USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 33
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127
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
leyan Methodist Connection of America. The corporate name of this church is the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Coldwater. " Dated COLDWATER, November 27, A.D. 1861.
" S. B. Smith. " Olive Bullock. E. l'aine.
Salmon Chapman.
John P. Bradley.
Fanny Chapman.
Aaron Burritt. James Fisk.
C. B. F. Bennett. Silas Burton.
Wm. C. Woodward.
C. Coffman.
D. J. Smith.
" This certifies that on the 27th day of November, A.n. 1861, most of the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing articles of association assembled together at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the city of Coldwater (that being the regular place of worship for the Society ) for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a church or religious society under the art of the Legislature of the State of Mich - igan, entitled . an net concerning churches and acquisition, tenor, con- trol, and disposition of property conveyed or dedicated for religious purposes, and to repeal chapter fifty-two of the Revised Statutes, ap- proved February 13, A.D. 1855,' and in pursuance of notice duly given fifteen days previous to said 27th day of November, 1861, and on two successive Sundays in the place where said church meet for public worship next preceding said 27th day of November, 1861, the persons belonging to said church would meet at the time and place aforesaid for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a church, under the provisions of the act aforesaid and for the purpose of cleeting trus- toes and transacting such other business as might be necessary. And we further certify that S. B. Smith was by a majority of the said per- sons so met, as nforesaid, chosen Chairman, and S. Chapman, Clerk, and J. P. Bradley and S. Chapman were appointed Inspectors. On motion it was resolved that the number of trustees for the church be fixed at six. The meeting then proceeded to elect by ballot six trus- tees, which resulted in the election of the following persons, viz. :
" C. B. Peckham, James Fisk, S. Burton, A. Munyon, A. Burritt, C. Coffman. The trustees then elect were divided into three classes by lot. which drawing resulted as follows : C. B. Peckham and C. Coffman, for one year ; James Fisk and A. Burritt, for two years ; A. Munyon and S. Burton, for three years. The said meeting determined and declared flint the said church should be known in law as ' the First Wesleyan Church of Coldwater.'
" In testimony whereof we, the said J. P. Bradley and S. Chapman, who were chosen inspectors of the election aforesaid, havo hereunto set our hands and seals this 27th day of November, A.D. 1861, at Coldwater, Branch Co., Mich.
"JONY P. BRADLEY. [SEAL.] SALMON CHAPMAN. [SEAL .. ]
"Ta presence of Aaron Burritt, Charles F. Ben- nett, Wm. C. Wodward. )
"STATE OF MICHIGAN, } BRANCH COUNTY.
88.
" On the 27th day of November, A.D. 1861, before me, a notary pub- lie in and for said county, personally appeared John P. Bradley and Salmon Chapman, known to me to be the persons who executed the above certificate and acknowledged that they executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned, and as their free act and deed. " F. T. EDnv, " Notary Public.
" Filed and recorded Dee. 18, 1861.
"B. C. WEBB, " Clerk."
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCHI.
The denomination above mentioned first established themselves in Coldwater in 1861, not having at that time a church editiee, but holding their first services in the Branch County Court-House, Rev. Il. Speckhart being the first pastor. In 1865, Rev. J. Hahn, now of Sebewaing, Mich., succeeded him, under whom a permanent organization was effected. During his pastorate he resided at Hillsdale, and
came to Coldwater every third Sabbath to hold service. In 1868 the society purchased the church building formerly belonging to the Presbyterian congregation, and after moving it to the present location, corner of Jefferson and Perkins Streets, thoroughly repaired it ; Mr. Flandermeyer having been very active in accomplishing this result. In April of 1878, Rev. F. Ilauser was settled as resident pastor, and still continues in this relation. The Sabbath-school con- nected with the church, though not large, is in a very pros- perous condition. Its present officers are, Ellers, Herman 1]. Flandermeyer and Ernst Leaders ; Trustees, H. Carls, Charles Monacrow, August Carls.
COLDWATER CITY SCHOOLS.
