History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 134

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761

USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan > Part 134

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ORGANIZATION.

The act of the Legislature incorporating the village of Augusta was passed during the session of 1869, and reads as follows :

" AN ACT to incorporate the village of Augusta, in the County of Kala- mazoo.

"SECTION 1. The people of the State of Michigan enact, That all that district of country in the County of Kalamazoo, in the State of Michigan, described as follows, to wit: The south half of Section Thirty-Four, lying north of the Kalamazoo River, and the south half of the north half of Section Thirty-Four, and the east half of the southeast quarter of Section Thirty-Three, and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section Thirty-Three, in the township of Ross; also the northwest fraction of Section Three, north of the Kalamazoo River, and that part of the east fractional half of the northeast quarter of Section Four lying north of the railroad, in the township of Charleston, in the county of Kalamazoo, is hereby consti- tuted a body corporate, under the name and title of the village of Augusta.

"SECTION 2. It shall be lawful for the legal voters of the territory above limited and described to meet at the school-house in the village of Augusta, on the second Tuesday of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, and then and there, by a

majority of votes, proceed to organize said village corporation, under the provision for the general laws for the incorporation of villages, as set forth in Chapter Seventy-Two of the compiled laws and the acts amendatory thereto.

"SECTION 3. At the election to be holden under this act, there shall be chosen viva voce, by the electors present, two judges and a clerk of such election, who shall each take an oath or affirmation to faithfully discharge the duties required of them by this act.

"SECTION 4. The officers first elected, according to the foregoing provisions of this act, shall hold their offices until the second Tuesday of April following their election, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; and all subsequent elections shall be holden on the second Tuesday of April in each year at such place, in such vil- lage, as shall be designated by the board of trustees.

"SECTION 5. This act shall take immediate effect.

" Approved March 8, 1869."

It will be readily observed that before the foregoing act was passed Augusta was a village until 1869, under the jurisdiction of the township of Ross, with no independent organization.

The charter of 1869 not being sufficiently comprehensive to satisfy the village fathers, the Legislature of 1875 passed a bill reincorporating the village. This bill was a volumi- nous document, embracing twenty-nine sections, and drafted after the manner of documents for the incorporation of cities throughout the State. The honorable body of councilmen, having now been clothed with ample powers by the supreme authority of the State, was afforded the opportunity of demonstrating to the world the wisdom and justice with which it governed.

The following alphabetical list embraces the taxpayers of Augusta for 1869, the year of incorporation of the village :

Andrews, Charles.

Dean, J. A., & Co.

Andrews, C. W. Dean, Josiah.

Andrews, Allen P. Delano, P.

Armstrong, A.

Dole, John.

Adam, Richard.

Edgitt, Byron.

Anderson, Joseph.

Eldred, T.

Ashley, Otis G.

Everts, George M.

Alvord, Phineas.

Fisher, J. H.

Burdick, Harlow.

Forsha, Leverett.

Brown, L. F.

Frary, estate of Mrs.

Brown, John.

Griffin, William.

Bradish, C. M. C.

Gregory, Richard.

Bracey, E. C.

Gardner, Calvin.

Burnet, -.

Hewett, E. W.

Bovie, William.

Higgins, Gilbert.

Batt & Bracey.

Higgins, William.

Bradish & Rorabick.

Hobart, H. V.

Brown, L. J.

Harvey, John.

Barnard, J. E.

Hall, Frank.

Bowne, Mrs. S. P.

Huntley, D. M.

Bush, W. C.

Hollister, E. J.

Bracey, C.

Hensett, John.

Brooks & Webster.

Hammond, Mrs.

Bowne, J. B.

House, George.

Batt, Lewis.

Hawes, Robert.

Burdick, estate of Hannah.

Hensett, William.

Crane & Andrews.

Church, E. B.

Hulce, John. Havens, John G.

Crane, Lewis.

Hennika, E. C.

Cock, C. W.

