USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 30
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The benefits paid to members since the organization of this lodge have amounted to over $5,100. The cash on hand at the present time amounts to over $3,000. The present officers are: Anthony Scully, past dictator ;
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
R. A. Redemsky, dictator: C. J. Eekmeter. vice-dictator ; Herman Schlosser, treasurer; M. W. Roche, prelate; Samuel Bosch, sergeant-at-arms: Henry Wells, inside guard : Charles Boughey, outer guard ; A. M. Burnett, Edmund Marshall and R. M. Cheney, trustees. Anthony Scully is deputy supreme «iictator.
ANCIENT ORDER OF GLEANERS.
The Ancient Order of Gleaners was organized in September, 1894; receiving its charter from the state of Michigan one month later. The founder of the order was Grant H. Slocum, the present supreme secretary. Of the original incorporators five took an active interest in the work of build- ing the organization: Grant H. Slocum, John M. Ealy, Joseph J. England, B. F. Ayres and Sherman F. Chase. Of the original incorporators all are still members of the supreme arbor with the exception of B. F. Ayres, who was called by death in 1904. The first six hundred members of the organ- ization required by the laws of the state of Michigan were secured among the farmers residing in the townships adjacent to Caro, Michigan, the birth- place of the order. The funds for forming the organization were furnished by Messrs. Slocum, Ealy, England and Chase, and amounted to more than $1.200. This amount was carried on a note by these gentlemen for seven years and finally donated to the organization, as it was found that the money could not be returned without handicapping the work of the organization.
The Gleaner organization has been a leader along co-operative lines and it is generally considered to have come nearer solving the marketing problems than has any other organization. The Gleaner Clearing House Association was established in the spring of 1907 and has since been doing business. During the year 1915 more than $500,000 worth of farm pro- ducts was handled through the association direct from the members of the order. The Gleaner Clearing House Association is not in any way con- nected with the Ancient Order of Gleaners with the exception that only men- bers of the Gleaner organization can hold stock in the association. Not one dollar owned by the Gleaner organization has ever been or can ever be, used in conducting the affairs of the Gleaner Clearing House Association. Plans are already under way for bringing co-operation closer home to the individual arbors and members.
Along educational and social lines the Gleaner organization has been among the leaders and through the federation of the local arbors in county and state organizations the order is in a position to wield a great influence in the interest of the agriculturist.
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The first arbor organized in lonia county was the Plains Arbor No. 247. This is located in North Plains township, one-fourth mile west of the famous N. B. Hayes farm and orchard and three miles north of Muir. It was organized on September 2, 1897, with charter members and officers as fol- low: H. M. Brown, chief gleaner; John DeGarmo, vice-chief gleaner : A. M. Knapp, secretary and treasurer ; C. F. Kirby, chaplain ; L. E. Mook, con- ductor : Floy Brown, conductress: Clarence Cobb, inner guard : William John- son, outer guard. This lodge has flourished since its institution and at the present time its membership has reached over one hundred and sixty-five. This lodge not only enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer arbor of the county but it furnished the first all-Gleaner orchestra of seven pieces which furnished the music for the National Gleaner Convention held in Toledo, in 1914.
The present officers of Plains arbor are: M. C. Strachan, chief gleaner ; Emma Charles, vice-chief gleaner : Asenath Chase, chaplain : Ernest F. Chase, secretary and treasurer: Charles Townsend, conductor: Ida Townsend, con- (luctress; J. M. Chase, lecturer; Ford Naight, inner guard, and Herbert Young, outer guard.
