USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan > Part 127
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With the removal of Col. Barnes, the name and once brilliant prospects of Geloster disappeared.
Mills' Richland Village Plat .- The original village of Richland, situated on the southeast quarter of section 23, was platted by Willard and Sylvester Mills, Feb. 26, 1833. The streets running east and west were Main and Washington ; those running north and south, Pearl and Catherine. All streets were 66 feet wide, and all lots 66 feet wide and 132 feet deep. The plat included an area of 926 feet east and west, by 594 feet north and south.
The only distinction ever gained for this plat was the establishment here by the Mills brothers of the first store and tailor-shop, in 1833.
VILLAGE OF RICHLAND.
The incorporated village of Richland is pleasantly situ- ated upon Gull Prairie, one mile east of the geographical centre of the township, and occupies the corners of sections 14, 15, 22, and 23.
It is on the line of the proposed Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad ; is nine miles distant northeast from
* The remainder of this name is wanting in Mr. Bradley's manu- script.
S. T. BROWN.
MRS.S. T. BROWN.
OLD HOME.
RES. OF SAMUEL T. BROWN, RICHLAND, KALAMAZOO CO., MICH.
469
TOWNSHIP OF RICHLAND.
Kalamazoo village, its chief shipping-point by rail, and is supplied with a daily mail. The village contains the beau- tiful church edifice of the Presbyterian Society, the Prai- rie Seminary building, one hotel, two stores of general merchandise, a carriage-factory, a cider- and vinegar-manu- factory, the lodge-rooms of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows As- sociations, two physicians (Drs. Uriah Upjohn and John M. Rankin), various mechanic shops, and a population of about 275 inhabitants.
The settlers who originally owned the site, and lands in its immediate vicinity, were Loyal H. Jones, Samuel Brown, Isaac Briggs, James Porter, Isaac Barnes, Cornelius Nor- throp, Philip Gray, William Jones, Levi S. White, Simeon Mills, Jonathan Russell, and Mrs. Jane L. Giddings.
The establishment of the diagonal road from Gull Prairie to Bronson, and the proposed Territorial road from the southern boundary of Michigan Territory by the most eli- gible route, via the county-seat of St. Joseph County and village of Comstock to Gull Prairie, in 1833, marked this as the place for building the village of the township, not- withstanding the early endeavors of Col. Barnes and the Mills brothers to establish villages in different localities.
The building of Timothy Mills' tavern in 1833, followed by the opening of Mumford Eldred's store in 1835, formed the nucleus of a village which has slowly, yet steadfastly, increased to its present proportions.
William Doolittle relates that the people residing within the present corporate limits in 1836 were Mumford Eldred, Jr., merchant; Chauncey W. Calkins (Eldred's clerk ); Tim- othy Mills, tavern-keeper; Ashbel Shepard, wagon-maker ; David H. Daniels, Dr. Henry White, Asa Jones, Loyal H. Jones, and Daniel Deal, a carpenter. Dr. Hood then lived on the Crosby place, while Dr. Upjohn was residing in the Carson neighborhood.
For many years the village was known as Gull Corners.
On the 1st of May, 1837, for the consideration of $50, Samuel T. Brown* sold 130 square rods of land to the First Presbyterian Society of Gull Prairie, as a site for the erec- tion of a church edifice, and the building was completed during the same year.
Rufus Read and family, from Claremont, N. H., settled here in 1842, purchasing lands situated upon section 16. After a few years, the family, except one son, Gilbert E. Read, removed from the township. For a period of thirty- seven years Mr. Read has been most closely identified with all public and private enterprises having for their object the best interests of Richland. He was an early teacher, and one of the prime movers in the establishment of Prairie Seminary and the incorporation of the village. He has served as supervisor six terms. During the years 1861, 1863, and 1865 he represented this county in the lower house of the State Legislature, and during the latter term was elected Speaker. In 1870 he was appointed assistant census marshal. In 1871, while work was progressing upon the road-bed of the Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michi- gan Railroad, he, with John F. Gilkey, completed seven
miles of the same. Again, in 1876, he represented Kal- amazoo County in the State Senate.
