Allegan County, Michigan - Soldieks of Othek Eegimeitts, 1880 (part 1 of 2)

Soldieks of Othek Eegimeitts

Remarks on the scattering Soldiers of Allegan and Barry Counties - Men in the First Infantry - In the Fiftli Infantry - In the Tenth Infantry - In the Eleventh Infantry - In the Fifteenth Infantry - In the Sixteenth Infantry - In the Eighteenth Infantry - In the Twentieth Infantry - In the Twenty-Fourth Infantry - In the Twenty-Fifth Infantry - In the Twenty-Sixth Infantry - In the Twenty-Seventh Infantry - In the First Colored Infantry - In the First Sharpshooters - In the Forty-Fourth Illinois Infantry - In the Sixty-Sixth Illinois Infantry - In the Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry - In the First United States Sharpshooters - Miscella-

Besides the commands whose histories have been thus briefly outlined, there were many others containing soldiers from Allegan and Barry Counties, - soldiers whose records are equally as bright and honorable as those of any in the army, but of whom we cannot speak here, owing to the smallness of the number in each organization. We gladly give, however, the following list of their names :

From Allegan

FROM ALLEGAN. Benjamin M. Curtis, Co. C; died of disease at Lexington, Ky., Dec. 21, 1862. John A. Carpenter, Co. C; must, out June 26, 1865.

From Barry

FROM BARRY. Mortimer W. Hunter, Co. F ; died of disease at Richmond, Va., June 8, 1865. Florence A. Hunter, Co. F] died of disease at Richmond, Ya., June 8, 1865.

Barry Soldiers

Edward F. Cox, Co. A ; died in action near Petersburg, Ya., June 17, 1864. Edgar F. Davidson, Co. A ; died of disease at Camp Douglas, 111., June 23, 1864. Curtis A. Davidson, Co. A ; must, out June 28, 1865. Ellas Farwell, Co. A ; must, out Aug. 1, 1865, from Yet. Res. Corps. Joseph Fisher, Co. A ; disch. for disability.

Gilbert Wilber, Co, A ; died'io action near Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864. Robert Finch, Co. B; disch. for disability, Sept. 17, 1864. Darius Fonts, Co, C; must, out July 28, 1865.

Allegan Soldiers

ALLEGAN SOLDIERS. Levi Porter, Co. C ; died in Andersonville prison-pen, Aug. 2, 1864. Obadiah Gloason, Co. D ; disch. for disability. William Hawley, Co. C ; died of disease at Camp Douglas, 111,, Feb, 26, 1864.

Forty-Fourth Illinois Infantry History Of Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan

ChM. W. Bates, Allegan, C!o. H ; disch. fordisability, Feb. 1, 1862. James M. Cunrad, Gun Plain, Co. H; veteran, enl. Jan. 1, 1864; pro. to sergt. Lafayette WilUs, Allegan, Co. Hj disch. for disability, Jan. 10, 1862.

Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry Miscellaneous

MaJ. David Comwell, enlisted as a private in Co. K, Eighth Illinois Infantry, at Bloomington, 111., April 25, 1861 ; served three months, and re-enlisted In the same company and regiment for three years ; was in the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing ; trans, to Bat. D, Second Illinois Light Artillery, serving as private and bugler; in February, 1863, com, 1st lieut. Fifth U.S. Artillery (colored); wounded at Milliken's Bend, La. ; pro. to capt. June 6, 1863, and com. maj. in February, 1864; then on staff till close of war ; hiust. out May 20, 1866.

Geological Map Allegan Village.'

The village of Allegan is located on both sides of the Kalamazoo Kiver, which pursues its winding course in such manner as almost to surround the business part of the village. The residence portion is built partly on the peninsula first alluded to, and partly on a plateau which rises from 20 to 50 feet above the surface of the river. The upper and lower sections of the village both have very irregular boundaries, and two or three ravines also diversify the landscape. Extensive views of the lower part of the town and of the surrounding country are obtained from the plateau before mentioned. Altogether the village has one of the most picturesque sites to be found in any portion of Michigan. If is amply supplied with shade-trees, among which are many native pines and oaks that add greatly to its beauty.

