USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 63
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The meeting for organization was held on the date above given in the house of V. A. Paine, then standing on Court street in the place now occupied by the Jay Smith building, and now standing on the corner of Washington and Adams streets. Rev. J. S. Goodman was chairman of the meeting and V. 1. Paine was clerk. The Scriptures were read and prayer was offered by Rev. J. S. Good- man. After the presentation of the letters, the Church was organ- ized by the adoption of the Articles of Faith and the Covenant. Ebenezer Briggs was chosen Clerk of the Church. Appointments were made for religions services on Sabbath afternoons and Thurs- day evenings. Dec. 3, Wm. M. Haskell and Ebenezer Briggs were chosen Deacons.
The legal organization and incorporation of the Church and Society was effected in July, 1864. The trustees appointed at this time were Valorous A. Paine, George L. Burrows and Win. J. Bartow.
The Church held its services for a time in the jury room of the conrt- house. The first church building owned by the Church was the one on the corner of Fayette and Franklin streets, now owned by the Evangelical Association. This church was dedicated in 1865. The Mission chapel, on Fayette street between Perry and Dearborn, was dedicated June 4, 1871. The church building on Washing- ton street, near Adams, was bought of the Liberal Christian Society, and was dedicated on the 27th of March, 1878. The sermon on this occasion was preached by Rev. Dr. Hotchkiss, of Buffalo, N. Y. The parsonage on Fayette street near Franklin, has been occupied since July 31, 1877.
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Pastors .- Although Rev. J. S. Goodman was never formally ealled to the pastorate of thic Church, he virtually did the work of a pastor for three years and over from the time of its organization. During his term of service the first ehnreh building was ereeted.
Rev. L. L. Fittz was the first settled pastor. Ile began his work in January, 1867, and remained for one year. Rev. N. P. Barlow began work with the Church in September, 1868. He was or- dained on the 14th of October in that year. He remained for a year and a half, till the spring of 1870. During his pastorate the Mission Sunday-school was organized, and the chapel was nearly completed. Rev. W. E. Evon was next ealled to the pastorate. He began his work in May, 1870, and remained for two years and nine months, elosing his work in 1873. Rev. W. W. Pattengill was the next pastor. He began work June 1. 1873, and elosed his pastorate May 31, 1881, after eight years of serviee. It was during the time of his pastorate that the parsonage was erected and the present church edifiee was purchased.
Deacons, Sunday-school Supts. Clerk, etc., -As already noticed. Wm. II. Haskell, and Ebenezer Briggs were elected the first deacons. Upon the death of Deaeon Briggs, in 1872, Wm. T. Tib- bits was chosen to succeed him. In September, 1880, the number of deaeons was inercased by electing W. P. Morgan and Osear C. Davis to the office. Deacon E. Briggs was the first ehureh elerk.
Wm. Tibbits served a few months as clerk pro tem., when N. W. Denison was appointed.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Rev. J. S. Goodman. He was succeeded by Dr. Geo. Northrup. Levi Clark next held the office. IIc was sueeeeded in 1871 by Dr. W. P. Morgan, who still holds the office. . The Mission Sunday-school was organized by Rev. N. P. Barlow, who was the first superin- tendent. The office has sinee been held by Messrs. Irving, Pat- tengill and Wood, Mr. Wood having held the office for six years.
The number of trustees was inereased in 1875 from three to seven. The trustees at present are: G. S. Burrows, O. C. Davis. N. W. Denison, W. P. Morgan, A. B. Paine, Wm. T. Tibbits. N. . S. Wood. They appoint the treasurer. N. S. Wood has held that offiee since February, 1873.
Auxiliary Organizations .- The Woman's Mission Cirele for both home and foreign missions. President, Mrs. W. W. Patten- gill.
The Children's Mission Band, under the direction of Mrs. V. A. Paine and Mrs. G. L. Burrows.
The Ladies' Aid Society. President, Mrs. N. S. Wood.
The Young Folks' Literary Society. President, Latham A. Burrows.
Two hundred and seventeen persons have been connected with this Church sinee its organization. Of these 1-14 are still mem- bers.
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This Church has made a good record in benevolent work. Regular and systematic contributions are made in the Church and in the Sunday-school for missionary purposes. This Church has united with other Churches in promoting the temperance work in the city. Its members purpose to give sympathy and help to every enterprise which aims to secure the moral and spiritual wel- fare of the community.