Hawes, Henry.

Cock, John L.

Harvey, Henry.

Clark, William S.

Ives, James. Ives, Eardley.

Coddington, E.

Jones, Thomas W.

Carpenter, E. M.

Karcher, S.

Kent, Philamon.

Clark, Elliott.

Cooley, Elias. Douglas, Richard.

Kilmer, Mrs.

496

HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Labar, William H.

Rallston, Horace.

Lane, J. W.

Solomon, Jonas.

Labar, Alanson.

Sprague, F.

Labar, Mary.

Sprague, A. S.

Labar, H. J.

Sprague, C. M.

Mckay, Chauncey.

Shotwell, S. P.

McKay, Daniel. Millspaugh, A.

Smith, O. R.

Mason, Eugene.

Sherman, Charles.

Mygatt, H. M.

Sullivan, Moses.

Merrell, Mrs. R. M.

Sanders, George.

Moore, William.

Stringham & Bradley.

Mead, Marion.

Stringham, W. P.

Mead & Palmiter.

Soper, Frank.

Mason, Martin. .

Seeley, Nathan.

McCord, J. L.

See, Alanson.

McElheny, G. C.

Townsend, George.

Merriman, Emily.

Tompkins, C. E.

Perry, J. S. Parks, George.

Torrey & Brown.

Tolles, Isaac.

Pratt, A. D. Phelps, Charles. Phettplace, J.

Van Vleck, John.

Page, Miron.

Van Deaburgh, E.

Palmiter, Mrs.

Wood, Pool & Co.

Peer, Samuel.

Whitford, W. S.

Patterson, C. K.

Williamson, R. J.

Phelps, Betsey.

Woodall, Emily.

Pool, N. F.

Wheeler, E.

Pettit, -.

Wood, H. E.

Prater, J. H.

Webster, A.

Pool, Abijah, estate of.

Wood, Timothy C.

Peck, H. M.

Woodard, Sarah.

Ridley, George.

Warmington, W. V.

Radley, J. A.

Wooster, Ellen.

Randall, S. D.

Wakely, E.

Randall, S. H.

Youngs, J. V. W.

Rallston, Robert.

Youngs, Andrew.

SCHOOLS.

In the year 1838 the residents of Augusta determined that with the advancing business enterprise of the village its educational interests should keep pace, and, having se- lected a convenient site, they erected a school-house of logs, at the northeast side of the village, on land now owned by Mrs. Bovee. The first instructor who exercised a very necessary discipline over the youth was Salmon C. Hall. His efforts met the approval of the learned board of school inspectors, and on his retirement the responsible duties fell upon Miss Harriet Aldrich.

Later the log school building was discarded for a more spacious and imposing one built of planks, the location also having been changed to the site of the present building on Fulton Street. This was occupied for a period of years, when an effort was made to build a Congregational church, and the society were aided to the extent of several hundred dollars by the district, with the understanding that a portion of the edifice should be devoted to the use of the public school. During this period the teachers were Mary Woodard (now Mrs. R. Gregory), Daniel Woodard, and Joseph Beadle. The church building proving not altogether convenient, and the need of a structure better adapted to the wants of the school being apparent, it was determined to erect the school building at present occupied, which was constructed for the district by Casey Mckay. On its completion Daniel Wood- ard assumed charge of the school, and was succeeded by James Brainard. From this time until 1868 there is no information procurable regarding the progress of the school

or the succession of teachers. In the latter year there were two departments, presided over by Miss Sarah A. Wood and Ella King. Miss Carrie Dean superintended one of the departments in 1869, and the following year Herman A. Hibbard was placed in charge, assisted by Misses Beacher and Dean. Rev. J. W. Parkhurst next became principal, and was succeeded by Mr. Bartholomew. Mr. Smith, formerly county superintendent of schools, followed, and at the expiration of his term of service Mrs. M. J. Sprague was chosen principal, assisted by Misses Dorrance and Headley. In 1875, H. Daniels, Jr., assumed charge, and still continues in the position. He is assisted by John Lawler, Miss Florence Roraback, and Miss Jennie Webster. The graded system has been in use for a number of years.

