History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 74

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

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The Allemania Society, also a Jewish organization, has been in existence since 1864, and its purposes are entirely of a social nature. It meets over M. Israel's store, on West Main Street, and gives various literary and other entertain- ments. It has about 40 members, and is officered by the following persons, viz .: Morris Miller, President; M. Cra- mer, Vice-President ; Adolph Speyer, Secretary ; Leopold Stern, Treasurer.

* This order has been merged into a State association known as "The Northern Mutual Benefit and Relief Association," to be located at Kalamazoo.

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 25, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in August, 1875; has a present membership of about 80, and is in a flourishing condition. It meets at present on East Main Street, in the Humphrey block, in what is known by the order as " Castle Hall." Until about the beginning of the year 1879 this lodge maintained an exist- ence under somewhat adverse circumstances, but about that time it received new life, and is now doing a large amount of work. The officers are Leslie Dodge, Past- Chancellor Commander; George Lyon, Chancellor Com- mander ; H. J. Gage, Vice-Chancellor Commander ; Hamp- ton Kelsey, Prelate; Rice Wheeler, Master-at-Arms; W. R. Solomon, Keeper of Records and Seals ; E. B. Yates, Master of Finance ; Charles R. Cooper, Outer Guard ; L. Hutchinson, Inner Guard.

Temperance Societies .- In March, 1836, the " Kalamazoo Total Abstinence Temperance Society" was organized and a constitution adopted, and in January, 1838, it had 138 mem- bers. During the year ending on the last-named date, eight retailers and grocers in Kalamazoo had sold about 9000 gal- lons of liquors, which at a low estimate were worth $3 per gallon, or a total of $27,000. There were then only three temperance grocers or retailers in the place. A. T. Prouty was one of the most prominent members of the society above named, which long ago " gave over the fight," and is recollected only as a thing of the " dim, mysterious past." Several temperance organizations at present exist in Kala- mazoo, including Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 940, 1. O. G. T., Victory Division, No. 109, and Kalamazoo Division, 112, Sons of Temperance, and the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, all active and doing considerable work.

KALAMAZOO SCOTTISH REUNION ASSOCIATION.

The heart of every Scotchman beats warm to the memory of Burns, who endeared himself to his people to so great a degree. Throughout all lands where Scotia's sons have found homes, the name of their favorite poet brings a flood of recollections, and the characters of his creation are as familiar as household words. In Kalamazoo County are about 200 male Scotchmen, and in the latter part of Decem- ber, 1876, a few of their representative men met at Kala- mazoo, and the subject of " Burns' Anniversary" being mentioned, the question was discussed whether a " National Reunion," celebrating the birthday of Burns, would not meet the approval of all Scotchmen. At an informal meet- ing a committee of six was appointed to investigate the matter, consisting of George Taylor, Joseph Brockie, Ar- chibald Crosby, John P. Campbell, Peter C. Monro, and James Borland. Through their efforts the organization was completed, and the first " reunion" was held at the In- ternational Hotel, Jan. 25, 1877. It was expected that not over 40 would be present, but double the number attended. George Taylor, the chairman, opened the exer- cises of the evening, after supper, by delivering an address on "Scotland and its Poets," after which various literary and musical exercises were in order. It was finally resolved to hold these meetings annually at Kalamazoo on the anni- versary of the birth of Burns.

The second reunion was held at the Burdick House, Jan. 25, 1878, and 148 guests partook of supper. At that

meeting George Taylor was elected president of the associa- tion, and Fred. Cellem secretary and treasurer, and the usual course of exercises was the programme for the even- ing. The third meeting was held at the Kalamazoo House, Jan. 24, 1879, when about 250 people were in attendance, and 155 ate supper. Messrs. Taylor and Cellem were re- elected. The press of the village has aided and encouraged the association all in its power, and published full accounts of the meetings.

The fourth annual reunion of the association took place on the evening of Monday, Jan. 26, 1880, at the Burdick House, in Kalamazoo. Several hundred people were pres- ent, including Scotchmen and their families and friends. A hearty and excellent supper was partaken of, and the exercises of the evening began. The president, Mr. Tay- lor, read the annual address, in which he spoke reverently of Burns. The toasts were as follows :

No. 1. " Burns." Response by Dr. A. T. Metcalf.

