USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 107
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The class was organized with but a few members, among them being Asa and Martha Davis, Nelson and Elizabeth Warren, Joseph and Julia Morford. Asa Davis was the first class-leader. From this small beginning has grown
413
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RICHFIELD CENTRE.
For nearly a score of years this church remained con- neeted with Flint circuit. In 1858-59 it was transferred to Genesee circuit. In 1864-65 it was connected with Forest Dow Otisville) circuit, and in 1873 it was attached to Davison circuit. as at present.
During the early years of its existence, the circuit being a large one. the quarterly meetings were held at widely- separated points, and the older members can remember the long rides taken on sleds or wagons, drawn by oxen. through the dense forests and over the execrable roads, to attend quarterly meetings at Flushing or Flint.
For the first few years the meetings were generally held at private houses, then at the Centre school-house, and since the completion of the town-hall the meetings have been held in that. No steps were taken towards the erection of a church edifice until January of the present year. when a meeting was held at the house of Pheroras Clark, and the society incorporated by electing the following board of trustees : Frederick Olds. Pheroms Clark. William Brown. Albert Powelson, Albert A. Elmore. Truman Drake. Nathan Root. Melvin Woolman, and - Couck. Fred- erick Olds. Melvin Woolman, and Truman Drake were chosen to set as a building committee.
A site, containing three quarters of an acre, was purchased of F. E. Stoddard for the sum of 875, and werk was begun on the church early in the spring. At present (August. 1579) the frame is up. but the house is not finished. The size of the building is 35 by 55 feet. and it is estimated to cet 82000 when finished. The laying of the corner stone was made the occasion of quite a celebration, which was participated in by a large number of people. It occurred on the 24th of June. 1579, and at 11 o'clock A.M. the stone was laid in place by the presiding elder. Rev. A. F. Bournes, assisted by George Garnett. The exercises cou- sisted of addresses ly Revs. A. G. Blood. of Otisville : E. D. Daniels, of Detroit : (. Mendenball. of Richfield Cen- tre : O. Sanborn, of Linden: W. C. Way, of Holly : H. S. White, of' Port Huron : and T. J. Joslin, of Flint, and singing by the choir. In the cavity of the stone the fol- lowing articles were placed. viz. :
A tin-box. dimensions 10 inches long and 5 inches wide and deep, inclosing copies of the Discipline of the Metb- odist Episcopal Church. National Registry. New York nual Reports of Missionary and Freemen's Aid Societies. Minutes of Detroit Annual Conference 1975). Report of Church Extension Society. Report of Committee on Revision of Hymn-Book. Catalogue of Albion College, names of the officers of Methodist Episcopal Church of Richfield, and a portrait of Mrs. Copp. the pastor's wife.
The parsonage belonging to the circuit is located at Da- vison's Station. and has recently been completed at a cost of abon: 8-30.
The first preachers, whose names are now remembered. were Revs. Steele, Francis Bangs. - Jennings, Alfred Allen, Wiliam Mothersil. - Cowles, and - Reed. Their meeting were generally hell on week-day evenings. at the _ school house at the centre, er at the " red side"
school-house in the southwest part of the town. The list of pastors herewith given is somewhat incomplete, part of it having been obtained only through the recollection of some of the members. We name them as follows: Rev. S. P. Lee. 1851 : Thomas Wakelin. 1855; E. C. Wright, 1859; R. Johnson, 1860; L. S. Tedman. 1863; N. W. Piene, 1866-67 : A. Gee. 1868; L. S. Tedman, 1869-71; W. J. Clack, 1872 ; L. S. Tedman. 1873-75; W. M. Camp- bell. 1876: James Balls. 1877; R. Copp. 1ST8; E. B. Daniels, the present pastor, commencing in July, 1879.
The membership of the church has never been very large, probably not exceeding 30 at any time, and at present is about 25. The board of trustees remains as first chosen; Pheroras Clark is the present class-leader ; Frederick Oids and Melvin Woolman are the stewards ; and Goodenough Townsend is the recording steward of the cirvnit.
The first protracted meeting in Richfield was held by Elder Cowles. in the winter of 1844-45, at the house of Mr. Pheroras Clark. There was no place of meeting large enough to accommodate the congregation that assembled. so Mr. Clark had the partitions in his house taken down, thus making the whole ground-foor into one large room, and there the meetings were held. continuing for a period of about three weeks. and resulting in the conversion of quite a large number of people.
