USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 41
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
THE OLD PONTIAC ACADEMY
"Under the instruction of Professor Williams, young men were pre- pared for college. In those early days Messrs. Charles Hung and J. Whittemore graduated at the university. Mr. Whitemore was a lawyer and the family lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Judson, corner of Whittemore and Saginaw streets. Judge Baldwin afterwards taught in the Old Academy ( 1841). Some of his pupils were Mr. Charles Howard, Mrs. Knight, and the Misses Richardson. Then a school week consisted of six days. Whether people began to think that children needed some rest from study, or whether Judge Baldwin used convinc- ing argument, we cannot say, but a half holiday was thenceforth given on Saturday. In 1842 the Pontiac English and Classical school was opened in the academy by J. B. Chase and R. C. Church, but how long it continued is uncertain. Few of the schools of higher learning flour- ished for more than a year. When the academy building was no longer used for school purposes, it was sold first to the university ,and then to the Roman Catholics, who moved it to the ground where Nusbaumer's store now stands. Afterwards it was moved to the corner of Lafayette street and Oakland avenue, and later to the corner of Perry and Law- rence streets, where it is now used as a blacksmith shop. Few people in these days speak of the old academy.
FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS
"The common schools are said to have been started in 1822, and two daughters of Jacob Stevens, Eunice and Martha, were among the earliest teachers. Tradition says that the first schoolhouse was a one-story frame building erected west of the courthouse. in 1824 or 1825. After Pontiae was fairly started she had three district schools. One, a little brick at the corner of Auburn avenue and Parke street, is still standing. Here Mr. Sherman Pearsall taught in 1840, and here Mr. Porter Hitch- cock received his early training. The second was on Mt. Clemens street near the present entrance to the cemetery. The third, a red brick, was where the Episcopal church now stands. Pupils from the eastern part of the town crossed a little footbridge over the Clinton to reach this school.
"The cause of education was helped along in the thirties and forties by those who kept select schools of various names. A Mr. Chamberlain advertised to give lessons in French, Greek and Latin at his office in Auburn. Board was from ten to twelve shillings per week. Fair Auburn was then a rival of Pontiac in learning. In 1835 there was started a 'Pontiac Literary Society,' with Mr. Griswold of Union College as principal. In 1835 a Female Seminary was announced and in 1836 John F. Giles and Caleb Dow opened a Literary Institute. One of these early select schools was taught by the Misses Elliott. afterwards Mrs. Lull and Mrs. Paddock.
PUBLI SYSTEM ORGANIZED
"In 1836 John D. Marshall organized the school system and began to have reports. About this same time. March 20, 1837, Pontiac was in-
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corporated as a village. It was not till 1844 or 1845 that the Pontiac Educational Society was started. The citizens of the county convened at the Baptist meeting-house in this village. After prayer by Reverend Pyper, Ira Mayhew, superintendent of public instruction, delivered a lecture on the subject of education. A committee of five-H. C. Knight, M. E. Crofoot, H. A. Rood, Francis Darrow, A. A. Ellis-drafted a constitution for the society. In one of the earliest Gasettes (the first appeared February 7, 1844) was the following: 'Pontiac High School- Winter term, first Thursday of January, 1845; basement Baptist church ; S. Gale and J. W. Crain.' On March 19th the advertisement was slightly changed, for then Mr. Crain was assisted by Miss Sarah Edson. An- other announcement read thus: 'Pontiac High School-The subscriber has commenced a school with the above title in Morris' new brick build- ing (now E. J. Hallett's) and respectfully solicits a share of public patronage. Terms of tuition per quarter of eleven weeks: The com- mon English branches, $3.00; higher English branches, $4.00; Latin and Greek, $5.00. All rudimental exercises. $2.00. Samuel J. Fulton, Pontiac, November 11. 1846.'
THIE 'OLD UNION'
"On May 9, 1849, Pontiac's newly elected school board was requested by certain representative citizens to call a meeting for May 22, 1849, to consider a location for the new Union school, so long afterwards called the 'Old Union.' On March 26, 1853, the public school exercises were held at Firemen's hall. At this time a declamation was given by H. I'. McConnell-title, 'Bonaparte to His Army.' An essay was read by Miss V. Palmer-title, 'Memory.' There was also an essay by Miss Chaffee on the subject 'Exile.' Then Mr. B. G. Stout was the principal and Mrs. Lemon had charge of the young ladies' department.
