USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 33
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among the living, but bent under the weight of 75 winters and many misfortunes. C. C. Whit- ney in 1875 had a drug store in the Bank Block, but in 1905 we find him in the National Chic- ory Company and the National Biscuit Com- pany, while others are carrying on his former business. There were twelve other drug stores in 1875 on the East Side, and two others on the West Side, so the growing city, then as now, was well supplied in that line.
Less numerous but equally welcome were the dentists. Dr. Hezekiah B. Hulbert came here in 1868, and in 1875 was located in the Cranage Block, while in 1905 the sage prac- titioner is located in the Ridotto. Dr. Carl W. Maxon, in 1905 practicing on the West Side, came here in 1866, was located in the Westover Block in 1875 and has long enjoyed his share of the dental business. The late Dr. N. H. Webster came here in 1866, was located in the Shearer Block in 1875, and continued actively at work for nearly 30 years. His widow still lives in their commodious home on State street, in its day one of the finest homes on the West Side. As late as 1875 the West Side had no dentists, but in 1905 this field is also well taken care of. Most of the practitioners in dentistry in Bay City, East and West Side, in 1905, are recent graduates from the University of Mich- igan and similar institutions, which are today furnishing the world with the most advanced practitioners in that field of endeavor. They are a boon to our sweet-tooth generation, with its manifold needs for dentistry in a degree un- known by our forefathers. They are progres- sive citizens withal and with the medical pro- fession take a foremost place in our social, pub- lic and civil life. Their long years of study
and preparation, no less than their close appli- cation to their chosen profession, merit unlimit- ed success.
As early as the 17th century, Frederick von Logau made this aphorism a by-word in his nation :
The best medicines that I would propose, Are Joy and Temperance and Repose, For they slam the door on the doctor's nose!
As a nation we have still much to learn on that score, and our practitioners would find it less difficult to save human life, were life not held too cheaply by many people. Good health is the greatest boon of God, and mankind should not fritter it away recklessly, heedlessly, un- mindful of the first laws of health and the timely warnings of Nature. Medicine and science can- not always heal wounds thus recklessly in- flicted ! The most progressive physician is still but himself human, and far from being omni- potent. His efforts to prolong and to save life require the constant and earnest co-operation of our people. Temperate living will do much to alleviate the sum of human suffering and in- crease the sum of human happiness. That is the life work and the life ambition of each suc- cessful physician, never so happy as when this ideal has been reached in even a remote degree and even in an isolated instance. And a grate- ful and appreciative people extend to the pro- fession that high plane in life, to which their devoted work for weak and suffering humanity justly entitles them.
Each lonely place shall him restore, For him the tear be duly shed ; Beloved, till life can charm no more, And mourned till gratitude be dead !
-Irving.
CHAPTER XII.
CHURCHES, RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES.
METHODIST CHURCHES.
According to the late Judge Albert Miller, the first church that was built in the Saginaw Valley and dedicated to the worship of God was the Methodist Mission Church at Kawkaw- lin, which was presided over by Rev. Mr. Brown.