Mr. Read is still a resident of the village, and recalls the fact that when he came here in 1842 there were then re- siding within the present village limits Dr. Uriah Upjohn, Asa Jones, Loyal H. Jones, Ashbel Shepard, Mrs. Gid- dings and sons, John and James White, David Butler, Sylvester Mills, Mumford Eldred, Jr., John D. Batchelder, Asa Davis, Isaac Davis, Solomon Burch, William E. Powers, Stephen Cummings, Henry M. Stevens, George A. Lock- hart, Henry L. Mills, Simon Howe, Nelson P. Bowen, Alfred Nevins, A. R. Brown, Samuel Brown, Samuel T. Brown, Joel Johnson, Henry B. Hicks, Rev. Calvin Clark, Charles B. Brown, and Chauncey W. Calkins. Dr. Reuben Hawley settled here about 1856.
Incorporation .- Pursuant to an act entitled an act to incorporate the village of Richland, approved March 18, 1871, the people residing within the corporate limits assem- bled at the Prairie Seminary building, April 9, 1872, for the purpose of electing their first board of village officers. Morgan Curtis and Charles W. Jones were chosen judges of the election, and William S. Logan and George N. Jewett clerks. The whole number of votes polled was 51.
The following officers were declared elected : Charles B. Brown, President ; William S. Logan, Charles W. Jones, Gilbert E. Read, Alvin B. Barnes, Trustees ; George N. Jewett, Recorder ; Morgan Curtis, Assessor; Norman S. Whitney, Treasurer.
The officers subsequently elected are shown by years as follows : 1873, Charles B. Brown, President; George N. Jewett, Recorder; Patrick H. Gilkey, Seymour S. Cum- mings, Trustees ; Morgan Curtis, Assessor ; Edwin Mason, Treasurer. 1874, Charles B. Brown, President ; George N. Jewett, Recorder; William S. Logan, William B. Bar- rett, Trustees ; Chas. A. Crosby, Assessor; Edwin Mason, Treasurer. 1875, Charles B. Brown, President ; George N. Jewett, Recorder; Patrick H. Gilkey, Seymour S. Cum- mings, Trustees ; Charles A. Crosby, Assessor; Edwin Mason, Treasurer.
A special election was held in May, 1875, and the follow- ing elected to fill vacancies : John M. Rankin, Trustee ; George N. Jewett, Gilbert E. Read, Assessors ; Oscar D. Barnes, Treasurer.
1876, Morgan Curtis, President; George N. Jewett, Recorder; William S. Logan, Ira Peake, Trustees ; Gilbert E. Read, Assessor ; Norman S. Whitney, Treasurer. 1877, John M. Rankin, President; George N. Jewett, Recorder; Seymour S. Cummings, Edwin Mason, Trustees; William S. Logan, Assessor ; Norman S. Whitney, Treasurer. 1878, John M. Rankin, President ; George N. Jewett, Recorder ; William S. Logan, George M. Evers, Trustees; William S. Logan, Assessor; Norman S. Whitney, Treasurer. 1879, John M. Rankin, President ; Samuel P. Jewett, Recorder ; Norman S. Whitney, William L. Curtis, Trus- tees ; William S. Logan, Assessor ; Morgan Curtis, Treas- urer.
SECRET BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS. ODD-FELLOWS.
Richland Lodge, No. 52 .- This lodge was instituted Feb. 24, 1851; Andrew M. Evans, George W. Warren,
* Samuel Brown, the father of Samuel T. Brown, gave this land in 1837, and intended to make a deed of the same, but there being no deed found on record after his death, his son, who had his father's title to the land, made deed of the lot about 1858-59 .- G. E. R.
470
HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Horace M. Peck, William C. Sabin, and Leonard S. Evans being the charter members. Andrew M. Evans was elected N. G., and George W. Warren, Secretary. Their charter was granted July 23, 1852.
