History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 47

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 47

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The interest in the enterprise continually increasing, on Oct. 18, 1867, letters missive were issued to the churches of the order in Lansing-St. John's, Owasso, East Saginaw, Pontiac, Detroit, Romeo, Almont, Adrian, Vienna, Burton, Grand Blanc, and Goodrich-to assemble on Oct. 20, 1867, at Flint, by pastor and delegate, with Rev. J. W. Hough, of Saginaw City, Rev. Frank P. Woodbury, of Jackson, and Rev. Herbert A. Reed (the State Home Missionary agent), of Marshall, in council, to advise as to the forma- tion of a church, and to aid therein if the enterprise were approved. The council duly convened, organized with Rev. J. G. W. Cowles, of East Saginaw, as moderator, and C. B. Stebbins, Esq., of Lansing, as scribe.

After mature consideration the proposition to form the church was heartily indorsed, the confession of faith fully approved, and on the following day (Sunday) a courmittee of the council assisted in the formation of the church, and in behalf of the council extended to it fraternal recognition. There were 40 members, 38 of whom joined by letter and 2 on profession of faith. On November Ist following, 6 more were received; on Jan. 3, 1868, there were 15 ac- cessions ; on February 28th, 31 ; on June 25th following, 5; and on December 30th next thereafter, 11; making a membership of 108, gathered during the first fifteen months. George HI. Holman and Egbert L. Bangs were chosen the first deacons.

Meantime proper steps were being taken to form an eccle- siastical society to take care of the temporalities of the church, and on the 12th day of November the Congrega- tional Society of the city of Flint became fully organized by the election of nine trustees, three for one year, three for two years, and three for three years, pursuant to the articles of association.

The first trustees were Royal C. Ripley, Charles C. Far- rar, William L. Smith, Henry R. Lovell, Isaac C. Van Epps, Robert Pearson, George R. Gold, George Andrews, and De Witt Parker. Of these Royal C. Ripley was made president of the board of trustees, George R. Gold, clerk, and Henry R. Lovell, treasurer. The enterprise having thus become organized in its several departments, the pro- visional committee resigned their powers, and received the thanks of the church and society for their labors.

On Jan. 3, 1868, Rev. Frank P. Woodbury was by unanimous vote of the church "invited to become the pastor and teacher of this church," and on the 11th day of the same month this action was unanimously concurred in by the society, and the salary fixed at $1500, with a vacation of six weeks during the year, at such time as the

pastor should choose to take it. The call was cordially accepted, and the pastorate filled with entire acceptance to the people until the close of July, 1870, when Mr. Wood- bury resigned on account of ill health.

Early in May, 186S, a church site was secured at the southeast corner of Saginaw and Second Streets, in the Second Ward, and on the 11th of the same month, on motion of William L. Smith, the society voted, " that we proceed at once to erect a house of worship for the church and society." Thereupon, R. C. Ripley, Charles Smith, II. R. Lovell, G. H. Holman, and Zelotes Trucsdel were chosen a building-committee, with power to designate their chairman, aud discretionary power to adopt plans, raise funds, and carry on the work, subject to revision of the society or trustees. The committee made H. R. Lovell their chairman, and set vigorously about the execution of their trust. Plans for a chapel, prepared by F. T. Oliver, architect, were procured and adopted, and the building was begun in June and completed and dedicated on November 22d following. The chapel was furnished by the Ladies' Aid Society very tastefully out of funds raised by it for the purpose. The whole expense of site, building, and furnishing was about $8500. Cordial and timely aid was given the project by many citizens not members, and gen- eral good-will was shown to the young church and society. Among the donations noticeable for the generosity aud modesty of the giver may be named that of the late Hon. Levi Walker, then an elder of the Presbyterian Church, who, in the evening before dedication, unsolicited and in the dark shipped into the hands of the chairman of the building-committee a hundred-dollar treasury note " to help the cause," and hastily left before the extent of his gift could be known. The Congregational Union gave $500 " to pay last debts." But still the bulk of the funds came from the pockets of the members of the church and society.

On Feb. 6, 1869, the building-committee assumed all the indebtedness of the society on account of building its chapel, the society having relinquished to it all unpaid sub- scriptions therefor, and the latter then became possessed of its chapel free of debt. During the following spring lec- ture-rooms were finished off in the basement at an expense of about $500.

