USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 35
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THE OAKLAND SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
was organized about the year 1860, three miles northwest of Rochester, where the society worshiped until 1876, when its location was removed to Rochester. A church edifice was erected in the township of Avon in 1862, or thereabouts, and the church building in Rochester was erected in 1876, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. It is a frame building thirty-six by fifty feet, and affords two hundred sittings. The church was gathered and organized under the preaching of Elders Hall and Loughborough. The society has no local ministers, but has
been supplied with preaching by Elder R. J. Lawrence more than any one par- ticular minister. There are now some thirty-five members in the church, and its Sunday-school numbers twenty, Preston Lawrence being the superintendent.
MASONIC.
Stony Creek Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was instituted at Stony Creek by charter from the grand lodge of the State of New York, pre- vious to the formation of the grand lodge of Michigan, in 1826, but the exact date of its charter we cannot give, owing to the destruction of the records of the lodge by fire in 1868. Among the original members of this old lodge were the following-named pioneers, such as we have been able to gather from the mem- ories of some of the surviving members of the lodge: Jesse Decker, who was one of the earliest Worshipful Masters of the lodge; Joshua Taylor, Worshipful Master more than forty years ago; Daniel B. Taylor, Peleg Ewell, and Calvin Chapel.
This old lodge has a most interesting history to the craft, and was the only lodge in the Territory which kept its lights burning at its altar during the reign of the anti-Masonic excitement from 1827 to 1840. The lodge built, on one of the summits that crown the heights of the hamlet of Stony Creek, an octagon lodge-room, and named the site on which it stood Mount Moriah. Here, for twelve or more years, Joshua Taylor and his confrères kept the lodge illuminated on the nights of its regular meetings, its lights shining out over the surging waters of fanaticism and bigotry like an ancient Pharos over a still more ancient sea. When at last the waves of passion and prejudice subsided, and the grand lodge of Michigan, after a long enforced "rest," which, however, could scarcely be called " refreshment," returned to labor and resumed its rusty working tools, Stony Creek lodge appeared before the newly-rehabilitated authority with evidences of labor on her implements and clothing, and was chartered as Stony Creek lodge, No. 5. The lodge continued to work at Stony Creek until 1850, when it was removed to Rochester, and its name changed to
Rochester Lodge, No. 5, A. F. M .- The hall of the lodge has been twice de- stroyed by fire ; and in the last one, in 1868, the entire records of the lodge pre- vious to that time were lost, and a full list of those who have filled the Oriental chair is not attainable, previous to 1853. Since then the office of Worshipful Master has been filled as follows :
J. V. Lambertson, 1853-68, and 1871-74; Dr. J. C. Wilson, 1869 ; Samuel Barnes, 1870, and 1874 to the present time. The lodge now numbers some forty members in good standing ; and its officers for 1877 are as follows : Samuel Barnes, W. M .; Smith Shippey, S. W .; Stewart K. Bowne, J. W .; Fred. Dahlman, Treasurer ; J. G. Barger, Secretary.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.
Rochester Lodge, No. 98, was instituted April 19, 1866, by R. W. Dennis, Grand Master of Michigan, the following being the first officers of the lodge : W. J. Weir, N. G. ; Dr. F. M. Wilcox, V. G .; C. S. Goodison, Rec. Sec .; Jno. H. Hutaf, Per. Sec. ; C. F. Cook, Treas. ; L. Woodward, P. G .; H. King, Chaplain. Six initiates were admitted the first meeting. The present hall of the lodge in Weir block has been occupied from the first by the lodge. Oxford and Disco lodges are offshoots from this lodge, which now numbers thirty-four mem- bers. Its present officers are : J. C. Ackerman, N. G. ; Geo. Barley, V. G .; Geo. S. Ross, Rec. Sec .; J. J. Blinn, Per. Sec. ; W. J. Weir, Treas.
TEMPERANCE REFORM.
The Rochester Division of Sons of Temperance was instituted in 1847, and continued five years. Among its members were: Edward P. Harris, Hosea B. Richardson, A. Bernard Cudworth, G. W. Vandeventer, Fabius A. Brooks, Jas. Malcolm, Alonzo Rozier, Walter Nicols, and T. C. Cook. It had at one time a large membership, but fell into disfavor with the decline of the order in the State, and ceased to be in 1852, or thereabouts.
