USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > Compendium of history and biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich. > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
.
IIO
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY OF
ant Gardner, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Kate Bishop, Mr. ranged at Mrs. Kirby's, and since that time the and Mrs. L. P. Sheldon, Hon. and Mrs. J. C. club has steadily advanced in influence and numbers. Burroughs, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Blount, Mrs. Carrie Trask, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. D. O. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Hill- house, Dr. and Mrs. H. O. Hitchcock, Rev. and Mrs. O. P. Hoyt, Mrs. L. E. Eames, Mr. and Mrs. D. Woodford, Dr. Maurice Gibbs, Lieut. Gov. Charles S. May and scores of others did time permit, who have generously contributed. The library shelves, with their over three thou- sand volumes, and the museum, bespeak the love that existed in their hearts for the betterment and enjoyment of those who might be privileged to enjoy this treasure house. It was founded in generosity and is conducted without pecuniary profit to any one.
MRS. JOHN DEN BLEYKER.
CHAPTER XVI.
LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLCRAFT.
The Schoolcraft Ladies' Library Association was organized July 8, 1879. There were eighteen charter members, and before the close of the year the number had increased to sixty-nine. The assets for the year were the membership fees, the proceeds of a dinner furnished for the Pioneer Picnic, and a donation of twenty-five dollars from James H. Bates, given the week after organiza- tion. A part of this fund was immediately expended in the purchase of books, Hawthorne's works, the novels of Dickens, Scott, Thackeray and George Elliot, being included in the first purchase.
Of the first large membership many never be- came working members, and dropped out at the close of the first year, and the club grew gradu- ally smaller until in the year 1883-4 often not more than four or five were present at its meet- ings. This was the most discouraging time in the history of the club, but a brighter day soon dawned. Mrs. L. H. Stone came to the rescue and directed the study of the club for two years. Many valuable books were bought on the sub- jects studied, a regular meeting place was ar-
The society was incorporated under the name of the Ladies' Library Organization, in 1886, and some years later, finding its quarters too small for its growing library, as well as for the meet- ings of the club, the project of building was con- sidered. On October 8, 1895, at a regular meet- ing of the club, it was decided to purchase a lot and build a club house, and one year from that - date, October 8, 1896, saw the building dedicated free from debt. Generous donations were re- ceived from the residents of the village and from friends away who had formerly lived here, the chief among these-save for Mr. Bates-being Prof. Edward M. Brown, of Cincinnati, Ohio. But to James H. Bates, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was the club indebted for its success, as he gave more than half the cost of the building. In addition to this he gave many valuable presents to the library from its organization in 1879 to his death in 1901. Among these are a collection of books formerly owned by Dr. Lyon, of Kalamazoo; a copy in oil of Andrea del Sarto's "Holy Family"; 'a number of fine engravings of noted men ; several hundred dollars for the purchase of books; a copy of the Latin poets bearing date of 1516, one of the famous Aldine editions ; the complete works of Sir Walter Scott, one hundred volumes, dated 1834-38, containing illustrations by Turner, Land- seer and other noted English artists; a Knight's Shakespeare; and a work on natural history of forty volumes beautifully illustrated with colored drawings.
The club house owned by the Ladies' Library Association is located on Hayward street. It is built of red brick, with slate roof, and consists of one story and basement. There is a well lighted assembly room, a vestibule, and a book room con- taining on its shelves about fourteen hundred well selected books.
The association is now entering upon the tenth year of occupancy of its pleasant club house with a membership of seventy-nine. Its meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays at 2:30 P. M. These and many other matters relative to the club may
III
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
be found in its printed calendars, which have been issued yearly since 1895-6. The officers for the present year 1905-6, are Miss Ella Thomas, president; Mrs. Alice Shaw, secretary ; Mrs. L. A. Brown, treasurer, and Miss Mary P. Cobb, librarian.
CHAPTER XVII.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The many churches and religious institutions that flourish in Kalamazoo speak well for the char- acter of her citizens in general. All of these in- stitutions show a decided gain in membership. from year to year, and their influence is widely extended.
