USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 54
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The streams are rather sluggish. The largest of these is Little St. Joseph River, or, as it is sometimes called, St. Joseph's of the Maumee. This stream enters the town from Pittsford, near the corner of sections 3 and 4, runs about a mile in a southeasterly course, then turns to the southwest and passes across the town, and enters Amboy at the southwest corner of section 31. Lime Creek has two branches, and receives its name from the fact that the north branch is the outlet of Lime Lake. The south branch rises in section 21, and runs a little south of east into Medina, where it unites with the other branch, and flows into Bean Creek. The head-waters of Mill Creek-which flows into Ohio, and gives its name to the town south of Wright-lie in the south part, in sections 3, 4, and 10 of town 9. Burt Creek, a tributary of the St. Joseph, enters the town from Ransom, and crosses sections 30 and 31 till it reaches the river. None of these streams furnish any good water- power.
Lime Lake is the only body of water in the town. It lies in the south part of sections 11 and 12, in the north part of the town. It is about one mile long from east to west, and has an average width of from 40 to 80 rods. The bottom is inclined to be muddy about the shores, but when a few rods out slopes rapidly downward to a great depth. Near the centre, soundings have been made to a depth of 150 feet.without reaching the bottom. It derived its name from the fact that its northern shore is composed of a bed of marl. In the early days stone lime was difficult to ob- tain, and the settlers burned this marl to furnish lime for their use. The lake was formerly well stocked with fish of
1850. William Brewster. Sether Dean.
1851. Curtis Coman. Sether Dean. 1852. Michael Lickley.
1853. Timothy Johnson. Curtis Coman.
1854. Russell Coman. Jesse Raymond. 1855. Jesse Raymond.
MRS. WILLIAM BREWSTER.
OLD HOME, FIRST FRAME HOUSE INWRIGHT T! BUILT IN 1841.
WILLIAM BREWSTER
RESIDENCE OF E. C. BREWSTER, WRIGHT TP, MICH.
PHOTOS.AY CARSON & GRAHAM.
209
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
all kinds common to Michigan waters, but their numbers have been greatly depleted by long-continued and unsea- sonable fishing.
The town is bounded north by Pittsford, east by Medina, Lenawee Co., south by Milton Creek, Fulton Co., Ohio, and west by Amboy and Ransom. Its population in 1874 was 1980. Its schools are well sustained, and its school buildings are comfortable and substantially built. Its popu- lation is almost wholly engaged in agricultural pursuits, though considerable lumbering is done every winter, the logs and wood being sawed in the town or sold at Hudson.
The name of the town was changed by act of the Legis- lature, approved Feb. 24, 1844, from Canaan to Wright. The three names, Camden, Cambria, and Canaan, presented so great an obstacle to a correct and speedy delivery of the mails that it was thought necessary to change the name of this town, and as the representative from this district at that time, Hon. Eason T. Chester, of Camden, was an ardent admirer of that great Democratic leader of the State of New York, Hon. Silas Wright, he had the town named in his honor.
The early pioneers were largely indebted for ministerial services to the Rev. Peter Foote, a preacher of the Protes- tant Methodist Church, who preached here frequently, and by his representation of the needs of this people to the Protestant Methodist Conference, induced that body to send Father Milligan, in 1843, to organize a permanent work. He was followed by Rev. D. C. Oaks, and he by other ministers until, for some reason, this field was abandoned by that denomination.
The next effort at church organization was made by the Baptists. Several members of that denomination had settled in the northwestern part of this town, and in the adjoining town of Ransom, and they were anxious to organize a church. To accomplish this a meeting was held at the school-house in district No. 2, at Lickley's Corners, on the 29th of October, 1847, at which an organization was effected under the name of
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WRIGHT.
A number of visiting brethren from other churches were present. Their names were Peter B. Houghmont, J. M. Young, Lester Monroe, David Monroe, and Zebina Wood. P. B. Houghmont was called to preside, and J. M. Young acted as secretary.
The Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant were read and adopted, and letters were presented by David, Lucetta, Martha L., and J. B. Woods, James and Lovina Lickley, and Mrs. Mary Raymond. The letters were ac- cepted, after which Samuel Stuck, Morris, William, and Charlotte Lickley, Sarah A. Howell, and Miss Mary Ray- mond were received as candidates for baptism. These thirteen persons constituted the first membership of the church. But five of them are now living in this vicinity. At this first meeting James Lickley was elected clerk for one year.
December 9, 1848, the first regular election of deacons occurred, and David Woods and Homan Barber were elected to that office.
May 18, 1851, a circular was received from the Hills- 27
dale Church regarding the admission of members of secret societies as members of the denominational churches. In reply, the following was adopted : " Resolved, That we will not receive any person into this church who is a member of any oath-bound secret society, and continues to hold mem- bership with such society."
During the pastorate of Rev. B. G. Lewis a protracted meeting of unusual interest was held by him at the Tar- seney school-house, in Ransom, by means of which twenty- three persons were on one occasion admitted to the church. The ceremony of baptism was at this time performed in Burt Creek, near the residence of Mr. Higley.
The society was incorporated on Saturday, July 23, 1853. The meeting was held at the Lickley's Corners school-house. Deacons Woods and Barber presided, and Z. D. Hammond acted as secretary. Seven trustees were elected, whose names were David Woods, President ; Z. D. Hammond, Secretary ; Perrin Shepardson, Treasurer ; Jonas Goodell, Homan Barber, James Lickley, and Philip Crandall.
David Woods and Philip Crandall were the committee appointed to superintend the building of a meeting-house.
A church site was bought of David Woods for the sum of $25. It contained 100 square rods of ground, and was 15 rods south of Lickley's Corners, on the west side of the road. The building was commenced in the spring of 1854, but was not completed until the summer of 1856. It cost about $2000. The money was at first attempted to be raised by subscription, but finally was raised by an equalized tax on all the members. It never has received any other than ordinary repairs, and is still in a serviceable condition.
The pastors of this church have been Revs. Wm. Smed- mer, B. G. Lewis, L. L. Wisner, William White, Wm. D. Stout, John Kelley, J. B. Kemp, Wm. D. Stout, Wm. M. Bassett, D. D. Walden, Wm. Frary, Isaac Noyes, Lyman H. Monroe.
Since December, 1877, the church has held no meetings. The membership, which at one time reached as high a number as 112, is now widely scattered and reduced to about 40.
The Sabbath-school was formally organized May 15, 1853, at the school-house, and maintained an existence with varying fortunes, until about seven or eight years ago, when it was given up.
The present officers of the church and society are as fol- lows: Deacons, George Carlisle, Luther Hammond ; Clerk, Luther Hammond. Trustees, George Carlisle, President ; Z. D. Hammond, Clerk ; Luther Hammond, Treasurer ; A. F. Parmelee, J. B. Wheeler, Martin V. Stuck, Samuel Stuck.
The next denomination to enter upon this field of re- ligious labor was the Methodist Episcopal. They formed a class at Lickley's Corners, some time previous to 1854. Sawyer B. Downer and Samuel Hinkle were the only male members of this class, of which Hinkle was the leader. It was a small class, probably not exceeding 10 in number. It was at that time a station on the Osseo circuit, and was connected with it until Ransom circuit was organized, about 1858-59, when it was attached to that. The class flourished for a few years, and then began to run down until it was practically defunct, though still not formally disbanded. Some five years ago, probably in the fall of 1873, it was
210
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
reorganized under its present form and title. It is now known as
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WRIGHT.
Since that time the church has been served by the same ministers that have been stationed at Ransom, Revs. Jones, - Ide, C. H. Ellis, James Barry, and George Donaldson.
Benjamin B. Jones was the class-leader at the time of the reorganization, and is also the present one. The class at present numbers about 30.
An incorporation of the society was effected at the quarterly meeting of Ransom circuit, held in the brick school-house, in the southwest part of the town of Jeffer- son, in July, 1878. The trustees then elected, and who still hold their office, were H. W. Gier, Edwin Leonard, Charles Case, Charles H. Gorsuch, and George Lickley.
