USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 41
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Upon the death of Latham A. Burrows, who was one of the most active workers in the association since its beginning, the Y. M. C. A. came into
SWIMMING POOL AT Y. M. C. A.
357
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
possession of a beautiful tennis court situated about a mile from the building. This property consists of two very fine tennis courts, an indoor base ball diamond, and a well-equipped club house.
In addition to the work which the equipment especially provides for, the association carries on other activities. In the course of the year many young men are directed to positions, movements of public interest are promoted. such as summer gardening. swimming campaigns and school play festivals. In the line of religious work there are Bible classes, and religious meetings are held regularly, the association co-operating with its controlling body, the Church.
GROUP OF GERMAN CITIZENS, 1865
F. Ziegner
F. Schade
C. Watz C. Roseland
P. Geisler J. Leidlein IS. Pruske
1. Schroeder F. Palm
Otto Schmitz
F. Wrege J. F. Frey
A. Schmitz
The Salvation Army
Twenty-eight years ago the Salvation Army commenced work in Sagi- naw, first being located on the West Side. The barracks were on South Hamilton Street, and Captain Frazee was the officer in charge. Shortly after the work was extended to the East Side, the corps being located on South Franklin Street under the command of Captain and Mrs. Watts. Since that time the local army work has been in charge of Captain Hoare. Ensign Under- wood, Captain Bouters, Captain Stocking, Adj. Mason, Captain Lawton, Ensign Porter, and Captain and Mrs. Atwood who are in charge at present. Evangeline C. Booth is commander of the Salvation Army in America, and Lieutenant Colonel A. E. Kimball is in command of this province.
The work of the Army in this city is extensive, and those in charge are at the call of the distressed twenty-four hours a day. They help the needy in sickness and poverty, and no call of genuine need is ever turned down. Services are held every night in the year at seven-thirty, and on Sunday at ten-thirty in the morning, while the Sunday School meets at one-fifteen. Praise meetings are held at three oclock and Young People's meetings at six, followed by the regular evening gospel services at the usual hour. At Christ-
358
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
mas two hundred and fifty baskets filled with the needful things for a family dinner are distributed to the worthy poor of the city, which otherwise would not know the good cheer of the gladsome season: and an entertainment is given to five hundred children who are freely supplied with toys, candy and nuts.
All the various activities of the Army are supported by voluntary con- tributions of the rich and poor, that is, by the small offerings of the working class and by the larger sums of the wealthy. By this means the property at 130-132 South Baum Street, now occupied by the corps as a permanent place of worship, was secured. a large number of influential men of the city, among whom was Wellington R. Burt, making this possible by their generous financial support.
The corps now has a small band which is making progress under the leadership of Ellis Metcalfe, and renders effective aid at the song services. The Sunday School is in charge of Oscar McClure, and the Young People's Legion is directed by Mrs. Metcalfe. Besides Captain and Mrs. Atwood, who have charge of all local army work, there are Cadet Lockwood, assistant, llerbert J. Reynolds, William Harbrom, treasurer, Daniel Smalley, secretary, and Miss Bertha Harmon, secretary of the Junior Salvation Army.
In connection with the work there is a relief department and industrial store, in charge of Major Reynolds, where waste material is received and donations of various articles are used in the best possible way, distribution being made with a view of uplifting the needy rather than of pauperizing them.
Rescue Missions
The City Rescue Mission, at 117 Lapeer Avenue, another helpful insti- tution to the poor of the city, was organized in 1905 by Melvin E. Trotter, of Grand Rapids, aided by A. C. White and other earnest churchmen. In the broad scope of its work it reaches out a helping hand to the down-trodden and unfortunate, and relieves much suffering among the very poor and needy. Its noble work extends far beyond the scope of modern church activities, and hundreds of "down-and-outs" have been given practical and sympathetic aid and encouragement to live better lives. Many of these men have been saved, and some have taken up mission work among their fellow men and conduct missions elsewhere. For its motto the mission has "Who- soever Will May Come."
The first superintendent of the mission, when it was located at 111 Genesee Avenue, was George W. Trotter, a brother of the founder. By his earnest efforts the mission became thoroughly established, it grew in influence and endeavor, and was recognized as an important factor in evangelical work. Several years after the quarters were removed to Germania Avenue between Washington and Franklin Streets; and in 1913 the present hall on Lapeer Avenue was secured. There is increasing need for a mission building equipped with additional Bible class rooms and dormitories, and other facili- ties to make the work even more effective.