The churches supported by the citizens of Kalamazoo represent thousands and thousands of dollars in property, and are gems of ecclesi- astical architecture. They are well supported'in every way, and their excellent locations and beauti- ful buildings speak well for the financial condi- tions and generosity of Kalamazoo people. Their ministers number among Kalamazoo's most prince- ly and cultured men, and are respected and loved by the community in which they dwell.
There are few cities in the United States that have a church-seating capacity of sixty per cent. of the entire population, but this is what Kala- mazoo has. Nearly seventy per cent. of her peo- ple are church adherents, and thirty per cent. are church communicants. Kalamazoo, a city of thirty thousand inhabitants, has twenty-six churches, and five miscellaneous religious institutions, and of this number four are Baptist churches, five are Methodist Episcopal, two are Presbyterian, five are Dutch Reformed, and two are Lutheran.
St. Luke's Episcopal church is one of the handsomest edifices in the city, and, together with St. Luke's Parish House, the gift of Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Van Deusen, forms one of the most beauti- ful sites in the city. It is located on west Lovell street, and is built in the form of the Greek cross, with a handsome entrance tower in the northeast corner. The English ivy that overgrows the white stone gives it an air of beauty, peace and
quiet. The interior is even more beautiful, the color scheme being soft browns and reds. It is one of the most beautiful churches of its size in the country. The chancel and altar are beauti- ful in every detail, as is also the small chapel open- ing off from the east transept. Inside of this beautiful house of God, peace truly settles on one's soul., It has an exquisite and costly pulpit, read- ing desk, litany desk and baptismal font. The parish house is also of white stone and is as well equipped and handsome in appearance and con- struction as could be imagined.
The history of St. Luke's Episcopal church is very interesting. It was organized on March 22, 1837, and held services on the site now occu- pied by the Y. M. C. A. The Rev. John Fenton was chosen rector in 1839. In 1860 the church divided into two bodies, St. John's and St. Luke's church. Under the leadership of the Rev. Robert Ellis Jones these two parishes were united in 1884, and soon afterward the present church was erected. The present rector of St. Luke's is the Rev. Hanson Peters, who was chosen in 1902. Some of Kalamazoo's oldest and most rep- resentative citizens are members of St. Luke's vestry.
The beautiful and costly church of the Roman Catholics, which is elsewhere described, is one of the largest and most attractive churches in Michigan and has a large congregation. This church is built on the Norman order, with two fine towers.
The First Presbyterian is the largest of like denomination in the city, and is situated on the corner of Rose and South streets, opposite the Public Library. It is in the style of the Renais- sance, and is complete in appointments, and ex- ceedingly convenient and roomy. It tends toward the cheerful in both arrangement and decoration, and has one of the largest congregations in the city. The present building was erected in 1884 Dr. H. W. Gelston is the present pastor. The other Presbyterian church is the North Presby- terian church, located at the corner of north Burdick and Ransom streets. This is an attractive church, whose seats are always well filled.
The First Congregational church, beautifully
II2
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY OF
located on the corner of Park and South streets, opposite Bronson Park, is a comparatively new edifice. The church was organized in 1835. The present building unites the advantages of a large auditorium, Sunday-school room, parlors and kitchen. It is a buikling of modern design, and has unusually handsome windows. The Rev. S. Woodbury was the first pastor, and the present one is the Rev. Howard Murray Jones. The present membership is over six hundred.
Of the many Methodist Episcopal churches in Kalamazoo, the First Methodist is the largest and oldest. It is situated at the corner of Lovell and Rose streets and is of Norman-Gothic style of architecture, having a handsome steeple. The present minister is the Rev. W. M. Puffer, who was called here in 1901. The first Methodist sermon preached in Kalamazoo was delivered by the Rev. James T. Rabe at the home of Titus Bronson in 1832. The first church stood at the corner of South and Henrietta streets, the second on Church and Academy streets and the present edifice was built in 1867. The congregation num- bers seven hundred members. The other churches of 'like denomination are the Simpson Methodist Episcopal church, at the corner of Elm and North streets, the Damon Methodist Episcopal church in Portage street, the East Avenue Methodist church, Grant Chapel and the Free Methodist church on First street.