The church ceased to be a missionary one at the close of the first year. It steadily increased in membership during Mr. Woodbury's pastorate, and numbered 129 when he left. His salary after the second year was $1800. Ilis departure was deeply regretted by all. After months of weary candidating, in January, 1871, the Rev. B. D. Conk- ling was unanimously called to the pastorate. He accepted and entered upon his labors the first Sunday in February following,-salary $1500. IIe was an able and godly young man, but his temperament was so different from that of Mr. Woodbury that he failed to give general satisfaction, and resigned in September following. Fifteen joined the church during his pastorate.

In January, 1872, the Rev. Edward W. Baron, of New Haven, Conn., was unanimously called to the pastorate,- salary $2000, and $500 removal expenses, and accepted the call. Ile served the church and society until failing

175

FLINT CITY.

health compelled him to resign in March, 1875. During his ministry 84 were added to the church. In the second year of his pastorate the parsonage was procured for the society, and its use furnished him as added support. Under his lead the church took decided ground in favor of tem- perance during the women's crusade, a position it has ever since maintained. This cost the society considerable loss of support from those engaged in and sympathizing with the liquor traffie, but the loss was borne rather gladly than otherwise. It was l'elt a great reproach was removed.

In September, 1875, the Rev. Richard Cardely, D.D., came from Lawrence, Kan., to minister to this people, and continued his labors among them until April, 1878. Ilis salary, at first $1500, was the second year increased to $1500 and the use of the parsonage. Forty-four were added to the church during his ministry. Ile was an able sermon- izer and disereet pastor, with " an eye single to duty."

In July, 1878, the present pastor, Rev. Frederick S. IIayden, was called to the pastorate and accepted it the following August. Since his coming there have been 14 accessions to the church, making a total of 286 members since its formation to May 10, 1879. Of these, 117 joined on profession of their faith and 169 by letter. Seventy-one members have withdrawn by letter and 15 have " entered into that rest," leaving a present membership of 200.

Deaeon Holman having declined re-election was, in No- vember, 1873, succeeded in office by Washington A. Baron, who vacated it by death October G, 1876. In October, 1874, Ira Chase was chosen deacon, and in November, 1877, I. C. Van Epps was also chosen to that office. The last two, with Deacon Bangs, are still in office. In Oeto- ber, 1874, Mrs. Mary M. Gold and Mrs. Sophronia B. Gordon were chosen deaconesses.

The Sabbath-school of this church has been well eared for and usually prosperous. Formed with Wm. L. Smith as superintendent, it attained its greatest strength and in- fluence during Mr. Woodbury's pastorate. Mr. Smith continued superintendent by annual re-election until Janu- ary, 1870, when, declining further service, he was succeeded in turn by Deacon Holman, Prof. Rufus E. Phinney, Wm. Stevenson, Esq., Miss Julia A. King, Chas. T. Bridgman, and Damon Stewart, the latter of whom " continues to the present time."

The singing of the church is congregational in eharae- ter, is led by a precentor accompanied by the organ, and generally aided by a choir. It was at first led for several years by that best guide of congregational singing, William Stevenson, Esq., and afterwards by Mrs. Woodbury, Mr. Ilaver, Mr. Parker, Mr. Neale, Mr. IIohnan, and others, and now by Prof. Gardner with his cornet. In addition to the trustees first chosen the following-named persons have served the society as trustees, viz. : Charles Smith, Henry II. Woodruff, Zelotes Truesdel, Oscar M. Brownson, Chas. T. Bridgman, David P. Halsey, John Orrell, David S. Fox, Iliram Smith, Benj. W. W. Symington, Ira W. Wilder, Edward B. Clapp, and William Fobes. The present offi- eers of the board are G. II. Holman, President ; C. T. Bridgman, Secretary ; and Charles Smith, Treasurer. The church and society are well united in their pastor, and have a prosperous outlook for their work.

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHI.

This church, which is located in the Fourth Ward, was organized in the year 1868, with a membership of 40. Very soon after the formation of the society measures were taken for the erection of a church, which was completed the same year. The edifice is of brick, 60 feet in length by 34 in width, and was built at a cost of $5200. The membership has since increased to 70. The pastor is Rev. Lewis Brumm, and the trustees are John Zimmerman, J. Baker, E. Raab, E. Sager, W. Weimer, J. Foub, and G. Ackerman.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

This society was organized about three years since, and own a house of worship located on Seventh Street, near Saginaw Street. Service is held every other Sabbath, the officiating pastor being Rev. C. W. E. Gilmore, who resides in Saginaw, and includes the church at Flint in his circuit.

