USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 42
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Isaac was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and in his boyhood learned in the bitter school of experience those lessons of economy and perseverance that afterward became the salient points in his character. He acquired the trade of a black- smith, which avocation he followed in Orange County until 1821, at which time he was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Samnel Lockwood, one of the esteemed citizens of Pine Bush. Shortly after his marriage, he removed to New York City. There he followed his trade until his removal to Albany in 1829, where, for many years, he prosecuted a success- ful business in the manufacture of iron doors, railings,
bank vaults, locks, etc. About 1844, he purchased of Erastus Corning, of Albany, a large tract of land with his family in 1851, settling in Silver Creek, near Indian Lake, where he resided until his removal to Dowagiac in 1871, where he died in June of the fol- lowing year. Mrs. Tice, who was born in 1803, died in Silver Creek in 1855. She was an estimable woman, and the mother of ten children-Samuel, William, Mary, Almera, Isaac, Joseph, Charles, Mar- garet, Myron and Susan-all but two are now living. In 1856, Mr. Tice was again married to Sarah A., daughter of Moses and Sarah Duncombe, of Van Buren County. She was born in Canada in 1820. By this marriage there was one son, Talmadge, now residing in Dowagiac.
Mr. Tice was emphatically a man of affairs, and by a long life of industry, economy and honorable deal- ing accumulated a fine competency. In his religious belief he was at one time a Presbyterian, but later in life became an Adventist, in which faith he died.
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE DR. C. P. PRINDIE, DOWAGIAC, MICH.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MASONIC.
The first Masonic organization in the town was Dowagiac Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., the organ- ization of which was effected January 11, 1855, with a small number of members-exactly how many or who they were does not now appear. Following are the names of the first officers: M., A. M. Worden ; S. W., George Shrackenhast; J. W., E. H. Foster; Secretary, D. H. Wagner ; Treasurer, S. M. Spencer ; S. D., - Dickson ; J. D., P. B. Holmes.
Keystone Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., was organ- ized (under a dispensation) November 12, 1864, and the following-named gentlemen were elected as its first officers : H. P., I. A. Shingledecker ; K., James M. Spencer ; Scribe, Hubbell Warner; C. H., A. N. Alward; P. S., Henry Tietsort ; R. A. C., William Houser ; M. 3d V., Joel Andrews ; M. 2d V., D. C. Marsh; M. 1st V., H. C. Parker; Sentinel, A. M. Alward.
Peninsular Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., was organized November 19, 1866. The first officers elected were: M., Arthur Smith; S. W., E. O. Adams; J. W., Thomas Shidler ; Treasurer, Thomas Ambrose; Secretary, Charles Fletcher; S. D., D. W. Clemmer; J. D., C. R. Miller ; Tiler, A. H. Reed.
Dowagiac Council, No. 28, was organized January 17, 1870, with the election of the following officers, viz .: T. I. G. M., Rev. J. Boynton ; Deputy T. I. G. M., E. T. Avery ; P. C. O. W., D. W. Clemmer ; Treasurer, R. C. Osborne ; Recorder, C. L. Sher- wood ; C. O. G., George Miller ; C. O. W., Charles Starrett ; Sentinel, A. H. Reed.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
Hope Lodge, No. 40, of this order, was organized in Dowagiac March 8, 1878, by George R. Penning- ton, of Detroit, with thirty-eight charter members. The following were elected officers for the first year : P. M. W., C. O. Tower; M. W., E. O. Adams; Foreman, C. L. Sherwood ; Overseer, A. H. Mason ; Recorder, C. H. Bigelow ; Receiver, F. II. Ross ; Financier, F. E. Burked; Guide, Hiram Scoville ; I. W., Samuel Ingling; O. W., William Bedell ; Medical Examiner, Dr. H. S. McMaster ; Trustees, Arthur Smith, Richard Holmes, Luman Andrews. The lodge has now a membership of about seventy persons.
