USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 33
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The little people now demanded special attention to their wants and in 1860, amid the feeling of unrest throughout the nation and the mutterings of war around the land, three primary buildings were erected in wards one, two and four at a cost of eight thousand dollars. Sheldon Smith, architect, E. O. Crittenton, superintendent of construction. These artistic two-room buildings known as the "East Ward," "West Ward" and "Capitol Hill," each with a beautiful spacious play ground, have been a special ornament to the town for over fifty years, and with the "Park" building erected in the third ward in 1872 at a cost of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, have been the earliest sehool homes of Marshall's proud "manor born" citizens-the Mecca of their childish hopes and among the dearest memories of their childhood's days.
It is now 1868, and again comes up the old familiar question of a new building for the older students, for the life of the town has out- grown the old prison looking edifice of 1847. The gentlemen of the board to whom the important undertaking of the erection of the new building was given were Honorables C. P. Dibble, C. T. Gorham, D. Darwin Hughes, E. F. Henderson and George Ingersoll, and well they kept their trust. Mr. Dibble was chosen chairman of the committee on building, and to the important duties of his position he gave his valuable time, business sagacity and personal devotion. In return for his services the board voted him the sum of five hundred dollars which, with the patriotic generosity of the Dibble spirit he returned to the district as the "Dibble Prize Fund," the income of which is given to the school each year to be used in a manner determined by the board, and to which we owe many of the beautiful pictures which adorn the walls of the various rooms.
On a memorable day in April, 1870, the new building was dedicated, a proud day for Marshall, for this new temple, imposing, commodious, erected at a great expense of nearly seventy thousand dollars, fitted with every convenience then known to the builder, was the result of the earnest thought of a people devoted to culture, progress and patriotism. A briefless young attorney, whose only alma mater was the Marshall high school we have described, was chosen to deliver the dedicatory address, and so masterly was the maiden effort of Mr. T. J. O'Brien that that day marked the first step in the brilliant career of one of the most popular lawyers of the state and one of the most successful am- bassadors of the United States.
Now that the building was complete, classification of schools and course of study determined upon, interest began to center upon develop- ing special work. The laboratory system of instruction was introduced in the science department, and new apparatus added to the electrical machine of old time days and the compound microscope given to the
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school by Mr. D. D. Hughes. The library whose nucleus was derived from the ten dollars voted to the purchase of books in 1837 received attention, Mr. W. J. Dibble, for years one of the most efficient directors of the schools, gave proof again of the family interest in the school and came to its aid, until today the classic lore purchased in 1837 has grown to three thousand volumes. The library has a room of its own and is one of the chief factors of the school. In April, 1870, the bell first rang out for school in the new building with Mr. Henry N. French, superintendent, one of the foremost educators of the state, to whose twelve years of service so much of the present efficiency of the school is due.
The preceding year there went out into the world the first formal graduating class, three young gentlemen well fitted to be the advance guard of Marshall's graduates, Herbert E. Davis, Henry M. Haskell and Clarence S. Joy, each choosing for himself one of the learned pro- fessions in which he has gained deserved success. Each year a new class has followed them out into the field of life until now over six hundred students have taken their diplomas from the Marshall high school and gone out into the world to do their share of its work .- All over the broad land and over the seas, into Europe and the far east and the distant islands, have the Marshall students wended their way. Many of them have gained an honored name for themselves and their alma mater. We find them in the pulpit, at the bar, at the teacher's desk and in the physician's office, in the army and in the navy, in literary, political and business life, in the social world and in the home, and everywhere we are proud of them.
It is 1900, the old century is passing, the new is almost here, the high school of thirty-three students has become nearly two hun- dred; crowded class rooms, inefficient laboratories and general incon- venience for properly doing the work now required in the high school is apparent everywhere, and a demand for a special building is the ery of its friends. Again the school board is face to face with the old problem, skillfully they meet it, and the new high school building of 1900 is erected at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its spacious halls, fine assembly and class rooms, well equipped laboratories, manual training and art rooms, special library with reading tables, where students come daily for reading and research work, and everywhere every modern convenience, attest well the patriotism of Marshall's eiti- zens. Manual training classes are now established in every grade and added to the art department, so our boys and girls go out from the school with hand and eye as well as brain well trained to do good work for themselves and for the world. The county normal school is made a part of the system where teachers are prepared for rural school work. The whole a grand accomplishment of a great design worthy of its far sighted noble originators and worthy of the true patriotic citi- zens who gladly support and sustain it.
