History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 51

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Miss Bettie Neimstedt 1876-17

Oliver G. Owen.

1876-'7

Miss A. Ziegner.

1874

Miss Mary A. Abel.

1874-'7

N. C. Richardson

1864

Miss L. J. Quack nbush. 1873-'7

Miss Annie S. Peck 18778-'4

Mrs. Helen Child. 1875

510

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Geo. W. Miller 1864

Con Watz .. 1865

Isaac Delano. 1869-'70

L.M. Scott. . .1869-'70

Geo. C. Sanborn 1865

Geo. B Brooks. 1869-'70

J. H.Leavenworth. 1869-'70

Edwin Aiken. 1866

Thomas M. James 1866

Charles Harris. 1870-'71

D. W. Perkins. 1866

Geo. W. Morley 1870-'71

Chas. Morley. 1866

J. S. Estabrook 1867-'8

A. B. Passage. 1867

Wm. H. Coats 1870-'71

Leander Simoneau. 1868-'9

Charles E. Doughty. 1868-'71

C. Beierle.

1870-'71

A. P. Brewer. 1868

V. K. Jewett. 1869

J. C. Valentine.

1869-'70

A. L. Ingham 1871

1872. Geo. W. Morley, President.

C. H. Harris,

W. H. Coats,

C. Beierle,

Geo. P. Butler,

C. B. Jones,

E. Anneke,

Richard Wren,

H. M. Newton,

I. Niekodemus,

H. C. Ripley,

C. Fridlender.

1873.

Chester B.Jones, President.

I. E. Mershon,

Bernard Hesse,

Richard Wren,

L. P. Mason,

H. C. Ripley,

M. M. S. Vincent,

H. M. Youmans.

C. A. Harris,

H. M. Newton,

I. Niekodemus,

G. W. Morley,

C. W. Ellis,

I. B. Terry,

H. Cambrey,

C. A. Fridlender.

1874.

Chester B.Jones, President.

C. W. Ellis,

H. M. Youmans, N. Weston, L. P. Mason,

B. Hesse, 1877.

J. E. Mershon,

Charles Harris, Riehard Wren, H. M. Newton, Jolın Nerreter, Geo. W. Morley,

C. A. Fridlender, Aaron Linton,

A. G. Anderson. C. C. Martindale.

1875.

H.M. Youmans, President.

Geo. C. Cook,

J. J. Wheeler,

B. Hesse,

N. H. Claflin,

Aaron Linton,

Geo. W. Morley,

T. B. Speneer,

John Nerreter,

D. Forsyth Rose,

M. J. Bird,

Thomas W. Davis,

C. C. Martindale,

Brooks, W. De Groat.

J. Nerreter, D. F. Rose,

J. H. Conklin,

N. Merriam,

L. C. Storrs,

G. P. Butler,

G. N. Hauptman,

A. C. Robinson,

E. Wilber,

B. Hesse,

G. L. Remington,

O. J. Sawyer,

Osborn.

1880.

Edwin Saunders, President

Jolın Nerreter,

T. W. Davis,

C. A. Holmes,

Isaac Delano.

W. H. Lowry.

Same board in control. 1878.

A. G. Anderson, President.

E. Wilber, H. M. Newton,

B. Hesse.

Porter,

T. W. Davis,

I. Delano, J. L. Covert, E. S. Catlin, Osborn.

C. A. Holmes,

J. Nerreter, F. Opperman, A. Linton,

D. F. Rose.

1879.

Edwin Saunders, President

A. G. Anderson,

C. A. Fridlender,

Ricaard Wren,

H. M. Newton. 1876.

H.M. Youmans, President.

