USA > Michigan > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Michigan; Volume I > Part 12
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TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING
The twenty-eighth annual meeting convened at the fair grounds in Three Rivers on Saturday, June 1, 1901, and it was estimated that five thousand people assembled there. President James Yau- ney called the meeting to order and the regular election of officers resulted as follows: President, Captain Frank Bungay of Constan- tine; secretary, Charles B. Kellogg of Florence; treasurer, Mrs. C. B. Kellogg of Florence; sixteen vice-presidents.
Adjourned for dinner.
The grand stand and every available space was filled to over- flowing at the afternoon session. The music was by the City band; prayer by Rev. Mr. Wright, and addresses of welcome were deliv- ered by Major French and Mrs. B. E. Andrews, with responses by President James Yauney and Mrs. Mericle of Florence. Then came music by the Glee Club; an eloquent address by Hon. George L. Yaple and volunteer speeches by such old pioneers as E. G. Tucker of Three Rivers and Captain Frank Bungay. All joined in singing "America" and John G. Gibson recited a poem.
A large and varied collection of pioneer relics was added to the society's museum. Several interesting facts were brought out. The oldest pioneers present were Michael Beadle, who came to Flowerfield township in 1829 and Mrs. L. S. Salsig, who located at Three Rivers the same year. The combined ages of the Bean fam- ily of five was three hundred and seventy-five years, and they came to Florence township in 1830. One hundred and nineteen deaths reported for the past year from seven townships.
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TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The twenty-ninth annual meeting of the St. Joseph County Pio- neer Society, at the Three Rivers Fair Grounds was held June 14, 1902, President Frank Bungay calling it to order. The following officers were elected, in addition to the sixteen vice-presidents : Pres- ident, George Dickinson of Florence; secretary, Byron Q. Goodrich of Nottawa ; treasurer, Mrs. Charles A. Pashby of Florence. An ad- journment was then voted to partake of the excellent dinner fur- nished by the ladies and business men of the city.
At 1:30 the meeting was called to order by Captain Frank Bungay, president, and, after music and prayer, the society was welcomed by Mayor J. J. Foster. President Bungay responded most fittingly, and the song rendered by the choir under the leader- ship of Professor Charles Hannaford was a musical treat. The appeal for the support and perpetuation of the society was a mas- terly effort by Hon. E. G. Tucker. More music by band and choir ; an address by Rev. H. S. Bailey ; a poem by James Yauney and vol- unteer remarks by many old pioneers closed one of the most en- thusiastic and largest meetings in the history of the society. Its membership had been depleted by deaths to the number of eighty- two since the close of the twenty-eighth annual meeting.
THIRTIETH ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirtieth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds, in Centerville, on Wednesday, June 10, 1903; but although the weather was fine the attendance was small. President Dickinson called the meeting to order at 1:00 P. M. The music was furnished by the Burr Oak band and the prayer was offered by Rev. J. C. New- comer, of Centerville. There were addresses by Rev. C. C. Jessee, of the Constantine Congregational church and E. G. Tucker, and poems by James Yauney and John Gibson.
Officers elected, besides vice-presidents : President, Mrs. E. W. Pendleton ; secretary and treasurer, C. B. Kellogg.
THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.
The city of Sturgis welcomed the society at its thirty-first an- nual meeting, held Saturday, June 18, 1904. The weather was ideal
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and the assembly place well chosen in the school-house park and grove, shaded with an extensive growth of maple trees.
At 1:30 P. M., E. G. Tucker, president pro tem, called the meet- ing to order for the business session. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the following choice : President, George Dickinson ; secretary and treasurer, C. B. Kellogg; besides the six- teen vice-presidents.
Executive committee: C. Jacobs, E. G. Tucker, John Wal- tham, James Yauney, and David Purdy.
Mrs. Pendleton, the president, extended a greeting to members and friends. After prayer by Rev. G. F. Sheldon, of Sturgis, Mayor Halbert delivered an address of welcome, to which the pres- ident of the society responded. The orator of the day was Hon. Bishop E. Andrews, of Three Rivers, and many poems and speeches were also contributed to the enjoyment and instruction of the oc- casion. The death record for 1893-4 was one hundred and six.
THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-second annual meeting of the St. Joseph County Pioneer Society was held in the city of White Pigeon, on Thursday, August 10, 1905. A most enjoyable and pleasant time was had and a large assemblage was there. The place of meeting was the school-house park and grove which, in early days, from 1835 to 1845, was occupied by the Avery hotel and stage barns. It was decided not to hold a forenoon session and all enjoyed the annual picnic dinner at noon.
