History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 34

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By his first wife he had ten children, viz. : Henry O., is a farmer in Wisconsin ; F. N., is a hardware merchant in Howell ; James M., is a farmer in Ingham County ; Norton M., is living on the old homestead ; George W., also on a farm in Ingham County ; Mary L., married William Bezan, and died at Howell ; Lu- ana A. and Helen M., both died unmarried ; William H., is a farmer in the town of Howell ; Lucinda M., became the wife of B. B. Morgan, a portrait painter and inventor, and resides at Ann Arbor. The present Mrs. Monroe was a Mrs. Brininstoole, formerly of Batavia, N. Y.

Mr. Monroe and both his wives were members of the Baptist Church of Howell. His first wife was one of the few who organized the church, and he is still a zealous worker in that organization.

In 1871, Mr. Monroe left the farm in charge of his son, Norton M., and purchased a residence in the vil- lage of Howell, where he has since resided, enjoying a well-earned competency and the respect of all.

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VILLAGE OF HOWELL.

THE LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF HOWELL.

In the winter of 1874-75, the " spelling-school" mania, which was at that time at its height in many places in the State, reached Howell, and re- sulted in the formation of a " school," which be- came somewhat popular, and continued long enough to yield a small surplus revenue above expenses. After its close, it was determined to apply this fund-supplemented by contributions- to the establishment of this association, which was accordingly organized in May, 1875 ; the follow- ing-named ladies being its first officers: Mrs. Mylo L. Gay, President ; Miss Ella Burt, Corre- sponding Secretary; Miss Millie Hickey, Record- ing Secretary ; Mrs. H. G. Fry, Treasurer ; Miss Frank Skilbeck, Librarian.

Only 25 volumes were purchased at first, but the number has increased to 317 volumes. Dur- ing the first year of its existence, the association had its rooms in the Sabin block, from which place they were removed to Weimeister block on Grand River Street, and remained there for about nine months, after which they were changed to their present location in Hubbell block. The rooms are opened from three to five o'clock P.M. on Saturdays.

At the commencement, the association opened a reading-room in connection with the library, and this was maintained for about one year, after which it was discontinued on account of an ap- parent lack of interest on the part of those for whose benefit it was designed. The present (1879) officers of the association are Mrs. S. F. Hubbell, President; Mrs. Dennis Shields, First Vice-Presi- dent ; Mrs. Newton T. Kirk, Second Vice-Presi- dent; Miss M. Burt, Secretary ; Mrs. William Mc- Pherson, Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Jane E. Neely, Treasurer ; Miss Helen Williamson, Libra- rian ; Mrs. M. J. McPherson, Assistant Librarian.

THE PRESS OF HOWELL.

The newspapers of Howell - The Livingston Democrat, by Joseph T. Titus & Son, and Living- ston Republican, by L. C. Miller-will be found mentioned in the history of the Press of Living- ston County.

RELIGIOUS.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN HOWELL.

That the Methodist Church of Howell was the first religious organization effected in the village and township is shown by the best and most un- questionable authority upon the subject,-that of a person who took part in its formation, was one of its first officers, and who recollects better and

more clearly than any other person now living the circumstances preceding and connected with that interesting event. This person is the Rev. Alvin L. Crittenden, from whose narrative an ex- tract has been given in the preceding pages, telling how Deacon Israel Branch, with other settlers of several religious denominations, held the first (in- formal but devout) religious services at Livingston Centre, in the house of Amos Adams, late in the autumn of 1835. In reference to the establishment of worship here by members of the Methodist de- nomination and the organization of their church in Howell, Mr. Crittenden proceeds as follows :

" In the month of April [1836] I learned there was Methodist preaching at Ore Creek, now Brighton. I left my home at Mr. Sage's, half a mile west of the village of Howell, and walked to Ore Creek and listened to Rev. Mr. Bibbins. He gave notice at the close of the services that Rev. Elijah Crane, then traveling Plymouth Circuit, would hold a two days' meeting there in four weeks. After service I walked back to my home; and at the time appointed I walked again to Brighton to attend the two days' meeting, where I first met and formed an acquaintance with Rev. Elijah Crane and Rev. John Cosart, a local preacher of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

