USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 88
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 88
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 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
A Sabbath-school was organized in 1865 and a pastoral residence built in 1871. Father Vandenriche remained in charge until 1867, and after him came Fathers Beranger, Rickert, and Cramer. Cramer was made a resident priest,
his predecessors having been supplied from Corunna. With the close of Cramer's service, in 1877, the church was trans- ferred from the Corunna to the lonia mission, and Father Bolte, who was then given charge of the work, has since that time held services regularly once each month. Since Cramer's time there has been no resident priest, although one is promised for the near future.
The church is now out of debt and owns a church edi- fice and parsonage. The trustees for 1880 are Michael Ryan, A. Florian, Augustus Werner, and - Doyle.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
In the winter of 1870-71, Free Methodist meetings were held in the Baptist church and the houses of Caleb Ash and Rev. John Ellison. In March, 1871, Rev. John Ellison, chairman of the Grand Rapids district, organized a class of sixteen members in his own house in St. Johns.
Caleb Ash was chosen to be the first leader, and directly after organization llieks' Hall was rented and occupied at regular periods until the completion of the present church edifice, which was built in 1872 and cost four thousand five hundred dollars. Ellison preached two years, and then the St. Johns circuit being established, Rev. W. R. Cusick was sent upon the work as the first circuit preacher. After Cusick the charge was delegated successively to Revs. J. G. Witham, C. F. Irish, W. J. Johnston, C. D. Hoadley, Hiram Bearss, A. V. Leonardson, and G. H. Joslyn, the latter being now on the work. The class numbered at its most prosperous period upwards of one hundred members, but removals from the town have reduced the number to about fifty. The class-leader is Walter McFarlan ; the trustees, George Gillison, H. D. Park, Harmon Martin, Thomas Atkinson, Alfred Barden. George Pray is super- intendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of twenty.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCHI.
A German Lutheran Church was organized in 1870 by Rev. Mr. Smith, in the office of John MeFarlan. The organizing members ineluded Henry Eckert, John Van Hoesen, Conrad Burkhardt, Caspar Seibert, Charles Seibert, Fred Martin, Christian Hecht, M. Holbrook, Jacob Siefert, and Jacob Siefert, Jr., with their wives, and Henry Ferry. Caspar Seibert was the first class-leader, and successively after Jacob Siefert, Henry Eckert, and Henry Ferry were leaders. Rev. Mr. Smith's successors in the pulpit have been Revs. Orchen and Wittey, the latter being now the pastor and preaching once a month. In 1874 a church edifice was built. The membership includes about twelve families. The class-leader is Jacob Siefert.
ST. JOHNS UNION SCHOOLS.
The territory covered by the village of St. Johns in 1856 ยท was on Oct. 6, 1855, set off by the township school inspec- tors as district No. 4.
'The first school taught in St. Johns was a select school in charge of Miss Maria Coryell, sister of Mrs. Swegles. She was visiting Mrs. Swegles in the summer of 1855, and that summer taught the school in a shanty ou Walker Street, used before that as a blacksmith-shop.
372
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In 1856 the first public school was taught in the same building by Mrs. Gunsally ( previously Miss Naney M. Rich- mond ) and Mr. J. Wilcox, the latter of whom was assisted by his stepmother.
At the annual meeting of the voters of the school district in September, 1857, it was resolved to organize the district under the law authorizing the formation of union districts. An election for officers resulted in the choice of Hiram C. Hodge as Moderator ; John Ransom, Director ; Spencer W. Gibbs, Assessor; and Timothy Baker, A. M. Crawford, S. T. Hayward, and David Sturgis as Trustees. At the same mecting it was resolved to raise three thousand dollars to build a school-house, and at an adjourned meeting, Oct. 12, 1857, the donation of a school-site was accepted from A. H. Walker, on behalf of the village proprietors.
This resolution seems to have met with some subsequent objection on the part of the tax-payers, many of whom joined in a suit for an injunction against the levy of a tax for the three-thousand-dollar school-house, upon the ground that the appropriation was an extravagant one, and that the resolution passing it was illegal. The courts sustained the application for an injunction, and the district therefore voted to raise five hundred dollars for the building of a school- house without a dissenting voice. The house was erected upon the lot donated by the village proprietors, and stood where now stands the Episcopal church. It was completed in the fall of 1858, and cost four hundred and ninety-five dollars, MeKay & Mitchell being the builders. The taxes voted in the district during the school year closing October, 1858, included one dollar each on oue hundred and fifty-six scholars, two hundred and six dollars to pay fees and costs in injunction suit, and five hundred dollars to pay for school- house.
