History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

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 61

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).

Methodist Episcopal Church.t-Early Methodist meet- ings were also held in the house of Judge Daniel Le Roy

after the log school-house had been abandoned. The first Methodist sermon preached in Fenton (then Dibbleville) was delivered by Rev. Washington Jackson, in January, 1837. A class was formed on the 19th or 20th of March, in the same year, by the same person, who was from the Livings- ton Mission, in the Adrian District, of which Rev. William Herr was presiding elder. The class as organized consisted of the following persons, viz : Oliver Warren, Class-Leader ; Levi Warren, Steward ; Eleanor Warren, John Thorp, Isaac Thorp, Elizabeth Thorp, and Wealthy Eddy (now the widow of Peter McCollum). Of these the only survivors are Oliver Warren and Mrs. McCollum.

In 1836 the Michigan Conference embraced the northern parts of Indiana and Ohio and the whole of the then Terri- tory of Michigan. At the Conference held in the fall of that year (in Ohio), Mr. Jackson (above mentioned) was appointed to the charge of such classes as had been formed under the Livingston Mission, and to seek new work. He laid out a field extending nearly to Grand Rapids, on the Grand, Maple, and Looking-Glass Rivers. After Confer- ence the circuit was named "Shiawassee," and arranged to be fully supplied once in four weeks. Mr. Jackson and Isaac Bennett were appointed to it, and each man was ex- pected to travel four hundred miles and fill thirty-two ap- pointments once in the time. A new district was organized about this time, known as the " Flint River District," and Samuel Shaw was its presiding elder. This was by act of Conference in 1837. In 1838 the circuit was divided, re- maining, however, in the same district, and Rev. Elijah Pilcher was appointed presiding elder, and Isaac Bennett preacher in charge, with a work taking three weeks to accomplish. The next year, 1839, Rev. Flavel Britton was appointed to the circuit, Mr. Pilcher retaining his position. Mr. Britton remained two years. In 1840, Rev. S. C. Stringham was appointed as a supply to aid him with a four- weeks' work. Rev. A. Billings followed Mr. Pilcher as pre- siding elder. About that time a smaller circuit, having but seven appointments, was organized, and Rev. James Web- ster appointed to its charge. It was transferred to the Ann Arbor District, of which Rev. Henry Colclazer was presid- ing elder, and was afterward changed to the Milford circuit (same district ), with Revs. George Bradley and F. Britton, preachers. These were followed by Revs. Alfred Allen and - Young, with L. W. Chatfield, presiding elder. After this the class was only occasionally supplied, and ministers for some time came without regular appointments. When the first church was begun the pastors on the circuit were Revs. William Blades and G. N. Belknap, and when the building was dedicated (July 16, 1853) Rev. George Brown was pastor. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. George Smith. This church was a brick building. The heaviest contributors to the fund for erecting it were Oliver Warren and A. J. Chapin. The foundation was caused to give way by excavating under the church for a class-roou), and the walls fell. Among others who have preached here are Revs. Jefferson Joslin, now of Garland Street Church, at Flint, Orrin Whitmore, - Wooster, and others. Oli- ver Warren was early licensed to exhort, and traveled the circuit in company with Rev. Webster.

The first quarterly meeting in the village was held in

# See Col. Fenton's article.

t From information principally furnished by Oliver Warren.

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the log school-house, in December, 1837. At that time the class belonged to the Shiawassee circuit. The anec- dote related by Dexter Horton, in his address at Firemen's Ilall, in which he speaks of a certain young licentiate " getting the power," will be noticed. Mr. Warren is au- thority for the statement that this man was the Rev. Mr. Jackson, then an ordained deacon in the Conference, and a regular member of the traveling connection. He also says that the joke of throwing the water caused no harm to any one concerned.