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
As early as 1847 Rev. F. Sievers, from Frankenlnst, preached to a few families, viz : H. Selteriede's, M. Hancke's and G. Dierker's, in their houses. The congregation was organized Jan. 29, 1849. It embraces the canonical books of the Bible as the word of God and adheres unreservedly to the symbolical books of the Evangelical Entheran Church, as contained in the Book of Concord, published 1580. The small congregation (J. A. Gender. K. F. Kull, J. J. Weiss, E. Weggel, J. M. Hancke, G. Dierker, M. Backer, M. Gremel, M. Winkler, J. M. Strauss) extended a call as pastor to the candidate of theology, O. Homer Cloeter. He accepted and was installed Nov. 30, by Rev. F. Sievers. In 1850 the congregation became a member of the German Evangelical Intheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. In the same year the congregation bought a lot on the southeast corner of Court and Washington streets, and in the following year built a small church and parsonage thereon, and the church was dedicated Nov. 16. In the year 1852 the congregation was presented with half an acre of land in Hermannsan for a grave-yard. In 1855 the con- gregation bonght a house with two lots on the southwest corner of Adams and Webster streets, for a parsonage, and the small house beside the church was used for school purposes. Two years later Rev. O. Cloeter accepted a call to serve as missionary among the Indi- ans in Minnesota; his successor was Rev. J. A. Huegli. In 1859 the church proved to be too small, and it was in consequence en- larged. At the end of the same year Rev. J. A. Huegli accepted a call to Detroit, Mich. ; as his successor Rev. M. Guenther was installed Jan. 8, 1850. In 1863 the congregation bought two acres on the cross road for a burying ground. In the year 1866 the congregation sold the parsonage on Adams street, bought four lots on Court, between Harrison and Fayette streets, and erected a new parsonage costing $1,200. on the northeast corner of Harrison and Court streets. In 1868 the congregation built a new church, a brick building, 105x48 feet, on the northwest corner of Court and Fayette streets, costing about $18,000. The church was dedicated Feb. 7. 1869. In the year 1872 Rev. M. Guenther accepted a call to Chicago. Ill., and his successor was the present pastor, Jos. Schmidt. A new organ was bought in 1875, costing $2,000. Abont 160 families belong to the Church, with 900 souls. At present the officers of the Church are : 1. Church Elders-H. Graebner, A. Mittelberger, 1. Graebner, G. Streeb, J. Gaensbauer; 2. Trustees
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-P. Schlenk, W. Seidel, sen., J. Winter, jr .; 3, School Collect- ors-J. Streeb, G. Torn, C. Schaefer, N. Stroebel, sen.
The Church members deem it their Christian duty to provide their children with sound, religious instruction, and therefore especially parochial schools. From the beginning the pastors of the Church (on account of the congregation not having the means to support a teacher), besides their ministerial duties, took the work in the school upon themselves. On account of the old parsonage, besides the first church being too small, the congre- gation built a school-house in 1861 and called a teacher. In 1865 a school-house costing $1,200 was built in Hermannsan (town Carrollton, three miles from the court-house in Saginaw City) and a second teacher was called. In 1868 a two-story frame school-building was erected on Court street, between Fayette and Harrison streets, at a cost of $2,500. A third teacher was called in 1872. The present teachers of the congregation are Messrs. C. Riedel and W. Klemm in the city, and A. Weiss in Hermannsan. The present number of the school children is 160.
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
was organized Nov. 30, 1851, by Rev. Julius Ehrhart with 22 members. The first officers were Wm. Barie and M. Strauss, Dea- cons; J. P. Roller, H. Schnuphase and Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, Trus- tees. Six years later a church was erected at the corner of Harrison and Aines streets. Subsequently, in 1869, the present church was built, at a cost of $8,000, and dedicated Oct. 17, of that year.
The first pastor of this Church was Rev. J. Ehrhart. Since his ministry the following named gentlemen have officiated as pastors and teachers: Christian Foltz, Conrad Foltz, C. Adam, Hugh B. Kuhn. At present Rev. Chris. Eberhardt officiates as pastor, with E. Sperling teacher of the parochial school. The present officers of the society are Melchior Diebel and Fred Kreinnian, Deacons; A. F. Richter, C. Bassee and H. Meyer, Trustees; E. Sperling, Secre- tary. The membership is set down at 192.
The school was established at the same tinie as the Church, and offers to the children of the parish an elementary education in Eng- lish and German. The old church, built in 1857, is devoted to the purposes of the school since 1869. The entire property of this society in Saginaw City is valued at $12,000.
THE LIBERAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.
