USA > Michigan > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Michigan; Volume I > Part 32
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and is a credit to the place. Various additions have been made to the original building of 1861, the last and perhaps the most impor- tant having been made in 1908.
For the origin of the Central, or Union school of Sturgis, the investigator must hark back to the year 1838, when School District No. 3 was organized (while yet the township was called Sherman), with Philip Buck moderator and Jacob French, director. The school partook of the assessment nature to a greater or less extent until September 1, 1859, when the voters made it free to all the children of the district and raised a tax of two hundred dollars for its support. On the 26th of the same month the district was organ- ized as a Union school district and the following were elected as its board of education : William Allman, Philip H. Buck, J. D. Cook, W. A. Wright, Jacob Sidner and William L. Stoughton. Seven hundred dollars were then voted for incidental expenses, one thou- sand dollars for a building fund and the basement of the Presby- terian church was temporarily leased for the use of the higher classes.
In 1860, the first year of the Union school, the receipts from all sources amounted to $1,454.73; $864 were paid for teachers' sala- ries; and there were 352 scholars. The same year the site of the school house was again changed to block 16-the present beautiful location-$2,000 being paid for the same. The following year (1861) marked the completion of the original brick school building at a cost, with furnishings, of $10,718. In 1876, the school popula- tion had so increased, that an $8,000 addition was made to the original structure, and soon afterwards the tower clock was in- stalled in the main tower.
CITY WATER, LIGHT AND POWER.
The municipal water plant of the city of Sturgis was erected in 1889 and the light plant about ten years later. They are capable of developing 3,000-horse power, although but half of that amount is utilized. The present annual income ($22,000) is sufficient to meet all operating expenses. The plants are under the control of the board of public works, consisting of the following: M. E. Auls- brook (president), F. W. Wait, J. J. Packard, C. P. Urie and George F. Smith.
This branch of the public service is known as the Municipal Water, Electric Light and Power Department, and J. S. Flanders
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is its active manager. As has been briefly stated, the city has been constructing, for some time, a large plant on the St. Joseph river, sixteen miles away, and north of Centerville. It is nearly com- pleted and when in working order will have cost not far from $175,- 000. From its more limited experience with the plants at Sturgis, the city has every good reason to expect that this enterprise will become a paying municipal investment, as it will be in a position not only to sell power and light to its own citizens, but to Center- ville, Mendon, Colon, and (generally speaking) the northern and the eastern sections of the county.
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The free public library of Sturgis, which now contains five thousand well-selected volumes under the immediate control of Mrs. S. G. (Alida) Patterson, librarian, had its origin in the town- ship library established in 1846 and opened in a room on North Not- tawa street. This was the year after the township was set off from Sherman. The first appropriation for its support was $66.74, the books being purchased by the school inspector and distributed among the several districts according to the number of scholars en- rolled. Mainly, through the exertions of Crebilion Jacobs, D. E. Thomas and Dr. Van Vleck a $500 appropriation was subsequently secured and placed under the management of the board of educa- tion of the school district.
In 1871 a library and lecture association was formed in Stur- gis, with C. M. Temple as president and Mrs. General Stoughton as secretary. Such lecturers were secured as "Petroleum V. Nasby," the famous political humorist ; Paul Du Chaillu, the African hunter and traveler, and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the woman reformer and suffragist. But what was more to the present purpose, the association bought $555 worth of books for circulation among its members, who numbered nearly ninety. The library interests of the association and the township were finally consolidated, and the citizens of Burr Oak and Sherman townships even joined the move- ment by paying for the privilege of drawing out books from the library.
In 1885 the township sold out to the city and a reorganization was effected as a city library, the collection of books being moved to more commodious quarters in the Masonic block on Chicago street, where it was very pleasantly located until April, 1909, when it was removed to the new Carnegie building.
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The question of having a Carnegie library had been brought before the city council at various times, but nothing of any import- ance done in regard to the matter. In 1904 the Woman's Club brought the subject up for discussion and decided to appoint a com- mittee to interview Mayor C. A. Freeland and learn what meas- ures should be taken to receive the required amount from Mr. Car- negie for a library building. After a somewhat lengthy corres- pondence and an agreement to fill all requirements, Mr. Freeland succeeded in getting the sum of $10,000. The lot was purchased and contract let; ground was broken on August 6th and on Sep- tember 17, 1908, a day long to be remembered by every good citi- zen of Sturgis, all business was suspended for the laying of the corner-stone.