MADISON AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- At that time there were a few famil- ies living in Lower Saginaw, as Bay City was then called, who had so far advanced in civili- zation as to build a small school house about 20 feet square, which stood near the corner of First street and Washington avenue. Here Rev. Mr. Brown preached occasionally, when the people at Portsmouth had the privilege of at- tending religious worship by walking two or three miles over a rough road. Mrs. Belinda Barney, Mr. and Mrs. Raby and J. Crutchfield organized the first Methodist class in Bay City in 1837. Meetings were held from time to time by the various Methodist preachers who rode this circuit until 1852 when Rev. George Bradley was assigned to the pastorate by the annual conference held at Niles. During his ministry in 1852-53 the society was fully or- ganized and a church edifice erected on Wash- ington avenue; here the church worshiped un- til its present beautiful home on the corner of Madison avenue and Ninth street was com-
pleted. It was built in 1885 at a cost of $50,- 000, and about ten years later the parsonage adjoining the church on Ninth street was erected at a cost of $8,000. On September 5, 1859, William Benson recorded in the county clerk's office the appointment of Calvin C. C. Chilson, Henry M. Bradley, Henry M. Stillman, John J. Nichols and A. G. Sinclair, trustees in trust for the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is the first board of trustees, of which there is offi- cial record. The present officers of the Madi- son Avenue Methodist Episcopal are as fol- lows: Presiding elder, Rev. W. M. Ward; pastor, Rev. G. E. Ackerman; resident min- ister, Rev. E. T. Lumber; trustees,-Benja- min Boutell, Dr. Robert W. Erwin, Charles M. Hart, Cyrus Hiller, W. H. Nickless, E. T. Rowley, L. R. Russell, C. E. Walker and A. J. Woolfitt; secretary of the official board, D. O. Smith; treasurer, W. H. Nickless. The church now has a membership of about 500.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -This church dates back to 1857 when Rev. Jacob Krehbil visited Lower Saginaw and held religious services. In 1858 he was succeeded by Rev. John Horst and his colleague, Rev. John Braun, who continued their labors until the close of 1859. Various other pastors fol- lowed and the society grew in numbers and in strength, and about 1867 a church edifice was erected on Adams street between Eighth and
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Ninth streets. Here they continued to worship until about 1883, when their present edifice at the corner of South VanBuren and 13th streets was completed. In 1894 a cellar was built under the church and furnaces installed. There is also a comfortable parsonage built ad- joining the church. The present membership is about 135. Rev. John Kuster is the present pastor.
FREMONT AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- During 1853-54 the second settled pastor of the Madison Avenue Methodist Epis- copal Church, Rev. Israel Cogshall, used to hold occasional services in Portsmouth. In 1864 this church was organized and the fol- lowing year, under the superintendence of Rev. William Fox, a church edifice was erected, on the site where the present church stands, and dedicated. This building was destroyed in the devastating fire that swept South Bay City some years ago. The society immediately com- menced the erection of their present structure, and began to hold services in the basement the same year (1892). It took about two years to complete the building, which cost about $15,- 000; of this amount only about $1,500 remains to be paid. Rev. W. W. Will, who is now pastor of the church, came here in 1900. The church, which has about 120 members, is active in Christian work.
WOODSIDE AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This church was organized in 1873 to accommodate members of this denomination who resided in the north part of Bay City. The church edifice was erected in 1876, during the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Clough, which extended from 1874 to 1877. He was followed by Rev. Calvin Gibbs, who remained with the church two years, During the next eight years there was a change in pastors every year, the minis- ters coming in the following order : Revs. Diverty, Spriggs, Lambly, Bancroft, Persons,
Weir, William Pope, D. E. Birtch. The next pastor, Rev. P. J. Wright, served two years, and his successor, Rev. A. J. Richards, one year. Rev. John A. Rowe remained with the church four years, and during his pastorate the parsonage was built, at a cost of $3,200. The next pastors were Revs. Judson Cooper, J. B. McGee and William Edmunds, who served three, two and three years, respectively. The next pastor was Rev. L. H. Stevens, who came to the church in 1904 and still serves the church. They have a present membership of 100, and every department of the church work is well organized.
CENTRAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -In the spring of 1887 members of the Mad- ison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church started a mission Sunday-school in the South End of the city. They met at various places and held preaching services and prayer meet- ings in addition to the sessions of the Sunday- school. The work flourished, and in 1893 the Detroit Conference appointed Rev. A. J. Rich- ards to serve this church, together with the Woodside Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church for one year. He was followed by Rev. J. A. Rowe, who also served both churches. He was succeeded in September, 1895, by Rev. O. W. Willets, who remained with the church one year. During his pastorate the church became an independent body, and has been self-sup- porting since that time. In September, 1896, Rev. George John Piper became pastor, and served the church one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Erwin King in 1898, whose pastorate covered a period of three years. In September, 1901, Rev. W. H. Gray became pastor. In the following September, Rev. Otto L. Dreys was appointed to this charge, and continued until September, 1903, when the present pastor, Rev. B. C. Moore, took up his duties.
In 1891 the land on which the church stands
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was purchased. A boarding house was stand- ing on this lot at the time. This was remodeled and used for a place of meeting for two years. In 1893 their present house of worship was erected at a cost of $3,000. It will seat about 300 people. Ten years later the present parson- age was built on 19th street in the rear of the church, which faces on Fraser street. The par- sonage is valued at over $1,000. The present membership of the church is 125, and there are enrolled in the Sunday-school 140 pupils. The society was incorporated May 13, 1902.
