,  1862. 

Bailey,  George  W.  Company  1).  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861.  Discharged 
June  30,  1862. 

Batchelder,  William  D.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Xov.  16,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Jan.  7,  1865. 

Brower,  George  W.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  ilarch  21,  1865.  .Mus- 
tered out  June  1,  1865. 

Burns,  Peter.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  17,  1861.  Taken  pris- 
oner at  Sliiloh,  Tenn.,  April  6,  1862.  Returned  to  regiment,  April  7,  1863.  Mustered 
out  March  1,  1866. 

Chapel,  Emory.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  20,  1862.  Died  of 
disease  at  Little  Eock,  Ark.,  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Cocher,  Peter.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  26,  1861.  Discharged 
Aug.  1,  1862. 

Cole,  James  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  7,  1861.  Mustered  out, 
Feb.  15,  1866. 

Curney,  Francis  J.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  29,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Sept.  2,  1862. 

Davis,  Joseph  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Xov.  IS,  1861.  Corporal. 
Died  at  Washington,  Ark.,  June  29,  1865. 

Draper,  Dondi  C.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  9,  1861.  Died  May 
22,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  C'ALllOIN  COrXTY  509 

Dutton,  Harvey.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  lo,  IMiJ.  Hied  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Oct.  14,  1863. 

Dyer,  Horatio  B.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Oct.  2.3,  18ii:i.  Deserted, 
Nov.  25,  1S62. 

Earie,  Edgar.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  14,  ISUl. 

Edkin,  George  W.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Deo.  4,  ISiil.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Shiloh.     Discharged,  Nov.  1(3,  1862. 

Eldred,  Croyton  D.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  31,  1861. 

Emins,  Alexander  \V.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  2,  186-5.  Mustered 
out,  Feb.   15,   1866. 

Failing,  James.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  5,  1861.  Taken  pris- 
oner at  Shiloh.  Commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Acting  Aide-de-Camp,  First  Lieu- 
tenant, April  14,  1865.     Mustered  out  at  Camden,  Ark.,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Failing,  Sidney.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  9,  1861.  Mustered 
out  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Ferguson,  William.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  7,  1861. 

Fink,  Charles  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  1,  1861.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out  at  Camden,  Ark.,  Feb.  15,  1861. 

Fink,  William  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  1,  1S61.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  15,  1861. 

Fitzgerald,  Thomas.  Compary  D.  Enlisted  Dec.  6,  1861.  Taken  prisoner  at 
Shiloh.     Discharged  Jan.  7,  1865. 

Fleming,  James  B.  Company  1).  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  21,  1861.  Wounded 
at   Shiloh,  April  6,   1862.     Died  'in   hospital,  April  22,  1862. 

Folsom,  George  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  16,  1S61.  Died 
at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Sept.  28,  1864. 

Ford,  William  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  Nov.  16,  1861.  Mustered  out  at 
Camden,  Ark.,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Gage.  Henry  F.  Companv  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  14,  1861.  .Mustered  out. 
Feb.  15.  1866. 

Gallt,  James  E.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861.  Died  May 
13,  1862. 

Graham,  Gorton.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  17,  Isiil.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1861.     Died  of  disease,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

Graves,  George  H.  First  Sergeant,  Company  I.  Sixth  Infantry.  Enlisted  Juno 
19,  1861.  Second  Lieutenant,  Company  D,  12  Infantry,  Nov.  1,  1861.  Resigned  and 
honorably  discharged  as  First  Lieutenant,  March  22,  1863. 

Graves,  Phineas.  Albion.  Entered  service  as  captain.  Company  D,  Oct.,  1861. 
Major,  Aug.  3,  1862.  Acting  assistant  inspector  general,  Feb.  to  June,  1865.  Lieut. 
Colonel,  June  10,  1865.     Mustered  out  at  Camden,  Ark.,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Graves,  William  W.  Company  D.  Sergeant,  Oct.  21,  1861.  Second  Lieut. 
1862.  First  Lieut.,  March  19,  1864  and  Captain,  Nov.  15,  1864.  Mustered  out,  Feb. 
15,  1866. 

Grotzsiuger,  John.  Companv  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  1861.  .Mustered 
out,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Harvey,  Charles  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  Sept.  26,  1861  at  ilarshall  and  made 
First  Lieutenant. 

Hartsell,  Sidney.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  23,  1861.  Deserted, 
Sept.  25,  1862. 

Holt,  Orrin  J.  Companv  H.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Oct.  1.  1861.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out,  Feb.  15,  1866." 

Hulett,  Orlo  P.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  20,  ISfil.  Cdrpor;!!. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Huntley,  Henrv.  Company  1).  Enlisted  from  Slieridan.  Ort.  2-1,  lS(n.  Died 
July  15,  1862. 

Lacy,  Martin.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Deo.  9.  1S61.  Mnsterc.l  out 
Feb.  15,  1866, 

Lansing,  Isaac  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  27,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Shiloh.     Died  while  in  prison  at  Macon,  Georgia,  July  17,  1862. 


510  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

McCollura,  George  H.    Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  7,  1861. 

McCormiek,  Patrick.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  21,  1861.  Killed 
in  action  at  Shiloh,  Tenn.,  April  6,  1862. 

Manning,  Isaac.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  24,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Nov.  20,  1865. 

Markham,  Albert  V.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  15,  1862.  Dis- 
charged Aug.  14,   1865. 

Marsh,  William  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  16,  1S61.  Mustered 
out,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Miller,  Merrill.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  19,  1861.  Deserted, 
Aug.  1,  1862. 

Moon,  Philip.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  28,  1861.  Deserted 
Jan.  13,  1862. 

Nichols,  Jonas  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  21,  1861.  Served  as 
First  Sergeant,  Second  and  First  Lieutenant,  Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  Brigade, 
Feb.  15,  1865,  made  captain.     Mustered  oirt  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Owen,  Charles  A.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861.  Missing  in 
action  at  Shiloh.     No  further  record. 

Palmer,  Geo.  W.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  6,  1861. 

Parmeter,  Jefferson.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  20,  1864. 

Pealing,  Bobert  M.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  22,  1862.  Corporal. 
Discharged  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Pincomb,  William.  Companv  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  16,  1861.  Died  in 
Tennessee,  Oct.  13,  1862. 

Preston,  Charles  T.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  4,  1861. 

Randall,  Augustus.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  March  25,  1865.  Mus- 
tered out,  Fetj.  15,  1866. 

Robinson,  Hiram  N.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  18,  1865. 

Shultz,  John.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  4,  1861.  Mustered  out, 
Feb.  15,  1866. 

Skutt,  Wallace.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  16,  1861.  First  Sergeant, 
Aug.  13,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Skutt,  Wesley.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31.  1861.  Taken  prisoner 
at  Shiloh.    Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Skutt,  Wilfred.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1861. 

Stevens,  Isaac.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Oct.  21,  1861.  Died  of  disease 
at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Sylvester,  Lyman.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  27,  1S61.  Ser- 
geant.    Mustered  out  Feb.   15,   1866. 

Taylor,  James  W.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  March  28,  1865.  Mustered 
out,   1866. 

Teeter,  George.     Company  D.     Enlisted  Oct.  21,  1861.     Died  of  disease,  1864. 

Tibbitts,  Jeremiah.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  16,  1865.  Discharged 
May  22,  1865. 

Tompkins,  George  B.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  21,  1861. 

Town,  Richard.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  21,   1865. 

Trumbull,  Charles.     Comp"any  B.     Enlisted  from  Burlington.  March  25,  1865. 

Watson,  John.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  16,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Weldon,  George  R.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Jan.  13,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  regiment. 

Whitmore,  David.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Dec.  6,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner  at   Shiloh. 

Wiselogel,  Fred  G.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  24,  1861.  Captain, 
April  12,  1865.     Mustered  out  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Wiselogel,  Louis.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Dec.  IS.  1862.  Corporal. 
Discharged,  Jan.  6,  1866. 


IIISTOKY   OK  CALHOrX   (Ol  XTV  511 

WiselogPl,  William  H.  Conipanv  I).  Enlisteil  at  Alliion,  \)ri-.  IS,  KS(i-.'.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  Feb.  15,  1866. 

Wright,  EJnin  T.  Coinpany  D.  Enlistea  at  Marsliall,  Die.  'Jil,  IsOl.  Died 
of  disease,  May  6,  1862. 

The  Thiktekxtji  ^liniKi.w   1m-\\ntkv 

was  recruited  under  the  leadership  of  tlie  liou.  Charles  E.  Stuart,  who 
served  one  term  in  the  house  of  representatives  and  retired  froijyi  pul)lie 
life  in  1859,  after  a  full  term  in  the  United  states  senate.  The  regi- 
ment was  organized  at  Kalamazoo,  having  its  eamp  of  instruction  there 
with  ]Mr.  Stuart  as  its  first  eolonel.  It  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  January  12,  1862. 

Company  D,  of  this  regiment  was  recruited  almost  wholly  from  Cal- 
houn county.  Battle  Creek,  Marshall  and  Athens  being  strongly  repre- 
sented. The  captain  of  Company  D,  Loren  Chadwick;  first  lieutenant, 
Henry  C.  Hall,  and  second  lieutenant,  Jerome  S.  Bigelow,  were  all 
from  Battle  Creek..  Colonel  Stuart  having  resigned,  Michael  Shoe- 
maker, of  Jackson,  was  commissioned  Colonel  and  led  the  regiment  to 
the  held,  departing  from  the  state  on  the  12th  of  February,  1862. 
Shoemaker  was  a  brave  and  an  efficient  officer,  distinguishing  himself 
repeatedly  in  battle.  The  Thirteenth  was  assigned  to  that  portion  of 
the  army  then  under  command  of  General  Buell,  .ioining  it  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  and  the  latter  part  of  .March  advanced  with  Buell's  com- 
mand to  Pittsburg  Landing,  arriving  on  the  field  of  Shiloh  the  second 
day  of  the  battle.  It  participated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  ^Mississippi, 
in  the  march  of  the  Union  army  from  northern  Alabama  to  Limisville 
in  the  summer  and  early  fall  of  1862,  and  in  the  battle  of  Stone  river, 
in  the  holiday  week  of  1862-68.  In  the  last  named  battle  it  performed 
its  part  in  such  manner  as  to  receive  generous  praise  from  the  officers 
in  command  of  brigade  and  division.  About  one-third  of  the  men 
actually  engaged  at  Stone's  river  were  killed,  wounded  or  missing. 

At  Chickainauga  it  was  again  hotly  engaged,  losing  a  iiundred 
and  seven  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  out  of  a  total  of  217  officers 
and  men.  Charles  G.  Hall,  of  Battle  Creek,  who  entered  the  company 
as  a  private  and  had  risen  to  first  lieutenant  was  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner.  He  w^as  subsequently  exchanged,  recovered  from  his  wounds, 
and,  in  April,  1865,  was  commissioned  captain  of  Company  K. 

The  Thirteenth  was  among  the  besieged  at  Chattanooga  and  on  No- 
vember 25,  1863,  participated  in  the  successful  storming  of  Missionary 
Ridge.  It  went  with  Shenuan  to  the  sea  and  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Johnston's  army  in  North  Carolina,  April,  1865.  It  marched  in  the 
grand  review  at  Washington  in  iMay,  1865.  It  was  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  July  25,  1865,  and  two  days  latci-  was 
paid  off  and  disbanded  at  Jackson,  Jlichigan. 

Total  enrollment.  2.092. 

Killed  in  action,  47. 

Died  of  wounds,  33. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons.  7. 

Died  of  disease,  263. 

Discharged  for  disability  (wounds  or  di.sease),  216. 


512  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COrXTY 

Calhoun   County   Soldiers   in   Thirteenth   Infantry 

Abbey,  Burton.    Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1S62.     Wounded 
in  action  at  Chickamaiiga. 

Abbott,  Andrew  J.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1864. 
Abbott,  Ezra.     Company  K.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  15,  1864. 
Alvord,  Elmer  S.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1864. 
Berner  or  Earner,  John.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1864. 
Bigelow,  Jerome  S.     Entered  the  service  from  Battle  Creek  as  Second  Lieutenant, 
Company»D.     Died  of  disease  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  May  28,  1862. 

Blakely,  John.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  24,  1864. 
Blank,  Ataliber  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dee.  19,  1861. 
Bochme,  Albinius.     Comiiany  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  3,  1861.     Cor- 
poral.   Mustered  out  July  2.5,  1865. 

Brooks,  Livingston.    Company  D.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  15,  1861.    Wounded 
in  battle  of  Chickamauga,   Sept."  19,  1863. 

Clark,  George.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  1,  1862. 
Cook,  Henry  J.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1804. 
Davis,  Theodore.     Company  D.     Enlisted  as  fifer  at  Battle  Creek,  Dee.  28,  1861. 
Taken  prisoner  at   Chickamauga. 

Dolon,  Michael.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  5,  1864. 
Durham,  Dealton.    Company  G.    Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  7,  1864. 
Fairchilds,  James  M.    Company  D.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  9,  1861.    Cor- 
poral. 

Francis,  Martin  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1864.     Died  in 
service. 

Gifford,  George.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  March  7,  1864. 
Gleason,  Medonah.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 
Hall,  Charles  T.    Company  D.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  12,  1862.    Wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga.     Captain,  April  25,   1865.     Mustered  out  July 
25,  1865. 

Hall,  Edward   H.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,   March  22,   1864. 
First  Lieutenant,  April  25,  1865. 

Hall,   Henry  C.     Company  D.     First  Lieutenant  at  organization,  Oct.   1,   1861. 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  April  11,  1865. 

Hampton,  George  W.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Oct.  7,  1801. 
Heath,  Calvin  M.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  29,  1861. 
Wagoner. 

Hickman,  John  E.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  August  27,  1864. 
Howe,  John.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  29,  1861. 
Howe,  William  H.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1864. 
Hungerford.  Cyrus  B.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  5,  1864. 
Jackson,  William  E.    Company  G.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1864. 
Jaynes,  Lewis  C.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Nov.  13,  1861. 
Jones,  Samuel.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1864. 
Joy,  Dudley  M.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.     Died  in 
hospital.  May  25,  1865. 

Rnowles,  William.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1861.     Died 
at  Savannah,  Ga..  Dee.  27,  1864. 

Landreth,  John  E.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1S64. 
Lee,   Orrin  D.     Company  H.     Enlisted   Oct.   26.    1861.     Sergeant. 
Leonard,  Orville.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1864.     Died 
on  board  transport,  Feb.  15,  1865. 

Libhart,  Lafayette.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1864. 
Lingo,  Jesse.     Companv  H.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Oct.  7.  1S61.     Deserted  Oct.  1, 
1862. 

Link,  Eli  or  Levi.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1861. 
Miller,  Albert.     Company  D."    Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3.  1864. 
Miller,   Charles.     Company  E.     Enlisted   at  Battle   Creek,   Sept.  8,   1864.     Died 
at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio.  Jan.  14,  1865. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  513 

Morton,  George.     Company  K.    Enlisted  Nov.  11,  1861. 

Munson,  George.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  1,  1861. 

Murphy,  John.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  March  24,  1864. 

Paxton,  Eobert.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oc-t.  15,  1861.  Killed  la 
the  battle  of  Stone  Eiver,  Deo.  31,  1862. 

Eenouf,  George.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1S64.  Sub- 
stitute for  John  W.  Dickinson. 

Rundell,  Charles  E.    Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1864, 

Sherman.  Stephen.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Oct.  16,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Januarv  15,  1865.     Corporal.  „,.-,,.         .,„    lor^ 

Snedaker,  Samuel.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  M    1S64. 

Sprague,  Oristus.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Albion,  Oct.   14,  1861. 

Spencer,  Oscar.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1864. 

Stoddard,  Orlando  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  2,,  lSb4 
Died  of  disease,  March  13,  1865. 

Storey,  John  T.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1864.  Sub- 
stitute for  Charles  H.  Storey.  ,     „     .     o    ,o^, 

Strickland,  George.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1864 
Wounded  in  action  at  Bentonville,  N.  C,  March  19,  I860. 

Strickler  Aldrieh.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  18,  1861.  Cor 
poral      Wounded  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  1863.     Taken  prisoner,  March  19,  186o 

Stull,  or  Stoll.  Joseph  H.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  2l, 

Swart    Peter  L      Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Tallet'  Julius.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  March  7,  1864.  Second 
Lieutenant,  April  25,  1865.  ,r,    ioe. 

Vanhyning,  Franklin.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Volker,  John  G.     Company  F.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  6,  18S4 

Yedenbergh,  Henrv.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  •<«.  18^4. 

WiUison,  William.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1864. 

Winters,  James  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Oct.  5,  1861.  Quarter- 
master Sergeant.  ,     c^.     ^    ■,    inn 

Woodmansee,  Andrew  J.  Company  D.  Enlisto.l  at  Battle  C  reek,  Sept.  o,  lb64. 
Died  at  Favetteville,  N.  C,  March  13,  1865. 

Woodruff  John  E.    Company  G.    Second  Lieutenant  at  organization.  Oct.  1861. 

Young,  John,  Jr.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  6,   1864. 

Fourteenth,  Fifteenth  .\nd  Sixteenth  Regiments 

Fourteenth:     Clark,  Charles.     Company  B.     Enlisted  January  1,  1862. 

Devereaux,  Nicholas.  Company  B.  Second  Lieutenant  at  organization,  Sept.  28, 
1861       First  Lieutenant,  March  25,  1863. 

Dunn,  Denis.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  Id,  1861.     Corporal. 

Hackett,  Thomas.    Company  B.     Enlisted,  Nov.  2,  1861. 

Harrold,   Peter.      Company  B.     Enlisted,   Oct.   23,   1861. 

McGovern,  Thomas.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  10.  1861. 

Moom,  George  L.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  11,  1861.  Did  at 
Farmington,  Miss.,  June  18,  1862. 

Murphey,  Edward.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  16,  1861. 

Murray    Daniel.     Comanpy  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  10,  1861. 

Rieley, 'Timothy.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Sept.  25,   1861. 

Fifteenth:  Clark,  Samuel  P.  Company  H.  Entered  service  from  Bedford  as 
First  Lieutenant,  Dec.  23,  1861.     Discharged  on  account  of  disability.  (  .ninth.  .Miss., 

"' Sprague^ Michael  J.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Dec  4,   ls61.     Ser- 
geant.   Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  May  27,  1862. 

Sixteenth-     Abbott,  .John.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Alliion,  Manli  1,  1862. 
Aikin,  Earl.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Kenosha,  March  27,  1S6.,.     Substitute 
for  James   M.   .\ikin.      Died   in   Washington.  D.   C,   Juno   14.    186.,. 
Vol.  1—33 


514  liJ  STORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Alberts,   Frank  B.     Company   F.     Enlisted   from   Albion,  Aug.  i,   1861. 

Bell,  Chester  L.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Albion,  March  1,  1862. 

Brocknay,  William  H.  Entered  the  service  at  organization  of  regiment  as 
thaplain,  Aug.  9,  1861.     Resigned  on  account  of  disability,  Nov.  23,  1862. 

Carill,  or  Carroll,  Stephen.    Company  F.    Enlisted  Aug.  8,  1861. 

Carver,  William  R.  Company  G.  "Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1S61. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Gainesmill,  Va.,  and  taken  prisoner,  June  27,  1862.  Died 
in  prison. 

Colestock,  William  'W.  Company  K.  Enlisted  March  1,  1862.  Wounded  in 
action,  May  8,  1864. 

Decker,  Henry  S.  Company  E.  Enliste<l  from  Albion,  Aug.  16,  1S61.  Died  in 
Washington,   D.  C,  March  14,   1862. 

Denuison,  Allen.  Company  K.  Enlisted  March  1,  1862.  Wounded  in  action, 
July  1,  1862.     Sergeant. 

Dennison,  Newton.  Company  K.  Enlisted  March  1,  1862.  Wounded  in  action, 
May  10,  1864. 

Smith,  George  S.  or  C.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  1,  1861. 

Williamson,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Aug.  2,  1861. 

Se\enteenth  Michigan  Infantry 

This  noted  regiment  was  organized  at  Detroit  in  the  spring  and 
early  summer  of  1862.  Its  first  colonel  was  the  late  William  H.  With- 
ington  of  Jackson,  one  of  the  best  officers  Michigan  gave  to  the  army. 
In  this  regiment  was  Captain  Julius  C.  Burrows,  for  nearly  thirty  years 
a  member  of  the  house  or  senate  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

The  regiment  under  command  of  Colonel  Withington  left  Detroit  on 
the  27th  day  of  August,  1862,  for  Washington,  D.  C.  It  was  assigned 
to  the  celebrated  Ninth  Army  Corps,  so  long  and  so  well  commanded 
by  Major  General  Burnside.  On  the  14th  of  September,  or  a  little 
more  ,than  two  weeks  after  leaving  the  state,  the  regiment  was  hotly 
engaged  at  South  Mountain,  IMaryland.  Out  of  the  500  officers  and 
men  who  went  into  the  fight  on  that  day,  141  were  killed  or  wounded. 
This  was  more  than  many  regiments  suffered  during  the  entire  war. 
Three  days  later,  viz. :  on  September  17,  the  regiment  was  again 
in  the  thick  of  the  fight  at  Antietam,  where  it  sustained  a  further 
loss  of  eighteen  killed  and  eighty-seven  wounded.  So  it  came  to  pass 
that  in  less  than  three  weeks  from  the  time  the  young  men  of  this 
regiment  left  their  camp  and  friends  in  ^Michigan,  246  of  their  num- 
ber had  been  killed  or  wounded  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Their  splendid  valor  refiected  luster  on  the  state  that  sent  tlieiii  and 
glory  on  the  country  for  which  they  died.  General  Wilcox,  their  divi- 
sion commander,  says  in  his  official  report  that  "The  Seventeenth  Michi- 
gan performed  a  feat  that  ma.v  vie  with  any  recorded  in  the  annals  of 
war  and  set  an  example  to  the  oldest  troops."  General  MeClellan,  com- 
manding the  array,  said  "The  Seventeenth  Michigan,  a  regiment  which 
had  been  organized  scarcel.y  a  month,  charged  the  enemy's  flanks  in  a 
manner  worthy  of  veteran  troops." 

The  correspondent  of  the  New  Yorl:  Press  wrote  to  his  paper  that 
"The  impetuous  charges  of  some  of  our  regiments,  particularly  that  of 
tlie  Seventeenth  ^Michigan,  but  two  weeks  from  home,  carried  every- 
thing before  it  and  the  dead  bodies  of  the  enemy  on  that  mountain 
crest  lay  thick  enough  for  stepping  stones."     From  the  Army  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  cAi.iiorx  COrXTY  ,-,15 

Potomac  tlic  Corps  willi  which  tlic  ScvciitciMitli  .Michigan  served,  was 
traiisfenvd  In  Kentucky  in  fhe  hile  spring-  of  ISd:!  and'  in  -lune  to  the 
army  under  Cirant  tlien  heseigiug  Vieksbiirg.  After  the  surren- 
der of  that  stronghold  it  returned  to  Keutueky  and  entered  East  Ten- 
nessee where  it  did  etteetive  service  until  the  spring  of  lS(i4,  when 
it  was  transferred  back  to  Virginia,  where  it  again  became  a  part  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  participated  in  the  battles  that  resulted 
in  the  fall  of  Eiehmond,  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg  and  the  sur- 
render at  Aiipomatox.  In  all  this  the  Seventeenth  fully  sustained  its 
reputation  gained  in  the  early  days  of  its  service.  It  lost  heavily  at 
Campbell's  Station  in  East  Tennessee.  It  fought  splendidly  in  defense 
of  Fort  Saunders  at  Knoxville  and  on  the  12th  of  May,  1864,  in  Grant's 
campaign  in  the  Wilderness  it  went  into  action  with  225  officers  and 
men.  and  lost  twenty-three  killed,  seventy-three  wounded  and  ninety- 
seven  prisoners,  leaving  on  the  evening  of  that  day  but  thirty-six  to- 
gether about  the  colors.  Perhaps  no  regiment  that  went  from  Michigan 
had  a  wider  range  of  service  or.  did  harder  fighting  than  tiiis.  wiiose 
Company  K  was  recruited  so  largely  from  Marshall,  Albion,  Battle 
Creek,  Bedford,  Sheridan,  ^larengo  and  Homer  in  the  order  named. 
Captain  Thayer  was  wounded  at  South  ^lountain  on  September  14, 
1862,  and  resigned  ilay  15,  1863,  on  account  of  disabilities  incurred. 
Thomas  W.  Wells  of  Alarshall,  became  successively  sergeant,  sergeant 
major  and  lieutenant  in  Company  K,  and  then  resigned  and  later  en- 
tered the  Eighth  Regiment  of  Cavalry. 

The  17th.  after  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army,  returned  to  Washington, 
where  on  ^lay  23,  1865,  it  participated  witii  the  Army  of  the  PotDUiac 
in  the  great  review  and  where  on  the  3rd  of  June  folldwing,  it  was 
iiuistcred  out  of  service  and  returned  to  Detroit  on  tiic  7th  to  be  paid 
off  and  disbanded. 

The  total  enrollment,  1,224. 

The  total  killed  in  action,  84. 

The  total  died  of  wounds,  48. 

The  total  died  in  Confederate  pri.sons,  54. 

The  total  died  of  disease,  84. 

The  total  discharged  for  disability,  wounds  and  disease.  2411. 

C.\LHOux  Soldiers  i.n  the  Seve.nteentii 

Baker,  Thomas  L.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Battle  (reek,  .\ii^'.  II.  isiil'.  Dieil 
of  disease  in  Maryland,  Oet.  15,  1862. 

Belcher,  Uriah  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  .Ang.  >*,  I^<l!l'.  Severely 
wounded  in  action  at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

Beleher,  Zavin  T.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  .\uf;.  !i.  lS(i2.  Dieil  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  Dec.  11,  1862. 

Brewer,  Frank.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  1,  IS62.     Filer. 

Brooks,  Lewis.    Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  14,  1.S62.     Cor|)oral.[ 

Carpenter,  William  L.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  .Iiine  14,  1862. 
Urummer.     Taken   prisoner   at   Spottsylvania,   Va.,   May   12,    1864. 

Cassidy,  John.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Chapman,  Hobert  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  -Aug.  14,  Isii2. 
Wounded  in  the  battle  of  Antietani,  Sept.  17,  1S62. 

Coneley.  .John.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  .\ng.  11,  1862.     W..nnded 


516  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

at  Antietam,  Aug.  17,  1862.  Taken  prisouer  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  3,  1865. 

Coley,  Joseph.    Company  K.    Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Davenport,  Thomas.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  June  1,  1862.  Deserted 
Sept.  21,  1862. 

Edwards,  Andrew.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  5,  1862.  De- 
serted Aug.  20,  1862. 

Emerson,  William  C.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  July  1,  1862.  Ser- 
geant.   Deserted,  Nov.  15,  1862. 

Epley,  Thomas  E.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Wounded 
at  Petersburg,  Va..  July,  1864. 

Farr,  Alvin.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  July  5,  1862. 

Eisher,  Thomas.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  5,  1862.  Wounded  at 
Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862.     Died  of  disease  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  March  22,  1863. 

Fry,  Charles  W.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.   15,  1862. 

Gregory,  Jerome  B.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  24,  1862.  Wounded 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864.       Sergeant. 

Holeomb,  Thomas  J.     Company  G.     Enlisted,  Albion,  Aug.  18,  1862. 

Hughs,  W^illiam.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  9,  1862.  Taken  pris- 
oner at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,   May  12,   1864.     Died  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  Sept.,   1864. 

Jones,  David  H.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Wounded 
at  Antietam,  Sept.  14,  1862.     Taken  prisoner  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

.Jones,  James.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  1,  1862.  Discharged 
April  15,  1863. 

Jones,  William  B.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Wounded 
at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14,  1862.     Corporal. 

Kelley,  Thomas.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  3,  1862.  Deserted  Oct. 
26,  1862. 

Leonard,  Joseph.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Killed  in 
action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  20,  1862. 

McCall,  William.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  11,  1862. 
Wounded  at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

McGinn,  Charles.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

McGinn.  James.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Wounded 
at  Soutli  .Mountiiin,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

McKcilioits.  .I.ihn.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  15,  1862.  Wounded 
at  South  M(iunt;iiii,  Md.,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

Marvin,  John  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mortally 
wounded  at  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

Mather,  John  S.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  29.  1862.  Corporal. 
Deserted  Nov.  17,  1862. 

May,  Thomas  P.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Aug.  9.  1862.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, May  26,  1865. 

Moore,  James  L.  Company  P.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  June  6,  1862.  Sergeant. 
Wounded  at  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

Mullholland  William.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Aug.  15,  1862.  De- 
serted Aug.  20,  1862. 

Norman,  Frederick.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  June  23,  1862.  Wounded 
at  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

Pellet,  George.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  ilarshall,  July  14,  1862.  Died  at  Alex- 
andria, Va.,  Dec.  22,  1862. 

Phillip,  Arthur  J.  Company  K.  Enlisted  form  Marengo,  June  2,  1862.  Cor- 
poral. 

Pryor,  Thomas  J.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Boife,  Daniel.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  11,  1862.  Wounded 
at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12, 
1864. 

Smith,  Samuel.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  July  9,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  29,  1863. 


IlISTOHY  OF  cALiiorx  corxTY  :a7 

stout,  Jolin  S.  C'onii)aiiy  K.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  G,  IMJL'.  Wouiidod. 
Corporal,  Jlay  1,  1865. 

Strassell,  John.  Coiiipaiiy  G.  Enlisted  at  -Marshall.  Aii^'.  11,  ISiij.  Mortally 
woiiuded  at  Antietam,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

Thavor,  William  W.  Battle  Creek.  Captain,  Companv  K.  Aiij;.  >*.  1862. 
Wounded  at  Antietam,  Sept.  14,  1862. 

Tiittle,  Samuel  H.     Company  G.     Enlisted  from  Albit.n,  Aug.   is.   isiiii. 

Upright,  Edmond.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Mars^hall,  .lune  .l,  1S6L'. 

Vanderhoof,  William.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  4,  1862. 

Wells,  Thomas  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  IH,  1H62.  Second 
Lieutenant,  Feb.  22,  1863. 

Wetherbee,  Ozro.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Aug.  5,  1S(!2.  Wounded 
in  aitiou  at  Campbell  Station,  Tenn.,  Nov.  16,  1863. 

Whitcomb,  William  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Hnmer.  .luly  :;.  isiii'. 

Woodmansee,  Matthew  C.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Woodmansee,  Thomas  J.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Wright,  Simeon  K.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Aug.  9,  1862.  Taken  pris- 
oner at   Campbell's   Station,   Tenn.,   Nov.   16,   1S63. 

Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth 

Eighteenth:  Harmon,  Daniel.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  11, 
1862.     Commissary  Sergeant,  May  4,  1865. 

Hatih,  James  W.     Company  B.     Enlisted   March  2,   1865. 

Hungerford,  Elon  G.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Feb.  24,  1864. 

Nineteenth:     Haney,  Smith.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dee.  28,  1863. 

Wallace,  Robert  B.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  13,  1862. 
Wounileil  in  action  at  Thompson's  Station,  Tenn..  ilarch  ."),  1S63. 

The  Twentieth  jMiciiig.\n  Infantry 

Few  reginu'iits  in  our  own  or  iiny  other  state  can  show  a  record 
comparable  to  that  of  the  Twentieth  Michigan  Infantry  whether  in  tlie 
number  and  severit.y  of  the  battles  fought,  the  casualties  suffered,  or  the 
high  personnel  of  the  officers  and  men  in  war  and  in  peace.  Washtenaw 
county  had  two  companies.  One  from  Ann  Arl)or  commanded  by  Claud- 
ius B.  Grant,  who  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel  commanding  the  regiment 
and  who  in  peace  long  .served  the  state  as  justice  of  the  suiircme  court ; 
the  second  company  was  from  Ypsilanti  and  commanded  by  Byron  M. 
Cutcheon  who  became  a  brigade  commander  and  brevet  brigadier  gen- 
eral, and  served  with  distinction  for  eight  years  in  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  The  first  lieutenant  of  Company  B  of  Ypsilanti  was 
Charles  T.  Allen,  who  was  for  many  .vears  after  the  war  one  of  the 
foremost  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  the  state. 

In  this  regiment  Calhoun  count.y  had  two  companies.  ('  and  1.  It 
entered  the  service  with  two  field  and  five  officers  of  the  line.  It  fur- 
nished two  officers  who  rose  to  command  the  regiment.  Simeon  S.  French 
of  Battle  Creek  was  ma.jor  surgeon.  As  an  officer  and  a  man  he  was 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  who  knew  liim. 

Hiram  S.  Warner,  of  ]\Iarshall,  saw  service  in  the  Fii-st  Infantry, 
three  months  regiment.  He  entered  the  Twentieth  as  ad.jutant.  He  was 
twice  wounded  in  battle. 

In  1863,  he  was  commissioned  regimental  i|uart(n-iiiastir  and  in  lS(i4 
was  acting  brigade  (|uartermaster. 


518  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

George  C.  Barues,  of  Battle  Creek,  entered  the  service  as  captain  of 
Company  C,  and  rose  by  demonstrated  ability  and  courage  to  the  rank 
of  lieutenant  colonel.  He  fell  mortally  wounded  in  an  assault  on  the 
Confederate  works  at  Petersburg,  Virginia,  July  18,  1864. 

Albert  G.  Barney,  of  Bedford,  sergeant  major,  at  the  .organization 
was  commissioner  first  lieutenant  May  12,  1864.  He  received  a  wound 
in  the  engagement  at  Bethesda  Church,  Virginia,  June  2,  1864,  from 
which  he  died  the  29th  of  tlie  following  month. 

Charles  J.  Brown,  of  Battle  Creek,  entered  the  service  as  second  lieu- 
tenant of  the  Twentieth  and  was  acting  assistant  adjutant  general  Sec- 
ond Brigade,  First  Division  United  States  Army  Corps,  from  September 
1,  1862,  to  January,  1863.  He  died  at  Frederick  City,  Maryland,  Jan- 
uary 29, 1863.  Stephen  O.  Bryant,  of  Bedford,  served  over  two  years  in 
the  ranks  as  corporal  and  sergeant  before  he  became  a  lieutenant.  He, 
too,  was  wounded  in  battle. 

Walter  H.  Chadwiek,  of  Battle  Creek,  went  out  as  sergeant  and  came 
back  a  lieutenant.    He  was  wounded  at  Petersburg. 

Charles  C.  Dodge,  of  .Marshall,  entered  the  service  as  captain.  Com- 
pany I.    Was  a  prisoner  from  June.  1864,  to  March,  1865. 

Josiah  T.  Hammond,  of  Tekonsha,  served  as  first  and  as  second  lieu- 
tenant and  for  a  number  of  years  after  the  war  was  probate  judge  of 
Jackson  county. 

Holland  F.  Robinson,  of  Convis,  went  by  gradual  promotion  from  the 
ranks  to  a  captaincy  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  company  in  the  battle 
before  Petersburg,  Virginia,  February  4,  1865. 

Heniy  H.  Stowell,  of  Marshall,  like  Robinson,  rose  step  by  step  from 
the  ranks  to  receive  a  captain's  commission,  January  12,  1865. 

Adrian  C.  White,  of  Battle  Creek,  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-one 
when  he  entered  the  service.  He  served  as  sergeant,  first  sergeant,  first 
lieutenant  and  as  assistant  adjutant  general  returning  home  at  the  end  of 
the  war  with  a  captain's  stripes  upon  his  shoulders. 

Our  research  through  all  the  Michigan  regiments  in  the  war  for  the 
Union  leads  us  to  believe  that  all  things  considered,  Clement  A.  Louns- 
bury,  of  Marengo,  came  out  of  the  service  with  the  finest  i-ecord  of  any 
soldier  who  went  from  Calhoun  county.  Lounsbury  first  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  First  Michigan,  three  months  service,  April  22,  1861.  He 
was  then  but  a  youth  of  18.  He  was  a  private  in  the  ranks  and  as  such 
was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  first  Bull  Run  battle,  July  21, 
1861. 

August  9,  1862,  he  re-entered  the  service  as  first  sergeant.  Company 
D,  Twentieth  Infantry.  Commissioned  second  lieutenant  January,  1863, 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  ]May  10,  1863;  first  lieutenant,  November  19, 
1863 ;  wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  Virginia ;  captain  to  date  from 
May  12,  1863;  aid-de-camp,  November,  1864,  to  March,  1865,  assistant 
adjutant  general,  April,  1865;  lieutenant  colonel,  December  20,  1864; 
colonel,  March  11,  1865. 

A  young  country  boy  of  eighteen  who  can  go  from  the  ranks  to  the 
command  of  one  of  the  finest  regiments  in  the  army;  who  three  times 
wounded  and  twice  a  prisoner  still  clings  to  the  service  and  rises  step 
by    step,    receiving   repeated    commendations    of   superior    officers    for 


ill^l'OlxV   OK  CALllOl  N   CorXTV  519 

gallantry  and  resourcefulness,  is  an  exception  even  among  so  nuiny  offi- 
cers and  men  as  the  Twentieth  had  of  approved  courage  and  ability. 

In  this  regiment  was  George  M.  Buck,  who  went  out  from  Battle 
Creek  in  t'onii)any  V.  Buck  was  from  the  beginning  to  tlie  end  in  the 
ranks.  After  the  war  he  served  long  on  tlie  bencli  as  judge  of  tlie  Kahi- 
mazoo  circuit.  A  man  of  genuine  merit  and  ability.  As  niDdcst  and 
unpretentious  in  peace  as  he  was  faithful  and  fearless  in  war.  he  ty]iifies 
the  nearly  two  hundred  comrades  who  served  with  him  fi-om  Calhoun 
county  in  the  ranks  of  this  historic  regiment.  A  brief  resume  of  its 
career  tells  the  story  of  service  and  sacrifice.  It  was  recruited  and  or- 
ganized during  the  summer  of  1862.  Left  its  camp  at  Jackson  for  Wash- 
ington, September  1,  18t)2 ;  assigneil  to  the  Nintti  Ai-my  Corps.  Ai-m>-  of 
the  Potomac,  September  6,  1862 ;  served  in  the  East  till  the  spring  of  1863 
when  it  was  transferred  to  Kentucky,  June  6 ;  sent  to  Grant  and  shared 
in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  After  the  fall  of  Vickslnu-g  i-eturned  to  Ken- 
tucky and  in  September,  1863,  entered  East  Tennessee ;  fought  in  the 
battles  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville ;  returned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
in  the  early  spring  of  1865 ;  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  the 
crossing  of  the  Rapidan  May  5,  1864,  to  the  surrender  at  Appomattox. 
April  9,  1865,  sharing  in  all  its  battles;  commanded  in  these  battles 
successively  and  successfully  by  Cutcheon,  Barnes,  Grant  and  Lounsbury 
it  stood  in  the  early  morning  of  April  2,  1865,  knocking  at  the  gates 
of  Petersburg  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  that  long  beleaguered 
city.  It  was  constantly  on  the  fighting  line.  It  lost  more  officers,  killed 
and  died  of  wounds,  than  any  other  Michigan  regiment.  It  lost  over 
eleven  per  cent  of  the  men  killed  or  mortally  wounded.  It  marched  in 
the  Grand  Review;  mustered  out  May  30,  1865,  near  Washington.  I).  C, 
and  on  June  4,  1865,  disbanded  at  Jackson,  Michigan. 

Total  enrollment.  1,183. 

Killed  in  action,  72. 

Died  of  wounds,  42. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  21. 

Died  of  disease,  89. 

Discharged  for  disability.  Ki!). 

Soldiers  '  Llst  op  the  Twentieth 

Acker,  Orange  F.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  11,  1863. 

Allen,  Lewis  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Andrews, -Truman  N.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  4,  1862. 
Died  in  hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  9,  1864. 

Austin,  Ira  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  4,  1S6J.  Died  at 
Falmouth,  Va.,   Feb.  1,   1862. 

Ayres,  Harrison  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  .\ug.  i\  1862.  Wounded 
in  battle.  May  12,  1864.     Corporal. 

Barber,  Charles  A.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Barber,  William  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  (,'reek,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Barnes,  George  C.  Entered  service  at  organization  of  Company  C,  as  Captain, 
July  17,  1862.  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Nov.  21,  1863.  Died  June  20,  "l864,  of  wounds 
received  in  action  before  Petersburg,  .Tune  18,  1864. 

Barney,  Albert  G.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  9,  1862.  First 
Lieutenant,  May  12,  1864.     Died  from  wounds  received  in  action,  .Tune  2,  1864. 

Barnum,  .Tames  A.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  6,  1862.  Dieil 
of  disease  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Aug.  16.  1863. 


520  HISTOEY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Benham,  Charles  W.   Company  I.   Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  August  12,  1S()2.   Killed 
in  action  at  Cumberland  Fort,  Ky.,  May  9,  1863. 

Berry,  Chester  D.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Peunfield,  Aug.  14,  ISGi'.     Taken 
prisoner  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  2,  1864. 

BesteJ,  Frank.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Bestel,  Peter.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862.     Died  .May  2U, 
1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va. 

Bevier,  Charles.    Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  11,  1862.     Wounded 
in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

Bevier,  Eobert  R.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Feb.  27,  1864.    Wounded 
in  action,  July  30,  1864. 

Bevier,  Kussell  B.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  8,  1862. 
Bidvvell,  David  M.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1862.    Wounded 
in  action  at  Bethesda  Church,  Va.,  June  3,  1864.     Died  July  13,  1864. 

Blake,  James  G.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  ilarshall,  Aug.   2,  1862.     Killed  in 
action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,   May   12,  1864. 