Allegan derives its principal advantages from the waterpower furnished by the Kalamazoo, and from its railroad connections ; the Kalamazoo division of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road, the Grand Haven and the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroads making the place easily accessible from all portions of the State.

Original Purchases

Allegan was first projected in 1834, and the earliest actual movements toward building a village there were also made in that year. The present corporate limits embrace portions of sections 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, and the whole of section 28. The parties who originally purchased from government the land embraced within these limits were as follows :

Stephen Viokery and Anthony Cooley, southwest fractional quarter of section 28, Aug. .3, 183.3, and the east half of southeast quarter of section 29, on same date.

Stephen Russell, soutl^west fractional quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21, Sept. 16, 1833. Also the west half of northeast quarter of section 28 on the same date.

THE ALLEGAN AND BOSTON COMPANIES. During the year 1833, Mr. George Ketohum, of Marshall, Calhoun Co., and Messrs. Stephen Vickery and Anthony Cooley, of Kalamazoo, purchased from the government a tract of land now covered by the central portion of the village of Allegan. Stephen Russell and others bought lands at the same period, which were subsequently included in the village, but we are now dealing with the nucleus of the place. On November of that year they sold one undivided third of their land to Mr. Elisha Ely, of Rochester, N. Y. (subsequently known at Allegan as Judge Ely), who agreed to have a race dug and a saw-mill erected there. In May, 1834, an arrangement was made for the conveyance of Mr. Ely's interest to his son, Alexander L. Ely, and a deed to that eifect was executed. It was not recorded, as the elder Ely evidently retained some kind of a claim on the property. Yet the younger man acted as the virtual owner, and was the principal manager of the enterprise.

During the summer of 1834 he and his other partners, Ketchum, Vickery, and Cooley, projected the village of Allegan, Mr. Oshea Wider, a civil engineer, having ascertained that there was a fall of eight feet in the Kalamazoo River at the point in question. Before anything was done, however, an important change of ownership was made. In the summer of 1834, Hon. Samuel Hubbard, of Boston, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, employed Mr. Ketchum, of Marshall, to buy some wild lands for him in Michigan. Mr. Ketchum made some purchases in Allegan County, and recommended Judge Hubbard to secure an interest in the village projected by Ely and his associates at the rapids of the Kalamazoo. The judge consulted some of his friends, and the result was that he and Edmund Monroe and Pliny Cutler, of Boston, and Charles C. Trowbridge, of Detroit, united in purchasing the interest of Messrs. Vickery, Cooley, and George Ketchum in the village tract, that interest being the one undivided two-thirds. Hubbard held the title for himself and the three other gentlemen named. Subsequently Judge Hubbard loaned Mr. A. L. Ely several thousand dollars, and Mr. Trowbridge took the title of Ely's interest, holding it for Hubbard's benefit, as security for his claim, so that Samuel Hubbard and C. C. Trowbridge appear on the records as proprietors of the village.

Soon after the purchase by Judge Hubbard and his friends, he, Cutler, Monroe, Trowbridge, and A. L. Ely formed themselves into the " Allegan Company" for the purpose of developing the intended emporium. This was not, however, an incorporated company; it was merely a firm, composed of the gentlemen named, who adopted that name for the purpose of convenience. The people generally spoke of it as " The Company."

About the same time, Hubbard, Monroe, Cutler, and Trowbridge, who had then purchased, or subsequently did 60, over 20,000 acres of wild land outside of the village, in Allegan and other counties, assumed the name of the " Boston Company" in all their operations connected with those lands, in order to distinguish that part of their business from the village matters in which Ely was concerned. This " company," like the Allegan Company, was not incorporated. Yet, on account of both firms being composed largely of the same persons, and of their both being commonly mentioned as " The Company," there is quite a general impression at the present day that the " Boston Company" founded, laid out, and improved the village of Allegan, but this idea, as has been seen, is erroneous. Nevertheless, after Mr. Ely's interest passed conditionally into the hands of Judge Hubbard, as already mentioned, there was very little distinction between the two' companies.

Mr. Sidney Ketchum continued for many years the agent of the Eastern capitalists, managing their interests in both "companies." In 1841, P. J. Littlejohn was appointed resident agent under him.

