USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 10
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This need was manifest, 1st, in the demand for the special preparation of young men for ministerial and missionary work ; 2d, in the deep conviction that much better mental and moral discipline could be attained than is acquired in a given
# Deceased.
BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE, BATTLE CREEK, MICH. ESTABLISHED 1874.
REVIE AND HERALD
ADVENT'S PRINTING BUILDING. VIEW TAKEN FROM CITY PARK.
1877
THE MEDICAL & SURGICAL SANITORIUM. BATTLE CREEK, MICH.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
time in most of our schools and colleges in the land, and that a wise and effec- tive discipline could be better maintained, and the interests of the youth more assiduously cared for, than would be done elsewhere.
To meet these demands a private school was in successful operation at Battle Creek for some years before the establishment of a college was deemed practica- ble. It was not until the spring of 1872 that the establishment of a college was proposed by Elder James White. Several meetings of interested citizens were held in April of the same year. A committee was chosen at one of these meet- ings to complete the arrangements for the organization of an educational society.
By the action of this committee the sum of fifty-four thousand dollars was pledged for the disposal of the proposed society. The vigorous effort of this committee in securing means rendered the organization of a legal society possible; hence, at a meeting held March 11, 1874, in the city of Battle Creek, seven trustees were elected to have the supervision and control of all the affairs of the society, to hold real estate, to erect suitable buildings, and to establish and manage a college for instruction in the sciences, the languages, and the Holy Scriptures. The conditions of the law of the State of Michigan for the "incorporation of institutions of learning" having been complied with, the trustees purchased in the city of Battle Creek a beautiful eminence of twelve acres, for sixteen thousand dollars. Upon the highest point in the centre of this plat, the erection of a college building was immediately entered upon by the trustees, and in January, 1875, one building was completed and occupied by the students, who numbered at that time about one hundred.
Grounds .- The grounds surrounding the building are among the finest to be found in the city of Battle Creek. Their natural beauty has been very greatly enhanced by the exercise of good taste and the expenditure of much money and labor in grading, cultivating flowers, making walks, planting hedges, etc. As many as possible of the native trees were retained, and interspersed among them are ornamental trees and shrubs from other climes.
At present the campus proper embraces only about seven acres, since tiers of building-lots have been separated from the west and south sides of the first pur- chase, of twelve acres, by new streets. Upon seven of these lots, which number seventeen in all, dwellings have been erected by the trustees for the accommoda- tion of professors in the college, and also for families who move here for the express purpose of educating their children.
Buildings .- The most prominent building shown in the engraving represents the one erected in 1874. It is three stories in height, above a commodious base- ment. It is heated by steam, which is generated by a furnace in the basement. The latter is admirably arranged for classes in chemistry and philosophy. The chemical laboratory and philosophical apparatus are closely connected with the lecture-room, being separated only by a glass partition. In the third story is a fine audience-room, thirty-five by seventy-two feet.
In the summer of 1875 the first catalogue of Battle Creek college was issued. This showed an attendance during the five preceding terms of two hundred and eighty-nine students. The members of the faculty, as published in that catalogue, were James White, President ; S. Brownsberger, A.M., Principal, Professor of Ancient Languages and Physics ; Uriah Smith, Lecturer on Biblical Exegesis ; G. H. Bell, Professor of English Language and Mathematics ; J. H. Kellogg, M.D., Professor of Chemistry and Physiology ; Marcus Lichtenstein, Professor of Hebrew ; Charles Carlstedt, Professor of Swedish Language; A. B. Oyen, Professor of Danish Language; Madame L. Parot, Instructor in French ; Miss Camilla Haentzsche, Instructor in German; Nellie N. Wheeler, Instructor in Common Branches ; Mary A. Davis, Instructor in Common Branches.
Since this issue a professor of the Italian language has been added to the list, besides some assistants in other departments.
Who admitted .- This school is under the special direction of the Seventh-Day Adventist Educational Society, and was especially designed for the mental improve- ment of those men and women who wish to prepare themselves for ministerial and missionary labor. But while this grand object is being gained, an opportunity is also offered to Seventh-Day Adventists and all others who wish to improve it to send their children to a school whose high aim is to secure the best moral and religious influence, free from the corrupting blight realized at many other schools.
There is nothing in the regular courses of study, or in the rules or practice of discipline, that is in the least denominational or sectarian. The Biblical lectures are before those only who attend them from choice.
Special advantages .- Among the prominent excellences of Battle Creek college are the following :
The high moral character of the institution is dearer to its founders than any other consideration, and the trustees pledge their honor to maintain and strengthen it at all hazards. To effect this, no other interest shall be regarded too great a sacrifice ; for this they labor and are ever vigilant.
