USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 89
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
one corner and a hole in the roof through which the smoke might escape. Soon after, he got the help of neighbors and built a log house 13x20, and had lumber enough to cover half the roof and half the floor; during the first summer, had neither door nor window, but used a bed-quilt to hang before the hole where there ought to be. These were at last provided, second-hand, from an old building in the vicinity. Wolves were fierce and plenty, and at one time attacked Mr. Wilder's cattle, which at once formed in a circle, the calves and young cattle in the center, and the cows and oxen on the outside. One wolf was shot, and the others fled. Mrs. Wilder worked at clearing land all day, with a baby in a cradle near at hand, and with a small boy with a bell on his neck to keep him from being lost. The wolves were at length driven from the island by a raid of all the inhabitants. After selling the farm on the island, Mr. Wilder purchased land in Wales, St. Clair Co., Mich., but, on account of his wife's ill health, concluded to purchase an improved place. After considerable search, he bought the farm of about one hundred acres on Section 27 of Armada Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Wilder's fam- ily consists of the following: John W., born at Kingston July 8, 1836, died at home February 11, 1861; Henry L., born at Kingston January 13, 1837, now living in Armada Township; Catherine H., born on Wolf Island December 2, 1839, married and living in Romeo Village; William H., born on Wolf Island December 4, 1841, served in the war of of the rebellion, and died at home in July, 1874; Jonas W .. born on Wolf Island August 6, 1843, married and lives in Armada Township; Phebe E., born on Wolf Island. Septem- ber 14, 1845, married and lives in Armada Township; Samuel S., born on Wolf Island Sep- tember 25, 1847, married and lives in Armada Township; Artemas T., born on Wolf Island August 24, 1851, married and living in Armada Township: Albert P., born on Wolf Island December S. 1853, married and lives in Armada Township; Almira, born on Wolf Island February 10, 1856, died at the homestead February 17, 1874; Isaac R., born at Armada June 10, 1860, died April 19, 1861. Mr. Wilder has always been a Republican in poli- ties, and a Methodist in religion. Mr. Wilder favors the Established Church. She boasts of having furnished from her family seven votes for Garfield. Mr. Wilder is a hale and hearty man; never has taken a dose of medicine in his life. He has never drunk intoxi- cants nor used tobacco in any form an example followed by all his large family. He has one of the most sightly, pleasant and commodious places in Armada Township. His farm is supplied with a wind mill, good barns, and all the necessary appendages of a prosper- ous business, and is making the product of milk a leading feature.
JOHN H. WILSON, son of John Wilson, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Oeto- ber 12, 1834; he came to St. Clair County with his father's family in 1842, who settled in the woods in Berlin Township, in St. Clair County. in a bark-covered hut. In 1858, John H. bought forty acres of land on Section 6, Armada, Macomb County, the same on which he now resides. He was married. October 13, 1860, to Mary Shepherd, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, October 5, 1839. Their children were as follows: Albert N., born July 21, 1861; Cyrus T., born May 6, 1863, died March 17, 1864; Peter H., born December 31, 1864; Mary J., born January 7, 1867; John T., born October 26, 1868; Robert A., born June 1. 1872; Sarah A., born July 3. 1875; David S., born June 23, 1877; James W., born October 4, 1879. Mr. Wilson has increased the acreage of his farm by 125 acres; has a fine new residence, barn, etc .; he is Republican in politics, and a Quaker in religion; he is also connected with several organizations.
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717
IIISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXII.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP.
The township is well watered. the principal stream being the Clinton River, which enters the township about the center of its western boundary. and traverses the southwest quarter of the township until it enters Sterling. Next in importance as a stream and water-power is the race, which was made out of the old Clinton & Kalamazoo Canal. This canal was projected in 1837. and construeted in 1838. It was the original intention of the construetors to complete it from Mt. Clemens to Kalamazoo, a distance of about 172 miles, but it was never finished farther than Rochester, in Oakland County, and never navigated but from Mt. Clemens to Utiea, some twelve miles. It has, since its diseontin- mance as a navigable thoroughfare, been used as a raee to supply motive-power to the Utica mills, for which purpose it is practically adapted. The land is level and fertile. In some seetions, however, it may be considered slightly undulating and sandy.