The building was constructed under the supervision of Mayor C. Wilhelm and is a credit to him and the city. It is located on the corner of Chicago and Clay streets, faces west and south and is built of dark red brick, with white stone trimmings. Its front entrance is of glass tiling, with two stairways to the basement, done in mission style; lobby-room in front of counter; two reading rooms, twenty by twenty-seven feet; stack room, twenty-four by thirty feet; and librarian's room on first floor, mission furniture. The assembly and historical rooms are in the basement; wood-work finished in early English oak; walls in water color cream and browns; maple floors; Tungsten lights; heated with hot water.
Twenty magazines are found on the tables in the reading rooms and ten newspapers; bound magazines in the stack-room, 418; reference books, 130; Circulating books, 4,639.
The total amount expended on building and furnishings is $12,150.
The present library board is as follows: W. A. Cavin, presi- dent; Mrs. F. W. Shoecraft, vice president; Dr. James Vleck, sec- retary ; Dr. David Kane and Mrs. E. B. Gray, trustees.
CORPORATION AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The village was first incorporated as Sturgis, February 12, 1855, by act of the legislature, and William K. Haynes was elected first president of the board of trustees and William L. Stoughton, recorder. The village was re-incorporated in March, 1875, and, as stated, became a city in 1896.
On June 20, 1859, more than four years after the village was incorporated, the council passed an order to buy a fire engine.
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This was accordingly done, and the machine known as "Old Tub" was in commission for twenty years or more. The first regular organization formed for fire protection was Watchword Fire company and was officered as follows: William Hammond, fore- man ; Daniel Flynn, first assistant ; Henry McAfee, secretary, and C. B. Peck, treasurer. It numbered about fifty members. In 1863 Extinguisher Fire Engine No. 2 was purchased, and in the follow- ing year the village council erected the firemen's hall. In 1873 the council dug the public well, which, with several enlargements,
OAK LAWN CEMETERY, STURGIS.
furnished the department with water until the city built the municipal works in 1889.
TOWNSHIP AND CITY CEMETERY.
The first cemetery either in the present township or city of Sturgis, was founded in the summer of 1833, when Hiram Jacobs, father of Crebilion, deeded an acre of land to the township of Sher- man, west of the line of the future railroad tracks. The donation provided for a site of some religious house of worship, with a frontage of 130 feet, and the Methodist and Lutheran churches were afterward erected thereon. The burial grounds at the rear of the church (occupying the present site of the Royal Chair factory) continued to be used as a cemetery until 1867.
In the year named, the board of health of the township of Sturgis, bought ten acres of land just south of the village, in
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section 12, which, by later additions, has been molded into beau- tiful Oak Lawn cemetery. The grounds now consist of more than thirty-two acres, lying on either side of Nottawa street, and there are few prettier homes for the dead in southern Michigan. Crebilion Jacobs, whose father deeded the land for the original cemetery, and who himself has long been prominent in educational and library matters, was superintendent of Oak Lawn for fifteen years and no one has done more to make it what it is.
METHODIST PIONEERS.
The religious history of Sturgis commences with the organiza- tion of the first Methodist society, by Rev. Richard Robinson, in November, 1832. At this time, the territory within the Ohio con- ference was called the St. Joseph mission and was attached to the Fort Wayne (Indiana) district until 1840. In that year was formed the Michigan conference, and the Sturgis society was at- tached to the Centerville circuit until 1851, when the circuit was divided and the society called Sturgis station. The history of the society up to that year is sketched in succeeding paragraphs.
The first class of Methodists in Sturgis was composed of one man-David Knox, the leader-and seven women, among whom were Mrs. David Knox, Mrs. Rachel Knox (David's mother), Mrs. Betsey Buck (widow), Mrs. Thomas Cade and Miss Harriet Brooks. Revs. Smith, Newell, P. S. Robinson, Erastus Kellogg and William Todd, preached to the members of St. Joseph mission until 1837, and in May of that year the Methodist society of Sherman was organized, with David Knox as president of its board of trustees. During the year, Rev. John Ercanbrack and Rev. E. Arnold were appointed to the charge, and during 1838 and 1839 the former was associated in his religious work with Rev. Erastus Kellogg. As stated, the Michigan conference was formed in 1840, and for the succeeding three years the following were appointed to the cir- cuit : 1841-Rev. Richard Meek and James W. Brier; 1842-Rev. Meek and Rev. Charles Babcock ; 1843-Rev. Peter Sabin and Rev. Daniel Bush.
In 1843 the society erected its first church on the public ground, in front of the old cemetery. This building was afterward moved across the street and used as a factory, and the Lutheran church was erected there.