The first authentic records of the history of the schools of the city of Coldwater date back to 1839, the time when a new district, known as District No. 11, was set apart in accordance with the following copy of a notice to notify the taxable inhabitants :
" To J. J. ConTis, a turable inhabitants of School District No. Eleven (11), of the township of Coldwater :
"SIR,-You will hereby take notice that we, Allen Tibbits, Henry Burl, aud Henry B. Stillman. School Inspectors of the said township of Coldwater, have formed a School District in said township, nuoi- bered it, and bounded it as follows, to wit: Said district shall com- prise all of sections nine and sixteen, and that part of section number twenty-one lying west of Division Street, in the village of Coldwater. " The first meeting of said District will be held at the Central Ex- change in the village of Coldwater, on Saturday, the Ist day of Juno next, at four o'clock p.M. of that day, A.D. 1839; and you will, in pur- suance of the laws, notify every qualified voter of said District, either personally, or by leaving a written notice at his phere of residence, of the time and place of meeting, at least five days before said meeting ; then and thero to transact such business as the law directs.
" Given under our hands this 20th day of May, 1839.
(Signed) " HENRY B. STIL.I.MAN. " ALLEN TIDBITS, - School In- "perturs."
" HENRY BUEL,
At the meeting, nothing was done except to elcet the fol- lowing officers : Silas A. Holbrook, Moderator ; Orasmus B. Clark, Director ; and Henry Lockwood, Assessor. At a meeting held eight days after it was unanimously resolved that the District Board be authorized to purchase from Robert Abbott a part of village lot No. 104; and at the next meeting, June 29, 1839, the board was authorized to raise by tax four hundred dollars, which, with seventy-five dollars due from the old district, was to be expended in building a school-house and paying for the lot for the same. At a census of the district, taken Sept. 27, 1839, there were found to be sixty-eight children between the ages of five and seventeen. 11. S. Shoudy was employed to teach four months and a half at eighteen dollars per month. At the eensus taken the following year (1840), the number of children of school age had increased to ninety-three. At a meeting held in October of this year it was voted that those sending scholars should furnish one-quarter cord of wood for each scholar, and Mr. Etheridge was employed as teacher, at fourteen dollars per month, boarding with his employers.
The first building erected was situated upon the now va- eant lot in the Second Ward; but at a meeting held Sept. 27, 1847, it was voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars to
128
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
build a new school-house. This house is still standing, and is now used as a ward school-house. To the older por- tion of our community it will be better known as the "Old Briek School-house," situated on Clay Street, in the Third Ward.
Besides this building there are now in the city the High School or central building, southwest corner Pearl and Hud- son Streets, and the Fourth Ward building, between Chi- cago and Pearl Streets. In the central building are em- ployed thirteen teachers, and the seating capacity is seven hundred and ten. In the Third and Fourth Ward build- ings are employed four teachers each, and the seating capa- city of these buildings is respectively two hundred and thirty and one hundred and ninety-eight, making a total of twenty-one teachers and a seating capacity of eleven hun- dred and twenty-eight. The length of the school year is forty weeks. The graduating class of 1878 numbered twenty.
The following is the corps of instructors for the present year, 1878-79: J. S. Crombie, B.A., Superintendent, Higher Mathematics and Chemistry ; F. A. Barbour, B.A., Principal, Latin and Greek ; Miss E. Pruden, Preceptress, French, Botany, etc .; Mrs. L. A. W. Stevens, Assist- ant Preceptress, Mathematics, English, ete. ; Miss Cora F. Titus, Grammar Department ; Miss Flora C. Titus, Grammar Department ; Miss Ermine Howe, Second Inter- mediate Department ; Mrs. Mary A. Pratt, Second Inter- mediate Department ; Miss Anna E. Howe, Second Inter- mediate Department, Third Ward; Miss Mary E. Cutter, First Intermediate Department ; Mrs. Franc P. Card, First Intermediate Department, Third Ward ; Mrs. Lucia F. Gil- bert, First Intermediate Department, Fourth Ward ; Miss Flora J. Burns, Second Primary Department ; Miss Flora Oakley, Second Primary Department ; Miss Nellie L. Orr, Second Primary Department, Third Ward; Miss Dell Root, Second Primary Department, Fourth Ward; Miss Belle Stevenson, First Primary Department; Miss L. M. Bur- dick, First Primary Department ; Miss Anna 1. Cook, First Primary Department, Third Ward; Miss Emma Krichbaum, First Primary Department, Fourth Ward ; Miss Mary O. Hyde, First Primary Department, Fourth Ward.
