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 37
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His oddities were a perennial source of amusement, especially to the
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more ungodly part of the community. Rev. Samuel H. Hall, a man of winning personality and of splendid executive ability, was the next pastor, and his nine years of faithful service outranks in length all who preceded or have come after him. During his pastorate the old church, the cornerstone of which had been laid May 11, 1843, was completed, and the debt incurred thereby was finally paid after much hard work.
Next came Rev. James H. Trowbridge, who remained two years (1854-56), and he was followed by Rev. James Vincent, who remained about one year.
Rev. William A. MeCorkle, D. D., was the next pastor, and four years later he was succeeded by Rev. Livingston Willard, who served the church until October 18, 1868.
Then came Rev. F. F. Ford, a brilliant preacher, a man of pronounced literary acquirements and of reputed great wealth, who remained about two years, being followed by Rev. Francis M. Wood.
It was during Mr. Wood's pastorate that the present stately church edifice was erected, and was then considered to be the finest church in Michigan, outside of Detroit. The corner was laid July, 1872, and the building was completed and occupied two years later.
Following Mr. Wood came Rev. William A. Rice, who remained a little more than a year being compelled to resign on account of ill health.
Rev. E. P. Johnson was then called, and was with the church six years, his pastorate being one of the most successful and fruitful in the history of the church. Dr. Johnson at the present time is, and for many years has been, connected with Rutgers' College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, as an instructor.
He was followed by Rev. II. M. Morey, who was a strong and vigorous preacher, especially successful among young men. For two years, and beginning in 1890, Rev. W. W. Curry was the pastor, and was followed by Rev. E. W. Rankin, a very talented and scholarly young man, who served the church two years and resigned to take a post-graduate year at Princeton Seminary.
In 1895, Rev. George F. Hunting, D. D., ex-president of Alma Col- lege, became pastor and so continued until 1899, when, owing to failing health, he was compelled to resign, sadly realizing that his active work for the Master was forever done.
Of Dr. Hunting it has been said that "he had the simplicity of a child, but the intellect of a giant. He was possessed of the rugged strength of a man united to the sympathetic tenderness of a woman. In his early life he was an officer in the regular United States army and received the high encomium of his superior officers as being "the ideal Christian soldier."
His death occurred in Marshall in April, 1891.
Then came Rev. Joseph Hamilton fresh from Princeton Seminary, a splendid specimen of muscular Christianity-genial, happy hearted, hopeful and helpful, a prince of good fellows and a successful fisher of men, who resigned in 1903 to accept the larger responsibilities of the Memorial church of Newark, New Jersey.
During his pastorate a magnificent $2,500 organ was purchased and
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placed in the church, the women of the church (of course) being the inspiring canse and moving spirit in the enterprise.
Rev. J. R. Mitchell, D. D., followed Mr. Hamilton and faithfully served the church until 1909, when he resigned, taking a pastorate at Manistique.
Soon after the removal of Dr. Metehell, Rev. S. Conger Hathaway was installed and still remains pastor of the church, his efficiency being evi- denced by the fact that he has added to the membership nearly one hun- dred names, and the financial condition of the church is good.
During the 71 years of the life of this church, there have been seven- teen pastors and forty-eight different elders, the present eldership con- sisting of the following named persons : Joseph Cunningham, Henry J. Day, Dr. Geo. B. Gesner, Cyrus J. Goodrich, Geo. A. O'Keefe, A. H. Washburn, H. E. Winsor and William J. Gregg the last named being clerk of the session.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MARSHALL
By Mrs. Mary F. B. Stephenson.
Sidney Ketchum is the recognized pioneer of Calhoun county. He was a man of great energy and determination. Having come to its loca- tion in the summer of 1830 from central New York, he was among those who strove to build up Marshall by every means at his command and was the original proprietor of the village. Ile surveyed and laid out the upper village of Marshall and was one of the four owners of the lower village. In the early part of August, 1831, the family of Sidney Ketchum arrived, as also did Randall Hobart, a carpenter hy trade and a local preacher of the M. E. church.