The object of this order is to furnish a cheap and reliable insurance. The family of any member upon his or her death receives the sum of $2,000. Since the organization of Hope Lodge there have been but two deaths among its members, those of O. M. Sherwood and U. F. Ingling.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
The lodge of this order was instituted December 18, 1877, with the following charter members, viz. : C. L. Sherwood, Dr. Thomas Rix, Dr. H. S. McMaster, A. J. Rouse, E. O. Adams, T. W. Adams, H. A. Farwell, W. H. Argabright, H. M. Argabright, J. O. Becraft, Dr. M. D. Jewell, Thomas J. Rice, Rev. Elias Sias, E. B. Jewell, C. F. Clark, A. Thorp, II. D. Bowling, Eli Green, F. M. Sanders, C. H. Chase, Dr. W. L. Marr, Dr. E. C. Prindle, O. J. Parker, Edward Wells, P. Oppenheim, G. B. Sullivan, L. A. Andrews. Following are the names of the first offi- cers : Dictator, Thomas Rix; V. Dictator, M. D. Jewell; A. Dictator, J. O. Becraft ; Reporter, H. D. Bowling; F. Reporter, T. W. Adams; Treasurer, H. S. McMaster ; Chaplain, A. J. Rouse ; Guide, E. O. Adams ; Guardian, II. A. Farwell ; Sentinel, C. F. Clark ; Past Dictator, C. L. Sherwood ; Trustees, Eli Green, F. M. Sanders and W. H. Argabright.
AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.
Dowagiac Council, No. 116, of this order (the first organized in the State) was established March 11, 1880, by Henry H. Porter. The following is a list of the charter members : Henry II. Porter, William W. Easton, Edward C. Prindle, E. Whitney Jewell, Cornelia B. Jewell, Nellie E. Jewell, M. D. Jewell, E. Barlow Jewell, Georgianna Porter, Marion Bowl- ing, James E. Clark, Abigail Thompson, M. A. Wheeler, Rowena Morton, Constant S. Rouse, Ann Ronse, Susan A. Rouse, Margaret Jarvis, James M. Somers, Jasper P. Warner, Ziralda Warner, Thomas Rix, Hattie Rix, Ella E. Clark, C. Fred Clark, Ninrod Monsy, Alma A. Easton, Frank M. Sanders, Hattie C. Sprague, Al- mira Peck, Homer D. Nash, Gilbert I. Peck, Martha R. Farwell, Mary L. Banker, Frank Morton, Jane B. Clark. The first officers clected were : P. C., Henry H. Porter ; C., William W. Easton ; V. C., Jasper P. Warner; Orator, Ilattie C, Sprague ; Sec- retary, E. Barald Jewell ; Treasurer, Thomas Rix ; Collector, Georgianna Porter ; Chaplain, E. Whitney Jewell ; Guide, Nellie E. Jewell ; Warden, James M. Somers ; Sentry, James E. Clark ; Medical Examiner, Dr. William W. Easton.
THIE DOWAGIAC UNION MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The Dowagiac Union Medical Society was organ- ized in August, 1871; Dr. C. J. Curtis,* Presi- dent ; Dr. A. W. Morse, Vice President ; Dr. J. H. Wheeler, Secretary aud Treasurer.
The other members were Drs. L. V. Rouse, t P. I. Mulvane, George W. Fosdick, ţ II. S. Mc- Master,* E. B. Weed, t and T. Rix, dentist.
*Eclectic. +Homeopath.
194
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Society held monthly meetings, and continued them for a year and a half or more.
During the winter of 1871 and 1872, there were several medical students in Dowagiac. F. Clen- dening, William Morris, E. A. Curtis, Edward Gale and Guy S. Mulvane and some others who de- sired to pursue the study of anatomy, as C. J. Green- leaf, the artist, and Drs. T. and John Rix, dentists, joined with the students, and, procuring " subjects " from Chicago, dissected three or four. This dissect- ing business was carried on quietly evenings, in a building then vacant, on Beeson street. Dr. G. W. Fosdick, of the medical society, was instructor or "" demonstrator of anatomy," a part of the time.
