History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 37

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670

USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 37

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Eber Root built a second hotel upon the ground where now stands the Baptist Church. It was destroyed by fire in 1859, at which time it had ceased to be used for hotel purposes, and was occupied by a number of families.

In 1850, Samuel Graham put up the building now occupied by Myers Brothers with a stock of dry goods, and carried on the hotel business in it for about seventeen years.

POST OFFICE.

The first Postmaster at Cassopolis was Alexander H. Redfield, Esq., who served until the appointment of George B. Turner, who was succeeded by Horace B. Dunning. The succeeding Postmasters, in the order named, have been F. A. Graves, Barak Mead, Horace B. Dunning, Alonzo B. Morley, Joseph Harper and the present incumbent, C. C. Nelson.

RELIGIOUS.

In the winter of 1832-33, religious services were held in Cassopolis for the first time, the officiating divine on that occasion being no less a personage than Bishop Chase, of the North western Episcopal Diocese. The small audience which the celebrated man of God addressed assembled in a room over the Silvers store.

It was not long before the Methodist circuit riders visited the village and filled regular appointments. The Methodists were the first denomination which effected an organization.

The Rev. George R. Brown is believed to have been the first minister who took up residence in Cass- opolis, but he could hardly be called a settled clergy- man. He was a Universalist, and coming to Cassop- olis in the winter of 1835-36, he labored zealously for about a year to awaken an interest in that faith. He was compelled, however, to abandon the field because of meager support.

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

The Methodist Church of Cassopolis had its origin in 1838. It was within the Edwardsburg Circuit, which was established the same year. The early records of the church have been lost, and it is there- fore impossible to give a detailed history of the begin- nings of this religious society. Meetings were held in the court house and the schoolhouses until 1846. In that year, Jacob Silver and Joshua Lofland erected a small house of worship on Rowland street. Mr. Silver was an Episcopalian, and Mr. Lofiand a Method- ist, and the building was intended for the use and occupation of their respective denominations, and as a place for general religious worship. This building was sold, in 1854, to the United Brethren, William Shanafelt becoming responsible to Mr. Silver for payment for his share, and a mortgage being given to Mr. Lofland. The society was unable to pay for the building, and in January, 1855, Messrs. Lofland and Shanafelt presented it to the Methodist Society, who continued to occupy it until 1874. At this time, it was moved away to make room for the handsome new edifice which the society now occupies. This house of worship arose through the labors of the Rev. J. P. Force, who exerted himself unceasingly to secure the necessary funds, and did, in fact, raise about three- quarters of the total amount which the church cost. The building committee were W. W. Peck, the Rev. William L. Jakways, D. B. Smith and John Boyd, and the builder was Mr. Smith. On November 22, 1874, the building was dedicated, the Rev. A. J. Eldred presiding at the meeting, the indebtedness which amounted to $1,600, being cleared on that occa- sion. The total cost of the building was about $6,000.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

This church, with its furnishings and the parsonage on the corner of O'Keefe and York streets, consti- tutes a property worth not far from $8,000.

The ministers who have preached for the Meth- odists of Cassopolis, from 1838 to 1882, are the following : Knox and Williams, Knox and Harrison, Jones and Van Order, Meek and Tooker, Collins and Worthington, Kellogg and Eldred, Cook and Granger, Shaw and Erkenbrack, John Erkenbrack, Horace Hall, J. W. Robinson, T. H. Bignal, V. G. Boynton, Isaac Abbott, P. H. Johnson, E. L. Kelogg, G. W. Hoag, Isaac Bennett, Edgar Beard, A. G. Graham, J. Fowler, James Webster, J. P. Force, William M. Coplin, J. W. H. Carlisle, William Prouty, H. H. Parker, J. M. Robinson and W. M. Colby.

