USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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Isaac Owen appears to have been elected vestryman every year but one, since 1858; Harvey B. Rowlson, with little exception, since 1859; and John C. Miller, since 1860, with some few exceptions; the same being true of the present seven vestryman, John C. Miller being also senior church warden. The four other associate-vestrymen being Ezra L. Koon, Otis H. Gillam, Edward H. Mead, and George F. Gardner, the last being also junior church warden and treasurer ; E. H. Mead, secretary.
Church Building .- On Wednesday, April 28, 1858, at a special meeting of the vestry, the following resolution was adopted : " Resolved, That it is expedient to build a church on Village Lot, No. 42, Old Plat of the Village of Hillsdale." On Tuesday, May 11, 1858, plans and specifi- cations, with estimates, were presented and accepted, and an order was immediately given to lay the foundation. On Wednesday, June 23, the bishop laid the corner-stone.
On Thursday, March 3, 1859, the building was con- secrated by the bishop, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Allen McCos- kry, D.D., D.C.L., of Detroit. The other visiting clergy- men being the Rev. Francis H. Cumming, D.D., of Grand Rapids ; Rev. Gardner M. Skinner, Coldwater; Rev. Gil- bert B. Hayden, New York ; and the Revs. Charles R. Huson and Levi H. Corson, of Jonesville. The first parish register was purchased, and opened in 1859, and a new one required in 1878. A good silver-plated communion service was procured, still in use; and a bell was placed in the tower, which continues to ring out the call to worship.
The church building is of brick, accommodating about two hundred and fifty persons, and is valued at three thousand dollars. A very good pipe-organ, purchased in Buffalo at a cost of five hundred and fifty dollars, was placed in the church in the spring of 1863. The church building now needs reconstructing, and necessarily must soon be replaced by a new one ; the lot having already been enlarged for the purpose, by the addition of twenty-five feet more front, making the grounds seventy-five feet front by one hundred and thirty deep. The building fronts west, towards the public square, and is conspicuous and inviting.
Rectorship .- Rectors of Grace Church, Jonesville, were missionaries and rectors in charge of St. Peter's, Hillsdale, until the spring of 1859, at which time the Rev. Gilbert B. Hayden, of New York, was called to be first rector.
Mr. Hayden remained one year. The Rev. Gerret E. Peters was his successor, from 1860 to 1867; Rev. John W. Buckmaster, from 1868 to 1869; Rev. Henry H. De Garmo, from 1869 to 1870; Rev. Wm. Wirt Raymond, from 1870 to the present time.
Communicants .- The holy communion was celebrated for the first time in the new church building, by the Rev. G. B. Hayden, on Sunday, March 6, 1859, six persons participating. The Lord's supper had been administered once previously by the Rev. L. H. Corson, to three per- sons, in the Methodist house of worship. The whole number of communicants registered has been three hundred and seventy-three, of whom a number have died, and very many have removed from the parish.
In 1849 eight communicants were reported as belonging to the parish ; in 1863, forty-four ; in 1864, forty-eight ; and thereafter annually a steady increase.
Official Acts .- The sacrament of holy baptism, according to the register, has been administered to four hundred and thirty-seven persons,-infant and adult,-the first ministra- tion being unto four children of Robert and Mrs. Mary E. Allan, and four children of John C. and Mrs. Catharine A. Miller, May 27, 1855, in the Methodist house of worship. Florence Amelia Silver, one year old, was the first child baptized in the church building, April 24, 1859.
The sacred rite of confirmation, or the laying-on of hands, has been ministered to two hundred and ninety-two persons, in twenty visitations of the bishop of the diocese.
The office for the solemnization of holy matrimony has been performed in the parish eighty one times.
The order for the burial of the dead has been used one hundred and fifty-one times. The number of families as- sociated with the parish is about eighty ; individuals, three hundred and fifty ; Sunday-school teachers and officers, fif- teen ; Sunday-school scholars, one hundred and twenty. The annual offerings for all church purposes are from two thousand to two thousand five hundred dollars. The parish in general holds first rank among those located in places the size of Hillsdale.