Rochester Lodge, No. 169, I. O. G. T., was instituted February 4, 1864, with J. V. Lambertson, W. C. T .; Mrs. Gillett, W. V. T. ; F. A. Brooks, Sec. ; E. S. Cook, Financial Sec. The lodge prospered in its earlier history, having at one time over three hundred members, but its membership has fallen off largely, until at present but twenty-four remain. The present officers are : James Chipman, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Mary R. Wood, W. V. T .; Marshall S. Vandeventer, Sec. ; Anna Boune, Assistant Sec. ; Oscar Millard, Financial Sec. ; Miss Maggie Harrison, Treas. ; Wm. Watson, Marshal ; Benj. Betters, I. G. ; John Keliher, O. G. Other lodges were formed in Stony Creek and elsewhere in the township, but were short-lived.
SOCIAL.
Rochester Grange, No. 257, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized in March, 1874, with M. P. Newberry as its Master, and Frank Thorp, Secretary. There
GEO POSTAL.
JOHN F. HAMLIN.
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HENRY CAREY.
MRS. GEO. POSTAL.
MRS. LAURA A. HAMLIN.
MRS. HENRY CAREY.
...
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
were about thirty-five members at its organization, and there are sixty at the present. Present officers : M. P. Newberry, Master; James Lomison, Over- seer ; B. F. McDonald, Lecturer ; - Parmeter, Sec. ; Lysander Woodward, Treas.
MUSICAL.
The Rochester Band, of the olden time, was organized in October, 1844, and continued to discourse harmony for the delectation of the people of the village and surrounding country until 1850. The members of this old organization were as follows : Charles Cook, leader, E-flat clarionet ; John B. Martz, B-flat clarionet ; J. V. Lambertson, trombone ; Thos. Palmer, post-horn ; Geo. Niles, bugle ; John Masters, Daniel Squires, and Edward Hoard, cornopeans ; Theo. C. Cook, trumpet; Sheldon Lawrence and H. B. Richardson, French-horns ; Hiram Lambertson, piccolo ; L. Woodward, ophecleide ; Calvin Purdy, bass-drum. Other changes were made of personnel, but the instruments remained the same. This band was succeeded by other organizations, which existed for a more or less brief period, and passed away.
A cornet band was organized in 1865, of nine instruments, with Daniel Currier, now of the Bay City Growler, as leader ; which practiced some four or five years, and became fairly proficient in the musical art. In February, 1876,
The Rochester Silver Cornet Band was organized, with Charles Voorheis as leader. The composition of the band at present is as follows : leader, William Holman, E-flat; William Goodison, E-flat; Marshall Vandeventer and Dayton Brown, 1st and 2d B-flat; James McCornac and Louis D. Dahlman, E-flat altos ; G. W. Vandeventer, tenor; Charles Voorheis, baritone; Julian Peters, tuba ; My- ron Van Sickle, tenor-drum ; Louis Bitters, bass-drum.
LITERARY.
The Rochester Literary Society was organized October 4, 1872, by the elec- tion of the following officers : President, Samuel T. McCornac; Vice-President, Cyrene L. Parker; Recording Secretary, Alice Vanhoosen ; Corresponding Sec- retary, Charles E. Newberry ; Treasurer, Thomas E. Sprague; Editress, Ettie Hutaf. A. Beebe and C. F. McDonald were also original members of the society. The society has maintained its organization to the present time, and has secured a library of one hundred and twenty-one volumes of a miscellaneous character, Chambers' Encyclopedia included. The books were obtained by funds raised by entertainments and donations of the members. A manuscript amateur journal is issued by the society, and read at their meetings, compiled from original produc- tions of the members. The present officers of the society are : James Barnes, president ; Frank Smith, vice-president ; Clara Smith, secretary ; Charles Marsh, corresponding secretary ; Theodore Dahlman, treasurer and librarian.
The Rochester Literary and Library Society was first organized in the autumn of 1873, as the Rochester Lecture and Library Association, and chartered in the winter of 1877, under its present name. Under its first organization it procured the delivery of a course of six lectures, by Hon. A. G. Comstock, Rev. G. L. Foster, Mrs. F. W. Gillette, Rev. E. D. Daniels, Rev. J. H. Palmer, and Hon. H. M. Look. The nucleus of a library has been formed in a full set of Apple- ton's American Cyclopedia. The active members of the society, who contri- bute to the literary exercises, number about twenty, and others are stockholders. The present officers are : D. W. Randall, president ; D. L. Jennings, vice-presi- dent; W. J. Weir, secretary ; Miss Hattie Woodward, treasurer; Mrs. T. B. Fox, librarian.