Edmund Hartegan,

A. G. Anderson,

B. Hesse,

E. S. Catlin,

H. M. Newton,

Fred Opperman,

Thomas B. Speneer,

J. L. Covert,

D. F. Rose, Aaron Linton,

M. W. Madigan, Geo. S. Gould, O. J. Hetherington, Albert D. Camp,

D. F. Rose, W. De Groat. Geo. P. Butler, R. B. MeKnight, Edwin Saunders, E. Feige, J. C. Humphrey.

L. C. Storrs, G. N. Hauptman G. L. Remington, J. H. Conklin.

L. H. Eastman. 1865

Edwin Burt. 1866-'7

Wm. A. Lewis. 1869-'70

James Gleeson 1870-'71

Geo. G.Cook 1870-'71

E. Anneke

1870-'71

A. Eymer 1871

Geo. T. Butler. 1871

Chas. Ten Eyek. 1869-'70

511

CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

1881.

Geo. S. Gould,

James N. Conklin,

Edwin Saunders,

A. D. Camp,

Chas. Williams,

R. B. McKnight,

Thos. B. Borden,

Harlan P. Smith,

Ernest Feige, William Maier,

M. W. Madigan,

G. N. Hauptman,

Ben F. Seely,

O.J. Hetherington,

Richard Clark,

J. V. Russell.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The following sketch, prepared by a lady teacher, and presented to the school board, is quoted in full:

There is a little engraving representing East Saginaw in 1849 occasionally found adorning the residences of our townsmen. A few neat little honses, or rather shanties, scattered along the river -back of them dense woods; such was East Saginaw 24 years ago. But we may be sure that the little shanty town had even then a school, for the early settlers were people accustomed to give those under their charge educational advantages, who felt it would never do to have the children out of school. Among the earliest reini- niscences of our city we find a private school, kept by Mr. Tru- man Fox, in a shanty on the place where the Bancroft House now stands. There were only private schools during the first years of the settlement, but a little later we find that Morgan L. Gage, school director of district number one, Buena Vista township, engaged Dr. Disbrow to teach the first district school. This was taught in the building on the corner of Washington and Emerson streets, the upper room of which served as school-room, the teacher residing below. The same building is standing yet, but the pretty Gothic cottage known as Mr. McCormick's residence is probably not much like the original plank house which may have been minus verandas and additions.

School district No. 1, of the township of Buena Vista, was organized March 10, 1851. There had been a district organization, including the sections of land on which the city now stands, before this date, but the growing village was at that time, with some out- lying territory, constituted a district by itself. The first meeting of the voters of the new district was held March 15, 1851. At this meeting it was voted to raise $2,000 to build a school-house and $20 for globes and apparatus. Truly, a liberal and wise movement on the part of the young district. The plan of the school-house was presented by J. E. Voorhies, which was accepted, with the proviso that it cost no more than $2,000.

At the next meeting of the inhabitants of school district No. 1, it was ascertained that at the lowest estimate the cost of said house would amount to $2,600. Norman Little, Esq., proposed to the meeting to build the house as specified for $2,500, and take in pay- ment the tax therefor authorized when collected, and a mortgage on the house for $500, payable in five years. This generous, public- spirited proposition was, as one would suppose, unanimously accepted. Miss Rice, the first teacher in the new building, said : " It was the largest and best at that time in Northern Michigan."

