History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 11

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373

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LUDINGTON SCHOOLS.

School District No. 3, of the Township of Pere Marquette, was organizel November 10, 1864, embracing the same territory that is now included in the limits of Union School District No. 1, of the city of Ludington; and the first school was taught in the district the succeeding Summer by Miss Sarah Melendy, in a shanty in the rear of the Pere Marquette Lumber Company's mill, which con- tinned to be the only building used for school purposes in the dis- triet till the building of the first part of the present Central School building in the Fall of 1867.

Previous to that time the terms of the school had been short and intermittent-the school being kept up Summers only; but from the month of February, 1868, the schools have been kept up during the whole of the school year.

In the year 1870 the former school district organization was changed to a union or graded school organization, with six trustees instead of three officers; retaining, however, its old name of School District No. 8, till the organization of the city of Ludington, at which time the district changed its name, and was created by the name of Union School District No. 1, of the city of Ludington.

The first school was taught in the Summer of 1865. The first teacher was Miss Sarah Melendy. Miss Katie Mitchell taught in 1866, and Miss Nellie Mills in 1867 and 1868. The first principal was Miss Mary Mills, in 1868. In 1875 Prof. John N. Foster was engaged as principal, and has held that position ever since.

The report of the principal, for the year, ending June 30, 1876 showed as follows:

No. of children in the district of school-age is 604

There have been enrolled in school. 614

No. enrolled twice. 26

Actual number enrolled. 588

These were distributed in the several grades as follows: High School ... 49

Grammar Grade 159

I'rimary Grade. 380

Average attendance.

302

The present superintendent, Prof. John N. Foster, began his work here in 1875, and has brought the schools of the city to a very high rank.

At the present time the schools of the city occupy three build- ings: the Central School, First Ward and Fourth Ward.

All pupils in grades above the eighth, from all parts of the city, will attend the Central Building.

The First Ward School has two departments, and all pupils of the first five grades, living within convenient distance, will attend this school.

The Fourth Ward School has three departments, and all pupils below the High School, living in that ward, will, as soon as it can be so arranged, attend that school.

A new building to cost $3,000 is to be erected the present season in the Third Ward.

The school year is divided into three terms. The first consists of sixteen weeks, closing the last Friday preceding Christmas. The second term commences two weeks from the following Monday and continues twelve weeks. The third terin consists of twelve weeks, closing on Friday immediately preceding the Fourth of July.

In 1880, the new Central School Building was completed at a cost of about $10,000. A very correct view of this building is given on these pages. It is a substantial structure, and is a credit to the place. Through the efforts of Prof. Foster, the "fine money," as provided by law, has been expended for books, and the school now has an elegant library of 1,000 volumes of carefully selected books. There is also a teachers' library of fifty volumes.

The present number of pupils belonging to the schools is about 950. In 1875, the number belonging was a trifle over 400.

At the beginning of the present school year two courses of study for the High School were adopted by the board of education, each extending over a period of four years, called respectively the scientific and English courses, each of which is preparatory to the corresponding courses in the State University. Upon entering the High School pupils may elect which course they will pursue, and when completed may receive diplomas. These diplomas will be accepted in place of examination in many of the colleges and high schools of the state and at the Normal School.

TEACHERS.

John N. Foster, superintendent.

CENTRAL BUILDING. - HIGH SCHOOL: Miss Hattie. B. Taylor, preceptress.

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS .- Miss Kate S. Hutchins, principal; Miss Ellen C. Shaw, assistant; Miss Melissa C. Holliday, sixth grade; Miss Louise V. Schick, fourth and fifth grades.

PRIMARY DEPARTMENT: Miss Mollie Danaher, third grade; Mrs. S. D. Haight, second grade; Miss Tillie Voigt, first grade.

FOURTH WARD: Mr. Galen A. Merrill, principal; Miss Annie Surplice, second and third grades; Miss Kate Sterling, first grade.

FIRST WARD: Miss Maggie Arnott, principal; Miss Lillian Williams, assistant.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Shubael F. White, term expires 1882; George W. Roby, term expires 1882; George N. Stray, term expires 1883; Robert Arnott, term expires 1883; Dr. E. N. Dundass, term expires 1884; M. J. Danaher, term expires 1884. George W. Roby, director; Shubael F. White, moderator; George N. Stray, assessor.

