USA > Michigan > St Clair County > St. Clair County, Michigan, its history and its people; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests, Vol. I > Part 34
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SOMERVILLE SCHOOL
In 1879 Mrs. Caroline L. Ballentine, who had been, before her mar- riage to Silas L. Ballentine. a prominent and enterprising merchant. a successful teacher in the schools of Port Huron, opened at her residence in the latter city a school for the liberal education of young women. She gathered around her a small corps of competent instructors and named the institution, upon the suggestion of President Angell of the university. Somerville School. After a year of highly successful work, it was apparent that larger quarters were needed, and several prominent men of St. Clair became interested and arranged for the purchase of property and erection of buildings upon a beautiful site upon St. Clair river at the extreme north end of the city.
Here the school was conducted from 1880 to 1888. when it was com- pelled to close down for lack of adequate financial support. During its existence it provided for its pupils, who came from many states, a most excellent, wide and thorough education, with instructors of the highest standing. and it is greatly to be regretted that it could not have been maintained. as its high standards and general excellence would have done much through its graduates to extend the knowledge and influence of the county.
The sehool rapidly acquired the highest reputation and at a reunion at St. Clair in 1908 of those who had attended. ample recognition was made of the far-reaching influence that the school had exerted.
Among the instruetors who assisted in making the institution so suc- cessful were Misses Emma and Fanny Farrand, sisters of Mrs. Ballen- tine, and both graduates of the University of Michigan ; Mr. J. C. Tyler, Miss Mary A. Thompson, a very successful teacher of art; Prof. George Boardman. an accomplished musician. and Mrs. L. II. Stone, one of the most widely known edueators in the state and long a resident of Kala- mazoo.
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LIBRARIES
It has been recognized for some time that libraries are an important part of the general scheme of education. When Michigan became a state, it made, through its constitution and school laws, liberal provisions for public libraries connected with the schools, but while these flourished for a time, they fell into disuse and finally practically disappeared, so that with the exception of a few towns in the state there were no public libraries. In this condition, with the knowledge that on account of publie indifference to the subject, and hostility to being taxed for their support, there would be little or no prospect of securing a public library, there arose in many communities voluntary associations for the purpose of creating and maintaining libraries, and in 1865 a statute was passed providing for the incorporating of such associations.
One of the early associations of this kind was the Ladies Library As- sociation of Port IInron, which was organized in January, 1866, and incorporated January 10, 1868. From the time of its organization it has been active in the promotion of a literary spirit and intellectual development through reading and discussion. It has received many gifts and several bequests, and owns the property which it occupies on Military street. It has accumulated funds in addition of $2,300, and has a well selected library of 5,000 volumes. Its present officers are Mrs. Aiken, president ; Miss Lney Hendricks, treasurer.
The Ladies Library Association of St. Clair was organized March 7, 1869, and has continued its existence to the present and has accumulated 2,500 volumes. For many years the city has granted it the free use of a room in the city hall for its library. Its income is small, mainly derived from voluntary contributions, but its interests have been main- tained by a few faithful members. Its present officers are Mrs. Henry Rankin, president ; Miss Esther Solis, secretary and treasurer.
In Marine City a Ladies Library Association was formed in 1886 and with a courage and persistence worthy of the cause, a library has been collected and maintained and increased until it now numbers 1,500 volumes. In the face of many discouragements, the work has been persevered in. Its present officers are Mrs. J. W. Berry, president ; Mrs. James Cottrell, vice-president : Mrs. C. L. Doyle, secretary; Mrs. Geo. W. Carman, treasurer.
In Algonac a Ladies Library Association was organized October 7. 1901, and has since maintained an active existence. It has a library of 500 volumes and its officers are Miss Josephine Smith, president; Mrs. James Nugent, vice-president ; Miss Mary B. Ale, secretary and treasurer.
PORT HURON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The only public library in the county not directly connected with the schools is the one in Port Huron. In 1895 the city charter was amended so as to provide for a public library commission of three mem- bers, the making of the existing school library the public library and putting its full control and administration in the hands of the eom- mission, with the requirement that a tax of not less than one-fifth of a
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mill should be yearly raised for its support. The first commissioners were O'Brien J. Atkinson, John C. Johnstone and W. L. Jenks.
In 1896 the Universalist church upon Pine street, no longer used for church purposes. was seeured by lease and used for library pur- poses until removal into the new building. In 1905 the books were moved into the new quarters and a reading room opened.