512

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Most of onr readers remember the old Academy in its original form. For the benefit of those who came here too late to see our ancient land-mark, we will say that it was a commodious, square building, resting on a stone foundation, containing below two large rooms, one on each side of a large hall, and up stairs one very large room, or hall, with recitation-room and wardrobe. It was finished in 1852. A male teacher from the East had been engaged to teach . the school, and Miss Mary Rice (then teaching in Saginaw City) had been hired as assistant, at a salary of $7.00 per week, but when the principal failed to come, she stepped briskly into his shoes withont change of salary. Speaking of the experiences of this past year, Miss Rice said bnt very recently: " I could see the beautiful new school-house from my room at the Webster House, in Saginaw City. Looking over toward it, the morning I was to commence my work there, and remembering that, instead of the comparatively easy work of an assistant, I was to fulfill the more ardnons task of the Principal, I felt over-awed and timid. I never can do it. I was beginning to sigh, when conrage came back, saying: ' Yes, you can.' So I went over resolved to be equal to my work, and to give myself entirely to it. The first day I was alone with a honse full of pupils, large and small, untaught and advanced, all sorts and all sizes. At my suggestion, Mr. M. L. Gage secured the services of Miss Charlotte Messer (Mrs. Norman L. Miller, Saginaw City), who was then teaching a private school. After classifying our scholars so that she had about 60 juniors, I was still left with as many as the upper room would seat. So Miss Clara Dean, of Pine Run, was engaged as my assistant. Every boat landing at the wharf bronght them new comers; they ponred in daily, and of children there was a fair share. Miss Messer's room was soon crowded to the utmost, and Miss Nelly Little (Mrs. Derby) was called to assist her. Our salaries were moderate (ranging from $4 to $7 per week), and were paid monthly."

Miss Rice speaks with enthusiasm of this year of her teaching in East Saginaw, of the remarkably good beliavior of the scholars, and the good will and interest for teachers and school evinced by parents and the public in general. "We had company almost every day, she said, "and it encouraged and stimulated us greatly. We are sorry to say that teachers of the present day are not as much blessed with visitors. It was not always easy to get to the school-honse. Jefferson street, toward the sonth, was marked by a line of stumps; west was the bayou, and east and south dense woods. Snch splendid woods! full of mosquitoes they were, too. These came in clonds; if not thick enough to darken the air, thick enough to oblige ns to build 'smndges ' in day-time. We had a floating bridge over the bayon. Often when we (Miss Messer and I) got on, our affectionate scholars would throng around ns, and the bridge would sink two, three and six inches in water, so that we often tanght all day with damp feet. But we were young, strong and happy, and neither feared nor minded a

Pohue Anwell

515

CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

cold mnelı. It seems the teachers had to contend for some time with similar difficulties in reaching the school-house, for the report of the proceedings of the Common Council of June 1, 1857, published in the Saginaw Weekly Enterprise of June 5, 1857, men- tions a petition of Sarah Beeman and Mrs. C. Stearns, praying that the road leading to the Academy from Washington street be repaired, so that teachers and scholars might be able to attend to their duties without wading ankle-deep in innd and water. In subsequent reports, published in the same paper, we find that Geo. W. Merrill, at three different times, moved to repair said road, which motion was always nuanimously adopted and referred to the committee on streets. with power to act at once.

"At the end of this pleasant school year there was held an exhibition and picnic. It was not very easy to fetch such things to the school-house as seemed necessary for the occasion. Mr. James L. Webber, however, undertook to draw the lumber, and to construct the seats for the visitors in the grove near the school- house. Let not the reader of 1873 undertake such an effort made 20 years ago. There was but one place of crossing the bayou with teams, which was at the bridge on what is now called Gen- esee street. Instead of driving due south as he could do to-day, Mr. W. had to drive north and east and west and south, wherever he could find terra firma for his team and a passage through brush and stumps. However, he succeeded, for the exhibition came off in style. According to the report in the paper, and the · traditions ' existing, there were refreshments and speeches, vary- ing with declamations and music. There was an essay read by Chauncey Gage, then a scholar in the upper department, which received a highly commendatory notice, and the exercises were closed with an address delivered by Mr. W. L. Webber, who had a short time before become a resident of this place."