Since the early days of this church the circuit has been changed numerous times, and at present Fenton Station belongs to the Detroit Conference. The present building owned by the society stands on the site of the old one, on North Le Roy Street. It was commenced June 29, 1868, and dedicated Jan. 10, 1869, and cost $9549.04, of which amount $5600 were raised on the day of dedication, and all indebtedness removed.

The membership in May, 1879, was about 300, and the pastor, Rev. E. E. Caster. A Sunday-school is sustained, with a membership of nearly 200, of which Zera Patterson is the superintendent. The school possesses a library of some 400 volumes.

The first Sabbath-school in the place has been mentioned by Dr. Pattison. This was merged into a union affair, or- ganized by the Methodists and Presbyterians, and number- ing from 45 to 50 members. It was held in the frame building now a part of King's Hotel. Joseph S. Fenton was the first superintendent, and among the teachers was Mrs. Eliza Chapin, wife of Alonzo J. Chapin.

Presbyterian Church .- The second religious organiza- tion in the village was that formed by the Presbyterians, Feb. 28, 1840, with 17 members, by Rev. John Gray, of Utica, Macomb Co. The church as organized was called " The First Presbyterian Church of Fentonville." The following were the original members :

Silas Newell and wife, and George HI. Newell, from Sodus ; John Hadley, Jr. ; Sophia Hadley ; John Fenwick and wife, from Clyde, N. Y .; James K. Wartman and wife, from White Lake, Mich .; Benjamin Rockwell and wife, New York City; John C. Gallup and wife, Mount Clemens, Mich. ; Daniel Le Roy and wife, Pontiac, Mich. ; Eliza McOmber, Fentonville, Mich. ; and Lucy Le Roy, Grand Blanc, Mich.

The following ruling elders were elected and ordained : John C. Gallup, Chairman ; Silas Newell, Deacon ; Benja- min Rockwell, Clerk ; John Hadley, Jr. After the fore- going business was transacted, the session adjourned to meet at the house of Benjamin Rockwell, March 1, 1840. At the meeting subsequently convened the following addi- tional persons were admitted to membership : Elisha Larned, George Dibble, Sarah Ballard, Jane Fenwick, Jacob Vanden- burgh, Ira C. Alger, Mrs. Lucy Thorp. Benjamin Rock- well and wife removed to Flint early in 1841. From June 1 until Sept. 1, 1841, Rev. P. S. Van Nest served the church as stated supply, and then ceased because of feeble health. In 1843, when located at Flint, he preached at Fenton, as did also Rev. L. P. Bates, of Pontiac. Rev. P. II. Burghardt was the second pastor, coming Dec. 24, 1843, and remaining one year. Rev. I. Hopkins, D.D., was mod-

erator of the session June 8, 1845, and Rev. John G. At- terbury, of Flint, Feb. 1, 1846. Rev. John Beach, of Flint, was moderator from July 5, 1846, until May, 1848, when the name of Rev. T. Waterbury appears, he remaining until June 15, 1851. Rev. Andrew Govan was moderator June 26, 1852.

Mrs. Lucy Thorpe, one of those who united with the church March 1, 1840, met her death in February, 1854, by falling from a load of hay while on the public road. She was sixty-nine years of age.

Rev. Govan's pastorate terminated March 26, 1854. Ile was succeeded the same year by Rev. James McLaurin, who remained until the spring of 1860, when Rev. Thomas Wright assumed charge. Aug. 27, 1860, thirty-nine per- sons were granted letters of dismission and recommendation to unite with the church newly formed at Holly, Oakland Co. Mr. Wright remained until February, 1864, and was succeeded in May following by Rev. E. Dickenson, Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Detroit, having supplied the pulpit in the interim from February to May. Mr. Dickenson's labors here closed in the latter portion of 1867, and Rev. Nathan Bangs Knapp became the pastor Jan. 1, 1868, remaining until the elose of 1869. From that time until Feb. 13, 1870, Rev. Mr. Waldo, of Linden, acted as supply ; and at that date Rev. C. W. Wallace, of Delphi, Ind., be- gan a series of meetings, and commenced labor as stated supply April 3d following. He closed his work here March 30, 1873, and on the 20th of the succeeding April Rev. D. H. Taylor began as stated supply. He was elected pastor on the 23d of November, in the same year, and still holds the position.