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The first to preach in the new church, which was dedicated early in the year, were Rev. Peter Sabin and Daniel Bush; in 1844, Rev. Henry Worthington and Rev. E. S. Tyler, were ap- pointed to the circuit, and were succeeded in 1845 by Rev. Ercan- brack and E. S. Tyler. In the church records for the latter year appears a note to the effect that "William Allman returned from Indiana Asbury University, re-united with the society, was elected steward and continued in that capacity for nearly forty years; prominent in the general conference and as a class leader."
In 1845, when the township of Sherman was divided and Sturgis erected, the name of the local society was changed. In
METHODIST CHURCH, STURGIS.
April, 1846, a Sunday school was organized, with William Allman as superintendent. From that year, until the division of the Centerville circuit and the founding of Sturgis station, the fol- lowing served the society as circuit preachers: 1846-Rev. John Ercanbrack and George King; 1847-Rev. J. Steele and A. J. Eldred; 1848-Rev. J. Steele and Rev. W. E. Tappan; 1849-Rev. S. A. Osborn and Rev. S. P. Lee; 1850-Rev. S. A. Osborn and Rev. L. W. Earl.
When Sturgis was made a separate station, in 1851, Rev. W. G. Stoner was appointed its pastor, and the following served it during the succeeding four years: Rev. Jeremy Boynton, Rev.
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Elijah Crane and Rev. V. G. Boynton. In 1856 the society decided on the corporate name-the First Methodist Episcopal church, of Sturgis, and in October of that year, William Allman donated a lot for a parsonage. Rev. J. McAlister was pastor in 1857-8, and was succeeded by Rev. N. L. Brockway, B. F. Doughty, Rev. S. C. Woodward and Rev. G. D. Lee.
Under the pastorate of the last named, the first church edifice was built, and dedicated in the same year (1863). It was a com- fortable brick structure, erected at a cost of $12,000, and provided for about four hundred sittings.
Since then the church has steadily grown in usefulness and favor under the pastorate of such well known ministers as Rev. Thomas Lyon, Rev. A. A. Knappen, Rev. John Graham, Rev. A. M. Gillett, Rev. Elias Cooley, Rev. R. H. Bready, Rev. G. A. Buell, Rev. L. N. Pattison, Rev. L. H. Manning and Rev. Adam Clarke (who has occupied the pulpit since September, 1909). The beau- tiful edifice, which is now the home of the church was dedicated in March, 1908. It is large and picturesque, is built of unfinished stone, has an elegant interior finish, and comfortably accommo- dates the three hundred members who are affiliated with the denomination and the local body. The growth in membership is indicated by the fact that it was 104 in 1855, and 161 in 1883.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church was organized October 6, 1836, as a con- ference composed of Elder Gershom B. Day, moderator; Abel Crossman, clerk; Wear Drake, Mordecai Leighton, Thomas Davis, Elizabeth Day, Roxana Crossman and Lydia and Catherine Drake. On January 26, 1837, a council was held composed of Elder Will- iam Brown (moderator), Elder H. J. Hall (clerk), William Taylor and L. M. Choat, and the conference was formally organized as a church, with Polly S. Ellis and Eunice B. Raymond as additional members. The services of dedication consisted of the preaching of the sermon (from Luke xii, 32) by Elder Brown, who also gave the right hand of fellowship to the members; charge to the new church, given by William Taylor, and prayer offered by Mr. Choat.
In 1846 the people of Sturgis, irrespective of denominational preference, erected a house of worship, which was the first church building occupied by the Baptists; in 1858 they bought the other
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interests in the structure and occupied it alone for many years. The Sunday school was organized in October, 1846, with P. H. Evans as superintendent. In the late seventies the church membership was about 90; it is now 150. The first pastor of the society was Elder Day, the pioneer Baptist preacher in the county, who was afterward killed by the Indians in California. Well known pastors who have served the church are the following: Revs. R. Graham, L. H. Stocker, R. H. Cook, P. Forbes, P. H. Evans, U. B. Miller, E. Curtis, G. L. Stevens, E. I. Fish, A. L. Vail, George A. Amos, L. F. Compton, A. J. Snyder, B. P. Hewitt, Ira Hall, E. P. Smallidge, J. J. Phelps, J. C. Rhodes, A. H. Bailey, C. G. Roadarmel and J. C. MacDonald (now in charge).
