History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 81

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 81

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SOCIETIES.

The schools and churches of the city are fine monuments to the educational and religious earnestness of the people. The Congregational, Catholic, Methodist and Baptist Church edifices are substantially built after varied architectural designs. The Huron House, Opera House, and many of the business blocks display both enterprise and taste on the part of their builders. The homes of the principal citizens are marvels of refined architecture, while those of the citizens generally show good taste in building style as well as in the order of the grounds surrounding them.

The secret and benevolent societies comprise the Commandery, K. T .; Pine Grove Lodge and Port Huron Lodge, F. & A. M .; Odd Fellows; Templars of Temperance; Diamond Tent, K. O. T. M .; Integrity Lodge, K. of T .: Temple Lodge, A. O. U. W .; Hope Council, R. A .; St. Patrick's Society, and Huron Lodge, A. P. A. The Literary Associations are the Ladies' Library, the Shakespearian, Lotos Club, and Literary or Debating Society. The military order is represented by a Company of State troops, known as the Port Huron Guards; the medical by the Society of Physicians and Surgeons: the law by the St. Clair Bar Association: the press by two daily papers and four weekly journals; trade, by a large number of enterprising merchants, and banking by three solid money houses. The religious and educational inter- ests are ably represented.

THE PORT HURON RELIEF COMMITTEE.

The remarkable and conciliating dispatch exercised by the people of St. Clair County to relieve their northern neighbors during the terrible forest conflagration of 1881 cannot be overestimated. The moment the telegraph wires flashed the astounding news, the people of this county-the people of the two cities in particular -- went forward to the rescue. A telegram, of which the following is a copy, was transmitted to Gov. Jerome, then at Marquette:

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

September 19, 1891 -To Gov. David H. Jerome, Marquette. Mich .: Public opinion i- manimous that you should forthwith issue a strong appeal to the whole country for aid to the tire sufferers. Agents are now in the burnt regions collecting statistics as to the loss of life and property and needs of the people. One mill ion dollars is required by good judges to carry the sufferers through. We have thoroughly organized for sys tematie relief. and Port Huron can reach the destitute better and quicker than any other point. Don't delay OD CONGER.

11 L. BANCROFT. The executive ability of the people had even then accomplished much. An organization was a reality. and to this organization is due the steady, well ordered relief which poured into the tire-stricken country, ridding the calamity of half its horrors and rosening the unfortu- nate settlers from the starvation which threatened them.

This Relief Committee labored earnestly and well. All efforts were practical, and judicions, good men wore employed, and thus the noble cause of charity was made still more noble by the manner in which it was observed.

On the 27th of May. the Port Huron Executive Committee for Relief instructed their chairman to appoint a special committee of six, three of whom should not be members of the Executive Committee, to examine its books and vouchers. This special committee appointed a snb-committee, consisting of Rev. Sidney Beekwith, Judge Nahum E. Thomas and Judge Edward W. Harris, to do the work. The report of the sub committee was submitted by the special committee as their report to the Executive Committee, and was in substance as follows: "Our careful and extended examination satisfies us that every dollar received by the Relief Committee has been fairly and honestly accounted for."

The cash subscriptions amounted to $196.327.93. and the value of goods donated was esti- mated at 8269.327 87. the aggregate of money and goods thus being &165, 655. SO.

. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

A meeting was held at the Presbyterian meeting house at Port Huron. May S. ISIO. to organize a Presbyterian or Congregational society. Rev. O. C. Thompson. at that time labor- ing in the Gospel ministry throughont St. Clair. Macomb and Oakland, presided. The orig. innl applicants for membership were Elgar Jenkins. Mary Jenkins, Justin Rice, M D .. Alice L. Thompson. Gen. Duthon Northrup. Pamelia Northrup, Ruth Rice. William Baird and Pamela Rice. An adjourned meeting was held at the schoolhouse May 15. ISTO, when Eliza beth Drum, Abigail Boche, Margaret Martin and Aun Townsend applied for admission as members. A third meeting was held May 16, 1540, when Lucian Howe. Ruth Miller. Sarah Smith, Sarah R. F. Miller. Salome D. Clark and Julia Eleanor Scott were admitted to mem bership.

On May 15. Dr. Justin Rice and Gen. D. Northrup were elected Elders, and Dr. Rice, Deacon. On May 16. Gen. Northrup was elected Clerk.

Rev. O. C. Thompson says of this organization : " There was no church nearer than St. Clair at that time. I speak advisedly on this point. I say, positively, this was the first: and there was no other for more than a year after this."

From ISIO to ISAS, there was no installation of pastors.