MORTUARY.
When the proprietors of the original plat of Rochester surveyed the village and laid it off, they donated an acre of ground on outlot 13 for burial purposes; and the board of health of Avon township have since added the balance of the lot, making the area of the cemetery some eight or more acres. The last purchase was of Seneca Newberry, and cost the township some thirteen hundred dollars. The first burial in this plat was that of Mrs. Elsie Horton, wife of George Horton, and grandmother of C. Z. Horton, of Rochester, who was in- terred in February, 1827. The next burial was that of James Green, who was buried the July following. There are some beautiful marbles in this quiet re- treat, which overlooks the village below it ; among them the Harris and Robinson slabs, and the family monuments of F. A. Brooks, William M. Axford, Adam Manwaring, and John Kinney are notable. A most touching memento of affec- tion is a draped block erected in memory of Marion E. Wilcox. The tablet bears this inscription : " Life is ever lord of death, and love can never lose its own." On the top of the block a book rests, inscribed " To Marion."
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MILITARY.
In 1838, Rochester gave itself up to the pomp and circumstance of militia parades and courts-martial, and with others of the township the citizens of the village enrolled themselves under the militia laws of the State, and organized the
Avon Rifle Company. The company was first officered by Calvin Chapel as captain, A. Brotherton first lieutenant, James A. Green second lieutenant, and C. Z. Horton orderly. Captain Chapel rose through the grades to the colonelcy of the regiment, Brotherton became captain, and Horton first lieutenant, but the company never saw the tented field, nor plucked proud laurels from the rugged front of war.
AMUSEMENTS.
The first celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was had in the village July 4, 1827. The oration, by Hon. Thomas J. Drake, was delivered in a little house which now stands east of C. S. Goodison's store, but which then stood on the site of Mr. Goodison's brick dwelling. The festivi- ties closed with a grand ball in the evening.
AVON PIONEER SOCIETY.
On Saturday, February 14, 1874, pursuant to previous call, the surviving pio- neers of Avon met at Odd-Fellows Hall, and proceeded to organize a pioneer society, auxiliary to the Oakland County Pioneer Society. Hon. Almon Mack was called to the chair, and Christian Z. Horton appointed secretary, and, on motion, such a society was organized under the name of the Avon Pioneer Society. Mr. Mack was chosen permanent president, C. Z. Horton permanent secretary, Cyrus A. Chipman and Jonathan Pixley vice-presidents, and Hosea B. Richardson treasurer. A committee was appointed, consisting of Cyrus H. Chipman, John Frank, Uri Adams, Hosea B. Richardson, and C. Z. Horton, to obtain the names of all pio- neers in Avon, the date and place of birth, and year of immigration to Michigan, and membership was limited to all persons having a residence of thirty-five years in the State, and at the date of the organization of the society residents of Avon. Fifty-three members were reported at the next meeting, held February 21, 1874, of whom nine were natives of Michigan, seven of these being born in Avon, and one elsewhere in Oakland county. Mrs. Laura Fisher, one of the seven, was the first female born in the township.
We take pleasure in acknowledging our obligations, in the compilation of the history of Rochester, for information received, to Hon. Almon Mack, Lyman J. Willcox, William Burbank, Edwin T. Wilcox, C. Z. Horton, C. H. Green, Dr. Jeremiah Wilson, Hosea B. Richardson, the pastors of the various churches, J. V. and H. Lambertson, G. W. Vandeventer, Hon. Elliot R. Willcox, James New- bury, and many others, whose names our space forbids to name.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
LEVI W. COLE.
John Cole, the father of Levi, was born in England in 1763, and at an early age emigrated with his two brothers to America, and settled in the State of Ver- mont. Despite his youth he entered the service of his adopted country, and helped to fight her battle for freedom and independence. He married an estim- able lady, named Sarah Wells, and together they shared the trials of a backwoods life. Still later, when the country to the westward began to fill up with settlers, they were caught in the tide of emigration, and borne upon it to eastern New York. Here, on the 27th of March, 1801, was born Levi W. Cole, the subject of this sketch. In his early history there is nothing peculiar further than his life of toil and love of adventure, which so well fitted him for a long struggle with the stern realities of life.
