USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 60
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113
The Temperance Societies are a division of Sons of Tem- perance and the Fenton Reform Club. Of the former no satisfactory information has been obtained. The latter was organized April 5, 1877, by the popular temperance lecturer of Michigan, Dr. Reynolds. Ile began his work here on the evening preceding, when 450 persons signed the pledge. On Thursday, the 5th, a " White Ribbon Club," composed of 350 ladies, was formed, having the following officers. viz. : President, Mrs. J. Bainbridge; Vice-Presi- dents, Rev. Mrs. Taylor, Rev. Mrs. Potter, Rev. Mrs. Applegate, Rev. Mrs. Church, Rev. Mrs. Wright ; Sec., Mrs. J. O'Hare; Corresponding Sec., Mrs. C. II. Turner ; Treas., Mrs. M. M. Johnson ; Visiting Committee, Fanny Thompson, Kitty Dennis, Mima Grace, Susie Blackmore, Anna Dowd, Elsie Van Dorn, Estelle Dunning, Georgie Conrad, Estelle Kenyon, Anna Derio, Emma Bemer, Bettie Ray, Mrs. A. V. Anderson, Mrs. G. W. Boiee. In the evening of the same day a " Dare to Do Right Reform Club" was organized with a membership of 327 men. Its officers were chosen as follows: President, J. C. Perry ; Vice-Presidents, A. J. Phillips, Henry Yeager, Alvah Marsh ; Sec., C. H. Neely ; Treas., Burdick Potter ; Mar- shals, M. J. Fitch, W. II. Jackson ; Steward, R. Bailes; Sergeant-at-Arms, William Peters; Financial Sec., Dexter Ilorton ; Executive Committee, J. H. Lacy, D. IIorton, A. J. Phillips, H. Yeager, A. Marsh ; Finance Committee, J. E. Bussey, A. V. Anderson, L. V. Curry. The follow- ing Saturday evening the number of men was increased to 416. A reading-room was opened by the ladies of the club at Firemen's Hall on the evening of Friday, June 1, 1877, and is still continued. In April, 1879, the club held its second anniversary, upon which occasion Dr. Reynolds was present and took part in the exercises.
Ladies' Library Association .- An organization known as the "Fenton Ladies' Library Association" had existed in the village previous to 1869, in January of which year, at the burning of the town-hall, their books were nearly all destroyed. The same year several ladies of the south side organized the above society, and secured a charter, dated May 5, 1869. The charter members numbered 16. This association occupies rooms in the Andrews Block, at the southwest corner of Le Roy Street and Shiawassee Ave- nue, and has a library consisting of 725 volumes, of which something over half are works of fiction, the balance being biographical, historical, poetical, travels, laws, public docu- ments, etc.
The present membership is about 75, and the officers of the association are: President, Mrs. H. C. Riggs ; Secre- tary, Mrs. E. M. Adams; Treasurer, Mrs. H. N. Jennings ; Librarian, Mrs. Dr. Paul Sue; Assistant Librarian, Miss S. E. Mason. The affairs of the library are managed by a book-committee of 15 persons.
Ladies' Literary und Library Association.t-" In No- vember, 1867, Mrs. H. Riggs and Mrs. Denio first deter- mined upon starting a circulating-library in Fenton, and, after some deliberation, concluded they would canvass the town, procuring subscribers and getting the different views on the subject. Our town is divided by a river, and in
Principally from an article prepared by Mrs. M. A. Helm, in 1876.
+ From information furnished by John L. Smith.
225
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
this matter, as in every other, we had to pay due regard to the north and south sides of it. Mrs. H. C. Riggs, a resi- dent of the south side, canvassed there, obtaining 23 sub- scribers ; Mrs. Denio eauvassed upon the north side, obtain- ing 43. In this enterprise we were more than successful, for in two days' time we had obtained about $130, a fair list of books, and a good many opinions of our ultimate success or failure,-and we found quite as many believing in our failure as in our success.