Blanck,  Atalbert  A.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Booth,  John.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Taken  pris- 
oner at  Spottsylvania,  May  12,  1864. 

Bortles,  Samuel.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  9,   1862. 

Broughton,  Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Bradshaw,  Charles.    Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Aug.  5,  1862.    Wounded 
in  action,  June  18,   1864. 

Browkaw,  George.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Died  of 
disease  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  Dec.  27,  1862. 

Brookins,  George.    Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  9,  1862.    Sergeant. 

Brown,  Charles  J.     Company  C.     Entered  service  as  Second  Lieutenant,  July  22, 
1862.     Died  of  disease  at  Frederick  City,  Md.,  January  29,  1863. 

Brown,  Isaac  M.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1.5,  1862.    Wounded 
in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 

Bryan,  Stephen  O.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  5,  1862.    Wounded 
in  action  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  29,  1863.     Second  Lieutenant,  May  17,  1863. 

Buchanan,  Robert.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Buck,  George  M.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1862.     Corporal. 

Buckingham,  Orestes.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862. 
•  Burlingham,  Findley  D.     Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Buler,  Henry,  Clarence.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Casey,  Chester.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  6,  1862.     Taken 
prisoner  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

Chadwick.  Walton  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  2o,   1862. 
Wounded  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  1864.     Second  Lieutenant,  May  17,  186-5. 

Chamberlain,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted   at   JIarshall,   Aug.   8,   1862. 

Cleveland.  Andrew  H.    Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  19,  1862.     Killed 
in   action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,   1864. 

Cluff,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  2.5,  1862.     Wagoner. 

Cole,  Dexter.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Collins,  John  T.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Cornell,  Daniel  S.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  2,  1862.     Wounded 
in  action,  July  6,  1864. 

Cregg,  William  H.     Company  1.     Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  9,   1862.     De- 
serted, Dec.  20,  1862. 

Crofoot,  David  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Died  Dec. 
16,   1863,  of  wounds  received  in   action  at   Campbell's  Station. 

Davis,  Charles  E.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  12,  1862.     Wounded 
in  action,  May  12,  1864.    Corporal. 

Davis,  Jabez  P.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Wagoner. 

Davison,    Robert    W.      Company    I.      Enlisted    from    Marengo,    Aug.    11,    1862. 
Wounded  in  action.  May  12,  1864. 

Deitzel,  Wyman.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1862.    Taken 
prisoner  at  Poplar  Grove  Church,  Va.,  Sept.  30,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COrXTY  .".21 

Deiiiarest.  Harmon.  Company  H.  Enlisted  I'ldin  He.lfnr.l.  Any.  ^.  IMil.'. 
Wouniled  in  action  at  Horseslioe  Bend,  Ky.,  May  10,  ISli:!. 

Demott.  David.  Company  C.  Knlisteil  from  Convis,  Aug.  L',  IstiJ.  'I'Mkon 
prisoner  uear  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  1864. 

DeJIott,  John  W.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  o,  ISCU. 

Dillingham,  William  O.  Company  1.  Enlisted  from  Fredonia,  Aug.  f',  ISG.'. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Concord  Station,  East  Tenn.,  Nov  16.  1863.  Died  in  prison  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.,  Oct.  18,  1864. 

Dixon,  John  B.     Company  1.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  u,  186^. 

Dodge,  Charles  C.  Entered  the  services  from  Marshall  as  Captain  Company  I., 
Aug.  1,  1862.     Taken  prisoner  June  2,  1864.     Discharged  April  15,  1865. 

Doty,  Henry.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Aug.  6,  1862.  Died  on 
fcteamer  during  passage  from  Vicksburg  to  Cairo,  Aug.  5,  1863. 

Doty,  Zebulon.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  12,  1S62.  Wounded  In 
action,  Nov.  16,  1863. 

Dunton,  Charles.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Elliston,  Richard.    Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862.    Corporal. 

Ely,  Ira  Warren.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Aug.  8.  1862.  Wounded  in 
action  May  12,  1864. 

Fish,  Schuyler  V.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  .lulv  L'S,  isi;2.  Died 
at  Fairfax  Seminary,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Ford,  Worthy  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  11,   ls(iL'. 

Freeman,  Eugene  T.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .July  21.  1862. 
Second  Lieutenant  in  Thirteenth  N.  Y.  Battery,  Feb.  9,  1864. 

French,  William.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  28,  1862.  Died 
at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  June  26,  1863. 

Gardner,  E.  Remington.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  13,  1862. 
Died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  June  5,  1864. 

Geer.  Homer  C.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Pennfield,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Killed  in 
action  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 

George,  Edwin.    Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  5,  lS(i2. 

Gillis,  Augustus.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  JIarengo,  Aug.  1.  ISHi:.  Wminded 
in  action  June  2,   1864. 

Gleason,  William.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  it,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  May  12,  1864.     Sergeant. 

Granger,  Ithamer.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  9,  1863.  Drum- 
mer. 

(Jreen,  Thomas.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Gribble,  Levi.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Clarence,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Griffin,  David.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  4,  1862.  Died  of 
disease  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  June  17,  1863. 

Grozinger,  John.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  .\iarsh:il],  Aug.  ^,  1S(;2.  Wounded 
in  action  June  17,  1864. 

Hammond,  Josiah  T.  Company  I.  Eulisted  from  Tekonsha.  Second  Lieutenant 
at  organization  of  Company.     First  Lieutenant  Jan.  26,  1863. 

Hanney,  Mark  N.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Died 
at   Falmouth,   Va.,   Feb.  5,   1863. 

Hartson,  Leroy.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Hasbrook,  Abram.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from   Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Hazen,  Lovoisiar.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Heath.  William  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  14.  1862. 

Hicks,  Charles  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .Tuly  21,  1862. 
Corporal. 

Hicks,  George  B.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  26,  1862.  First 
Lieutenant  Nov.  29,  1863.     Killed  in  action  near  Petersburg,  A'a.,  June  18,  1864. 

Hodge,  George  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Pennfield,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Hoffman,  David  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Aug.  1,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  Jlay  12,  1864.     Corporal. 

Howe.    Frank    M.      Company    C.      Enliste.l    from    Kniniett.    Aug.    7.    1S(>-..      Leg 


522  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

amputateil  because  of  wound  received  in  action  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  19, 
1864. 

Hone,  James  A.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Hubbard,  Daniel  J.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  28,  1862. 

Hiilce.  John  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Athens,  August,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Spottsylvania,   May  12,   1864. 

Hunt,  Abram  O.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  21,  1862.  Died 
near  Falmouth,  Va.,  Jan.   9,  1863. 

Hunt,  Dexter  E.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Aug.  a,  1862. 

Jackson,  William  E.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Pennfield,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Juckett,  George.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Missing 
in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864.     No  further  record. 

Keyes,  Charles  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Kimble,  Julius.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Knight,  Andrew.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  22,  1862. 
Wounded  in  action  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864.     Sergeant. 

Knowles,  George  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Pennfield,  July  28,  1862.  Ser- 
geant. 

Knox,  Henry  E.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  July  29,  1862.  Woonded 
in  action.  May  12,  1864. 

Larkin,  John  P.    Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  S,  1862. 

Lewis,  Arba  C.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Died 
at  Leesburg,  Md.,  Sept.  20,  1862. 

Lewis,  Globe  D.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Lewis,  Sylvester.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  21,  1862.  Killed 
in  action  at  Bethesda  Church,  Va.,  June  2,  1864. 

Lewis,  Wm.  J.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Pennfield,  July  31,  1862.  Discharged 
May  17,  lS6o,  on  account  of  wounds  received  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  1864. 

Lorensberry,  Clement  A.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  9,  1862. 
Colonel  March  11,  1865. 

McDonald,  William  N.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  March  11,  1862. 
Died  at  Annapolis,   Md.,  April  12,  1864. 

McFadden,  Wm.  J.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

McRobert.  James.  Company  — .  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864.     Died  in  prison  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Manchester,  Perry  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .July  29,  1862. 
Wounded  in  action  at  North  Anna,  Va.,  May  24,  1865. 

Mathews,  Hugh.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  8,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  June  2,  1864. 

Maud,  Henry.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  30,  1862.  Died 
as  a  result  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

Maynard,  William.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Emmett,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Wounded 
and  missing  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864.     No  further  record. 

Mench,  Charles  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1862.  Sergeant. 
Taken  prisoner  Nov.  29,  1863.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  26,  1864. 

Mickel,  Jeremiah.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  Jan.  9,  1865.     Arm  amputated. 

Mickel,  Joseph  E.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Mickel.  William  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  31,  1862. 

Monk,  James  B.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Le  Boy,  Aiig.  8,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  2,  1864.     Died  Dec.  29,  1864. 

Moore,  William.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  21,  1862. 

Mulharon.  Henry.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  22,  1862. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  May  12,  1864. 

Nickerson,  John.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  31,  1862.  Died 
at  Crab  Orchard,  Ky..  Nov.  11,  1863. 

Nover,  Conrad.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  June  18,  1864. 

Nover,  Peter.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  ilarshall,  .Tulv  25,  1862.  Wounded,  Nov. 
29,  1863.     Sergeant. 


IIISTOHV  OF  CALIIOrX   COrXTV  523 

Oniloii.  .loliii.  Coiiipanv  1.  Kiilisti'ii  lium  Marshall,  Aug.  S,  lIMi'J.  Uisehaitti'd 
J  line  •2-2.   1865. 

(Miioy,  Jonathan  H.    Coniiiaiiy  C.     Knlisteil  at  Athens,  Man-h  IJH,  Isti.j. 

Orwig,  Samuel  W.  Company  C.  Enlisteil  from  Emniett,  Aug.  7,  1H6'.'.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864.     Died  Sept.  8,  1864. 

Owen.  Eilwin  H.  Company  C.  Enlisteil  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1,  ISfii'.  Killcil  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

Parker,  Nathan  P.  Company  1.  Enlisted  from  Convis.  An;;.  11.  INtii'.  Serfjcant. 
Died  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  Dec.  4,  1864. 

Parsons,  James  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Pennfiehl,  Aug.  IH,  1S62. 
Died   at    Falmouth,  Va.,   Jan.   15,   1863. 

Phelps,  Simary.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Fredonia,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Powles,  George.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  1,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  2,  1864.     Corporal. 

Pratt,  William  P.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Pureell,  Bradley.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  April  4,  1865. 

Raven,  Charles  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Xewton,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Riley,  James  O.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Robinson,  Holland  F.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  6,  1862.  Cap- 
tain Company  K.,  Nov.  4,  1864.     Killed  in  action  before  Petersburg,  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Romig,  John.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Fifer. 

Russell,  David  S.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862.  Died 
May  14,  1863  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Horse  Shoe  Bend,  Ky.,  May  10,  1863. 

Ryan.  Philip.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Aug.  17,  1862.  Died,  Dec. 
7,   1863  of  wounds  received  in  action.     Corporal. 

Sammons,  John  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Sammons,  Jlyron  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis.  Aug.  6.  1862.  Wounded 
in  action,  May  12,  1864. 

Saulsbury,  Theodore  C.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  ^,  lS(i2. 
Killed  at  Spottsylvania,  May  12,  1864.' 

Saunders,  Jay.    Company  I.    Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  4,  1862. 

Scates,  Charles.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  July  2:i,  1862. 

Scotford,  Edgar  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Aug.  6.  1862. 
Corporal. 

Smith.  Charles  B.  Company  L  Enlisted  from  Convis.  Au«.  1 1,  1  S(i2.  Wounded 
May  12,  1864. 

Smith,  David.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  Aug.  2,  1S62. 

Smith,  George  S.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  9,  1862.  Wounded 
near  Petersburg,  Va..  July  30,  1864. 

Smith,  Henry  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  June  18,   1864. 

Smith,  Jacob  F.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Smith,  John  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Wounded 
May    11,    1864. 

Smith,  Josiah.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Fredonia,  Aug.  m.  1862.  Killed 
in  action  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 

Stiles,  Aaron  L.    Company  C.    Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1S62.     Sergeant. 

Stone,  Eugene.  Company  T.  Enlisted  at  Marsh.all.  Aug.  6.  ISiii'.  Wounded, 
June  7,  1864.     First  Sergeant. 

Stowell,  Henry  H.  Company  T.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Aug.  11.  isiij.  (MplMin, 
Jan.  12,  1865. 

Swarthout,  Stephen.  Company  C.  EnlLsted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  S,  1862. 
Drummer. 

Sweet.  James.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Talbot,  Dennis.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Aug.  9,   1862.     Deserted, 

Taylor,  Thomas.     Company  I.     Enlisted   at  Marshall,  Aug,  8,   1862. 
Terrill.    George    M.      Company    C.      Enlisted    from    Bedford,    Aug.    21,    1862. 
Killed  in  action  near  Petersburg.  Va.,  July  30,  1864. 


524  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Thomas,  George  W.     Company  C.     Knlisted  from  Penufield,  Aug.  25,  1862. 

Tooley,  James  L.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Aug.  12,   1862. 

TreadwelJ,  Charles.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Corporal. 
Died  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  Jan.  6,   1863. 

Treadwell,  Edson.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Aug.  7,  1S62.  Corporal. 
Wounded,  June   18,  1864. 

Trumbull,  Ira  O.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Van  Buren,  Levi.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Van  Ness,  Jacob  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Warner,  Hiram  S.  Company  I.  Enlisted  April  22,  1861,  for  three  months. 
Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  First  Lieutenant  Captain  1861.  Adjutant  Twentieth 
Infantry,  July  19,  1862.     Eegimental  and  Brigade  Quartermaster. 

Weeks,  Joseph  H.  Entered  service  as  First  Lieutenant  Company  C,  July  21, 
1862. 

White,  Arian  C.     Company  C.     Captain,  March  11,  1865. 

Wilbur,  Hiram  E.    Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Athens,  Aug.  8,  1862.     Corporal. 

Williams,  Charles  B.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  July  25,  1862. 
Corporal. 

Williams,  Germane  L.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1S62. 
Wounded,  Nov.  16,  1862. 

Williams,  Kay  G.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1862.  Died 
at  Annapolis,  Md.,  May  30,  1864. 

Witter,  Cyrus  L.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  near  Petersburg,  July  30,  1864.     Died  in  prison,  Dec.  19,  1864. 

Wood,  Delos.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11.  1862.  Died  at  Balti- 
more, Md.,  July  4,  1863. 

Yerrington,  Charles  L.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  EninuHt,  Aug.  4.  1862. 

Twenty-third  Infantry 

Newton,  Horace.  Company  K.  Drafted  from  Newton.  Mustered  mit.  June 
28,  1864. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry 

Alton,  Henry  C.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  21,  1865. 
Billings,  Franklin.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  28,  1865. 
Boyce,  Job.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  March  6,  1865. 
Caffry,  James.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Eckford,  March  25,  1865. 
Collins,  Robert  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  Feb.  28,  1865. 
Dickey.  Harrison  M.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  4,  186.5.     Ser- 
geant, April  1,  1865. 

English,  Edward.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  7,  lS6o. 

Frey,  Peter.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  March  27.  1865. 

Hannis,  or  Haines,  Richard.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  .Manli  21,  1865. 

Hartranft,  William.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  at  Ecklcrd,   .Mardi   27,   lS(i.-,.       _ 

Hulett,  Philo.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   March   in,    iso.j. 

Hunt,  William  C.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  March  27,   1S65. 

Lyon,  Joel  O.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Eckford,  March  27,  1865. 

Marble,  Charles  F.     Company  K.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  March  21,  1865. 

Morton,  Marcus.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Owens,  James  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  15,  1865. 

Reese.  George.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  March  27,  1865. 

Smalley,  William  O.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  21,  1865. 

Voorhees,  William  C.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  28,  1865. 

Warren,  George  S.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  10,  1865. 

Watson,  Albert.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  6,  1865. 

Twenty-fifth  Infantry 

was  organized  at  Kalamazoo  September  22,  1862.     Its  first  colonel  was 
Orlando  H.  ;\Ioore,  who  was  an  officer  of  junior  rank  in  the  regular 


IIISTOKY  OF  t'ALIIOLX  COIXTY  525 

aniiy  prt'vious  to  the  Civil  war.  His  tirst  service  with  tiic  \'oiiuiteers 
was  as  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Thirteenth  Michii;an.  wiiieh  position 
he  resigned  to  eomniand  tlie  Twenty-tifth. 

In  this  regiment  Calhoun  county  had  one  lull  c(>iii))any  which  was 
designated  hy  the  letter  A.  Homer  village  and  township  and  Ki-edonia 
township  furnished  a  large  proportion  of  the  recruits  for  the  company 
from  this  county.  Charles  H.  Pratt,  of  ^larshall,  was  largely  in.strumental 
in  recruiting  the  company  and  was  made  captain  at  the  organization. 
For  nearly  two  years  Captain  Pratt  was  on  duty  as  executive  officer  at 
the  military  prison  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He  was  repeatedly  compli- 
mented in  official  reports.  The  surgeon  and  acting  medical  inspector, 
of  prisoners,  in  his  report  of  October,  1863,  to  the  authorities  at  Washing- 
ton said,  "I  commend  Captain  Pratt  most  highly  for  the  condition  to 
which  he  has  brought  the  prison  under  his  command." 

Another  inspecting  officer  in  his  report  of  December  3,  1864,  said, 
"Great  credit  is  due  Captain  Pratt  for  his  efficient  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  position,"  and  still  another  inspector  whose  report  is  dated 
January  21,  1865,  says:  "Captain  Pratt,  executive  officer  of  the  prison, 
certainly  deserves  credit  for  the  efficient  and  faithful  manner  in  which 
he  discharges  the  duties  of  his  position. " 

Orange  Bugbee,  of  Homer,  was  first  lieutenant  from  August  lU,  1862. 
to  April  27.  1864.  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  for  disability. 

Norris  J.  P"'rink.  of  Mar.shall.  \vent  out  with  the  company  as  second 
lieutenant,  but  resigned  October,  1863,  and  later  re-entered  the  service 
as  captain  in  the  Twenty-eighth  Infantry. 

Abner  Van  Dyke,  of  Marshall,  entered  the  service  August  19,  1862,  as 
a  private  in  Company  A.  February  7.  1864:  he  was  made  tirst  lieutenant 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry. 

The  Twenty-fifth  left  Kalamazoo  September  29,  1862,  for  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  at  which  time  the  Confederate  army  under  Geiiei-al  Bragg 
w-as  threatening  the  capture  of  that  city.  During  the  winter  and  spring 
of  1862  and  1863  it  was  on  provost  duty  at  Bowling  Green  and  at  Louis- 
ville. 

One  of  the  most  notable  of  the  minor  engagements  of  the  war  was  the 
repulse  on  July  4,  1863,  of  General  John  H.  Morgan's  division,  estimated 
as  3.000  strong,  by  five  companies  of  the  Twenty-fifth  under  command  of 
Colonel  ]\Ioore.  In  the  early  morning  Genei-al  Morgan  sent  an  officer 
under  a  flag  of  truce  demanding  an  "immediate  and  unconditional  sur- 
render" of  the  Federal  forces.  Colonel  Jloore.  who  had  selected,  at 
Gibb's  bend,  and  fortified,  an  admirable  position  for  defense,  met  the  offi- 
cer bearing  the  demand  and  said  to  him:  "Present  my  compliments  to 
General  jMorgan  and  say  to  him  that  this  being  the  Fourth  of  July  I  can- 
not entertain  the  jiroposition  to  surrender."  After  three  and  one-half 
hours  of  fiohting  ^Moigan  withdraw,  leaving  as  many  dead  and  wounded 
on  the  field  iis  the  ilichigan  commander  had  men.  Twenty-two  commis- 
sioned Confeilerate  officers  were  among  the  killed  and  wounded,  two  of 
the  dead  being  field  officers.  The  number  of  killed  and  wounded  Confed- 
erates was  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  Federals  engaged.  The  Michigan 
commander  and  his  men  received  for  their  gallant  conduct  the  thanks  of 
the  commander  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  published  in  General  Orders. 


526  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  Twenty-fifth  though  enduring  many  hardships  and  privations, 
did  good  service  in  East  Tennessee  during  the  terribly  cold  winter  of 
1863-64.  The  regiment  as  part  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Army  Corps  partici- 
pated in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  It  was  with  tlie  troops  that  confronted 
the  Confedei-ate  General  Hood  in  the  battle  of  Franklin  and  in  the 
advance  upon  and  repulse  at  Nashville. 

After  the  utter  defeat  and  overthrow  of  Hood's  army  at  Franklin  and 
Nashville,  the  Twenty-fifth  with  the  Twenty-third  Army  Corps  under 
General  Schotield  was  transferred  to  North  Carolina  and  was  with  thq 
army  under  Sherman  when  the  Confederate  forces  under  General  Joseph 
E.  Johnston  surrendered  at  the  village  of  Durham  in  that  state. 

June  24,  1865,  it  was  mustered  out  at  Salisbury,  North  Carolina. 
July  2,  arrived  at  Jackson,  Michigan,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  dis- 
banded. 

Total  enrollment,  1,008. 

Killed  in  action,  23. 

Died  of  wounds,  17. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  2. 

Died  of  disease,  126. 

Discharged  for  disability  (wounds  and  disease),  157. 

The  following,  as  nearly  as  could  be  obtained,  is  an  accurate  list  of 
those  who  served  from  Calhoun  county  in  the  Twenty-fifth  regiment. 

Twenty-fifth  Infaxtry  List 

Aeker,  PiTiy.  Company  A.  Eulisted  at  Fretlonia,  Aug.  ll',  1862.  Died  of 
disease,  June  S,  18(53. 

Adcoek,  or  Hadcoek,  George.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  l^redonia,  Jan.  LI,  1864. 
Deserted,  April  19,  1866. 

Allen,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Jan.  5.  1864.  Distdiarged, 
July  18,  1865. 

Berger,  David  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Discharged, 
May  24,  1865. 

Blake,  Hiram,  or  Homer.  Company  A.  Eulisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5.  1862.  JIus 
tered  out,  June  24,  1865. 

Blodgett,  Joseph  F.  Compauy  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  9,  1862.  Discharged, 
July  8,  1865. 

Brand,  Benjamin  E.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  24,  1865. 

Brand,  Jeremiah.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Died  of 
disease,  Jan.  16,  1863. 

Brainard,  John  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  June  24,  1865. 

Brewer,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  22,  1862.  .Mustered 
out,  June  24,  1865. 

Brown,  Benjamin  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, July  3,  1865. 

Brown,  Orlando.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Sergeant, 
Sept.  12,   1864.     Mustered  out,  June   24,   1865. 

Bugbee,  Orange.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  10,  1862.  Entered 
service  at  organization  as  First  Lieutenant.    Discharged  for  disability,  April  27,  1864. 

Burns,  Henry  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Corporal, 
1864.     Mustered  out,  June  24,  1865. 

Burt,  Charles  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Discharged, 
June  30,  1865. 


lies 

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ti.liy 

shot 

HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COrXTY  527 

Bush,  Andrew.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  4,  1S(J2.  I'lisoiu'i  from 
January  :;i',  to  April  16,  1864.     Mustered  out,  June  1'4,  1.S65. 

Campbell,  Bobert  C.    Company  A.     Knlisted  at  Marshall    Aut:   -1    1*<6' 
Feb.  19,  1863.  ■  -     f,     ,         -. 

Carr,  James.     Coniiiaiiv   A.     Kulisted  at   Honior,   Aul'.   S.   1SU:2.     Mui 
June  '24,  1865. 

Chapin,  David  S.     Company  A.     Knlistod  at   .Marengo,   Aug.  Jl'.   \S&J. 
Died   in  service,  Jan.  7,   1864. 

Chase,   Frank   W.   Company  A.      Knlisted   at   Homer,   Aug.   .J,   18UL'. 
1863.     Mustered  out,  June  :.'4,  I860. 

Clark,  Gilbert  S.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Aug.  6,   1.S6L'. 
disease,  Feb.  9,  1868. 

Collins,   Edward   H.     Enlisted   at   Fredonia,   Aug.   12.   IStii;.     Aciidei: 
while  on  duty  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Dec.  8,  186l'. 

Crocker.  Orlando.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Kckfonl.  Aug.  5,  186".  Died  of 
disease,  Nov.  19,  1862. 

Cruse,  William.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.   ll',  1862. 

Cummings,  Alexander.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Feb.  21,.  1863. 

Curtis,  Elias  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Died  of  ilisease  Feb 
11,  1863. 

Cushman,  George.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  Aug.  14  1862.  Mustered 
out,   June   24,   1865. 

Ely.  Orville  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer.  Aug.  1],  lS(i2.  Discharged 
-Nov.  11,   1865.  "^     ' 

Fairchild,  <'riah.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer.  Aug.  ii,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  June  24,  1865. 

Fry,  Silas.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.   12,  1862.     Mustere.l  out, 

Gregory,  Newton  V.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1802.  Dis- 
charged on  account  of  disability,  June  24,  1865.     Sergeant,  Jlay  11,  1865. 

Griffin,  Henry.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  '],  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  June  13,  1863. 

Hurd,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Jan.  18,  1863. 

Huss.  or  Hess,  John.  Company  A.  Knlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11.  1S62.  Died  in 
service,  March  19,  1863. 

Kebler,  Henry.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Aug.  14,  1S62.  Deserted 
Jan.  7,  1863. 

Kelley,  Abraham.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  2,  1862.  Died.  Aug. 
2,  1864  of  wounds  received  in  action,  June  27,  1864. 

Kelley,  .James.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer.  Aug.  9,  1862.  Prisoner  from 
Jifn.  22,  1S64  to  April  16,  1864. 

Kennedy,  Cicero  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug  5,  186'^  Sergeant 
Sept.  12.  1862.     Died,  Feb.  1,  1863. 

Kineaid,  James  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11.  1862.  Corpora!, 
Feb.  20,  1864.     Wounded  in  the  battle  of  Resaca.  Ga.     Mustered  out,  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Lynn,  Silas  H.  Company.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Ang.  13.  1862.  Sergeant. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  1864.     Discharged,  May  11,  1865. 

McCarty.  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,"  Aug.  9,  1862.  Discharged. 
Feb.  17,   1863.  *     ' 

McKinney,  Mortimer.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  4.  1802.  Dis- 
charged for  disability.  May  13,  1863. 

Martin,  Richard.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Aug.  9,  1S6'\  Dieil  in 
service,  Jan.  31,  1863. 

Mead.  Watson  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  .-iug  ^2.  1862.  Principal 
musician,  Sept.  10,   1863.     Discharged,  May  19,  1865. 

Morey.-  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marsh.ill.  Am'.  11  1S6'  Mustered 
out,  June  24.  1865. 


528  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Morris,  Charles  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  22,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, Dec.  3,  1865. 

North,  Eben.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  15,  1862.  Deserted, 
Feb.  17,  1863. 

North,  Seneca.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1862.  Transferred 
to  Invalid  Corps,  Jan.  15,  1864. 

Ogden,  Ardy.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  6,  1862.  Sergeant, 
Nov.  1,  lS6i.     Mustered  out,  June  24,  1865. 

Perkins,  Silas.  Company  O.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  13,  1862.  Corporal. 
Died  in  service,  Jan.  24,  1863. 

Pierce,  Cyrus  A.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  24,  1865. 

Pike,  Orlando.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Transferred 
to  Invalid  Corps,  July  20,  1863. 

Pratt,  Charles  B.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  in  Company  A  as  Captain, 
Aug.  10,  1862.     Discharged,  Aug.  10,  1865. 

Prabasco,  Maryhlin.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  May  9,  1863. 

Putnam,  Bela.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Discharged  for 
disability.  May  4,  1863. 

Eeardon,  Dennis  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1863.  Corporal, 
1862.     Sergeant,  1863.     Mustered  out,  June  24,  1865. 

Rogers,  Nelson.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  1862.  Discharged  Oct. 
16,  1862,  for  disability. 

Rose,  George  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Discharged, 
May  30,  1865. 

Ryan,  William,  Jr.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  5,  1864.  Discharged, 
June  19,  1865. 

Seger,  Cornelius.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Feb.  28,  1863. 

Spotts,  Daniel  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  5,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Stephan,  Timothy  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  18,  1862.  De- 
serted. 

Story,  Charles.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Dec.  2,  1864. 

Swart,  Victor  D.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Sykes,  Henry  J.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  11,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  June  24,  1865. 

Taylor,  Amos  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Corporal. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Terrv,  Oscar.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Died  in  service, 
Jan.  21,  1863. 

Tower,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  18,  1862.  Died 
in   service,  Jan.   19,   1863. 

Van  Dyke,  Abner.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  19,  1862.  Sergeant, 
1862.  Sergeant  Major,  June  19,  1863.  First  Lieutenant  Colored  Infantry,  Feb.  7, 
1864.     Resigned,  Aug.  31,  1864. 

A'an  Wie,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Lee,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Died,  Aug. 
16.  1864  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Warner,  John  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Corporal, 
1862.     Sergeant,  1863.     Mustered  out,  June  24,  1865. 

Warrington,  William  G.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Aug.  12,  1862. 
Died,  July  11,  1864  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Watts,  Reason.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Horner^  Aug.  11,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  June  24,   1865. 

Welles.  Charles  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  9,  1862.  Mustered 
out.  June  24.  1865. 

Wells,  William  O.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Homer.  Aug.  7,  1862.  Discharged, 
June  7,  lS6.=i. 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOLTX  COrXTY  529 

Whittiiker,  Vau  Kauslor.  Compauy  A.  Enlisted  ut  Fredoiiia,  Aug.  IJ,  1S62. 
Uisoharged  for  disability,  May  S,  1863. 

Wicks,  Chauni'y  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  24,  1865. 

Wicks,  James  B.  Compauy  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  22,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Nov.  16,  1862. 

Wicks,  James  D.  Compauy  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  5,  1864.  Discharged, 
April  22,  1866,  having  been  transferred  to  Co.  A  28th  Inft.,  June  15,  1865. 

Yourcx,  William  J.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  12,  1862.  Mustered 
out.  June  24,   1S6.5. 

Twenty  siXTU  and  Twentv-sfvexth 

T«entvsi.\th :  Binding,  Charles.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  11, 
1862. 

Chase,  Frederick.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  11,  1862. 

Cole,  William  F.  Company  B.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Dec.  5,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Beam's  Station,  Va.,  Aug.  25,  1864.  Died  in  prison  at  Salisbury,  N.  C, 
Feb.  28,  1865. 

Crane,  Edward  C.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Forbear,  Gabriel.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Aug.  4,  1862.  Died  Dec. 
6,  1863  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Mine  Kun,  Va. 

Forbear,  Lamb.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Aug.  4,  1862. 

Forbear,  Lewis.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Aug.  4,  1862.  Wounded  in 
action  at  the  Wilderness,  May  1864. 

Kellogg,  Evander  H.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Oct.  15,  1S62.  Com- 
missary Sergeant,  Dec.  12,  1862. 

Litchfield,  Horatio  M.    Company  H.    Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Sept.  21,  1862. 

McCloth,  Marshall.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,"  Aug.  4,  1862. 

Newville,  Lyman.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  4,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

Shefer,  William  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Aug.  8,  1862.  Wounded 
at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864.     Corporal. 

Twentv-seventh:  Campbell,  James.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec. 
27,  1862. 

McDermott,  John.  Company  E.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Nov.  IS,  1862.  Died 
in  prison  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Nov.  21,  1863. 

Putman,  John  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Dec.  19,  1862,  for  diasbility  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Stible,  John.     Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Homer,  Nov.  20,  1862. 

Sullivan,  Michael.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  6,  1863. 

Wilber.  Henry.  Second  Company  Sharp  Shooters.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Feb. 
29,  1864. 

Wiltsie,  Daniel  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Homer,  Oct.  20,  1862.  Corporal. 
Died  at  Crab  Orchard,  Ky.,  Dec.  7,  1863. 

The  Twenty-eighth  Michigan  Inf-^ntry 

was  organized  at  Kalamazoo  Octobei-  26,  1864.  Calhoun  county  had  in 
this  regiment  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  with  one  field  offi- 
cer and  four  officers  of  the  line.  Norris  J.  Prink,  of  Mai-shall,  a  youth 
of  eighteen  when  he  was  commissioned,  August  10,  1862,  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Twenty-fifth  Infantry.  August  15,  1864,  he  was  made  a  captain 
in  the  Twenty-eighth,  and  the  following  December  major.  March  13, 
1865,  when  but  twentj'-one  years  of  age  he  was  l)revet  lieutciuint  colonel, 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  during  the  war.  He  was  mustered 
out  June  5.  1866.  and  honorably  discharged. 


530  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Sluibal  F.  White,  of  Convis,  was  made  first  lieutenant  of  Company 
A  at  its  organization  August  16,  1864,  and  captain  December  10  of  same 
year  and  served  till  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  in  1866. 

Geoi'ge  H.  Penniman,  of  Marshall,  entered  the  service  September  12, 
1864,  as  sergeant  major  of  the  Twenty-fifth ;  was  promoted  second  lieu- 
tenant December  10,  1864;  first  lieutenant  September  12,  1865;  brevet 
captain  March  13,  1865,  for  meritorious  service  in  the  battles  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  and  Kingston,  North  Carolina,  brevet  major  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  service  during  the  war. 

The  township  of  Lee  furnished  in  William  Duryee  the  second  lieu- 
tenant of  Company  K,  who  served  until  July  6,  1865,  when  he  resigned 
and  was  honorably  discharged. 

The  Twenty-eighth  left  Kalamazoo  for  Louisville,  Kentucky,  October 
26,  1864.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  in  December.  It  was 
later  assigned  to  the  Twenty-third  Corps  and  as  a  part  of  that  organiza- 
tion was  transferred  to  North  Carolina  where  it  was  engaged  at  White 
Forks  in  March,  1865,  and  sustained  quite  a  loss.  After  the  surrender 
of  Johnston  the  regiment  was  on  guard  duty  in  various  points  in  North 
Carolina  until  June  5,  1866,  when  it  was  mustered  out  at  Raleigh  and  on 
the  8th  reached  Jackson,  Michigan,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

Total  enrollment,  980. 

Killed  in  action,  4. 

Died  of  wounds,  3. 

Died  of  disease,  101. 

Discharged  for  disability,  47. 

The  following  members  of  the  Twenty-eighth  Regiment  served  from 
Calhoun  county : 

TWE.XTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY    LiST 

Aikeu,  Jewitt.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  24,  1864.  Discharged 
to  enlist  as  Hospital  Steward  U.  S.  Army. 

Annis,  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Deserted 
Sept.  30,  1864. 

Anson,  Granger  F.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Sept.  15,  1865. 

Badke,  Gotlieb.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  21,  1865  for  one  year. 
Discharged   Feb.   21,  1866. 

Bailey,  George  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  16,  1864.  Discharged 
June  21,  1865. 

Bailey.  George  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  5,  1866. 

Bailey,  Samuel  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  31,  1864.  Discharged 
June  14,  1865. 

Baker,  Nathan.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Discharged 
April  26,  1866. 

Batchlev,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Discharged 
June  20,  1865. 

Batt,  William  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Discharged 
June  26.  1865. 

Beach,  Charles.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  19,  1864.  Deserted 
Sept.  25,  1864. 

Beardsley,  Henry.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  20,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  5,  1866. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUX  COUNTY 


531 


Beekwith,  Frederick  A.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  7,  1864.  Ser- 
geant.    Discharged  May  27,  1865.                                              ,    „     .         oo  ia«A  nia 

Bennett,  Norman  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  22,  1864.  Uis 

charged  June  6,  1865.  ,,. 

Blashfield,   Henry.     Company   A.      Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Aug.   -4,  18fa4.  Dis- 

'='"foVer:'osL'''compauy   K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  24,   1864.      Deserted 

"*'  Braymau,  Jesse  A.    Company  D.    Enlisted  at  JIaishall,  Aug.  29.  1864.    Corporal, 

April  l,"l866.     Mustered  out,  June  5,  1864.  ,,.„«.-    icra      Mnstered 

Brott,  George  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  af  Marshall,  teept.  o,  18b4.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1865.  „  ,        ,        ,         .in    i>jim      n;., 

Bushman,  George.  AV.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  23,  1M>4.     D.s 

"'"ByingtYn,^Kan!om.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  15.  1864.    Mustered 

""'   CaUieot^t',  Henry.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.   22,   1864.     Killed 

^''^CaVpentf;,  Seth.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Aug.  17,  1864.     Discharged 

■^""Varrlirstepheu.     Company  D.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.     Transferred 

to  Veteran  Eeserve  Corps,  April,  1865.  „    ,  o.. .      r^        ^  a 

Cary,  Charles  A.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  23,  1864.     Deserted 

'^'^^'cas^^Chtrles.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Deserted 
"''"ciiandle^rt'Eli  W.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1S64.  Deserted 
"^""^Chapman,  George.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Sept.  19,  1864.     Enlisted. 

Mustered  and  deserted  the  same  day.  „    ,0^,      t^-     ,    ,„„,i 

Clark,  David.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,   1864.     Discharged 

^^^^'colmanrEobert.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.   20.   1864.     Died  in 

qervice    Feb    14    1865. 

^        Converse,  Selden.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Aug.  30,  1864.     Discharged 

"^""  &o;in^^Dennis.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Aug.   31,   1864.     Died  in 

service,  March  31,  1865.  „    „     ^     ,,    ,0,-.       ^^        t„.i 

T^!„,.._    ni„„i,      p„„,r.o„.,r    A       -Rnlisted   at  Marshall.  Sent.   12,   I8b4.     Deserted 


Decker,  Clark.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.   12,   1864, 
r.  15,  1864 
Dotv,  Ge 
Nov.  1,  "l864. 


"'''Doty.  George  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.     Deserted 


Dowding,  Solomon.     Company  A. 


Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.   25,   1864.     Dis- 


'^'"^^Doxste.'^Gabriel  B.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  6,  1864.  Deserted 

^^^*bib'ois,  Abraham.     Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Corporal. 

Mustered  out  June  5,  1866.                                                    ,    ,,     o     .     -.    10^.  t-,        t   i 

Dunn,   Michael.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Sept.   2,   1864.  Deserted 

^^^*bi.ryel!  William.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  18,  1864.     First  Ser- 
0-eant  and  Second  Lieutenant.  . 

Edwards,  John  William.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.     Killed  in  action 

^"  ^Elker'ton   Wiliiam.     Companv  D.    Enlisted  in  Marshall,  August,  1864.     Mustered 
August   17.     Sergeant.     Second  Lieutenant,  March   8,  1865.     Mustered  out  .Tune  6, 

"'^^^llisnn    George  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Albion.  Aug.   12.   1864.      Deserted 
Aug.  27,  1864. 


532  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Emmett,  Dagobet.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  26,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Engelter,  Leonard.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  15,  1864.  Cor- 
poral.   Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Engle,  Gilmer  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  23,  1864.  Wounded 
in  action,  March  9,  1865.     Discharged  June  20,  1865. 

Ervay,  Orrin  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  9,  1864.  Discharged 
Sept.  20,  1865. 

Evans,  Francis.  Company  F.  Enlisted  in  Marshall,  Sept.  22,  1864.  Deserted 
Sept.   27,   1864. 

Evans,  Levi.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Findley,  Laurel.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  16,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

FoUitt,  Edward.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  September,  1864.  Corporal. 
Died  in  service,  May  18,  1865. 

French,  John.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Frink,  Morris  J.  Entered  service  in  Company  A  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Resigned 
Oct.  31,  1863  in  Company  A  28th  Inft.;  as  Second  Lieutenant  July  28,  1864.  Cap- 
tain, Aug.  15,  1864.  Major,  Dec.  10,  1864.  Acting  Inspector  General  First  Div., 
April,  1865.    Brevetted  Lieut.  Col.,  March  13,  1865.    Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Gilman,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  20,  1864.  Discharged 
March  16,  1866. 

Gilbert,  Lafayette  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  15,  1864.  Died 
in  service,  Jan.  5,  1865. 

Gilmore,  John.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.  Deserted 
Sept.  IS,   1864. 

Godley,  Peter.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  26,  1864.  Deserted  on 
the   day  of  enlistment. 

Golby,  David.  Enlisted,  Company  D,  at  Marshall,  Sept.  26,  1864.  Deserted  Oct. 
2,  1864. 

Granger,  George  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Second 
Lieut.,  August,  1864.  First  Lieut.,  December,  1864.  Aid  de  Camp,  March,  1865. 
Mustered  out  June  5,   1866. 

Griswold,  Josiah.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Died 
in  service,  Nov.  14,  1864. 

Hoekenbury,  Gilbert.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  3,  1864.  Deserted 
October,  1864.  ' 

Holcomb,  Eugene  B.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Sept.  3.  1864.  De- 
serted Sept.  25,  1864. 

Holder,  Charles.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1864.  Discharged 
Aug.  8,  1865. 

Johnston,  John.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Sergeant. 
Lost  overboard  steamer  Oriental,  Feb.  23,  1865.     Sergeant. 

Keenan,  John.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1864.  Discharged 
June  5,  1866. 

Kelly,  James.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Corporal, 
April  1,  1866.    Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

King,  Seth.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  16,  1864.  Discharged  May 
29,  1865. 

King,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  27,  1864.  Died  in 
service,  March  12,  1866. 

Kirschner,  Conrad.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  3,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Law,  George.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1864.  Deserted 
Sept.  15,  1864. 

Lee.  William  J.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Burlington.  Sept.  1,  1864.  Discharged 
June  8.  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  533 

ilcCliutic,  Francis  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  I'J,  1SH4.  Mus- 
tered out  June  5,  1860. 

ilct'lintic,  Issachar.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  1,  18(34.  Dis- 
charged May  24,  1865. 