After a few years the family again emigrated, this time locating in western New York, which was then on the frontier of civilization. They settled in Erie county just previous to the war of 1812. During the operations around Buffalo, and through the troublous times with the Indians, the family became greatly alarmed, and lived in constant fear of the British and Indians, more especially the latter. The burning of Buffalo, in December, 1812, was not calculated to allay their apprehensions, but finally peace again spread her wings over the country, and quiet and harmony were once more restored.
Mr. Cole's advantages for obtaining an education were exceedingly meagre, and limited to the rude course received in the log school-houses of the time. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a clothier as a wool-carder and cloth-dresser, for " in those days" the wives and daughters of the pioneers spun and wove all the cloth they used. While working at this trade young Levi acquired excellent business habits, which were of much benefit to him in after-years, and by the aid of a retentive memory and a love for reading, which he could gratify by the use of a friend's well-selected library, he was enabled to store his mind with a large fund of useful general knowledge. He continued at the wool-carding business
148
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
until July, 1825, when he visited Oakland County, Michigan, and purchased eighty acres of land in the northeast part of Avon township, where he was in- duced to settle. Upon the place was a good water-power, which he immediately utilized, and built a rude shop, in which he worked at his trade. He made a success of the venture, and received all the work he could attend to.
In the month of February, 1827, he married Maria S. Millerd, daughter of Judge Millerd, so well known among the early settlers of Oakland for his integ- rity and upright Christian character. He lived to the ripe age of eighty-five years, and passed from life willingly, as one who longed to
"Rest on that beautiful shore."
To his " wild western home" Mr. Cole brought his young bride, and more than half a century has elapsed since they began the journey of life together in the land which the dusky savage once made his hunting- and fishing-ground :
"Where the fleet deer roamed in the forest wild, And the gaunt wolf tracked his prey, And the weird song of the red man's child Was heard where his race held sway."
Here they toiled perseveringly on, and the result of their labor is evinced in the pleasant surroundings of the " old homestead" as it appears to-day. Literally, the wilderness has been made to " blossom as the rose," and though Mr. Cole is no more among the living, his children cling closely to the fond memories associated with their home.
Mr. Cole purchased additional land after settling in the township. In 1838, in company with his wife and daughter, he became a professor of religion, and united with the Baptist church of Stony Creek. He continued his membership with this organization until 1855, when he removed to Rochester, and aided largely in building up the Baptist society at that place. He lived an active Christian life, and when the time came for his departure he could truthfully say that "to die is gain." He was no contending politician, but maintained the equal rights of man, and always boldly advocated the principles of temperance. He clung tenaciously to his love of rural scenes, and in February, 1867, ended a life of usefulness at the home of his early adoption. He left a wife and four children to mourn his loss. His three sons are residents of western Michigan, and one daughter is yet living in the locality made dear by a life-long association.
JOSHUA VANHOOSEN.
The old Knickerbockers of Holland were good workers, and consequently good livers. The women were good mothers and the best of housewives, and the men were sturdy, brave, and patriotic, and brought their virtues to the New Netherlands, and gave them to their descendants, who have not forgotten their training though more than two centuries have rolled into oblivion since their sturdy forefathers crossed the sea. Of such forebears came Joshua Vanhoosen, the subject of the present brief sketch.
He was born in the province of Quebec, January 18, 1830, his father migrating thereto from the State of New York. When Joshua was six years of age the family removed to Michigan, at the time of what was called the " Patriot war," with many other American citizens, who were compelled to leave the country. The family settled in Avon, on the farm now owned by Mr. Vanhoosen, who worked by the month until he was twenty-one years old, when he purchased the farm, in company with Calvin Parker.
In 1851, to better his condition, Mr. Vanhoosen went to California, where he remained two years, when he returned and purchased Parker's interest in the homestead. Mr. Vanhoosen has been a successful farmer, and to his original purchase has added from time to time other tracts, until his present farm, one of the finest in the county, contains two hundred and seventy acres.
On the first day of the new year, 1854, Mr. Vanhoosen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Taylor, daughter of Captain Elisha and Mary Taylor, who were among the first settlers in the township of Avon. Mrs. Vanhoosen's grandfather entered the lot upon which the residence of Mr. Vanhoosen now stands, a view of which and portraits of its worthy master and mistress adorn another page of our work. Captain Taylor was a miller by trade, and built the Stony Creek mill. He died in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Vanhoosen have been blessed with two daughters, Alice and Bertha,-the first born April 16, 1855, and the latter March 26, 1863. Mr. Vanhoosen, having but limited advantages for an education, appreciates highly the excellence of such acquirements, and is correspondingly liberal in giving to his children those advantages of which he himself was necessarily denied. The older daughter is pursuing a classical course at the University of Michigan, while the younger is engaged in a preparatory course. In politics Mr. Vanhoosen is a stanch and ardent Republican. In religious belief he is liberal, and advanced in the school of progressive thought.