The general statistical information for the current school year to April is as follows :
1876-77. 1877-78.
1. Population of city (about).
5000
5000
2. Number of children between five and twenty ...
1210
1205
3. Total enrollment.
1032
960 }
4. Number of non-resident students
.6.3
5. Cashı valuation of property
$50,000,00 $50,000.00
6. Cost of superintendence and instruction.
9,144.50
6,188.00
7. Cost of incidentals
2,225.11
1,308.33
8. Cost of education per capita for superintendenco and instruction ..
12.39
8,37
9. Cost of education per capita for incidentals
3 01
1.77
1 0. Average per capita cost for whole school.
15.40
10.14
Seven-tenths of
1876-77.
Primary
Grade.
Grammar
Grade.
High
School.
Total.
11. Absolute enrollment.
677
223
132
1032
12. Average number belonging.
480,7 161.8
95
737.5
13. Average daily attendance ....
435.4 146.6
92
674
14. Number men teachers
11
15. Number women teachers ....
114
5
18!
16. No. pupils to each teacher, based on averge num- ber belonging.
42
32 27
37
1877-78.
Primary
Grade.
Grammar
Grade.
School.
Total.
11. Absolute enrollment ..
600
299
13
9GO
12. Average number belonging
455,9
180
103
738.9
13 Average daily attendance.
420.4
166,5
9
684.9
14. Number meu teachers
1.3
15. Number women teachers,
11
5
2
18
16. No. pupils to each teacher, based on average num- ber belonging.
41 36
29
38
In classifying teachers in the above table, question 15, the four years prior to entering the high school is consid- ered the grammar grade.
The high school is organized in four courses of study (the first three arranged with special reference to the re- quirements of the university, the fourth a purely English course). The Classical, Latin and Scientifie, and Scientific and Engineering are each four years in duration, the Eng- lish course three years. The graduates of the first three courses are admitted to the freshman class of the University of Michigan without further examination.
Admission .- Applicants for admission to any department above the primary must give evidence of their fitness to enter that department. All candidates should be present promptly the first day of the term, as any delay is a loss to themselves and a serious hindrance to the class.
Examinations .- Examinations are held in all classes in the lligh School Department during advance work, and oral daily reviews and examinations are also made, and on the completion of a study, or at the end of the term, a final examination of the entire subject is had. The average of the monthly and final examinations constitute a pupil's standing in scholarship. A standing of seventy-five per cent. in each termi's work of each study pursued is re- quired before the pupil will be passed.
The classes in the other departments are examined by the superintendent as often as practicable.
At the close of every year there are public examinations of the classes to be promoted in the several departments.
Diplomas .- Students completing any of the prescribed courses of study in the high school will receive a certificate of graduation signed by the superintendent and members of the board of education. There are two kinds of di- plomas,-the ordinary diploma, given the same as hereto- fore, and the regular diploma, which entitles the holder to enter Michigan University without further examination. Candidates receiving the latter will have the fact of such admission stated on their diplomas.
The following are the members of the school board since 1839 :
1839-40 .- S. A. Holbrook, Moderator ; O. B. Clark, Director; R. Wood, Assessor.
1840-41 .- S. A. Holbrook, Moderator ; O. B. Clark, Director; G. Dolson, Assessor.
1841-42 .- S. Etheridge, Moderator; J. Wilson, Direc- tor ; A Parish, Assessor.
1842-43 .- L. Stiles, Moderator; II. Warner, Director ; A. Chandler, Assessor.
1843-44 .- L. Stiles, Moderator ; R. Root, Director ;
J. Pierson, Assessor. 1844-45 .- S. A. Ilolbrook, Moderator; A. L. Porter, Director ; C. B. Dresser, Assessor.
school year.
Photos, by E. Kindmark.
THOMAS DOUGHERTY.
MRS. THOMAS DOUGHERTY.