At times it was difficult to procure the necessary dissecting material, and once when a "subject " had been properly prepared, paid for, boxed and directed to a medical firm in Dewagiac, a curious drayman intentionally burst it open in the depot in Chicago and delivered it over to the police authorities. This furnished material for many columns of sensa- tional matter for the Chicago dailies. The students demanded their " subject," but without avail. Others had to be procured, and these were obtained under tribulations by the agents of the Dowagiac students in Chicago.
The Union Medical Society was revived and re-or- ganized in 1881, with Dr. C. D. Morse as President, Dr. H. S. McMaster, Vice President, and Dr. W. W. Easton as Secretary and Treasurer.
Monthly meetings are still held, in which papers are read and discussions held upon subjects that are of interest to the profession.
The present officers are Drs. H. S. McMasters,* President ; William Ketcham, Vice President ; W. W. Easton,* Secretary and Treasurer.
The other members are Drs. C. W. Morse, L. V. Rouse, + E. A. Curtis,* E. C. Prindle, J. H. Lud- wig,t and D. W. Forsyth .*
THE LIBERAL LEAGUE OF DOWAGIAC.
The liberal element of the city associated themselves together in an organized forın in March, 1870. The first meeting was held at the office of Dr. Rix, where Constitution and By-Laws were presented and adopted. The preamble to the constitution set forth the follow- ing objects of organization : " The objects which the members of this society have in view in organizing are in general terms-to stimulate free thought and inves- tigation among the people in relation to their civil, religious and political rights, and encourage the inves- tigation of questions relating to religion, science and reform, and to that end sustain free-thought speakers,
hold liberal meetings, and circulate liberal, scientific and reformatory papers and periodicals."
About fifty signed the constitution and articles of association, and the following officers were elected : President, Henry Straub; Vice President, Abram Fiero; Secretary, C. J. Greenleaf; Treasurer, Mrs. R. Heddon. An Executive Committee, consisted of P. D. Beckwith, James Heddon and Mrs. Abbie Knapp.
As the organization progressed, lecturers were pro- cured, a library was formed, meetings were held each Sunday, when questions of general interest were dis- cussed, essays, poems and selections read. Occasion- ally, miscellaneous meetings were held where any member read whatever they thought would be accept- able, or spoke on any subject they wished. The pres- ent officers are : President, R. Heddon ; Vice Presi- dent, T. J. Foster ; Secretary, Dr. Thomas Rix.
THE LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
For several years the need of a public library was felt by the citizens, which culminated in a meeting held at Young Men's Hall in the city of Dowagiac, April 9, 1872. A Constitution and By-Laws were presented and adopted, which provided for the election of a board of nine Directors, three members of said board to be elected each succeeding year.
The following Board of Directors were elected at this meeting : Mrs. G. C. Jones, Mrs. Samuel John- son, Mrs. F. J. Atwell, Mrs. W. K. Palmer, Mrs. S. Tryen, Mrs Dr. Mulvane, Mrs. E. C. Chappell, Mrs. P. D. Beckwith and Miss Florence Cushman. From this board the following officers of the association were chosen : President, Mrs. G. C. Jones; Vice Presi- dent, Mrs. S. Johnsen ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Tryon ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. F. J. Atwell; Treasurer, Mrs. Mulvane; Librarian, Miss Florence Cushman.
The following names appear signed to the constitu- tion as charter members : Mrs. Maria Palmer, Aman- da W. Jones, Mrs. Mary E. Lyle, Mrs. H. D. Bowl- ing, Mrs. Lurany B. Dickson, Mary W. Sherwood, Mrs. Emma E. Van Riper, Miss Gertrude Reshore, Mrs. Jerusia E. Bailey, Caroline J. Mulvane, Lillie A. Curtis. The city was then canvassed for subscribers to the capital stock, the amount of which was fixed at $1,000, divided into 500 shares at $2. About two hundred shares were sold, and the enterprise was fairly started. Books were loaned under proper regulations, and citizens began to feel an interest in the movement.
