History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 62

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952

USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 62

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).

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

school in connection with the church is in a flourishing condition. The new Methodist Church will be one of the handsomest buildings in Mount Clemens. It is to built after plans furnished by architects connected with the Church Extension Society, and will be distinguished by an unique design and great convenience of arrangement. The structure will face Shelby street, and will have dimensions as follows: Over all, 44x102; audi- torium. 44xS6: vestibule, 1x24; height of ceiling. 28 feet; height of tower. 90 feet. In- gress will be had from Fraser street, into an open porch. thence into the vestibule. Above the latter will be the gallery. to be so arranged that it can be shut off by window paneling from the body of the church, ano thus used, whenever desired, for a class- room, or for other circumscribed purposes. The building will have a double roof and stained glass windows throughont. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 400. the gallery, SO; the choir will occupy a raised platform back of the pulpit.

First Presbyterian Church. This church was formally organized May 4, 1835. un- der Rev. M. Eastman. From that period up to 1841, services were held in the old log court house or other church buildings. In 1841, a commodious building was erected which served as a house of worship until 1844, when the church divided, and. the mi- nority forming a congregational society, built the church in which the Presbyterians now worship, corner of Walnut and New streets. Rev. A. S. Wells was then delegated as pastor. The pulpit was vacant for some months previous to the coming of Rev. Thomas Foster, in 1845: he served as stated supply until 1849. Under Mr. Foster, the Con- gregationalists and Presbyterians united and ageed to worship together in the Congrega- tional. now the Presbyterian, house, which agreement is still observed. Rev. George Newcomb sucereded Mr. Foster, and continued pastor until the coming of Rev. H. N. Bissell, in 1854. Mr. Bissell served the church here for a period bordering on a quarter century; is still a resident of the county and one of its most esteemed citizens. Rev. Mr. Ellis occupied the pulpit during the last-named pastor's leave of absence, and, when Mr. Bissell resigned, in 1878, was stated supply. Ellis was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Eddy. now of St. Clair. Since Mr. Eddy's time, a number of people have filled the pulpit of this church, until the coming of the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Ireland, in ' September, 1SS1. Among the prominent members of the church since its establishment, the names of William Canfield. of Elders Sackett, Snook. Bush, Shear. Drake, G. B. Van Eps. Ram- say, Hubbard. of the Donaldson brothers, A. Rowley, E. Teats. George Grovier, Theodore Traver may be mentioned. T. W. Snook was Clerk from 1849 until a few years ago. The number of members belonging to this society approximates 100 and the congregation about 400.

The Episcopal Church .- The above religious body was first established at Mount Clemens in the year 1849. The first services were held in the court house, under the ministrations of the Rev. Edward McGee, who held the charge until 1851. From this time. the interest in the church was allowed to slumber, but not to die, for. in 1867. we find it again revived. The Rev. Milton Ward. from Detroit, held irregular services. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hyde, who was the first resident minister since Mr. McGee. The present commodious and beautiful sacred edifice was erected and dedicated to the service of (tod in the year 1870. Since its erection. the following reverend gentlemen have officiated: Woodward. Martin. Skinner, and Rev. Mr. Rafter, the latter being the present incumbent. The present officers are: Wardens, Daniel C. Tilden. Dr. W. C. Tennant; Vestrymen. Thomas M. Crocker. George R. Law and John Trufant. The con- gregation now numbers 210, and is. in every respect, flourishing and prosperous.

The Baptist Church .- The Baptist Church was organized on the 17th of October. 1834, with a total enrollment of thirteen members. The pastor who was first regularly ordained to officiate was the Rev. John Booth. The services for several years were held in