Elisha Larned and Benjamin Bangs have been ruling elders in this church since Feb. 4, 1856. The others at present are Charles K. Covert and Galen T. Johnson. The members number about 200, of whom 140 are residents. The Sabbath-school, of which M. Davis is the superin- tendent, has 150 members, and a library of several hundred volumes.

The first house of worship used by this society was that erected at the southeast corner of Le Roy Street and Shia- wassce Avenue, now the bar-room of King's Hotel. The second was a brick church which stood on Adelaide Street, and was destroyed by fire. The present frame edifice on South Le Roy Street was built about 1860 to 1861, and cost in the neighborhood of $4000.

Baptist Church .- The Baptist society of Fenton is third in age in the place, having been originally organized at some date between 1840 and 1848. Previous to 1849 it was disbanded, part of the members going to Linden and the others to Rose, Oakdale Co. A new society was or- ganized at Fenton, in March, 1850, by Rev. A. Lamb, of Parshallville, Livingston Co. Meetings were held in the school-house on the north side of the river. About 1856- 57 a hall was built by Rev. John Booth, then pastor, which is still standing on Le Roy Street, south of Mr. Cranson's bank. This was occupied by the society until the present stone church was built. The pastors succeeding Mr. Lamb were Revs. John Booth, Prof. S. A. Taft (supply for six mouths), S. Wilkins, John Haskins, C. W. Olney, J. N. Tit- terington, J. Ward Stone, and the present incumbent of the

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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

position, Rev. S. Albert Northrop. The society as organized in 1850 consisted of H. Lamb and wife, William W. Booth (first clerk ) and wife, Mr. Thorp and wife, Joseph Thorp, Mr. Weed, Mr. and Mrs. J. St. Clair, Mrs. Dr. Thomas Steere, Mrs. Dustin Cheney, Mr. and Mrs. Beall, and one other not now recollected. Of these but four are left, viz., Joseph Thorp, Mrs. St. Clair, Mrs. W. W. Booth, and Mrs. Cheney. The first Baptist minister who preached in this township was Elder Jones, of Holly, who delivered an address at Linden from the top of a pile of saw-logs. The member- ship of this society on the 8th of May, 1879, was 254, which included 100 who had united during Mr. Northrop's pastorate of two years. As this is his first charge, his suc- eess must be somewhat flattering. A flourishing Sabbath- school is sustained, with 164 members and a library of about 300 volumes. The value of the church property is set at $15,000. The corner-stone of the present substantial stone church was laid in the summer of 1863. After five years the building was completed, and dedicated May 31, 1868, when nearly $6000 of indebtedness was cleared up. In the fire of April 24, 1879, the church narrowly escaped destruction, being damaged to the extent of about $200.