No. 2. "The Scottish Statesmen." The response was to have been given by Hon. Charles S. May, but a press of business had called him to Chicago, and a communication from him was read in its place. His daughter, Miss C. E. May, gave a very acceptable recitation, entitled "Scotland's Maiden Martyr," to fill the programme in the absence of her father.

No. 3. "The Literature of Scotland." Response by Judge J. L. Hawes, in a fine address.

No. 4. "Scotch Character,-her country's pride and her children's cherished inheritance." Response by Charles M. Stewart, a student in Kalamazoo College.

No. 5. "Oat Meal,-The bone and sinew of Scotland." Response by O. W. Powers, Esq., in a happy manner.

No. 6. " The Scottish Bar,-second to none in Europe, and famed for the illustrious men it has produced." Re- sponse by N. H. Stewart.

No. 7. " The Scotchmen of Kalamazoo County,-as citizens of our Peninsular State, they have honored the old land of their birth by following on the shores of the new the example of integrity and industry set by their fathers." Response by Mr. Cameron.

No. 8. " Scotch Broth." A humorous response by Capt. R. F. Judson.

No. 9. " The Scottish Clergy." Response by Rev. A. E. Ross.

No. 10. " The Scottish Soldier." Response by Capt. R. F. Hill, of the Kalamazoo Light Guards.

The event was most enjoyable. The exercises were inter- spersed by music and songs, characteristic of and pertinent to the sturdy race here represented. Messrs. Taylor and Cellem were re-elected to their respective positions of presi- dent and secretary, and executive and decoration commit- tees were appointed. The assemblage dispersed at a late hour.

THE ARGONAUTS .*

This is an important social club, organized in February, 1879, by W. H. Redington, now of Chicago, then a book- seller of Kalamazoo. Its membership was limited to one hundred at its inception. The objects of the club are to provide its members with increased social advantages and

* Courtesy of Mr. W. L. Eaton.

N. A. BALCH.

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the best class of recreation that can be afforded by the amateur talent of the place in music and the drama.

The club holds monthly meetings during the " season," including the months of May and October. At each meet- ing, in addition to its social features, it presents for the dis- cussion of its members a programme, the choice of which is determined by a special committee of two members, appointed for the evening, subject to the approval of the executive committee.

The programmes have embraced a fine variety of exer- cises, including operettas, dramatic presentations, readings, and various classes of vocal and instrumental music.

The success of the club has been beyond the anticipa- tions of its founders. At the opening of the season of 1880 a change was made in the rule regarding member- ship, and the number was increased to 150.

Its meetings are held on Tuesday evenings of each alter- nate week. The first president was Mr. W. H. Redington. The officers for 1880 are Dallas Boudeman, President ; Edwin M. Irish, Esq., Vice-President ; Carrie M. Sweezy, Secretary ; James S. Andrews, Treasurer.

The society has a hall of its own, where its gatherings assemble for the purposes contemplated by its founders.

Other Societies .- Among the other societies in the village are the Union Sunday-School Temperance Society, organ- ized in 1872; the German Workingmen's Benevolent Asso- ciation, organized in January, 1865; the Shakespeare Club ; the "Hungry Ten," or Young Men's Social Club ; the Kalamazoo Base-Ball Club, containing excellent play- ers; the Gun Lake Hunting and Fishing Club; the Gourd-Neck Lake Club, and the Mechanics' Institute. One of the finest bands in the State is the Peninsular Cornet Band of Kalamazoo. There are also the Democratic Martial Band and the Kalamazoo Cornet Band (colored).

KALAMAZOO LIGHT GUARD.

Previous to the war of the Rebellion a military company existed in Kalamazoo, known first as the " Silver Grays," and finally as the " Kalamazoo Light Guard." The present company, bearing the latter name, was organized in 1873, with 62 members. It was mustered into the State service March 4, 1874, and is known as Company C of the 2d Regiment Michigan State troops. The present member- ship is 60, and the officers are : Captain, Robert F. Hill; First Lieutenant, Frank Phillips; Second Lieutenant, L. H. Mason. The company is armed with Sharp's military rifle, calibre 45, as adopted for the use of the State troops. It is required by a State law to parade on the 22d of February and 4th of July, and to devote such time to encampment or military instruction each year as the Military Board, under the Governor's instruction, shall determine,-usually one week. Regular weekly drills are held every Monday even- ing at the armory. The dress-uniform of the company con- sists of gray coat, pants, and cap, with black trimmings,- the same as formerly worn by the New York 7th Regiment. Capt. Hill, Lieut. Phillips, and Orderly Sergt. Frank Whip- ple saw service during the Rebellion. At the rifle-shooting match by the first and second teams of the company for the Wortley prizes, in 1879, the first prize (a group of statuary) was won by Sergt. C. D. Root, and the second (a

