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 54
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
By Mrs. Samuel M. Reed
In the year 1831 a little band of pioneers took up the land from the government which is the present site of our "Just Right" city and for a number of years was called the "Forks." During the next five years, the few scattering settlers occasionally held religious services in their homes. In 1836 the Methodist church was started and the following year, the Baptist and the Presbyterian churches were organized the same month. It is very fitting that we come together tonight, a goodly number of pastors, members and friends to celebrate the 75th birthday anni- versary of the founding of our much beloved Christian home.
The First Presbyterian church of Albion, was organized in the old Albion hotel, (now destroyed) by Rev. Calvin Clark. Application having been made to the St. Joseph Presbytery to appoint a committee to organ- ize a church. The request being granted, a proper notice was given and a meeting held in the school house. On Sabbath day, the 5th of February, 1837, twenty-four persons, who had previously presented letters, entered into covenant with God and were organized into a church.
For a time meetings were held in the school house and other places. In 1839 the society purchased the lot on the corner of Erie and Clinton streets-directly west of the present St. James church and began the work of building a church. In 1840 it was completed and some years later enlarged. For a number of years this building stood upon South Superior street, on the site now owned and occupied by the German Lutheran church. In 1857 it was decided to build a new church upon the present location. The work of building was commenced in May, the corner-stone laid in June, and the church was finished the following summer. The dedication took place August 26th, 1858.
The society incurred a heavy debt in building and for a number of years there was a severe struggle for existence. This continued for some time but the debt was finally cleared and they were able to finish and furnish the basement. January 2nd, 1870, services were held in the new rooms of the basement-Rev. Calvin Clark preaching the sermon. In the afternoon the Sunday-school took possession of their new rooms and also had appropriate services. The church edifice was now com- pleted and the society almost out of debt. In 1871 the bell was pur- chased. Everything was moving along nicely, until Sunday morning February 9th, 1873, the church was entirely destroyed by fire causing a
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loss of $15,000 and without a dollar of insurance. This truly was a sad Sabbath morning for the members of the Presbyterian church.
While the church was still burning, a little boy came to the Pastor and gave him the following note: "Dear Mr. Cooper-I want to give you these twenty-one cents, all I have in my savings bank, to help build your new church. Signed, H. H. B." These twenty-one cents were placed in the corner stone of the new church, where they remain today. For a year meetings were held in Howard Hall. Mr. M. B. Wood gener- ously offered to double the largest subscription, and when one from A. M. Angevine for $500 was secured, Mr. Wood promptly and cheerfully gave the $1,000. On the first Sabbath morning after the fire, Mr. Cooper announced there had been subscribed over $7,000 towards rebuilding the church. The Second Sabbath amount was increased to $8,000 and the third $10,000. Finally on September 16th the laying of the corner-stone took place and on Sunday morning March 24th, 1874, the basement rooms of the new church were dedicated. A collection of $82 was taken and the society declared out of debt. Services were held in the basement for nearly six years when the audience room was finished and services were held Sunday morning, Nov. 16th, 1879, Rev. D. M. Cooper preach- ing. In 1880 a fine pipe-organ at a cost of $1,000 was placed in the church. Then, on the night of October 6th, 1883, the second church fire occurred and everything was destroyed, with the exception of the brick walls. This time it was well insured.
The work of rebuilding was soon finished and on Sunday morning February 3, 1884, services were again held in the basement, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. E. Van der Hart. During the summer the church was completed and furnished. Dedication services were held Sunday, Au- gust, 10th, 1884, Rev. Joseph Esterbrook having charge. In the evening the sermon was preached by Dr. Willis E. Parsons, who on that day com- meneed his labors as Pastor of this church.
During the last twenty-eight years, no serious calamity has befallen and we are now in a prosperous condition.
