USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 70
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The Flint Choral Society was the outgrowth of a young people's sing- ing-class which had for its nucleus the pupils of the high school. The society rendered some of the heavier oratorio choruses and a number of Mendels- sohn's part-songs, besides many operatic choruses.
In 1860 the Old Flint Band had become known as Clay's Cornet Band. It numbered at that time as members: S. G. Clay, leader ; C. J. Dewstoe, A. P. Conant, William Stewart, Allen S. Stewart, George W. Hill, D. E. Smith, Thomas Symons, William Charles, W. C. Cummings and George Andrews. Later many changes occurred. Old members resigned and their plaes have been filled by new ones. In 1865 it was reorganized and called the Armstrong Cornet Band, and remained so until J. Henry Gardner's presence infused new spirit into its members and it was christened Gardner's Flint City Band. No better history of its achievements could be given than the numerous press notices of that day. On the occasion of a visit to Detroit, in connection with the commandery of Knights Templar, the city press thus spoke of the band :
"The hundreds that were present soon swelled to thousands, so that it is safe to say that fully three thousand persons listened to them. As they
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came up the street marching with that wonderful precision for which they are famed, they were greeted by a ringing cheer by the crowd which made way for their approach. Instead of their plumes, each man had a neat torch in his helmet, thus presenting a novel and unique appearance and furnished light enough for their music. Their program embraced a fine collection of music-overtures, selections, medleys and some of Gardner's exquisite solo E-flat and Mait Corliss's solo work judiciously thrown in. There is one thing in favor of the band which should be borne in mind : the members of it are gentlemen. They are recruited from the ranks of the business men and the professions in the beautiful city of Flint and constitute a standing advertise- ment for that city which is worth ten times what it costs the citizens."
In 1874 the leader of the band was the recipient from the ladies of Flint of a very elegant testimonial in the shape of a superb gold E-flat cornet, imported from England at a cost of three hundred dollars. Mayor George H. Durand presented the instrument on behalf of the ladies in a most happy speech, which was responded to in fitting terms by Mr. Gardner. During the Centennial year the band accompanied the Detroit Commandery as their musical escort to Philadelphia. An enthusiastic reception awaited them on their return home. They were met at the station by a large concourse of citizens, the Flint Cadets receiving them with military honors, and Col. E. H. Thomson welcoming them says: "I have been deputed in the absence of our worthy mayor and also in behalf of the citizens of Flint to welcome you home again-to the home where loved ones, together with generous and confiding friends, have watched your every movement from the time of your departure. In the providence of heaven you are permitted to return after having traveled from the lakes to the Atlantic seaboard without a casualty of any kind, and I may add in this connection, covered with glory and honor. A wise man hath said. 'He that hath no music in his soul is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils,' and I am afraid that if in your travels such an one had ventured into your presence, that by the power of music, guided by your master-leader, you would have taken him captive and made him confess to the skill and potency of your marvelous proficiency. It is due to you to say that when you left Flint no lingering doubt remained that you would in any manner fail in your high mission, either as gentlemen or musicians, but with all that pride and high character of your musical organ- ization you would honor the noble commandery of the Detroit Knights Templar and stand, like them, at the very head of your profession."
In the summer of 1878 a grand state band tournament occurred at the state capitol. Twenty leading bands of the state participated and, after a
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severe and very spirited contest, which excited the most intense interest, Gardner's Flint City Band bore away the prize, consisting of one hundred dollars in gold and an elegant gold-plated cornet.
"Among the church societies," says Professor Humphrey, "the Metho- dist, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal were the most prominent, the last named being the only church society allowing popular games and danc- ing, taking a liberal view of social enjoyment. This society at one time dur- ing its struggle for a new edifice and equipment, organized a series of social entertainments by which means a large sum was raised toward the purchase of the organ that still does duty at St. Paul's.
"The principal amusement at these entertainments was dancing, the music being volunteered by members of the society, prominent among whom were the Misses Decker, Mrs. E. C. Turner and Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Hum- phrey. It is fitting here to say that these entertainments excelled in point of refinement, moral influence and the elevating of a higher standard of social intercourse more than most other forms of amusement.