A union Sunday school was conducted during the summer seasons until 1859, supported chiefly by Methodists and Baptists. H. B. Dunning, Barak Mead and Joshua Loffand were usually the leaders or superintendents. The school was however small in numbers, and consisted of about as many adults as children. The Methodist Sunday school as a distinct- ive organization came into existence in 1859, when the Rev. E. Kellogg was sent to Cassopolis by the M. E. Conference. It was organized under the in- fluence of the wife of this minister, and Charles G. Banks was elected Superintendent. He continued in charge of it for over nine years, or until April, 1868. The school opened with about twenty-five pupils, but the number was soon increased to three times its origi- nal size.

In 1866, the number enrolled, young and old, including officers, was one hundred and fifty. Rev. G. W. Hoag and wife rendered able services to the school, in 1861, and 1862; Rev. Isaac Bennett in 1863 and 1864; Rev. E. Beard in 1865 and 1866; Rev. A. Y. Graham in 1867 and 1868; Rev. J. Fowler in 1869 and 1870; Rev. J. Webster in 1871; Rev. J. P. Force in 1872 and 1873 and until Sep- tember, 1874. Mr. Banks' successor as Superin- tendent, elected in April, 1868, was the late William W. Peck, who had as an assistant Mr. D. B. Smith. Mr. Peck remained in charge continuously from this time until 1874, with the exception of one year, when Rev. William L. Jakways was Superintendent. In Jan- uary, 1875, Charles G. Banks was again chosen to fill the place, and served until January, 1878, when William W. Peck succeeded him. D. B. Smith was the assistant of each of the above Superintendents. Mr. Peck was taken sick in November, 1878, and died April 5, 1879. Upon his death, Charles G. Banks was elected to fill the vacancy, and re-elected in 1881, when he declined to serve. C. II. Funk served for a few months during the early part of the

year, and Mrs. Charlotte S. Colby was elected in September, with Charles G. Banks as assistant. The chief musicians have been John Tietsort and Henry Deyo. The Sunday school, by the aid of John Tiet- sort and Mr. Banks, made a purchase of a fine organ in 1865, which is still in use.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1842, under what was known as the "accommodation plan." Its es- tablishment was in a certain measure due to the American Home Missionary Society, and for several years it received a small amount of aid from that body. The Home Missionary Society consisted of Congrega- tionalists and Presbyterians. One of its by-laws, or rules, provided for the organization of churches under its auspices which should not partake of the distin- guishing characteristics of either. The church came into being under the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Cassopolis, upon the 19th of March, at which time the Rev. Noah M. Wells delivered an ad- dress before a small gathering of people who favored the organization. Its original members were Samuel F. Anderson, Mahala P. Anderson, Carlos W. Bald- win, Amelia Fuller, Margaret Sears, Eliza Ann Beckwith, Hervey Bigelow, Wells Crumb, Lucy Ann Crumb and Susannah Hopkins. These persons were received on presentation of letters from other churches and the following (the same day), upon confession of faith, viz .: Joseph Harper, Caroline Harper, Will- iam F. Huyck and Lewis C. Curtis. On the follow- ing day Phebe Wheeler, Harriet Smith, Miss L. A. Hurlbut, Amos Fuller, Mathias Weaver and Catharine Weaver were received by letter, and William and Margaret A. Mansfield and William Sears on con- fession of faith.

The Rev. A. S. Kedzie was employed in Novem- ber as the first Pastor of the church. Samuel F. Anderson and Hervey Bigelow were the first Deacons. Mr. Kedzie was only engaged for a period of six months, and in July, 1843, the Rev. Alfred Bryant was employed as minister. The succeeding clergy- men, who have had charge of the flock, have been the Revs. M. Harrison, James McLauren. M. Bacon, Thomas Jones, George C. Overhiser, Eli W. Taylor, George H. Miles, E. B. Sherwood, A. H. Gaston, Theodore B. Hascall, O. 11. Barnard - Wilson and M. Q. McFarland.