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
One of the oldest and most flourishing churches of Sturgis is the Presbyterian, which was organized by Rev. W. Corey, of Lima, Indiana, in 1836-7. Among the first members were: Elder James L. Bishop and wife, Rice Pearsoll and wife, Mr. Wilbur and wife, Mrs. Ransom and Ahira Brooks. In August, 1853, the church was incorporated, with J. L. Bishop, William Kyte and P. H. Buck as trustees. The first church edifice was built in 1858 and was valued at $6,000. Among the earlier pastors of the society, besides Mr. Corey, were Rev. Charles Newberry, Rev. Mr. Fuller, Rev. Mr. Clarke, Rev. Mr. Knapp and Rev. C. M. Temple. A Sunday school was organized about the same time as the church, and among its early superintendents were John Taylor and Harvey H. Breese. Rev. C. B. Newsom now occupies the pulpit.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
The Evangelical Lutheran St. John's church was organized as a Reformed society in 1855. Not long afterward Lutheran ministers commenced to preach to the church, and on March 21, 1864, it was incorporated as the Evangelical Reformed church, of Sturgis. In April, 1866, fourteen stanch Lutheran members with- drew from the society and organized as the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church, by which name it has ever since been known. The present church was erected in 1869, although the tower and several additions have since been made to the main structure.
The pastors of the church, since the adoption of its present name, have been as follows: Rev. F. J. Hennicke, 1866-72; Rev.
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John Eipperle, 1872-6; Rev. William Rein, 1876-8; Rev. Fred. Miller, 1878-80; Rev. C. F. Boehner, 1880-7; Rev. Robert Hoeck, 1887-9; Rev. Martin Kionka, 1889-93; Rev. Fred. Krauss, 1893- 1900; Rev. O. Eckert, 1900-6; Rev. H. C. Richter, 1906-present pastor. The St. John's church numbers 370 souls ; active members, about 100. Ecclesiastically, it is a part of the "Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Michigan and other states."
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN TRINITY.
Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church is an outgrowth of the First Lutheran church, organized January 14, 1864, with these members: Carl Froh, Christ Froh, Henry Lohrmann, Frederick Passehl, John Vallbrandt, Christ Genning, Carl Schroeder and Fred Ripke. Rev. Mr. Evers, the first pastor, after preaching about a year and a half, was called to Adams county, Indiana, and during the succeeding three years Rev. Mr. Hahn and Rev. G. A. Henkel preached not only at Sturgis, but at Hillsdale and Burr Oak. Mr. Henkel occupied the pulpit of the church regularly from 1869 to 1877, and during his pastorate (1871) the society built its first house of worship-a little frame building, twenty by thirty feet. In 1874 the church was attached to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of "Missouri, Ohio and other states," and on August 12, 1877, Rev. H. Gose was called from Illinois to assume the pastorate.
The present parsonage was erected in 1881, which was occu- pied by Mr. Gose until he left to take up his new work at Three Rivers and Fabius, in 1885. During the succeeding fifteen years, or the period from 1885 to 1900, the following pastors were in charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity: Revs. Kaemmerer, H. Yuengel, Theodore Ruhland (only a few months), Theodore Hahn and G. Wolter. Under Mr. Hahn's incumbency, which covered 1893-1900, the church was rebuilt, being dedicated Sep- tember 20, 1896. Rev. G. Wolter occupied the pulpit from 1900 to 1903, when Rev. W. T. Schalm, the present incumbent, succeeded him.
The secular educational work connected with the church had reaped such good results that a new parochial school building had been erected, and was dedicated on the 16th of April following Mr. Schalm's assumption of pastoral duties. This feature has continued to be a leading one in the activities of the church, which
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now numbers 285 souls, 193 actual communicants and 65 voting members.
The Evangelical Lutheran Trinity is a free and independent church, being supported entirely by voluntary monthly contribu- tions. Within the organization are a flourishing Sunday school, Ladies' Aid society, Lutheran League and other auxiliaries of a religious and charitable nature.
THE MISSION OF HOLY ANGELS.
Holy Mass was celebrated by the Catholics of Sturgis for the first time in 1864, in the residence of Capt. Wm. MeLaughlin, at the corner of Clay and Congress streets. Father C. Ryckaert was the celebrant; he visited Sturgis until 1872, when Rev. Korst, re- siding at Coldwater, took charge. The services continued to be held in the above residence and occasionally in other private houses in the village and the country. Father McKenna attended Sturgis while he was pastor of Mendon. From 1875 to 1880 the mission was attached to Elkhart, Indiana, where Father J. Noll was pastor. In 1879 an effort was made for the third time to build a church. The initiative was taken by the devout and zealous Mrs. Cook, who placed the enterprise under the patronage of the Immaculate Vir- gin Mary and St. Joseph. Success seemed to have been assured from the beginning. Mr. Beck donated the site on Nottawa street, now the avenue of beautiful residences. All the people, Catholic and non- Catholic, united in building the church; those who could not give money offered their labor gratis. In two months the building, about 32x60 feet, brick veneered, was completed and free of debt. About twenty families constituted the mission.