MeCUntic,  Wesley  W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  20,  1865,  for  one 
year.    Corporal.    Mustered  out  Feb.  21,  1866. 

McRoberts,  Hugh.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1864.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1S66. 

Mallou,  Frank.  Company  1>.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1864.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Mason,  Frederick  E.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  Sept.  2,  1864.  Dis- 
charged Nov.  13,  I860. 

Middleboro,  Stephen.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  21,  1864.  .Mus- 
tered out  June  5,  1866. 

Mulvany,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1S64.  Discharged 
Nov.  22,  1865. 

Munson,  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  o,  1864.  Died  in 
service,  June  7,  1865. 

Murry,  Hugh.  Company  A.  Enlisted  in  Marshall,  Aug.  22,  1864.  Discharged 
June  15,  1865. 

Kewberry,  Philo  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Dis- 
charged Nov."  14,  1865. 

Packer,  or  Parker,  Ezra  M.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1S64. 
Corporal.    Mustered  out  June  6,  1866. 

Page,  Edward  G.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  15,  1864.'  Corporal. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Patterson,  Williams.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  6,  1864.  De- 
serted Sept.  18,  1864. 

Penniman,  George  H.  Enlisted  as  Sergeant  Major,  Sept.  12,  1864.  Second 
Lieutenant,  Dec.  10,  1864.  First  Lieutenant,  Sept.  12,  1865.  Brevet  Captain,  March 
1.",  1S65,  and  Brevet  Major  of  same  date  for  gallant  and  meritorous  services  during 
the  war.    Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Pfaff,  Joseph.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1864.  Discharged 
Feb.  28,  1865. 

Eedmond,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  20,  1864.  Dis- 
charged May  27,  1865. 

Eeiehard,  or  Reichow,  August.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  20,  1865. 
Discharged  Feb.  21,  1866. 

Ehoads,  William  D.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  17,  1865  for 
one  year.     Discharged  Feb.  17,  1866. 

Riley,  Stephen.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  3,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Robinson,  George.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Deserted 
September,  1864. 

Sawerssing,  Peter.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Schellenburgher,  Jacob.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Schooley.  Henry.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.  Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Segrave,  Charles.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  28,  1864.  Deserted 
Oct.  12,  1864. 

Sears,  William  W.  Company  E.  Enlisted  Sept.  2,  1864.  First  Sergeant.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant,  June  14,  1865.     Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Sherman,  Ernest  J.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.  Dis- 
charged July  10,  1865. 

Sinclair,  Cornelius.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  25,  1864.  Dis- 
charged June  14,  1865. 

Slider,  Samuel.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  5,  1864.  Deserted 
Oct.  19,  1864. 


534  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Smith,   Charles.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Sept.   8,   1S64.     Deserted 
Sept.  18,  1864. 

Smith,   James   L.    or   F.     Company   F.      Enlisted   at    Marshall,   Aug.    17,   1864. 
Deserted  the  day  of  enlistment. 

Smith,    John.      Company   B.      Enlisted   at    Marshall,    Sept.    3,    1864.      Deserted 
Oct.  19,  1864. 

Stephens,  Andrew  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  ll!,  1864.     Died 
in  service,  Feb.  17,  1865. 

Stimpson,  Albert  S.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  15,  1864.    Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Stinekraus.     Ferdinand.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  20,  1865  for  one 
year.     Discharged  Feb.  21,  1866. 

Thompson,   Albert.     Company   F.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Sept.   29,   1864.     Dis- 
charged June  5,  1866. 

Thompson,   Edgar.     Company  A.      Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Sept.   14,   1864.     Dis- 
charged July  28,  1865. 

Thompson,    Nathan.      Company    A.      Enlisted    at    Tekonsha,    Aug.     26,    1864. 
Discharged  Oct.  16,  1865. 

Trombley,  l,ewis  J.    Company  F.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1864.    Discharged 
for  disability.  May  16,  1865. 

Valiant,  Henry.    Company  B.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  8,  1864.     Mustered  out 
June  5,  1866. 

Vanderpool,   John.     Company   D.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Aug.   29,    1864.      Dis- 
charged May  30,  1865. 

Warring,  Howland  L.    Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  29.  1864.    Deserted 
Sept.  14,  1864. 

White,  Shubael  F.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  16,  1864.     First 
Lieutenant  at  organization.     Captain,  Dec.  10,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  5,  1866. 

Whitney,  John.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  26,   1864.     Deserted 
Oct.  31,  1864. 

Williams,  Frank.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  24,  1864.     Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

Williams,  Lorenzo  D.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Sept.  7,  1864.     Dis- 
charged Aug.  5,  1865. 

Wilson,   John.      Company  B.     Enlisted  at   Marshall.   Sept.   3,    1864.     Deserted, 
Oct.  19,  1864. 

Wilson,  George  F.    Company  K.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  22,  1864.     Corporal. 
Discharged  July  18,  1865. 

Wiselogel,  George  F.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Sept.  3.  1864.    Sergeant. 
Discharged  May  18,  1865. 

Wood,  Charles.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  24.   1864.      Deserted 
Oct.  31,  1864. 

Woods,  Bobert.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,   Sept.   8,   1864.      Deserted 
Oct.  21,  1864. 

Wright,  Alfred.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.   26,  1864.     Mustered 
out  June  5,  1866. 

TnrRTiETH  Infantry 

Sullivan,  George.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Dec.  24,  1864. 
Ward,  Alva  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  26,  1864. 

The  First  Michigan  Engineers  and  AIechanics 

had  the  largest  total  euroUment  of  any  Michigan  organization  in  the  war. 
The  average  age  of  hoth  officers  and  men  was  higlier  than  in  any  other 
while  the  loss  whether  killed  in  action,  died  of  wounds  or  in  Confederate 
prisons  was  the  smallest  of  any  Michigan  regiment  of  like  length  of 
service.    It  is  doubtful,  however,  if  any  regiment  in  the  western  army  did 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  535 

more  effective  work  for  the  triumph  of  the  Union  cause  than  this  body 
of  mature  men  made  up  largely  of  experienced  mechanics,  artisans  and 
railroad  men.  In  the  building  and  laying  of  pontoon  boats  and  bridges, 
in  the  construction  of  highways  and  highway  bridges,  in  the  building  of 
railroad  bridges  and  trestles,  and  in  the  repair  of  railroads  and  the  run- 
ning of  trains  it  greatly  facilitated  the  movement  of  troops  and  supplies. 
At  the  same  time  the  officers  and  men  alike  evidenced  on  different  oc- 
casions that  they  had  in  them  the  stuff  of  which  soldiers  and  heroes  are 
made. 

The  raising  of  a  regiment  of  engineers  and  mechanics  was  especially 
authorized  by  the  war  department.  The  work  of  recruiting  was  begun 
in  August,  1861,  and  the  muster  into  the  United  States  service  dated  from 
the  following  October.  The  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Marshall.  It  left 
its  camp  near  that  city  on  the  17th  of  December  and  journeyed  direct  to 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  it  became  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio 
commanded  by  General  Buell.  The  regiment  received  successively,  spe- 
cial commendation  from  General  Buell,  General  Rosencrans,  General 
Thomas  and  General  Sherman  for  the  character  and  importance  of  ser- 
vices rendered. 

The  affair  at  Lavergne,  Tennessee,  a  hamlet  situated  midway  between 
Nashville  and  ilurfreesboro,  where  it  had  been  placed  by  Rosecrans 
to  protect  his  rear  and  guard  his  trains  while  he  was  lighting  the  battle 
of  Stone's  River  brought  it  into  general  notice  and  gave  it  a  reputa- 
tion as  a  fighting  regiment. 

The  regiment  went  everywhere  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
from  its  organization  to  Chattanooga ;  from  Chattanooga  to  .Atlanta ; 
from  Atlanta  to  the  sea  and  from  the  sea  to  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina, 
and  the  surrender  of  Johnston.  It  participated  in  the  grand  review  at 
^Vashington  in  ilay,  1865.  Following  the  review  it  was  transported  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  it  remained  until  September  22,  when  it 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  It  arrived  at  Jackson.  JMichigan,  October 
1,  1865,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

Among  the  officers  who  went  out  from  Calhoun  county  with  this  regi- 
ment were  Lieiitenant  Colonel  Kinsman  A.  Hunton  of  Marshall ;  Assist- 
ant Surgeon  AVilloughby  O'Donoughue  of  Albion;  First  Lieutenant 
Frederick  W.  Huxford  and  Second  Lieutenant  Horace  C.  Gilson,  both  of 
Albion,  and  Captain  Emory  0.  Crittenden  of  Marshall.  Ferdinand 
Boughton  who  went  out  from  Albion  as  a  corporal  in  Company  K,  in 
1861,  came  back  a  captain  in  1865.  C.vrus  ]M.  Curtis,  of  ^Marshall,  who 
was  a  sergeant  in  Company  K  at  the  organization,  returned  with  his 
regiment  wearing  upon  his  shoulders  the  strajis  of  ii  captain. 

By  act  of  Congress,  1862.  the  Jlichigan  Engineers  and  Mechanics 
wei-e  authorized  to  have  twelve  companies  of  150  men  each,  the  same  as  in 
the  regular  armv.     Recruiting  for  these  brought  up: 

Total  enrollment,  2,f)20. 

Total  killed  in  action,  2. 

Total  died  of  wounds,  4. 

Total  died  in  Confederate  prisons,  2. 

Total  died  of  disease,  280. 

Total  discharged  for  disability,  279. 


536  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

List  op  Engineers  and  Mechanics 

The  following  started  from  Calhoun  County,  in  the  above  named 
regiment. 

Abbott,  Elon.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  5,  1861.  Artificer. 
Enlisted  Oct.  iQ,  1861.     Died  in  service,  ilareh  10,  1862. 

Albro,  David  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  1'4,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Alton,  Levi  C.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  14,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Aug.  20,  1862. 

Alton,  WilUam  B.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  MarshaU,  Oct.  14,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Aug.  20,  1862. 

Ames,  Andrevp  F.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Sept.  8,  1862.  Discharged 
June  6,  1865. 

Amy,  Michael.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  6,  1861.  Discharged 
May  21,  1862. 

Ashley,  Lucius.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  27,  1861.  First  Sergeant 
1861.     First  Lieutenant,  July  17,  1862.     Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Bailey,  James  H.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  3,  1861.  Corporal. 
Discharged  March  12,  1863. 

Barker,  Benjamin.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  15,  1861.  Corporal. 
Eeenlisted.     Deserted  June  30,  1865. 

Barnes,  Philemon  D.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Artificer. 
Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Benson,  Perry.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  10,  1861.  Died  in 
service,  March  3,  1862. 

Borst,  John.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  4,  1861.  Discharged 
April  14,  1863. 

Bottom,  Charles  J.  Company  K.  Marshall,  Feb.  5,  1863.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Aug.  6,  1863. 

Boughton,  Ferdinand.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  27,  1861.  Cor- 
poral. Sergeant,  Sept.  12,  1862.  Second  Lieutenant,  Dec.  25,  1862.  First  Lieu- 
tenant, Jan.  1,  1864.     Captain,  Nov.  3,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Bourke,  John.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  25,  1861.  Artificer. 
Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Brower,  George  W.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  7,  1861.  Prisoner 
May  8,  1862.     Discharged  Dec.  27,  186^. 

Brownell,  Job.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Corporal.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  31,  1864. 

Buckley,  Oliver  H.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  23,  1861.  Artificer, 
Oct.  31,  1864.     Corporal,  Jan.  18,  1865.     Mustered  out  Sept.  20,  1865. 

Bunn,  Job  T.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  27,  1862.  Prisoner,  Dec. 
15,  1864.     Killed  April  26,  1865  by  explosion  of  steamer  Sultana. 

Bunn,  Valparaiso.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  30,  1861.  Discharged 
Get.  31,  1864. 

Campbell,  James  L.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Sept.  8,  1861.  Died 
in  service,  April  2,  1862. 

Carr,  Charles  L.  Company  G.  Enlisted  Sept.  10,  1861.  Discharged  Oct.  31, 
1864. 

Church,  James  H.  Unassigned.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  2.  1861.  Mustered 
out  Dee.  6,  1861.     No  further  record. 

Clark,  Parkhurst  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  7,  1861. 
Corporal.     Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Comstoek,  Morris  M.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  31,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Cook,  George  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Sept.  20,  1861.  Artificer. 
Discharged  Sept.  18,  1863. 

Creager,  Henry.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  30,  1861.  Died 
at  sea,  Oct.  30,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COL'XTY  537 

Crisher,  John  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marsliall,  Sept.  2,  18G1.  Wagonei 
JJischarged  for  disabilit}-,  March  17,  1864. 

Crittenden,  J.  A'ewton.  Entered  service  in  Company  K  from  Marshall  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  Jan.  1,  1864.     First  Lieutenant,  Sept.  3,  1864.     Eesigned  Sept.  14,  1865. 

Critteuton,  Emory  O.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Capt., 
Sept.  12,  1861.     Major,  Nov.  31,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Crittenton,  i^anilin  M.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall  as  drummer,  Oct. 
1,  1861.     Drummer,  aged  15  at  enlistment.     Discharged  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Curtis,  Cyrus  M.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Second  Lieutenant,  July  1S62.  First  Lieutenant,  Jan.  1,  1864.  Captain,  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Besigned  June  22,  I860. 

Davis,  Peter.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  24,  1864  as  subtsitute 
for  Geo.  1.  Loud.     Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Dewitt,  German  S.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  21.  1862.  Artificer, 
Sept.  22,  1865. 

Edgerton,  Sidney  H.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Marshall  Aug.  30,  1862. 
Artiiicer.     Sergeant,   October,   1864.     Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Ellis,  George.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  9,  1861.  Died  in  service, 
June  6,  1862. 

Ellis,  Stafford.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  9,  1861.  Discharged 
Oct.  31,  1864. 

Ervay,  James  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  23,  1861.  Mustered 
out  June  22,  1865. 

Fosburry,  Lewis  J.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  29,  1S61.  Pis- 
charged  Oct.   31,   1864. 

Frame,  George  W.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  26,  1861.  Artificer. 
Discharged  for  disability.  May,  1862. 

French,  Ezra  B.  Company  C.  Enlisted  Sept.  20,  1861.  Discharged  Oct.  28, 
1862. 

Frink,  George  D.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Corporal. 
Sergeant,  Feb.  1,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Gale,  Solomon.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Sept.  22,  1865. 

Gibbs,  David  N.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Corporal. 
Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1864.    Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Gildersleeve,  George  L.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  4,  1861.  Corporal, 
1862.     Sergeant,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Gilson,  Horace  C.  Entered  service  in  Company  A  from  Albion,  at  organization 
as  Second  Lieutenant,  Aug.  22,  1861.     Eesigned  Dee.  25,  1862. 

Gordon,  James  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  28,  1862.  Discharged 
June  6,  1865. 

Goiidie,  James.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  11,  1861.  Discharged 
Oct.  31,  1864. 

Gragg,  Bradford.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Corporal, 
1865.     Mustered  out  June  6,  1865. 

Green,  George  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Nov.  6,  1862. 

Green,  Samuel.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  18,  1861.  Artificer. 
Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Grew,  Daniel.  Company  K.  EnlLsted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  18.  1861.  Jtustered  out 
Dee.  6,  1861.     No  further  record. 

Harrison,  "William  C.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Albion,  Aug.  29,  1861.  Wounded, 
Oct.  8,  1862.  Discharged  Dec.  19,  1862  because  of  disability  from  wounds  received 
in  action. 

Harvey,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  22,  1861.  Discharged 
Aug.  12,  1862. 

Harwood,  Alanson.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Corporal, 
1864.    Discharged  June  6,  1865. 


538  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Heath,  Charles  N.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  28,  1863.  Corporal. 
Artificer.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Heath,  Henry.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  28,  1863.  Artificer. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Henry,  David.  Company  K.  Enlisted  Dec.  17,  1861.  Artificer.  Mustered  out 
Sept.  22,  1865. 

Hogan,  James.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  23,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Jan.  19,  1864. 

Hollister,  WUliani  A.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  17,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  31,  1864. 

Hulbert,  George  B.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Oct.  23,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Kov.  7,  1862. 

Hunt,  Ira.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  7,  1861.  Artificer.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  22.  1865. 

Hunt,  John  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  11,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  July  14,  1863. 

Huntoon,  Kinsman  A.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  at  organization  as  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel,  Sept.  12,  1861.     Discharged  Oct.  26,  1864. 

Huxford,  Frederick  W.  Entered  service  from  Albion  at  organization  as  First 
Lieutenant,  Company  A,  Aug.  22,  1861.     Cashiered  July  17,  1862. 

Jenkinson,  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  22,  1861.  Killed 
by  train  accident.  May  1,  1862. 

Jennings,  Alonzo  H.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Corporal, 
1864.     Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Jewell,  Albert  G.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1861.  First 
Sergeant  at  organization.  Second  Lieutenant,  May,  1863.  First  Lieutenant,  Jan. 
1864.     Mustered  out  Aug.  28,  1864. 

Jordon,  Ralph  S.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  14,  1861.  Discharged 
on  order  of  surgeon,  Oct.  30,  1861. 

Jucketts,  Levi  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Deo.  2,  1861.  Artificer. 
Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Juckett,  Christopher  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  31,  1864. 

Juckett,  Samuel  D.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  4,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability  Oct.  16,  1862.    Died  in  Albion,  Mich.,  Nov.  6,  1862. 

Kineh,  Samuel  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  20,  1862.  Artificer. 
Corporal.  Nov.  1864.     Discharged,  June  6,  1865. 

King,  Eobert  H.  Entered  service  from  Albion  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  Dec.  26, 
1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Knickerbocker,  James  M.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  23,  1861. 
Artificer.     Discharged,  June  5,  1862. 

■  Knowles,  Edgar.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Artifi- 
cer.    Died  in  service,  April  19,  1863. 

Knowles,  George  M.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Died 
in  service,  March  4,  1862. 

Lewis,  Edward  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, Sept.  12,  1862.  Sergeant,  Nov.  12,  1862.  First  Sergeant,  Jan.  1,  1864.  Second 
Lieut.,  Nov.  3,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Linscott,  Hiram.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Oct.  9,   1863. 

Lockton,  Thomas.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Artificer. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Lyxford,  George.     Unassigned.     Enlisted   at   Albion,   Nov.   20,   1861. 
McMaster,  Alphonso.   Company  — .   Enlisted  from  Albion,  Oct.  9,  1861.   Corporal, 
1862.    Sergeant,  1863.    First  Sergeant.  1864.    First  Lieutenant,  Nov.,  1864.    Mustered 
out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Magennis,  Francis.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  13,  1863.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  22,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  539 

Mauchester,  Benson.     Company   A.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Oi^t.   \,   18G1.     Dis- 
charged Jan.  18,  1864. 

.Miller,   George.      Company   A.     Enlisted   at  Albion,   Aug.   1^9,    1SC2.     Corporal, 
1864.    Sergeant,  1865.    Mustered  out  June  6,  1865. 

Millmine,  James.    Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  14,  1861.     Discharged 
June  5,  1863. 

•Mingo,  Charles  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.   29,   ISGl.     Mortally 
wounded,  Jan.  1,  1863. 

Morley,  John  B.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  30,  1862.     Died  in 
service,  IS'ov.   7,   186"J. 

Xash,  Marvin.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Oct.   29,  1861.     Discharged 
for  disability,  June  24,  1862! 

Nifholej   Charles   M.      Company   C.      Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Nov.   16,   1862. 
Artificer.     Corporal.    Discharged,  July  7,  1865. 

Parmlee,  Loren.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.     Artificer. 
Discharged  June  6,  1865.  . 

Peling,  Eansler.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  7,  1861.     Discharged 
Oct.  31.  1864.  „   ,      o 

Prentiss,  Jerome  J.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862      becond 
Lieut..  Nov.  3,  1864.     First  Lieut.,  Nov.  23,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  I860. 

Putnam,  Aaron  C.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  Sept.  7,  1861.     Artificer. 
Discharged  May  30,  1862. 

Eiley,  William  C.    Company  K.    Enlisted  at   Battle  Creek,  Oct.  7,  1861.    Artificer. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Robinson.  Nathan  D.     Company  C.     Enlisted  Sept.  15,  1861,  at  Marshall.     Died 
in  service.  May  24,  1861. 

Boss,  Daniel.    Company  K.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.    Sergeant,  1862. 
Second  Lieut..  Nov.  3,  1864.     Mustered,  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Bowley,  Otis  B.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.     Artificer. 
Discharged  June  6,   1865. 

Schermerhorn,  Edgar  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  30,  1S62.     Pris- 
oner, Jan.  1,   1863.     Discharged  June  6,  1865. 

Sellick,  Albert  A.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  9,  1861.     Artificer. 
Discharged.  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  20,  1865. 

Shedd,  James  Otis.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  4,  1862.     Deserted, 
Dec.  6,  1862. 

Slaney.  Edward  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  22,  1861.     Deserted, 
Dec.  16,  1861. 

Smith,  Charles  B.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Convis  Centre,  Sept.  4,  1861.     Cor- 
poral.    Discharged,  June  11,  1862. 

Smith,  Joseph   S.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.   2,   1861,     Corporal. 
Prisoner,  May  16,  1862.     Died  Nov.  6,  1862. 

Stanton,"  Addison   C.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at   Miirshall,  Dec.   2.   1861.     Dis- 
charged for  disability,  July  10,  1864. 

Sutliff,  Levi  L.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Sept.  6,    1S61.     Artificer. 
Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  22,  1863. 

Taylor,  Benjamin  T.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  10,   1861.     Dis- 
charged Oct.  31,  1864. 

Tichenor,  Charles  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  24,  1861.     Died  in 
service,  Sept.  30,  1862. 

Tilton,  James  R.    Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Sept.  12,  1861.     Artificer. 
Discharged,  Jlay  28,  1862. 

Van  Valine.  Daniel.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Sept.  10,   1861.     Dis- 
charged, Nov.  25,  1862. 

Wakelin,  Wilson.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.   11,  1861.     Discharged, 
Oct.  '31.  1864. 

Waldron,  Philetus  A.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  11,   1861.     Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Oct.  29,  1861. 


540  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Ward,  William  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  27,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disaljility,  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Warden,  James.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  18,  1863.  Discharged, 
April  22,  1865. 

Waterman,  Eobert  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Oct.  31,  1864. 

Waterson,  Edward.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  5,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Nov.  17,  1862. 

Wells,  Eric.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Oct.  10,  1861.  Corporal, 
Sergeant.     Discharged,  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Whaling,  David.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  10,  1861.  Cor- 
poral.    Sergeant.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

White,  Jacob  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  21,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Second  Lieut.  May  29,  1864.     Discharged  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Wilber,  John  B.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Sept.  11,  1861.  Discharged, 
May  15,  1863. 

Wiley,  James  W.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.  Artificer. 
Sergeant,  Jan.,  1864.     Discharged,  June  6,  1865. 

Wilkinson,  Joseph  N.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862. 
Sergeant,  April,  1864.    Died  in  service,  May  29,  1864. 

Wright,  Dayton.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Oct.  9,  1861.  Discharged, 
June  24,  1862. 

York,  Zachariah.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  1,  1861.  Discharged 
for  disability,  June  16,  1862. 

Howland's  Engineers 

In  September,  1861,  E.  P.  Howland  of  Battle  Creek,  organized  a 
company  of  engineers  called  the  "Battle  Creek  Engineer  Corps."  This 
company  went  from  Battle  Creek  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  wliere,  on 
October  9,  1861,  they  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  by 
order  of  General  John  C.  Fremont,  then  commanding  the  Department  of 
Missouri.  General  Halleck,  who  succeeded  Fremont,  ruled  the  company 
was  irregular  and  ordered  it  mustered  out,  which  was  done  on  January 
8,  1862, 

The  following  men  from  Calhoun  County  served  in  this  organization. 
All  enlisted  on  the  16th  day  of  September,  1861 : 

Barnes,  Ca.ssius  M.,  Albion. 

Barnes,  George  C.  Battle  Creek. 

Bush,  Luther  M.,  Bedford. 

Chadwick,  Walter  H.,  Battle  Creek. 

Chidester,  Arod  B.,  Convis. 

Dickey,  Gilbert  A.,  Marshall. 

Drake,   Nathan   W.,  Albion. 

Edwards,  Thomas  J.,  Battle  Creek. 

Ereeman,  Eugene  T,,  Battle  Creek. 

Geddis,  Albert  H.,  Battle  Creek. 

Gould,  Charles  C,  Battle  Creek. 

Hall,  Charles  T.,  Battle  Creek. 

Howland,  Edwin  P.,  Battle  Creek. 

Hubbard,  Henry  H.,  Battle  Creek. 

Knight,  Horace  V.,  Battle  Creek. 

Lane,  Charles  J.,  Marshall. 

Leggett,  Stephen  T.,  Battle  Creek. 

Prentiss,  Albert  N.,  Marshall. 

Preston,  Ezra  A.,  Battle  Creek, 

Ryan,  Henry  S.,  Battle  Creek. 

Stringham,  William  P.,  Bedford. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  .-.41 

W  lieelor,  Steplu-ii,  Battle  Creek. 
Whelpsley,  Jerome  T.,  Battle  Creek. 
Williams,  Charles  B.,  Battle  Creek. 
Williams,  Charles  K.,  Albion. 

First  ]\Iichigak  Sh.vrp  Shooters 

This  reginieut  had  aa  unusually  large  representation  of  both  ofBcers 
and  men  from  Calhoun  county.  John  Piper  of  Battle  Creek  went  out 
as  major.  Levant  C.  Rhines  of  Battle  Creek  went  out  as  captain  of 
Company  A,  and  on  the  death  of  Major  Piper,  succeeded  him  in  that 
ofSce.  ^lajor  Rhines  lost  his  life  in  front  of  Petersburg,  June  16.  186i. 
George  C.  Knight,  first  lieutenant  Company  A,  was  also  from  Battle 
Creek.  He  was  commissioned  captain  June  12,  1864,  and  on  the  17t!i 
of  the  same  month  was  killed  in  action  before  Petersburg,  Virginia.  Guy 
Newbre.  of  Emmet,  went  out  as  second  lieutenant.  Company  A.  George 
N.  Davis,  of  Albion,  entered  the  service  in  this  regiment  as  captain  of 
Company  D.  Martin  Wager,  of  Battle  Creek,  first  lieutenant,  killed  in 
action  before  Petersburg,  Virginia,  June  25,  1864,  enlisted  as  first  ser- 
geant. Friend  D.  Soules  entered  the  service  from  Emmet  and  rose  from 
corporal  to  first  lieutenant.  Cyrenius  B.  Knight,  of  Newton,  passed  from 
a  private  in  the  ranks  to  second  and  first  lieutenant,  successively,  when. 
like  Lieutenant  Soules,  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  disabling 
wounds  received  in  action. 

The  county  was  very  generaUy  represented  by  the  rank  and  file  in 
this  regiment.  Battle  Creek  had  over  fifty;  the  township  of  Newton 
about  twenty-five;  Ennnet  townshiji  over  twenty;  Burlington  some 
fifteen:  Albion  City  and  township  about  the  same  number,  while  Pen- 
field,  Tekonsha,  Bedford,  Marshall,  Athens,  Marengo,  Sheridan  and 
Ceresco  in  the  order  named  were  all  represented. 

On  February  14,  1864,  the  First  Michigan  Sharp  Shooters  under 
command  of  Colonel  Charles  V,  DeLand,  of  -fackson,  wa.s  assioiK'd 
to  Wilcox's  division,  of  Burnside's  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  was 
with  Grant  through  the  Wilderness  campaign  and  the  siege  of  Peters- 
burg. Its  casualties  attest  better  than  anything  else  the  character  of 
the  service  required  and  given,  while  the  commendation  of  brigade  and 
division  commanders  show  that  its  heroic  efforts  were  neither  unnoticed 
nor  Ttnappreciated. 

The  First  Michigan  Sharp  Shooters  was  the  first  regiment  to  enter 
the  long  fought  for  city  of  Petersburg,  on  the  morning  of  April  2,  1865, 
and  ran  up  the  flag  of  the  United  States  over  the  court  house  in  that  city. 
It  remained  in  and  near  the  city  luitil  after  the  surrender  at  Appomattox, 
when  it  returned  to  Washington,  participated  in  the  grand  review, 
soon  after  which  it  was  nmstered  out,  paid  off  and  di.sbanded  in  Jackson, 
Michigan,  August  7,  1865. 

Total  enrollment,  1,206. 

Killed  in  action,  69. 

Died  of  wounds.  42. 

Died  while  prisoners  of  war,  41. 

Died  of  disease,  62. 

Discharged  for  disability   (wounds  and  disease),  98, 


542  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

List  op  Michigan  Sharp  Shooters 

Ashalter,  Joseph  L.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1863. 
Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Bailey,  Charles  E.  Company  A.  Eulisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1863.  In 
hospital,  1864.     No  further  record. 

Bailey,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Jan.  1,  1863.  Deserted.  .Tune 
26,  1863. 

Bannan,  Henry  P.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Xewton,  Dee.  30,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  May,  1865. 

Banta.  John  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  8,  1863.  Discharged, 
July  12,  1865. 

Bates.  William  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  10,  1862.  Sergeant 
Discharged,  June  26,  1865. 

Beaver,  Goodwin  S.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Sept.  25,  1863.  Quar 
termaster  Sergeant,  Sept.,  1863.     Died  June  28,  1865. 

Bebee,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Xov.  25,  1862.  Corporal 
June,  1864.  Missing  in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864.  Died  at  Ander 
sonville,  Sept.  20,  1864. 

Benjamin,  James  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  March  20,  1868. 
Killed  in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 

Black,  Jacob.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  action,  Dec.  12,  1862.  Sergeant, 
Wounded,  Aug.,  1864. 

Bradley,   Merrick   L.      Company   A.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek.   Nov.   25,    ] 
Deserted,  Sept.  29,  1863. 

Bratt,  William  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Feb.  16,  1864.  Died  of 
disease  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Aug.  2,  1864. 

Briggs,  Peleg  A.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Dec.  11,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  July  28,  1865. 

Brott,  Zenas.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Dec.  1,  1863.  Discharged, 
Aug.  23,  1865. 

Brown,  James  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Missing  in  action 
at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 

Bryant,  Lewis.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Nov.  26,  1862.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Buchanan,  Arthur.  Company  A.  Eulisted  from  Burlington,  Dee.  10,  1862. 
Died  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 

Buchanan,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Nov.  4,  1863.  Died 
June  17,  1864  of  wounds  received  in  action  before  Petersburg. 

Buchanan,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Nov.  22,  1862. 
Corporal.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Buckley,  Moses.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  22,  1862.  Died  on 
beard  Steamer  Spaulding,  March  4,  1865. 

Byington,  Oliver.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from  Newton,  Nov.  26,  1862. 

Calkins,  Ambrose.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmit,  Nov.  20,  1863.  Mustered 
out,  Aug.  11,  1865. 

Calkins,  Milton.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Penfield.  Nov.  15,  1862.  Wounded 
June  25,  1864.    Died,  Oct.  17,"  1864. 

Campbell,  Samuel  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  3,  1S62.  Dis- 
charged, June,  1865. 

Cargill,  Absalom.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  11,   1862. 

Carr,  Arnott  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  11.  1862.  Corporal. 
June  1,   1865.     Sergeant.     Discharged,  July  28,  1865. 

Carr,  Simeon  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Penfield,  Dec.  24.  1862  Dis- 
charged,  July   11,   1865. 

Chapin,  William  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  15,  1862.  Ser- 
geant.    Promoted  First  Sergeant.     Deserted,  Oct.  4,  1864. 

Claus,  Henrv.  Companv  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  25,  1862.  Deserted, 
July  8,  1863. 

Collins,  Michael.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  9,  1862.  First 
Sergeant.  Missing  in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864.  First  Lieut.,  April 
11,  1865.     Mustered  out,  July  25,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  543 

Conlev,  George  E.  Comiianv  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Cieek,  Dec.  ;i,  isiiil.  Mus- 
tered out,'  July  28,  1865. 

Counterman,  George  R.  Company  D.  Enlisteil  at  Alliion,  l>ec.  llj.  lSli2.  Dis- 
charged, Aug.  2,  1865. 

Crandall,  William.  Company  A.  EnUsted  from  Enimot,  April  10,  1864. 
Wounded  in  action,  June  20,  1864.     Corporal.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Darling,  Lambert.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  5,  1863.  De- 
serted. Aug.  8,  1863. 

Davis,  George  jV.  '  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  First  Lieut.,  at  organiza- 
tion, March  3,  1863.  Captain,  March  31,  1863.  Discharged  on  account  of  disability, 
Nov.  26,  1864. 

Davis,  Gilbert.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  28,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Sept.  18,  1864. 

Davis,  Harvey.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  22,  ISOi'.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Sept.,  1864. 

Davis,  Joseph.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  28,  1862. 

Davis,  William.  Company  A.  EnUsted  from  Peufield,  Nov.  2a,  1862.  Died  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12.  1864. 

Dell,  Irving  R.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  8,  1862.  Ivilled 
in  action   at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,   May  12,   1864. 

Detro,  John  R.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  19,  1S62.  Dis- 
charged, June  20,  1865. 

Dubois,  Abram.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  10,  1863. 

Dumphrey,  Edward.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  March  3,  1863. 
Wounded,  June  17,  1864.     Discharged,  July  28,  1865. 

Dutcher,  John  A.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862.  Ser- 
geant.   Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  25,  1864.      , 

Easev,  John.  Companv  !>'.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  24,  1862.  Mustered  out, 
July  28,  1865. 

Eaton,  Levi  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1863.  Deserted, 
Nov.   19,   1863. 

Edmonds,  Byron  S.  Company  H.  EnUsted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  26,  1864.  Pris- 
oner at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Sept.  9,  1864. 

Edmonds,  Daniel.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  26,  1862.  De- 
serted, March  28,  1863. 

Edmons,  James  H.  Enlisted  at  Neivton,  Jan.  2,  1S64.  Died  in  Wns)iiiit,rton, 
D.  C,  July  18,  1864. 

Ellis,  Samuel  G.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  10,  1862.  Corporal. 
Prisoner  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  30,  1864.  Died  in  prison  at  Dansville,  Va.,  Nov. 
11,  1864. 

Etheridge,  Dexter.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  12,  1863.  Dis- 
charged, May  31,  1865. 

Evans,  Harvey  M.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Aug.  7,  1S63.  Discharged, 
Nov.  5,  1863. 

Fegles,  Hiram  P.  Company  A.  f:nlisted  from  Emmet,  Dec.  12,  1862.  Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Fegles,  Silas  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  10.  \S&2.  Died 
of  disease.  April  23,  1864. 

Fish,  Joseph.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  1,  ]«(!.'!.  Wniinded, 
June  17,  1864.    Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  29,  1864. 

Fitch,  Samuel  N.  Company  A.  EnUsted  from  Burlington,  Feb.  8,  ]SG4.  Died 
of  disease  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  13,  1864. 

Flagg,  Clark.  Companv  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .Jan.  2.  1S63.  Deserted, 
Nov.  19,  1863. 

Fletcher,  Robert.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Nov.  29,  lsii2.  Dis- 
charged, May  24,  1865. 

Forbes, 'WiUiam  G.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  27.  1862. 
Sergeant.  Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Fordham,  Alva.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  19.  1862.  Prisoner  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1862.    Died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Ga..  Sept.  15,  ]'*64. 

Fowler,  Elisha.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Dec  ],  1862.  :Mi^«in2  in 
action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  1864. 


544  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Frasier,  Lumau.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dee.  3,  1862.  Deserted, 
March  30,  1863. 

Freeman,  Edgar  O.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  22,  1863. 
Deserted. 

Fry,  John.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  March  6,  1862.  Wounded  in 
action,  June  17,  1864. 

Goff,  Stillman.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Dec.  1,  1863.  Taken  pris- 
oner, April  30,  1865. 

Harper,  Harvey.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Ceresco,  Nov.  24,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  July  28,  1865. 

Harper,  James  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Aug.  17,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  July  28,  1865. 

Harper,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  March  26,  1864.  JIustered 
out,  July  28,  1865. 

Harper,  Samuel.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  19,  1862.  Wounded 
Aug.,  1864.     Discharged  for  disability,  Jan.  7,  1865. 

Harris,  Charles.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  July  27,  1863.  Died,  April 
2,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Himes.  Andrew  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Nov.  IS,  1862.  Ser- 
geant, March  13,  1865.    First  Sergeant,  June  1,  1865. 

Hodgman,  George.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Penfield,  May  9,  1863.  Deserted 
July  9,  1863. 

Hodges,  Marshall.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  I860.  Dis 
charged,  June  30,  1865. 

Holmes,  Thomas.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Jan.  10,  1863.  Died 
June  6.  1864  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  13,  1864. 

Holmes,  William  O.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  10,  1862.  Dis 
charged,  Aug.  11,  1865. 

Hough,  George.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Dec.  29,  1863.  Missing 
in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864,  and  reported  dead  by  returned  prisoners 

Howlan,  William  E.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  10,  1863.  Dis 
charged  for  disability,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Jacobs,  Albert  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  as  a  musician  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov 
25,  1862.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Kimball,  Otis.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Dee.  18,  1862.  Wounded 
Aug.,  1864.     Discharged  for  disability,  Jan.  7,  1865. 

Knight,  Cyrenius  B.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Nowton,  Nov.  10,  1862.  Sec- 
ond  Lieut.,  March  31,  1863.  First  Lieut.,  Aug.  1,  1864.  Discharged,  Oct.  22,  1864 
ou  account  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  .June  S,  1864. 

Knight,  George  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862.  First 
Lieutenant  at  organi?ation.  Capt.,  June  12,  1864.  Killed  in  action  before  Peters- 
burg, Va..  June  17,  1864. 

Knight,  Samuel  B.  Enlisted  in  Company  D  from  Newton,  June,  26,  1862.  Died 
of  disease,  March,  1865. 

Lapham,  Squire.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  20,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, July  10,  1865. 

Lester,  Abner.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  June  20,  1863.  Deserted, 
March  2,  1864. 

Lewis,  Adoniram.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  10,  1862.  Died  of 
disease,  July  31,  1864. 

Lewis,  Thomas.  Company  B.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Dec.  1,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  July,   1865. 

Little,  William.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle   Creek,   May  16,   1863. 

Livingston,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  25,  1862.  Died, 
June  17,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 

McLoud,  Daniel  M.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Newton,  Feb.  23,  1864. 

Meade,  Henry.  Company  E.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  March  9,  1863.  Deserted, 
April  22,  1863. 

Messacar,  John.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  29,  1862.  Deserted, 
May  2,  1863. 

Miller,  Archibald  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Athens.  Dec.  16,  1862. 
Wounded  in  action,  Aug.,  1864.    Corporal,  Oct.  1,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  545 

Millor,  George.  Company  O.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Mareli  111,  1863.  Deserted, 
June  1,  1S63. 

Murry,  Martin  W.  a.u.puny  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  C.vek,  .lalv  3],  1863. 
Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Xewbre,  Guy.  Company  A.  Kutcied  the  service  from  Knimet  as  Second  Lieut 
JS'ov.  25,  1862.  ■' 

Northrop,  John  A.     Company  D.     Enlisted  ai  Newton,  Oct.  22,   1863.     Died  in 
)ital,  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Parks,  Alonzo.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Nov.  4,  1863.  Wounded  in 
action,  Feb.  6,  1865.     Discharged,  June  14,  1865. 

Peek,  James  H.  Company  U.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dee.  15,  1862.  Prisoner  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864.    Died  in  prison  at  Andersonville,  Aug.  30,  1864. 

Pettengill,  Odoniram  J.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Newton,  Dec.  13,  1862. 
Died  of  disease,  Oct.  6,  1864. 

Pierce,  Almeron.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  20,  1862.  De- 
serted, Dee.  5.  1863. 

Eeed,  John  W.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  3,  1863.  Died 
May  31,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  9,  1864. 

Eeed,  Truman  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Nov.  26,  1862.  De- 
serted, July  8,  1863. 

Ehines,  Levant  C.  Entered  the  service  from  Battle  Creek  as  Captain  Company 
A^  Nov.  11,  1862.     Major,  June  12,  1864.     Killed  in  action  before  Petersburg,  June 

Bodgers,  Edward  F.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Dec.  29,  1862  Pris- 
oner at  Petersburg,  July  30,  1864.  Eeturned  to  Eegiment  May  10,  1865.  Discharged, 
June  29,   1865. 

Sage,  Willard.  Company  F.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  14,  1863.  Deserted, 
March  15,  1864. 

Slate,  Willard  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Penfield,  Nov.  19,  1862.  Sergeant, 
Nov.  20,  1863.     Wounded  in  action,  June  17,  1864.     Discharged,  May  24,  1865. 

Smith.  Philo  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  26,'  1864.  Dis- 
charged, July  11,  1865. 

Soules,  Friend  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  20,  1862.  Corporal. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  Nov.  20,  1868.  First  Lieut.,  Nov.  20,  1864.  Discharged  on 
account   of  wounds  received  in  action.   May   15,   1865. 

Soules,  Jason  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  25,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action,  Aug.,   1864.     Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Dec.   28,   1865. 

Soules,  Oscar  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Penfield,  March  28,  1863  Pris- 
oner, July  30,  1864.     Discharged,  May  31,  1865. 

Southerland,  Charles.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Feb.  24,  1864.  Pris- 
oner, Sept.  30,  1864.     Died  in  prison  at  Salisbury,  N.  C,  June  20,  1865. 

Spencer,  Seatou.  Company  — .  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Jan.  5,  1864.  Died.  May 
31,  1864.  '        ' 

Squires,  Horton  M.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  6,  1863.  Dis- 
charged for  disability.  May  24,  1865. 