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the old court house. As the demands of the congregation increased rapidly, it was deemed expedient to build a church, and the present edifice was erected in the year 1843. The first pastor who ministered in the new edifice was the Rev. Mr. Fulton. The present offi- cers are: Rev. William A. Kingsbury, Pastor; George Wood and Harry Briggs, Deaeons; Thomas Gilbert, Clerk. There is a prosperous Sabbath school connected with the church, with Samuel Wood, Superintendent. The total enrollment of scholars at the end of the year 1874 was fifty. The congregation of the church now numbers about 300 souls. The first baptism in the Baptist Church was that of Martha Haines, now known as the Widow Stewart, residing near Prattsburg, N. Y. This lady donated $500 toward the erection of a parsonage as a memorial of her attachment to the First Baptist Church of Mt. Clemens. German Erangelical Church. - In the year 1847. the members of about twenty Ger- man families, then settled at Mount Clemens and neighborhood, assembled at Mount Clemens to hear the services of the German Evangelical Church in their own language. The first religious meetings were held in the court house, or in the homes of the mem- bers, until May 4, 1862, when they purchased the old training barracks, formerly used by the Methodist Episcopal Church society, erected in 1535 for school purposes. The base ment was fitted up as a residence for the pastor. This building was used as a house of worship until the dedication of the present German Church building, December 19, 1880. In 1870, a parsonage was built. The Sabbath school was inaugurated in 1870, and the same year the denominational school was opened.

Among the traveling and permanent pastors of the church since 1847 were Rev. L. Hartmann, 1847; Winkler, 1849; Krause, 1850; Grebner, 1853-55; Kranschert, 1856; Her- man, 1859. Rev. H. Hoff, the first permanent pastor, came in 1859; Rev. J. Keis, 1862- 64, and Rev. Hermann (Fundert, April 24, 1864, who is the present pastor. The salary paid Rev. H. Hoff was $250 per annum; that now paid is $600, together with house, fuel and fees. In January, 1880, the subject of building a new church was discussed. Be- fore the close of the year, a modern Gothic structure, 12x82, with tower eighty-two feet high, was completed at a cost of $9,000. The building was designed by Henry Shefferly. of Mount Clemens, and built from his plans by Minard Barr. The officers of the society in 1880 were: Charles Ulrich, President; William Fluimmer, Secretary; Jacob Wolf, Treas- urer: J. Bannow, William Conlon, G. Baenke, Ernest Olde, A. Schrado, William Mar- quardt and Paul Ullrich, Trustees. The membership is about 114. The Sabbath school numbers 120.

SCHOOLS OF MT. CLEMENS. BY PROF. SEARS.

This history is most respectfully dedicated to the "interviewed," who, with long suffering patience, have been plied with the numerous questions of the historian; and who have "racked their brains" to call up the information which has made the history possible: Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Tucker, Richard Butler, J. B Eldredge, J. S. Farrar, Mrs. Cul- ver and Miss Tucker, Maj. William Jenney, W. J. Daley, Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell, Dr. and Mrs. Taylor, Robert Shook, G. W. Robertson, H. W. Babcock, Mr. and Mrs. N. L. Miller, William Rutter, Mrs. Dr. Babcock, Mrs. P. M Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Snook, George and Ed Grovler, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Cady, J. W. Shook, Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Forster, Miss Zemira Hall, W. S. and A. T. Donaldson, Mr. and Mrs. James Williams, Miss Dr. Arnold, Mrs. J. C. High, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Harriet Eastman, Fred G. Kendrick. Mr. and Mrs. JJames Canfield, Miss Ella Lee, Mrs. Hubbard. S. S. Gale, Edgar Weeks, G. B. Van Eps, A. L. Cantiekl, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Van Eps. Mrs. E. C. Gallup. Mr. and Mrs. O. Chapaton, Charles Williams, William Longstaff, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Crocker, Mrs. James Snook, Rev. Father Ryckaert, Rev. H. Gundert.

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

Before entering upon the history proper of the Mount Clemens schools, it may be well to state for the understanding of the reader some of the difficulties under which the historian has labored. When I was asked to prepare the history, I readily acceded to the request. supposing that all the information I should desire might be obtained by sim- ply consulting the early records. My surprise was consequently great, when, upon in- vestigation. I discovered that not a single line of the records of the school districts of Mount Clemens could be found. It is a question in my mind whether the officers of those early schools left any permanent records. Had they done so, it is probable that the rec- ords would have been turned over to the present union school district at its organization. As a consequence, not a word of record can be found antedating the organization of the union school in 1857. Upon learning of this state of things, the historian had about decided to write only a brief history of the present schools, but, after further consideration, he con- cluded to tap the memories of old residents of the place and ascertain what facts could be produced. The dedication of this history will show to whom I am indebted for the facts and figures here contained.