The present school board comprises the following gen- tlemen : Dr. J. H. Fisher, Moderator ; C. W. Andrews, Assessor ; H. L. Parmeele, J. H. Kent, E. D. Coddington, F. B. Hall, Trustees.

CHURCHES.

Congregational .- The Congregational Church of Augusta was organized July 26, 1849, through the efforts of Rev. Asa W. Bushnell, a meeting being held at the above date at the school-house for the purpose. The society embraced at that time but seven members, two of whom brought let- ters of dismission from other Congregational Churches, two from Free- Will Baptist Churches, one from the Presbyterian Church, and one, Miss Melissa Sullivan, now Mrs. Goodrich, the only one of the original seven now holding membership, was admitted on profession of faith.

At the first election for officers, held May 25, 1850, George Kemp was chosen deacon and A. S. Sprague clerk and also delegate to the Kalamazoo Association of Congre- gational Churches to make application for the admission of the Congregational Church of Augusta into their fellowship. The delegate was cordially received by the Association, and the proposed relation consummated.

The church adopted, Nov. 5, 1852, the manual and con- stitution proposed by the Kalamazoo Association, and thus laid the foundation for a permanent organization.

Ten days later a meeting was called at the school-house for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Society and electing trustees. O. N. Giddings was chosen moderator, H. A. King secretary, and Casey Mckay and A. S. Sprague were appointed judges of election. After an informal ballot a formal one was taken, with the following result : Randall Crosby, H. A. King, A. S. Sprague, Trustees. This elec- tion was duly certified to by judges of election appointed before William M. Mayden, justice of the peace, on the 6th of December, 1852.

The church had been thus far temporarily supplied, first by Rev. Asa W. Bushnell, who ministered for one year to the people, second by Rev. M. Farnworth, who remained two years, and third by Rev. Thomas Jones, whose ministry extended over a period of but one year. The time had ar- rived for a more regular ministry, and Rev. Elizur Andrus, now of Vicksburg, Mich., was called, who remained four years. During this period the church was especially pros- perous. A large accession occurred to the membership, and a steady growth and prosperity was witnessed. In 1855 a commodious church edifice was erected,-the archi-

Scudder, G. N.

Taggart, Martin.

Tripp, John.

MRS. WILLIAM BAKER.

WILLIAM BAKER.

WILLIAM BAKER,

one of the pioneers of the town of Ross, was born in the year 1819, December 10th, in Providence, R. I. His father, Michael Baker, was a native of the " Green Mountain" State, where he was born Sept. 22, 1789. When William was a babe the family removed to the town of Day, Saratoga Co., N. Y. Here they resided ten years, when they went to Warren Co., Pa., but returned to Day after a resi- dence of seven years. Here the elder Baker re- sided until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He reared a family of three children : George, William, and Hannah. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and a man of industrious and temperate habits; thrifty and economical, and, per consequence, successful. He was an exemplary man in all the walks of life, of unquestioned integrity, and of strong religious con- victions. He was a consistent member of the Meth- odist Church. In 1847 his wife died, and in 1848 he was again married to Eunice Brown. William was reared upon the farm. By dint of energy and perseverance he acquired a common-school education.

When twenty-two years of age he was married to

Miss Ann Griggs, of Edinburgh, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where she was born in September, 1823. Her family was one of the old and reputable families of the town. In 1847 Mr. Baker and his family came to Kalamazoo County, and purchased the farm where he now resides, which originally consisted of eighty acres of unimproved land. Their early settlement was attended with many privations and hardships. Mrs. Baker's lot was particularly hard, she having the ague; but industry and energy seldom go un- rewarded; the wilderness was transformed into a fine farm ; the log house was succeeded by a comfortable frame structure, and to-day no one in the town of Ross has a finer house or a more valuable farm than William Baker; and in the esteem of his fellow- citizens no one occupies a more prominent position. The life of Mr. Baker has been uneventful; he has labored to secure a competency, and in his chosen calling has been successful.

