USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 65
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The first religious meetings held in Gilead were those conducted by Bishop Chase, at his house. Soon after, Methodist itinerants began preaching at the houses of the settlers, many of whom belonged to that denomination. As a result of this, about the 20th of May, 1836, a class was formed at the house of Benjamin Booth. There were then but three members, and these were Benjamin Booth and Mary, his wife, and a Mrs. Jones, who afterwards moved to Ohio. The next Sabbath the class was increased by the adding to it of Job, Philenia, Elisha B., Eleanor, Major D. and Warren Williams, Eli and Maria Bogardus, and Mrs. Elsie Smith. E. B. Williams was appointed class-leader and steward, and held these positions, the former fifteen years, and the latter ten years. This class then formed an appointment on the Coldwater circuit, and preaching was held once in two weeks at school-houses or private houses in the west part of the town. Since that time it has be- longed to Gilead, Burr Oak, and Bronson circuits for a time, and in 1869 was organized in connection with four other appointments as Gilead eircuit. The pastors whose names we have been able to ascertain have been Nathan Mount, - Corey, Seth Finch, John Clubine, Albert H. Torrey, William Doust, N. M. Steele, -- Swift, John Hoyt, B. W. Smith, F. N. Jaynes, E. A. Tanner, G. W. Iloag, J. W. White. The latter has been pastor since September, 1878.
The elass steadily increased in numbers, and about 1860 began to think of building a church. In the fall of that year a meeting was held at the house of E. B. Williams, and the following board of trustees elected, viz. : Daniel Marsh, Elisha B. Williams, Samuel Booth, John Feller, Edward M. Williams, Don C. Mather, Horaee B. Wil- liams. The incorporation being thus effected, Mr. E. B. Williams donated a site, containing 100 square rods, on which to build a church, and work was begun on it the following spring. The foundation was laid, the frame raised, and the building inclosed that season, and the inside work and plastering was done during the winter and spring of 1862. The building is 32 by 50 feet in size, and cost about $2000. It was dedicated by Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, of Chicago,-at that time editor of the North- western Christian Advocate,-on the 19th of August, 1862. His text was from the First Epistle to Timothy, 3d chap- ter and 16th verse: " And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
At this time a division of the class took place, and what is known as the North Gilead class was formed. They united with the Congregational Society in the erection of a union church, a mile farther north, a year or two later. This class is now under charge of Warren W. Williams, elass-leader, and has a membership of about 25. It forms one of the appointments on Gilead circuit.
Under the preaching of Rev. William Doust a revival occurred, which, in the interest manifested, in the number of conversions, and in its far-reaching and lasting influence for good, was never equaled in this town. It occurred in the winter of 1864-65. The present membership is now 52.
A parsonage was bought in the spring of 1873, of Mr.
1856. 11. A. Loomis (removed). George J. Langs (app.).
1861. Milo Il. Mott. Gideon D. Baggerly.
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
B. F. Brown, at a cost of $850. It is located near the north end of Gilead Lake, in a very pleasant situation.
The present officers of the church are Samuel Booth, L. M. Marsh, Daniel Sharp, Miles Wheeler, Thomas .J. Foster, Orlin Dean, Nathan B. Hewett, Trustees; Nathan B. Hewett. Class-header; Samuel Booth, N. B. Hewett Warren Sayles, JJ. E. Hathaway, Stewards; Nathan B. Hewett, Recording Secretary.
The Sunday-school connected with this church was the first one organized in the town. It was formed about the spring of 1840, in what was called the Leverich school- house, and Elisha B. Williams was elected as the first superintendent. The attendance varied according to the state of the weather and the roads, sometimes being as low as 30, and again running up to 80. Upon the completion of the church edifice, the school was reorganized in the spring of 1864, with Charles Williams as superintendent, and a membership of 70 scholars. At present the school numbers about 40 scholars, and has a library of about 200 volumes. Its present officers are Emory G. Luce, Superin- tendent ; Nathan B. Hewett, Assistant Superintendent and Secretary ; Mrs. Ahna Luce, Treasurer and Organist.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF GILEAD was next formed. A meeting was held at the school-house, near John McKinley's residence, on Christmas-day, 1847, at which a number of persons belonging to the Presbyterian church at Orland, Indiana, decided to ask letters of dismis- sion and organize a church in Gilead. At this meeting Rev. Jacob Patch acted in the capacity of moderator, and Emerson Marsh officiated as clerk.