In 1835, Elisha and Alexander L. Ely removed to Allegan, and Sidney Ketchum also spent much of his time there. In 1835 a plat of the village was made, and measures were at once taken to further the interests of the hamlet. Work had, in fact, been begun in 1834, but only a little had been done. The race was dug, the dam built, and a saw-mill erected. The need of a school-house was apparent as laborers in the interest of the company arrived, which was soon after built, and tenement-houses followed in rapid succession. The most sanguine expectations were indulged in with regard to the future of the little village, and, with the prospect of a railroad, there was no limit to the value of property. It is credibly stated that Mr. A. L. Ely was offered $100,000 for his third interest in the property. He refused this offer, but proposed to unite with the other holders of the property and dispose of forty shares at S5000 per share ; stipulating that Judge Hubbard and Trowbridge should retain the title as trustees. A few shares were sold at exorbitant figures, the proceeds of which were devoted to the improvement of the property.

In June, 1835, the lots in the village plat were placed on sale. Col. Joseph Fisk enjoyed the distinction of being the first purchaser, securing lots Nos. 282 and 283. This was the beginning of a period of inflation in Allegan, which increased in 1836 and '37 (embracing^in its course a "wildcat" banking project by which unsalable acres were made the basis of a bank of issue), and which finally culminated in one grand financial wreck, depriving the settlers of all available capital save their own indomitable courage and tireless industry.

The first survey of the village embraced two tiers of blocks, and was (partly on account of the haste in which it was made) both ill-planned and inaccurate. The proprietors consequently employed Flavins J. Littlejohn to make a second survey in 1837 and '38. Yet even in this Mr. Littlejohn was forced to work in accordance with the lines already adopted, which will account for the irregularity of the present village plat. By direction of the company, Mr. Littlejohn repaired, during the winter of 1838, to Albany, N. Y., where he had a plate engraved and 500 copies printed for distribution. The plates were then placed in the hands of Mr. Trowbridge, one of the proprietors, who, later, had a second edition printed from them.

The projectors of the village did not allow themselves to become discouraged, and in 1838 a railroad was surveyed from Allegan to Marshall, and an agent appointed to take charge of the work of construction. The sanguine parents of this scheme were no more fortunate than in their other

Allegan Village

The village had now become, during its brief existence, comparatively well settled, emigrants from the East having been attracted by the fame of its water-power and the enterprise which the proprietors had displayed in its early settlement. After the railroad project had failed, and the wildcat bank had spread disaster around, the condition of the community became more and more straitened. Nearly everybody owed the company.

Some one, about 1839 or 1840, suggested that the company set the people at work repairing the race and dam, which by this time were in a bad condition, and pay them in company orders; This was done, and very numerous and curious were the uses to which this local currency was put, some amusing illustrations on this head being given in a letter published in the Allegan Journal, in 1878, from which the most of our information regarding the Allegan and Boston Companies is derived. The writer says :

" Everybody owed the company, therefore the ' oompnny orders' were equal to gold. I spent some days with Mr. Doane Davis at his hotel. One evening there was a writing-class of young men and young women in the dining-room. I was agreeably surprised. I said, 'Doane, how do these young people contrive to pay the master?* ' Oh,' replied Doane, ' they pay in company orders ; they take them for their services, and, as he owes the company, they are gold to him.' Another evening there was a dance. Doane's wagon brought the young people. The pipers came from some creek- above Allegan. Doane got the party a nice supper. * How's this, Doane?* 'All right,* said he ; * I owe the company, the pipers owe the company, and it is gold to us.' ' Well,' I asked, * how do you do for small chiinge ?* ' Easily,* said Doane; * Judge Ely has a little attachment to the sawmill, and there he turns out wooden bowls.' *'

This was in 1840. Company orders were not current in the payment of taxes, and this fact presented the most serious obstacle to the financial schemes of the little community. Although the business of the country began to revive from this time, yet the fortunes of the Boston and Allegan Companies showed no improvement. One of the Boston partners failed in business ; another disposed of his share to a Mr. Jabez Fitch, who soon after died, and the company's affairs seemed involved in a labyrinth of embarrassments.

