History of Salem, Washtenaw County, Michigan, 1881, Page 3 |
(EDITOR'S NOTE - The following data is taken from a history of Washtenaw county published 49 years ago - 1881. This is the second of a series of interesting township histories.)
A compilation of History for Salem, Washtenaw Co., MI, Page 3
Early Settlement of Salem.
The First Baptist church was organized within the house of Wheaton Bullock,
Jan. 17, 1833, with J. L. Twiss, moderator, and Thomas Harper, clerk.
Elder Eben Carpenter preached the first sermon to the society on the day of
organization; Elder Moses Clark was the first pastor of the church; L. C.
Goodale, the first clerk; John Bennett and Eliphalet Lewis, first trustees;
with Alexis Packard and John Bennett, deacons. Elder Clark served as
minister for a short time after organization; when Elder Carpenter was
appointed pastor. Elder Noyes was called to the pastorate about 1837. The
pulpit has been filled by many preachers since that period.
Mrs. Almira Wheeler was the first member who received baptism. Rev. J. L.
Twiss officiated at this ceremony, which took place in May, 1833. The
church was erected in 1852, at a cost of $900. It was moved from its first
location to the depot in 1877, at a cost of $300. Since its organization
the society has advanced steadily, so that it now claims a membership of
100 persons.
The First Free Will Baptist church of Salem was organized July 7, 1839, in
the northeast part of the township of Salem. The Rev. C. P. Goodrich was
pastor; Manley Smith, clerk; Michael Thompson and Deacon James Filer,
trustees. In 1850 the society erected a church edifice, which was
dedicated in November of that year.
Congregational Church - Several settlers of Salem township, who had
previously worshipped with the Presbyterian church, decided to form a
society to be known as the Congregational church, and a meeting was
therefore called on March 27, 1839. The following persons gave their names
as members of said society: Isaac Hamilton, Charles Pratt, Ethiel Hubbard,
Orange Green, Hiram Rhodes, Enoch C. Hamilton, Harvey Hubbard, Edwin
Hubbard, Reuben Peebles, J. H. Peebles, Parley Crowell, Cola Bennett,
Zebedee Waldron, S. G. Haywood, Sebra Perkins, George N. Stoddard, Seth
Thompson, J. W. Hamilton, John Peebles, Lorin Pratt, and Adam Spence. Zebedee Waldron, Adam Spence, S. G. Haywood, Parley Crowell, Harvey Hubbard
and Joseph H. Peebles were the first trustees. Zebedee Waldron was the
first secretary, and Harvey Hubbard the first treasurer. A call was
extended to Hiram S. Hamilton to become the first pastor. A house of
worship was commenced in 1848, and dedicated as "Zion Church" on Aug. 8,
1849. The cost of the building was about $900. The organization has been
very prosperous, and has for its present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Gilson.
The Presbyterian church - The Presbyterian church was organized in the
township of Salem in 1833. The first deacons were Isaac Hamilton and
Nathaniel Terry. Subsequent to this organization several
Congregationalists settled in the district, who were not content with the
society as it was found existing. A meeting was called and the society
organized as a Presbyterian Church and Congregational Society. This
society erected a house of worship about 1850, at a cost of $1,000. The
names of the pastors since the organization are as follows: James Morton,
1852; J. D. Pierce, 1856; C. H. Eaton, 1858; Samuel Phillips, 1860; R. J.
Williams, 1863; P. C. Thompson, 1867; E. F. Strickland, 1869; J. W. Wastel,
1870; Robert Hoverden, 1871; M. B. Wilsey, 1874; Armon Spence, 1875; T. O.
Childs, 1877; James Vinson, 1880. The present toll of members shows 40
names of males and 65 names of females. Of the aggregate number, 105,
there are 26 absent members. The Sabbath school, in connection with the
church, was organized in 1841 with a class of 15 members. The school has
increased to 35.
The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Salem was organized in a
school-house on section 33, in 1841, with David Norton as class-leader, and
Joseph Lapham, first steward. The first annual conference was held in that
school-house, where also was formed the first church discipline. Marcus
Swift, Samuel Bibbins and Orin Doolittle were the first preachers. The
first house of worship was built in 1851, at a cost of $840, near Lapham's
Corners, or Brookville. The pastors, have been as follows: B. F.