From an early period there has been a Sabbath-school connected with this church. Part of the time it has been a union school. but in the spring of the present year it was organized as a Methodist school. with the following officers : Superintendent. Truman Drake : Assistant Superintendent. Melvin Wochman : Secretary. Melvin Woolman : Treasurer, Herry Chapman ; Librarian, Charles Woohnan.
The Protestant Methodists next put in an appearance, and onmanized a class at Matthews' Corners as early as the year 1545. Lyman Blodgett was the first class-leader, and after flourishing a few years the class was broken up. In 1558-59 it was revived under the same leadership. receiving the name of
THE COTTAGE CLASS OF RICHFIELD.
the name being derived from the school-house in which the meetings were held.
It was then an appointment on Marathon circuit. Blod- gett remained class-leader until a revival occurred in the winter of 1559-60. adding a good many members to the class, when he was succeeded by Cyrus A. Matthews.
Commencing with $ members, it has increased to 23, which is the present number.
Considering the fact that the denomination has built two churches in other parts of the town, it is not to be won- dered at that this class has no: yet undertook to build a house of worship.
The present officers are Wallace W. Moore, Class-leader ; Perry Van Wormer. Stewand ; Cyrus A. Matthews, Circuit Steward.
There has been a summer Sabbath-school at the corners for twelve or fifteen years, of which Richard Garlock mas the first superintendent. At present the school numbers. including ( Meers and teachers, about 50. and is officered as follows: W. W. Moore, Superintendent : Newton Ureh. Treasurer : Sylvanus Munger. Librarian.
419
RICHIFIELD TOWNSHIP.
FIRST PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH OF RICHFIELD.
The second class of the Protestant Methodist denomina- tion was that known as the Cook class, and was organized at the Cook school-house, by O. HI. P. Green, Ang. 9, 1851. The class then numbered about 20 members. Among them were Andrew and Irena Cook, Josiah and M. King, John and Roxy Hibbard, William Kinsman and wife, John Hib- bard, Jr., and wife, Zebulon Dickinson and wife, William Throop and wife, Nathaniel Blackmer and wife, and George Williams and wife. Josiah King was the first class-leader, and George Williams the first steward.
For about fifteen years the meetings were held at the Cook school-house, but at the expiration of that time the society considered itself strong enough to warrant it in undertaking to build a church. In the winter previous (1865-66) a protracted meeting had been held by the pas- tor, Rev. A. C. Fuller, and had resulted in the conversion of some seventy persons, a large share of whom naturally united with this class.
The first day's circulation of the subscription paper secured the sum of $1600, Mrs. Irena Cook heading the list with a subscription of $500. The desired amount was very quickly secured, Mrs. Cook donating an acre of ground near the northwest corner of section 20 for a site, and work on the church was immediately begun in April, 1St6. The building was finished in the following December, and was dedicated early in January, 1867, by Rev. Mr. Mahan, president of Adrian College. Its size is 30 by 50 feet, and cost, including furnishing, the sum of $2168. It was built by John W. Moore, under the supervision of a building committee consisting of John Hibbard, Jr., Sereno G. Lucas, David Parker, Edwin Tanner, William Jennings, David W. Hiller, and Mr. Glover.
The society was incorporated at a meeting held at the church, May 16, 1867. John Hibbard, Jr., presided. D. W. Hiller acted as secretary, and John Hibbard, Jr., D. W. Hiller, and Sereno G. Lucas were elected trustees.
The present membership is SO, and the present officers are Jared Hiles, Class-leader ; J. P. Ililler, Steward; D. W. Hiller, II. C. Hill, Edwin Tanner, Trustees.
This church, which is commonly called the " Brown Church," from the color with which the building is painted, has always been an appointment ou Flint circuit, and has been served by the following pastors: Revs. O. II. P. Green, O. Earls, Charles Mann, O. II. P. Green, - Hobson, Thomas Plackett, C. D. Covil, J. A. Nichols, Thomas Howland, G. M. Lyon, Amos Bradshaw, John Selby, II. W. Hicks, A. C. Fuller, C. S. Green, F. Traver, D. Whiteley, Robert Mulholland, S. Riley, A. C. Fuller, R. C. Myers, William Pope, C. D. Covil, and B. F. Wright, who is the present pastor.
There were quite extensive revivals of religion under the preaching of Revs. Nichols, Fuller, and Wright, the num- ber of converts being reported respectively at 100, 70, and 90.
Of the Sabbath-school Andrew Cook was superintendent for several years, and was probably the first one. At pres- cut the school numbers about 60 members. D. W. Hiller is the superintendent, and William Jennings, Jr., is the secretary and treasurer.
RIVER CHAPEL.