In 1911, three-quarters of a century after that historic summer day when Michigan's ideal school system was first formulated under the branches of one of Marshall's grand old oaks, a beautiful building was erected to take the place of the old "East Ward," now inadequate for school purposes. This new school home, erected at a cost of fifteen
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thousand dollars, with every modern convenience and luxury for the little people, even to inside play rooms for stormy days, artistically finished and adorned with beautiful pictures, is appropriately dedicated the "Pierce school" in honor of Rev. John D. Pierce, the "Father of the Educational System."
Thus Marshall proudly does special honor to one of her noble pioneer citizens whose life and work was an honor to himself, to his chosen home, and to the world.
THE PRESS OF MARSHALL
By J. M. Moscs
The first newspaper published in Calhoun county was the Calhoun County Patriot, issued by Henry C. Bunce, the first number appearing October 2, 1836, Mr. Bunee being editor and publisher. It was an eight column folio containing considerable reading matter considering the size of the place and the methods then in use for collecting news. Mr. Bunce was acting for a stock company but later he bought the other stockholders and became sole proprietor. January 1, 1841, Francis W. Shearman became associate editor, and the name was changed to The Democratic Expounder and Calhoun County Patriot. The motto of the publishers as printed under the heading was "War to the Knife and Knife to the Hilt in Defense of Democratic Principles." Mr. Bunce continued as publisher until 1850 when he was succeeded by Chastain Mann and Jabez Fox. Mr. Fox soon after retired and L. G. Noyes became part owner and editor of the paper. He continued in that ca- pacity until his death in June, 1864, from which time Chastain Mann continued as sole proprietor until his death in the spring of 1873. Francis W. Shearman who had retired as editor when Mr. Noyes bought an interest in the paper again assumed editorial control when Mr. Noyes passed away and continued in that capacity until the death of Mr. Mann. Mr. Shearman was appointed superintendent of public instruction in 1849 and was elected to the office in 1851, being the first man to be chosen by the people to fill that office. Ile was re-elected in 1853. Upon the death of Chastain Mann the paper was purchased by Samuel S. Lacey, who became editor and proprietor. Mr. Lacey was one of many Republicans who followed Horace Greeley into the Democratie party. He conducted the paper along the liberal Republican line, but after a few years came out as a full fledged Demoerat. Mr. Lacey con- tinned as publisher until 1875 when he leased it to Z. H. Dennison. and later to R. D. Buchanan who continued to run it until October, 1881, when J. M. Moses became publisher, Mr. Lacey continuing as editor with the different publishers. In 1885 Mr. Lacey having been appointed postmaster sold the paper to the Chronicle Publishing Company, and the Erpounder was consolidated with the Daily Chronicle, from which office its publication was continued until December. 1909, when it was consolidated with the Evening Chronicle.
The Marshall Times was started by John Greeves soon after the Patriot appeared but the field was limited and it did not live long.
