History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 55

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

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The band was immediately put on good footing, and a fine uni- form costing 8800 procured for them, Mr. Jno. B. Morris being chosen as drum major.

The lodge now numbers in the vicinity of 100, and the present lodge officers are as follows: James A. Parkinson, C. C .; N. W. Edgar, P. C .; Cyrus W. Higby, V. C .; R. W. Smith, K. of R. S .; James Shaw, M. of E .; Henry Hayden, M. of T .; E. A. Clement, M. of A .; John Holton, I. G .; A. M. Benham, P .; Frank Fowler, O. G. Their Castle Hall is at present located on corner Main and Mechanic streets. Regular lodge meeting on Monday evenings.

THE ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS

was introduced here in 1865. Jackson Lodge, No. 278, was organized Dec. 18, 1865, with the following officers: S. W. Fow- ler, W. C. T .; Josephine Bacon, W. V. T .; R. Reasner, W. S .; Norman Allen, W. T .; H. W. Van Dusen. W. F. S .; Jas. Gould, W. M .; David Winton, W. C., and S. E. Brooks, P. W. C. T. In 1867 the lodge was incorporated, with the following members forming the board of trustees: S. W. Fowler, J. Sagendorph, R. Summers, D. G. Palmer and A. Baird. The lodge changed its meeting place from the old reading room in the Durand Block, to the larger hall above, which it has furnished and decorated.

The Samaritan Lodge, No. 374, was organized May 5, 1866, with C. C. Lathrop, W. C. T .; Mrs. Myra Tiffany, W. V. T .; Prof. J. L. Robbins, W. S .; J. W. Du Bois, W. T .; Miss Bell Gillespie, W. I. G .; Anson D. Clark, W. O. G .; Rev. L. R. Fisk, W. C .; Mrs. C. C. Lathrop. W. R. H. S .: Mrs. J. W. Fay, W. L. H. S .; I. N. De Lamater, W. M .; Miss Kate Allen, W. D. M .; Miss L. Treadwell, W. F. S .: Miss Nellie Carter, W. A. S., and Dr. J. W. Fay. P. W. C. T.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Hope Lodge (colored) was organized July 7, 1866, and formed the first colored lodge of Good Templars in the State.

Victor Lodge, No. 734, is the most recent addition to Good Tem- plarism in the eity. The officers elected in November, 1880, com- prise: Miss Lucy Putnam, W. C. T .; Miss Nettie Johnson, W. V. T .; Miss Luella Todd, W. S .; Miss Nellie Johnson, W. F. S .; Arthur Bronson, W. T .; S. Sineo, W. M .; Miss Allie Reed, W. D. M .; Miss Addie Putnam, W. I. G .; Charles Simpson, W. O. G .; James Simpson, W. A. S .; Ralph O'Hara, W. R. H. S .; George Lindsley, W. L. H. S .; Mrs. S. Moore, W. C .; Adelbert Smith, P. W. C. T .; Mrs. S. Moore, L. D.

JACKSON REFORM CLUB.

On the 3d day of December, 1876, this club was organized by Dr. H. A. Reynolds, at Union Hall, on the plan of "Dare to do Right" and "Resene the Perishing," with the badge of a red ribbon, and a platform of non-political, non-sectarian basis; and with the idea that it was to be composed mostly of men who were trying by the help of God to leave off drinking and live temperate lives by totally abstaining from all intoxicating drinks. At the first meeting there were 65 men took the pledge who had been victims of drunkenness. The meetings were continued all winter, and Capt. J. C. Bonteeon was elected president, and G. J. Mc- Candless, secretary. The interest was unabated, and in a few weeks some 700 names were added to the pledge.

In the winter of 1878, Capt. Bontecon started on a missionary tour into the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa . and Missouri, and remained most of the time in those States for two years, laboring with a success that was almost unprecedented in temperanee work. Shortly afterward Charles Meserole and John Lenton left for Canada, for a labor of five weeks, and received 6,000 names to the pledge. The following April, Zar Dyar left for Oakland, Cal., and organized the first club in that eity; and John Daily left for Virginia City, Nev., and organized the first elub in that far-west territory.

The elub was reorganized under the State law on July 30, 1877, with Dr. J. A. Robinson, President, who has held that position since that time; and Mr. McCandless has held the office of secre- tary from the beginning.

