USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 39
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 39
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north, of range No. 3 cast, as school district No. 1, and the first school meeting therein shall be held at the store of A. L. & B. O. Williams, in the village of Owosso, on the 22d day of August, 1837, at four P.M."
The meeting was held, and Benjamin O. Williams elected director. On the 2d of October, 1837, he rendered his annual report, as follows :
" TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SCHOOL INSPECTORS:
" GENTLEMEN,-I hereby transmit you a report of the condition of schools in district No. 1, of which I have the honor to be the director, to wit: The whole number of children in my distriet between the ages of five and seven- teen years is thirty.
" There has been no school taught in the district, and no moneys have been received by me. The district has voted to raise the following sums for school purposes, viz. : five hundred dollars for building a school-house, seventy-five dollars for the purchase of a school library-case, and ten dollars for the purchase of books. I have the honor to be, gentlemen,
" Your obd't serv't, " B. O. WILLIAMS."
Although the first school building was not erected until about the year 1840 or 1841, the leading citizens have always taken a lively interest in educational matters, and the excellence of Owosso's schools has ever been pro- verbial.
The old school building, since repaired and enlarged, is now used as a house of worship by the German Lutherans.
By an act of the State Legislature, approved March 11, 1846, the Owosso Literary Institute was incorporated, Messrs. Elias Comstock, Alfred L. Williams, Benjamin O. Williams, Amos Gould, Charles L. Goodhue, Anson B. Chipman, and John B. Barnes being named as corpora- tors. They were authorized to employ capital to the amount of ten thousand dollars, and " to have power to establish and continue in the township of Owosso an insti- tution of learning for the instruction of persons in the various branches of literature, and the arts and sciences."
However, nothing further was heard of the institute, and the youth of Owosso continued to pore over the volumes issued by Brown, Kirkham, Morse, Adams, Olney, Web- ster, Sanders, and others in the old structure until 1858, when a portion of the present handsome edifice was com- pleted. This was an occasion of great rejoicing among parents and pupils, and the event was noticed by a local paper of date Oct. 23, 1858, in the following words :
"OPENING OF THE OWOSSO UNION SCHOOL.
" This institution was opened for the reception of' pupils on Thursday last, in the presence of a large number of the friends of education, who have by their untiring efforts successfully carried forward the enterprise to its final com- pletion.
" The building is of the most substantial character, being constructed of brick, and beautifully finished with the oak of the country. It is divided into three principal apart- ments, two recitation-rooms, besides large and commodious
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CITY OF OWOSSO.
reception halls, and will accommodate some two hundred seholars.
" The school will consist of three grades, the primary, intermediate, and the upper departments, where the higher English branches will be taught, also the languages ; music, both vocal and instrumental, with its charming influence, will not be wanting, the board having secured the services of a competent teacher for that department.
" The grounds located for school purposes are situated upon the right bank of the beautiful Shiawassee, a little north and west of the village, and embrace about four acres, covered with a fine growth of pristine oak, in the centre of which is located the school building.
" At an early hour on Thursday morning the large npper room in the building was filled with parents and children of the district. The proper officer of the district called the meeting to order, after which prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Goodale, of this place. At the request of the Board of Education, the parents and children were ad- dressed by Mr. Kellogg, late of the Albany Normal School, Rev. John M. Gregory, of Ann Arbor, Rev. Mr. Taylor, Hon. Amos Gould, and Hon. A. L. Williams, of this place. The district is greatly indebted to the latter gentleman for material aid and valuable services in urging to completion this praiseworthy enterprise.
" The remarks of all the gentlemen were timely and fitting the occasion, calling np pleasant reminiscenees of the past and opening up to the youthful mind bright prospects in the future.
" Mr. Winchell, the principal of the school, in behalf of himself and associate teachers, expressed his sense of obli- gation to the board, and to the gentlemen who had addressed the meeting, for the kind greeting and warm and generous manner in which they had been received by the friends of education in Owosso, pledging himself that no effort should be wanting on their part to fully meet the hopes and ex- pectations of the friends of the school.
" Our slight acquaintance with Mr. Winchell prompts us to believe that the board made a wise choice in selecting him l'or principal of the institution.
" We understand that the school is rapidly filling up, and that large numbers of applications for admission have been received from those residing out of the district ; and we doubt not that before the close of the first term the teachers will be straitened for room, and that an extra primary department will have to be opened in some other section of the village."