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The- material used for printing the Times was purchased by David L. Johns and in the fall of 1837 he launched the Marshall Republican, advocating the principles of the Whig party. The Republican lasted until after the campaign of 1838, and then passed quietly away. The next applicant for public favor in the newspaper world was the West- ern Statesman, which appeared Sept. 12, 1839, with Seth Lewis as editor and publisher. The paper continued as the Western Statesman until October 12, 1841, when it was changed to The Marshall Statesman, by which title it is still issued as a weekly paper. Seth Lewis continued as editor and publisher until January 1866, when he sold out to Bissell & Burgess, who conducted the paper for three years when W. R. Lewis took Mr. Bissell's place and Burgess & Lewis were at the helm until April, 1872, when Seth Lewis again took charge and continued until January, 1873, when Morgan Bates assumed control as editor and pro- prietor. Mr. Bates, during his stay in Marshall inaugurated several re- forms, one in particular, which he advocated and finally carried through, was an ordinance prohibiting cattle from running at large in the streets. This provoked the enmity of a large number of people who owned cows, but after they saw the good effects of the law, were strong supporters of Mr. Bates. In 1878 the property passed to the estate of Seth Lewis, and was leased to O. C. Tompkins. Mr. Tompkins ran the sheet two years, when W. R. Lewis and J. M. Moses took charge. Mr. Moses retired in October, 1881, to become publisher of the Ex- pounder, and Mr. Lewis continued as editor and publisher until 1892, when he sold out to T. G. Stevenson, of Ionia. Mr. W. H. Arthur, who had been associated with Mr. Lewis for a few years assumed charge of the paper after Mr. Stevenson purchased it, and he continued to have full control until 1896, when the paper passed into the hands of W. J. Gregg and W. H. Arthur. During the time Mr. Stevenson was the owner, he had other interests, which took his entire time, so that lie was in Marshall only occasionally and Mr. Arthur was given a free hand to run the paper, according to his own dictation. The partner- ship between Mr. Gregg and Mr. Arthur was a brief one, and in 1897 Mr. Gregg retired, having sold his interest to E. B. Stuart. Mr. Arthur was appointed postmaster in 1899, and soon after his appointment, Howard E. Pratt, who was then living in Ypsilanti, became associated with the paper as city editor. He continued in that capacity until De- cember, 1901, when he purchased Mr. Arthur's interest, and became one of the publishers and editor. About this time the Statesman Publishing Co., was formed, the incorporators being E. B. Stuart and H. E. Pratt. These gentlemen continued to conduct the paper and a large job printing business, until July, 1905, when Mr. Pratt retired, having sold his interest to F. A. Stuart. In the summer of 1886, a daily edition was started, but it lived only about a month and was discon- tinned. In May, 1911, the Evening Statesman was launched and is now being published along with the weekly. The stock of the States- man Publishing Co., is owned equally by E. B. Stuart and F. A. Stuart, but the latter does not give any of his time to the paper, so that Mr. E. B. Stuart has full control and dictates the policy of the paper.
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When the daily edition was started, W. H. Arthur again associated himself with the paper as editor; he retired after a few months.
Among the early writers on the Expounder were Hon. Isaac E. Crary, the founder of the school system in Michigan, Rev. John D. Pieree, D. Darwin Hughes and others, while J. O. Balch and E. 1. Tenney were contributors to the columns of the Statesman.
The Journal of Education was published in Marshall in 1838-40, and had a general circulation about the state, F. W. Shearman being editor. The Temperance Advocate was another paper that had an existense in 1841, Dr. O. C. Comstock being editor.
The Family Journal, a literary paper, was published by Martin V. Wagner in 1870-71, and later sold to S. S. Woods, of Newburg, N. Y., publisher of the Household Magazine.
August 13, 1879, the first number of the Daily Chronicle appeared, with F. W. Bonghton and Z. II. Denison as editors and publishers. It was a small four-page sheet, three columns to the page, the columns being about twelve inches long. It was started as a morning paper, but soon after changed to an afternoon sheet. A daily paper in a town on 5,000 people was an unheard of proposition in those days, and the wise ones predicted a short life for the Chronicle. While the field was not a wide one, the publishers were not to be daunted by a few adverse eritieisms, and continued in the even tenor of their way, and soon the Chronicle came to be recognized as one of the fixtures of the eity, and its opinions on matters in general were looked for at all times. Messrs. Boughton & Denison continued to publish the paper until 1885, when Mr. Dennison retired and Mr. Boughton associated himself with Samuel S. Lacey in the publication of the Chronicle and Expounder. Mr. Lacey retired a year later and Mr. Bonghton was at the head of both papers until April, 1888, when he sold ont to J. M. Moses. Mr. Boughton went to Grand Rapids, where he became editorial writer on the Grand Rapids Press, a position which he held until his death, which occurred in the summer of 1911. During the time the paper was under the control of Boughton & Denison it was enlarged at different times, until it became a five column folio, of the regulation size. After it passed into the hands of Mr. Moses, he enlarged it first to a six column folio, and later to a seven column folio. When the paper was first started it was printed on a Universal job press, the press being run by foot power. After a few years a small Hoe cylinder press was installed, and when it became necessary to enlarge to a seven column paper, a large two revolution Campbell was purchased, and two years ago the business of the paper had increased to such extent as to make the in- stallation of a duplex press possible, and one was purchased of the Duplex Printing Press Co., of Battle Creek, the Chronicle being the first paper at the county seat to have a press that prints from a roll and delivers papers printed and folded at the rate of 4,000 copies an hour. The Chronicle was also the first paper in Marshall to install a standard linotype, one of the latests models being put in in 1909. J. M. Moses continued as the sole publisher until 1908, when his son, Frank R. Moses, acquired an interest, and now looks after the business end of
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the paper. In 1910 the name was changed to The Evening Chronicle, and it is still known by that title.