George Dickinson, the president, called the meeting to order promptly at 1:30 P. M. The address of welcome by J. M. Ben- jamin, cashier of the Farmers' Exchange Bank of White Pigeon, was certainly a masterly effort, and very entertaining and appro- priate for the occasion. The principal address was made by Rev. F. Ware, of White Pigeon.
Election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : President, L. B. Place of Three Rivers; secretary and treasurer, C. B. Kellogg of Florence; and a vice-president for each township.
Executive committee : C. Jacobs, E. G. Tucker, James Yauney, George Dickinson, and Joseph H. Sheap.
A vote of thanks was tendered the citizens and people of White Pigeon for their kindness and hospitality during the thirty-second Vol. 1-9
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annual meeting. Eighteen deaths were reported in two townships during the past year.
THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-third annual meeting was held in the city of Three Rivers on Tuesday, August 21, 1906, in connection with the Home- coming week. The people were assembled at the Lafayette Park in front of the city school building, under the shade of the grove of the beautiful maple trees, and the American flags stretched across the grand stand for an awning. The weather was all that could be desired and the assemblage thoroughly enjoyed the ex- ercises, the addresses of the speakers and the music .. President Place, the secretary and executive committee. James Yauney, George Dickinson and others, met at the grove at 11:00 A. M. for the election of officers and the transaction of other business con- nected with the annual meeting. A motion was carried to hold the next meeting at Centerville in 1907.
The following new officers were then elected: President: Dr. Marden Sabin; secretary and treasurer, C. B. Kellogg; sixteen vice-presidents.
Executive committee: James Yauney of Florence; S. A. Munger of Sturgis; George Dickinson of Florence; E. G. Tucker of Three Rivers; Sylvester Noel of White Pigeon; E. Fletcher of Mendon; J. H. Sheap of Sturgis, and Henry E. Root of Constantine.
Adjourned for dinner in the grove.
GREATEST SUCCESS UP TO DATE.
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 P. M. by Mayor John J. Foster, president of the Home-coming week, participants in which united with the society to make the meeting the greatest success in the history of the organization. The streets of the city were decorated with flags and lined with gay booths. Hon. L. B. Place, president of the society, made a short address. Attorney Bishop E. Andrews of Three Rivers, secretary of the Home-coming week, made the address of welcome, which was eminently ap- propriate and interesting. The responses by H. F. Severens, United States circuit judge, and Mrs. Jesse Miricle of Florence, were both
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very appropriate and eloquent, thanking the city and its people for their extended and hearty welcome and bountiful provisions they had made for comfort and entertainment of visitors and to render the pioneer meeting a grand success.
The music for the occasion was furnished by the choir and the Three Rivers Cornet Band, and addresses were made as follows: By Congressman E. L. Hamilton, of Niles; Rev. S. C. U. Skinner, of the Presbyterian church of Three Rivers; Mrs. M. B. Ferry of Lansing, on what the State Pioneer and Historical Society is doing in connection with the county; and by Walter H. French of Lans- ing "Co-operation in Pioneer Work by Our Public Schools." The benediction was by Rev. J. D. Brosy of the Lutheran church of Three Rivers. At the suggestion of James Yauney, it was agreed to meet at Centerville next year, at an earlier date (about June 15, 1907), as provided in the by-laws.
THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-fourth annual meeting of the society occurred at the Centerville fair grounds on Thursday, June 13, 1907. The day was exceptionally fine and there was a fair attendance. The pro- gramme was not fully carried out, on account of the absence of some of the members who were to take part in the exercises.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Marden Sabin, presi- dent, at 11:00 A. M., in the Exhibition building of the fair grounds, and the following were the officers elected : President, Dr. Marden Sabin; secretary and treasurer, Charles B. Kellogg; with the cus- tomary sixteen vice-presidents.
Executive committee : James Yauney of Florence; Alexander Sharp of Sherman ; W. F. A. Bolander of Centerville ; J. J. Bennett of Leonidas; C. Jacobs of Sturgis; and E. G. Tucker of Three Rivers.
Adjourned at 12:00 M. for picnic dinner at the Agricultural hall.