In 1897 the minimum amount of tax for support was raised to two fifths of a mill, at which point it has remained. In 1901 the number of commissioners was changed to five. remaining at that figure until the
PUBLIC LIBRARY, PORT HURON
present eity charter was adopted in 1910, which fixed the number of three and provided that one of them must be a woman.
The present board eonsists of W. L. Jenks, chairman; Dr. C. C. Clancy and Mrs. J. A. Muir.
In 1903 Mr. Andrew Carnegie agreed to give to the city $40,000 (subsequently inereased to $45,000) upon the usual conditions that the city provide a site and agree to yearly appropriate for its maintenance a sum not less than ten per cent of the gift.
After this was aeeepted by the city there was some difficulty in selecting a location, but fortunately the Second Ward park was chosen and the following year the building was begun and completed in 1905. It is in the elassie style of architecture, of Indiana limestone and carefully planned to furnish all the advantages of a modern library, having reading rooms for adults and children. A pleasant room is given to the William Sanborn Post, G. A. R. and W. R. C., for their use.
The large use made of the library by the children and adults justifies
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its existence and proves its value as a part of the general educational system.
In addition to several thousand volumes of national and state docu- ments, the library contains 20,000 well selected volumes.
The librarians have been Mrs. Anna Manwaring, Miss Alta Stans- bury and since 1910 Miss Kathryne Sleneau.
CHAPTER XVIII THE PRESS OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
FIRST TERRITORIAL PAPER-MICHIGAN'S EARLIEST NEWSPAPERS-THE " ST. CLAIR WHIG"-"LAKE HURON (PORT HURON) OBSERVER"-"ST. CLAIR BANNER" AND ITS SUCCESSORS-" PORT HURON COMMERCIAL" -.. ST. CLAIR REPUBLICAN"-" ST. CLAIR COUNTY PRESS"-" PORT ILURON PRESS"-" PORT HURON TIMES"-SHORT-LIVED PORT HURON PAPERS-MARINE CITY PAPERS-CAPAC NEWSPAPERS-BROCKWAY CENTRE AND YALE-MEMPHIS JOURNALISM -- ALGONAC NEWSPAPERS- "FORT GRATIOT SUN"-THE " POSTMASTER EVERYWHERE" AND ITS PUBLISHER-" SUNDAY HERALD"-GERMAN JOURNALISM IN PORT HURON-FRATERNAL SOCIETY JOURNALS-MONTHLY PUBLICATIONS- IIIEL B. BUCKERIDGE'S PAPERS-" PORT HURON DAILY HERALD"- ". PORT HURON TIMES-FLERALD "-PERIODICALS OF 1911.
By Loren A. Sherman
Any history of the press of St. Clair county necessarily must be in- complete. In most cases the dates when papers were established can be ascertained, exactly or approximately, but of many subsequent changes of name or ownership. consolidations and discontinuances. no records can be found, while personal recollections are nearly always indefinite and uncertain. Very few files of newspapers published in the county more than a third of a century ago are now (November, 1911) in existence : and several papers that were started during the past thirty years have passed out of existence, leaving no record except in the indistinct memo- ries of individuals. It is believed, however, that mention is made in this sketch of nearly or quite all the periodicals that have ever been pub- lished regularly for any considerable period of time in the county.
FIRST TERRITORIAL PAPER
At the opening of the nineteenth century the area now comprising St. Clair county was a part of the political division of the United States designated as Indiana territory. then including all the territory now forming the states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The first newspaper published in Indiana territory was established at Vin- cennes in 1803, by Elihu Stout, and was called the Western Sun. In 1804 the name of the paper was changed to the Indiana Gazette.
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MICHIGAN'S EARLIEST NEWSPAPERS
Michigan's first newspaper was established at Detroit in 1809, four years after the present state was made a separate territory by act of congress. It was called the Michigan Essay or Impartial Observer, had four pages of four columns each, and the subscription price was five dollars a year. Its first issue bore date of August 31, 1809. One authority names James M. Miller as the publisher of the paper. Another says it was established by the Rev. Father Richard, parish priest of St. Anne's church and delegate to congress from the territory of Michigan. It is probable that both men were interested in its publication at some time during its career. Announcement was made that the paper would be published every Thursday. but no record of its continued publication or discontinuance has been found.
The first Michigan newspaper having a record of regular publication for a number of years was established at Detroit during the summer of 1817, by Sheldon and Reed. It was called the Detroit Gazette, and was continued until 1830, when it suspended publication, following the destruction of its office by fire on the evening of April 26th.
The Michigan Herald was established at Detroit in 1825, with Henry Chipman as editor, and discontinued in 1829.
