USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > Compendium of history and biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich. > Part 12
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Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 50 .--- Meets every Thurs- day, 8 P. M., at Elks Hall, No. 118 East Main street, third floor.
Catholic Knights and Ladies of America .--- Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, St. Au- gustine's Branch, No. 17 .--- Meets second and fourth Mondays of each month at No. 118 East Main street.
Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Branch No. 28 .---- Meets second and fourth Mondays of each month at Foley Guild Hall.
Coming Men of America, Kalamazoo Inde- pendent Lodge, No. 393:
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Deutsche Order of Harugari, Einheit Lodge, No. 645 .- Meets second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Auditorium.
Deutsche Order of Harugari, Schiller Lodge, No. 651 .- Mects second and fourth Wednes- days at No. 109 West Kalamazoo avenue.
Independent Order of Foresters, Court Kala- mazoo, No. 1531 .- Meets first and third Fridays of each month at No. 114 East Main street.
Grand Army of the Republic, Orcutt Post, No. 79 .- Mects first and third Tuesdays in cach month at G. A. R. Hall, 208-212 North Rose street.
Woman's Relief Corps is also represented here by a strong, and efficient organization.
Union Veterans' Union, Dwight May Com- mand.
Improved Order of Red Men .- Mects second and fourth Fridays of cach month.
Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, Mishan Lodge, No. 247 .-- Meets first and third Sundays of each month in the vestry room of the Jewish synagogue, East South street.
International Congress, Howard Assembly, No. 15 .- Mcets every Tuesday in Woodmen's Hall.
International Congress, Kalamazoo Assembly, No. 49 .- Meets every Thursday in Woodmen's Hall.
Knights of the Maccabees, Burr Oak Tent, No. 57 .- Holds review on second and fourth Mondays of each month, in Maccabec Temple.
Knights of the Maccabees, Kalamazoo Tent, No. 692 .- Mects first and third Mondays of cach month, in Maccabee Temple.
Knights of the Maccabees, Valiant Tent, No. 867 .- Mects second and fourth Mondays of each month, at No. 106 East Main street.
Knights of the Maccabees, Uniform Rank, Celery City Division, No. 15 .- Meets on the sec- ond Tuesday of each month, at Maccabee Temple.
Ladies of the Maccabees, Burr Oak Hive, No. 220 .- Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at Maccabee Temple.
Ladies of the Maccabees, Kalamazoo Hive, No. 202 .- Meets on the first and third Fridays of each month at Maccabee Temple.
Ladies of the Maccabees, Valiant Hive, No. 780 .- Meets on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, at Maccabee Temple.
Knights of Pythias, Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 25 .- Mects every Friday, at No. 125 East Main street.
Knights of Pythias, Southworth Lodge, No. 170 .- Meets every Tuesday, at No. 125 East Main street.
Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, Kala- inazoo Division, No. 9 .- Meets every Monday at No. 121 East Main street.
Knights of Pythias, Endowment Rank, No. 202 .- Meets on call and at annual election, at No. 107 West Main street.
Rathbone Sisters, Syracuse Temple, No. 37. -- Meets every Tuesday, at No. 107 West Main street.
Free and Accepted Masons, Anchor Lodge of S. O., No. 87 .- Meets on first Wednesdays on or before the full moon, at Masonic Temple, cor- ner of West Main and North Rose streets.
Free and Accepted Masons, Kalamazoo Lodge .- Meets Monday before the full of the moon and at the call of the worshipful master, at Masonic Temple.
Royal Arch Masons, Kalamazoo Chapter, No. 13 .- Mcets on Tuesday before the full of the moon and at the call of the high priest.
Royal and Select Masters, Kalamazoo Coun- cil, No. 63 .- Meets on Thursday after the full of the moon, at Masonic Temple.
Knights Templar, Peninsular Commandery, No. 8 .- Meets first Friday of cach month and at the call of the eminent commander, at Masonic Temple.
Order of the Eastern Star, Corinthian Chap- ter, No. 123 .- Meets on Thursday on or before the full of the moon, at Masonic Temple.
Modern Woodmen of America, Kalamazoo Camp, No. 851 .- Meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at No. 210 North Rose street.
Modern Woodmen of America, Sylvan Camp, No. 4626 .- Meets every Wednesday, at its lodge room on North Burdick street.