In 1850, the amounts of cereals, grain and general agricultural productions were as follows: Wheat. 10.286 bushels: corn. 30.073 bushels: all other kinds of grain, prinei- pally oats, barley and rye, 12,991 bushels; potatoes, 12,174 bushels; wool. 19.509 pounds. Dairy products-butter, 28,940 pounds: cheese, 3,548 pounds. Contrasted with the re- turns made for the year ending December 31, 1873, the showing stands: Wheat, 12,011 bushels; corn, 38,000 bushels; all other kinds of grain, 41,170 bushels; potatoes, 14,380 bushels: wool. 20,010 pounds. Dairy products-butter. 37,086 pounds: cheese, 15,575 pounds. The largest increase is shown in wool and dairy produce.
In 1850, the population was set down at 1,452. Thirty years later. in 1880. it was 1.650. The advance in population has not been remarkable, but the increase of wealth. of production and the social advances made form a higher testimony in favor of the in- habitants. They prove that it is not the number, but rather the quality, of the laborers that builds up a State or any section of a State.
The first American settlers of the township were Nathaniel Squier, George Hanseom, Elias Wilcox, Joseph Miller, Ezra Burgess, Elder Abel Warren, Peleg Ewell, Ira Preston, Joseph Lester. the Axfords. Owens and others, whose names are recorded in other pages of this work.
Thomas Squier was the first white inhabitant who died in the town of Shelby. He was a brother of Hiram Squier, by whom he was buried. Joelamy Squier, a half-sister of Thomas Squier. was the first white child born in the township, her birth occurring in July, 1817. She married James Muir at an early day, and is now known as the Widow Muir, of Almont, where she still resides.
ORGANIC.
The township of Shelby was erected under authority given in the legislative enact- ment of April 12, 1827, and the first town meeting ordered to be held at the house of Perez Swift, the last Monday in May following. Shelby originally comprised Towns 2 and 3 north, in the twelfth range east.
The first meeting of the inhabitants of Shelby for the purpose of electing town officers was held at the house of Perez Swift. Calvin Davis presided, with Abijah Owen, Clerk. The result of this election was the choice of Joseph Lester, for Supervisor; Abel Warren,
718
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Clerk; Solomon Wales, Jedediah Messenger, William A. Davis, Assessors: Eleazer Scott. Amasa Messenger and Russell Andrus, Overseers of the Poor; William Arnold and Isaac Russ, Constables; Nun Moe and Elias Wilcox, Overseers of Highways; Enoch Huntley, Isaac Russ, Elon Dudley, Orison Withey, Road Commissioners: Eleazer Scott and George Hanscom, Pound-keepers; Joseph Lester, Abel Warren, Solomon Wales, William A. Davis and Jedediah Messenger presided as Inspectors of Elections.
TOWN ROSTER.
Supervisors -Joseph Lester, 1827-28; Samuel Axford, 1828-35; Ephraim Calkins. 1835-38; County Commissioners, 1838-43: Oliver Adams, 1843-45; Payne K. Leech, 1845-46; Oliver Adams, 1846-48; Jacob Scrambling, 1848-49; Philander Ewell, 1849- 57; Willard A. Wales, 1857-60; Philander Ewell, 1860-61; Payne K Leech, 1861-62; Willard A. Wales, 1862-63; Chauncey W. Whitney, 1863-65; Philander Ewell, 1865- 66; Willard A. Wales, 1866-68: Phillip Price, 1868-69: Willard A. Wales. 1869-71; Payne K. Leech, 1871-73; James S. Lawson, 1873-74: Albert L. Goff, 1874 82.
Clerks-Abel Warren, 1827-28; John Chapman, 1829; Solomon Wales, 1830; Will- iam A. Davis, 1831-33; P. B. Thurston, 1834; D M. Price, 1835-36; Orson Sheldon, 1837: Orville Morrison, 1838; James B. Carter, 1839; C . W. Chappel, 1840; Hareligh, Carter, 1841-12; D. M. Price, 1843-14; Jacob Summers, 1845; Francis B. Chappel, 1846; Gurdon G. Deshore, 1847; Francis R. Chapel, 1848; Hareligh Carter, 1849; W. W. An- drus, 1850; Philip Price, 1851; Hareligh Carter, 1852; Chauncey W. Whitney, 1853; William Brownell, 1854: Elan Chapin, 1855; P. H. Knight, 1856; C. W. Weston. 1857- 58; John O. Smith, 1859; Alonzo M. Keeler, 1860; Marvin Satler, 1861; Josiah Kings- bury, 1862-63, Albert L. Goff. 1864; Isaac Monfore, 1865: Philip Price, 1866-67; James S. Lawson, 1868-70; Aug. E. Bacon, 1871-73; M. C. Keller, 1874; Milton B. Salter, 1875; George T. Connor, 1876; William S. Andrews, 1877; Gurdon C. Leech, 1878-80; Frank F. Williams, 1881.