A distinctive feature of the mission is the "open door," by which the missionary work of the churches is greatly broadened. Its doors are open from eight-thirty in the morning until nine at night, and persons come in from all walks of life, in every condition, some to be sheltered from the cold or receive material aid, others through curiosity, or because they heard the call to lead a better life. They all hear the gospel story, for every night in the year it is preached and salvation freely offered them. In 1915 four hun- dred and forty-one gospel services were held in the hall, with an average
4.0
SOME PIONEER MEMBERS OF THE "GERMANIA"
C. Watz William Barie A- Schupp
A. L. Bingham Fred A. Koehler James C. Davenport
V. Bude C. Oppermann Daniel Holst Chauncey H. Gage
360
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
attendance of forty-two, resulting in two hundred and eighty-six confessed conversions, and two hundred and three others who were enough interested in their own salvation to request prayer.
Fellowship meetings of the workers are held at nine-thirty on Sunday mornings, and the mission Sunday School meets at three in the afternoon. The average attendance of the Sunday School is well above one hundred. John Deford being the acting superintendent. The men's Bible class meets at four fifteen under the instruction of Charles H. Dennison. There are also a girl's Bible class and the Women's Society which are doing a splendid work.
Other activities of the mission included three hundred and ninety-two calls during the year upon the sick and needy, by the City Missionary, in which aid was extended in many ways, and more than one thousand articles of clothing were distributed and groceries and fuel placed in homes where most needed. Good homes were found for a number of children and old people, who were without the comforts of home, thus helping to preserve the morals of childhood and to relieve the sufferings of the aged. The city mission also conducts a free labor bureau, a relief work for boosting the
3
THE FIRST GERMANIA SCHOOL
under-dog, no less than two hundred and twenty-three men and fifty-one women having been aided in securing work. In every way the mission seeks to be a real friend of the man in trouble, always having in view the salvation of his soul.
Our citizens who are especially interested in the City Rescue Mission. and comprise its board of directors are: Doctor T. E. Howson, president ; C. H. Parker, vice-president ; D). 11. Ellis, secretary ; B. F. Griffin, treasurer ; Robert A. Allen, superintendent, and E. V. Stark, F. W. Hollister, J. W. Johnson, Charles H. Dennison, W. H. Meader, Mrs. J. K. Rickey. J. Smith and Doctor Martha Longstreet. The mission is supported entirely by volun- tary offerings of earnest church workers and others interested in benevolent work, the revenues for 1915, amounting to about twenty-three hundred dollars, being the subscriptions of four hundred and fifty persons.
The Central Rescue Mission on the West Side, which is doing a splendid relief work among the very needy, is another worthy institution which merits the support of our citizens. It was founded in 1909 by the late George A. Newberry, and its hall was opened for services on July 13th of that year. Mr. Newberry had been engaged in Salvation Army work here. but upon closing of the barracks he was prevailed upon by Riley L. Crane and other
361
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
interested persons, to remain and establish a mission. Thus the Central Mission was organized with Mrs. May C. Bliss as president, W. L. Paxson, secretary, and John W. Foote, treasurer.
The work of the mission is very similar to that of the City Rescue Mis- sion, the relief given to distressed and suffering humanity being its chief concern. Mr. Newberry, its superintendent, was the soul of the institution. and hundreds of unfortunate and profligate men have been raised up and given a new start in life. The most that the average "down-and-out" wants is a chance, and to give him honest employment and opportunity to make a decent living is far better than to extend to him the hand of charity. By thus aiding him he is not pauperized, and his self-respect is preserved.
To very few mission workers, however, is given the spiritual power and grace to successfully reach the hearts and better impulses of degenerates. Along these endeavors Mr. Newberry was greatly gifted, and he exerted a wonderful influence upon young men and women on the downward path. His services every Sunday in the county jail were productive of great good. prisoners seeming to feel that in him they had a real friend. So marked was this impression in the minds of sinful men - some hardened by dissipation and crime, that upon his death they gave their last few pennies for simple flowers for his bier. In all his labors for the uplift of the down-trodden, he had the earnest and devoted co-operation of Mrs. Newberry, his able assistant in the mission.
