USA > Michigan > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph county, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 50
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hundred dollars to built a school-house, and, July 15, selected the site before named, and voted an additional tax, not to exceed five hundred dollars, to complete the building, and adopted the plan of the same. The school- district included sections four and nine, and that part of sections sixteen, seventeen and eighteen lying north of the St. Joseph, and east of the Rocky.
The annual meeting was called to order, October 21, at "early candle light," the record says, and the electors proceeded to vote to have the studding of the new school-house filled in with wood, laid in clay mortar, "if any one would do it reasonably." The price was probably meant to be limited, and not the manner in which the work should be done.
There were forty-six children in the district, between five and seventeen years of age.
Five dollars was appropriated for a library, and a sum sufficient to get a suitable case, and H. Bowman was appointed librarian.
In 1840 the school-house was removed to the public square, west of the school-house lot. It was subsequently sold and moved again, and is now occupied as a residence.
A brick school-house, the rear portion of the present building, was built in 1851, and cost one thousand two hundred dollars. The district adopted the union school system September 26, 1859, and graded the school; the first board of education being as follows : Dr. Richardson, S. P. Adams, D. Fran- cisco, I. Crossette, John Cowling and J. C. Bassett. The present school-house was built, except the rear portion, in 1858-59. The total amount of funds raised for the year 1859-60, was two thousand seven hundred and thirty-five dollars and fifty-five cents, six hundred dollars being paid for teachers' wages. The district is free from all debt at the present time, and has a comfortable and capacious house, well lighted and ventilated, though not so pretentious as many of the sister towns in the county, possess. The first principal in the union school was W. H. Paine, who received four hundred dollars and taught one hundred and thirty-five pupils, with two assistants. He continued to teach seven years, from 1857-commencing in the old building-until 1863. He is now in Adrian. He was succeeded by Prof. Simpkins, two years, Prof. Clark, three years, Prof. Stone, six years, and Prof. Baker, the present principal. The board of education for 1876-77 is as follows: D. M. Bateman, moderator ; R. R. Pealer, assessor; D. Francisco, director, Thomas M. Clark, J. H. Lyon, Joseph M. Kirby.
School district number four has its school-house in the second ward of the city, and was organized separately and independently, September 10, 1855, by electing William Fulkerson, moderator; W. F. Arnold, director, and Fred- erick O. White, assessor. At the annual meeting that year, J. W. French was elected moderator, and the people voted to build a school-house twenty- six by thirty feet, one story, ten feet high. Three hundred dollars was appropriated to purchase a site and build the house on the southwest corner of Mr. Arnold's farm. The house was built the same fall and cost five hun- dred dollars. The teacher's wages for the first year amounted to two hundred and nineteen dollars and ninety-seven cents. September 3, 1866, the people voted to raise one thousand dollars for a new building, and one thousand dollars in 1867, and in the latter year, voted to build the house on a plan of thirty by seventy feet on the ground, two stories, eleven and twelve feet. in the clear respectively; and the site was changed to the northwest cor- ner of the west half of the southwest quarter of section twenty, containing two acres. The building was erected in 1868, and cost about four thousand five hundred dollars. It is of brick, and very pleasantly located, is capacious and well lighted, and built more for convenience than architectural display. The school was graded in 1869, but the district has never adopted the union school system.
The statistics of the schools of Three Rivers for the year ending September 1, 1876, are as follows : there were two brick school-houses with eight hundred and sixteen sittings, valued at twenty-one thousand dollars ; eight hundred and twenty-four pupils attended the schools, which were in session ten months. Two male teachers were employed and paid two thousand and fifty dollars for their services, and twelve females received three thousand nine hundred and twelve dollars. The total income for the year amounted to eleven thousand five hundred and ten dollars and sixty-seven cents, including three hundred dollars received for tuition from non-resident pupils. Total expenditures, including thirteen hundred dollars on bonded indebtedness- the last instalment-ten thousand seven hundred and five dollars and sixty- five cents. There are six hundred and fifteen volumes in the town library.
THE CHURCHES.