Two children have been born to him : Francelia E., who was born in Day, Saratoga Co., March 6, 1846, and Fayette L., born in Ross, 1849; the for- mer died in 1870.

497

TOWNSHIP OF ROSS.

tect being Casey Mckay,-and the debt incurred in build- ing was entirely liquidated.

The pulpit was supplied during the years 1857-58 by Rev. T. C. Hill, Rev. E. Andrus having accepted a call tendered him from Niles, Mich. Rev. T. W. Jones next succeeded, and remained several years. The church en- joyed under his ministrations the same growth and ad- vancement that had attended it in former years. He was popular with all classes, irrespective of creed or sect, and much beloved by his people. Rev. Mr. Cope succeeded Rev. Mr. Jones, and remained but a short time. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Norton, whose ministry was equally brief. The more interesting pastorate of Rev. J. Ander- son, now of South Haven, Mich., came after, and Rev. Mr. Shroup, at present of Hastings, Mich., next filled the pulpit for a brief time.

In 1872, Rev. H. H. Van Anken was called as pastor, and during his six years' ministry accomplished much. In December, 1877, he accepted a flattering call to Union City, Mich., and recommended as his successor Rev. L. G. Up- dyke, who was installed as pastor Jan. 1, 1878. The growth and harmony which was so marked a feature of its past history is still apparent under the present ministry.

Connected with the church is a flourishing Sabbath- school, with 125 scholars and a devoted corps of teachers, with Walter Bristol at their head as superintendent.

Baptist .- The church edifice in which this society wor- ship was built by the "Christians," and by them sold to the Baptist denomination. Persistent efforts to obtain a history of this church from the custodian of the records have met with no success.

Methodist Episcopal .- The records of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Augusta shed no light upon its early history, and the very meagre facts gained from its oldest members are almost devoid of dates, and afford the his- torian little assistance in compiling a history of its progress. Services were early held in the village by circuit preachers, among whom were Revs. Messrs. Worthington, Gage, and Day. These services were usually held in a building on the east side of the race, formerly used as a factory. The Augusta charge was set apart from the Bedford circuit September, 1867, and a church or class was first organized with seven members, under Rev. Mr. Rice. They were Mr. Tallman, Mr. Charles Palmiter, Mrs. Harriet Van Vleck, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. McCrea, Mrs. Palmiter, and Mrs. Edgitt.

The early meetings were held in the village school-house, and later in the Congregational church. The first settled pastor was Rev. A. W. Torry, who remained three years.

The stewards at this period were O. Franklin, L. Blakes- ley, John Hulce; Class-Leaders, James H. Gay, James Terry, George Hickman, Anson Wooding; Trustees, S. Stewart, R. Wakefield, Seth Hinton, H. Sampson, Mr. King.

Rev. E. H. Day succeeded to the pastorate in 1870, and found the congregation in a very disheartened condition. By his zeal and earnestness he did much to restore their former hopeful spirits. After a faithful ministry of two years he was succeeded, in 1872, by Rev. J. E. White, who remained one year, and was followed by Rev. James N. Dayton, who ministered to the people in 1873 and 1874,

Rev. Wright Barrett filled the period embraced in the years 1875 and 1876, and Rev. G. W. Tuthill succeeded him in 1867. Rev. J. F. Orwick was next placed over the charge, and was followed by the present pastor, Rev. A. E. Ketchum. The congregation own a very substantial edi- fice, built of wood and in excellent repair. The member- ship is 141, as indicated by the church records.