" While attending the meeting at Brighton, arrangements were made for Rev. Mr. Cosart to come to Howell and preach and form a Methodist class, and send a report to Rev. Elijah Crane, who would represent our wants at the ensuing Annual Conference, and if possible secure for us regular preaching. By some mistake the notice was given one week too soon; we assembled, but no preacher came. A prayer-meeting was held, and at its close it was thought by the Methodists present that although we were disap- pointed in not having a preacher with us, we would not be disap- pointed in regard to having a class formed. Accordingly we or- ganized ourselves into a business-meeting for that purpose, by electing Pardon Barnard chairman, and A. L. Crittenden secretary. Those who had letters from the Methodist Episcopal Church passed them in and they were read, and A. L. Crittenden was elected class-leader. Thus I had the honor to be the first official member of any religious organization ever formed in Howell. But a regu- lar class-book could not be obtained; so I did the next best thing that could be done under the circumstances, -I took a sheet of paper and doubled it together, and recorded the names of the members thereon. The original book I still have in my posses- sion, which I exhibited at the Pioneer meeting, in June last.

" The next Sabbath Rev. John Cosart preached in Howell, which was the third sermon delivered in Howell, and the first by a Meth- odist minister. He acknowledged our proceedings to be right, sent on the report of our society as agreed upon, and in the fall of 1836 Washington Jackson was sent to Livingston County as a missionary from the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church; for at that time all of Eastern Michigan was embraced in the Ohio Conference.

"The names as they appear upon the original class-book when the class was formed are : Alvin L. Crittenden, Pardon Barnard, Eliza Ann Barnard, Peter Brewer, Dorcas Brewer, Sylvester Rounds, Polly Rounds, Asahel Rounds, Mary Sage, and Nathaniel Johnson. "Soon after, and before a traveling preacher arrived, there were received by letter Clarissa Johnson, Asahel Dibble, Abigail Dib- ble, and Abigail Smith. No date appears on the book except 1836 until Washington Jackson arrived upon the mission; but I think the class was formed in June of that year. The first date upon the book is Sept. 5, 1836. It has been said that Pardon Barnard had been licensed as an exhorter in the State of New York before coming to Michigan, which I suppose is correct, al- per creta Hosted by

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

though his credentials were not presented to the Howell society. But on the 4th day of November, 1836, the society voted him and A. L. Crittenden license as exhorters in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and my license is dated as above, and signed by Wash- ington Jackson, missionary.

" The first quarterly meeting held in Howell was July 15 and 16, 1837, by Rev. Wm. Horr, P. E., of Detroit District. Several changes were made in the membership of the society from time to time, and in the spring of 1837 the following names appear upon the book : A. L. Crittenden, Pardon Barnard, Eliza A. Barnard, Peter Brewer, Dorcas Brewer, Mary Sage, Nathaniel Johnson, Clarissa Johnson, Asahel Dibble, Abigail Dibble, Abigail C. Smith, Elizabeth Thompson, Maria Thompson, Amarilla Crane, S. H. Crane, Matthew West; and in January, 1838, there were received Mary Brewer, Jane Crittenden, Sarah Baldwin, Syrena H. Crane, Joseph Sexton, Janette Sexton, Gertrude Butler, David Dickerson, Lucy Dickerson, and Hannah Hubbard.

" In 1840 I left Howell and moved to Hamburg, and Matthew West was appointed leader, which position he held until 1842, when he resigned, and I, having moved back to Howell, was reap- pointed, which position I held until the fall of 1854. The names had been transcribed in a regular class-book before I went to Ham- burg, and in another while Matthew West was leader; which book never came back into my hands. The book containing the names of the Howell class from July, 1842, to 1852 is still in my pos- session, the names having been transferred to another book, which was left in Howell when I commenced traveling in 1854."

Since the year 1845 the church has been under charge of the following-named preachers during the years indicated, viz. : Thomas Wakelin, 1846; Stambaugh, 1847-48; F. W. Warren, 1849; E. W. Borden, 1850; O. D. White, 1851-52 ; Syl- vester Calkins, 1853-54; Eli Westlake, 1854-55 ; George Taylor, 1856-57; - Colby and Green, 1858; Riley C. Crawford, 1859; E. R. Haskell, 1860; L. H. Dean, 1861-62; A. R. Bartlett, 1863-64; Henry O. Parker, 1865-67; James T. Davidson, 1868; Thomas C. Gardner, 1869; F. W. Warren, 1870-72; S. B. Kimmel, 1873-75; Jesse Kilpatrick, 1876-78; John M. Gordon, 1879,-the present pastor.