The first church organized in Three Rivers was the First Presbyterian church of that place ; its formation dating from August 12, 1838. This society was organized by Rev. Mr. Stanley, of Mottville, with nineteen
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SAMUEL A. FITCH.
MRS. SAMUEL A. FITCH .
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RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL A. FITCH, LOCKPORT, ST JOSEPH CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN BAUM, LOCKPORT TP, ST JOSEPH CO., MICH.
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RESIDENCE OF E. R. WILLEMIN, LOCKPORT TR, ST JOSEPH CO., MICH.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
members, viz .: James Slote, Hannah his wife, and Mrs. Sarah Snyder, their daughter; John Bondman, Catherine Mowrey, John Sickler and Anna his wife, Edward S. Moore and Mary P. his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, Dr. Edward S. Eagery, Mrs. Louisa Manning, John Troy, and Rebecca his wife, Samuel L. Sterling, Miles Bristol, and Celestia his wife. On the same day James Slote, McDonald Campbell and Edward S. Moore were ordained as elders. Mr. Moore filled the position of elder until Jan- uary 2, 1876, when he resigned, from his own choice, to make way for younger men. The first session-meeting was held at the house of Dr. Eagery, March 4, 1839, at which were present Rev. Benjamin Ogden, of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and Edward S. Moore, elder; the other elders being deceased-Mr. Campbell dying within a month of his ordination, and Mr. Slote in February, 1839. After a lapse of thirty-eight years, on July 2, 1876, six only of the original members were living in the communion of the church, viz .: Edward S. Moore and wife, (the latter since deceased), John Sickler and wife, Samuel L. Sterling and Dr. Edward S. Eagery; while of ten others who united with the church during the first year of its history, eight remain : Jonathan Hoats and Mary his wife, Mrs. Sabina McKey, Mrs. Mary L. Prutzman, Mrs. Martha Feagles, Mrs. Maria P. Kelsey, Miss Bond- man, now Mrs. John Armitage, and Miss Mary Kepler.
The total membership of the church since its organization has been five hundred and twenty-four, of whom one hundred and sixty-three were (July 2, 1876), known to be living and in good regular standing in the church. From the time of its organization until the beginning of the year 1876, twelve ruling elders had served the church,-besides the three before named, they were John Troy, John Sickler, Eli H. Bristol, John Lomison, Abram C. Prutzman, Alexander H. Hicks, Henry N. Spencer, John Armitage and Robert M. Lafferty. Of these, Messrs. Bristol, Hicks and Spencer have died, Troy, Lomison and Lafferty have been dismissed to other congregations, and the others remain with the church. Mr. Moore and Mr. Sickler served the church, respectively, thirty-eight and thirty-seven years.
On January 6, 1876, the following board of elders were elected on the term system,-a portion to retire each year; William Sickler, John P. Prutzman, John Dunham, George W. Gillespie, Borden M. Hicks, Charles B. Tucker and Albert B. Ranney. Ten ministers have served the church, as follows : Rev. Benjamin Ogden, from November 1, 1838 to 1843; Rev. Albert H. Gaston, from October 29, 1843, to May, 1846; Rev. Robert McMath, from August, 1846 to 1850; Rev. William Page, from 1850 to 1854; Rev. William Blackburn, from May, 1854, to 1856; Rev. Almon G. Martin, from August, 1856 to January, 1859 ; Rev. Joseph A. Ranney, from 1859 to 1872; Rev. George Barnes, from 1872 to 1873; Rev. John D. McCord, from November, 1873 to 1874; Rev. William A. Masker, who preached three Sabbaths, as supply, in November and December, 1874, and has served as acting pastor since January 1, 1875, to the present writing- 1877. During an existence of thirty-nine years, the church has had but one installed pastor,-Joseph A. Ranney,-who was installed September 21, 1859, his pastorate extending until September, 1872. Mr. Ogden and Mr. Page are dead, and the others are actively engaged in the work of the ministry. In 1850, under Mr. McMath, a time of refreshing was had in the church, Rev. Calvin Clark assisting the pastor some weeks, at the end of which (in March) twenty-six persons united with the church,-twenty of them by professon of faith. In 1855, during Mr. Martin's charge, thir- teen were received. In 1860, the first year of Mr. Ranney's pastorate, thirty-four were received into the church,-twenty-seven on profession of faith, and one year after fifteen more were added.