The other arbors of Ionia county are as follow: West Sebewa arbor. in Sebewa township. 14 members; Portland arbor. in Danby township. 54 members, organized on January 21, 1900: Palo arbor, in Ronald township, 109 members, organized on February 1, 1900: Woodard Lake arbor, in Ronald township, 25 members, organized on June 28. 1004: Leader arbor. in Orleans township, 51 members, organized on March 6. 1900: Orleans arbor, in Orleans township. 46 members; Shafter arbor, in Otisco township. 70 members, organized on July 27. 1899: Olympia arbor, in Otisco town- ship, 77 members, organized on March 18. 1809: Keene arbor, in Keene township, 53 members, organized on September 23. 1898: Boston arbor, in Boston township, 9 members: Live arbor, in Easton township. 128 members. organized on March 31, 1800; Collins arbor, in Portland township, 21 men- bers, organized on April 18. 1913: Orange arbor, in Orange township. 89 members, organized on July 11, 1800: Berlin arbor, in Orange township. 77 members, organized on November 8, 1001.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SECURITY.
The Knights and Ladies of Security was first organized in this county in 1899, when fonia Council No. 660 was instituted. This organization has had a very rapid growth and at present numbers one hundred and twelve
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among its active members. The present officers are: Loyd Wieiss, presi- dent ; Mrs. Dollie Randall, first vice-president : Mrs. Gertrude Avery, second vice-president : Mrs. Ida Young, secretary; Mrs. Jenny Avery, financier ; Mrs. Mae Alspangh, chaplain: Mrs. Anna Clark, conductor; Mrs. Anna Wood, warden ; Fred Cramer, sentinel.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
The Stevens Thomson Mason Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized in lonia on February 13, 1909. The charter · members were as follow: Mrs. Eva M. Barnes, Mrs. Mary L. Canfield, Mrs. Marion Morse Davis, Mrs. Marcoa A. Hamilton, Mary J. Smith, Carrie S. Loomis, Mrs. Huey C. Morse Yates, Evangeline Mackinnon, Mrs. Ona M. Hocke, Mrs. Louise Morrison Waterbury. Susan T. Canfield. Elizabeth M. Benedict, Cornelia A. Benedict, Jessie H. Benedict, Maryeth L. Barnes, Jennie L. Wells, Oliva Yeomans Just, Equna Arnold, Mary O. Arnold, Marion Ethel Arnold, Lulu C. Comey, Grace C. Yate. Harriet MeMullen, Mary Warner, Kate Benedict, Ferneuce Yeomans, Marion Yeomans, Mar- garet Steer. Lucy Babcock.
The present membership, with the name of ancestor and ancestor's native state, is given below :
Name
Name
AAncestor's
of Member
of Ancestor
Native State
Mrs. Frank Anderson ( Louise W.)
Jolin Handy
Pennsylvania
Miss Marion E. Arnold
Job Arnold Rhode Island
Miss Helen Baerd Uriah Roundy Vermont
MIrs W. L. Barnes ( Eva M. W.)
Taverner Beale Virginia
Mrs. Il. B. Barnes ( Marietta L.)
Job Arnold
Rhode Island
Miss Lucy Babcock
George Babcock Connecticut
Mr -. B. L. Berry ( Lulu C.)
Gideon Cornell Vermont
Mrs. Gordon Benedict ( Carrie ) Unther Trowbridge Massachusetts Miss Elizabeth Benedict John Ilandy Pennsylvania
Miss Cornelia Benedict
John Handy Pennsylvania
Miss Kate Benedict 1
Samuel Gordon Ireland
Miss Jessie Benedict
John Handy Pennsylvania
Mrs. O. A. Bierce ( Carrie H. ) 1
Uriah Roundy Vermont
Mrs. A. G. Bedford ( Grace L. ) 1
John Goffe New Hampshire
Mrs. J. H. Canfield ( Mary L. )
I
1 1
I
!