Rev. Orin C. Thompson. the first teacher and organizer, was also the first pastor. The congregation assembled regularly on the Sabbath. and, in addition to the charter members. the names of L. M. Mason, Ira Porter and Dr. Noble, Maj. Gardner, Mrs. Gardner, Liout, Drum, Sergt. Townsend. Sutter Jenkins, of the garrison at Fort Gratiot, with their wives. were regular attendants. In ISI0. Mr. Thompson brought his family to Port Huron, and during the year held morning, afternoon, and sometimes evening services. After some time, the afternoon service at Port Huron was discontinued, owing to the fact that the pastor estab- lished a Sabbath service at Wadham's Mill. Again, he preached at Sarnia, and may be called the organizer of the Presbyterian Society at that point.

During his labors at Port Huron, twenty -three members were added to the congregation. seven were dismissed, and one died. Eighteen children were baptized by him from the bogin- ning of his ministry here until its close, May 17, 1543.

Rov. Peter Boughton arrived in January 1, ISHI, and continued his labors here until Oc-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

tober, 1850. During his administration, thirty-five members united by letter, and seventeen on profession.

Rev. J. H. Benton served the church from October, 1851, to October, 1853. During the two years of his ministry, fifteen members united by letter, and three on profession.

Rev. William P. Wastell was pastor from October, 1853, to October 21, 1855. At that time, their house of worship was on Butler street. Thirteen members united by letter, or on profession.

From the close of Mr. Wastell's ministry to December, 1856, the pulpit was filled by Rev. Jesse Gurney, Rev. Newton, Rev. Charles Kellogg, Rev. Elkanah Whitney, Rev. L. B. Fifield and Rev. Mr. Cheever.

Rev. Sylvanus M. Judson served the church from December, 1856. to December, 1957. After he left Port Huron, during the winter of 1857-58, the church was closed; yet the Sunday school and prayer meetings were sustained. The church and society found a temporary home with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both societies shared in the revival meetings of that period.

Rev. James S. Hoyt, D. D., a graduate of Yale in 1851, and of the Union Theological Seminary in 1858, was ordained at Stamford, Conn., May 25, 1858, and began his eighteen years' term of Gospel work at Port Huron June 1, same year. His engagement for this dis- trict was due to the fact that Dr. C. M. Stockwell wrote to an acquaintance at Binghampton, N. Y., regarding a suitable pastor for the church at this point. Inquiry reached Mr. Hoyt, together with a letter from the trustees at Port Huron, March 11, 1858. The student searched the map in vain for Port Huron, but succeeded in learning from a Michigan student that the village was " somewhere north of Detroit, and one of the hardest places in Michigan." Not deterred by this representation, he agreed to supply the pulpit April 11 and IS. on condition that his expenses should be paid. The society acceded to this proposition, and Mr. Hoyt preached to the people on the days named. April 16, 185S. the society met. and voted that the church and society give him a call to supply the pulpit for one year in consideration of $SOO salary. Ou April 26, this call was accepted by Mr. Hoyt, who at once returned to the seminary to graduate, graduated, married Miss Martha A. Osborn, ordained, and arrived at Port Huron, to assume the pastorate of the church, June 6, 1858. October 22. 1858, the soci - ety tendered him a unanimous call. This call was accepted December S, 1858, and on the same day Mr. Hoyt was installed by the Council of the district churches then assembled at Port Huron.

Rev. Mr. Hoyt tendered his resignation of the charge, January 2, 1876, to take effect May 31, 1876. the closing day of his eighteen years of service.

Rev. A. Hastings Ross entered on the duties of his office the day following the retirement of Dr. Hoyt. Mr. Ross is a native of Winchendon, Mass., a graduate of Oberlin, Ohio, 1857. and of Andover Theological Seminary, 1860, taking a full course of study in each of these in- stitutions.

He preached before the church, March 12 and 19, 1876. A call was extended to him March 31, 1876, and on January 4. 1877, he was installed pastor by an Ecclesiastical Council convened for the purpose. Revs. Minor W. Fairfield. W. H. A. Claris, Ward I. Hunt and W. P. Russell participated in the ceremony of installation.

The church may be said to be inaugurated at Port Huron in October, 1839, when the American Home Missionary Society sent agents into the village and neighborhood. During the ten years succeeding, that society expended $1,250 on this mission, to which must be added $300 subscribed for building a hall and enlarging the meeting house. July 29, 1853, the church adopted the present articles, except No. VI, setting aside the articles adopted at organization.

The first Ladies' Sewing Cirele in connection with the church was organized under Mrs. Boughton in 1847 or 1848.