The most memorable communion-season, in the history of the church, occurred in 1866. Mr. Moody was with the church a few days, and at the April communion sixty-three were received into the church on profession, and five by letter,-thirty-three being baptised. In 1869 seventeen were added to the church. During Mr. Ranney's pastorate two hundred and sixty-six united with the church, being an average accession of more than twenty in each year,-one hundred and fifty-eight joined on profes- sion of faith, and one hundred and eight by letter. There have been thirty- eight added since,-by Mr. Barnes, eight ; Mr. McCord, fifteen, and Mr. Masker, fifteen.
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During the first ten years, the society had no house of its own to worship in, but met in private residences and in school-houses. On February 14, 1849, the first church was completed and dedicated,-Rev. O. P. Hoyt, of Kalamazoo, and Rev. Mr. Steele, of Constantine, officiating. This building was supposed, by most of the church, to be large enough to accommodate the congregation for many years to come, but, ten years later, it was enlarged at least one-third, bringing it to its present size. It now stands by the side of the beautiful and capacious temple which this society erected in 1868-70,
at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars,-the same being nearly paid up at the present time. It was dedicated May 11, 1870, the sermon being preached by Rev. William Hogarth, D. D.
The church was represented in the armies of the Union, during the war of the rebellion, by eight members,-one being the son of the pastor, and another, Captain Henry N. Spencer, the superintendent of the Sunday- school. Besides these eight, there were three husbands of members, twenty- seven sons, and twenty-two brothers, of members, and ten members of the congregation,-eighty in all. Of these the following gave their lives in defense of the country :
Members of the church-Ariel Lamb, killed in battle in West Virginia ; William Woodruff, died of fever at Helena, Arkansas; Jacob Feagles, husband of Mrs. Martha Buck Feagles, died in New Orleans; Ray Hicks, son of Mrs. Sophia Hicks, died in Louisiana; William P. Baum, son of John Baum, died of fever at Helena, Arkansas; Edward W. Prutzman, son of A. C. and Mary Prutzman, (adjutant 25th Michigan Infantry,) killed at Resaca, Georgia, in an assault upon the enemy's works; John Gil- bert, an attendant upon the church service, died at Louisville.
The following brothers of members also gave their lives for the old flag : Yeager Baum, Charles H. Horton, Joseph M. Marsh, Lorenzo M. Pettit, John Troy, George Westover and David T. Whitney. Frank Smitley, whose mother was a member of the church, was killed by a sharp-shooter during the Atlanta campaign. Thus the roll of the church slain numbers fifteen.
The above historical record of the Presbyterian Church we have con- densed from an exhaustive Centennial sermon, delivered by the present pastor, Rev. William A. Masker, July 22, 1876, a copy of which the rever- end gentleman most kindly furnished us, and for which he has our thanks.
The first class of the Methodist Episcopal church of Three Rivers was formed in 1836, by the circuit preacher in charge; Joseph Sterling and wife, John Carpenter and wife, Mrs. Grant Brown and Mrs. Catharine Hoff- man being the original members. The class numbered fourteen in May, 1839, Ezra Cole, his wife and brother, joining it at that time. Mr. Sterling was the leader of the class until Mr. Cole came, when he was chosen, and preached also to them every two weeks, from June, 1839, until December of that year. Rev. John Ercanbrack was the circuit preacher in charge, from 1837 to 1839, but Reverends Beecher and Stanley preached occasionally during the former part of the latter year. The society was not organized as a church until April 11, 1842, when Ezra Cole, John Arney, Philip H. Hoffman, Joseph Sterling and George Hardy were elected trustees.