The board holds regular meetings on the last Friday of each month, at 4.80 p. M., in the superintendent's office at the Central Building.

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

STATISTICS.

Population of the district

5,000

Number of children between the ages of 5 and 20. 931

Cash valuation of school property ...

.$ 18,000 00

Assessed valuation of district property 944.991 60

Cost of superintendence and instruction 4.663 73

Amount paid superintendent 1,000 00

Amount paid special teachers

0 00

Cost of incidentals 856 28

Amount paid for bonds and interest . . 0 00

Amount paid for permanent improvements and buildings. . 5,311 64

The citizens of Ludington have abandant reasons for feeling a commendable degree of satisfaction and pride in the superior e:lneation il advantages which the schools of the city possess.

PROF. JOHN N. FOSTER, superintendent of schools at Luding- ton, is the man to whom the city is indebted for much of the excel- lence of its public schools. Prof. Foster was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., July 29, 1844. When sixteen years of age he came to Webster, Mich., and two years later, in 1862, enlisted in the Union army as a member of the Twenty-Sixth Michigan Infantry, and re- mained in the service until the close of the war in 1865. After coming out of the service, he taught school at Danville and Berrien Springs. At the latter place he remained four years. From 1872 to 1874, he was assistant superintendent of the Reform School at Lansing, and came to Ludington in 1975, to accept his present position. When he entered upon his duties here, the number of pupils belonging to the schools numbered 400. The present year the report shows the number to have been increased to 932. He was the first to introduce the system of graded schools, and has made many other valuable improvements in the system of public instruction. Prof. Foster is a thorough scholar, and combines to a high degree the qualities of a good instructor, and a thorough disciplinarian, while his practical views have been of great service to the board of education. Under his management, the schools of Ludington have taken high rank, and the people of the city appreciate the value of his services.

NEWSPAPERS.

The local newspapers of Mason County are of a character that reflects credit upon the intelligence and enterprise of the people of the county. There are three printing establishments in Ludington, each of which publishes a weekly newspaper, and does job printing. Each of the establishments is well equipped, and the character and style of printing executed by them will compare very favorably with that of the larger cities.

THE LUDINGTON Record is the oldest paper in the county. It was established in the Summer of 1867, by George W. Clayton, now a banker and prominent citizen of Ludington. At that time the village of Ludington contained about 300 inhabitants. James Ludington, after whom the village was named, saw the necessity of having a local newspaper to advocate the interests of the ambi- tious and promising village. Mr. Clayton was, at that time, em- ployed in the printing office of Starr & Son, in Milwaukee, and Mr. Ludington made him a proposition to come here and start a paper. In July, Mr. Clayton came to Ludington on a tour of inspection, and being satisfied with the prospects, returned to Milwaukee for his family and the material for the office. In a short time Mr. Clayton was back with his family and printing material. He secured a dwell- ing house and set up his printing and domestic establishments be- neath the same roof. The lower rooms of his house were occupied by his family, and from the second story beamed the effulgence of the local luminary at two dollars a year, strictly in advance. The first number of the Mason County Record, as it was then called, was issued September 17, 1867, and in his salutatory the editor announced