silver cup) by Corp. Jay White. They were publicly pre- sented Feb. 22, 1880.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. NATHANIEL A. BALCH,*

of whom the following is a brief sketch, was born in Athens, Windham Co., Vt., Jan. 22, A.D. 1808, on a farm purchased by his grandfather, Samuel Balch, whose father, the great-grandfather of this sketch, was a native of Wales, who came to Boston in 1630, with the colony which settled that city. He was appointed and commissioned the first justice of the peace in Boston. He had two children, Samuel Balch and Molly Balch. Their mother was a sister of the celebrated Charles Chamberlain, who killed the great Indian chief Paugus, at Lovell's Pond, in New Hampshire, in a personal encounter about 1746.

Samuel Balch subsequently married Susan Aldrich, by whom he had five daughters and five sons. He resided after his marriage, until the birth of his children, at Doug- las, in the south part of Worcester Co., Mass., which was the birthplace of Nathaniel Balch, the father of the subject of this sketch. From Douglas, Samuel Balch moved to Guilford, Vt., where he lived some years and cul- tivated a good farm, which he had redeemed by the aid of his five stout boys from the wilderness; when, induced by an ambitious desire to provide future homes for his sons, he removed to Athens, where Nathaniel Balch was married to Sally Bennett, the daughter of Nathaniel Bennett, a native of New Jersey, though of French origin. To this union were born to his father and mother ten children,- five brothers and five sisters,-all strong, robust, and active, as the inhabitants of the eastern slope of the Green Moun- tains usually are, and all of whom except three still survive.

Physically, the subject of this biography was compact in build, strong, and quick in motion, agile, elastic, and supple ; and few men of his size were his equals in strength and endurance. His parents were noted also for their physical powers. His father, always a very temperate and indus- trious man, reached threescore and eighteen years, having never been sick so as to confine him to his house for more than a day or two in his life, and at the age of seventy- eight died at the home of his son on Christmas Eve, in an instant, without a struggle or groan, and went to his final resting-place respected by all who knew him, to receive the blessing of those who die in the Lord. His mother, still more tenacious of life, lived to the age of ninety-seven years five months and five days, when she, at the house of her son, went to sleep in Jesus at the same hour, on the twenty- ninth day of January of our Centennial year, apparently in the full possession of all her faculties.

The son, whose character and qualities we are attempting to sketch, seems to inherit all the natural characteristics of his parents. He has from his childhood, obeying the in- junction of Israel's wisest king, never tasted wine or strong

* Communicated.

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

drink, and as a consequence has ever been the possessor of health and fine mental and moral qualities, and has now reached threescore years and twelve.

His opportunities for an early education, though limited, were good. He commenced going to a district or common New England school at three years of age; was rarely tardy and never absent until ten years of age, when he became able to render his father assistance on the farm, and seldom attended school afterwards.

From his childhood he was of quick perception and a most ready and careful listener, and possessed a remarkably retentive memory. He could repeat many of his school- books by heart, and can to this day. His memory was re- markable as to localities, and he could, at ten years of age, repeat in alphabetical order every ocean, sea, gulf, bay, frith, and river, as well as continent, mountain, country, island, and land, found in the geography studied in the common schools of New England.

The school-house was situated more than a mile from his home, and he and his sister and brothers always had to go across lots to reach it. The winter he was eleven years old, the school he attended, and the one adjoining on the east, taught by two brothers, undergraduates of Dartmouth Col- lege, challenged each other for a spelling school, and the two schools were to stand up and each brother teacher was to pronounce words to the opposing school till all the scholars were spelled down but one; that one happened to be the subject of this sketch. He was unanimously voted the champion.

