USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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EARLY RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Rev. Abel Warren, of precious memory, was the first minister to find his way to this town, and probably preached the first sermon in town. For several years did this noble veteran of the cross visit the people of the town from his home some twenty miles away in the town of Washington. It is safe to say that no minister since that time has had the love and esteem of this people more than did this faithful and devoted man. In the year 1855 he was preacher in charge on this circuit, which was nearly the last of his ministerial labors. He has long since passed to his reward, and his memory is precious with those who knew him.
Elder Cannon was also a pioneer preacher in this part of the county. Meetings used to be held at the humble homes of the settlers. At one time there was preaching in Asa Huntley's new barn, just after its completion. Then the old log school-house with its wide fire-place and rude benches, and then the early church building.
The first house of worship in the town was built by the Baptists at Thorneville about the year 1843. It was a primitive affair, and in 1847 a neat church building was erected under the leadership of Rev. Daniel Ammerman. Rev. Ammerman either concluded he had missed his calling or the church had made a mistake calling him; at any rate he left them and engaged in other pursuits, drifted from one thing and calling to another, until the last that was heard from him "he was not heard from," and probably does not wish to be. The society declined, and for many years the building has been occupied by any denomination that desired to hold religious service.
During the winter of 1847-'48 the Rev. Mr. Simmons, a Baptist evangelist, came to Dryden to hold a protracted meeting at the school-house one mile north of Dryden village. At that time there
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was quite a society in town of what was called Close Communion Baptists. Deacons Tainter, Holmes and Cumming were the most prominent members. At this time there was some thirty members in the church. Elder Simmons continued his meetings some two or three weeks, with more or less success, not, however, with the degree that satisfied the evangelist. The church was called upon to work also as evangelists, and go from house to house, and if need be, "compel them to come in." A course was soon resolved upon, and that was for certain of the members and other workers in the cause to go during the day (meetings were only held nightly) throughout the different neighborhoods and talk and pray with the people at their homes. This was done with more success than could have been expected under the circumstances. One of the brethren who was assigned to the north part of the town, in the course of his round visited a man who seldom, if ever, went to the house of worship, and the visiting brother made up his mind that it would have been a benefit to him to have been a little more con- versant with religious etiquette. Once admitted to the house, and after the usual formalities, the brother said to the head of the family that he had come to talk with him and the family on the subject of religion, and the salvation of himself and family. The man made but little reply, but kept himself busy at work on a pair of boots upon which he was pegging the bottoms. The brother talked and the man pegged away at his boot with all the more vigor, replying at times in a short, gruff manner, and giving our friend but little encouragement that the good seed was being sown on very promising soil. Not meeting with that success that he could wish by way of his exhortations and entreaties with the man to pay some heed to that which so immediately concerned him, he proposed a season of prayer. "Yes, you can .pray as much as you please if that will suit you," said the man. . The brother read a portion of the Scriptures, shut up his Bible, and waited for the man to lay aside his work while prayer was being offered, but to no pur- pose. The man pegged away all the more fiercely, and with an energy that indicated that the work was promised the next hour, and must be finished. The brother finally engaged in prayer, and with much fervor prayed for the man and his family. The more earnest the prayer the more zealously did the man of boots peg away; not a cessation, but one vigorous and persistent pegging. Prayer being over the brother left, quite well satisfied in the doctrine of the total depravity of the race. That man still lives, and remains that same uncivil, unrepentant old shoemaker.
Others of those who went out on the errand of mercy were more successful, and many were persuaded to give heed to the call, and quite a large number were in due time added to the church.
For pleasing and persuasive address, natural eloquence, sound logic and earnestness of manner, Elder Simmons had few equals, and it is a matter of question if the noted evangelist, Mr. Moody, is in any way his superior. His sermon on the Divine sovereignty and the doctrine of election, preached during that series of meet- ings, will doubtless be remembered by many who listened to him on that memorable evening when Deacon Tainter adjusted the lights, and the audience received such a quiet rebuke from the speaker for the lack of interest in what he was saying to them. The sermon was one of the most novel and sensible of any we ever listened to on that subject. The text was in these words: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure." At the conclusion of the sermon the Methodists, Christians and Baptists concluded they were a unit on that subject, and no need of further controversy on the much vexed question.
