History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 111

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan > Part 111

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

with four in the tower, at the eastern side, sufficiently light the room. They are of stained glass, and the effect is very beautiful and pleasing to the eye. The design in the center is a fillgree-like tracery of drab, bordered with a vine of the same color, of a darker tint; surrounding this is a lemon-colored strip of oak leaves and acorns, which in turn is bordered with marginal lines of blue, ruby, green and pink. The window-casings are imitation maple, with an outside molding of mahogany. The doors at the head of the north and south staircases have maple panels and oak stiles. The plaster- ing is very good throughout, the walls and ceiling having the best kind of pure white ' hard finish,' and where they meet is molded a broad and graceful cornice, while overhead are three plaster ' cen- ters,' with hooks in the middle to sustain chandeliers. The free circulation of pure air, which should form an important feature in all public buildings, has been amply provided for, there being two ven- tilators in the walls, and four close to the floor, in different parts of the room. The carpet on the floor is of green and salmon color, diamond pattern, and harmonizes with the fittings and general appearance of the room. The damask seat covers are of a similar color and pattern. The best ef- forts of the painter's art, however, are outside the auditorium. The wainscoting on the staircase and vestibule is beautifully grained in close imitation of mottled and bird's-eye maple, relieved with mahogany rails and cap-moldings. The graining of the door at the main entrance is said by good judges to be first-class. It is grained in imitation of mahogany, with bird's-eye maple panels. The rooms on the lower floor are plain and serviceable apartments."

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. CLAIR.

The beginnings of the church at this point are noted in the history of the church at Port Huron. In 1863, St. Clair and Marysville were organized as a parish, and Rev. Francis Van der Bom appointed pastor. Under his direction a brick house of worship was erected in 1864 at a cost of $13,000. In 1866, Lev. J. Reichenbach was appointed pastor of St. Clair by Bishop Lefevere, and held the charge up to the summer of 1882, when an Episcopal interdict was laid on the church and its doors closed to the people. Early in December, 1882. the principal members of the congrega- tion joined in an effort to have this interdict removed, and in compliance with their petition Bishop Borgess ordered the re-establishment of worship to be observed in December, 1882.

THE PROTESTANT METHODISTS.

It is perhaps not generally known that the religious society known as the Methodists, formerly named Methodist Protestants, had become a numerous and influential body in 1869-70. The associa- tion is known as the "St. Clair Circuit," and under the charge of Rev. J. D. Schults. In his charge were three appointments each Sabbath as follows : At the Court House at St. Clair every Sabbath at 2 o'clock in the afternoon ; alternating each Sabbath at the following places : At Boman street schoolhouse at half-past 10 o'clock in the forenoon ; at the town line schoolhouse, about five miles west of the city, at 7 o'clock in the evening ; at the Canada settlement schoolhouse at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and at Bell River schoolhouse, in China, at 7 o'clock in the evening. The number of members in this circuit in March, 1870, was 119, being an increase of 43 since the middle of No- vember, 1869, when the minister took charge of the circuit. Two donations were held in 1870- one at the Canada settlement, in January, 1870, the proceeds netting $110; and one in Boman street, in March, netting $85. The society purchased the site for a new church in this city, just West of the Catholic Church, and intended erecting a new brick church in the summer of 1870. The State was divided into two districts called the "Michigan Conference " and the "Western Michigan Conference," each having a President as its official head, to perform the duties usually developing on a Presiding Elder, in addition to presiding at the annual conference, a conference of this, the Michigan Conference, was held at Pontiac in August, 1869, and the next meeting was held at Richfield, in Genesee County, commencing the first Tuesday of September, 1870. One lay mem- ber for each minister attends from each circuit and composes the conference. Adrian College was under. the auspices of this denomination and was located within the conference, presided over by Prof. Mahan, an eminent educator and author.

The first organization of the Methodist Church in this State was at the village of Franklin, Oakland County, in 1843, thirteen years after the separation from the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was then called the " Methodist Protestant Church," which was subsequently changed to "Meth- odist Church " in the fall of 1866 at the General Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn. The Methodist

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Church does not differ from the Methodist Episcopal in points of faith of doctrine, the difference consists solely in church polity-the latter, as its name indicates, having an Episcopal, while the former has a representative form of government. In 1870, there were twenty-eight conferences in the Northern States, with a membership of about 100,000. There are two conferences in Michigan, which are divided by the meridian line of the State, the eastern, called the "Michigan Conference," and the other the "Western Conference." This (the Michigan) conference has thirty-six circuits, with fifty itinerant ministers, and a membership of over 3,000, being an increase of 1,000 since last year. In St. Clair County, there are four circuits, named respectively, Berlin, St Clair, Brockway and Kim- ball, with a total membership of 550. The St. Clair Circuit comprised the territory in the county lying between the Grand Trunk Railway and the St. Clair River, and was under the care of Rev. J. D. Schults. He reported a membership of about 100; but the St. Clair Circuits were unable to erect churches until the summer of 1870, when one was built at St. Clair, and one commenced to be built on the Berlin Circuit.