" The two ladies had decided upon purchasing a list of books before any organization should take place. In the mean time they had procured price-lists, and so were pre- pared to buy without any delay. On December 4th we purchased of E. B. Smith, of Detroit, $50 worth of books. On the receipt of these a meeting was held, a constitution and by-laws adopted, and officers elected for six months. Mrs. Denio furnished a book-case, and, by the kindness of Mrs. Helm and Miss Hersey, we were given the use of their store for issuing our books; and inside of two weeks our library was an established fact, prosperous, and result- ing iu much good. On December 9th we purchased another list of books, costing over $50, and in March we made another purchase.
" During our first year, and a greater part of the second, nothing of importance was spent, excepting for books. The second year was just as prosperous in money matters, but little difficulties were springing up, as we were growing and talking of renting rooms, as to which side of the river our library was located. These little things were something of a source of annoyance, but near the end of the year a desirable location iu our town-hall building, on the north side, but centrally located, was accepted, and we purchased a fine book-case, some chairs and other necessaries, moved our library, then consisting of nearly 400 volumes, and con- sidered ourselves doing well, if nothing more.
" In the beginning of the next year came the fire, con- suming the hall and everything belonging to our association but 43 volumes of our cheapest books, and we were not in- sured. This east a gloom over us, and our members upon the south side, and a greater portion of our masculine iu- habitants, fully decided we could not rally and go on in the old way.
" But we had had a taste of prosperity, and very likely the opposition we were meeting helped a few of us to con- tinue our work ; so, taking our old book-case, and being permitted to come again into our old quarters at the store, with 43 books and a good deal of courage, we were still a circulating library, but were minus about twenty of our south-side members in the beginning of the third year, who had determined, if they could not have matters in their own hands belonging to our library, they would have one of their own, and have it upon their own side of the river. Consequently, they have a . Library Association' on the sonth side, and we, the originals, obtained a charter and took the name of the 'Ladies' Literary and Library Association,' and I believe we are both better for going our respective ways.
" We kept on, making our way slowly, raising money by festivals, lectures, and socials, for two years or more, and when we had obtained about 300 volumes we again pur- 29
chased book-cases and rented a small room. But in these times we were building up slowly. Our losses, discour- agements, and the opposition, had served to lessen the zeal of' many of our members, and not having a desirable room our subscription list did not increase, although we had reduced our terms to $1 a year.
" But during these years our town-hall was rebuilt, and, in 1873, we rented a fine room in this building, and by giving entertainments, New England suppers and socials, which in every ease were successful, we furnished our rooms, increased our number of books, and altogether seemed to get new life and new energy, and now we believe these last years have been the most satisfactory of all our years of labor.
The membership of the association in May, 1879, was about 200, and the number of volumes in the library 550; the latter consist of' works on travels, fiction, history, biog- raphy and poetry, and public documents. The officers of the association are President, Mrs. M. A. Helm; Vice- President, Miss L. L. Hersey ; Secretary, Mrs. E. Reeson ; Treasurer, Mrs. R. Albertson ; Librariau, Mrs. Emma Howard ; Directors, Mrs. N. T. Thurber, Mrs. N. C. Green, Mrs. D. W. Denio, Mrs. M. A. Helm, Mrs. Rec- son. Rooms still in Colwell Hall building.
Fenton Guards .- An independent militia-company, bear- ing this title, was organized in the village, Oct. 22, 1877, and when the first officers were elected the membership was 44. At present there are about 60 members, and eľ- forts are being wade to gain admission to the State service, which will probably succeed. The company is neatly uni- formed, and armed with the Springfield muzzle-loading rifle. Most of its members saw service during the great civil war of 1861-65, several regiments being represented in Michi- gan, Ohio, and New York. Its captain served during the Rebellion, and afterwards, for five years, in the regular army, being engaged in the famous Indian campaign of 1876. The armory of the company is at present. over Phillips' pump-factory. Its officers are the following-named persons :
Commissioned : Captain, Samuel P. Spalding; First Lieutenant, Albert Middlesworth ; Second Lieutenant, Er- uest Winter.
