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 84

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 84

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The Convent School of the Sisters of Providence was established at Port Huron in 1879. The design of this institution is to accommodate parents desiring to have their daughters enjoy all the advantages necessary for acquiring a thorough and polite English education in connec- tion with a knowledge of the fine arts, music, painting, and other branches. The method of instruction followed embraces all that goes to form the character of an amiable, useful and ac- complished woman. It is the aim of the Sisters to train the hearts of their pupils to the love and practice of virtue, while cultivating their minds and endowing their manners with dignity, simplicity and grace. The government is mild, yet sufficiently vigilant and energetic to secure perfect order. . The sole object of the regulations of the house being the welfare of the pupils, they are induced to comply with them rather from a sense of duty than through fear of pun- ishment. They are made to understand that their own improvement and happiness are ulti- mately connected with the careful observance of discipline. A tender vigilance is exercised over the hearts of the pupils; when one is taken sick, a physician is called in time, and infor- mation is given to the parents, who are at liberty to withdraw her. If they leave her in the institution, she receives every attention that kind ness can suggest.

The scholastic year consists of four terms. each comprising a period of eleven weeks. The first term commences on the first Monday in September.

Tuition in all the English branches, board, bedding, useful and ornamental needle work with the use of patterns, use of library, clothes of pupils marked for them, are offered at $35.75 per term of eleven weeks, while the following branches of higher education are faith- fully taught for an extra charge : French, German, drawing and painting in water colors, oil painting, with use of patterns, piano, organ, or guitar lessons, vocal music, private les- sons, use of instruments for practice.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

The Ladies' Library Association of Port Huron, Mich., was founded in 1866, and the following historical sketch of the association was prepared and read by Mrs. B. C. Farrand at the decennial celebration of the society held January 6, 1876.

The first consultation with reference to the organization was held by Mrs. A. B. Comstock, Mrs. A. H. Wright and Mrs. B. C. Farrand, who decided to invite the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society-then about to disband-with other ladies who were thought to be favorable to such a project, to meet and discuss the matter. Such meeting was held in December, 1865, in the small room of the basement of the old Methodist Church. The Soldiers' Aid Society at that time disbanded, and donated their stores and clothing to worthy families of soldiers, and their other effects, including some odd buttons and buckles and a cupboard, to the new organ- ization, if such should be formed. At this meeting, Mrs. Henry Fish being Chairman, it was decided to organize a society for the mental improvement of its members, and the formation of a library. This first meeting resulted in an organization, with an object exactly defined, a name, "The Ladies' Library Association, of Port Huron," and the possession of a cupboard for a library case.

A meeting was called, through the papers, inviting all ladies friendly to the object, to meet on January 5, 1866. At the appointed time, fourteen ladies were present: Mrs. A. J. Bigelow, Mrs. H. C. Buffington, Mrs. Barr, Mrs. A. B. Comstock, Mrs. B. C. Farrand, Mrs. Henry Fish, Mrs. James H. White, Mrs. J. B. Hull. Mrs. James Haynes, Mrs. Perley Morse, Mrs. William Sanborn, Mrs. J. W. Thompson, Mrs. A. H. Wright and Miss Emma M. Farrand.

Mrs. J. B. Hull was chosen Chairman, and Mrs. B. C. Farrand, Secretary.

The present constitution, modeled after that of the Flint Association, was adopted.

At a subsequent meeting held January 19, presided over by Mrs. Henry Fish, the first officers of the society were elected as follows:

President-Mrs. B. C. Farrand.

Vice President-Mrs. James H. White.

Recording Secretary -- Mrs. A. H. Wright.

Corresponding Secretary-Mrs. Perley Morse.

Treasurer-Mrs. J. B. Hull.

Librarian -- Mrs. A. B. Comstock.

Executive Committee -- Mrs. J. W. Thompson, Mrs. A. J. Bigelow, Mrs. John Botsford, Mrs. William Sanborn, Mrs. H. Fish.

Book Committee-Mrs. H. C. Buffington, Mrs. J. P. Sanborn.

The Constitution and By-Laws having been settled upon, the officers elected, the society was already to work, but found no place for meeting. The room in the church was required for extra religious meetings. Two meetings were held at the residence of Mrs. A. H. Wright, on Sixth street, and then at Mrs. Buffington's, on Fourth street. A back room in a lawyer's office was then offered, free of rent, the association furnishing wood. The records tell of committees appointed to look for a room, reported " no room found," and committee dis- charged.

The number of members constantly increased, until "a place to be," exercised the mind of each by day and disturbed their dreams by night, when to the surprise of all, the City Fathers, through Hon. Cyrus Miles, Mayor, offered for the use of the Association and its library the Common Council Chamber, free of charge.