General Observations .- The county of Hillsdale is a parochial and missionary field, belonging to the Diocese of Michigan. The Diocese was formed out of a half- dozen parishes in the then Territory of Michigan, in September, 1832, and shortly thereafter was admitted into union with the General Convention of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The Rev. Samuel Allen McCoskry, A.M., rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, was consecrated the first bishop of the diocese, on Thursday, July 7, 1863, six months before the Territory became the State of Michigan. The Rt. Rev. bishop was also made rector of St. Paul's Church, Detroit. On Saturday, May 25, 1878, Bishop Mc- Coskry resigned his office and his jurisdiction. The elec- tion of his successor will be in order at the next annual convention, appointed to be held in St. Paul's Church, De- troit, on the Wednesday following the first Sunday in June, 1879
The Diocese of Michigan, until 1874, embraced all counties in the State of Michigan. In June, 1874, the diocese was divided into two by a central line running north and south, the eastern portion, with the bishop's residence at Detroit, constituting the Diocese of Michigan, with Hillsdale County in the extreme southwest corner ; the western portion, with the bishop's residence at Grand Rapids, constituting the Diocese of Western Michigan,
LEWIS EMERY,
Manufacturer, Hillsdale, was born in Northern New Hamp- shire, July 4, 1806. His parents were of English descent, and were among the earliest settlers of that State. During the battle of Lundy's Lane, war of 1812, Samuel Emery, father of Lewis, was taken prisoner, but escaped soon after the engagement.
Immediately after the war of 1812, Samuel Emery, his wife, and seven children, moved to Wayne County, N. Y., settling in the town of Sodus, - then Ontario County. In 1816 Mr. Em- ery and his father, in their western progress, arrived at Franklin, Ohio, remaining there seven years. Here Mr. Emery learned the trade of woolen manufacturer. Returning to Lyons, N. Y., he followed his trade until his removal to Michigan. With his small accumulations of many years, Feb. 28, 1843, Mr. Emery landed at Jones- ville, and immediately com- menced the erection of a carding-mill, which was the first mill of that description erected in this part of the WWW. D.C State. He conducted the mills successfully for many years, selling them in 1864, when he removed to Hills- dale, and, in the year 1847, erected the mills widely known as "Emery's Mills" situated one mile east of Hillsdale, which he conducted several years.
November 28, 1826, while living at Lyons, N. Y., Mr. Emery married Maria Gilson. The result of this marriage
LEWIS EMERY.
was seven children; three sons, now living in Penn- sylvania, being all who now survive. David Emery re- sides at Titusville, Pa. He is an extensive oil opera- tor and real estate owner ; has been mayor of Titus- ville, and was elected in the fall of 1878 to the Legis- lature of the State of Penn- sylvania. Oliver G. resides at Bradford, Pa., where, in connection with his brothers, he is extensively engaged in oil operations. Lewis, Jr., youngest son, and the pio- neer of the family in the oil regions, resides at Brad- ford, Pa., extensively engaged in the hardware trade, and, with his brothers, owns leases for several thousand acres of valuable oil lands. ยท He was also recently nomi- nated and elected to the lower house of the Penn- sylvania Legislature from his district.
MRS. LEWIS EMERY.
Mr. Emery's whole life has been one of continued activity, always having been foremost in enterprises for the public good.
In politics he is a staunch Republican. For many years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has endeavored to exemplify in everyday life the morals taught in the Book of Books.