Non-Commissioned : First. Sergeant, A. II. Marsh ; Second Sergeant, George Dunn ; Third Sergeant, E. J. Hollister ; Fourth Sergeant, R. Wyckoff; Fifth Sergeant, J. Harrell ; First Corporal, I. Il. Lawrence ; Second Cor- poral, A. D. Neely ; Third Corporal, 1}. Shultheis ; Fourth Corporal, H. N. Wisner ; Fifth Corporal, J. Murphy ; Sixth Corporal, George W. Baker; Seventh Corporal, S. B. Bentley ; Eighth Corporal, A. J. Kidney ; President, E. M. Adams: Vice-President, M. J. Fitch ; Treasurer, A. Middlesworth ; Secretary, I. H. Lawrence.
Knights Templar Band .- A band was organized here in 1857 known as " Turner's Silver Cornet Band," with Charles 11. Turner as leader. Most of its members entered the army during the war, a portion joining Custer's Brig- ade and others being stationed at Knoxville, Tenn., to do post-band duty. The present organization was formed in 1871, under the auspices and patronage of the Commandery at Fenton. Its present membership is IG, with C. H.
226
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Turner as leader. It is finely uniformed and is composed of proficient musicians.
Fenton Union Agricultural Society .- The original asso- eiation was formed in 1858, with Dewart Danton, presi- dent, and W. W. Booth, secretary, Charles H. Turner succeeded Mr. Booth as secretary, and held the position seventeen years. Grounds covering an area of 23 acres were purchased in the southeast part of the village, and with the exception of one year, 1877, when the society was newly-organized and incorporated, fairs have been held an-, nually, and have been very generally attended with success. A few speed premiums were offered during the early exhi- bitions. New grounds were purchased in 1877, in the northwest part of the corporation, from William Remington and Henry C. Riggs. These comprise, including high- ways, about 30 acres, and upon them a half-mile track, said to be the finest in the State, has been laid out and graded. The first meeting of the new organization was held in Oe- tober, 1878. The grounds have been finely improved. The capital stoek is $10,000, in shares of $25 each, and all has been taken that the company cares to dispose of. The offi- cers for 1879 are : President, Zera Patterson ; Vice-Presi- dent, E. M. Hovey ; Secretary, Walter Blackmore ; Treas- urer, John O'Hare; Directors, George W. Stewart, of Grand Blane; James Algeo, of Rose, Oakland Co .; G. M. Eddy, Dexter Horton, D. G. Colwell, Josiah Buekbee, L. V. Curry, C. H. Turner, of Fenton ; John Barron, of Linden.
The Fenton Horse Association was organized in 1873, in which year its first meeting was held on the old fair- ground. Of this association Burdick Potter was the first president, D. W. Denio treasurer, and H. J. Larned secre- tary. Three meetings were held, all successful, and several noted racers were driven here. The society was finally discontinued, and races are now held in connection with the fairs of the agricultural society.
CEMETERIES.
The old cemetery at Fenton lies south of what is ealled " Prospect Hill," and was for years the only place of burial used by the settlers. It was located in the timber, and numerous trees are yet standing within its limits. Here are buried many of the early settlers of the vicinity, amid the scenes of their trials and hardships ; here they are laid at rest, after lives of toil and manful struggles with the wilderness, under the shade of the trees where first they reared their humble cabins and began the life of the pioneer. Among those buried in this cemetery are the following per- sons, many of whom will be recalled to the memory of those who were their companions in toil and their friends in time of tribulations :
James Thorp, died Sept. 12, 1866, aged 74 years.
Sally, wife of Rev. William Pattison, died Ang. 25, 1837, aged 65 years.
Altamont Donaldson, died Jan. 26, 1847, aged 83 years.
HI. W. R. Donaldson, died Feb. 21, 1868, aged 75 years.