The present officers are : Class-Leaders, Woolsey Gay, Volney Day, J. G. Terry ; Trustees, James H. Gay, Rob- ert Wakefield, H. P. Sherman, Seth Hinton, J. J. Terry, Luther Wright, Samuel Barr, Samuel Stewart, Henry Sampson ; Stewards, Luther Wright, John Stanley, Martin Merrill, Stewart Ogden, O. G. Ashley, Samuel Barr, Alex- ander McBain, Wesley Gay, Mary Stewart.

BURIAL-PLACES.

Ground was first appropriated at Yorkville for a burial- place. Tillotson Barnes devoted half an acre to be used as a cemetery on the occasion of the death of a relative at his house in 1834. As successive deaths in this portion of the township occurred this ground was used for burials, until the friends who were interested became anxious to obtain a deed of the land, it still being the property of the Barnes estate. The heirs made a proposal to deed it to the town- ship officers, provided a substantial fence be built around it by the township. This proposition was acceded to, and the spot is now public property. The township at the same time built substantial fences around the cemetery at How- landsburg, which was platted in 1861, around the one in the Day settlement and at Ross Centre, and also inclosed the one in the village of Augusta. Some of these are adorned with shade-trees and well-kept paths, and contain beautiful and artistic memorial tablets.

The Augusta Cemetery. - A piece of ground was donated to the hamlet of Augusta as early as 1836 for purposes of burial. In that year the Augusta Company, who had just completed the survey of the village plat, devoted a lot 264 feet square, and located in the extreme northwest corner of the village, on the highest elevation of ground embraced within its limits, to be used as a cemetery. Some years later, the village of Augusta having not yet been incorpo- rated, a substantial fence inclosing the ground was erected by the township.

In 1877 the Common Council purchased a tract of land embracing two acres adjoining it on the west side, for which they paid $200, and added to the original lot. The old and new portions were divided by Lincoln Street, which by special ordinance was vacated and embraced within the cemetery limits. On the north boundary is Madison Street, one-half the width of which was also vacated and given by the Common Council for purposes of burial. The whole ground is inclosed by a durable fence.

By a resolution the new portion was divided into lots of three grades. The first grade embraced the first five rows on the east side, the lots of which sell for $10 apiece; the second grade the four rows next west, and selling for $8 each ; and the third grade the three rows on the west side, and selling for $5 per lot.

The commanding location of the cemetery and the care bestowed upon it make it a very attractive spot.

498

HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Augusta was organized, under the auspices of O. H. Perry, of Kala- mazoo, in March, 1877. The preliminary meetings were held at the Baptist church, which were largely attended and awakened much interest.

Soon after an organization was effected, with Mrs. A. F. Tyndall as President; Mrs. M. Taggart, Vice-President ; Miss Hobart, Secretary ; and Mrs. T. C. Wood, Treasurer. The Union was not only actively engaged in the cause of temperance, but was also closely identified with Christian work in the village.

A suite of rooms were secured, neatly furnished, and provided with wholesome reading-matter, and a cordial wel- come was extended to all who desired to avail themselves of its privileges. Various speakers from abroad visited Augusta and, under the auspices of the Ladies' Christian Temperance Union and the Reform Club, addressed the cit- izens. These meetings were well attended, and their influ- ence felt to a very marked degree. The officers for the second year were Mrs. William Griffin, President ; Mrs. O. G. Ashley, Secretary ; Mrs. T. W. Wood, Treasurer.

For the third year Mrs. McElhany was chosen President, Mrs. Tyndall Secretary, and Mrs. T. C. Wood Treasurer.

The present officers are Mrs. Nelson Eldred, President ; Mrs. John L. Clark, Secretary ; Mrs. William Griffin, Treasurer.

LADIES' LITERARY SOCIETY.