The erection of the house of worship of this society was commenced in 1845. It remained unfinished, however, until November, 1846, because of the lack of funds to carry on the work. The parsonage property upon the corner of O'Keefe and State streets, was purchased June 13, 1855.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

A large and interesting Sunday school is carried on in connection with the church.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized on the 8th day of March, 1862, with twelve constituent members, viz .: Elder Jacob Price, Sarah B. Price, Sarah B. Price, Jr., Ellen Price, Mary Price, Carrie Price, P. A. Lee, Barak Mead, Harriet E. Mead, Elizabeth A. Magin- nis, Robert H. Trip, Jemima Smith. A council was called, and met June 10, 1862. The prayer of recog. nition was offered by Rev. E. J. Fish ; sermon by Rev. J. L. McCloud; address to the church by Rev. S. H. D. Vaughn. The church was received into the St. Joseph River Association, which the following day assembled at Niles. Elder Jacob Price, who had preached and labored for the welfare of the church, soon after this took pastoral care of the same, preach- ing once in two weeks for two years.

As early as June 28, 1862, efforts were made to procure a lot for the building of a house of worship. This purpose was never abandoned, although for five years the work was delayed. In the spring of 1867, a plan was procured and a lot decided on. The house was built, and, upon the 16th of March, 1869, formally dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Kendall Brooks, President of Kalamazoo College, from Job, xxi, 15. Rev. L. B. Fish, of Lansing, preached in the evening. The church was built at a cost of $4,765, of which amount all but $1,000 was paid when it was completed.

In February, 1869, a call was extended to Rev. B. P. Russell, then pastor of the Niles Church, to be- come pastor. This call was accepted, and Liberty Church, which united in making the call, divided with the Cassopolis Church in the maintenance of the min- ister. The ministers who have served the church since Mr. Russell removed have been the Rev. T. S. Wooden, E. H. Brooks, D. Morse and E. M. Ste- phenson. A portion of the time the church has been without a Pastor, and has been ministered to by sup- ply Pastors. The church is at present in a good con- dition, and has a membership of about sixty. A Sunday school is conducted in connection with the church which has a membership of about one hundred.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The first school teacher in Cassopolis was Mrs. Jane Beach, a widow. The schoolhouse was a little log cabin which stood where Joel Cowgill now lives. A man named Harrison was the second teacher.

From the earliest settlement of the village, when the above named lady and gentleman taught until 1843, schools were held in various places by a number

of more or less successful teachers. In the year men- tioned, the first frame building was erected which was used exclusively as a schoolhouse. It was located on Lot 8, in Block 1 north, Range 2 east, donated to the district for the purpose by Joseph Harper. The building was a very good one for the time when it was built, and sufficiently commodious to accommo- date all of the children of the district. In 1857, however, it was found that a larger structure was needed, and the union schoolhouse was built on contract by Daniel S. Jones, at a cost of about $1,500. Some additions and improvements were made in this building from time to time, and it remained in use until April 29, 1878, when it was completely destroyed by fire. The building was valued at that time at about $5,000, and was insured for $3,000, which amount (minus a slight deduction) was paid to the district officers. When the house burned, the trust- ees, with a promptness that was highly creditable to them, made preparations for the continuance of the schools in other quarters, and soon the work of the several departments was being carried on successfully in Oren's Hall, the Reform Club rooms and D. B. Smith's carpenter shop. The High School Depart- ment lost only two days' time.

It was decided to expend the sum of $10,000 in building a new schoolhouse, and upon the 21st of May, W. P. Bennett, A. Garwood, J. K. Ritter, S. C. Van Matre, J. R. Carr and W. W. Peck were ap- pointed as a building committee. After examining several architectural designs for the proposed building, the one presented by Messrs. Hopkins & Osgood, of Grand Rapids, was chosen. Proposals were adver- tised for, and on the day appointed for their examina- tion, June 13, the contract was awarded to Messrs. Manning & Smith, of Niles, for $9,000, exclusive of seating. The work of construction was commenced immediately, and pushed so rapidly that the building was finished by the 1st of December. S. C. Van Matre was the local superintendent. The building had still to be seated, but that work was completed within a month, and upon the 9th of January, 1879, the new schoolhouse was ready for occupancy, and the winter term was begun upon that day.