In the early years of its existence this church, in common with the other churches of Howell, held its services in the old frame school-house in the southwest part of the village, but occupied the court-house for that purpose for a few years after its completion in 1847.

The church edifice of the society was commenced in 1850, during the pastorate of the Rev. E. W. Borden, and was completed in the time of Rev. Eli Westlake, being dedicated in March, 1855. Its cost was about $1500. It was enlarged and im- proved at a cost of about $3500 during the pasto- rate of the Rev. S. B. Kimmel, and was rededi- cated March 7, 1875. The edifice occupies an excellent and easily accessible site at the southeast corner of Walnut and Sibley Streets. The society owns a good parsonage at the corner of Brooks and Walnut Streets. The present membership of the society is about 260.

Connected with this church is a flourishing

Sabbath-school having an attendance of about 250, and a library of 500 volumes. The present super- intendent is Henry P. Spencer. There are also under the charge and patronage of this church three other Sabbath-schools, viz., one at the Six Corners (West Howell), one in the " Howe neigh- borhood," and one at the " Barnard school-house." The total number of scholars of all ages connected with the four schools is 547, and the whole num- ber of teachers having these in charge is 58.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF HOWELL.

This church antedates all the other church or- ganizations in Howell, excepting the Methodist. It is also stated, by the Rev. Mr. Crittenden, that the first religious services in Howell, by any regu- lar minister, were held here by the Rev. Jonathan Post, of this denomination. Referring to this matter, Mr. Crittenden says,-

" In the month of February, 1836, Rev. Mr. Post, a Baptist minister, of Allegany Co., N. Y., came to Howell and spent the Sabbath. He preached the first sermon that was ever delivered here by a living minister. In March or April, Rev. Mr. Kanouse, a Presbyterian minister, spent the Sabbath in Howell and preached at the residence of Moses Thompson ; for .by this time the meet- ings were held at various places, the people all being willing to open their doors for religious services."

It is proper to say, however, that Mr. Edward F. Gay, who was also excellent authority, mentioned that the first minister who held services here was the Rev. Mr. Page, a Presbyterian, which will be found referred to in the history of that church. Both statements are given without any expression of opinion as to which is the correct one. It is, no doubt, a fact that both these ministers preached here within a few days of the same time.

In the year 1838 several persons holding letters from Baptist churches in New York and the New England States, having settled in or near the village of Howell, felt it their duty to organize for the sus- taining of religious worship, and accordingly a meeting called for the purpose of taking this matter into consideration was held in the village school- house, on the 14th of April, in the year named. The record of this meeting shows the names of the following persons as present : Rev. Thomas Baker, Silas Dibble, Gardner Mason, Justin Durfee, Joseph A. Dibble, Sardis Davis, Sarah Field, Sarah Dur- fee, Lydia Austin, and Hannah Austin.

These were in reality the original founders of the church, though their names do not all appear as constituent members. At this meeting, after uniting in devotional exercises, and a mutual ex- change of views on the propriety of uniting together in the relation of church fellowship, a resolution was unanimously passed, by which they were formed

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VILLAGE OF HOWELL.

into a body to be subsequently recognized, accord- ing to the usage of the denomination, as a Regular Baptist Church.

A committee was then appointed, consisting of Silas Dibble, Gardner Mason, and Justin Durfee, to present at a future meeting Articles of Faith and Practice, together with a Church Covenant. Rev. Thomas Baker was chairman and Justin Durfee clerk of this meeting. This was the first of the meetings held by what is now known as the First Baptist Church of Howell. From that date to the present regular meetings have been maintained.

A meeting was held according to adjournment on the 12th of May following. The committee ap- pointed at the previous meeting made their report, presenting Articles of Faith and a Church Covenant, which was adopted. These are substantially those adopted by all regular Baptist churches. The propriety of calling a council for recognition was discussed, and arrangements were made to this end, at this meeting. The time for the council was fixed on the 21st of June following. The subject of settling a pastor was brought up, and a committee was raised to secure the labors of Rev. Thomas Baker, then residing in Highland. Through this committee arrangements of a satis- factory character were made with him, by which he became the first pastor of this church. His time of service began with the first meeting held by the church.