On the 14th of Angust Mr. Hobart preached in the log house of Sid- ney Ketchum, which had neither doors nor windows, and only partially floored with split planks. His text was I Peter, ii chapter, verses 4-5. "At the session of the Ohio conference in September, 1831, Elijah H. Pilcher and Ezekial S. Garrit were appointed to Tecumseh circuit which, starting at Ann Arbor, went to Marshall, thence south to Cold- water, thence east to Clinton, thenee north through Manchester and Saline to Ann Arbor, making nearly four hundred miles of travel to be performed every four weeks, and to preach 27 times regularly at the same time." I quote from the journal of the preacher: (Bro. Pilcher) "Oct 4th, rode 23 miles to Marshall, a new place. Today, in crossing marshes, my horse got mired down twice, so that I had to get into the mud and water and help him ont. I had to cross one ereek, which was so narrow, that a man could step across it in most any place, where it was not worn by teams crossing it, but when I rode into it my horse sank into the mire and water, so that the water came over the top of the saddle. Reached Marshall late in the afternoon, wet cold and tired. October 9. Preached twice in the private residence of Sidney Ketchum. This is the first visit they had had from an itinerant; through Randall Hobart, a local preacher, had been here a few weeks and had preached a few times. He has come to settle here." Mr. Pileher was followed in two
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weeks by his colleague, Mr. Garrit. On the 6th of November, at Mr. Pilcher's next visit, he organized a class of the Methodist Episcopal church, with the following members: Randall Hobart, leader; Ruth IIo- bart, his wife; Sidney Ketchum and Catherine, his wife, and Seth and Eliza Ketchum, six in all. Curtis Goddard was P. E. on the district, which included all of Michigan, and was called Detroit. Meetings were held, and divine service performed at the house of S. Ketchum until June of the following year, when they were removed to the school house, then partly finished. The first love feast and communion service held in the county was at a two days' meeting held in this school house June 16 and 17, 1832, by E. H. Pilcher, preacher in charge, assisted by Rev. Wm. Fowler of Genesee conference of New York, who was made an elder and conse- crated the elements, Mr. Pilcher being only a deacon. The original class had been strengthened by additions by letter and ou trial, so that at the time of the conference in September, 1832, there were fifteen members. This was a very large increase, considering the circumstances, for the settlement had been almost depopulated by the cholera, which had pre- vailed so fearfully at this place during the early summer of 1832. At the Ohio conference of 1832 the circuit was divided, and this part was called Calhoun and Branch. Andrew Dixon was appointed missionary, and James Gilruth P. E. In September, 1835, E. H. Pilcher and Fred- erick A. Leborn were appointed missionaries, but E. H. Pilcher did not travel it for want of health. This year the circuit was confined prin- cipally to Calhoun county. The district was also divided, and Henry Colelazer made its P. E. The society in Marshall had continued to wor- ship in the school house, dividing the time with the Presbyterian society. In the month of November, 1835, a meeting was called to take into con- sideration the propriety of building a Methodist church in Marshall. . At the meeting it was resolved to attempt to raise $3,000 to build a brick church, 40 feet by 50 feet in size and one story high, with basement. Sidney Ketchum subscribing $1,000, and giving the lot on which to erect the church. Subsequently it was resolved to increase the sub- scription to $5,000. Mr. Ketchum subscribing $2,000. In the spring of 1836 the Michigan conference was created. In the summer of 1836, nothing having been done toward erecting the church, further than ob- taining a subscription for part of the amount proposed, Sidney Ket- chum commenced the church and enclosed the same at an expense of be- tween $8,000 and $10,000 and donated it together with the lots on which it was erected, to the Methodist Episcopal church. Of Sidney Ketchum the Methodists of Marshall can ever say, as did the elders of the Jews of a certain centurion, "he is worthy, for he loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue." In September, 1836, Elijah Crone was appointed to the circuit, it no longer receiving support from the missionary fund. Marshall appears in the conference minutes for the first time in 1837. Previous to that time is was embraced in Calhoun mission, taking the name of the county rather than the village. In the year 1837, the Pres- byterian society having completed for themselves a house of worship, left the occupancy of the school house to the Methodists. In December, 1838, the Methodists occupied the basement of the new church, which was located just east of the present brick one. It had a long flight of
