History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 95

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 95

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

sandstone, composed of eight divisions, and weighs something more than six tons, is 21 feet in height, symmetrically proportioned, beautifully sculptured, and surmounted by the fitting emblem of the country-an American Eagle. The north side bears the in- scriptions: - " Erected by subscription through the efforts of the Ladies' Decorative Society," and "Whole number of enlistments from this ward during the war, 75." On the west side are taste- fully carved a shield, two battle flags draping the national escutch- eon, field cannon with balls, an olive wreath, and the following inscription :

" Brave soldier, rest; your strife is o'er, And you have gained a sweet release ; The bugle's blast, the cannon's roar, No more shall break your spirit's peace."

On the east side are inscribed the words,"In memory of the Fifth- ward soldiers, who fought for the Union." The base of the monu- ment bears the names of the dead; a few among the many thousand of like glorious names that deserve to be immortal.

RELIGIOUS.

We are glad to be able to present histories of the various Churches in the city so full and complete. It is evident that the founders and early residents of Ann Arbor left no effort untried to affect favorably the morals of this community. From their little means, needed so much to supply daily wants and make improve- ments, they freely gave toward building and supporting Churches. They were inspired with zeal in the cause of the master, were aided by the most active and self-denying ministry, and could see a promise of better days when the town should become more fully peopled with families of wealth and culture. All denominations were equally active, and at this time we see the good results of the hard labors of the early Christians.

The first sermon preached in Ann Arbor by a regularly ordained minister of the gospel, was in the summer of 1825, by Rev. Moses Clark, a Baptist minister, who had a short time previous located in the neighborhood. The Methodist brethren came next, followed by the Presbyterians, the latter of whom succeeded in first organizing a Church.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This Church was organized Aug. 26, 1826. Rev. Noah M. Wells, then a minister residing at Detroit, officiated. Eighteen persons united in the organization, whose names are as follows: Israel Branch, Mercy Branch, Simeon Mills, Clarissa Mills, Bethuel Farrand, Deborah Farrand, Richard Lord, Roswell Parsons, Agnes Parsons, Harriet Parsons, James Allen, Elizabeth Allen, Mrs.

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

Monroe, Temperance Roberts, Ann Isabella Allen, Phebe Whit- more and Mrs. Fanny Camp. All united by letter, except Mrs. Camp, who joined on profession, and was the first person baptized in Ann Arbor. More than 50 years have since passed, and as a result of those years of labor the congregation has grown to be large and prosperous, and has a Sunday-school and Bible class, a mission Sunday-school, a large and active Young People's Asso- ciation, and an excellent church edifice that will comfortably seat over 1,000 people, erected in 1862 at a cost of $35,000. It is but proper special mention should be made of Israel Branch, who held the offices of elder and deacon and also served as sexton of the church. Elder Branch was a true representative of the pioneer Christian, and faithfully discharged every duty devolving upon him. He loved doctrinal preaching and was emphatically the the- ologian of the Church on its first organization, especially on the doctrine of election. Bethuel Farrand was another worthy of no- tice. He was an enterprising business man, was possessed of a no- ble character, and was an earnest laborer in the cause of Christ. He served as an elder for a period of 21 years, until removed by death. In addition to those named the following have served as elders since the organization of the Church: Ezra Carpenter, Gideon Wilcoxson, Charles Mosely, Lorrin Mills, Joshua M. Lind- sey, L. W. Guiteau, Reuben Hall, Thomas Mosely, John Taylor, Thomas M. Ladd, Roswell Parsons, B. King, John Stetson, Robert Purdy, Solomon Mann, William C. Voorhees, H. P. Van Cleve, William R. Martin, John M. Chase, D. Leonard Wood, Daniel E. Wines, Zebedee Waldron, A. H. Hunt, De Volson Wood, George M. Henion, William E. Anderson, John Moore, R. W. Ellis, W.H. Jackson, Warren Hamilton.