Stephens,  John  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  20,  1864.  Dis- 
charged, June  28,  1865. 

Stone,  George  W.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  6,  1S63.  Musician. 
-Mustered  out,  July  28,  186.'). 

Sutherland,  Masiin  M.  Coinpanv  E.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Feb.  24  1864 
Died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  March  17,  1865. 

Sylvester,  Otis.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Dec.  ],  1862.  Prisoner  .-it 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,   1864.     Died  in  Andersonville  prison,  (!a. 

Taylor,  Edward  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  April  13,  1863. 
Musician.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Thayer,  George.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  .Tan.  2,  1864.  Discharged, 
June  22,  1865. 

Tiner,  Jeremiah.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  8,  1862.  Wounded, 
June  24,  1864. 

Vandusen,  John  W.  ((iiiiiiaiiy  A.  Enlisted  frcmi  Bedfur.!,  \nv  2S  ]sfi2  De- 
serted, Nov.   9,   1863. 


546  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Vickery,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  20,  1862.  Prisoner, 
May  26,  1864.    Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  28,  1864. 

Wager,  Martin.  Company  A.  Entered  company  at  organization  as  First  Sur- 
geon, Nov.  15,  1862,  at  Battle  Creek.  Second  Lieutenant,  June  3,  1863.  Killed  in 
action  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  25,  1864. 

Webster,  Myron.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  6,  1863.  l^e- 
serted,  June  10,  1863. 

Whitbeek,  William  W.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  May  30,  1863.  Died  of  dis- 
ease, Feb.  10,  1864. 

White,  James  A.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  8,  1864.  Ser- 
geant, April  2,  1865.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Wilber,  Leroy  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Feb.  20,  1864.  Killed 
in  action  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 

Williams,  Frederick.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  May  9,  1863.  Prisoner 
at  Petersburg,  July  30,  1864.     Discharged,  Aug.  11,  1865. 

Williams,  Wesley  C.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  May  9,  186."^.  Cor- 
poral.    Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Willitts,  Isaac  B.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Newton,  Feb.  16,  1864. 

Wilson,  Oren  B.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  11,  1863.  De- 
serted, March  16,  1864. 

Wood,  O.  Henry.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  29,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  July  24,  1865. 

Woods,  William.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  24,  1862.  Corporal, 
June  1,  1865.     Discharged,  Aug.  11,  1865. 

Woodward,  Hiram.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Oct.  24,  1863.  Died 
of  disease,  Jan.  24,   1864. 

Woodward,  Myron.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Nov.  24,  1862.  Died 
at  City  Point,  Va.,  June  30,  186*4. 

Wright,  Franklin  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Dec.  4,  1862. 
Corporal,  March  28,  1865.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  1865. 

Young,  Charles  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  12,  1862.  Corporal. 
Discharged,  July  11,  1865. 

Berdan's  First  and  Second  United  States  Sharp  Shooters 

A  condition  precedent  to  admission  to  these  regiments,  which  became 
famous  during  the  war  was,  that  no  man  would  be  accepted  who  could 
not,  at  200  yards,  put  ten  consecutive  shots  in  a  target,  the  average  dis- 
tance not  to  exceed  five  inches  from  the  center  of  the  bullseye. 

Eight  states  had  compan.y  organizations  in  one  or  both  of  these  regi- 
ments. Micliigan  had  two  companies,  C  and  K,  in  the  First,  and  one. 
Company  B,  in  the  Second.  Calhoun  county  had  one  man  in  Company  B 
of  the  Second,  and  about  twenty  out  of  a  total  enrollment  of  156  in 
Company  C  of  the  First.  The  company  lost  eighteen  killed  in  action,  and 
five  died  of  wounds;  fourteen  died  of  disease,  and  forty -seven  were  dis- 
charged for  disability. 

Calhoun  county  had  but  one  commissioned  officer,  viz. :  Henry  C. 
Garrison,  who  entered  Company  C  as  a  corporal  and  won  his  way  by 
gradations  to  a  captaincy,  being  connnissioned  October  15,  1863.  He 
was  wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

List  of  Berdan  's  Sharp  Shooters 

Vanhorn.  George  W.  Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Sept.  20.  ]S61.  Died  of  disease  at 
Alexandria,   Va.,  April  2,  1862. 


HISTORY  OP  CALIIOUX  COUXTY 


Bean,  Sidney  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  17,  ISGI,  WcmndiMl  in  ULtion, 
Supt.  10,  1862.     Deserted  May  7,  1864. 

Briggs,   William  X.     Enlisted  Aug.   26,   1S61.     Dis.-luugcd   for  disability,   Feb. 

Brookins,  Morton  C.  Enlisted,  Aug.  21,  lS(il.  Coviioral.  Disdiargod  for  dis- 
ability,  Feb.,   1863. 

Devinney,  Elisha  L.  Enlisted,  Aug.  21,  1861.  Discharged  for  disability,  Jan., 
1862. 

Edgerton,  Frank.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  21,  1861.  Corporal,  Feb.  1863. 
Killed  in  action  at  Spottsylvania,  May  14,  1867. 

Edmonds,  Andrew  J.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  21,  1861. 

Edmonds,  Edwin  E.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  21,  1861.  Died  at  WashinirtOu, 
D.  C,  Jan.  6,  1862.  ^ 

Garrison,   Henry  C.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Aug.  21,   1861.     Corporal,  Aug.   26, 

1861.  Promoted  to  Sergeant.     Second  Lieutenant,   1862.     First  Lieutenant,  Feb.  4, 

1862.  Wounded  in  action   at  Gettysburg,   July,   1863.     Captain,  October   15,   1863. 
Discharged,   Oct.   7,  1864. 

Haberstick,  Charles.     Enlisted  Aug.  21,  1861. 

Heath,   Henry.     Enlisted   Aug.    21,   1861.      Discharged   for   disability,   April   1 

1 863.  '  ' 
Heath,  James.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  17,  1861.     Reenlisted,  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Killed   in   action   before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June   16,   1864. 

ilann,  Frederick.     Enlisted  Aug.  21,  1861.     Deserted,  Nov.  18,  1861. 

ililler,  Henry  A.      Enlisted   from   Jlarshall.  Aug.   21,    1861.     Reenlisted    Jan     ■'' 

1864.  '  ' 
Schofield,    Benjamin    D.      Enlisted    from    Marshall,    Aug.    21,    1861        Xo    record 

after  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Steele,  Stephen.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  21.  1861.  Discharge.!  for  dis- 
ability.    Later  entered   the   Sth   Cavalry.     Clustered   out   Sept.   22,   1865. 

Sturtevant,  Orson  E.  Enlisted  from  :\larshall,  Aug.  21,  1861.  Died,  Feb.  15. 
1863  from  wounds  received  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  Aug.  30,  1862. 

Vandeburg,  James  I.  Enlisted,  Aug.  17,  1861.  Discharged  on  account  of 
wounds  received  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3,  1863. 

Warner,  Jerome.     Enlisted,  Aug.  21,  1861.     Discharged   for  disability,  Jan.   6, 

York,  Elias  A.     Enlisfe.l,  Aug.  21,  1861.     Discharged,  .Sept.  20,  186.T 

Company  I 

Company  I  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  March 
4,  1862,  and  transferred  to  the  Fifth  Michigan  Infantry  near  Petersburg, 
Virginia,  December  23,  1864.  In  this  company  were  the  following  from 
Calhoun  county: 

Herrington,  Jeremiah.  Enlisted  as  from  .Marshall,  ifarch  6,  1862.  Discharged  at 
expiration  of  term  of  service. 

Hinman,  Delos.  Enlisted  as  from  Battle  Creek.  Feb.  17.  1862.  Discharged  for 
disability,  Sept.  15,  1862. 

We.stern  Sharp  Siiooter.s 

Was  an  organization  composed  of  nine  companies  recruited  from  as 
many  western  states.  The  regiment  was  under  the  special  patronage  of 
General  John  C.  Fremont,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
.service  the  latter  part  of  1861.  It  first  saw  service  in  Missouri,  under 
Fremont's  general  direction,     it  fought  at   Donelson  under  Grant.     It 


548  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

was  at  Shiloh  and  siege  of  Corinth.  It  was  with  Sherman  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  in  tlie  march  to  the  sea.  It  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Johnston,  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  mustered  out  July  7,  1865. 

In  this  regiment  was  Company  D,  largely  recruited  from  Calhoun 
County,  and  Commanded  by  John  Piper  of  Battle  Creek  who  subse- 
quently lost  his  life  as  major  of  the  First  Michigan  Sharp  Shooters,  in 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  Va.  First  lieutenant  was  Alljert  S.  (/iore  of 
Battle  Creek.  George  M.  Baldwin,  of  Bedford,  entered  the  company  as 
a  private  and  was  successively  promoted  to  corporal,  sergeant  and  second 
lieutenant.  He  gave  his  life  for  his  country  in  the  battle  of  Jonesboro, 
Georgia,  August  31,  1864.  Charles  H.  Smith,  of  Battle  Creek  was  like- 
wise advanced  to  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  but  lived  to  return  home. 
The  following  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  members  of  Company  D 
from  this  county  and  its  perusal  will  show  an  unusual  per  cent  of 
fatalities  in  battle : 

Atkinson,  Thomas  D.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Sept.   14,   1861.     Discharged  for 
disability,  May  10,  1862. 

Baldwin,  George   JI.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Sept.  27,  1861.     Second  Lieuten- 
ant, June  26,  1864.     Killed  in  action,  Aug.  31,  1864. 

Barker,   Lorenzo  A.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Sept.   27,   1861.     Promoted   to 
Sergeant.     Wounded  May  16,  1864.     Mustered  out,  July  7,  1865. 

Barringer,  Andrew.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  21,  1861.     Discharged  for 
disability,  Feb.,  1862. 

Billington,  Charles.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  16,  1861.     Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, April,  1861. 

Bonnett,   William  J.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Feb.   19,   1864.     Sergeant,  Jan.   1, 
1865.     Mustered  out,  July  7,  1865. 

Chambers,    William    E.      Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Feb.    12,    1864.      Killed   in 
action  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  9,  1864. 

Gleason,  Thomas  E.     Enlisted  from  Penfield,  Oct.  19,  1861.     Died  Nov.  1,  1864, 
of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Decatur,  Ga. 

Higgins,   Cyrus  L.      Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Sept.    18,   1861.     ilustered   out, 
Aug.  27,  1864. 

Kurts,  Frederick.     Enlisted  from  Le  Koy,  Sept.  16,  1861.     Died  at  Benton  Bar- 
racks, Mo.,  Nov.  18,  1861. 

Lusk,  George   W.     Enlisted  Sept.  16,   1861.     Second  Lieut.,  June   11,   1862.     Re- 
signed, Jan.  5,  1863. 

Millard,   Charles   H.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,   Oct.   23,  1861.     Died  of  disease   at 
Fort  Donelson,  Tenn.,  March  2,  1862. 

Millard,  Timothy  H.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  17,  1861.     Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, July  26,  1862. 

Ogden,  William  H.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Oct.  17,  1861.     Mustered  out,  July 
7,  1865. 

Perry,  James.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Oct.  18,  1861.    Discharged,  Sept.  17,  1864. 

Smith,  Charles  H.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  12,  1861.     Second  Lieut.,  July 
4,  1865. 

Thornton,    George    W.      Enlisted    at    Battle    Creek,    Oct.    24,    1861.      Coi-poral. 
Wounded  in  action.  May  15,  1864. 

Van  Brocklin,  John"  W.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  23,  1861.     Mustered  out, 
July  7,  1865. 

Whalen,    Michael.      Enlisted   from   Battle    Creek,    Oct.    24,   1861.      Wounded   in 
action  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  22,  1864. 

Company  C 

Baker,   John.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Sept.    16,   1S61.      Killed   in   action   at 
Fort  Donelson,  Feb.  13,  1862. 


ilisted   at   Battle 

Creek, 

Sept. 

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out 

od  at   Hatflc  Crc 

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IMil. 

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stoil  at  Battle  Vr 

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terei 

HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  ri49 

Higgins,    Cyrus    L. 
Aug.  L'7,  1864. 

.Tolls,  Heiirv  L.     Ki 
7,  1865. 

MeNeal,  Wallace.     Knlisti 
out,  July  7,  1865. 

Mayo,  Robert  T.     Enlist 
out,  July  7,  1865. 

Mosher,  Levi  X.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  14,   ISIU. 

Stanton,  Asel  S.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  17,  IStil.  Diseliarjied  for 
disability,  Aug.  14,  186:2. 

Starks.  John.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  16,  1861.  KiUeil  in  action  near 
Atlanta.  Ga.,  July  22,  1864. 

Tolls,  Henry  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  20,  1S61.  Mustered  out  July 
7,  1865. 

Thurston,  Newell.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Battle  (reek,  Sept.  Iti,  IMil. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1864. 

Wilkinson,  John.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  Ki,  IStil.  .Mus- 
tered out,  July  25,  1865. 

Young,  John.  Comjiany  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  16.  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  22,  1864. 

First  JIichigan  Colored  Infantry. 

Oil  July  25,  1863,  Governor  Blair  was  notified  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment as  follows:  "You  are  hereby  authorized  to  raise  one  regiment  of 
infantry  to  be  composed  of  colored  men,  to  be  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  for  three  years  or  during  the  war.  To  these  troops  no 
bounties  will  be  paid.  They  will  receive  ten  dollars  per  month  and  one 
ration  per  day,  three  dollars  of  which  monthly  payment  may  he  in 
clothing. ' ' 

To  Henry  Barnes  of  Detroit  was  entrusted  the  work  of  recruiting 
and  organizing  the  First  Michigan  Colored  Infantry  Regiment,  which  was 
subseciueutly  changed  by  order  of  the  War  Department  to  the  102d 
Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops.  Recruiting  was  commenced  in 
August.  1863.  and  on  the  17th  of  February,  1864,  it  was  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service.  895  strong. 

Parts  of  Companies  A  and  D  were  recruited  from  Calhoun  county. 
The  ofSeers  received  their  commissions  from  the  War  Department.  Of 
these  Chester  J.  Murry,  of  Battle  Creek,  was  captain  of  Company  A,  and 
Abner  Van  Dyke,  of  Marshall,  was  first  lieutenant  of  Company  D. 

The  regim'ent  left  the  state  on  the  28th  of  March,  1864,  and  was 
first  assigned  to  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  as  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  It  was  soon  after  detached  and  sent  by  transports  to  Hilton 
Head,  South  Carolina.  Its  service  was  chiefly  in  the  last  named  state 
and  in  Florida.  In  several  minor  engagements  it  acquitted  itself  with 
credit,  reflecting  honor  upon  the  army  as  soldiers  and  upon  the  race 
as  men. 

Total  enrollment,  1,673. 

Killed  in  action,  5. 

Died  of  wounds,  7. 

Died  of  disease,  116. 

Discharged  for  disability  (wounds  and  disease).  114. 


550  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  following  is  an  alphebetical  list  of  names  of  the  men  who  served 
from  this  county: 

Allen,  Lewis.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  JIarshall,  Jan.  I'l,  1864.     Mustered  out, 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Artis,  Kinchen.    Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  19,  1863.     Corporal, 
May  10,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Banks,  Lewis.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  1,  1863.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Berry,  Allison.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,   Dee.   18,   1863.     Sergeant. 
Died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C,  Oct.  8,  1864. 

Clark,  Benjamin  J.    Company  G.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  22,  1863.    Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Clark,  John   H.     Company   I.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Dee.  24,  1863.     Sergeant, 
Dec.  24,  1863.     First  Sergeant,  June  1,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Ferguson,  William.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  8,  1863.     De- 
serted, Nov.  1,   1863. 

Ford,  Andrew.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  28,  1863.  Mustered  out, 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Gaines,   Thomas   S.      Company   B.      Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Aug.    23,    1864. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Devereaux  iS'eck,  S.  C,  Dee.  9,  1864. 

Grant,  Valentine.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  12,  1864.     Corporal. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Grayson,  Harry.     Company  H.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dee.  31,   1863.     Ser- 
geant, May,  1864.     Discharged  for  disability,  June  8,  1865. 

Green,   Thomas.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle   Creek,   Dec.   30,   1863.     De- 
serted, Feb.  1,  1864. 

Harris,  John.    Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  25,  1865.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Harrison,  John.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  21,   1864.     Corporal. 
]\Iustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Henderson,  George     W.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Dec.  30,  1863.     Ser- 
geant.    Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Heuston,  Harvey.    Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  2,  1863,    Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865." 

Hoard,  Richard.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  15,  1864.     Wounded 
in  action,  Dec.  9,  1864. 

Jackson,  John  H.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  1,  1863.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Jackson,    Samuel   F.      Company   B.      Enlisted    at   Battle   Creek,   Oct.   22,    1863. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

James,  Jacob  W.     Company  C.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  25,  1865.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Johnson,  Joseph.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  13,  1865.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Judson,  Doctor  S.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  23,  1863.     Deserted, 
Feb.  4,  1864. 

Murdoek,  Milton.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.   5,   1863.     Ser- 
geant.    Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

O'Neil,  Joseph.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.   10,  1863.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Eix,  William  A.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  18,  3  863.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Robins,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  17,  1865.     Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Rutherford,  Joseph.    Company  H.    Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  4,  1864.     Mustered 
cut,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Sand,  Nathan.    Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  22,  1864.     Corporal. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Scott,  Andrew.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  8,  1863.     Died  in 
Dec.  27,  1864. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  551 

Scott,  J.  Ci)o|)<T.  Com[inii.v  11.  Knlistcd  at  .Marshall,  Jan.  2,  1864.  SerKeaut. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Shepard,  Edward,  t'ouipauv  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Jan.  15,  1SG4.  .Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Simpson,  Henderson.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Hattle  Creek,  Feb.  13,  1865. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Southers,  James.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  :\Iarsliall,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Deserted, 
March  26,  1864. 

Strother,  David.  Company  11.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  29,  IsciP,.  Wounded 
in  action,  Nov.  30,  1864. 

Taylor,  Primus.  Company  K.  Enlisted,  Aug.  8,  1864.  Substitute  fur  Ilcnrv 
Phelps  at  Marshall.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  20,  1865. 

Todd,  Jeremiah.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  23,  1863.  Deserted, 
AprU  12,  1864. 

Varnum,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  30,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Watson,  John.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Alliion,  Oct.  22,  1863.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Waiters,  Weston.    Company  B.    Enlisted  Oct.  1,  1863,  at  Battle  Creek. 

Weaver,  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  5,  1863.  Ser- 
geant.    Mustered  out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

William,  Norman.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  22,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Wilson,  Albert.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  JIarch  22,  1865.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  30,   1865. 

Young,  David.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  20,  1865.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  30,  1865. 

The  Forty-second  Illinois  Infantry 

Organized  at  Chicago,  July  22,  1861,  was  partl.v  composed  of  Michigan 
men,  the  following  being  from  Calhoun  county : 

Bennett,  David.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Aug.  7.  1861.  Deserted. 
June  20,  1862. 

Berger,  Charles.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  H,  Aug.  10,  1861.  Died, 
Aug.  12,  1861,  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Curtis,  George  D.  Albion.  Enlisted  service  in  Company  H,  at  organization  as 
First  Lieutenant,  July  22,  1861.     Resigned,  Nov.  25,  1862. 

Ford,  John  N.  Albion.  Enlisted  in  Company  H,  July  20,  1861.  Corporal.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,   Jan.  2,   1862. 

Harrison,  Andrew  J.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  II,  Sept.  19,  1861. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  16,  1864. 

Harrison,  Charles  H.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Comiiany  H,  Aug.  10,  1861. 
Corporal.     Killed  in  action,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Latty,  William  W..  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  H,  Aug.  10,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Sept.  22,  1862. 

Losh,  Michael.  Battle  Creek.  Company  H.  Wounded  at  Stone's  River,  Dec. 
30,  1862.     Discharged,  Sept.  16,  1864. 

Luut,  George  H.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted,  Aug.  10,  1861.  Discharged,  Dec.  16, 
1865. 

Miller,  George.  Clarence.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  July  30.  1861.  Deserted, 
Aug.  31,  1862. 

Persons,  William.     Battle  Creek.     Enlisted,  July  23,  1861.     Died,  Dec.  22,  1861. 

Perce.v,  Robert  N,  Battle  Creek.  Company  II.  Enlisted.  Jnlv  10,  1861.'  Dis- 
charged for  disabilit.v,  May  12,  1862. 

Tate.  John  E.  Battle  Creek.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Sept.  Ij,  IsCl.  Dii'd  in 
prison  at  Danville,  Va.,  April   17,   1864. 

Wood,  William.  Albion.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Aug.  14,  ISCl.  Mustered 
out.  Sept.  16,  1864, 


552  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

The  Forty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry 

Was  organized  at  Chicago,  Aug.  18,  1861.  In  this  regiment  Michigan 
had  215  men,  11  of  whom  were  killed  in  action,  6  died  of  wounds,  29 
died  of  disease  and  49  were  discharged  for  disability.  The  following 
were  from  Calhoun  county: 

Clark,  George  W.  Le  Eoy.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Aug.  1,  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  25,  1865. 

Facey,  Henry  J.  Marshall.  Enlisted,  Aug.  19,  1861.  Discharged,  March  31, 
1866. 

Schoolmaker,  Arba.  Le  Eoy.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Aug.  1.  1S61.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  25,  1865. 

Seoville,  Alfred.  Burlington.  Company  B.  Enlisted,  Aug.  15,  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Smith,  Frederick.  Le  Roy.  Company  H,  Enlisted  August  1,  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  25,  1865. 

Ward,  Charles  B.  Battle  Creek.  Company  B.  Enlisted,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, 1861.     Second  Lieutenant,  Sept.  8,  1865.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25,  1865. 

Wise,  Jeremiah.  Le  Eoy.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Aug.  1,  1861.  Died  in  service, 
May  24,  1862. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

CAVALRY  AND  ARTILLERY 

First  to  the  Eleventh  Cavalry  Regiments,  Inclusive — "Merrill 
Horse" — The  Formation  of  the  "Merrill  Horse"  (by  Captain 
George  H.  Rowell) — Complete  List  op  "Merrill  Horse" — In 
the  First  Michigan  Regiment  Light  Artillery — Miscellaneous 
Organizations. 

Following  are  the  organizations  in  the  cavalry  and  artillery  branches 
of  the  service  which  had  representatives  from  Calhoun  county. 

The  First  Michigan  Cavalry 

Calhoun  county  had  no  organization  and  no  commissioned  officer  in 
the  above  named  regiment.  It  did,  however,  have  a  considerable  number 
of  enlisted  men  from  Albion,  Battle  Creek,  Marshall  and  several  of  the 
townships.  There  were  several  who  were  at  the  outset  or  who  beiame 
non-commissioned  officers.  Among  these  was  Rieuzi  Loud,  of  Albion, 
who  went  out  as  quartermaster  sergeant,  and  later  became  a  first  lieu- 
tenant in  tlie  5th  Massachusetts  Colored  Cavalry. 

The  service  of  the  First  was  wholly  in  the  east  until  after  the  sur- 
render of  Lee.  Early  in  the  war  it  was  with  General  Banks  in  the 
valley;  later  it  became  a  part  of  the  famous  "Michigan  Cavalry  Brig- 
ade," commanded  by  General  George  A.  Custer,  a  Michigan  soldier  of 
renown.  It  was  in  the  Gettysburg  campaign ;  with  Slieridan  at  Win- 
chester, at  Yellow  Tavern,  at  Five  Forks,  and  at  Appomattox.  ,\fter 
the  surrender  the  regiment  was  sent  into  North  Carolina,  but  was 
brought  back  to  Washington  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  Grand  Review. 
Later  it  was  sent  to  the  then  far  west,  remaining  in  service  until  March 
10,  1866,  when  it  was  mustered  out  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

The  number  of  killed  in  action  from  this  regiment  alone  would  refute 
the  aspersion,  "who  ever  saw  a  dead  cavalryman?"  so  often  heard  in 
the  earlier  part  of  the  war. 

Total  enrollment,  2,490. 

Killed  in  action,  96. 

Missing  in  action,  40. 

Died  of  wounds,  52. 

Died  as  prisoners  of  war,  58. 

Died  of  disease,  172. 

553 


554  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Drowned,  2. 
Killed  accidentally,  4. 
Killed  by  Indians,  1. 
Discharged  for  disability,  209. 

Prom  Calhoun  County 

The  following  from  Calhoun  county  served  in  the  First  Cavalry: 

Ackley,  George  "W.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Feb.  14,  1860.  JJis- 
cliarged  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  Nov.  7,  1865. 

Armstrong,  .John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Aug.  16,  18G1.  Pro- 
moted Saddler,  June  30,  1863. 

Baker,  Henry   M.     Company  F.     Enlisted  from   Emmet,   March  7,  1865. 

Berringer,  Philip  E.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865. 
Discharged  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Dec.  5,  1865. 

Brown,  David.  Company  K.  Enlisted  Feb.  3,  1865.  Discharged  at  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Dee.  5,  1865. 

Gibbs,  Nathan.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865.  Dis- 
charged at  Fort   Leavenworth,  Kan.,  Dee.  5,  1865. 

Green,  Loren  E.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  3,  1865.  Dis- 
charged with  Regiment. 

Griffin,  Cornelius.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Feb.  23,  1863.  Deserted 
at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  July  1,  1865. 

Huggett,  George.  Company  C.  Enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.  Discharged  with 
regiment. 

Lapham,  Philetus.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  16,  1865.  Dis- 
charged with  regiment,  Dec.  5,  1865. 

Leary,  Joseph.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865.  Dis- 
charged with  regiment,  Dec.  5,  1865. 

Loud,  Eienzi.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Aug.  16,  1861.  Quarter- 
master Sergeant.     First  Lieutenant.     Fifth  Mass.  Colored  Cavalry,  Sept.  27,  1864. 

McNeal,  David.  Company  B.  Enlisted  March  24,  1864.  Discharged,  January 
11,  1866. 

Manchester,  Charles  E.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  13.  1865. 
Discharged  with  regiment,  Dec.  5,  1865. 

Manchester,  Elias.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  13,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  1865. 

Matthews,  Lemuel.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  1865. 

Miller,  Henry.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  1865. 

Mills,  Levi  R.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  3,  1865.  Discharged 
Dec.  5,  1865. 

Mitchell,  Pierce.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Feb.  13,  1865. 
Discharged  June  12,  1865. 

Nevern,  Robert.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15.  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  1865. 

Osborn,   G.   G.     Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Albion,   Aug.   14,   1861. 

Sherman,  Hiram.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  21,  1861. 

Snow,  Timothy.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  13,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  1865. 

Sutherland,  Myron.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865. 
Discharged  Dec.  5,  1865. 

Whitbeck,  Charles  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  Feb.  21,  1865,  Discharged,  Dee. 
5,  1865. 

Wins;,  Albert.  Company  F.  Enli^ed  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  14.  1865.  Dis- 
charged Dec.  5,  IS60. 

Woodcock,  Alanson  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865.  Discharged 
July  15,  1865. 


iiisTOKY  OF  cALHorx  corxTV  .-).-):. 

The  Second  Michigan  Cavalky 

No  regiment  from  ]Miehigan  and  few  in  the  whole  country  can  boast 
of  having  as  many  officers  who  won  renown  as  the  Second  Michigan 
Cavalry.  Its  tirst  colonel  was  Gordon  Ciranger,  a  graduate  of  West 
Point,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  a  captain  in  the  regular 
army,  who  rose  to  a  nuijor  general  and  the  eoiiuiiaiKlcr  of  an  army  corps. 

Its  second  colonel  was  Philip  H.  Sheridan,  who.  like  Granger,  had 
had  the  advantages  of  the  military  school  on  the  Hudson.  Wlieii  Sump- 
ter  was  fired  upon  he  was  only  a  first  lieutenant  of  infantry,  but  who, 
starting  witii  the  colonelcy  of  the  Second  Miehigaji  Cavalry,  won 
world-wide  fame  as  a  soldier  and  rose  to  the  command  of  the  United 
States  army. 

In  this  regiment  was  Russell  A.  Alger,  the  ambitious  young  eaptjiin 
of  Company  C,  who  became  a  brevet  major  general,  the  governor  of 
Michigan,  a  senator  of  the  United  States  and  secretary  of  war. 

One  of  the  two  first  majors  was  Robert  H.  G.  Mintj',  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  comi)etent  brigade  commanders  in  the  western  army. 

While  the  whole  country  has  long  been  proud  of  the  deeds  and 
fame  of  those  mentioned,  Calhoun  county  is  no  less  proud  of  her  con- 
tribution to  this  historic  regiment. 

Selden  H.  Gorham,  who  served  in  the  tirst  thi-ee  months  regiment 
as  first  lieutenant,  re-entered  the  service'  as  major  of  Second  Cavalry, 
September  2,  1861.  He  was  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel  in  April, 
1862.  and  was  in  command  of  the  regiment. 

In  his  official  report  under  date  of  June  19th.  1862,  General  Gordon 
Granger,  commanding  cavalry  division,  says  of  that  officer  on  May  8th : 
"A  report  having  reached  me  that  JIajor  Love's  battalion  was  in  great 
danger  of  being  surrounded  by  a  large,  superior  force,  I  immediately  dis- 
patched Lieutenant  Colonel  Gorham,  with  eight,  companies  of  the  Second 
Michigan  Cavalry,  to  his  assistance." 

Frank  W.  Dickey,  who  at  this  writing,  August,  litl2,  is  still  living  in 
Marshall,  was  a  young  man  of  but  23,  when  on  September,  1861,  he  was 
commissioned  captain  of  Company  IM,  of  the  Second  Cavalry.  Col. 
Edward  H.  Hobson.  commanding  at  ilunfordville,  Kentucky,  in  his 
report  to  headquarters,  January  4,  186.3,  says:  "At  9  P.  M.  the  25th 
scouts  brought  the  information  that  100  of  the  enemy  were  crossing  the 
river  at  Burnt  Bridge  Ford.  This  was  confirmed  during  the  night  by 
reports  that  the  whole  force  was  crossing  and  moving  in  the  direction  of 
Hammondsville.  I  immediately  ordered  Captain  Dickey,  of  the  Second 
Michigan,  to  proceed  to  Bacon  Creek  stockade,  reporting  to  my  head- 
quarters by  courier  at  9  and  10  A.  M.,  and  oftener,  if  necessary,  and 
also  ordered  the  12th  Kentucky  Cavalry,  Colonel  Shanks,  toward  Ham- 
mondsville, to  repoi't  often  by  courier.  Soon  aftei-  arriving  at  iJacon 
Creek  and  arranging  his  pickets.  Captain  Dickey  was  attacked  by  Mor- 
gan and  fianked  by  a  large  force.  Captain  Dickey,  having  less  than  80 
men  for  dutv,  was  compelled  to  fall  back  on  Munfordvilic  figliting  his 
way."  Froiii  Cave  City,  Kentucky,  at  8.40  P.  U..  D.-c.  24,  1862.  the  fol- 
lowing was  sent  to  Rosecrans  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland: 
"General:  The  second  battalion  of  Second  Micliigaii  Cavalry  were 
attacked  at  Glasgow  at  dark  this  evening.     Two  of  oiii-   iiim    killed. 


556  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Two  or  three  rebels  killed.  AVe  were  on  the  march  from  Gallatin  to 
Munfordville.  Rebels  supposed  to  be  strong — ^have  two  batteries.  F.  "W". 
Dickey,  Captain." 

March  19th,  1863,  General  Green  Clay  Smith,  commanding  Fourth 
Cavalry  Brigade,  in  his  report  of  the  affair  at  Thompson's  Station, 
Tennessee,  said : ' '  The  Second  Michigan,  Major  Dickey  commanding, 
acted  with  great  coolness,  bravery  and  promptness." 

Thomas  N.  Johnston,  of  Marshall,  entered  the  Second  on  August  24, 
1861,  at  23,  as  second  lieutenant,  and  on  December  31,  1864,  was  com- 
missioned colonel  of  th^  regiment.  In  his  report  of  ]\Iarch  25,  1863, 
General  Green  Clay  Smith  said  that  Captain  Johnston,  of  the  Second 
Michigan  Cavalry  "deserves  the  highest  consideration  'for  his  conduct' 
in  the  fight  near  Brentwood,  Tennessee,"  and  recommended  his  pro- 
motion. General  Croxton  in  his  report  of  operations,  the  latter  part 
of  1864,  says:  "I  sent  Captain  Johnston,  Second  Michigan  Cavalry, 
acting  assistant  inspector  general  on  my  staff,  with  fifty  men  on  the 
night  of  the  6tli  inst.,  who  captured  and  brought  over  an  officer  and 
16  men  of  the  Fourth  Alabama  Cavalry." 

Peter  A.  Schuyler,  who  entered  the  Second  as  adjutant  at  its  organi- 
zation, was  another  whose  service  reflected  credit  on  his  county  and  state. 
In  his  report  of  the  fight  at  Boonville,  Mississippi,  General  Sheridan 
mentions  Captain  Schuyler  as  "having  behaved  with  gi'eat  gallantry." 
Brigadier  General  W.  L.  Elliott  in  his  official  report  of  Dec.  31,  1863, 
speaks  of  Captain  Schuj'ler  as  "having  rendered  him  great  assistance." 

Russell  T.  Darrow  of  Homer,  who  entered  the  service  as  first 
sergeant,  Company  M,  became  first  lieutenant  March  1,  1864,  after 
having  distinguished  himself  several  times  in  action.  He  fell  near 
Florence,  Alabama,  Oct.  7,  1864.  Besides  these,  there  were  from  the 
county,  Chauncey,  Walt  and  Woodruff,  all  of  whom  became  commissioned 
officers;  the  last  named  in  the  United  States  Colored  Troops. 

The  Second  was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  Oct.  2,  1861,  and  on 
the  14th  of  November,  1861,  left  for  St.  Louis,  IMissouri.  From  that 
time  until  the  end  of  the  war  its  service  was  in  the  Middle  West.  It  was 
in  numerous  engagements  and  uniformly  acquitted  itself  with  credit. 
It  was  mustered  out  at  Macon,  Georgia,  Aug.  17,  and  returned  to  Jack- 
son, Mich.,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded,  Aug.  26,  1865. 

Total  number  enrolled,  2,139. 

Killed  in  action,  39. 

Died  of  wounds,  26. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  12. 

Died  of  disease,  217. 

Discharged  for  disability,  328. 

Abell,  DeWitt  C.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  .'5,  1S61. 

Ackley,  Charles  H.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Discharged 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  22,  1861. 

Adams,  William.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  1,  1861.  Deserted 
Aug.  30,  1862. 

Agnew,  Elilni.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Discharged 
Oct.  22,  1864. 

Alexander,  Chauncey.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1S61. 
Quarter  Master  Sergeant,  March  15,  1865.     Assistant  Surgeon,  July  31,  1865. 


COI'XTY 

557 

,■,.,„     KHMloMi;, 

„    S..,,..    I'J, 

1801. 

MnrsliMll,   .I;li 

1.    JS,    1S(U. 

Died 

TirSTORY  OF  (AIJIOIX 

Alexaiulor.    iMhvanl.      Coiiiiiany    M.      Kiilistod    f 
Killed  in  action  at  Glasgow,  Ky.,  Dec.  L'4,  IStjL'. 

Allen,  Benjamin.     Company   .M.     Enlisted   Iruni 
at   Xashville,  'I'enn.,  Sept.    11.   1864. 

Austin,  Alonzo  D.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  .Marshall,  Sept.  L",  IStil. 

Barringer,  Uavid.  Company  M.  Enlisted  a't  Marshall,  Oit.  :.',  1861.  Discharged 
Aug.  31,  1865. 

Blake,  Frank.  Drafted  from  Albion.  Mustered  out  November,  ISfi.S.  Deserted 
Nov.  L'O,  1863. 

Boyi-e,   Andrew.      Conipanv    M.      Enlisted   at    Burlington,   Sept.    7,    lS(il. 

Boyee,  Marion.  Conipanv  .M.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  7.  Istil.  Died 
Aug.    25,    1861'. 

Boyee,  Nathan.  Company  il.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  7,  1861.  Prisoner, 
June  28,  1864.     Discharged  July  3,  1865. 

Brott,   Rufus.      Company   M.      Enlisted   at    Newton,   Sept.    13,    1861. 

Buckingham,  Albert.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Sept.  18,  1861.  Discharged  Oct. 
2-2,  1864. 

Clapp,  Wesley  G.  Companv  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  12,  1S61.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  22,  1862. 

Clark,  Jetson  J.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  31,  1861.  Died  in 
service,   July   24,   1862. 

Crittenden,  ilortimer.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861. 

Crittenden,  William.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  28,  1861. 
Corporal.     Mustered  out  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Darrow,  Bussell  T.  Company  M.  Enlisted  from  Homer,  Sept.  7,  1861.  First 
Lieutenant,  March  1,  1864.    Killed  in  action,  Oct.  7,  1864. 

Davey,  George  R.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  26,  1861. 

Dean,   La   Grand  B.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Sept.   12,   1861. 

Dickey,  Frank  W.  Entered  service  in  Company  M,  at  organization  as  Captain. 
Major,   Oct.    16,   1862.     Resigned   and   honorably   discharged,   May   7,   1863. 

Dooley,  Patrick.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Prisoner, 
March  25,  1863.     Discharged  June  20,  1865. 

Eaton,  Frank  N.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Sept.  20,  1861.  First 
Lieutenant,  October,  1864. 

Fancher,  David  B.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  12.  18(il.  Died 
at  Farmington,  Miss.,  May  12,  1862. 

French,  Henry  A.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  7,  1861.     Corporal. 

Gaines,  Burt  C.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1861.  Discharged 
Oct.  22.  1S64. 

Ciorham,  Selden  H.  Company  I.  Entered  service  in  Second  Cavalry  as  Major, 
Sept.  2,  1861.  Lieutenant  Colonel,  April  1,  1862.  Resigned  and  honorably  dis- 
charged, July  7,  1862. 

Hal],  Ga'rrett  E.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sej.t.  16,  1861.  Killed  in 
action  at  Martin's  Mills,  Ala.,  Oct.  7,  1864. 

Harrington,  Andrew.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  1,  1861. 

Harrington,  Charles.  Company  JI.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  13,  1861. 
Farrier. 

Harrington,  James.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  10,  1861. 
Corporal. 

Heildinger,  Veit.    Company  M.    Enlisted  at  ilarshall,  Sept.  20,  1861. 

Hempstead.  Henry  M.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Mar.shall,  Aug.  24.  1861. 
Served  as  Quarter  Master  Sergeant  and  Regimental  Quarter  Master.  Captain,  Dec 
22.    1864.      Mustered   out   and   honorably   discharged.   Aug.   17,   1865. 

Hoisington.  Earl,  Jr.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  :T,  lR(il.  Pris- 
oner.  Dec.  26.  1862.     Paroled  but  no   fiirtlin    r.  ruirl. 

Hooker,   Frank.      Company  M.      Knli-t.^l    ,ii    \l,ii  ~.|i.-ill,   Sept.    7.    ls(n. 

Hotchkiss,  Norman  H.  'Companv  M.  t:iilivir.|  .-it  ^faishall.  Sept.  12,  1861. 
Prisoner,  Dec.  26,  1862.     Mustered  ontAnt;.  17,   l^cr,. 

Howard.  Thomas.  Company  M.  Enlisti'd  ;it  Marshall,  Sejit.  IS.  ISfil.  De- 
serted Jan.  6,  1863. 


558  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Howey,  James  H.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Served 
as  Sergeant  and  Quartermaster  Sergeant  in  the  2d  Cavalry  and  Commissioned  Lieu- 
tenant in  136th  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  June  24,  1865. 

Hudson,  George  W.    Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  20,  1861. 

Hutchinson,  Ira.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  2,  1861. 

Johnson,  Lucius.  Company  JI.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Glasgow,  Ky.,  Dec.  24,  1863.     First  Lieutenant  XJ.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

Johnston,  James.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861. 

Johnston,  Thomas  W.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  as  Second  Lieutenant, 
Company  M,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Captain,  Aug.  1,  1862.  Wounded  in  action  at  Dan- 
dridge,  Tenn.,  Dec.  4,  1863.    Colonel,  Dec.  31,  1864. 

Kidney,  William.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  10,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,  Aug.  17,  1865.     Corporal. 

McLain,  Sylvester.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  19,  1861. 

Markle,  Samuel.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  MarshaU,  Sept.  27,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Aug.  31,  1865. 

Marsh,  John.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  Aug.   17,   1865. 

Miller,  Edmond.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  30,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner,  Dec.  26,  1862.     Returned  to  regiment,  Nov.  1,  1863. 

Miller,  Jacob.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  30,  1862.  Died  in 
service,   July  21,   1863. 

Moser,  Abraham.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Aug.  14,  1862.  Killed  in 
action,  Jan.  27,  1864. 

Murdock,  Daniel.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Corporal. 
Died  in  service,  July  15,  1862. 

Myers,  John.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Sept.  2,  1861.  Mustered  out  at  Macon, 
Ga.,  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Osborne,  James.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Discharged  at  Jack- 
son, Mich.,  Aug.  31,  1865. 

Perigo,  John.  Company  D.  Drafted  from  Athens.  Mustered  out,  Nov.  9. 
1S63.     Taken  prisoner,  Dec.  "24,  1863.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  May  24,  1864. 

Phelps,  Charles  O.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  27,  1861. 

Phillips,  James.  Drafted  for  three  years  from  Battle  Creek.  Mustered 
Nov.  9,  1863.     Assigned  to  Co.  D. 

Potter,  Charles.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Corporal. 
Taken  prisoner,  Dec.  24,  1863.     Died  at  Belle  Isle,  Va. 