A steamboat was built at Singapore by the proprietors of Allegan, about 1842, which was named the " C. C. Trowbridge," and was intended to run on the Kalamazoo River. It, only made two trips, however, and was then taken off. The early boats are mentioned in Chapter XIX. in the general history.

In 1844 an inventory of unsold lands of the Boston Company was made, embracing in all about 20,000 acres. These were classified and appraised, and were then divided among the owners by lot.

In 1849 the Allegan village property not previously sold was disposed of at auction by the trustees, the proceeds bein" divided among the interested parties. Judge Hubbard had died during the interval, leaving Mr. Trowbridge, who still resides in Detroit, the sole survivor of the original ground the previous year on a prospecting-tour. The proprietors of the village had already made a beginning, and found themselves much in want of labor to complete the system of improvements that had been projected. Mr. Ely returned to Rochester, and brought back with him a small company, consisting of Leander S. Prouty, his wife, and a small boy ; Andy J. Pomeroy, who was appointed foreman of the work to be undertaken ; and J. Hoyt.

Mr. Prouty states that on their arrival at Detroit, whither they had come by lake from Rochester, they purchased a yoke of oxen and a wagon, the latter being well laden with household-goods. One team proving insufficient, they hired another on the route, to assist them in reaching Kalamazoo, for which they paid the exorbitant sum of $40. From that point they depended upon the river to reach their destination, and embarked upon rafts ; Mr. Ely having purchased lumber with which to erect shanties on their arrival. A man named Sherwood took charge of one of the rafts, while Mr. Prouty revived the maritime experience of his younger days in commanding the other.

Before the little squadron had proceeded far on its journey Sherwood's craft capsized, and much of its freight was thrown overboard. By a desperate cffoyt the pork and other valuable articles which comprised tfie cargo were secured, and, by the exercise of a very rigid discipline as commander, Mr. Prouty finally succeeded in bringing the party to their much-desired destination. The ladies of the company went ashore while the rafts were being repaired, and excited no little wonder and admiration among the Indians, many of whom had never before'seen a white woman. Arriving at the spot where the city of Allegan was to be built, they at once erected a shanty on a bit of ground nearly opposite the site of the Chaffee House, Wallace Crittenden, who had joined the party on the way, driving the first nail, and causing the forest first to re-echo to the sound oTthe hammer.

An acre of ground was immediately cleared, and one of the party was dispatched to Otsego to secure a plow, their own having been left in the bed of the Kalamazoo at the time of the disaster to the raft. This ground they planted with potatoes and such seeds as had been brought from the East, raising crops which afforded them an ample supply for winter. Mr. and Mrs. Prouty were both employed by the proprietors to keep house for the men in their employ, for which the former was to receive $12.50 a month, and the latter $5 for the same period. They occupied the shanties first erected until more comfortable and spacious log houses were built, into which they removed.

Provisions were scarce, and the supply brought with them was limited. Schoolcraft, forty miles distant, was the most accessible point at which they could be obtained, and thither Mr. Prouty repaired to supply his larder. He returned with a quantity of pork, which, for want of a more convenient method of conveyance, he was obliged to carry on his back. Fish and game were readily obtained from the Indians, who were ever eager to " swop" those commodities for bread, potatoes, and other articles in more general use among the whites.

Allegan at this early day presented all the aspects of an uncleared wilderness. Indians were numerous, the deer and wolf were as yet hardly conscious of the presence of the settler, and the " massasaugas" were so abundant as to make it necessary for the laborers to protect their limbs with a covering of white-ash bark as a safeguard against their venomous bite. Mr. Prouty very soon proved himself a valuable man to the village company, and was given the position of foreman of the work being carried on, which position he held for fifteen months. At the expiration of this period he removed to towniship 1, range 13 (now Trowbridge), where he had previously entered 200 acres, on which he still resides.

An addition was made to the colony by the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Prouty, who, though the earliest white infant in Allegan, was born in Otsego. Mr. Ely, in honor of the event, presented the little one with a village lot.

That gentleman returned to Rochester in the fall of 1834, being replaced by his son, Alexander L. Ely, who very soon became prominently identified with the growth of the village. The next year his father resumed his residence in the county, and made it his permanent home. Mr. Prouty was succeeded by Mr. Keep and wife, who were the landlord and landlady at the boarding-house for a season, but, not being favorably impressed with the advantages of Allegan, they soon departed.