The following have served as deacons: Israel Branch, Thomas Mosely, Roswell Parsons, J. D. Williams, George M. Henion, David B. Webster, Charles G. Clark, George L. Hull, Warren Hamilton and Henry T. Purfield.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in a log school-house that stood on the northwest corner of Main and Ann streets, where services were held for a time, and then changed to the ball room of a tavern on the corner of Main and Huron streets. Another change was soon made to an unfinished room of an old frame building known as Cook's Hotel. From here the congregation moved to a frame school-house on the corner of Washington and Fifth streets. Here they worshiped until a frame church was erected in 1829 on the site of the present church edifice. It was originally 25x35 fe et, with an uncovered belfry at the front, containing a small bell. No paint was used on the inside or outside of the building, but it had one coat of rough plastering. An addition to the building of about 20 feet was afterward added to supply the demand for more seat- ings. This was the first Protestant church building erected west of Detroit in the Territory of Michigan. The first Synod of Michigan was organized in this church about the year 1834. The old frame 54

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building was abandoned when a new church edifice was erected, in 1837, farther west on Huron street. This building was also a frame and was used until the present building was ready for use. The bell of the first church was transferred to the belfry of the court-house, where for many years its musical clatter rang out, call- ing the people to gatherings of various kinds.

Previous to 1832, the Church had no regular pastor, but Rev. William Page and Rev. Ira Pettibone preached as stated supplies. Mr. Page came in 1826 and remained about four years, and was followed by Mr. Pettibone, who remained one. Rev. John Beach was the first settled pastor of the Church and presided at its ses- sion for the first time, Oct. 5, 1831. Mr. Beach remained until 1838, during which time there were several interesting revivals. After his retirement the Church was without a pastor for several years, but was supplied by Revs. E. T. Richards, E. E. Gregory, J. P. Cleveland and Ira M. Wead. The second regular pastor was Rev. William S. Curtis, D. D., who was installed Oct. 26, 1843, and continued to serve until April 27, 1855. He was one of the ablest ministers in the State, and excelled as a logician. During the pas- torate of Mr. Curtis the Congregational Church was formed, some 46 members of this Church withdrawing to enter that organi- zation. After the resignation of Mr. Curtis the Church was again without a pastor until Oct. 29, 1857, when Rev. Lucius D. Chapin was installed. He remained until 1863, when he resigned and the Church was supplied for three years by Revs. W. W. Wetmore and David Torrey. On the 7th of November, 1867, Rev. William J. Erdman was installed as pastor. He remained until March, 1870. For some 14 months the Church remained without a pastor and was supplied by Revs. Arthur Smith, W. W. Wetmore and Dr. B. F. Cocker of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On the 18th day of October, 1871, Rev. Samuel W. Duffield was installed pastor, and served three years. After Mr. Duffield resigned the Church was supplied by Dr. Cocker until March, 1875, when Rev. F. T. Brown arrived. He was called to the pastorate by a vote of the congrega- tion Oct. 21, 1875. Mr. Brown served five years, and was succeeded October, 1880, by Rev. Richard H. Steele, D. D.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

Some time in the month of November, 1825, Rev. John A. Baughman visited Ann Arbor and preached a sermon in the house of John Allen, it being the first discourse by a minister of the Methodist Espiscopal Church. After the visit of Mr. Baugh- man, reading meetings were established in the village as a substitute for preaching until 1826, when Rev. William Simmons visited the place and preached for the people. No class was formed until 1827, when Rev. Z. H. Coston directed Mr. Baughman to again visit Ann Arbor, and if practicable, organize a society and supply them with preaching. On the 29th day of July, 1827, a society, consisting of Eber White, Harvey Kinney, Hannah B. Brown,

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

Rebecca G. Brown and Calvin Smith was organized. Ann Arbor was made an appointment in the Monroe circuit for the first half of the next year, beginning in September, 1827, and George W. Walker was the preacher, but for the last half of the year it was included in the Detroit circuit, John James being the preacher. In 1828 a new circuit was organized called Huron, which included Ann Arbor, and it so continued for one year. Not one of the original members of this society now remain here. He resided on a farm a little west of the city and occupied the same until his death, which occurred but recently. Harvey Kinney was a young man in the family of Mr. Brown and did not long remain here. Hannah B. Brown, a young lady of deep and earnest piety, of a strong and well-cultivated mind, in a little over a year united her fortunes and labors with Rev. John Jones, and soon after her mar- riage removed to Ohio. Rebecca G. Brown was a young lady of much more than ordinary intellectual ability. She was engaged in marriage with Rev. L. D. Whitney, but before the nuptials were celebrated, she was stricken down by the hand of death. She died May 8, 1834.

The first Methodist prayer meeting was held soon after the organ- ization of the Church in 1827. The first conversion was in February, 1828-Miss Sarah J. Brown, a sister of the two ladies already mentioned.