There is a thriving Sabbath-school connected with this church, which was organized as at present existing in 1874. Benjamin B. Jones was the first superintendent, and H. W. Gier at present holds that position. The school has an average attendance of about 50 scholars. The meetings of both church and school have always been held in the school-house at Lickley's Corners, the society having not as yet owned any meeting-house, though steps are now being taken to procure one.
On the 11th day of March, 1855, a Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in the school-house, in district No. 4. The persons participating in the organization were Hiram N. and Matilda Barstow, Philo H. Stroud, J. N. Wilcox, Joseph L. Farnham, Rev. J. B. and Rebecca Hart, Rev. C. M. and Ann Eliza Preston, Stephen W. and Amelia Coman. Of these eleven original members Mr. Stroud, Mr. and Mrs. Preston, and Mr. and Mrs. Coman are still living in this town.
At the time this society was formed, the portion of the town in which it was located was almost a wilderness. There was but nine acres cleared within sight of the school- house where the meeting was held. This school-house stood on the northwest corner of section 26. It was built in 1850, at the time the district was organized. In it the meetings were held until the Pink school-house (so called because it was painted that color) was built in 1856. Then the meetings were held in that building until the church was built in the summer and fall of 1878. This is a frame building, 30 by 44 feet in size, with a spire, and cost $1200. It stands near the southeast corner of section 23, on a lot of one half-acre donated by O. W. Gleason. It was dedi- cated on Sunday, Dec. 8, 1878, by Rev. M. Wardner, Connectional Evangelist.
At the first meeting Hiram N. Barstow was chosen class- leader and J. N. Wilcox and S. W. Coman stewards.
The first pastor was Rev. J. B. Hart. He was succeeded by Rev. C. M. Preston, who had charge of the church for several years, having occasional assistance from neighboring ministers, until the South Wright class was formed in 1867. Soon after Mr. Preston retired from the charge, and his successors have been Revs. R. H. Ross, Daniel T. Beckwith, Joel Martin, William Wing, H. C. Hurlburt, Isaiah Martin.
The society was incorporated March 18, 1878. The meeting was held at the Pink school-house. P. H. Stroud presided, Rev. Isaiah Martin was secretary, and James H. Cyphers and O. W. Gleason were inspectors of election. O. W. Gleason, P. H. Stroud, and Ralph Perry were elected trustees. Although this was the oldest society of the de- nomination in the town, it became necessary to give it the name of "The Second Wesleyan Methodist Church of Wright," because the South Wright class had previously become incorporated, built a church, and adopted the title of the First Church.
At present the class numbers about 20. Ralph Perry is the leader and Philo H. Stroud and Stephen W. Coman the stewards.
A Sabbath-school has been connected with the church most of the time since its organization. William W. Brewster and Philo H. Stroud were the two first superin- tendents, but which of them was the first is uncertain. The present officers are John C. Stroud, Superintendent ; Louie Coman, Secretary ; Orrin Gleason, Treasurer. The present membership is about 70.
The second Wesleyan Methodist class formed in this town was located at South Wright, and bears the name of
THE FIRST WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH OF WRIGHT.
It was organized by Rev. C. M. Preston, in the fall of 1867, with 12 or 15 members. Among them were Rev. C. M. and Ann Eliza Preston, Mr. and Mrs. Gideon L. Emerson, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Wilcox, Mr. and Mrs. James Forrester, Mrs. Volney Reynolds, Mrs. F. B. Smith, Mrs. J. L. Cady, and Mrs. A. S. Wilson. This number was increased to about 20 by a revival the succeeding winter. Frequent revivals have followed the preaching of the Word, and the membership has grown quite steadily, until at pres- ent it is about 130.
During the first four years of its existence the church held its meetings in the brick school-house. Rev. C. M. Preston was the first pastor, and he was followed by the ministers named in the preceding sketch of the first class organized. They were the preachers stationed on Wright circuit, which was organized when this church was formed.