105
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Branch County being in the extreme southeast corner. St. Peter's Church, Hillsdale, is now in number the eight- eenth of organized parishes in union with the Convention of the Diocese of Michigan. The rector and three appointed laymen of the parish are entitled to seats and a voice and a vote in the annual conventions of the diocese, held in June.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The organization of the Methodist Church in Hillsdale dates as far back as 1842. The first regular services began in that year, and worship was held in a school-house for want of more commodious quarters, with Rev. Thomas Jackson as preacher in charge, and Rev. C. H. Shurtliff as junior preacher. Rev. Mr. Jackson was returned by the Conference in 1843, with Rev. Adam Minnis as junior preacher, who, the following year, was appointed to the charge of the church, with Rev. Mr. Du Bois as his junior. In 1845, Rev. Wm. Pitt Judd was the pastor, and Thomas Seeley junior preacher. During the ministrations of these gentlemen a church was erected. The structure was a plain one, but suitable to the wants of the congregation of that time. Mr. Judd was returned in 1846, with Robert Bird as junior.
In the year 1847 Hillsdale became a station, with Rev. William Kelly as pastor, who remained one year, and was followed by Rev. Henry Worthington, who remained two years. In 1850, Rev. Mr. Buchanan was ordered to take charge of the church ; he remained one year, and was followed by Rev. Alex. Campbell. Rev. F. W. May came in 1853 as a supply, and, after a pastorate of one year, was followed by Rev. Ira B. Card. Rev. D. D. Gillett suc- ceeded him for one year, and the following year Rev. Joseph Jennings came. In 1857, Rev. Jeremiah Boynton became pastor, and remained two years ; he was followed by Rev. L. D. Earl, who filled a pastorate of two years. Rev. Thomas Comfort came in 1861, and remained two years. In the second year of his ministry the church was destroyed by fire. Rev. Thomas Lyon came in 1863, and immediately took the requisite steps towards the erection of a new house of worship. The building was completed during his pastorate, and is a commodious edifice. Rev. Mr. Dunton filled the pulpit in 1865, and was succeeded the following year by Rev. Noah Fassett, who remained two years. Rev. Geo. D. Lee was the next pastor, who re- mained one year, when Rev. H. H. Parker came. After him Rev. Wm. Doust was the pastor for two years, and was succeeded in turn by Revs. Geo. W. Hickey, Thomas Jacobs, and Ira R. Wightman, the first two remaining one year each, and the latter three years. In 1877, Augustus F. Gillett came, and was followed, after a two years' pas- torate, by the present pastor, Rev. Andrew M. Fitch.
The church is in a very flourishing condition, being entirely free of debt, and growing steadily in its member- ship. The number of names now upon its rolls is two hundred. The Sabbath-school has an equally large mem- bership, with an average attendance of one hundred and sixty. It has also a library of four hundred volumes. The superintendent is O. W. Lamport.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The following extracts from the records of session will best give the history of the organization of the First Pres- byterian Church of Hillsdale.
" HILLSDALE, Saturday, July 22, 1843.
" In accordance with previous notice, a meeting was held, in the village school-house, to take into consideration the expediency of organizing a Presbyterian Church in this place. A sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached by Rev. Wm. Page, of Jonesville, after which Rev. Elijah Buck moved that Rev. Wm. Page be moderator of the meeting, and the motion prevailed. On motion, I. H. McCollum was chosen clerk.
" After mature deliberation, it was Resolved, That we now proceed to organize a church. Letters from various other churches were then presented by the following per- sons, viz. : Wm. H. Cross and Nancy Cross, Thomas Bolles and Louisa Bolles, Calista Budlong, Amanda Stimpson, Isabel Rogers, Homan Barber, Allen Hammond, Isaiah H. McCollum, Byron Hammond.
" On motion, Resolved, That the church about to be organized be called the First Presbyterian Church of Hills- dale. (Here follow the ' Articles of Faith' and the 'Cov- enant' adopted. )
"On motion, Resolved, That two persons be elected to the office of ruling elder, and one to the office of deacon ; and on balloting for same, Wm. H. Cross and A. Hammond were chosen elders,-the former for two years, the latter for one year,-and Thomas Bolles was chosen deacon. Prayer was then offered by Rev. E. Buck, and the previously- named persons presenting letters were constituted a church. On motion, it was Resolved, That it be a standing rule of the church to elect its elders for a term of two years ; also Resolved, That the elders and deacon elect be ordained on the ensuing Sabbath.