THOBURN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (West Side) .- This church, which has also gone by the names of "Banks" and "Fourth Avenue," is the oldest church on the West Side. J. S. Taylor, who later became one of the found- ers of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, West Bay City, established the meetings at Banks, and was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school. The church at first received the ministrations of various Methodist clergy- men from the East Side, but when the Wood- side Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was established, one pastor was appointed to serve both churches, and this arrangement was con- tinued until the church at Banks became an in- dependent body, excepting while Rev. William Dawe and Rev. Mr. Davis were pastors of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, during which time they also served the Banks church.
When Rev. A. J. Richards' term as presid- ing elder came to a close, he was appointed to this church. The house of worship, which is located at the corner of Transit and Leng streets, was erected in 1867, and during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Richards was enlarged to its present size. It has ample seating ca- pacity for 300 people, and including furnish- ings is now valued at $3,200. The present parsonage, which is valued at $1,000, was pur- chased about nine years ago.
The following are the pastors who succeed- ed Rev. Mr. Richards, and the periods during which they served : Rev. E. A. Cross, 1891- 93; Rev. W. H. Allman, 1893-96; Rev. George A. Fee, 1896-99; Rev. W. E. Burnett, 1899- 1901 ; Rev. H. G. Pearce, 1901-04; and Rev. W. E. Brown, the present pastor, who came in 1904. Including probationers, the church now has a membership of 142. There are enrolled in the Sunday-school 140 pupils and teachers.
In 1901 a mission was started by this church at Wenona Beach. Every Sunday afternoon the pastor of Thoburn Methodist Episcopal church preaches in the school house.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (West Side) .- The history of this church dates from the fall of 1866, when the Wenona charge was formed and Rev. A. C. Shaw was appoint- ed pastor. During his pastorate a house of worship was erected and dedicated by Rev. B. I. Ives, of New York. In the fall of 1867, Rev. Alexander Gee succeeded to the pastorate. Prior to 1868 Portsmouth had been included in this charge, but in that year the work was di- vided, and Rev. Joel B. Goss became the min- ister. In August, 1868, the society had to va- cate the hall in which they had held their meet- ings up to that time, and until November 18, services were held at Bangor. Then Babo Hall was secured, and the following Sabbath a Sun- day-school was organized. About this time the society commenced to build a house of worship on some lots which had been donated by Mrs. Calvin C. C. Chilson, who was also very ener- getic in securing subscriptions toward paying for the building. Money did not come in very rapidly, and it was not until November, 1869, that they were able to dedicate their church. In September of that year, Rev. Jacob Horton was appointed pastor, and during the latter part of his pastorate, which covered two years, the chapel was built. Rev. W. Q. Burnett was
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appointed to the church the following year, and remained with the church until the fall of 1874, when he was followed by Rev. R. Woodhams, who remained until 1876. Rev. D. W. Misner was then appointed and was succeeded in the fall of 1877, after a pastorate of one year by Rev. William Dawe, who remained three years. In 1881 the society purchased a house and lot adjoining the church for a parsonage.
In 1884 the old church was burned, and un- til their new church was completed the society worshiped in the old Presbyterian Church. The construction of the present, fine brick house of worship was begun in the fall of that year, and the completed edifice was dedicated on June 20, 1885. The dedication sermon was preached by Bishop Bowman. Including furnishings, the church cost about $23,000. The seating ca- pacity of the main auditorium is about 450, and the lecture room, which adjoins, will seat 200 more persons. These two rooms can be thrown into one. The parsonage was begun in the fall of 1903 and was completed the follow- ing spring at a cost of $3,500. The entire prop- erty is free from debt.