The first class-leader was J. N. Wilcox, and he continued to act in that capacity until about 1875, when James H. Cyphers was appointed, and now holds the position.
The society was incorporated Dec. 5, 1870, at a meeting held at the house of A. S. Wilson. James Forrester, G. L. Emerson, and A. S. Wilson were the trustees then chosen.
In the spring of 1871, Rev. C. M. Preston gave the society one acre of ground on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 33 for a church site, and work was immediately begun on the church, which was completed during the summer, and dedicated in the early fall by Rev. Adam Crooks, A.M., editor of the American Wesleyan, Syra- cuse, N. Y. It is a frame church, furnished with a bell, will comfortably seat 250 persons, and cost a total of $3000. During the same season a house, with a lot of six acres, was purchased of William Boyd, for $1000, for a ministerial residence.
The present officers of the church are,-Stewards, J. L.
211
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Cady, P. J. Musser ; Conference Steward, F. B. Smith ; Trustees, James Forrester, Volney Reynolds, Treasurer ; A. F. McFarland, Secretary.
The Sabbath-school was organized about twelve years ago (1866) at the brick school-house. F. B. Smith was the first superintendent. It then numbered about 40 scholars. It is now in a prosperous condition, with a membership of 100. Its officers are A. S. Wilson, Superintendent ; Mrs. Isaiah Martin, Assistant Superintendent; William G. Boyd, Secretary ; Miss Hattie Reynolds, Treasurer.
There is also a class of this denomination at Prattville. It was organized some five years ago under the leadership of John Emmons, and had about 10 members. It now num- bers about 20. The first steward was Edward Cramer. The meetings are held once in two weeks at the school- house. The present class-leader and steward are the same as the first ones.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF WRIGHT.
In June, 1860, Rev. William Jewell, of Spring Hill, Ohio, assisted by Rev. Zephaniah Shepherd, of the same place, organized this church at the school-house in district No. 4. It is of the denomination more commonly known as Disciples or Campbellites. Members of this sect had from time to time settled here, and now they felt suffi- ciently strong to warrant them in organizing a church. There were about 15 members. Leonidas Hubbard and Henry Root were elected elders, and Peter Kidd and Arnold Richards deacons.
Rev. Z. Shepherd had preached here occasionally before the organization, and other ministers from abroad have preached here occasionally since, but the church has never had a regular pastor, depending upon the development of its local talent for its pulpit supplies. The elders have had to perform the ministerial work, with the occasional help men- tioned. James Vandervort, who came here from New Antioch, Ohio, in October, 1863, was elected to the elder- ship, and had charge of the church until his death, in 1874, when he was succeeded by his son, Samuel, who died while in that office, about a year after. Leonidas Hubbard then assumed the charge for two years, when, at his own request, he was relieved, and Isaiah McNitt and Horace Weaver (the present elders) were chosen. Euclid Hubbard and William W. Coman are the present deacons.
The meetings were held at the school-houses in districts Nos. 3, 4, and 8, for a period of 14 years, and until the church was built.
In the spring of 1874, Mrs. Eliza Doughty gave to the society one acre of ground, at the southeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 29, to be used for a church site. During that summer the church was erected, and in October was dedicated by Rev. F. M. Green, of Kent, Ohio. Its size is 30 by 46 feet, and it will seat about 300 persons. The total cost was as follows: building, $1360 ; furniture, $150; and bell, $200. The money was raised by subscrip- tion, mostly among the members of the society, and the whole was paid in before the dedication occurred.
The society was incorporated in the spring of 1874, at a meeting held at the house of James Vandervort, who pre- sided over its deliberations. Samuel Compton was the sec-
retary. Leonidas Hubbard, Euclid Hubbard, and James Rogers were elected trustees. They are still in office.
The church has been prospered and has steadily increased its membership. In 1874 the society was divided, those living in the east part of the town joining with others living in Medina, and organizing another church. At the present time the number of members is about 75.