April, 1878, Dr. Robinson organized the first Reform Club Sun- day-school ever organized in any place, with about 40 children and six teachers. The children for the most part were children of persons belonging to the club, with such as could be picked up that did not attend Sunday-sehool anywhere, and a few came in who were attracted by the singing of temperanee songs, that was a prominent feature in the exercises. Mr. MeCandless was the organist, and the number was soon run up to 150 scholars, and exeept the interruption of two or three Sundays they have held service at half past three o'clock Sunday afternoon since that time.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

There have been 5.643 men over the age of 18 years who have signed the pledge since its organization, 2,481 since its incorpora- tion under the State law, making 8,124 in this city alone since Dec. 3, 1876; of this number 3,148 were women and children.

The members of the club have organized 30 clubs in various parts of the State, the two most notable being at Ann Arbor and Chelsea, and most of the clubs organized are kept up and in run- ning order.

A few names we should mention as having held office from the commencement of the organization, and since they became mem- bers of the club, who have stood at their post through sunshine and storm, through good and evil days .- for the club has seen its dark days as well as most societies formed for moral improvement of mankind. Among these are David Irish, W. B. Hurd, John Holton, Newton Whitney, E. W. Heaton, and a large number whose names we have not and shall not forget, besides a goodly number of women whose untiring exertion and valuable services will ever be remembered. Of the clergymen who have always been ready to give a helping hand whenever called upon, we mention Rev. Moses Smith, Rev. T. F. Hildreth, Rev. Isaac Butterfield, Rev. J. T. Magrath, Rev. Ira C. Billman and Dr. Hough, who have been willing to aid with their money and their voice whenever called upon, and Hon. Amos Root, who has always opened his generous heart and purse to keep the club from falling. This year, 1881, Hughes and Ward, the revivalists, held a five weeks' meeting, and their efforts with the assistance of Mrs. Mary J. Lathrop, were crowned with the 3,783 signers to the pledge, of men, women and children, a large number being of the latter class.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

The Knights of Honor are comprised in Jackson and Peninsular lodges. The officers of the Jackson Lodge include, C. H. Palmer, P. D .; J. Lewis, D .; J. M. Myers, V. D .; Bryon Foote, A. D .; G. W. Ford, R .; A. M. Tinker, F. R .; D. A. Tinker, Treas .; G. H. Mosher, Chaplain; C. R. Thorn, Guide; G. W. Austin, Guar- dian; G. A. Dodge, Sentinel; Dr. J. M. Lewis, Med. Examiner. The officers of Peninsular Lodge comprise J. Hanan, G. F. Ander- son, C. B. McAlvey, A. D. Fuller, B. Wolf, J. W. Barry, J. E. Decker, L. Lindemer, and P. J. Curtis.

ROYAL ARCANUM.

The Royal Arcanum is under the regency of S. H. Wood, with J. D. Hinckly, V. R .; George Ford, Orator; N. H. Williams, P. R .; J. D. Wilson, Sec .; T. A. Barkworth, Collector; G. H. Mosher, Treas .; J. H. Noyes, Guide; T. A. Wilson, Chaplain; J. N. Tym, Warden.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

UNITED WORKMEN.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen comprises at present three lodges,-the Jackson Lodge, No. 72, the Twilight Lodge and the Schiller Lodge. The formeris governed by A. M. Tinker, P. M. W .; J. C. Bonnell. M. W .; Sanford Hunt, F .; L. J. Brooks, O .; C. H. Markham, G .; I. B. Rich, Recorder; D. Blakeman, Financier; D. C. Meseroll, Receiver, and M. S. Larrabee, I. W. The Schiller Lodge is presided over by F. W. Hahn, with Thos. Stein, M. W. ; M. Sanwald, F .; F. Eggert, O .; G. Schlenger, Recorder; F. Schulte, Treasurer; F. Dryer, Receiver; P. D. Reith, Guide; J. Noll, I. W., and H. Beck, O. W. The Twilight Lodge claims an official list including Geo. W. Fifield, M. W .; A. A. Smith, F .; R. H. Wilson, O .; Alvey Youngs, G .: J. C. Blaisdell, Recorder; J. A. Seward, Fi- nancier; A. C. Tinker, Receiver; L. Satterlee. I. W., and I. C. Clark, Trustee.

ORDER OF RED MEN.

The Improved Order of Red Men was established here in No- vember, 1872, and completed the organization of Cayuga Tribe, No. 6, of Jackson, in December of the same year.