The worship of praise was, from the beginning, a volunteer choir, under the direction of Martin S. Gillett and Mrs. Elizabeth Gillett.

The instrumental accompaniment was a boxwood flute, played by Dr. Noble. During his

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

absence, John Miller performed on a black inte with silver keys. Subsequently. an accordion and a bass-viol were introduced, with Messrs. Forbes and David Bryce musicians. Watts' and Select Hymns were sung from 1840 to 1543, when the Church Psahnist was substituted. All this old-time music has given place to a regularly organized choir of talented musicians.

The Congregational Sunday School was organized in October, 1535. Meetings wero held in a hall. which was destroyed by fire. The Sunday school. as now organized, has a useful library and rooms in the new church building. The gift of 275 books from Rey Dr. Savage, Chicago. and of $3,000 from the late Mrs. Sweetzer, aided much in improving the society.

The Ecclesiastical society was organized March 27, ISI3, under the title of The First. Congregational Society of Port Huron. Gen D. Northrup, Amasa Bottsford, Martin S. Gillett, E. B. Clark. John Miller, were elected Trustees. Newell Avery, John P. and Peter Sanborn presented a 2,031 pound bell to the society on the completion of the new church.

The salary paid each pastor, in early times, was $500 to Rev. O. C. Thompson; $600 to Mr. Wastell the first year, and $700 the second; $800 to Rev. S. M. Judson. When it is ro- membered that the County Judge received only $400, the County Clerk $250, the County Treasurer. $500, and the Proseenting Attorney $300, the salaries paid to these carly pastors seem large.

The church built in 1838 by Justin Rice. Alanson Shelley, and others. In 1844, Maj. Thorne offered a site for a Congregational Church, provided the society should locate it on the corner of Fort and Butler streets. The proposition was accepted, and the building moved to the southwest corner of the streets named. The church was lengthened, a belfry erected in 15-44. and the first church bell introduced into Port Huron placed therein. This was the house of worship until December 25, 1859; when the congregation took possession of the brick church building. The German-English School Association purchased it and used it until 1870. Subsequently it was used for business purposes until burned in 1878.

In 1856, the site on which the Congregational Church building now stands was located, and purchased February 144. 1557, at a time when that vicinity was minus any improvement. In April, 1859, ground was broken for the building, and on January 4, 1860, the building was dedicated. Regular worship began therein on January 7. In 1868. a new roof was placed on the building, which was re-dedicated October 11 of that year. The edifice cost SIS.500. The parsonage was built in 1865-67, at a cost of $5.000.

Among the members of the congregation who served in the war of the Union were C. M. Stockwell, M. D., Surgeon Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry: JJames Allen. Assistant Sur- geon: Edward C. Avery. Third Michigan Infantry: Samuel B. Carl, Lientenant Second and Sev- enth Michigan Cavalry; James Eekels, Seventh Michigan Cavalry (died in service April 28, 1862): H. P. Holland. Third Michigan Infantry; John Sackett. Twenty-second Michigan In- fantry (died December 30, 1862): Lient. William Thompson. Third Michigan Infantry; Eben W. Beach, Seventh Michigan Cavalry; and Lient. William J. Mulford, Third Michigan Cav- alry.

The associations connected with the church are flourishing. They are, the Ladies' Aid Society. the Woman's Missionary Society, the Ecclesiastical Society, the Sunday school and the ('hoir.

It is said that this church society is one of the best governed and most influential in the State.

The pastors of the church since ISIO are named as follows: Rev. O. C. Thompson, 1510 13: Rev. Peter Bonghton. IS11-50; Rev. J. H. Benton, 1851-53: Rev. W. P. Wastel. 1853-55: Rev. S. M. Judson, 1856 57; Rev. J. S. Hoyt, D. D., 1858 76; Rev. A. H. Ross, 1576-52.

The Ruling Elders were Justin Rice, M. D., Gen. D. Northrup. Edwin Thompson.

Deacons-Justin Rice. E. Thompson. Nelson George, D. Northrup. W. R. Mulford. Allen Fish. Jr .. Perley Morse, Joel Whipple. Enoch Carver, Christian G. Meisel and John McKeand.

Clerks-Gen. D. Northrup, M. S. Gillett. George Barrett, J. S. Hoyt. F. A. Fish, A. H. Fish. John MeKeand.

Treasurers-John Miller, 1850: AHlen Fish. 1558-52; Gottlieb C. Meisel and Dr. H. R. Mills.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Leaders of the Choir -- M. S. Gillett, Perley Morse and Nicholas Cawthorne.