The next church built in town was by the Methodist Episco- pals, in what is called South Dryden, in 1855, and the next at
Dryden village, by the same denomination, in 1856. Both of these churches have been remodeled and very much improved during the past few years, and are still used and occupied by the Methodist Episcopals with respectable congregations. In the year 1874 the same denomination built a very neat and commodious church near Whigville, in the southwest part of the town, costing about $1,600.
LUCIUS KENDRICK.
The subject of this sketch was one of the representative men of the town of Dryden until his death, which occurred October 12, 1882. He was born at Darien, Erie County, N. Y., October 9, 1817. He was one of the early settlers of Lapeer County, coming to Dryden in company with his father, Sanford Kendrick, whose death occurred just twenty-seven years, to a day and hour, previous to his decease. Coming to Dryden before the days of railroads, they were compelled to come to their forest home with teams through Canada, and were nineteen days on the way, arriving in Dryden November 14, 1836, a family consisting of five sons and four daughters, all of whom survive the subject of this sketch, their aggregate ages being 612 years, the youngest now being 58 years old.
Mr. Kendrick being of frail and delicate heath, his father deemed him better adapted to less rugged business than swinging the axe and clearing the land, which was densely timbered, and so advised him to engage in teaching school. His first term was taught at Almont village. He continued teaching in various parts of Lapeer and Macomb Counties until the year 1840, when he was married to Miss Eliza Look, daughter of Deacon Elijah Look, who settled in Dryden about the same year that Mr. K.'s father came. After his marriage he at once built him a small house and com- menced the improvement of a portion of the lands located by his father and which had been duly set apart to him. He found it no small task to overcome the many hardships of the frontier woodman, and to dispel the forests, which were then the habitation in common of the wolf, deer, bear and other wild animals, which vied with each other in the discourse of free music to make night hideous, which, taken in connection with the oft repeated rumors of intended Indian attacks, added but little to the enjoyment of the homes of the set- tlers. But by steady and persevering industry he caused the forests to yield to the cultivated fields, and in a few years found himself the happy possessor of a beautiful farm and family of six boys to aid him in its cultivation, four of whom survive their father, James having died in the defense of his country at or near Memphis, Tenn., in the year 1865, and Edwin, who recently died at Cario, Ill., while traveling in hopes of regaining his long impaired health.
Mr. Kendrick had many afflictions to encounter during his life, but none which so depressed him as the death of his wife, which occurred February 19, 1875. June 15, 1876, he was married to Miss Lucy Kendall of Alden, N. Y., who was a firm friend and school- mate in early life.
Mr. Kendrick was many times called to fill positions of trust both in the township and State, being a member of the legislature from Lapeer County in the years 1869 and 1870, and was an ac- tive member during his term. He labored diligently to procure the passage of a bill introduced by himself, the object of which was a reform in prison discipline, he, being a member of the committee on prisons and reformatory institutions, had great faith that even the most fallen could be reformed, and which was fully portrayed in the bill.
He was a kind and forbearing parent and a favorite with young and old. He was successful in business, acquiring a competency of this world's goods, and being the owner of one of the finest farms in Dryden. He was an earnest worker in the Christian cause and a liberal contributor to the M. E. Church, of which he has been for many years an active member. The funeral was largely attended
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by many of his associates of former years, evincing their sorrow and high respect by.kindly aiding in the services.
THORNVILLE.
The venerable Benjamin Thorne died at Thornville in 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He was a native of Milan, N. Y., and came to this county in 1839, and settled on the land now occupied by the village of Thornville, clearing it from its pri- meval state. He built mills-still in operation there-and was an active, industrious and thrifty business man, until the infirmities of age necessitated well earned rest and repose. He was the father of nine children-five girls and four boys-seven of whom, with his wife, aged eighty-three years, still survive. William Thorne of Thornville, and Gilbert Thorne of this city, are his sons.
The mills are now owned by John Morton.
Dr. Caulkins, Samuel Dirstine and John and William Steele, also settled in this part of the town. Dr. Caulkins and John Steele are the only ones left of the early settlers of Thornville. Benjamin Thorne was the first postmaster here. The present postmaster is Thomas Reynolds.