On the 30th of the month another meeting was held, at the house of Emerson Marsh, and a church was duly or- ganized, with the following members : Emerson, Maria and Martha E. Marsh, George W., Francis C., Mary, and Re- becca Bull, William S. and Sarah W. Evans, Jason and Polly R. Harris, John, Jeanette, and Margaret MeKinley, Stephen and Margaret McMillan, Emeline, Caroline, and Polly Ried, Katharine and Deborah Freeman, Betsey, Clarissa, and Electa Smith, Richard C. Dickinson, Walter O. Richards, Elizabeth Hale, Ennice Fuller, and Hannah Gaines, in all 29 members. They then adopted the " Con- fession of Faith and Covenant" recommended by the Marshall Presbytery, but also adopted the Congregational form of government.
Jan. 22, 1848, the church met at the school-house near Esquire Hlale's, and elected William S. Evans and Emerson Marsh as a standing committee, and E. Marsh as secretary.
The first deacon, Stephen MeMillan, was chosen to that office April 1, 1848, was ordained on Sunday, April 2, and is still holding the office, whose duties he has so sue- cessfully and worthily performed for a period of thirty-one years. His associates in office have been Hiram O. Tibbets, Theron Spring, Thomas Martin, and Albert A. Lnee, the latter being the present associate.
Rev. Jacob Patch was the first pastor, and he has been succeeded in regular order by Revs. Isaac C. Crain, Jacob Patch, A. G. Martin, William Ellers, A. G. Martin, Jacob Patch, C. Kidder, John R. Bonney, and Mr. Olds, who is the present pastor.
In 1876-77 the church withdrew from its Presbyterian connection, and became a purely Congregational society.
The meetings for several years were held principally at the school-house in District No. 1, Bethel and Gilead, until, in 1863 or 1864, an arrangement was made with the Methodists, and a union church built half a mile south of Marsh's Corners, on section 5. This church is about 30 by 45 feet in dimensions; cost about $1800; and was dedicated in the November following its completion, by Rev. Mr. Gallagher, of Hillsdale. The church property is held by a board of 9 trustees, 3 elected by each church and 3 by the society.
The present membership of the church is eighteen or twenty, and its present clerk is Mrs. Mary E. McCourtie. The Sabbath-school was organized many years ago, and Emerson Marsh, I. O. Tibbets, and Theron Spring were among its earliest superintendents. At present the mem- bership is about 10, but in the summer season the attend- ance averages from Go to 75. The present officers are Willis Brown, Superintendent ; Parmenio A. Cranson, As- sistant Superintendent ; George Brown, Secretary ; and George Lazenby, Treasurer.
ZION CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
is located at East Gilead. The society was organized in the winter of 1859-60, by Rev. Frederick Geisel, a mis- sionary on the De Kalb Mission, Indiana Conference. There was then a membership of about 15 persons. The first meeting was held in the school-house in Distriet No. 4. Chandler S. Brown was appointed class-leader.
The first pastor was Rev. Frederick Geisel, followed by Revs. George Hartle, William Buckman, and Charles Sharno. About this time the Michigan Conference was organized, and this appointment was detached from the In- diana Conference, and Rev. M. Alspach was sent to serve until the conference met in April, 1865. Then the Fulton Circuit was established with this as one of its appointments, and Revs. Jonas Boroughf and Joshua Paulin were sue- eessively preachers in charge, with Rev. C. S. Brown as junior preacher. Then the circuit was divided and the present Fremont Circuit organized, to which this church has since belonged. Since that change the pastors have been Revs. Samuel Copley, B. F. Wade, and Jacob Rote, C. S. Brown and Jacob Rote, C. S. Brown and D. C. Row- land, Christian Thomas, E. K. Dewitt, Elias B. Miller, J. W. Loose, and George Heltar, R. Reagle, J. A. Fry, Wash- ington White, and C. S. Brown, the present pastor.
The meetings were held in the school-house at Arnold's Corners-which was purchased soon after the organization was effected-until the church was built, in 1867. This building, the dimensions of which are 33 by 46 feet, cost about $1800, and was built under the supervision of Jacob Doer, William Kanouse, and Thomas Davis, build- ing committee. It was dedicated in February, 1868, and on that occasion Rev. M. J. Miller, presiding ekler. preached the sermon. The incorporation of the society was not effected until about eight years ago, when Jacob Doer, William Kanouse, Thomas Davis, Josiah Snyder, and one other person, whose name we have not been able to as- certain, were elected trustees.
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
At the present time the membership is about 40, and the following persons are officers of the church, viz. : Enoch Davis, Class-Leader ; John Doer, Steward; Jacob Doer, J. J. Doer, Levi Davis, John Doer, Chas. Davis, Trustees.