"From Superintendent Jones' report we take this: 'After ten earnest and interesting meetings, a site was selected, plans were adopted and money was levied for the purchase of the site and buildings of the Old Union. The site cost $638.18 and the contractor's bill was $3,997.38, $2.62 less than the amount appropriated. On July 28, 1854, $200 was ordered levied at a special meeting for the purchase of the bell that now hangs in its cupola. March 31, 1856, to provide further school room. $500 was voted to repair and seat three small rooms in the basement of the Old Union. On September 30, 1850, $500 was voted for a well, fencing, grading, shade trees and finishing of basement rooms.'
"While the first graduating class, as far as the records show, was that of 1867, Messrs. Draper and Drake had been admitted to the uni- versity on certificate during the first administration of Mr. Gorbin, who, besides being principal of the school, was instructor in mathematics. He was not only strong in mathematics but also in muscle. He was truly 'a terror to evil-doers,' for the incorrigibles were surely referred to the principal.
"Charles Hurd, who came in 1864, arranged a course of study pre- paratory for graduation, and issued a catalogne for 1864-65. At that time there were three instructors in the high school-Charles Hurd.
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principal ; George N. Glover. assistant principal; Mary V. Sherrill, pre- ceptress. Of the famous first graduating class, one is now Prof. Hudson, of the University of Michigan; another, Prof. Chandler, of the Uni- versity of Chicago. Then prizes in books to the value of $20 were given for original essays. During the winter term of this year twenty-seven in the high school had a standing ranging from 9.9 to 10. One study taken by everyone in the lower grades was Colburn's Intellectual Arith- metic. The intellectual gymnastics of Colburn left one too exhausted for physical exercise.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING OF 1871
"As early as 1858 the necessity for another good-sized school build- ing was apparent, but it was not till ten years later that plans were on
OLD HIGH SCHOOL ( 1871)
foot for the purchase of the oak grove on Huron street, and for the erection of a building which should be the crowning glory of the city. The dedication exercises were held August 30, 1871, and from far and near came the people. The prayer 'Then long may this beautiful temple stand,' has been fulfilled, and some there are who would like to see it replaced by a newer and fairer building. 'So passes the glory.' The first teachers in this building were C. S. Fraser, superintendent ; F. W. Hewes, principal; Charles Chandler, teacher of languages; Miss MI. .. White, teacher of mathematics. The first class graduated in the Grove building consisted of Enoch Beebe. Ella Crissy, Alice Myrick, Joseph Ripley and Arthur Tripp.
"In 1872, during Superintendent Jones' administration, pupils were first admitted to the university on diploma. Great was the anxiety of
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
the instructors and students to do themselves honor on the day of the examiners' first visit. Great was the wrath of the classical teacher, none of whose pupils could name the verse of Virgil, though they could scan to perfection. The wrath, however, was reserved till the next day, and I venture to say that no one ever again forgot the metrical verse."
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
The superintendents of schools and principals of the high school from 1851 to 1912, inclusive, have been as follows, the former year being the first in which the minutes' designate such official: James Safford, 1851 to April, 1853: Byron G. Stout, 1853 to April, 1854; Johnson A. Corbin, . 1854 to 1864; Charles Hurd, September, 1864, to April, 1867; Johnson A. Corbin, spring term. 1867; Leander W. Pilcher, September, 1867, to January 1, 1869; Johnson A. Corbin, January 1 to February 1, 1869; T. C. Garner, February 1 to June 25. 1869; J. S. D. Taylor, 1869 to 1870: C. S. Fraser, 1870 to 1872; J. C. Jones, 1872 to 1876.
From 1876 to 1912 the following superintendents have been in charge of the city schools: G. M. Clayberg, 1877 to January 1, 1878; Z. Trues- dell, 1878 to 1880: F. S. Fitch, 1880 to 1800; O. C. Seeley, 18go to 1891; F. E. Converse, 1891 to 1897; Hugh Brown, 1897 to 1900; Ralph B. Dean, 1900 to 1904: James H. Harris, 1904 to 1906; F. P. Buck, 1906 to 1910; G. L. Jenner, 1911 ( present incumbent, October, 1912).
Among the oldest and most prominent members of the city school board is Elmer R. Webster, who served as president from 1002 to 1905, had previously been its secretary and has held the latter office continu- ously since 1906.
THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The high school on West Iluron street, erected in 1871, is the oldest of the buildings now occupied. That structure has, of course, been repaired, partially remodeled and maintained in a sanitary condition. although it has not been considered quite up to the modern standard.