This was gladly accepted, and furnished a very desirable and convenient room until Novem- ber, 1868, when the library was removed to the rooms in the Town Hall, then used as school rooms. On the completion of Phoenix Block, the room over M. Walker's store was leased and occupied March 4, 1869, the day of the inauguration of President Grant.

Ladies' Library Association of Port Huron was organized and incorporated under the general laws of the State, January 10, 1868. The charter election meeting was presided over by Mrs. J. B. Hull, of the Corporation Committee. Mrs. Wright was appointed President and Mrs. J. P. Sanborn, Secretary of meeting. The election of officers resulted as follows: Mrs.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Thompson was elected President; Mrs. Stevens, Vice President; Miss Sanborn, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Sanborn, 'Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Hull, Treasurer; Miss E. Farrand, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Comstock, Librarian; Mrs. Huntington, Assistant Librarian; Miss Carrie Farrand, Historian; Mrs. B. C. Farrand, Mrs. Comstock, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Finster, Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Morse, together with the officers of the association, were appointed members of committees.

On April 2, 1870, the books were removed to the room now occupied, which proves ample for the present wants of the association. Frequently during these ten years a desire for a per- manent location for the library has found expression in the meetings, and the hope indulged that when the library should be worthy of it, some one of our generous fellow-citizens would bestow upon it a home, and thus honor himself and become a public benefactor, whose name should be held in grateful remembrance by posterity.

The first money received was on January 19, 1866; membership fees, $11; January 26, a donation of $5 from Mrs. Farrand, and fees $3; ten books given by members (the names of these donors I have been unable to obtain, but hope they may yet be found). It would seem that the faith in the library out of these ten books must have been considerable, for we find the Executive Committee ordered 200 suitable labels for the books, which the committee made 300, as a matter of economy.

A committee to procure subscriptions was appointed, and the amount of $116.50 realized in this manner for the founding of a library. Three gentlemen, Mr. Newell Avery, Mr. John Johnston and Mr. B. C. Farrand gave $10 each. Several gave $5. The greater number of subscriptions were $2 each.

The first book in the library was the gift of Mr. Waldo Comstock, entitled "Chronicles of the Middle Ages," by Froisart, a very valuable book. The first twenty-seven books are donations. The first purchase of books numbered eighty-six, so that in September, 1866, there were 113 volumes in the library cupboard, duly labeled, and many of them drawn and read each week.

There were Motley's Dutch Republic, Irving's works, Chambers' Cyclopedia of English Literature, Parton's Lives of Andrew Jackson and Ben. Franklin, Draper's Intellectual De- velopment of Europe, Prescott's Phillip II, a full set of the Spectator, Goldwin Smith's Study of History, Froude's History of England, Daniel Webster's works, costing $30, Life and works of E. A. Poe, Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott, in all 206 volumes, at the close of the first year.

The second year numbered 341 volumes, including Noctes Ambrosiana, Motley's United Netherlands. January 22. 1869, there were 505 volumes. In recognition of the 500 volumes in the collection, a celebration took place which was numerously attended, and a larger interest awakened among those before little acquainted with the association.

In 1870, there were 599 volumes. Many valuable public documents and State papers were received this year through Hon. O. D. Conger, and in 1871, through Dr. Finster, a collection of books valued at $112 was received, called the Swedenborg collection, making 1,083 volumes at the close of 1871.

The possession of 1,000 and more volumes was duly observed, and friends were invited to view the library. Some who came left substantial evidence of their desire to add to its treasures. Some old and valuable books were among the gifts on this occasion.

The numbers swelled to 1,596 in 1872. Many of them were received from Washington, through Hon. O. D. Conger.

In 1873, there were 1,758 volumes. In 1874, there were 1,813 volumes, and in 1875, just closed, 1,938 volumes.

During the year 1875, Bancroft's : History of the United States, Hume's History of England, and Epochs of History have been among the excellent books purchased.

And now a library of nearly 2,000 volumes, including many of the very best standard authors, a complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, a full set of Chambers' Cyclopedia, and Thomas' Cyclopedia of Biography and Mythology, and Chambers' English Literature, fur- nishes the means for successful research in many departments. All this, through the united efforts of your mothers, wives and sisters, a few ladies, for the short space of ten years!

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Various means have been employed for the purpose of raising funds. Lectures have seldom netted but small sums. The first summer, the sale of ice cream and cake on Saturday evenings proved quite successful, the net receipts on seven evenings being $100. Two boat rides brought to our exchequer an increase of $150. But the series of parlor entertainments, with an occasional dramatic representation, have been the chief reliance for an increase of the building fund. The success of them will always be associated with the efforts of one who very largely contributed to them-Mrs. E. W. Glover.