In 1846 the first church-edifice was erected on the site of the present one, at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. It was built of brick, and was thirty by forty feet on the ground. The building-committee was Warren D. Pettit and Z. B. Ruggles. The society had met previously in the school-house. The present edifice was erected in 1863-5, and dedicated by Reverends A. T. Hatfield and Thomas Eddy, of Chicago. It is a fine building, large, roomy and comfortable, and cost about thirty thousand dol- lars. In the winter of 1840-1, Rev. Erastus Kellogg, assisted by Mr. Cole, created an enthusiasm in the community, and one hundred joined the church during the year.
The following ministers have had charge of the class and church from the organization of the former, until the present time. Reverends John Ercan- brack, 1837-9 and 1844-6 ; Erastus Kellogg, 1839-41, and Father McCoole about this time; Richard Meek, - Worthington, Samuel Osborne, 1849 -51; H. Penfield, 1851-2 and 1859-60; A. J. Eldred, Salmon Steel, Enoch Holstock, 1854-6; Thomas Granger, 1856-8; David Burns, 1860-2; A. A. Dunton, 1862-4; D. G. Gillett, 1865-7; Thomas Jacokes, 1867-9; W. H. Pierce, 1869-71; Levi Tarr, 1871-3; Israel Coggshall, 1873-5; J. W. Miller, 1875-7.
A Sunday-school is in full and successful operation in connection with the society.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
of Three Rivers was organized as a society, April 6, 1861, the council for the purpose being composed of Rev. J. L. McCloud, of Schoolcraft; Rev. Samuel Haskell, of Kalamazoo, and Rev. S. E. Faxon. The roll of mem- bers at the time the organization was effected was William F. Arnold and wife, William M. Griffin, wife and two daughters, Cornelius Young, William Churchill and his son Adney, Mrs. Sally Woodhull, Mrs. Frost and Samuel Ludwig. William Churchill and Ludwig were the deacons, and Griffin the first clerk. The only church edifice ever built by the society, was erected, in 1864, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. It was of wood, its dimensions on the ground were thirty-eight by sixty feet, and
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
it afforded three hundred sittings. It was burned in 1871. The number of members, when last reported, was one hundred and seventy. There have been no meetings for two years.
The first pastor of the church was Luther H. Trowbridge, who was a licentiate when he first came, in 1861, but was ordained in Three Rivers, and remained with the church until the close of 1869. J. S. Goodall suc- ceeded Mr. Trowbridge in 1870-3, the congregation meeting in Kelsey's Hall after the church was burned. E. Curtis succeeded Mr. Goodall for six months, and Mr. Pack came next, for one year, since which time there has been no shepherd over the flock. The church was dedicated December 27, 1864.
A Sunday-school was organized before the church was built, and was kept up until the meetings were suspended; J. W. French being the superin- tendent.
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES
of Three Rivers was organized February 1, 1863, by Rev. D. Kroh. Among the first members of the church were John G. Ott, John Buss, Lucas Thurer, F. Burgin, and John Steininger, with their wives; Henry Stotz, George Schneidhart, Charles Ettelman and F. Keiser.
The present church-edifice was built in the third ward of the city, in 1870 -71, at a cost of eleven thousand dollars. It has three hundred and fifty sittings. The society numbers one hundred and seventy-five members, and its Sunday-school, eighty scholars, and has one hundred and fifty books in its library, the pastor being the superintendent. The pastors of the church have been Rev. H. Wiegand, J. L. Schlosser and L. Grossenburg, the present incumbent.
TRINITY CHURCH (EPISCOPAL)
of Three Rivers was organized September 14, 1863, with the following mem- bers : William H. Warren, John Cowling, John M. Bailey, Isaac Crossette, L. L. Herrick, S. Chadwick, C. Robertson, L. A. Selleck, William Demott, Thomas M. Clark. The first vestry were, John Cowling, S. W .; Edwin Warren, J. W .; W. E. Wheeler, treasurer; Calvin Robertson, secretary ; Thomas M. Clark, Edward Murphy, Isaac Crossette and Samuel Chadwick.