The Pastors of the church have been as follows: first, Rev. Elias Childs, 1837 to 1839, second, Rev. John L. Marvin, 1839 to 1840, third, Rev. Alexander Trotter, 1840 to 1841, fourth, Rev. Calvin Clark, 1843 to 1845, fifth, Rev. Marvin Hawley, 1843 to 1845, sixth, Rev. Mills B. Gel- ston, 1845 to 1855, seventh, Rev. Maltby Gelston succeeding his brother in 1855 to 1860. It was during his term of service and largely by his efforts that the new church was built in 1857 ; eighth, Rev. Jeremiah Odell was pastor 1860 to 1862, ninth, Rev. James Vincent, 1862 to 1864, tenth, Rev. Joel Kennedy, 1864 to 1866, eleventh, Rev. David M. Cooper was the faithful pastor from 1866 to 1874. The church and society owe him a debt of gratitude for his untiring efforts and liberality in connection with the rebuilding of the burned church; twelfth, Rev. Edward H. Harvey, 1874 to 1878, thirteenth, Henry E. Mott, 1878 to 1881, four- teenth Rev. Evert Van der Hart, 1881 to 1884. It was during this per- iod the church burned in 1883; fifteenth, Dr. Willis E. Parsons, began his labors with us in 1884 remaining until 1893, he being the pastor at the time we celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary and through his efforts the C. E. Society was organized. During those years the parson- Vol. 1-30
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age was built. Dr. Parsons is beloved by all who know him and has many warm friends in this church today; sixteenth, Rev. Richard Wightman, 1893 to 1895, seventeenth, Rev. Fred G. Cadwell, 1895 to 1897, eighteenth, Dr. W. T. Jaquess was pastor from 1897 to 1904 during which time his labors were abundantly blessed. We were sorry to part with Dr. Jaquess, whose pastorate we felt was a great uplift to the church both in spiritual and temporal affairs, and we are truly happy to have him with us at this anniversary ; nineteenth, Rev. Charles E. Scott was an earnest and faith- ful pastor from 1904 to 1906; twentieth, Rev. Charles E. Huffer, the last and present pastor came to us in 1906 and has truly proven to be at all times an energetic and devoted pastor, doing earnest, faithful and we trust effective work. Mr. Huffer and family are a comfort and help to this people and this church in all of its departments.
Thus, we find in these years of history, there have been twenty pastors of whom seven are now living. Rev. Mills B. Gelston served us for ten years, Dr. Parsons nine and a half, Dr. Cooper eight and Dr. Jaquess seven. Mr. William Boyd is now the senior member of the present session-the Honor Elder of this Presbyterian church. He was elected in the year 1876, thus having served us faithfully and honorably for thirty-six years. We hope and pray that Mr. Boyd may be with us many years more. E. H. Johnson was elder thirty-two years, Ira W. Reed twenty-seven and R. B. Shipman twenty-three years.
The membership at the time of the Fiftieth anniversary was 168; · the present membership is 428. Mrs. John White has been a member of this church for fifty-two years and Mr. Jacob Escher forty-nine years. There are just thirty-four members on the roll today, who were mem- bers at the time of the Fiftieth anniversary.
We have a flourishing Sunday-school attendance of 250, an energetic superintendent, Prof. F. M. Langworthy. The school has attained all of the ten points required by the Presbyterian church with the excep- tion of one and that is the adult Bible class. They have a large number taking the Bible study and teachers training course. Several are work- ing for the national diplomas and some have taken the examination. The graded system is completely installed.
The various societies of the church are all doing excellent work. The history of this church during the seventy-five years has been, on one hand, a record of struggle and hardship; on the other, an example of God's favor and blessing. With an earnest work much has been done in the past and more may be done in the future.
ST. JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Contributed
The corner stone of St. Johns Catholic church was laid September 25th, 1873, and the church was dedicated the following spring. Prior to the building of this church services were held in a private dwelling. Rev. Fr. Callart was the pastor in charge at that time and he was suc- ceeded by Fr. Farley who was succeeded by Fr. Callart who returned and was in charge for about a year, he being succeeded by Fr. Baart who like Frs. Callart and Farley were located in Marshall, Mich.
