USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 86
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In 1824 he removed to Detroit and organ- ized the First Presbyterian Church in the city, and continued there till 1833, when his health failed and removed to Mishawaka, Indiana, where he was connected with an iron foundry for a few years, occasionally preaching as opportunity presented. Having received the appointment of a chaplain in the army, he removed to Galena, Illinois, and filled the posi- tion for a few years. After this he returned to Michigan and spent a year in the Bethel ser- vice at Detroit. Afterwards he came to. Erie and spent the remainder of his days, which reached ninety eight years. He was eloquent and practical as a preacher.
Rev. William L. Buffett left in 1852, and went, as supposed, further west. Rev. R. Rogers Salter, D. D., succeeded him, and came from Tiffin College, Ohio, for which he was agent for a time, and from which. he received the degree of D. D. He began preaching in 1852 in La Salle and Erie. He was invited in 1856 to become their pastor, and became a member of the Presbytery by letter from the classes of St. Joseph, Michigan, and was duly enrolled. Having accepted the call to become the pastor at La Salle and Erie, he was duly installed in 1856 by Rev. A. K. Strong and Rev. E. J. Boyd, chosen by the Presbytery for this service. His pastorate continued till 1864.
His successor was Rev. Samuel Fleming. He was born in Romulus, New York. He became a minister and removed to this State and be- came a member of the Presbytery of Marshall. He remained here two years, removed to Morenci, from Monroe to Burr Oak, where he
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THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.
finished his work, as his life closed December 5, 1885.
Rev. Arthur W. Sanford was next invited to be pastor of the church in Eric. He became a member of Presbytery by recommendation of the Presbytery of Fort Wayne in September, 1867, and was installed pastor the 15th of Sep- tember by Rev. C. N. Mattoon and Rev. E. J. Boyd, of Monroe. He remained until 1870 and removed, but returned again in 1881 and re- mained two years. He preached in Erie, in all, five years. He removed to Detroit and entered into rest in the year 1886.
In 1874, Rev. E. P. Willard, of Cayuga, New York. supplied the church and remained until 1879. He is now preaching in Cayuga.
Rev. William S. Taylor became pastor in 1885, and still occupies the pulpit.
John P. Rowe, one of the first elders of this church, came from Vermont.
Many families, prior to the War of 1812, left all but clothes and necessary food and took open boats and went sonthward coasting to- wards Ohio. Many again returned when the war was over, Daniel Mulhollen's family among them, with nine children. In three years after they left Michigan they returned to the Raisin, claimed their land and commenced making a farm, and in a few years built a house two miles south of the Raisin, where the Mul- hollen's still live. Mrs. John P. Rowe still re- sided in Erie. After her husband's death, in 1865, she gave attention to her two children, and became interested in church affairs, doing whatever her hand found to do with her might. She died full of years and usefulness June 16, 1887. Mrs. Sarah Rowe died at the residence of her son, Charles M. Rowe, in Erie, in the eighty-first year of her age. One of the minis- ters of the church for five years, Rev. E. P. Wil- lard, and who knew her well, says of her :
Mrs. Rowe was born in Monroe, Michigan, January 2, 1807, and after her marriage to Mr. John P. Rowe, she removed to Erie, Monroe county, where she has since resided. Her hus- band, an influential citizen of that locality, died in 1865. She was a woman of energy and ster- ling religious character, whose heart and life made a deep impress upon the community. She was distinguished for piety and usefulness. She was endued with a spirit of wisdom, and exhibited undaunted Christian zeal and a large benevolence. Her kindness, sympathy, and
charity were proverbial. Her faith was strong. In a feeble church she was a tower of strength. Her words of counsel were inspired with hope. Her radiance of example and life was not only diffused in her own happy home, but she was a burning and a shining light in the whole com- munity. For long years her devotion to the church, and her ceaseless prayers for its wel- fare, were widely known. As a true mother in Israel, she is lamented. Her gifts to benevo- lence and to the Presbyterian Church, were constant and magnanimous. Upon her heart were the interests of unconverted souls, and she lived to see many brought to the Saviour through her instrumentality. The reward is hers of those " who turn many to righteous- ness." Under the infirmities of age. her patience and Christian resignation evinced ripeness of character and the power of grace. All who knew her bestowed upon her genuine affection, and will long hold her memory in sacred trust. Her burial took place at Wood- lawn cemetery, Toledo, Ohio.
REV. NOAH M. WELLS,
THE OLDEST PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER IN THE UNITED STATES.