The presiding officers, or Noble Grands, of the lodge during subsequent years are shown as follows :
1851, Andrew M. Evans, Wm. C. Sabin; 1852, Horace M. Peck, Gil- bert E. Read ; 1853, Frank Little, Samuel T. Smith ; 1854, Henry Knappen, Abner Charles; 1855, Charles W. Jones, William S. Logan; 1856, Wm. J. Doane, Richard H. Warn; 1857, Charles B. Brown, David II. Daniels; 1858, Edward Wood, Charles W. Jones ; 1859, Charles B. Brown, Nelson H. Walbridge; 1860, Samuel C. Campbell, Ashman A. Knappen ; 1861, Leonard S. Evans, Albertus A. Bissell; 1862, Charles B. Brown, Elmer N. Peck ; 1863, Amasa S. Parker, Reuben S. Hawley; 1864, Levi Wood, George L. Slater ; 1865, Addison M. Tucker, John Q. Cressey ; 1866, Samuel Langdon, Norman C. Jewett; 1867, Nor- man S. Whitney, Gilbert E. Read ; 1868, Heman B. Brownell, David R. Chandler; 1869, Charles P. Morse, Elisha Marble ; 1870, Harvey E. Crawford, Chas. B. Brown ; 1871, Aaron Blake, Wm. H. Barrett; 1872, Charles B. Brown, Nelson H. Walbridge ; 1873, Nelson H. Walbridge, Charles B. Brown; 1874-75, Charles B. Brown ; 1876, Elmer N. Peck ; 1877-79, Aaron Blake; 1880, George L. Slater.
Other present officers are D. R. Chandler, V. G .; Gilbert E. Read, Rec. Sec. ; Aaron Blake, Treas. ; and William S. Logan, Per. Sec.
Regular meetings are held Wednesday evenings of each week in their lodge-rooms at Richland village.
MASONIC.
Richland Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M., began work under a dispensation dated Jan. 11, 1866. A charter was granted Jan. 10, 1867 ; Daniel L. Johnson, Samuel C. Wilkinson, Amos Bartholomew, Peter Hopple, Arthur Millspaugh, Asa Hoag, George W. Brown, and E. C. Hath- away being the charter members.
The first election resulted as follows : Daniel L. Johnson, W. M .; Amos Bartholomew, S. W .; Samuel C. Wilkin- son, J. W .; E. C. Hathaway, Treas .; Asa Hoag, Sec .; George W. Brown, S. D .; Arthur Millspaugh, J. D .; Jackson Edgar, Tyler.
The subsequent presiding officers have been as follows :
William S. Logan, 1868 to 1870, inclusive; Daniel Johnson, 1871; William S. Logan, 1872 to 1877, inclusive; Francis T. Bingham, 1878 to the present time. Other present officers are David R. Chandler, S. W .; Reuben Spencer, J. W. ; Oscar D. Barnes, Treas. ; William S. Logan, Sec. ; Sylvester Frana, S. D .; Charles T. Brown, J. D .; Albert Oatman, Samuel P. Jewett, Stewards; William H. Barrett, Tyler.
Regular communications are held Monday evening on or before the full moon in their hall, over Gilkey & Doolittle's store, Richland, Mich.
RELIGIOUS .*
The Presbyterian Church .- On a Saturday in the early part of May, 1830, several families from Ohio came to the east part of " Gull Prairie," and camped under some oaks, not far from the place now (1879) owned by John Harvey. They drove their ox-teams with covered wagons, containing supplies for the journey and household goods. Col. Isaac Barnes and family came two weeks earlier. He drove the first team through from Battle Creek. Before leaving
Ohio several heads of families had entered into a written agreement that they would make it their first business, wherever they might locate, to secure religious privileges for themselves and the people. If afterwards they seemed to any of the new settlers to be exclusive and bigoted, it grew out of this laudable ambition to plant a Christian colony. The next day was the Sabbath. They rested and worshiped. As they sung the songs of the church, read the Bible, and bowed in prayer, the Indians, who were en- camped not far away, gathered around and listened atten- tively to their devotions. In this manner they took pos- session of the land for Christ. This was the first Christian assembly in this part of the country. From that time the people continued to keep the Sabbath for worship and re- ligious instruction. They met in some log house, and gave themselves to the study of the Bible and the worship of God. These informal Sabbath meetings and Bible studies prepared the way for the Sabbath-school and the organized church. Religious services were conducted by laymen, for as yet no clergyman of any denomination had located here.