The plan of procedure has been substantially as follows: After learning all the opin- ions, probable and improbable, of those interviewed, if any discrepancies have been oh- served. I have weighed the testimony according to my best judgment and woven what seemed to be the facts into the present narrative. No doubt there are those who will dis- pute some of the data, and possibly the occurrence of some of the events; but if I have succeeded in getting things doubtful within reasonable bounds of accuracy and time of events, I shall feel that my labors have not been wholly unprofitable. I have endeavored to make this history an impartial story of all the past and present, public, private and denominational schools of this town. Should any who may read these pages be able to positively assert that any fact has been erroneously stated, or should any event of interest not herein stated be recalled by any person, I shall be only too glad to make such altera- tions or additions as can be positively affirmed.

Schoolhouses were a luxury unknown in the school history of Mount Clemens pre- vious to about 1833 or 1835. All schools previous to that time were taught in private buildings fitted up temporarily for school purposes, and also in the old log court house- - the first court house and jail, combined, that Macomb County ever called her own. It was built upon the site of the present Macomb County Court House, the first floor being used for jail purposes and the second floor served the triple purpose of court room, school room and church. It was built in 1819 and burned in 1839, being set on fire by one of the prisoners.

The first school taught in Mount Clemens was held in a building then standing on the west side of Front street, about opposite MI. Peltier's blacksmith-shop. The teacher, also singing-master, was Mr. Prescott. He taught in 1818 or 1819. The school was of short duration, he having only three pupils, one of them being Mrs. Gallup, now living on North Gratiot street, and. as a consequence, he became disgusted with the prospective literary attainments of Mount Clemens and left in "high dudgeon." In 1820, Samuel B. Beach-a poet afterward a lawyer, taught in the log court house. He had a large school for that early day and was a-successful teacher.

Soon after this time -probably about 1821- - a girl by the name of McCall taught in the court house. James C. Edgerly was teacher in 1822 or 1823 in the court house.

Richard Butler, whose name appears in the history of the schools in the " Tucker Settlement," came to this part of the country in 1823. He first taught in a building standing near where Mrs. Czizek's house now is, on Court street. In 1824, the spring of the year, he taught in a school building that was called the "old pottery." The building stood on the present Opera House site. The first floor of the building was used for mak-

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ing a coarse kind of earthenware; the second floor was used for school purposes. MIr. Buttler afterward taught in the Detroit schools a number of years. Linus Moore taught a school in 1824, in the court house. In 1826. the Cooley Building, a hewed-log affair, was standing on Front street, just south of Mr. Heine's present stores. For a number of years, one of the rooms in that building was used for a school room. In 1826, a Mr. Hamlin taught there. After completing his school, he returned to Warsaw, N. Y.

Mr. Warner, quite an old gentleman at that time, taught in the court house in 1827 or 1828. He had a large school -twenty-five or thirty pupils. He taught several "quarters" of twelve weeks each. He was a man especially fond of mushrooms, and his gathering and taking them to his boarding places of course he " boarded around " to be cooked. used to be a cause of much wonderment among the children. In the summer season. for quite a number of years, probably about. 1828 to 1835, Miss Lucy Mather taught school in the building on Front street, opposite M. Peltier's blacksmith shop, where Mr. Pres- cott, the first Mt. Clemens teacher, taught. James Cronk taught in the court house about 1830. Mr. Richardson probably taught in the same place about 1830 or 1831.

From 1830 to 1840, the interest of the people in schools seemed to materially in- crease. It was during this period that the foundation of the present school system was laid, and the schools became. to a certain extent, public. Those who peruse this history cannot but observe the multiplicity of places where, at some time or another. schools have been taught. By careful computation, it has been ascertained that no less than fifty places are mentioned in this history, wherein schools have been held in this town. Cer- tainly we ought to be a most intellectual people, using this fact as a basis for our judg- ment. The old log court house was still the most prominent of school buildings. The names of the teachers, so far as could be ascertained, who taught there from 1830 to 1840, are the following: Miss Parker, in about 1833; Mrs. Joel Tucker, in 1833 and 1834; Daniel Daniels, in 1834 and 1835; Dr. Campbell, in 1835; Miss Zemira Hall, in the summers of 1836 and 1838; Dr. Philo Tillson, in the winters of 1837 and 1838, and 1838 and 1839; Miss Dana, in 1839. Miss Parker was a most genteel lady, and afterward married a Presbyterian clergyman by the name of White. Joel Tucker removed here from Pennsylvania. He was a merchant, doing business on Front street, near the site of Mil- ler's Brewery, Mrs. Joel Tucker teaching in the meantime. Mr. Tucker and Mr. Daniels afterward removed to Algonac, where they engaged in the Inmber and milling business.