that the Record would be Republican in its politics and devoted to the interests of Mason County. With an unctions but commend- able burst of charity, he promised to make it as pleasant for his Democratic friends as possible. At that time Ludington was not even an incorporated village, and the entire local advertising patron- age was confined to Dr. Doty, drug store: S. F. White, attorney; Michael Moore, pump maker: Gerige Weimer, boot and shoe maker; and James Ludington, general merchandise. The paper was first a six column folio, and from the first its tone and spirit betokened the ability and energy of its editor. In 1869 it was enlarged to a seven-colum folio. In 1872 F. F. Hopkins purchased an interest in the office and the paper was again enlarged to an eight- column folio. Those early days appear to have been fraught with many of the precious experiences familiar to local journalists of the present time. The glistening paragraphs scattered here and there through the early files reveal the jarring of political and social ele- ments. There are way marks to indicate the miraculous escape of the editor from the woful vengeance of offended dignity or pride. The political conflicts of those primitive days were as dread- ful in their fury, and as bloodless in their consequences as at the present time; but despite all these periodical eccentricities there appears to have been no division of sentiment or effort touching the interests of Ludington. The Record held to its course with steady hand, and prospered. In 1874 Mr. Clayton sold his remaining inter- est in the office and was succeeded by Hopkins & Darr. In January, 1878, Mr. C. T. Sawyer bought out Mr. Hopkins, and the firm changed to Darr & Sawyer. In April, 1880, Thomas MeMaster pur- chased an interest, and the firm was Darr, Sawyer & McMaster until, August, 1881, they were succeeded by McMaster & Steven , the present publishers. In 1874 the paper was enlarged to a six-column quarto, and in the Spring of 1880 it was again enlarged to a seven- column quarto, and its name changed to the Ludington Record. The office was totally destroyed in the fire of June, 1881, but its publishers immediately equipped a new office and supplied it with steam presses and a splendid outfit of first-class material. The Record is still a faithful exponent of the principles of the Republican party and devoted to the interests of the city and county in which it is published.

Since writing the above, Mr. McMaster has purchased the interest of Mr. Stevens, and is now sole proprietor.

THOMAS P. McMASTER, editor and proprietor of the Ludington Record, was born in the north of Ireland, in 1846, and is of Scotch extraction. When three years of age his parents removed to En- gland, where he remained until twenty years of age. At that time he went to sea and followed sailing for about four years. In the Spring of 1871, he came from New York to Buffalo, and sailed on the lakes during that season. In April, 1873, he came to Luding- ton and engaged in business. For about four years he was one of the proprietors of the Ludington Boiler Works, after which, for a time, he measured lumber Summers, and did some work in the Record office during the Winter. In 1880 he became one of the proprietors of the Record, and in July of the present year became its sole editor and proprietor. Mr. MeMaster is a clear and con- scientious writer, a man of strict integrity and honesty of purpose, and has the full confidence of the community.

THE LUDINGTON Democrat is a seven-column folio weekly news- paper, published every Saturday, at Ludington, by E. W. Marsh & Co. The Democrat was started December 5, 1878, by E. W. Marsh. The office was in the Clayton Block until August, 1880, when it was removed to its present quarters in the Johnson Block, corner of Ludington Avenue and Charles Street. The paper is Democratic in politics. In September, 1881, L. N. Curott purchased an interest in the business and the style of the firm was changed to E. W.

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The P. W. master.

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

Marsh & Co. The office escaped the fire of June, 1881. The pub. lishers are live, energetic men, and the office is equipped with steam presses and all the necessary material for doing first-class work. The columns of the Democrat give evidence of editorial industry and ability, which are securing for it a wide circulation among the people of the city and county.

E. W. MARSH, editor of the Ludington Democrat, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1851. When six years of age his parents removed to Hillsdale, Mich., where he remained until the Spring of 1872, when he came to Ludington and opened a boot and shoe store. He continued in that business for about a year and a half, when he went to keeping books for the lumber firm of Stanchfield & Foster, and continued in that position until 1878, when he started the Lud- ington Democrat. Mr. Marsh is a young man, but is full of enter- prise and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He was a member of the city council during the years 1878-9, and was again elected last Spring. He is secretary of the Tax Payers Im. provement Association. As an editor, Mr. Marsh is a sharp and pungent writer, liberal in his views, but earnest m his advocacy of measures which his judgment approves.

THE LUDINGTON WEEKLY Appeal was established in 1878, the first issue being on June 27. Its editor and proprietor, William B. Cole, had previously published the Pontiac Jacksoninn, but having suspended its publication, removed the material to Ludington and established the Appeal. In his salutatory the editor declared his par- pose to establish an independent newspaper, devoted to the commer- cial interests of Ludington and Mason County. The office was well equipped with material and has always done a good business. It has never been the organ of any political party, but has not avoided the discussion of political subjects as they presented themselves. Mr. Cole still continues as editor and proprietor of the Appeal, although his feeble health does not permit him to apply himself to editorial work.