Pratt,  Frank  A.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Sept.  16,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Oct.  22,  1864. 

Redfiehl,  Chandler  S.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Sept.  7,  18G1,  at  Homer.  Dis- 
charged, Nov.  28,  1863. 

Reynolds,  Erastus  D.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  4,  1861.  Taken 
prisoner,  Dec.  24,  1862.  Returned  to  regiment  Nov.  11,  1863.  Discharged  Aug.  15. 
1865. 

Rice,  Daniel  P.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Sept.  19,  1861. 

Rymer,  Henry  A.  Drafted  from  Sheridan.  Mustered  in  Nov.  9,  1863.  Assigned 
to  Co."l.     Mustered  out  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Sayles,  Lyman.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1861. 

Schuyler,  Peter  A.  Entered  service  at  organization  as  Adjutant,  September. 
1861.  Captain,  April  11,  1865.  Prisoner,  Dec.  26,  1862.  Resigned  and  honorably 
discharged,   Sept.    23,   1864. 

Slaney,  Edward  H.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  1,  1861.  De- 
serted Aug.  30,  1862. 

Smith,  Benjamin  F.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  10,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Oct.  22.  1864. 

Smith,  Gabriel.  Companv  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Prisoner, 
Dec.    26,    1864. 

Smith.  James.  C  )mpany  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Discharsjed 
Aug.   16,   1864. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOrX  COINTY  r,59 

Smith,  Masuu  F.  Cunij.anv  M.  Kniistcl  :it  Maisliall,  Si'iil.  l'.  iMil.  Sa.i.llor. 
Deserted    Oft.    IS,    lMi4. 

Snjiler,  Jai-ob.  Drafted  from  Marshall.  Mustered  Xov.  14,  ISG:!.  .\ssit;nc.l  to 
Company  L.     Died  in  service  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  4,  1861. 

Spauldiiig,  Albert  -M.  Company  .M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  .Sept.  lii.  l.Stil. 
Mortally  wounded  in  aetion  at  Chiekamauga,  Ga.,  Scjit.  L'O  and  died  Sept.  :;;i,   1863. 

Stampfler,  Lorentz.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1861.  Ser- 
geant, March  15,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Aug.  17,  186.'). 

Struble,  Emery  R.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Sept.  IL',  1S61.  Mustered  out  .\ug. 
17,  1865. 

Sutherland,  Thomas.  Company  M.  Eulisted  at  Marsliall,  Sept.  IL'.  1861. 
Taken  prisoner,  Dec.  26,   1864. 

Sweeney,  Erank.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861.  Quarter  Master  Ser- 
geant, February,  1863.  Taken  prisoner  at  Chiekamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863.  Dis- 
charged Jan.   26,   1865. 

Sykes,  Joseph  T.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Clarence,  Sept.  2,  1861.     Sergeant. 

Tone,  Charles  E.  Company  M.  Enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.  Prisoner,  June,  1865. 
Discharged  June  28,  1865. 

Travis,  Stephen  B.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,  1861. 

Tyler,    George   A.      Company   M.      Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Sept.    2,   1861. 

Van  Gordon,  Abram  D.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  as  First  Lieutenant 
Company  M,  Aug.  24,  1861.     Cashiered  by  General  Court  Martial,  Nov.  21,  1863. 

Wallace,  Franklin  S.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1861.  Com- 
missary Sergeant,  March  15,  1865.     Discharged  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Walt,  or  Wat,  Johnston.  Company  M.  Enlisted  as  a  Farrier  at  Marshall,  Sept. 
13,  1861.  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1864.  Second  Lieutenant,  July  3l,  1864.  Discharged 
.A.ug.  17,  1865. 

Walter,  Charles  F.     ((iiuiiany   M.      Kiilisted  at   Marshall,  Aug.   14,  1862. 

Walz.  William.  CoMipanv  M.  Kiilisted  at  Marshall,  Se|>t.  12,  1861.  Dis- 
charged June  20.  I860. 

Waterman,  Lewis.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Prisoner, 
Dec.   26,   1862.     Corporal.     Discharged   Oct.   8,   1864. 

Whitman,  Charles  H.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  4,  1864. 
Drowned  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  6,  1864. 

Wickham,  William.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Newton,  Sept.  5,  1861. 

William,  Marcus.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  5,   1861. 

Wilton,  Charles.     Substitute  from  Albion.     Unassigned.     Mustered  Nov.  9,  1863. 

"Woodruff,  Henry.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  3,  1861.  First 
Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864.     Transferred  to  136th  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  June  22,  1865. 

The  Third  Michigan  Cavalry 

was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  during  the  month  of  September,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  into  tlie  TTnited  States  service  on  the  4th  of  October, 
following.  Its  service  was  almost  wholly  in  the  southwest,  in  armies 
commanded  respectivel.v  by  Generals  Pope,  Grant,  Sherman  and  Canby, 
It  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  the  la.st  of  the  Confederate  troops 
under  General  "Dick"  Taylor.  The  regiment,  while  not  in  the  public 
eye  as  nuich  as  some  olhcrs.  did  faithfully  and  well  the  tasks  assigned. 

Total  enrollment.  2,264. 

Killed  in  action,  24. 

Died  of  wounds  received  in  action,  !). 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  8. 

Died  of  disease  contracted  in  the  .service,  -V-i'-i. 

Discharged   for  disability.  319. 


560  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Calhoun  County  Soldiers 

The  following  from  Calhoun  county  served  in  the  Third  Cavalry. 

Andrews,  Hezekiah.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  6,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Aug.  3,  1863. 

Beaver,  Watson  H.  Company  C.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Oct.  16,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1865. 

Buriingame,    Everett.      Company   E.      Enlisted   Jan.   27,   1864. 

Chapman,  Jefferson.    Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  29,  1864. 

Colby,  Orlando  F.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Oct.  3,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Jan.   12,  1863. 

Dye,  William  F.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Jan.  27,  1864.  Mustered 
out  Feb.  12,  1866. 

Fiero,  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  5,  1864.  Mustered 
out  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Feb.  12,  1866. 

Halladay,  Calvin.    Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Havens,  Perry.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,   Oct.  6,   1862. 

Kocher,  Joel.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  19,  1863.  Mustered 
out  Feb.  12,  1866. 

Levels,  William.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  O.ct.  1,  1861. 

McCamley,  Chauncey.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  20,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out  Feb.  12,  1866.     Corporal. 

Markham,   Martin.     Company  F.     Enlisted  Sept.   16,  1861.     Corporal. 

Ransom,  Sanford  J.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  2,  1864. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  12,  1866. 

Sweet,  William  A.,  Jr.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Sept.  2,  1861. 
Mustered  out  Feb.  12,  1866. 

Thomas,  John   P.     Company  A.     Enlisted   Feb.   29,   1864. 

Wiselogel,  William  F.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Aug.  14,  1862. 
Mustered   out   Oct.    13,   1865. 

The  Fourth  INIichigan  Cavalry 

was  organized  in  Detroit  during  the  summer  of  1862  and  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  on  the  29th  of  August  of  that  year.  It 
was  a  part  of  the  famous  Minty's  brigade  and  its  service  was  almost 
entirely  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  part  it  took  in  the 
capture  of  Jefferson  Davis  and  his  party  near  Brownsville,  Georgia,  on  the 
morning  of  May  10th,  1865,  carried  its  name  and  fame  even  beyond  the 
seas.  Among  the  128  men  who  effected  the  capture,  Calhoun  county 
was  represented  in  the  person  of  Private  Luke  M.  Thayer,  of  Homer. 
The  Fourth  had: 

Total  enrollment,  2,006. 

Killed  in  action,  30. 

Died  of  wounds,   15. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  7. 

Died  of  disease,  283. 

Discharged  for  disability,  230. 

County  Representation 

The  following  members  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry  were  from  Calhoun 
county : 

Bailey,  Joseph  B.     Company  M.     Enlisted  from  Tekonsha,  Dec.  4,  18G3. 
Craig,   Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  ilarshall,  Aug.  15,   1862. 


HISTORY  OP  CALTlorX  t'OfXTY  r,Gl 

Ford.  Allen  M.  Conipany  L.  Unilted  Iroiii  J,eo  toHusbi|i.  Miislrroil.  Oct.  30, 
1863.     Killed  in  action  at  Lattinier's  Mills,  Ga.,  June  20,  18G4. 

Hewitt,  Sereaueas  E.  Company  J.  Enlisted  Ang.  12,  1862.  Sergeant.  Wonndcd 
in  action,    Oce.  26,   1862. 

Packard,  Benjamin    !•".     Company  I.     Enlisted   from  Burlington,  Aug.  S,   1862. 

Sechlar,  Armon  M.  Company  1.  Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Aug.  12,  1862. 
died  in  service,  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Sechlar,   Ashle  G.     Company   I.     Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Aug.  9,   1862. 

Sechlar,  George   E.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Aug.   12,   1862. 

Sutton,  Theodore  W.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1862. 
Quarter  JIaster  Sergeant.  Wounded  in  action,  Dec.  31,  1862.  First  Lieutenant, 
Feb.  25,  1864.     Killed  at  Lattimer's  Mills,  Ga.,  June  26,  1864. 

Thayer,  Luke  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Homer,  Aug.  6.  1862.  Farrier. 
Mustered  out  July  1,   1865. 

Wheeler,  William.  Drafted  from  Lee  township.  Mustered  Dec  4,  1863.  Com- 
pany  D.     Mustered  out  July   10,   1865. 

Wines,  William  H.  Drafted  from  Sheridan.  Mustered  in,  Oct.  30,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

The  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry 

was  organized  in  August,  1862.  It  was  assigned  to  duty  with  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  where  it  was  a  part  of  the  famous  "Michigan  Brigade." 
Its  mortality  list  is  the. best  commentary  on  the  fighting  qualities  of  the 
regiment. 

Total  enrollment,  1,866. 

Killed  in  action,  101. 

Died  of  wounds,   24. 

Died  while  prisoners  of  war,  69. 

Died  of  disease,  109. 

Discharged  for  disability,   196. 

The  following  from  Calhoun  county  served  with  this  heroic  regiment. 

Barber,  Caswell.  Company  JI.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Feb.  14.  1865.  Discharaied 
Aug.  24,  1865. 

Carey,  Jesse.  Company  C.  Enliste<l  at  Marshall,  Aug.  Ui,  1862.  Deserted 
Sept.  27,   1862. 

Esch,  George.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Nov.  7,  1862. 

Grimes,  Isham.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  3,  1862.  I'risoner, 
March   2,   1864.     Corporal,   April   27,   1865. 

Howard,  James  G.  Company  K.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Aug.  29.  1S62.  Ciirpnral. 
Mustered  out  June  25,  1865. 

Marshall,  Paden.  Company  C.  Enlisted  Feb.  15,  1S65.  I)lsrhiirf,'cil  .Iniic  3u, 
1866. 

Miller,  John.     Company  A.     Enlisted  Feb.   15,   1865. 

Moore,  Henry  E.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Aug.  21,  isili'.  .Mnstcreil 
out  June  19,  1860. 

Townsend,  George  P.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Aug.  21,  1S62.  Cor- 
poral.    Mustered  out  June  11,  1865." 

In  The  Sixth  Michigan  Cavalry 

Calhoun  county  had  no  organization,  and  but  one  commissioned 
officer,  but  it  did  have  quite  a  large  contingent  of  enlisted  men.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Grand  Rapids, 
October,  13.  1862.     The  winter  of  1862-63  was  spent  in  the  vicinity  of 


562  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Washington,  D.  C.  On  the  12th  of  December  the  Michigan  Brigade 
was  formed,  being  made  up  of  the  5th,  6th,  and  7th  regiments  of  cavalry. 
Later  the  1st  Cavalry  was  assigned  to  this  brigade,  June  29,  1863. 
George  A.  Custer,  who  had  but  recentlj'  been  appointed  from  a  captain 
in  the  regular  army  to  brigadier  general  of  Volunteers,  was  assigned 
to  command  the  Michigan  Cavalry  Brigade.  From  that  day  forward  the 
fame  of  the  brigade  and  its  commander  are  inseparably  interwoven.  It 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  Sixth  did  its  full  share  in  establishing 
the  high  reputation  of  the  organization  as  a  fighting  machine.  Hiram 
F.  Hale,  of  Battle  Creek,  was  the  first  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  In 
March,  1864,  he  was  promoted  to  major  and  paymaster.  United  States 
Volunteers. 

After  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army  at  Appomattox,  and  participation 
in  the  grand  review,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  far  west,  where 
it  was  held  in  service  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  it  was  mustered 
out,  paid  ofi*,  and  disbanded. 
Total  enrollment,  1,838. 

Killed  in  action  and  died  of  wounds,  121. 

Died  in  Audersonville  prison,  65. 

Died  in  other  places,  prisoners  of  war,  42.  , 

Wounded  in  action,  214. 

Died  of  disease,  132. 

Discharged  for  disability,  150. 

From  the  County 

Beauregard,  Oliver.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  22,  1865. 
Discharged  March  10,  1866. 

Bender,  John.  Company  H.  Enlisted  Jan.  27,  1864.  Mustered  out  March  10, 
1866. 

Clark,  George  W.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  6,  1865.  Dis- 
charged June  27,  1865. 

Cliff,  John  H.  Company  G.  Enlisted  March  14,  1865.  Discharged  March  25, 
1866. 

Doty,  Eoswell  O.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  22,  1865.  Dis- 
charged June  21,  1865. 

Fisher,  Samuel  E.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  27,  1865. 
Discharged  April  14,   1866. 

Goodrich,  Chester  M.  Company  C.  Enlisted  March  25,  1865,  at  Battle  Creek. 
Discharged  July  3,  1865. 

Gore,  John  C.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Boy,  Aug.  26,  1862.  Sergeant, 
Aug.  1,  1865.     Mustered  out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Gore,  William.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,   Sept.  3,   1862. 

Hale,  Hiram  F.  Entered  service  as  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant.  Com- 
missioned, Oct.  15,  1862.     Major  and  Paymaster,  March  18,  1864. 

Hosmer,  George  M.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Koy,  Aug.  19,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  Jan.  31,  1863. 

Joslyn,  Joel.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  26,  1862. 

Lee,  William.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  27,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Nov.  17,  1S65. 

Main,  John  L.  Company  L.  Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Miller,  Charles  J.  Company  C.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  25,  1865. 
Discharged  July  10,  1865. 

Miller,  Foster  D.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  25,  1865.  Died- 
in  service,  June  6,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY  TiGS 

Murphy,  James  A.     (.onipauy  K.     Enlistoil  at   Lf  Koy,  Jan.  o,  1SG4. 

Paul,  ilomer  J.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Hattle  Creek,  March  25,  1865.  Dis- 
charged March  31,  1866. 

Peck,  Perrin  M.  Conipanv  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  22,  1865.  Dis- 
charged Nov.  24.  1865. 

Quigley,  William.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall.  Jan.  20,  lSr,4.  Mus- 
tered  out   March    25,   1866. 

Seeley,  Miles  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  Aug.  2n,  1S62.  Hospital  Steward, 
July  1,  1865.     Mustered  out  Nov.  7,  1865. 

Shepard,  Alfred.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Hattle  Creek,  March  25,  1,S65.  Ser- 
geant.    Discharged  March  24,  1866. 

Smith,  Arthur  D.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .March  24,  1865. 
Mustered  out  March  10,  1866. 

Stephens,  Charles  H.  Cumpanv  ("i.  Enliste.l  at  Battle  Creek,  Marc'h  6,  1S65. 
Mustered   out   Feb.   5,    1866. 

Sweet,  Elmer.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Hattle  Creek,  March  26.  1S65.  Dis- 
charged March  31,  1866. 

Thomson,  John  C.  Companv  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  25,  1865. 
Mustered  out  March  14,   1866. 

Van  Force,  George  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Aug.  26,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Falling  Waters,  "Md.,  Jan.  14,  1863.  Died  in  Andersonville 
prison,  Sept.  27,  1864. 

Webster,  Jesse.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1862. 

Wright,  Morris,  E.  N.  Cuniianv  B.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  22,  1865. 
Mustered  out  JIarch  10,  1866. 

The  Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry 

had  a  relatively  large  uiimber  of  men  in  it  from  Calhoun  county.  Le 
Roy,  Burlington,  Pennfield,  Newton,  Athens,  ^Marengo,  Sheridan,  Em- 
met, Bedford,  and  Marshall.  Battle  Creek,  Albion  and  Homer  were 
all  represented  in  the  ranks. 

For  some  reason  that  does  not  appear  in  the  books,  the  county  liad 
but  one  commissioned  officer  at  the  organization,  those  who  became  such 
later,  won  their  way  up  from  the  ranks.  George  G.  Briggs.  of  Battle 
Creek,  entered  the  regiment  at  24  years  of  age  as  first  lieutenant. 
He  made  an  exceptionally  fine  record  and  gradually  advanced  through 
the  various  grades  until  on  May  25,  1865,  he  was  commissioned  colonel 
and  commanded  the  regiment  most  efficiently  both  before  and  after 
the  date  last  mentioned.  He  was  repeatedly  mentioned  by  his  superior 
officers  in  the  most  complimentary  terms.  Major  General  McCook, 
commanding  the  defences  of  Wasliington  against  the  attack  of  the 
Confederate  General  Early,  speaks  of  the  handsome  manner  in  which 
"the  dismounted  cavalry  divi.sion  under  command  of  Ma.ior  George 
G.  Briggs.  of  the  Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  forced  back  the  enemy  and 
well  esta))lished  our  lines." 

Ma.jor  General  Devens,  first  cavalry  division,  in  his  icpoit  of  the 
operations  preceding  and  attending  the  surrender  at  A|)pomattox, 
mentions  Lieutenant  Colonel  Briggs  as  "conspicuous  for  gallant  serv- 
ices  in   the   late   engagements"   and   deserving   of   "special   mention." 

Erastus  B.  Crocker,  of  Le  Roy,  entered  the  Seventh  as  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  and  came  out  a  captain.  He  too,  received  complimentary 
mention  by  his  division  commander  for  "efficient"  services  rendered. 


564  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

James  B.  Loomis  was  another  Calhoun  county  man  who  won  his  way  from 
the  ranks  to  a  captaincy.  Charles  M.  Holton,  of  Battle  Creek,  and  Calvin 
C.  House  of  Albion,  also  changed  their  muskets  for  swords;  straps  on 
the  shoulders  taking  the  place  of  stripes  on  the  arms. 

The  Seventh  Cavalry  had  its  camps  of  instruction  at  Grand  Rapids. 
It  was  mustered  in  by  battalions  at  different  times.  The  first  leaving 
the  state  in  February,  1863,  and  the  others  following  in  May.  The  regi- 
ment became  a  part  of  the  ' '  Michigan  Brigade ' '  of  which  we  have  made 
previous  mention.  Its  gallant  deeds  helped  to  make  resplendent  the 
lustrous  page  on  which  is  told  the  story  of  that  historic  organization. 
During  its  term  of  service  it  carried  on  its  rolls  the  names  of  1,779 
officers  and  men.  Of  these,  49  officers  and  men  fell  in  battle;  26  died 
of  wounds,  247  died  of  disease. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  men,  alphabetically 
arranged,  who  served  in  this  regiment  from  Calhoun  county: 

List  op  Seventh  C.walrvmen 

Abbott,  Charles  O.  Company  G.  Knlisted  from  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  18G2.  De- 
serted same  day  he  enlisted. 

Adams,  Oscar  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  8,  186:2.  Cor- 
poral.    Killed  in  action  at  Tervillion  Station,  Va.,  June  12,   1864. 

Allen,  Almon  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Annabel,  Edwin.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Aug.  24,  1864. 

Anthony,  Henry  L.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Sept.  18,  1862. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Bucklands  Mills,  Va.  Sergeant,  Oct.  31,  1864.  Mustered  out 
as   Eirst  Sergeant,   Dec.   15,  1865. 

Barnett,  William.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Aug.  14,  1863.  Dis- 
charged July  10,  1865. 

Barnhart,  Laban  E.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  March  7,  1865.  Mus- 
tered out  Aug.  9,   1865. 

Beardslee,  Clark  H.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dec.  30,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner,  June  11,  1864.     Discharged  jS^ov.  21,  1865. 

Beekwith,' Charles.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  10,  1865. 

Beers,  Rufus.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Sept.  13,  1862.  Clustered 
out  Dec.  15,  1865. 

Bennett,  Benjamin.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dec.  30,  1862. 
Teamster. 

Bills,  John  H.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  8,  1865.  Musteerd 
out  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Bonnell,  Charles  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Bedford.  Sept.  6,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Dec.  15,  1865. 

Bradley,  Randall  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Sept.  13,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  April   10,  1863. 

Brears,  Thomas  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1864. 
Discharged  June  28,  1865. 

Briggs,  George  G.  Company  A.  First  Lieutenant  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug. 
15,  lS(i2.  Prisoner  at  Buckland  Mills,  Va.,  Oct.  19,  1863.  Captain,  March  23, 
1864.  Major,  May  19,  1864.  Lieutenant,  Oct.  12,  1864.  Mustered  out  Feb.  12, 
1865. 

Brininstool,  Aloiizo.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmett,  Nov.  7,  1862.  Jhis- 
tered  out  Dee.  15,  1865. 

Broadwell,  Benjamin  F.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  10,  1865. 
Discharged   March  9,    1866. 

Brownell,  Horace  R.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Sept.  6,  1862.  Missing 
in  action  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 

Burlingham,  Joseph.     Company  A.     Knlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  7,  1862. 


IIJSTORY  OF  CAI.IIOIX  COINTV 


:)tio 


Coulin,    J.iliii.      I  uin|p:iiiv    A.       Kiilislcil    I'n.ri]    I  !i'.lt,.r.i,    Sci.l.    s.     I  siJi' 

Cook,  Kenjainii.  H.  (  „iii|,ai.v  (I.  Knlisi,..!  al  Alhion.  MmivI,  il.' Iscr,. '  Miistcreil 
out  March  lU,  ISliti. 

Cook,  John  X.  r,„„,,:,„v  (I.  Kniistnl  :,t  Albion.  .March  10,  lS(i.-,.  DischarL'ed 
May  11,  186(j.  " 

Cory,  Ary.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  JS,  1865. 

Cotton,  John.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  17,  186L'. 

Crane,  Stephen  A.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  8,  1862. 

Crocker.  Erastus  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Sept.  8,  ISGl'.  Cap- 
tain, .May  L'li,  1865.  ^.       f        .  l 

Croinan.  William.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  20,  186L'.  Died  of 
nonncis   received   in   action   at   Brandy   Station,   Va.,   Oct.    11,    1863. 

Oossett,  Gordon  D.  Company  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  :;3,  1865.  Mus- 
tered out  Feb.  22,  1866. 

Davis,  William  D.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Boy,  Sept.  13,  1862.     Wagoner. 

Dockstader,  Alexander.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Sept.  1,  1862. 

Dumphrey,  Edwin.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle"  Creek,  Sept.  9,  1862. 
Mortally  wounded  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Sept.  19,  1864. 

Eastman,  Daniel.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1864 
-Mustered  out  March  10,  1866. 

Eddy,  .James.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  20,   1865. 

Eddy,   William  P.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Edwards,  .lames  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  13,  1862.  Corporal 
.Mustered  out   Dec.   15,  1865.  '^ 

Ellis,  Abraham  H.     Company  C.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  20,  1865. 

Ewing,  Horace,  H.  C.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  11,  1862. 

Fabrick,  Delos  H.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  6,  1865. 

Fisher,  John  K.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Newton,  Sept.  20,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 

Flanigan,  John.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dee.  17,  1862. 

Godsmark,  George  A.  Company  F.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Dec.  25  1862. 
Wounded  in  action  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863.  ' 

Gorham,  Warren.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Graham,  James  P.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  2  1865  Dis- 
charged June  20,  1865. 

Greenleaf,  Joseph.    Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Hall,  Hascall  B.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Hanney,  George  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Sept.  10,  1862.  Ser- 
geant, Oct.  31,  1864.     Prisoner,  March,  1865. 

Hathaway,  Giles  B.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Oct.  15,  1862. 

Hazen,  William  0.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  22,'  1865. 

Herrington,  Casper  G.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Herrington,  Edmund.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  25,  1865. 

Hoag,  Robert.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dec   1,   1862. 

Holton,  Charles  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sent.  4,  186". 
First  Lieutenant,  May  24,  1865. 

Horseh,  Peter.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Sept.  23,   1862.     Bugler. 

House,  Calvin  C.  Company  G.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  Sept.  7,  1S64  Second 
Lieutenant,  Oct.  1.3,  1S64. 

Howe,  Freeman  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Athens,  Sept.  7,  1862. 

Hunt.  Oscar.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Sept.  10,  1862.     Corporal. 

Jimmerson,  John.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Johnson,  Charles  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  25,  1865. 

Jones,  .James.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2o',  1862. 

Kennady,  Henry.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  17,  1865. 

Keyes,  James  G.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  8,  1864. 

Knight,  Willaim  H.  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Newton.  Oct."  2  1862  Ser- 
geant, May  1,  1864.  ' 

Lake,  John  W.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmett,  Oct.  18,  1S62.  Killed  in 
action  at  Howes  Shop,  Va.,  May  28,  1S64. 


566  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Lamb,  Isaac  M.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  15,  1865.  Discharged 
April  14,  1866. 

Lee,  Cauncey  L.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Le  Boy,  Aug.  20,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  June  20,  1863. 

Loomis,  James  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  4,  1862  as 
Sergeant.     Captain,  May  24,  1865. 

Lowell,  James.  Company  E.  EnUsted  at  Le  Koy,  Sept.  1,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Yellow  Tavern,  Va.,  May  11,  1864.  Died  in  Andersonville,  Aug.  11, 
1864. 

Mack,  Edward  C.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Meach,  Charles  K.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  20,  1862.  Died  in 
service.  May  7,  1863. 

Mingo,  James  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  1,  1865.  Died  in 
service,  Oct.  7,  1865. 

Mingus,  John.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  11,  1862.  Deserted 
Oct.   25,   1862. 

Moulton,  Erederick,  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  23,  1865.  Deserted 
June  27,  1865. 

Muffley,  Charles.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  11,  1865.  Mustered 
cut  March  10,  1866. 

Muflfy,  Joseph.  Companv  L.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  14,  1865.  Discharged 
Dec.  8,  1865. 

Nay,  Harman.  Company  E.  Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Xov.  4,  1862.  Missing  at 
Hagerstown,  Md.,  July  6,  1863. 

Neai,  Eufus  J.  Company  E.  Corporal.  Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  20,  1862. 
Sergeant,  March  10,  1863. 

Nichols,  Marion  L.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Sept.  16,  1862. 

Overy,  Charles,  Jr.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  20,  1865. 

Paul,  John.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  March  9,  1865. 

Pelott,  or  Eylott,  Gabriel  P.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Emmett,  Feb.  26,  1864. 

Perrine,  Gilbert.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Emmett,  Sept.  3,  1862  as  Cor- 
poral.    Sergeant,  May  1,  1865. 

Phillips,  Mortimer.     Company  H.     Enlisted  Dec.  1,  1862,  at  Battle  Creek. 

Pierce,  Sidney  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  8,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner,  Oct.  19,  1862.     Died  at  Eichmond,  Va.,  Feb.  11,  1864. 

Quick,  James  D.     Company  E.     EnUsted  from  Sheridan,  Jan.  2,  1863.     Corporal. 

Boss,  John.  Company  F.  Saddler.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dee.  29,  1862. 
Deserted  Feb.  27,  1863. 

Bussell,   Samuel.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at. Albion,  March  13,  1865. 

Shafer,  Charles  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  18,  1864. 
Killed  in  action  at  Winchester,  Va.,  September,  1864. 

Shepley.  William  C.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  March  9,  1865. 

Simonds,  John.     Company  I.    Unlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  12,  1865. 

Streeter,  Eay  T.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Greek,  Sept.  26,  1862. 

Stringham,  William  P.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Titus,  Allen  O.     Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dec.  15,  1862. 

Underdunk,  Charles  C.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  28,  1865. 

XJnderdunk,  Frank.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  23,  1865  . 

Van  Horn,  Sextus  N.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  23,  1865. 

Walling,  Pitts  I.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Sept.  12,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863.     Died  of  disease,  June,  1864. 

Wattles,  Victor  C.  Company  L.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  28,  1865. 
Corporal,  May  1,  1865. 

Wilber,  Lewis.     Company  E.    Enlisted  at  Le  Boy,  Aug.  20,  1862. 

Wilcox,  Charles.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  22,  1862.  Missing 
in  action  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,   1863. 

Williams,  Dexter.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Wilt,  Joseph.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Dee.  29,  1862.  Deserted 
Feb.  12,  1863. 

Wolcott,  Orson  J.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Le  Eoy,  Aug.  20.  1S62. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  atiV 

Woleott,  Warron  J.     Company  F.     Enlisted  from  Le  Eoy,  Feb.  16,  186:i. 
Yolter,    William.     Cumpanv   II.     Enlisted   from   Sheridan,    Dec.   :2!l,    ISOl'.      Do- 
sirtod   Fob.   12,  IS6.3. 

The  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry 

Rendezvoused  at  Mount  Clemens.  Kecmiting  for  this  regiment 
began  in  August,  1862,  hut  was  not  completed  and  the  entire  regi- 
ment mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  until  May,  1863.  The 
Eighth  came  into  general  and  favorable  notice  in  the  pursuit  and  cap- 
ture of  a  portion  of  the  Morgan  raiders  in  their  march  through  Indiana 
and  into  Ohio  in  the  month  of  July,  1863.  At  Buffiugton  Island  Ford, 
there  was  a  sharp  encounter  resulting  in  the  surrender  to  the  8th 
Mich.  Cavalry  "of  Col.  Springer  of  Morgan's  command  and  573  pris- 
oners with  their  horses  and  equipments."  Among  the  wounded  in 
this  aifair  were  Sergeant  Edgar  A.  Keasler  of  Marshall  and  Corporal 
James  Reed  of  Marengo,  both  of  whom  were  mentioned  by  name  in 
Lieut.  Col.  Warner's  report. 

After  the  capture  of  Morgan  and  his  command,  the  regiment  returned 
to  Kentucky  and  in  the  fall  of  1863  entered  east  Tennessee  and  spent 
the  following  winter  in  that  section.  Because  of  a  lack  of  food  and 
clothing  and  tents  for  the  men  and  of  provender  for  the  animals,  soldiers 
and  horses  alike  endured  much  sutfering  during  that  extremely  cold 
winter.  The  Eighth  was  with  the  army  under  Sherman  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  with  the  forces  under  Thomas  which  sought  to  resist 
the  northern  advance  of  the  Confederates,  under  Hood.  After  the  des- 
truction of  Hood's  army  in  the  winter  of  1864  and  '65,  the  regiment 
remained  on  duty  in  Tennessee  until  September,  when  it  was  mustered 
out  and  returned  to  Jackson,  Michigan,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  dis- 
banded September  28,  1865. 

Calhoun  county  had  about  150  men  in  the  Eighth  Cavalry.  To 
siiow  how  very  generally  the  county  was  drawn  upon  for  recuits  it  is 
only  necessary  to  say  that  Albion,  Marshall,  Battle  Creek,  Clarence, 
Clarendon,  Convis,  Fredonia,  Pk-kford,  Tekonsha,  Homer,  Burlington, 
Marengo,  Emmet  and  Sheridan  were  all  represented.  Tliese  men 
were  nearly  or  quite  all  in  Company  A,  wliich  was  officered  by  William 
L.  Buck,  of  Marshall,  captain;  James  A.  Strong,  Burlington,  first  lieu- 
tenant and  Erwin  Ellis,  Burlington,  second  lieutenant. 

William  L.  Buck  entered  at  the  organization,  Oct.  28,  1862,  as  first 
lieutenant  and  Nov.  1st  was  commissioned  captain.  He  was  wounded  in 
action,  Oct.  26,  1863,  and  again  November  23,  1864.  Was  a  prisoner 
from  Aug.  3,  1864,  until  Sept.  28,  when  he  was  exchanged.  Was  made 
a  major,  April,  1864.  and  lieutenant  colonel.  December  31,  1864. 

James  Strong  was  a  young  man  of  23  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Second 
Cavalry,  Sept.  2,  1861.  He  was  sergeant  major  and  second  lietitenant 
in  the  Second  regiment.  He  resigned  in  Oct.,  1862,  and  in  tlie  following 
November,  reentered  the  service  as  first  lieutenant,  Company  A,  of  the 
Eighth.  Was  commissioned  captain  in  Aug.,  1863,  and  major.  Dec. 
1,  1864. 

Nov.  20.  1864.  Major  General  Schofiehl  rejiortiiig  from  Pulaski.  Teiin.. 
to    (ien.    ThoniMS.    then    at    Nashville,    said:    "T'aptain    Strong.    Ei<:hth 


568  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Michigan   Cavalry,   at  Lawrenceburg,   had  heard  nothing  of  Forest's 
advance  this  morning."     The  same  day  Sehofield  sent  the  following; 

"Headquarters,  Army  of  the  Ohio,  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  Nov.  20, 1864,  Capt. 
James  A.  Strong,  Eighth  Mich.  Cavalry,  Lawrenceburg :  I  have  just 
received  your  dispatch  of  this  morning.  Look  out  sharply  for  Forrest, 
and  inform  me  and  Col.  Capron  of  any  movement  you  may  discover. 
General  Hatcli  reports  that  Forest  was  advancing  towards  Lawrence- 
burg yesterday.  Send  the  accompanying  dispatch  to  Col.  Capron  at  once 
by  the  shortest  and  safest  route.  For  greater  security  it  will  be  well  to 
send  a  party  of  men  with  it.  Col.  Capron  is  ordered  to  move  back  toward 
Mount  Pleasant  as  far  as  the  intersection  of  the  Lawrenceburg  road. 

"Respectfully,  J.  M.  Schofield,  Major  General" 

Tiie  next  day  Strong  sent  the  following: 

"Near  Lawrenceburg,  Tenn.,  Nov.  21,  1864 — 9  P.  ^L,  Jlajor  General 
Schofield,  Army  of  the  Ohio.  Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  couriers 
from  Col.  H.  Capron  just  arrived  from  Waynesborough ;  left  that  place 
about  2  P.  ]\I.,  this  day,  met  couriers  with  your  orders,  dated  yesterday, 
five  miles  this  side  Waynesborough,  also  a  squad  of  couriers  from  Colum- 
bia with  orders  for  Colonel  Capron,  three  miles  this  side  of  Waynes- 
borough (General  Hatch's  command  is  at  that  place),  last  evening 
between  eight  and  nine  o'clock.  Sent  corporal  and  five  men  through 
to  you  with  dispatches;  have  not  heard  from  him  since.  The  squad 
that  brought  first  dispatch  yesterday,  lost  two  men,  rear  guard;  can 
give  no  account  of  them.     The  dispatch  came  through  all  right. 

"I  am.  General,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"James  Strong, 
"Captain  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  Commanding  Couriers." 

The  above  correspondence  taken  from  the  "Rebellion  Records" 
published  by  the  War  Department  reveals  in  a  striking  manner  the 
position  of  responsibility  to  which  Captain  Strong  had  attained  and 
the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  General  Schofield  at  a  most  critical 
time.  It  was  known  that  Forest  and  Hood  were  moving  northward,  but 
with  great  caution.  Nine  days  later,  November  30,  1864,  Schofield 
fought  the  battle  of  Franklin,  one  of  the  severest  struggles  of  the 
whole  war. 

Spencer  Dibble,  who  was  sergeant  in  Company  A  at  the  organiza- 
tion, was  coDunissioned  first  lieutenant,  June  3,  1864.  He  died  in 
the  service  the  following  May. 

Jerome  B.  Warner,  ^Marshall,  rose  from  first  sergeant  to  captain. 
The  Eighth  had 

Total  Enrollment,  2,152. 

Killed  in  action,  21. 

Died  of  wounds,  8. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  67. 

Died  of  disease,  88. 

Discharged  for  disability,  197. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIIOT'X  ('OFXTY  569 

List  of  C.m.iioun  (.'ouxty  Men 

Allen,  James  P.     Compauy  E.     Eulisted  from  Claremlou,   Dec.  10,  I861;. 

Alden,  Mathew  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  1862. 

Bailey,  Charles.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  1862.  Prisoner, 
Nov.  6,  1863.  Returned  to  regiment,  February,  1864.  Corporal.  Wounded  Aug. 
2,  1864.     JIustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Bailey,  William  E.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Nov.  21,  1862.  Cor- 
poral, September,  1863.     Prisoner,  September,  1863  to  April  25,  1865. 

Baker,  Jacob.  Company  D.  Enlisted  from  JIarshall,  April  4,  1865.  Substitute 
for  George  E.  Draker.     Saddler. 

Baker,  Tinbrook.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  15,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Barden.  Henry  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Eekford,  Dee.  19,  1862.  Prisoner,- 
Dec.  25,  1863  till  Feb.  20,  1864.     Lieutenant  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  Feb.  24,   1864. 

Barnes,  William  E.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Eekford,  Dec.  13,  1862. 
Quarter  Master  Sergeant,  June  30,   1865. 

Benjamin,  Harvey.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Fredouia,  Dec.  15,  1862. 
Missing  on  Stoneman's  Raid,  Aug.  3,  1864  till  April  10,  1865. 

Booth,  George  M.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  19,  1864. 

Boners,  John  G.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  12,  1862.  Prisoner 
from  Nov.  6,  1863  until  Feb.  6,  1864.  Corporal,  August,  1864.  Died  in  Service, 
Jan.  1,  1865. 

Bragshaw,  David.     Company  Jl.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Aug.  29,  1864. 

Brower,  Hiram  O.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  27,  1862. 

Bronn.  Andrew.     Company  A.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   March   27,   1865. 

Buck,  William  L.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  as  Second  Lieutenant  Company 
A,  Oct.  28,  1862.  Captain,  Nov.  1,  1862.  Wounded  in  action,  Oct.  26,  1863.  Major, 
April  6,  1864.  Prisoner,  Aug.  3,  1864  until  Sept.  28,  1864.  Wounded  in  action, 
Nov.  23,  1864.     Lieutenant  Coldnel,   Dec.  31,  1864. 

Bush,  Miner.     Ci.nii.ajiy   M.     Knlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Bush,  Thomas  .1.  I'mniiaiiv  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  1862.  Prisoner, 
Nov.  23,  1863.     Died  at  Anders.. nville,  Ga.,  April  8,  1864. 

Carrier,  Orange  A.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Clary,  Thomas.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  29,  1862.  Deserted 
April  15,  1863. 

Clay,  William  C.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  9,  1862. 

ClaytKjn,  Orman.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  18,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Dee.  9,  1864. 

Clint,  Edward.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Marshall  as  Blacksmith,  Nov.  27, 
1862. 

Cone,  Abijah.     Company  il.     Knlistcil  at  Bedfor.l,  Aug.  23,  1864. 

Connelly,  John.  Company  A.  Teamster.  Enlisted  Nov.  29,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Nov.   10,   1864. 

Cook,  Arba  M.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  April  1,  1863. 

Cook,  Charles  R.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Cook,  Charles  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Eekford,  Dec.   16,   1862. 

Cook.  Levi.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  5,  1862. 

Coriell,  Edward  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  6,  1862.  Prisoner, 
Jan.  15,  1864.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga..  April  8,  1864. 

Coriell,  Vincent  V.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  4,  1862.     Corporal. 

Coriell.  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  9,  1862.  Deserted 
Sept.  3,  1863. 

Craig,  Albert.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Dec.  6,  1862. 

Crandall,  Charles  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  8.  1862.  Pris- 
oner from  Nov.  16,  1863  until  Feb.  6.   1864.     Died  in  service,  April  16,  1864. 

Crandall,  William  M.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Cunningham,  Sylvester.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  20,  1862. 
Prisoner,   Nov.   23,   1864.      Discharged, 'June   13,   1865. 


570  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Davis,   Nelson.      Company  A.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Dee.   5,    1862.     Prisoner, 
Nov.  23,  1863.     Died  at  AndersonviUe,  Ga.,  May  24,  1864. 

Dean,  Lorenzo.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.   17,  1862.     Mustered 
out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Dewitt,  Charles  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  S,  1862.     Deserted 
July  20,  1864. 

Dibble,  Luther.      Company  B.     Enlisted  from   Eckford,   Dec.   15,   1862. 

Dibble,  Spencer.     Company  I.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  April  22,  1861.     Lieu- 
tenant, June  3,  1864.     Died  in  service,  May  10,  1865. 

Doty,   John.      Company   A.      Enlisted    from    Eckford,   Dec.   5,    1862.     Sergeant, 
June  30,  1865. 

Driscoll,  Daniel  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Dec.   17,   1862.     Dis- 
charged Aug.  8,  1864  by  reason  of  wounds  received  in  action,  Nov.  18,  1863. 

Dunn,  Ezra.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  1,  1862.     Prisoner,  Sept. 
27,  1863.     No  further  record. 

Dunn,  William  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  2,  1862.     Commis- 
sary Sergeant. 

Ellis,     Erwin.      Company    A.       Entered    service    from    Burlington    as    Second 
Lieutenant,  Nov.  1,   1862. 

Filson,  William  H.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Aug.  18,  1862. 

Fogle,  George.    Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Dec.  25,  1862.     Corporal. 
Prisoner,  Nov.  23',  1864. 

Foley,  David.     Company  B.     Enlisted  from  Homer,  Aug.  3,  1864. 

Foley,  Kiren.     Company  B.     Enlisted  from  Clarendon,  Dee.  25,  1862. 

Foster,  William.     Company  D.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Jan.  6,  1863. 