The young men of the church have a debating society, the meetings of which are held on Friday evening of each week. A small admission fee is charged, which is devoted to the payment of the church debt, for which purpose the club was organized. The trustees are Geo. Bradley, Henry Fields, and Samuel Lawrence.

THE CEMETERIES.

In the year 1835 a piece of ground, an acre in extent, and known to the present residents of Flint as the " Old Patterson Homestead," in the Third Ward (bounded on the south by Fifth Street, west by Grand Traverse Street, north by Court Street, and east by Church Street), was decded by Wait Beach and Eunice, his wife, to the super- visors of the county of Genesee, to be used for a burial- ground. This plat was in use about eight years, and 25 interments were made in it, when it was vacated.

" Ax ACT to authorize the County Commissioners of the County of Gene- gre to varate a certain burying-ground.

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the State of Michigan, that the County Commissioners of the County of Geuesce be, and they are hereby, authorized to vacate the present burying-ground in the village of Flint in said county ; pro- vided they, the said County Commissioners, sball first procure an equal quantity of ground in said village of Flint, or adjacent thereto, to be used and occupied as a common burying-ground.

"Section 2. That said burying-ground shall not he vacated until after all bodies interred on said ground shall be raised and re-juterred in some other grounds.

" JOHN BIDDLE, " Speaker of the House of Representatives. "THOMAS J. DRAKE, " President of the Senate, pro tem.

" Approved April 9, 1841.

"J. WRIGHT GORDON.

" A truc copy.

" THOMAS ROWLAND, " Secretary of State."

The disinterments were made, and a new location chosen in 1841, on a plat now known as the " Old Burial-Ground," which may be described as located on the north side of the Richfield road, about one-half mile east of Saginaw Street, on Kcarsley Street. The deed of conveyance is annexed :

176

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

"CHARLES C. ILASCALL TO

BOARD OF HEALTH FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF FLINT.

" This indenture, made the seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, between Charles C. Ilascall and Nancy, wife of the said Charles, of the first part, and the Board of Health for the township of Flint, in the County of Genesce, and their successors in office of the secon I part : Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the som of three hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and ac- knowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, remised, released. aliened, and confirmed, and by these presen's doth grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien, and confirm unto the said party of the second part, and to their successors in office forever, the following described parcel of land to be used for a burying-ground, and for no other purpose what- ever, viz. : beginning at a point being the intersection of the north line of road number forty-nine, running from the cast enl of Court Street north twenty-four degrees cast and the west line of said Ilascall land : thence north along said line north thirty-two degrees ten min- utes west six chains fifty-eight links to an oak-tree on bank of marsh ; thenee on a line parallel with said road ( No. 49) three chains seventy- seven links ; thence southerly at right angles west said road to the north line of the same ; thence south twenty-four degrees west on said north line seven chains forty links to the place of beginning, containing three acres of land, together with all and singular the hereditaments and ap- purtenanees thercanto belonging or in anywisc appertaining, and the reversion and reversion's remainder and remainder's rents, issues and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim, or demand whatever of the party of the first part. either in law or equity, of, in, and to the above premises, with the said hereditaments and apporte- nances : To have and to hold the said premises as above described, to- gether with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part and to their successors in office forever. And the said party of the first part, for their heirs, executors, and administrators, doth covenant, grant, bargain, and agree, to and with the parties of the second part and their successors iu office, that at the time of the unsealing and delivery of these presents they are well seized of the premises, con- veyed as of a good, absolute, and indefeasible estate of inheritance in the law, in fee-simple, and that the said lands and inheritance are free from all incumbrances whatever, and that the above-bargained prem- ises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said parties of the second part and their successors in office against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming, or to claim the whole or any part there- of, he will forever warrant and defend.

" In witness whereof, the said parties of the first part hare here- unto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

" Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of Asa Andrews, John L. Gage.

" CHARLES C. HASCALL. [SEAL] " NANCY HEASCALL." [SEA1.]