The Michigan Sentinel was established at Monroe in 1825, by Edward D. Ellis. The date of its discontinuanee is not recorded.
The year 1829 saw three new journalistic ventures in Michigan : The Northwestern Journal, at Detroit, by William Ward or George L. Whit- ney, there being a disagreement of records; the Western Emigrant, at Ann Arbor, by Thomas Simpson ; and the Monroe Inquirer, at Monroe, by John L. Green.
The Oakland Chronicte made its appearance at Pontiac June 1, 1830, with Thomas Simpson, who had started the Western Emigrant at Ann Arbor the previous year. as its publisher. It was sold to Detroit parties the subsequent year and discontinued.
The first number of the Detroit Courier was issued December 23. 1830, with Stephen Wells as publisher. It was sold to George Brewster & Co. the subsequent March, and afterward discontinued.
The Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer made its ap- pearance at Detroit, May 5, 1831. with Sheldon MeKnight as its pub- lisher. A year later the names of John P. Sheldon and Charles Cleland appeared as its publishers. Its successor is the present Detroit Free Press.
THE "ST. CLAIR WHIG"
St. Clair county's first newspaper made its appearance in the village of Palmer, now the city of St. Clair, December 2, 1834. It was called the Whig, was to be issued weekly, and probably was so published, with occasional intermissions, as was common in those days. when the supply of white paper was short, or the publisher was ill or absent from home No detailed record of its subsequent career can be found. Its first pub- lisher and editor was T. M. Perry. The press upon which the Whig was
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printed was sent to Palmer village in 1833, from Georgetown, South Carolina. by Thomas C. Fay.
The Whig was continued for two or three years, and changed its name in 1835 to the St. Clair Republican. During 1835 J. S. Heath and L. M. Mason were the editors, both of whom shortly afterwards moved to Port Huron. Nothing more definite can be ascertained re- garding this first St. Clair Republican than that it had a limited exis- ence probably ending its career in the latter part of 1837. The St. Clair Republican of today was established in the year 1856.
THE "LAKE HURON (PORT HURON) OBSERVER"
St. Clair county's second newspaper was established in 1837, in the village which is now the city of Port Huron. Its prospectus was dated "Huron City, January 24. 1837." indicating that just then residents of the place called it by that name. The following is a copy of the pros- pectus issued :
"Proposals for Publishing at Huron City, St. Clair County, Michigan.
"THE LAKE HURON OBSERVER
"A Weekly Paper of Imperial Size, at $2 Per Annum, Payable in Ad- vance. $2.50 at the End of Six Months. or $3 at the End of the Year.
"It is, perhaps, unnecessary, here to enter into detail of the causes or circumstances which have led to the establishment of a new paper in this county, or to discuss the merits or demerits of the paper already estab- lished. Suffice it to say, the growing importance of the county, and the interests of its inhabitants, seem to require a publie journal through whose columns a fair expression of the opinion of the people in different sections of the county can be had. upon all political and other questions of general importance; such is intended to be the character of the Observer. Although decidedly a Democratic Journal, its columns will always be open for the discussion of important political questions, whether of general or local interests, when such discussions are couched in eandid and decorous language.
"Our Canadian friends at Port Sarnia and its vicinity will find the Observer a ready vehiele for the conveyance of information respecting their village, harbor. railroad and other topics of general importance.
"It is hoped the OBSERVER will be conducted in such a manner as to be sustained by the inhabitants of the county, and to merit the con- fidence and support of the public generally.
"Huron City. January 24, 1837."'
It is to be assumed that "the paper already established in this county, " referred to in this prospectus, was the St. Clair Whig, or its successor, the St. Clair Republican, as no paper had been published in the village at the head of St. Clair river previously. Supposedly the St. Clair paper was Whig in polities, and the Democrats of the county sought to establish a paper that would represent their party.