" Adjourned."
On Sunday, July 23, Rev. E. Buck conducted public worship at the same place, and at the close of morning service the officers elected were ordained ; and during recess the first meeting of session was held, Rev. E. Buck being chosen moderator. Clement E. Babb, Charles T. Mitchell, and Wm. L. Kunkle were regularly received into the church by profession, thus making fourteen members altogether. Rev. E. Buck was chosen stated supply by the church, and, there being no other place in the village for holding public meetings, the church and congregation continued to worship in the school-house for several months, until a larger house (more centrally located, which had been built by a few citizens of the village for holding court and other county purposes) was bought, subject to occupation by the county until it should build a court-house of its own. The congregation worshiped in this house about ten years, until the completion of its present house of worship (the county having built its present court-house a little previously), and later sold the old house in part payment of the new one.
The church was received into the Presbytery of Mar- shall at a meeting held at Albion, Jan. 30, 1844. There
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106
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
are no society records to be found showing when the so- ciety was legally organized, the first trustees elected, etc. There have been eleven ministers, in the following order : Rev. Elijah Buck, who resigned in the early part of 1845, and was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas P. Emerson, who filled the pulpit a little less than one year ; Rev. Philip Titcomb and Rev. Wm. Page, each one year ; Rev. Wm. S. Taylor the first, and only regularly installed pastor, com- menced his labors Jan. 1, 1850, and the pastoral relation was dissolved May 4, 1853; by his request Rev. Calvin Clark received a regular "call" as pastor, and filled the pulpit from Feb. 1, 1854, to July 1, 1858, when he re- turned said " call" and resigned, being succeeded by Rev. James Knox, Oct. 1, 1858, who resigned Oct. 1, 1861, on account of failing health, after a vacation of several months, during which time Rev. Frederick Gallaher was temporary supply. After Mr. Knox's resignation, Mr. Gallaher became stated supply, and filled the pulpit until compelled, by failing health, to cease preaching. Early in 1869 a vacation was granted to him, in the hope that his health might be restored, and his labors again enjoyed by his anxious people; but the Great Shepherd ordered other- wise, and on the 16th of July, 1869, called his faithful under shepherd to a higher position, where " there shall be no more death:" His death brought a great sorrow upon the stricken flock, and a general feeling of sadness and loss to the whole community. Rev. Volney A. Lewis next supplied the pulpit from Dec. 1, 1869, to Dec. 1, 1872, when he resigned, and there was no regular stated supply until Rev. Samuel B. Bell, D.D., became such, Jan. 22, 1873, remaining until the early part of 1875, when he resigned, to accept a call to some church in California ; Rev. Leroy V. Lockwood succeeded, Feb. 20, 1876, and still occupies the pulpit.
As far as known, only two of these (Rev. Wm. Page and Rev. James Knox) have died since leaving Hillsdale.
Charles T. Mitchell and Allen Hammond are the only remaining members of its original number, the rest having been regularly dismissed, and removed from this place, though a majority of them are believed to be still living. The number of elders has been increased from two to nine, and of deacons, from one to four.
The present membership, pruned of those who have strayed away without being regularly dismissed, is about three hundred.
In the reconstruction of Presbyteries some years ago, the church was transferred to the Presbytery of Monroe, of which it is now a member.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptists organized a church in Hillsdale Nov. 11, 1848. The constituent members were E. P. Purdy, G. W. Bolles, Calvin Bolles, Leonard Olney, Ira Foster, Solomon Whelan, Thomas Hughes, Elsa Hardy, L. B. Brownson, Matilda A. Olney, Mary Bolles, Hannah Bolles, Matilda Coborn, Elizabeth Keating, Mary M. Whelan, Catharine Hughes, Mary Parish, and Elizabeth L. Dove. They were recognized as an independent church by a council which met with them Dec. 13, 1848. The first pastor was Rev. L. A. Alford, who remained till Oct. 28, 1849, when he
was succeeded by Rev. George V. Ten Brook, who began his labors July 2, 1850, and remained till June, 1852.