National Protective Legion, Kalamazoo Le-
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gion, No. 133 .- Meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, at No. 129 West Main street.
National Protective Legion, Progress Legion, No. 43 .-- Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at 106 East Main street.
National Union, Kalamazoo Council, No. 199. -- Meets on the first Monday in each month, at No. 208 North Rose street.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Burr Oak Encampment, No. 118 .- Meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Burr Oak Lodge, No. 270 .- Meets every Wednesday, at No. 125 West Main street.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Canton Colfax, No. 12 .--- Meets on the first and third Mondays of' each month at No. 107 East Main street.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Kalama- zoo Encampment, No. 78 .- Meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, at No. 107 East Main street.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Kalama- zoo Lodge, No. 7 .- Meets every Tuesday, at No. 107 East Main street.
· Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Unity Lodge, No. 407 .- Meets every Thursday, at No. 114 East Main street.
Daughters of Rebekah, Burr Oak Lodge, No. 184 .-- Meets on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, at No. 125 West Main street.
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Daughters of Rebekah, Social Lodge, No. 35. --- Meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, at No. 107 East Main street.
Daughters of Rebekah, Triple Link Lodge, No. 265 .- Meets on the second and fourth Wed- nesdays of each month, at No. 114 East Main street.
Royal Arcanum, Burr Oak City Council, No. 600 .--- Meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at No. 104 East Main street.
Tribe of Ben Hur, Kalamazoo Service Court, .No. 4 .- Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at the Auditorium.
United Home Protectors' Fraternity, Kalama- zoo Lodge, No. 70.
Woodmen of the World, Kalamazoo Camp, No. 38 .- Meets on the first Tuesday of each month, at No. 103 East Main street.
COLORED SOCIETIES.
Knights of Pythias, Damon Lodge, No. 6 .- Meets on the first and second Thursdays of each month, at No. 215 North Rose street.
Free and Accepted Masons, Central Lodge, No. 10 .- Meets on the first Monday of each month, at No. 215 North Rose street.
Knights Templar, St. John's Commandery, No. 5 .- Meets on the second Monday in each month.
Royal Arch Masons, Central Chapter .- Meets the second Monday in each month, at No. 215 North Main street.
Order of the Eastern Star, Zorah Chapter, No. 3 .- Meets at No. 217 East Main street.
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Kala- mazoo Lodge, No. 3900 .- Meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, at 125 West Main street.
Ladies' Auxiliary, Household of Ruth, No. 1068 .-- Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at No. 125 West Main street.
CHAPTER. VIII.
THE HOLLAND SETTLEMENT.
In 1847 the first Hollanders came to Kalama- zoo. They came with the full assurance of more religious freedom. The church in Holland had become extremely liberal and many seceded from the parent church. On their arrival here they were taken into the homes of American families and several gentlemen furnished conveyances to transfer these strangers in a strange land, with their belongings, to their future home on the shores of the Black lake to what then became the Holland colony, now known as Holland, Zealand, etc. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of many friends, it did not deter Paulus den Bleyker from making preparations to embark for America, eager to embrace the opportunity to test the promises
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offered by the United States. Among the first Dutch arrivals, the largest company who came to Kalamazoo consisted of twenty-seven persons un- der the leadership of Paulus den Bleyker. Leav- ing Holland August 14, 1850, they landed in Kal- amazoo the following October. Mr. den Bleyker and a part of his company stopped at the Sheri- dan House now occupied by the Chase block. Through the carelessness of a waitress three men were poisoned and died, one of whom was a Mr. Brown, of Grand Rapids, father of Mrs. J. J. Per- rin and another was one of the newly arrived Hol- landers. On account of the increased illness of a little invalid son, Mr. den Bleyker rented a house of John Marsh, brother-in-law of Governor Ran- som, and moved into it with his family, where the young child passed away. At the same time a number of the Dutch party, though in good health during their recent voyage, upon their arrival here sickened and died from what seemed a summer difficulty. The impression of the citizens was naturally unfavorable to foreigners with a strange language and habits which appeared peculiar and connecting the illness of this party with the deaths at the hotel, some of the trustees of the village jumped ata conclusion and attributed it to cholera ; took the family from their new home and moved them to the wooded outskirts of the town into a hastily, rudely constructed and incomplete build - ing, subjecting the inmates to the storms and se- verities of the late autumnal season, excluding them by quarantine from procuring such comforts as are necessary to the relief of the sick, thereby inviting suffering, additional illness and death. Among those who rendered them efficient service, the names of the Rev. A. S. Kidzie and Dr. Marsh, the son of John Marsh, will long be remembered. Soon after their release from this terrible ordeal, Mr. den Bleyker purchased the Judge Wells place of four hundred acres in Texas town- ship. At that time one of the most extensive landed proprietors in the then village of Kalama- zoo was supposed to be Epaphroditus Ransom, who had just completed his term as first governor of Michigan, from the new capitol at Lansing. The Governor Ransom home extended from Lovell street over stretches of upland covered