Rev. Matthew C. Hawkes became pastor in 1883 and remained with the church three years. During his term the name of the society was changed to that which it now bears. After Rev. Mr. Hawkes came Rev. N. G. Lyons, whose pastorate extended to 1889. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Morgan, the duration of whose pastorate was two years. Rev. James H. Kil- patrick came next and remained with the church three years. His successor, Rev. C. B. Steele, also remained three years. Rev. H. C. Scripps, the next pastor, remained but two years. He died at Mount Clemens in 1903. He was fol- lowed by Rev. William B. Pope, whose pas- torate covered a period of four years. The present pastor, Rev. J. P. Varner, came to the
church in September, 1904. The church now has about 500 members, and the various church societies and the Sunday-school are in a flour- ishing condition.
AUBURN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Auburn) .- In 1875 a church building was erected here, and until 1892 this was a mis- sion church in connection with the church at Freeland. In 1892 the church became an inde- pendent body, and since that time has had the following pastors: Rev. R. Pattinson, 1893- 94; Rev. W. J. Bailey, 1895-97; Rev. R. L. Cope, 1898; Rev. W. E. Edmunds, 1899; Rev. J. A. Rowe, 1900; and Rev. A. J. Holmes, the present pastor, who took charge in 1901. Dur- ing Rev. Mr. Holmes's pastorate the parsonage, which was erected under the direction of Rev. R. Pattinson, has been remodeled and made very commodious. In 1894 a beautiful little church was built at North Williams. This is included in the circuit with Auburn and is served by the same pastor.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH .- The church of this denomination in Bay City is located at the corner of Garfield avenue and Lafayette street. It was organized about eighteen years ago, and now has about forty members. The parsonage is connected with the church in the rear. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. McMil- lan, came here in the fall of 1903. The society belongs to the East Michigan Conference.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH (West Side). -In August, 1886, the land on Litchfield street where the church is now located was pur- chased and work on the building was com- menced. The property is now valued at $1,000. The society owns a parsonage at 301 Spruce street, valued at $500. The present pastor, Rev. Curtis Lum, came here September 25, 1904. The church has now 21 members, and about 30 pupils are enrolled in the Sunday-school.
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
For the early history of the Roman Cath- olic Church in this region we are indebted to an article written by John Hyde, editor of the Catholic Chronicle, which appeared in 1875, and from which the following is quoted :
"Among those who most frequently came here prior to 1848, were Fathers Kundig and Louis, and Father Peter Kindekens, the vicar general of the diocese. Between 1848 and 1852 priestly visits became more frequent. Father Moynahan, then the pastor of Flint, made fre- quent trips to Saginaw City, and on most oc- casions would get some good Frenchman or Indian to paddle him down the river to Lower Saginaw. Occasionally, too, Father Joseph Kindekens, brother of the Father Peter above mentioned, and Father Kilroy, now pastor of Emmett, St, Clair County, would be assigned to the duty of visiting the Catholics of the val- ley, and would be watched eagerly from the shore, as he approached in canoe or on the ice, carefully holding the pack containing his altar vestments and vessels. In 1848 there were eight Catholic families here, most of whom were French. By 1851 the number had in- creased to 14, besides a few young unmarried men, who had ventured in to help prepare the lands for their future wealthy occupants. Among the 'old heads' were the Trombleys, the Trudells, the Longtains and the Marsacs, and among the men of the younger blood there . were James L. Herbert, the brothers Casson, William Ferris and others. I have said that most of the Catholics were Frenchmen, but what spot on earth can one look at without find- ing there an Irishman? Lower Saginaw at that time was no exception. Here too there were Irishmen : Osmond A. Perrott, P. J. Per- rott, Bernard Cunningham and James Watson.
"In 1850-51, the Catholics of Lower Sag-
inaw considered themselves numerous enough to attempt building a church. The munificence and forethought of the men who had laid out the village plot had provided building sites for the different Christian denomination whose members might settle here. The Catholics were the first to avail themselves of the bounty, and as the most convenient to the settled portion of the village, the site of the present St. Jo- seph's Church was selected. There were no architects here then, but there were many who had assisted at every 'raising' that had ever occurred here, and knew just what a building needed to make it last long. The men went into the woods to chop and square the timber, and each helped to put the pieces in their places in the edifice. The men were few, however, none of them were rich then (though many of them are now) and most of them had to support fam- ilies besides building churches. The work con- sequently progressed but slowly ; so much so that when Rev. H. J. H. Schutjes arrived here in 1852, not much of a church was to be seen. But they had now at least at their head one who could encourage and direct them; and after some time, by his efforts and their own will, the building gradually assumed shape, and Father Schutjes was soon able to perform di- vine service in it. It was a long time, however, before a pastoral residence was built. During this time Father Schutjes resided sometimes in the family of Mr. Watson and sometimes in the old pioneer hotel, the Wolverton House.