He remembers on many occasions of extreme cold going over the hill that lay between their home and the old school- house. His oldest sister, two years older than himself, ac- companied him on the denominated " cold Friday." He discovered, as they got near to the top of the hill, that she did not walk as rapidly as usual, and ran back to hasten her pace, when he discovered her face badly frozen. She said she felt tired and sleepy. He knew the cause, and imme- diately seized hold of her, aided her, and encouraged her till they reached a neighbor's house, who kindly kept them from the fire till they thawed out the frozen spots. He remembers going over the same hill one morning barefoot, and when returning, at four o'clock in the afternoon, they walked through snow three inches deep. This was in June, 1816, when he was but eight years of age. Inured to these rough scenes in childhood, he was enabled, as he ripened into manhood, to excel all his school competitors in athletic sports. The year he was sixteen he attended a select school at Town- shend, in the same county, and stayed three months, when he made so much progress that he was decided to be quali- fied to teach a common school, which he did the following winter, to the satisfaction of himself, patrons, and pupils. From that age he continued to teach every winter three or four months till 1835, in which year he graduated at Mid- dlebury College, Vermont. He also taught the academy at Jericho, Vt., one term. By these efforts he acquired means to pay his expenses in fitting for and attending col- lege.

He prepared for college at Chester Academy, Windsor Co., Vt., under the instruction of Professor Charles Whip- ple, in a little more than nine months' time, and was qual-

ified in mathematics and most English studies to have entered one year in advance of his class of eight, who went with him from Chester to Middlebury ; but on solicitation concluded to enter the freshman class with them, which he did in August, A.D. 1831, and graduated in August, A.D. 1835.

He was, soon after entering, made monitor of his class, which position he held during his collegiate course. This office contributed to promptness and punctuality, so that he passed through his whole course without a single mark of negligence,-a triumph no student of that institution had at that date achieved.

Immediately after graduating he had an application from the trustees of the academy of Bennington, Vt., to take charge of the academy at that place as principal. This position he held for two years with marked success. Dur- ing that time the institution was filled with young men of fine scholarly ability, who have since made their mark in the ranks of fame,-such men as Chapin, Robinson Hall, Trenor Park, Lodowick Thayer, and others.

It was while at Bennington that Mr. Balch commenced the study of that science he has so much loved, and that profession he has for more than forty years adorned. In 1835 he entered his name as a law student in the office of Governor John S. Robinson, of Bennington, who was as noted for his successful trial of the famous Buswell case as Daniel Webster was for his trial of the Stephen Girard will case.

At the suggestion of his able tutor, the first books of law he read were two large quarto volumes of "Coke upon Lit- tleton," printed in Norman French. This gave him the double advantage of acquiring the law and the language in which very much of the common law was then written. For this advice of Governor Robinson, Mr. Balch has always been grateful, believing it to be the true way for all students who have the ability, to study law in the language in which it was originally written,

Immediately after closing his academic term, Mr. Balch. with his brother, Samuel R. Balch, started West, and ar- rived in Kalamazoo, Mich., about the 20th of August, 1837, where he has lived most of the time since. He took his second degree-Master of Arts-at his Alma Mater just before coming West. On arriving at Kala- mazoo he entered his name as a law student with Stuart & Webster, and continued with them till May or June, 1838, when he left Kalamazoo for Marshall, Calhoun Co., where he remained two years, teaching in what then was intended to be Marshall College, having the seven months prior to that time been engaged in teaching and managing the Kalamazoo Huron Institute, now known as the Kalamazoo College.

The Marshall College was well endowed with wild lands, situated in the State of Michigan, but hard times rendered the lands unsalable for cash at any price, and, some of the trustees having failed, the enterprise was abandoned. In both these institutions there were good scholars, among whom were the late Volney Hascall and the Rev. - Dunham of Kalamazoo, and Augustus Dibble and L. D. Norris, of Ypsilanti, a graduate of the Michigan Univer- sity, known as the young man who commenced and carried

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through the famous Dred Scott decision, and many others. This ended Mr. Balch's labors as a public teacher, though by no means his efforts in behalf of public schools. He may indeed be called the originator of the high-school system in Western Michigan.

Mr. Balch made a profession of Christianity in 1833, while in Middlebury College, and united with the Congre- gational Church of that place, which was under the pas- toral charge of the Rev. Thomas Merrill, the valedictorian of Daniel Webster at Dartmouth College. He shifted his relations from that church to the Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo in 1837-38, and is still a member, and has been a teacher in the Sabbath-school during all that time, now more than forty years. He has rarely ever been ab- sent from his class when at home, or from the weekly prayer-meeting. He has always been a close and critical reader of the Bible; and aided by his wonderful memory, has become a remarkable Biblical scholar.