Then followed a season of discouragement and decline which culminated in the granting of letters of dismission to the members in January, 1855.
For nearly fourteen years after this the Baptist Church was practically dead. A few of the faithful had taken their letters of dismission and become members of neigh- boring churches. Subsequently a branch of the North Adams Church was organized at Hillsdale, which became an independent church the next year.
The present First Baptist Church of Hillsdale was organ- ized Oct. 1, 1869, and consisted of the following constituent members : A. G. Stewart, E. M. Conant, Mrs. A. Conant, Calvin Bolles, Hannah Bolles, Daniel Mills, A. B. Pren- tice, Mrs. A. B. Prentice, G. E. Ferris, Mrs. N. Ferris, S. J. Henry, Mrs. A. B. Henry, Lucy J. Whipple, Mrs. Elizabeth Dove, Mrs. H. L. Bolster, Mrs. A. Farnam, Miss Louisa Dowe. The church was organized by an ecclesias- tical council Feb. 2, 1870. The following order of recog- nition services were observed :
Sermon,-Rev. E. J. Fish, of Adrian.
Charge,-Rev. J. N. Carmen.
Hand of fellowship,-Rev. S. J. Axdel.
Prayer of recognition,-Rev. T. Olney.
On the same evening A. B. Prentice and A. G. Stewart were ordained deacons. From the time of organization, Rev. H. Gallop, of Jonesville, acted as pastor till Septem- ber, 1871, and his labors were greatly blessed,-twenty- two were added to the church by baptism, twenty-one by letter, and seven by experience, making in all fifty ac- cessions during his pastorate. Rev. E. A. Stone became pastor April 1, 1875, and remained until April 28, 1878. During his ministry the additions to the church were, by baptism, thirty, and by letter and experience, twenty-six ; making in all fifty-six. The present pastor, Rev. A. Judson Furman, began his labors Oct. 1, 1878. The present membership is one hundred and twenty-five. Since its organization the church has taken an active part in home and foreign missions. The ladies of the church have an active mission circle, auxiliary to the Women's Baptist Missionary Society of the West, of which Mrs. E. C. Keating is the efficient president. There is also a flourish- ing Sunday-school, of which A. B. Prentice is the super- intendent. The society propose at an early day to build a church edifice on their lot on Howell Street. The present officers are : Deacons, A. B. Prentice, J. M. Swain, and George E. Ferris; Treasurer, T. E. Dibell; Clerk, E. Everts. The trustees are J. P. Cole, A. B. Prentice, and T. E. Dibell.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
In the year 1849, Rev. Mr. Hadsted was invited by John Schmidt, G. Beck, and Mr. Deider to preach for them at intervals of six weeks, which he did. In 1851, Rev. Mr. Troutman, of Adrian, Mich., came, and during his pastorate an organization was effected, under the name of the Trinity German Lutheran Church. The members who signed the constitution of the society were seven, namely : John Schmidt, J. Wessel, Mr. Miller, Mr. Meier,
107
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mr. Beck, Mr. Leonhard Schmidt, and Mr. Deider. These gentlemen began the erection of a church in 1854. The first Elder was Mr. Deider, and the Board of Trustees com- prised the following names : John Schmidt, Mr. Beck, and Mr. Meier. Rev. Mr. Speckhard was the first settled pas- tor, remaining from 1859 to 1861. Rev. Mr. Hahn was his successor, remaining from 1861 to 1872. Rev. Mr. Schroppel followed, and remained till 1874, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Mr. Scheiferdecker from 1875 to 1877. The present settled pastor is Rev. Martin Toewe, who began his labors Aug. 1, 1878. The number of members at present is one hundred and seventy-five. The Trustees are W. Emmert, John Bernlocker, and J. Klein. The Elder is J. Gutekunst.