AN AFFLICTED FAMILY.
LUMAN SQUIERS and family were pioneers of Dryden, and few families have suffered severer afflictions than was their lot. In the spring of 1855 their oldest son, who was at the time away from home at work, was brought back sick, and to all appearance with some malignant disease. Drs. Strowbridge and Caulkins attended him. In a few days the disease developed in a true case of small-pox. As might well be imagined, the family and community were very much alarmed. There were ten children, not one of whom had ever been vaccinated. As soon as the case was fully known the children were all vaccinated, with but little hopes that it would avail anything in warding off the much dreaded disease. For a few days the prospect of the recovery of the young man was quite prob- able; everybody kept aloof from their dwelling, and the family with the help of a heroic young lady to whom the young man was pledged in marriage, were left to their fate by the much affrighted neighbors. In a few days, however, the disease put on a malignant type, became confluent and in about eight days, on a gloomy and dark night about eleven o'clock, the young man died-no one pres ent but the family and the young lady. The father went to the house of a near neighbor and called to them and announced the sad news that his boy was dead. The neighbor responded. Mr. Squi- ers requested him, Rev. Mr. Bartlett, to secure and send a coffin to, or near the house and get some one to dig a grave back on the farm on a certain rise of ground. Mr. B. did as requested, and in about two hours Mr. Squiers was notified by some one calling to him that the coffin, or box, was ready and the grave prepared. He called for them in this, the most trying hour of his life, for help, but was re- fused; asked them to let him have the use of the horse and light wagon that had brought the box, but this was refused. The men who dug the grave stood at a respectful distance and explained as well as they could, where the father might find it, but utterly refused to let him come near them. He says to them, "You must help me. I cannot perform this last duty to the departed boy." But all to no purpose. They left him, and the father and two younger brothers performed the triple duties of undertaker, sexton and mourners. After placing the body in the coffin or box, the father and two brothers carried it, a few rods at a time, a distance of some one hundred rods. The men who dug the grave, not understanding Mr. Squiers as to the spot indicated by him, had prepared it some twen- ty-five rods beyond. When they came to the spot where they ex- pected to find the grave, it could not be found; for nearly an hour they traversed about in the dark before it could be found. The
burial services over, the three returned to the sorrow-stricken family to alone talk over their sorrow. Nothing was more natural than to expect that all the family would, at the proper time, come down with the same dreaded disease; strange to say, not one was attacked with it. The vaccination for the kine worked in each and all, show- ing the efficiency of vaccination beyond a doubt, and that it will work in the system faster than the virus or contagion of the small- pox.
A few years later a younger son, on his thirteenth birthday, had made all arrangements for a birthday party and supper. Dur- ing the fore part of the day he had accompanied his father into the woods where he was felling trees for wood. As one of the trees was about to fall, the father saw the boy in what he thought a danger- ous position and called to him to get out of the way of the falling tree. The tree fell and the boy was killed. A small limb at the extreme end of the tree struck him on the head and the result was almost instant death. The festivities of the birthday were changed to the drapery and sadness of a charnel house. It were idle to at- tempt a faint portrayal of the grief of the deeply stricken parents, brothers and sisters. Another son fell while in defense of his country.
SCHOOL REPORT.
The annual report of the school inspectors of the town of Dryden for the year 1882, shows the number of school children to have been 559; number of school buildings, nine. The school inspectors for the ensuing year were J. W. Cole, Lyman Tal- mage, Robert Booth, Timothy Utley, Wm. B. Sutton, Samuel Ellsworth, Jason Allen, R. C. Ellsworth, Wm. M. Lawrence.
DRYDEN VILLAGE.
The village of Dryden has but little history distinct from the town. It is located on sections 11, 12, 13 and 14, and surrounded by the finest agricultural country to be found in Lapeer County.
A short time prior to 1840, Jonathan Sweet built a store at this point and carried on a mercantile business. The old red building is still standing in the village, and of late years has served a variety of purposes. About 1846 the late John M. Lamb purchased the property of Mr. Sweet, and his business operations laid the founda- tion of the village. For some time the place was designated as Lamb's Corners. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were representative pioneers, and their biographies constitute an important part of this chapter. Both did their work and did it well, and have gone from this earth.