I
1 1
I
John Handy Pennsylvania
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Name
Name
Ancestor's
of Member
of Ancestor
Native State
Miss Sue Canfield
-John Handy Pennsylvania
Mrs. HI. R. Chamberlain ( Mary Abbey)
_Simeon North Connecticut
Miss Im Coney
Isaac V'an Vorheis
Mrs. E. M. Davis ( Marion M. )
John Morse Connecticut
Aliss Elva R. Davis
Isaac Strong Vermont
Miss Marian E. Daniells
Nathaniel Daniels __ Massachusetts
Miss Mary Emily Fish
Isa Gurney Massachusetts
Mrs. J. L. Flater ( Wealthy Ann )
Conradt Wilhelmer New York
Miss Inez A. Francisco Lamberton Cooper Massachusetts William Armstrong Ireland
Mrs. J. J. Green ( Genevra W. )
Mrs. J. H. Hamilton ( Marcia W.)
George Palmer Connecticut
Miss Ella Hutchins
Uriah Roundy Vermont
Miss Jessie M. Hutchins
Uriah Roundy Vermont
Miss Winifred Hearsey I 1
Gideon Cornell V'ermont
Miss Mary B. Jefferds 1
Jonathan Brown Massachusetts
Mrs. W. S. Lister ( Sarah S. ) 1
1
Benjamin Whitney __ Connecticut
Mrs. Wm. Laurie ( Daisy C.) 1
1
Gideon Cornell Vermont
Mrs. Arthur Loomis ( Carrie ) I
Samuel Dexter Connecticut
Mrs. A. R. Locke (Ona M.)
John Morse Connecticut
Miss Evangeline Mckinnon
Taverner Beale Virginia
Miss Harriet McMullen
Job Arnold Rhode Island
Mrs. Thomas MeGannon ( Olive K. )
Justus Bellamy Connecticut
Mrs. Levi Marshall ( AAddie )
Asa Heald Massachusetts
Mrs. A. T. Montgomery ( Almerene )
Ichabod Brown Connecticut
Mrs. J. H. Mitchell ( Jessie L.)
Peter Anspach Germany
Mrs. Jennie L. Nelles
Job Arnold Rhode Island
Mrs Mary A. Prince
Job Arnokl Rhode Island
Mrs. W. T. Remington ( Jane R. )
Lemuel Hubbell Connecticut
Miss Margaret Steere
Jonah Steere Rhode Island
Miss Marjorie Streeter
Jonah Steere Rhode Island
Mrs. K. R. Smith ( Mary J. )
George Palmer Connecticut
Mrs. K. R. Smith, Jr. (Alice Geer )
Jonathan Cressy Connecticut
Mrs. I. C. Taggart ( Nora M. )
David Morse Connecticut
Mrs. Frank Taylor ( Carrie C.) Severinus Koch New York
Mrs. Benjamin Vosper ( Lucia )
Philip King New York
Mrs. Harriet N. Willett
Philip Gilman Pennsylvania
Mrs. George P. Winchell ( Martha ) Henry Norton Connecticut
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Name
Name Ancestor's
of Member
of Ancestor Native State
Mrs. L. W. Yates ( Grace (: )
Isaac Van Vorheis
Mrs. G. Lee Yates ( Lucy M. )
John Morse
Connecticut
Miss Margery Yeomans Job Arnold Rhode Island
Mrs. E. T. Yeomans ( Abigail N.)
Richard Blake Connecticut
The present officers are: Regent, .A. T. Montgomery, vice-regent, Mrs. Florence McGannon, recording secretary, Mrs. H. R. Chamberlain ; corre- sponding secretary, Kate Benedict ; treasurer, Mrs. Levi Marshall ; registrar, Mrs. G. Lee Gates : chaplain. Mrs. J. H. Flater; first director, Mrs. J. IL. Flamilton : second director. Marjorie Streeter; third director, Mrs. A. R. Locke.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
William H. Borden Post No. 211, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in the city of lonia and the charter was issued on December 26, 1883. The quarters of this post are located on the second floor of 348 West Main street, where they have been since the organization. It is a lamentable fact that the charter of this post has so faded that the names of the charter members are undecipherable. The membership totals fifty- two of those loyal veterans who fought so nobly in the Civil War.