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The following list of advance subscribers was attached to the pros- pectus : E. B. Harrington, Cummings Sanborn, Amon Baker, A. & J. B. Comstock, G. F. Boynton, D. W. Powers, HI. Harding, N. D. Horton, C. Thompson, E. C. Bancroft, E. Burch, E. P. Johnness, D. B. Harring- ton, F. C. White ( Whitestown), A. S. Pratt, T. Crocker, John S. Heath, John Thorn, E. R. Moffatt (La Forge Village, N. Y.), J. F. Batchellor. John H. Westbrook, J. Halstead, Clift Comstock. Willard Orvis, Lueins Beach, Ashley L. Whiteomb, Hiram Mann, A. W. Campbell, R. IIamil- ton, Shepard & Bottsford, Joseph L. Kelsey, Z. W. Bunce, Jesse H. King, Lorenzo M. Mason, J. W. Campfield, Edward Petit, D. Babcock. H. Chamberlain, John Doran, Jared Miller, D. J. Rockwell, John West- brook, James Beard, Joel Tucker, John Swarthout, David Senter, Justin Rice, John Jackson, Michael Jackson, Benjamin Newhall, Chester Kim- ball, Jr., Henry Gill, Fr. Harsen, James Harsen, John HInghes, D. Churchill, John Smith, R. B. Dimond. Eben Westbrook. A. II. West- brook, Jacob Peir, Oliver Westbrook, Jerauld Miller, Jos. P. Mini, P. F. Brakeman, Ineius Beach. White & Harrington ; with a number of sub- seribers outside the county.
The first editor of the Lake Huron Observer was Ebenezer B. Har- rington, a brother of Daniel B. Harrington, who was one of the owners of the paper. E. B. Harrington appears to have been the projector of the paper as well as its first editor. Ile continued in that capacity for about a year, and also practised law, but it is of record that his connection with the Observer was his only newspaper experience. In 1838 he re- moved to Detroit, where he died in 1844.
After some years, according to pioneer recollections, the Observer was merged into a paper called the Representative.
William L. Bancroft eame to Port Huron in 1844 and purchased the office, changing the name of the paper to the Port Huron Observer. In August, 1849, he sold the office to J. H. Hawes, who removed it to St. Clair.
In 1841 there appears to have been published for a time in Port Huron a paper named the Northern Miscellany.
THE "ST. CLAIR BANNER" AND ITS SUCCESSORS
In 1842 John N. Ingersoll established in the village of St. Clair the St. Clair Banner, which he published for four years. He then removed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and established the Lake Superior Nous, the first newspaper published in that section of the state. Sub- sequently he was elected to the legislature and was speaker of the house of representatives for one session. From 1850 to 1858 Mr. Ingersoll was connected with papers in Detroit and Rochester, New York. For nearly a quarter of a century during the later years of his life he was publisher of the Shiawassee American.
The St. Clair Observer, with J. H. Hawes as publisher, succeeded the Banner in 1850, followed in 1851 by the St. Clair County Observer, with B. B. Bissell as first editor and publisher, followed by A. M. Tenney in 1852, with the name again changed to St. Clair Observer. The St. Clair Herald was started in August. 1853, by J. J. Falkenbury,
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a lawyer engaged in practice. for the express purpose of breaking down the Observer. In September, 1854, it was recorded that "Arthur M. Tenney, late editor of the St. Clair Observer, recovered a judgment of $500 against Falkenbury of the St. Clair Herald for libel." Also that "In the case of Reamer rs. Falkenbury, for libel, the plaintiff obtained a verdict of $1,000." The death of Falkenbury in January, 1856, ended the Herald, and the Observer disappeared not long after- ward.
During the presidential campaign of 1860 J. K. Averill published at St. Clair a small sheet called the Chief. A paper called the Standard appeared in 1861, but was short-lived.
THE "PORT HURON COMMERCIAL"
The first number of the Port Huron Commercial (weekly ) was issued on Saturday, June 7. 1851. George F. Lewis was its editor and pro- prietor at the outset. The paper had four pages of six wide columns each. It espoused the cause of the Whig party, which was then in control of the national government, Millard Fillmore being President.
In its issue of March 6, 1852, the Commercial announced that a half interest in the paper had been sold to Daniel B. Harrington, who became its editor, and that thereafter publication would be by George F. Lewis & Co. Announcement was made by Mr. Harrington, over his personal signature. that under his direction the paper would support Democratie principles and candidates. Mr. Harrington continued its editor for fifteen months or more. Mr. Lewis' name subsequently appeared as publisher of the paper, and April 3, 1854, he announced its sale to Henry S. Decker and William L. Bancroft. The firm name of the new company was Henry S. Decker & Co., William L. Bancroft being the editor. Mr. Lewis left Port Huron after the sale of the Commercial, and subsequently was the projector of several other Michigan news- papers, including the Saginaw Daily Courier, the Bay City Daily Morn- ing Call, the Saginawian, and the Mt. Pleasant Journal.
Angust 5, 1854, William L. Bancroft announced the purchase of Mr. Deeker's interest in the Commercial, and became its sole proprietor. In November of the same year Mr. Bancroft sold a half interest in the office to Henry S. Potter. and the firm of H. S. Potter & Co. became publishers of the paper. Mr. Bancroft continuing its editor until April, 1856. Thereafter H. S. Potter & Co. continued publishers of the Com- mercial for nearly ten years. Mr. Potter being postmaster of Port Huron during a portion of that period.