Society Clerks-Gen. Northrup, E. B. Clark, S. A. Jones, W. T. Mitchell, W. R. Mul- ford, W. L. Bancroft, S. A. Jones, Edwin Thompson. John Miller. Laban Tucker, John John- ston and C. M. Stockwell.

The Sunday School Superintendents were: Allanson Shelley, 1838; N. D. Horton, 1839; Justin Rice, 1840; Nelson George, Eben W. Beach, Laban Tucker, Allen Fish, B. C. Farrand, 1855-66 and 1860-63; John Johnston, Perley Morse, F. A. Fish, W. J. Mulford, George Bar- rett. Gottlieb C. Meisel. Justin R. Wastell, E. V. W. Brokaw and H. W. Chester.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The first meeting to organize the Baptist Society of Port Huron was held at the residence of John Lewis, December 5, 1859. Articles of association were signed, and John Lewis, John Howard, J. J. Scarritt, J. B. Hull and C. Ames were elected Trustees. Religious services were held from that time, but it was not until 1861 that steps were taken to erect a house of worship. Not much was accomplished until 1862, when Rev. C. R. Nichols came to the city. Through his endeavors, a subscription of $2,800 was made, and he gave encouragement to the work by becoming the first pastor, the Ladies' Society becoming responsible for his salary, $550 for a year. Lots on Superior street, between Butler and Broad, were given to the society by Messrs. Lewis, Shelley and Ames, on which to build a church. M. E. Dodge became contractor to build the church for $2, 600, but this did not include finishing or furnishing.

A Sabbath school was organized, beginning with fourteen scholars, but rapidly increasing in numbers cach Sunday. Church services and Sabbath school were held in the old Congrega- tional Church on Butler street, until December, 1862, when they moved into the basement rooms of their new house, which they occupied for one year. The audience room above was finished and carpeted in December 1863.

Up to September, 1863, only a Baptist Society had been organized, so at this time the following named persons, who were baptized, met and organized themselves into a regular Bap- tist Church:

Rev. C. R. Nichols, Pastor: F. E. Manley. Clerk; William H. Sanborn, James Gleason. Michael Dove, Mrs. Nancy Howard, Mrs. P. E. Nichols, Mrs. Harriet Hubbard, Mrs. Sarah Ford, Mrs. Sophronia Lewis. Mrs. Catharine McIntyre, Mrs. Anna M. Manley, Miss Julia Wilson. Miss Margaret Gardner, Miss Juliette Petit.

On October 4. 1863, the church observed the ordinance of the Lord's Supper for the first time. The church being organized and the house of worship finished, a council of Baptist Churches was called, and the church recognized. and the house dedicated on the 8th of Decem- ber, 1863.

Rev. A. E. Mather preached the sermon. The address to the church was delivered by Rev. J. C. Baker, of Romeo, and the " Right Hand of Fellowship " extended by Rev. E. Curtiss, of Kalamazoo.

The first baptism took place April 1. 1864. when Mrs. Henry Howard and Miss Sarah Howard were buried beneath the baptismal wave. In May following, the pastor, Rev. C. R. Nichols, resigned, having acted as pastor, and completed the erection of the church edifice and rendered invaluable services which will never be forgotten.

In 1864. about the 1st of June, the Rev. J. Donnelly. Jr., was called, and accepted the pastorate at a salary of $750. At this time the church numbered twenty-nine members.

From this day of small things the church has prospered and increased in membership. In September. 1866, a bell was bought for $700, and in 1868, a parsonage was purchased of E. M. Carrington for $4,000. The church edifice had also been enlarged and repaired, making the whole amount expended for church property to May, 1868, about $12,000. The membership at this time was about 150. Rev. J. Donnelly resigned his long and successful pastorate of nine years in 1873, leaving a membership of 186 and a Sabbath school numbering 206.

The church had no regular pastor during the remainder of 1873, but the pulpit was sup- plied by various ministers of the denomination. During the last three months, Rev. John Matthews, of Detroit, supplied acceptably while the church was waiting for the arrival of Rev.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Alexander Macfarlane, who had accepted a call to be pastor. He entered upon the duties of the pastorato January 1, 1874, and a revival interest was immediately awakened under his preaching. and an increase of about sixty to the membership was obtained. Other additions were made each following year. The church was very prosperous during his whole pastorate of three years, baptism being administered to sixty-eight candidates, and thirty-nine received by Jetter and on experience.

Mr. Macfarlane, having received a call to the Hanson Place Baptist Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., resigned his pastorate here, to take effect December 31. 1876. His resignation was sor- rowfully accepted, and the church was once more without an under shopherd.