The First Baptist church, one of the oldest in the city, is situated at the corner of Main and Church streets, and is of the Gothic order of architecture, having a tall tower from which deep toned bells peal forth the hour of day. It is a large church and prosperous in many ways. This church was organized in 1836, the first pastor being the Rev. Jeremiah Hall. The present pastor is the Rev. J. E. Smith and the congre- gation numbers about seven hundred members.
Other Baptist churches are the Bethel Baptist, 011 north Edwards street, the Portage Baptist, on the corner of Portage and Lake streets, and the Second Baptist church, at the corner of Kala- mazoo avenue and Walbridge streets.
One of the finest and most modern church edifices in the city is the People's church, at the corner of Park and Lovell streets. This is built of beautiful red sandstone, and has a large audi- torium and parlors. The Rev. Caroline Bart- lett Crane, widely known throughout Michigan and the middle west, was for many years the pastor of this church. The present pastor of this Unitarian church is the Rev. Joseph P. MacCarthy.
A recent addition to Kalamazoo's list of churches, which is already long, is the Christian Science church, located at the corner of South and Park streets, facing Bronson Park. This church has come rapidly to the front and is increasing almost daily in membership. This church, which was organized in 1898, has an attendance of over one hundred and fifty.
The Jewish Synagogue, located on east South street, is one of the oldest churches in the city, and has a large and devoted congregation.
Aside from the churches already mentioned, there are many smaller ones, such as the First, Second, Third and Fourth Dutch Reformed churches. Of the miscellaneous religious organ- izations there is the Salvation Army, whose bar- racks are on North Rose street, the Loyal Tem- perance Legion, the Church of God, the Bethany Mission and the Douglass Avenue Mission Hall. All of these religious institutions are steadily gain- ing in strength and influence. Their well filled congregation rooms on Sunday mornings be- speaks the nature of most of Kalamazoo's citi- zens who so loyally revere and support these institutions.
PART SECOND
KALAMAZOO COUNTY MICHIGAN
LARGELY BIOGRAPHICAL
We have undertaken to discourse for a little upon Men, their manner of appearance in our World's business, how they have shaped themselves in the World's history, what ideas other men have formed of them, what work they did .- CARLYLE.
CHICAGO: A. W. BOWEN & CO. 1906
7-8
The wheels now roll in fire and thunder, To bear us on with startling speed; They shake the dust of Nations under The flowers of forest, mount and mead. The old-time worthies still are near; The spirit of the Past is here: And, where we tread, the old mound builders Looked forward through the mist of Time As we look back. The scene bewilders, And all the distance is sublime.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
KALAMAZOO CO., MICHIGAN
DR. E. H. VAN DEUSEN.
The kind and beneficent face of Dr. E. H. Van Deusen, one of Kalamazoo's oldest and most honored physicians, is doubtless known to every resident in Kalamazoo county. His deeds of phi- lanthropy, done in his quiet and modest way, and his noble character have won for him the love of hundreds who have in some way been benefited by him. Affable and courteous in his manner towards all, he is exceedingly unobtrusive and re- tiring ; fond of domestic life and the society of friends, but shunning crowds, both social and po- litical. The public knows but little of the count- less deeds of charity and helpfulness due to the kindly hearts and gracious hands of Dr. Van Deusen and his devoted wife, both of whose lives should act as a spur to good deeds. Edwin H. Van Deusen, A. M., M. D., was born at Livingston, Columbia county, New York, on August 29, 1828. His parents were Robert N. Van Deusen, a merchant and miller, and Catherine Best, daughter of John Best, a farmer of Columbia county. He attended the dis- trict school during his boyhood, and then took a preparatory course of three years at Claverack Academy, now known as Hudson River Institute, after which he entered Williams College, gradu-
ating at the age of twenty. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him three years later by this college. In 1848 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York, gradu- ating two years later, at which time he accepted a position on the staff of the New York Hospital, where he remained three years. In 1853 he re- ceived the appointment of first assistant physician at the New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, which he held until 1858. Provision was made for the establishment of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane by an act of the legislature of Michi- gan in 1848, and in 1855 Dr. Van Deusen was ap- pointed medical superintendent of the institution. The locating committee purchased one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land for the establishment of the institution, and Dr. Van Deusen, who had visited Kalamazoo frequently in 1855, 1856 and 1857 resigned his position at the Utica Asylum, of which he was then assistant medical superin- tendent, and removed to Kalamazoo in the fall of 1858. On July 22, 1858, he had married Miss Cynthia A. Wendover, daughter of John Thomp- son Wendover, Esq., a merchant of Stuyvesant- on-the-Hudson. They have one son, Robert T. Van Deusen, who was born on April 6, 1859. He is now married and resides at Stuyvesant, N. Y. Up to 1858 the appropriations by the legis-