The historian is especially indebted to Miss Zemira Hall and Mrs. Thomas Foster for accurate information of the schools of this period. Philo Tillson is at present a resident of Romeo. Miss Zemira Hall had about thirty-five pupils belonging to her school. The tuition charged was $2 per pupil for a quarter of twelve weeks. In 1832, Richardson taught in the Cooley building, on Front street. This school was a spring and summer term. Mrs. John Gilbert had a private school in the Gilbert House, on New street, in 1835 and 1836, the building in which she taught standing on the site of the present Pin- gree property. Her school numbered about twenty or twenty-five pupils. She probably tanght in that place for a number of years from 1835 to 1838 or 1839. Miss Adeline Rutter, now Mrs. John James, of Detroit, taught a school in 1837 or 1838, in a building then standing on Market street, near the site of Heine's tailor-shop.

The Brown building, on the present site of Jaech Shook's store and John Roskopp's meat market, was another school location. A room in this building on the second floor was fitted up for school and church purposes. Norton taught a small select school in this place in 1837 and 1838. He was a good teacher, and afterward probably kept a school on Front street, about the site of M. Peltier's blacksmith shop. In the winter of 1840-41. Mr. Cilley had a school in the Brown building.

From about 1838 to 1840 or 1841, there was a school in Marcellus. South Gratiot

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street, presided over by Oran Freeman and Robert Thompson. Others taught in the same place, but the names of the teachers are not to be ascertained. Miss Delia Smith, after- ward Mrs. Dr. Babcock, taught a school in the Fiero House, on Front street, in the winter of 1839-40. She taught a twelve weeks' term, enrolling forty-six pupils, averag- ing about forty per day. From 1840 to 1843, Miss Mary Bacon taught school in the Gil- bert House, on New street, and in the Lee House, on Market street.

From the records in the office of Register of Deeds, I learn that Christian Clemens, in November, 1834, deeded to School District No. 7 the southwest corner lot at the junc- tion of New and Cherry streets. Mr. Pelton's residence now occupies the site. The con- sideration was $1, with the proviso that the same be used forever for school purposes.

The officers of the district at that time ( 1834) were John Stockton, Joel Tucker and R. O. Cooley. I shall call this district Old No. 7, in contradistinction to New No. 7, which had an existence afterward. The district probably included all the village of Mt. Clem- ens, with considerable surrounding country. The schoolhouse was probably built in 1834. It was a good school building for those early days. The seats were placed around the walls, with desks in front, and another row of seats in front of the desks. As to the time this district had an existence, there seems to be some controversy. Mrs. Dr. Bab- cock thinks the schoolhouse burned in 1841, and seems positive that she is right, as she was teaching there at that time. Others assert quite as positively that the house was not burned until 1843. The preponderance of testimony seems to favor the latter opinion. The district was probably organized in 1834, and merged into New No. 7 in 1843 or 1844.

The date of the grant to the district by Mr. Clemens would seem to fix the first date. Some think that the house was not originally intended for school purposes, but had to be made over, so to speak, for school nses. From what I regard as the most positive author- ity, I incline to the belief that the house was built for a school. The first schools taught here were of the same character as those previously taught in other places in town. The new school law was not enacted until 1837 or 1838, after which time the school became, to a certain extent, public. The first teacher was Thomas Richardson. The wages of teachers were raised by subscription, all who were interested in maintaining the school paying what they thought they were able for the support of the schools.

The names of the other teachers so far as learned, of old No. 7, were Ira Stout, 1834 or 1835: Miss Prudence Cook, now Mrs. Pratt, in 1835; Mrs. John Gilbert, in 1835: Cary Worden, probably in 1835 and 1836 (one term only): Mr. William Campbell, in the win- ter of 1836-37. About 1837 or 1838, a gentleman who was nicknamed "Our Ornament." The true name could not be remembered. He was rather unpopular, but had been spoken of at a prayer meeting as an ornament to the town-hence the cognomen. Jefferies in 1838 or 1839: Jones in the fall of 1839 or winter of 1840; Miss Delia Smith (Mrs. Dr. Babcock), in 1841; Miss Elizabeth Sacket (Mrs. William Campbell), in 1841 or 1842, for a year or more; Miss Sarah Murray, now Mrs. McDonald, of Detroit, in 1843. It is claimed that when Miss Murray was teaching, the schoolhouse burned, being set on fire by ashes left in a barrel in the vestibule. Of these teachers named, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Pratt and Mrs. Dr. Babcock live on Shelby street. Mr. Campbell's school numbered from 90 to 120.