with beautiful trees, chiefly the burr oak, and over the marshy stretches (now the noted South celery fields), for nearly a mile to the present line of Reed street, and about ten rods cast of Pine street, to half way between Rose and Park streets. Forty rods south of Lovell street stood the home which the Governor had built for himself, a structure which in those carly times of the country might be said to honor the office of its occupant. It was a substantial frame building entered by a portico leading througha large door, situated between nar- row venetian windows, having access to a long hallway connecting with spacious rooms on cach side. One day Paulus den Bleyker, accompanied by his interpreter, appeared at the Governor's house. This man who had but recently been released from the pest house, and had been considered one of the poverty-stricken and despised emigrants, was now anxious to enter into a negotiation for the purchase of this beautiful tract of land, with its orchard, its double line of trees extending from the private gate way on Lovell street (sit- uated between the Dr. O. H. Clark home and the Krause property) to the house. His proposition to the Governor was to purchase the entire farm, not a portion. In reply from the Governor the amount needed would be twelve thousand dollars, which at that time was considered a large sum, but the amazement was still more intense when this man late from foreign soil was ready to close the deal, so the gold was exchanged for the land.
From the time of the settlement in the Gov- ernor Ransom house, Mr. den Bleyker was ever after known as the "Dutch Governor." Realizing the desirability of platting this farm into town lots, he secured the services of the village surveyor, S. H. Trask, father of Mrs. H. S. Cornell, to assist in the undertaking and thus furnished to the vil- lage the extensive tract of land known as the den Bleyker addition. When Mr. den Bleyker was fully ready he removed the gates to his pri- vate entrance at Lovell street and opened up Bur- dick street south about a mile. The main portion of the old home he at that time removed from the center to front the extended street from its east side. The old dwelling known as the "Dutch Governor's" home stands with its white paint and
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green blinds, shaded by the same native bur oak and in the rear a few of the original trees of the old orchard planted over sixty years ago. One or two years later, understanding the needs of his compatriots, and considering it his Christian duty, he went to the then Holland colony and built and established a much needed lumber and flour mill combined. Before this these people had been ne- cessitated to take their grain to be ground to Allegan, twenty-seven miles distant. For two years he spent his time with his family, partly in Holland and Kalamazoo, but finding this too ardu- ous, he disposed of his Holland mills and devoted his time thereafter in Kalamazoo.
Paulus den Bleyker was born in the province of South Holland, December 23, 1804, was left an orphan at nine years of age and was adopted into the home of a friend who was possessed of high principle and religious zeal. Having acquired a common-school education, combined with keen observance, he gained a large portion of his knowledge. At the age of eighteen, according to the laws of the Netherlands, he was required to enter the army, serving his country for nine years, and was called into active service during the rev- olution between Belgium and Holland, at which time Belgium became a secedant from the Nether- lands. Having distinguished himself by his sol- dierly bearing, mathematical precision and correct demeanor, he rose to the office of sergeant quar- termaster and major, equivalent to the rank of colonelcy in the United States. At the close of his army life he went to the province of North Holland, where he married. He carried on agri- culture and also, in connection with two gentle- men friends as partners, he engaged in a venture the undertaking of which required both enter- prise and capital. This reclaiming land from the Zeuder Zee and the dyking in of an area on the north of the island Lexel, was an onerous task, but this tract proved an acquisition to them and is now known as the "Eendractel Polder." Mr. den Bleyker died in Kalamazoo, April 8, 1872. leaving three children, John den Bleyker and Miss Martha den Bleyker, residing in Kalamazoo, and Dimmen den Bleyker, of Tacoma, Wash. He was a Christian man, conscientiously devoted to his
religious views, adhering to the faith of the Dutch Reformed church in its strictest sense. Ever considering himself unworthy to publicly pro- fess, he was ever full of doing kindly deeds, and ever ready to respond to the needs of the poor, but, according to the Bible, never allowed his right hand to know what his left hand did. After his death many were the attestations made to his family of help rendered by him to the poor and suffering. In all his business ventures caution and precision were exercised. He was scrupulously conscientious, enterprising and energetic, sympathetic, just, liberal and lenient towards his debtors, especially kind and loyal to those of his own nationality. Conservative as a politician, always voting for the one he considered the best man for the office, regardless of party, -- so it can be truly said he was a strong man, who never turned a deaf ear to the distress and embar- rassments of others. From his quiet life, though busy and useful, came the consciousness to his children that this long life was blest.