The Calhoun County Democrat, published by Henry Benner, made its appearance in 1890, but as the Democrats lost the national election that year, the paper ceased to exist soon after the fall election.
The next paper to make its appearance was the Marshall News, which started in March, 1898. George E. Willetts was editor and a stock company, headed by A. C. Wisner, were publishers. The News was started to help along the silver cause in the vicinity of the county seat, as the fusion ticket, advocating the Bryau policy had been success- ful in the county in 1896, and it was hoped to perpetuate the cause in the county by the means of the News. In the fall of 1900, a daily edi- tion was started, which is still in the field. Mr. Willetts continued at the head of the paper until January, 1805, when it was sold to W. A. Lane and D. W. Knickerbocker. A few months later Mr. Lane retired from active duty and D. W. Knickerbocker became editor and publisher, the paper being owned by him at the present time.
Marshall probably has the distinction of being the only city of less than 5,000 population in the world with three daily newspapers.
In the early days a number of school papers were published, but none of them survived any great length of time.
LAWYERS OF MARSHALL, PAST AND PRESENT
By Herbert E. Winsor
Ilon. William H. Brown was born in Pomfort, near Norwich, New London county, Connecticut, December 9, 1812. He was educated in Plainfield Academy and in Yale College law school. He then went to Utica. New York, where he continued his law studies and later came to Marshall, where he was admitted to the bar in 1839. In 1854, Mr. Brown was elected prosecuting attorney for Calhoun county and was re-elected in 1856. Ile was assistant United States district attorney, which office he held seven years. For a number of years after he came to Marshall, Mr. Brown was the only attorney in the city. In later years he was associated as partner with John VanArman, Robert Cross, who was formerly a partner of Caleb Cushing, and later was in partner- ship with James B. Greenough. Mr. Brown was a noted character in the legal history of Marshall; a man of marked personal appear- ance, standing over six feet in height, and was eminently social and genial in disposition. He was a man of letters and possessed one of the largest private law libraries in Michigan. Mr. Brown was for a long time president of the Calhoun County Bar Association and took great pleasure in the progress and culture of the bar of the county.
Hon. J. Wright Gordon was born at Plainfield, Windom county, Connectient, in 1809. He was a noted politician and a gentleman of thorough culture. He was a graduate of Harvard college and after his graduation was for a time professor at Geneva, New York. While in Geneva he studied law and was admitted to the bar in New York. In 1835, Mr. Gordon established himself permanently in Marshall,
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Michigan. He was elected second lieutenant governor of Michigan and after the election of Gov. Woodbridge to the United States Senate, Mr. Gordon became acting governor. He accepted the consulship to South America under President Taylor, hoping that the change of climate would restore his failing health, but he died at his official post in 1849. Mr. Gordon was a man of great natural ability and force of character and won distinction as a lawyer, public speaker and poli- tician. He was an active worker in the Whig party.
Hon. Benjamin F. Graves was probably mentioned in the list of lawyers living at Battle Creek. He was circuit judge for a number of years and presided over the court at Marshall, but was a resident of Battle Creek. IIe was elected to the supreme court of the state.
The Honorable George Woodruff was born in Binghamton, New York, July 4, 1807. He was the son of a farmer. He graduated from Hobart college, New York, at the age of twenty-two. While in college he was confirmed in the Episcopal church. After his marriage to Miss Augusta Schuyler, he moved to Michigan in 1837. In 1846 he was elected county judge, holding the office two terms, when the new constitu- tion threw him out.