St. Jude's Church ( Episcopal) .- This church was or- ganized June 7, 1859, with the following-named members : Charles II. Turner, William A. Wiggins, George E. Sloat, R. B. Reed, B. Grace, Ben Birdsall, R. L. Traey, J. A. Gardner, Edward Thorp, William H. Sager, Josiah Buck- bee, Henry C. Riggs, John Vandenburgh, William P. Guest, and P. Y. Foot. Mr. Guest was chosen secretary of the association. The first church-meeting was held at Grace's Hali, July 18, 1859, when the following officers were elected : Edwin Thorp, Senior Warden and Vestryman ; John Vandenburgh, Junior Warden and Vestryman ; J. A. Gardner, William P. Guest, Charles H. Turner, B. Grace, J. Buckbee, and R. L. Tracy, Vestrymen. The present frame church was built in 1860, and stands south of that owned by the Presbyterians, on Le Roy Street. The first clergyman who held Episcopal services here was Rev. Henry Barnwall, now of Port Huron, who came occa- sionally, as did also Rev. Mr. Dooley afterwards. The first settled clergyman was Rev. O. E. Fuller, who took charge in February, 1865. He had previously resided at Saginaw. Feb. 1, 1869, he resigned in order to devote his time and attention more fully to the Trinity schools, which had been established here. He was several times recalled to serve as rector afterwards. Revs. A. B. Flower and Robert Wood officiated at different times as his assistants. Rev. John W. Clark was rector about three months, but resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Fuller. Hle in turn resigned, and in March, 1871, a call was sent to Rev. Lewis L. Rogers, who accepted, and assumed charge on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1871. In October, 1873, Mr. Rogers resigned, and Mr. Fuller was again called to the rectorship, beginning his labors in January, 1874. Ile finally resigned in April, 1875, and, in August following, Rev. L. W. Applegate, of Mauch Chunk, Pa., took charge, having been chosen rector June 1, 1875. In June, 1877, he resigned. Mr. Rogers accepted a second call, and has continued in the position to the present. The communicants numbered in the early part of May, 1879, about 50. The Parish Social has 25

members. A Sunday-school is kept up, with some 35 scholars and 7 teachers. It has a library of 150 volumes. A neat parsonage stands in the rear of the church, which latter cost to build about $2000, and is sufficient in size for all the demands of the society.

St. John's Church ( Roman Catholic) .- For some years previous to 1868 a small Catholic society existed in Fenton, and services were held in private houses, but it was not un- til the year named that the erection of a church was begun. The present frame edifice was commenced July 29, 1868, and is not yet completed, although it is hoped the finishing touches may be put on during the present summer (1879). Its cost, thus far, has been about $2500. The tastily-de- signed parsonage was built in 1871, during which year the resident clergyman arrived, Rev. Father Thomas Rafter. Services had previously been held by clergymen from Pon- tiae and Hartland, the first ones having been held by a clergyman from Flint, to which this church was then at- tached. Suceccding Father Rafter, the pastors have been Rev. Fathers James Wheeler, now at Owasso, Shiawassee Co., and the present one, William Kilroy, who came in September, 1876. Forty-eight families are connected with this church, some living in Holly, Groveland, Ty- rone, ete. Services are held here every Sunday evening during the summer, and but once a month during the winter. Father Kilroy also has churches in Gaines and Deerfield (Livingston County), and missions at Holly, Oakland Co., and Cohocton, Livingston Co. No churches have yet been erected in either of the latter places. Many Catholie families who once resided in and about Fen- ton have removed to other and newer-settled localities, as they were in most instances members of the laboring class, -having to depend upon job work for their living.

A general summary of the business of Fenton at this date (May 29, 1879) will include about fifty stores of various kinds, with the necessary complement of mechanic shops, aside from the institutions more explicitly mentioned. Two newspapers also flourish,-the Fenton Gazette and the Fenton Independent,-for a description of which, with those earlier published, the reader is referred to the general chapter upon the press of the county.

VILLAGE OF LINDEN.

The first settlers in what is now the corporation of Lin- den were Richard and Perry Lamb, and the first white woman in the place was the wife of the latter, who still re- sides in the village. These persons settled on section 20, in the fall of 1835. A log house was built on Richard's place, and he remained through the winter, while Perry went to Ann Arbor, and returned with his family in the spring of 1836. Richard Lamb subsequently removed from town, and Perry died. His widow became the wife of Max- well Fisk. For a long time the house of Perry Lamb fur- nished accommodations for travelers, and Mrs. Lamb was known far and wide as an excellent housewife, a courteous entertainer, and a most exemplary pioneer lady.