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steps on the outside, which the worshiper had to climb in order to reach the main entrance to the auditorium. At each end of the vestibule were narrow winding stairs, leading to the choir loft or gallery, which ex- tended across the end of the church. Instead of a pipe or cabinet organ, it was a little melodeon that furnished the instrumental music. The basement had one entrance, and that, an outside one, on the east side of the church. In the northwest corner of the basement was one small room, which served as class room, primary room and kitchen. In 1869 this stone church was remodeled at an expense of $9,000. The people pledged liberally and sacrificed much in order to meet their obligations. It was dedicated October 16, 1869, and burned the following February. The only relies saved was the pulpit, five pulpit chairs, the little melo- deon and the bell, which fell among the ruins, but did not break. The real cause of the fire still remains a mystery. There was a rumor of a choir-rehearsal on that evening, and a dog, belonging to one of the mnem- bers of the choir, was seen to escape from the church during the fire. The dog was supposed to have been accidentally left in the church with a lighted lamp, and in its efforts to make its escape, tipped over the lamp, which exploded and caused the fire. The Methodists then met and wor- shipped for one year in the Academy of Music, now known as the Em- pire theater. In the meantime, with the $6,000 insurance they received, they commenced building the present brick church. As soon as it was enclosed and the basement ready for occupancy, they worshiped there until the auditorium was completed and dedicated, June 29, 1873. The church cost $12,000. After purchasing a small pipe organ for $500, they then had an incumbrance of $4,000 in the form of a mortgage, with inter- est at ten per cent. The ladies held socials and suppers semi-monthly, served dinners at the fair grounds during the county fair, labored and sacrificed in many ways to pay the annual interest of $400 on the mort- gage. This trial lasted for seven long, weary years. In 1880, not being able to pay the interest, the holder of the mortgage foreclosed and the church was closed. Five of the brethren, anxious to save the furniture, (which was not included in the mortgage) went in the shades of evening, and with hayracks conveyed it into the country, where they stored it against a time of need. The church without the furniture was of no use to the one who held the mortgage. The land was given by Sidney Ket- chum, on which to build the Methodist Episcopal church, and, when not needed for that purpose, was to be given back to his heirs. Even the parsonage could not be rented, as the deed took in the upright and one foot into the sitting room. The Methodists had a minister, but no house in which to worship. The Baptists had a church, but were without a minister at that time, and kindly offered to house the Methodists, if they would minister unto them. The offer was accepted and the two societies met and worshiped together until March, 1881, when the Methodists moved back into their church and began soliciting pledges from citizens and from the more prosperous societies of the district. They also prayed daily for one hundred days, that their efforts might be at- tended with success. Jesse Gillett, the janitor, rang the bell for prayer every day at noon-once the first day, twice the second day, and so on for the one hundred days. The one hundredth day was Sunday, July Vol. 1-20
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4, 1881. On that day the people assembled for the morning service, after which the roll was called, and they responded by placing the amount they had pledged on the altar. $4,500 was laid on the altar and later taken over to one of the banks and placed into its vaults for safe keeping, until the following Monday, when the mortgage was paid, the church financially redeemed from all indebtedness. In 1893, the Methodists were again tried by fire. This time it was their parsonage. It caught at high noon from a bonfire, set in the yard just back of the parsonage. The wing was badly damaged. They sold what was left of it for $100, and with that, and the $400 insurance, and pledges of money and labor, they built the present commodious parsonage at a cost of $1,700.
On Chrismas morning, 1904, their organ failed to respond and Rev. Adam Clarke suggested that each member make a Christmas offering or some pledge that morning toward a new organ. They complied with his request, and on Sunday, preceding Easter, dedicated a new pipe organ, (costing $1,500) without a cent of indebtedness. Their member- ship is 265.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Contributed
The first priest to minister to the Catholic settlement in Marshall was Rev. Father Morrissey, who came about eight or ten times a year on horseback or stage from Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit. His first visit was the time of the organization of the village, October 28, 1837. The population of Marshall at that time was about two hundred, the Catholics numbering twenty-five. It was on this occasion that the first mass was said in Marshall, in the house of Michael McKenna, East Green street. When Father Morrissey was transferred from Northfield to Wis- consin, Rev. Thomas Cullen was appointed to care for the extensive ter- ritory, with headquarters at Ann Arbor. At various intervals Father Cullen came to Marshall, saying mass in different places, notably in the court house, an old Congregational church and an old oil mill. In 1850 there were over one hundred Catholics in Marshall, and the necessity of a new church was realized. The site of the present church buildings (Eagle and Green streets), was procured. A contract was made to build a new church at a cost of $1,800. Pews were added to the church furnishings in a short time. An altar, which is now in the chapel of St. Mary's cemetery, was purchased from St. Ann's Parish, Detroit.