In 1866, he was elected circuit judge, having been previously ap- pointed by the governor to fill vacancy in the circuit. At the expira- tion of the term, he was re-elected by a large majority. Owing to his advanced age, this was his last term. He was a great lover of the classics ; a constant reader of the Latin and Greek authors.
Ile was a man of marked patriotism. All his boys went into the army at the outbreak of the Civil war.
He died on the 13th of May, 1887, lacking but a few weeks of being eighty years old.
In an obituary written at that time, he is described as "One of the men who helped to lay the foundations of the state, and did much to rear the splendid commonwealth in which we live." The obituary further adds that "Judge Woodruff was a patriot, a scholar, a highbred gentleman. While a man of stern integrity, he was a good friend and neighbor, honored and loved by all who knew him."
Hon. Francis Willitt Shearman, one of the pioneers of the Marshall and Calhoun county bar, was born in Vernon, Oncida county, New York, June 20, 1817. He was graduated from Hamilton college in 1836 and came to Marshall almost immediately after his gradnation, and was admitted to the bar. In 1837, he entered the government service under Hon. Henry Lawrence Schoolcraft, his uncle, then Indian agent for the Northwest. In 1838, he was married to Caroline S. Williams, the daughter of Stalham Williams, a prominent banker of Utica, New York. Seven children blessed their union, two of whom are now living. Lawrence Schoolcraft Shearman of Minneapolis, Minne- sota. and Mrs. Frances C. Page, of Marshall.
In 1839. Mr. Shearman repaired to Washington on public business, acting at the same time as Washington correspondent for the Detroit Free Press, in which capacity he won a national reputation as a public writer.
Upon the urgent solicitations of Hon. John D. Pierce, then super- Vol. 1-18
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intendent of publie instruction, Mr. Shearman returned to Marshall to take up the duties of assistant superintendent of public instruction, and the publication of the Journal of Education.
In 1840, Mr. Shearman became editor of the Democratic Expounder, one of the leading Democratie journals of central Michigan, with the principals of which party he was ever an unswerving and earnest sup- porter.
As a writer, he was polished, forcible, independent and aggressive, and as a public speaker he excelled.
In 1846, Mr. Shearman was elected associate justice of the county court with Judge Hall of Battle Creek, which office he held until 1848.
In 1849 and again in 1851 he was elected to the office of superin- tendent of public instruction for Michigan, and his services in this office, as shown in his several annual reports, constitute a most noble monument to the name and fame of Judge Shearman. The report for year 1852, which was at that time the most comprehensive and valuable work on our primary school system then extant, was widely sought by other states, and quoted as authority upon this subject. It gave a mighty impulse towards the adoption and perfection of the school system both in Michigan, and in other states, and it is justly due to say that during his superintendency Michigan's superior school system assumed the efficiency which characterizes it today. In addition to above men- tioned public service, Judge Shearman held the office of justice of the peace for about thirty years.
Judge Shearman passed away at his home in Marshall, December 7, 1874.
Hon. Frank A. Ilooker was a resident of the city of Charlotte, Eaton county. He presided for three terms as circuit judge of the fifth judicial circuit and held court at Marshall.
Hon. James A. Miner was born at Marshall, September 9, 1842. After graduating from the Lyons Institute he commenced the study of law in the office of Gov. Baker of Clinton, Iowa. On his return to Marshall he resumed his studies in the law office of H. A. and L. G. Noyes and later in the office of John C. Fitzgerald. He was admitted to the bar in 1863. Mr. Miner was appointed United States commis- sioner for the eastern district of Michigan, in 1868. In 1866, he was elected circuit court commissioner and re-elected in 1868. In 1870 he was elected prosecuting attorney and re-elected to that office in 1872. In January, 1876, Mr. Miner formed a law partnership with Francis A. Stace, now of Grand Rapids. He was appointed United States judge for Utah and served until Utah was admitted to the Union. He was then elected as one of the supreme court judges of Utah and oc- cupied that office for four years. Mr. Miner was possessed of remark- able tenacity of purpose and executive ability of no .common order.
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