On June 21st the council, previously provided for and invited by action of the church, convened at the village school-house. It was organized by the choice of Rev. E. Weaver, Moderator, and A. N. Kemis, Clerk. The records of this council show a representation of four churches by dele- gates : Highland, E. Lee, J. Tenny ; Hartland, Rev. A. Lamb ; Walled Lake, Rev. E. Weaver, J. Coe, N. Daniels; Kensington, Rev. A. P. Mather, D. Seely, E. Cole, A. N. Kemis.

Twelve persons presented letters, and requested recognition as a regular Baptist church. The names of these, as they appear on the records, are Silas Dibble, Aaron Sickles, Fanny Dibble, Han- nah Austin, Joseph Dibble, Justin Durfee, Rachel Dibble, Lydia Austin, Daniel Case, Anna Dibble, Sarah Durfee, Luana Monroe.

Their Articles of Faith having been examined by the council and approved, the usual services of recognition were held on the same day. The sermon was by Rev. E. Weaver, of Walled Lake, from Psalms xxvi. 8: "Lord, I have loved the hab- itation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth." The address and hand of fel- lowship were given to the church by Rev. A. Lamb, of Hartland. Thus occurred the memo-

rable services by which this church took a position with the churches of the Baptist denomination. Of those who were engaged in the organization of this church, there are some whose memory will be gratefully cherished, whose names do not appear among those of the original members; but they will appear in the course of the first year's history of the church.

The "Baptist Society of Howell" was legally organized Dec. 29, 1838 ; the trustees then elected being O. J. Field, O. F. Olds, Gardner Mason, George W. Kneeland, Daniel Case, O. J. Smith, Justin Durfee; and O. J. Field was chosen clerk of the society.

The labors of Rev. Thomas Baker were closed in December of that year, and Rev. Erick Mosher, then a licentiate, was called to the pastorate. His salary was $ 100 a year, with the use of a residence. During the year there were added to the church, by letter, II. The church was represented by del- egates in the Michigan Association, held in the fall of that year at Walled Lake, and on applica- tion was received into that body.

The first year closed with encouraging success. The membership were happily united under the pastoral labors of Rev. E. Mosher, who was re- quested by the church to receive ordination. For this purpose a council was called on the 9th of May in the following year. By this council the pastor of the church was set apart to the work of the ministry in the usual order of the denomina- tion. Mr. Mosher continued in the work of the ministry, a faithful, judicious, and successful pastor, up to the time of his death, which occurred while he was pastor of the Baptist Church of Northville, Mich. At the close of the second year the records of the church show that six had been received by letter and three by baptism. The first person who was received into the church by baptism was Har- riet M. Sickles, baptized April 14, 1839. Samuel Lyon was received by baptism at about the same time, and is believed by some to have been the first so received into the church. The total num- ber at the close of the year was 32. The pastor's labors were continued with them at the unani- mous request of the church.

Up to the first of August no permanent action had been taken by the church respecting the elec- tion of deacons, the duties of that office being per- formed from time to time by persons specially chosen. At that time, however, the church having previously so determined, a choice of deacon was made by ballot. The first person appointed to that office was Townsend Drew.

About this time many came to the church, ask- ing admission by baptism. Rev. J. A. Keys as- Hosted by

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

sisted the pastor in continued meetings, which re- sulted in large additions to the church. Sixteen were received by baptism and three by letter, making the total membership at the close of the year 51. This year will be remembered as one of prosperity to the church, closing with harmony and activity among the members. It was followed, however, by one of trials. Some became indiffer- ent, and for the first time in its history the church was obliged to resort to disciplinary action. Church labor was taken up with several members. Some returned to their walk with the church, while with others the final result was exclusion, though not during that year. In the midst of this Rev. Erick Mosher resigned the pastoral care of the church and removed to another field of labor. The year closed leaving the church without a pas- tor and embarrassed by want of harmony among the members. The numerical changes were addi- tions by letter, 7 ; the dismissions were by letter, 5 : by death, 3; while the total membership was less by one than at the close of the previous year.

In May, 1842, they called to the pastorate Rev. N. G. Chase, of Napoleon, Mich., who began his labors at once. The labors of this pastor were acceptable to the church. Several cases of diffi- culty were amicably adjusted; one was received into the fellowship of the church by baptism, and several by letter, while one was dismissed by letter, making the membership at the close of the year 57.