In the fall of 1852 Father Hennessy, who had been assisting Father Cullen, was appointed the first resident pastor of Marshall. To his care, besides the parish of Marshall, were committed the missions of the sur- rounding country. The chief of these were Albion and Jackson to the east, Eaton Rapids and Charlotte to the north, Battle Creek and Kalama- zoo to the west. The same territory is now, in the year of 1912, cared for by sixteen resident priests. In 1853 the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Peter Paul LeFever, of Detroit, under the title of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The expected definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was at that time claiming the at- tention of the world, and hence the appropriateness of placing the church
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under that title as a special manifestation and proclamation of the Catholic faitl.
May 15, 1855, Father Hennessy was called to Detroit, and assumed charge of St. Patrick's Parish, which had just been erected in that city. Father Hennessey was succeeded by Father P. C. Koopmans, a native of Belgium.
About May 16, 1856, Father Koopmans purchased and completed an unfinished building for a parochial school. The school was opened Octo- ber 7, of the same year, Miss Ann Hannigan being the first teacher. Mrs. M. A. Stace, Arthur Stace and Francis A. Stace were later teachers.
September 28, 1864, three Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Monroe, Mich., assumed charge of the school. January 15, 1867, Father Koopmans resigned the parish and joined the Jesuit order. Dur- ing Father Koopmans' regime a plot of sixteen acres for cemetery pur- poses was purchased for $800. The land was bought in 1866. Father Koopmans was succeeded by Rev. C. M. Frain. Father Frain remained in charge until October 15, 1868, and was succeeded by Rev. Desire Callaert, pastor of Stoney Creek, near Monroe. In 1874-75 a neat brick church, costing $4,000, was built in the mission of Albion. In 1876 the Sisters of Providence began teaching the parish school, succeeding lay teachers and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They re- mained in charge until 1880, and were succeeded hy lay teachers, return- ing September 1883.
Jannary 1, 1877, Rev. Wm. Fierle took charge and remained pastor until May 1879, when Father Callaert again became pastor. Ile was transferred to Manistee, Mich., September, 1881, and was succeeded by Rev. M. P. Milligan, who resigned in April 1882. Rev. P. A. Baart. S. T. L., then took charge and continued as pastor until the time of his death, February 12, 1908. To his zeal and energy the parish is indebted for all its present buildings. Church, school, rectory and hall were all built by him.
Father Baart's administration was by far the most successful in the history of the parish. A practical man in temporal affairs, fearless in his undertakings and indomitable in courage, withal simple in manner, kindly but firm in his relations with his people, his personality and work will remain impressed upon the parish for years to come.
Outside the city of Marshall he enjoyed a national and to a certain extent international fame as Canonist. Ilis counsel in ecclesiastical law was sought by bishops and priests from all parts of the country. Even in Rome he was held in high esteem at the time of his death. It 1883 Father Baart completed the new parochial brick school. In 1884 he built the pastoral residence. June 13, 1888, work was begun for the erection of a new church. October 21, of the same year the corner stone was laid, and October 27, 1889, the church was dedicated. In JJuly, 1890. St. Mary's church of Marshall was made an irremovable rectorship. Father Baart being its first irremovable rector. Henceforth, when the parish becomes vacant, the pastor to be appointed must stand an examination before the diocesan examiners.
During Father Baart's rectorship, he was assisted by Revs. S. O'Hare, 1884; L. Branchean. 1886; R. J. Sadlier, 1887; Thomas Hennessey,
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1887; M. Fleming, 1890. In 1900, Father Baart with the assistance of a few friends and without any cost to the members of the parish, erected a beautiful brick hall for entertainments. This stands today as a pre- cious memorial of his love and devotion to the parish. His remains rest beneath the chapel in St. Mary's cemetery.