A few years subsequently the building just mentioned was enlarged to its present proportions, and in still later years other frame school-houses have followed, which are situated in the various wards. As showing the present condition of schools, we snbjoin the following statistics, gathered from the annual report for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 :
Number of children of school age residing in the city 805
=
attending school during the ycar. 729
brick houses
frame houses. 3
sittings 800
Value of school property $50,000
Men teachers employed
4
Women " 12 .. Paid men teachers $1,536
women teachers. $3,172
Total resources for the year. $12,258.59
Bonded indebtedness $24,000
The present Board of Edneation consists of Messrs. B. O. Williams, David Parker, Gilbert R. Lyon, Eugene R. Hutchins, Joseph II. Howe, and O. Smith.
SECRET BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS.
OWOSSO LODGE, No. 81, F. AND A. M.
This lodge held its first communication May 2, 1855, under a dispensation granted by George C. Monroe, Grand Master of the State of Michigan.
The officers first installed were Myndert W. Quaeken- bush, W. M .; Alfred L. Williams, S. W. ; Benjamin O. Williams, J. W .; Warren Ladd, S. D. ; and Horace Hart, J. D.
A charter was granted Jan. 10, 1856, and on the same date the following officers were installed: Myndert W. Quackenbush, W. M .; Alfred L. Williams, S. W .; Ben- jamin O. Williams, J. W. ; Randolph L. Stewart, Treas- urer ; Charles C. Goodall, Secretary ; Elisha Leach, S. D .; John B. Barnes, J. D. ; and William J. Lyon, Tiler.
Subsequent presiding officers have been Elisha Leach, from Dec. 27, 1856, to Dee. 27, 1859; M. W. Quacken- bush, Dec. 27, 1859, to Dec. 27, 1861; Elisha Leach, Dec. 27, 1861, to Dec. 27, 1862; Eli D. Gregory, Dec. 27, 1862, to Dee. 27, 1863; Henry C. Knill, Dee. 27, 1863, to Dec. 27, 1867 ; Benjamin O. Williams, Dee. 27, 1867, to Dee. 27, 1868; Henry C. Knill, Dec. 27, 1868, to Dec. 27, 1869; Eli D. Gregory, Dee. 27, 1869, to Dec. 27, 1871; Henry C. Knill, Dee. 27, 1871, to Dec. 27, 1872; Eli D. Gregory, Dee. 27, 1872, to June 24, 1874; Jabez Perkins, June 24, 1874, to June 24, 1875; Wil- liam J. Lyon, June 24, 1875, to Dec. 27, 1877; Walter A. Osborn, Dee. 27, 1877, to Dee. 27, 1879.
The present officers, who were installed Dec. 27, 1879, are Charles II. Cossitt, W. M .; Thomas Nelan, S. W. ; Grenville S. Beardsley, J. W .; Joseph Manning, Treasurer ; Benjamin F. Taylor, Secretary ; Endress M. Shafer, S. D .; George II. Bedford, J. D .; John T. Wolverton, Tiler ; Rev. Levi B. Stimson, Chaplain ; Charles W. Parker, Jacob S. Lewis, Stewards; James Calkins, William J. Westlake, and E. R. Hutchins, Prudential Committee.
The lodge includes one hundred members at the present time, and regular communications are held Wednesday evenings on or before the full moon.
OWOSSO CHAPTER, No. 89, R. A. M.,
began work under a dispensation granted early in the year 1873. The first officers, viz., Myndert W. Quackenbush, M. E. Il. P .; Anson B. Chipman, King; Joseph Man- ning, Seribe; George B. IInghes, C. II .; Franklin B. Smith, P. S .; Richard Chipman, R. A. C .; Henry W. Parker, Treasurer ; Newton Baldwin, Recorder; Newell H. Welcher, M. 3d V .; Martin Hausman, M. 2d V .; John Rogers, M. Ist V. ; and Ezekiel Salisbury, Guard, were installed April 22, 1873.
A charter was granted Jan. 24, 1874, and on the 17th of February of the same year the following officers were in-
20
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HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
stalled : M. W. Quackenbush, M. E. HI. P .; Anson B. Chip- mau, King; Joseph Manning, Scribe; George B. Hughes, C. H. ; Franklin B. Smith, P. S. ; Richard Chipman, R. A. S .; Ezekiel Salisbury, Treasurer; Newton Baldwin, Re- corder; Newell 11. Welcher, M. 3d V .; John D. Eveus, M. 2d V .; John Rogers, M. Ist V .; Justin II. Wells, Guard.