118
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
lature for the asylum had been insufficient to carry out the proposed plans, and in February, 1859, Dr. Van Deusen, with the assistance of Dr. Fos- ter Pratt, secured one hundred thousand dollars, the first large appropriation of the legislature. Under his supervision, active building operations were commenced. On August 29, 1859, the in- stitution was formally opened. The center build- ing and the contiguous half of what is now the south wing of the female department were then finished ; the south wing was completed in the next two years, and the north wing about six years later, while what is now the male depart- ment was finished in 1877. Dr. Van Deusen at- tained a success in this work that is seldom met with in the history of public buildings of this character. Dr. Van Deusen served as a member of the commission appointed to select the loca- tion and supervise the construction of the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac, and acted on a similar commission in connection with the Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City. He also served for six years as a commissioner on the Michigan state board of charities and corrections. He held the position of medical superintendent of the asylum until Feb- ruary, 1878, when failing health, brought on by excessive labor, compelled his resignation. Pos- sessed of a thorough knowledge of the institu- tion's requisites, a wonderful grasp of detail, and a brilliant executive ability, his name was a synonym of success in a broad field of labor-that of treating and caring for the insane of the state. His health has not permitted the active contin- uance of his profession, and since his resignation as medical superintendent of the asylum he has lived a quiet life in his pleasant home in Kalama- zoo, but his twenty years of useful labor and self- sacrificing work in connection with the asylum will never be forgotten. Both he and his wife are active and devoted members of St. Luke's Epis- copal church, at which they are constant attend- ants, Dr. Van Deusen having served on the vestry for years, and having been chairman of the build- ing committee when the church was built in 1885. In 1892 St. Luke's church, through Dr. and Mrs. Van Deusen, secured its admirable parish house,
which is justly regarded as one of the most commodious and attractive in the country. Aside from this they performed another great act of public benevolence-by presenting to the citi- zens of Kalamazoo their present beautiful public library. Thus they have founded a great public benefaction, of which every intelligent member of the community can partake for all time to come. All of these deeds of charity and public benevolence have been done without any ostenta- tion, and when known, Mr. and Mrs. Van Deusen have discouraged public notice of them.
THE ECLIPSE GOVERNOR COMPANY.
This progressive and enterprising corpora- tion, whose product is one of the most useful and effective for its purposes of all the varied devices manufactured in Kalamazoo county, which is a very prolific region in industrial invention and activity, was founded as a copartnership in 1892, with J. E. Kimble, Ransom Kimble and Dr. Mc- Kain. They started an enterprise in the manufac- ture of the Eclipse governor for use on steam engines, and continued their operations under the partnership until 1899, when they organized the stock company which now conducts the business, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, of which eight thousand dollars were paid in, and J. E. Kimble, president, Mrs. Frankie Kim- ble, vice-president, and Roy C. Kimble, secretary and treasurer. In 1900 the company built its present plant, which has a capacity of three thou- sand five hundred governors per year, and the output of which is sold in all parts of the United States and portions of Canada. The industry employs regularly more than thirty men and the demand for the product is always equal to if not ahead of the supply. Emory Kimble is the in- ventor of the governor, as he is of many other useful mechanical contrivances which are manu- factured in this neighborhood. He invented the accolating piston engine known as the Kimble engine, which was formerly manufactured by the Kimble Engine Company of Comstock, capital- ized at seventy-five thousand dollars, that after- ward became the Comstock Manufacturing Com-
II9
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pany, and is still operating under that name. He then designed and built the Jewel auto engine, made first and now by the C. H. Dutton Company, of Kalamazoo, which is still a much desired and extensively used mechanism and has a large sale. Later Mr. Kimble designed the Gem automatic engine for the Clark Manufacturing Company, of Kalamazoo, and still later the governor now made by the Eclipse Governor Company of Vicksburg.