His successor was Rev. James Cahalan, who was transferred from Hillsdale 1908. All the affairs of the parish have been moving smoothly and successfully since his appointment. There is a membership of about 180 families.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHI.
Contributed
In January 1840, the few Baptists of Marshall and Marengo held a meeting at the residence of James Winters, in Marengo, to consider the practicability of founding a church. At this meeting six persons were present. Another meeting was called at the house of Calvin Sudden, in Marshall, on the first day of February, and the same persons were present. Subsequently meetings were held at the same place on Febru- ary 15th and 29th, and a conclusion reached to hold another meeting at the old school house on Mansion street, on the 7th day of March, which was attended by 22 persons, who then concluded to organize a church.
Rev. T. Z. R. Jones, a missionary, was present and assisted in the organization.
The following are the names of the constituent members of the church : D. N. Salter and his wife Sophia; Calvin Sudden and his wife Louise ; J. Rundel and his wife Fanny ; Josiah R. Hendryx and his wife Eveline ; Charles Rodes and his wife Betsy; Ebenezer N. Narramer and his wife Sarah; Suraney Sudden, Mary J. Shaw, Harriet Dannis, Salina Walker, Elmira Willard, Julius F. Sudden, Rachel Banksan, Minera Calkins, Smith Senns and Content Sudden.
At this meeting Rev. T. Z. R. Jones was requested to become pastor and accepted the call.
A resolution was passed, calling a council for recognition, and the following churches were invited to send delegates: Canstock (now Ka- lamazoo), 1st and 2d; Milton, (now Battle Creek), South Battle Creek, Concord, Albion, Jackson, Jonesville and Climax. The council convened on the 8th day of April and recognized the church, installed Mr. Jones as pastor of the church and elected David N. Salter and Edwin MeWithy deacons.
At this time the church had no place for holding their meetings. Their services seem to have been held at the court house and at the school house on Mansion street and in private homes. The prayer and conference meetings were very generally held in private houses, until after the completion of the church in 1851.
The Sunday-school did not become a permanent organization until some years afterwards. From the organization of the church until December, 1841, the Sabbath meetings of the church were held alternate- ly in Marshall and Marengo. On December 12, Mr. Jones resigned the pastorate, and Rev. W. A. Bronson was called, who accepted at a salary of $300.
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During the year 1842 meetings were held in an old school house on Mansion street. In January, 1843, it was decided to hold weekly Sun- day services in Marshall, and a building was secured, which was erected as a Congregational church and stood on the south side of Green street, between Eagle and Jefferson streets.
On the 20th day of May, this year, the name of the church was changed to the Baptist Church of Marshall, the brethren at Marengo taking letters and organizing a branch at that place, which afterwards became extinet.
Rev. Mr. Bronson resigned on July 15, 1843, and the church had no regular pastor until May 1, 1846. During this time about fifteen women and five men attended the services. On June 16, 1844, a Sunday-school was organized, and J. L. Johnson, a teacher in the public schools, was elected superintendent. Josiah R. Hendryx, Mary J. Shaw, Alzina Rich and George Ingersoll were the teachers.
Beginning in the month of May, 1845, meetings were held for a year in an old brick school house, now standing west of the residence of William Martin.
In May, 1846, Rev. Wm. Dickens became pastor of the church and re- mained until August 26, 1848. In April, 1847, the church changed its place of holding meetings to the second story of the building now known as the Tontine hotel. In June, 1848, the church had a membership of 45.
After the resignation of Mr. Dickens in 1848, the church had no regular pastor until 1850. During this time Rev. Dr. Comstock, state superintendent of public instruction, often supplied the pulpit.
In July, 1850, Rev .. L. H. Moore, became pastor at a salary of $200 from the church and $200 from the home missionary society on the con- dition, that the church should proceed to build a church edifice.
This was the beginning of substantial prosperity for the church. In 1850 a lot was secured and the building, which the church now occupies, was commenced and enclosed the same year and completed the following year at a cost of $7,000, but leaving the church with a debt of $3,000.
The completion of the church was an occasion of much rejoicing, al- though it took ten years to pay off the debt. In the year 1853 the church became selfsupporting without the aid of the home missionary society.
In May, 1854, the members living at or near Ceresco asked for letters of dismission and organized a church at that place. This was the second colony sent off by the Marshall church.
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