This organization resulted from the labors of a local preacher of the Protestant Methodist denomination named Jefferson Teller, who resided at Richfield Centre. Being quite a good singer, as well as an exhorter, he was quite successful in a series of meetings he held at the Miles school-house, one mile north and one mile east of Richfield Centre. Quite a revival followed his labors there. and a class of 15 members was formed. Their names were Wil- liam and Mary Amy, Oscar and Sabra Clemons, Joseph and Orvilla Weber, Peter and Betsey All, Avery and Susan Miller. Esther Miles, Loretta Miller, L. A. Harter, JJudson Miller, and Mrs. N. Maxwell. William Amy was appointed class-leader and Oscar Clemons steward.
This was also an appointment on Flint circuit, and the same pastors-commencing with Rev. Robert Mulholland- that preached at the Brown Church have also preached here.
The meetings were held in the Miles school-house until the 1st of January, 1879, when the school-house was closed against religions meetings, and steps were then taken to build a house of worship. A meeting was held at the house of Samuel Miles in February, at which meeting the society incorporated by electing Oscar Clemons, George Cottrell, and Samuel Miles trustees.
A church site of one-half' aere, on the northwest corner of section 14, was purchased of Asa Miller for 850, a building committee, consisting of D. W. Hiller, Samuel Miles, George Cottrell, Oscar Clemons, and Frank Miller, was appointed, and on the 11th of March work was actively begun. The church, which is a frame building 28 by 40 feet in size, was finished in June, and cost about $1000. It was dedicated June 29, 1879, by Rev. G. B. MeElroy, of Adrian College. His text was, " It is more blessed to give than to receive."
The church at present numbers 25 members. Oscar Clemons is the class-leader and Ransom Withey the steward.
William Amey was superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which was organized about the time the church was. R. H. Cottrell is the present superintendent, and the school num- bers about 30 scholars.
FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH OF RICHFIELD.
This society was organized by Rev. Almon Jones, in the Cook school-house, some time in 1851-52. It then num- bered about 15 membors. Alvah Rogers was the first deacon.
The meetings were held at the school-house until the Union or White Church was built. Then the meetings were held there, the members of this society owning a considerable share of its stock. For the present year no preaching has been done here by this denomination.
Revs. Almon Jones, Cephas Goodrich, Samuel Currier, F. P. Angir, C. B. Mills, and G. B. McElroy have served as pastors of this church.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH IN RICHFIELD.
This belongs to the Roman Catholic denomination, and is in the Detroit diocese.
The church at Flint had several members living in the southeast part of Richfield, most of whom were Germans
420
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
and understood the English language quite imperfectly. The priest at Flint not being able to preach in German, meetings were held at the houses of some of these mem- bers, and Father John Busche, of Lapeer, came and preached to them in their native tongue.
Iu the spring of 1871 a church was organized by Father Quinn, with about 25 communicants, and steps were taken to build a church. Mrs. Magdalen Conrad donated 1 } acres of land for a church site and burial-ground, and a church 20 by 40 feet in size was ereeted at a cost of about $1000. Among those who contributed to this object were B. Courad, Joseph Schmidt, Jacob Haunel, Ludwig Snoor, Jacob Donner, Alexander Collins, and Thomas Cain.
The first trustees were B. Conrad, Joseph Schmidt, and Thomas F. Hogan. The present ones are Ludwig Snoor, Jacob Hannel, and George Straffel.
The church has always been connected with the Flint or Lapeer churches, and has consequently never had a resident pastor.
At present the church numbers about 40 members.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF RICHFIELD.
For nearly twenty-five years prior to the organizing of this society ministers of the Christian denomination had preached in the "red-side" school-house, in the southwest part of Richfield, to accommodate those members of the Davison's Station Church who lived in that neighborhood. After the building of the union church the meetings were held there.
March 8, 1873, a meeting was held for the purpose of forming a church society, and after consultation William Munger, Daniel B. Skinner, William J. Phillips, Jacob Shafer, and Benjamin Bidleman were appointed to draw up articles of association to present at an adjourned meet- ing. March 22d they reported, and an organization was effeeted with the following members : Daniel B., Catharine, A. A., Doretta A., and E. A. Skinner, Jacob and Catharine Shaffer, Fernando, Harriet, and Anna Dewey, William J. and Nancy M. Phillips, W. W. and Fanny Throop.
The following is a copy of a portion of the articles of association reported, viz. :
" ARTICLE 1. We, whose names are hereunto annexed, do hereby agree by the help of the Lord to walk together as a church of Christ, faithfully maintaining its ordinances, taking the Bible for our only rufe of faith, the New Testament for our guide in practice, church order, and discipline, making Christian character the only test of fellowship.