Other presiding officers have been Anson B. Chipman, from December, 1874, to December, 1876 ; Charles A. Os- born, December, 1876, to December, 1878; Franklin B. Smith, December, 1878, to December, 1879.
The present officers are Martin C. Dawes, M. E. H. P .; Samuel Lamfrom, King ; Moses Mix, Scribe; George B. Hughes, C. H .; Thomas Nelan, P. S. ; Charles H. Cossitt, R. A. C .; Joseph Manning, Treasurer ; Benjamin F. Tay- lor, Recorder; Walter A. Osborn, M. 3d V .; George H. Bedford, M. 2d V .; Bernhard Rose, M. Ist V .; John T. Wolverton, Guard ; Rev. Levi B. Stimson, Chaplain ; Wil- liam J. Westlake and George R. Black, Stewards. The chapter has a total of fifty-eight members. Regular convo- cations are held on the first Friday in each month.
OWOSSO LODGE, No. 88, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted Jau. 23, 1865, by Special Deputy B. W. Davis. Among the charter members were Josiah Turner, William R. Chipman, Henry Barnum, Lewis Swartz, F. P. Guilford, E. Van Houten, Henry M. Newcombe, and P. M. Rowell.
The first officers installed were Josiah Turuer, N. G .; William R. Chipman, V. G .; Henry M. Newcombe, R. S. ; P. M. Rowell, P. S. ; and F. P. Guilford, Treasurer.
Judge Turner was re-elected N. G. for the last half of 1865. Subsequent presiding officers of the lodge have been Amos G. Young and Henry M. Newcombe, in 1866; Morris Osburn, Amos G. Young, 1867 ; Col. Gould, N. H. Robinson, 1868; II. H. Pulver, J. W. Zimmerman, 1869 ; N. H. Robinson, John H. Champion, 1870; D. II. Wil- sou, E. R. Brown, 1871 ; Thomas Nelau, James F. Yeats, 1872; Bert Wicking, Hugh Douglass, 1873; George W. Loring, Jacob Aberlee, 1874; T. M. Templeton, W. Mat- lock, 1875; Archibald Robertson, Oscar Wells, 1876; George R. Black, H. W. Martin, 1877; C. A. Watkins, John W. Thorn, 1878; C. C. Gregory and William M. Kilpatrick, 1879.
The present officers (June, 1880) are S. F. Smith, N. G. ; Mason Wood, V. G .; Archibald Robertson, R. S .; George W. Loring, P. S. ; and Moses Keytes, Treasurer. Number of present members in good standing, forty-three. The lodge held its meetings in the Williams Block until July 1, 1873, when a removal was made to the elegant and com- modious rooms at present occupied. Regular meetings are held every Friday evening.
ORIENTAL ENCAMPMENT, No. 59, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted Sept. 4, 1873, by A. Ferguson, M. W. G. P., the charter members being George W. Loring, Thomas Ne- lan, George R. Black, Archibald Robertson, Jacob Aber- lee, Morris Osburn, Hugh Douglass, A. Barkley, William R. Chipman, and Jacob Upwright.
The officers first installed were George W. Loring, C. P. ;
George R. Black, H. P .; Archibald Robertson, S. W .; William R. Chipman, J. W .; Jacob Aberlee, Scribe; A. Barkley, Treasurer.
Subsequent C. P.'s have been George R. Black and Archibald Robertson, in 1874; Timothy M. Templeton, Oscar Wells, 1875 ; Charles W. Mathews, John W. Thorn, 1876; Charles MeCormick, Willoughby Matlock, 1877; C. C. Gregory, C. A. Watkins, 1878 ; Benjamin S. Retan and H. W. Martin, 1879.
The officers for the first term of 1880 are Charles Wil- liams, C. P .; Charles McCormick, H. P .; William M. Kilpatrick, S. W .; Archibald Robertson, S .; Oscar Wells, F. S .; George W. Loring, Treasurer ; Charles Jackson, J. W.
The encampment embraces a total of thirty members in good standing. Regular meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.
EQUITY LODGE, No. 402, KNIGHTS OF HONOR,
was organized in Good Templar Hall, city of Owosso, Nov. 20, 1876. The officers first installed were John W. Thorn, Past Dictator ; Franklin B. Smith, Dietator ; Nathaniel A. Finch, Vice-Dictator ; William J. Westlake, Asst. Dictator ; Osear Wells, Chaplain ; William K. Tillotson, Guide ; Geo. C. Walker, Reporter ; Newton McBain, Financial Re- porter ; John S. Hoyt, Treasurer; Frank MeCurdy, Guard- ian ; Chester J. Stewart, Sentinel ; Nathaniel A. Finch, William K. Tillotson, John S. Hoyt, Trustees.