At the second annual meeting, Mrs. S. Johnson was elected President, Mrs. A. S. Prindle, Vice President (she having been elected to fill vacancy by removal of Mrs. Mulvane) ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. F. J. At-
*Eclectice. +Homeopaths.
195
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
well ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Tryon ; Treas- urer, Mrs. Palmer. It was decided that other than one of the Board of Directors was eligible to the office of Librarian, and Miss Kate Kenney was elected to this office. The present officers are : President, Dr. II. S. McMaster; Vice President, Mrs. A. Reshore; Secretary, Mrs. C. J. Greenleaf ; Treasurer, Miss Deda Adams; Librarian, Miss Grace Reshore. Board of Directors, Dr. McMaster, Mrs. Reshore, Mrs. C. J. Greenleaf, Miss Deda Adams, Mr. D. Lyle, Mrs. F. J. Atwell, Mrs. W. M. Farr, Mrs. H. D. Bowling, Mrs. Hattie Sprague.
The library now contains about eight hundred vol- umes, to which additions are constantly being made. At the annual meeting held in April, 1881, the report showed that 2,268 volumes had been drawn during the year. The number drawn during the last quar- ter of 1881, was 915, and the number in January, 1882, was 248.
INCORPORATION-OFFICERS FROM 1858 To 1881.
The first step taken toward the incorporation of Dowagiac as a village was the serving of a notice that application would be made for such purpose, to the Board of Supervisors of Cass County. This notice was dated "Dowagiac, December 22, 1857, and was signed by James Sullivan, Moses Porter, A. Jones, Daniel Larzelere, F. J. Mosher, S. Bowling, J. H. Smith, Jolın Hawks, Noel B. Hollister, A. Townsend, D. H. Wagner, George H. Andrews, R. C. Denison, Gideon Gibbs, A. M. Dickson, James Patton, T. T. Stebbins and James A. Lee.
On the 1st day of February, 1858, the petition was granted, and an election was ordered to be held on Tuesday, the second day of March, at the public house of Nicholas Bock, which was the American Ilouse, now known as the Commercial.
In pursuance of the order of the Board of Super- visors, the election was duly held, Daniel Larzelere, James A. Lee and A. Townsend acting as inspectors. The officers balloted for were a President (Mayor), six Trustees, two Assessors, a Marshal, Treasurer, Clerk, three Street Commissioners, a Pound Master and Fire Wardens. The total number of votes cast for President was 197. Of these Justus Gage re- ceived 127, and Ira Brownell sixty-nine. The highest number of ballots recorded was 202.
The officers chosen at this the first corporation election in Dowagiac were as follows :
President, Justus Gage; Trustees, Harvey Bige- low, Azro Jones, Joel H. Smith, Daniel Larzelere, A. Townsend, Ira Brownell ; Assessors, Rollin C. Denison, Elias Jewell; Treasurer, Henly C. Lybrook ; Clerk, David H. Wagner ; Marshal, John Letts ;
Street Commissioners, Francis G. Larzelere, James A. Lee, Charles B. Foster ; Pound Master, Moses Ami- don.
In 1859, the whole number of votes polled in the village election was two hundred and fifty-five-a gain of fifty-three over the total vote of the preceding year.
Following are the names of those who were elected :
1859-President, Joel H. Smith ; Trustees, Azro Jones, Daniel Larzelere, Daniel Lyle, Ira Brownell, Silas Ireland, Daniel M. Hazelitt ; Marshal, James A. Lee; Treasurer, Francis J. Mosher ; Clerk Strawther Bowling; Assessors, Rollin C. Denison, Gideon Gibbs ; Street Commissioners, Daniel Bates, Daniel McOmber, Henry Michaels ; Fire Wardens, William K. Palmer, Isaiah S. Becraft, J. C. Squier, Noel B. Hollister, Asa Huntington.