" And wherens, Good men honestly differ in opinion, and every one must give account of himself to God, therefore,
" Resolved, That we extend to each individual the God-given right to ' search the Scriptures' and understand for themselves, and in all matters of opinion we will not censure each other but exereise charity, and in all things strive to keep the uuity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, and no one can rightfully be subjected to trial or exclusion but from want of Christian character."
From the time of its organization the church has always been at peace with all the world, and perfect harmony has always prevailed among its members. The circle of mem- bership, now enlarged to 38, has not yet been broken by the visit of the angel of death.
The pastors of this church have been two in number.
Rev. S. Snyder, who organized it, remained in the pastoral charge for a little more than four years, and was-Oct. 14, 1877-succeeded by Rev. Cyrus Mendenhall, who still re- tains that relation to the church.
The society has never built a church, but owns, through its members, about one-third of the union church, where the meetings are held, this being the only society now oceu- pying it for purposes of religious worship.
The first officers of the church were as follows : William J. Phillips, Chairman; A. A. Skinner, Secretary ; Fer- nando Dewey, Treasurer ; Daniel B. Skinner and Jacob Shafer, Deacons ; all of the above named, Trustees. The present officers are the same, with the exception of George Cotharin, Treasurer.
RICHFIELD UNION LYCEUM BUILDING SOCIETY.
Pursuant to a notice properly given, the citizens met at the school-house in District No. 1, on the 9th of February, 1867, for the purpose of organizing a society to build a church opposite the Union burying-ground, to be used on funeral occasions and for purposes of religious worship. Rev. Samuel Currier was choseu chairman and Daniel B. Skinner secretary. A committee of five was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the government of the society, and the meeting then adjourned.
Before the time for the adjourned meeting it was de- cided to organize under the provisions of chapter lxi. of the Revised Statutes; and under a warrant issued by A. A. Drake, Esq., justice of the peace, a meeting was called, and held at the White school-house. William J. Phillips presided, and William Munger acted as secretary. Resolu- tions, adopting the name above given and declaring the purpose of the organization, were adopted. It was resolved to issue shares of $5 each to the amount of $2000, and expend that sum in building the edifice. The following officers were also chosen at that meeting: President, Orsi- mus Cooley ; Secretary, William J. Phillips ; Treasurer, Daniel B. Skinner ; Trustees, John Van Buskirk, David Dickinson, Henry G. Cook, and Norman Treadwell ; Build- ing Committee, John Van Buskirk, William Munger, R. C. Lombard, Orsimus Cooley, and Daniel B. Skinner.
The plan presented by Charles Rose, of Genesee, was approved, and the building was erected by him. Work was begun as early as practicable that spring, and the building was completed in the fall. In the latter part of November, or the early part of December, it was dedicated by Rev. C. Dearing, of Romeo. Its total cost was about $3000, all of which was paid or pledged before the dedication.
The annual meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of business is held at six o'clock P.M. of the first Monday in February in each year.
The present board of officers is composed as follows : President, John Van Buskirk ; Secretary, William Munger ; Treasurer, Daniel B. Skinner ; Trustees, David Dickinson, H. G. Conger, James Cooley, Edwin Fuller.
RICHFIELD UNION BURYING-GROUND SOCIETY.
The inhabitants of the town formerly buried their dead in different parts of the town in private or family grounds, but this practice was found uusatisfactory, and in 1840 it
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RESIDENCE OF HON. S. R. BILLINGS, RICHFIELD, MICH.
421
RICHFIELD TOWNSIIIP.
was decided to have a public ground where all could bury, and where the resting-places of the dead could be more conveniently cared for than when they were so widely seat- tered. In view of this object, Orsimus Cooley, Phineas J. Tucker, Isaac Tucker, William Teachout, and Lyman Curtis purchased half an acre of ground of P. J. Tucker for $10, cleared it, and, inclosing it with a rail-fence, opened it to the public. At subsequent times additions have been made, until the ground now contains 1} acres. An association was formed a number of years ago to take control of the ground, and is still in existenee, although the record of its organization is lost. Its present officers are William Muu- ger, President ; Simeon R. Billings, Secretary ; William J. Phillips, Treasurer.
There is another burying-ground on the north side of the river, on the north line of section S, which contains a little more than an acre of ground, and was purchased of Myron Benjamin, in the spring of 1857, for the sum of $5. The purchase was authorized by a meeting of the citizens, which elected Argalus H. Matthews, Thomas J. Stimpsou, and Ralph Stimpson trustees to obtain and hold the title. They are still acting in the same capacity.