This order originated, as is believed, in the days of the Revolu- tion; but the written record begins in 1812-'13, when it was organized by Lieut. Williams, in Fort Mithlin, on the Delaware river, and accomplished the purpose of the brave lieutenant in rendering a divided garrison a unit for the Republic. With the close of the war, of course its original object of existence ceased; but a few years later, shorn of its political character, it was revived, and has continued to this day on the principles to be hereafter tated. It is, therefore, the oldest American secret society.

This order is a confraternity for the promulgation of the prin- ciples of trne benevolence and charity, and for the establishment of friendly bonds among men. It is beneficial, protective and recip- rocal, recognizing as a principle the right of men to freedom of thought and liberty of conscience. Red men administer no oaths binding the hunter to any political or religious creed; "they bind neither your hands nor your feet; as you enter their wigwam so you depart, a free man."

It requires, as a pre-requisite to membership, a firm belief, evi- denced by life and act, and not mere declaration alone, in the existence of the Great Spirit (God) in whose hand all power is, and to whom all are accountable. It is named after the aborigines, because the Indian was generally a true theocrat, worshiping the Supreme Being; and because the customs and ceremonies of the Indian tribes were those taught by nature and were well adapted to a simple life. Its emblems are drawn from nature alone, and are symbolized in every scene on which the eye may rest, when contemplating the wondrous works of the Great Spirit, whose power and all-pervading presence must be acknowledged and con- fessed by all who seek to penetrate the mysteries of the order.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

It is called "The Improved Order of Red Men," because man is not perfect, and consequently there is and always will be room for improvement, and, therefore, room for the improved order of men. What constitutes an "improved Red Man," will appear as follows:

1. He who keeps his pledges must be diligent and honest. A lazy man violates the sacred obligations of the order as well as natural obligations resting upon him.

2. He must deal justly with all.

3. He must counsel his brother kindly in all matters touching his fair name.

4. He must in all cases exercise charity of spirit, restraining angry and bitter feeling.

5. He must not neglect the sacred duties due the sick and dead, the widow and the orphan.

6. In all things he must, to his ntmost power, imitate and prac- tice the stoicism of the Indian,-submitting to affliction, smarting under wrong, bearing up against every adverse lot, and likewise receiving and enjoying without ostentation and clamor.

There are three degrees to the order, namely: Hunter, Warrior, Chief. There are now about 20 State councils, each subordinate to the Great Council of the United States, from which all power emanates, and to which all tribes, through the State Great Coun- cils, must yield implicit obedience. The membership is large and increasing. The work is done both in English and German; and there are very many "tribes" of the latter nationality.

The conclusion of the whole matter is expressed in the words of the circular: "Here, then, we have a society of American origin, knowing no politics, having no sectarianism, receiving all worthy men, having an honorable history, a large membership, a repu- table code of morals, well-defined and God-like principles, and a mission to perform."

The officers of the Caynga Tribe toward the close of 1880 were: A. K. Rawson, F. A. Gallagher, O. Blake, C. W. Cook, H. H. Crittenden and John Fremelling. Manhattan Tribe was organized some time ago, and now includes among its officers, R. Worch, W. Eberbach, J. Meyfarth, F. G. Adler, H. Loser and C. Meyfarth.

THE ORDER OF THE HOME GUARDIAN SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION.

Through the influence of J. W. Orr, Dr. J. T. Main, and Geo. F. Anderson, the above order was organized and incorporated in the city of Jackson. This order is based on the mortality ex- perience of the 20 English life insurance companies, with an experience of 100 years, and the Finlayson Sickness and Accident Tables of England, with an experience of over 50 years. The plan was brought here in the year 1879, and re-arranged and made to comply with the laws of the different States, and suited to the wants of the American people, and was copyrighted in the United

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

States and the Dominion of Canada in the year 1880. The basis of this order differs from any other order in this country, viz .: That it is based on the mortality and sickness and accident tables, thereby knowing the average liability of its members, year after year, and conducting the business in a manner so that their liability does not increase or decrease from year to year, thereby requiring a level deposit to be made by their members during their expectancy of life. These deposits are made in a bank selected within a grand division, which gives security double the amount of the deposits. Those deposits are made subject to a draft made by the executive committee of five members of any local division organized within the grand division, payable to the person entitled to receive the indemnity. All members receive a draft for their indemnities from the local division where the sickness, accident or death occurs. Whether he is a member of that local or grand division, an affidavit of the examining physician, also of the chairman of the executive committee is required on the certificate and dratt, and must be countersigned by the president and secretary of a grand division before the bank will bonus the draft. A division can be organized in any city or hamlet by 10 or more men of good moral character passing the required medical examinations and making the required deposits.