Rev. William Jones, a Presbyterian, from New York, came a year later, in June, 1831. Rev. Levi White, a Congregationalist, from Massachusetts, came in May, 1832. Rev. Mason Knappen, a Congregationalist, from Vermont, came in 1833. Rev. Mr. Slater, from the Carey Indian Mission, near Niles, and Rev. Mr. Ferry, from the Mack- inac Mission, then about locating at Grand Haven, prob- ably spent a Sabbath or more here in 1830-31.
On Friday, Oct. 14, 1831, a public meeting was held in the hewed-log house of Cornelius Northrop to consider the question of organizing a church. Rev. Luther Humphrey, of the Presbytery of St. Joseph, was invited to act as moderator, and Rev. William Jones, clerk. Those present were Presbyterians and Congregationalists, about equally divided. It was determined to organize a church, and by the casting vote of the moderator it was decided that it should be a Presbyterian Church.
On the Sabbath following, Oct. 16, 1831, a meeting was held to complete the organization. Rev. Luther Humphrey was moderator, and Rev. William Jones clerk. The fol- lowing persons gave assent to articles of faith prepared by the Presbytery of St. Joseph, entered into covenant, and were constituted a church, styled " The Presbyterian Church of Gull Prairie": James Porter, Mrs. Mary Porter, Mrs. Mary Norton, John B. Barnes, Mrs. Emilia Barnes, Cornelius Northrop, Mrs. Mary Northrop, Dr. Cyrenius Thompson, Orville Barnes, Mrs. Thankful Barnes, Mrs. Mary Logan, Mrs. Jane L. Giddings. These persons were received by letter. Also the following persons came in on profession of their faith : Mrs. Ann Thompson, Levi S. White, Jonathan Russell, Mrs. Adaline Russell, Miss Eliza Ockford,-seventeen in all. Two children were then baptized, Jonathan Thompson and Catharine Jones. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was observed for the first time in the history of the place.
One year two months and sixteen days after the organi- zation the church met by appointment, Jan. 2, 1833. Rev. Levi White was appointed moderator, and Rev. William Jones clerk. Up to this date no church officers had been chosen. Rev. Levi White had preached occasionally for a
* By Rev. Milton Bradley.
471
TOWNSHIP OF RICHLAND.
few months. At that meeting the following persons pre- sented letters from other churches, which were received, and they became members: Samuel Brown, Mrs. Mary Brown, Augustus Mills, Mrs. Louisa Mills, Simeon Mills, Mrs. Clarissa Mills, Miss Sarah Mills, Eli P. Mills, Samuel Woodruff, Mrs. Betsey Woodruff, Miss Betsey A. Wood- ruff, Asa Jones, Loyal Jones, Mrs. Matilda Jones, Edwin Mason, Mrs. Clarissa Mason, Willard Mills, Mrs. Maria Mills, Sylvester Mills, David W. Daniels, Mrs. Mary Daniels, Rev. Levi White, Mrs. Mary White, Dr. Henry White, Miss Mary E. White, Miss Harriet White, Miss Julia White, Miss Lucy White,-in all 29. With the 17 at the organization, the whole number is now 46.
Jan. 12, 1833, the church elected Samuel Brown and Simeon Mills to the office of deacon, and James Porter, Samuel Brown, Samuel Woodruff, Simeon Mills, and John B. Barnes, elders, who accepted the office to which they had been chosen, except John B. Barnes, and were ordained on the 5th of May, 1833.
The church as yet had no stated preaching, but were supplied occasionally by Rev. Levi White, Rev. William Jones, and Rev. Mason Knappen.
In the winter of 1833-34 the people were blessed with a remarkable work of grace, which removed difficulties, united Christians, and brought many to Christ. Rev. Mason Knappen and Rev. James Porter were active and efficient in this work, assisted by Revs. Jones and Humphrey.