This society was organized in 1871, with Rev. J. H.Burnham as pastor. Immediately succeeding organization the members resolved to build a church, and within a few months witnessed the dedica- tion of a house of worship-July 18, 1871. At one period in the history of this society, the congregation numbered 270 members; but the organization was discontinued, the building sold to the
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Baptist society, and the members left at liberty to attach them- selves to any section of the Christian Church. The building erected in 1871 remains to bear testimony to the earnestness which characterized its projectors, as well as to their financial and relig- ious liberality.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
was formed in 1875 by Rev. M. Heinninger, of Flint, with Vin- cent Ganm, C. L. and President; Daniel Haller, Secretary; John Himinelbach, Treasurer, and Rev. J. M. Fnchs, Pastor. In 1878, the old Baptist church on Lafayette and Franklin streets was pur- chased by the association for $1,500, and improved at an additional expense of $600. The first members of the association included: Vincent Gaum, Rosa Gaum, August Wagner, Caroline Wagner, Angust Mau, Augusta Man, John Adam Stengel, Barbara Stengel, Katie Stengel, Henrietta Guenther, Lonise Guenther, Albert Gnenther, Mary Nast, Charles Jahrmarkt and Herman Jahrmarkt, -15 in all. The pastors from date of organization to the present time are as follows: J. M. Fuchs, C. C. Stiffield, W. F. Zanders and H. Schneider. The present officers of the society are John Hadel, President; Augustus Mann, Secretary; Vincent Gaum, Treasurer and Class Leader. Daniel Haller was first Superin- tendent of Sunday-school, John Himmelbach is the present Super- intendent; Barbara Stengel, Secretary; V. Gaum, Treasurer. The present membership is 45.
CITY SCHOOLS.
The following sketch of the city schools was prepared by Prof. C. B. Thomas, principal of the high school, for this work.
After the lapse of nearly a half century, it is a difficult task to gather material for a complete and accurate history of any particular department of social history. It is especially so in regard to educa- tional matters.
The public schools of a frontier town have always a humble beginning. Those who were instrumental in instituting and main- taining them, often die, or remove to other localities before the his- tory is called for. The teachers in early days are migratory in their habits, doing but temporary work, and ahnost no official records are left behind. These and other obstacles have made the preparation of this sketch a matter of no little difficulty.
The people who came to Saginaw, in its early settlement, brought with them the educational habit. They believed in public schools of the New England and New York type, and lost little time in making preparation for the education of the children.
It is not quite certain when the first school was opened liere. Probably it was held in a building within the fort, or stockade, on what is now Hamilton street, near the present site of Kehoe's
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grocery store. Its teacher was Judge Albert Miller, of Vermont. This beginning was made about 1835. It was a private school, and Mr. Miller may have been followed by one or two others in schools of similar organizations.
In 1837 school district No. 1, of Saginaw township, was organized, and the first school-house, a small frame building, was erected near the present site of the court-honse, on the south side of Court street. Some years later the building was removed across Conrt street, and given a location where the jail now stands. It was used for school purposes till the erection of a more pretentious building in 1851-'2, when it was again moved and transformed into a parsonage for the M. E. society. It was subsequently removed a third time, fit- ted up for domestic purposes, and is still occupied as a dwelling- house. The first teacher in this primitive temple of learning was probably Horace Beach, of New York. His labors must have been satisfactory to the young community, for he was retained for sev- eral terms, from the completion of the house in 1837, till about 1840.
Following him in the winter of 1840-'1, came Henry A. Camp- bell and Dion Birney, the latter a brother of Hon. James G. Birney; and in the summer of 1841 Miss Catherine Beach, after- ward Mrs. Samuel Shattuck. From 1842 to 1845, three years, the school had several different teachers, including Ira Bissell, of Grand Blanc; Daniel Woodin, of St. Clair; and Edwin Ferris, of New York, who succeeded each other in about the order named. During the term of Mr. Ferris, the number of pupils became too great for one room and teacher. An addition was therefore made to the building, and an assistant teacher, Miss Harmony Haywood, of Flint, employed.