The total cost of the building was $10,619.86, of which amount, $9,176.71 was paid to Messrs. Manning & Smith ; $800 for seats ; $146.66 for a bell ; $13.33 for window shades; $66.05 for extra painting, etc .; $64.05 for Local Superintendent's services, etc. ; $22.52 for clocks ; $73.82 for drainage; and $251.60 for architect's plans.

The building, which is of a modified gothic form of architecture, and built of white brick with red trimmings, stands nearly in the center of grounds,

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three acres in area, well adapted for the purpose they serve. There is probably no more beautiful or sub- stantial school building in Michigan which has been erected for $10,000, and there are certainly many which have cost more that do not equal its appearance or practical advantages. It is two stories in height, with an eight-foot basement under the whole building. The dimensions are 78x62 feet. There are seven rooms available for school purposes, not all of which are now used. Upon the first floor there are four rooms and upon the second three, the high school room occupying the entire front. The second floor is reached by a broad, platform staircase. All of the wood work is pine, oiled and varnished, and the mellow hue of the natural wood produces a very pleasing effect. The rooms are supplied with the best blackboards, the most approved forms of seats and desks and have all the requisites of model school- rooms. Ample and convenient cloak-rooms adjoin each. In the basement, a novel and excellent pro- vision has been made for the younger pupils in two large play rooms, where they can obtain needed rec- reation and exercise without the discomfort or danger to health, which in cold weather would attend their out-door play. The arrangement of the building is admirable. The provisions for heat and ventilation are perfect, and the rooms are all well lighted. In short, the Cassopolis school building is one of which the people may well feel proud, and a credit alike to its architect and the committee under whose super- vision it was erected.

The following is believed to be a very nearly perfect list of the principal teachers or superin- tendents who have taught in Cassopolis during the past thirty years (a period which extends back to the origin of advanced school teaching in the village) :

John O. Banks began teaching in 1853 or 1854, and continued until Charles Ayer came in 1858. He was succeeded by a Mr. Miles in 1859, who taught only about two months, and he by G. M. Trowbridge, who remained until the fall of 1860. Since then the succession has been : R. H. Tripp, two years ; W. I. Baker, two years; M. D. Ewell, one year ; S. M. Burton, one year; Jason Newton, one year : F. A. Herring, two years; H. C. Baggerley, one year ; Eugene Ketcham, one year; J. F. Downey, one year ; J. C. Clark, one year; Levi B. French, one year ; F. H. Bailey, two years; H. C. Rankin, three years, and G. O. Osinga since the fall of 1880.

CEMETERY.

Immediately after the death of Jason R. Coates- August 7, 1832-a village lot was chosen and set apart by Elias B. Sherman for a burial-place. In

this lot, constituting a part of the present cemetery, Mr. Coates was buried. Not long after, graves were made to receive the mortal remains of a Mr. Shields and of Charles Tarbos. The first woman interred in the little burying-ground was Mrs. Mary Root, who died August 22, 1834 (although the tombstone says 1835), and the second was Mrs. Allen Munroe.

The burying-ground was enlarged subsequent to 1840, by the addition of several lots, donated by the Court House Company. In 1879, the cemetery came under the management of the corporation, and in that year an addition of about three and a quarter acres was made to its area, the land being purchased from Ritner Graham.

Mr. John Tietsort has for several years superin- tended the improvements made in the cemetery, and has most of the time served without any remuneration. To him the public is indebted for very much of the beauty of these grounds, where rest the dead of a half century. The old portion of the cemetery has been placed in excellent order, and the new very tastefully platted.

The oldest person who has died in Cass County is buried here. The tombstone bears the inscription, " Mary, wife of C. Earnest, died June 25, 1871, aged 109 years and seven months."

