History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 9

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 9

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The value of the buildings and grounds was estimated in 1879 at $319,000, and the personal property at $250,000.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

John D. Pierce, the first superintendent of public instruction, in his first report to the Legislature, urged the importance of a normal school. In this enterprise he was followed by his successors in office until 1849, when Ira Mayhew was State Superintendent, and the Legislature appropriated 72 sections of land for the purpose; and among the points competing for the location of the school, Ypsi- lanti won, and in that place the institution was permanently located. The building was completed and dedicated with appropriate cere- monies Oct. 5, 1852; next year the Legislature appropriated $7,000 in money, for expenses. Prof. A. S. Welch, now President of Iowa Agricultural College, was elected the first principal. In October, 1859, the building with contents was burned, and a new building was immediately erected. In 1878 the main building was enlarged at an expense of $43,347. This enlargement was 88x90 feet, and has a hall capable of seating 1,200 persons. The value of buildings and other property at the present time is estimated at $111,100. Number of students, 616, including 144 in the primary depart- ment.

Each member of the Legislature is authorized by the Board of Education to appoint two students from his district who may attend one year free of tuition; other students pay $10 per annum. Grad- nates of this school are entitled to teach in this State without re-ex- amination by any school officer.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The Michigan Agricultural College owes its establishment to a provision of the State constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, "The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establish- ment of an agricultural school." For the purpose of carrying into practice this provision, legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act required that the school should be within 10 miles of Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should be paid for the farm and college grounds. The college was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of existing agricultural colleges in the United States. Until the spring of 1861 it was under the control of the State Board of Education; since that time it has been under the management of the State Board of Agriculture, created for the purpose.

EEN

CONDETROIT

THE CAPITOL, AT LANSING.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

In its essential features of combining study and labor, and of uniting general and professional studies in its course, the college has remained virtually unchanged from the first. It has had a steady growth in number of students, in means of illustration and efficiency of instruction.

An act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, donated to each State public lands to the amount of 30,000 acres for each of its Senators and Representatives in Congress, according to the census of 1860, for the endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college where the leading object should be, without excluding other scien- tific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts. The Legislature accepted this grant and bestowed it upon the Agricultural College. By its provisions the college has received 235,673.37 acres of land. These lands have been placed in market, and about 74,000 acres sold, yielding a fund of $237,174, the interest of which at seven per cent. is applied to the support of the college. The sale is under the direction of the Agricultural Land Grant Board, consisting of the Governor, Auditor General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Commis- sioner of the State Land Office.

The Agricultural College is three miles east of Lansing, com- prising several fine buildings; and there are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the professors. There are also an exten- sive, well-filled green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemi- cal laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the United States, a general museum, a museum of mechanical inventions, another of vegetable products, extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a systematic rotation of crops.

OTHER COLLEGES.

At Albion is a flourishing college under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The grounds comprise about 15 acres. There are three college buildings, each three-stories high, having severally the dimensions of 46 by 80, 40 by 100, and 47 by 80 feet. The attendance in 1878 was 205. Tuition in the prepara- tory and collegiate studies is free. The faculty comprises nine members. The value of property about $85.000.

Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the "Methodist Church." The grounds contain about 20 acres. There are four buildings, capable of accommodating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 was 179; total number of graduates for previous years, 121; 10 profes- sors and teachers are employed. Exclusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets of the institution, including grounds, build- ings, furniture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, etc., amount to more than $137,000.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Hope College, at Holland, is under the patronage of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was begun in 1851,and in connection with the ordinary branches of learning, it has a theological department. In 1877 it had 10 professors and teachers and 110 pupils. Up to 1875 there had graduated, in the preparatory department, begun in 1863, 95; in the academic, beginning in 1866, 53; and in the theological, beginning in 1869, 24. Value of real estate, $25,000; of other prop- erty, above incumbrance, about $10,000; the amount of endow- ment paid in is about $56,000.

Kalamazoo College, headed by Baptists, is situated on a five-acre lot of ground, and the property is valued at $35,000; investments, $88,000. There are six members of the faculty, and in 1878 there were 169 pupils.

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the Free Baptists. The "Michigan Central College," at Spring Arbor, was incorpo- rated in 1845. It was kept in operation until it was merged into the present Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres, beauti- fully situated on an eminence in the western part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imposing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more modern style have been. erected. They are of brick, three stories with basement, arranged on three sides of a quad- rangle. Their size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 48 by 72, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they contain one-half more room than the original building. Ex-Lieut .- Gov. E. B. Fairfield was the first president. The present president is Rev. D. W. C. Durgin, D. D. Whole number of graduates up to 1878, 375; number of students in all departments, 506; number of professors and instructors, 15; productive endowment, about $100,000; buildings and grounds, $80,000; library, 6,200 volumes.

