History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 76

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 76

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After Mr. Finn, the station agents were S. L. Sergeant, whose service began in 1851; Aaron Durand, who succeeded in 1854, then S. L. Sergeant again, who was followed by the present incumbent, William Martin. Thomas Godfrey came from Sylvan Center dur- ing these years, and built the Chelsea House, which is still standing and is used as a hotel, by Thomas Hoag. Lewis Randall was also among the first residents of the place, as was Newton Robinson. Edward Winter kept a saloon, as did Jack Whittington. Jacob Berry located in Chelsea in 1852, and built a small house, and, being a carpenter and builder, he was engaged in the erection of many of the first buildings of Chelsea. Elijah Hammond was another of the early builders. Mrs. Berry, widow of Jacob Berry, still lives in Chelsea.

The first death in the village was that of Lewis Backus, and the first birth was that of Eddie Sergeant.

Chelsea village is situated in the northeastern corner of Sylvan township, on the line of the Michigan Central railway, about 17 miles from Ann Arbor on the east, and 21 from Jackson on the

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west. It is thus well located for trade, and has a wide section of tributary country. It enjoys the reputation of being the largest produce market in the county. It is said that more wool is shipped from Chelsea than from any other one place in the State, while the grain, apple, stock and meat shipments are very large. The produce dealers of Chelsea are a wide awake and enterprising class of men,. and pride themselves in giving such prices as shall divert trade to their market. The activity and large amount of the produce busi- ness of Chelsea, as a natural consequence, makes it a thriving mer- cantile point, and never was there a place of the size that contained so many and well-stocked stores of all kinds. It is remarked that the merchants and their clerks are scarcely ever idle. With the exception of a day of exceedingly dubious weather, Main and Mid- dle streets are thronged with farmers' teams, and the stores of these thoroughfares crowded with customers.

The general appearance of Chelsea is that of thrift and good taste. It covers the slopes and crown of a gentle eminence; its streets are well graded; sidewalks have been generally laid on all the princi- pal business and private streets, and all the business houses and dwellings bear evidence of the recent growth of the place in new- ness, neatness and modern style of architecture. The several church edifices, the histories of which are elsewhere given, are suf- ficiently commodious to accommodate the church-going people of the village. while their interiors are finished and furnished with elegance. The village also rejoices in an excellent school under the charge of the present able principal, Prof. Parker.

ADVENT OF THE M. C. R. R.

Chelsea was without a passenger depot until recently, and the villagers and their friends were much gratified when the new and elegant station was opened to the traveling public in December, 1880. The depot, though not so magnificent as that of Jackson, excels it in architectural beauty, and is therefore one of the pret- tiest railroad buildings in the State.

The population of the village is about 1,200; and the fact that every house and tenement is occupied, and the application for fur- ther accommodations constant and pressing, indicates a further and rapid growth. The present condition of Chelsea is most satisfac- tory, and its future as promising as the most interested property- holder can desire. Never was there a place of its size which con- tained a better class of citizens, so that its social status is of the very highest character. Permanency is built into its very foundation. The controlling element of its community is substantial, enter- prising and moral, and there is not a thread of fustian woven into its business or social fabric. It is the model village of the county.

An interesting relic of the early history of Chelsea is a statement of the first shipment of goods on the primitive freight cars of the Central railroad, in the old strap-rail times. This document was

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found in an old account-book, which was discovered in the hands of a farmer in Lyndon, and now serves the purpose of a scrap-book. This first shipment was made on May 2, 1850, by M. P. Hutchins, and consisted of a single barrel of eggs, weighing 130 pounds, which was sent to consignees at Detroit. The next shipment was on the 6th, and consisted of two boxes, one shipped by Thomas G. Miller, and the other by the station agent. The freight from the station for the residue of the month would not make an hour's shipment at the present time.

RAILROAD ACCIDENTS IN VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP.

Situated midway between Jackson and Ann Arbor as Chelsea is, the station here is the stopping place for the greater number of trains on the M. C. railway, and many of these pass each other here. Probably from this cause several deaths from railway accidents have occurred here. The most notable and shocking was that, in 1867, of Mrs. Wines, wife of Prof. Wm. Wines, then principal of the Chelsea Union school. Mrs. Wines was a teacher in the same school with her husband, and was returning home at noon across the track on East street, or the next crossing east, just as the noon express was approaching. A child cried to her, "Oh! don't cross now!" but she gaily replied, " I can cross easily enough," when her foot or dress caught on the track, the train rushed upon her, the cow-catcher struck her, throwing the unfortunate lady away from the track upon a fence, from which she rebounded, falling a man- gled and quivering frame upon the ground. She lived in uncon- sciousness three or four hours and died.