1860-For this year the officers were : President, James Sullivan ; Trustees, Silas Ireland, Charles B. Foster, Hubbell Warner, John D. Olney, Morris S. Cobb, David H. Wagner ; Treasurer, William H. Campbell ; Assessor, Ira Brownell ; Marshal, Peter Hannan ; Street Commissioner, William K. Palmer ; Fire Wardens, John Hawks, Daniel Bates ; Pound Master, Nicholas Bock.
1861-President, Joel H. Smith ; Trustees, Gideon Gibbs, P. D. Beckwith, William Griswold, William R. Sturges, William K. Palmer, Azro Jones ; Clerk, Strawther Bowling; Treasurer, Daniel Lyle ; Marshal, Henry Michael ; Assessor, George W. Andrews ; Street Commissioner, Hubbell Warner ; Fire Wardens, C. Squier, John Hawks.
1862-President, Henely C. Lybrook ; Trustees, Abel Townsend, Fredrick H. Ross, Hervey Bigelow, John G. Howard, Elias Pardee, Patrick Hamilton ; Assessor, Joel H. Smith ; Marshal, Ebenezer M. Taylor ; Treasurer, Daniel Lyle ; Street Commis- sioner, William K. Palmer ; Fire Wardens, John Hawks, Asa Huntington, Abel Townsend.
1863-President, Daniel Lyle; Trustees, Daniel Sanders, Philo D. Beckwith, Fredrick H. Ross, C. P. Prindle, Azre Jones, Daniel Larzelere ; Clerk, Strawther Bowling; Treasurer, Albert N. Alward; Marshal. John I. Dennison ; Assessor, Elias Pardee ; Street Commissioner, Isaiah S. Becraft ; Fire Wardens, John Hawks, Theodore Stebbins.
1864-President, Daniel Lyle; Trustees, Philo D. Beckwith, Joel Andrews, Francis J. Mosher, Evan P. Townsend, Daniel Henderson, Frederick II. Ross ; Marshal, Peter Hannan ; Assessor, Elias Pardee ; Treasurer, Albert N. Alward; Street Commissioner, James A. Lee ; Fire Wardens, Gideon Gibbs, John C. Comstock. The record of the election of 1865 has not been preserved.
196
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1866-President, Joel H. Smith ; Trustees, Austin M. Dickson, Gideon Gibbs, Daniel McOmber, Alex- ander H. Mason, Philo D. Beckwith, Daniel Hender- son ; Treasurer, Archibald Jewell; Assessor, Elias Pardee ; Marshal, Peter Hannan; Street Commis- sioner, A. H. Reed; five Wardens, Richard Heddon, George Lyle. The officers for 1867 are not recorded. It appears, however, that the clerk, during 1864-65- 66 and '67, was Strawther Bowling and that G. C. Jones was elected President in the last-mentioned year.
1868-President, Philo D. Beckwith ; Trustees, George D. Jones, Gideon Gibbs, Henry B. Wells, Austin M. Dickson, Daniel Lyle, Frederick H. Ross; Treasurer, Daniel Lyle ; Assessor, Elias Pardee ; Marshal, Charles M. Fletcher ; Street Commissioner, Charles M. Fletcher; Fire Wardens, Theodore S. Stebbins, Thomas W. Adams.
1869-President, Joel H. Smith ; Trustees, Alex- ander H. Mason, Edwin F. Avery, Williard Wells, Francis O. Van Antwerp, Mark Judd, Daniel S. Sanders; Clerk, Henry Michael; Assessor. Elias Pardee; Treasurer, John C. Comstock; Marshal, Peter Hannan; Street Commissioner, Peter Hannan ; Fire Wardens, Charles H. Bigelow, Daniel R. Marr.