Near by is the monument reared to the memory of the venerated Elder Price, upon which is inscribed the following :

"Erected by the many friends of Elder Price as a token of their high esteem of him as a man, and their appreciation of his earnest, faithful and self-sacrificing labors among them for so many years as a minister of the Gospel of Christ."

CASSOPOLIS READING ROOM AND LIBRARY ASSOCIA- TION.

An organization was effected under this name October 14, 1870, and incorporated February 11, 1871, under an act of the Legislature, by W. W. Peck. William P. Bennett, Charles S. Wheaton, John T. Stevens, A. Garwood, A. B. Morley, A. Magin- nis, H. Norton, O. Rudd, M. L. Howell, John Tiet- sort, James M. Shepard, L. H. Glover and J. B. Boyd. The objects for which the society_was incor- porated were " the establishment and maintenance of a library and reading room ; the procuring and fur- nishing of lectures on literary and scientific subjects, and the affording of such other means of literary, scientific and intellectual improvement as the associa- tion by its by-laws may provide." A public reading room was established, but only kept up six or eight months. The library has been maintained uninter- ruptedly, and at present contains about seven hundred

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

well-selected volumes. The ladies of Cassopolis have been very active in supporting and managing the library.

"THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ORDER OF THE ECLAMPSUS VITUS."*

"The first secret society of which there is any record was a lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Eclampsus Vitus, which was instituted in the spring of 1846 with Dr. E. J. Bonine, Laban Harter, J. P. Osborn and Dr. L. Osborn as charter members.

"The order was in broadest burlesque of legiti- mate secret organizations, and was afterward merged in the " Sons of Malta," which died from exposure (by Frank Leslie) in the next decade.

" The candidates for admission were bound fast, blindfolded and dragged into the hall by halters. They were placed in the most ludicrous positions and required to pledge themselves to performances and courses of conduct which by a cunningly devised double entendre in the wording of the pledges were either impossible or eminently ridiculous.

" A peculiarity of human nature which renders the victim of a 'sell' restless and unhappy until he has inveigled others into the same meshes, insured the rapid growth and financial prosperity of this mon- strous hoax. Numerous Neophites were found to assuage the grief and soothe the wounded pride of the carlier victims.

" A grand ball was given by the lodge in the winter of 1846-47, at the Union Hotel, at which over two hundred badges of the 'Ancient and Honorable Order' were displayed, and that, too, by men who stood the highest in popular esteem and respectability.

" The (dis)order collapsed in 1847, partly from lack of raw material and partly from a growing satiety amounting to disgust on the part of the better portion of the members, but it was successfully resurrected in 1860 under the alias of the 'Brothers of Charity.'

"The second edition, although enlarged and im- proved, was 'of few days and full of trouble' to all except the charter members."

I. 0. 0. F.

The first legitimate secret society organization effected at Cassopolis was that of Cass County Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F. The dispensation authorizing the institution of the lodge was granted Grand Mas- ter Andrew J. Clark January 16, 1847. The lodge was instituted on February 18, following. On this occasion the following officers were elected : N. G., Alexander H. Redfield; V. G .; George B. Turner ;

Secretary, George Sherwood ; Permanent Secretary, Henry R. Close ; Treasurer, W. G. Beckwith. In 1849, the lodge purchased a portion of the lot upon which the county jail now stands, and remodeled a building which stood upon it, making a very comfort- able hall in which to hold their meetings. The prop- erty passed into the hands of Henry Tietsort in 1854, and he subsequently gave the lodge a perpetual lease of the hall and its approaches. When the lot upon which the building stood was sold to the county the building was moved to its present location on Broad- way. The organization is at present in a flourishing condition, financially and otherwise.

Cass Encampment, No. 74, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized May 11, 1874, by G. P. Fayette S. Day, and consisted originally of seven members. The first officers elected were C. P., R. H. Wiley ; H. P., H. H. Bidwell ; S. W., J. W. Argo; J. W., H. Dasher ; Scribe, A. P. Gaston ; Treasurer, H. Tietsort.