The meetings of that winter were generally held in the house of Deacon Samuel Brown, on the hill. Almost the whole population came out, and were deeply moved. As the fruit of that revival, and with the acceptance of ten by letter, the church received, on the 16th of May, 1834, 50 members, making 95 in all who had within two years and seven months become members of this church. The pro- portion of Christian families in the whole population was larger at this date than at any subsequent period in our history. The church was under the care of the Presbytery of St. Joseph. The sessional records were first examined and approved by that Presbytery Feb. 6, 1835, and signed by the moderator, Rev. Noah M. Wells, who is now (1879) living, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years.
Rev. Levi White officiated as moderator of the session up to Aug. 31, 1835. Rev. Silas Woodbury first appears as moderator of the session Jan. 25, 1836, and was em- ployed to preach part of the time for that year. The ser- vices were held, in the summer months, in the old un- finished church near Deacon Brown's, which was never completed, finally sold, long used as a barn, and torn down in July, 1877.
The session had been enlarged on the recommendation of Presbytery, for the purpose of satisfying those who pre- ferred Congregational usages, and now consisted of Samuel Brown, Dauphin Brown, Edwin Mason, Samuel Woodruff, John B. Barnes, Orville Barnes, Simeon Mills, and James Porter,-eight members.
On the 31st of August, 1836, a meeting of the congre- gation was held for the purpose of electing a pastor. Rev. Marcus Harrison was moderator. Rev. Silas Woodbury received a unanimous call, but it does not appear that this call was ever prosecuted.
For the next year and three months Rev. M. Knappen and others preached occasionally, so that Sabbath worship was never omitted, and Sabbath-school teaching was con- stantly carried forward. During the years 1836-37 a new house of worship was erected on the lot now (1879) owned by the society, which was dedicated on the 30th of Novem- ber, 1837. Rev. Marcus Harrison preached the sermon, and Rev. Calvin Clark offered the prayer of dedication. This was the first appearance of Brother Clark in the con- gregation. He remained with them two months, and a general revival followed the services of dedication. Rev. Mr. Gurney, from Coldwater, aided efficiently in those re- vival services. On the 7th of February, 1838, at a meet- ing of the congregation, of which Rev. Luther Humphrey was moderator, Rev. Calvin Clark was called to become the pastor. This call was accepted, and on the 8th day of February, 1838, he was installed by the Presbytery of Kalamazoo. Rev. Silas Woodbury presided, Rev. Luke Lyon preached the sermon, Rev. Mr. McCoy gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. S. Humphrey to the people.
As early as April following, 44 had been received into the Presbyterian Church, and 16 into the Congregational Church.
Previous to this date, early in 1836, a Congregational Church had been organized at the house of Hon. Joseph Miller, by Rev. John D. Pierce, from Marshall, and Rev. Mason Knappen. But from the time of the dedication ser- vices the two churches had worshiped together, and both had shared richly in the revival interest.
Rev. Mason Knappen had been earnest and efficient in helping in the successful prosecution of the work, Brother Clark officiating for his own church, as pastor in receiving members, and in the sacraments was requested to officiate for the Congregational Church in the same manner; so that on the same day and hour, in the one congregation, mem- bers were added to both churches ; one pastor officiating, administering baptism, and uniting with both in the Lord's Supper. This was an index to the character and catholic spirit of Brother Clark, which, on this and other fields of labor, he continued to manifest in labors abundant, always welcomed and trusted by Christians of every name, until on the 4th of June, 1877, at his residence in Marshall, he fell asleep in Jesus and went home.
From this date, April 1, 1838, the church continued under the care of Brother Clark, with a good degree of prosperity, but without anything of special interest in its history up to the 4th of May, 1842. He had now been pastor over four years. At this date, a meeting of the church having been called for the purpose, the " Plan of Union" was adopted, which in 1801 had been arranged between the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and the Association of Connecticut.
A minority of the church opposed this change, held that the act of the majority was unconstitutional, and claimed to be the Presbyterian Church. The occasion for adopting this " plan of union" was found in the fact that two churches were not needed, and could not well be sustained; with the expectation also that the Congregational members would be satisfied with the privileges thus offered, and come into the Presbyterian Church. The Congregationalists were plan-
472
HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ning to build a house of worship, having the sympathy of some of the Presbyterian members. The action taken was regarded by many as a wise compromise for peace and unity. It was approved by Presbytery, and on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1842, the old officers having resigned, a new board of officers was elected in place of the elders, consisting of six members, arranged in classes, to serve three years, two going out of office each year. This board was to be known as a committee in Congregational usage and a board of elders in Presbyterian government, being ordained as pro- vided for in the form of government in the Presbyterian Church. The deacons still held their office as before.
