USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 30
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JUDGE TOLMAN W. HALL,
brother of Moses Hall, was born at Sudbury, Rutland county, Vermont, September 1, 1805. He received his education at the schools of his native place. On the 12th of April, 1832, he married Lois Mary Hitchcock. The same year he became owner of real estate adjoining the present city of Battle Creek, and removed on to it in the summer of 1834, accompanied by his family. They traveled in a line-boat through the Champlain and Erie canal to Buffalo ; thence to Detroit on one of the original Lake Erie steamers. After arriving at his destination he followed farming for some years, and subsequently entered the mercantile business. He has held various offices of trust and honor both in the township and county. In 1836 he was elected associate judge of the circuit court of Calhoun County, which office he filled faithfully and well for eight years. In 1844 he was ad- mitted to the bar of the county, but has not practiced as an attorney to any ex- tent. In 1851 and '52 was a director of the Union schools. He served in the State legislature one term in 1855 and '56 ; held the office of postmaster of Battle Creek from 1861 to 1866, and represented the first ward of the city as alderman in 1862-63; was elected mayor in 1865 ; has been twice elected a justice of the peace, and held the office of county superintendent of poor for the last ten years. All of these offices he has filled with marked ability and unswerving integ- rity.
In the religious and educational interests of the city, Judge Hall has always taken an active part; while in the material growth and prosperity of the place he has occupied a conspicuous position. He was one of the original members and most active workers in the Congregational and Presbyterian church of Battle Creek, and no man did more for that organization than he.
As a citizen he is well known and very highly respected ; as a man he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people ; as a neighbor he is liked for his friendly and courteous manners. In his dealings with his fellow-men he is honest and upright, and no man can say aught against his general character. In short, Judge Hall is a representative man, and one of whom the city in which he has resided so long, and whose interests he has served so faithfully, is justly proud.
ALLEN WILLARD
was born in Hartland, Windsor county, Vermont, February 10, 1794. He was educated at Dartmouth college, and was a fellow-student at this famous seat of learning with Rufus Choate. His son, George Willard, informs us that his father predicted Choate's distinguished career long before he was known to the American public as its most eminent lawyer and brilliant orator. While at college, Mr. Willard says, Choate evinced the fine linguist. It was ever a delight for his class to hear him render his lesson in Virgil or Cicero into English. He was the best writer and scholar in college.
Allen Willard removed from Vermont to Michigan in the summer of 1836. He first settled in Battle Creek township, a little south of where he now lives ; selling this land he located in the Dr. Beach neighborhood, where he improved a farm ; this he sold and bought the Hermes Sweet place, on the east side of Goguac lake, where he at present resides.
Mr. Willard is a man of clear intelligence and sterling character. He has not sought prominence in public affairs, but rather to enjoy the society of his family and friends, his books, and the cultivation of his farm. He has educated his two sons, George and Charles, giving the former, who early evinced a great desire for learning, the advantage of a well-stored library, and affording him full opportunity for improving it. Charles Willard has the management of the farm, and his father, in his beautiful home on the east bank of Goguac lake, is enjoying the evening of his life, passing quietly away to his eternal home.
THE FIRST LOG HOUSE.
Concerning this historic structure we quote from A. D. P. Van Buren's series of newspaper articles on the "Early History of Calhoun County :"
" The following account relates to the building of the first house in Battle Creek, called the Foster house. As we have stated in a previous article, Sherman Comings, of Toland prairie, had borrowed money of Daniel G. Garnsey, whom he met at White Pigeon in 1831. The account we now present, the writer got of James R. Comings, of Galesburg, son of Sherman Comings; it is copied from the account-book of the latter. The Mr. Rich mentioned is Estes Rich, who, it seems, worked for Mr. Comings, as he charges his labor to Mr. Garnsey.
"Sept. 8, 1831, To 1 day to Mr. Howard's on your business. $1.00
" 1} days after nails ....
1.50
" 4 " of two hands and two yoke of oxen
12.00
Sept. 23, To 1 week of two hands and board. hands to raise.
12.00
3.00
Mr. Rich, hauling boards
4.00
finding Rich ..
.75
= 8 bushels of wheat at 68.
6.00
" hauling out.
1.00
Oct. 2, To 5 days, myself and son ..
10.00
" paid Mr. Rich for harrowing in wheat, 4} days.