Treasurers-Elias Wilcox, 1827-28; Nun Moe, 1829; Josiah Lockwood, 1830; Na- thaniel Sqniers, 1831; Joseph Lester, 1832: A. D. Yemmons, 1933; Josiah T. Robinson, 1834: George E. Adair, 1835: Albert G. Fuller. 1836; Jesse B. Gridley, 1837; Josiah Price, 1838-42; Layman B. Price, 1843-45; Jacob Summers, 1846; George Price, 1847; James B. St. John, 1848; Walter Porter, 1849; George W. Summers, 1850; George St. John, 1851; James Cheney, 1852: William Brownell, 1853; John G. Marsh, 1854; P. H. Knight, 1855: Jervis Winans, 1856; George King, 1857; Isaac C. Cross, 1858: Ste- phen S. Merrill, 1859; Orrin Goff, 1860; Haswell H. Church, 1861-62; Ephraim Par- menter, 1863; Cyros C. Ladd, 1864; John W. Master, 1865: Samuel Ladd, 1866; Alson Haines, 1867; William Rowley, 1868-69; David B. Andrews, 1870: Milo Bacon, 1871: Gurdon C. Leech, 1872-73; Ralph Wilcox, 1874; Reuben T. St. John, 1875-76; George T. Connor, 1877: Reuben T. St. John, 1878-79: William S. Andrus, ISSO; Martin C. Keeler, 1881.
Justices of the Peace-Daniel W. Phillips, Orson Sheldon, John Chapman, Russell Goff, 1836; Daniel W. Phillips, 1837; Orson Sheldon, 1838; Harlehigh Carter, 1839; Russell Goff, 1840; C. B. H. Fessenden, James Cheeney. 1841; Carey Worden, 1842: Hareligh Carter, 1843; Layman B. Price, 1844; Jacob Summers, 1845; Carey Worden, 1846: Jacob N. Merrill, 1847; Elam Chapin, Hareligh Carter, IS48; Jacob Summers, 1849; O. Morrison, Harlehigh Carter, 1851; Joshua Price, Orvill Morrison, Timothy J. Marvin, 1853; Edmund P. Adair, 1854: Orrin Wilcox, 1857: Joseph Moser, IS58; La- fayette Warren, 1859; Alonzo M. Keeler, 1856; Alonzo M. Keeler, 1560; C. W. Whitney, 186]; James S. Kelly, 1862; Lafayette Warren, 1863; Alex W. Warner, Oliver Adams, 1864; David W. Price, Chester Andrews, John Lintz, 1865; C. W. Whitney, Isaac C. Cross, 1866; Alonzo M. Keeler, 1867; Alex Grant. Isaac C. Cross, 1868: Palmer N.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
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Baker, Hiram D. Runyan, 1869; Alexander Grant, 1870; Samuel W. Phillips, 1871; Isaac C. Cross, 1872: Palmer N. Baker, 1873; James H. Boughton, P. Price, 1874; J. Newton Montfort, Harvey Wilcox, 1875; Alexander Grant, 1876; George H. Cannon, M. Firman, 1877; J. H. Boughton, A. B. Adams, 1878; William Moe, 1879; James Williams, William Moe, 1880; Harvey Wilcox, 1881.