They believe that the moral element is the principal one in education, and that
it has its root in religion,-not in a sectarian view, but in the great fundamentals of Christian religion, conscientiously adhered to and rigidly governing our lives.
The protection guaranteed students here from base influences that undermine the character in many institutions of learning, will warrant parents in intrusting their sons and daughters to the watchful care of the college. Those in charge feel that the hearts and lives of those they seek to educate are in a peculiar sense consigned to their trust. They recognize the responsibility thus devolving upon them. Students are not left to themselves, without care or sympathy, but a per- sonal interest is taken in each one, and a strong moral and religious influence is thrown around each member of the school. They realize the necessity of con- stant vigilance over the character and general deportment of the youth, when all manner of inducement to idle away their time is forced upon them. A wise and effective discipline is maintained, not tyrannical or exacting, but firm and parental.
The degree of thoroughness with which youths are taught to perform their tasks will, in a great measure, determine their success in after-life. We all recog- nize the fact that the habit of doing work well may become just as firmly and deeply seated in the character as the habit of carelessness and superficiality. This is eminently true of the student.
With this fact before them, the instructors make the principle of thoroughness a leading feature in their labors, and inculcate like principles in the character and minds of the students. True methods of education are followed. The student is not allowed to pass with merely a superficial knowledge of subjects, but is required to master principles, rather than to commit to memory verbal forms. The officers of instruction have shown, in the results of their class labors, that "not how much, but how well," has been their motto.
Expenses .- The club boarding system. has worked out a problem of great importance to the college in these hard times. From twenty-five to fifty persons organize by the choice of proper officers, to be governed by certain rules, in the establishment of one general eating-house. One of their number makes all the purchases of the raw material for healthful food, and each member pays a certain sum per week for cooking and for keeping the house.
When they have enjoyed their meal they return to their rooms, in different directions, not far from the college building. From one to four students occupy one room, according to its size. The entire expense of meals and room is not far from one dollar and twenty-five cents a week ; and washing, fuel, lights, and tuition, and one year's expense to the poor young man at this college, excepting clothing and books, need not exceed seventy or eighty dollars, and much of this he can earn during vacations.
Future prospects .- There is no doubt that the rapid increase in attendance during the past two years will continue without interruption in the future. This will necessitate more buildings and enlarged plans on all sides.
There is need at present of another building in close proximity to the first, which will provide a large hall, gymnasium, and society rooms, and in which a library, reading-room, and museum could be accommodated.
A medical department is also in contemplation, in which students may receive a thorough education in anatomy and surgery, physiology and hygiene, hydropathic appliances, uses of electricity, etc. Applications for such instruction have been so numerous during the past year that there would be at present a class of seventy- five or one hundred qualifying themselves for physicians if they could be accom- modated.
The foregoing evinces the fact that Battle Creek college is an outgrowth of necessity rather than a projected enterprise whose success is a matter of experi- ment. Its founders do not regard it an undertaking that requires a trial of a few years to decide its final success, but they realize that its nature and aims are such as to render its immediate and final success inevitable. It is destined to become an institution of power and very extended usefulness in the land.
The trustees and all friends of the institution take pleasure in their determina- tion to make this one of the first schools in the State, for mental as well as moral training ; and no observation, inquiry, or expense shall be spared in seeking to realize the expectation of its most sanguine patrons and friends.
Further particulars can be had by sending for the annual catalogue.
CHAPTER X.
PROFESSIONAL : THE BAR; THE PULPIT.
THE learned professions have been ably represented in Calhoun County ; more especially the legal profession, the Calhoun bar being justly ranked, for many years, as the leading bar of the State. From 1837 to 1852 or 1853, the best
30
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
legal talent found expression before the courts of Calhoun, and whose "local habitation" was in the limits of the county. The anticipation, which for a long time filled the minds of the people of the State, that Marshall would eventually be the capital of the commonwealth, attracted comparatively large numbers of prominent lawyers to that point, who served to build up a very strong bar, noted for its ability and erudition thoughout the State. The following is a sketch of the bar, briefly drawn, but correct in its data, having been obtained principally from Hon. W. H. Brown, at the present time the Nestor of the Calhoun County bar.