Previous to the formation of the church the Sabbath- school was a union school, but at that time it became an Evangelical school, with C. S. Brown as superintendent, and has existed in a prosperous condition till the present time. J. J. Doer is the present superintendent.
TIIE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCII OF EAST GILEAD AND BETIIEL.
This society was organized at the Zion Church, East Gilead, by Rev. Jacob Patch, on the 6th of May, 1865, with 10 members. In July following it assumed the name of the Presbyterian Church of East Gilead, and adopted the articles of faith of the Presbytery of Coldwater, and the Congregational form of government.
Their first meeting for public worship was held on July 30, and on that occasion Rev. Jacob Patch preached, ad- ministered the sacrament, and baptized Edgar Virgil, infant son of Stephen and Rebecca Tifft.
Feb. 20, 1867, a meeting was held at the house of William N. Carter, at which the present name was adopted and new articles of faith and eovenant agreed upon. At this time William N. Carter and Hugh W. Martin were chosen as deacons. Theodore J. Carpenter has since been chosen in place of Mr. Martin.
The pastors have been Revs. Jacob Pateh, C. Kidder, L. P. Rose, and the present one, John R. Bonney.
The society incorporated about ten years ago by electing three trustees, but no steps toward ereeting a house of wor- ship have yet been made.
For a couple of years after its organization meetings were held alternately at East Gilead and Bethel, but since that time they have been held at the school-house in Gilead, a mile north of Arnold's Corners.
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The present membership is about 25, and the present officers, aside from those already named, are William T. Ammerman, Clerk ; Stephen Tifft, Treasurer ; William N. Carter and Theodore J. Carpenter, Trustees.
There are three cemeteries in Gilead : the one already mentioned, near the union church ; one on the Hoopin- garner farm, in section 18; and one called the East Gilead Burying-Ground, near Arnold's Corners. This latter was taken from the farms of Samuel Arnold and Mr. Carpenter several years ago, and the title vested in a board of trustees. These grounds are all pleasantly located, and show marks of the taste and eare bestowed upon them by those whose loved and lost lie slumbering quietly beneath their gently- waving verdure.
GILEAD GRANGE, NO. 400, P. OF H.
This society was instituted April 18, 1874, by George W. Vanakin, special deputy, with 50 charter members. The meeting was held at the Webb House, on seetion 16. Regular fortnightly meetings have been held from that time to the present. The meetings were held at various places until June, 1876, when a room in the Don C. Mather house, then owned by Albert A. Luce, was fitted up by
the grange, and has sinee been occupied as their hall. The grange has proved to be a source of great interest and profit to its members, and has exerted a healthful in- fluence upon the community. Owing to removals its list of members has become reduced to 38, which is the present number. The following list shows the names of the first, and also of the present officers :
First Officers .- Master, Cyrus G. Luee ; Overseer, Dar- win A. Thompson ; Leeturer, George J. Langs ; Steward, Squire G. Beers ; Assistant Steward, J. B. Keeslar ; Chap- lain, Albert A. Luce; Treas., Alexander R. Green ; See., Lester M. Marsh ; Gate-Keeper, Sewell May ; Ceres, Mrs. A. R. Green ; Pomona, Mrs. J. Sweeting; Flora, Miss Louisa Keeslar ; Stewardess, Mrs. D. A. Thompson.
Present Officers .- Master, Darwin A. Thompson ; Over- seer, Alexander R. Green ; Lecturer, Lemuel L. Graham ; Steward, W. II. Olmstead; Assistant Steward, J. B. Van- devanter; Chaplain, Albert A. Luce ; Treas., E. C. S. Green; See., Cyrus G. Luee; Gate-Keeper, Judson Sweeting; Ceres, Mrs. J. Sweeting ; Pomona, Mrs. A. R. Green ; Flora, Mrs. E. C. S. Green ; Stewardess, Mrs. L. L. Graham.
We now come to the closing words of our sketch of the his- tory of Gilead. We have traced its rise and progress through nearly a half-century of its existence, and have witnessed its wild lands-prairie, forest, or swamp-improved, brought under cultivation, and made to produce the fruits of the earth for the use of its citizens. We have seen how the hardships and privations that beset the pioneers have been met, endured, and overcome, and how from poverty, or at least from lowly circumstances, these same people have risen to competence or wealth. The rude log hut and pole shanty have given place to comfortable houses and commodious barns, and the evidenees of a permanent prosperity are patent to even the most casual observer. But the hand of the grim destroyer has not been spared, and but few of the original settlers remain to testify to the faets aud relate the tale of the first opening up of this country. We mention a few of them in the order in which they settled in Gilead : Mrs. Mary Fuller, Josiah Sanders, 1831 ; Samuel Booth, 1832; William Purdy, 1835; Andrew aud Jared Fuller, Elisha B. and Edward M. Williams, Mrs. Melinda Wilkins, Mrs. Abigail C. Booth, Mrs. Julia A. Luce, 1836; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Keeslar, and Mrs. Catharine S. Arnold, 1837.