Pritchard, J. G. Spaulding, J. H. Castor, A. W. Wilson, H. Noble, S.
Clements and B. F. Hedger, the present pastor. The first Sunday school was
established in 1844 or 1845, with 20 members present. The average
attendance now is about 50.
The Methodist Episcopal Church - In 1864 the M. E. church in Salem was
dedicated, and the church organization was perfected, with a membership of
about 25. J. B. Van Atta and William Hollingshead were made stewards and
A. M. Farley and L. D. Perkins, class-leaders. Previous to that time there
had been a temporary church organization and preaching at different points
in the township by the M. E. ministers. The perfection of this church
organization was brought about by the earnest efforts of Elder Anderson,
who was then preaching on this charge. The dedicatory services were
performed by Elder J. M. Castor, who succeeded Elder Anderson. Since that
period the membership of the church has been alrgely (sic) increased until
it numbers about 60. At the present time, B. F. Hedger is the preacher in
charge.
Salem Grange
Salem Grange was organized July 6, 1874, at Salem Station, by the State
Deputy, C. L. Whitney, of Muskegon, with 30 charter members. Names as
follows: John B. Waterman, Eleanor P. Waterman, Myron E. Root, Priscilla
Root, Charles P. Waterman, Belle Fairchilds, Henry C. Dennis, Martha L.
Dennis, Dwelle Smith, Rosa A. Smith, Daniel E. Smith, Kate Smith, David
Roberts, Susan Roberts, William S. Whipple, Charlotte Whipple, Alfred S.
Waterman, Lydia Waterman, Hiram B. Thayer, Almira J. Thayer, Rufus Babbitt,
Ellen L. Babbitt, William Tousey, aJne (sic) Tousey, Eliakim T. Walker,
Isadore Walker, George S. Van Sickle, Jane A. Van Sickle, Daniel W.
Wheeler, Jane Wheeler.
The first officers of the grange were as follows: Rufus Babbitt, Master;
Eliakim T. Walker, Overseer; John B. Waterman, Lecturer; Daniel W. Wheeler,
Steward; David Roberts, Asst. Steward; Henry C. Dennis, Chaplain; Daniel E.
Smith, Treasurer; Hiram B. Thayer, Secretary; George S. Van Sickle,
Gate-keeper.
The following have served as masters of the grange since its organization:
Rufus Babbitt, J. B. Waterman and Dan E. Smith. The officers at present
are as follows: John B. Waterman, Master; Harvey C. Packard, Overseer;
Susan Smith, Lecturer; James H. C. Mosher, Steward; John M. Thompson, Asst.
Steward; John B. Smith, Chaplain; Daniel E. Smith, Treasurer; Darwin D.
Cook, Secretary; Simeon Root, Gate-keeper; Kate Cook, Pomona; Louise
Bidwell, Flora; Irene Roberts, Ceres; Priscilla Root, Lady Asst. Steward.
Of the 30 charter members seven have withdrawn by demit, six have been
suspended for non-payment of dues, one removed by death, and 16 are still
members. Of the 87 admitted since organization, 32 have been suspended for
the non-payment of dues, eight have withdrawn by demit, three removed by
death, 44 retain their membership, which added to the 16 charter members
makes a total membership of 60, with a fair prospect of an increase in
members during the present year.
Salem has been represented in the Territorial and State Legislatures 14
terms, and in Constitutional Convention as follows:
George Rennick served six terms, two in the Territorial and four in the
State Legislature; Robert Pindy, one term as member of the Constitutional
Convention that framed the first constitution of the state: two terms in
the State Legislature; Ira Rider, one term in Legislature; Henry T. Walker,
two terms; Calvin Wheeler, one term; Thomas D. Lane, two terms, one in the
House, and one in the Senate.
Salem has been noted for the number of physicians it has furnished to the
world, having sent out some 20 men, all of whom were graduates of some
medical college of good repute, besides many others who have never sought
or obtained the coveted diploma. In the law and theological departments,
she has not been so prolific, having furnished but four lawyers and one
minister. She has furnished one county clerk, Leonard Goodale, one county
treasurer, J. W. Babbitt, and one county superintendent of schools, George
S. Wheeler.
A special 'thank you' to Charla Kurtz for transcribing and submitting this historical data.
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