Henry Bradley, died Ang. 22, 1845, aged 54 years. Cephas Jones, native of Massachusetts, died Nov. 5, 1851, aged 54 years.
Abijah Rogers, died Oet. 5, 1865, agel 72 years. Benjamin Jayne, died April 14, 1851, aged 69 years. Pardon Hicks, died Dec. 4, 1854, aged 49 years.
Jacob Lurvey, died July 25, 1851, aged 64 years.
Dustin Cheney, died Oct. 24, 1841, agedl 49 years.
John B. Lobilell, died Jan. 31, 1862, aged 81 years. David Smith, died -
flugh Hamilton, died Feb. 21, 1863, aged 78 years. Jeremiah Riggs, died June 22, 1858, aged 80 years.
Joseph S. Fenton, died Nov. 14, 1851, aged 71 years.
Philip 11. McOmber, Sr., died Nov. 27, 1848, aged 59 years.
Philip II. McOmber, Jr., died Oct. 21, 1856, aged 59 years.
Michael Ayers, native of Ireland, sailor on "' Ripon," 74 gun-ship, 67 naval battles, died March 27, 1867, aged 80 years.
Judge Daniel Le Roy, died -
Ilis daughter, Mrs. Caroline St. Amand, wife of Augustus St. Amand, died April 12, 1847, aged 31 years. Upon her tombstone is the following inseription in French : " Iei repose Caroline St. Amand, néo le 6 Mars, 1816 ; bonne fille, vertueuse épouse, excellente mère, elle mourît bonne chrétienne, le 12 Avril, 1847."
Mrs. Judge Le Roy, died July 10, 1848, aged 68 years.
Rev. James McLaurin, a Scotehman, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, died May 11, 1860, aged 64 years.
Rev. John Booth, native of Chatham, England, died July 18, 1869, aged 73 years.
William W. Booth, died April 7, 1869, aged 48 years. Dexter B. Johnson, died Sept. 5, 1866, aged 64 years. Ben Birdsall, died as mentioned elsewhere. Dr. Thomas Steere and wife, died -.
Edgar C. Waterman, died Nov. 19, 1863, aged 67 years. Asa Bishop, died Nev. 6, 1857, aged 87 years.
Elijah Dunham, died Ang. 1, 1858, aged 73 years.
Oakwood Cemetery contains 23 acres of ground, and lies immediately southwest of the old cemetery. It was laid out in 1869, and opened for use in the summer of 1870, being dedicated July 1st of the latter year. The dedication services were very impressive. Introductory exercises were held at Colwell Hall, after which a procession formed, con- sisting of the Flint City Band, a delegation of Sir Knights from Flint, the Fenton Commandery, representatives of the Masonie order from Howell, Livingston Co., and many citi- zens, which marched to the cemetery. There the dedica- tory address was delivered by Rev. A. McSween, and a poem composed by a resident of Fenton for the occasion was read by Col. E. H. Thomson, of Flint, who also de- livered a lecture on Shakspeare in the evening. The fol- lowing is the poem mentioned :
"Ilome of the dead ! O sacred place ! O place of rest for those who die ! How many shall, when life is spent, Within thy solemn precincts lie ?
" Unlike the tombs of ancient kings, And vaulted sepulchres of old, Are thy green hills and peaceful glens,- Sweet eharms that nature's toils unfold.
" Oft will the tears of grief be shed, As mourners through yon gateway pass, Forgetful of the joys of earth In sorrow for the dead, alas !
" And yet, 'tis meet to lay the dead In this sequestered, lovely spot, Among the flowers and the trees, Where the molester cometh not :
" And where the living, as they 1read Along thy quiet, winding ways, May feel the power of nature's God, And give to him their fervent praise.
" The voice of God hath made us know Our bodies must return to dust ; And, Oakwood, thou shalt ever be To ns a place of hallowed trust."