About the close of this time, a Mr. Woodman, from Hamilton, N. Y., was employed for a few months. In 1845 Miss Harriet A. Spalding, a young lady, of fine education and accomplishments, came to Saginaw from Boston, Mass. She came here as a mission- ary, and, in the public schools, found an excellent opportunity to advance good work among the young. That hier mission was not in vain there is abundant evidence. Pupils of hers, still residents here, have in their possession letters written to them after her de- parture, which prove their love for her, and her sincere regard for theni. Miss Spalding was engaged in the schools for two years, 1845 and 1846. From 1847 to 1850, four years, there were several teachers, perhaps in the following order: Miss Eliza Booth, E. C. Irwin, Miss Anna Dayton, Joseph A. Ripley, of Tuscola, Charles T. Disbrow, and Milo Woodard, of Ohio. During 1847, while the district school was in charge of Miss Booth, a private school was opened and taught for several months by Miss Angeline J. Berry, but, from its beginning, as a rule, the public school met the educa- tional needs of the time.
About April, 1851, Augustine S. Gaylord, of Ohio, was secured as a teacher, and he tanght about six months, with an average attend-
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ance of 55 scholars. In November, 1851, Mr. Gaylord was ap- pointed deputy county clerk, and was succeeded in the school by Mr. Charles Johnson, who was employed till the fall of 1853. At that time the new building, in process of erection during the pre- vious year, was completed, and at about the same time Saginaw abolished the rate bill and made her schools absolutely free. being among the first localities in her State to take this action.
In December, 1853, Charles R. Gaylord was engaged as prin- cipal of the new Union school, at a salary of $500 for a year of 44 weeks. Mr. Gaylord's private letters, written at the time, state that this was the highest compensation ever before given to a Saginaw teacher. Of the school-house itself, which was considered a very fine one, he says: "It is well built, capable of seating 200 pupils, and was erected after plans suggested by the Hon. Ira Mayhew, in a work on "Popular Education," pages 388-'9."
Mr. Gaylord was assisted by Miss Mary A. Rice, of Grand Blanc, and the two rooms had an average attendance of 150 pupils. In the following year, 1854-'5, two assistants were needed, the aver- age attendance rising to 180.
Mr. Gaylord resigned his position during the summer vacation, opened a law office in what was then Lower Saginaw, and died Oct. 14, 1855.
The studies pursued in the school during Mr. Gaylord's time were the common English branches, natural philosophy, algebra, and Latin.
Mr. Gaylord was succeeded by P. S. Heisrodt, whose adminis- tration, somewhat noted for its vigor, lasted till 1859, when A. L. Bingham, a life-long and very successful teacher, was called to the head of the schools. Mr. Bingham remained in the schools about three years. From this time their history is too familiar to re- quire detail. The principals who succeeded to their management after Mr. Bingham, and the time of their engagement, may be given briefly, as follows: Isaac Delano, one year; Lucius Birds- eye, two years; Josepli W. Ewing, four years; C. D. Heine, three years; Cornelius A. Gower, four years; and Cyrus B. Thomas, the present superintendent.
Of all whose names have been mentioned, but four are now known to be engaged in teaching, viz .: Mr. Bingham; Mr. Ewing, Supt. at Ionia; Mr. Gower, Supt. of the State Reform School, at Lansing, and Mr. Thomas, the present Supt. of the Saginaw Schools.
Of the teachers in subordinate capacity, who are still engaged in the city schools, there are a few who deserve especial mention for their long-continued and faithful services: Miss Sibyl C. Palmer has taught 10 years; Miss Josephine E. Johnston, nine years; Miss Sarah L. Johnston, nine years; Miss M. Josephine Alexander, 10 years; Mrs. Juliette Fonda, 13 years; and Mrs. Mary H. Prentiss, who has taught for 21 years.
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The present corps of teachers is given below :
Cyrus B. Thomas, Superintendent.
In the Central high school-George Hempel, Principal of high school; Miss Mary E. Gelston, Miss Isabella Ripsom, Assistants in high-school.
Miss Sibyl C. Palmer, 8th grade.
Miss Annie De Land, 8th grade.
Miss Josephine E. Johnston, 7th grade.
Miss Maggie A Durand, 7th and 5th grade.
Miss Sarah L. Johnston, 6th grade.
Miss Minnie I. De Land, 5th grade.
Miss May E. Atwater, 4th grade.
Miss Fannie G. Lewis, 3d grade.
Miss Lucy L. Townsend, 2d and 1st grade.
German-English Department .- Mr. Constantin Watz, Principal 5th and 6th grade.
Miss Mary H. Prentiss, 4th grade.
Miss Emily Barck, 3d grade.
Miss Florence E. Guillott, 2d grade.
Miss Anna Rose, 1st grade.
First Ward School -Miss Amelia Alber, 6th and 5th grades.
Miss Emily Case, 4th and 3d grades.
Miss M. Josephine Alexander, 2d and 1st grades.