THOMAS DOUGHERTY.
The name of Thomas Dougherty was one of the best known among the early citizens of Coldwater. Ile has been for more than forty years so closely identified with the ma- terial interests of this eity and county, that a sketch of his life will be as appropriate at this time as it is entitled to fair record. He was born at Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., Feb. 29, 1800. When he was eleven years of age his father, with the family, consisting of a wife and seven children, moved to Penfield, N. Y., where he purchased a farm. The subject of this sketch lived at home until he attained his majority, when he went to Masadon, where he became acquainted with Harriet Aldrich, daughter of Abram Aldrich, whom he married, Jan. 1, 1823. Iu 1825 he pur- chased a farm at Penfield, immediately took possession, and remained there some ten years, when he sold out and came to Michigan with his wife and four children, arriving in Coldwater, Sept. 10, 1835, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which included the present site of the State School. He also entered some six hundred acres of land in the county.
In the spring of 1836 he formed a partnership with Rev. Francis Smith and Dr. Sprague, which firm erected a saw- mill, and the following year built a flouring-mill, which was
the first mill at Coldwater, and was a valuable acquisition to the embryo city. Some ten years later, as the demand for lumber increased and the water-power decreased, Mr. Dough- erty built a steam saw-mill, which was the first steam mill of any kind in Branch County. This mill he managed success- fully for thirteen years. He was at one time in the mercan- tile business, and one of the chief actors in Coldwater in his day. Contributed liberally to the erection of the first Methodist Episcopal Church, of which himself and wife were first members, and helped to organize. Also contrib- uted liberally to the erection of the present edifiee. They have been the parents of five children, of whom three are now living,-two sons and one daughter.
After a long and industrious life, this pioneer couple look back to the small beginning and laying of the foundations of most of the early manufactories, sehools, churches, etc., of Coldwater, and feel the satisfaction of having contributed their share. Mr. Dougherty came to Coldwater with con- siderable means, and with it assisted in most of the local public enterprises of his day. After a married life of more than a half-century, this veteran couple find themselves in the enjoyment of good health, an ample competency, and the respect of all.
129
IHISTORY OF BRANCHI COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1845-46 .- J. T. Haynes, Moderator; A. Chandler, Director ; J. D. Wood, Assessor.
1846-47 .- 1I. Warner, Moderator ; A. Parish, Director ; A. Chandler, Assessor.
1847-48 .- T. Daugherty. Moderator; F. D. Crippen, Director ; G. A. More, Assessor.
1818-19 .- G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. T. Groendycke, Director ; J. D. Wood, Assessor.
1849-50,-D. Waterman, Moderator; J. T. Haynes, Director; H. M. Wright, Assessor.
1850-51 .- G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- reetor ; J. O. P'elton, Assessor.
1851-52 .- G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- rector ; R. Root, Assessor.
1852-53 .- G. A. Coc, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- rector ; H. Dickson, Assessor.
1853-54 .- J. Chandler, Moderator; E. B. Pond, Di- rector ; J. D. Wood, Assessor.
1854-55 .- W. II. Beach, Moderator ; J. G. Parkhurst, Director ; J. O. Peltou, Assessor.
In 1855 the number of the board was increased by add- ing four trustees.
1855-56 .- G. Willard, Moderator ; J. II. Beech, Di- rector ; D. Thompson, Assessor ; A. Chandler, G. A. Coe, S. P. Noyes, A. L. Porter, Trustees.
1856-57 .- D. B. Dennis, Moderator; T. N. Wilson, Director ; J. O. Pelton, Assessor ; A. Chandler, G. A Coe, J. Chandler, A. L. Porter, Trustees.
1857-58 .- A. Allen, Moderator; C. S. Tucker, Di- rector ; C. Pratt, Assessor ; A. Chandler, I. P. Alger, J. Chandler, A. L. Porter, Trustees.
1858-59 .- D. Smith, Moderator; C. P. Benton, Di- rector ; L. D. Brewer, Assessor ; A. Chandler, C. B. Fisk, J. Chandler, I. P. Alger, Trustees.