The circuit was so arranged, in 1827, as to supply preaching here once in two weeks on the Sabbath, and continued so until 1833, when it was made into a half station. A part of the time it was supplied with one and a part of the time with two preachers, and it was so arranged that one of them should be in the village every Sabbath. This arrangement continued for two years, when it was made a full station. At the conference in 1830 the name was changed and Ann Arbor appears on the list of appoint- ments for the first time. In 1835 it was made the head of a district and Rev. Henry Colclazer was appointed in charge of it.

Various seasons of revival have been enjoyed from time to time, from which much good has resulted. But, perhaps, at no time has there been so extensive a work, in proportion to the popu- lation, and productive of so much good, as the one which occurred in 1837-'8, beginning in December, 1837, and running on through the year. One hundred and eighteen in all united with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. Among the number were Judson D. Col- lins, who afterward became the first missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church to China, Isaac F. Collins, afterward a member of the Kansas Conference, now deceased, and Walter D. Collins, who became a successful missionary among the Indians and in Texas. These three brothers united with the Church in Ann Arbor in the month of March, 1838, and have since died in the faith.

The building of a church was found to be a desideratum for several years, but was not undertaken until the spring of 1837, under the labors of Rev. Peter Sharp. The basement was ready for

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

use in November, 1837, and its occupancy was followed by the re- vival before mentioned. The body of the church was not finished until the summer of 1839, under the labors of Rev. Elijah Crane. This year the Michigan Conference held its session here for the first time. The dedication services were held on the first day of the session. The sermon was preached by Rev. Jonathan A. Chap- lin. Bishop Soule preached a most eloquent and powerful sermon on Sabbath morning. William L. Harris, now Bishop, was admitted into full connection and ordained deacon at this conference, and so was Loronzo Davis, the second Michigan convert who had en- tered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ann Arbor was made a station in 1835, and Thomas Wiley was appointed to it. His health was not very firm at the time, but soon began to decline, and he died on the 4th of April, 1836. The‘num- ber of members returned this year was 136.

The following named men served as pastors from the organiza- tion of the society up to the present time: 1830-Rev. Leonard B. Gurly ;* 1831-Henry Colclazer, E. H. Pilcher; 1832-E. H. Pilcher, E. S. Gavitt; 1833-Wm. M. Sullivan,* L. D. Whitney ;* 1834-H. Colclazer, A. B. Elliott; 1835-H. Colclazer, H. Gear- ing, Thomas Wiley (in fall), died in the village in spring of 1836; 1836-Peter Sharp; 1837-E. H. Pilcher; 1838-Elijah Crane ;* 1839-Elijah Crane (Mr. Crane's health failing during the year, Rev. Mr. Stoddard* was appointed by the Presiding Elder to fill out the year); 1840-Jonathan Hudson *; 1841-John A. Baughman *; 1842-Andrew M. Fitch; 1843-Elliott M. Crip- pen; 1844-'45-Samuel D. Simonds; 1846-Edward McClure; 1847-'48-Resin Sapp ;* 1849-'50-Geo. Smith ;* 1851-Jonathan Blanchard ;* 1852-Jonathan Blanchard and D. D. Whedon; 1853-'54-Thomas C. Gardner; 1855-'56-S. Reed; 1857-'58- Elisha H. Pilcher; 1859-William H. Perrine; 1860-'61-F. A. Blades; 1862-'64-B. F. Cocker; 1865-'67-H. S. White; 1868-B. F. Cocker; 1869-'71-L. R. Fisk; 1872-'74-Wm. H. Shier; 1875 -Isaac N. Elwood; 1876-'78-R. B. Pope; 1879-'80-John Ala- baster.

The church is situated on the corner of State and Washington streets. The whole length of the building is 128 feet and eight inches; the extreme width 81 feet; the height of the main tower, 181 feet; the height of the small front tower, 100 feet; and of the rear tower 90 feet. The audience room is 62x90 feet, with a height of walls 26 feet, and to the apex or arch of the ceiling 41 feet. The lecture room is 38x70 feet. There is also a suit of rooms for gen- eral class-meeting, and a kitchen suitably furnished for festival oc- casions and the socials of the society. The floor of the main audience room is nicely carpeted. The entire cost of the building was about $65,000.

* Since died.

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ANN ARBOR.