The Weekly Enterprise of Sept. 21, 1853, contains a communi- cation signed " William L. Webber, Director," announcing the opening of the school year under the superintendency of Mr. J. O. Sheldon, Principal, who was assisted by Misses Emeline and Clara Dean. The school attendance of the year 1853 was 200. The school was kept seven months (according to the report on file for 1853), and the whole amount paid to teachers was $480. Be- sides the common English branches, the report mentions philoso- ophy, physiology, botany, algebra, bookkeeping and vocal music as subjects taught in the school. The next principal was Mr. Warner, who, according to trustworthy information, won the affection and esteem of the school in a very short time. Miss Rice taught with him. We have no certainty on the point, but good reason to believe that Miss M. Gillett first taught in the same year. We shall hereafter have occasion to speak of this faithful and efficient worker in the schools. Mr. Warner was a graduate of Yale, and eminently qualified for his position. His health seems to have been feeble before he came. He died before the close of the year, and was succeeded by Dr. R. H. Steel. This gentleman

3 1

516

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

stayed but a short time. According to an official report, his con- tract was annulled at a school meeting held Nov. 30, 1855.

Under the heading "Union School," the Enterprise of Dec. 21, 1855, brings a short local stating that "the new teacher, Mr. Bingham, engaged to teach our school, has arrived, and will take charge of the school to-day." A little later, January, 1856, we read in the same paper: "We are informed that the Union school of our village is now in successful operation. The new principal, Mr. Bingham, gives general satisfaction." And take still February 8, there is a communication signed "Citizen," which speaks in highi terms of Mr. Bingham's work and success, the improved dis- cipline of the school, etc. Miss Rice is mentioned in the same paper as teacher of the intermediate, and Mrs. C. S. Stearns as having charge of the primary department. Miss Ingersoll was then assistant in the upper department. This lady could have stayed but a short time, for in the same year Miss S. Beeman is named as Mr. Bingham's assistant. During or at the end of this year Miss Rice left, and was succeeded by Miss Weller. Miss R. went to the Normal school, where she graduated a short time before her return to our schools in 1861.

At the close of the winter term of this year, there seems to have been a thorough examination of the schools, to which the public were invited by a communication signed by Mr. Bingham. The schools in those days seemed to have engaged a fair share of atten- tion of the public. The Union school is mentioned as having formed part of a procession at the Fourth of July celebration, 1857. As to apparatus and books, however, we are at present better off than the schools were in 1857, judging from the fact that a school meeting was appointed on the 28th of September for the purpose of voting a tax in order to procure a Webster's Dictionary.

At a school meeting held Oct. 2, 1857, the following officers were elected: Dr. C. T. Disbrow, Director; Henry Woodruff, Moder- ator; Robert Pierson, Assessor; C. O. Garrison, Trustee, Norman Little and Alanson Griffin holding over. The number of scholars was given in the census of 1857 as 646. An appropriation of $400 for building a school-house, ten rods from the plank road, near Mr. Wadsworth's corner, was also used at this meeting. About this time the First ward school-house, on the site of the present " Crary," had been built, and in the early days this was called rather a hard school. Miss Gillett, Miss Kimberly, Miss Weller, Miss Rose McEachron, Miss Prall, and Miss Ashman taught there successively and successfully until we saw it disappearing to give place to the present elegant and commodious structure.

Mr. Bingham taught through the year 1858. With him the report mentions fonr female teachers (Miss Beeman, Miss Weller, Mrs. Stearns and Miss Woodruff). The next important event was Mr. Bingham's resignation, tendered Oct. 24, 1859.

Mr. Heisrodt, who had been his assistant during the year, was elected to finish the term. In connection with this gentleman we

517

CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

read of an action of the board allowing him his salary (at the rate of $336 a year) during the time of his protracted illness. He was elected principal for the rest of the year at a salary of $700, Mr. Lusk teaching as assistant. There seems to have been changeful, if not stormy, times after the long calm and quiet of the preceding four years, for Mr. Heisrodt also stayed only one term, leaving his place to be filled by his assistant.

The fall term of 1860 began with Mr. Sturgis as principal, Mrs. Ferris as assistant, Misses Weller, Wood and Penny filling the other places. Mr. Sturgis tried the experiment of "moral suasion " with the usual success; i. e., he left at the end of the year. The Board of Education (organized Feb. 14, 1859) discouraged by the illsuccess of so many principals, and perhaps influenced by want of means, discontinued the schools for the remainder of the year, allowing the use of the school-house to Misses Woodruff and Gil- lett, for the purpose of keeping private schools.