Rev. Mr. Wells was born at Bemis Heights, Saratoga county, New York, July 8. 1782, his father's name being Eleazer Wells, and his mother's maiden name was Joanna Fellows. When the deceased was three years old his father moved with his family to New Lebanon, New York, where the boy was kept at school until thirteen years of age, and from that time until he was twenty years old Mr. Wells worked alternately on the farm and in the shop, learn- ing his father's trade of harness making.
In his fourteenth year he was baptised in the Episcopal Church ; from his seventeenth to his twenty-first year the young man became a believer in the Universalist doctrine, but on attaining his majority he experienced a change in his belief and became impressed that he must become a preacher of the Gospel. Through reverses his father became a poor man so that his son could not look to him for help; therefore boarding at home and walking three miles each day to his lessons, Mr. Wells began under the tuition of a young minister in a neighboring town. In eleven months he en-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tered the freshman class in Union College, Schenectady, being the oldest scholar in the class. Through aid from Mr. Van Rensselaer, the mayor of Albany, and the kindness of Dr. Nott, president of the college, together with some remuneration for teaching in the gram- mar school, the young man graduated, received his diploma, and was appointed tutor in the college. After teaching and while studying divinity under Dr. Nott, the young man left the college free from debt and with three hun- dred dollars.
His first charge was the Presbyterian Church and society at Galway, Saratoga county, where he was ordained, and it was at this time that he married Miss Nancy Hunter, of Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York. In three years she died, leaving one son. For five years Mr. Wells preached at Galway, writing and com- mitting to memory two sermons each week, lecturing each Wednesday evening, with prayer meeting Friday night and pastoral in- vitations. After being two years a widower Mr. Wells married Miss Jane Lefferts, who after- ward died and was buried in Detroit.
Mr. Wells' second charge was at Brownville, Jefferson county, New York, where he estab- lished the first church there, and performed the work under almost thrilling circumstances.
Early in 1825 he received an urgent invita- tion to visit Detroit, and in June of that year arrived there. He found a comfortable wooden church, with about thirty members, as the first Protestant church in the city; but they had no organization according to law. As- sisted by such men as Mr. Hastings, Dr. Rice, Messrs. Bingham, Stewart and others, he formed a regular Presbyterian Church, with a strong band of elders and thirty-six members, all told. This was the first Presbyterian Church ever formed in Michigan. Mr. Wells continued as pastor of this church until 1836, when his health failed him, and he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Cleveland, whose successor was Dr. George Duffield.
Mr. Wells then engaged in secular business, taking an interest in a blast furnace at Misba- waka, Indiana. In about a year he returned to Detroit to take charge of the Flat Rock and Gibralter Company, in which business he re- mained two years and then returned to Misha- waka. After living there about a year he re- moved to Niles, Michigan, having been ap-
pointed by the Michigan University as a teacher in the branch of the university estab- lished at Niles. Eighteen months later he was appointed chaplain in the United States Army, to be stationed at Prairie du Chene. When the troops were removed from there to take part in the Florida War, Mr. Wells went to Galena, Illinois, where he remained nearly three years, building up and conducting a Presbyterian Church. He then returned to Maumee City, where he remained a short time, and then came to Detroit to take charge of the Bethel cause there, and after six years of this work he retired from all service and went to Erie, Michigan, to reside with his son, William H. Wells. For his third wife Mr. Wells mar- ried Mrs. Nancy Trowbridge, of Hudson, New York, who died in Detroit and was buried at Elmwood. Up to the time of his death Mr. Wells resided with his son at Erie, Michigan, and besides being the founder of the first Presbyterian Church in Michigan, was at the time of his death the oldest Presbyterian min- ister in the United States. He died May 3, 1880, aged ninety-eight.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PETERSBURG.
When in 1856 the Presbytery of Monroe asked a missionary of the Home Missionary Society to work within its limits, the request was denied. The Presbytery then determined, as the necessity seemed great, to obtain one and pay him themselves. Rev. Austin Marsh, . a veteran in the service, was employed, who preached at Petersburg, as well as at other points.
The people asked the Presbytery for the formation of a Presbyterian Church in this place. Revs. E. J. Boyd, H. G. Blinn and Daniel S. Bacon, older of the Monroe Church, were appointed as a committee to see to it, and form a church if they thought it best. 1
Rev. E. J. Boyd, principal of the Ladies' Seminary, of Monroe, met Rev. J. Marsh on Sabbath, November 16, in Petersburg, where after service five persons presented letters from other churches, and two presented them- selves for examination as to their experience of Christian grace. They all gave their assent to Artieles of Faith and covenanted to walk to. gether as a church of the Lord.