The elections of 1882, resulted as follows: Supervisor, A. L. Goff, Democrat, 194; Haswell Church, Republican, 155; Democratic majority, 39. Clerk, W. H. Marvin, Repub- lican, 185; R. J. St. John, Democrat, 167; Republican majority, IS. Treasurer, H. J. Swit- zer. Republican, 265; D. E. Pearsall, Democrat, 79; Republican majority, 186.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of Shelby Township are singularly fortunate in management. From that time referred to in the chapter of pioneer history, when the education of youth was a matter of great difficulty, the people have attended to school interests in a manner marked by solicitude. To-day, there are seven school districts, each possessing a good school building. No. 1, comprised in Utica, claims a brick schoolhouse valued at $10,000 The number of children enrolled is 339. No. 3 building is valued at $1,000, $800 of which sum is due. Number of children, sixty-four. No. 4 (fractional) is attended by sixty- three pupils. The building is valued at $1,500. No. 5 is a brick structure valued at $1,- 400, and capable of seating forty-seven pupils. No. 5 (fractional), a frame building, val- ued at $450. This school is attended by 122 children. No. 6 claims sixty-one children of school age, and a frame building valued at $1,000. No. S (fractional) has a brick building, valued at $1,000. The number of children belonging is thirty-three. The total number of children of school age in the town of Shelby in 1881 was 729, of which num- ber about 80 per cent attended school.
UTICA VILLAGE.
The present village of Utica was named Harlow by Joseph Stead. In 1833, a num- ber of Americans who had settled in the neighborhood, assembled at Elias Scott's house to adopt a name for the village, when Gurdon C. Leech proposed the name Utica, which name was adopted. Among the settlers in 1831 were John James, Gurdon C. and Payne K. Leech, William A. Davis and family, William Smith. Ethan Squiers. Elias Scott. Joseph Stead, George E. Adair, E. P. Adair, Lyman Wentworth. -- - Sparks, the Chapel brothers, B. L. Watkins, B. Kittridge, Peter Moe, Lyman T. Jenny, Job Hoxie, Jedediah Messenger, Amasa Messenger, Asa Huntley, . Jonathan Allen, Joseph Lester, Luman Squiers and Anthony King. In 1832, a large number located in the neighborhood.
William Smith was the first Postmaster: Benjamin Kittridge kept the first tavern. A B. Cooley, who afterward settled at Oshkosh, Wis., was considered one of the first and most expert counterfeiters of Utica.
Previous to 1828, a log schoolhouse stood on Cass street. Near the depot was a second log house, in which school was taught for a number of years. One of the best re- membered teachers of this time was Prescott B. Thurston.
Adam Price built a grist and saw mill in 1828-29. The saw-mill was erected in 1827 by Jacob Price, where the Utica mills now stand. At the same time, he constructed a race from the river, a distance of thirty rods, which gave a six-foot fall.
William A. Davis built a distillery at Utica previous to 1828, on the site now occu- pied by Lyman Fuller's house. Payne K. Leech erected the second distillery about 1831. This was located opposite the present Utica mills. James Stephens built the third dis- tillery about 1843 or 1844. In 1845, Charles W. Chapel built the fourth distillery on the canal. Mr. Wentworth, at present of Utica, and one of its most enterprising citizens, was connected with one of those early industries.
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720
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Richard L. Clarke, President of the Utica Bank, was well known in those early days. The company redeemed all notes, enabling the people to state that "it was a very good bank for a wild-cat bank."
The Library Association was formed at Utica about 1836. a few years before the Utica Lyceum was organized.
The Utica foundry, operated by James Carter and - - Covell. stood on the site of the Clinton House. The upper floor formed the meeting-house of the Presbyterians.
In 1846. D. M. Price and C. W. Chapel built the Canal Mills. It was a general thing to turn ont 100 barrels of flour every morning. This continued until the construc- tion of the plank road via New Baltimore diverted trade.
Under an act approved March 9, 1838, that portion of Shelby and Jefferson (Ster- ling) Townships, comprising the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of Section 33, in Town 3 north, Range 12 east, running thence east one and a half miles to the northeast corner of the northwest corner (quarter) of Section 3. in Town 2. north, of Range 12 east; thence west one and a half miles, to the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 4 in that township, and thence north one mile, was erected with a village to be named Utica, and the first village meeting was ordered to be held at the schoolhouse the first Monday in May. 1838. Organization was effected under this act, but its body corporate ceased to have an actual existence after a short time.
In the general history of Macomb, reference is made to a few Canadians who squatted on the Harrington farm during the absence of its owner at Detroit, and remained there until Harrington returned to claim his land, when they quietly pushed forward westward and located on the site of the present village of Utica. Among those settlers were Mr. Hoxie, referred to in the history of Romeo, and Mr. Squiers, the oldest resident of Shelby Township. It is related that the former was connected with the lake pirate-the Black Snake-and that after the war of 1812 was over, he, with a few companions, sought a refuge in the wilds north of Detroit. Mr. Squiers arrived in 1817. The Cowies. Chapa- tons, Summers, St. Johns and others mentioned in the list of original land purchasers, followed, and the nucleus of the village was formed.