The Sabbath-school was organized about 1863, under the superintendence of Charles Voglesong. It now numbers about 100 members, and is prosperous. Its officers are Caspar W. Abbaduska, Superintendent ; Mrs. Jane Winans, Assistant Superintendent.
The denomination of Christians known as the United Brethren first occupied this field in 1867. In the fall of that year, Rev. J. Lower, of Bryan, Ohio, held a series of meetings and organized
THE "UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST" CHURCH OF WRIGHT.
The first members were 11 in number : Jacob and Eliza- beth Martin, Matthew and Sarah Martin, David and Cath- arine Rifner, Thomas C. and Mary Thompson, Thomas and Elizabeth Hull, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffman. The organ- ization was effected in the brick school-house at South Wright, where the meetings continued to be held until 1871, when they were held in the Wesleyan church until the church of this society was built in 1872.
The society was incorporated in December, 1871, at a meeting held at the house of Mrs. Eleanor Davis. The first trustees were H. B. Smith, Jacob Hersch, and Delos Wood.
In the spring of 1872 work was commenced on the church, which was completed late in the fall, and was dedi- cated in December. Rev. Milton Wright, now Bishop Wright, of Dayton, Ohio, editor of the Religious Telescope, a denominational publication, preached the sermon on that occasion. A debt of about $300 that was unprovided for was liquidated by subscriptions taken at the time of dedica- tion. The church, which stands on the northwest corner of section 3, in town 9 south, is a frame building, having a seating capacity of about 200, and cost $2700.
This church belongs to the Morenci circuit. The pas- tors have been as follows: Revs. Jonas Lower, Samuel P. Klotz, George W. Dinius, C. M. Crossland, Joseph Por- ter, J. W. Martin, and J. W. Lilley. The latter is the present pastor.
There were quite extensive revivals under the preaching of Klotz, Crossland, and Martin. The membership reached its highest figure under Crossland, when it was 60. By removals and deaths it has been reduced until it is now about 30.
The present officers are,-Trustees, Jacob Hersch, H. B. Smith, J. S. Smith ; Class-leader, J. S. Smith ; Steward, - May; Local Preachers, J. S. Smith and A. M. Smith. This church organized a Sabbath-school in connection with its earliest work, and called J. S. Smith to superintend it. The present officers are Paul Berleen, Superintendent ; John Hersch, Secretary ; Edwin Worthington, Treasurer.
The last of the eight churches of Wright, and the one most recently organized, is
212
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THE FIRST INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF PRATTVILLE.
Its denominational relation and its location are suffi- ciently explained by its title. It came to be organized in the following manner: There was a Congregational Church at Medina Centre, which had reached so low a point as to be almost at the brink of dissolution, and they announced that they would make a gift of their church edifice to any society who would take it and use it for purposes of religious worship. The people of Prattville and vicinity hearing of this offer, and feeling the need of a church in their village, called a meeting to organize a society and secure the church thus offered. This meeting was held at the Prattville school-house on the 12th of March, 1874, and a society was formed and incorporated. Six trustees were elected, viz., Wellington H. Pratt, Ambrose M. Burroughs, Henry Humes, C. B. Smith, Urion Mackey, and Lester Perry.
A church site was bought of Mrs. Clarissa Clark, widow of the late Amos W. Clark, for $75. It contained about one-half an acre of ground, and lay south of the school-house, on section 14. In April the work of taking down, re- moving, and rebuilding the church was begun, and was fin- ished in the summer. In October the church was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Conkling, of Hudson. The church will seat from 200 to 250 persons, stands on a beautiful and com- manding site, and is a credit to the village. The total cost of removing and rebuilding it was about $2800.
Up to this point the church had no existence as a religious body. It was simply an association or society organized to provide a place of worship for the people of the vicinity. But this was not to continue long, for on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1875, Rev. J. Van Antwerp, of Morenci, came and organized a church with 29 members. Among the most prominent were E. C. Brewster, A. M. Burroughs, Coe D. Smith, Urion Mackey, A. W. Venness, Nicholas R. Kipp, Curtis Coman, and J. F. Farnham.