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THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.
On Saturday, December 13, they met at the school house of the village, when some more were enrolled, and Dr. Joseph Brown and Myron B. Davis were chosen elders of the church, who on the next day were duly in- vested with this office. The Lord's Supper was also administered, when eleven members were present, as follows: Dr. Jonas Brown and his wife, George R. Brown, Mrs. O. T. Rose, Mrs. H. G. Morse, Mrs. George Peters, Myron B. Davis and his wife, Mrs. Almira Gifford, Mattison Reynolds and James Rey- nolds. This church was reported to the Pres- bytery, and on application was received and enrolled April 8, 1857. Its early growth was permanent. In ten years its membership was fifty-four, although some had filled the measure of their days.
In 1870 the additions were sixteen. Twenty- four were added in 1876.
The elders of the church have been: Dr. Jonas Brown, Myron B. Davis, Justus Tremain, Daniel McCollum. The present elders are Myron B. Davis, George R. Brown, Havilah E. Davis and James H. Gage.
The first place of meeting was an Union House built for public worship by the people, and first occupied by the M. E. Church.
When it became necessary to meet sepa- rately, a lot was obtained of Eliakinor Cornell as a free gift. A committee was appointed, and when the brick were ready the people turned out with their teams and hauled them, as well as the stone, with gratuitous labor. Owing to the increase of the value of materials the building, which was commenced in 1864, was not completed until 1868, when it was dedicated, with a slight debt remaining; but in a few years it was entirely removed.
One of this committee was Oliver T. Rose, who came from Rhode Island to this place when the country was new, and took hold of this enterprise with liberality and zeal and pushed the work forward, when others faltered, and at the end put down a liberal donation to relieve the work from debt.
Another one of the committee was Horace Hill, who came a pioneer from Vermont, and was ready always to do what he could to en- courage the enterprise.
Mention may also be made of the elders of the church who have passed away :
Dr. Jonas Brown was born in Heath, Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, in 1795. He became a member of Williams College, and graduated at that institution in 1815, having assisted himself largely by teaching. He became a physician and lived in Peru twelve years. He came to this State in 1836, and lived at first in Lenawee county, but finally purchased new land south of Petersburg and gave his atten- tion to farming. He was an original member of this church, lived an honorable Christian life, and died in 1869.
Colonel Justus Tremain was born in Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, in 1798. In carly life he removed to Oneida county, New York, and was a farmer. He came to this county in 1833. Living in the vicinity of Petersburg when this church was formed, he soon became a member and was chosen an elder, and lived here the remainder of his life, and died in 1872. He was an upright man, and had the satisfac- tion of seeing his children walk in the Christian way.
Daniel McCollum was also an elder who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1800, and spent his youth and carly manhood there. . He was a mechanic-a maker of hand- rakes. When he came westward he made a home in Adrian, and lived there several years. From Adrian removed to Petersburg and joined this church. He was chosen an elder in 1869. The clock, communion set and chairs were given by him, as well as the library in the vestibule of the church. The bell, costing near five hundred dollars, received a generous contribution from him.
He was an exemplary man, faithful in all duties, generous and true to the church, and quietly passed away June 1, 1878.
The ministers who have preached for this church were: Rev. Justin Marsh, Rev. Moody Harrington, Rev. J. W. Baynes, Rev. G. M. Boardman and Rev. W. S. Taylor.
Rev. Justin Marsh was born in Montague, Massachusetts, in 1796. After graduating at Amherst College and studying theology under the instruction of Rev. Allen Mcharron, of Simsburgh, Connecticut, he went to West- ern New York and preached at Sherman, Napoli, Amora and Orangeville, and came to Michigan in 1837. He was diligent in his calling, preached in many places here, and died
33
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at the home of one of his sons, in the full tri- umph of faith, leaving two sons earnest minis- ters of the gospel, January 9, 1872.
Rev. Moody Harrington was in Petersburg but a short time, and little is known of him.
Rev. John W. Baynes was born in Liver- pool, England, May 24, 1799, and was educated at Rotherham College. In 1838 he came to the United States and became an assistant to Rev. Dr. Stearns, of the Presbyterian Church, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. He after- wards preached for several years at St. Catha- rines, Ontario. In 1849 he came to Hudson, Michigan, where he preached a few years. He preached in Manchester, and in Blissfield, Pe- tersburg, and Deerfield, his family residing in Hudson. He died after many years of suc- cessful work, January 11, 1877.