Utica was, years ago, connected with Detroit by a railway line then known as the Detroit & Shelby Railroad, a strap railroad, operated by horse-power. It is on the old Clinton & Kalamazoo Canal, which, though not now in use, affords excellent water-power for operating two large flour-mills and a pulp factory. The D. & B. C. R. R. passes through the village, placing it twenty-four miles north of Detroit. Mt. Clemens, the county seat, in nine miles east. The village contains three churches-Catholic. Congre- gational and Methodist-graded school, employing five teachers, two good hotels-the "Exchange" and the Clinton House. William H. Marvin publishes a weekly newspaper known as the Utica Sentinel. The post office is conducted by Mrs. Julia P. Grant. A Masonic lodge, a musical society and a number of religious associations connected with the various churches are in existence. The Union Schoolhouse is one of the principal evi- dences of progress within the village. This building is valued at $10.000, and points out very distinctly the intuitive love of education entertained by the inhabitants.
The population of the village, according to the census of ISS0, is 550. Among the business and professional men of Utica, in the past and present, are found the names of Wm. W. Andrus, Wm. Bridges, Wm. Brownell, Seth K. Shetterly, Frank F. Williams. Elam Moe, William Summers, George Wilkins, James Williams, John N Young, Ralph Wilcox, Edmund P. Adair, Dominick Chapaton. Martin Firman, Alex Grant, Philip A. Knight. George A. Ladd, James Gramby, Adam Wagner, John Ruby, Daniel Robinson, Peter Montfort. C. O. Burgess, James Messmore, M. J. Rorick, James H. St. John, Samuel P. St. John. F. J. Simmons, Gurdon C. Leech, Lyman Wentworth, George E. Adair and
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Charles P. Smith. The location of Utica is very favorable. In early years, the place was made famous by its enterprises. It was the last settlement in Michigan to suffer un- der the effects of the financial crisis of 1837, and among the first to show evidences of a business revival. Its early banking institutions, newspapers, churches, schools, all re- ferred to in other sections of this work, point out Utica to be once the home of progress. In later years. it seems to have reached the limit of its growth but more recently the citi- zens have shown a desire to advance their village, which desire is being made practical.
ORGANIZATION.
The village of Utica was incorporated a second time. May 10, 1877, with J. N. Young, President; Alex Grant. Clerk; S. L. DeKay, Marshal; Messrs. E. P. Adair. W. H. Har- vey. James Kapps, J. H. St. John, Ladd and --- Mitchell, Trustees. The officers for 1878 were: William W. Andrus, President: Alex Grant, Clerk; E. P. Adair, J. H. St. John, J. S. Hollister, Martin Firman. Elam Moe, W. H. Harver, Trustees.
The officers for 1879 were: William W. Andrus. President; Frank F. Williams, Sec- retary: James H. St. John. Daniel Robinson, W. H. Harvey, Marvin Abernethy, Elam Moe, Trustees: Gurdon C. Leech, Treasurer: S. L. De Kay, Street Commissioner: Stuart Beatty. Constable; Ralph Wilcox. Assessor.
The officers for 1880 were: William W. Andrus, President; F. F. Williams. Clerk; J. S. Hollister. M. Firman. Alex Grant, W. H. Harvey, D. Robinson, J. H. St. John, Trustees: Gurdon C. Leech, Treasurer: R. E. Rogers, Assessor.
The officers for 1881-82 were: William H. Harvey, President; F. F. Willams, Clerk: Gurdon L. Leech, Treasurer; George E. Adair, Assessor: James Kapps, David Robinson, James H. St. John, Martin Firman; J. S. Hollister and Alex Grant, Trustees.
The village officers for 1882-83 are: Wm. H. Harvey, President: Jehial S. Hollister, Charles O. Burgess, Ralph Wilcox, Trustees; Erastus W. Lawrence, Clerk: Stephen D. Adams, Treasurer; George E. Adair, Assessor: Andrew T. Sopher, Street Commissioner; Francis O. Crocker, Constable.
DISCO VILLAGE.