Mr. Balch was admitted to the bar at Centreville, St. Joseph Co., Mich., March 19, 1840, and in 1842 was elected prosecuting attorney for Kalamazoo County, and the same year was appointed by the circuit judge as prose- cuting attorney for Barry County. There being no attor- ney-at-law in that county, he held the office for several terms, to the satisfaction of the circuit judge and the peo- ple of the two counties. In the early history of the Kala- mazoo Bar Association, he was unanimously elected presi- dent, which position he has filled with honor and credit for more than thirty years, and still holds. During more than forty years of practice in this State, Mr. Balch has been engaged in over twenty murder trials, some of which had a national notoriety.

In many of them he contended with lawyers who had reputations as wide as the country, and in none of those hotly-contested trials did he ever fail to match the opposing counsel in ability, energy, or faithfulness to his clients. Mr. Balch's practice has not been confined to the county in which he lived, but has been as wide as the State. His large means he has mostly expended during his lifetime in charitable objects. Nearly all the churches in Kalamazoo have been the subjects of his generosity. Mr. Balch, in the practice of his profession, has always believed that it was the mission of a lawyer to prevent litigation, if possi- ble, by timely and honest advice, and in conducting suits to endeavor to obtain justice for his clients on the merits of their cause, rather than on legal technicalities. During these many years of practice, Mr. Balch has been connected in business, as partner, with some of the ablest men in the State. His first partner was Walter Clark, an able lawyer from the State of New York, with whom he continued in business for about two years, at which time Clark died ; he then formed a connection with the late Judge Webster, which continued a little over one year; after Webster the late Samuel Clark, a member of Congress from this district, formed a partnership with Mr. Balch, and they continued to do business together for about four years ; after Clark retired from the practice of the law, Mr. Balch made a business arrangement with the late William H. De Yoe, which continued nearly fifteen years. Since the death of Mr. De Yoe, he has been successively connected with Michael

J. Smiley, Walter O. Balch, his son, L. C. Van Fleet, and William Shakespeare, his present law-partner. Mr. Balch has always been the head of the firm, and honored and respected by all his business associates. Never during all his forty years' practice has he had any difficulty with his business associates. His office has been the nursery from which have grown some of the ablest lawyers in the coun- try. His assistance and kindness to the young men who have studied in his office are proverbial, and none of the many but remember his severe yet kind instruction and assistance with gratitude.

The wide scope of his study and reading has enabled Mr. Balch on all occasions to be able to speak intelligently and appropriately on most subjects at a moment's notice.

As a conversationalist he is versatile and agreeable, being able in ordinary conversation to impart instruction without causing the recipient to feel his want of knowledge. In 1847, Mr. Balch was elected to represent this district in the State Senate, during which time some of the most im- portant laws of the State were enacted. In 1857 he was appointed postmaster at Kalamazoo, and held the office for some five years, making many needed improvements in its arrangement, and giving entire satisfaction to the people.

In 1862 he was nominated by the Democratic party of this Congressional district for Congress. Mr. Balch, with his competitor, made a thorough canvass of the district. The speeches delivered by him during the canvass were considered able and masterly arguments on the issues of the day, and contributed largely to reducing the heavy opposition majority.

Mr. Balch has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Sarah Chapin, daughter of Professor Walter Chapin, of Woodstock, Vt. She was an accomplished lady, and a very profound scholar. She died May 18, 1848, about ten years after her marriage. She left three children, -two daughters and a son. She died of pulmonary con- sumption. The youngest daughter, a beautiful child, died the same year with her mother, when about three years old. Her son, Walter O. Balch, lived to be thirty-four years old ; was a good student; graduated at the law de- partment of the University of Michigan, and entered upon the practice of his profession at Kalamazoo with the law- firm of Balch & Smiley, where he continued for some eight years, though for the last three or four years, by reason of his malady, was unable to practice, and died of consump- tion in December, 1877. He was a Christian gentleman, of highly literary taste and well cultivated. He received from others what he accorded them,-sincere friendship and admiration.

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 74

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