"Those were the good old primitive times of Bay City, when sawmills were few and far between, and banks and newspapers were not even in the mind of the prophet. Besides Lower Saginaw, Father Schutjes was pastor of the entire Sgainaw Valley. He had to divide his time between the people at this end of the river and those in the upper towns. Every alter- nate Sunday he spent in Saginaw City and in
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East Saginaw, and in the spring and fall when the ice was bad and there were no roads, he often had great difficulty and many hairbreadth escapes in coming to and from those places. But the growth in commerce and manufactures brought increase in population.
"The number of Catholics kept pace with the general prosperity, and by the year 1863 they were numerous enough to require the ap- pointment of pastors for each of the cities of Saginaw City and East Saginaw. Father Schutjes was then able to devote his attention to the wants of his people in Bay City. Soon the little church of St. Joseph became too small for the increasing congregation. Frenchmen came from Canada and Irishmen came form everywhere. Besides those there were many stalwart Hollanders and Germans, so that Fa- ther Schutjes had to speak many languages to 'get along' with his people. French and Eng- lish, however, being the prevailing languages in the congregation, he preached alternately in those two tongues until the year 1867. At this period it was discovered that not one eighth of the congregation could get into St. Joseph's Church, so it was resolved at once to commence the building of a new church."
From this point it will be better to trace in- dividually the history of the Catholic churches here.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (French ) .- From 1869, when Father Girard took charge of the parish, until 1900, when Rev. Francis H. Gres, the present pastor was appointed, the church had a rapid succession of pastors. Father Gi- rard remained until January 1, 1872. Father Delbar succeeded him, but remained only un- til the last of the next December, and Father Cantors, his successor, remained only to Au- gust 31, 1873. Father Grilli, an Italian priest, supplied for a few months until November 23, 1873, and was succeeded by Father Van Strael-
len, a Hollander, who remained until March 21, 1875. Father Grilli then again took charge and remained until June 30, 1878, when Father Kemper, a German, arrived and remained un- til October 19, 1879. The priest who followed him died in 1880, and the next pastor, Father Ebert, remained only a short time. Father Thi- beaudau was next appointed and remained for six years. He died in 1886, and was succeeded by Father Vitali, an Italian, who remained un- til August 21, 1887. The next pastor, Father Guerin, remained but a few years.
In 1888 the parish fell in sore straits suffer- ing from the hard times. Father Thibeaudau had built the new church in 1880, and a debt of $6,000 burdened the congregation, while the parsonage was practically a shed. The parish was therefore placed under the charge of the Holy Ghost Fathers society, which relieved the diocese of the burden, while the parish still re- mained under the jurisdiction of the bishop. Rev. F. J. Rothe C. S. Sp., was accordingly sent here in 1888. On June 20, 1894, Father Gres, the present pastor, was appointed assist- ant. When Father Rothe left in March, 1895, the debt of $6,000 had been cleared. He was succeeded by Father Dangelzer, and the good work of the Holy Ghost Fathers was still fur- thered by the erection of a fine commodious parsonage at Third and Grant streets on prop- erty adjoining the church lot. In 1900 Father Dangelzer returned to France, and Father Gres was appointed to the charge which he now holds. Since 1900, Rev. Alphonse Coignard has been assistant.
The present St. Joseph's Church is a com- bination of church and school house. The church was erected by Father Thibeaudau with a view to supplying a meeting place until a new church could be erected. During the hard times the new church project was given up. Lately it has been revived by Fathers Gres and
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Coignard, it being now the intention to have the foundations in by November, 1906. The new church will cost between $30,00 and $50,- 000.
The parish now includes about 500 families and is one of the largest in the valley. The wings of the church do duty as school rooms. The attendance at school is nearly 380 pupils, who are taught by a corps of six Sisters of the Dominican Order. In the rear of the church there is a roomy and well-appointed residence for the Sisters.
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