The first attorney to settle in Calhoun County was Hon. Isaac E. Crary, who came to Marshall in the summer of 1832, and located, and where he remained until his death, which event occurred June 13, 1864. He is termed by the legal fraternity, not inaptly, the Father of the Calhoun bar. In a eulogy pro- nounced before the circuit court, while in session, by S. H. Preston, a fellow- member of the bar, himself a prominent lawyer of the State, the speaker said he, Crary, was unexcelled as an office lawyer, familiar with decisions and laws; was always ready with a solution of any difficulty presented to him by his brethren, and was able to refer at once to the point at issue, and depended more on the legal aspect of his cases than in any eloquence expended on the jury. He was born in Preston, Connecticut, and was a graduate of Yale, and came therefrom to Detroit in the winter of 1830-31, and to Marshall the succeeding winter, living first in a log house, but afterwards building the first frame house of any preten- sions in Marshall. He built also the first frame office in that place. His life was a busy one, politically and professionally. He was a member of the first constitutional convention, wherein, as has been before stated, he introduced the article giving the control of the school-lands to the State, and also providing for the covering of all fines, penalties, and forfeitures into a library fund, and also the funds arising from military exemptions, and was the author of Article 10 of the constitution, relative to education, which, to him, is a monument grander than the triumphal arch of a Cæsar, and more enduring than bronze or stone. He also was instrumental in providing for the vote of all actual residents in the Terri- tory at the time of the adoption of the constitution, whether foreign born or otherwise, naturalized or not. He defined the boundaries of the upper peninsula, thus getting its inexhaustible mineral treasures in exchange for the Territory in dispute between Ohio and Michigan. As member of Congress, from 1836 to 1840 inclusive, he obtained the establishment of roads and mail facilities, and served with usefulness his constituency, which was the entire State. He was a member of the committees on judiciary, public lands, and Indian affairs. After- wards was speaker of the House of Representatives of Michigan, and introduced the bill for most liberal exemptions from forced sales on execution, which became a law. The bar of Calhoun County passed highly eulogistic resolutions on his death, which were spread upon the records of the court. He was not quite fifty years of age when he died. His wife, Jane E., died October 2, 1839.
In 1833-34, Cephas A. Smith located in Battle Creek. He was the first pros- ecuting attorney, and died in 1842. In 1836, several attorneys located at Marshall, viz .: Stephen H. Preston, J. Wright Gordon, Prentiss S. Hewitt, James L. San- ford, George C. Gibbs, David L. Johns, and W. H. Brown. Mr. Preston was a native of Oneida county, New York, and still resides in the county, but has retired from the practice of his profession. He was prosecuting attorney of the circuit in 1836-38, and was a leading member of the bar for many years. Mr. Gordon was a native of Connecticut, was elected lieutenant-governor of Michigan in 1840, and, on the election of Governor Woodward to the United States Senate, succeeded to the gubernatorial honors for the remainder of the term. He was also United States consul at Pernambuco, where he died. He was admitted in the Supreme Court of New York, November 1, 1833. P. S. Hewitt was from Batavia, New York, and is now deceased. Sanford was from Skaneateles, New York, and is now an eminent attorney of New York city. Gibbs was prosecuting attorney in 1838-39, and again later in 1843-45, and is now in California. David L. Johns was prosecuting attorney in 1840, and for many years master in chancery, under the appointment of the governor. In 1837 George Woodruff came in from Buffalo, New York, and located at Marshall, and is still in practice. He was elected county judge in 1846, and held the position until the court was abolished, and was subsequently elected to the circuit, and held the position of circuit judge from 1866 to 1876. This same year or the following one, Abner Pratt came to Marshall from Rochester, New York, where he had been the prosecuting attorney of Monroe county. He was circuit judge 1851-57, and was also United States consul at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. He was in the State senate 1844-45, and died while holding the office of mayor of the city of Marshall.
E. Smith Lee came in 1839, and was a prominent attorney for many years, and subsequently died in Detroit. Henry W. Taylor came in 1839, from Canan- daigua, New York, and remained in the county for some eight years, when he returned, and is now the judge of the court of appeals of that State. He was
eminent in his profession, learned, and eloquent. John Van Arman was admitted to the bar in 1839, upon the recommendation of S. H. Preston, D. L. Johns, and J. Wright Gordon, P. S. Hewitt granting a certificate of good moral character to him. He was in practice several years in Marshall, being a partner of W. H. Brown, Esq., for a time. He is now a member of the Chicago bar, and is consid- ered one of its most eminent members. Has an extensive practice in the State and United States courts. W. H. Brown was admitted to the bar of Calhoun County, May 27, 1840, on the examination and recommendation of L. F. Stevens, D. Johnson, and E. Smith Lee. He was a member of the Utica bar before he came to Michigan. He has been for years an eminent lawyer, and is still actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He has probably tried more cases than any other member of the Calhoun bar. He is a native of Preston, Connecticut, and is an able advocate. He was prosecuting attorney, 1855-58. About this time Edward Bradley came from Bloomfield, New York ; an Irishman by birth, an active, resolute, nervous speaker, more effective on the stump than in the court- room or office, and hence very popular. He was prosecuting attorney in 1842, State senator in 1843, and elected to Congress in 1846, but died in New York city, en route to take his seat, in 1847. In 1840, Thomas P. Church, now of Grand Rapids, was admitted to the bar. Hon. N. A. Balch, now of Kalamazoo, was also a member of the Calhoun bar. In 1842, F. W. Shearman was admitted, but was more distinguished as a journalist than a lawyer. In the former field he filled an honorable position, which will appear more at large in the history of the press.