The demand for a new high school building has been so strong and insistent of late years that it has borne fruit in the form of the magni- ficent structure for which plans are now (October, 1912) being pre- pared by the architects, Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton, of Chicago. It is estimated that the building will cost about $175,000, and at this writ- ing bids for its construction are about to be submitted to the architects named.
PUBLIC SYSTEM AND LIST OF SCHOOLS
The local system of public education covers the full eight years in the primary and grammar grades and the four-years' curriculum in the high school. In the grammar grades are also taught such special branches as music, drawing and physical culture, and manual training and domes- tic science. To accommodate pupils in the latter branches the Manual Training school, in the First ward, is provided, the scholars attending it at certain hours of the day from the different ward schools.
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
As near as can be ascertained the following items hold good regard- ing the Pontiac schools: High School-Location, West Huron; com- pleted in 1871; number of pupils in attendance, four hundred.
Florence Avenue School-Built in the eighties; two hundred pupils. Bagley School-Built in 1895; cost, $7,000; two hundred pupils.
Central School-Location. East Pike; built in 1893; cost, $12,000; four hundred pupils.
Baldwin School-Location, Baldwin street; built in 1902; cost. $30,- 000: four hundred pupils.
McConnell School-Location, Paddock strect: built in 1901; cost, $30.000 : four hundred pupils.
Crofoot School-Location. West Iluron, near high school; built in 1900: cost, $35,000; five hundred and fifty pupils.
Wilson School-Location, corner Foote and Sanford streets; built 111 IO11 ; cost, $40,000; three hundred and fifty pupils.
Wisner School-Location, Oakland avenue: built in 1911; cost. $40,000 ; three hundred and fifty pupils.
MICHIGAN MILITARY ACADEMY
This once-famous institution has nothing whatever to do with the public schools of Pontiac and was never located in the city, but several of its prominent citizens were interested in it financially and all took a pride in it as long as it had a "fighting chance" to survive, It was founded at Orchard lake in September. 1877, by Col. J. Sumner Rogers, then a United States officer stationed at Detroit. Assisted by leading citizens both of that city and Pontiac he established the institution at the latter place, mainly as a finishing school for colleges and to provide also a business training for its students. Commencing with thirty-two students, within the succeeding eleven years its attendance had increased to one hundred and eighty-four, divided between twenty-four states. But, in time, Colonel Rogers and such men who came to his assistance as Gen. Charles King and Capt. F. A. Smith, brought the military feature more and more into the foreground.
Notwithstanding the faithful and continuous efforts of Colonel Rogers and his co-workers, among the most efficient of whom was his wife, the enterprise became much involved in financial difficulties and, under the strain, the founder's health gradually declined. In 1802 it became so broken that General King acted for some time as superintendent.
The final decline and death of the Michigan Military Academy is told concisely by the last president of its board. Gen. Harris .A. Wheeler. who was connected also with its financial management in 1878-80, dur- ing the first years of its struggles. General Wheeler was most prominent in connection with the Illinois National Guard previous to assuming the presidency of the academy and was also well known in Chicago ( where he still resides) as a manufacturer : but neither his standing nor activities were sufficient to revive the failing enterprise and it went under, as thus narrated by him: "If my memory serves me correctly, a strike or mutiny occurred at the Michigan Military Academy during the school year 1900-01, which was participated in by members of the faculty, as
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
well as pupils. Not having been especially familiar with its condition immediately prior to that time I do not know if that was the beginning of the end. At all events. Colonel Rogers died the following September and Mrs. Rogers conducted the school for a year. I became president the next year (General Wheeler is a brother-in-law of Colonel Rogers), spent a small fortune in my endeavor to rehabilitate it, and retired in June, 1906, all but ruined. It was continued a year under the hopeful control and scrutiny of its creditors and adjourned, sine die, in June, 1907. This is a good history, according to the best of my knowledge and belief."
Vol. 1-22
CHAPTER XXIV
PONTIAC CHURCHES
EARLIEST METHODIST PREACHERS-FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IN COUNTY-PASTORS FROM 1826 TO THE PRESENT-MRS. SHATTUCK'S REMINISCENCES-CENTRAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-HOW THE CHURCH WAS BUILT-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN THE STATE-NEW BUILDING-ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S CHURCH-ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH- ST. TRINITATIS LUTHERAN CHURCH-THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH -YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-RED RIBBON CLUB OF PONTIAC.