Subsequent presiding officers of the lodge have been John W. Thorn and Nathaniel A. Finch, in 1877; William J. Westlake, Oscar Wells, 1878; Chester J. Stewart, John S. Hoyt, 1879.
The present offieers (June, 1880) are John S. Iloyt, Past Dictator; Walter A. Osborn, Dictator; E. B. Ed- monds, Vice-Dictator; Robert G. Marsh, Asst. Dictator ; Hiram L. Lewis, Reporter; Perrin S. Crawford, Financial Reporter ; William J. Westlake, Treasurer; Chester J. Stewart, Guide ; Alvin Evans, Chaplain ; Oscar Wells, Guardian ; G. Josenhans, Sentinel ; John S. Hoyt, John W. Thorn, Walter A. Osburu, Trustees.
The lodge has thirty members at the present time, viz. : Newton MeBain, John S. Hoyt, John W. Thorn, Na- thaniel A. Finch, Willard F. Goodhue, William J. West- lake, Chester J. Stewart, Oscar Wells, George R. Black, John Rogers, Horace D. Lewis, Henry J. Merrill, Alviu Evans, Amos G. Young, Hiram L. Lewis, Walter A. Os- born, Albert Thayer, John Gute, C. E. Hershey, G. Josen- hans, Perrin S. Crawford, E. B. Edmonds, Robert G. Marsh, Milton E. Fisher, Charles A. Noreross, John G. Saxe, Samuel Runyon, Joseph B. Davy, George C. Walker, and George R. Hoyt. Regular meetings are held in Good Templars' Ilall, in the city of Owosso, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each mouth.
OWOSSO LODGE, No. 48, A. O. U. W.
This lodge was organized June 4, 1878, in Odd-Fellows' Hall, city of Owosso, where the first installation of officers took place the same date.
The officers elected were Welcome L. Farnum, Past
155
CITY OF OWOSSO.
Master Workman ; William M. Kilpatrick, Master Work- man ; C. McCormick, General Foreman ; William N. Pool, Overseer ; L. L. Baker, Recorder; Charles E. Hershey, Receiver ; Benj. S. Retan, Financier ; Oscar Wells, Guide ; Thomas Nelan, Inside Watchman ; John D. Evans, Out- side Watchman.
Those officers who have sinee presided over its meetings have been C. McCormick and Thomas Nelan, in 1879, and Thomas M. Wiley, who is the present (June, 1880) Master Workman. Other officers of the present time are Thomas Nelan, P. M. W .; Charles H. Cossitt, G. F .; Hiram L. Lewis, O. ; J. W. Zimmerman, R .; Benjamin S. Retan, F. ; John C. Dingman, Receiver ; Jacob S. Lewis, I. W .; Wel- come L. Farnum, O. W.
Among its eighty-one members are Welcome L. Farnum, Benjamin S. Rutan, John W. Thorn, John H. McCall, Charles E. Hershey, Frederick Sehmezer, Charles II. Cossitt, Joseph H. Gillett, L. L. Baker, John T. Wolverton, Wil- liam N. Pool, Nathan D. Ayres, C. McCormick, James F. Yeats, William E. Copas, Robert D. Crawford, Hiram L. Lewis, Charles H. Parker, Flugh Douglass, Newton Bald- win, John D. Evans, Harrison H. Frain, Nathaniel A. Finch, James A. Chapin, U. F. Clapp, J. W. Zimmerman, Thomas Nelan, Thomas M. Wiley, Geo. R. Black, Horace H. Rogers, William M. Kilpatrick, William S. Hodges, Benjamin F. Taylor, Geo. W. Ayres, R. Lamson, John L. Miller, H. M. Lindsay, John C. Dingman, L. B. Holman, J. W. Likens, Nathan W. Finley, Wellington Clark, C. S. Williams, Henry G. Titcomb, Jacob S. Lewis, Hiram E. Galusha, William Broad, George B. Hughes, C. Soderquist, George W. Owen, James A. French, W. F. Guile, Samuel A. Pierpont, Silas Bailey, Albert E. Hartshorn, Norman C. Payne, John W. Houck, A. Sehuknesht, Michael Strahl, Charles L. Bradley, G. W. Dehn, Michael Punches, Frank E. Sheldon, William J. Lewis, Daniel Harter, David Dwight, Harmon N. Miller, Alfred Drown, William H. Andrus, A. Wicking, W. H. Osborn, Martin S. Post, John A. McKen- sie, E. W. Sheldon, W. A. Hitchcock, Nathaniel Ball, W. W. Hart, Robert Thompson, A. MeKensie, F. Newman, and L. A. Hamlin.