6.75
" boarding Mr. Rich
2.00
$59.50
"This account fixed the time when the work on the house was begun, and when they had the ' raising,' which was in September ; also when the building was fin- ished, for the 'five days, myself and son' being ten days' labor, which, as the account has it, was performed in October. While Mr. Comings and son and Rich, when with them, were building this house, they boarded with Isaac Toland, who lived south of the river."
THE FIRST FRAME HOUSE.
The first frame house, properly speaking, was that erected by John V. Henry, in the old Gardner settlement, which is about five miles from Battle Creek. He built a goodly-sized frame structure out there, intending it for a tavern, in 1834, but never covered or utilized it. The frame was removed to Battle Creek in 1836 by Isaac Merrett, who placed it on the site now occupied by the American hotel. It was used for a number of years by Lowry & Hewitt as a tavern, prob- ably having been thus used about 1840.
In 1837 Judge Tolman W. Hall erected a frame dwelling-house on the lot next east of the American hotel, which now constitutes the back part of the Bristol house, being the first frame residence built on Main street.
THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE
was erected by Jonathan Hart, in 1846. It is on Maple street, and is now occu- pied by Thomas Hart, son of the original owner.
THE FIRST MERCHANTS.
The first person to open a regular store in Battle Creek was Wm. H. Coleman, who kept the first store in a log building on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, as now called, on the lot now occupied by Hon. James L. Whitcomb's block, and continued there for many years, securing the claim of being the pro- prietor of the first permanent commercial establishment in the place. Mr. Cole- man came from New York to Battle Creek in 1835. An old resident, and a good judge of character, says of him : " When I first saw Wm. H. Coleman in his log store he had much the appearance of the boy about him, but I soon found that he possessed the elements of the successful merchant, the gentleman, and fine business qualifications. He was a man of ardent temperament and decided opinions, suave and polite in his manners, an intelligent and agreeable talker, and a favorite among his friends."
Some few years after he came here he married Lucretia, daughter of Isaac Merrett. In after-life he became a banker, but his health failing, he retired from business, and died May 19, 1871. He was an active and prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and ever a most trusted and worthy citizen. He left a widow and three sons. Merrett is a banker at Lansing, with whom Mrs. Coleman lives ; Horton served during the war in Missouri, and is settled at Memphis, Tennessee; George is a dentist at Lansing.
About contemporary with Mr. Coleman in the mercantile business was David H. Daniels, now of Galesburg, who sold goods on the site of the former residence of Dr. Campbell, but soon was induced by General Convis to remove to Verona, where he opened a store and sold goods for a few years.
THE FIRST BIRTH
within the present limits of the city was that of Henry C., son of Moses and Mary Hall, who was born December 25, 1833.
11
82
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THE FIRST FEMALE BIRTH
was that of Caroline M., daughter of General and Mrs. Ezra Convis, who was born November 19, 1834.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
ceremony performed in the infant settlement was that of James Simonds, now of Kalamazoo county, and Miss Parthenia Thomas. The nuptials were celebrated with honors, and considerable rejoicing was had. The interesting contract was justi(ce)fied by Moses Hall, Esq., who did not happen to have the " fever'neg," as did Justice Hudson on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. Frank Thomas and Miss Amanda Goddard a few years subsequently, which mere reference will be sufficient for the old residenters.
THE FIRST DEATH
was that of an infant child of Ezra Convis, which died early in the summer of 1834.
THE FIRST BURYING-GROUND, AND OAK HILL CEMETERY.
The first burying-ground was laid out on land donated by Sands McCamly, in 1835. It contained almost three acres, and was located on the corner of Cham- pion and Washington streets, adjoining the water-cure property. Among the early interments were those of the first wife of Moses Hall, who was buried there in 1835, the first wife of Judge T. W. Hall, in 1841, and Moses Hall, Sr., in 1842. About 1844, the present burying-ground of the Oak Hill Cemetery Company was laid out, and many of the bodies interred in the original grave-yard were taken up and interred in the new place. It continued without a charter up to 1855, when John Meachem, Esq., prepared a bill relating to public burying- grounds in the State generally, which Judge Hall, then a member of the lower house, introduced, and successfully advocated its passage; and it became a law on the 12th of February of that year. Under this act the " Oak Hill Cemetery Company" was organized on the 22d of August, 1855. We quote from the records of the company as follows :
" PUBLIC MEETING .- Tolman W. Hall, Edward Cox, John K. Lothridge, Orlando Moffatt, Frederick M. Sanderson, Gideon F. Smith, John Meachem, Ellery Hicks, and Ogden Green met at Wakelee's hall in the village of Battle Creek, on the 22d day of August, 1855, under the authority of a certain warrant issued by Erastus R. Wattles, Esq., justice of the peace, directed to Gideon F. Smith, upon the appli- cation of the said Gideon F. Smith, Alonzo Noble, and William H. Coleman, due notice of the said meeting having been previously given. The meeting was or- ganized by appointing John Meachem, president, and Walter W. Woolnough, secretary. . . . The following persons were elected as officers of the company, and severally filed their acceptances as provided by statute : President, Gideon F. Smith ; Clerk, John Meachem ; Treasurer, Frederick M. Sanderson ; Sexton, Ogden Green."