The German Evangelist Lutheran, Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches claim representatives in the city.

SCHOOLS.

Notwithstanding a few childless croakers who have, during many years, never failed to do what they could to cripple the efficiency of the schools of the village and city, St. Clair has, with one or two unimportant exceptions, always maintained a liberality toward her educational institutions which is a credit to the good sense of her citizens and a precious benefit to the young who have grown up in her midst. Excellent teachers have generally been procured, and ample accommoda- tions provided for the children in every quarter of the city.

In former times, parents were compelled, by circumstances, to consult their resources rather than their desires, and during several years the cause of education was in any but a flourishing con- dition. When, however, once the limits prescribed by inexorable necessity were overcome, and the inhabitants began to accumulate faster than they expended, a lively interest was taken in all educa- tional matters, and school affairs received the earnest attention and support of the foremost citizens. This was not spasmodic, but was continued more than a quarter of a century, to which the city is indebted for her fine school buildings, thorough organization of teachers, and admirable system of grading.

The first schoolhouse erected in what is now the city of St. Clair, stood near the site of C. A. Loomis' house. Previously, Mr. Phillips, Sr., granted a room in his house to Rev. Mr. Donohue for school purposes. In the statistics of the county the present condition of the city schools is noted.

Somerville School .- It is the aim of this institution to provide for the liberal education of young women, and to keep its methods of instruction in harmony with the most enlightened views of education. It aims also to furnish a thorough preparation for the pursuit of college courses, and to provide a sound, practical education. Its purpose is also to make the expense of pursuing a course of liberal study as low as is consistent with a high degree of excellence in its results, and thus to keep a liberal education within the reach of young women. It is likewise the earnest pur- pose to conduct the institution on distinctively Christian principles, and to have it pervaded with a strong and healthy moral and religious influence. While aiming at the best results of intellectual training, its instructors will ever bear in mind that character is more than these, that the develop- ment of character is an essential part of the work of an educational institution, and that there is no sound basis of character except in Christian principle.

This important educational establishment was inaugurated by Mrs. Caroline F. Ballentine at Port Huron. In September, 1879, the plan on which the school at Port Huron was conducted, together with a prospectus of the school near St. Clair City, were submitted to James B. Angell, Henry S. Freize, C. K. Adams and M. C. Tyler of the University of Michigan, which drew forth their expressions of confidence in the plan and the ladies to whom its executions would be in- trusted.

In the summer of 1880, the following circular letter was issued:

Recognizing the usefulness, and the great need of symmetrical and harmonious training in the educa- tion of the young women of our land through the judicious combination of courses of work in the lines of moral, physical, mental and industrial development, as set forth by the announcement of the "Somerville School" in the autumn of 1879, and in a. measure proved by a year of successful work, we the undersigned have interested ourselves in this institution, and have caused its incorporation and permanent location at St.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Clair, Mich. Commending the out line of its aims in the directions of literary, physical, and industrial development to your careful and early attention, we remain.

Respectfully Yours,

BELA W. JENKS, SAMUEL HOPKINS,

HENRY WHITING, MARK HOPKINS,

JOHN C. CLARKE, ROBERT H. JENKS,

WILLIAM GRACE, CHARLES F. MOORE,

FRANKLIN MOORE, JUSTIN R. WHITING,

CROCKET MCELROY, ORRIN K. HOPKINS.

St. Clair, July 1, 1880.

The gentlemen who signed this letter form the Board of Trustees.

The officers of the school are : Caroline F. Ballantine, Superintendent ; Emma M. Farrand, Ph. M., Principal of Literary Department, English Literature and History; Joel C. Tyler, M. A., Ancient Languages, Mathematics. In the Department of Music are Mrs. Sophie D. Knight, teacher of Voice Culture ; and Miss Pauline Widenmann, teacher of Piano forte. The Art Department is presided over as follows ; Technical and Objective Art, Mary A. Thompson ; Lectures on Art, its Ethics and Philosophy, Mrs. L. H. Stone ; Classes in Art. History and Description, C. F. Ballentine, and S. F. Dwyer, Assistant Pupil ; Misses Wright, Howard, Dwyer, are the Leaders of Gymnastic and Calisthenic Drill ; Mrs. Louisa M. Gaylord is Superintendent of Household.