Gates,  William  H.     Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  8,  1862.     Saddler. 
Died  Sept.  28,  1863. 

Gray,  John.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  2,  1864. 

Griffin,  James  D.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,   1862.     Prisoner, 
Nov.  28,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  13,  1865. 

Hall,   James.      Company   A.      Enlisted    at    Marshall,    Dec    5,    1862.      Sergeant, 
June,  1865. 

Hall,  Timothy  O.     Company  A.     Corporal.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  29,  1862. 
Deserted  March  15,  1863. 

Halsall,  Davis  E.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  5,  1862.     Prisoner. 
Jan.  15,  1864.     Died  at  AndersonviUe,  Ga.,  April  8,  1864. 

Hodgeman,  Clifton  H.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  27,  1862. 

Hoffman,  John.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.  15,  1862.    Prisoner.  .Tan. 
15,  1864  to  May  12,  1865.     Sergeant. 

Hogle,  Andrew  D.     Company  M.     Enlisted  from  Marengo,  April  11,  1863. 

Hogle,  George  A.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  15,  1862.     Corporal. 

Hotchkiss,   Charles.      Company   A.      Enlisted    at   Albion,    Jan.    20,    1862. 

Karcher,   Daniel.      Company   A.     Enlisted   at   Albion,   Dec.    27,    1862. 

Karcher,  William.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  27,  1862.     Bugler. 

Kesler,  Edgar  A.     Company  A.     Enlijted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  2,   1862.     Wounded 
July  29,  1862. 

Kingsell,  Andrew  J.     Unassigned.     Enlisted   at  Bedford,   Aug.   29,   1864.      No 
further  record. 

Kinney,  James.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at   Bedford,   Sept.   12,   1864.     Died  in 
service,  April  4,  1865. 

Lee,  George  W.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  10,  1862. 

Legger,  Henry.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  13,   1862. 
Aug.  3,  1864.     Mustered  out" June   21,   1865. 

Lennon,  John  F.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  March  13,  1863. 
service,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Lennon,  William.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Newton,  March  13,  1863. 

McAllister.  Albert.     Company  E.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Jan.  12,  1863. 
Aug.  12,  1863. 

McGee,  William  D.   Companv   .\.     Enlisted  at   Albion,   De.-.    12,   1^62. 
Dec.    .T    1862. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


571 


Kniistod  at  Albion 


listi.'.! 


De 


It.'cl 


I.S64. 


fiulistcd  at  Bedford,  Aug.  lil),  1864. 
Eulisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  5,  186:.'. 
Eulisted  at  Bedford,  Aug.  L'9,  1864. 


.^rgeant, 


Corpora 


.McKay,   Horatio  A.     fompaiiy 
i'eb.  8,  1863. 

McLoiitb,  Amos.     Company  il. 
April  :;5,  1865. 

Mamie,  Charles.     Compauy  M. 

JMason,  Thomas.     Company  A. 

iMaybee,  Samuel.     Company  JI. 
Jan.  1,  1865. 

Miller,  Charles.     Unassigned.     Enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.     Substitute  for  Nicholas 
Voght  of  Marshall. 

Miller,  Frederick.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  1,  1862. 

Mills,   Isaac.     Company  D.     Enlisted  from   Sheridan,  Dec.   20    186".     Died  iu 
service,  Nov.  26,  1864. 

Moore,  Wilson  B.    Company  E.     Enlisted  from  Emmett,  Dec.  17,  1862. 

Morgan,  William.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Mott,  Edward   B.     Company  K.     Enlisted   at  Bedford,   Feb.   27,   1865. 

Jloyer,  Joseph.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.  16,  1862. 

Murray,  Chester  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  20,   1862.     Quarter 
Master  Sergeant.     Captain  Company  A.     First  Colored  Infantry,  March  24,  1864. 

Nelson,  William.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Pangborn,  Wallis.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  29,  1862.      Deserted 


Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.   19, 


Sergeant. 


Killed    in 


Deserted 


Feb. 

Parr,  Henry  C.     Company  K. 
Second  Lieutenant,  June  21,  1864. 

Parrish,  Samuel.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Jan.  5,  1863. 

Place,  Emory  J.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dee.  24,  1862. 

Pratt,  Warren.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Aug.  23,  1864.  Prisoner, 
Nov.  23,  1864.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Dec.  20,  1864. 

Prior,  James.     Company  A.     Eulisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  1,  1862. 

Eandall,  Wesley.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dee.  24,  1862. 

Rapp,  George.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  8,  1862.  Died  in  service, 
Sept.  1,  1863. 

Ray,    Charles.      Company   A.      Enlisted    at    Albion,    Dec.    16 
action,  Aug.  13,  1864. 

Redmond,  John.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Fredouia,  Dec. 
Dec.  20,  1863. 

Redmond,  Sylvester.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Dec.  5,  1862.  Dis- 
charged June  6,  1865. 

Reed,  James.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  8,  1862.  Wounded 
July  29,  1863.     Sergeant,  August,  1864.     Prisoner  from  Aug.  3,  1864  until  Feb.  20, 

Roberts,  John  L.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  5,  1862.     Sergeant. 

Robinson,  Dewitt  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  6,  1862.  Wounded 
and  missing,  Aug.  3,  1862.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Robinson,  Ferdino  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dec.  26,  1862. 
Killed  in  action  at  Knoxvillc,  Tenn.,  Nov.  18,  1863. 

Rogers,  Anthony.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Sept.  15,  1862.  Quarter 
Master  Sergeant,  March  1,  1865. 

Rogers,  Erastus.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9.  1862.  Prisoner 
from  Nov.  6,  1863  until  Feb.  6,  1864.  Prisoner  again  Aug.  3.  1864.  No  further 
record.  ■ 

Rogers,  Robert.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.  15,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Sept.  28,  1863. 

Root,  Jared.     Company  F.     Eulisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  9,  1862. 

Rothrick,  Ruggles.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Aug.  6,  1864.  Dis- 
charged June  28,  1865. 

Ryan,   Edward.     Company  A.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,  Dec.   12,   1862. 

Schlamb,  Jacob.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.  15,   1862. 

Scott.  George  0.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia.  Dec.  3,  1862.  Sergeant. 
Prisoner,  Aug.  3,  1864  until  April,  1865. 


oTZ 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 


Seott,  George  W.    Company  B.     Enlisted  at  Marshal),  Dee.  S,  IStili. 

Scott,  William  E.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Dee.  1,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  June  12,  1863. 

Seals,  Henry.    Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Dec.  16,  1862. 

Shellingberger,  Daniel.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  24,  1865. 

Showers,  George  H.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.   8,  1862. 

Smith,  Albert.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Clarence,  July  2,  1864.  Died  in 
service,   Feb.    5,    1865. 

Smith,  James.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  11,  1862.  Prisoner 
from  Nov.  6,  1863  until  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Smith,  John.    Company  B.     Enlisted  from  Eckford,  Dee.  30,  1862. 

Smith,  Joseph  L.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  1,  1862.  Sergeant 
Prisoner,  Aug.  3,  1864.     Died  in  service,  Jan.  1,  1865. 

Smith,  Junior  J.  Company  M.  Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  29,  1864.  Prisoner, 
Nov.  23,  1864.     Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Dec.  20,  1864. 

Smith,  Mason  T.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  27,  1862.  Wounded 
in  action,  Aug.  2,  1864. 

Snell,  William.     Company  M.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Aug.  30,  1864. 

Sprague,  Edgar  A.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  4,  1862.  Hos- 
pital  Steward.     Prisoner,  July   31,   1864.     Died   at   Macon,  Ga.,  May  21,  1865. 

Steele,  Stephen.     Company  C.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Aug.  21,  1861. 

Strong,  James.  Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Sergeant  Major. 
Second  Lieutenant,  November,  1861.  First  Lieutenant,  November,  1862.  Captain, 
August,   1863.     Major,  Dee.  1,   1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Swift,  James.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Dee.  12,  1862.  Corporal, 
May,  1865.     Commissionary  Surgeon,  June  3,  1865. 

Talbot,   Richard.     Company    D.      Enlisted   at    Mnishiill.    M.inli   S,    1865. 

Trumbull,  George.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Hui  lin-tun.   I ]],  1862. 

Ulyatt,  Christopher.     Company   G.      Enlisted  al    M;irsli.ill.    1  in-.    Ill,   1862. 

I'pham,  Chester.  Enlis-ted  at  Mars-hall,  Dee.  ."i,  lMi2.  I'risoner  from  Aug.  3, 
1864  until  June  10,  1S65. 

Van  Buren,  William  S.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dee.  13,  1862. 
Deserted. 

Voght,  Carl.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  24,   1865. 

Walker,  Frasier  Z.    Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Marengo,  Dec.  15,  1862. 

Walker,  John  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Eckford,  Dec.  15,  1862.  Prisoner 
from  Dec.  25,  1863  until  Feb.  20,  1864.     Deserted  Dec.  31,  1864. 

Waltz,  Geo.  F.  Companv  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  7.  1865.  Mustered 
out  Sept.   22,   1861. 

Waltz,  Paul.  Companv  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  7,  1865.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Waltz,  William.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  ilareh  7,  186.5.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  22,   1865. 

Waltz,  John  G.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  24,  1865.  Corporal, 
Aug.  1,  1865.     Mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Warner,  Jerome  B.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  31,  1865.  First 
Sergeant,  1862.  First  Lieutenant.  January,  1864.  Captain,  December,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Weaver,  Eansom.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  13,  1862.  Sergeant. 
Prisoner,  Dec.  22,  1863.     No  further  record. 

Weller,  Samuel  H.  Company  B.  Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Dec.  1,  1862.  Killed 
in  action,  Dec.  14,  1863. 

Whaling,  George.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  July  8,  1864.  Substitute 
for  William  S.  Seaton. 

Whitehead,  Charles  J.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Tekonsha,  Jan.  80,  1864. 

Whitmill,  George.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Sept.  12,  1864.  Prisoner, 
Nov.  23,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  13,  1865. 

Wilbur,  Hiram  P.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  9,  1862.  Died  at 
Covington,  Ky.,  June  5,  1863. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMIOrX  COrXTV  573 

Wil.lei-,   Willhim   X.     Cdnipany   A.      Ivilistcl  -M    K.-kfor.l.   D.v.    i:;,   Isiiii. 

Williams,  George.  Company  D.  Kiilisted  fmiii  Slicri.laii,  Dei-.  L'Si,  l><(i.'.  De- 
serted  March   15,   1863. 

Williamson,  Thomas.  Company  D.  Knilsted  at  .\lliinn,  .laii.  (i,  l.S(i:'..  Deserted 
May  6,  1863. 

Wixon,  Calvin.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Emniett,  Mareh  I'l.  1863. 

Wright,  Myron  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dee.  19,  186;;. 

Wyekoff,  Abram   D.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Marshall,  Uee.  8,   186J. 

York,  Rhesa.     Company  A.      Enlisted  at   Marshall,    Dee.   8,    186:i. 

The  Ninth  Michigan  Cavalry 

had  but  a  small  representation  from  Calhoun  county,  only  about  a 
dozen  all  told,  but  in  that  number  were  one  field  officer  and  two  of  the 
line,  and  as  it  happened,  all  from  Albion. 

Solomon  Porter  Brockway,  son  of  the  Rev.  William  H.  Brockway, 
chaplain  of  the  16th  Infantry,  had  seen  service  as  a  captain  of  infantry 
earlier  in  the  war,  but  resigned  and  almost  immediately  re-entered  the 
service  as  a  ma.ior  in  the  Eighth  cavalry,  his  commission  bearing  date 
Nov.  3,  1862.  He  commanded  the  regiment  the  last  year  of  the  war,  hav- 
ing been  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel,  June  27,  1865.  He  was 
brevetted  for  "gallant  and  meritorious  service  during  the  war." 

Robert  J.  Frost,  now,  and  for  many  years,  one  of  the  best  known 
business  men  in  Albion,  enlisted  in  Company  M,  of  the  Ninth,  April  29, 
1863.  Was  made  sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  company  and  was 
later  promoted  to  first  sergeant.  He  served  both  as  second  and  first 
lieutenant,  being  mustered  out  as  of  the  latter  rank  July  21,  1865,  and 
honorably  discharged. 

Corydon  G.  Chapman,  also  of  Albion,  saw  service  in  the  first  three 
months  regiment.  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
He  re-entered  the  service  as  first  sergeant  of  Company  A,  Ninth  Cavalry, 
and  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  Dec.  1,  1863. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Coldwater  and  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  in  May,  1863.  It  served  in  Kentucky  during  the 
summer  and  early  fall  of  1863,  and  later  entered  East  Tennessee,  where 
it  spent  the  winter  of  1863-64.  It  was  in  the  Atlanta  Campaign  under 
Sherman,  and  was  a  part  of  General  Kilpatrick's  command  that  made  the 
march  to  the  sea.  It  was  in  North  Carolina  when  Johnston  surrendered. 
It  was  mustered  out  in  North  Carolina,  July  21,  1865,  and  arrived  in 
Jackson,  ^Michigan,  July  30,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

Total  enrollment,  1,213. 

Killed  in  action,  32. 

Died  of  wounds,  8. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  32. 

Died  of  disease.  110. 

Discharged  for  disability,  59. 

Calhoun  County  Quota 
The  following  served  from  Calhoun  County : 

Allen,  Ephraim.     Comjiany  H.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Dee.  28,  1862. 
Bower,  Francis.     Company  L.     Enlisted  from  Marshall,  Dec.  26,  1862.     Commis- 
sary Sergeant,  July  1,  1864. 


574  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  . 

Brockway,  Solomon  Porter.  Entered  service  in  16tli  Infantry  as  Captain, 
August,  1861.     Major  9th  Cavalry,  November,  1862.     Lieutenant  Colonel,  June,  1865. 

Bruno,  George.     Company  H.     Enlisted  from  Burlington,  Jan.  3,  1863. 

Benoni,  Culter.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Homer,  Dec.  24,  1862. 

Chapman,  Corydon  G.  Company  B.  Enlisted  from  Albion  in  Co.  B,  First  In- 
fantry, April  29,  1861.  Prisoner  in  Battle  of  Bull  Bun.  First  Sergeant  9th  Cavalry, 
Dee.  25,  1862.     Second  Lieutenant,  December,  1863.     Discharged,  Nov.  21,  1864. 

Frost,  Robert  J.  Company  M.  Enlisted  April  29,  1863.  Sergeant,  May,  1863. 
First  Sergeant,  1864.  Second  Lieutenant,  Oct.  26,  1864.  Honorably  discharged, 
July   21,   1865. 

Lines,  William  H.  Enlisted  from  Albion,  March  15,  1S63.  First  Sergeant  Com- 
pany  K. 

Peaslee,  Joseph  V.  Company  B.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  3,  1864. 
Died  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  Aug.  15,  1864. 

Skinner,  Henry  E.     Company  H.     Enlisted  March  14,  1863.     Farrier. 

Van  Tassal,  Mathias.     Company  H.    Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Jan.  12,  186.X 

Kimball,  Eobert.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Burlington,  Dec  22,  1862. 

Tenth  Cavalry 

The  following  served  Ironi  Calhotm  county  in  the  Tenth  .Aliehigan 
Cavalry : 

Brown,  Albert  H.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  21,  1868.  Ser- 
geant. 

Heath,  William  H.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1865. 

Van  Orman,  John.  Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1865. 

Oldfield,  Henry  C.  Company  M.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  14,  1863. 

The  Eleventh  INIichigan  Cavalry 

was  organized  at  Kalamazoo  in  the  fall  of  1863,  and  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  on  the  10th  of  December.  On  the  17th  of  Decem- 
ber, it  left  ]\Iichigan  for  the  south,  arriving  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  on 
the  22d.  It  remained  on  duty  in  that  section  of  the  state  until  the 
early  fall  of  1864,  when  it  became  a  part  of  the  force  of  General  Bur- 
bridge,  which  moved  against  Saltville,  Virginia,  in  October  of  that  year. 
In  the  assault  on  this  place  the  Union  troops  were  repulsed  and  at  Sandy 
Mountain  a  day  or  two  later  in  an  attack  by  the  Confederates,  on  our 
retreating  forces  Lieutenant  Colonel  ^lason  was  mortall.v  wounded,  dy- 
ing the  next  day,  and  was  buried  not  far  from  where  he  fell.  The  regi- 
ment lost  in  the  Saltville  expedition  86  ofifieers  and  men,  killed  wounded 
and  missing. 

After  the  Saltville  affair  the  regiment  returned  to  Kentucky  and 
remained  on  duty  in  that  state  until  December,  when  it  re-entered 
Tennessee  and  later  with  the  troops  under  General  Stoneman,  captured 
Saltville,  Virginia,  and  destro.ved  the  important  salt  works  there. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1865,  the  Eleventh  left  Knoxville  with  Stone- 
man's  command  on  an  expedition  that  took  in  the  states  of  North  Caro- 
lina, South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  On  July  20,  it  had  reached  Pulaski  on 
its  return  where  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Eighth  ^liehigan  Cavalry. 
The  officers  and  men  were  mustered  out  with  the  Eighth  Cavalry  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  September  22,  1865,  and  returned  to  Jackson, 
Michigan,  where  the  regiment  was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COIXTY  r,7r. 

The  Eleventh  Cavalry  had  from  Calhoun  county,  one  field  offieer, 
James  R.  ]\Iason.  who  at  19  was  captain  in  the  ilerrill  Horse;  at  21 
lieutenant  colonel  of  tlie  Eleventh  Cavalry,  and  at  22,  in  command  of 
his  regiment,  fell  gallantly  fighting  for  his  country  and  was  Vniried  near 
the  spot  where  he  gave  up  his  young  and  ju'omising  life.  Darwin  W. 
Phillips,  a  youth  of  20,  went  out  from  Albion  as  captain  of  Company 
A,  and  Francis  J.  Lewis  of  the  same  town  as  second  lieutenant.  Darwin 
D.  Buck,  of  Battle  Creek,  went  in  as  captain.  Company  F,  at  the  organ- 
ization and  was  commissioned  major.  October,  1864;  iinistercd  out 
September  22,  1865.  and  honorably  discharged.  Thomas  H.  Jennings 
entered  the  Eleventh  as  first  lieutenant  and  was  commissioned  captain 
October  4,  1864.  In  the  same  company  with  Buck  and  Jennings  was 
John  G.  Harris,  who  was  mustered  as  second  lieutenant.  November  8, 
1863,  and  first  lieutenant  January  19,  1865.  Newell  H.  Rowlingson, 
Battle  Creek,  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  of  Company  G,  Aug. 
1,  1863.  Benjamin  F.  Davis,  Battle  Creek,  entered  the  Eleventh  in  the 
ranks  of  Company  F,  September,  1862.  Commissioned  second  lieutenant, 
October,  1864,  and  killed  in  action,  December  19,  1864.  Phillip  Weitzel, 
Albion,  served  as  sergeant  in  Company  A  of  the  Eleventh  from  Septem- 
ber, 1863,  until  January  28,  1865,  second  lieutenant  in  U.  S.  Col.  troops. 
He  was  mustered  out  as  first  lieutenant,  January  17,  1867.  This  regi- 
ment shows: 

Total  enrollment,  1,375. 

Killed  in  action,  18. 

Died  of  wounds,  5. 

Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  2. 

Died  of  disease.  22. 

Discharged  for  disability,  55. 

Wext   From    Calhoun    CorxTV 

The  following  served  from  Calhoun  county  in  the  Eleventh  ^Michigan 
Cavalry : 

Abbott,  Perry.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  16,  1863. 

Bale,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  2,  1863. 

Beekley,  Anson  J.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  11,   1863. 

Bird,  William  G.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863.  Died  at 
Lexington,  Ky.,  Aug.  23,  1864. 

Blanehard,  James  A.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  8,  1863. 

Bradley,  Hiram  W.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Brininstool,  William  H.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2.  1863. 
Sergeant. 

Buck,  Darwin  D.  Company  F.  Entered  the  organization  as  Captain,  Aug.  1, 
1863.     Major,   Oct.  4,   1864. 

Burns,  William  Burns.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Clarendon,  Sept.  3,   1863. 

Canfield,  Lewis  B.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Oct.  22,  1863.  Prisoner. 
Oct.  21,  1863.     Died  in  service,  Jan.  10,  1865. 

Carpenter,  Frank.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Le  Rov,  Oct.  22,  1863.  DeserteiJ 
Nov.  20,  1863. 

Chafer,  John  L.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Chapman,  Hobart  B.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Eckford.  Sept.  30.  1S63. 

Clark,  Frank  E.    Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  22,  1863.     Cnrporal. 


576  HISTORY  OF  CALIIOUX  COUNTY 

Clark,  James  A.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  5,  1863.     Corporal. 

Coggsdill,  John  H.     Company  F.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  29,  1864. 

Conroy,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  31,  1863. 

Cooley,  Warren  il.     Company  1.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Oct.  31,  1863. 

Corby,  George  W.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  iSIov.  5,  1863. 

Cowan,  John.  Comi)any  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  8,  1863.  Died  in  service, 
Sept.   12,   1864. 

Crandal,  William  M.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Oct.  21,  1863. 

Dalton,  William.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  7,  1863. 

Davis,  Benjamin  F.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1862. 
Sergeant.     Second  Lieutenant,  Oct.  4,  1864.     Killed  in  action,  Dec.  19,  1864. 

Dean,  Jonathan.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  31,  1863.  Died 
in  service,  Jan.  20,  1864. 

Dedriek,   John.      Company    A.      Enlisted   at   Marshall,    Sept.    1,    1863. 

Dell,  William  A.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Dixon,  George  A.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  2,  1863. 

Donahue,  Michael.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  21,  1863. 

Farrier,  Isaac.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Fish,  Edward  M.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.   7,  1863.     Corporal. 

Fishell,  Peter.     Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Aug.  21,  1863. 

Fuller,  Albert  E.    Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1863.     Bugler. 

Garfield,  Lafayette.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Aug.  28,  1863. 

Gould,  Leander.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,   1863. 

Gridley,  Erwin  S.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  13,  1863. 

Hamilton,  William  R.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Handy,  Leander  C.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  5,  1863.  Quarter 
Master  Sergeant. 

Harney,  John.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Harrington,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Sheridan,  Sept.  21,  1863. 
Deserted  Sept.  12,  1864. 

Harris,  John  G.  Company  F.  Entered  service  from  Battle  Creek,  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  Aug.   1,   1863.     First  Lieutenant,  Oct.  4,   1864. 

Henshaw,  Hoyt.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  2,  1863.  Killed  in 
action  at   Mount   Sterling,  Ky.,  June  9,  1864. 

Hicox,  Herbert  H.     Company  M.     Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  10,  1863. 

Hill,  William  H.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  1,  1863.  Deserted 
Nov.  9,   1863. 

Hitchcock,  Charles  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  14,  1863. 
Farrier. 

Hoeg,  Christopher.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  11,  1863. 

Hume,  Edward  G.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863.     Corporal. 

Huston,  George  W.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,   Oct.   22,  1863. 

Jenkins,  Carado.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  31,  1863.  Ser- 
geant.    Discharged  to  accept  promotion  in  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

Jennings,  Thomas  H.  Entered  service  from  Battle  Creek  as  First  Lieutenant 
Company  F,  Aug.  1,  1863.     Captain,  October,  1864. 

Jordan,  Thomas  J.  Company  F.  Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Oct.  22,  1863.  Corporal, 
1865. 

Karr,  Hiram  B.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Lewis,  Francis  J.  Company  A.  Entered  service  from  Albion  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, Company  A.     Aug.  1,  1863.     Resigned  March  7,  1864. 

McCormick,  Thomas.     Company  F.     Enlisted  from  Bedford,  Oct.  22,  1863. 

McGee,  Charles.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  23,  1862. 

Manchester,  Caleb.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  Sept.  1,  1864.  Sergeant, 
March  1,  1865. 

Mason.  James  B.  Commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel  at  organization,  Aug.  14, 
1863.    Killed  in  action  at  Sandy  Mountain,  Va.,  Oct.  4,  1864. 

Orr,  James.  Company  A.'  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  2,  1863.  Deserted  Oct. 
13,  1863. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  577 

Peck,  Edrick.     Compauy  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  22,  1S63 
Z.l'^nl'      ,?"®  ^-     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  7,   1S63 
PhjJlips,  David  W.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion.    Captain,  jily  2,  1863. 
^itts,  John  A.     Company  F.     EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  21,   1863 

serted  Oct  "    1863  ^'     ^'""'P^^^  ^-     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  14,  1863.     De. 
Quick,  Eichard.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct    "0    1863 
Raymond,  George.     Company  A.     Enlisted  from  Eckford,   Oct.  22,   1863 

May  3'  1865^"''  Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Oct.   22,   1863.     Deserted 

Reed,  Robert.     Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Oct.  12    1863 
Reynolds,  Edgar.     Company  G.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  5,  1863 
^lee,  James  M.     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion,  Sept.  9    1863 

froJZuTc^eetlul  f-I863*"^'  ^"^'"  ^°  ''""'''"'  ^"  ^^  ^^^^  ^^-*--' 

Siets,  Andrew.     Company  A.     EnUsted  from  Homer,  Sept.  23    1863 
Simpson    Edward.     Company  G.     EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  8,  1863 
Smder,  Eugene  C.     Company  A.     EnUsted  at  Homer,  Sept.  1    1863 
Stevens,  Charles  R.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  7    1863 
btiltson,  Briggs.     Company  JI.     EnUsted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  1?    1863 
poral  Horace.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  MarshaU,   Sept.   16,   1863.     Cor- 

Streeter  Uriah  D.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Sheridan,  Aug  '>"  1863 
bweet,  Gilbert.  Company  M.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  17  'l863  ' 
lerril,   George   E.     Company  A.     Enlisted   at  Albion,   Sept.   1    1863   '  Died   at 

Lexington,  Ky.,  March  6,  1864.  ^        '  ^* 

Terril,  Joel  F.     Company  A.     EnUsted  at  Albion,  Sept.   1,  1863 

Nov.  8,^'l863    "°'°  ^'     ^"""P^^y  ^-     ^""^'^-^  ^t  Albion,  Aug.  21,  1863.     Deserted 
Weitzel,   Phillip      Company  A.     Enlisted  at   Albion,   Sept.   5,   1863.     Sergeant 

^^J::X^l,^^i ''"''''  ^-'''  •^--  "-'■  ''''■  '^-^""^  ""^  asS 

K.llern"aWt'°at\ar?orvI,  Dec.'^^ilm*  ''"''^"'  ^"^"-  ''■  ''''■     ^^^eant. 
Wetherwax,  John  E.     Company  M.     EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec    8    1863 

Second  Lieutenant  Fifth  U.  S.  Colored  Cavalry,  Oct    "i    1864    '  '  ' 

Wheeler,  Charles  E.     Company  F.     EnUsted  at  Battle'  Creek,  Oct.  22,  1863 
Wo.rxT  r      <f  ^     Company  A.     Enlisted  at  Albion.  Sept.  8,  1863.     Saddler. 

geant  Company  F.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,   Sept.  8,  1862.     Ser- 

Nov.l3,°S.  ^''"'°'     ^°"P^°y  ^-     ^""^'^"^  at  ^1^*°"-  Oct-  22,  1863.     Deserted 
Woodruff,  Edward.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  7,  1863. 

"Merrill  Horse" 

In  the  first  year  of  the  war  more  companies  were  recruited  and  of- 
fered for  service  than  Governor  Blair  could  accept.  Some  of  these 
sought  and  found  service  in  other  states.  Among  them  were  two  com- 
panies recruited  from  Calhoun  County  which  on  September  6  1861  be- 
came a  part  of  the  Second  Jlissouri  Cavalry,  better  known  as  the  "Mer- 
rill Horse  a  name  given  the  organization  liy  :\Irs.  General  Fremont  in 
honor  of  Colonel  Lewis  Merrill,  then  first  commander.  In  December 
18b^,  another  company  was  recruited  at  Battle  Creek  and  took  service 
1°  the  same  regiment,  being  mustered  in  January  1,  186.3. 


578  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

These  three  companies  took  the  field  with  officers  as  follows : 

H.  Captain,  Jabez  B.  Rogers,  Battle  Creek;  first  lieutenant,  Nathan 
J.  Aiken,  Tekonsha;  second  lieutenant,  George  H.  Rowell,  Battle  Creek, 

I.  Captain,  James  B.  Mason,  Battle  Creek;  first  lieutenant,  Joseph 
Cessna,  Kalamazoo;  second  lieutenant,  Andrew  jM.  Kane,  Battle  (_'reek. 

L.  Captain,  Almon  E.  Preston,  Battle  Creek;  first  lieutenant,  Ed- 
win J.  Dickenson,  Battle  Creek;  second  lieutenant,  Charles  D.  Rool, 
Battle  Creek. 

This  regiment,  known  as  the  Second  IVIissouri  Cavalry,  of  which  these 
three  companies  constituted  a  part,  had  more  Calhoun  County  men  in 
it  than  any  single  regiment  that  went  from  our  state. 

The  Michigan  battalion  of  this  regiment  had  a 

Total   enrollment.   527. 

Killed  in  action,  23. 

Died  of  wounds,  6. 

Died  of  disease,  49. 

Discharged  for  disability,  59. 

We  take  pleasure  in  inserting  at  this  point  the  following  article  pre- 
pared by  Captain  George  H.  Rowell,  of  Battle  Creek,  who  was  denomin- 
ated by  a  prominent  survivor  as  the  "most  competent  man  living  to 
perform  this  service." 

The  Formation  of  the  "Merru^l  Horse" 

By  Captain  George  E.  Rowell 

Early  in  the  Civil  war  several  companies  were  organized  in  the 
State  of  Michigan,  and  their  services  offered  to  Governor  Blair,  who, 
having  no  authority,  was  obliged  to  decline  receiving  them;  conse- 
quently they  sought  service  in  other  states.  Notably  among  these  organ- 
izations were  two  troops  of  cavalry  recruited  and  organized  by  Doctor 
S.  B.  Thayer,  Jabez  B.  Rogers  and  James  B.  Mason,  all  of  Battle 
Creek.  Several  telegrams  were  fiashed  over  the  wires  between  Major 
General  John  C.  Fremont,  then  commanding  the  territory  known  as  the 
Department  of  the  Missouri,  and  the  parties  responsible  for  the  organi- 
zation of  these  two  companies,  finall.y  resulting  in  Fremont's  accepting 
the  services  of  these  two  companies  or  troops,  if  they  would  report  to 
him  within  ten  days ;  then  commenced  some  very  lively  work  on  the  part 
of  the  organizers,  resulting  in  two  full  troops  consisting  of  eighty-five 
men  in  each  troop,  being  reported  to  Major  General  Fremont.  Although 
eleven  days  had  elapsed  when  we  reported  to  the  General,  even  this 
small  contingent  was  gladly  accepted  and  on  the  9th  day  of  September, 
1861,  the  troops  were  swoim  in  to  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and 
was  then  known  as  the  nucleus  to  which  with  other  troops,  from  other 
states  gathered,  and  it  was  soon  known  that  Ohio,  Missouri,  Indiana  and 
New  York  City  and  Michigan,  were  all  vieing  with  each  other  to  see  which 
and  who  should  first  announce  their  organization  complete,  and  in  a  fit 
condition  to  take  the  field.  The  Michigan  troops  were  known  and  num- 
bered as  Companies  H  and  I.  Captain  Lewis  Merrill  of  the  regular  army 
was  waiting  in  St.  Louis  for  the  colonelcy  of  a  volunteer  regiment,  and 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  579 

these  smaller  organizations  were  assigned  to  liim.^  as  good  timber  from 
which  to  form  a  regiment.  Ohio  contributed  three  companies,  C,  G  and 
K.  Missouri  contributed  four  companies,  B,  D,  E  and  F.  Michigan  con- 
tributed two  full  comi^anies  H  and  I,  and  in  December  following,  A,  a 
mixed  company,  composed  mostly  of  Michigan  men  commanded  bv  Cap- 
tain Hii-am  F.  Hale,  of  Battle  Creek,  Michigan.  And  in  November, 
1862,  another  full  company  of  Michigan  men  was  added  to  the  regiment, 
raised  at  Battle  Creek  and  commanded  by  Captain  Almon  E.  Preston. 
This  company  was  named  Company  L,  and  was  the  11th  company  joined 
to  the  regiment  with  Colonel  Lewis  Merrill,  of  the  regular  army,  as 
colonel  of  the  new  regiment,  fulh'  equipped  to  take  the  field. 

After  remaining  in  drill  school  in  Benton  barracks,  Missouri,  for 
about  six  weeks,  the  first  outside  service  of  the  regiment  was  on  what 
was  known  as  "Fremont's  Springfield  Exjicdition,"  but  Ficiuonl  did 
not  remain  in  command  long  enough  to  complete  the  expedition,  being 
superseded  on  the  march  by  Major  General  Hunter,  which  at  the  time 
was  generally  deplored  by  Fremont's  army.  After  this  service  was  com- 
pleted the  regiment  returned  to  St.  Louis,  and  soon  after  was  divided 
into  siib-divisions  and  sent  out  into  the  state  to  subdue  and  capture 
roving  bands  of  guerrila  who  were  murdering  the  citizens,  and  burning 
and  destroying  their  property.  The  regiment  was  kept  employed  in 
this  kind  of  warfare  during  the  ensuing  fall  and  winter,  and  did  good 
execution  in  ridding  the  state  of  many  of  these  bands.  The  following 
summer,  1862,  one,  Colonel  Joseph  Porter,  a  Confederate  offii-er,  iuvaded 
the  state  with  a  force  of  Confederate  volunteers,  and  ran  riot  through 
the  state  murdering  and  maltreating  the  people.  General  Sehofield, 
then  in  command  of  that  department,  ordered  Colonel  Merrill  to  con- 
centrate his  regiment,  and  if  possible  drive  out  and  exterminate  these 
roving  bands.  During  the  summer  and  winter  of  1862,  the  regiment  had 
several  battles  with  detachments  of  the  rebels,  the  last  at  Kirksville,  Mis- 
souri, August  6th,  1862,  variously  estimated  at  from  2,000  to  3,000  men, 
while  the  Federal  force  augmented  by  a  small  force  of  state  militia 
numbered  something  over  1,100  men.  Porter  was  defeated  with  a  loss 
of  100  killed,  and  something  over  300  taken  prisoners.  Porter  was 
driven  from  the  state,  and  comparative  <iuiet  reigned  for  the  balance  of 
the  fall  and  winter.  The  different  detachments  of  the  regiment  were 
united  after  the  Porter  campaign,  and  were  encamped  at  or  near  War- 
renton.  Missouri,  a  small  village  on  the  North  Missouri  Railroad, 

The  spring  of  1863  found  the  state  quiet,  but  rumor  had  it  that 
the  Federal  forces  remaining  in  the  state  were  soon  to  commence  the 
invasion  of  the  State  of  Arkan-sas,  where  the  Confederate  general.  Ster- 
ling Price,  was  said  to  be  with  a  large  army.  Federal  general,  Frederick 
Steel,  with  an  army  of  22,000  men,  was  ordered  up  from  the  lower 
country,  while  Major  General  John  W,  Davidson  was  mas.sing  a  division 
of  cavalry  at  Pilot  Knob,  on  the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad,  to  co-operate 
with  Steel  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock.  The  two  Federal  forces  united 
at  Camden  on  White  River,  but  the  cavalry  division  under  Davidson, 
had  been  under  fire  every  day  after  crossing  the  St.  Francois  river,  which 
was  the  dividing  line  between  Missouri  and  Arkansas.  The  Merrill 
Horse,  now  twelve  companies,  was  about  one-sixth  of  Davidson's  small 


580  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

cavalry  division,  but  it  performed  an  important  part  in  the  invasion  of 
Arkansas,  for  outposts  must  be  established  and  maintained,  for  the 
enemy  was  alert,  and  would  not  be  caught  napping.  The  supreme 
command  being  vested  in  Major  General  Steel,  he  ordered  tlic  advance 
on  Price's  batteries,  with  the  cavalry  division  marching  on  each  flank, 
but  finally  ordered  to  ford  the  river  "Arkansas"  about  six  miles  below 
Little  Rock.  Steel's  forces  had  now  possession  of  both  sides  of  the 
Arkansas  river,  the  cavalry  division  being  on  the  same  side  on  which 
the  City  of  Little  Rock  is  situated.  When  this  was  ascertained  the  en- 
tire force,  under  Steel,  with  Davidson's  cavalry  division,  was  ordered 
to  advance  upon  the  city.  The  enemy  commenced  a  rapid  retreat,  the 
Federal  forces  crowding  their  rear,  the  cavalry  division,  Colonel  Lewis 
Merrill  commanding  the  first  brigade,  in  the  lead,  and  the  first  Federal 
troops  to  enter  the  city.  The  enemy  having  retreated  beyond  the  con- 
fines of  the  City  of  Little  Rock,  Merrill,  with  his  brigade,  was  ordered 
in  pursuit,  which  he  did,  pursuant  to  orders  on  the  following  day,  but 
the  enemy  with  his  large  force  was  too  strong  for  a  small  brigade  to 
attack,  and  after  two  days'  unsuccessful  skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  re- 
turned to  Little  Rock.  Thus  virtually  closed  the  Arkansas  campaign,  the 
entire  Federal  forces  going  into  winter  quarters ;  the  Merrill  Horse 
mostly  at  Brownsville,  a  small  village  situated  about  30  miles  east  of 
Little  Rock,  and  all  of  the  1861  men  having  completed  their  term  of 
service,  and  the  war  not  closed,  re-enlistment  commenced,  and  was 
carried  on  very  lively  during  the  winter  of  1864,  the  JMichigan  Battalion 
showing  the  largest  percentage  of  re-enlistment.  The  first  of  May,  1864, 
found  the  i-egiment  still  at  Little  Rock,  but  the  men  were  tired  of  war, 
and  hoping  for  peace,  and  a  veteran  furlough  was  granted  throughout 
the  regiment  to  all  men  whose  term  of  service  justified  it. 

The  Michigan  Battalion  having  been  recruited  largely  from  Battle 
Creek,  that  was  the  mecca  to  which  their  footsteps  turned.  After  a  60 
days'  furlough,  they  returned  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  the  checking  of  the  Rebel  General,  Price,  in  his  last  invasion  of  the 
state,  October  and  November,  1864.  After  the  close  of  this  campaign,  the 
regiment  was  again  divided,  a  portion  being  at  Paducah,  Kentucky.  A 
detachment  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  A  portion  at  Devall's  Bluff,  Arkan- 
sas, and  a  detachment  at  Eastport,  Mississippi,  but  they  came  together 
in  Febri;ary  following,  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee.  The  war  was  now 
virtuallj'  over,  but  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Atlanta,  where  it  re- 
mained for  a  time,  and  later  returned  to  Chattanooga.  It  was  mustered 
out  of  service  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  on  the  19th  day  of  September, 
1865.  The  service  of  the  regiment  was  arduous,  but  it  made  for  itself 
a  good  record  among  the  cavalry  regiments  of  the  southwest.  It  met 
the  enemy  at  or  near  Llemphis,  ]\Iissouri,  Moores  Mills,  Kirksville, 
Newark,  Brownsville,  Bayou  Metoe,  Bayou  Ashley,  Deadman's  Lake, 
Big  Blue,  Benton,  Arkansas;  Little  Rock,  Princeton,  Little  Missouri 
River,  Camden,  Saline  River,  Jenkins  Ferry,  Corinth,  Cliattanooga, 
Eastport,  Alpine,  Summerville. 

The  regiment  was  under  fire  nearly  every  day  for  about  three  weeks 
from  Chalk  Bluffs  on  the  St.  Francis  river  to  the  capture  of  Little  Roek. 

Total  enrollment,  Michigan  Battalion,  527. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  581 

Killed  in  actioiij  23. 
Died  of  wounds,  6. 
Died  of  disease,  49. 
Discharged  for  disability,  59. 

Complete  List  of  ' '  Merrill  Horse  ' ' 

Audiews,  Charles  S.  Company  H.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  31,  1861. 
Discharged  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Andrews,  Frederick  O.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  29,  1862. 
Discharged  April  3,  1865. 

Anson,  John  M.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  1,  1861.  Dis 
charged  March  17,  1862. 

Arnold,  Amos  W.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  26,  1863.  Died  of 
disease,  June  20,  1864. 

Arnold,  James  C.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Pentield,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Corporal, 
1862.     Sergeant,  1865.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

Austin,  Almon  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  4,  1862.  Dis- 
charged July  8,  1865. 

Austin,  Benjamin  F.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  10,  1862. 
Discharged  May  1?,  1865. 

Austin,  Nelson.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Mustered  out  Sept.  19, 
1865. 

Avery,  Allen  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Corporal,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.   19,   1865. 

Badger,  George.    Company  I.     Enlisted  Feb.  2,  1864.    Discharged  May  22,  1865. 

Badger,  William.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  14,  1862.  Dis- 
charged Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bailey,  Jeremiah  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  De- 
serted June  11,  1862. 

Baird,  Eobert  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Died,  Dec.  4,  1864, 
while  on  furlough  in  Michigan. 

Baird,  Samuel  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  Aug.  26,  1861.  Corporal,  Dec.  1, 
1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bannon,  Henry  P.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out  for  disability.  Dee.  23,  1861. 

Barker,  John  R.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bayley,  Alden  C.  Company  L.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  30,  1864. 

Bennett,  George  L.  Companv  H.  Enlisted  Feb.  IS.  1864.  Discharged  Mav  30, 
1865. 

Bennett,  Uriel  M.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bennett,  William  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  5,  1864.  Dis- 
charged June  15,  1865. 

Berger,  William  J.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  25,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  July  17,  1862. 