Their extensive Christmas activities for 1915 included giving a big mis- sion dinner to the poor, to the number of two hundred and fifty, who otherwise would have gone unfed and without cheer, and also the Christmas tree festivities in which more than four hundred little children were made happy with toys and candy. A large share of the work fell upon the super- intendent, and so weakened was he by his zealous adherence to his duties that a severe cold contracted the day after quickly developed into pneumonia. and he died on December thirtieth. His entire energies throughout an active and useful life were devoted to mission relief work, in which he was eminently successful, and few Christian workers in this city have been so universally beloved and esteemed.
The present quarters of the mission, at 115-117 South Niagara Street. were secured by Mr. Newberry and the board of directors through a bequest of the late Thomas Merrill, of fifteen hundred dollars. The property was owned by Ezra Rust who, upon being informed of the desire of the mission workers to own it as a permanent rescue home, offered it at a very low price and donated one thousand dollars to the fund. Thus the mission came into possession of a two-story brick building with forty feet frontage, which was remodeled to meet the needs of the work and otherwise improved. The location is considered well adapted to mission work, and it is hoped that the mission will eventually change the character of the street in its vicinity.
In its organization the mission has the co-operation as directors of F. E. Emerick. W. L. Case. L. Crane, Riley L. Crane. W. E. Crane, J. E. Anderson and Frank Abel; and the trustees are Mrs. May C. Bliss, Mrs. J. E. Ferris, Mrs. F. A. Hicks, Mrs. D. F. Morgan, Mrs. Dr. Goodsell and Mrs. F. E. Button. The Reverend Emil Montanus, rector of St. John's Church, is also deeply engrossed in the work of the mission, giving generously of his time and energies in visiting the sick and poor, in investigating cases of poverty, and offering sympathy and substantial aid to the needy. He is a frequent speaker at the regular evening services at the mission, and in numerous ways proves that he is a true friend of all in distress.
362
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
THE GERMANIA INSTITUTE
The Germania
Of all the German Societies in Michigan, the Germania stands second to none in the State. Primarily the Society was organized as a Turn Verein. In the Spring of 1856 the following Germans met and formed a Turn Verein, viz .: Adolph Schill, Carl Stoecker, F. Ziegler, F. Lange, F. Palm, Johann Springer, Ed. Bloedon, Fred Koehler, F. A. Guenther, L. Baumgart, G. Richter and .A. AAlberti, and at a subsequent meeting negotiations were put on foot whereby entire block 58, Glasby's Addition to East Saginaw, was subse- quently secured. This block is bounded by Lapeer, Third, Fourth and Tus- cola Streets. Originally only a part of the block was purchased of Mr. Wm. F. Glasby, but permission was secured to use the entire block for turner exercises, provided the Society would "free the premises from stumps and underbrush." From an exclusive turn verein the association gradually added music, a kindergarten and a library, which latter is the largest German library in Michigan, comprising over eight thousand five hundred volumes. On the 20th of August, 1856. the Society adopted a constitution and by-laws, adopted the name "Germania," and the object to be "physical and intellectual develop- ment, social and musical entertainment of its members." On the 2nd of September of the same year the constitution was signed by all of its mem- bers. J. H. Springer was president : Jacob Schoen, vice-president, and Fred- erick Koehler, treasurer. The secretary's name does not appear. It was apparent that the Society, at the time of organization, did not contemplate to confine its membership to Germans, and does not at this date ( 1916). Among the names of signers of the constitution appear the following well-known Americans: Albert Bates, Truman Hawley, D. H1. Nelson, G. L. Walker, Chauncey H. Gage, M. Y. Hood, George H. Richardson, James Rivard, W. H. Little. A. L. Bingham. B. B. Buckhout, Dan P. Fox. Sant Keeler, Jas. C. Davenport and Wm. Bordino.
363
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
Out of this simple Turn Verein Society grew what is today "The Germania." The original object of the society was considerably surpassed - its singing section, the "Maennerchor," is very popular, not only in the State, but at national festivals it gathered laurels for the Germania. The Society is proud of this branch. The library, which is so extensive, eight thousand five hundred volumes, it having outgrown the Society, is at the disposal of our city school teachers, the scholars of our public schools and Germans, and those interested in German literature in general, regardless as to being members of the Society.