MR. AND MRS. J. M. LAMB.
JOHN MERRITT LAMB was born August 11, A. D. 1808, in the township of Springfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, of Quaker parents. His grandfather was an Englishman and settled on a tract of land in the State of New Jersey, deeded to him by King George the Fourth prior to the war of the Revolution. Three brothers, John Lamb, Jacob Lamb, and Joseph Lamb, settled on this tract of land, improved farms, raised families, and were loyal subjects to the British crown, which then held dominion over the people of its American provinces.
John Merritt Lamb in his youth was' noted for his candor, modesty and sobriety, being of a mild disposition, and in youth gained many dear friends; was very obedient to his parents and loved his mother with an affection that left this sphere only when he dropped to lifeless clay. He had the advantage of a common school education, and profited well by its privileges. Later in youth he attended a select school, where he finished, but finished well, a common course of studies. He was married in 1831 to Elizabeth D. Manwaring and lived in Juliustown, New Jersey, for
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four years, when he moved to Michigan in 1834, via New York, Albany, Buffalo, thence by steamboat to Detroit. He then rented a house on Jefferson Avenue, and commenced to look about for a home; was offered a forty acre lot near Campus Martins for the sum of $400,00, but like many others could not see that value in land in that locality, at that time. He then with a friend, Mr. Whitcomb, started up the lakes and landed at or near Lexington, which was but a small place at that time, then he took a direct line for Bairds' Mill on Black River, at this place learned that a man was at work on a mill near the head waters of Belle River; he then took a course for this mill through swamps and woods, and with the aid of his ยท surveyor's compass came out to the place and found Mr. Webster at work on his dam. During this voyage through the wood, it being quite late in the fall, a heavy snow storm came on; his companion came near freezing, but by the use of a whip his friend was made to exercise and cut wood to keep warm with. "When I awoke in the night," says Mr. Lamb, "I was so numb that it was with the greatest effort that I could stand on my feet. I chopped wood and built a fire, then turned to see the condition of my friend, and found him nearly frozen. I rolled him and jerked him around and all I could hear was a low groan, but with the aid of a whip he recovered so that he could eat a piece of broiled salt pork, and cut wood to warm by. It was the most lonesome night of my life; my companion I thought would die. The wolves howled the most dismal dirge in all directions. After this long dreary night, morning came and we started on our course. The deer were very thick, but the rifle wet, and they seemed to realize the fact by their being so tame." At Mr. Webster's he could not get any information in regard to land; they regarded the compass and chain that he carried as emblems of the "land shark," and eyed him suspiciously, withholding the informa- tion he required.
From Webster's Mill he returned to his family in Detroit, and lived there during the winter of 1835 and 1836. In the spring of 1836 he moved to Rochester, Oakland County, and in the fall of 1836 he came to Lapeer County; selected 160 acres of land, on section 13, in Dryden. Then with family moved in the log house after Christmas in 1836. Mother says: "It was very cold, and I had to wrap my children in the shawls, blankets, and quilts, until the fire was built. After we got warm John danced with joy, and said he was the happiest man living. 'For,' says he, 'I have a home now.' Sur- rounded by woods on all sides, on every hand, a dense wilderness presented its front. A small clearing was made to the southwest of the house, and in the spring a patch of potatoes planted, and a patch of turnips sown. The Indians came- always hungry-first a few squaws and papooses and were fed, then larger squads would come and would eat so ravenous. They emptied the larder, -- "For," says mother, "I did not desire their ill-will, and fed them all the flour I had. John was away to mill, and did not get back when expected, and I had to grind wheat in my coffee-mill to make cakes for my babies. We fed the Indians through fear, and when John come home he went and got Isaac Smith who could talk Indian, and he told them that they should not come any more."
The wolves were very thick, and used to make the nights hideous with their howling noise. Other wild game was plentiful, and several deer was shot from the ladder window, while they were on the turnip patch. An orchard was planted, the trees coming from Ypsilanti, a few at a time. Quite a little land was cleared and planted, when the cold storm of snow and frosts came and killed wheat and corn and froze the leaves on the trees. We were so dis- couraged," said father, "that I would have moved out of the country had not poverty compelled me to remain." Chopping, logging, clearing, and fencing, were the order of the day. Settlers de- manded his services to survey out lines, and in payment would
chop or work as compensation. In 1838 he was elected justice of the peace, and remained in the office for the term of four years. At a town meeting when the township was organized, he suggested the name of Dryden, which was adopted by the few settlers.