The afternoon session was called to order by the president, Dr. Sabin; prayer was offered by Rev. C. S. Risley of the Methodist church, and the music was furnished by the White Pigeon band. The president of the village, F. Lehr, extended a cordial welcome to the visiting society and Dr. Marden Sabin, its president, re- sponded in kind. The principal address of the meeting was by Rev.
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S. C. U. Skinner, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Three Rivers.
Hon. E. G. Tucker, of Three Rivers, made a very stirring ap- peal to the members and people for the strengthening and perpe- tuity of the organization, and was elected a delegate from the society to attend the meetings of the State Pioneer and Historical Society at Lansing, June 26 and 27, 1907. Voluntary talks, limited to ten minutes, were given by James Yauney, William Langley, Alexander Sharp and others. A committee was then chosen by the president, to take under consideration the location and erection of monuments commemorative of pioneer incidents of county history, composed of the following: E. G. Tucker, Three Rivers; Alexander Sharp, Sherman ; James Yauney, Florence ; Dr. Marden Sabin, Centerville; Rev. H. A. Simpson, Centerville. As was customary, the singing of "America" by the audience and benediction brought the session to a close.
THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-fifth annual meeting was also held at the Fair Grounds in Centerville; date, Thursday, June 11, 1908. The day was exceptionally fine, following a season of exceedingly cold and rainy weather. There was a fair attendance, drawn from all parts of the county and the programme was fully carried, all the officers being present with the exception of President Sabin, who was de- tained on account of illness.
Hon. Alexander Sharp was appointed to fill the vacancy, and called the meeting to order at the grand stand. It was voted to hold the next annual meeting at Colon; Hon. Alexander Sharp was chosen president, and Charles B. Kellogg secretary and treasurer, of the society ; and the same vice-presidents and executive commit- tee were selected as those of 1907. The address of welcome by C. O. Bossom, village president, was certainly excellent and very ap- propriate, as was the response by Acting President Sharp. Music by the quartette preceded the principal address by Rev. J. D. Brosy of Three Rivers; an interesting discourse, full of pathos and advice to the living pioneers and the coming generation and of eulogy on the dear old pioneers who have passed away. After the rendition of "Michigan, My Michigan" by the audience, Hon. E. G. Tucker spoke, as of yore, for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society. Voluntary talks by old pioneers were responded to by
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James Yauney and others; the Three Rivers band gave "We'll never say good-bye, old pioneers," and Rev. C. S. Risley, Center- ville, offered the benediction.
A. Sharp, Joseph A. Marsh, J. M. Benjamin and Daniel B. Blue were appointed a committee to secure funds and have a monument erected to mark the last resting place of the Indian Chieftain, White Pigeon, who acted as a flying messenger and saved the lives of the white settlers from massacre, sacrificing his own life to accomplish his errand of mercy.
THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-sixth annual meeting of the St. Joseph County Pioneer Society was held at the city of Colon, Michigan, on Wednesday, June 16, 1909. The day was exceptionally fine, there was a large attendance, the programme was fully carried out and nearly all the officers were present. The meeting had the best attendance of any in the society's history.
The executive committee and members of the society were called to order at 10:00 A. M. by President Sharp for the elec- tion of officers and the transaction of other business. The invita- tion presented from the mayor, council and citizens of Con- stantine, to hold the next annual meeting there, was unanimously accepted and, besides vice-presidents and executive committee (same as the preceding year), the following were chosen: Presi- dent, Judge E. W. Keightley, Constantine; secretary and treas- urer, C. B. Kellogg, of Florence. Adjournment was then voted to attend pioneer picnic dinner in the shady grove of the big maple trees and on the lawn before the beautiful residence of Hon. T. J. Hill.
At 1 o'clock Rev. Mr. Eldred opened the meeting after noon with prayer and also made the address of welcome, in the absence of Mayor Lamberson.
Succeeding order of exercises : Response by Alexander Sharp, president of the society ; song by the Colon Glee club ; announce- ment of the new county officers for the next annual meeting, to be held in Constantine; principal address by Rev. H. A. Simpson ; music by the Colon band, members of which are employed in the large knitting mill owned and operated by Hon. T. J. Hill; forcible address by Hon. E. G. Tucker, for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society ; benediction.
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THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-seventh and last annual meeting of the society was held in the Constantine Opera House on Wednesday, June 22, 1910. The day was fine, but remarkably warm, and the attend- ance was light compared with that at Colon, of the previous year. The ladies were especially well represented and occupied most of the seats in Gray's Opera House; they certainly did their part. The citizens also did their part and thanks are due them for their kindness in helping to defray the incidental ex- penses of the meeting.