227
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
The main avenue of the cemetery is fifty feet in width, and the paths from five to twenty-five feet ; most of the luts, except fractional ones, are ten by twenty feet. The ground- plan of the cemetery is of exceedingly tasteful design, and so arranged as to coincide to the best advantage with its natural features of hill and dale. The officers of the asso- ciation are : President, Charles H. Turner; Secretary, E. M. Adams; Treasurer, J. E. Bussey ; Superintendent, Charles Rolland. Comparatively a small portion of the cemetery has at this date been utilized for burials.
DECORATION DAY-LIST OF SOLDIER DEAD.
Decoration day was for the first time formally observed in Fenton, May 30, 1878, when large numbers aided in the exercises, which were very impressive. A procession half a mile in length was formed, composed of the Knights Templar Band, Fenton Guards, old soldiers, fire department, village officers, officers of the day, schools, and citizens in carriages and on foot. Professor C. Van Dorn, of Fenton Seminary, delivered the address. Twenty-five soldiers " sleep their last sleep" in the Fenton cemeteries, the fol- lowing being their names :
Revolutionary .- Altamont Donaldson.
War of 1812 .- Benjamin Jayne, Abijah Rogers, Dus- tin Cheney, H. W. R. Donaldson, IIngh Ilamilton, David Bentley, John Wilber.
War of the Rebellion .- Seth Ingram, David H. Colwell, J. W. Andrews, John Bell, M. M. Johnson, B. F. Ilicks, Ransom Brown, Samuel HI. Thomas, Levi Curtis, W. W. Booth, Chester D. Kinney, Reuben S. Terry, Theodore C. McOmber, Luman Van Wert, Miles T. Hall, Albert Dick- inson, Levi Thateher.
This list is but a small proportion of the brave boys who volunteered from this village and township. Fitting tribute has been paid them by a brother soldier, and the memory of the fallen shall ever be revered.
" In gory beds they're laid to rest, The nation's bine enshrouds eneh breast, And o'er their grassy graves By darksome swamp and rotling tide, By stream and mount, the nation's pride- A free flag-ever waves."
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school-house in the village has been mentioned by Col. Fenton as having stood on the corner north of the present site of the post-office, where now stands a brick dwelling. This building was used until a larger one became necessary, when a frame school-house was erected a short distance farther east, and is yet standing, although in use for other purposes.
District No. 1, or the Union School district, was organ- ized in 1856, previous to which time the district was num- bered two. The old part of the present main school-build- ing was erected in 1859, and greatly enlarged in 1867. During the first three years after the organization of the Union Distriet schools were held in the old frame building and in the second story of a building on the south side, the lower portion of which was used as a store. In 1864 two brick ward school-houses were built, one on each side of the river, and in September, 1878, it was voted to expend
$3000 in construeting new ones, which will probably be done during 1879.
The number of children enrolled in the district is in the neighborhood of 700. The teachers for the present school year, which began Aug. 9, 1878, are: Superintendent, George E. Cochran ; Principal, M. T. Gass; Preceptress, Miss Linna Schenck; A Grammar Department, Frank H. Thompson, resigned, and Ira Thompson appointed to fill vacancy ; B Grammar Department, Miss Lizzie M. Jen- nings ; A Intermediate Department, Miss Calista Conant ; B Intermediate Department, Miss A. S. Gifford ; C Inter- mediate Department,* Miss Hattie Davis; South Ward, Miss S. C. Hamilton ; North Ward, Mrs. S. Ingram.
The salaries paid to teachers are : superintendent, $1000; principal, $800; preceptress and grammars, $400 each ; A and B intermediates, $320 each ; total paid to teachers, $4580. The estimated expenses of the district for the school-year are $5580. The district-board is composed of the following officers, viz. : Moderator, Dexter Horton ; Director, Charles HI. Turner; Assessor, Josiah Buckbee ; other Trustees, A. W. Riker, J. E. Bussey, B. F. Stone.
Fenton. Seminary .- This institution is the property of, and is conducted by, the Baptists of the State of Michigan, and was founded with the intention of making it a feeder for the Kalamazoo College. A two-story frame building was at first used in which to hold school, one of the first teachers being Mrs. P. C. Dayfoot.