Berry,  Henry.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Died  of 
disease,  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Bevier,  Josiah  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  April  15,  1862. 

Bloom,  Marshall  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  March  IS,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Sept.   19,   1865. 

Bloss,  Zeno  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861.  Mustered 
out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bordine,  William  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Oct.  6,  1861. 

Bouton,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Penfield,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Dis- 
charged September,  1864. 


582  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Bowles,  Leonard.  Company  L.  Enlisted  from  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Dis- 
charged June  15,  1S65. 

Bowman,  John  H.  Company  G.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  24,  1S61. 
Deserted  April  6,  1865. 

Bradley,  Albert  N.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  28,  1863.  Dis- 
charged June  23,  1865. 

Bradley,  Samuel  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  9,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bradley,  Samuel.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  9,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Briggs,  Charles  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865.     Corporal,  April  1,  1865. 

Briggs,  Willett  W.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Jan.  24,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Britton,  Columbus  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  10,  1862. 
Discharged  July  25,   1865. 

Brooks,  William.  Companv  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  17,  1862.  Deserted 
Jan.  8,  1868. 

Brown,  John.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  30,  1861.  Claimed 
by  Tatten's  Battery  as  a  deserter.     Keturned  to  Tatten's  Battery,  Dec.  1,  1861. 

Brown,  John  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  22,  1861. 
Corporal,  1864.     Sergeant,  1865.     Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Brown,  William.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  28,  1862.  De- 
serted March  13,  1863'. 

Brownell,  Benjamin  F.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  5,  1862. 
Discharged  March  5,  1865. 

Bruce,    Alonzo.      Company   H.      Enlisted   March   8,    1862.      Mustered    out   Sept. 

19,  1865. 

Buck,  Jirah  D.  Company  H.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861.  First 
Sergeant. 

Bullis,  John  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Feb.  22,"  1862. 

Burch,  Charles  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Bureh,  Wiatt  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  17,  1864.  Discharged 
June  15,  1865. 

Burger,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  March  25,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, July  1,  1862. 

Burr,  Jacob.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Died  Sept.  30, 
1863. 

Burr,  John.  Companv  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Eov.  Nov.  22,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Sept.  19,   1865. 

Burton,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Aug.  28,  1861.  First 
Sergeant.     Mustered  out  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Buskin,  Eobert  A.  Company  K.  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Jan.  6,  1864.  Died 
Jan.  19,  1864.     Buried  at  Little  Eoek,  Ark. 

Caldwell,  Josiah  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861. 
Corporal,  Sept.  6,  1861.  First  Sergeant,  June  15,  1865.  Mustered  out  Sept.  19, 
1865. 

Callahan,  Elias.  Company  I.  Enlisted  Aug.  31,  1861.  Discharged  June  15, 
1865. 

Campbell,  Miles  B.  Company  I.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  25.  1864. 
Discharged  June  15,  1865. 

Campbell,  Samuel  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  20,  1862. 

Canfield,  David  F.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Dis- 
charged June  15,  1865. 

Cave,  Lotan.     Company  L.    Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  5,  1862.    Discharged  Sept. 

20.  1865. 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY  583 

Cbamberlaiu,  Henry.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at   Le   Koy,  Sept   12,  1864.     Dis- 
charged June  15,  1S6J. 

Chase,  Charles  H.     Company  I.     Enli.sted  at  Battle  Crook,  Auk-  l'3,  IStil.     Ser- 
geant.   Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Chesebro,  Nelson  E.     Company  I..     Enlisted  from  Le  Roy,  Xov.  6,  186i'.     Died 
Sept.  23,  1863. 

Chillson,  J.  0.     Company  H.    Enlisted  Nov.  7,  1861.     Discharged  Nov.  7    1864 
Chi  son,   Nehemiah.     Company   H.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Aug.   26,   1861. 
Corporal,  Sept.  9,  1861.    Sergeant,  May  1,  1862.    Discharged  Sept.  9,  1864. 

Clark,  Adam.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Nov.  26,  1862.     Discharged  for 
disability  Dec.  9,  1863.  ^ 

Clark,  De  Witt  C.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  28,  1863      Cor- 
poral.    Discharged  July  21,  1865. 

Clark,  John   \V.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Le  Rov,   Feb.   17,   1864.     Mustered 
out  feept.  19,  1865. 

Clute,    Henry   A.      Company    H.      Enlisted    at    Marshall,   Aug.    30.    1S62.      Dis- 
charged at   Chattanooga,   Tenn.,   June   15,   1865. 

Cole,   Fred  H.     Company   H.     Enlisted  at  Battle   Creek,  Aug.   24,   1861.     Ser 
geant,  Dec.   1,  1864.     Discharged  July   21,   1865. 

Coleman,  Horton   H.     Company   H.      Enlisted  at  Battle   Creek,  Aug.   23,   1861 
Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865.  ^ 

Coleman,  John  C.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  4,  1861      Dis- 
charged for  disability,   March   26,   1863. 

Conkling,  William  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28    1S61 
Corporal,  Ma.y,  1862.     Sergeant,  May,  1863.     Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865.     ' 

Cook,  Thomas  J.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  11    186-'      Dis 
charged  for  disability,  Feb.  24,  1864. 

Cummiugs,  Eli  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1864      Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865.  ,        s        ,       u*. 

Cartwright,  Peter.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Nov.  25    1862.     Mustered 
out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Crawford,  Samuel.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Dec.  6,  1862      Mustered 
out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Crisse.v   William  E.     Company  H.     Enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861.     Wounded  in  action, 
July  18,  1862.     Mustered  out  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Crosier,  Geo.  W.    Company  L.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  8,  186'^     Serjeant 
Discharged  May  19,  1865.  ^ 

Cross,  Edgar.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  Aug.  22,  1861.     Died  N(iv    3 
1864.  "  ' 

Crouch,  Horace  R.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov    10    186"'      Cor- 
poral. ' 

Dana,  William.     Company  L     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  5,  1862.     Mustered 
out,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Danford,   George  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,    Sept.   18,   1861 
Discharged  for  disability,  Oct.  12,  1862. 

Davis,  Adna  B.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Battle  Creek,   Auff.   26    1861      De- 
serted, Feb.  18,  1863.  ,         &        ■ 

Davis,  Henry  L.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug    "6    1861      Dis- 
charged   for    disability,    Oct.    30,    1861. 

Davis,  Henry  L.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.   11,   1864      Mustered 
out,  June  15,  1865. 

Davis,  Jeremiah.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  21,  1861      Dis- 
charged July   21,   1865.  >        s        .  ^" 
Davis,  Moses  B.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Auff.   ''4    1861      Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Feb.  11,  1864.                                                       K    -  .       oi. 

Dav.y,  George  R.     Company  M.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864      Mustered 
out,  June  15,  1865. 


Day,  Lyman  P.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  16,   1862. 


Jfustered 


584  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Day,  Eussell.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Corporal, 
1862.     Sergeant,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Decker,  Eli.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1864.  JIustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Decker,  Walter.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Dettrick,  Vincent.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  24,  1864.  ilustered 
out  June  15,  1865. 

Dickinson,  Albert.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Dis- 
cnarged,  April  15,  1863. 

Dickinson,  Edwin  J.  Entered  service  in  Company  L  at  organization  as  First 
liieut.     Resigned,  Jan.  11,  1865. 

Dilworth,  Christoplier.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861, 
Discharged  for  disability,  March  12,  1862. 

Ditzer,  Charles.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  26,  1863.  Mustere.l 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Dodge,  William  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1861.  De- 
serted, June  11,  1862. 

Doremus,  Albert  G.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  26,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.   19,  1865. 

Dubois,  Daniel.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  10,  1862.  Sergeant 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865* 

Dunn,  Daniel.  Compauv  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Aug.  28,  1861.  Died 
Nov.  18,  1861. 

Drake,  Stephen.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Mus 
tered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Dvrinell,  Llewellyn.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  March  22,  1862.  Mustered  out, 
Sept.  19,  1865. 

Eastman,  David  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Ser- 
geant, Sept.  6,  1861.  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Nov.,  1862.  Adjutant,  Nov.  17,  1864. 
Eesigned,  Feb.  16,  1865. 

Eastman,    Nelson   W.      Company   H.      Enlisted,    March   31,    1862.      Dischar 
March  30,  1865. 

Eaton,  Thomas.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Peniield,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Nov.   18,  1863." 

Etson,   Caleb.     Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.   17,   1864.     No   further  record. 

Falkan,  Bryant.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.  De- 
serted at  Chattanooga,  July  22,  1865. 

Falleon,  Francis  X.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Nov.  9.  1862. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Farnsworth,  Eli  P.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Feb.  18,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, July  1,  1862. 

Farrington,  George  W.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  10,  1862. 

Farris.  Silas  H.  Company  A.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  25,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  April  18,  1862. 

Fish,  John  M.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Boy,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Promoted  to 
Sergeant.     Died  at  Memphis,'  Tenn.,  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Fish,  Leroy  D.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Corporal. 
Sergeant,  May'l.  1863.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Fisk,  Sidney  S.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1864.  Dis- 
charged, June  15,  1865. 

Forbes,  William  G.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Dec.  15,  1862. 

Frey,  George.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dee.  26,  1863.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Frev,  George.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  26,  1863.  Died  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  1864. 

Galpin,  Merenus  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  6,  1862.  Cor- 
poral. Wounded  in  action,  March  23,  1865.  Sergeant,  June  15,  1865.  Discharged, 
Aug.  22,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  585 

Georgia,  William  V.  Company  H.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  22,  1862. 
Died  at  Jlemphis,  Tenn.,  March  10,  1865. 

Gibbs,  Cassius  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  19,  1864. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  11,  I860. 

Gibbs,  Eugene  D.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  19,  1864.  Dis- 
charged, June  15,  1865.  .        fo        . 

Gibbs,  Julius.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  19,  1864.  Dis- 
charged, June  15,  1865. 

Gilmore,  John.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  JIari'h  6,  1S62.  Dis- 
charged, March  5,  1865. 

Gitchell,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24  1861  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  May  30,  1863. 

Gregg,  William  A.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Feb.  14,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Feb.  27,  1863.  " 

Gregory,  Jasper  L.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  "^3  1861 
Sergeant.  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  Nov.  11,  1861.  Wounded  in  action  July  18 
I864'  ^^''°^^  ^^''"'•'  ^^^  ^'  ^^^^-  ^^^^^  ^^^"'■'  ^^y  1'  1863.  Resigned,  May  28,' 
Gregory,  Walter.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek  township,  Aug.  20, 
1861  Corporal,  1861.  Sergeant,  1862.  First  Sergeant,  1865.  First  Lieutenant 
and  Eegimental  Commissary.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Griswold,  Albert.  Company  L.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  21,  186"^  Cor- 
poral, 1862.     Sergeant,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Griswold,  Josiah.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Feb.  27,  1862  and  mustered  same 
day.     No  further  record. 

Groesbeck,  George  S.  Company  L.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  29,  1863 
Deserted,  Dec.  21,  1864. 

Hager,  Isaac  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  29,  1S62.  Dis- 
charged, May  11,  1865. 

Hale,  Hiram  F.  Company  A.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  10,  1861.  Cap- 
tain, Company  A.  Resigned,  July  10,  1862.  First  Lieut,  and  Adjutant  6th  ilich. 
Cavalry,  Major  and  Paymaster.     United  States  army,  Feb.  1,  1864. 

Hall,  Benjamin  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Died 
at  Fayette,  Mo.,  April  26,  1862. 

Hallman,  WilUam.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  26,  lS6-\  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Hampton,  Charles  S.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861 
Discharged,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Hannan,  Michael.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1S64.  Dis- 
charged, June  15,  1865. 

Hanson,  John  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  24,  1862.  Musi- 
cian. 

Harney,  John.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861.  On  de- 
tached service,  July  13,  1862. 

Harns,    Charles    J.      Company    L.      EnUsted   at    Battle    Creek,    Nov.    10,    1862. 

Sergeant,    April    1,    1865.      Commissary    Sergeant,    Sept.    1,    1865.      Mustered    out. 

Sept.  19,  1865.  >       ^        ,  , 

Harper,  James  H.     Company  H.    Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Aug.  3,  1861.     Discharged, 

Nov.   22,  1862,  for  disabling  wounds  received  in  action. 

Harrington,  Daniel  G.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  "8  1861 
Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1862.  First  Sergeant,  Dec.  1,  1864.  Second  Lieut.,  June  1865 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Harrison,  Alfred  P.  Company  I.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  5,  1S62.  Cor- 
poral, 1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Harrison,  Bazzle.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  March  29,  1862.  Deserted  Julv  19 
1862.  '         ^ 

Harrison,  James  E.  Company  L.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  15,  1862. 
Corporal.     Died,  June  24,   1864. 

Harvey,  Thomas.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Deserted 
July  21,  1865. 


586  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Hathaway,   Isaac   N.      Company  I.     Enlisted   at   Battle   Greek,   Aug.    27,   1861. 
Discharged,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Hawley,  George  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  22,  1862. 
Helelion,  Francis.     Unassigned.     Enlisted,  ■  Aug.  17,   1862.     No   further  record. 
Hendricks,   Samuel  W.     Company  I.     Enlisted,   Penfield,  Jan.   19,   1864.     Dis- 
charged, June  23,  1865. 

Hess,  Henry  M.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1S61.     Died 
Jan.  28,  1862. 

Hewitt,  William  F.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  30,  1862.     Dis- 
charged for  disability.  May  6,  1863. 

Hicks,  Adelbert.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  3,   1862.     No  further  record. 
Hicks,  George  C.    Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Sept.  9.  1861.     Discharged, 
June  15,  1865. 

Hicks,  Nelson  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  18,  1862.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Hitchcock,  Charles  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  6,  1862,  for  9 
months  served  in  Eleventh  Mich.  Cavalry,  as  Farrier.     Discharged,  Aug.  10,  1865. 

Hoag,  Albert.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Nov.  10,  1862.     Corporal, 
Sept.  1865.     Mustered  out,  "Sept.  19,  1865. 

Holley,  George  A.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  22,  1862.     Mus- 
tered out,  March  17,  1865. 

Holman,  Luther.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861.     Died, 
July  5,  1865,  while  home  on  furlough. 

'  Holman,  William.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  26,  1862.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Holmes,  David  H.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.     Dis- 
charged for  disability. 

Holt,  Edwin  P.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861.    Corporal, 
Sept.  6.     Discharged,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Horton,  William  B.    Company  I.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.    Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Hubbard,  Daniel.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864.     Dis- 
cuarged,  June  15,  1865. 

Hulscher,  Conrad.    Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  29,  1863.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Humes,   William   M.      Company  H.      Enlisted   at   Battle   Creek,   Aug.    24,   1861. 
Died,  Memphis,  Tenn..  Sept.  10,  1863. 

Humes,   William  N.     Company  H.     Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,   1861.     Discharged, 
Sept.  19,  1865. 

Hunt,  Henry.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  15,  1862.     Died  at 
Little  Rock,  -Ark.,  April  17,  1864. 

Hunt,  William  H.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  28,  1863. 
Huntlev,  Ezra  S.     Company  K.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  2,  1864.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Ingram,  Henry.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle   Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Jackson,  R.  E.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug. -30,  1861.     Died 
of  disease,  Feb.,  1862. 

James,  Albert.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862.     Died, 
Jan.  9,  1863. 

James,   Albertis.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Nov.  24,  1862. 
James,  Orlin.     Company  I."    Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Nov.  24,  1862.     Died,  Aug.  22, 
1863. 

Jarvis,  Lewis  O.     Company  A.    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  28,  1861.     Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Jimison,  Charles.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  29,  1863.     Mustered 
out,   Sept.  19,   1865. 

Johnson,  Hiram  J.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.    Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Oct.  30,  1861. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  587 

out,  Sepri9ri?657-  '^°'"''"'^'  '^  '"''"*^"'  ''"  ^'^"'''■"^'  ^■-■-  '"'  ''''-■  -^'-'--I 
•  Kaiie,  Andrew  il.  Entered  service  in  Company  1,  from  Battle  Creek  -H  or- 
ganization as  Second  Lieut,  Sept.  6,  1861.    Resigned;  Nov.  5,  Isei 

at  LUUe%'oci:ll;  Au^^ls^f  1^64  ^""^'^'  ''^  ^^"'^  ^'"•^^•''  -^^^'■•^"  '-  ''''■     >"-' 

Kelsey,  Edward  F       ' 
geant,  Sept.  9,  1861. 
signed,  Aug.  31,  1863 


geanf  teTt  q''Tsm  ^.'^Tt''^'  ^^^  ^r"'"'''^  "'  ^""'^  ^reek,  Aug.  3,..  1861.  Ser- 
geant,  Sept.  9,  1861.     First  Sergeant,  May,  1862.     Second  Lieut.,  Oct.  ],  186l>.     Re- 

Kelsey,  Newell  J.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aue    "8    1861      Cor- 

lieu  '  n^'*-  r'  ^!rl-  f/'^''^"^'  ^^'''^•-  l-  ^'^--  ^'-t  Sergeant  May  I,'l8e3  iSt 
Lieut  ,  Dec.  6,  1804.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865  o-     ,       <-o.     i  irst 

serteclXy' 25,^863  ^"'"P^"^  ^-  Unlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  18GL  De- 
serted,'l862.''''^'^''"''  ^""'P'"""-^'  "•  ^°''^*^'*  »*  battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  De- 
ebargerits't^et  ^""'P'-^-^^"  ^-  Unlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  IS,  1864.  Dis- 
Aug-^^l^'iseT'^"  '^'  ^""P^'^y  ^-  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Died, 
disabmt|"!l"k.h'2ri'8'63  """"^"^  ""•  ''°'"'''  ''""'  ''  '''-  ^^■-'■"g^a  for 
ehar^f  ^tiS:  '^'""^'"^  ""■  ^^""^  ^^'^'"^-  ^"''^*^^'  ^''■'^-  ^^'  ^«'^-  ''-- 
15    1865''^°'  "^"^^  "^'     ^'""P'"'^'  ^^-     Enlisted,  Aug.  25,  1864.     Mustercl  out.  .Tune 

Kuowles,  Stephen.  Company  L  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  5,  1864.  Died 
in  ser\  ic6j  Jsiu.  25.  1865, 

Mnstt'd"'out'sep1."^9"l865''-     '''''''''"'   '^^     ""''''''   ^'   '"'''''''^   ''"'■   ''    ''''■ 

Dis^LtTj^wlTlst.    '''""'"  •^'   ""■     ""''''''   ^'   ^^"'^^  ^^^'"^-  ■^"^-   '''   ''''■ 

Spnt^T''?s«4  ^^^'^  '^-  ^^T^^'^y  ^-  Enlisted  at  Le  Roy,  xXov.  22,  1862.  Corporal, 
bept     1,    1863.     Sergeant,   July   25,    1865.     Mustered   out.   Sept.    19,   1865 

Lackey,  George.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  ]S!oy.  22,  1862.  Corporal 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865.  --uiFuiai. 

Lake,  James  H.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at   Battle  Creek,  Nov.   14    186- 
out,  Sept''l9°l865'     ^"'"P''"-''  ^-     ^°"'*'^''  *'■'""   Emmet,  Jan.  4,   1864.     Mustered 

La  Rue,  Samuel  F.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  4,  1861  Cor- 
poral.    Mustered  out  as  Sergeant,  July  21,   1865.  '       i        > 

Latta,  William  W.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  10,  1862 
Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Leach  Ephraim  B.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23  1861  Died 
at  Memphis.  Tenn.,  Nov.  20,  1863.  v  ..     ■  .eu 

Leach,  John.     Company  H.     Enlisted,  Oct.  5,  1862. 

Leckenby,  Albert,  Jr.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Rov,  Nov.  23,  1862.  Cor- 
our  Set^'ig'' 1865    ^"^''''"*-     Quartermaster   Sergeant,   .Tul'y   25,    1865.      Mustered 

Lewis,  Joseph  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26  1861  Cor- 
poral, May,  1862.  Wounded  in  action,  July  18,  1862.  Sergeant,  May  1,  1863  Dis- 
charged, July  21,  1865. 

Lewis,  Nathaniel  W.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Le  Rov,  Nov.  2'>  ]86'>  Dis- 
charged, July  21,  1865.  '  '         "' 

19    lS6o"'""""'  "^°''"  ^'     ^""'P^"-""  ^-     Enlisted.  Feb.  17,  1862.     Mustered  out,  Sept. 


588  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Lybarker,  Asbur}'.  Company  L.  Eulisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  4,  186i.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

ilcCollem,  George  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Greek,  Nov.  11,  1862. 
Discharged,  June  21,  1865. 

McConneley,  John  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 
Died  in  service,  June  14,  1865. 

McCormick,  James.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Jsov.  17,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  Nov.  9,  1863. 

McGinn,  James.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  15,  1865. 

McGuire,  James.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Discharged, 
June  15,  1865. 

McMath,  Charles  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  25,  1861. 
Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

McNary,  George  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 
Died  in  service,  Jan.  15,   1865. 

Madison,  William  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  IS,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Aug.  23,  1862. 

Mautell,  John  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted,  Aug.  24,  1864.  Discharged,  June  15, 
1S65. 

Markham,  Jerome.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861. 
Corporal.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Markeham,  John  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  15,   1864. 

Mason,  James  B.  Company  L.  Entered  service  from  Battle  Creek  as  Captain, 
Aug.  22,  1861.     Resigned,  June  2,  1863. 

Mason,  James  E.  Company  H.  Eulisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861. 
Corporal,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Mayo,  Addison.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  20,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  15,  1865. 

Merrill,  Charles  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Deserted, 
July  22,  1865. 

Millard,  Timothy  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  20,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  Dec.  6,  1864. 

Miller,  Charles  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  22,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Sept.  15,  1864. 

Miller,  James  B.  Company  H.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Sept.  15,  1864. 

Miller,  John  F.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Sept.  15,  1864. 

Miller,  Samuel  J.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  22,  1S61.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Oct.  30,  1861. 

Monroe,  Adelbert  D.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  July  18,  1862.     Discharged,  Nov.  11   1862, 

Moon,  Charles  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, July  1.  1862.     Discharged,  Oct.  24,  1862,  for  wounds  received  in  action. 

Morehouse,  Warren  G.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1861. 
Discharged,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Morgan,  George  F.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  20,  1862. 
Discharged,  Aug.  13,  1863. 

Morgan,  William.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861. 
Saddler. 

Mott,  Jacob  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Feb.  15,  1862. 

Munger,  Hiram  V.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  8,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Newton,  Seymour.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861. 
Discharged,  Oct.  30,  1861. 

Nichols,  Charles  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  March  6.  1862. 
Died,  Aug.  18,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  589 

Nott,  James.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Nov.  i;4,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Sept.  4,  1864. 

Oldfiekl,  Spencer.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  2'S,  1861. 
Discharged,  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Otteuburg.  Joseph  C.  Company  1.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  lu,  1862. 
Discharged,  Sept.  10,  1865. 

Otis,  David  G.  Company  H.  lOnlistcd  March  19,  1862.  Saddler.  Mustered  out, 
Sept.  19,  1865. 

Parker,  Charles.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Aug.  27.  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Parr,  Robert.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  29,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability.  May  16,  1863. 

Paul,  James  H.  Companv  H.  Enlisted  Aug.  20,  1861,  from  Battle  Creak. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Peek,  Daniel  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1861.  Died 
in  service,   March  27,  1862. 

Peek,  Henry.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  29,  1864.  Deserted, 
July  25,  1865. 

Pereell,  John  C.  Company  I.  EnUsted  at  Battle  Creek,  .March  8,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, March  8,  1865. 

Pert,  Benjamin  O.  Companv  L.  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
Sept.  19,  1865. 

Petts,  Henry  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Feb.  29,  1864.  Deserted, 
July  25,  1865. 

Petty,  William  V.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  3,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, June  15,  1865. 

Phelps,  Andrew  S.  Entered  service  as  Second  Lieut.,  Company  A,  Oct,  1,  1862. 
First  Lieut.,  June  30,  1863.     Captain,  Nov.  17,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Piper,  Truman.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Discharged  for  dis- 
abiUty,  June  16,  1865. 

Pitcher,  George  W.  Company  I.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted,  Aug.  23,  1861. 
Corporal,  Oct.  1^  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Preston,  Almod  E.  Entered  service  in  Company  L,  at  organization  from  Battle 
Creek,  as  Captain.     Resigned,  Aug.  19,  1864. 

Preston,  Spencer  M.  Company  H.  Enlisted  from  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861. 
Corporal  and  Sergeant.     Discharged,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Prior,  Earl  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  9,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  March  26,  1862. 

Prior,  Edgar  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  9,  1861.  Died 
in  service,  Oct.  3,  1863. 

Pugsley,  Samuel.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, 1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Putnam,  Peter  S.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  9,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Sept.  8,  1862. 

Quaif,  James  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted,  Feb.  15,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Nov.  17,  1862. 

Quick,  Truman  M.  Company  L.  Enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864,  at  Le  Eoy.  Discharged 
June  23,  1865. 

Quiun,  William.  Companv  L.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Nov.  23,  1862.  JIustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Eath,  Samuel  J.  Company  L.  Enlisted,  Oct.  28,  1862.  Killed  in  action,  Sept. 
10,  1863. 

Eeed,  John  W.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  5,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

Beed,  Simon.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1861.  Corporal. 
Wounded  in  action,  July  18,  1862.  Promoted  to  Sergeant.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Jan.  9,  1863. 

Ehodes,  Eli  T.  Companv  I.  Enlisted  at  Homer,  Dec.  2,  1863.  Deserted,  Dec. 
21,  1864. 

Kibble,  James  M.     Company  L.     Enlisted  at  Penfield,  Nov.  24,   1862. 


590  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Biekerd,  Chauncey  W.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  lio,  1861. 
Blacksmith,  Aug.  1,  1865.    Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Eickard,  John  G.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Oct.  12,  1862. 

Eiley,  William  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Roach,  James.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  22,  1861.  Killed 
in  action,  Aug.  26,  1863. 

Robinson,  James  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  1,  1864. 
Discharged,  June  15,  1865. 

Rogers,  Jabez  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Captain,  Aug.  20, 
1861.     Major,  May  28,  1863.     Mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged,  Dec.  18,  1864. 

Root,  Charles  D.  Battle  'Creek.  Entered  service  in  Company  L,  at  organization 
as  Second  Lieutenant.    First  Lieutenant,  Oct.,  1863.    Resigned,  June  20,  1864. 

Rounds,  Chester.  Unassigned.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Died, 
Oct.   13,  1864. 

Rowell,  George  H.  Battle  Creek.  Entered  service  at  organization  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  Company  H.  First  Lieut.,  May  1,  1862.  Captain,  Sept.  1,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865.     Wounded  in  action,  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Rundle,  Abraham.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Russell,  George  P.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Dec.  8,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Ryan,  Henry  S.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  6,  1S62.  Dis- 
charged, May  5,  1865. 

Saunders,  Joel  W.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Fredonia,  Dec.  6,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Oct.  7,  1863. 

Saunders,  Thomas.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Dis- 
charged Sept.  15,  1864. 

Schoder,  Jacob  C.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Dis- 
charged, Sept.  15,  1864. 

Schwartz,  Frederick.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Emmet,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Seeley,  Darius.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,'  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Sharpsteen,  Alphonso  M.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23, 
1861.     Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1862.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1864. 

Shepard,  George.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, May  1,  1863.     Sergeant,'  Dec.  1,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Sherman,  Franklin.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  22,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Dec.  5,  1862. 

Sherman,  Miles  R.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  3,  1861. 
Died,  July  22,  1862.     Wounds  received  in  action,  July  IS,  1862. 

Shotwell,  E.  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  29,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  Aug.,   1863.     Honorably  discharged. 

Simons,  Ahab.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  2,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Simons,  David  N.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  21,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Sleight,  James  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Discharged, 
June  15,  1865. 

Slingerland,  Henry  T.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1861. 
Corporal  and  Sergeant.    Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Smith,  George  A.  Company  I.  Enlisted,  Aug.  24,  1864.  Discharged,  June  15, 
1865. 

Smith,  Jabez.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec.  3,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Smith,  Nathaniel.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1864.  Dis- 
charged,  June   15,   1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  591 

Smitb,  Schuyler.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  10,  180:2.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1S65. 

Snyder,  Daniel.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Aug.  18,  1864.  Discharged, 
June  15.  1865. 

Snyder,  Egbert  L.  Company  A.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Nov.  7,  1861.  Sergeant, 
May  17,  1862.     No  further  record. 

Snyder,  Isaac.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1S64.  Died 
in  service,  Feb.  21,  1865. 

Southniek,  Alonzo  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted,  Aug.  31,  1864.  Discharged,  June 
15,  1865. 

Spaulding,  Lester  C.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861. 
Corporal,  Dee.  1,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 
*  Spencer,   Martin   A.      Company   L.     Enlisted   at  Battle   Creek,   Nov.   22,   1862. 

Died  in  service,  Aug.  10,  1864. 

Spencer,  Oscar.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  10,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  Aug.  17,  1862. 

Sternberg,  Joseph  C.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  10,  1862. 
Corporal,  Sept.  1,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  10,  1865. 

Stevens,  Amos.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  31,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, April  3,  1865. 

Stewart,  Hiram.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  .Nov.  5,  1862.  De- 
serted, July  22,  1865. 

Stevi-art,  John  B.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  31,  1S61.  JIus- 
tered  out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Stewart,  Samuel  G.  Company  M.  Enlisted  at  Convis,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Mustered 
cut,  June  15,  1865. 

Stewart,  William.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Cor- 
poral and  Sergeant.    Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Stickney,  James.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1861. 
Stickne'y,  Marbel  L.     Company  I.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1862.     De- 
serted, June  9,  1863. 

Stillson,  Legrand.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  4,  1861.  Ser- 
geant. Wounded  in  action,  July  14,  1862.  Second  Lieut.,  May  1,  1863.  First  Lieut., 
June  26,  1863.     Resigned,  Sept.  13,  1864. 

Stillwell,  Daniel.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  5,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, Nov.  11,  1865. 

Stilson,  Edward  D.     Company  H.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861. 
Stoddard,  S.  B.     Company  H.     Enlisted,  Feb.   15,  1862.     Corporal,  Dec,  1864. 
Discharged,  July  21,  1865. 

Stringham,  Charles  T.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  2,  1861. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Stringham.  George  E.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Bedford,  Nov.  24,  1862.  Cor- 
poral, April,  1865.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Strong,  Edwin  H.  Company  L.  EnUsted  at  Fredonia,  Dee.  9,  1862.  Corporal. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1863.     Mustered  out.  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Strong,  George  J.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Strong,  Stephen  V.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Sutton,  George.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  7,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, April  7,  1865. 

Swart,  John  E.  L.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  April  14,  1864. 

Sweet,  Joel  J.  Company  L.  Enlisted,  March  10,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, March  26,  1863. 

Talbot.  Eobert  E.  Company  I.  Enlisted  from  Emmet,  Jan.  4,  1864.  Clustered 
out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Taylor.  John  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1862.  Killed 
in  action,  July  28,  1862. 


592  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Templeton,  John.  Companj'  L.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dec.  16,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, Sept.   20,   1863. 

Thayer,  8.  B.  Entered  service  as  Sergeant.  Commissioned  Sept.  1,  1861.  Re- 
signed, Oct.  6,  1862.  Eecommissioned,  Nov.  10,  1862  as  medical  director,  N.  A.  Dis- 
trict, Missouri.     Resigned,  May  25,  1863. 

Thompson,  Augustus.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  4,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  Aug.  4,  1863. 

Thurston,  Daniel  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Thurston,  Delos.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  24,  1861.  Died 
in  service,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Tozer,  John  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  April  3,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, April  5,  1865.     Wounded  in  action,  July  28,  1862. 

Trude,  Ira.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  21,  1862.  Died  in 
service,  April  11,  1863 

Trade,  N.  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  26,  1861.  Mustered 
out,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Turner,  Daniel  S.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  2,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Turner,  Elijah.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  Jan.  17,  1865. 

Van  Brunt,  James  G.  B.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  25,  1862. 
Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Vanocken,  Asahel.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Oct.  1,  1861.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

A'an  Vleck,  Peter  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Sept.  4,  1861. 
Discharged  for   disability,   March  10,   1862. 

Wade,  Charles  O.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  16,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Walker,  Charles  F.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  July  18,  1862.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 

Walker,  Harrison  A.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  9,  1862.  No 
further  record. 

Walker,  Hiram  A.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  2,  1863.  Deserted, 
July  25,  1865. 

Walker,  John  A.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  16,  1861.  Killed 
in  action,  July  18,  1862. 

AValker,  Joshua  J.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  25,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  July  20,  1862. 

Walkinshaw,  David.  Company  M.  Enlisted,  Aug.  11,  1864.  Mustered  out  at 
Chattanooga,  Tejin.,  June  15,  1865. 

Watkins,  Judson  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  IS,  1861. 
Mustered,  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Watkins.  Richard  A.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Feb.  28,  1862. 
Discharged,  March  5,  1865. 

Webster,  John  R.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  23,  1861.  De- 
serted, Feb.  11,  1863. 

Wheeler,  Charles  E.  Company  L.  Enlisted  from  Athens,  Dec.  25,  1862.  Died 
in  service,  Nov.   19,   1863. 

Wheeler,  Enos  H.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1861.  Dis- 
charged for  disability.  May  1,  1863. 

Wheeler,  Thomas  B.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  5,  1862.  Died, 
in  service,  Jan.  8,  1863. 

Whelply,  Ferdinand  A.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  28,  1861. 
Discharged,'  Sept.  15,  1864. 

Whitaker,  Selim  D.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861. 
Wounded  in  action,  July  18,  1862.     Discharged  for  disability,  May  11,  1863. 

White.  John  M.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  17,  1861.  Cor- 
poral, 1861.  Sergeant,  July  1,1862.  Second  Lieutenant,  May  1,  1863.  First  Lieut., 
March  7,  1864.     Captain,  Dec.  6,  1864.     Mustered  out,  Sept.  19,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  593 

hi.  1?^'''!,''  ^K.''?'"  "•     Company  I.     Enliste.l  at  Battle  Creok,  Aiij;.  i4,   ISGl,  as 
blacksmith.     Died  iu  service,  Nov.  4,  1861.  •        f.        .  .  •»= 

ISeD^"'*"'   ^^''"'''"''     '-'°'"P''"y  J-     Enlisted,  Anjj.   :i(i,   l,S(i4.      Uisiliarge.l,  .June   15, 

Wiekard,  Amos.     Company   1.     Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,   Aug.   L'(i,   lS(il.     Dis- 
charged tor  disability,  Jan.  13.  1862.  -       "  • 
tercd^o'^'*''s'M  *'']"'' S'^'-  ^'"'"'"'"y  "•    Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Nov.  .S,  1862.     Mus- 

Mustr;!^"ut'se?/i86n"""""^'  "^^  ^""''''  '**  "^""'^  '""'''  '''''■■  '''  '''- 
tere.™'«e?;ri8...''"'""='"^-  "•  '^""^•'"'  ''"'"  P''"«'""'  '^'■"-  ^-  >««^-  ^I- 
19.  1™"""'  "'■'""'''  ■'■  '''""''^'"•^'  "•  '■"'''^*'"''  '■''^''-  ^^'  1^"+-  Mustere,!  out,  Sept. 
Wilco.x.  Elea2ar.  Conii^any  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  March  fi,  1862.  Dis- 
charged for  disability,  June  30,  1862. 
15    ISel''*"'  ^'^^"^^^^  ^'    ^°''^*^''  *'  ^^"'''  *^''''''''''  ^"S.  28,  1861.     Mustered  out,  Sept. 

William.s.  Isaac  C.  Company  I.  Enlistetl  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  9,  1864  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.   19.  1865.  .         i,       • 

Williams,  .lohn  H.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Penfield,  .Tan.  4,  1864.  Mustered 
Out,   o6pt,   lii,    lobo. 

^yilson,  James.  Company  I.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  20,  1861.  Died  of 
wounds  received  in  action,  July  20,  1862. 

Wilson,  John  K.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug  "8,  1861  Cor- 
poral   ISov.  1,  1862.     Sergeant,  Dec.  1,  1864.     Mustered  out  Sept.  19,  1865. 

W  ilson  William  _H.  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dec.  9,  1862.  Dis- 
cnar^eii,  July  13,  1865. 

Wilmoth,  Charles  E.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  27,  1861 
Mustered  out.  Sept.  15,  1864.  ^        ' 

Wilmoth,  Ed.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek.  Aue  -^7  1861  Mus- 
tered, Sept.  9,  and  no  further  record. 

Wing,  Bronson.  Company  H.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Creek,  Dec  ■'  186'  Mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  19.  1865.  -,      — 

Wood,  Edwin  H.  Company  L.  Enlisted  at  Athens,  Dee.  9,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability.  May  26,  1863.  * 

T  ■    ^.r'"lZ^'  ^^^^^'^  '^'-     <=''""Pany  r.     Enlisted  at   Emmet,  .Tan.  4,   1S64.     Deserted 
July  25,  1865.  ' 

Woodward,  William.  Company  T.  Enlisted  at  Battle  Ce.-k  \u"  -4  1861 
Died  in   service,  .Tune  6.  1863.  ■    •     >-■ 

Ix  THE  First  Michigan  Regiment  Light  Artillery 
Calhoun  County  had  but  few  men.  This  regiment  was  composed  of 
twelve  SIX  gun  batteries;  the  batteries  being  designated  by  the  letters 
of  the  alphabet  from  A  to  L  inclusive.  These  batteries  did  not  serve 
as  consolidated  units  in  a  single  regiment,  but  rather  as  independent 
organizations  attached  to  various  infantry  commands. 
1  QcF'^^V^^'-^  ^  °^  ^^^^  regiment  was  organized  at  Coldwater,  in  the  fall  of 
18bl.  Its  service  was  chiefly  with  the  army  of  the  Cumberland.  So 
tar  as  we  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  only  the  following  served  in  Bat- 
tery D  from  this  county. 

Crandall,  Ira.  Enlisteil  at  P.urlingt. 
freesboro,  Tenn.,  July  4,  1865. 

Hall,  Horace.  Enlisted  at  Burlinsrto 
1863.  ^ 

.    ,ol*"°'l"'-  ^"""'^  R-      Enlisted   from  Burlington.  Sept, 
4,  1864.     Mustered  out  Aug.  3,  1865. 


Sept.    2,     1S62. 

Dischaige.l    at     .\li 

Sept.    2,    1862. 

Discharged    April    : 

lington.  Sept.   2. 

1862.     Corporal,    N. 

594  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Battery  E  was  organized  at  Marshall,  in  December,  1861.  "While  it 
had  something  over  thirty  men  from  Calhoun  County,  it  had  but  one 
commissioned  ofiBcer,  who  went  out  from  this  county  with  the  organiza- 
tion. Two  were  promoted  from  the  ranks  while  it  was  in  the  field. 
Most,  if  not  all,  the  service  performed  by  this  battery  was  in  connection 
with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  It  had  a  total  enrollment  of  349. 
One  died,  of  wounds ;  three  died  of  disease,  and  forty-eight  were  dis- 
charged for  disability. 

From  Calhoun  County 

Brown,  William.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  16,  1862.  Disc-barged  for  dis- 
ability, Jan.  10,  1863. 

Burns,  HoUister.  Enlisted  from  Marengo,  Nov.  7,  1861.  Died  near  Pitts- 
burg Landing,   Tenn.,   April   26,   1862. 

Burns,  Jerome.  From  Marshall.  Second  Lieutenant,  Nov.  1,  1861.  First 
Lieutenant,  Jan.  1,  1862.     Resigned,  June  9,  1862. 

Clark,  William.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  31,  1862.  Discharged,  Nov.  27, 
1S62,  to  enlist  in  Fourth  U.  S.  Cavalry. 

Cook,  William  C.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Jan.  30,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability,  July,   1862. 

Cox,  George  N.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  24,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Aug.  15,  1862. 

Cunningham,  Oliver.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  25,  1861.  Corporal,  Sept. 
1862.     Sergeant,  December,  1862.     Mustered  out,  July  30,  1865. 

Daveliu,  William.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Dee.  15,  1861.  Died  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,   March   26,   1863. 

De  Vries,  Peter.  Entered  service  from  Marshall  as  Second  Lieutenant,  Dec. 
1,  1861.  First  Lieut.,  June  9,  1862.  Captain,  March  16,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
July  30,  1865. 

Druee,   George.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   Nov.   25,   1861.     No    further   record. 

Durand,  Charles  M.  First  Sergeant,  Dec,  1861.  Second  Lieut.,  Aug.,  1863. 
Senior   Second   Lieut.,   April,   1864.      Mustered   out,   March   27,   1865. 

Farrand,  Henry.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  6,  1862.  Died  in  hospital,  Nash- 
ville,  Tenn. 

Faulkner,  John  A.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  20,  1862.  Discharged  for 
disability,  Oct.   12,  1863. 

Faulkner,  Washington  P.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Feb.  15,  1862.  ilustered  out, 
July   30,  1865. 

Gildersleeve,  Edmund  B.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  27,  1861.  Corporal, 
Sept.,  1862.     Sergeant,  Feb.,   1863.     First  Sergeant,  May,   1865. 

Hill,  Alonzo.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  20,  1861.  Discharged  for  disability, 
Aug.  7,  1862. 

Hinkle,  Frederick.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  4,  1862.  Discharged,  March 
10,   1865. 

Jeffery,  William  D.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  5,  1862.  Discharged,  April 
9,   1865. 

Miller,  Spencer  L.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Feb.  28,  1862.  Discharged  for 
disability,  Oct.  19,  1862. 