William C. Rowley located at Battle Creek, and was admitted to the bar of the county in 1842. He was prosecuting attorney in 1846-48. In 1847, B. F. Graves, of Battle Creek, was admitted. He filled the position of circuit judge from 1857 to 1866 inclusive, and is now the chief-justice of the supreme bench of Michigan. Leonidas Dibble, also of Battle Creek, was admitted in 1851. He still continues his practice, which is a remunerative one, and has gained him an enviable reputation as a successful and careful advocate. He defended a man charged with the murder of his own child, at the May term of the circuit court in 1877, procuring his acquittal, the jury being out of the box but a short time. In 1839, Justus Goodwin was admitted. He was subsequently a member of the House of Representatives of the State several terms. He resided in Burlington. John Willard was also admitted in 1839, and died in 1842. A brother of Mr. Wil- lard, A. Parsons Willard, a student in Marshall, subsequently emigrated to Indiana, and became the governor of that State. Henry Hewitt was admitted in 1840, and was elected associate justice of the circuit court the same year, and State senator in 1842, dying while holding the latter position, in Detroit. M. W. Hewitt and James A. Way were admitted in 1841. Mr. Hewitt is now practicing in Batavia. Walter Martin was admitted in 1840. He located at Marshall, as did the last three named. John A. Van Horn was admitted in 1842. He was county clerk from 1839 to 1844. He located in Marshall. George F. James was admitted in 1842, and located in Battle Creek. Haven Powers, of Homer, Isaiah T. Williams and H. A. Noyes, of Marshall, were admitted in 1843. Mr, Noyes was afterwards judge of probate twelve years, from 1845 to 1857. He died at a ripe old age, in April, 1877. George Monro, of Albion, was admitted in 1844, and so, too, were William H. Gibbs and Morton Wilkinson, of Marshall, E. L. Stillson of Battle Creek, E. A. Frazer of same place, and F. Fergerson of Albion. Mr. Frazer is still in practice at Albion. Mr. Wilkinson emigrated to Minnesota, and served that State six years in the United States Senate, and has been one term in the House of Representatives, and is a member of the present House. Chauncey Shaffer was a member of the bar in 1840 and afterwards, and is now of the bar of New York city. B. C. Cook in 1854, J. D. Wooley, L. H. Stewart, H. C. Hawkins, and James W. Hill, were all admitted in 1855. Cook located in Marshall, and died in Danville, New York, from whence he came. Mr. Wooley located in Marshall also, and died there. He wrote up the abstracts of title of Calhoun County. Mr. Stewart located in Battle Creek, where he is still in practice. Mr. Hawkins located in Marshall, and afterwards went to Kan- sas, where he died. Judge T. W. Hall, of Battle Creek, was admitted in 1844. He was associate judge of the circuit court from 1837 to 1842. He is still a resident of Battle Creek, and has been for many years one of the county super- intendents of the poor. James B. Greenough was admitted in 1857, and located in Marshall. He is now a professor of Harvard college. Lucius G. Noyes was admitted in 1845, and located in Marshall, and died there in June, 1864. Abner E. Campbell, of Battle Creek, was admitted in 1847. Thomas G. Pray was admitted in 1851, and located in Marshall, where he is still engaged in practice. Myron H. Joy, of Battle Creek, was admitted in 1850. Isaac W. Wilder was admitted in the same year, and located in Marshall, and is now dead. C. C. Rood was admitted in 1846, but located at Grand Rapids, where he is now in practice. In 1858, D. Darwin Hughes, E. F. Tenney, and E. C. Hinsdell were admitted. Mr. Hughes was for many years a prominent lawyer of Marshall ;
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
he was mayor of the city two years, and is now a resident of Grand Rapids, where he has built up an extensive and remunerative practice. Mr. Tenney was celebrated as a journalist. He is now in Lansing. Robert Cross, a lawyer from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and a partner of Caleb Cushing, was admitted to the Calhoun bar in 1844, and was a member of the same twelve years, and died in Massachusetts. Sidney Thomas, now of Chicago, was a member of the Cal- houn bar about 1860 or after. E. C. Hinsdell is now a member of the Detroit bar, and a lawyer of some distinction. In 1859, A. M. Culver, E. A. Warner, and Edward Pomeroy were admitted. Mr. Warner located at Battle Creek for a short time only, and Culver and Pomeroy in Albion, where Mr. Culver still practices. W. H. Porter is an attorney of Marshall, and was for many years a partner of Judge Noyes.