The grounds have been tastefully arranged and decorated with shrubs, trees, and flowers, so that they now present a pleasing appearance. Many fine monu- ments have been erected, which tend to relieve the sombre aspect of the place, and stand forth as tributes of affectionate regard for the memory of those who " sleep the sleep that knows no waking" beneath them. An air of quiet repose pervades the place, as is meet, and the feeling of awe and reverence which a visit there evokes is relieved by the thoughtful and delicate tokens of respect for the departed ones, which are everywhere apparent. Perhaps no greater progress characterizes our civilization than the care and adornment bestowed upon our modern necropoli.
The officers elected at the last annual meeting, held December 25, 1876, were President, Alexander C. Hamblin ; Vice-President, Joseph M. Ward ; Treasurer, Marcus C. Schafer ; Clerk, Moses B. Russell, Esq. ; Sexton, C. R. Woodford ; Auditors, Edward Cox, M.D., Henry T. Hinman, and William Andrus.
From the necrological reports of 1875-76, we find that in 1875 101 inter- ments were made, of which number 95 were in the cemetery proper, and 6 in the Potter's Field. In 1876 there were 88 burials, of which 81 are on lots and 7 in the Potter's Field. In glancing over the list of the former year, we notice among the prominent citizens interred the following: Merritt Coleman, aged 93; Lydia Ford, 87 ; Francis Miler, 89; Asa Phelps, 83; Warren B. Shepard, 65. In 1876, Elizabeth Gilbert, aged 70 ; Diantha S. Gardner, 68; Elizabeth Harper, 63; Olive Hewitt, 67; Ellen Morse, 79; Charles Parker, 74; Elijah W. Pendill, 67 ; Elizabeth W. Root, 82; Frederick M. Sanderson, 64; Anna Tracy, 90.
THE FIRST SCHOOL.
The early settlers evinced a commendable interest in matters pertaining to the education of their children, for we find that ere the incipient city possessed a score of juveniles, a school-house was erected, and the services of a teacher pro- cured, in the person of Warren B. Shepard. This occurred in 1834, and during the
winter of that and the succeeding year school was regularly taught by that gen- tleman, and in the ensuing summer by Miss Sarah Phelps. The primitive school- house is remembered by many with feelings of pleasure, for around it clustered some of the most delightful memories of the past. Not only were the children of the village taught within its walls, but also entertainments of various kinds were held in it. Here the native eloquence of the youthful orators was expended in debate, for, be it known, a full-fledged debating club was organized contemporary with the establishment of the school. It was also used by the various religious denominations as a place of worship. But the venerable structure long since ceased to recall by its presence the happy memories of youth. It has gone. The old school-master has also departed, and he sleeps the " long, long sleep" near the spot where he came a young man full of life and energy, both of which were spent in the home of his adoption, and were fruitful of much good. And where now are his pupils? Many of them, too, are gone. Among those remembered by Mr. Shepard, and repeated to A. D. P. Van Buren a short time prior to his death, were children from the following families : Deacon Salters, Daniel Thomas, Isaac Tollands, and Nathaniel Barneys. William Kirk came from Goguac. Han- nah and Lucinda Angell, the former now Mrs. Henry Andrews, and the latter Mrs. Jacob Clark, of Battle Creek ; Eliza and Hastings Hall, children of Moses Hall; Mary McCamly, now Mrs. L. H. Stewart, of Battle Creek. General Con- vis sent his sons Albert and Ezra and his daughter, now Mrs. John Van Arman, of Chicago.
The settlement on Goguac prairie had a school about a year prior to that at Battle Creek, a sketch of which is given in the history of that section under the head of Battle Creek township.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN BATTLE CREEK.