The dedication took place in May, 1879. The Rt. Rev. Bishop, assisted by his secretary, Father Korst and a few other priests, per- formed the ceremony. His Lordship also preached the dedicatory sermon, the subject was: "The Church the House of God."
From 1879 to 1884, Holy Angels' was attended by Fathers Slane from Hillsdale, Kroeger from Elkhart, Loughran from Men- don, Kroll from Bronson. Father Korst had charge of it from 1884 to 1895. He added the sacristy. He was succeeded by Father Schaeper. The church was still without a tower and bell. The tower was built by a local mechanic and a good bell weighing 800 pounds, was placed in it. The old windows were replaced by new ones of artistic design, and rich colors. The church was now com-
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plete and was among the best of the so-called country churches. Rev. H. J. Kaufmann came in 1903. The following year being the jubilee year of the church, it was thought proper to have the inte- rior frescoed, an electric chandelier put in, new statues and a new tabernacle purchased. These improvements considerably enhanced the interior. The jubilee was observed in a becoming manner. The exercises were conducted by the Rev. John Cavanaugh, C.S.C., now president of the Notre Dame University.
ST. JOHN'S PARISH HOUSE.
St. John's Parish House (Episcopal) is one of the most strik- ing, although not among the largest, of the church buildings in Sturgis. The parish property includes not only a somewhat low, but pretty and unique house of worship, and, an assembly hall for religious and social purposes, but an elegant auditorium devoted to public purposes; it is, in fact, the only public hall worthy of the name in the city. The corner-stone of the main building was laid in 1903, and the structure was consecrated May 20, 1906. The pub- lic auditorium is known as McKenzie Hall, being named in honor of the present rector of St. John's guild and mission, Rev. J. H. Mckenzie; membership or communicants, about 120.
PIONEER MASONS.
As is the rule in other places, the Masons were the first to or- ganize in Sturgis, Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., be- ing created under dispensation, March 12, 1851. Francis Flanders was its first worthy master. The lodge was first chartered January 15, 1852, the treasured parchment which first called it into exist- ence being destroyed by fire. It was granted a new charter Janu- ary 12, 1862. W. H. Kent was worshipful master in 1853, and Dr. Nelson I. Packard filled the chair at different times for eleven years. The present membership numbers about 85, the officers for 1910 being as follows : H. L. Anthony, W. M .; L. H. Powers, S. W .; Claude Curtis, J. W .; T. J. Collins, treasurer; W. A. Cavin, secre- tary ; William P. Townsend, S. D .; Emil Marsch, J. D .; William Lloyd, tiler.
Sturgis Chapter No. 26, R. A. M., was organized by charter January 7, 1861, with B. F. Doughty as high priest ; N. I. Packard, scribe, and Charles H. Putnam, king. The present officers are as Vol. 1-24
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follows : Charles J. Lockwood, H. P .; J. J. Stanton, K .; C. Wilhelm, S .; W. P. Townsend, C. of H .; Claude D. Curtis, P. S .; Emil Marsch, R. A. C .; Thomas J. Collins, treasurer; C. J. Halbert, sec- retary ; C. E. Boughton, M. 3 V .; A. W. Gardner, M. 2 V .; Luther H. Powers, M. 1 V .; William Lloyd, Sen. Membership of the chap- ter, over 100.
Olive Branch Lodge of the Eastern Star was organized Octo- ber 2, 1879. It has a membership of some 150, with the following officers : Mrs. Helena M. Lockwood, W. M .; Mrs. Portia Graves, A. M .; Mrs. Claude Curtis, W. P .; Mrs. Lavina Alexander, treasurer; Mrs. Jessie Taylor, secretary; Miss Edith Corey, Ada; Miss Carrie Graves, Ruth; Miss Josie Rodebaugh, Esther; Miss Dorothea Rob- inson, Martha; Miss Mary Newman, Electra; Mrs. Lizzie Grob- hiser, marshal; Mrs. Jennie Tracy, captain ; Mrs. Fannie Robinson, organist; William Lloyd, sentinel.
ODD FELLOWS AND OTHER ORDERS.
The Odd Fellows of Sturgis organized themselves into Prairie Lodge No. 37 in the early fifties, and in July, 1860, dedicated what was then a fine hall. Hon. Henry Waldron, then a member of con- gress was the orator for the occasion. At the present time the lodge has a membership of about seventy, with William Hayes as noble grand, David A. Kribs as secretary, James J. Packard as treasurer, and H. L. Anthony as quartermaster.
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