October 26, 1863, a call was extended to Rev. V. Spalding to settle with the church as rector, at a salary of five hundred dollars, and was accepted the same day.
May 12, 1864, Thomas M. Clark, Edward Murphy, Wardens, and W. E. Wheeler, treasurer, as delegates, attended the Diocesan convention at Grand Rapids, and changed the name of the church to St. Joseph's church, but it was subsequently changed back to "Trinity." The rector resigned April 20, 1866, and was succeded in July following, by Rev. William Charles, from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
The present church-edifice was built in 1866-7; it is valued at six thousand dollars, and will seat three hundred persons. The Sunday-school was organized under Mr. Charles' rectorship. The Trinity Church Aid So- ciety, formed of the ladies of the church, has been a most efficient aid in the building of the church and in supporting a rector. They have a library of one hundred and fifty volumes. Mrs. N. S. Andrews is the president, and Miss Cora Shiveley, secretary.
The rectors who have been settled over the church since Mr. Charles re- signed, March 2, 1868, were Reverends Alexander H. Rogers, 1868-70 ; M. J. Hyde, December, 1870, to November, 1871 ; Henry McClory, 1872-3; M. E. Buck, 1874-6. There is no rector with the church at the present time.
The present vestry are : Thomas M. Clark, S. W .; John Cowling, J. W .; E. L. Brown, treasurer ; D. M. Bateman, secretary; W. W. Rea, C. W. Harvey and J. F. Lake. There are seventy members on the roll of the church, and thirty-five scholars in the Sunday-school.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
of Three Rivers, was organized April 3, 1870, and adopted a constitution and elected trustees, viz .: Aaron Schall, Samuel Weinberg, Levi Van Dorsten and the pastor, Rev. Delo. Among the first members, of whom there were twenty-nine, were Samuel Fees (now dead), S. H. Acker and wife, James King and wife, Lanson G. Reichart and wife, Samuel Bobb and wife, Mrs. M. C. Delo, Mrs. Mary M. Schall, Mrs. Levi Van Dorsten, Samuel Van Dorsten and wife, Jacob and Matilda Swartz, and Josiah Steininger.
The first pastor was Rev. Delo, who remained with the church six years; the present one, Rev. A. J. Cromer, coming to it in the early part of 1876.
The society erected in the second ward of the city, in 1872-3, a fine brick edifice, which will seat from three hundred to three hundred and fifty per- sons, and is valued at ten thousand dollars. A Sunday-school connected with the church has seventy-five scholars. There are fifty-five members in the church, and the elders at present are Aaron Schall and Gideon Boyers.
THE PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH
of Three Rivers numbers eighty members. Its house of worship is situated in the eastern part of the second ward of the city, and is valued at five thousand dollars. It contains two hundred sittings, and is thirty-four by forty-eight feet on the ground. Rev. Mr. Becker was the pastor in 1873, Rev. William Tompkinson in 1875-6, and Rev. J. H. Webb is the present shepherd.
SOCIETIES-MASONIC.
Three Rivers Lodge, No. 57, A. F. M., was instituted under dispensation in 1852 and chartered in 1853. Its first worshipful master was Ezra Cole, who served under the dispensation and two years under the charter. Since then the position has been filled as follows : H. H. Cole, 1855-9; John Cowling, 1860-2 and 1874 ; D. M. Bateman, 1863-6; W. H. Warren, 1867; Thomas M. Greene, 1868-73 and 1876, and L. T. Wilcox, 1875. The present officers are Thomas M. Greene, W. M .; Sylvester Troy, S. W .; B. F. Wells, J. W .; W. W. Rea, secretary. The lodge's roll of craftsmen numbers one hundred.
Friendship Lodge, No. 338, was instituted by charter in January, 1876, with John Cowling as master ; C. W. Backus, S. W .; I. H. Greenwood, J. W .; L. T. Wilcox, secretary ; James F. Thoms, treasurer, and thirty-four charter-members. It has added ten more craftsmen to its list since its or- ganization.