The present officers of the post are: W. E. Normington, commander ; James H. Laden, senior vice-commander ; Asa Randall, junior vice-com- mander : I. Buck, chaplain : J. L. Fowle, quartermaster ; J. H. Laden, patriotic instructor : W. A. Woods, adjutant; I. G. Barnard, quartermaster sergeant ; E. S. Shattuck, officer of the day; A. Willard, officer of the guard.
M. W. DRESSER POST NO. 100.
At a meeting held in the Masonic hall in the village of Lyons on Janu- ary 11, 1883, a post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized. General B. R. Pierce. department commander of Michigan, assisted les Captain Rove, of Company B. Second Regiment, Michigan State Militia, had charge of the organization and forty-eight soldiers responded to the roll call and were mustered into the ranks of this post. It was moved and carried at this initial meeting that the name of the post be M. W. Dresser. The following officers were then duly elected and served as the first officers of the post: D. C. Crawford, commander; John R. Dougherty, senior vice-
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
commander; P. C. Cutler, junior vice-commander; F. T. Gleason, quarter- master: D. C. Spaulding, sergeant ; J. O. Probasco, officer of the day: Henry Hitchcock, officer of the guard; J. S. Preston, chaplain: A. E. Barr was appointed by the commander as adjutant ; John Ashley was appointed ser- geant-major by the adjutant, and Thomas Ranger was appointed quarter- master sergeant by the quartermaster.
A committee was then appointed to make arrangements for a hall in which to hold the meetings of the post and 11. Hitchcock, D. C. Spaulding and J. R. Dougherty composed this committee. A motion was made and carried that the second meeting of the post should be held in the Masonic hall on the fourth Wednesday in January, 1883. There being no further business the post was closed in dne form and the initial meeting was brought to a close. This post flourished and it is safe to say that at one time had the largest membership of any post in the county. At the greatest pros- perity this post numbered one hundred and fifty-four members, but death and pecuniary reasons have reduced the ranks so that at the present time it numbers only eighteen.
The present officers are: C. W. Lung, post commander: Michael County, senior vice-commander : John Ashley, junior vice-commander; B. H. Stevens, chaplain: F. T. Gleason, quartermaster; William Croel. officer of the day: John A. Dalzell, officer of the guard: Ransom Howe, sergeant : . 1. S. Brunnell, adjutant ; Simon Newhouse, sergeant major; J. O. Probasco. quartermaster sergeant.
DAN S. ROOT POST NO. 126.
Dan S. Root Post No. 126, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ- ized at Belding on April 14. 1883. with the following charter members : Z. W. Gooding, E. S. Moulton, Clark W. Wakeman, Hawley M. Cotton. Jasper S. Gage, Andrew Curtis, John W. Cooper. S. Z. Dunkca, Milton J. Holcomb. Wilbur HI. Lacke, Fred Lounds. Frank R. Chase. W. R. Olds, George A. Hanks. Michael Zahn. George B. Fish, A. 11. Moore. Oscar .1. Day and Charles Brown. Frank R. Chase was the first commander.
The present officers of the post are: Frank R. Chase, commander; Jeff C. Godfrey, senior vice-commander: Matthew Kahn, junior vice-com- mander : George A. Hanks, surgeon; Edgar 1 .. Bernz. quartermaster; H. A. Waklron, chaplain: John W. Cooper, officer of the day: Eli Hanks, officer of the guard: M. 1. Howe, patriotic instructor: W. R. Olds, adjutant : B.
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F. Bowen, sergeant-major and quartermaster sergeant. The post now has real and personal property worth $1,060.
IIIAT P. CLARK POST NO. 153-
Hiat P. Clark Post No. 153, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ- ized on January 26, 1885, at Saranac. There were twenty-one charter mem- bers, as follow : E. P. Gifford, B. A. Cotton, G. B. Wilson, William Rem- dick. H. A. Hatan, W. R. Sayles, W. E. Wandruff, N. T. Hubbell. R. E. Arthur, E. Peller, IL. Case, A. D. McConnell, R. S. Hlines, S. Hines, G. Phillips, John Morehouse, G. E. Wherlock, F. T. Haskins, Devila Bishop, Isaac Chatfield and H. B. Savensteve. Of whom the following are now living : G. B. Wilson, W. R. Sayles, N. T. Hubbell, R. S. Hines, F. T. Haskins, Isaac Chatfield and H. B. Savensteve.