The fall term of 1861 began with Mr. Meyers, principal, Miss Rice as assistant; Miss Gillett, teacher of the intermediate depart- ment. After several changes, Mrs. Meyers, wife of the principal, took charge of the primary department at the academy. Mr. Meyers is still remembered by many of our citizens as a gentle- man of high culture and pleasing manners, who taught the school with success until the end of the spring term in 1865. Miss Rice was simply " coming home;" she remained here, a highly popular teacher, until the beginning of the spring term of 1864, when she left to take a position at the Normal school, Mrs. Obenauer finish- ing her year. Under Mr. Meyers the German was first taught as a branch of study in the public schools. The teacher of the inter- mediate department, Miss M. Gillett (Mrs. Nelson, of Manistee), had by this time achieved a most enviable reputation as a teacher. Her usefulness and influence were greater than that of most teachers. Her efficient labors will long be remembered by her pupils and

their parents. She resigned her position near the close of the year 1865, almost exhausted with her constant toil.

The Board of Education had by this time purchased the site where the Central school now stands. The school-house on this place was a large, barn-like, unpainted house, containing two large, poorly furnished rooms. It was known as the "Old Tin-shop" school-house, having in its better days been a tin-shop. Miss L. Johnson and Miss Sarah McKnighton have taught tliere since 1862. The scholars of the German Lutheran school, which was kept in a small building opposite, assumed a belligerent attitude, and many were the battles fought between the scholars of bothi schools. Be- sides the German Lutheran school, there was another German school taught by several teachers; private schools in general be- gan to multiply, owing to the insufficient accommodations in the public schools, and perhaps to the fact that, on this account, pri- vate teaching offered greater inducements to teachers than the then very small salaries paid to female teachers in the public schools. By degrees these things changed. Large, spacious

518

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY,

school-houses were built, the salaries of teachers considerably raised, which had the effect of almost entirely destroying the de- sire for private schools in the public as well as in teachers.

Mr. Meyers was succeeded by Mr. Ballou, who, however, resigned his position in a few weeks, when Miss Burt (Mrs. J. Gamble) filled his place until Mr. Mason, the next principal, arrived. Still the year was full of changes and somewhat stormy. Mr. Mason left at the close of the winter term, and the Board of Edn- cation engaged Mr, Tenant for the rest of the year. This gentle- man began his work in the new brick building on German street now known as the Central school. The upper department was separated into a Grammar and a High school. The district school at the salt-works had become part of the city, and a school-liouse kept there at first under considerable difficulties. The number of school-honses and teachers had increased very much. When, in 1866, Prof. Estabrook took charge of the city schools, there were 16 teachers employed in four school-houses, which number doubled when he left in 1871. Professor Esta- brook's years in the school belong to the present inore. than to the past, and may be a starting point of a future more extensive history of the schools of our city. Two events, however, should be mentioned, which, although they occurred recently, are yet connected with the past, and seem to form the conclusion of an epoch. The one is the burning of the old academy in the spring of 1871. The building had undergone sundry repairs and changes, which seemed to warrant a prolonged lease on its existence, when it was probably set on fire during the night, and the citizens found in the morning that the familiar old building was no more. The new Hoyt school erected ou its place is the ornament and just pride of that part of the city.

The other event which seems to close a chapter belonging to the past, was the incorporation of the German schools in the city schools in the year 1870.

The cases are rare when the wants and wishes of a large part of the population were anticipated in as liberal a manner as was the case here. The German schools are now graded and tanght in the same manner as all the other public schools in the English branches, besides having a corresponding German course.

Since the foregoing sketch was written the high-school building has been erected, with Superintendent J. C. Jones presiding. The course of study is well arranged, the varied branches com- prising algebra, geometry, bookkeeping, English history, history of Greece, rhetoric, natural philosophy, chemistry, physiology, botany, political economy, German and English literature, with elementary exercises in Greek and Latin. A good knowledge of the high-school conrse is imparted to the pupils in a manner which. cannot fail to be attended with the best results.