Olivet College, in Eaton county, is a lively and thorough literary and fine-art institution, under the joint auspices of the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations. Value of buildings and grounds, about $85,000. Fourteen professors and teachers are em- ployed, and the attendance in 1878 was 190, the sexes in about equal proportion. There are five departments, namely: the colle- giate, preparatory, normal, music and art.

Battle Creek College, conducted by the Seventh-Day Adventists, was established in 1874, with four departments, 11 professors and teachers, and an attendance of 289. It is practically connected with a large health institution, where meat and medicines are eschewed. In 1878 there were 15 instructors and 478 students. Special attention is paid to hygiene and hygienic medication.

Grand Traverse College was opened at Benzonia in 1863, as the result of the efforts of Rev. Dr. J. B. Walker, a prominent divine of the Congregational Church. The friends of this institution have met with serious discouragements: their lands have not risen in value as anticipated and they have suffered a heavy loss from fire; but the college has been kept open to the present time, with

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

an average of 70 pupils. The curriculum, however, has so far been only "preparatory." The land is valued at $25,000, and the build- ings, etc., $6,000. The school has done a good work in qualifying teachers for the public schools.

Besides the foregoing colleges, there are the German-American Seminary in Detroit, a Catholic seminary at Monroe, the Michigan Female Seminary at Kalamazoo, the Military Academy at Orchard Lake, near Pontiac, and others.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

No State in the union takes better care of her poor than does Michigan. For a number of years past, especially under the administrations of Govs. Bagley and Croswell, extraordinary efforts have been made to improve and bring to perfection the appoint- ments for the poor and dependent.

According to the report of the Board of State Commissioners for the general supervision of charitable, penal, pauper and reform- atory institutions for 1876, the total number in poor-houses of the State was 5,282. For the five years preceding, the annual rate of increase was four times greater than the increase of population during that period; but that was an exceptionally "hard " time. The capacity of the public heart, however, was equal to the occa- sion, and took such measures as were effectual and almost beyond criticism for the care of the indigent.

At the head of the charity department of the State stands

THE STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

In the year 1870 a commission appointed by the Governor for that purpose, visited many of the poor-houses in the State, and found a large number of children in them under 16 years of age, indiscriminately associated with idiots, maniacs, prostitutes and vagrants. Their report recommended the classification of paupers, and especially, that children in the county houses, under 16 years, should be placed in a State school. The act establishing the school was passed in 1871, in conformity with the recommendation. As amended in 1873, it provides, in substance, that there shall be received as pupils in such school all neglected and dependent children that are over four and under 16 years of age, and that are in suitable condition of body or mind to receive instruction, especially those maintained in the county poor-houses, those who have been deserted by their parents, or are orphans, or whose parents have been con- victed of crime. It is declared to be the object of the act to pro- vide for such children temporary homes only, until homes can be procured for them in families. The plans comprehend the ulti- mate care of all children of the class described, and it is made unlawful to retain such children in poor-houses when there is room for them in the State Public School. Dependent orphans and half

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors have the preference of admission should there be more applications than room. Provi- sion is made for perserving a record of the parentage and history of each child.

The general supervision of the school is delegated to a Board of Control, consisting of three members, who are appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board appoints the superintendent, officers and teachers of the school. One officer is appointed to look up homes for the children, to apprentice them, and to keep a general oversight of them by visita- tion or correspondence. To complete the work of this institution, an agent is appointed in each county.

The internal government of this school is that known as the " family " and "congregate " combined, the families consisting of about 30 members each, and being under the care of " cottage managers," ladies whom the children call " aunties," and who are supposed to care for the children as mothers. Each child of suffi- cient years is expected to work three hours every day; some work on the farm, some in the dining-room and kitchen, while others make shoes, braid straw hats, make their own clothing, work in the bakery, engine room, laundry, etc. They are required to attend school three to five hours a day, according to their ages, and the school hours are divided into sessions to accommodate the work.

The buildings, 10 in number, comprise a main building, eight cottages and a hospital, all of brick. The buildings are steam heated, lighted with gas and have good bathing facilities. There are 41 acres of land in connection with the school, and the total value of all the property is about $150,000, furnishing accommoda- tions for 240 children.

STATE REFORM SCHOOL.