The church continued to enjoy the labors of Rev. N. G. Chase, receiving aid for his support from the Baptist State Convention to the amount of $75. During 1843 there were added to the church by letter, I; and dismissed by letter, 3; excluded, I ; there being a loss of membership in the aggregate of 4.

At this time the ordinary numbers at the cove- nant meetings were only from 6 to 8. In October, 1844, the pastor resigned, and closed his labors with the body. Rev. J. H. Rasco, of New York, was settled with the church in the following month. At the close of this year the total membership was the same as two years previous,-57. Two were excluded and 5 received by letter.

During the year 1845, Revs. A. Lamb and Chapin held a meeting, which proved beneficial to the church. Difficulties were settled, and harmony was restored again. Six were received by baptism and 4 by letter. During the early part of the year 2 were excluded, and 4 dismissed by letter. The membership now only exceeded by one the number three years before.

Up to this time, the society having no church edifice, the services of the church had been held in the old frame school-house of Howell village.

The need of a meeting-house was severely felt, and the subject of building one had been earnestly discussed at a meeting held on the 7th of December, 1842, and on several occasions afterwards, but nothing had been done to accomplish the object. But now (in the spring of 1846) it had been deter- mined to move actively in the matter, and the trustees of the society took steps towards the building of a house of worship, "32 by 44 feet, with a gallery on one end, and a proportionate steeple," on the present site near the northwest corner of the court-house square. It was not, however, until five years later that it was occupied ; and during this interval the society continued to hold its services in the school-house until the com- pletion of the court-house, after which they were generally held in that building.

In the fall of 1846 the "Wayne Association" held its annual meeting with this church. The meeting was one of interest to the members of that body, and to the members of the church. The re- cords of the church show the additions of the year to be II, against 6 dismissals, making the total membership on the Ist of April, 1847, 61.

There was a meeting of the church called on the 26th of June, 1847, for the purpose of electing three deacons. The persons chosen to that office - were George T. Sage, Justin Durfee, and Ephraim Fowler. Application was made to the Home Mission Society, from whom aid was received in support of the pastor to the amount of $50. This was granted in consideration of the effort the church was making to build a house of worship.

In November, the pastor, J. H. Rasco, offered his resignation to the church, which was accepted. By subsequent action of the church, his ministra- tions were continued until December, 1848. There were 7 additions to the church during this period, making the total membership at the close of this pastorate 61. The church was without a pastor one year and four months, during which the rec- ords show that meetings of the body were main- tained with a good degree of faithfulness, and especially considering their destitution of a pastor.

In May, 1850, Rev. A. P. Howell, of Highland, was engaged to labor as pastor. The church at this time numbered 64. During the following summer, meetings were held in the new house of worship, though as yet unfinished.

The pastoral relation of Mr. Howell with the church closed in May, 1851, covering a period of one year, during which there were added to the body, by baptism and letter, 9; dismissed by letter, 8; died, 2 ; making the number of members 63. Sev- eral were granted letters this year to unite with the church in Marion, which afterwards disbanded.

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VILLAGE OF HOWELL.

There now occurs in the history of the church another period of nearly a year when there was no pastor.

In April, 1852, the house of worship was com- pleted and consecrated to divine worship. A sermon was preached by Rev. G. W. Harris, of Detroit. Rev. G. Bridge, who was present and participated in these services, was called to serve the church as pastor. He accepted, and entered upon his labors the following month. The church then numbered 61, a year having passed with no addition to its membership. No year had been like it in this respect. Under Mr. Bridge 12 by letter and 2 by baptism were received into the fel- lowship of the church in the first year of his labor. There was also a diminution of 4, making the total membership in May, 1853, 71. The year following the letter of the church to the Association reported I I received by baptism, 9 by letter, against 6 dimi- nutions. The whole number now was 85.

The labors of Rev. G. Bridge closed in May, 1854, and he was succeeded by Rev. P. C. Dayfoot, who entered upon his work in May, 1855.

In October following the church reported to the Association a low state of religious interest ; a year and a half had passed with an increase of 4 by letter. Again, in the fall of 1855, the total number was 76. The following year the labors of the pastor were divided between this church and Marion, the church in Howell only enjoying pas- toral labor one-half of the time. There appears to have been embarrassment at this time from a debt still unprovided for. Vigorous efforts were made to liquidate this debt, which were but partially successful. The returns to the Association in the fall of 1856 were 70 members.

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History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 34

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 617

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 617