The hamlet of Disco was platted in 1849. The owners intended that the place should become an academical town, and carried out that intention. The men interested in this landable enterprise set apart ten acres of land and an endowment fund of $1,000. In 1850. the academy building was erected. and Alonzo ML Keeler appointed Principal. Subsequently, the common school of the district was taken under the academical wing, and so the building continued in the service of high and primary education until 1864, when the lower floor was given to the School Trustees and the upper to the religious so- cieties of the neighborhood.
The village is located on the Middle Branch of the Clinton River, fourteen miles northwest of the county seat and four miles north of Utica, its shipping-point. Its popu- lation is 110.
The principal industries of the village are comprised in a wooden bowl factory, feed- mill, cider-mill and planing-mill. Among the business and professional men are A. E. Bacon, physician; G. T. Darby, grocer; J. H. Bell, bowl manufacturer; John C. Adams, dealer in produce: George Brown, wagon-maker: James Cole, lumber manufacturer: Cross & Payne, wagon-makers, cider manufacturers and planing-mill operators; M. J. Monfore, agricultural implements; H. N. Orcutt, James Ray and -- Selfridge, blacksmiths.
The first settlers of Disco were John Keeler, Alonzo M. Keeler, Isaac C. Cross, James B. Fry and Henry Skerritt. John Russell, the temperance lecturer, is named among the first settlers. Mrs. H. J. Salter had charge of the post office until the appointment of Miss Emma A. Keeler.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
THE UTICA LYCEUM.
This association, for the promotion of education, was organized November 1, 1839. The original members were Hareligh Carter, Peter S. Palmer, J. B. Carter, M. H. A. Evans, D. M. Price, H. O. Bronson, C. S. Madison, C. B. H. Fessenden, Gurdon C. Leech, N. D. Stebbins, C. W. Chapel, F. D. Watkins, Orson Sheldon, John James, L. T. Ten Eyck, H. R. Schetterly, J. C. MeKisson, James Stephens, John Gray, G. W. Merrill, Cary Worden. A. E. Fuller and Orville Stevens. The first meeting of the association was held in the Presbyterian session room, with Orson Sheldon in the chair and P. J. Palmer, Secretary. A committee on constitution reported at an adjourned meeting, held December 2. 1839, when a series of rules for the government of the lyceum was adopted. The first officers were: O. Sheldon, President: N. D. Stebbins, Vice President: C. B. H. Fessenden, Secretary; J. B. Carter, Treasurer; C. W. Chapel, Collector; R. L. Clarke, Librarian; J. C. McKisson, F. D. Watkins and G. W. Merrill, Committee of Arrangements. The first question discussed was, "Should the laws of Usury be abolished ?" The last record of the association is dated January 9, 185S, and signed by C. L. Jenny, Secretary. Pre vions to the organization of the lyceum, the Utica Library Association existed.
The Mammoth Hotel was built at Utica in 1839, and opened for business January 1, 1840. Numbers of people from all parts of the county, as well as from Oakland, Wayne and St. Clair Counties were present.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
Rev. William Platt commenced labor in Utica, Mich., on the first Sunday in June, 1854. January 11, 1855, "the scattered fragments" of a Presbyterian Church and a few others "were organized by Council into a Congregational Church." The original mem- bers of this church numbered sixteen. John B. Chapman and Oliver Nichols were the first Deacons. Ths first named still resides at Utica, and is at this date (February, 1852) the sole Deacon of the church. Rev. William Platt was the first pastor, and continued to hold that office until his voluntary retirement, in the summer of 1871. He was suc- ceeded in August of the same year by O. Hobbs, whose ministry lasted six months. From the 1st of February, 1872, to the latter part of September, there was no pastor, but meet- ings were held, the Clerk of the church reading sermons. Dr. Payson Breede, a young man, commenced labors with the church as minister September 22. He continued to be pastor until April 1. 1877. During this ministry, the church made considerable additions. The house, though decorated within and furnished with a furnace and pipe-organ, remains essentially the same as when first built, if we except a small addition made in the rear for the accommodation of the new organ. During the earlier history of the church, it was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. Some years since, however, it ceased to receive this "aid, and is at present supported wholly by funds from Utica and the sur- rounding country. In the building of its house of worship, the church received the aid of the Congregational Union. The seats are at present mostly owned by individuals. The present (February, 1882) resident membership is about sixty.
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