The introduction of Methodism into this vicinity occurred in 1833. In the spring of that year a Methodist class was organized, composed of the following persons: Daniel Thomas and his wife, Parthenia their daughter, Aranthus their son, who was selected leader, and Jonathan Thomas, a cousin of the latter. The house in which the organization took place, and where the class always met, was that of Daniel Thomas, and occupied the site of the present residence of Cornelius Fonda, near the south limits of the city. Death and removals caused the dis- banding of this class in 1834, when a new organization was formed two or three miles west, on Goguac prairie, under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Wiley, who had been appointed by the Ohio conference to what was then called Calhoun cir- cuit. The next year Rev. James F. Davidson became the preacher.
In the spring of the following year, 1836, a class was formed in Battle Creek which finally absorbed the society on Goguac prairie, and became the permanent Methodist church of the community. It was organized by a local preacher, Rev. Asa Phelps, and consisted at first of himself and the following persons : Daniel Clark and wife, Thomas Hickman and wife, Mrs. John Wentz, and Theodosia Clark, afterwards Mrs. Cranston. Of these one is still living,-Mrs. Daniel Clark, of Assyria. Mrs. Thomas Hickman has recently died.
This society was soon increased by transfers and additions of converts. Addi- son Clark was one of the first, if not the very first, of the leaders of this class. Rev. E. H. Pilcher, still an influential minister in Michigan, was among the first presiding elders who visited this community, and held the old-fashioned Methodist quarterly meetings to which the people came for many miles around. The min- isters who have been appointed to the circuit of which Battle Creek was a part, or to Battle Creek as a station, are as follows : 1836, Elijah Crane, Alvin Billings, Allen Staples, J. F. Davidson, Washington Jackson, Richard Lawrence, Peter Salein, Roswell Parker, Joseph Jennings, Rezin Sapp, Franklin Gage, E. H. Pil- cher, O. Mason, J. F. Davidson, M. B. Camburn, William Kelly, R. C. Crawford, Enoch Holstock, F. B. Bangs, Jacob Odel, Rezin Sapp, Joseph Jennings, N. S. Fassett, T. H. Jacokes, L. M. Earl, J. I. Buell, D. D. Gillett, E. Cooley, Jr., Lister H. Pearce, the present incumbent.
The first public building used by this society as a preaching place was a log school-house, which was situated near the spot where McCrea's grocery now stands. Afterwards they held divine service in the frame school-house which was built on the present site of Edmond's & Dwinell's planing-mill. The first Methodist church in Battle Creek was erected in 1841, and was situated on the corner of Marshall and Division streets, opposite the location of the present church edifice. Rev. Peter Sabin was preacher in charge, but the church was opened with a quarterly meeting in December of that year, which was conducted by Rev. E. H. Pilcher, who was presiding elder.
This was a small frame building, which soon was too small for the increasing congregation, and was enlarged. Finally, in 1859, it was sold to the colored Baptist society, who removed it a little distance east of the Michigan Central railroad crossing on Marshall street, where they continue to occupy it.
The present church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Jacob
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL
Avis Ho Crosby
6.26. Crosby
F.H. TOMPKINS, DEL .
RESIDENCE OF C.H. CROSBY, BATTLE CREEK TP, CALHOUN CO., MICH.
83
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Odel, in 1859. Rev. Joseph Jennings was presiding elder, and rendered most efficient help in pushing the enterprise to a successful result. Among the laymen who were prominent in the work of building this church were M. K. Gregory, G. F. Smith, E. W. Pendill, Emmet Beach, David Coy, and J. A. Main.
The three first named have died. The building is finely located at the inter- section of Main, Marshall, Division, and South streets. It is brick, with stone foundation, front centre tower and spire, and an organ recess in the rear. The length of the main body of the edifice is eighty-four feet, and the width fifty-six feet. There is a commodious basement, with three convenient small rooms for social meetings and entertainments. The audience-room is finely finished and furnished, and has an easy seating capacity of six hundred, while by extra seating an audience of seven hundred and fifty is often accommodated. A very fine organ, which cost the society four thousand dollars, occupies the recess back of the pulpit, and a bell weighing over two thousand pounds hangs in the tower.
During the last year the walls of the building have been covered on the outside with a coating of red composition and lined with white mortar in imitation of brick. This has given the building a bright, new appearance.
The society owns a parsonage, which is situated at No. 5 Bennett street. This property has been renovated and greatly improved in appearance during the last year or two, and makes a very pleasant home for the pastor. The church is en- tirely free from debt, and in a very prosperous condition. During the last two years two hundred have been added to its membership. The present total num- ber of members is four hundred and fourteen. The average attendance of the Sunday-school is nearly three hundred; that of the general prayer-meeting, one hundred.