"In the seventies and eighties other social organizations sprang into existence. Owing to the natural trend of increasing population and wealth, social distinctions became apparent and society took on more and more exclusiveness. The Married People's Club and Kettle Drum Society became leading factors in social life among the 'Four Hundred.' A commendable feature of these entertainments was punctual observation of the hours of attendance, eight to eleven o'clock p. m. Refreshments were served on each occasion. Sometimes a six o'clock dinner was served, after which dancing followed until. the sounds of 'Home, Sweet Home' from the orchestra announced the hour of departure.
"Among those who had spacious homes for these brilliant affairs were : J. B. and William A. Atwood, Mrs. R. C. Durant, Hon. George H. Durand, B. F. Simington, Dr. J. C. Willson, S. C. Randall, M. S. Elmore, Jerome Eddy, George L. Walker, Oren Stone, Dr. A. A. Thompson and C. T. Bridgman.
"It may be well to mention that many of the fraternal associations gave numerous entertainments during the year, military balls, Knights Templar parties, and one of the most notable events was the leap-year ball given by the ladies of the Masonic families, which eclipsed anything of the kind that occurred before or since."
To keep in memory the days of old, and to gather historical data for a record of the life of the county, there was early organized a-county pioneer and historical society. At early as 1857 the Genesee County Pioneer Asso-
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ciation was formed, pursuant to a public call signed by William M. Fenton, C. C. Hascall, and about one hundred and eighty other citizens of the county. On the last day of December in that year a meeting was held at the hall of the Flint Scientific Institute. Benjamin Pearson was in the chair and Dr. Elijah Drake was secretary of the meeting. A committee was chosen com- posed of William M. Fenton, Edward H. Thomson and H. M. Henderson, charged with the duty of preparing a constitution and by-laws for the pro- posed society. At an adjourned meeting held on Washington's birthday the committee reported a constitution, which was adopted, and the society was organized by the election of the following as officers: President, Hon. Jeremiah R. Smith; recording secretary, Elijah Drake, M. D .; corresponding secretary, Hon. Charles P. Avery ; treasurer, Henry M. Henderson; librarian, Manley Miles, M. D .; vice-president (one in each township of the county) : Atlas, Enos Goodrich; Argentine, William H. Hicks; Burton, Perus Ather- ton; Clayton, Alfred Pond; Davison, Goodenough Townsend; Fenton, Rob- ert LeRoy ; Flint township, John Todd; Flint city, Charles C. Hascall; Flush- ing, John Patton; Forest, John Crawford; Gaines, Hartford Cargill; Gene- see, Sherman Stanley; Grand Blanc, Silas D. Halsey; Montrose, John Mc- Kenzie; Mount Morris, Ezekiel R. Ewing; Mundy, Morgan Baldwin; Rich- field, Jeremiah Standard; Thetford, Benoni Clapp; Vienna, Russell G. Hurd.
It had been the custom of the association to hold annual reunions, at which, after the transaction of the routine business, addresses and narratives of pioneer experience were related by the early settlers. For many years these gatherings were held at Long lake in the town of Fenton (usually in August), and were regarded as occasions of great enjoyment and interest. One of the picnics of the pioneer association was held at the grove at the head of Long lake on August 24, 1882, and the following letter was read from Enos Goodrich, then an aged man, who had for many years been a pioneer of the county :
Watertown, Tuscola Co., Mich., Aug. 23, 1882. To the Pioneers of Genesee County, Greeting :
It is morning, and the sun shines bright on the fields and woods of Watertown, . the place I have adopted for my permanent home, if the home of an old man can be said to be permanent on earth. Yet friendly do my thoughts and memories revert back to old Genesee. She has had my best efforts, for it was within her borders that the prime and manhood of my life was spent. She will always have my best wishes and if, in return, her sons and daughters will some time give a thought to me and my humble efforts in her behalf, they will shed a ray of sunshine along my pathway in the declin- ing years of my life.
ENOS GOODRICH.
(41)
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On August 26, 1886, the pioneers were addressed by Gov. Josiah W. Begole, of Flint, and were also addressed by many of the surviving pioneer men and women of the county, who graced the occasion by their presence and inspired the young by recitals of tales of the early times with their hard- ships and triumphs.