1870-President, Elias Pardee ; Trustees, Alex- ander H. Mason, Francis O. Van Antwerp and Will- iam C. Gardner for two years; Thomas W. Adams, Jacob J. Van Riper and George D. Jones for one year ; Treasurer, John C. Comstock ; Assessor, John Patton ; Marshal, Levi S. Henderson; Street Com- inissioner, Levi S. Henderson ; Fire Wardens, Daniel R. Marr, Gideon Gibbs.
1871-President, Lewis E. Wing; Trustees, Thomas Rix, Jacob J. Van Riper and James Atwood for two years; Clerk, David W. Clemmer ; Treas- urer, William G. Howard; Assessor, Elias Pardee ; Marshal, Levi S. Henderson ; Street Commissioner, Levi S. Henderson ; Fire Wardens, Daniel R. Marr, Charles Bigelow.
1872-President, Lewis E. Wing ; Trustees, Zadoc Jarvis (to fill vacancy), Francis E. Warner, B. W. Schermerhorn and Frederick H. Ross, for full term ; Treasurer, Alexander HI. Mason ; Assessor, Elias . Gideon Gibbs, Willard Wells, William P. Grannis ; Pardee ; Marshal, Charles H. Brownell ; Street Com- missioner, Charles H. Brownell; Fire Wardens, George D. Jones, Charles Larzelere. Recorder, Julius O. Becraft ; Treasurer, Thomas W. Adams ; Supervisor, Arthur Smith ; Collector, Rich- ard Heddon; Justice of the Peace, George W. An- drews; Marshal,. Alexander W. Duff; Constables, Alexander W. Duff, Orlando J. Parker, William Larzelere, Levi S. Henderson.
1873-President, Alexander HI. Mason ; Trustees, Edwin F. Avery, Eli Green and Willard Wells, for two years; Clerk, David W. Clemmer ; Treasurer, Rollin C. Osborne ; Assessor. Elias Pardee ; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Levi S. Ilenderson.
1874-President, B. W. Schermerhorn ; Trustees, F. J. Mosher, Samuel Ingling, Daniel McOmber ;
Clerk, David W. Clemmer ; Treasurer, -- - Assessor, W. K. Palmer; Marshal and Street Com- missioner, Levi S. Henderson.
1875-President, B. W. Schermerhorn ; Trustees, Hiram Scoville, Daniel Henderson, Daniel Smith ; Clerk, Charles H. Bigelow ; Treasurer. Burgett L. Dewey; Assessor, George W. Andrews ; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Levi S. Henderson ; Fire Wardens, Orson Buttrick, Edward Wells.
1876-President, Aldis L. Rich ; Trustees, Azro Jones, George W. Adams, Philo D. Beckwith; Clerk, Charles H. Bigelow ; Treasurer, Burgett L. Dewey : Assessor, Henry Michael ; Marshal and Street Com- missioner, Peter Hannan ; Fire Wardens, George H. Genung, Silas C. Doolittle.
1877-President, David W. Clemmer; Trustees, Thomas W. Adams, George D. Jones, Daniel Mc- Omber; Clerk, Frank W. Jones; Treasurer, Bur- gett L. Dewey ; Assessor, Henry Michael ; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Orlando J. Parker ; Fire Wardens, Daniel Rummel, Levi S. Henderson. These officers remained in service less than a month. The last village corporation election was held March 6 of this year (1877), and on the 3d day of the following April was held the first election of officers for the city of Dowagiac, which resulted as follows : Mayor, Freeman J. Atwell; Aldermen, Philo D. Beckwith, George W. Adams, Hiram Scovill, Daniel Blish, Francis O. Van Antwerp, Alexander H. Mason; Re- corder, Frank W. Jones ; Treasurer, Hiram D. Bowl- ing; Supervisor, Arthur Smith ; Justice of the Peace, B. W. Schermerhorn; Collector, Richard Heddon ; Marshal, Orlando J. Parker ; Constables, Levi Gray, Frank E. Peck, Alexander W. Duff, Levi S. Hender- son.