Third Ward School .- Miss Almina Burrows, 4th and 3d grades.
Miss Carrie Redman, 2d and 1st grades.
Fourth Ward School .- Miss Gertrude Lee, 5th and 4th grades.
Miss Rhoda I. Van Zile, 3d and 2d grades. Miss Jessie Lee, 1st grade
Miss Emma Plessner (German and English department), 2d and 1st grades.
Fifth Ward School .- Mr. L. M. Fetzer (German and English department), 2d grade.
Miss Sadie Ketcham, 2d and 1st grades.
Miss Lella M Lyon (German and English department), 1st grade.
At the time the first school-house was built, 1837, the popula- tion of Saginaw probably did not exceed 200, and the one school- room furnished ample accommodation for the pupils. The hard times which ruined the business of the country about that time, greatly reduced the little settlement, and for several years growth was slow, and additional rooms were not needed.
In 1848-'9, however, population began to increase; people werc flocking to the lumber regions, and the necessity of a larger educa- tional establishment became more and more apparent.
In 1851-'2, with a population somewhat above 500, what was, in those days, a fine, large school-house, was erceted on the south side of Court street, and nearly opposite the present high school. £
It was two-stories high, was divided midway of its length by a hall and double stair-case, and contained four rooms, two above and two below. It was planned to accommodate from 200 to 250 pupils. It stood on its original site till after the crection of the Central high school, in 1867-'8, when it was removed to the Fourth ward, where it continues to serve, in an enfecbled and dilapidatcd condition, the cause it was decmed at first to highly honor.
In 1860 the population liad increased to ncarly 1.800. and the need of additional school room began to be felt. From that time till 1868 immigration to the Saginaw Valley was so rapid that it was almost impossible for those in charge of the educational affairs
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of Saginaw City to provide accommodations for the children desir- ing to be admitted to school. The School Board erected a new school every year or two, but not until 1868 was the demand fully met.
The Sixth ward school-house was built in 1863. It is a two- story brick, cost about $3,000, and though plain outwardly, its . two school-rooms furnish pleasant accommodations for 120 pupils. Students complete four years work in it before promotion to the Central school.
In 1865-'6 a fine brick school-house was erected in the Third ward, at a cost of about $7,500, It is two-stories high, and con- tains two large and well-lighted rooms, with ample hall and cloak accommodations. Pupils from the Third ward remain in this building four years, or until they have completed the studies of the first four grades, when they are promoted to the fifth grade in the Central building.
The First ward school, on what is known as the Penoyer farm, is a frame building one story in height, and in style a cottage. It contains three school-rooms, and pupils there complete the work of six grades, before promotion to the Central school. It was erected in 1868, and, with a subsequent addition, made in 1872, cost about $3,000.
The Central or high-school building was erected in 1867-'8, and was at that time, perhaps, the finest and most commodious school-house in the State. It is built of brick, trimmed with ent stone, tliree-stories high, with a basement, and is crowned with a Mansard roof, above which rises a lofty bell tower. While 110 attempt at architectural display is apparent in its design, it is inassive and imposing in its appearance, a noble monument to the wisdom and intelligence of the community, and a striking evidence of the willingness of the people to provide munificently for the education of their children. The building contains 27 school and recitation rooms, and is capable of seating about 800 pupils. All the grades are represented here, pupils remaining 12 years in the school before graduation, The building is now warmed by steam, thoroughly ventilated, and exceedingly well fitted for its purpose.
The Fifth-ward building is the latest erected in the city. It occupies a whole square on Charles street, one block north of Court. It is a two-story frame building, contains four rooms, and will seat 200 pupils. It was built in 1872, at a cost of $5,000. At present but three of its rooms are needed for school purposes, and pupils are promoted from it on completing the work of the second grade.
In 1870 the population of the city had reached 7,460, and its official school census showed 2,147 children of school age (from five to 21 years). The number of teachers employed was 25. The total enrollment of pupils for that year was 1,408, and the average daily attendance was about 800.
In 1880 the population of the city was 10,650, and the school census showed 3,233 children of a school age. There were in the
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employ of the board 35 teachers, including the superintendent and special teachers in penmanship, drawing and music (three in all). The total enrollment of pupils was 1,767, and the average daily at- tendance for the year was 1,233.
By a special enactment of the Michigan Legislature, thic Union School district of Saginaw was organized in 1865, and put under the exclusive control of a School Board of six trustees. Under this special act, the schools were carefully reorganized with three departments-primary, grammar and high school. Each of these departments cover four school years, 12 years completing the full course.
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