His successor at Petersburg was Rev. George Martin Boardman, who came from Western New York. He applied for admission to the Presbytery of Detroit. He was accepted as a candidate, and was soon licensed to preach. In 1852 he was enrolled as a member of Presby- tery, and was preaching at White Lake. He was a member of Monroe Presbytery in 1861, and preached in Petersburg. In 1862 he enlisted in the military service of the State, and became captain of Company I of the Fifteenth Infantry, in camp at Monroe. The regiment went to St. Louis, and moved for- ward immediately to Pittsburgh Landing, leaving Mr. Boardman at St. Louis, where, after a few days he died in the hospital, of the. small-pox. Three of his sons, Charles, Frank- lin and Ira D., enlisted, and Charles died also in the army.
Rev. William S. Taylor also preached in Petersburgh. He was born in Trumansburg, New York. His parents were Henry Taylor and Laura (Graves) Taylor. William went to school until his fourteenth year; when seven- teen, his mind was more particularly inter- ested in religious things and he became a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, of which his parents were members, and his father an elder. He was inclined to prepare for the ministry, in which his parents cordially acquiesced. Soon afer he entered Geneva Lyceum, a classical school where young men were fitted for college, and remained in the institution three years, and entered the junior class in Union College, Schenectady, New York, and graduated in 1838.
Three years after, the college bestowed the degree of A. M. upon him. After teaching the classics in Oxford Academy, New York, for one year, he entered Auburn Theological Seminary and spent three years in study, graduating in 1842. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Cayuga, and the next year- after preaching a short time in West Bloomfield, New York-found him in Michi- gan, preaching in Jonesville, and while there he was ordained by the Presbytery of Mar- shall, as it then was. He preached there for one year ; had an attack of malarial fever and rested for a few months. He next preached in Manchester, occupying the basement of an en- closed church. The effort made to complete it was crowned with success. In 1849 he was invited to Hillsdale, where he was installed, soon after, pastor of the church by the Pres. bytery of Marshall. In 1853 he had another attack of fever, when he felt constrained to ask for a dismissal, to accept the agency of the American Sunday School Union in Michigan, and removed to Detroit, as the centre of their operations in the State. After remaining in this service for seven years, and seeing much good done in this way, he concluded to return to the pastorate, and in 1862 entered into the service at Petersburg, and com- menced preaching in the Union House, serving also the church in Deerfield.
The church in Petersburg grew ; the house of worship was commenced and carried forward to completion. Having been pastor here for over twenty years, he asked to be dismissed in 1885 and went to Erie, and is pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church at the present time.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The Rev. William Mitchell was sent to this section of country in 1810 by the Western Conference, which embraced the valley of the Ohio and adjacent territory. He preached at Detroit, River Rouge and Monroe, and was followed the next year by the Rev. Mr. Holmes, who occupied the field and continued a year longer, ministering to a little band of twenty- three, but in consequence of the war most of the settlers were forced to flee, the little band was scattered, and for the five subsequent years there was a suspension of efforts by this denom- nation.
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THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.
In 1817 the Rev. Joseph Mitchell came fre- quently to minister, and as there was no public building in which to hold services, the resi- dences of Daniel Mulholland, sr., and Samuel Felt were occupied as the most commodious. IIe continued to preach from time to time until 1812, when Rev. John P. Kent succeeded him. He formed the first Methodist class, consisting of Samuel, Elizabeth, Seth, Ethel and Abigail Choat, Jacob B. and Mary Parker, Lyman, Sarah and Mary Harvey, and Phelura West. The organization was effected on the south side of the River Raisin about two miles west of the present city of Monroc, in the house of Jacob B. Parker, on the farm now occupied by A. II. Dwight. Mr. Kent occupied the field but one year. This venerable man died at Lima, New York, in 1880, aged eighty-eight, after a long and useful ministry. He was suc- ceeded in 1822 by Samuel Baker, and as the circuit embraced all the settled position of Michigan except Sault Ste. Marie, having but one assistant, his visits to Monroe were not frequent. He married one of the original class, Sarah Harvey, who, after his death, married the Rev. John A. Baughman, who occupied the circuit in 1825, and was justly regarded one of the best and ablest and most successful of the . veteran itinerants. His ministry continued in this State -thirty-two years, and some now liv- ing will recall his preaching with pleasure. His successors were George W. Walker, James W. Finlay, HI. Colelazer and Presiding Elder Goddard, who assisted in 1832 in forming a class within the village of Monroe in addition to that whose headquarters were two miles up the river. Mr. Joseph C. Garwood, for many years highly esteemed in this community, allied himself at this time with the new class.