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About the year 1892 Fr. Slane of Hillsdale, Mich. attended the Albion church and in turn by Fr. Me.Glaughlin who succeeded Fr. Slane; in the year 1896 Father Korst of Coldwater took charge and was pastor up to the time Albion was made a regular parish. In the year 1898 Fr. Sullivan was sent to Albion to establish a regular parish and remained here for two years, he in turn being succeeded by Fr. J. S. Marx our present pastor.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SALEMS CHURCHI
Contributed
Was founded on May 17, 1896, by Rev. Otto W. Schettler in the old W. C. T. U. hall. During July, 1896, the church society purchased the school building on the north side of Washington Park, facing Pine street, immediately remodeling it into a Church Auditorium, which was dedi- cated the first Sunday in August of the same year. The present church was erected during the year 1898 and formally dedicated on Sunday, October 9th, of the same year. The church society under the able leader- ship of Rev. Otto W. Schettler, gradually increased in membership and is now growing and developing into one of Albion's progressive and God fearing congregations.
Rev. Schettler having completed a service of fifty years in the min- istry early in 1910, felt obliged, owing to ill health, to resign, but the congregation induced him to remain until July 2, 1911, when he gave his farewell sermon. However, he remained here until his death which occurred on December 14th, 1911. Rev. E. W. Pusch, a very able and brilliant young man was formally installed as pastor of this church on July 16, 1911, and is its present pastor. The official Board consists of the pastor, a president, four elders, and six trustees who are chosen annually. The church is a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America.
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Contributed
Its beginning dates back to the year 1868. The first services were conducted October 25, 1868, in the old Presbyterian church, by a Rev. Frederick Wilhelm. It was organized as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, November 15, 1868, with a membership of fifty-four. Its first officers : Elder, Ludwig Steinkranss; deacons, Fred Schultz and John Weiss; trustees, John Wochholz and August Beilfuss; members Hein- rich Tuchtenhagen, John Weiss, Gottlieb Fandre, George Weislogel, Frederick Hardt, August Beilfus, Herman Rubach, Ludwig Steinkrauss Michael Weislogel, William Voigt, Angust Bærmann, Carl Schwantz, Hermann Pahl, Ferdinand Beilfnss, Herman Steinkrauss, Frederick Schultz, Ludwig Wochholz, August Beilfuss, Carl Krueger, Carl Schuhmacher, Angust Steinkrauss, William Guth, Rudolf Tuscher,
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Fredrick Kossack, August Schmidt, Mr. Einhardt, Gottlieb Steinkrauss, Carl Frederick, Carl Bunde, Ferdinand Ott, Carl Steinkrauss, Fredrick Pahl, John Wolter, Carl Krueger, Carl Reicher, William Behling, August Frederick, Michael Weislogel, William Frederick, John Weislogel, Fred- rick Lidle, Adam Krenrick, Fredrick Sebastian, Ludwig Glauk, Matthias Kimmer, Peter Krenrich, Carl Schultz, Mr. Ruf, Caroline Steinkrauss, Ferdinand Steinkrauss, Wilhelmine Gress, Louise Wocholz, Carl Næren- berg, Jacob Weislogel.
Their efforts were at once directed to procuring suitable quarters for worship, they buying the aforementioned Presbyterian church, mov- ing it to the site where its present edifice stands, Superior and Elm streets. Here the building immediately was altered and changed to comply with the wishes and desires of its members
Pastors and terms of office since 1879: Hoeck, 1879-1887; Fritz, 1887-1892; Mayer, 1892-1905; Grimm, 1905-1911; Spiegel, present pastor.
Through the efforts of Rev. Fritz, the present church building was erected and completed in 1888; dedicated in the fall (26th Sunday after Trinity). The Ladies Aid and Young Peoples societies aided in its erection. During the pastorate of Rev. Mayer, the church interior was decorated, equipped with gas and pipe organ. In 1906, the par- sonage was built, next to church.
Latest statistics: Souls, 995; communicant members, 600; active members, 253.
It conducts a Sunday-school with ninety children, instructed by eight teachers : Superintendent, the pastor; Carl Pretzel, Herman Zick, Berthold Pahl, Reinhold Jahnke, Clara Pretzel, Emma Pahl, Marie Zick.