Mr. Kimble, whose inventive genius and me- chanical skill have been so prolific and have en- riched the industrial life of this county with so many useful creations for the convenience of man and the benefit of manufactures, was born in the county, Brady township, on November 16, 1850, and is the son of Lewis C. and Amanda M. (Os- born) Kimble, venerated pioneers of the county, who have long been at rest from earthly labor and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this .volume. Their son Emory was reared and educated in his native township, leaving the home farm at the age of twenty, and entering the gro- cery trade in company with his father at Vicks- burg. In 1873 they sold the grocery business to Manfred Hill, who is still conducting it. The younger Mr. Kimble then began operating one of the first steam threshers in the county, and was engaged in that needful and appreciative occupa- tion four years, after which he invented a sepa- rater, and, in partnership with J. K. Wagner and John Fleming, under the firm name of the Kim- ble Manufacturing Company, manufactured the same until they sold the business to den Blyker. In company with him Mr. Kimble was then en- gaged for a time in the manufacture of threshing engines, and later became associated with the Comstock Manufacturing Company. He is a stockholder in and the president of the Dentler Bagger Company of Vicksburg, and connected with other enterprises of great benefit to the com- munity. In 1874 he was married to Miss Frankie Garland, a native of Albion, Calhoun county. They have two children, their son Roy and their daughter Blanch, wife of Ed. Sergent. In poli- tics Mr. Kimble is a Democrat and as such has filled a number of local offices. Fraternally he is an Elk.
E. C. RISHEL.
One of the most prominent and successful business men of Vicksburg, and a leading and rep- resentative citizen of his township in all phases of its public life, E. C. Rishel has been a factor of consequence in the development of this part of the state. He is one of the oldest merchants in the village, in continuity of mercantile life here, having been established in the same trade and store for a period of about twenty-six years. He was born in Park township, St. Joseph county, Mich., on January 16, 1855, and is the son of John and Hannah (Kaufman) Rishel, who were born and reared in Columbia county, Pa. The father was a blacksmith and also followed farm- ing. He removed from his native state to Summit county, Ohio, and after a short residence there came to Michigan in 1854. A few months after his arrival in this state, during which he lived in St. Joseph county, he moved to Kalamazoo county and located in Brady township, where he bought one hundred acres of wild land. On this he built a frame dwelling in which he took up his resi- dence in 1855, and at once began to clear, break up and cultivate his land. He lived on the farm and devoted his energies to its improvement until his death, in 1893, his wife passing away a few months before him. They had two children, their son E. C. and a daughter, who died in infancy. The father was a leading Democrat but never sought office. He and his wife were active mem- bers of the English Lutheran church of Brady township. Mr. Rishel's paternal grandfather was John Rishel, a prosperous farmer of Pennsyl- vania, who passed the whole of his life in that state. E. C. Rishel, the immediate subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Brady township, this county, and obtained his education in the district schools. He remained on the home farm with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, then moved to Vicksburg and started the hardware business in which he is still engaged, and has been continuously on the same site and in the same building ever since he started. He has taken an active part in various industrial and commercial enterprises of merit in his township,
I20
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
and has been a helpful force in building them up and fostering them to good advantage. He is now a stockholder in the Railway Supply Company of Vicksburg, and also owns the home farm and an- other which he purchased some years ago. In 1877 he was married at Three Rivers to Miss Melissa J. Mohney, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and is a daughter of Abram Mohney, an early settler in this county. They have no chil- dren. Politically Mr. Rishel is a Democrat, but he has never been an active partisan, and takes but a good citizen's general interest in political contests, neither seeking nor desiring political honors for himself, although he has served three years as treasurer of the local school board. Fra- ternally he is a Freemason, and has been the worshipful master of his lodge four years. He and his wife belong to the Congregational church, and he is treasurer of the organization. Mr. Rishel's business has occupied the greater part of his time and attention, and he has built it up to fine proportions and won for it an unassailable standing in the confidence and good will of the community and the trade in general.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.