The ground was cleared under contract by Bradford O. Carpenter for $62.25.
The first burial was that of Isaac L. Matthews, in the fall of 1858.
SOCIETIES.
The only society in Richfield representing the many fra- ternities is a Lodge of Good Templars known as
ELEANOR LODGE, NO. 93, I. O. G. T.
It was the outgrowth of an interest in the work of tem- perance reform aroused at a lecture given by John R. Clark at the town-hall on the evening of the 5th of April, 1879, and was given its name in honor of the wife of the speaker. It was formally instituted at F. E. Stoddard's hall, on the 12th of April, by A. J. Kellogg, of Otisville, Distriet Deputy, with 29 charter members.
The membership has increased to 33, and regular meet- ings are held every Saturday evening at Stoddart's Hall.
The first officers, who are also the present ones, are as follows : W. C. T., William H. Smith ; R. H. S., W. F. Amy ; L. H. S., Miss Mattie Fuller ; W. V. T., Mrs. Har- riet A. Clark ; W. Sec., Merritt Hutchins ; W. A. Sec., Alonzo A. Dibble ; W. F. Sec., Miss Flora Miles ; W. Treas., William II. Coe; W. Chap., Henry Chapman ; W. M., George Lawrence; W. D. M., Miss Fanny Grove ; W. I. G., Miss Susie Kornung; W. O. G., George Kilbreth ; P. W. C. T., W. H. Chapman ; L. D., Merritt Hutchins.
In closing this sketeh the historian desires to return his most hearty thanks to those kind and considerate friends who have so generously assisted him in his labors, and have thus enabled him to make a much more complete and satis- factory sketch than he could have possibly done had they all been as disobliging and discourteous as was one man who brusquely refused to listen for a moment or give the least information, though the historian had, upon the recom- mendation of many citizens, walked four miles through the hot sun and dusty roads to see him. To him we owe no thanks; to the others, many and hearty ones.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SIMEON R. BILLINGS
was born in the township of Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y., March 17, 1835, the fifth of a family of six children. Ilis father, Col. Laurence Billings, was born in the township of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N. Y., March 21, 1801. He was a farmer, and soon after his marriage to Miss Roxana Roxford he emigrated to what was then the wilds of West- ern New York, Orleans County. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of the Holland Purchase. It was all new, but Mr. Billlings' industry soon made the "wilderness blos- som as a rose," and a fine farm is the result of his labor. Upon it he still resides at the age of seventy-eight years. In early life he took a great interest in military affairs, and was at one time colonel of a militia regiment. On the old homestead Simeon grew to manhood, receiving an academic education ; after which his summers were passed on his father's farm, the winters in teaching in New York and Michigan. After his first marriage he purchased a farmu in the town of Kimball, Orleans Co., in which he resided until 1867, when he sold and moved to Richfield, Genesee Co., Mich., buying what is known as the Cook farm. On this farm he has built a fine house and barn, and made many improvements, which have placed it in the front rank of fine farms of Genesee County; in 1871 it took the first premium, awarded by the Agricultural Society for the best farm in the county.
Mr. Billings has always been a Republican, and has taken an active interest in political matters. In Orleans County he held township offices. Since coming to Michigan he has been three terms supervisor of his township, and has three times been elected and served as county surveyor. In 1875 the people of his representative distriet, recognizing his abilities and his fidelity, elected him to represent them in the State Legislature, which place he filled with such acceptance that they re-elected him in 1877. In 1879 he was again placed before the people by his friends,-this time as a candidate for the State senatorship, to which po- sition he was elected by a large majority. In both houses he served as chairman of the committee on State affairs, and was highly complimented by the President of the Senate. The Lansing Republican, in speaking of the leading sen- ators, says : " Mr. Billings is rapid and impetuous, rather sarcastic, an uncompromising fue to all class or special legis- lation ; his only defect being an indistinct utterance, which was more than counterbalanced by his sterling honesty." By his fellow citizens he is looked upon as one of Genesee's enterprising and representative men.
Mr. Billings married for his first wife Miss Carrie E. Gray, who was born at Carlton, Orleans Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1839 ; died April 24, 1868. She was a daughter of Everett and Elizabeth ( MeCauley ) Gray. Resultant of their union were two children, viz., Bertha II., born Aug. 2, 1863, and Willie G., born March 24, 1866. For his second wife he married Miss Nancy R. Ashley, born in Genesee Co., Mich., Feb. 2, 1842, and daughter of Samuel J. and Helen ( Wylie) Ashley. There has been born to them one child, Carrie E., born May 3, 1874.
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