Salathiel Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., so named in honor of Judge S. C. Coffinberry, was instituted under dispensation in 1859 and chartered in Jan- uary following. Its first officers were Ezra Cole, H. P .; John Cowling, K .; Joseph C. Morse, S. Since then the office of H. P. has been filled by John Cowling from 1861 to 1871 inclusive, and 1873-5; Thomas M. Greene, 1872. The present officers are D. D. Thorp, H. P .; Jacob F. Slenker, K .; William G. Caldwell, S .; John Cowling, secretary ; James F. Thoms, treasurer. The roll of members numbers one hundred.
THREE RIVERS COUNCIL, NO. 7, OF R. AND S. M.
was chartered February 2, 1860, with B. F. Doughty, T. I. M .; John Cow- ling, P. C. W., and H. H. Cole, recorder. John Cowling, I. C. Bassett and J. E. Prutzman have been the T. I. Masters. The present officers are Joseph E. Prutzman, T. I. M .; David Knox, Jr., S. W .; L. B. Hess, P. C. W .; John Cowling, recorder. There are eighty-five members engaged in the crypt.
Three Rivers Commandery, No. 29, K. T., was chartered June 20, 1872, L. S. Stevens, E. C .; S. B. Kingsbury, Gen'o; D. D. Thorp, C. G .; J. East- man Johnson, prelate, and Thomas G. Greene, recorder, being its first officers. There were twenty-four charter-members. D. D. Thorp, W. E. Wheeler, J. E. Prutzman and C. W. Backus have been the commanders. The officers of 1876-7 are George C. Brissette, E. C .; C. W. Backus, Gen'o; D. D. Thorp, C. G .; Rev. A. H. Vanvranken, prelate; John Cowling, recorder, and L. T. Wilcox, treasurer. The commandery has on its muster-roll eighty sir knights.
John Cowling was for fourteen years high priest of Salathiel Chapter, and has been secretary for most of the Masonic bodies during a great portion of their history. All the Masonic bodies meet in the same hall, which Three Rivers Lodge holds under a twenty years' lease. It is handsomely and neatly furnished. The dedication of the hall was a noted event in the history of the order in Three Rivers. The officers of the Grand Lodge of Michigan were present, and the editor of the Michigan Freemason delivered the oration.
ODD-FELLOWSHIP.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 80, I. O. O. F., was chartered in 1860, Isaac C. Bassett and Cyrus Roberts filling the position of N. G. the first year, and John Cowling and T. E. Clapp, succeeding thereto during the second year. In 1860, the forty-first anniversary of the institution of the order was cele- brated in Three Rivers with great eclat. The officers of the year 1876 are: Watson Gray, N. G .; Charles Sandberg, V. G .; W. P. Gibbs, permanent secretary ; H. W. Whitman, recording secretary ; Ion Vernon, treasurer. There are ninety-four members in good standing, on the books of the lodge.
Golden Rule Lodge, No. 184, was chartered in 1872, Enoch Kline being the first N. G., and with twenty-two charter-members. Its present officers are : James Smitley, N. G .; William Sickles, V. G .; J. W. Ferguson, P. S .; William Woodward, R. S .; H. T. Arthur, treasurer; and its members number seventy-five.
Curtis Encampment, No. 39, of Patriarchs, was instituted February 1, 1871, and its present officers are : John Foster, C. P .; D. W. Johnson, H. P .; T. Troy, S. W .; O. P. Smith, J. W .; W. P. Gibbs, scribe; Ion Vernon, treasurer. It has thirty-eight members on its roll.
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RESIDENCE OF L. B. SWARTWOUT , THREE RIVERS , MICH.
RESIDENCE OF DR. C.W. BACKUS, THREE RIVERS, MICH.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. - , was chartered in 1871, and suspended work the year following.
John Cowling is the oldest Odd-Fellow in western Michigan.
Three Rivers Lodge of Good Templars, No. - , was organized in 1866, with O. F. Bean, W. C. T. It awakened an interest in the temperance cause, having at one time two hundred members on its books. It worked well for several years, but has been suspended for some time.
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