ST. ANTHONY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This parish was established in the year 1853. Rev. Father Kendricken, a native of Belgium, who was settled at Monroe, came as frequently as his pastoral duties would permit, which was seldom oftener than once in two or three months, and said mass at private houses in the village. The society, which, notwithstanding the want of a settled pastor and regular worship, still maintained its organization, finally purchased an edifice of the Presbyterian denomina- tion, and converted it into a Catholic church. Soon after Rev. Chas. Rychart took charge of the parish as the first resident pastor, and remained fourteen years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Father Dreesen, also a Belgian, whose pas- torate extended over a period of two years.
After a short interval he was followed by Rev. Father Duhig, who remained five years. His successor was the present pastor, Rev. Father Slane, whose energy and per- severance have done much to add to the prosperity of the parish. Since his advent a lot has been purchased, and a commodious parochial residence is in process of erection. The number of families in the parish is one hundred and twenty-five, many of whom are farmers in comfortable circumstances. The condition of the church is one of pro- gress, and the establishment of a parochial school is contem- plated. It is also the intention of the pastor to build a new and commodious church edifice, and ground will be broken for the purpose in the spring.
FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized Nov. 24, 1855. There were eight original members, viz., Rev. E. B. Fairfield, Rev. H. E. Whipple, Rev. Alonzo Hopkins, S. R. Hawks, David Bayles, A. W. Munger, W. J. Lindsley, and Rev. G. P. Ramsey. The first five are still living, but only one-Rev. A. Hopkins-still remains connected with this church. Hillsdale College being under the control of the Free-Will Baptist denomination, the membership of the church is, and always has been, largely made up of the faculty, students, friends, and supporters of that institution. Since its organi- zation nine hundred and forty persons have been received to its membership, an average of forty-one per year, or more than three for each monthly covenant-meeting. The present membership is two hundred and sixty-five. Of these one hundred and ninety are resident and seventy-five non- resident. At first, Sabbath services were held in the col-
lege chapel, but in 1867 a large brick edifice was built on the corner of Manning and Fayette Streets, at a cost of nearly thirty thousand dollars. For the first sixteen years the preaching was mostly done by members of the faculty, Revs. E. B. Fairfield, H. E. Whipple, R. Dunn, and J. Calder having served as pastors.
Rev. R. Woodworth, of Greenville, R. I., was chosen pastor Sept. 30, 1871, and remained two years. Rev. A. A. Smith began his pastorate May 1, 1874, and served the church in that capacity till Jan. 1, 1878. Rev. D. W. C. Durgin, D.D., is now pastor of the church, and E. G. Reynolds is church clerk. A prosperous Sunday school of about one hundred and fifty members is connected with the church, of which W. H. Reynolds is the present superin- tendent.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The first Universalist parish of Hillsdale was organized Sept. 4, 1876. Rev. Mrs. F. W. Gillette, State missionary, had preached a few sermons previous to this date, and through her efforts the organization was perfected. The membership numbered thirty. . Hon. Alex. Hewitt was chosen Moderator ; Mrs. S. W. Cook, Clerk ; M. G. Teach- out, Treasurer ; F. K. Proctor, Collector ; P. Mend, Luther King, Wm. Cook, and Mrs. E. Lamb, Trustees. Meetings were held as the services of clergymen could be obtained, until June of the following year, when Rev. Stephen Crane, of Perry, N. Y., was settled as pastor. Under his pastorate the parish has continued to improve until it now numbers some forty families. The Sunday-school was organized in June, 1877, and numbers fifty scholars and seven teachers. The pastor has so far acted as superintendent, and Mrs. S. W. Cook as assistant, being elected at the organiza- tion, and re-elected at the regular annual meeting The congregation worship in a hall at present, but hope soon to build a house of worship. The church includes in its membership some of the most prominent families of the city and surrounding country.
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