The morning session was called to order by Judge E. W. Keightley for the election of county officers and resulted in the choice of David Handshaw of Mendon, for president and Charles B. Kellogg for secretary and treasurer; no change in vice-presi- · dents and executive committee. At noon an adjournment was taken to Root's hotel for dinner, and an hour afterward the meet- ing was re-opened by President Keightley at Gray's Opera House. Rev. Stevens of the Congregational church offered prayer and Judge Keightley's telling address of welcome met with a bright response from Hon. A. Sharp. The principal address was by attorney and postmaster J. Mark Harvey. His was certainly a masterly effort and appreciated by all present, going back to the early conquest of the country from the Indians and foreign powers. James Yauney, A. Sharp and others made short speeches, and a recitation by Miss Fanny Slote was quite interesting and amusing, causing much cheering and clapping of hands. "Amer- ica" was sung by the audience, under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Stevens, who also gave the benediction.
CHAPTER VII.
WHITE PIGEON TOWNSHIP.
WHITE PIGEON PRAIRIE-STORY OF CHIEF WHITE PIGEON-SEQUEL TO THE STORY-UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL-MRS. W. C. CAMERON'S ADDRESS-OTHER PROCEEDINGS-THE PIONEER TRIO-JUDGE WINCHELL-LEONARD CUTLER-ARBA HEALD -- FIRST FARMS IN THE COUNTY-"OLD DIGGINS, " FIRST HOTEL- END OF COLONEL SAVERY-VILLAGE PLATTED-PIONEER COUNTY SCHOOL HOUSE-FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES-CUTTING DOWN AND BUILDING UP-TOPOGRAPHY, DRAINAGE AND LAKES -"PIONEER INCIDENTS, " BY CHARLES B. KELLOGG-FIRST FARMERS AND BUSINESS MEN-KELLOGG BROTHERS-JUDGE LEVI BAXTER-GEORGE W. BEISEL-ENGLISH SETTLERS-ROB- ERT CLARK, THE SURVEYOR-CHIEF WHITE PIGEON AND INDIAN PRAIRIE-ITEMS BY WILLIAM BAIR-"WEBSTER'S VISIT TO WHITE PIGEON, " BY MRS. A. E. KELLOGG.
In the succeeding four chapters, devoted to sketches of the sixteen townships comprising the county of St. Joseph, a logical and historical division is adopted. A grouping has been made, corresponding to the original division of the present county terri- tory into three townships. The first settlements were formed in White Pigeon, which in 1829 comprised the present townships of White Pigeon, Lockport, Florence, Fabius, Constantine and Mott- ville. Because of the historical importance of the White Pigeon township of the present, a chapter is devoted to it alone.
WHITE PIGEON PRAIRIE.
The beautiful prairie of White Pigeon was the first section of St. Joseph county to attract John Winchell, Arba Heald, Leonard Cutler and others, in 1826-7. They closely followed the govern-
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ment surveyors of the Chicago road from the Detroit region, and made their homes not far from the old-time Indian settlement of the friendly Pottawatomies to the south. Years before they came, the vicinity was the permanent camping place for the tribe, while traveling along the Chicago trail, and afterward was recognized as the natural station, or resting place for emigrants bound for southern Michigan or northwestern Indiana. Long before the settlement around Fort Dearborn became generally known, White Pigeon prairie was a noted spot in New England, New York and Pennsylvania, and White Pigeon, the splendid chief of the Potta- watomies, was instanced as proof that the "noble red man" was no mere figure of speech.
From the first, White Pigeon seems to have taken a fond in- terest in the little settlement budding forth on the northern banks of the stream which bore his name, and the story has long ago become history that he gave his life to save it from threatened destruction by his race.
STORY OF CHIEF WHITE PIGEON.
"The story of White Pigeon's love for the people of this settle- ment and his noble sacrifice for the cause of friendship has long been a subject of local history. Various versions of the legend are extant, but the story as gleaned from best authorities is that long years ago, probably about 1830, Chief White Pigeon, while in the neighborhood of Detroit, learned of an uprising among the Indians, and a threatened attack upon the settlement. True to his name, he flew on the wings of love to warn his friends of the impending danger. The journey was a long one, necessitating the fording of creeks and the swimming of rivers, and taxed to the utmost his splendid powers of endurance; yet the brave, loyal heart rushed on and on, until he had reached the settlement and warned his friends; and then, his mission accomplished, tired nature gave way-and the little Indian mound just west of the village finished the story of one who gave his life for the friends he loved. ‘And greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'
"It is only fitting, therefore, that later the settlement he had saved should bear his name and thus perpetuate his memory, and that a lasting tribute may tell to coming generations the story of his noble deed.