When Perry Lamb returned to Linden, in March, 1836, he brought with him his wife's brother, J. Z. Fairbank, then a boy. The latter had come from Wayne Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1835, with his father, Zenas Fairbank, and

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FENTON TOWNSHIP.

located in Washtenaw County, where they remained that winter. The elder Fairbank followed his son to the village in May, 1836, when the only houses here were those of Richard and Perry Lamb, standing in its eastern limits, near the river. Mr. Fairbank purchased land just outside what is now the corporation, but subsequently moved within its limits, built and opened the second store, and carried it on two or three years, his death occurring in December, 1852, while yet in business.

Mr. Fairbank had studied medicine some, and upon lo- eating at Linden engaged in practice, which became quite extensive. Although not a regularly educated physician, his services were ealled into requisition by settlers living in many instances miles away. He traveled into adjoining townships, and many an afflicted family had cause to re- member his kindness and skill. He was the first who prae- ticed medicine in Linden, and the second in the township, Dr. Pattison, of Fenton, having but a short time preceded him. When he (Fairbank ) moved up with his family from Washtenaw County, there were no roads after leaving High- land, Oakland Co., and an Indian trail was followed from there to Dibbleville, where they stayed overnight with Dustin Cheney, who brought them to their destination the next day cia Silver Lake, with an ox-team, following also an Indian trail.

Mr. Fairbank's daughter, Mrs. Perry Lamb, became anxious, in the winter of 1836, to see friends in Ann Ar- bor, fifty miles away, of which distance more than half was along a trail. Accordingly, mounting an Indian pony, and being accompanied by a lad named Lorenzo Cheney, she started, Cheney going on foot, and bringing back the pouy after Mrs. Lamb had reached her destination.

lluckleberries and wild plums were abundant in the neighborhood, and J. Z. Fairbank relates that he and his sister-Mrs. Lamb-used to cross the Shiawassee on a log, and go huckleberrying. The settlers at Linden, in common with others in this region, experienced considerable trouble from a scareity of provisions. On one occasion, Mr. Fair- bank and his son, Francis C., went to Ann Arbor, purchased 43 pounds of pork, paying 18 cents per pound, and walked back with it to Linden,-first one carrying the load and then the other. It was in a sack, and they were very care- ful of their burden, as pork was considered by the pioneers " more precious than gold." The only musie the settlers had was that furnished by the wolves, who howled in ex- citing chorus the long nights through.

The fires which annually swept across the country had kept down vegetation to such a degree that an insufficient quantity had decayed to enrich the soil to a great degree, and it was consequently thin and poor. The first crops raised yielded ouly from three to seven bushels per acre, but in a few years-as soon as l'ences were built and lires kept down-the soil deepened and the yield rapidly in- creased. After a year or two of cultivation everybody be- came sick, and many left discouraged. It is to be remarked, however, that a large proportion of those who left returned in time and located permanently.

Of the family of Zenas Fairbank, one son, James, for some time a merchant in Linden, now lives in Nebraska ; another, Dr. Henry C. Fairbank, is a resident of Flint, and

enjoys an extensive practice ; while two others, La Fayette and Jerome Z., are still at Linden.

Asahel Ticknor, who settled at the village in 1836, was from the State of New York, to which he returned after a residence of a few years in Michigan. He was a veterau of the war of 1812.

Byram Lake, immediately south of Linden, was named from Charles Byram, who settled on its north shore in February, 1836. His brother, Joseph Byram, arrived shortly after. The first election for the township of Argen- tine was held in the board shanty belonging to Charles Byram, in the fall of 1836.

Seth C. Sadler, from Monroe Co., N. Y., a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Michigan, in 1831, and settled in Oakland County, where he lived for several years in the townships of Bloomfield and Troy. In October, 1835, he purchased 120 aeres of land on sections 31 and 32, in Fenton township, built a small shanty thereon, and early in February, 1836, moved up his family from Oakland County a few days before the arrival in town of Charles Byram. When Mr. Sadler came his nearest neighbor on the west was John Knaggs, a half-breed Indian trader, in Shiawassee County. In the spring of the same year James Murray, William Lobdelf, and others located west of him, in what is now the township of Argentine. In what now constitutes Fenton township, the only persons then living were Lauren P. Riggs, Clark Dibble, Dustin Cheney, John Wilber, and James Thorp. Others who had been here had moved away. Of those mentioned Mr. Riggs had moved upon a farm two and one-half' miles west of Dibbleville.