Also German school during the summer months for the promotion of the German language. It maintains a ladies' aid, young people's society, mixed chorus and male chorus. Its present officers : Chairman, Rev. A. G. Spiegel ; secretary, Wm. Bohm, Sr. ; treasurer, Herman Schuh- macher ; elders, Albert Bloedorn, August Holtz;, deacons, Ernest Kabel, Albert Fischer ; trustees, Ferdinand Holtz, Fred Fischer, Herman Kamp.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
Contributed
First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Albion, Michigan, was organized February 21, 1896, in support of the doctrines of Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy. Sunday services were held in the A. O. U. W. hall until March 1900, when the present site on the corner of Clin- ton and Erie streets, known as the Burrall property, was purchased and the house thereon fitted up for temporary use as a church edifice. Here services are held every Sunday morning at 10:30, followed by Sun- day-school at 11:45, to which all children under twenty years of age are welcome. Wednesday evenings are devoted to testimonial meetings. A reading room is maintained in connection with the church, which is open from two until four p. m. each week day.
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*E. W. HOLLINGSWORTH POST No. 210, G. A. R.
By Levi S. Warren.
The origin of the Grand Army of the Republic found its inspiration in the hearts and minds of a patriotic few of those who survived the trials and dangers of the Civil war.
The idea so conceived fructified in the effecting of a national organi- zation at Springfield, Illinois, April 6, 1866, by the adoption of a tem- porary code of rules and regulations and the election of Maj. Surg. Ben- jamin F. Stephens, author of the first ritual of the order, as provisional commander-in-chief. As soon as the requisite number of posts were mustered, department organizations speedily followed, which soon in- cluded all of the states not having been in rebellion.
The first regularly organized national encampment convened at Indianapolis, Indiana, November 20, 1866, when the rules and regulations were adopted, together with the necessary equipment and paraphernalia, etc., of a national fraternal organization, and General Stephen A. Hurl- but elected first commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The objects of the association are: (1st.) Fraternity : To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead.
(2nd.) Charity: To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection, and to extend needed aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen.
(3rd.) Loyalty : To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America, based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to its con- stitution and laws ; to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions; and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men.
The society is sadly unique in this: it is the only fraternal organiza- tion the world has known that in its charter provides for its own extinc- tion. None but honorably discharged soldiers of the Civil war are eligible to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and when the last member has been mustered out to his final reward, the order will cease to exist.
Under General John A. Logan, the second commander-in-chief of the Grand Army, was established the beautiful custom of observing Memorial day, and his general order No. 11, issued May 5, 1868, was this year 1912, and will be read each year hereafter wherever public services are held, by posts of the Grand Army. This pathetic outpouring of the great tender heart of gallant General Logan reads as follows:
"Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D. C., May 5, 1868 .- General Orders, No. 11: The 30th day of May, 1868, is
* This instructive article by Post Commander Warren, is well worth reading by all who know something of the objects and aims of the Grand Army of the Re- publie, as well as the history of E. W. Hollingsworth Post. Editor.
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designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorat- ing the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circum- stances may permit.
"We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the pur- pose, among other things, 'of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and mariners, who united to suppress the late rebellion.' What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes ? Their soldier lives were the reveilles of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths, the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wan- ton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
"If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
"Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us, a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude- the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
"By command of JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief."
At Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1889, the department of Michigan re- ceived its first and last honor in the selection of one of her sons, General Russell A. Alger, for the high position of commander-in-chief. He gave a splendid administration.
The association received its largest growth in the years 1880, '81, '82 and '83, immediately following the adoption of Article XI, taking politics wholly out of the order.