The roll-call officers for the first year were as follow: Commander, E. P. Gifford; senior, vice-commander, B. A. Cotton; junior vice-com- mander, G. B. Wilson: surgeon, W. E. Woodruff ; officer of the day, Will- iam Rimillick; officer of the guard, W. R. Sayles ; chaplain, H. A. Harlen; instructor, C. G. Hubbell ; adjutant, R. E. Arthur; sergeant major, .A. E. Wheelack : quartermaster sergeant, F. P. Haskins.
Names of comrades since the organization of the post : James Pern- lick. E. H. Warden, W. M. Cant, J. A. Quant, B. E. Hess, H. Ghister, J. Woodruff, John Greaves, A. Pirham, J. C. King, William Fitzleans, F. P. Thompson, G. W. Chipman, Alex Sprague, E. Pausand, A. Welhnan, Z. llull. J. Converse. K. R. Olmstead, C. H. Phillips, G. A. Paltz, E. Hull, P. Taylor. S. W. H. Morrison. G. Leary. R. Vasper, J. Patrick. S. W. Smith, 11. H. Power, A. F. Summer. M. Fitzgibbons. C. Smith, C. Herring- ton, J. Duberry, J. Faulks. W. O. Sible, S. Sible, AA. Youngs, E. M. Guern- sey, J. Green, D. G. Shummey, J. Taylor, J. Steele, C. E. Mason, J. P. Anderson, J. Waller, S. Hart, I. T. Livermore. A. Dunn, P. Mullen, W. %. Bull. J. A. Lacher. P. Abbott, F. J. Spencer, J. H. Mills, A. J. Raymer, D. Walen, O. H. Brunder. J. Buxton, J. Leish, J. T. Canright, G. W. Leart, .A. C. Cruff. F. E. Hart, W. Hinderliter, M. Tanner, C. C. Radis, .1. . \. Walter. V. C. Watkins. G. Houseman, Peter Oversan. E. Walkins, W. H. Davenport. W. Gates, J. A. Weynant, J. A. Aldrich, S. S. Wheeler. G. Dins- more. J. M. Diber. A. S. Quent, S. Hart. H. C. Crothers, S. L. Halliburker. G. Dinsmore, J. M. Diber. J. P. Gould. A. E. Tucker, P. W. Martin, L. E. Church, John Miller. A. Sisca, S. E. Bevier, E. Landery, W. Gibean, 11. English, E. D. Sargeant, J. Bolster. J. Sines, D. K. Pruin. William Hines,
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
S. Day. S. Seer. R. Trans, M. M. Johnson, McArthur, S. L. Pickins. A. Ketchum, A. Abbitt. A. W. Knee, P. Pinkey, H. C. Meyers, C. W. Hall. E. Lewis, Percy Leavey, John J. Capple, William Case and S. S. Linamore.
The officers at the present time are as follow: Commander, James Reindicke: senior vice-commander. S. E. Pickens; junior vice-commander. T. W. Wilson : quartermaster. N. P. Hubbell : officer of the day. C. T. Tan- ner: officer of the guard, C. G. Lawrey; chaplain, S. R. Curtis; patriotic instructor. A. F. Hart : adjutant. C. H. Brudes : quartermaster-sergeant. M. Lawrey.
JOHN MEGARRAU POST NO. 132.