The earliest recorded movement toward an organization in this county is found in the records of the Baptist Church in Farm- ington, by whose appointment a covenant meeting was held in Ann Arbor in February, 1827; the meeting was probably held at the log house of Rev. Moses Clark, the first settler on what is now the Botsford farm, on the north Bank of the Huron river, three and a half miles below the city of Ann Arbor. At this meet- ing Phebe Hiscock was received to membership in the Farming- ton Church, Elder Clark being the pastor there, though living here. It was then also voted by the Farmington Church to hold covenant meetings in Ann Arbor regularly from that time, and it is not known that this peculiar meeting of the Baptists has ever failed of observance here since that date.

In May, 1828, the Farmington Church dismissed, at their re- quest, and for the purpose of forming a Church in Ann Arbor, Rev. Moses Clark and family, with some others who lived in this vicin- ity. June 10 ensuing the same Church appointed a delegation to sit in council for the recognition of the organization in Ann Arbor as a distinct Church. The council, embracing delegates from others of the five Churches then existing in the Territory (Pontiac, Stony Creek, Troy, Farmington and Detroit), performed the recognition, on a date unknown to the writer, in June, 1828. The names of the constituent members, so far as the Farmington record shows them, were: Rev. Moses Clark, pastor, Lucy and Sally Clark, Phebe Hiscock Benjamin Slocum, Elizabeth and Nancy Brown, Charles Stewart.

The building in which the Church was constituted was, we sup- pose, Elder Clark's honse, or, as some think, his frame barn, the remains of which still stand on the farm. For some reason it was called the Ypsilanti Church for the first three or four years, after which its regular meetings came to be held in Ann Arbor village, and the present name was assumed.

It is a serious loss that no Church records of the body for the first 10 years of its history can be found. From its annual reports to the Michigan Association and from the recollections of mem- bers the principal facts are derived.

In 1831 or '32 the meetings came to be regularly held in the school-house on the jail lot, now the property bounded by Fourth, Fifth, and Liberty streets. The next place of meeting was in Brown's block, in Lower Town. And in 1835 the first house of worship was built, which, with enlargements, is now the mission property, in Lower Town, of the M. E. Church.

In June, 1849, the brick house of worship on Catherine street was dedicated. A building 64 feet by 44 in size, well finished and furnished. The interior arrangement was remodeled in 1856, and the rear addition was put on in 1868.

The present stone edifice on Huron street was commenced in September, 1879, and its regular occupancy dates from the autumn

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

of 1881. It is in dimensions 100 feet extreme length, and 81 in width at the transept. Its seating capacity is about 750, and its cost as furnished, $25,000.

The times of greatest increase in the membership of the Church appear to have been in 1838, 1844-'45, 1849-'51, 1865, 1869 and 1871. Of periods of interest before there is no record.

Of the officers of the Church, Daniel B. Brown is the senior. On the day of his baptism in August, 1832, when the Church assumed Ann Arbor as its location and name, he was chosen deacon, and has held the office continuously until the present time. Deacon Samuel Crossman has also served from near the first of his resi- dence here, which commenced in 1855. With them are now asso- ciated Deacons A. W. Britton and J. B. Cady.

The Sunday-school superintendent is J. Montgomery, and its membership 200. The ministers who have served the Church are: Rev. Moses Clark must have been the second ordained Baptist minister who located in Michigan, taking up his farm on the Huron in April, 1825. It is thought by those who were then here, that he conducted the first religious meeting held in Ann Arbor. He is well reported of, but of the facts of his life we are mostly ig- norant. He is reported as pastor from 1828 to 1831, and as a min- ister of the Church for a longer time.

Rev. Thomas W. Merrill, in November, 1829, settled in this village, starting the first select and classical school which was held here, and continuing it, with his brother, Moses Merrill, until the next summer, when, failing to obtain the charter sought, they re- moved to Kalamazoo county, where Thomas W. led in establishing what became Kalamazoo College.

Rev. J. S. Twiss, from Sennett, N. Y., settled in Ann Arbor in the autumn of 1830, and was the pastor of the Church through the six years ending in the spring of 1837. He was a preacher of much strength and vivacity, and joining with these gifts the highest moral integrity, eminent practical religion, and intelligent zeal in all good canses, he filled an important place in the growth of the new community, and of his denomination in the State. Some per- sonal eccentricities increased rather than impaired his useful in- fluences, and made him to be held in ever fresh remembrance. He died in 1857 at Union City, where his widow still resides.

Rev. Harvy Miller, an ardent and gifted young student from Hamilton, N. Y., was the next pastor. Commencing in 1837, he labored a year and a half, deeply interesting the people, but was then called to take the place vacated by his father, a pastor in Mer- iden, Canada, where he spent a life of leading usefulness.