On the 25th of August, 1869, the new building was dedi- cated, and the first term within it opened with Mr. Wedge as principal. The building stands in the southwest part of the village, is four stories high, with a French roof, and is constructed of stone. Its cost was $30,000. The site was donated by David L. Latourette, who also gave the greater portion of the funds necessary to ereet the building. Prof. C. Van Dorn was for a number of years in charge, and prosperity lingered about the institution. At present, al- though entirely free from debt, its affairs are not in as flourishing a condition as could be wished by those who have its interests at heart. Its future, however, is hopeful. The present faculty consists of the following persons, viz. :
Prof. W. L. Moore, Principal and Professor of Classies, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences.
Miss Sarah E. Wason, Teacher of English Branches and French.
Mrs. Bertha Fitch (native of Germany); Teacher of German.
Mrs. Celestia A. Northrop, Teacher of Music, Painting, and Drawing.
Prof. Moore has been in charge a year. The number of pupils in attendance is about 30.
Trinity Schools ( Episcopal) .- In March, 1868, a propo- sition was made by the diocese of Michigan to the people of Fenton and vicinity to build in the place two edifices to cost about $10,000 each, provided subscriptions to a certain amount were raised. Scholarships were to be sold at $250 each. The design was to establish a seminary or high- school for boys, which should "afford facilities for a thorough English and classical education, and probably a
* School held in basement of Presbyterian church.
228
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
special course for any young men who may be looking for- ward to the ministry ;" also " a school of like grade for girls, which shall present an extensive course of instruc- tion, combining the useful and ornamental branches usually taught in the schools of the highest order." The institu- tions were incorporated Sept. 14, 1868, under the name of " Trinity Schools." In 1872 the trustces were Right Rev. Samuel A. McCoskry, Bishop of the Diocese ; James Bur- tenshaw and William N. Carpenter, of Detroit ; C. H. Turner, B. K. Dibble, F. Il. Wright, and Rev. O. E. Ful- ler, of Fenton. The building for boys was erected first., and given the name of " Latimer Hall." It stands on a tract of five acres of ground in the western part of the vil- lage, is built of brick, and is 40 by 46 feet in dimensions, with four floors. It was formally opened and dedicated Nov. 14, 1872, the dedicatory address being delivered by Rev. T. C. Pitkin, D.D., of St. Paul's, Detroit. The girls' school-Ridley Hall-was not then completed, but on that occasion considerable sums to further that object were sub- scribed by other parishes. The walls of the building -- which is the same in size as Latimer Hall-had been put up at the same time with the latter, but it was not until the fall and winter of 1875 that the work was carried for- ward to completion, or so far as they were ever completed. But one wing of each building, as provided in the plans, was erected. Ridley Hall occupies a beautiful location in the eastern part of the village, on a lot containing 13 acres. It was opened in charge of Ezra Bauder, from Virginia, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Applegate, the successor to Rev. O. E. Fuller. The former, while in charge of the affairs of the parish at Fenton, devoted the greater part of his time to the schools. Contributions had been forwarded from Pennsylvania and other States, but the venture finally, after a few years of struggle against fate, was necessarily discontinued, and the buildings were sold on a mortgage. The projects of converting Ridley Hall into a ward school, or selling it to the State to be used as a branch of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum, have been discussed, but thus far with no definite result.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious services in the village were of the class known only to pioneer settlements where no organization had been completed, and where missionaries of several denominations struggled for the mastery. After the log school-house mentioned had been built, meetings were held in it by different sects, of which the Methodists and Pres- byterians were principal. The former were first in the field, and for some time had services but once in four weeks, owing to the fact that the Methodist circuit preachers or missionaries had such an extensive tract of country to sup- ply. After a time they and the Presbyterians convened alternately, once in two weeks, in a building which had been erected at the southeast corner of Le Roy Street and Shiawassee Avenue .* This building served all purposes required of it,-church, public hall. etc.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.