Of the picnics held in 1887 and 1888 no record appears in the press of those dates, but in 1889, on the 29th day of August, the picnic was held as usual, with President Horton in the chair. The picnic was largely attended, Judge William Newton, of Flint, being the speaker of the day, and his address is given in full in the Genesee Democrat of August 31, 1889. This is the first press report of an address in full that we find. . The name of the society was changed at this meeting, to be thereafter known as the Genesee County Union Pioneer Society. The same officers were re-elected. Judge Newton said in part :
"Invited by the favor of your worthy president to address the pioneers of Genesee county, I accepted that duty with reluctance, and great distrust of my ability to do justice to the men and women who were the pioneers of our civilization. I have concluded to address you along the line of 'The Debt that Civilization Owes the Pioneer.'
"Michigan of today is not the Michigan of fifty, forty or even thirty years ago. The elegant houses, the churches and schools of today and the increasing improved farms, weighted down with the rich golden harvests, and orchards bending under the weight of luscious fruits, do not in any sense represent the Michigan of those times. The men and women who settled in Michigan and in this county, while not confined to any par- ticular nationality, were mostly from New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. They brought with them to their chosen field the habits and spirit of their thrifty New England home. They brought with them love of religious freedom, love of the free public school system, and their love of home and the purest morality."
The speaker then referred to the great interest that the owner of a home has in the public weal, saying that "he who defends a home is the truest patriot." Judge Newton, in referring to the primeval conditions said, "The country slept, a wilderness in the arms of nature."
Judge Newton's speech which he delivered on the occasion of this gathering has been placed among the archives of the Genesee County His- torical Society.
The annual picnic and meeting of the Genesee County Union Pioneer Society held on the 29th of August, 1890, was a memorable one. The men
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and women who gathered on this occasion were favored by the presence of Judge Albert Miller of Bay City. There were two picnics that year-one, of dissenters who were not in favor of the place of meeting as previously decided by the directors and who met at the usual place, and another picnic, at Peer's landing. It was at the Peer's landing meeting that Judge Miller spoke. There was a noticeable absence of the old pioneers, as many had died, and the speaker was perhaps the oldest pioneer of the county present, although he had removed from Genesee county and taken up his residence in another locality. Space prevents a full report of Judge Miller's speech. The Judge, however, referred to the time when he knew every white man residing between Waterford and the Straits of Mackinac, when Saginaw had a population, all told, of exactly twenty-eight persons, and when there was not a white settler in either Shiawassee; Lapeer, Clinton, Tuscola or Huron counties. Judge Miller spoke of the time when he came from the mountains and hillsides of Vermont and passed over the oak openings this side of Waterword, thinking of that region as a barren waste. He told of coming to Grand Blanc and to the hospitable roof of Washington Thompson; how he found friends and acquaintances in Harvey Spencer and E. R. Ewings living in that locality. He told how he learned that John Todd, on Flint river, wished to hire a man, so he journeyed to his home and hired out for eleven dollars a month; how he cooked for the family during the illness of Mrs. Todd, in the old trading house of Edward Campau, the Nau-a-ke-zhic, for whom the reserve number seven was made, and which he afterwards sold to Mr. Todd for eight hundred dollars. He spoke of his labors for Todd, the first day cutting a bee-tree, from which they extracted two pails of honey, a vivid reminder of one of Cooper's stories in "Oak Openings." He told of the dances in this year of 1831, of cutting out the road from Flint river to Cass in the fall of that year ; of the first marriage in the county, that of his sister to Eleazer Jewett in October, 1831; of teaching school at Grand Blanc in the winter of 1831-32; of the accession of a large number of settlers in that year, and that Grand Blanc was a larger and more important place than Flint.
In 1893 the annual picnic was held at the old place, and was presided over by Dexter Horton, president. Among the speakers was John Slaight, of Mundy, H. H. Rackman, of Detroit, and G. A. Sutherland, of Argentine. William Evans, of Grand Blanc, aged ninety-six, was the oldest person present, and among those in attendance was Edmund Perry, of Davison, who came to the county in 1826.
In 1894 the picnic was held at Long Lake, August 31, and S. A. Wood,
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of Detroit, gave a biographical account of Judge Leory, who was prominent in the early days of Fenton, owning the first store in Fenton and also being its first postmaster. S. A. Winthrop, of Ft. Wayne, and Judge Gold, of Flint, also made addresses. The picnic of 1896 was at the same place and was addressed by Col. A. T. Bliss, of Saginaw, as the principal speaker. Rev. F. A. Blades, of Detroit, and Rev. O. Sanborn, of Linden, also gave brief addresses.