An outlined plan of the school was placed before President Angell and some of the leading professors of the University of Michigan in September, 1879. No name had then heen decided upon. Dr. Angell's suggestion that the name of Mary Somerville would be an especially suitable one for a school whose aim was announced as " symmetrical development " was regarded as a most happy thought, and was adopted.

It can be truly said, that in the entire Union there is not an institution for the higher educa- tion of women more perfect in its management than this. All must agree with the Trustees in their statement that the entire plan of the school is an excellent one, and instead of being in a " by place," the situation, directly on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, in sight of boats constantly passing during all the months of the year when the river is open, is one of the most beautiful in the world. The natural situation is admirable for the establishment of a Vassar, or Smith's, or Wellesley college. Such a school would not injure or draw away from any good school now existing in the State. The specialties of the school above referred to which make it in some respects different from most of the boarding schools or seminaries in the State, will create its patronage. All the school needs is money endowment. Whether in the rapidly increasing wealth of Michigan, the generous impulse of some man or men shall be directed to permanently endow such a school as this aims to be, and in one of the loveliest places that could be found for such a school in the wide range of our country, from west to east or north to south, remains to be seen.

If some Mr. Vassar should arise, with the generous promptings to endow a school on the banks of the St. Clair River, affording the advantages of Vassar College to the young women of Michigan, barring the disgraceful restriction that accompanied the last gift of Matthew Vassar for the build- ing of an observatory, viz., that no women should be employed to teach in the department those funds were given to establish, and this right in the face of the grand and noble attainments of Maria Mitchel-barring such restrictions to donation or bequest as this, Michigan should hold in grateful and everlasting honor the name of that man who would establish on the banks of the St. Clair the Somerville School on as broad and sure a foundation as is Vassar College on the banks of the Hudson.

In November, 1882, Somerville School issued a neatly printed circular announcing a special course of study occupying six months of time from January to June, 1883. Selections for the course can be made from the following studies in the Belles Lettres Course : Reviews in Ancient History; History of Arts of Architecture, Sculpture, Painting and Music ; History of German Lit- erature ; History of French Literature ; Reading from Sismondi's Literatures of Southern Europe ; study of four Greek Plays ; study of four Shakespearean Plays ; Lectures upon the Origin, His- tory and Philosophy of Art. Students in this course can also make use of the superior advantages offered in the Art, Music and Needle Work Departments, all of which will be found complete, with every facility for the successful prosecution of study. The terms for instruction in three English studies, including board, have been placed at $215 for the course.

SOCIAL, BENEVOLENT AND COMMERCIAL SOCIETIES.

The Ladies' Library Association of St. Clair City was organized March 7, 1869, with the fol- lowing members : Cassandra P. Clarke, Frances Robinson, Minnie F. Owen, Helen Woodruff, Sarah

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

B. Owen, Mary Robertson, Eliza Barron, Eugenie Bendit, Helen C. Blood, Hattie E. Agens, Julia Morrill and Mary J. St. Clair. C. P. Clarke was President ; Frances Robinson, Vice President ; M. F. Owen, Recording Secretary ; Helen Woodruff, Corresponding Secretary ; Sarah B. Owen, Treas- urer ; Addie Ladd, Librarian. The society has been carried down to the present time in its career of usefulness. In November, 1882, the receipt of a donation of fifty-four volumes from Mrs. W. S. Hopkins, of Detroit, was acknowledged. This is the largest donation ever made by one individual and the ladies desire to extend to Mrs. Hopkins their thanks for the favor.

Young People's Union .- An association of young people, under this name, was organized in the lecture room of the Methodist Epicopal Church, in March, 1870. The object of the Young People's Union was to embrace within its organization the musical and other talent of the city necessary to the efficient getting up of concerts, tableaux, charades and like entertainments. The society was a social as well as musical one, and free from denominational influences in its workings. The services of the society were given gratuitously on such occasions as church concerts, festivals, etc. The musical amateurs of all denominations in the city were invited to join the organization. Musical works of the best class were procured and the members entered on a course of study and practice. The following officers were elected : President, C. H. Woodruff ; Vice President, Mrs. J. R. Whiting ; Treasurer, Mrs. John S. Woodruff; Secretary, T. P. Miles. The Union continued to prosper until its members entered other societies or left the city.