In 1862 the district resolved a second time to organize into a union school district. It would seem, therefore, that a similar resolution, passed in 1857, fell short of practical effect. Trustees chosen in 1862 for the district were John W. Paine, Henry M. Perrin, Ransom Plumstead, Thomas J. Urie, Samuel S. Walker, and Randolph Strickland. In 1863 it was resolved to purchase the present union school site for eight hundred and seventy dollars, and to build a new school-house to cost ten thousand dollars. Upon ad- vertising for bids, it was found that Brainard, Wood & Dane would build such a school-house as was desired for eight thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, whereupon the district borrowed nine thousand dollars of James M. Soverhill, of Geneva, N. Y., for ten years, at cight and a half per cent. per annum.
The building was completed in October, 1865. It con- sisted of a main structure fifty-four by thirty-one fcet, flanked on each side by a wing fourteen by thirty-one. The entire edifice was constructed of brick. Its height was three stories. To the original contract price of eight thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, the district added . on behalf of the contractors sixteen hundred dollars, to cover extra expenditures inenrred by them, so that the total cost of the building reached ten thousand four hun- dred and fifty dollars. On the 1st of November, 1865, the old school-house was sold for five hundred dollars.
The first corps of teachers in the new union school, in .
1865, was composed of J. B. Nixon, A.M., of Pontiac, as principal ; Miss Anna A. Miller, of Ann Arbor, as first assistant ; Miss Emma Sickels, of Owosso, as second assist- ant ; and Miss Hunt, of St. Johns.
The Perrin School was built in 1870, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, and the East-Side School in 1876, at a cost of three thousand dollars.
The enrollment of school children in the district for 1880 was two hundred and ninety-six boys and three hun- dred and sixty two girls, or a total of six hundred and fifty- eight. The average attendance was for the various depart- ments as follows :
Iligh-school 14
Grammar department ( Union School) 87
Secondary ( Union School) 62
(Perrin School). 58
(East-Side School). 56
Primary .. ( Union School). 61
.. (Perrin School)
70
( East-Side School). 52
The corps of teachers for 1880 is as follows: Douwe B. Yntema, Principal; M. Allida Strickland, Preceptress ; Helen Lamphere, Principal Grammar School; Anna Ryan, Assistant Grammar School ; William H. Brunson, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades ; L. Alice Woodruff, First, Sec- ond and Third Grades.
Perrin School .- Jennie S. Hurd, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades ; flelen G. Queal, First, Second, and Third Grades.
East-Side School .- Crissie Hill, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades ; Ellen Moore, First, Second, and Third Grades.
A two-story brick wing, sixty-four by forty and to cost five thousand dollars, will be added to the union school building in season for the fall term of 1880. The corps of teachers will likewise be increased by the addition of Misses Cora Stout, Hattie Baldwin, and Alice Barstow.
The Board of Education of St. Johns is composed of Messrs. O. W. Barker, D. C. Ilurd, C. E. Grisson, R. Strickland, G. H. Stephenson, and Josiah Upton. O. W. Barker is president, Josiah Upton secretary, and Charles E. Grisson treasurer.
ST. JOHNS POST-OFFICE.
In 1852 the first post-office in the township of Bingham was established, and located at the house of George W. Estes, who was appointed postmaster. Ile lived then on seetion 17. The office was named Bingham, and was kept at the house of Mr. Estes until his removal, in 1854, to the site selected for the village of St. Johns. He carried the office with him, and kept it there until 1856, when Timothy Baker received the appointment, upon Estes' recommendation, and at that time too the name of the office was changed to St. Johns. To the time of the com- pletion of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad to St. Johns, ' mail was received over the route from De Witt to the Rochester Colony over the State road.
The postmasters succeeding Mr. Baker iu regular order were Thomas J. Urie, H. S. Gibbons, Richard Baylis, J. M. Carter, and George A. Wells. Mr. Wells, the present in- cumbent, was appointed in 1875. It is related that the first mail brought to St. Johns was carried in the mail-
RESIDENCE OF RICHARD MOORE, ST. JOHNS, MICH.