In the year 1842 a plat of ground was deeded by John Beach to the county commissioners of Genesee County " commencing at the southeast corner of the town burying- ground, heretofore deeded by Charles C. Hascall to the board of health for the township of Flint, in the county of Genesee, State of Michigan, on the road leading from the village of Flint to E. S. Walker's ; thence along the line of said burying-ground to the northeast corner of said ground ; thence on a line parallel with the afore-mentioned road one chain eighty-one links; thence southerly to said road five chains and fifty-one links; thence westerly on the line of said road one chain and eighty-one links to the place of be- ginning, containing one acre of land." This was, as the location of the plat would indicate, intended as an addition to the " Old Burial-Ground." Some years later its di- mensions were found insufficient, and in 1878 a deed was given by Artemas Thayer and wife to the city of Flint of a second addition, described as follows : " All that certain

piece or parcel of land in the Second Ward of the city of Flint, included in Vine Street, as platted between the north line of Orchard Street and the south line of Mill Street, also included in Summit Street, as platted between the north line of Orchard Street and the south line of Mill Street, all in East Flint, as platted by Thayer & Stewart."

This burial-ground is still in use, and is free to all eiti- zens who desire to use it as a place of interment. The city also allows individuals to inclose portions which may be selected with a neat fence or coping, and reserve it for family use.

The dimensions of this burial-ground proving inadequate to the demands of the growing city of Flint, a number of gentlemen formed an association known as the " Glenwood Cemetery Association of the city of Flint," each member of the corporation being a subscriber to its stock. The original subscribers were as follows: B. Pearson, Jas. Hen- derson, Artemas Thayer, A. McFarlan, Levi Walker, Mor- rison & Eddy, C. Roosevelt, George S. Hopkins, Wm. M. Fenton, Wm. M. Thurber, F. R. Tracy, A. T. Crosman, J. B. Ilamilton, E. S. Williams, William Clark, J. B. Clark, II. M. Henderson, G. Deeker, George W. Fish, Beecher & Higgins, G. M. Dewey, Leonard Wesson, Bishop & Bro., L. G. Buckingham, Reuben McCreery, Warner Lake, G. J. W. IFill, E. II. Hazelton, J. B. Walker, Wm. Stevenson, E. N. Pettee, G. W. Thayer, E. H. Thomson, W. O'Donoughue, E. Il. McQuigg, E. C. Turuer, J. Hamilton.

The first officers of the association were as follows : Pres- ident, Benjamin Pearson ; Vice-President, Henry M. IFen- derson ; Secretary, Leonard Wesson ; Treasurer, James Henderson ; Trustees, William M. Fenton, George M. Dewey, George S. Hopkins, Levi Walker, Edward II. Thomson, Grant Deeker, Alexander MeFarlan ; Civil Eu- gineer, George T. Clark ; Standing Committee on Grounds, Edward II. Thomson, Leonard Wesson, Geo. S. Hopkins.

The location of the cemetery grounds was the result of a careful and extensive survey of the entire vicinity of Flint. The original inclosure is nearly 42 acres. Broad, substan- tial roads, bordered on the deelivities with paved gutters, furnish, at all seasons, a hard and pleasant carriage-path of a number of miles, and conduet the visitor to every part of the cemetery. Commodious and inviting foot-paths, still more numerous and extensive, wind round every hill and explore each dell and shady nook. The work of grading the entire grounds, involving a large amount of labor, has been prosecuted with a constant regard both to beauty and utility.

The entire surface of the cemetery has been surveyed and divided into rectangular sections where practicable. By reference to the field-book in which these are all platted, and where the occupied lots are duly entered, every foot of ground within the inclosure way henceforth be defined or identified with absolute certainty. As another result of this survey, a new and large map has been made, and is now in use. The visitor may avail himself of a plain and perfectly reliable chart, on which he will find depicted not only the numerous and various inequalities of these grounds, but all their avenues and paths clearly delineated and dis- tinctly named.

w Taylor

GEORGE E. TAYLOR was born in Oakland Co., Mich., March 21, 1838. His father, Isaac S. Taylor, was from Pennsylvania; his mother was a Davis, and born near Belfast, Ireland. They were early settlers in Oakland County, where he was engaged in hotel and mercantile business until 1850, when, in consequence of some unfortunate business trans- actions, he lost most of his property. He then came to Genesee County, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in the town of Richfield, and commenced anew to make a farm and home. With poor health and a family of four children, the prospect was discouraging. The im- mediate subject of this sketch was then a lad of twelve years, and the oldest of the children. Upon him largely fell the burden of the family. He at- tended school at the log school-honse near by, and finished his education at the academy at Clarkson, Oakland County. When eighteen years of age he commenced to teach school, and taught ten winters. When he was twenty-one he commenced the study of the law, and soon after, on Jan. 23, 1861, his

father died, and he went home and took charge of the farm. Buying out the heirs, he commenced to make substantial improvements, building a large and fine residence, etc. ; he has since added eighty acres of land, and now owns one of the finest farms in the county.

Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Republican ; he was elected supervisor in 1865, and re-elected consecu- tively for eight years, at which time he was elected register of deeds for Genesee County, which office he held for six years. Since retiring from that office Mr. Taylor has been associated with Leroy Parker in the law and real-estate business, in the city of Flint. Mr. Taylor married Sarah E. Beardslee, of Oakland County, February, 1867. She died April, 1868, leaving an infant child. He was again mar- ried, January, 1871, to Miss E. Freeman, by whom he has had two children. His mother resides at the homestead in Richfield, in good health and spirits.

In social relations Mr. Taylor is genial and com- panionable, in business matters prompt and reliable, and as a citizen respected and influential.

177

FLINT CITY.

Whether considered in reference to its position of near- ness and accessibility, the availableness of its entire surface for purposes of interment, the extent, the diversity, and the beauty of the grounds, its native and varied forest- growth, or the loveliness of its surrounding landscapes, Glenwood compares most favorably with other rural eeme- teries. To these unsurpassed advantages derived from nature must also be added all which has been accomplished by the unremitting care and toil of human ingenuity.

With the results of the experiment thus far, as exhibited in the improvements of the cemetery and its daily manage- ment, the community for whose benefit it was designed seems to be more than satisfied.

A substantial receiving-vault has been constructed for use during the period when the frosts of winter make burial in the grounds impossible, and near the centre of the cemetery is a commodious chapel where services may be held.

The present officers of the association are Alexander McFarlan, President ; Russell Bishop, Vice-President ; Frederick Traey, Secretary ; E. II. MeQuigg, Treasurer ; E. II. Thomson, G. W. Hill, Jerome Eddy, B. F. S. Card, E. C. Turner, Leonard Wesson, W. O'Donoughue, Directors.

CALVARY CEMETERY.

Calvary Cemetery is the burial-place exclusively of the Roman Catholic population of the city of Flint, and is located on the Flushing road, about two and a half miles from the city. It was purchased during the pastorate of Father Deceuninck, and embraces about six acres. It is modest in its pretensions, and, though in its general appear- ance it indicates eare and thoughtfulness on the part of its owners, lays no claim to beauty of design or imposing memorial structures.

CITY OFFICERS.

The following is a list of the principal city officers, from 1855 to 1879, inclusive.

Mayors.

Recorders .* Levi Walker.

Treasurers. Elihu F. Frury.

1855. Grant Decker.

1856. Robert J. S. Page.

Chas. B. Iliggins.

John C. Griswold.

1857. H. M. Henderson.

M. L. Higgins.

George F. Ilood.

1858. William M. Fenton.

Charles Haseall. =

1859.

1860. Henry II. Crapo.

Lewis G. Bickford. John A. Kline.

1861. Eph. S. Williams.

L. R. Buckingham.

1862. William Patterson.

Julius Broussean.

1863. William Hamilton.

Il. R. Lovell.

Anson N. Withec.

1864.

1865. Win. B. MeCreery. 1866. 4

William W. Barnes,

1867. Austin B. Witherbee. George R. Gold.

1868. Samuel M. Axford.

1869. Win. S. Patrick.

1870. James B. Walker.

1871. David S. Fox.

Chas. E. MeAlester.

Francis H. Rankin.

1873. George 11. Durand. 1871.

Francis II. Rankin.

1875. Alex. Me Farlan. 16

1876. Win. Hamilton.

1877. Edw. 11. Thomson.

1878. Jerome Eddy.

1879. James C. Willson.

J. B. F. Curtis,

Jared Van Vleet.

" The office of city recorder was abolished in 1876, and since that time a city clerk holds office by appointment of tho counnon council. 23

SUPERVISORS.

1855-56. Charles N. Beecher, city at Inrge. 1857. George S. Hopkins, city at large.

First Ward. Second Ward.

Third Ward. Fourth Ward.

1858. Francis Baker.

1859. = W'm. HI. Lyon. Geo. S. Hopkins, =

1860. W. O'Donoughne. S. N. Warren.

L. G. Buckingham.

1861. D. S. Freeman.

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History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 47

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 683

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683