During the next year, or up to July 5, 1843, several members were added to the church by profession and by letter. A part of the Congregational Church came in after the above plan had been adopted, though that church was not formally disbanded until a later date.
On the 5th of July, 1843, Rev. Calvin Clark presented his resignation to a meeting of the congregation, which was accepted, and a commissioner appointed to present the case before Presbytery, which met in Allegan, July 6, 1843. Presbytery, having heard both parties, dissolved the pastoral relation between Rev. C. Clark and the congregation at Richland, and on the 17th of July, 1843, Rev. Ova P. Hoyt preached in that church and declared the pulpit va- cant. During that summer several ministers preached.
On the 12th of October, 1843, Rev. Milton Bradley came here on the recommendation of Rev. O. P. Hoyt, then pastor at Kalamazoo. His first sermon was preached Oct. 14, 1843. At that time the six Mills brothers, Dea- con Samuel Brown, Samuel Woodruff, Edwin Mason, A. S. Parker, John B. and Orville Barnes, Asa and Loyal Jones, with their families, were members of the congrega- tion. He remained here, preaching every Sabbath, until the 22d of December, when the congregation, moderated by Rev. O. P. Hoyt, gave him a call to settle on a salary of $400 per year. This call was not then accepted. He spent the winter in Illinois. In May, 1844, he accepted the call made the December before, returned to the congre- gation, and was settled as pastor July 10, 1844, by the Pres- bytery of Kalamazoo, coming to this Presbytery from the Presbytery of St. Lawrence, in Northern New York. Rev. Ova P. Hoyt preached the sermon, Rev. James McLanin charged the pastor, and Rev. Calvin Clark the people.
The session or committee of the church then consisted of Rufus Read, Josiah Buell, John B. Barnes, Lorin Mills, A. R. Brown, and A. S. Parker.
It was not until Oct. 21, 1848, that all the friction in regard to church organization was finally and satisfactorily removed. The Presbyterian families who had been dissat- isfied, and all the Congregational families but two, then came into the church. During this first four years the congre- gation had become harmonious, and some by profession and some by letter had united with the church. It had been the special work of the pastor to remove obstacles, harmonize the people, and bring all Christians of our faith into one body in the unity of the Spirit. The work was successful in the wisdom of God, so that for a third of a century not a ripple of the old embarrassments has returned to disturb the peace of the congregation.
Soon after the final adjustment of our church policy to meet and harmonize the views of the people, there was a more general awakening, and this record is made : "It should be recorded, to the praise of God, that for a few months past he has been reviving his work of grace among this people." The Christian work of the congregation was carried forward, and no disturbing influences were allowed to prevail. In all the thirty-three years, from 1844 to 1877, some were coming into the kingdom of Christ, the largest numbers in 1867 and 1876.
The Sabbath-school work has been successfully prosecuted. All ages have been retained in the school, so that it has con- tributed largely to the religious life and prosperity of the congregation. This third of a century has been a period of peace and Christian unity, remarkably free from those evils which often alienate and weaken congregations. The church has often been weakened by dismissions and re- movals, in one year dismissing about one-fourth of its members.
It has occupied largely the eastern half of the township, with a circle of families west of that line; and the Meth- odists, the only other church working to any great extent in this township, have held the west half, with some families on the east. These two churches have always cherished a Christian fellowship for each other, and have wrought to- gether in harmony when occasion required. The congre- gation occupied the old house of worship until 1861. The present church was built in 1860, by Wm. Doolittle and Stephen B. Patrick. It was dedicated in February, 1861. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. S. Huggins, of Kalamazoo. The audience-room is 45 by 65 feet, with a chapel in the rear, seating from 100 to 150 persons. The property is worth $10,000.
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