At an early day, funds derived from entertainments and similar sources, were set aside to create a building fund, as according to the Constitution, all fees and dues are to be exclu- sively used for the library proper.

May 25, 1870, Mrs. Mary J. Sweetser, of grateful memory, made a note in favor of the association for $1,000, to be paid on or before her decease. After her death, which occurred before the close of 1870, this amount, with interest, was paid over by her executors, and was added to the building fund, and invested at 10 per cent. The entire fund amounts to nearly or quite $2,400. Besides the building fund, the amount of money received the first year, 1866, was $479.64; first three years was $1,129.58; the last year it was $505.46.

Of the presiding officers, Mrs. H. L. Stevens has been twice elected, Mrs. J. W. Thomp- son, once, Mrs. E. W. Glover twice, Mrs. J. McNeil once, and Mrs. B. C. Farrand four times.

Mrs. J. B. Hull and Mrs. H. G. Barnum have filled the office of Treasurer since the be- ginning, Mrs. Hull seven years, and Mrs. Barnum three

Mrs. A. B. Comstock, the first Librarian, was unwearied in her devotion and care of the books-for several weeks transporting them from place to place in a basket. For eight years the custodians of the library received no pay.

But the library itself is but an incident designed as an aid to mutual improvement. With very few exceptions, weekly meetings for literary exercises have been held. These hours have been occupied and a good degree of progress attained by those most regular in their attend- ance. The early records mention readings, recitations, with an occasional original review of a book.

As the years advance, progress is noticed. The year 1874 appears to have a more contin- uous and decided plan, commencing perhaps with the century readings -- the fourteenth cen- tury most prominently; while the last year a full and clear study of literature, first of English and now of American literature, has been instituted and is carried on, much to the cultivation of those taking part, as well as attending upon the exercises.

Could the young ladies of the city, as well as the old, be aware of the opportunities and advantages here afforded, it would seem that they would hasten to appropriate them to them- selves.

Another means of culture and interest has been instituted-the department of the museum, which it is predicted will receive increased attention with the coming years. It already contains many articles of historic value, which time fails me to enumerate. A new office has been created, Keeper of the Museum, and the officer elected, so that the articles and curiosities will soon be mounted and labeled for exhibition, as well as for preservation. The centennial year will no doubt develop interest in this direction, and the museum will receive the benefit of such awakened interest. The association has from time to time received friendly gifts of pictures to adorn the walls, of a stereoscope and views, as well as curiosities from vari- ous parts of the country, and larger and more numerous remembrances of this kind are in store for it in the not distant future.

Mention should be made of the extraordinary success of a club called the Cyclopedia Club, which in a very short time raised funds to purchase the Encyclopedia Britannica, Chambers' and Thomas' Cyclopedias, besides smaller works, which were presented to the association for its Library of Reference, a large and appreciated addition to its resources.

Of the fourteen members at the time of organization, only one has been removed by death -Mrs. Antha L. Bigelow, one of the most hearty and faithful co-laborers, was very suddenly called to leave her family and her work here, but not without leaving an abiding impression upon those who knew her best, that her work had been well done. Her memory is still fresh

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

in our minds, and we drop a tear for our loss, assured that the change to her was gain. Mrs. J. J. Scarritt was taken from our membership by death, but not until she had some time been absent from the city. Her contributions of the works of Dickens to the library have been among the books well read. We recall with interest her great desire to promote the attract- iveness of the literary exercises. Mrs. C. A. Chamberlain, after a brief sojourn, and a short time of service as Vice President, returned to her former home to die in the springtime of life, her babe resting upon her arm; both sleep in the quiet rural cemetery with the early called.

Among those who came unobtrusively and frequently to the Saturday afternoon gather- ings of this association, we recall the name and memory of Mrs. C. W. Robinson, who was removed from our membership through death, in the autumn of 1874.

Our last bereavement was of one in mature womanhood, full of hope and life, surrounded by a growing family of children, herself anxious to improve her mind, and amid her numerous duties and cares found time to study German, to commit to memory gems of poetry and prose, which she would recite when called upon, as a means of entertainment to others. None, among the large membership, valued the advantages of the association and library more than our friend, Mrs. Ulber, now departed. "Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" was one of her favorite recitations. Peace to the memory of those gone before. We shall go to them. Shall we not desire to be and to do something to benefit others while we live?

These records of ten years are those of loving work by willing hands, and the results in a very feeble and imperfect manner have been enumerated.