The churches of Pontiac were established at an early period of her history, and they came to stay, for they are firmly planted and flourish- ing. In proportion to the population of the city, they are numerous and strong. The Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians organized societies in the early twenties, and were followed in the thirties by the Congre- gationalists, Catholics and Episcopalians, the African M. E. church hav- ing been organized the first year of the Civil war. The details form- ing the religious life of Pontiac are presented in the several sketches which follow.
EARLIEST METHODIST PREACHERS
The earliest preachers of the Methodist Episcopal denomination to visit Oakland county were the Reverends Alfred Bronson and Samuel Baker, who preached in Pontiac and other points in the county in 1823. Up to 1824 this section was connected with the Sandusky ( Ohio) dis- trict. The nucleus of the First Methodist church of Pontiac was rep- resented by a class of twelve members that met in a log house in Water- ford township, two miles and a half west of that city. In 1827 a local preacher of the name of Laban Smith held meetings in the house which stood on the ground now occupied by the home of the late A. B. Donel- son. At that time it was known as the Shattuck homestead. In 1828 the Ohio conference sent Rev. William Snow as a missionary.
In those carly days the itinerant system was in full vogue and cir- cuits were formed extending over many miles of country. The circuit represented by Rev. Snow embraced Piety Hill (now Birmingham). Farmington and Donation Chapel-the last now known as the village
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of Amy. In 1828 the class was transferred to the then village of Pon- tiac and for two years thereafter meetings were held in a red schoolhouse which stood upon West Pike street.
It was customary at that time to support two preachers in each cir- cuit, one styled "junior" and one "senior." The senior preacher was to be a married man, while the junior, being unmarried, was put to the necessity of "boarding around." receiving for his services in addition to his board, the sum of $100. Rev. James Shore was the preacher in charge and Rev. Resin Sapp was the junior preacher of the first organ- ized circuit in Oakland county. The congregation, under their ministra- tions, soon outgrew the old schoolhouse and for a time services were held in the courthouse.
It was not until 1842 that Pontiac was made a station and one preacher, Rev. Thomas Fox, was sent to the pastorate. At that time. however, the courthouse officials refused permission to use the build- ing for church services, and the little company, though with limited re- sources financially speaking, were not lacking in courage and determin- ation, and set about making plans to build for themselves a house of worship.
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IN COUNTY
Thus was erected the first Methodist Episcopal church in Oakland county,-a plain, unpretentious affair, but adequate to the needs of the society. The building committee was composed of Willard McConnell, Ira Donelson and Roswell Ingraham. James A. Walch was secretary and treasurer. The first minister to occupy the new church was Rev. Thomas Gardner, who assumed the duties of pastor in 1843. A rous- ing revival followed the dedication of the church and scores were added to its membership. This unimposing little church remained sufficient unto their needs until as late as 1861, and in that year the old church was sold and a new building erected on south Saginaw street. The build- ing was erected at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, and with its furniture and improvements complete, is valued to-day at twice that figure. The parsonage is located on Auburn avenue. A handsome organ was installed which cost twenty-five hundred dollars, and a bell of espe- cially fine tone, weighing more than a ton, was purchased at something like eleven hundred dollars. The building erected then is still in use. with some minor changes. The church was struck by lightning several years ago and the steeple and front of the edifice demolished. When the repairs were made an addition was placed on the east side of the church for the pastor's study, intermediate Sunday-school departments, etc. Beyond these changes, the church remains as when erected in 1801. From 1823, which marked the earliest activities of the church in Pontiac. up to 1877. the money raised for development work and the support of the church amounted to $71,950 in the fifty-five years.
In September, 1838, a Sunday-school was organized, which has ever continued to be one of the greatest influences for good in the church and community. In 1877 the enrollment was about two hundred and fifty, and it has increased accordingly with the passing years, having a present membership of 300. Rev. Isaiah Brakeman was chosen sup-
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erintendent of the school at its organization. Afterwards, Willard Mc- Connell held the office of superintendent of the school for thirty years. while C. B. Turner was acting superintendent for fourteen years, and other shorter terms.
The time limit of the church was originally a two year pastorate, but in 1867 the limit was raised to three years, Rev. D. C. Jacokes being the first Pontiac pastor to be affected by the new ruling. In 1885. after much discussion, the time limit was extended to five years.
From the beginning of the activity of the Methodist church in Michi- gan until September 1, 1836, Michigan was included in the Ohio confer- ence, and at that time the Michigan conference was formed.