After the close of the Civil war Col. John Atkinson owned the Commercial, or had a large interest in it, for a time, and his brother, William F. Atkinson, helped to edit it. Thomson J. Hudson and Horace E. Purdy were also publishers of the paper for a limited period, and for a few weeks George P. Goodale, then, as now, a member of the editorial staff of the Detroit Free Press, while temporarily residing in Port Huron, was their gratuitous helper in editorial work. Nathan C. Kendall was also editor of the paper for several months.
In 1868 James Talbot became principal owner of the Commercial, and
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with his sons. John F., James H. and Harry L., conducted it for ten years or more, its ownership passing in 1875 from James Talbot & Sons to the Commercial Printing Company, the stock of the company being held mainly by members of the Talbot family. James Talbot died May 14. 1881. as the result of an accident.
The Sunday Commercial made its appearance during the latter part of the year 1873, James Talbot & Sons being the publishers. Publica- tion of the Port Huron Commercial mainly for country circulation was continued on Wednesdays.
Eugene J. Schoolcraft, who had learned the printer's trade in Port Huron offices, purchased a quarter interest in the Commercial estab- lishment in 1878, and continued actively engaged in the business, edi- torial and mechanical departments for ten years, disposing of his stock in the company in February, 1888, and engaging in other business.
The Evening Commercial (daily except Sundays), a sheet of four pages, six columns to the page, was launched February 1. 1888, and floated until the latter part of October of the same year, Talbot & Co. being the publishers until September 19. The Sunday and Wednesday weekly editions were continued as usual during that period.
From March, 1852. when Daniel B. Harrington became editor of the Commercial, until it was consolidated with the Tribune in 1888, a period of forty-six years. the paper was ardently Democratie in its political affiliations.
September 19. 1888. the Commercial establishment was purchased by the Huronia Printing Co., with A. H. Finn as business manager. After the discontinuance of the daily edition of the Commercial, toward the end of October, the Port Huron Commercial and the Sunday Com- mercial were consolidated with the Tribune (weekly). when Mr. Finnich had established six years previously, under the name of the Commercial- Tribune. H. N. Mather was editor of the consolidated paper and A. II. Finn was business manager. In politics the consolidated paper was independent.
In September. 1889. the Commercial-Tribune establishment was pur- chased by Ernest King and Fred W. Stevens, under the firm name of Stevens & King. A year later the Commercial-Tribune Printing Com- pany succeeded Stevens & King, E. King being the president of the company and F. W. Stevens secretary and treasurer. The company then published the Commercial, the Port Huron Tribune, the Michigan Maccabec, and the Bcc Hire. A year or two later Mr. Stevens sold his interest in the establishment to Gerald King, who succeeded him as secretary and treasurer of the company.
In the fall of 1895 the Commercial-Tribune establishment was sold to the Riverside Printing Company, the King brothers retiring from the business and soon afterward removing from Port Huron. The River- side company was owned mainly by Loren A. Sherman, then owner and publisher of the Daily Times, with a weekly edition, who discontinued the Commercial-Tribune. and both papers thus ended their careers.
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THE "ST. CLAIR REPUBLICAN"
The St. Clair Republican (weekly ) was established at St. Clair, May 24, 1856, by Benjamin B. Bissell. In 1865 the Republican was pur- chased by R. B. Ross and Hazzard P. Wands, who published it in part- nership for some years, Mr. Ross retiring in 1870. He was a humorous writer, and afterward gained quite a reputation in that line of work on Detroit papers. Mr. Wands was a lawyer, and was three times elected clerk of St. Clair county, serving in that office from 1867 to 1873. He died August 15, 1877.
After Mr. Wands' death the Republican was edited by Charles R. Greene until September, 1878, when the office was purchased by Charles G. Conger, who sold it to Franklin Moore in 1879.
Except for two periods of a few months each, when he was engaged in other business, Stephen S. Hopkins was employed in the Republican office from September 1. 1881. to April, 1892, and did most of the edi- torial and reportorial work on the paper. For eight years during that period Mr. Moore was postmaster of St. Clair and Mr. Hopkins was his chief clerk in the postoffice. August 1, 1892, Mr. Hopkins accepted a position on the Port Huron Times, remaining with that paper until its consolidation with the Herald, January 1. 1910, and since that time he has been employed on the Times-Herald.
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