The writer desires to aekuowledge his obligations to those who have rendered their assistance in the preparation of this history, and returns them hearty thanks, hoping that their experiences in Gilead may be as pleasant as his have been.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. CYRUS G. LUCE.
About the middle of the seventeenth century, among the emigrants coming across the ocean to found homes and eventually governments in the then newly-discovered eoun- try which now holds first rank among the nations of the world, came a family bearing the name of Luce, who set- tled in Tolland Co., Conn., and the homestead they then established remained in the family for nearly two centuries,
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
passing from their possession ouly about twenty years ago. One of the descendants of this family was Walter Luce, who was born and lived till he became of age upon the homestead in Tolland. His grandfather had served in the Revolutionary army, and at the age of nineteen he, too, enlisted in the army of his country and served through the war of 1812, during most of his term of service being stationed in garrison at New London, Conn. At the close of the war, in 1815, Walter left his home and became one of the pioneers of Ohio, settling among the first in Wind- sor, Ashtabula Co. In 1820 he married Mary Gray, and from this union sprang the subject of this biography, who was born at Windsor, July 2, 1821. In 1836 the family, then consisting of the parents and six sons, came farther west, and settled in the town of Mill Grove, Steuben Co., Ind., near the present village of Orland. While living there two other children, both daughters, were born to them. Walter died on this farm April 20, 1872, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife survived him until Feb. 12, 1879, when, at the age of seventy-six years, she, too, passed from life.
During his boyhood and youth Mr. Luce was obliged to work hard and long, as always falls to the lot of boys in a pioneer settlement, and yet, by making a good use of the not overabundant educational privileges afforded by the common schools, he was at the age of fifteen prepared to enter the Northeastern Collegiate Institute, at Ontario, Ind., where he studied through three winter termins, working on the farm the rest of each year. In looking back upon this period of his life, Mr. Imce feels great satisfaction from the knowledge that he wasted no time, made the most of his opportunities, and, in the face of much that was dis- couraging and vexatious, suceceded in obtaining an educa- tion which has proved a great help to him in his various undertakings, and has helped materially to make his life successful. When he was seventeen years old his father placed him in charge of his earding- and fulling-mill, and he occupied that position seven years. Ile then, in 1848, purchased eighty acres of land in Gilead, the farm on which he now lives, and a year later, in August, 1849, married Julia A. Dickinson, a daughter of Obed and Experience Dickinson, and commenced housekeeping on his farm. Mr. Luce's children have been five in number, and four of them are living. These are Mrs. Almira J. Parker, of Orland, Ind. ; Emory G., who owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Gilead, and being an enthusiastic and ambi- tious follower of his chosen occupation, bids fair to attain high rank as a thorough and successful farmer ; and Florence A. and Homer D., who live at home with their parents. The other child, Dwight D., died when two years old.
Throughout his life Mr. Luce has been a practical and scientific farmer, and prides himself more on his well-tilled fields and sleek, well-fed stock, than anything he has accom- plished in other enterprises. Ile has added to his landed possessions from time to time until he now owns four hun- dred acres, besides having started his son Emory in lite with one hundred and sixty acres. For a period of seven years he was engaged in company with others in the mer- cantile and produce business, at Orland, Ind., and was successful there.