373
VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNS.
rider's hat, and that the first postmaster kept his office in a cigar-box, but these stories are probably pure imagina- tion. The early history of the St. Johns post-office boasted no incident out of the ordinary course of such business.
The business of the St. Johns post-office during the three months ending March 31, 1880, aggregated as fol- lows :
Receipts for stamps, envelopes, etc .. $1064.00
Money- orders issued.
$4171.95
paid
$3992.36
Registered letters mailed.
143
SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.
ST. JOHNS LODGE, No. 105, F. AND A. M.
This, the first lodge of a seeret order organized in St. Johns, received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge Sept. 23, 1857, and held its first communication December 3d of that year. On that occasion the officers present were Timothy Baker, W. M .; George F. Mead, Sec .; W. W. Brainard, S. W .; J. E. Leech, J. W .; H. C. Ilodge, Treas .; John Ransom, S. D .; L. S. Conn, J. D .; George Richmond, Tiler. At the next lodge-meeting, Dee. 7, 1857, A. M. Crawford, George F. Mead, C. A. Lamb, and George W. Richmond were presented as candidates and duly elected.
Jan. 14, 1858, the lodge received a charter, and Janu- ary 25th elected officers as follows: Timothy Baker, W. M .; W. W. Brainard, S. W .; L. C. Conn, J. W .; George F. Mead, Sec .; II. C. Hodge, Treas. ; J. Ransom, S. D .; A. M. Crawford, J. D .; C. A. Lamb, Chaplain ; J. B. Lucas, Tiler; George W. Richmond and O. B. Swain, Stewards.
The Masters of the lodge since Jan. 14, 1858, have been chosen as follows : December, 1858, W. W. Brainard ; 1859-60, Ransom Plumstead; 1861, J. W. Paine ; 1862, W. II. Moote; 1863, J. W. Paine; 1861-65, W. II. Moote; 1866, O. L. Spaulding; 1867, R. MeFarlan ; 1868-74, A. J. Wiggins; 1875-76, J. D. Henderson ; 1877-79, W. W. Brown; 1880, M. D. Brown.
The lodge has now a flourishing membership of about two hundred, and is exceedingly prosperous. A hand- somely-appointed lodge-room in Hicks & Steel's block has been the lodge quarters since 1867.
The present officers are M. D. Brown, W. M .; E. R. Sanford, S. W .; George H. Stephenson, J. W. ; J. D. Henderson, Treas. ; A. S. Fildew, See. ; J. II. Ingalls, S. D .; H. P. Adams, J. D .; George Hicks, Tiler.
ST. JOIINS LODGE, No. SI, I. O. O. F.
This, the second secret order instituted in St. Johns, was organized in 1859, and chartered Jan. 12, 1860. The charter members numbered seven,-William L. Hicks, William Jones, Gardner Conn, Henry Walbridge, N. C. McCollum, W. B. Plumstead, and A. Plumstead. The early records of the lodge having been burned, only meagre details can be gleaned touching that portion of the lodge history to which they had reference. St. Johns Lodge has now forty-one members, and has officers as follows: Wil- liam Bishop, N. G ; S. E. Allen, V. G .; N. D. Hotch- kiss, Recording and Financial Sec .; F. R. Butler, Treas. ; 1. 7. Munger, Warden.
ST. JOHNS ENCAMPMENT, No. $3, I. O. O. F.
A charter to the encampment was issued Feb. 11, 1876, to P. E. Vauconsant, J. Il. Ingall, B. P. Adams, William P. Tromp, W. J. Esler, N. W. Bush, and L. Z. Munger. The membership July 1, 1880, was twenty-two, and the officers Charles M. Merrill, C. P .; N. W. Bush, Ac. S. W .; L. Z. Munger, 11. P .; N. D. Hotchkiss, Scribe and Finan- cial Sec. ; F. R. Butler, Treas. ; I. D. Richmond, J. W.
CORINTHIAN LODGE, No. 241, F. AND A. M.