John Megarrah Post No. 132. Grand Army of the Republic. of Port- land, was organized on April 24, 1883, with Jonas Ackley, Milton Sawyer. Joseph Warren, Franklin Roe. J. C. Clark, Henry Rinebolt, Henry Rum- ball. William P. Shay, W. 11. Howard. Hozial Horner. Benjamin Bakdler- son. Lorin jenkins, William Budd. James Sayers, Stephen Drumm. A. O. Stone. Charles Hastings. M. E. Kenyon, James Frazee, Francis Coy, John W. Klotz and C. W. Shelby as charter members. The post has forty-three members at the present time and owns property valued at $98.17. It also has two auxiliary bodies, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The present officers of the post are as follow: John W. Klotz, com- mander; Henry Losey, senior vice-commander; George Friend, junior vice- commander : 11. W. Holcombe. adjutant : Jason D. Woodbury, quartermas- ter: Seth Munger, surgeon : W. G. Miner, chaplain; John Van Horn, officer of the day: Emory (. Fox, patriotic instructor: Samuel S. Sleight, outer guard: Vinson Taylor, quartermaster-sergeant. John Megarrah post meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month at Blanchard's hall.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
Dan S. Root Woman's Relief Corps No. 175. auxiliary to Dan S. Root Post No. 126, of Belding, was organized on April 22, 1889. The following are the charter members and first officers: Betsy Filkins, president; Har- riet 1. Laske, secretary; F. L. Berry, treasurer; Lizzie Milland, conductor : Martha M. Gooding, Hattie E. Chase, Eva Bowen, Emerette Bradish, Ella M. Granger, Gertrude E. Olds, Martha Skellengen, Wate A. Kolm, Laura Autliff and Sarah Slayton.
The present officers are: Ettie A. Chase, president : Zada Case, senior
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JONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
vice-president : Elvira Waldron, junior vice-president : Mary E. H. Coville. secretary: May Little, treasurer: Leona Howe, chaplain: Mary Skellenger. conductor: Latecia Currie, guard: Marie Johnson, patriotic instructor.
M. W. DRESSER WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
M. W. Dresser Woman's Relief Corps No. 70 was instituted in Lyons, Michigan, May 20, 1891. by Lois J. Dunn, deputy junior vice-president. There were thirty-two charter members and the first officers were as follow : Ruth Lung, president : Belle Manning, senior vice-president: Ella Cook. junior vice-president : Melissa Dougherty, secretary: Mary Marsh, treasurer : Ella King, conductor: Myra McQuillen, assistant conductor; Lizzie Gleason. guard: Elisa Edwards, assistant guard; Addie Crittenden, chaplain.
The present officers of the corps are: Marian Billings, president ; Enie- line Crowell. senior vice-president : Thursa Howe, junior vice-president ; Mary Welch, chaplain: Susie Lung, secretary: Mary Duhig, treasurer ; Vera Steadman, conductor : Pearl Powell, assistant conductor ; Mary Marsh, guard; Marietta Spencer, assistant guard: Grace Sage, first color bearer; Kate Smith, second color bearer; Myrtle Burch, third color bearer: Jennie Earl. Fourth color bearer; Mary Faxon, patriotic instructor: Lillian Grant, press correspondent : Pearl Upton, musician.
DAUGHTERS OF VETERANS.
Clara Barton Post No. 7. Daughters of Veterans, was organized on April 5. 1015. with the following charter members and first officers: Hattie Curric. president : Blanche Eckles, senior vice-president : Melissa Cobb, guide : Bessie Shepard, first color bearer: Marina Conkell, chaplain; Ada Fowler. patriotic instructor; Helen Randal, treasurer: Ellen Everhart. junior vice- president : Dora Everhart, second color bearer; Auna Cole, third member council: Anna Parent: Nora Wise, secretary: Ida Cobb, assistant guard : Leah MeIntosh, guard: May Choate, third color bearer: Wealtha Sparks; Jennie Whitney, fourth color bearer: Minnie Gettings: Cora Greene, first member council: Hattie Warner.