To recapitulate. A society of one hundred and thirty or more members, each paying 15 cents a month, or $1.80 per year, to maintain a library for their own benefit and that of the community, exists.

The library contains very nearly 2,000 well-selected volumes.

The association has its own hired room, carpeted, and furnished comfortably with com- modious book shelves, which have taken the place of the cupboard.

This association is an incorporated body.

It has a well invested building fund of $2, 400.

The association has no debts, and has never discovered any defalcation or embezzlement of its funds. It has the names of over two hundred who draw books from its library.

It has a well-selected corps of officers for the centennial year.

Its members have hopes that bringing before the community and ourselves this statement " What it is; what it has; and what it does," that " a long train of improvements will come into quiet and irreversible operation;" that its members may be increased tenfold in the next decade, and that in due time a library building or room shall be found suited to contain this large "storehouse of medicine for the mind," this " dispensary for the soul"- as the ancients called their libraries. Over some of its alcoves, at least, may some of the names of those present be inscribed as its honored benefactors.

The officers of the Association, since 1876, are named in the following list.

1876-President, Mrs. S. L. Ballentine; Vice President, Mrs. J. B. Hull; Recording Secretary, Mrs. A. H. Wright; Financial Secretary, Mrs. K. F. Harrington; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. J. P. Sanborn; Treasurer, Mrs. H. G. Barnum; Historian, Mrs. B. C. Farrand; Librarian, Mrs. S. M. Huntington.

1877-President, Mrs. T. L. Wells; Vice President, Mrs. N. E. Sanborn; Recording Sec- retary, Mrs. S. L. Ballentine; Financial Secretary, Mrs. A. H. Wright; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. W. Sanborn; Treasurer, Mrs. B. C. Farrand; Historian, Mrs. D. Robeson; Librarian, Miss Mary Wright.

1878-President, Mrs. H. L. Stevens; Vice President, Mrs. N. E. Sanborn; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Henry O'Neill; Financial Secretary, Mrs. B. C. Farrand; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. D. Robeson; Treasurer, Mrs. H. G. Barnum; Historian, Mrs. A. Mckenzie; Librarian, Mrs. R. T. Yeats.

R. 1879-President, Mrs. B. C. Farrand; Vice President, Mrs. R. T. Yeats; Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. A. Davidson; Financial Secretary, Mrs. D. Robeson; Corresponding Secretary,

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Mrs. S. M. Huntington; Treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Hull; Historian, Miss Mary Wright; Libra- rian, Mrs. M. Casler.

1880-President, Mrs. J. A. Davidson; Vice President, Mrs. J. McNeil; Recording Sec- retary, Mrs. R. T. Yeats; Financial Secretary, Mrs. M. Casler; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. E. W. Glover; Treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Hull; Historian, Miss Mary Wright; Librarian, Mrs. D. W. Fisher.

1881-President, Mrs. J. A. Davidson; Vice President, Mrs. H. Burke; Recording Secre- tary, Mrs. R. T. Yeats; Financial Secretary, Mrs. M. Casler; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. D. Robeson; Treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Hull; Historian, Mrs. J. W. Thomson; Librarian, Mrs. D. W. Fisher.

1882-President, Mrs. J. W. Thomson; Vice President, Mrs. E. W. Glover; Recording Secretary, Mrs. R. T. Yeats; Financial Secretary, Miss Hendricks; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. P. M. Wright; Treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Hull; Historian, Mrs. Lauritzen; Librarian, Mrs. M. Casler.

The number of members in 1882, was 60; the number of volumes in library, 2,508, and the value of property $5,000. The influences which surround such an association, and extend themselves into the homes of the people, are of that refining character which cannot fail to leave their marks on the manners and customs of the future, if not on the manners of the present time. It has passed into a proverb, that where there are not books there is ignorance and vice.

THE LOTOS CLUB.

This club may be said to have been organized in 1873. The first regular meeting, after organization, was held March 17, 1873. The first officers were: A. N. Moffat, President; J. A. Drury, Vice President; M. Young, Secretary; Ada Kibbee, Corresponding Secretary; Fannie Smith, Treasurer; J. F. Talbot, S. & M .; T. J. Parsons, Censor. At this period the association was known as the Oasis Society, and the meeting was held at Cawthorne's rooms. At the next meeting, Angus G. Mckay moved that the name Lotos Club be substituted for Oasis Society, which motion was carried.

In September, 1873, the nomination of officers took place, when M. Young was elected President; Mrs. A. M. Moffit, Vice President; Miss Mitts, Recording Secretary; McDearmid, Corresponding Secretary; G. R. Osman, Treasurer; James H. Talbot, Critic. The re-organiza- tion of the club took place January 17, 1875, at the Moffat residence. W. D. Wright was elected President; Miss Blennerhaust, Vice President; Mrs. E. W. Glover, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. A. N. Moffat, Recording Secretary; J. W. Porter, Treasurer. The first regular meeting of the club after re organization was held at the house of Mrs. Glover.