519

CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

THE CHURCHES.

The First Presbyterian Church of East Saginaw was organized March 24, 1867, by Rev. L. J. Root, who preached a sermon and administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, assisted by Rev. Calvin Clark, at that time secretary of home missions of the synod of Michigan. Messrs. Alexander Mitchell and Alexander Ross, having been previously ordained and dnly elected ruling elders by the Church, were regularly installed as pastors.

The following are the names of the original members : Alexander Mitchell and Elizabeth his wife, Mrs. Francis E. Spinney, Alexander Ross and Christine his wife, Mrs. Helen Milne, Miss Helen Milne, William Allen and Cath- erine his wife, Ann Mitchell, Helen Mitchell, Jennie Mitchell, Mrs. Isabel Sutherland, Mrs. Mary Cooper, Mrs. Margaret Stousell, Mrs. Hester McCleary, David M. Anstin and Mary his wife, Mrs. Francis Ball, Orrin M. Stone, Mrs. Margaret F. Mckay, Mrs. Mary Ann Hodson, John Tucker and Ruth his wife, Mrs. Harriet Andrews, Wm. Sinitli, David Haggart, Thomas Steele and Elizabeth his wife, Mrs. Enphemia Steele Massey, Elizabeth Steele, Mrs. Mary A. Wren, Wmn. Wylie, Georgiana Ross, Mary Esther Stousell, Margaret Cooper.

Rev. W. W. Thorpe first ministered to the Church, and he was followed by Rev. A. F. Johnson. In 1870, Rev. S. E. Wishard became pastor, and remained about two years. In 1872 Rev. Thomas Middlemis took pastoral charge, and continued npward of five years. In 1877 Rev. David Van Dyke was called as pastor, and closed his labors in 1879. January 1, 1880, Rev. John T. Oxtoby, the present pastor, took charge of this Church. The church edifice is on the corner of Warren and Millard streets, and its value is $12,000. The elders are Messrs. Alex. Ross, Jas. Ure, Win. Smith, George L. Remington, and J. W. Freeman, M. D. The number of members April 1, 1881, is abont 150. Con- nected with the Church is a prosperous Sabbath-school, with adult classes and an infant department.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed originally of six members, under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Shaw, in 1852. At that time East Saginaw was but a hamnlet, built upon a marsh, and liad any one at that time prognosticated the rapid growth of that hamlet to the present condition of size and prosperity, in the short space of 20 years, they would have been deemed decidedly visionary. The little M. E. class, however, was composed of men and women filled with hope for the future and faith in God, and with the assurance of Providential direction, they commenced the work of building their first church, which stood upon the corner of Washington and German streets, at present occupied by the brick block wherein is the drug store of Frizelle & Co. Here the society continued to worship for 15 years, growing contin- nally in numbers and financial strengtlı, till at last, emboldened

520

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

by success, it was decided that the old meeting-house, which had witnessed their trials and triumphs, was too small for them. Accordingly, the present property on Jefferson avenue was pur- chased, and the corner-stone of the present building laid on May 27, 1867. Through the energetic efforts of Rev. Dr. McCarty. at that time their pastor, the building was ready for dedication Dec. 27, 1869.

This structure is a very handsome one, built of red brick; with gray-stone facings, mullioned windows, slated roof. and corner spire 162 feet in height. The windows are of stained glass, and the interior richly frescoed. It has a basement, divided into Sab- bath-school and class rooms, with a commodious study for the pastor. The seating capacity is 800. The interior is richly furnished in walnut, upholstered, heated by hot air, and well lighted by large gasoliers. The whole value of church property, which includes the parsonage, is estimated at $57,000. Rev. J. McEldowney is the present pastor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 51

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 962

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962