Their meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall on the first and second Tuesdays of each month.
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS.
THE SHIAWASSEE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, composed of Henry W. Parker, Horace D. Lewis, Isaac I. Peck, Amos G. Young, William L. Van Tuyl, Ezekiel Salisbury, Jerome W. Turner, John S. Hoyt, Thomas C. Garner, Anson B. Chipman, Newton Baldwin, Moses Mix, and Timothy M. Templeton, was incorporated in January, 1876.
THE SIHIAWASSEE COUNTY MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIA- TION,
of which Henry W. Parker, Horace D. Lewis, Isaac L. Peck, Amos G. Young, William L. Van Tuyl, Ezekiel Salisbury, John S. Hoyt, Anson B. Chipman, Newton Bald- win, Edwin Van Tuyl, Hiram L. Lewis, Jr., and Moses Mix were named as corporators, was duly incorporated, ac- cording to the laws of the State of Michigan, Jan. 30, 1878.
THE OWOSSO DRIVING-PARK ASSOCIATION,
incorporated Oct. 20, 1879, was organized by the election of Thomas D. Dewey, President; Newton MeBain, Seere- tary ; and John Stewart, Treasurer. Other members were Jabez Perkins, A. J. Patterson, E. P. Byerly, A. McHardy, J. F. Wildermuth, A. G. Kelso, J. D. Evens, George P. Jenkins, M. W. Willoughby, O. Sharpstene, D. Wait, and William Samer.
Owosso's CORNET BAND AND WESENER'S ORCHES- TRA are both prominent institutions of the city. The latter was organized by Hugo G. Wesener, in November, 1878, and consisted of six members, namely, Hugo G. Wesener, piano and leader; August Wesener, first violin ; Jasper Gregory, flute ; Gottlieb Hoppham, clarionet ; C. C. Gregory, cornet ; and William Sharpstene, trombone.
The present members of the orchestra are Hugo G. Wesener, flute and director ; August Wesener, first violin ; Henry Moore, second violin ; John Wesener, viola; Oscar Moore, bass; Gottlieb Iloppham, clarionet ; C. C. Gregory, cornet ; and William Sharpstene, trombone. The members are in good practice and render most excellent musie, play- ing only classical pieces. They have already given four grand concerts, appearing first and second with fifteen per- formers, third and last with twenty-five.
Of the cornet band we have obtained no data, other than that J. H. Robbins has been its leader for some fifteen years. It has had its ups and downs, but at the present time seems to be highly proficient and harmonious, and at the State .band tournament, held at Flint in June, 1880, one of its members won the prize offered for the best trom- bone solo.
RELIGIOUS .*
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OWOSSO (OLD ORGANIZA- TION).
Among the early settlers of Owosso and its immediate vieinity were a number of Baptists. They commenced holding religious services in June, 1836,7 and continued them from Sabbath to Sabbath for a year more, the time of their meetings being occupied in singing and prayer and the reading of published sermons by some one of their number. As brethren of other denominations came in they temporarily united with these people, and greatly assisted in maintaining religious worship.
On the 13th of January, 1838, a meeting was held at the house of Elias Comstock for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. Elias Comstock was chosen moderator and Abraham T. Wilkinson elerk. Rev. Benjamin B. Brigham was also present to assist them. After consulta- tion it was resolved to form a church, to be known as the First Baptist Church of Owosso, whereupon the follow- ing brethren and sisters presented church letters, viz. :
* This article incindes brief historieal sketches of all the church organizations in the city, except that of the German Lutherans, who failed to respond, although earnestly requested to furnish data.
t The first sermon was preached in the fall of 1836 by Rev. Samuel Wilkinson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile was an early resident of the county, a pioneer teacher also, and subsequently re- moved to Flint. Rev. John Booth, a Baptist pioneer minister, delivered the next sermon some time during the year 1837.
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HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Elias Comstock, Lucy Comstock, Abram T. Wilkinson, Lucinda Wilkinson, Reuben Griggs, and Betsey Griggs.