This lodge was organized early in 1867, in the major part by members demitted from St. Johns Lodge. The charter was issued Jan. 9, 1868, and at the first meeting there- after there were present the following officers : J. II. Cran- son, W. M ; W. W. Brainard, S. W .; J. M. Carter, J. W .; William Sickels, Treas .; Charles E. Grisson, Sec .; J. L. Paldi, S. D .; O. M. Hidden, J. D .; A. M. Steel and J. Brown, Stewards; G. II. Stephenson, Tiler. The Masters since the organization have been J. H. Cranson, W. W. Brainard, C. E. Grisson, James H. Collins, and William Cochran. The present membership roll bears fifty-eight names. The officers are William Cochran, W. M .; O. W. Miller, S. W .; J. C. Watkins, J. W .; C. E. Grisson, Treas. ; William M. Leland, See. ; Henry Filden, S. D .; N. A. Oleson, J. D .; George Ilicks, Tiler. Meet- ings have been held in Masonic Hall-Hicks and Steel's block-since organization.
ST. JOHNS COUNCIL, No. 21.
The council received a dispensation Nov. 24, 1866, and a charter June 6, 1867, but held no meeting until Sept. 17, 1867. Upon that occasion the following-named officers were installed : O. L. Spaulding, T. I. G. M .; Joseph W. Bromley, D. T. I. G. M. ; Robert McFarlan, M. E. P. C .; G. H. Stephenson, Treas. ; Sylvester Iloyt, Recorder. On the same night petitions were received from Companions William Sickels, M. F. Fasquelle, Charles E. Grisson, R. M. Steel, O. H. Wood, William II. Sexton, A. J. Wiggins, and John llale. The membership is now sixty, and the officers George II. Stephenson, T. I. G. M .; J. N. Frisbie, D. T. I. G. M .; J. D. Ilenderson, P. C. W .; C. E. Gris- son, Treas .; Q. E. Bridgman, Recorder.
ST. JOIINS COMMANDERY, NO. 24, K. T.
The commandery received a dispensation Dee. 24, 1868, and a charter June 2, 1869. At the first conclave, held Feb. 6, 1869, the officers present were Sir Knight il. M. Curdy, E. C .; Sir Knight O. L. Spaulding, G .; Sir Knight E. S. Converse, C. G .; Sir Knight E. Sprague, Prelate ; Sir Knight J. Gute, S. W. ; Sir Knight W. II. Sexton, J. W .; Sir Knight A. J. Wiggins, Treas. ; Sir Knight J. L. Paldi, Recorder; Sir Knight R. McFarlan, Standard-Bearer ; Sir Knight J. S. Ranney, Sword-Bearer ; Sir Knight T. W. Lusk, Warden ; Sir Knight 1]. Boyd, Sentinel. Petitions were presented from Companions John B. Nixon, Charles E. Grisson, William Sickels, R. Strick- land, 1I. C. Smith, R. M. Steel, Jesse Dann, J. C. Dayton, J. R. Hale, E. L. Smith, Sylvester Hoyt, M. S. Fasquelle, and J. M. Frisbie. The present membership is sixty-seven, and the official list for 1880 as follows : Sir Knight O.
374
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
L. Spaulding, E. C .; Sir Knight F. B. Cutler, G .; Sir Knight C. E. Grissou, C. G. ; Sir Knight R. B. Emmons, Prelate ; Sir Knight Jesse Dunn, Treas. ; Sir Knight J. M. Frisbie, Recorder ; Sir Knight W. W. Brown, S. W .; Sir Knight C. P. Wiekes, J. W .; Sir Knight G. Pennell, Standard-Bearer; Sir Knight J. D. Henderson, Sword- Bearer ; Sir Knight O. H. Stephenson, Warden ; Sir Knight George Ilieks, Guard.
ST. JOHNS CHAPTER, No. 45, R. A. M.,
was organized April 13, 1866, and chartered Jan. S, 1867. The charter members were J. B. Lucas, T. Baker, O. L. Spaulding, W. W. Brainard, William S. Lazelle, J. B. Nixon, J. M. Carter, S. Steele, R. M. Steel, Elijah Peck. The chapter has now one hundred and twenty-seven mem- bers. The officers for 1880 are J. D. Henderson, H. P .; G. H. Stephenson, K .; W. W. Brown, Seribe ; E. R. Sanford, C. of II .; J. G. Watkins, P. S .; Joseph H. In- galls, R. A. C .; O. L. Vreeland, M. of 3d V. ; J. K. Bale, M. of 2d V .; Charles Pattison, M. of Ist V. ; C. E. Gris- son, Treas .; C. P. Wiekes, Sec .; George Ilieks, Guard. Since the organization the High Priests have been O. L. Spaulding, J. B. Nixon, S. lloyt, A. J. Wiggins, R. Me- Farlan, J. W. Lewis, C. E. Grisson, and J. D. Ilenderson.