The picnic of 1896 was the occasion of a debate on free silver, Judge McGrath, of the supreme court of Michigan, speaking on the one side, and Charles E. Townsend, now United States senator, advocating a gold standard.
On August 26, 1897, the pioneers were addressed by Professor Loomis, of Chicago, whose subject was "George Rogers Clark, the Leader of the Rangers of the Revolutionary War Period." He related how the present state of Michigan nearly became a part of Canada, and gave to Clark the credit for saving it to the Union of States. He placed his hero in the highest niche of fame and said that his services to his country were second to none, not even the great Washington. Judge John Miner, of Detroit, also paid a tribute to the sturdy character of the pioneer. At this meeting Dr. H. C. Fairbank, of Flint, was elected historian of the county.
On September 2, 1898, the picnic was held at the "old place," and was called to order by its long-time president, Dexter Horton, of Fenton. Major George W. Buckingham, of Flint, was one of the speakers of the occasion, as was also the Hon. George E. Taylor, of Flint, both of the speakers being sons of old Genesee county settlers. Hon. S. R. Billings was elected histor- ian to fill the place made vacant by the death of Doctor Fairbank.
On August 31, 1899, the members of the Pioneer Society gathered again at the old spot to do honor to the men and women who made Genesee county what it is today. Professor Loomis, of Chicago, was present as one of the speakers, his theme being "Expansion." Judge Waite, of Detroit, also spoke on "Pioneer Life" and the Spanish War, and Milo D. Campbell, of Coldwater, spoke on "Pioneer Patriotism."
On Thursday, August 29, 1901, a crowd of over five thousand persons gathered for the pioneers' picnic, President Horton being the presiding officer of the day. Rev. Mr. Holland, of Perry, addressed the society, comparing the modern methods of life with those of the past, and speaking also on good roads. Rev. Mr. Halliday, of Fenton, was also one of the speakers of the day, and Judge Waite, of Detroit, formerly of Fenton, paid a tribute to the founders of his former home town.
At the annual meeting in 1902, Edwin O. Wood, of Flint, was elected as president of the association, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the
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former president, Mr. Horton. On this occasion George E. Taylor, of Flint, gave a most interesting address replete with narratives of the early days. Rev. S. A. Northrup, of Kansas City, formerly of Grand Blanc, spoke of the benefits of the present educational system, and Clyde McGee, of Farmington, Frederick Dewey, of Grand Blanc, and W. H. S. Wood, of Howell, also made brief addresses.
The pioneers' picnic held at Long Lake on the 3rd day of September, 1903, was largely attended. T. J. Allen, as officer of the day, acted as master of ceremonies. Prosecuting Attorney Williams, of Flint, Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, and Rev. Francis Blades, of Detroit, whose father came to Genesee county in 1835, were among the speakers. Mr. Blades spoke at length on historical matters relating to the Fisher Indians of the Chippewa tribe.
At the thirty-eighth annual pioneer picnic, held at the usual place on Long lake, August 25, 1904, Edwin O. Wood, president, called the gather- ing to order, Thomas J. Allen acting as officer of the day. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Dunning, of Fenton, and speeches were made by Senator James E. Scripps, of Detroit; Charles A. Gower, of Lansing; Judge Joseph B. Moore, of the supreme court, and Dr. J. B. Bradley, of Eaton Rapids. Officers elected for the ensuing year were W. A. Garner, of Flint, president; H. N. Jennings, of Fenton, secretary, and W. A. Wadley, vice-president. At this meeting an organization of the supervisors, officers and ex-officers of the county was effected, with James Van Vleet, of Flint, as president; Thomas J. Allen, secretary, and Stephen Mathewson, treasurer. Charles Bates, of Grand Blanc, aged ninety-five, was the oldest pioneer present. Other aged pioneers were, Timothy Kennie, of Flint, aged ninety-one; Benjamin Rall, of Clayton, aged ninety-one; Mrs. H. A. Kennedy, of Vienna, aged ninety- one; Mrs. Morgan Baldwin, of Mundy, aged eighty-nine; Damon Stewart, of Flint, aged seventy (the oldest pioneer from the county), and a number of others. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Carman, of Burton, who had been wedded for fifty-nine years, and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Buck, of Fenton, who had been married fifty-three years before were of the gathering. Mrs. Ambrose Johnson, of Mundy, mother of fifteen children, grandmother of twenty-four and great-grandmother of three, was also present.