Elder Brigham, Elias Comstock, and Reuben Griggs were appointed a committee to prepare and report a eon- stitution, eode of articles, and covenant. On the 10th of February, 1838, Elizabeth Fletcher, Hannah Morton, and John F. Swain* were received as members, and in July of the same year Jacob Martin and Benjamin Morton. During this time Elder Brigham preached occasionally and admin- istered the Lord's Supper.
Early in 1839, Rev. William Pattison, an aged minister, his son, Dr. Samuel W. Pattison, and family, came here from Fentonville, and uniting with the church, added much to its strength. Father Pattison preached while sitting in his chair, and will long be remembered by the early settlers. Among the members received during that year were Rev. William Pattison, Samuel W. Pattison, Phoebe Pattison, Charles Pattison, Prudentia Pattison, Eliza A. Peck, Castle Peck, Rev. James R. Eldridge, and Mary Ann Eldridge.
In 1840, Leonard Stimpson, Nancy Ball, Roby Ann Murray, Stephen Hawkins, Rawson White, Mary Ann White, John Kingsley, Marcina Perkins, Charles Stimp- son, John Vanderhoof, Daniel Fletcher, E. J. Van Buren, Barnard Morton, Cynthia Wheeler, Caroline Comstock, Ann Sumner, Mary Ann Smith, Harriet Young, Sprague Perkins, Abram Covert, Daniel D. Fish, Wealthy Swain, Benj. O. Williams, Alvira Hawkins, Ira Murray, Rev. John Gilbert, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Samuel Whitcomb became members.
Elias Comstock and Reuben Griggs were first elected deaeons Feb. 10, 1838. John F. Swain was elected clerk at the same time. He was succeeded after some time by Dr. Pattison. The early meetings were held at the dwel- ling-houses of Deacon Comstock and John F. Swain.
In June, 1839, Rev. James R. Eldridge became their pastor, and continued until the fall of 1840. Rev. John Gilbert, from Mount Clemens, then became pastor for a short time; but early in life he was called to join the redeemed above. Rev. Silas Barnes succeeded him, by preaching at irregular intervals, until some time in 1843, when this organization was dissolved. Several of its mem- bers then united with the Maple River Church, where they continued until the formation of the present
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OWOSSO.
This church was organized at a meeting held in the house of worship of the Congregational Society, Nov. 15, 1856, Rev. S. Chase, of Detroit, being present and as- sisting.
The constituent members were Elias Comstock, Daniel Lyon, Mrs. Betsy Lyon, Homer P. Kimball, Mrs. Ilannah O. Kimball, Mrs. Mary D. Pangburn, Philetus D. White, Wellington White, Erastus E. White, Mrs. Auna A. White, Jacob B. Perry, Mrs. Hannah Perry, Reuben M. Randall, Mrs. Sarah Randall, Mrs. Phebe Randall, William HTurrell,
Elisha Hurrell, Cyrus F. Jackson, Mrs. Jessie Jackson, and Mrs. Polly Sawyer.
Elias Comstock and Daniel Lyon were chosen deaeons, and Erastus E. White clerk ; and in May, 1857, the church was received into the Shiawassee Baptist Association. On the 23d of August a meeting was held in the Congrega- tional church. Rev. A. E. Mather, of Pontiac, delivered a sermon, after which he baptized two candidates, and the church for the first time celebrated the Lord's Supper.
In March, 1858, Gould's Hall was secured as a place for holding religious meetings, and in April following Rev. Joel Lyon was called to the pastorate, a position which he accepted, commencing his labors May 1, 1858. In Jan- uary, 1859, the members voted to build a house of worship, not to cost over six hundred dollars. This building was built on lands leased from Deacon Daniel Lyon, and was twenty-four by fifty feet in dimensions. It was dedicated Oct. 9, 1860. Elders George W. Harris and John Booth were present and assisted in the dedicatory ceremonies. In April, 1861, Rev. Joel Lyon resigned, and in September fol- lowing Rev. A. M. Hunt assumed the pastorate. He re- signed Jan. 1, 1863. John H. Osborn, a lay preacher, then supplied until March, 1864, when Rev. John Booth settled as påstor. Aaron Hinckley was chosen deacon in December, 1865. Mr. Booth resigned in February, 1866, and on the 1st of June, 1866, Rev. William R. Northrup came, re- maining one year. The church was then supplied by Revs. J. Moxam and 11. A. Rose until May, 1869, when Rev. B. J. Boynton settled as pastor. He remained until his death, which occurred in August, 1870.
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