1859-60 .- C. S. Tucker, Moderator ; A. Allen, Direc- tor ; J. A. Brookins, Assessor ; J. Chandler, D. C. More- house, I. P. Alger, C. B. Fisk, Trustees.
1860-61 .- S. S. Cutter, Moderator ; D. B. Dennis, Director ; C. D. Randall, Assessor ; D. C. Powers, C. Upson, C. P. Benton.
1861-62 .- S. S. Cutter, Moderator ; D. B. Dennis, Director ; C. D. Randall, Assessor ; D. C. Powers, A. Allen, J. O. Pelton.
1862-63 .- A. Allen, Moderator ; S. S. Cutter, Director ; J. O. Pelton, Assessor; C. D. Randall, D. B. Dennis, C. S. Tueker.
1863-64 .- A. Allen, Moderator ; S. S. Cutter, Direc- tor ; J. O. Pelton, Assessor ; J. B. Crippen, D. B. Dennis, C. S. Tucker.
1864-65 .- J. B. Crippen, Moderator; S. S. Cutter, Director ; F. T. Eddy, J. Murphy, D. B. Dennis, C. S. Tucker.
1865-66 .- F. T. Eddy, Moderator; J. II. McGowan, Director ; J. B. Crippen, J. Murphy, E. Eaton, S. S. Cutter.
1866-67 .- F. T. Eddy, Moderator; J. II. McGowan, Director ; J. Murphy, D. H. Davis, A. Allen, E. Eaton.
1867-68 .- A. Allen, Moderator ; J. Il. McGowan, Director ; F. T. Eddy, D. H. Davis, J. II. Beech, A. Chandler.
1868-69 .- A. Allen, Moderator ; F. T. Eddy, Director ; 17
A. Chandler, N. P. Loveridge, D. H. Davis, T. C. Ethe- ridge.
1869-70 .- T. C. Etheridge, Moderator; N. P. Love- ridge, Director ; J. II. Beech, J. II. McGowan, D. Thomp- sou, A. Chandler.
1870-71 .- JJ. II. Beech, Moderator; N. P. Loveridge, Director ; H. C. Lewis, R. F. Mockridge, Justin Lawyer, D. Thompson.
1871-72 .- J. H. Beech, Moderator ; N. P. Loveridge, Director ; II. C. Lewis, R. F. Mockridge, Justin Lawyer, D. Thompson.
1872-73 .- J. II. Beech, Moderator ; N. P. Loveridge, Director ; R. F. Mockridge, T. C. Etheridge, D. Thompson, George Starr.
1873-74 .- J. II. Beech, Moderator; T. C. Etheridge, Director ; R. F. Mockridge, D. Thompson, George Starr, HI. B. Townsend.
1874-75 .- R. F. Mockridge, Moderator; T. C. Ethe- ridge, Director ; George Starr, D. Thompson, II. B. Town- send, A. A. Dorrance.
1875-76 .- D. Thompson, Moderator; A. A. Dorrance, Director; R. F. Mockridge, D. Cook, J. Murphy, D. C. Powers.
1876-77 .- R. F. Mockridge, Moderator ; J. Murphy, Director ; A. A. Dorrance, D. C. Powers, M. Mansfield, J. F. Pratt.
1877-78 .- F. V. Smith, President; Justin Lawyer, Clerk ; D. W. Tinkham, HI. D. Robinson, G. S. Foster, O. B. Moore, G. W. Stevens, J. R. Champion.
LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
During the year 1865 a number of ladies instituted a movement to secure the presence of some of the most emi- nent names in the lecture field in Coldwater, and to insure the success of their undertaking, they determined to first raise a fund which could be drawn upon to make up any deficit that might be occasioned by adverse circumstances. This was done with a series of entertainments,-the whole netting the sum of about five hundred dollars. The fol- lowing year a course of lectures was duly furnished, but the eagerness for platform eloquence had somewhat abated, and no regular course was given thereafter, but the money put at interest until the amount aggregated six hundred dollars. The establishment of a library with the money was a favorite idea with the ladies, and on the evening of Dec. 13, 1869, the members of the Lecture Association, and those more particularly interested in having raised the funds in their hands, met at the residence of F. V. Smith, Esq., to consult about the formation of a Ladies' Library Association, to which, if formed, they would turn over the money in their possession. Several gentlemen present also advocated the plan. It was decided to form such an asso- ciation, and articles drawn up by a committee appointed at a preliminary meeting were signed by twenty-two ladies. The Legislature was petitioned for a charter, by-laws framed, and the association duly organized with the following ehar- ter members: Margaret 1. Powers, Marietta K. Love- ridge, Georgiana L. Cutter, Emeline Barber, Mary A. Wade, Mariet Smith, Harriet D. Morgan, Mary C. Champion, Mary Shipman, Alma Lewis, Alice C. Randall, Lizzie P.