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"White Pigeon, or, in the Indian language, Wahbememe, was probably at the time of his death about thirty years of age. He is described as having been of much lighter complexion than others of his tribe; tall, athletic, and an especially fleet runner. He seems to have been a splendid type of the American Indian at his best, brave and chivalrous, with high ideals of truth and honor. The people of his tribe cherished his memory with reverence and love, ascribing to him all the best of Indian virtues, and long paid occasional visits to his grave.
"A story is told that, many years ago, some white miscreant, in open defiance of Pottawatomie commands, built a cabin over the grave; needless to say, it was soon burned and no vandal since has dared to desecrate the place."
SEQUEL TO THE STORY.
The sequel to the story which is so dear to the early settlers of St. Joseph county and their descendants, is the massive stone which now marks the grave of the faithful young chief. Upon the boulder is the inscription: "Erected to the memory of Wahbememe, Indian Chief White Pigeon, who, about 1830, gave his life to save the settlement at this place." To the Alba Columba Club, of White Pigeon, is due the honor of bringing about this act of historic justice and human acknowledgement of "splendid services ren- dered," and largely through the personal efforts of Mrs. W. C. (Cora) Cameron and Mrs. Jessie Reynolds.
UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL.
The dedication of the monument itself was an event of his- toric importance, both to White Pigeon and the county at large, it being unveiled by Willie White Pigeon, the great-great-grandson of the martyred Pottawatomie chief.
"More people were in White Pigeon Wednesday (August 11, 1909) than have gathered here since the time of the departure of the soldiers for the south in 1861," says the News of that place. "The day's festivities opened with the booming of cannon at seven o'clock, and by noon the streets were so thronged with people that passage was difficult. They came in automobiles and carriages, by train, on floats, on wheel, and by wagon loads. The attendance is estimated at about seven thousand.
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WILLIE WHITE PIGEON
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"The prominent feature of the day's program was the dedica- tion of the monument to the memory of Chief White Pigeon which had been erected through the efforts of the Alba Columba Club. This project had been under consideration by the Three Rivers chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution and by the County Pioneer Society, but these White Pigeon ladies insisted that the task was a local one, and to them belongs the honor of carrying forward to completion this laudable enterprise.
IMPRESSIVE MOVEMENT TO THE GRAVE.
"The movement to the grave, where the monument stands, took the form of a parade, led by an escort of a hundred local braves and squaws mounted on horseback. The place of honor in the procession was occupied by the descendants of Chief White Pigeon from Dorr, Allegan county, in a decorated float. Present were John White Pigeon, great-grandson of the chief, his wife Mary and children, Wallace, Lewis, Willie, Joe and Anna ; James White Pigeon, wife and five children; Sampson White Pigeon, wife and two children, Alexander Pokagon and wife.
"Then in order were the K. O. T. M. M. band, a carriage with Lieut. Gov. Kelly, Arthur Dutton, Alfred Wickett and Dr. J. B. Williams, followed by floats bearing the Alba Columba Club, high school, intermediate and primary pupils, district schools, L. O. T. M. M., O. E. S., and many others. The decoration of these floats was delightfully conceived and beautifully carried out, the one bearing the Alba Columba ladies being especially noticeable. A white pigeon was suspended at the front with reins leading to the hands of Charlotte Baker who was seated in a miniature chariot at the top of the float and another white pigeon was perched on her shoulder. The Italian band, fire department, old pioneers in car- riages, dog teams, and the water wagon made a long procession.
"As stated, the boulder bears the inscription: 'Erected in memory of Wahbememe, Indian Chief White Pigeon, who, about 1830, gave his life to save the settlement at this place.' On the front of the base are the words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' On the rear of the base, 'Erected by the Alba Columba Club, 1909.'"
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MRS. W. C. CAMERON'S ADDRESS.
The dedicatory address was delivered by Mrs. W. C. Cameron, who said, in part :
"For years a wish has been expressed that the last resting place of the noble chief be marked by something more permanent than the tree that sheltered it. It remained for a little band of women, the Alba Columba Club, to take the initiative. It has been said that 'A woman roused is a determined woman, and what may she
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