This was established at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern por- tion of the city, as the " House of Correction for Juvenile Offend- ers," having about it many of the features of a prison. In 1859 the name was changed to " The State Reform School." The gov- ernment and discipline have undergone many and radical changes until all the prison features have been removed except those that remain in the walls of the original structure, and which remain only as monuments of instructive history. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The inmates are necessarily kept under the surveil- lance of officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer than under the more rigid regime of former days. This school is for the detention, education and reformation of boys between the ages of eight and 16 years, who are convicted of light offenses.

The principal building is four-stories high, including basement, and has an extreme length of 246 feet, the center a depth of 48 feet, and the wings a depth of 33 feet each. Besides, there are two "family houses," where the more tractable and less vicious boys

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

form a kind of family, as distinguished from the congregate life of the institution proper. The boys are required to work a half a day and attend school a half a day. A farm of 328 acres belonging to the school furnishes work for many of the boys during the working season. Some are employed in making clothing and shoes for the inmates. The only shop-work now carried on is the cane-seating of chairs; formerly, cigars were manufactured here somewhat exten- sively. There is no contract labor, but all the work is done by the institution itself.

The number of inmates now averages about 200, and are taken care of by a superintendent and assistant, matron and assistant, two overseers and six teachers.

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, AND THE BLIND.

This is located at Flint, 60 miles nearly northwest of Detroit. The act establishing it was passed in 1848, and the school was first opened in 1854, in a leased building. It is a school in common for deaf mutes and the blind, rather from motives of economy than from any relation which the two classes bear to one another. The buildings were commenced in 1853. The principal ones now are: front building, 43 by 72 feet, with east and west wings, each 28 by 60 feet; center building, 40 by 60, and east and west wings, each 50 by 70 feet; main school building, 52 by 54, with two wings, each 25 by 60 feet. All of these buildings are four stories high ; center of the front building is five stories, including base- ment. There are also a boiler and engine house, barns, etc., etc. The total value of the buildings is estimated at $358,045, and of the 88 acres of land occupied, $17,570.

The number of inmates has increased from 94 in 1865 to 225 in 1875. Including the principal, there are 10 teachers employed in the deaf and dumb department, and four in the blind, besides the matron and her assistants. Tuition and board are free to all resident subjects of the State, and the trustees are authorized to assist indigent subjects in the way of clothing, etc., to the amount of $40 a year. An annual census of all deaf mutes and blind per- sons in the State is officially taken and reported to the overseers of the poor, who are to see that these unfortunate members of the human family are properly cared for.

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, AT KALAMAZOO.

This institution was established in 1848, and now consists of two departments, one for males and the other for females. The capacity of the former is 280 and of the latter 300 patients. In their general construction both buildings are arranged in accordance with the principles laid down by the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane. The buildings are of brick, with stone trimmings, and are very substantial, as well as

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

beautiful. The entire cost of both buildings, with all the auxiliary structures, and 195 acres of land, is about $727,173.90. The buildings were constructed during the war and immediately after- ward. The asylum was opened in 1859 for the care of patients, and up to Oct. 1, 1875, there had been expended for the care and maintenance of patients, exclusive of the cost of construction, $994,711.32. Indigent patients are received and treated at the asylum at the expense of the counties to which they belong, on the certification of the county authorities, the average cost of main- tenance being about $4.12} per week. Pay patients are received when there is room for them, the minimum price of board being $5 per week.

EASTERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, AT PONTIAC.

These large, beautiful and very modern structures are located upon a farm of upward of 300 acres, and were erected in 1873-'6 at a cost of about $400,000. The general plans are similar to those at Kalamazoo. They are built of brick, with stone window caps, belt-courses, etc. There are accommodations for not less than 300 patients.

Michigan pursues a very enlightened policy toward the chronic insane. Provisions have been made for the treatment even of the incurable, so that as much good as possible may be done even to the most unfortunate. The design is to cure whenever the nature of the mental malady will permit; but failing this, to cease no effort which could minister to the comfort and welfare of the patient.

PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

The Detroit House of Correction, although a local institution, is used to a considerable extent as an intermediate prison, to which persons are sentenced by the courts throughout the State for minor offenses. Women convicted of felonies are also sentenced to this place. The whole number in confinement at this prison for the past decade has averaged a little over 400 at any one time, more males than females. The average term of confinement is but a little more than two months, and the institution is very faithfully conducted.