The Lyceum .- St. Clair Union Lyceum was organized November 22, 1865, with Albert J. Chapman, President; John C. Clark, Vice President ; J. Ward Hill, Secretary ; William R. Owen, Treasurer ; Rev. L. P. Spellman, Censor. H. P. Wands, William Grace and T. C. Owens formed the committee on debates.

A Grange was organized in this township in March, 1875. The first meeting was held in the Bartlett Schoolhouse on Pine River, when about forty persons were admitted to membership. By a vote of the lodge the next meeting was decided to be held at the Lindsay House in Smith's Creek. The following officers were elected and duly installed : W. M., B. R. Mallory ; W. O., Moses Hart; W. L., Robert Bowie; W. S., George Beach ; W. A. S., Joseph Lindsay ; W. C., C. J. Mallory ; W. T., P. M. Brown ; W. Sec., W. B. Mallory ; W. G. K., Roderick Hubble; W. Ceres, Mrs. J. Lind- say, Mrs. R. Hubble, Lorane Hull and Clara Mallory. At this period the township was casting off the robes of the lumber woods to embrace those of cultivated gardens and fields.

The Red Ribbon Club .- The Red Ribbon movement was fully organized at St. Clair in 1877. Previous to that year, however, effort after effort was made to inculcate the beauties of temperance. In May, 1877, a Red Ribbon Club of 151 members was organized with the following named officers : President, Frederick H. Blood ; First Vice President, George C. Solis ; Second Vice President, Charles E. Solis ; Third Vice President, James Harvey ; Secretary, James Bishop ; Assistant Sec- retary, Bruce Fairman ; Financial Secretary, William Luck ; Treasurer, John C. Clarke ; Steward, Joseph Johr ; Marshals, John Jackson, Frederick Canan ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Thomas Spaulding ; Executive Committee, Bruce Fairman, William Grace, George Akred, William McCardle, T. L. P Miles ; Financial Committee, Solomon Gilbert, J. R. Whiting, James Armstrong.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Evergreen Lodge, No. 9, dates its existence from April 25, 1843, when a number of residents of the village of Palmer and neighborhood met at the house of Sargeant Heath to organize a Masonic Lodge. Among those present were Jolin K. Smith, Samuel Ward, S. Granger, E. Fay, Sargeant Heath, C. Simmons, P. G. Wright, M. Shearn, J. W. Granger, T. M. Perry and A. C. Smith. The first move toward organization was made and the meeting adjourned to June 24. The dispensation was granted by John Mullett, G. M. of the State, February 26, 1844, and Reuben Hamilton appointed to organize. The first meeting under this dispensation was held at David Whitman's house, April 24, 1844. Subsequent meetings were held at various places until August 23, when a room was pro- vided in Sargeant Heath's house. There meetings were held until October, 1845. The first officers of the Lodge under dispensation are named as follows : Reuben Hamilton, W. M .; Israel Carleton, S. W .; Charles Kimball, J. W .; James Woolverton, Secretary ; Sargeant Heath, Treasurer ; Edmund Carleton, S. D., and James A. W. Donohue, J. D. The total number of members was fourteen. Charles Kimball represented the Lodge in the Grand Lodge, to obtain the charter of 1845. The place of meeting was changed from Heath's house October 15, 1845, to a room in that of S. B. Brown. The charter was granted June 4, 1845, and on June 24 D. G. M. Hall installed the following named

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

.officers : Reuben Hamilton, W. M .; Israel Carleton, S. W .; Charles Kimball, J. W .; Sargeant Heath, Treasurer ; S. B. Brown, Secretary ; Edmund Carleton, S. D .; J. B. Flanagan, J. D., and Edward Hodgson, Tiler. The W. M.'s and Secretaries of the Lodge from 1845 to the present time are named in the following list :

1845-Reuben Hamilton, W. M .; S. B. Brown, Secretary ; 1846, Israel Carleton, Charles Kim- ball ; 1847, Israel Carleton, Charles Kimball ; 1848, Abram Bean, S. B. Brown ; 1849, James T. Copeland, John Raymond ; 1850, S. B. Brown, John Raymond ; 1851, S. B. Brown, James True ; 1852, William Cook, James True ; 1853, William Cook, Charles Kimball ; 1854, S. B. Brown, John A. Sanborn ; 1855, S. B. Brown, A. C. Van Buren ; 1856, S. B. Rrown, F. H. Blood ; 1857, S. B. Brown, F. H. Blood ; 1858, S. B. Browa, A. A. Carleton ; 1859-60, A. J. Cummings, James A. Steele ; 1861-62, G. L. Cornell, H. T. Barringer ; 1862-63, M. H. Miles, J. C. Corbishley ; 1863-64, D. D. O'Dell, Friend Palmer ; 1864-65, D. D. O'Dell, Robert Scott ; 1866-67, D. D. O'Dell, Robert Scott ; 1868-70, Joseph Stitt, G. J. Ward ; 1870-71, A. L. Badfield, G. J. Ward ; 1871-72, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1872-73, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1873-74, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1874-75, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1875-76, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1876-77, Simon Langell, G. J. Ward ; 1877-78, J. H. Smith, G. J. Ward ; 1878-79, James S. Harrington, G. J. Ward; 1879-80, D. D. O'Dell, James S. Harrington ; 1880-81, D. D. O'Dell, G. J. Ward ; 1881-82, A. J. Cummings, James S. Harrington.