Cary Worden was excessively fond of strong drink. It is said that he would so far forget his dignity as a teacher as to get gloriously drunk, then go to the schoolhouse and there sleep off his debauch sometimes in school hours. When he awoke from his drunk- en stupor, almost invariably he would beat the first pupil he saw for some imaginary offense. The pupils at one time by preconcerted action, gave him a good sound drubbing in payment of "old scores."

At the time the new school law went in force, there was much opposition to it because

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it was surmised that expenses of maintaining schools would be increased. Under the new law. Mr. James Williams was elected Moderator. He did much to assure the people that the cost would not be increased, while the gain in superior school facilities would be largely augmented.

Even at what may appear a rather late date (1836 to IS40), the Indians were very plentiful in this part of the State. They used to assemble in quite large numbers, build their camp fires and execute their war dances on the site of the present Methodist Church.

Apropos to this subject, an interesting event occurred while William Campbell was teaching in No. 7. The boys and girls used to have separate recesses. The boys at their recess time were in the habit of going to an old barn situated in the woods, about opposite the present residence of A. T. Donaldson, on North Branch street, to play. One day while there, William Rutter and Floyd Allen, two school-boys, came unexpected upon the dead body of an Indian covered by hay and straw. Of course, they did not remain long to investigate, but had a sudden call elsewhere. The whole town soon knew of the cir- cumstances of the finding, and, upon investigation, it was ascertained that the body was one that had been decently interred only a short time before. The Indians were very wroth and suspected that Dr. Campbell and Dr. Henry Taylor were instrumental in resur- reeting the body for purposes of dissection. The suspicion growing. the Indians began to mutter threatenings until they became so loud that Dr. Campbell sought safety in a foreign locality and Dr. Taylor kept himself secreted for a time until the excitement had abated.

Other versions are given to this Indian story. One is to the effect that the doctors named did employ a man to provide them a cadaver for dissection. The wrong body was obtained and secreted in the barn. The Indian chief was called from Salt River who pacified his people, and those who were regarded by the Indians as the sinners. purchased their pardon with a gallon of " fire- water.'

Mr. Jeffreys was a severe disciplinarian. He used to offer prayer twice a day. at opening and closing of school. During one of the prayers, the hat of one of the pupils, Granville Chappell by name, blew out of the window. Granville, not wishing to lose his hat, followed through the window. Mr. Jefferys sent the guilty youth after some switches, which were employed in teaching Granville proper decorum during prayers.

Mrs. Babcock received as tuition of pupils pursuing the common English branches. grammar, arithmetic, geography, etc .. $2 per quarter of twelve weeks. For primary pu- pils, $1.50 per quarter was charged. Mrs. Babcock states that while she was teaching. in 1841, the house burned, and she completed the term in a house then standing near the present old jail. The house has since burned. Thus endeth the history of old School District, No. 7.

NOTE .- Previous to the building of Mount Clemens churches, church services were held in some of the numerous school-rooms of the town. The Presbyterians worshiped in the log court house. The Methodists worshiped in the schoolhouse of old No. 7. The Baptists worshiped in an old log building situated about on the present site of E. J. Olde's store. The Episcopalians afterward used the log court house, and the Presbyterians went to the " Brown building.

I shall treat of the history of the schools from 1840 to 1857 as a unit, because during this period several new schools were organized. and afterward (1857) they were all merged into the union school.

The order of discussion will be: 1. Private Schools; 2. the Academy ; 3. the District Schools.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS 1540 TO 1857.

From 1839 to about 1841. Mrs. John Dudley, wife of the then officiating Presby- terian clergyman, taught a young ladies' school, first, in Lawyer O'Flynn's office, situated

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about on the present site of Biewer's brewery: second, in a building standing nearly op posite the Sherman House, and third, in the Goldby House, new standing in the rear of the Robinson block. She was assisted by Rev. Mr. Dudley, and it is said they taught a most excellent school.

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History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 62

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co. Number of Pages: 952

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952