The first officers elected at this time were E. C. Brewster and A. M. Burroughs, deacons ; J. F. Farnham, clerk. Rev. Sawyer B. Downer has been the pastor until the fall of 1878, when he resigned, and since that time the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. Wm. D. Stout. The present mem- bership is about 50.
The following are the present officers: Trustees, Urion Mackey, W. H. Pratt, E. C. Brewster, Benjamin Tuttle, Andrew Tuttle, D. W. Clark ; Secretary, E. C. Brewster ; Treasurer, A. M. Burroughs; Deacons, E. C. Brewster and Benjamin Tuttle; Clerk, J. F. Farnham.
The Sunday-school was organized about the time the church was built. Its average attendance during the past summer was about 80. E. C. Brewster is the superintendent and H. M. Pratt is the secretary and treasurer.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
This order is represented in Wright by two of their so- cieties. The first of these is located at Lickley's Corners. It is called Lickley's Corners Grange, No. 274. It was instituted by E. J. Hodges, on the 17th of February, 1874, with 33 members. In the spring, in company with Michael Lickley, they put up the buildings at the Corners, the upper story of which is used as the grange hall. The grange
paid about $375 towards its cost. It was ready for occu- pancy in the following October.
They have had a purchasing agency connected with their society, of which C. H. Gorsuch was the agent.
The present membership is about 55. The meetings are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month.
The following list shows the names of the first and of the present officers :
First Officers .- Master, Charles H. Gorsuch ; Overseer, Theodore Dopp; Lecturer, J. B. Lickley ; Steward, E. M. Bird ; Asst. Steward, David Williams ; Chaplain, A. H. Camp; Treas., G. W. Lickley ; Sec., H. T. Treat; Gate- keeper, J. J. Goodell; Ceres, Mrs. Nancy L. Bird ; Pomona, Mrs. Margaret Dopp; Flora, Mrs. Mary Camp ; Stewardess, Mrs. Alida Lickley.
Present Officers .- Master, Charles H. Gorsuch ; Overseer, J. B. Phillips ; Lecturer, Charles Armstrong; Steward, L. Dillon ; Asst. Steward, Alonzo Drake; Chaplain, H. W. Gier ; Treas., J. W. Lickley ; Sec., J. B. Lickley ; Gate- keeper, Wm. Eggleston ; Ceres, Mrs. Lydia Gier; Pomona, Mrs. Mary Lickley ; Flora, Mrs. E. J. Clark ; Stewardess, Mrs. Lora Drake.
The other of these societies is located in the south part of the town.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES N. WILCOX,
son of Stephen and Phebe Wilcox, was the fifth of nine children. He was born in Central New York, Dec. 20, 1814. His mother dying when he was nine years of age, he went to live with his eldest sister, who was married. He resided with her several years, working out a portion of the time, until about 1836, when he came to Oakland Co., Mich., with a family named Sanborn, with whom he lived a few months. He was a soldier in the great Toledo war. Some time in 1837 he came to Hillsdale County, and took up eighty acres of land from government, located in the town of Canaan, now Wright. He afterwards returned to New York, but did not remain there long, returning soon to Morenci, Mich., where he worked for a Mr. Wakefield, and afterwards for a Mr. Wilder. There he made the ac- quaintance of Miss Elizabeth Osborn, to whom he was married Feb. 14, 1841, and soon after erected a log house on his land, into which they moved before its completion, it having neither door, windows, nor fireplace. They en- countered many hardships incident to the early settlement. They had six children, one of whom, a son, died in infancy ; the remaining five are married and settled. His wife died Sept. 2, 1866, which was a severe bereavement. He kept house for three years, his youngest daughter and two sons living at home with him. In 1868 he became acquainted with Mrs. Persis Curtis, of Petersburg, Monroe Co., Mich., to whom he was married Dec. 16, 1869, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred Nov. 26, 1877. Mr. Wilcox was a worthy man, a consistent Christian, and one of the first settlers of this section.
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