The members of the lodge reported deceased were : Henry Cook, Sergeant Company B, Michi- gan Volunteer Infantry, in the Mexican war, died at Cordova, Mexico, April 19, 1848. Sargeant Heath, one of the charter members, died in 1849. The deaths of James B. Woolverton and Gustavus V. Johnson occurred in 1854. The record points out their interment with Masonic honors, June 5, that year. The funeral of Israel Carleton, P. M., took place March 5, 1857. William Cook, P. M., died October 11, 1858, and was buried October 13. Christian Hubble died September 12, and was interred the following day, 1859. Edwin Hodgson died December 6, 1861 ; Daniel E. Solis died December 29, 1861 ; Edmund Carleton died March 19, 1871 ; John Clark died February 3, 1876 ; Abijah Beard died May 25, 1876 ; George L. Cornell died May 23, 1877; John Kennedy died De- cember 22, 1877 ; Jerome T. Brown died April, 1879 ; D. D. O'Dell died March 3, 1881.

Dimits were granted to David Gallagher, P. G. Wright, D. D. O'Dell, Samuel Ward, S. B. Parker and B. F. Owen, January 19, 1853, who were recommended to the Grand Lodge for dis- pensation to form the Sam Ward Lodge, at Newport, now called Marine City.

Palmer Lodge, K. of P .- The organization of Palmer Lodge took place March 11, 1875.

N. S. Boynton, of Port Huron, Dept. Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Michigan, together with about thirty-five officers and members of the lodges of Port Huron, of the same order, visited St. Clair, and in the evening met at the Masonic Hall and organ- ized Palmer Lodge, with the following charter members : John H. Fulton, B. F. Crampton, J. J. Worden, John Chamberlain, W. B. Millard, E. M. Chamberlin, John M. Williams, W. H. Little, George J. Ward, Alexander Stone, Calvin Chamberlain, Tim. L. P. Miles, E. K. Hungerford, A. V. Palmer. A. A. Currie, B. W. Gossage and John E. Kitton. The following officers of Palmer Lodge, K. of P., were then elected : Past Chancellor, Willoughby B. Millard ; Chancellor Commander, George L. Cornell ; Vice Chancellor, James J. Worden ; Prelate, W. H. Little ; Master of Finance, John E. Kitton; Master of Exchequer, E. M. Chamberlin; Master at Arms, Tim. L. P. Miles ; Inner Guard, John Chamberlain ; Outer Guard, Alexander Stone ; Keeper of Records and Seats, George J. Ward.

The Port Huron Knights were in full uniform and presented a very fine appearance.

The lodge was incorporated May 17, 1879, under authority of charter granted January 26, .

1876. The original members were David P. Ingles, Elon J. Hall, A. B. Flower, George C. Solis, Ethan E. Trimm, T. L. P. Miles, Ed. M. Chamberlin, Thomas J. Millikin, Charles G. Robertson and W. B. Morse. The present officers are A. H. Brown, C. C .; C. J. Mitchell, V. C .; S. P. Gilbert, V. C .; A. A. Currie, P. C .; Rev. S. Hendricks, P .; T. L. P. Miles, K. R. and S .; J. G. Wortz, M. of E .; E. E. Trimm, M. of F .; A. A. Carleton, A. A .; W. B. Morse, I. G., and O. G., Stephen Langell. O. F. Morde is Secretary and Treasurer of the Endowment Bank of Knights of Pythias, and has held that position since its organization.

A Lodge of Good Templars was organized in October, 1877, with W. Baird, W. C. T., and Miss Dora Cornell, W. V. T.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

St. Clair Commandery, No. 4, Order of the Red Cross was organized at St. Clair, July 27, 1882, with John Hare, Commander.

Evergreen Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., was chartered in 1844. This lodge is one of the oldest in Michigan. Connected with it in olden times were many of the pioneers. James S. Harrington is the Secretary.

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History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 111

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818