The two following years, 1833 and 1834, E. H. Picher and E. C. Gavitt preached every alternate Sunday in Monroe, occupying the old yellow court house for services. During 1835 and 1836 Rev. Robert Triggs, sr., with W. Gage, ministered to the church. In 1837 the church building was erected on the lot where the parsonage now stands. Rev. J. W. David- son, through whose energy and industry the church was erected, enjoyed the pleasure of occupying the pulpit but four Sundays after its dedication. Monroe was made a station in 1837. The indebtedness of the church was $2,500, and mortgaged to a citizen, J. Q. Adams.
The mortgage was transferred to the Bank of Michigan, and as a large part of the subscrip- tion was payable in land, the mortgage was cancelled by a transfer of the lands to the bank. The church was dedicated in December, 1839, during the pastorate of A. M. Fitch. The Rev. Baughman again supplied the pulpit for one year. Revs. A. M. Fitch, David Burns, Bisin Sapp, James Shaw, H. Colelazer, R. R. Rich- ards, Eliza Crane, T. C. Gardner, Seth Reed, and Harrison Morgan followed in succession as pastors.
The financial affairs of the church were set- tled, and the society freed from debt during the pastorate of Rev. Bisin Sapp, brother-in- law of John Tull, Esq. During Mr. Reed's pastorate the interior of the church was im- proved, the pulpit changed from the west to the east end of the building, the galleries im - proved and a furnace supplied. The city and churches met with sore reverses in 1853. The magnificent steamers and boats, which formed a link in the line of travel between the cast and west, were taken off from the route be- tween Monroe and Buffalo, and the tide of travel and transportation found other outlets, the removal of business and many families en - sned. Rev. Seth Reed gave church to more than forty persons in one year, this, with the ravages of cholera, decimated the ranks of the society. The following ministers came in the order of their names from 1856 to 1867: F. W. May, W. E Biglov, F. W. Warren, J. H. Burnham, I. C. York and William Fox. In 1867 Presiding Elder Shier, finding the old church needed repairs, and failing to find a disposi- tion on the part of the congregation to make them, undertook the task of securing sub- scriptions for a new brick church. A sub- scription of $20,000 was raised, and the follow- ing year the foundation of a new edifice was laid on the corner of Monroe and Second street, and the parsonage was removed to the "Wesley Chapel." Rev. J. W. Scott succeeded Mr. Shier, but it was not until the pastorate of Rev. J. Venning, June 11, 1871, that the new church was dedicated with a comfortable seating capacity of six hundred, an excellent organ, heated by steam; it is doubtless one of the finest edifices in the conference. It was supposed, at the time of the dedication, the sum subscribed would cancel the indebtedness, but the amount was short some $11,000, which was reduced by
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the energetic work of the subsequent pastors - J. C. Worlley, D. Carlton, Revs. O. J. Per- rin and J. E. Jacklin. Mr. Jacklin was suc- ceeded by Revs. C. M. Coburn, W. W. Wash- burn and T. G. Potter, the present resident pastor. The present number of communicants one hundred and seventy, and the number of scholars in the Sabbath School, one hundred and sixty-one.
TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Episcopal service was for the first time publicly read in this county by the Rev. Rich- ard Berry, in September, 1831. He came from Detroit on horse-back, and preached in the old yellow court house. Two months thereafter the Hon. Charles C. Trowbridge accompanied him, and public services were again held, at which time the first baptism occurred, that of Sidney D. Miller (now residing in Detroit) and a daughter of General Murray, of the British army. The church was formally organized in the spring of 1832, and General Murray and Seneca Allen were elected wardens, and the Rev. John O'Brien became the rector. The first church building was commenced in 1833, upon the lot where the rear portion of the Park Hotel now stands. On the 3d of May Bishop McIlvaine confirmed twenty-one per- sons. In September, 1836, Bishop Samuel A. McCrosky made his first official visit to the church. The Rev. John O'Brien continued rector of the courch until 1842. The sugges- tion of his name gives rise to many pleasant memories, confined by no means to the mem- bers of his church. He was a Godly man, and highly esteemed by those who knew him, and was unquestionably one of the finest scholars in the country.
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