A meeting was called at the house of Mrs. A. M. North, April 5, 1876, to effect the organization of a Ladies' Cen- tennial Literary Society. Many of the influential families of the village were represented, and much encouragement was given to the enterprise. From a membership of 14 ladies the following were selected as the first officers : Mrs. A. M. North, President ; Mrs. H. D. Pool, Vice-President ; Mrs. C. E. Ives, Secretary. A resolution was adopted indicating the purpose of the society to be that of mutual improvement, and suggesting the advisability of devoting the first centennial year to researches into American history. Wednesday afternoon, from three to five o'clock, of each week, was designated as the time for holding the meetings. From that time until the present the society has been ex - ceedingly prosperous. With the exception of a few occa- sions, when the excessive heat or the extreme cold has prevented, the meetings have been regularly held and well attended.

The readings were begun with the early history of the American continent, dating from the first records of dis- covery, and followed through the early settlement to the struggle for independence, and ultimately to its present condition of prosperity. The early investigations on this interesting topic were especially thorough, involving the history of the Northmen, who explored the country prior to the discoveries of Columbus, and occupied, together with the history of the country which followed, a period of a year and a half. Later a very thorough research into Eng- lish history was made, which was followed by Roman, Per- sian, Egyptian, and Chinese history. Innumerable miscel- laneous articles of interest were also read.

The method of conducting the meetings has met with

general approval and added much to their interest. After the history lesson is completed, and a short intermission given, each lady repeats a quotation, embracing often the most exquisite gems of thought, which are thus made fa- miliar to the members. Facts bearing on general subjects are then related, and questions asked which may be answered at the succeeding meeting. A mutual desire for improve- ment, together with much kindly feeling, have bound the society together since its organization and made it prosperous.

At the first annual meeting, held April 5, 1877, the fol- lowing were the officers chosen : Mrs. C. E. Ives, President ; Mrs. L. J. Brown, Vice-President; Miss Mary Warmington, Secretary. The following were the officers for the succeed- ing year : Mrs. C. E. Ives, President ; Mrs. E. D. Town, Vice-President; Mrs. H. D. Pool, Secretary. The present officers are Mrs. C. E. Ives, President ; Mrs. H. D. Pool, Vice-President ; Mrs. A. L. Griffin, Secretary.

LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

Through the untiring energy and perseverance of Mrs. A. M. North (president of the Ladies' Literary Society), a Ladies' Library Association was established, in connection with the above society, on the 21st of February, 1877, known by the name of the " Ladies' Library Association of Augusta." In a series of resolutions embodying the aims of this organization it was resolved that " the object of the association shall be the establishment and maintenance of a library, to afford useful and entertaining reading and the promotion of moral and intellectual improvement in the village of Augusta and its surroundings." The first. offi- cers elected were Mrs. C. W. Cock, President; Mrs. C. S. Kent, Vice-President; Miss M. Warmington, Secretary ; Mrs. C. E. Ives, Treasurer ; Miss L. H. Kendall, Librarian ; Members of the Board of Directors, Mrs. A. F. Tyndall, Mrs. H. D. Pool, Mrs. E. D. Town, Mrs. M. Hulett, Mrs. L. J. Brown. The ladies who enrolled themselves as its first members were

Mrs. H. H. Van Anken, M. Hulett, E. D. Town, A. E. Hulett, A. M. North, C. W. Cock, L. Labar, H. D. Pool, E. Stringham, J. Scud- der, C. S. Kent, G. H. Daniels, E. M. Gifford, Mrs. Dr. Fisher, J. Rice, G. Persons, A. F. Tyndall, C. E. Ives, M. Loomis, A. Webs- ter, N. F. Pool, A. King, M. Gregory, Miss Mary Ogden, Miss Mary Warmington, Miss L. H. Kendall.

At the organization of the library there were 148 volumes of readable matter presented to the society, nearly 100 of them having been donated by Mrs. A. M. North, and the remainder by other members of the association. The num- ber has since been increased to 307 volumes.

The association since its existence has raised, by enter- tainments and in other ways, the sum of $235.65, all of which has been expended in works of the best authors, em- bracing biography, history, and fiction.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 134

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 761

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761