A German baker was also killed near the station. He was on the train just arriving from Ann Arbor. Learning that the train would not stop at Chelsea, when it was running at full speed he made a fearful leap, and striking on his head, his brains were dash- ed out on the ground, killing him instantly.

Mrs. McNamara was another victim, who was killed by a train west of the station. P. Montague was also killed by a train while attempting to cross the track west of the station, as was also Ger- ald Crowley, about 1862.

THE MURDER OF JOHN C. DEPEW.

One dark deed has marked the annals of the township. This was the assassination of John C. Depew, an old and respected citi- zen, on the night of Sept. 10, 1863. Mr. Depew was at the time engaged in the sale of agricultural machines, in company with a man named Ebenezer Arnold. On the day of the murder he had sold machinery, and the proceeds, a considerable amount of money, he had on his person when he started for home in the evening, a short distance west of the village. He did not make his appear- ance at his dwelling that night, his family became alarmed in con-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

sequence, and the next day the town was thoroughly aroused, and a search was made for the missing man. It was evident that foul play had to do with the disappearance of the old pioneer. Not till the next Sunday, two or three days after Mr. Depew was missed, was the mystery unveiled. Then the searchers were shocked on find- ing the bruised dead body of their fellow citizen secreted in a dense growth of weeds, near the railroad track, a short distance west of the depot. The head had been crushed in on one side by some blunt instrument, the blow causing death. A coroner's inquest into the case was held before Justice Geo. W. Turnbull, and a ver- dict rendered according to the facts. Several parties were suspected and placed under arrest. Among them was Geo. Cleveland, who was tried, and, on the testimony of a woman, supposed to be a harlot, was convicted of murder, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. Cleveland went to the penitentiary, but did not remain long before he was pardoned out by Gov. Austin Blair, on Cleve- land's proving an alibi, showing that at the time the murder was committed he was with his regiment in Chicago. Many conject- ures were indulged by the citizens of Chelsea as to who the guilty party or parties were, and there are those in the village still who think the assassins could be named if that only were necessary to bring them to justice.

THE FIRE-FIEND'S DEEDS.

Chelsea has during its history been visited by two devastating fires. The first occurred in April, 1870, and swept away the entire row of buildings on the west side of Main street, between Middle street and the railroad. The fire caught in Geo. Rule's tailor shop, over Wood Bros.' store and thence communicated to the entire block. The structures being of wood, no effort could save them. The present row of fine stores was soon erected on the site of the burned buildings, which much improved the appearance of the street. In February, 1871, James Hudler's store was burned, and though situated in the midst of the new row of buildings, the con- tiguous walls were so well constructed, and the efforts of the citizens were so prompt and energetic, that the fire was checked before it had seriously damaged the adjoining stores.

In November, 1876, another destructive fire occurred in Chelsea, which burned all that portion of the east side of Main street between Middle street and the Chelsea House. The buildings here were also of wood, and the fire raged unchecked until the destruc- tion was complete. The fire originated in a saloon situated in the midst of the block. This burned district was also soon covered with substantial brick buildings, furnishing the village with a number of elegant and commodious stores.

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PRESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE.

In 1870 the official records of Chelsea village were burned in the fire that consumed the west side of Main street, and it has been found impossible to recover a full list of presidents and clerks from the time of organization till 1870. Elisha Congdon was the first president of the village and the distinction of being second presi- dent is disputed between Reuben and C. H. Kempf. The follow- ing is a list of presidents of the corporation from 1870 to 1880: David Thomas, 1870-'2; Reuben Kempf, 1873; Orrin Thatcher 1874-'5; Geo. W. Turnbull, 1876; Samuel G. Ives, 1877; G. W. Turnbull, 1878 -- '9; James P. Wood, 1880; James L. Gilbert, 1881.

CLERKS OF THE VILLAGE.

The following is the list of village clerks for the same period: G. J. Crowell, 1870-'1; J. H. Stype, 1872-'4; H. A. Smith and James Taylor, 1875; Edward McNamara, 1876; C. C. Babcock, 1877; H. A. Smith, 1878; C. H. Robins, 1879-'80; Gilbert Gay, 1881.

OAK GROVE CEMETERY.