CHAPTER IX.
HISTORY OF GALESBURG SINCE 1880.
During the past twenty-five years the changes in Galesburg have been radical, but so gradual that only by comparison with the condition years ago are they noticeable. In size the village has grown but little; in appearance it has improved to a striking degree. One of the first changes oc- curred in 1886, when Charles Cory purchased the brick building known for many years as the "Old Brick," then in a ruinous condition, re- moved it and erected in its place a brick block that for several years was the pride of the village. In 1891 the two wooden store buildings adjoining on the west, owned, one by Dr. W. A. Burdick, and the other by I. V. Brown, were destroyed by fire and were, the following year, replaced by neat brick buildings. The Masonic Temple, also of brick, was built soon after. In 1900 H. H. Warren purchased a lot on East Battle Creek street, removed the frame building that stood there to the rear of the premises and built Hotel
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Warren, a handsome brick structure. This was purchased in 1904 by F. M. Lortei, who im- proved and beautified it until it now compares favorably with many large city hotels. It is now known as the Hill House. The same year ( 1900) Charles Towsley added a brick block to the same street. The town hall, also of brick, was built in 1901. In the meantime all of the older business buildings, both brick and frame, had been greatly improved and modernized until the business por- tion of Galesburg presents a thoroughly neat and attractive appearance.
In the residence portion of the town the changes have been no less noticeable. The re- moval of fences and improvement of houses have greatly added to the attractiveness of the place, while the care of lawns and streets has become a source of pride to almost every resident. Many years ago maple trees were planted along both sides of nearly every street. These have grown to noble proportions until the tree-lined streets are now a marked beauty of the place, exciting the admiration of all who visit the town. For a number of years no new dwellings were erected, but during the past fifteen years many modern homes have been added to the place, which, with the remodeling of older ones, have made the vil- lage one of the most beautiful in the state. For many years a grove of oak trees, owned by W. A. Blake, occupied a large portion of a block in the west part of town. A few years ago this was di- vided into village lots and sold and now forms one of the pleasantest residence portions of the place.
In 1900 the Michigan Traction Company com- pleted the construction of an electric railroad from Kalamazoo through Galesburg to Battle Creek, an innovation that has proved an untold conven- ience to the villagers and nearby farmers and also brought about increased business activity. Not many months later the old oil lamps, for whose dim light former citizens had been most thankful, were discarded and the streets were lighted by means of electricity. This method of lighting was soon introduced into the business places and grad- ually into many residences. In 1904, in conse- quence of the double tracking of the Michigan
Central Railroad, a part of a high wooden bridge that the Michigan Traction Company had built over that road was removed and in its place a steel bridge, which for strength and engineering triumph is unsurpassed in this part of the state, was constructed. This bridge is eight hundred feet long and more than twenty-two feet above the rails below.
Coexistant with material progress has been the intellectual. The Galesburg union schools have made long strides during the past twenty- five years toward efficiency and usefulness and have become the pride of the community. The corps of teachers now numbers six, besides a teacher of vocal music, and the pupils enrolled have become far more numerous than a few years since. Especially is this true in the higher grades where the foreign attendance, coming from all surrounding districts and villages and even from other counties, greatly swells the ranks of pupils. The courses of study have been gradually im- proved and new branches added until now four distinct branches are taught. Since 1876 the graduates number one hundred and eighty, many of whom have become widely known, while they are few who are not now filling positions of use- fulness and trust. In 1899 Mrs. Melinda J. Schroder presented to the school the "William J. Schroder Memorial Laboratory Equipment," in memory of her husband, who was always deeply interested in educational advancement. This, with what the school already possessed and what has since been added as the advance of modern science necessitated, gave to the school a most valuable means of instruction in the natural sci- ences, indeed seldom equalled in a small village. In addition to this the supply of maps, charts, globes, books of reference, etc., is very complete. The library, selected with greatest care, has grad- ually grown to seven hundred volumes and in- cludes books of history, poetry, fiction, etc., suit- able to the needs of pupils of all ages.