WILLIAM B. COLE, editor and proprietor of the Ludington Appeal, was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., December 22, 1822. He studied medicine, and graduated as a physician and sur- geon in 1846, and began practice in Pottsville, Pa., in 1847. In 1848 he removed to Fenton, Mich., and pursued his practice and was elected censor of the Genesee County Medical Society. In the Winter of 1849-50 he attended lectures at the Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, and returned to Fenton in 1851, and married. He continued practice there until 1871, when he purchased the Pontiac Jacksmian and removed to that place. In 1878 the publication of the Jacksonian was discontinued and the printing material removed to Ludington, where, in June of that year, he began the publica- tion of the Ludington Appeal. In the Fall of 1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the counties of Mason and Manistee in the Legislature. Since the expiration of his term in the Legislature, he has devoted his time to his paper, until about a year ago, he suffered a slight paralytic stroke and has since been unable to apply himself closely to business or writing.

TEMPERANCE -S. N. HILL.

Temperance reform has its local battle-fields. This county and the city of Ludington are noted for the conflict. The fortifica- tions are strengthened by imported material. Emigrated habits do not reform easily-but temperance armies are brave. Drunken- ness arouses honest hearts to self-defense. Temperance efforts here for several years past have been constant; many have been rescued and fashioned into safe habits. The conflict is mostly with- in the city. The municipal laws are as complete and stringent as can be made under the general liquor laws of the state. Yet saloons live. About twenty-five uniformly operate, and several drug

stores take out license. Prosecutions and penalties are a restraint, but do not cancel the business.

In 1868, before the town began its rapid growth, a lodge of Good Templars was organized. Messrs. Charles Caldwell and George Clayton were leaders in this effort. This soon ceased action. In 1870 a second lodge was organized, which continued about four years. Also, in 1881 a third lodge was organized, which is at pres- ent active and useful. With a large per cent of mill hands and foreigners, efforts have a transient effect. Many can be called ont to a single lecture, and no more is seen of them.

In April, 1877, Mr. A. C. Cameron, a volunteer lecturer and organizer, opened a campaign here, and the first pledge enrolled two hundred and fifty names, mostly of temperance people. The next evening about 300 more were added. Some of these were hard drinkers. The Red Ribbon Club was immediately organized. Mr. E. N. Fitch was president. About three hundred members joined the club. Red Ribbon clubs were at this time being formed rapidly throughout the country. Great enthusiasm prevailed. The thirty saloons of this city felt the force. Some dried up. At this time, also under the direction of Mr. Cameron, the Young Men's Chris- tian Association was organized, with a roll of forty members. Dr. A. P. McConnell was president. The Women's Christian Temper- ance Union was organized April 11, 1877. Mrs. J. S. Woodruff was president and Mrs. C. H. Fralick secretary. They obtained a charter, and have continued to be very efficient in the work, employ- ing lecturers, Bible readings, prayer meetings, children's meetings, and entertainments, and often circulating special temperance publi- cations. They have co-operated with the Red Ribbon Club, and with the general temperance movements of the state, and are posi- tively prohibition in their purposes.

The club immediately proceeded to build a temperance hall, which was done at a cost of $2,000. The hall had an audience room of one hundred feet in length, with library room, reading room, and kitchen. It was well furnished and for four years served a good purpose for all public occasions. The club was aided by the W. C. T. U. in the furnishing of the building. This hall was burned in the big fire of June, 1881.

In January, 1880, Mr. J. C. Bontecue, a state lecturer, held a series of temperance meetings, preparatory to the canvass for a state constitutional amendment for prohibition. These created consider- able interest, but nothing permanent followed.

In May, 1882, a series of public temperance meetings was held by Mr. Woodford, of Illinois, invited here by the W. C. T. U. As a result a Temperance League was formed, Mr. Thomas Shorts, president, to enforce the present laws and to act efficiently in the approaching canvass for the prohibition amendment to the state constitution.