The grand divisions are comprised of the following States :

No. 1, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky Illinois, and Wiscon- sin. No. 2, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. No. 3, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. No. 4, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia. No. 5, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. No. 6, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and New Mexico. No. 7, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. No. 8, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. No. 9, California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

The order began doing business in Jackson Nov. 11, 1880.

YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION.

The initiatory steps for the establishment ot the "Young Men's Association of the City of Jackson " were taken on the 23d of November, 1863, when a meeting of gentlemen, favorable to the project, was held, and a temporary organization effected. There were present at this time :

D. B. Briggs, O. A. Bliss, V. M. Bostwick, G. M. Crittenden, J. H. Ingalls, R. J. Lattimer, W. C. Lewis, Melville McGee, J. M. Morrill, James O'Donnell, C. W. Penny, Geo. Rice and W. H. Withington.

Two weeks later a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following were elected officers for the ensuing year :

President, W. H. Withington; Vice President, Melville McGee; Secretary, D. B. Briggs; Treasurer, E. M. Aldrich; Managers, J.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

H. Ingalls, V. M. Bostwick, E. H. Camp, E. Buncker, R. J. Lattimer.

Thus nearly 18 years ago the Young Men's Association came into being. The causes of its birth, and the aim and object of its originators are not difficult to discover. One of the earliest annual reports of the Board of Directors sets this clearly forth. Calling attention to the narrow business net in which our people are in danger of remaining, it expresses the hope that the associa- tion, by means of lectures, readings, and other literary exercises, may be able to elevate the literary tone of the city, to turn its attention from a sole desire to " buy and sell and get gain," and to arouse and keep alive an interest in literary work. In conclu- sion the report says : "The fact that Jackson is so barren of institutions and organizations calculated to create and foster an intellectual taste makes the Young Men's Association really a necessity. It takes position from its singularity, and becomes, not solely an organization for the benefit of its members, but an object of public interest and regard."

The first real business of the new society, after the establish- ment of a pleasant reading room, was the presentation of a course of lectures. The first series consisted of readings by Geo. Van- derhoof and lectures by President Haven, of the University of Michigan, Grace Greenwood and Bayard Taylor. In following years still more extended courses were offered, and our citizens had the pleasure of listening to many of our most celebrated scholars and men of letters. These lectures proved very attract- ive and popular, and were the means of materially increasing the fund set aside for the purchase of a library. Of late years, how- ever, the lecture course has been abandoned, simply because it could not sustain itself. This result is partly owing to the great difficulty of procuring speakers widely enough known to insure a paying audience, and partly to the general decline of the mono- logue before the concert and the legitimate drama.

The loss of the lecture course has been compensated for in various ways. Many entertainments, bothi professional and ama- teur, have been given under the auspices of the association, and the favor with which they have been received demonstrates the great interest taken in the society by our citizens.

In April, 1869, while Col. Shoemaker was president, the society was duly incorporated under the laws of the State. During this same administration the library fund created by Gen. Withington, and considerably increased by his successor, Mr. Loomis, had grown so large that it was thought practicable to form the nucleus of a library. Accordingly about 800 volumes were purchased and a number contributed, making an excellent library of nearly 1,000 books. No farther additions of importance were made until 1871, when the Tauchnitz edition of standard works, consisting of more than 1,000 volumes, was purchased and presented to the associa- tion by its friends, of whom the principal donors were L. B. Mason, H. A. Ilayden, Amos Root, W. M. Bennett, M. A. Mc-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Naughton, Allen Bennett, W. H. Withington, E. A. Webster, P. B. Loomis and W. D. Thompson. Since that time the library has gradually increased until it now numbers about 3,000 volumes. It is the design of the managers to constantly add such new and popular works as will sustain the interest and satisfy the demands of its patrons.

In 1875 the association moved from the rooms it had so long occupied in the Durand building to more convenient and commo- dious quarters in the new Bennett Block. At the same time it ob- tained possession of the large hall above the library for a period of five years. This experiment proved successful. "Young Men's Hall" has been constantly used, both by the association itself and by the public generally, and has been quite a source of revenue.

The spring of 1877 found the affairs of the association in a chaotic condition. Mismanagement, or rather, a lack of manage- ment, on the part of two consecutive Boards of Directors had plunged the society deeply into debt. Its position seemed to be inextricable, and it was feared that the organization must be aban- doned and its effects sold. At this critical juncture a meeting of citizens was held, and then of the warmest friends of the asso- ciation. Mr. Loomis, Gen. Withington and Prof. White were appointed a committee to devise some means for continuing its existence and liquidating its debt. The result showed that the committee had been well chosen.