1878-Mayor, Thomas W. Adams; Aldermen, Theodore N. Winchell, Lorenzo Dillingham, Thomas J. Edwards; Recorder, Julius O. Becraft ; Super- visor, Arthur Smith ; Treasurer, Burgett L. Dewey ; Collector, Richard Heddon ; Marshal, Orlando J. Parker; Constables, Alexander W. Duff, Alexander S. Hubbard, Levi S. Henderson, Orlando J. Parker.
1879-Mayor, Burgett L. Dewey ; Aldermen,
1880-Mayor, Ifiram Scovill ; Aldermen, Willis M. Farr, Mark Judd, Silas Doolittle; Recorder, Julius O. Becraft ; Treasurer, Thomas W. Adams ; Supervisor, Arthur Smith ; Collector, Richard Hed-
DOWAGIAC UNION SCHOOL,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
don ; Marshal, Charles H. Dawes ; Constables, Charles H. Dawes, George B. Moore, William Larzelere, Alexander W. Duff.
1881-Mayor, Philo D. Beckwith; Aldermen, Thomas J. Edwards, Myron Stark, Thomas Harwood ; Recorder, Julius O. Becraft; Treasurer, William Gris- wold ; Supervisor, Arthur Smith; Collector, Ephraim C. Adams; Justice of the Peace, B. W. Schermerhorn ; Marshal, Alexander W. Duff; Constables, Alexander HI. Hubbard, Alexander W. Duff, William Larzelere, Levi S. Henderson.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It is probable that the earliest action in regard to the prevention or control of fires in the village was taken in the year 1854. On the 18th of December of that year, a meeting of citizens was held for the purpose of effecting some sort of an organization for the protection of property from the most dreaded of the elements. I. S. Becraft was chosen President of this meeting and E. D. Morley, Secretary. A com- mittee was appointed, consisting of R. C. Denison, Gideon Gibbs and Daniel Lyle, who were authorized to examine the stores, shops and other buildings of the village, and ascertain whether proper precautions had been observed by their owners and occupants to guard against the outbreak of fire within them. It was resolved that ladders should be procured and held in readiness for use should an emergency require. After making a few other provisions for the common safety the meeting was adjourned and there does not appear to have been a very active interest in the matter from this time until the year 1858. Under various dates of this year, the corporation records contain mention of such matters as the procurement of buckets and the building and repairing of cisterns. It was finally decided best to purchase an engine, and on the 10th of November the Council appointed Messrs. Hervey Bigelow, Ira Brownell and Joel HI. Smith as a committee to carry into execution these designs. In the following winter, there was bought of Messrs. Corning & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., the excellent hand engine still in use, together with all of the necessary appliances. The total cost was nearly $1,200, as is shown by the fact that an order drawn January 18, 1860, for one-half of the sum due the manufacturers amounted to $592.50. The present engine house was built at the time the apparatus was procured, and an organization was per- fected, having the name of the Hamilton Fire Com- pany No. 1, of Dowagiac. It was named after Patrick Hamilton, one of the proprietors of the village. About the time it was organized, there was a great Fireman's Tournament at Battle Creek, in
which the Hamilton boys took part. The excellence of the machine and the company who worked it was attested by a triumph in this contest. The first prize was fairly won by the Dowagiac company but for some reason bestowed upon another organization. The second prize was offered to, but indignantly refused by, the Hamiltons, and some time afterward the Messrs. Corning, who manufactured their engine, gave the company a handsome silver trumpet, in com- memoration of the victory they had won and the spirit they had exhibited in declining to accept the second prize when they had honorably earned the first. This trumpet is now in the possession of Peter Hannan, who was the Chief Engineer of Hamilton Fire Company. The company has maintained an almost unbroken existence until very recently. In the winter of 1879-80, a new company was organized, bearing the old name, however, and using the same engine and apparatus that has served the village for over twenty years. Uniforms were procured for the members of the new volunteer organization at a cost of about $250.
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