While logging in the year of 1840 he received a letter from his brother in New Jersey, containing the sad news of his mother's death, and on going to the house he penned his grief in these few sacred lines :
We may not say, my dearest brother, We do feel ourselves aggrieved; But rest in peace, dear sainted mother, Deserving of the joys received.
Thou hast been a heavenly blessing Unto all thy children dear, In faith, and love, and hope caressing, During all our tender years.
And when to man's estate arriven, Thy example still hath shone,
Pointing out the way to heaven, Walking steadfast and alone.
Blessed be my sainted mother, Peaceful be her rest above, Bless her too, my dearest brother, For a parent's truest love.
Say not we have lost a treasure By our mother's going home, We may rest with her in pleasure, Hark, the Savior's voice says, "Come!"
"Come to me, ye sons and daughters Of the dying race of man; Drink ye freely of the waters; Truly, if ye will ye can."
In his mother's old letters she writes so kind and good, seem- ing to know the wants of people in a new country-saying-"Thee wilt need a grindstone, to sharpen thy ax. Thy iron crank, thy scythe, and thy sickle are here, and if I can send them to thee I will; Friend A- says he intends to go to Michigan, and I will send them to thee. But my dear children so far away from me. My heart is so full, and the big tears fall on the paper, so that I cannot write." Well he might say, "sainted mother."
In the spring of 1846 he purchased a store at what was then familiarly known as Lamb's Corners, and continued in trade until the year of 1854. Also manufactured potash until 1858. Was also in trade at Dryden, and a member of the firm of J. C. Lamb & Co., Lamb & Bacon, Lamb Bro. & Co, when he retired from business as a merchant, in the year of 1868. He served two terms in the State legislature, three terms in the State senate, serving on promi- nent committees, viz: Committee on asylum for deaf, dumb, and blind; internal improvements; divisions of towns and counties; salt productions, etc. In 1867 was a member of the State consti- tutional convention.
In his politics he was quite independent. Was a rabid abolitionist, and in aute-bellum times, advocated universal suf- frage. His motto on this subject was, "I would not deny to any human being, any privilege that I would desire myself." He also aided with all his efforts the adoption of the free school system, although a heavy tax-payer,-saying if he owned the whole State it would be to his benefit to. have his tenants well educated even though at his expense.
He served in the State senate in 1863 in the "dark days," and was ever loyal to the principles of right. Quoting from a speech : "The country must be one country, the States as one State, if it takes our children and their children to accomplish it. The coun- try must be saved." His religious belief was universal. Although
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John M. Lamb
MRS.J. M. LAMB,
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
a member of no religious society, he thought that nature could not be so extravagant as to condemn the larger portion of her children. He wished, and it seemed to be his greatest desire, to simply live by the dear old "rule" that has stood the test of ages. In addressing any person it was "thee and thou," owing to his Quaker training of earlier days. He often remarked that it was man's duty to leave the world better than he found it. We can truthfully say that he fulfilled this declaration by reviewing his labors and efforts in improving. About 400 acres was brought into a state of cultivation, and nearly all fenced with cedar rails; a large portion ditched and underdrained with cobble stone; building twenty-three buildings, houses and barns, of permanent structure. He believed in doing well whatever he undertook. Was over particular that everything should be made permanent. He con- sidered man only a temporary possessor of what he occupies, and that it was man's duty to do well and he would be rewarded by his labors. He wearied not in well doing until the fall of 1871, when looking after a pine interest in Lamotte, Sanilac County, Mich., being there at the time the great fires swept over that portion of the State in the month of October so destructfully, in endeavoring to save some buildings that were in danger of being consumed by the flames, he over exerted, and taking cold it settled on the lungs, and he died of congestion November 3, 1871, leaving an invalid wife and nine children grown to manhood and womanhood, many friends, neighbors and acquaintances to mourn his departure to the better land.
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