But Mr. Luce's fame is not confined to the town nor his usefulness to the farm. In public life he has made his mark and established a wide and enviable reputation. His first appearance in this field was as a candidate for represen- tative in the Indiana Legislature, in 1848, when in a noto- riously strong Democratie district he ran far ahead of his ticket, and was defeated by but a small majority. After removing to this town he was called to office, and has served nine years as supervisor, in 1863, '64, '65, being nani- mously elected. In 1851 he was made the Republican candidate for representative in the Legislature ; was elected by three hundred and fifty majority, and took his seat as a member of the first Republican Legislature of Michigan. In the fall of 1858 he was elected treasurer of Branch County, and removed to Coldwater, where he remained four years, being re-elected in 1860. After his return he, as supervisor of the town, was very busy in attending to war matters, raising men and money, and attending to the busi- ness connected therewith. The exciting presidential election of 1864 was also pending, and all combined, proved too great a strain upon his powers of endurance, and he was prostrated by an attack of typhoid fever that kept him down for two months. Meantime he had been nominated as a candidate for the State Senate, and was elected ; and again in 1866 was elected to the same office. In the spring of 1867 he was elected as a member of the convention to re- vise the State constitution. In the fall of 1878 he was a candidate before the Republican State Convention for nomi- nation as their candidate for the office of State Treasurer. On the informal ballot he had a majority of some sixteen votes, but on the formal ballot was defeated by nine votes. In all the official positions he has been called to fill, Mr. Luce has acquitted himself with great honor, and has per- formed his duties with great fidelity and care, and his repu- tation as a competent and conscientious officer is equal to that of auy citizen of the State. He has also been quite largely engaged in public speaking, the meetings he has ad- dressed being political meetings, war meetings, temperance meetings, farmers' meetings, and Sunday-school assemblages. Having reached the age of fifty-five years with unimpaired health, vigorous constitution, and well-trained intellect, he may well look forward to many long, happy, useful years of life.
MRS. CATHARINE S. ARNOLD.
This estimable lady, who deserves rank among the pio- neers of Gilead, was born in the town of Volney, Oswego Co., N. Y., March 26, 1805. Her parents were James and Evelyn ( Quackenbush ) Huganin. April 10, 1831, she was married to Samuel Arnold, and with him came to Gilead in the fall of 1837. She was well versed in the use of the common herbal remedies, and had had much experience in nursing the sick, and since coming here has devoted con- siderable time to the work of relieving the sufferings of the afflicted among her neighbors. Her father and mother, both of whom died in Oswego County, lived to the respeet- ive ages of ninety-two and eighty-six years. She survives her husband, who died in 1878, and bids fair to live to a good old age, as she is still strong, vigorous, and hearty.
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IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Photo, by E. Kindmark, Coldwater.
JOSEPH KEESLAR.
MRS. JOSEPH KEESLAR.
JOSEPII KEESLAR.
Joseph Keeslar, the subject of this sketch, was born in Sullivan, Madison Co., N. Y., April 6, 1825. His father, Peter Keeslar, was a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1800. In 1838 he emigrated to Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., and settled on section 20, where he still resides, a hale and hearty man of seventy- nine. Joseph Keeslar came to Michigan with his father when he was a lad of thirteen, and was at once set to work with his brothers clearing the new farm. Ilis chances for an education were very limited, yet he obtained enough to fit him for the active business life he has pursued since ar- riving at man's estate. Arrived at maturity he commenced life for himself, working on a farm, and receiving for his first year's wages one hundred and thirty dollars. He then bought forty acres of new land, running in debt for the same. This land was a part of section S, and was cleared and improved by him. Here he commenced his married life. This small farm he afterwards sold, and then bought ninety acres where he now resides. To this he has added until he now owns a farm of one hundred and seventy acres, under good improvement, with a fine honse and good outbuildings. Among his fellow-townsmen Mr. Keeslar very deservedly stands high as a neighbor and business man. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but in the spring of 1878 he joined the National party, and be- came its standard-bearer at the ensuing town election, and was by them elected supervisor, filling the office to the entire satisfaction of his party. Prior to this he was elected town treasurer by the Republicans. Ile has always takeu au active interest in school matters, and is a member of the school board. On the 29th day of February, 1849, he married Miss Mary Ward (daughter of Alexander and Rebecca Gray Ward). This estimable lady was born in Ashtabula Co., O., Feb. 12, 1831. This union has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Julia, born Jan. 5, 1854; Eliza, born Aug. 17, 1857 ; Charles, born Dec. 3,
1859 ; Adelia, born Jan. 1, 1862; Edwin, born Feb. 18, 1865 ; Homer, born Nov. 6, 1869, and Willie D., born Oct. 30, 1872.
E. C. S. GREEN.
David Green was born in Queenstown, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1802. Flere Mr. Green resided until after his marriage to Miss Miranda Chalker. To them were born nine children. After his marriage he moved to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and thence to Savona, in the same county, where for a year be kept a hotel. Two years afterwards he moved to Port- age Co., Ohio, and for two years had charge of the infirm- ary, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum. We next find him in Akron, Ohio, where he resided until 1841, when he came to Gilead and bought two hundred acres of land on the State line, paying for it three dollars and eighty cents per acre. This he cleared and improved, but has since sold it to different parties. Mr. Green is still a resident of the county, living in Coldwater.
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