In the matter of education the Germania was foremost in effort to intro- duce the teaching of German in our public schools. As early as 1859 the Society engaged Mr. J. H. Springer as its first teacher, a small frame one- story building was erected, which, as time passed was enlarged, and finally in 1868 the Society erected a three-story brick building on the northern half of the block, in order to accommodate the increasing attendance and demand- the Germania School. Financial conditions compelled the Society to place a fifteen thousand dollar mortgage on this portion of its real estate. In a few years after this school was in full operation, the demand for German teaching being on the increase and the city board of education taking notice of the desire of its citizens, and the board desiring to introduce German into various of its grades and schools, a proposition came from the city and the school was sold in 1873, with the proviso that teaching of German must be continued in the school. In the early development of education in Saginaw the Ger- mania was foremost in its assistance.
A sketch of the Germania would be incomplete without mention of the Society's benefactor, Mr. Anton Schmitz. Upon the death of Mr. Schmitz, October 10, 1869, which was accidental, he, while looking after the repair of a lightning rod on his building where the Barie department store now stands, fell from its roof and was instantly killed, his "beloved Germania" was bene-
MEMBERS OF THE GERMANIA BUILDING COMMITTEE
Daniel Patzer
E. Feige E. J. Heyde
C. Beierle H. Melchers J. Nerreter G. W. Bruske J. G. Edelmann
SEINE NACH- LASSENSCHAFTS
VERWALTER UND FREUNDE
Anton Schmitz
THE FIRST TRUSTEES OF THE SCHMITZ ENDOWMENT
E. Anneke
B. Haack F. Wrage
H. Melchers
ANTON SCHMITZ
P. Geisler Dr. B. Hesse R. Luster
H Vasokl
J. Nerreter A. Eymer
365
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
ficiary of this property. The present Germania Block (The Wm. Barie Department Store ) was erected by the Society in 1899, and is a parcel of real estate that has been advancing in value from time to time and is worth at least one hundred and fifty thousand dollars today. It is the income from this source that enables the Society to support its various branches, as not one of them is self-sustaining. Anton Schmitz's generosity, coupled with efficient management on the part of the various executors of his estate, have made the Germania one of the wealthiest German societies in the United States.
The provisions of the Schmitz testament was undoubtedly responsible for the organization of the kindergarten. In April, 1876, Miss Henrietta Jahns, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (now Mrs. A. W. Barck ). was secured as the first teacher, and on May 11, 1876, the school was opened with fifty-six children. One remarkable fact about this branch is that a majority of the little tots here are the children of American parents, and it is astonishing how readily and easily these three, four and five-year-old American children acquire the German language. This is a very worthy branch of the Society. The present average attendance is forty.
The Germania. at the present day. January, 1916. has a membership of three hundred and ninety-eight, of which sixty-two are Americans.
The Maennerchor comprises an average of thirty regular singers, but on occasions when district Saengerfests are held it often reaches over fifty. This branch is at present, and has been for some years past, under the efficient directorship of Mr. F. A. Berger, who has been in harmonious accord not only with the singers but with the Society in general.
The turner branch comprises a total of one hundred and twenty members in all its divisions and has been for the past eighteen years under the able directorship of Mr. Franz Dreier, than whom there is none more able in the State. He is also physical director in our public schools.
.
4
A
FRANZ DREIER AND SOME OF THE TURNERS. 1906
366
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The officers this year (1916) are: G. F. Oppermann, president; Franz Leitzow, vice-president : George A. Klette, secretary, and Joseph Maerz, treasurer.
Our Arbeiter Vereins
The Arbeiter Unterstützung Verein of East Saginaw is the parent Ger- man workingmen's association of the Saginaw Valley. In August, 1869, the first effort was made toward its organization, and on the twenty-sixth of the same month the actual incorporation took place. Its first incorporators were Adam Wegst, Conrad Fey, Christian Schlatterer, Heinrich Schmidt, Wilhelm Edinger, Johann Buckel, Doctor Friedrich Massbacker and Friederich Neid- hardt. Christian Schlatterer (1916) is the only remaining living member of the original incorporators.
Shortly after its incorporation the Arbeiter Verein was consolidated with the German Young Maenner Club. The latter was a society organized for social and musical purposes and comprised perhaps forty young Germans, and this acquisition at once gave the Arbeiter Verein an impetus which mate- rially assisted in its rapid growth.
The object of all Arbeiter Vereins in the State of Michigan, under the jurisdiction of the State Bund, is to assist its members when sick during a period of at least twenty-six weeks, at a rate of five dollars a week. In case of death fifty dollars is appropriated toward funeral expenses of the deceased, and in case of a member's wife dying a like amount is given for the same purpose. It is also the duty of the committee on sick to pay regular visits and to do all in their power to relieve distress.