The pastor is supported entirely by the free-will offerings of the people, made mainly in the Sabbath morning congregation. He has no salary. There are no assessments nor renting of seats for pastoral support. A strict account is, how- ever, kept of the amount contributed and by whom given. This plan has been employed during the pastorate of Rev. L. H. Pearce, and has worked most satis- factorily. The other expenses of the church are met by apportionment among the members.
The chief officers of the society are as follows: Rev. H. C. Peck, presiding elder, residence, Kalamazoo; Rev. L. H. Pearce, pastor; A. B. Powell, Sunday- school superintendent; P. H. Greene, chairman finance committee; M. B. Rus- sell, president board of trustees; J. M. Galloup, recording steward. It is a fact worthy of mention that Mr. Ogden Green has been sexton for thirty-eight years.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BATTLE CREEK
was originally organized in the Gardner settlement, in Emmett township, in April, 1835. The exercises were first held in private dwellings, and subsequently in the log school-house, the first and only one in Battle Creek at that time. The sermon for the occasion was preached by Rev. Ebenezer Loomis. The constituent members were Michael Spencer and wife, Nedebiah Angell and wife, William Carter and wife, Mrs. Horace Mott and her two sons, Nelson and Elter, and also her two daughters, Ann and Sallie, Zopher Mott, Mrs. Ezra Convis, Benjamin T. Dwinell and wife, Sophia Southworth, Asa Lowell and his mother, and Phoebe Johnson, in all nineteen, of whom but one, the last named in the list, is now connected with the society. About two months later the church reported to the La Grange association, which met at Constantine, June 11, 1835, a membership of twenty-one. William Carter and B. T. Dwinell were the delegates to that body.
A few weeks after the organization of the church the Rev. Robert Adams commenced laboring with and for the church, and remained with them till his death, about ten years. In 1846, Rev. Ten Broeck became their pastor, his pastorate continuing about three years, and closing in 1849. During his ministry with the church their first house of worship was built, causing much sacrifice on the part of its members, which they met faithfully and fulfilled cheerfully. This house did service until 1871, when the present fine brick edifice was erected at a cost of nearly twenty-five thousand dollars. It was dedicated in 1872 by Rev. Mr. Whitehead, assisted by Rev. E. W. Lounsbury, the pastor, and Rev. Mr. Woodruff, of Detroit.
In 1850 the church was supplied by Elders Taylor and Green; in 1851, Dr. Joseph Belcher was the pastor, and in 1852 Rev. John Harris commenced his pastoral connection with it, which extended till his death in 1864. From 1853 to 1872 the church records are either mislaid or lost, so that the list of pastors herein following may not be precisely correct in their order, but we believe the list includes all that need be mentioned. After Rev. John Harris came Revs. Harrington, Job Maxom, Elder Garfield, E. W. Lounsbury, C. H. James, and the present incumbent, Rev. L. D. Palmer. The first deacons were David N. Salter and William Carter. The present deacons are Richard Pool, George Betterly, Peter Hoffmaster, T. W. Case. The present membership is three hun-
dred. The Sabbath-school was organized about the same time as the church, and, like it, was of small origin and gradual growth. The present superintendent is Rev. L. D. Palmer; librarian, Eugene Freeman ; membership, two hundred and fifty ; number of volumes in library, three hundred. Both the church and Sabbath-school are in a prosperous condition.
THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL AND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The inhabitants of the village of Battle Creek and vicinity holding the faith of the Congregational and Presbyterian church, assembled at the usual place of holding public worship, to wit, in the old log school-house, within the present limits of the city, on the 26th day of March, 1836, for the purpose of considering the subject of forming a church at that place. The ministers present were Rev. Silas Woodbury, from Kalamazoo, and Rev. William Jones, from Allegan. The former was chosen moderator, and Tolman W. Hall secretary. After due dis- cussion it was unanimously resolved to form a church on the plan recommended by the general assembly of the Presbyterian church and the association of the Congregational church of Connecticut, as adopted A.D. 1801. Letters were presented by David H. Daniels and Mary his wife, John S. Van Brunt and Betsey his wife, Moses Hall and Mary his wife, Tolman W. Hall and Lois M. his wife, and accepted. Accordingly on the Sabbath following (March 27) the above-named persons were duly constituted a church of Christ, and the following officers were chosen : Moses Hall and David H. Daniels, committee; Tolman W. Hall, clerk ; John S. Van Brunt, deacon.
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