In the year of 1905, on August 31, the society was favored by addresses by D. D. Aitken, mayor of Flint; W. H. S. Wood, of Howell, and the Rev. Charles A. Lippincott, D. D., of Flint. Jarvis E. Albro was elected presi- dent for the ensuing year. In 1906 the speakers were Governor Warner, Lieutenant-Governor Patrick H. Kelley and Congressman Samuel W. Smith. The governor was greeted by Charles Bates, of Grand Blanc, aged ninety- seven; John Reeson, aged ninety-one; David Handy, aged ninety, and
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Thomas Dibble, aged seventy-seven, who had lived in Genesee county for seventy-five years. The Rev. Thomas Wright, ninety-two years old, was also present. Among the speakers was Dewitt C. Leach, aged eighty-four, who was delegate from this county to the constitutional convention of 1850.
In the year 1907, the speakers who addressed the picnic were John J. Carton and Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, and Daniel Davis, of Pontiac. The absence of a number of old pioneers was noticeable, but among those pres- ent was Mr. Sutton, of Fenton, who had just celebrated his ninety-ninth birthday. In 1908 the addresses were made by Congressman Samuel W. Smith, of Pontiac; Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, and L. V. Curry, of Flint township, one of the old pioneers.
A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a county historical society was held in Loyal Guard hall in Flint, January 26, 1915, and a com- mittee appointed to formulate a tentative plan of organization, reported a proposed constitution for the society. The meeting, which was largely attended, was called to order by Fenton R. McCreery, chairman. The report of the committee was adopted and the plan of the organization approved. George N. Fuller, secretary of the Michigan historical commission, was present and delivered an address.
George W. Cook, president of the city board of education, addressed the meeting, followed by William L. Jenks, of Port Huron, member of the state historical commission. Chauncey Cummings, of Flint, was also one of the speakers, as was also the Rev. Seth Reed, the oldest retired clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal conference.
The organization of the Genesee County Historical Society being effected, the following officers were elected: President, Miss Helena V. Walker ; vice-president, Fenton R. McCreery; curator and historian, Francis H. Rankin; secretary, William V. Smith.
The museum which has been established by the society now occupies the second floor of the public library building and is a creditable collection, which promises to be much larger within the next few years. The nucleus of the collection were gifts made by Byron E. Dodge, of Richfield, and Silas Collins, of Grand Blanc, both of whom had been for many years col- lectors of historical relics of the county. These have been added to by other members and the museum at present occupies all of the available space in the building. The Genesee County Historical Society has aroused an enthusiastic interest and bids fair to become a permanent and lasting influ- ence in matters pertaining to the history of the county. The present officers are: President, Fenton R. McCreery; curator and historian, Francis H. Rankin; secretary, W. V. Smith; president emeritus, Rev. Seth Reed. The
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above named officers, with Chauncey Cummings and Edwin O. Wood, con- stitute a board of directors.
The following bit of verse, whose authorship is well known to all, well reflects the spirit of the pioneers and pioneer days in Genesee county :
Who were the men and whence came they Who bravely swung their axes, And felled the forest day by day, Unterrified by taxes?
Of Puritanic stock were some, Self poised. serene and saving ; New York spared others, glad to come, Red men and ague braving.
They brought good wives their toil to share, More than their share oft taking; A heaven on earth with woman's care, Of their log cabins making.
The social life of early days, How pleasantly it glided. Each vied with each in social ways, And no one felt one-sided.
Around those cabins oft at night The skulking wolves came prowling. And, half in dream, half in affright, The sleepers heard their howling.
The timid deer that roamed the wood Fed round the little clearing, And in the distance often stood Half curious-half fearing.
Bright shone the ample fireplace, As winter crept on slowly ; Contentment beamed on every face; Home's altar fire was holy.
How groaned your tables with good cheer When, resting from your labors, Guests came to dance from far and near, A jolly band of neighbors.
What changes in this city fair Have passed before your vision ! Old-timers, you did your full share To make our town elysian.
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