BINGHAM LODGE, No. 439, KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
This lodge, organized Jan. 11, 1877, has a membership . of twenty-eight and the following officers : J. G. Wise, D .; Peter Mead, V. D .; A. L. Butler, F. R. ; William H. Tripp, Reporter ; G. E. Corbin, Treas. Regular sessions are held onee each fortnight.
ST. JOHNS LODGE, No. 28, A. O. U. W.,
was organized Dee. 20, 1877, and has now sixty-five mem- bers. Regular meetings are held twice a month in the Odd-Fellows' Ilall. The officers for 1880 are L. Z. Munger, M. W .; W. F. Troump, Foreman ; T. Hart, O .; A. L. Butler, Financier ; William Cochran, See .; Charles E. Grisson, Treas. ; E. B. Bailey, Guide.
ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPERANCE.
This lodge was organized Feb. 17, 1880, with seventeen members. Meetings are held in the Teachont building. The officers are James D. Estes, S. C .; George 1I. Stephen- son. V. C .; George W. Estes, P. C .; W. J. Smith, Sec. ; Frederick Lee, Treas. ; John Stitt, Herald ; James Thomp- sou, Chaplain ; James Gibbs, Guard ; S E. Wilson, Sen- tinel. The members number now twenty-two.
ST. JOHNS GRANGE, P. OF II.,
was organized in 1869, with thirteen members. The pres- ent membership is upwards of forty, and the condition of the grange exceedingly prosperous. Meetings are held every Saturday in the Teachout building. The officers for 1880 are George Arnold, M .; B. P. Conn, O .; Richard Moore, L. ; Frank Ridenour, Chaplain ; Frank Hale, Sec. ; A. O. Iluntly, Treas.
TITE ST. JOHNS RED RIBBON CLUB
was organized in February, 1876, when the temperance movement was at its height, and enrolled a membership of two hundred, with D. S. French as president. Now the
membership is forty. Meetings are held once a week. E. P. Bailey is President ; G. HI. Stephenson, Vice-President ; M. J. Bassett, Secretary ; and D. C. Hurd, Treasurer.
LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The Ladies' Library Association of St. Johns was organ- ized under the laws of the State Feb. 1, 1871, with Mrs. G. M. Tuthill, Mrs. M. Babcock, Mrs. R. M. McFarlan, Mrs. S. S. Walker, Miss Frances E. Tuckerman, Mrs. J. B. McLean, Mrs. II. M. Lee, Mrs. C. S. Wells, Mrs. Celia C. Smith, and Mrs. J. H. Collins as charter members. The association was chartered for a period of thirty years for " the diffusion of knowledge and intellectual culture or literary pursuits." An active organization has been main- tained since 1871, and during that period the valuable benefits steadily flowing from the association's efforts have met with earnest popular appreciation. The " Directory for 1880" is composed of Mrs. G. E. Corbin, Mrs. S. S. Wood- ruff, Mrs. C. E. Grisson, and Mrs. J. Dunn. Mrs. M. Babcock is the President ; Mrs. R. Strickland, Vice- Presi- dent ; Mrs. S. S. Walker, Secretary ; Miss F. E. Tucker- man, Treasurer ; Mrs. C. E. Ball, Librarian; Miss C. Shaver, Assistant Librarian.
THE ST. JOHNS CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
was incorporated July 28, 1863, for the government and control of the cemetery grounds donated by the village proprietors. Sinee the organization O. L. Spaulding has been the president and G. H. Stephenson treasurer.
BANKS.
The pioneer bank of St. Johns was started in 1857 by II. C. Hodge, on the west side of Clinton Avenue, south of Walker Street. The bank was a small affair, but Mr. 1lodge contrived nevertheless to do a good deal of banking business, and he found frequent opportunities for making loans. He made them, too, at a good living rate of interest for himself. Ile carried on his bank until some time in 1864, just before which period Timothy Baker and A. G. Iligham opened a banking institution in a small building which stood upon the site now occupied by the First National Bank. Baker & Higham's business did not last very long, and ended rather abruptly.