MASONIC.

The first meeting of members of this fraternity was held June 12, 1852, in the Union Hotel. At this gathering, a petition was drawn up, praying for a dis- pensation authorizing a local organization. July 9, 1852, the members met pursuant to the terms of the dispensation, and organized under the name of Backus Lodge, that appellation being assumed in honor of Grand Master Backus. The first officers elected were W. M., James M. Spencer ; S. W., Asa Kingsbury ; J. W., Elias B. Sherman. The lodge held meetings at Odd Fellows Hall until 1860; after that in Kingsbury's Hall until 1876, and since that time has occupied the second floor of the Chapman building. The lodge has a membership of eighty, and owns $500 worth of property. Its meetings are held Mondays, on or be- fore the full moon.

Kingsbury Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M. (named in honor of Asa Kingsbury), was organized March 10, 1871, with the election of the following officers, viz .: H. P., Isaac A. Shingledecker ; K., Asa Kingsbury ; S., Charles W. Clisbee ; C. of H., James H. Farnum ; P. S., Henry Tietsort ; R. A. C., George T. Shaffer ; M. 3d V., Samuel Stephenson ; M. 2d V., Jonas Mechling; M. 1st V., Amos Smith; Treasurer, Will- iam Condon ; Guard, L. D. Tompkins. The Chap- ter has a membership of thirty-three, and owns $400 worth of furniture, regalia, etc. Its meetings are on Tuesdays, on or after the full of the moon.

Organizations of several other orders have had an ephemeral existence at various periods.

A division of the Sons of Temperance was instituted in 1848, and, at the same time, or soon after, an aux- iliary union of the Daughters of Temperance.

*James M. Shepard, In Roger's " History of Casa County."

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

In 1852, a lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organized, which existed for several years. A second lodge of the same order was organ- ized in the summer of 1865, which remained active for about four years.

JOSEPH HARPER.

Mr. Harper was born December, 19, 1805, in Washington County, Penn., upon a farm where his grandparents, immigrants from Belfast, Ireland, had settled soon after the Revolutionary war. Robert, son of John and Margaret Harper, married Tamar Johnson, who was of Scotch descent, and belonged to a family who settled at an early date in Washington County. The subject of this sketch was the sixth child in a family of ten. He was reared upon the home farm. After spending two years in Pittsburgh and a short period in the village of Wash- ington, he started for the then far West. It had been his intention to locate in Chicago, but, by one of those seemingly inconsequential happenings, of which time develops the importance, he became a resident of the then new village of Cassopolis. The exact date of his arrival was February 3, 1835. In Pennsylvania, he had learned the carpenter's trade, and he followed it after coming to Cassopolis for many years. He was the builder of the first court house, upon which he began work in 1835, and also of the present court house. Very soon after coming to Michigan he was made Deputy Sheriff of Cass County, under Eber Root, and remained in that capacity until the State was organized in 1836. While occupying this office, he served the first legal papers in Van Buren County, that county being attached to Cass for judicial purposes. In 1836, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and took the office July 4. In the fall of 1838, he was elected Register of Deeds, and re-elected in 1840. In 1837, he was chosen County Treasurer to fill a vacancy, and again in 1839, to fill another in the same office, caused by the death of Isaac Sears. Capt. Harper (as he is commonly called) has been complimented by the bestowal upon him of a number of other offices of honor and trust. He was Superintendent of the Poor for several years subsequent to 1847 ; has been President of the corporation a number of times and is now the President of the Cass County Pioneer So- ciety. In 1850, he went to California and followed mining there for four years. Upon his return, in 1854, he was elected Sheriff upon the first Republican ticket. Prior to the organization of the Republican party he was a Whig, and was prominently identified with the famous campaign of 1840. When the war broke out, his popularity made it an easy matter for

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 37

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co. Number of Pages: 670

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670