The general temperance sentiment in the city and county, aside from the foreign population, is strong, but generally in favor of the present tax-license system, as being at present the most efficient. The churches and several pastors are quite co-operative in all efficient efforts in the cause of temperance.

LUDINGTON HARBOR ..

In the early days there was an old slab dock below the present dock of Allen & Son. For ten years after the mill was built, the channel of the river was south of the present side of the Taylor mill. In 1858 -- 9, Charles Mears dug the present channel to bet- ter accommodate the sawmill, which he was operating under lease. As soon as Ludington began to give evidence of business develop- ment, improvement of the harbor was begun. There was an excel- lent natural harbor, perhaps one of the best on the east shore of Lake

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

Michigan. In 1871 $75,000 had been expended on improvements. The light was finished and started this year. Since 1871 an aver- age annual expenditure of about $10,000 has been made in harbor improvements.

The citizens of Ludington are now urging upon Congress the necessity of a harbor of refuge at this point. The following reports made to the House of Representatives convey important information which seems desirable to incorporate in this work. They are as follows:

HARBOR OF REFUGE AT LUDINGTON, MICH.

Letter from the Secretary of War, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives, transmitting reports in relation to a harbor of refuge at Ludington, Mich.

March 27, 1882 .- Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, March 24, 1882.

The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives, in compliance with the resolution of that body of January 24, 1882, calling for the information, a letter from the Chief of Engineers of yesterday's date, and the accompanying copy of report from Major F. Harwood, corps of engineers, relative to the necessity for a harbor of refuge at Ludington, Mich., with plans and estimates therefor.

ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War. The Speaker of the House of Representatives.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,

UNITED STATES ARMY, WASHINGTON, D. C., March 23, 1882.

SIR :-- I have the honor to return herewith the resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States, dated Jannary 24, 1882, requesting the Secretary of War "to report to the House as to the necessity for a harbor of refuge at Ludington, Mich., and that he submit plans and estimates therefor;" and in obedience to its requirements to submit the accompanying copy of the report thereon by Major F. Harwood, corps of engineers, to whom it was referred, which it is hoped will afford the desired information so far as the questions of plans and estimates are concerned.

Major Harwood's views as to the necessity for the proposed harbor of refuge are entitled to consideration. I concur in them so far as they relate to the desirabi ity of an additional harbor of refuge at the most available point between Grand Haven and Portage Lake, but in my judgment it is important that the selection of that point should not be made till after a special investigation shall have been had of the coast between the places named, and the relative advan- tages of various localities determined. For this purpose, the authority of Congress will be necessary, and a small appropriation required.

The policy of making appropriation for a new harbor of refuge in this vicinity before those at Grand Haven and Portage Lake, already authorized and in course of execution, shall be further advanced towards completion, may well be doubted, and is worthy the consideration of Congress.

Should Congress, however, deem it proper to authorize, at this time, the construction of a harbor of refuge at Ludington, it is sug- gested that the plan, location, and estimate now submitted be referred to a board of engineer officers for revision before the work is undertaken. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. G. WRIGHT, Chief of Engineers, Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. Hon. Robert T. Lincoln, Secretary of War.

PLANS AND ESTIMATES FOR A HARBOR OF REFUGE AT LUDINGTON, MICH. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, 1

DETROIT, MICH., March 7, 1882.

GENERAL :- Under resolution of the House of Representatives of January 24 ultimo, transmitted to me by the Chief of Engineer's letter of the 27th, I am required to report upon the necessity for a harbor of refuge at Ludington, Mich., and to submit plans and estimates therefor.

There is at present no harbor of refuge on the east coast of Lake Michigan, and the necessity for at least one readily accessible to vessels of all characters in any stress of weather is obvious, and has been repeatedly presented to the notice of the War Department and Congress by officers in charge of the improvements on this coast in reports having a bearing upon this subject ..

As a result of the demands of commerce and the official representations above referred to, there are at present two harbors of refuge in process of construction, one at Grand Haven and one at Portage Lake, Manistee County. Both of these harbors are admirably situated for the purposes for which they are designed, but are not at present in a condition of safe access in a gale of wind.

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History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 11

Author: H. R. Page & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 373

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373