After various candidatos had supplied the pulpit. a call was extended to Rev. D. Bald- win, of Strathroy, Ont., who entered on the pastorate June 1. 1877. During Mr. Baldwin's service, the church edifice was burned. It was on Sunday, January 12, 1570, a sharp, coll day in midwinter, after the people had returned to their homes from morning service and Sunday school, and after announcements had been made that the coming week would be devoted to revival services, that the sharp changing of the fire bells brought all to the fact that the Baptist Church was in flames, and was soon lying in a heap of blackened ruins. Since then, the church has held its services in Red Ribbon Hall. until the resignation of its pastor, February 1. 1880. Mr. Baldwin labored faithfully through many trying circumstances, and severed his relation with the church with many expressions of regret from the members.

Stops were taken to procure suitable lots, and a plan for a new house of worship was made. A committee was appointed, and after some delay the lots on the corner of West Butter and Ontario streets were purchased for $1, 500, of Dr. Hartsuff, of Detroit. and the contract let to J. Spalding to construct a brick church on the lots according to a plan agreed upon. for about $11.000, some necessary changes, together with heating apparatus and furnishing. bringing the entire cost to about $14.000.

Thursday, the 15th of July, IsSO. the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the new Baptist Church, on the corner of Butter and Ontario streets, was performed. About 250 people gath- ered to watch the ceremonies, and disposed themselves about the speaker's stand, which had been erected at the southeast corner of the editice, and in the center of which the corner stone. bearing the figures ISSO, hung suspended. The platform was occupied by the Rovs. Alexander Macfarlane, H. S. White. T. W. Monteith. A. H. Ross. Roy. Mr. Johnson. from Sarnia, the Roy. J. McDonald from Brigden, Ont., and the choir, for whose benefit a small organ had also been placed on the stand. The exercises wore opened with music by the choir, which was followed with prayer by the Rev. A. I. Ross, after which came the reading of the Scriptures by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Sarnia. Another selection was then rendered by the choir, at the con- clusion of which the Rey. Alexander Macfarlane took the stand and delivered the address.

Dr. A. A. Whitney thon read a list of the articles to be deposited in the corner-stone, which included a manual and list of membership of the church, short histories of the various societies counceted therewith, a copy of the Sabbath School record, copies of the Daily Times and JJournal, and some specimens of coin. These were put in a tin casket, sealed, and placed in the excavation in the stone covered by the corner stone, which was then placed in position

The church is buitt in the English Gothic style of red brick, with basement and ground floor, presenting an enduring and solid, as well as a handsome and truly proportioned exterior. George Wardell, of Grand Rapids, was the architect. There are four entrances, the main one being at the southeast corner. The projection at this corner forms the vestibule. The area of the audience room is 60x52 feet, with an inclined floor. The wood work is of oak and cherry, finely polished. A graceful arched aleove forms the choir, in front of which is the pulpit. On either side of the choir is an ante-room, connecting with smaller vestibules that compose the south and west entrances to the church. The baptistry is so arranged that two diagonal see- tions of the choir floor and railing and the whole of the pulpit floor swing back on hinges, dis- closing steps leading down from the ante-rooms to the zine lined basin. Pipes for conducting hot and cold water to the basin have been placed. The ingrain carpeting, of which 400 yards were used, was purchased of G. R. Shatto The room contains 365 comfortable chairs, with iron frames and maroon plush upholstery. They were furnished by A. H. Andrews, Chicago.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

The windows present silent sermons, in their symbolical flowers and designs, and glowing poems are revealed in their harmonious forms and colors. Few external objects could have a tendency to develop veneration and spirituality more fully than this appeal to the aesthetic perception-sunlight streaming through stained glass, filling the room with a soft radiance, and here and there visible patches of rainbows. 3 The most matter-of-fact could not fail to be impressed by the wondrous effects of these blending, shifting colors in a place of divine wor- ship. The large south window, presented by the Young People's Society, represents at the top a dove, a lily and a sheaf. The east window was presented by Messrs. Albert Dixon and S. L. Boyce. This is covered over with conventional designs of typical flowers and emblems. The long. narrow window back of the choir is a delightful place to rest the eyes; not that the others are tiresome, but because the varied tints of green, and the semi-transparencies, remind one of green pastures and living waters. The glass came from the firm of Frederiech & Staffen, De- troit. The buttresses are gracefully formed to support the vaulted ceiling. all of which await frescoing at some future time. The chandelier, from Mitchell, Vance & Co , New York, has thirty- six gas jets in a circle and an opal glass reflector. Three large arched doors on the north side, sliding upward, disclose the lecture rooms. 47x28 feet, neatly furnished with matting, plain chairs and the belongings of the Sunday school. The numerous windows here are also very

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 81

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814