This beautiful city of the dead is an evidence of the culture, taste and refinement of the citizens of Chelsea, and especially of the high qualities of the ladies, through whose efforts the money to defray the expense of improving the cemetery grounds was secured. Oak Grove Cemetery was established in September, 1860. During the 20 and a half years which have elapsed since that time, 110 lots have been sold and about 100 used for burial, averaging but five lots sold during each year, so few being a striking evidence of the healthfulness of the district. The names of the organizers appear- ing on the record book of the cemetery are as follows: J. W. Green, Curran White, H. E. Francisco, Elisha Congdon, G. W. James, F. M. Hooker, John W. Smith, Geo. Barnes, Isaac Denman, James Thomp- son, Chas. H. Kempf, Wm. Doyle, Jacob Berry, W. W. Whedon, John Letts, D. C. Hurd, W. F. Hatch, T. R. Gorton, Thos. Leach, S. Y. Denton, James Backwith, S. S. Sergeant, Henry Camfield, B. J. Tuttle, Lewis Winans, Albert Sons, Thos. S. Sears, E. Lowe, J. S. Harlow, T. T. Royce, Dr. R. B. Gates, E. Hammond, E. Beach, R. Martin, M. M. Boyd, Charles Congdon, D. Maroney, M. Millspaugh.

The present officers are James S. Gilbert, President; Aaron Durand, Treasurer; Geo. P. Glazier, Clerk; Charles Congdon, Sex- ton; Thos. S. Sears, E. L. Noyes, Jas. P. Wood, Heman S. Holmes Charles H. Kempf and Wm. H. Calkins (deceased), Trustees.

Recently an important addition has been made to the improve- ments of Oak Grove Cemetery, in the shape of a receiving vault. This is a solid structure, built entirely of field stone, and is of sufficient size to hold 20 caskets or more. The interior of the vault is well finished; it is well ventilated, and enclosed by mass-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

ive iron doors. The masonry of this vault is probably not excelled by any work of the kind in the State, the entire arch being formed of field stone, broken in keystone shape. This little, though valua- ble work was carried out by Grant & Nelson, at a cost to the pro- prietors of about $800.

The cemetery grounds are well kept, the drive-ways and walks arranged with a view to convenience as well as propriety, and the various groves so selected and planted by the botanist, that wher. ever the eye of the visitor is cast a beautiful vista presents itself for admiration, leaving nothing to remind him of a necropolis save the tell-tale marble. The monuments bespeak the character of the people: on every terrace there may be seen a magnificent tribute to . departed worth, a work of the sculptor's hands, which time itself will scarcely cause to fade away. Such is the quiet home of those who have gone up higher-the pioneers and their children who died in the village of their adoption or nativity.

SCHOOLS.

The first school after the village began to grow was in a building near the present Congregational Church, and taught by W. F. Hatch. In 1854 a house was built on the corner of West South and Middle streets, which was used for school purposes till 1860. This is now occupied as the residence of Heman Woods. In that year the brick Union school-house was erected, on the corner of East and East South streets. Elisha Congdon was the contractor, and built the house for $5,000, though its actual cost was $6,000, he contributing $1,000 from his own funds. In 1875 an addition was made to the structure, at a cost of $3,000. In 1880, the number of pupils having become so large that further accommodations were necessary, a small house for the primary department was built ad- jacent to the larger building. The accommodations for the various departments of the school are ample, the rooms well furnished, the high school provided with chemical and philosophical apparatus, etc. The principals of the Union school from the period of its ded- ication comprise among others, Professors Macomber, Van Cleve, Wm. Wines, W. C. Hill, Wm. M. Osband, Willetts Hill, George Brown, J. K. Davis, N. A. Richards and P. M. Parker, the present principal.

CHURCHES.

Congregational Church of Chelsea .- The record of this Church shows its organization in the Vermont settlement to be completed March 21, 1835, under the name of the Presbyterian Church of Sylvan. The meeting was opened by the prayer of the Rev. Mr. Bouton. The Rev. Mr. Beach presided, with Mahlon Wines the appointed scribe. The articles of faith, covenant and practice adopted by the Presbytery of Monroe, February, 1834, and recom-

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mended for adoption to the Churches under their care. being pre- sented by the chairman, was read by him and carefully considered by the persons present. They petitioned the Presbytery to appoint a committee to constitute them a Church, and resolved unani- monsly to adopt said articles then and there presented.

The members included Ira Spaulding, William A. Davis, John C. Winans, Obed Cravath, Alfred C. Holt, with Mrs. Chloe Spaul- ding, Abigail Davis, Hannah Cravath, Lucy Emeline Cravath, Adaline L. Holt, Matilda Lawrence, Ann Wines, Lucy Davis, Har- riet Warner, Sarah Beacon and Mehitable Preston.