PASTORS FROM 1826 TO THE PRESENT
The pastors of the church from its earliest organization up to the present date have been as follows: 1826, John A. Baughman and Solo- mon Minear: 1827. John Janes and Zara Coston ; 1827-28, William Run- nels, John Janes; 1829-30, William T. Snow; 1831, Arza Brown and William Sprague: 1832, Bradford Frazee and T. Wiley: 1833. Marcus Swift: 1834. James F. Davidson and John Kinnear: 1835. Elijah H. Pilcher and Frederick A. Seaburn: 1836. William Sprague and Lorenzo Davis: 1837. Lorenzo D. Whitman and Mark Delaney: 1838. Josiah Brakeman; 1839, Miles Sanford and Resin Sapp; 1840. James Shaw and F. P. Bangs : 1841. Thomas Shaw, Thomas Fox; 1842, Thomas Fox ; 1843, Thomas C. Gardner: 1844. Elias Crippen: 1845. David Burns; 1846-47. S. D. Simons: 1848, W. F. Cowles; 1849. L. D. Price; 1850. Seth Reed: 1851. M. W. Stambaugh and George Taylor; 1852. George Taylor: 1853. William Kelly: 1854. J. Summerville: 1855-56, D. C. Ja- cokes : 1857-58. William Mahon ; 1859-60, John Russell : 1861-62. Samuel Clements ; 1863-64. Sylvester Calkins: 1865-67. D. C. Jacokes (Mr. Ja- cokes was the first Methodist preacher in the United States to serve for three years at one station) ; 1868-70. William Shier; 1871-73. T. J. Joslyn : 1874-76, Charles T. Allen ; 1877-78, Thomas Stalker ; 1882-84. J. S. Joslyn, brother of T. J. Joslyn ; 1886-89, C. T. Allen : 1889-92, N. S. Lyons: 1892-95. Fred C. Pillsbury: 1896-99. Wilbur Sheridan: 1900- 07. G. W. Jennings: 1907. W. H. Rider : 1908-09, L. F. Lovejoy : 1909. W. G. Nixon, who is the present pastor. The church at present has a membership of six hundred and seventy-five, while the Sunday-school has an attendance of three hundred members.
MRS. SHATTUCK'S REMINISCENCES
In further commentary upon the carly history of the Methodist Epis- copal church in Pontiac, extended quotation is made from a paper entitled "Reminiscences of the Pontiac Methodist Episcopal Church." by Mrs. Mary Donelson Shattuck, a veteran member of the Pontiac church and one of the best beloved women in the church, or indeed, in the city. She has lived a life of devotion to the cause of the church and has been a potent factor in all the good works for which the church has ever stood in its history in Pontiac, and none is better able than
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she to give a coherent and interesting account of the early struggles of the once weak and halting but now powerful society represented by the Pontiac Methodist church.
She says in part : "In 1826 I find the names of Curtis Goddard, pre- siding elder, Detroit City ; William T. Snow and Arza Brown preachers, Oakland. It was fortunate in those days of primitive Methodism to have classes formed in schoolhouses, or in the homes of the people, as the roads were bad, the people were poor, and sometimes had only ox- teams to convey them about ; hence the gospel was taken to the people, not waiting for the people to come to it. In these early days the itinerant sys- tem was in full vogue, and the circuits extended over many miles of coun- try. the preachers riding on horseback through miles of mud and mire over log "causeways" or perhaps no road at all, finding their way by means of blazed trees, which some one who had gone on before had marked out for those who might follow. The preacher carried a leathern saddle bag thrown across his horse, the bag containing a change of raiment, the Bible, a hymn-book, a few tracts and a copy of the Methodist discipline. They bore the burden and heat of the day, and were the true pioneers of Methodism, strong of heart, poor in purse, and rich in zeal and stalwart Christian character, ready and willing to deny self that the cause of Christ might prosper, the church be built up and souls saved unto eternal life. What a host of these good, earnest, devoted Christian people and preachers have been transplanted from the church militant to the church triumphant, 'spotless before the throne of God!'
"Some of the information concerning the very early Methodism of Oakland county 1 have taken from the 'History of Methodism in Michi- gan' by Dr. E. H. Pilcher.
"Of the classes formed in different neighborhoods I make mention of the following: \ class was organized in what was then the village of Auburn, in the home of Truman Fox, he being appointed leader. Afterwards a log church was erected near there and this preaching place was called 'Donation Chapel' after the man of that name who donated it.
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