The present officers are: Nora Wise, president: Ellen Everhart, senior vice-president : Leah Melntosh, junior vice-president : Mavina Conkell, chap- lain: Helen Randall, treasurer: Hattie Currie. first member council : Anna Cole, second member council: Hattie Warner, third member council; Ada Fowler, patriotic instructor: Anna Parent, secretary: Ida Cobb, guide: Me- lis-a Cobb. guard.
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IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SONS OF VETERANS.
Frank R. Chase Camp No. 25, Sons of Veterans, was organized with the following charter members and first officers: Commander, Harvey H. Currie ; senior vice-commander. Roy Ring; junior vice-commander, Alex Kelly ; patriotic instructor, William H. Malone ; camp council, A. V. Batche- lor, chairman: Elmer C. Wise. E. O. Hildebrand; chaplain. Leo Foreman ; color bearer, O. J. Collier: guide. E. O. Hildebrand; musician, Frank H. Davis: inner guard, Bert Hough; outer guard, Ralph Johnson; treasurer, A. Merton Eaves : secretary, J. M. Langston.
The present officers are: Commander. William IL. Malone : senior vice- commander, S. A. Collier; junior vice-commander, Vern Davis; patriotic instructor. Roy Ring; camp council. Elmer C. Wise, Clyde Cooper, O. J. Collier; chaplain. Elmer C. Wise; color bearer, Charles R. Case; guide, Ralph Johnson : musician, Frank H. Davis; inner guard, Bert Hough : outer guard, John Mehny ; treasurer, A. Merton Eaves; secretary, Frank E. Col- lier.
CHAPTER XXV.
EDUCATION, SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
The educational chapter of lonia county deals with one of the most important factors in the development of this county. The forefathers cut the trails and made the initial steps in the settlement of the county and the citizens of the present day with good roads, advanced modes of travel and machinery, reap the benefits of their untiring efforts. All of this effort on their part has reflected itself in the present day many times, but these noble forefathers did a far greater work in providing the one-room log school house which was the foundation of the modern school system. The present schools, which are equipped with every modern convenience and include in the curriculum every subject possible to make the student broader and equip him so that he may step out in this world able to deal with the problems and questions of the day. have been built up through many years of patient labor on the foundation of the educational system which was laid in the one- room log school house. The history of some of these early schools is here presented :
BERLIN.
The annual school report of Berlin township for 1848 testified that there were twenty-nine scholars in district No. 2, forty-two in No. 3, and thirty-four in No. 4. The apportionment of primary school fund was seven- teen dollars. Of that amount No. 1 received $2.92; No. 2, $3.45: No. 3. $6.37; No. 4. $3.85. The distribution of military money gave $6.41 to No. 2: to No. 3. $6.66; to No. 4. $7.50.
The number of school children in the township for 1849 was as fol- low: District No. 1, 23: No. 2. 28; No. 3. 56; No. 4. 33: total, 140. The annual report for 1856 gave two hundred and eighty-four as the total num- ber of scholars, seven as the number of districts, and $149.04 as the amount of money divided.
BOSTON.
The first school in Boston township was taught in Timothy White's house in the summer of 1838 by Sarah Alden, sister to Timothy White's
( 22 )
338
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
wife. Mrs. Becket Chapman says she went to school to Miss Alden at J. B. Tallant's in the winter of 1838-39, but that after her father found wolf tracks following her path home he concluded that she had better not go to school any more. The scholars in that school included the Cushman children. daughters of Mrs. James M. Tallant, whose first husband was a Cushman.
The first school house was built in November, 1838, on section 20. It occupied land owned by James Hutchinson, then an absentee, and in it the first school was taught by Susan Ann Church, who later became Mrs. Elb- ridge Williams. School was held in that structure until 1840, when Edson English, then a newcomer to Boston, bought the Hutchinson place, and no title to the school house site having been issued to the town. Mr. English naturally claimed possession of it. He moved his family into the school house, occupying it as his first residence in Boston. After he took possession, however, be built at his own expense, an addition, in which school and meet- ings were held for some time.
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