In 1860, Willis Geer and J. Barton were admitted, the former locating in Mar- shall, where he is still in practice. Barton located in Battle Creek, but in later years gained more notoriety with a drama, in which he held the leading role, which he produced for the benefit of the posts of the Grand Army of the Re- public throughout the country. He is deceased lately. In 1861, Oliver S. Morton, George W. Bullis, and Edward Crawford were admitted, the two former locating at Battle Creek. Joseph G. Lodge also was admitted that year, and located at the same place. He was prosecuting attorney four years, and is now a member of the bar of St. Louis. . James N. Robinson, Alfred A. White, Francis A. Stace, T. W. Waring, Perry G. Packer, Philip H. Emerson, Nelson E. Sherman, and M. Cooper were admitted in 1863. Robinson, Stace, and Waring are now resi- dents at Marshall ; Sherman at Battle Creek, and Cooper at Albion, and all in practice. Mr. Emerson located at Battle Creek, but is now United States judge in Utah. James A. Miner and William D. Adams, now of Marshall, were ad- mitted in 1864. Mr. Miner was prosecuting attorney from 1871 to 1874. Alvan Peck, now of Albion, was admitted in 1853.
Charles S. May was prosecuting attorney in 1853-54, and Levant C. Rhines was in the same position from 1859 to 1862. M. N. Cunningham and John C. Patterson were admitted in 1865. They both located at Marshall, where Mr. Patterson is now in practice, in company with Hon. W. H. Brown. Mr. Cun- ningham is dead. In 1866, Henry H. Brown, Frank G. Holmes, and Levi Mosher were admitted, the first and last locating at Battle Creek, and the other at Marshall. Mr. Brown is still in practice, and Mr. Mosher is deceased. He was county clerk four years. In 1867, W. C. Hamilton, Shubael F. White, Marc A. Merrifield and Isaac D. Mccutcheon were admitted. Mr. Hamilton is now at Jefferson City, Missouri, Mr. Merrifield at Union City, and Mr. Mccutcheon is the judge of probate of Eaton county. Mr. White located at Battle Creek. In 1868, Moses B. Russell was admitted, and is now at Battle Creek. He and William D. Adams were the circuit court commissioners from 1871 to 1876, and Mr. Adams still holds the office. Mr. Miner was circuit court commissioner from 1867 to 1870 inclusive. In 1869, Charles B. Pratt and Fitch R. Williams were admitted. Mr. Pratt is now in Montcalm county, and Mr. Williams located at Albion. John C. Fitzgerald was admitted before 1860, and was prosecuting attorney in 1863-66. He is now in Marshall. Rienzi Loud, of Albion, was circuit court commissioner in 1869-70. He is still in practice at Albion. Nathan H. Briggs and Frederick M. Wadleigh, both at Battle Creek, were admitted in 1870. John C. Stetson (county clerk 1873-76), George Wescott, of Homer, now dead, and Nelson B. Gardiner, at Albion, were admitted in 1871. James H. Campbell and William W. Wyckoff, both now at Marshall, were admitted in 1872. William A. Kellogg, at Battle Creek, and Thomas Burke, were admitted in 1873. Mr. Burke was an Irishman, and located in Marshall, but is now judge of probate in Washington Territory. He was a sharp lawyer. Dewitt C. Huff- man, now at Albion, was admitted in 1874, and Clarence S. Joy and Herbert E. Winsor, of Marshall, and F. W. Boughton, of Battle Creek, were admitted in 1875. Mr. Winsor is one of the circuit court commissioners of the county at present. Eugene L. Stephenson was admitted in 1876, and is now in Little Rock, Arkansas. John E. Foley was admitted in 1877, and is now in Marshall. Frank W. Clapp, the present prosecuting attorney, has held that position since January 1, 1875. He was admitted some time previously. He is a partner of Judge Woodruff. Ira E. Randall and G. H. Southworth practice at Marshall, and Charles E. Thomas at Battle Creek.
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