POST No. 210
December 26, 1883, the date of its charter, witnessed the organization of E. W. Hollingsworth Post No. 210, Department of Michigan, G. A. R., by the muster in, by W. H. Tallman, assistant adjutant general of the department, of the following comrades as charter members, viz: William
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H. Brockway, R. A. Babcock, Warren E. Brezette, Charles S. Daskam, Robert J. Frost, Emery E. Goodenough, Decatur H. Goodenough, Hiram Herrick, Charles E. Haight, Ira A. Hutchinson, Russell R. King, Rienzi Loud, Thomas O'Hara, Loren Parmelee, Lafayette G. Rafter, Calvin T. Smith, J. T. Sykes, Judson A. Thomas, Sanford D. Wiley and J. H. Wood. Of these, ten have been promoted to "fame's eternal camping grounds." The first meeting was held in Y. M. C. A. hall, post officers were elected and a committee appointed to formulate and report for adoption a code of by-laws for the government of the post under the rules and regulations of the order. Rienzi Loud was elected as the first commander of the post. Those who have succeeded him to that office are : Lafayette G. Rafter, elected December 7, 1884; Almon G. Bruce, elected December 1, 1885; Charles S. Daskam, elected December 7, 1886; Robert L. Warren, elected December 6, 1887; Oscar G. Hubbard, elected Decem- ber 6, 1888, December 1, 1896, and December 7, 1897; Calvin T. Smith, elected December 2, 1889, December 6, 1898, and January 1, 1903, Henry D. Smith, commander-elect, refusing to qualify; Frank E. Palmer, elected December 2, 1890; Sanford D. Wiley, elected December 1, 1891, and December 6, 1904; William M. Loder, elected December 1, 1892, and December 18, 1906, A. F. Fuller, commander-elect refusing to qualify ; Charles L. Toner, elected December 5, 1893; Henry F. Gilbert, elected December 4, 1894; Warren E. Brezette, elected December 3, 1895; Wil- liam Hastings, elected December 5, 1899; Levi S. Warren, elected Decem- ber 12, 1900, December 21, 1909, December 6, 1910, December 5, 1911, and December 3, 1912; John O. Banks, elected December 3, 1901, and December 5, 1905; Phineas Graves, elected December 1, 1903, died June 17, 1904; Jacob Perine, elected August 30, 1904; O. Spencer Stevens, elected December 3, 1907; and Robert R. Robertson, elected December 1, 1908. Of these twenty post commanders, ten have joined the grand army of the immortals.
The post was named after Lieut. Col. E. W. Hollingsworth, the first field officer to die in the city of Albion, the home of the post. The post had its first regular quarters in the third story of the Mrs. Rose Fox building. From there it moved, March 22, 1892, to the third floor of the Brockway (now Bullen) building. In 1901, the fact became apparent that the boys of the Civil war were ageing into physically feeble and decrepit old veterans and the task of climbing two flights of stairs to attend post meetings had become so irksome to many of them, that it was determined to in some way secure post quarters on the ground floor. At a regular meeting of the post held November 19, 1901, comrade Post Commander Warren E. Brezette, in a spirit of inspiration, made the following motion :
"That the post buy a suitable building for a grand army hall and that the commander appoint a committee of ways and means consisting of three members, who shall find such a building and ascertain for what price it can be purchased and upon what terms and conditions, and report at the next post meeting."
The motion enthusiastically carried by the unanimous vote of the post, and the commander appointed Comrades John O. Banks, William M. Loder and Henry F. Gilbert as such committee.
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At a regular meeting of the post held December 3, 1901, the chairman of the ways and means committee offered the following report: "Your committee reports that the building situated at No. 114 East Erie street, adjoining the M. E. church, known as the Hayes building, can be pur- chased for the sum of thirteen hundred and fifty dollars; that Comrade Calvin T. Smith, agent of the owner, will donate his commission, amounting to fifty dollars, leaving thirteen hundred dollars for the post to pay. Your committee recommends that the purchase be made of said building; that the sum of $1,150.00 be raised by popular sub- scription, of which sum $1,000.00 shall be paid as part purchase price and the balance used in putting the building in shape for grand army pur- poses ; in the event of the post making such purchase, it shall be stipulated in the deed of conveyance that upon the disbandment of the post and the surrender of its charter, the said building shall be sold at its then cash value and the proceeds expended in the erection of a soldiers' monument to be located on some suitable site in the city of Albion ; that a committee of three shall be appointed to carry into effect the recommendation of your committee.
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