The State Prison at Jackson is one of the best conducted in the Union. The total value of the property is valued at $552,113. The earnings of the prison in 1878 were $92,378; number of prisoners; 800. Their work is let to contractors, who employ 450 men at different trades. A coal mine has been recently discovered on the prison property, which proves a saving of several thousand dollars per annum to the State. The earnings of this prison since Gen. Wm. Humphrey has been warden (1875) has exceeded its current expenses.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

The State Prison at Ionia was established a few years ago for the reception of convicts whose crimes are not of the worst type, and those who are young, but too old for the Reform School. The ground comprises 53 acres of land, 13} of which is enclosed by a brick wall 18 feet high. Estimated value of property, $277,490; current expenses for 1878, $45,744; earnings for 1878, $5,892; num- ber of prisoners Dec. 31, 1878, 250; number received during the year, 346.

THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

is distinct from the State Agricultural Board, the latter being sim- ply an executive over the Agricultural College under the laws of the State. The former was organized at Lansing March 23, 1849, and was specially incorporated by act of April 2 following, since which time it has numbered among its officers and executive -mem- bers some of the foremost men of the State. It has held annual fairs in various places, and the number of entries for premiums has risen from 623 to several thousand, and its receipts from $808.50 to $58,780. The premiums offered and awarded have increased pro- portionally.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

At an informal meeting of several gentlemen in Grand Rapids Feb. 11, 1870, it was resolved to organize a State pomological society, and at an adjourned meeting on the 26th of the same month, the organization was perfected, and the first officers elected were: H. G. Saunders, President; S. L. Fuller, Treasurer; and A. T. Linder- man, Secretary. The society was incorporated April 15, 1871, " for the purpose of promoting the interest of pomology, horticulture, agriculture, and kindred sciences and arts." During the first two years monthly meetings were required, but in 1872 quarterly meet- ings were substituted. It now has a room in the basement of the new capitol. T. T. Lyon, of South Haven, is President, and Charles W. Garfield, of Grand Rapids, Secretary. Under the supervision of this society, Michigan led the world in the centennial exposition at Philadelphia in the exhibition of winter apples. The contributions of this society to pomological literature are also richer than can be found elsewhere in the United States.

STATE FISHERIES.

Very naturally, the denser population of the white race, as it took possession of this wild country, consumed what they found already abundant long before they commenced to renew the stock. It was so with the forests; it was so with the fish. An abundance of a good variety of fish was found in all our rivers and little lakes by the early settlers, but that abundance was gradually reduced until these waters were entirely robbed of their useful inhabitants.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Scarcely a thought of re-stocking the inland waters of this State was entertained until the spring of 1873, when a board of fish commissioners was authorized by law; and while the people gen- erally still shook their heads in skepticism, the board went on with its duty until these same people are made glad with the results.

Under the efficient superintendency of Geo. H. Jerome, of Niles, nearly all the lakes and streams within the lower peninsula have been more or less stocked with shad, white-fish, salmon or lake trout, land-locked or native salmon, eel, etc., and special efforts are also made to propagate that beautiful and useful fish, the grayling, whose home is in the Manistee and Muskegon rivers. Much more is hoped for, however, than is yet realized. Like every other great innovation, many failures must be suffered before the brilliant crown of final success is won.

The value of all the property employed in fish propagation in the State is but a little over $4,000, and the total expenses of con- ducting the business from Dec. 1, 1876, to July 1, 1877, were $14,000.

The principal hatcheries are at Detroit and Pokagon.

THE MICHIGAN STATE FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION

was organized April 13, 1875, at Battle Creek, for "the protection and promotion of the best interests of the firemen of Michigan, the compilation of fire statistics, the collection of information concern- ing the practical working of different systems of organization; the examination of the merits of the different kinds of fire apparatus in use, and the improvement in the same; and the cultivation of a fraternal fellowship between the different companies in the State." The association holds it meetings annually, at various places in the State, and as often publish their proceedings,' in pamphlet form.

STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

This Board was established in 1873, and consists of seven mem- bers, appointed by the Governor, the secretary ex officio a member and principal executive officer. It is the duty of this Board to make sanitary investigations and inquiries respecting the causes of disease, especially of epidemics; the causes of mortality, and the effects of localities, employments, conditions, ingesta, habits and circumstances on the health of the people; to advise other officers in regard to the location, drainage, water supply, disposal of ex- creta, heating and ventilation of any public building; and also to advise all local health officers concerning their duties; and to recommend standard works from time to time on hygiene for the use of public schools. The secretary is required to collect informa- tion concerning vital statistics, knowledge respecting diseases and all useful information on the subject of hygiene, and through an annual report, and otherwise, as the Board may direct, to dissemi-

100

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

nate such information among the people. These interesting duties have been performed by Dr. Henry B. Baker from the organization of the Board to the present time. The Board meets quarterly at Lansing.

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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 9

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