In a short time they succeeded in raising nearly $1,000- a sum sufficient to meet all obligations and place the association upon a firm foundation.

In the annual election which followed a radical change was made in the management, and a Board of Directors formed whose composition consisted partly of ladies. It is unnecessary to state that this experiment was successful. Indeed, the writer is inclined to think that the present flourishing condition of the association is due very greatly to this change. Owing to the persistent efforts of the ladies, the association has been kept constantly before the public by a series of literary and social entertainments which ladies alone can successfully undertake.

Election of officers occurs on the third Tuesday in April of each year. All are entitled to vote who have paid the annual due of two dollars, and all members have free access to the library and reading room. The following is the present Board of Directors : President, Geo. W. Baker; Vice-President, Mrs. E. A. Webster; Corresponding Secretary, P. B. Loomis, Jr .; Recording Secretary, Miss E. A. Fletcher; Treasurer, E. A. Sumner; Managers, W. H. Withington, Geo. S. White, Geo. A. W. Dodge, Mrs. James O'Donnell, Miss Nellie Bloomfield, Miss Lizzie Cooley; Librarian, Miss Ella P. Fish.

The wisdom of establishing the Young Men's Association cannot be doubted. The extent to which the reading-room is patronized, the large number of books drawn each year, and the favor with which its entertainments are received, evince the great interest

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

taken in the association by the citizens. These are sufficient

answers to doubting questions. But on the other hand the influ- ence of the society is limited. The list of members remains about the same from year to year. It should enter upon a field of use- fulness not yet traversed. The great middle class of the citizens, those for whose aid and instruction the association was especially organized, are scarcely cognizant of its existence, and are certainly not aware of the great advantages it offers. Not until the news- papers and magazines are read by the laboring class of the city, not until its books are scattered among the homes of the artisans and mechanics, will the real object of the founders of the associa- tion be attained, and its real mission be fulfilled. Here is work for the managers. Who will undertake it ?

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

of Jackson was organized in February, 1877, with about 40 charter members, who chose the following named persons as offi- cers: N. C. Lowe, President; W. H. Van Horn, Vice-President; C. W. Fowler, Secretary; G. R. Byrne, Treasurer. From lack of moral and material support, little progress was made the first year or two, and it was only kept alive through the zealous efforts of a few members. Through the generosity of the M.C. R. R. Co., in donating the use of their waiting-room in the depot, gospel meet- ings were instituted, and have been regularly held each Sunday, doing much good among railroad men and others who have at- tended them. A mission Sunday-school was established at the junction and prosperously conducted for some time; and consider- able other mission work has been carried on under the auspices of the association. By way of appreciation of its labors, the M. C. Co. contributes to the society 830 a month, and the L. S. & M. S. Co. $5 per month in cash; which, with contributions from other sources, has enabled it to lease and fit up a neat reading-room next door to the postoffice, which is supplied with the leading newspa- pers and periodicals of the day. The reading-room is kept open for visitors days and evenings. The association pays a rental of $600 a year, which, with other current expenses, aggregates an an- nual outlay of $1,000. It is free from debt, and has a membership of nearly 75. The present officers are: C. W. Fowler, President ; N. C. Lowe and R. E. Clark, Vice-Presidents; T. C. Boughton, Secretary, and R. D. Bullock, Treasurer.

C. L. S. C.

The Chautauquan Literary and Scientific Circle, of Chautauqua Lake, N. Y., has a branch circle in this city. The parent institu- tion was established by the well-known Dr. J. H. Vincent, of Plain- field, N. J., and its membership all over the country numbers many thousands. Its purpose is to secure a profitable and system- atic course of reading for classes of people desirous of pursuing

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

branches hitherto beyond their reach. Several individuals in this city commenced the regular course in 1879 when the project was first put into practical operation. In October, 1880, preliminary meetings relative to the establishment of a local circle were held, which resulted in an organization with the following board of officers: President, Miss Lelia White; Vice-President, Anna Cur- tis; Secretary, Miss Julia King. Miss White resigned Jan. 1, 1881, and Mrs. H. O. Brown was appointed her successor. The prescribed course of reading is severe but is so systematized that persistent application according to the regulations will secure satis- factory results. The marked features of the circle in Jackson arc the uniformity of the attendance and the degree of interest in the course of study.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 55

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166