Mullen,  James  H.     Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Oct.  29,  1861.    Deserted,  Dec.  21,  1862. 

Oliver,  Robert  B  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  Nov.  25,  1861.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Oct.  18,  1862. 

Pardy,    Lorenzo.     Enlisted   at   Marshall,   March   3,   1862 

Parker,  Clarence.  Enlisted  at  Marshall,  March  6,  1862.  Corporal.  Mustered 
out,  July  30,  1865. 

Parker,  Jock  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  Dec.  18,  1862.  Corporal.  Mustered 
out,  July  30,  1865. 

Pelkey,  Israel  D.  Enlisted  at  Albion,  March  1,  1862.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Jan.,   1863. 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  595 

vill/Kv'"";   ^''''?,-    .»'.'',''"*''  "^   -'^"''°"-   ^*''-    ^'>'   ^^^--     ^i'"l   i"  hospital.   Louis- 

A       ^iT'^vJf '''*''•     *^''"^f''^l  »t   .\l:.rshall.   Hoc.   1,   1S61.      |)is.-l,;uc;o,l   for  .lisal.ilitv 
Aug.    lOj   lob-.  ■ ' 

Ten,J"jlav'6^186-    "'      ^""''"^    "'    Marengo,    Oct.    23,    ISGl.      Hie.l    at    Shiloh, 
eha..Si:fe.f^"865     ""'''""    "    ^■'"■^"'"'-    ^''-'■"    ^'    '^"^-      '^'-■"-"-      "- 

Wallace,  Ralph  B.  Enlisted  at  Albion.  .Ian.  I'l  ]86>  Oiiarternri-stei-  Ser 
geant,  April  27,  1865.     Mustered  out,  July  28,  Ise.-J.  "'      ^"■'"""'''-''"''    ^' ■ 

Wilson,  George  M.  Enlisted  as  Sergeant  at  Marshall.  Nov.  11  18(31  Junior 
orjuV30,'V865."^''  '''  ^'''-  •^""'"'-  ^'^^^  ^^'"•^-  -^'"-"  ^'^'  ^'^•'•^-  -^f-'"- 
for  ^:al:il?;^^:'t'l^''"-  '^"'"'''  '•t  Marshan.  Nov.  ,9,  ISO,.  Discharged 
Jan.^Tl865  ^"''"'    ^'      ^°"'*"'    "**    ^^^^I-^"-    '^'«v.    12,    1861.      Mustered    out, 

CraWford    So„,erfield  A.  E.     Enlisted,  .Tan.  17,  1862.     Discharged.  Jan.  1,  1865. 

King,  John   G.     Enlisted  Aug.   18,   1864.     Mustered   out,  Aug.   6     1865 
^„  J°"/*««°*'^  ^i^t'"^.'   ^T'  ^y""""  ^-     ^""^t^"^  at  Marshall,  Sept.  12,  1863,  aa 
Sergeant.     Second  Lieut.,  Feb.  20,  1865.     Mustered  out,  July  1    1865 

1    1865°""'^''^'''   ^'""'^'     ^°"'**"*  *"  Marshall,   Oct.   21,  1863.     Mustered   out.  July 

'     J^^^r^'^p    ^'•"''•'e^-      Enlisted    at    Marshall.    Sept.    12,    1863.      Dis.harcrcd    for 
disability,  May  22,  1864.  i".iii,u„(u    lor 

1     18^5'*"'   ''°^°    ^^'      ■"^"'■"^'''^    ''t    Marshall.    Sept.    IS,    1863.      JIustercd    nut.    July 

ISeS^*"*"'"'  ^^^^^  ^'     ^""'^'''^  ^^  Mar.shall,  Dec.  31,  1863.     Mustered  out.  July  1, 

Kifi-^'"^'*""'''  ^r'-     ?^°'!"*«'l  ^'•o™  Marengo,  Oct.   21,  1863,  as  Corporal.     Sergeant, 
I860      Junior  Second  Lieut.,  March  17,  1865.     Jlustered  out.  .Tuly  1     1865 

Sweet.    Frank   B.      Enlisted    at    Marshall,    Sept.    12,    1863,    as    First    Sergeant. 
Senior  Second  Lieut.,  March  1,  1864.     Mustered  out.  .July  1     1865 
1    ISes""'"'*"'   ^'""'"'     '^""'*''''   "*   ^^rarshall,   Oct.    1,    iS63.      Mustered    out.  July 

IMiscEi.LAXEor's  Organizations 

Great  pains  has  been  taken  by  the  Adjutant  General's  Department 
at  Lansing,  to  obtain,  as  far  as  possible,  the  names  and  records  of  all 
officers  and  men  who  served  in  other  than  .Michigan  organizations  who 
were  residents  or  citizens  of  Michigan  at  the  time  of  enlistment  Of 
these,  the  following  are  credited  to  Callioun  County,  viz. : 

Andrew.s,  Elisha.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  D  (i.-,tli  III  Infantry 
March  6,   1862.     Corporal.     Discharged.  Oct.  17    186-^  '        ' 

Andrur,  Charles.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  I)  6,-,tl,  Illinois  I„f-,n 
try,  March  6,  1862.     Deserted,  Oct.  18,   1862. 

Andrur,  Marion.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  D  (vlth  Illinois  Inf^n 
try,  March  6,  1862.     Died  in  seryice,  Sept.  15    1863 

A„^^"3''l8fii  "t^^ifV  •  ^^'V-°"^\,^""'*''^   '"   Company  G,   39th   Illinois  Infantry, 
Aug.  23,  1861.     Killed  in  action.  May  15,  1864 

T.     ^of  ^'S«o'  *^?r"'^'-  ,^a'"«''a"-     Knlisted  in  Company  H,  13th  Illinois  Cayalry, 
Jan.   J3,   1862.     Mustered   out.  June   2.   1865. 

^"^'s^^   Charles  W.      Marshall.     Battery   T.      First    Illinois   Artillery.      Enlisted. 


596  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Davey,  Elias  C.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  111.  Infantry,  March 
7,  1862.     Deserted,  Nov.  20,   1862. 

Doy,  George  E.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  Both  111.  Inft.,  March  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out,  July  13,  1865. 

Driniple,  Samuel.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  111.  Inft.,  March 
5,   1862. 

Getehin,  William.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Battery  I.  First  III.  Artillery, 
Jan.    29,    1862.      Discharged,   Feb.   10,   1865. 

Hamas,  Lorin  H.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  111.  Inft.,  March  15, 
1862.     Deserted,  Jan.  18,  1863. 

Jones,  Ebenezer.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  111.  Inft.,  Feb.  15, 
1862.     Corporal.     Died  in  service.  May  18,  1862. 

Lattin,  Orzo.  Marshall.  Enlisted  in  Battery  1,  First  111.  Artillery,  Feb.  14, 
1862.     Mustered  out,  July  26,  1865. 

Lockhart,  John.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  111.  Inft.,  March  13, 
1862. 

Majo,  Monte.     Battle  Creek.     Enlisted  in  Company  D,  65th  111.,  April  14,  1862. 

Rogers,   Silas.     Battle  Creek.     Enlisted   in   Company   D,   65th   111.   Inft.,   March 

7,  1862.     Died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Jan.  10,  1864. 

Scott,  George  W.  Marshall.  Enlisted  in  Battery  I.  First  111.  Artillery,  Jan. 
29,  1862.     Corporal.     Discharged,  Aug.  31,  1862. 

Stevens,  Samuel  J.  Marshall.  Enlisted  in  Co.  B,  88th  111.  Inft.,  Aug.  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out   as  Corporal,  June  9,   1865. 

Thompson,  Erastus  G.  Marshall.  Enlisted  in  Co.  A,  13th  111.  Cavalry,  Jan. 
S,   1862.     Mustered  out.  Feb.  24,   1865. 

Van  Brocklin,  Bela.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  65th  III.  Inft.,  March  6,  1862.  Deserted, 
Nov.   17,  1862. 

Walker,   Robert  L.     Marshall.     Enlisted  in   Company  A,   13   111.   Cavalry,   Jan. 

8,  1862.     Mustered,  May  23,  1863.     No  further  record. 

Wetzel,  Philip.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Company  D,  65th  111.  Inft.,  March 
5,  1862.     Deserted,  Nov.  12,  1862. 

Wilcox,  Charles  J.  Battle  Creek.  Enlisted  in  Co.  D,  6th  111.  Inft.,  April  15, 
1862.     Discharged,  March  23,  1863. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

IN  THE  WAR  WITH  SPAIN 

Official  Data — Volunteers  Outside  of  Company  D^Calhoun  Coun- 
ty IN  THE  Spanish- American  War  (by  Colonel  William  H. 
Hatch) — Company  D  Ordered  into  Camp — Leaves  for  Tampa, 
Florida — Transport  "Florida"  Disabled — In  Camp  at  Fernan- 
DiNO — Starting  for  Home — Welcome  Home — Roster  op  Company 
D— Captain  D.  E.  W.  Lyle. 

For  nmeh  of  the  following  data  relative  to  Michigan's  part  in  the 
war  with  Spain,  we  are  indebted  to  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General 
of  the  State  for  the  years  1897-1898. 

Official  Data 

War  having  been  declared  witli  Spain,  President  McKinley,  on  April 
23d,  1898,  issued  his  proclamation  calling  for  125,000  volunteers.  Michi- 
gan's quota,  of  this  number,  was  4,104,  to  consist  of  four  regiments  of 
infantry  of  1,026  officers  and  men  each.  On  the  following  day  general 
orders  were  issued  from  the  adjutant  general's  office  at  Lansing,  for  the 
mobilization  of  the  entire  Michigan  National  Guard  at  Island  Lake, 
April  26,  1908.  The  regiments  to  be  organized  were  designated  as  the 
31st,  32d,  33d  and  34th  ^Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  following  in 
numerical  order  the  infantry  regiments  of  the  Civil  War. 

May  10,  1898,  the  enlistment  and  nmster  of  the  31st  was  completed 
and  in  the  service  of  the  LTnited  States,  and  on  May  15,  1898,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Cornelius  Gardener,  left  Island  Lake  for  Chieka- 
mauga  Park,  Georgia.  The  32d  was  mustered  in.  May  4th.  1898,  and 
on  the  19th  under  command  of  Colonel  William  T.  McGurrin,  departed 
for  Tampa,  Florida. 

The  33d  and  34th  were  mustered  in  May  20  and  25,  respectively, 
Colonels  Charles  L.  Boynton  and  John  P.  Peterman  commanding.  These 
regiments  left  Island  Lake,  May  28.  and  June  6.  1898.  for  Camp  Alger, 
Virginia. 

May  25,  1898,  the  President  issued  his  second  call  for  troops  of 
which  ^lichigan's  quota  was  one  regiment  of  infantry  of  a  maximum 
strength  of  1,272  men  and  47  officers.  July  11,  1898."  E.  M.  Irish  was 
commissioned  colonel  of  this,  the  35th  Regiment  Michigan  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  on  July  25th,  it  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 

597 


598  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

United  States.  On  September  14tli,  under  orders  from  the  War  De- 
pai-tment,  it  moved  from  Island  Lake,  to  Camp  Meade,  Pennsylvania. 

The  33d  and  34tli  Michigan  formed  part  of  the  expedition  under  com- 
mand of  General  Shafter  against  Santiago,  and  bore  their  full  share 
of  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  that  campaign. 

The  IMiehigan  Naval  Reserves,  consisting  of  eleven  officers  and  two 
hundred  and  seventj'  men  were  detailed  on  the  anxiliary  cruiser  Yo- 
semite  and  saw  service  at  Havana,  Santiago,  Guantanamo  and  San  Juan 
de  Porto  Rico,  in  all  situations  winning  the  approval  of  the  regular  naval 
authorities  for  the  admirable  manner  in  which  they  discharged  their 
duties. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  Michigan  never  sent  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  a  higher  grade  nor  a  more  patriotic  body  of  men 
than  the  Spanish-American  AVar  Volunteers.  Had  the  opportunity  of- 
fered, which  for  most  of  them,  fortunately  it  did  not,  they  would  have 
demonstrated  their  courage  on  the  battlefield  as  they  did  their  patient 
endurance  in  the  disease  breeding  camps. 

We  take  pleasure  in  presenting  at  this  point  the  admirable  article 
prepared  bj'  Colonel  William  il.  Hatch  on  "Calhoun  County  in  the 
Spanish-American  War, ' '  together  with  a  roster  of  Company  D  of  Battle 
Creek,  of  which  Colonel  Hatch  was  captain,  and  which  was  the  only 
complete  organization  from  this  county.  Following  this  is  a  list  of 
volunteers  from  the  county  in  other  organizations: 

Volunteers  Outside  op  Company  D. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  volunteers  other  than  those  composing 
Company  D,  of  the  32d  regiment,  who  served  in  the  Spanish-American 
war,  from  Calhoun  county. 

Thirty-first  Regiment:  Boyes,  Charles  E.,  Albion,  chief  musician; 
privates— Caldwell,  Clarence  J.,  Co.  H;  Cole,  George  W.,  Co.  H;  Fall, 
Frank  A.,  Co.  L ;  Ford,  Dick  S.,  Co.  H ;  Gardner,  Carleton  F.,  Co.  E ; 
Gardner,  Willard  B.,  Co.  H. 

Thirty-second  Regiment:  Holdeman,  Harry  C,  Albion,  musician, 
Co.  H ;  privates — Gardner,  Elton  Goldthwaite,  Co.  A ;  Smith,  H.  Eugene, 
Co.  A. 

Thirty-third  Regiment:  Thomason,  Henry  D.,  Albion,  surgeon; 
Knickerbocker,  Emory  L.,  musician,  Co.  K;  Passmore,  Floyd,  private, 
Co.  M. 

Thirty -fifth  Regiment:  Stine,  Edward  E.,  Battle  Creek,  corporal, 
Co.  B ;  Diver,  Ellis  D.,  Marshall,  private,  Co.  G. 

Co.  K,  35th  Regiment:  Richard  S.  Loeton.  captain;  Sergeants — 
Frank  Cathcart,  Herbert  N.  Sapp ;  corporals — Roy  H.  Town,  William 
W.  Gaston,  Charles  J.  Griffith,  Frank  D.  Dowd ;  Harry  P.  Dickey,  musi- 
cian; George  D.  McNames,  artificer,  all  of  Marshall. 

Privates — Albaugh,  Charles  W.,  Marshall;  Baker.  Albert  J.,  Albion; 
Beck,  Fred.  J.,  Marshall;  Burkle,  John,  Marshall;  Conrad,  Jack,  Mar- 
shall; Cook,  Frank  J.,  Marshall;  Cushinan,  James  D.,  Marshall:  Doo- 
little,  Albert  J.,  Eekford;  Dunham,  Charles  S.,  Marshall;  Hartson, 
Lewis    N.,    Tekonsha ;    Holsenburg,    Alfred    H.,    Battle  Creek ;    Hoey, 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUiN  COUNTY 


599 


Nicholas  V..  Marshall ;  Lwsou,  William  H.,  Marshall ;  Lower.  George  F., 
Fredonia  Twp. :  Mahrey,  Jesse.  Jlarshall ;  Oles,  Edward  L..  Marshall : 
Rvan,  Philip  A..  Marshall;  Sanders.  John  H.,  Marshall;  Thavor,  Fred 
A.,  Battle  Creek;  Tyler.  Charles  E..  Marshall:  Way.  Roy  S.  Marshall; 
Werner,  Louis  F.,  Marshall:  Zanger,  John,  ^Marshall :  Zuhcr.  John  0., 
Marshall. 

Calhoux  County  ix  the  Spanish-American  War. 

By  Colonel  William  H.  Hatch      ■ 

For  many  years  subsequent  to  the  closing  of  the  Civil  War,  Calhoun 
County  had  no  military  organization  of  any  character.    Its  record  dur- 


('(iL.  William  II.  Hatci 


iug  that  gigantic  struggle  had  been  most  creditable,  and  it  had  furnished 
its  full  cjuotas  of  men  and  treasure  in  support  of  the  Union  Cause.  But 
with  the  end  of  the  war  and  the  return  to  peaceful  pursuits  of  the 
enormous  armies  of  the  north,  the  military  spirit  of  the  Nation,  so  long 
necessarily  predominant,  naturally  waned  almost  to  the  vanishing  jioint. 


600  HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

About  1895,  however,  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  place  in  the 
Michigan  National  Guard  for  a  company  from  Battle  Creek,  which  was 
then  the  largest  city  in  the  state  without  representation  in  the  State 
Military  Establishment.  At  that  time  Colonel  Prank  H.  Latta  was  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  Governor  John  T.  Rich,  and,  at  his  suggestion  an 
independent  company  was  organized  by  Captain  James  T.  Caldwell 
with  a  view  of  being  prepared  to  fill  vacancy  in  the  Second  Regiment 
M.  N.  G.,  soon  to  be  made  bj^  the  muster  out  of  the  Three  Rivers  Com- 
pany. Through  the  earnest  efforts  of  Colonel  Latta  and  Captain  Cald- 
well, assisted  by  other  prominent  citizens,  the  vacancy  was  secured  for 
Battle  Creek  and  on  September  14,  1896,  the  company  was  mustered  into 
the  state  service  as  Company  "D,"  2d  Infantry,  Michigan  National 
Guard.  James  T.  Caldwell  was  captain,  Wm.  M.  Hatch,  first  lieutenant, 
and  Paul  W.  Geddes,  second  lieutenant.  The  Old  Centennial  Hall  was 
leased  for  an  armory,  the  second  story  of  same  block  being  utilized  for 
lockers,  officers'  room,  store  rooms,  etc.  In  July,  1897.  Captain  Cald- 
well was  obliged  to  resign  on  account  of  business  and  Lieutenant  Hatch 
was  elected  captain,  Miles  W.  Ward,  first  lieutenant,  and  Ralph  R. 
Stewart,  second  lieutenant.  The  company  attended  its  first  encamp- 
ment at  Island  Lake,  Michigan,  in  August,  1897. 

Company  D  Ordered  into  Camp. 

On  April  23,  1898.  war  having  been  declared  with  Sijaiu.  the 
entire  JMichigan  National  Guard  was  ordered  into  camp  at  Island  Lake, 
Michigan,  preparatory  to  being  mustered  into  the  United  States  Service. 
Company  "D"  was  immediately  recruited  up  to  its  maximum  strength 
of  three  officers  and  eighty-four  enlisted  men.  Hundreds  of  Calhoun 
county's  young  men  offered  themselves  for  the  service  and  many  were 
sadly  disappointed  not  to  be  included  in  the  number  chosen  to  fill  the 
vacancies.  The  citizens  of  the  entire  county  showed  the  greatest  enthu- 
siasm and  everything  that  love  and  patroitism  could  suggest  was  done 
for  the  boys  of  Company  ''D"  before  their  departure.  A  mass  meeting 
of  citizens  was  held  at  Haniblin's  Opera  House  on  Sunday,  April  24th, 
and  the  officers  and  men  were  assured  of  the  loyal  support  of  the  people 
of  the  city  and  county.  Monday  evening,  April  25th,  a  banquet  was 
tendered  the  Company  at  the  Independent  Congregational  Church,  and 
a  substantial  sum  of  money  was  raised  to  be  used  in  case  of  emergency. 

On  the  morning  of  April  26,  1898,  the  Company  left  its  armory  in 
heavy  marching  order  and  marched  to  the  Grand  Trunk  station  where 
it  entrained  for  Island  Lake,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  thousands  who  had 
gathered  to  give  the  boys  a  Godspeed  on  their  departure  for  the  "front." 

The  Company  arrived  at  Camp  Eaton,  Island  Lake,  Tuesday  even- 
ing, April  26,  1898,  and  immediately  began  to  prepare  for  muster  into 
the  United  States  Service.  Examinations  were  held  by  United  States 
Army  surgeons  and  all  who  were  physically  unfit  were  honorably  dis- 
charged, and  their  places  filled  "by  recruits  from  home  stations.  New 
equipment  was  issued  and  the  days  were  taken  up  with  arduous  drilling 
and  the  instruction  of  officers  and  men  in  the  details  of  the  duties  of 
the  soldier.     Pour  companies  of  the  Pirst  Infantry  were  attached  to 


HISTORY  OP  CALHOUN  COITNTY  tiOl 

the  Second  lufautry  to  make  the  twelve  company  formation  i-eccutly 
adopted  by  the  army  and  tlic  regiment  then  consisted  of  foiii-  com- 
panies from  Detroit,  four  from  Grand  Rapids,  and  one  company  each 
from  Kalamazoo.  Coldwater,  Grand  Haven  and  Battle  Creek.  On  May 
11th,  Company  "D"'  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  Service  a.s 
Company  "'D, "  32d  Regiment,  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry.  Owing 
to  the  fact  that  it  was  the  first  company  mustered  in,  ('omjiany  I)  lic- 
came  the  senior  company  of  the  Regiment  and  entitled  to  the  right  of 
the  line  in  regimental  formations. 

Leaves  for  Tamp.v,  Florida. 

The  :32d  left  Island  Lake  on  :May  19,  1898,  for  Tampa,  Florida,  in 
three  trains  of  Pullman  sleepers  going  via  Toledo,  Cincinnati,  and  the 
Queen  &  Crescent  Route  from  there  through  Chattanooga,  Atlanta  and 
Macon,  Georgia.  At  the  latter  point  tliere  was  a  delay  of  several  hours 
while  communications  were  being  carried  on  by  wire  between  Colonel 
McGurrin  and  the  War  Department  relative  to  diverting  the  regiment 
to  San  Francisco  for  service  in  the  Philippines,  (hving  to  tlie  fact 
that  the  men  were  still  supplied  with  the  old  Springfield  Rifles  and  had 
not  yet  been  furnished  the  Krag-Jorgensen  in  use  in  the  Regular  Army, 
the  department  decided  to  adhere  to  its  original  plan  and  the  regiment 
proceeded  to  Tampa,  Florida,  where  it  arrived  on  the  evening  of  May 
22d.  In  the  morning  of  May  23d,  the  32d  marched  to  the  camp  site  as- 
signed to  it  at  Palmetto  Beach  on  the  shore  of  Hillsboro  Bay — a  branch 
of  Tampa  Bay — and  about  four  miles  from  the  City  of  Tampa.  It  was 
brigaded  with  the  First  Florida  and  the  Fifth  Ohio  Regiments,  form- 
ing the  Second  Brigade.  First  Division,  Fifth  Ai'my  Corps,  commanded 
by  General  Shaffer.  The  camp  site  was  a  grove  of  scrub  palmettos, 
which  have  a  tough  sappy  trunk  and  root,  and  for  many  days  the  boys 
did  little  but  grub  palmettos  to  clear  the  ground  so  it  would  be  rendered 
fit  for  camping  purposes.  This  work  was  the  subject  of  much  humorous 
comment  by  the  soldiers,  who  thereafter  dubbed  themselves  "The  Florida 
Improvement  Society." 

Transport  '"Florida"  Disabled 

The  32d  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  to  arrive  in  Tampa  and  as 
the  invading  army  under  General  Shaffer,  was  to  embark  at  that  port 
every  member  of  the  32d  hoped  and  fully  expected  to  participate  in  that 
campaign.  The  regiment  received  its  first  inspection  by  United  States 
oiBcers  on  ilay  26th  and  on  June  16th  the  order  came  to  break  camp 
and  prepare  to  embark  at  Fort  Tampa  on  the  Transport  "Florida"  for 
Cuba.  As  the  regiment  was  about  to  commence  the  march  to  the  port, 
word  was  received  that  the  "Florida"  had  been  disabled  in  collision  in 
the  Baj'  and  the  32d  was  not  included  in  Shaffer's  Expedition.  Camp 
was  again  made  and  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps  under  General  Coppinger.  The  size  of  the  Volunteer  Companies 
was  increased  to  three  officers  and  one  hundred  and  six  enlisted  men 
to  conform  to  the  new  United  States  army  standard  and  Corporal  Stew- 


602  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

art  was  sent  back  to  Battle  Creek  to  recruit  the  additional  men  re- 
quired. They  experienced  no  difficulty  in  securing  the  recruits,  as  there 
were  still  hundreds  of  young  men  in  Calhoun  county  who  were  ea.uer 
to  enlist,  and  Corporal  Stewart  arrived  at  Camp  DeSoto  on  July  2d 
with  twenty-three  men,  who  were  a  welcome  addition  to  the  ranks  of 
Company  "D,"  which  were  already  somewhat  depleted  by  sickness. 
The  hopes  of  all  were  still  strong  that  the  regiment  would  yet  get  to 
Cuba  and  see  some  actual  service  in  the  field.  On  the  morning  of  July 
4th,  the  news  of  the  destruction  of  Cervera's  fleet  by  Schley  and 
Sampson  was  received  with  mingled  feeling  of  delight  and  regret — 
delight  at  the  glorious  victory  to  American  arms  and  regret  at  the 
thought  that  perhaps  the  war  would  close  without  the  32d  being  per- 
mitted to  participate  in  an  active  manner. 

In  Camp  at  Fernandino 

On  June  1st,  the  summer  rains  had  commenced  and  in  a  few  days 
the  camp  was  literally  a  swamp.  Every  day  there  would  be  a  tropical 
downpour  and  some  days  several,  and  as  a  result  the  hospitals  began  to 
fill  up  with  malaria  and  typhoid  patients.  Every  effort  was  made  to 
have  the  regiment  moved  to  higher  ground,  but  without  success,  and 
it  was  not  until  July  19th,  that  ordei's  were  received  to  move  across  the 
state  to  Fernandino  on  the  Atlantic  coast  north  of  Jacksonville  This 
order  raised  new  hopes  in  the  hearts  of  the  boys  of  Company  "D" 
as  it  was  believed  that  the  regiment  would  be  embarked  frojn  Fernan- 
dino for  either  Cuba  or  Porto  Rico,  to  which  latter  island  an  expedition 
under  General  Miles  was  about  to  sail.  The  regiment  left  Tampa  at 
midnight,  July  19,  and  arrived  at  Fernandino  on  the  evening  of  July 
22d.  The  camp  at  this  place  was  named  Carpenter,  in  honor  of  the 
division  commander,  and  the  32d  was  now  attached  to  the  Seventh  Army 
Corps  under  General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  who  was  a  noted  Confederate  cav- 
alry leader  and  consul  general  at  Havana  at  the  time  of  tlie  outbreak 
of  "the  Spanish  War.  His  Corps  Headquarters  were  at  Jacksonville. 
While  at  Fernandino,  the  arduous  drilling  continued  and  the  men  were 
in  daily  expectation  of  being  ordered  to  embark  for  Cuba  or  Porto  Rico. 
On  August  10th,  however,  the  peace  protocol  was  signed  and  the  pros- 
pect ofactual  service  went  glimmering.,  There  was  still  the  possibility 
of  being  called  on  for  garrison  duty  in  Cuba,  but  naturally  most  of  the 
men  did  not  take  kindly  to  the  idea  of  this  kind  of  service.  As  long  as 
the  war  continued,  they  were,  to  a  man,  eager  to  get  to  the  front  and  par- 
ticipate in  any  fighting  that  might  occur,  but  with  the  termination  of 
hostilities,  and  the  end  of  the  war  in  sight,  they  were  anxious  to  be  re- 
turned as  quickly  as  possible  to  their  homes  where  most  of  them  had 
left  good  positions  to  answer  their  country's  call.'  A  considerable  pro- 
portion of  all  the  companies  were  in  the  hospital,  suffering  from  typhoid 
and  malarial  fever  and  other  disabilities  induced  by  the  hardships  of 
army  life  in  a  serai-tropical  country.  The  sanitary  conditions  of  most 
of  the  camps  was  extremely  bad,  and  at  first  there  was  a  searcit.y  of 
medical  supplies  and  hospital  equipment.  This  latter  condition  was  im- 
proved later,  but  throughout  the  entire  compaign  the  effect  of  the  un- 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  (503 

favorable  sanitary  eoiulitions  was  apparent  in  the  unusually  lavf^e  iiunilier 
of  men  who  were  confined  to  the  hospitals  or  sick  in  their  quarters.  The 
experience  of  this  war  showed  clearly  the  almost  total  unpreparedness 
of  the  United  States  for  an  encounter  with  a  Nation  of  any  considerable 
military  strength — a  condition  that  was  nothing  less  tlian  criminal  and 
that  cost  the  lives  of  hundreds  of  our  brave  boys. 

Starting  for  Home 

On  September  3d,  the  32d  broke  camp  at  Fernandino,  and  entrained 
for  Huntsville,  Alabama,  where  it  arrived  at  noon  on  the  5th.  In  the 
evening  of  that  day,  the  regiment  marched  in  a  iieavy  downpour  of 
rain  to  a  camp  just  vacated  by  the  Fifth  Maryland  Infantry  at  the  foot 
of  Monte  Sano  and  occupied  the  tents  they  had  left  standing.  The  ex- 
posure incident  to  this  march  resulted  in  much  additional  sickness  and 
the  field  hospitals  were  soon  filled  to  overflowing.  Some  of  the  sick  had 
been  transferred  from  the  field  hospitals  at  Tampa  and  Fernandino 
to  the  general  hospitals  at  Atlanta,  Ft.  Thomas,  and  other  points,  antl 
on  September  14th,  a  hospital  train  sent  out  by  Governor  Pingree  ar- 
rived at  Huntsville  and  took  all  of  the  Michigan  men,  who  were  seri- 
ously ill,  among  them  Captain  Hatch  of  Company  D. 

On  September  17th,  camp  was  again  broken  and  the  regiment  en- 
trained, this  time  the  objective  point  being  Island  Lake,  Michigan,  where 
it  arrived  on  September  18th.  Here  the  transfer  ami  accounting  for 
Federal  property  and  eqiiipment  was  accomplished,  and  on  September 
23d,  Company  "D"  returned  to  Battle  Creek,  where  it  was  given  a 
hearty  welcome  by  the  home  folks.  Many  of  the  boys  were  in  extremely 
bad  physical  condition  and  a  large  number  were  cared  for  in  Nichols 
Hospital  at  the  expense  of  the  city.  The  company  had  lost  none  of  its 
members  while  in  the  south,  in  spite  of  the  large  percentage  disaliled  by 
sickness,  but  congratulations  on  this  score  were  of  short  duration,  for 
on  October  1st,  Private  Don  Stevens  died  at  Nichols  Hospital  and  on 
October  16th,  Private  Ro.y  B.  North  died  at  his  home,  both  deaths  re- 
sulting from  typhoid  fever  contracted  in  the  service  of  their  counti\y. 

A  furlough  was  granted  all  the  members  of  the  company  and  the 
month  of  October  was  occupied  in  preparations  for  muster  out,  whicli 
occurred  on  November  3,  1898. 

Although  by  far  the  majority  of  those  who  served  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war  from  Calhoun  county  were  members  of  Company  "D," 
there  were  a  considerable  number  who  joined  the  Regular  Army  and 
saw  service  in  either  Cuba  or  the  Philippines,  prominent  among  these 
was  Captain  D.  Edwin  Lyle,  who  was  graduated  from  West  Point  in 
the  spring  of  1898,  and  assigned  to  the  19th  Infantry  with  the  rank  of 
second  lieutenant.  His  regiment  was  ordered  to  tiie  Philipjiincs  and  par- 
ticipated in  many  engagements  there  under  Generals  Otis  and  Merritt. 
Captain  Lyle  died  from  disabilities  contracted  in  the  Philippine  Cam- 
paign. 

There  were  also  some  few  Calhoun  coiintj'  boys  enlisted  in  other 
regiments  in  the  Volunteer  Service,  notable  among  them  being  Captain 
Richard  Lockton,  of  Mai-shall,  who  was  captain  of  Company  K,  35th 


604  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry.    Captain  Lockton  was  stricken  with  fever 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Marshall. 


Welcome  Home 

Although  Company  "D"  failed  to  get  to  Cuba  and  engage  in  active 
hostilities,  its  members  and  the  people  of  their  home  county  and  cities 
have  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  record.  It  has  been  customary 
to  belittle  the  services  rendered  by  the  soldiers  of  the  Spanish-American 
war  and  they  are  often  referred  to  as  "feather  bed  soldiers."  Nothing 
could  be  more  unjust  than  this.  They  answered  their  country's  call  and 
by  enlisting  in  the  United  States  service  showed  their  willingrness  to  t>o 
wherever  they  were  ordered  and  perform  any  service  required  of  them, 
and  this  they  did  with  cheerful  and  resolute  spirit  that  won  for  them 
the  praise  and  commendation  of  their  superior  officers.  The  lot  of  a 
soldier  is  at  the  best  a  hard  one  and  in  the  fever  camps  of  the  south 
drilling  and  working  in  the  boiling  sun  and  drenching  tropical  rains, 
it  was  far  from  being  the  pleasant  pastime  that  some  appear  to  regard  it. 
The  boys  of  Company  "D"  did  tlieir  full  duty  and  that  is  the  most  that 
any  man  can  do.  Many  of  them  contracted  disabilities  from  which  they 
will  suffer  as  long  as  they  live  and,  in  fact,  the  lives  of  many  will  be 
materially  shortened  on  account  of  their  brief,  but  arduous  service  in 
the  Spanish-Amej'ican  War. 

On  Sunday,  November  13,  1898,  a  special  service  was  held  for  the 
members  of  Company  "D"  at  the  Independent  Congregational  Church, 
Battle  Creek,  Michigan.  Reverend  Samuel  J.  Stewart,  who  had  taken 
a  keen  interest  in  the  local  company,  delivered  a  most  eloquent  address, 
using  for  his  subject:  "A  Welcome  Home  and  a  Call  to  Higher  Duty 
and  Privilege."  This  sermon  was  afterwards  published  in  pamphlet 
form  by  the  members  of  the  Company. 

Roster  op  Company  D 

William  M.  Hatch,  captain ;  ]\Iiles  W.  Ward,  first  lieutenant ;  Paul 
W.  Geddes,  second  lieutenant ;  Charles  G.  Peters,  first  sergeant ;  Syra 
E.  Lewis,  Q.  M.  sergeant ;  D.  P.  Beach,  second  sergeant ;  Eugene  R.  Cole, 
third  sergeant ;  Harry  A.  Hamilton,  fourth  sergeant ;  Melburn  E.  Truitt, 
fifth  sergeant ;  Ralph  R.  Stewart,  George  N.  Bliss,  Ernest  E.  Wilbur, 
Clarence  L.  Cole,  Orton  G.  Culver  and  Jay  R.  Suedeker,  corporals; 
Clarence  S.  Bartlett.  nnisician ;  Thomas  C.  Beanblossom,  artificer ;  Charles 
T.  Crawford,  wagoner ;  Harry  S.  Bidwell,  musician. 

Privates:  George  F.  Ames,  Albert  Amy,  Roy  Adams,  Walter  M. 
Buechner,  Charles  F.  Bacon,  Frank  0.  Barton,  William  E.  Bryant,  Otis 
J.  Cessna,  Lewis  R.  Cope,  Benjamin  F.  Chambers,  Geo.  F.  Condon,  Earl 
Cox,  Wallace  Carr,  Henry  C.  Chase,  David  E.  Calkins,  Frank  J.  Carns, 
Benjamin  Chapman,  Geo.  David,  Frank  J.  Darrow,  Walter  W.  Evans, 
Gilbert  Erard,  Edward  H.  Ellis,  Frank  L.  Finch,  Josiah  N.  Freeman, 
Fred  H.  Ferguson,  Roseoe  C.  Free,  Norman  N.  Geddes.  William  T. 
Grenier,  Joseph  F.  Gregory,  Orvie  H.  Gould,  Albert  M.  Gilbert,  John 


HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY  (ior. 

Grotlevaut,  Fred  H.  Hamiltou,  Chas.  A.  Hamiltou,  Alexander  H.  Hynd- 
inau,  William  H.  Halladay,  Jesse  J.  Holes,  Guy  Jimerson,  Claude  C. 
Jones.  John  E.  Jones,  Harry  P.  Knibloe,  William  N.  Kenzie,  Nelson  A. 
Kellogg,  Lewis  A.  Kress,  Loriug  Lane,  Floyd  Long,  J.  Roy  Lewis, 
George  Leth,  Allen  Marsh,  Fred  J.  Martin,  Eugene  Munn,  John  M. 
MeClellan.  Lewis  R.  McLeod,  Elton  L.  Miller,  Grant  J.  Miller,  Thomas 
C.  Morgan,  Francis  J.  Murphv,  Irwin  I.  i\Ieek,  Edwin  Macomber,  Edwin 
C.  .McPeake,  Charles  Maekinder,  Roy  B.  North,  Wilfred  N.  Nelson, 
William  Nevans,  Jliehael  R.  0  'Malley,  Fred  B.  Payne,  Percy  Pendleton, 
Lester  Quigley,  Stephen  J.  Rathbun,  Allan  C.  Reed,  Martin  Sloan,  Wil- 
liam Schmidt,  Joseph  G.  Stewart,  Fred  H.  Skinner,  Fred  T.  Shaver, 
Reynolds  Smith,  Alexander  L.  Smith,  Don  Stevens,  George  S.  Seoville, 
James  Soules,  Sylvenus  A.  Soules,  Frank  Sweet,  Alfred  M.  Smith, 
Charles  F.  Scheifer,  Sanuy  B.  Vessey,  Lewis  F.  Werstein,  Gh-iui  II. 
Wilder,  John  M.  Wilder,  Jesse  F.  AValdron,  Alva  W.  Walton.  Law- 
rence Warner.  Charles  J.  Wooley,  Harry  W.  Yager. 

Captain  D.  E.  W.  Lyle 

Captain  D.  Edwin  W.  Lyle  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  on  Novem- 
ber 28th,  1872.  When  eight  years  of  age  he  came  to  Battle  Creek,  Michi- 
gan, gi-aduating  from  our  high  school,  the  youngest  member  of  his  class, 
only  a  few  months  following  his  seventeenth  birthday. 

Before  attaining  his  eighteenth  year  he  was  accorded  the  important 
position  of  superintendent  of  mail  carriers  in  our  post  office  department, 
which  office  he  efficiently  held  for  nearly  four  years,  or  until  he  was  sum- 
moned to  West  Point.  N.  Y.,  to  take  examination  for  admission  to  the 
military  academy  at  that  place.  Successfully  passing  he  telegraphed  his 
resignation  to  Postmaster  W.  H.  Mason. 

He  remained  four  years  at  West  Point,  graduating  therefrom  on  April 
26th,  1898,  .just  in  time  to  engage  in  the  Spanish-American  AVar.  Just 
three  weeks  following  his  graduation  he  was  assigned  to  official  duty 
in  the  18th  United  States  Regular  Infantry,  with  which  regiment  he 
immediately  sailed  for  the  Philippine  Islands.  Under  General  Merritt 
he  took  active  part  in  the  seige  and  capture  of  Manila,  being  also  present 
during  the  bombardment  of  Iloilo,  the  .second  largest  city  of  the  archi- 
pelago, being  also  upon  the  firing  line,  doing  loyal  dut.y  for  his  country 
during  the  series  of  battles  of  February,  1899,  in  and  around  Manila. 

In  less  than  a  year  he  was  promoted  from  second  to  first  lieutenant, 
less  than  fourteen  months  he  received  a  captain's  commission,  being  as- 
signed to  the  37th  regiment  United  States  Volunteer  Infantry,  with 
which  command  he  made  an  enviable  record  until  the  said  regiment  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service,  its  time  having  expired,  when  Captain  L.yle 
returned  to  his  own  regiment,  the  18th  Regulars. 

After  a  service  of  three  years  and  three  months  in  the  Orient  he 
returned  to  this  country  and  was  stationed  at  Fort  Douglas,  Utah,  from 
which  lie  was  furloughed  home  to  enjoy  a  much  needed  and  well-earned 
respite  from  his  arduous  service. 

During  his  stay  here  he  was  transferred  to  the  14th  regiment,  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Wayne,  Detroit,  where  in  March,  1902,  he  was,  for  dis- 


606  HISTORY  OF  CALHOUN  COUNTY 

tiuguished  gallantry,  recommended  for  promotion  to  the  office  of  brevet 
major.  Prom  Port  Wayne  he  accompanied  his  regiment  to  Port  Brady, 
S.iult  Ste  Marie. 

As  a  further  recognition  of  his  soldierly  qualities,  he  was,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1902,  promoted  to  captain  in  the  regular  service.  In  April,  1903, 
he  sailed  for  the  second  time  for  the  Philippine  Islands  upon  the  official 
staff  of  the  27th  Regulars,  with  which  command  he  remained  for  eight 
months  in  and  around  Manila,  from  whence,  owing  to  continual  dis- 
ability he  was  in  November  invalided  home.  Arriving  in  this  country 
he  remained  a  few  weeks  in  California.  His  health  not  improving  he 
proceeded  to  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas,  where  he  was  under  treatment  in 
the  United  States  Hospital  for  about  three  months,  after  which  he 
returned  to  his  boyhood  home.  After  remaining  here  about  thi'ee  months 
he  left  to  join  his  own  company  and  regiment,  the  27th  Regulars  then 
stationed  at  Port  Thomas,  Kentucky.  His  health  not  improving,  on  the 
contrary  becoming  more  and  more  precarious,  he  proceeded  to  AVashing- 
ton,  D.  C,  where  under  treatment  in  the  government  hospital  he  seemed 
at  first  to  improve,  but  where,  alas,  death  came  suddenly  from  heart 
trouble,  that  organ  for  years  having  been  the  M'cakest  physical  point. 

He  was  buried  at  West  Point,  'neath  the  shadow  of  his  Alma  Mater, 
on  historic  ground,  he  too,  having  been  actively  engaged  in  making 
our  country 's  glorious  history. 


2720 


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