As is usual, the first object of a growing society is to secure a home and toward that purpose the best energy of its members was directed. In 1880 the society purchased a block located on the corner of Janes and Fourth Avenues, upon which a commodious hall was erected at a cost of over twenty thousand dollars, and the remaining space converted into a beautiful garden. That the Verein of East Saginaw possesses suitable and beautiful quarters was evidenced by the fact that the State Bund has held its annual sessions here for four different years, 1871. 1884, 1898 and 1912.
Beginning with 1870 and continuing for forty-one years, the local Verein expended for sick benefits the sum of forty-eight thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars, and for death benefits, that is, funeral expenses, twenty- three thousand three hundred and thirty-nine dollars; and during the same period paid into the State Bund one hundred and eighteen thousand three hundred and forty-seven dollars. From these figures it would seem that the local society is materially assisting the State Bund. The society at the present time numbers something over one thousand members, and its real estate is worth fully fifty thousand dollars.
The entrance fee for young men from eighteen to twenty-five years of age is gratis; from twenty-five to thirty years, one dollar; from thirty to thirty-five years, two dollars; from thirty-five to forty years, three dollars: from forty to forty-five years, seven dollars. The dues are one dollar a month.
The officers for the year 1916 are: John Leidlein, president; Albert Bender, vice-president ; Ferdinand Heymann, corresponding and recording secretary ; T. F. Reitz, treasurer; Doctor F. W. Edelmann and Doctor Karl Kanzler, physicians; Karl Reusch, secretary for the sick: William Olden- berg, Edward Beuthin and Simon J. Koepke. trustees, and Ray Corbin, flag bearer.
367
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
The society has a women's auxiliary which was organized in 1896 with forty-five members. The object of the auxiliary is to render whatever assist- ance they can for the benefit of the male branch, at the same time to render sisterly assistance in time of need or distress to its members. In 1912 this auxiliary reported a membership of over six hundred, the second strongest in the State.
Its first president was Mrs. Augusta Walter whose energy and perse- verance did more than any other influence to increase the membership of this worthy branch. They do not have any specified sum in case of sickness, depending entirely upon the circumstances of the case, but in case of death they allow the family two hundred dollars for funeral expenses.
The Arbeiter Unterstützung Verein of Saginaw City
On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1871, this society was organized and the committee appointed to work out the constitution and by-laws comprised F. Dengler, A. Ganschow, C. Radke and A. Kern. The first regular meeting of the society took place on Sunday, April 16th, of the same year under the chairmanship of F. Dengler. There were present fourteen members who signed the constitution and elected the following as their first officers: August Ganschow, president : Rudolph Kern, secretary ; Friedrich Dengler, treasurer, and Theodore Krauss, physician. Two weeks later a vice-president " was added in the person of Adolph Lane, and a corresponding secretary, Emil Schoeneberg.
In the beginning of 1872 the society had increased to one hundred mem- bers, and in the following year a lot was purchased on the corner of Adams and Oakley Streets, for fifteen hundred dollars. Two years afterward, on the thirteenth of December. 1875, the society had erected a beautiful hall upon the site, and its dedication took place at that time. The society increased very rapidly and in 1908 reached a membership of one thousand and forty-seven, being the largest of any Arbeiter society in the State.
Since the organization of the Verein the following amounts to 1908. were expended : Funeral expenses, thirteen thousand seven hundred and ninety-one dollars; sick benefit expenses, forty thousand four hundred and forty-five dollars; received from the State Bund, eighty-six thousand four hundred dollars; paid to State Bund, one hundred twenty thousand eight hundred and six dollars; and the number lost by death was one hundred and seventy-five.
The present officers (1916) are: F. J. Plettenberg, president: J. L. Weigl, vice-president ; John Broederdorf, secretary; Edwin Kersten, cor- responding secretary ; Henry Maier, treasurer: Albert O. Richter, Martin Fieger, John C. Krogmann, H. C. Reincke and William Geese, trustees ; Emil P. W. Richter and L. Miller, physicians; August Borchard, chairman of the house committee : Emil Wagner chairman sick committee, and Edward Schrank. Phil Deibel and Paul Bohnhof, finance committee.
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.