Besides the school library there is a township library, containing over five hundred books of the best literature. The largest library in the place is owned and managed by the Ladies' Library Association. This organization dates back to
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KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1876, when it was started in a very humble way with only twelve books, which were donated by the members. From this modest beginning it has grown steadily to a library of thirteen hun- dred volumes that, in choice of selection if not in number, compares very favorably with the libra- ries of cities. Too much can not be said in appre- ciation of the influence of this institution in the village. Not only has good literature been made easily accessible to all residents, but the standard of literary tastes has been perceptibly elevated by the untiring efforts of its members. It is the present hope of the organization to erect a suit- able library building soon.
Besides this organization there are numerous others. The Mutual Improvement Club, a women's literary society, has been in continuous existence since 1895, and is affiliated with the State Federation of Women's Clubs. Fraternal societies are numerous. Prairie Lodge No. 92, Free and Accepted Masons, organized in 1856, the Order of Eastern Star; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Knights of the Maccabees and Ladies of the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Galesburg Protective Association, which has been in exist- ence since 1851, are all popular.
Four churches flourished for many years, but the members of the Adventist denomination grad- ually removed to other places and services in their building were finally abandoned. The house stood empty for several years, then was sold and remod- eled into a dwelling. The Methodist Episcopal, Congregational and Baptist churches, with their Sunday schools, young people's and junior so- cieties and their various ladies' organizations are all in a thriving condition and are actively en- gaged in spreading the gospel in the community.
Early in the '8os a weekly newspaper was started in a modest way under the name of "The Enterprise." It did not prove profitable and fre- quently changed editors. J. B. Smiley at length purchased it and made it a publication of con- siderable local fame, his original poetry being one of its leading features. As a humorous poet Mr. Smiley gained considerable note. In 1888 a sec- 6
ond paper was started by Henry Ford. This was named "The Argus," and in 1891 was made a semi-weekly. The two papers continued as rival publications until 1903, when, Mr. Smiley's health failing, Mr. Ford purchased his outfit and the Enterprise was absorbed by the Argus. The latter is at present a wide-awake, up-to-date paper, with a circulation of fifteen hundred, and is the most active and popular advertising medium be- tween Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
Other industries in Galesburg are such as are befitting a village of its size. There are two ho- tels, two general stores, two drug stores, two groceries, a bank, a meat market, a furniture store and undertaking establishment, a book store, a harness shop, two hardware stores, two milli- nery stores, a bakery, a barber shop, a cigar and confectionery store, a shoe store, a restaurant, a livery barn and two blacksmith shops. Four prac- ticing physicians, two lawyers and a dentist are among the professional residents. The Gold Medal Remedy and Extract Company is a new organization, formed in 1904, and at present en- gaged in building up a business .---- [Henry Ford.]
CHAPTER X.
THE BANKING BUSINESS OF SCHOOLCRAFT.
In 1866 William Griffiths and J. C. Moore, of Three Rivers, and Thomas Griffiths, of School- craft, under the firm name of Thomas Griffiths & Company, bought and shipped grain and did a general banking business, which was continued for four or five years. On April 1, 1867, I. W. Pursel, E. B. Dyckman, M. Hale and M. R. Cobb, all of Schoolcraft, started a bank under the firm name of M. R. Cobb & Company, with a capital of eight thousand dollars. They continued to receive deposits until December 9, 1870. On this date the First National Bank of Schoolcraft com- menced business, with a paid-up capital of thirty- five thousand dollars, and on January 28, 1871, they had a paid-up capital of fifty thousand dol- lars. The officers of this bank were E. B. Dyck- man, president, M. R. Cobb, cashier, and C. C. Dyckman, teller. The First National continued in
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