OFFICERS OF THE CLUB.

1875. - O'Brien J. Atkinson, President; Mrs. J. McNeil, Vice President; Frank Whipple, Secretary; Susie Dwyer, Treasurer; E. W. Harris, President, December, 1875.

1876 .- A. N. Moffat, President; Mrs. P. B. Sanborn, Vice President; Mrs. W. Walker and Mr. Stevenson, Secretary; Mrs. W. F. Atkinson, Treasurer; Kittie Riddle, Recording Secre- tary; L. Mckay, Corresponding Secretary; John McNeil, President; Mrs. John Miller, Vice President.

1877 .- H. G. Barnum, President; Mrs. Brown, Vice President; Miss Hogan, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Gaylord, Corresponding Secretary; C. Gilchrist, Treasurer.

1878 .-- Dr. Whitney, President; Mrs. J. C. Johnson, Vice President; Miss E. McGinn, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Sherman, Corresponding Secretary; Maude Danger, Treasurer; Miss Eleanor Donnelly, Recording Secretary; E. G. Stevenson, President; Mrs. Glover, Cor- responding Secretary.

1879 .- H. G. Barnum, President; Sarah Donnelly, Recording Secretary; Hannah J. Dwyer, Corresponding Secretary; Clara A. Sharpe, Recording Secretary.

1880 .- Judge Brown, President; Mrs. Allardt, Vice President; Maud Danger, Recording Secretary; Mrs. E. W. Glover, Corresponding Secretary; Johnson Hogan, Treasurer; Fannie A. Smith, Recording Secretary.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

1881 .- Mr. Allardt, President; Mrs. Sanderson, Vice President; Lizzie Talbot, Recor ding Secretary; A. Weyers, Corresponding Secretary; W. Cline, Treasurer.

1881-82 .- Judge E. W. Harris, President; Mrs. Thompson, Vice President; Emma McGinD, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Glover, Corresponding Secretary; Judge McNeil, Treasurer.

1882-83 .- Albert McCall, President; Mrs. Butler, Vice President; Miss Lillie Harris, Recording Secretary; Miss Hogan, Corresponding Secretary; Mr. Barnum, Treasurer.

MEETINGS OF CLUB.

1875 .- January 17, at Mrs. Moffat's residence; January 29, at Mrs. Glover's residence; February 12, at Mrs. B. Bigsby's residence; February 27, at Mr. P. B. Sanborn's residence; March 7, at George Jones' residence; March 21, at A. W. Smith's residence; April 8, at A. N. Moffat's residence; April 18, at Capt. Hurlburt's residence; May 3, at Mrs. J. E. Johnson's residence; May 18, at Mrs. Glover's residence; May 31, at Mrs. B. Bigsby's residence; June 14, at John Miller's residence; June 28, at Mrs. D. Robeson's residence; July 2, at F. Vander- burg's residence; July 11, at James Baird's residence; July 25, at James Goulden's residence; August 7, at Mrs. Hull's residence; August 21, at. Mrs. Smith's residence; September 4, at Mrs. A. N. Moffat's residence; September 25, at Mrs. William F. Atkinson's residence; October 9, at Mrs. Glover's residence; October 23, at Mrs. J. Miller's residence: November 6. at William Jenkinson's residence; November 20, at H. G. Barnum's residence; December 4, at P. B. Sanborn's residence; December 18 and 31, at Mrs. Glover's residence.

1876. - January 15, at J. W. Benedict's; January 29, at Mrs. L. A. Sherman's; February 12, at J. Goulden's; February 26, at J. C. Johnson's; March 11, at William Jenkinson's; March 25 at W. D. Wright's; April 18. at Mr. Robeson's: April 22, at J. J. Boyce's; May 6, at M). Neff's; May 21, at Mrs. Insley's; June 3. at Mrs. John Miller's; June 17, at Mrs. W. F. Atkinson's; July 1, at Mrs. Glover's; July 15, at J. Goulden's; July 29, at E. C. Spalding's; August 12, at Judge Mitchell's; August 26, at J. C. Johnson's; September 9, at Mrs. L. A. Sherman's; September 23, at Atkinson & Stevenson's office; October 21, at A. W. Smith's; November 18, at Mrs. Williger's; December 3, at Mrs. John Miller's; December 16, at Judge Brown's; December 30, at Mrs. Glover's.

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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 84

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