On the motion of Mr. Wines, seconded by John C. Winans, it was voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and con- stitute a Presbyterian Church. Voted by each member, giving him and her a vote personally, to the scribe to elect the following persons as elders in the Church: O. Cravath, M. Wines and Ira Spaulding. This completed the work of the meeting. This Church was the foundation of the present Congregational Church of Chelsea, which was organized abont Christmas, 1849. For a time services were held about the neighborhood at school-houses, until the building of the church in 1851. Since reorganization the Church has rapidly progressed, and under the administration of Rev. Dr. Thomas Holmes, gives promise of attaining rare excel- lence among the Churches of the State. The value of church property is estimated at $4,500; the number of members is 150; the membership of the Sabbath-school about 200.

The ministers of the Congregational Church of Chelsea from the period of organization are named in order:

Reverends-Josephus Morton, Thomas Jones, Hiram Elmer, James F. Taylor, O. M. Thompson, Robert Hovington, Benjamin Franklin, D. F. Hathaway, Dr. Thomas Holmes.

The present officers comprise: Dr. Holmes, Pastor; John C. Winans, Horace Smith, Charles Easton, Deacons, with J. D. Cro- well, Clerk; Thomas Wilkinson, C. H. Camp, Geo. A. Robertson, James L. Gilbert, Horace Baldwin, W. F. Hatch, Trustees; Thomas Wilkinson, Treasurer; George A. Robertson, Clerk; Rev. Dr. Thomas Holmes, Superintendent of Sunday-school.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chelsea was organized in 1853, by Rev. Mr. Hedger, who then preached in Lima, Rev. Ebenezer Steel, who is now superannuated, and resides in Ann Arbor, being the first regular pastor. The members of the first class were: Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Bowles, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Berry, and perhaps one or two others. The pastors who succeeded Mr. Steel were Revs. E. P. Brockway, Charles Stringham, Manassa Hickey, Orrin Whitmore, Wm. Ander- son, William Shire, Mr. May, Geo. Smith, Geo. Lowe, Wm. Leavington, David Casler, Wm. Holt, J. W. Campbell, D. Shire; Rev. J. L. Hudson being the present incumbent. At first, the ser- vices of the society were held in the Congregational church. The building of the present church edifice was begun in 1858, and fin-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

ished in 1859. The first Sunday-school was organized in 1854, Silas Sergeant being the first Superintendent. The present class- leader is S. G. Ives, assisted by the pastor. The trustees are Loron Babcock, S. G. Ives, Milo Hunter, F. M. Hooker and James Rowe. The stewards are Charles Crane, A. Rodell, Geo. Whit- taker, Mrs. Geo. P. Glasier and Mrs. Geo. Davidson. The pastor is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

The First Catholic Church of Sylvan was built about four miles northwest of Chelsea. It was a wooden structure, and the original building received two successive additions. It is now surrounded by a cemetery, where the Catholic dead are still interred. The first officiating priest in this locality was Rev. Father Hennessey, of De- troit. Rev. Father Cullen, of Ann Arbor, was probably the clergy- man who founded the Church. Rev. John Van Genip, Pastor of the Dexter Church, held services for some time at the Chelsea church, built in 1869, which was a mission till 1848. Rev. Patrick Duhig became the permanent pastor, and has remained such since that time. During his incumbency the church has been modern- ized, a pastoral residence erected, and the grounds about both dwell- ing and church highly improved. The church edifice is of brick, 52 by 100 feet in superficial extent, with a 15-foot apse. It was built at a cost of $10,000 to $12,000. The pastor's house cost, in- cluding outbuildings and improvement of grounds, $4,000. The residence is a roomy, double two-story structure, and contains an office and private chapel, besides the other apartments common to a gentleman's dwelling. The Chelsea Church is composed of 130 families, and is in a flourishing condition.