In January, 1865, S. S. Walker opened a banking-office in O. W. Munger's store, and shortly after that Mr. Walker, in conjunction with others, organized
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The first meeting of the stockholders was held May 31, 1865, at the office of P. K. & II. M. Perrin, when Charles Kipp was chosen President ; John Hicks, Vice-President ; and S. S. Walker, Cashier. The directors elected were R. M. Steel, Charles Kipp, John Hicks, Josiah Upton, Il. M. Eddy, R. Strickland, O. W. Munger, H. M1. Perrin, and Ransom Plumstead. Aug. 28, 1865, the bank was char- tered, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, limited to two hundred thousand dollars, and Sept. 4, 1865, began business in the building originally used by Baker & High- am, for which the bank paid seventeen dollars. Directly afterwards a new bank building was put up on the same
RESIDENCE OF J. HICKS , ST JOHNS . MICH.
375
VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNS.
site, the old structure occupying meanwhile a place on the avenue, and there for thirty days the banking business was done until the new building was ready for occupation. This latter served until 1870, in which year it was replaced by the present fine brick structure. The old bank building was moved around upon Walker Street, and now does duty as the St. Johns post-office. Mr. Walker continued to be the cashier until his resignation, in July, 1877. G. W. Ball succeeded him, but retired in December of that year. llis successor was Galusha Pennell, who is the present cashier. The directory of the bank is composed of Charles Kipp, President; John Hicks, Vice-President ; Galusha Pennell, Cashier ; Joshua Upton, and A. H. Walker. The working capital of the institution remains at fifty thousand dollars. At the close of business, May 10, 1880, the bank statement showed the circulation to be forty-five thousand dollars ; loans and discounts, one hundred and six thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight dollars and fifty-nine cents; deposits, seventy-six thousand six hundred and ninety-four dollars and eighty-one cents ; surplus, twelve thousand and twenty-eight dollars and ninety-six cents; profit and loss, five thousand four hundred and ninety-six dollars and ninety-six cents; undivided earnings, five thousand five hundred and twenty-two dollars and thirty-three cents.
SHAVER & GRISSON'S BANK.
The firm of Shaver & Grisson carry on a private bank- ing institution, which they founded in September, 1877. They occupy fine quarters in Steel's Block,and conduct a general banking business.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE ST. JOHNS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This corporation, the most important of the industries of St. Johns, is an enterprise of more than ordinary preten- sions. Devoted to the general manufacture of furniture, it contributes towards the support of upwards of one hundred families, and employs a capital of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Its origin dates back to April, 1857, when W. W. Brainard came to St. Johns from Ohio with a chest of ear- penter's tools (having previously-in July, 1856-been out prospecting for a location), and fixed his carpenter's bench in the lower portion of the village company's saw-mill, which latter he rented and carried on in connection with his business as carpenter and builder. In 1858 he gave up the mill and moved up town, where he bought, on Walker Street, a building which had been erected by Wilbur Ash in 1857 as a carpenter-shop, and occupied a little later by James Hungerford as a cabinet-shop. The building was afterwards remodeled, and is now used by the American Express Company. Mr. Brainard put in machinery and started a cabinet-making establishment of respectable pro- portions. He carried on business at that place two years, and then moved to a place on Spring Street, just south of Walker Street, where he had built a pretty good-sized fac- tory. He associated with him Charles B. Andrews, and at that stand Brainard & Andrews carried on the manufac- ture of furniture until January, 1868. On the 9th of that month the St. Johns Manufacturing Company was organ-
ized by R. M. Steel, William Steel, W. W. Brainard, Oli- ver Hiddon, and J. L. Paldi, who bought the business of Brainard & Andrews with a view of continuing it upon a more extensive plan. R. M. Steel was chosen president, J. L. Paldi secretary, and W. W. Brainard superintendent.
The company was chartered with a capital of one hun- dred and twenty thousand dollars, and proceeded to erect new and spacious factory buildings at the north end of the village, near the railway-track. While the new works were being constructed the old factory on Spring Street was de- stroyed by fire in December, 1868. The only article saved was an adze, and that relie has ever since been in use at the new works. The fire did not, however, retard the com- pany's business very much, for in March, 1869, the new factory was started with a force of thirty men. The main building was ninety-six feet in length by fifty feet in width, with a height of two stories and a basement. There was also a brick structure three stories high, used on the ground- floor for a boiler- and engine-room, and above for shop- rooms. During the same spring additions were made of two store-houses, each two stories high and twenty-four by sixty. The company purchased also extensive tracts of timber-lands in Gratiot County, put up a good saw-mill, and trafficked largely in lumber.
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.