LYSANDER WOODWARD.
Here is one of "Nature's noblemen," in the true sense of the word, and the term is not applied in flattery. From a neighbor we have heard the sentiment expressed, which is acquiesced in by all, that " the community is thrice blessed which has within it such a man as he."
Mr. Woodward was born in the town of Columbia, Connecticut, November 19, 1817. His father, Asahel Woodward, was also a native of Connecticut, and in 1825 removed with his family to the town of Chili, Monroe county, New York. Lysander Woodward is one of a family of ten children, of whom five are now living. In the fall of the year 1838 he emigrated to Michigan, and made his home at Rochester, Oakland County. Nearly five years afterwards he made a permanent location where he now resides, on section 10, Avon township. He is also the owner of lands in sections 3 and 11, the total amount being about four hundred and twenty-five acres.
May 11, 1843, he was married to Peninah A. Simpson, then living in Rochester, to which place she had removed in 1841. She is a native of Tompkins county, New York, having been born near Ithaca on the 13th of April, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward are the parents of seven children,-two sons and five daughters. All are living,-two at home. The oldest son, Robert S. Woodward, has for several years been employed by the United States government on the lake survey.
Mrs. Woodward's father, Robert Simpson, emigrated from the State of New Jersey to Tompkins county, New York, about 1823-24, and died in the latter county. His widow removed with her six children to Michigan, in 1841.
The farm now owned by Mr. Woodward was long considered too poor to raise respectable crops, and was not purchased from government until within a few years of the time he occupied it. By a judicious system of farming and extensive labor he has brought it to its present state of perfection, and is continually improving it.
Mr. Woodward is in politics a Republican, and has held numerous important offices in the gift of the people. The office of justice of the peace has been creditably filled by him, and he has several times been elected supervisor of the township, which latter position he holds at present. In 1860 he was elected to the representative branch of the legislature from the first district of Oakland County, and served during one regular term and two extra sessions. From 1866 to 1870 he occupied the office of county treasurer, having been twice elected. For three years he was president of the Oakland County agricultural society.
Mr. Woodward was among the first to conceive and advocate the building of the Detroit and Bay City railway, and spent much time and money in its construction. He was chosen the first president of the company in 1871, and held that office for two years.
. In his present home Mr. Woodward has expended much time and money to beautify and adorn the premises, and as a result he is most pleasantly situated, and can look with pride on his handiwork. Here, in his age, with a refined and loving family around him, may he live yet many years, and enjoy the bounties of life as only such men as he can. His record is one which will bear the strongest scrutiny and come from the test unscathed, and bearing even greater lustre.
ISAAC BARWISE.
On the 7th day of April, 1826, the subject of this sketch was born in the parish of Wigton, Cumberland county, England, where his father followed the occupation of a farmer, and died when Isaac was but seven years of age. In 1850, Isaac Barwise emigrated to the United States and came immediately to Michigan, where he worked out by the month until January, 1854, when he went to Cali- fornia and began working in the newly-discovered gold mines, where he met with very good success. In May, 1861, he returned to Michigan and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, in section 2; it includes two hundred and eighty acres, and is finely improved and productive. In 1876, Mr. Barwise erected his present large and tasty brick house, and he is constantly adding new improvements.
He was married March 21, 1862, to Jane A. Underwood, whose father, Asa B. Underwood, from Oxford, Ontario (Canada West), settled in Oakland County in 1829, locating on a farm in Avon township, near the Macomb county line, where his widow is now living. Mr. Underwood brought his wife and one child with him, and a large family of children was born afterwards. He has been dead upwards of thirty years, yet he is well remembered by the old settlers of the neighborhood who are yet living. Jane A. Underwood-now Mrs. Barwise-was born on the old farm in Avon township April 7, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Barwise are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, the latter being the elder. Their names are Eva S. and John C. Barwise ; both are at home with their parents.
In political matters, Mr. Barwise is a stanch advocate of Democratic princi- ples. In the life of over half a century which has been his, he has seen a varied experience, and after years of toil among perhaps some of the rougher classes has at last settled in contentment and happiness in his present location.
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