130
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Woodward, Ardessa Crippen, Helen L. Lanphere, Harriet L. Mockridge, Olivia Safford, Josephine P. McGuwen, Addie Wing, Sallie G. Nichols, Mary A. Rose, Ann Van Valkenburg.
By an article of the constitution, any lady of legal age paying one dollar into the treasury becomes a member of the association, and is entitled to a vote at the usual meet- ing. No gentleman is permitted to vote or is eligible to office, but the annual payment of one dollar affords any gentleman the privileges of the library. The payment of thirty dollars constitutes the individual a life member, who, together with wife or husband, is entitled to the privileges of the library during the existence of the corporation.
December 20, the first board of directors was elected by the association. They are fifteen in number, and remain in office three years, and the arrangement is such that one- third of them retire from office each year, to give place to new members. The institution now had a being and a name, and the board set about furnishing the objects which had called for the existence of the organization, viz., the establishment and maintenance of a library for affording and encouraging useful and entertaining reading, and the furnishing literary and scientific lectures, and other means for intellectual improvement in the city of Coldwater.
The city was patiently canvassed to procure memberships, and over three hundred anoual memberships were sold, and twenty-three life memberships. As the result of their persistent efforts, the ladies at the beginning of 1870 found themselves possessed of twelve hundred and fifty dollars.
The selection of a suitable room was a matter of much solicitude, which Dr. Beech promptly set at rest, by offering the parlors in his own house for the use of the library, rent free. This offer was gladly accepted, and books to the value of one thousand dollars were immediately ordered, Messrs. Upson and Lewis kindly transaeting the necessary business in Detroit.
Five hundred dollars more were expended the same year for books. At the end of the first year the library num- bered twelve hundred volumes, around which nueleus the succeeding years have deposited their contributions.
The officers of the board for the first year were: Presi- dent, Mrs. Alma Lewis; Vice-President, Mrs. Georgia Cut- ter ; Treasurer, Mrs. N. Harrington ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Z. P. McGowen ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. G. L. Cutter.
At the beginning of its career, the library was most for- tunate in receiving liberal support. Beside the material aid furnished by those gentlemen who purchased life mem- berships, the city papers did all the necessary printing the first year gratuitously, Mr. F. V. Smith furnishing tickets, catalogues, etc. Dr. Beech more especially earned the last- ing gratitude of the association by both his early and long- continued generosity.
The library occupied his parlors until the summer of 1874, when he further evinced his good-will by presenting the association with a building in the rear of his dwelling, and a lease for five years of the ground upon which it stands.
The board repaired and furnished it at a cost of about three hundred and fifty dollars, and the library has since
occupied its pleasant and accessible rooms. The money for repairs was all obtained by donations or entertainments. Thus it has come to pass that, while other like associations have had to pay out a large percentage of their ineome for rent, and depend upon volunteered services in the office of librarian, the Coldwater Library has always had a home without charge, and the board have been enabled after the first year to pay a regular salary to a librarian, who not only attends to the circulation, sale of tickets, collection of fines, etc., but has such a personal supervision of the books as tends in no small degree to their preservation. The "stitch in time," etc., needs frequent illustration in a cir- culating library. The board have also been enabled to keep the price of tickets at the nominal sum of one dollar, and so bring the advantages of the library within the reach of all. Present officers: Mrs. G. H. Turner, President ; Mrs. R. Coe, Treasurer ; Mrs. G. Van Valkenberg, Recording Sec- retary ; Miss Kittie Cutter, Corresponding Secretary.
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