The Baptist Church of Chelsea was organized at the residence of Dr. R. B. Gates, on April 28, 1868, by 19 constituent members. In June, the same year, Mr. Frank Everett was chosen deacon of the Church. Rev. H. W. Brown was the first pastor, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. C. Armstrong, who began his labors Oct. 26, '68. and continued till Feb. 5, 1871. During his pastorate the present church edifice on Main street was erected at a cost of $6,000. Dur- ing this time Milo Baldwin was elected one of the deacons of the Church. Rev. G. Meseleias succeeded Mr. Armstrong, closing his relation in August, 1872. In the following November Rev. L. C. Pettengill became pastor, and continued thus till 1874. In July a call was extended to Rev. William Bird, and in October he was ordained a pastor. He remained one year and during the suc- ceeding year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. C. Armstrong, Rev. Messrs. Shepherd, Nelson, Abbott and Prof. Ten Brook. Rev. A. A. Hopkins was pastor during the summer of 1876, and directed the building of the parsonage. Nov. 19, 1876, a call was ex- tended to Rev. E. A. Gay, who immediately entered upon his work, and has continued in the pastorate to the present time, being now in the fifth year of his service. Since the organization of the Church 136 members have united with it. During the year 1880 the church building was enlarged and embellished at an expense of

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over $1,000, and it is now a commodious and pleasant place of re- ligious worship, a credit to Chelsea and to the congregation of Bap- tists.

ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The St. Paul's German Lutheran Church of Chelsea, was organ ized Feb. 2, 1868. The following were the originating members: G. Wackenhut, G. Herelschwerdt, M. Lehman, J. Bieler, F. Vogel, D. Faist, J. Schaible, G. Mast. I. Vogt, J. Schumacher, J. Morlock, F. Bresemle, J. Fahner, J. Scheffel, J. Schultz, A. Boose, F. Boose. The church building on Summit street was erected during the same year in which the Church was organized. Rev. J. Schladermund, of Waterloo, Jackson county, during the first few months held ser- vices in the new church once in two weeks, and in the fall of 1868 Rev. Tierk, from Waterloo, assumed pastoral charge of the Church; F. N. J. Wolf followed till 1871, conducting service once in two weeks until 1875, when Rev. M. Graupner assumed the pastorate. He, in 1877, was followed by Rev. Mr. Bunge, who remained till 1878, when the present pastor, Rev. M. Metzer, of Waterloo, became shepherd of the flock. There are at present 20 members in the congregation. The following are the names of the present trustees: J. Schutz. Fred Vogel and J. Ilepfer.

OTHER SOCIETIES.

The order of Freemasons have one flourishing lodge in Chelsea. It is denominated Olive Lodge, No. 156. The records of the lodge were burned in one of the fires that have twice consumed portions of Main street, and a full history of the organization is not obtain- able. The following is a list of the present officers of the Olive Lodge: M. J. Noyes, W. M .; J. D. Schaitman, S. W .; John A. Palmer, J. W .; T. E. Wood, Secretary; H. S. Holmes, Treasurer; H. M. Woods, S. D .; C. M. Davis, J. D .; B. Wight, Tyler. The lodge has a membership of 67, and at present meets in a hall over Hudler's store, Main street.

Vernor Lodge, I. O. O. F., was named after Benjamin Vernor, of Detroit, now Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of the State. The records of the lodge were burned in the fire of 1876, so that a full history of the organization cannot be given. The lodge was founded March 31, 1861. The following are the names of the char- ter members: J. M. Congdon, J. Berry, A. Blackney, E. Hammond, D. Tompkins, A. Natten, and Stephen Sigfried. There are now 32 members of the lodge, officered as follows: A. F. Wooden, Noble Grand; John J. Wakenhaut, Vice-Grand; J. Schumacher, Treas- urer; Geo. E. Wright, Secretary.

The German Workingmen's Benevolent Association of Chelsea was organized in 1872, incorporated in 1876, and united to the State association during the latter year. The capital of the associ-

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ation, including furniture, is $850. There are 40 members. The officers in 1880 were: Chas. Neuburger, President; Frank Staffan, Vice- President; W. Alber, Recording Secretary; Bernh Kramer, Corresponding Secretary; Fred Vogel, Cashier; Jacob Schumacher, Treasurer; Jacob Hepfer, F. Girbach and Geo. Mast, Trustees.

EXCELSIOR CORNET BAND.

Chelsea is not behind her sister cities and towns in support of that popular style of music, the cornet hand. The Excelsior Cornet Band was organized Feb. 19, 1878. The original members were A. M. Congdon, E. E. Shaver, H. L. Wood, John C. Taylor, Chas. E. Chandler, J. A. Bachman, G. W. Bachman, John P. Foster, G. A. Lacey and A. M. Yocum. The members of the band are uni- formed in dark blue, trimmed with white broadcloth, with brass buttons, the drum major's suit costing $100, and the uniforms of the entire band about $600. The instruments involved an expense of $275. The band has been generously assisted by the enterprising citizens of the village, and has repaid the pecuniary outlay by evincing a desire to please and entertain on all occasions.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 76

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457