Rev. W. L. Brown followed in a pastorate of some 15 months.

Rev. A. A. Guernsey succeeded in filling the office from August, 1839, to March, 1841.

Rev. O. C. Comstock became pastor in November, 1841, continu- ing to serve until April, 1844, and returning again, filled the office

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

from May, 1852, to May, 1855, with some intermissions. Well known for his ministerial and civil positions in the State, genial and dignified, of commanding presence and fine speaking and exec- utive gifts, his ministry and life in the city were a prized blessing to all classes of the people.

Rev. Marvin Allen, one of the most useful ministers in the State for many years, was pastor here from April, 1844, to Oct., 1845.

Rev. A. Ten Brook, professor in the University, acted as pastor during the remainder of 1845, and part of 1846, and other times.

Rev. C. De Land was also employed in 1846, and Rev. Edwin S. Dunham, from October, 1847, to April, 1848.

Rev. Samuel Graves was called from being an instructor in Greek, in Madison University, in the autumn of 1848, and received ordination early in January following. His ministry continned until October, 1851, when he was called to a professorship in Kal- amazoo. The period of his ministry was fruitful in many additions to the Church, and much general prosperity. Dr. Graves is the present pastor in Grand Rapids.

Rev. G. W. Gunison, was also ordained here in December, 1851, but remained as pastor only a few months.

Rev. John M. Gregory was the pastor, with slight intermissions from December, 1855, to November, 1858. Part of the time he was State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and his position and abilities enabled him to do much for the Church, while their depleted resources could make but poor financial returns.

Rev. A. L. Freeman was pastor during the year 1859, when he returned to the State of New York, where his work has been steady and successful.

Rev. Samuel Cornelius became pastor Jan. 1, 1860, and served five years. Soon after closing, his long and highly blessed ministry and life ended suddenly, at Lapeer. Able in the Script- ures, of acute and fruitful mind and ready utterance, eminently devoted to all public Christian interests, and of fine social qualities, he was loved and honored here, and throughout the State and country.

Rev. N. S. Burton was pastor nearly four years, ending Jan. 1, 1871. It was a period of steady growth, and his able advocacy of Christian truth and excellent personal influence, were of great service to the Church and denomination.

Rev. Samuel Haskell, the present pastor, commenced his work in March, 1871. The decade of his service has been marked by considerable efficiency of the Church in its work, a steady but slow growth, and a vigorous enterprise in building the new edifice.

ST. ANDREW'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH A

of Ann Arbor was organized in the fall of 1827. The following were present and took part in the organization, assisted by Rev. Mr. Cadlo, of St. Paul's Church, Detroit, who kindly held ser-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

vices occasionally, until Rev. Silas Freeman took charge of the parish: Andrew Cornish, Henry Rumsey, Marcus Lane, Samuel Denton, Elisha Belcher, Edward Clark. The following named clergymen have served since the organization of the Church: Revs. Freeman, Dorman, Marks, Cummings, Taylor, Lumsden, Gillespie, and Hall. For a number of years after the organization of the par- ish, services were held in a small building on Washington street, east of Fifth street, and afterward in a brick school-house on the " old jail square;" then the lot on Division street was purchased and a frame edifice was erected a few feet north of where the present stone edifice stands. For a time the basement of the church was used to hold services in. Since its organization, the Church has had a slow but steady growth. In the summer of 1880 the old church was taken down, and a parsonage erected on its site. The erection of the new stone church was begun in 1867 and completed in 1869, the consecration taking place Nov. 10 of that year. The style of architecture is of the early English, and is 101x57 feet in size. The stone of which the walls are constructed are the common field boulders broken to form courses of from 10 to 14 inches, and is well adapted to church building. The pointed front gable has a triplet lancet window above the door, and is surmounted by a stone Greek cross at a height of 58 feet. The interior consists of a nave and side aisles, having 156 pews, accommodating 750 persons, be- sides a gallery above the vestibule. The lighting is by 12 lancet windows arranged in couplets on each side, and by quarter-foil stained-glass openings in the clere story. The chancel is at present formed by the recessed east end of the nave between the two small robing rooms enclosed from the east end of each aisle, provision being made for recessing it hereafter from the main building should it become necessary. The large stained-glass triplet window over the altar, with the figure of St. Andrew, a sheaf of wheat and other emblems, is from the well-known house of Friedricks, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The ceiling is frescoed in paints, and the interior wood work is of walnut and butternut oiled, the chancel furniture being of the same material.

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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 95

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