The village of Linden dates its origin from Feb. 3, 1840, when it was laid out by Messrs. Warner & Harris. Addi- tious have been made since as follows : Walter Davenport's addition, Jan. 28, 1857; Linden Cemetery addition, by J. Z. Fairbank and Mrs. Fisk (formerly Mrs. Perry Lamb), April 20, 1870; Fairbank's addition, by J. Z. Fairbank, in the summer of 1878.

Consider Warner, one of the original proprietors of the village, came here in the fall of 1836, from Genesee Co., 'N. Y., in company with several others, constructed a dam across the river and erected a saw-mill,-the latter in the fall of 1837. The frame of a grist-mill was raised in 1838, and when the latter building was completed it contained one run of stones and a tub wheel. It was finally destroyed by fire, as was also the saw-mill, and the property lay idle for a number of years. In the winter of 1845-46 it was purchased by Messrs. Thompson & Reeson, who erected the frames of a saw-mill and a grist-mill, but did not com- plete them while they were the owners. In 1850, Seth C. Sadler purchased the saw-mill, and he and M. Warren be- came proprietors of the grist-mill. They finished the work on the buildings and operated the mills successfully. The grist-mill, which is yet standing, contains three ruus of stones, and is owned by I. B. Ilyatt.

Eben* Harris, the partner of Mr. Warner in business, and one of the original proprietors of the village, came here in the fall of 1838, from Pontiac, Oakland Co. In 1839 the firm opened a store in a frame building which

Should this be Heman Harris ?

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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

they had erected the same year on the same ground where now stands the west end of the brick " Union Block." It has been moved across the street and largely repaired, and is now used as a drug-store by Dr. S. D. Harris.

The frame hotel now known as " Springer's Hotel" was built by Warner & Harris in 1840, the timber being drawn from the woods by Alonzo J. Chapin. It was afterwards the property of Seth C. Sadler, who rebuilt it, and has since been extensively repaired. It is now owned by Mrs. James B. Moshier, formerly the widow of Henry Springer.

Seth C. Sadler moved from his farm to the village of Linden in April, 1851, and engaged in business, purchasing the saw-mill and a share in the grist-mill, as stated, also the hotel. Ile built a carding-machine and a cloth-dressing machine in 1851, and operated them in company with others ; these were burned after the war of the Rebellion, as was also the saw-mill. The latter was rebuilt by Joseph A. Gardner, now of Petoskey, and a plaster-mill was subse- queutly added by the same man. Ile finally sold to Myron Harris, who built a wagon-factory near, which is known as the " Linden Wagon-Works," and now owned by Harris & Beach, who manufacture on quite an extensive scale.

Jonathan Shephard, who died in 1878, was one of the carly settlers of Linden, coming with Consider Warner from the State of New York, and helping build the first mills at the place.

Benaiah Sanborn settled at Linden in the fall of 1836, and on the site of the present Union Block built the first log shanty that was erected in the main part of the village. Two others were constructed at nearly the same time, by Richard Newton and Joseph Irving, the latter a Scotch- man. Mr. Sanborn came from Genesee Co., N. Y., in company with Consider Warner, for whom he worked that winter and helped build the saw-mill. In the following spring (1837) he removed to a farm south of Flint, where he died in 1861. HEis son, Rev. O. Sanborn, a minister of the Methodist denomination, is now in charge of that church at Linden, serving his second term of three years. He was but ten years old when his father moved here with the family. Mr. Warner did not bring his family with him when he first came, but boarded with some of those who came with him, either with Mr. Sanborn or Mr. Newton. His foreman, Heman Harris, boarded with the former.

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History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

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