Col. Joseph Fisk, another Rochester pioneer, followed soon after, his advent occurring in the spring of 1835. At the time of his arrival there was but one family in the place, that of Leander S. Prouty, and but one other family in the four western ranges of Allegan County, that of William G. Butler, of Saugatuck. Col. Fisk came at the instigation of Sidney Ketchum, then acting as agent of the Allegan and Boston Companies and the proprietors of Allegan, who had pictured in a very attractive light the future of that place. He at once erected a log house on the site of the Allegan House, and then returned to Marshall for his family, bringing them by way of the Kalamazoo River. On his arrival the whole white population of the county numbered but sixty souls. On the site of his first log house he afterwards built the Allegan House, and was its earliest landlord. In company with Alva Fuller he opened a store containing a general stock on the east end of Hubbard Street, nearly opposite his residence, and ordered a supply of goods from New York. No less than three months were consumed in transporting the goods to their destination, and the expense amounted to $2.50 per hundred pounds. Col. Fisk became the first owner of land in the village, aside from the company. In 1837, in connection with Sidney Ketchum, he built the first grist-mill, on the site now occupied by Oliver & Co.'s furniture-manufactory. Later he engaged in the purchase and shipment of grain, and embarked extensively in the construction of railways in this and other States.

In the spring of 1835 the first birth occurred in the settlement, - that of Joseph Allegan Fisk, son of Col. and Mrs. Joseph Fisk. The middle name was adopted at the request of Mr. Ely. The little one, however, hardly reached the age of one year, and his was probably the first death in the village. The same year (1835) also witnessed the first marriage, or rather marriages, in Allegan. On Christmas Day, Alexander L. Ely was united in wedlock to

Indian wigwams at this time lined the bank of the river, Macsaubee, one of the chiefs, and a few of his followers choosing the peninsula where are now the race and mills. Farther down the stream they raised a suflScient quantity of corn to supply their meagre wants. They were on cordial terms with the whites, and especially kind in time of sickness.

Macsaubee had several bright, intelligent sons and a very attractive daughter. The language of the aborigines was for a time entirely unintelligible to the settlers, and a half-breed whom Mr. Ely brought from the East did good service in interpreting between the people of the two races. Very soon, however, their language became somewhat familiar to many of the whites, and conversation with them was comparatively easy.

Rochester had another representative in Allegan in Horace Wilson, who arrived in 1835, when there were but two log houses in the place. He soon made himself acquainted with the characteristics of the country round about, and was for a while actively employed in pointing out desirable localities to speculators and pioneers. He also cleared off the main portion of the village, now occupied by imposing business blocks, felling the lofty trees which grew there with dauntless energy and industry.

These trees were burned some time after chopping, when the fire, becoming uncontrollable, destroyed several dwellings which had been erected, and the frame of the only church edifice in the village. Mr. Wilson seems to have been satisfied with this latest achievement, for he soon after left the allurements of village life for the less exciting pursuits of a farmer, locating in the township of Monterey.

Among the pioneers of 1835, who by their public spirit and energy have done much to make Allegan the progressive village it is, may be mentioned the name of Ira Chaffee, who came to that place from Ogdcnsburg, N. Y., in 1835, and at once engaged to Alexander L. Ely for a year at small wages. He proved himself so eflScient that his wages were more than quadrupled the following year, when he was selected to superintend the erection of a dam and sawmill for other parties at Swan Creek, seven miles below the village. He was then occupied in running one of the company's saw-mills.

At a later period Mr. Chaffee became engaged in various business enterprises of his own, and in 1841 he purchased the saw-mill built by the proprietors of the village, which he has managed continuously since that time. In 1872 he built the Chaffee House, an imposing structure, which in point of convenience and excellence of material ranks among the finest hotels of the State. Mr. Chaffee is still a resident of Allegan, and is actively engaged in business pursuits.

Doane D. Davis, David Anthony, and one Baker came in 1835, at the suggestion of Col. Fisk, and were engaged in building for him ; the former marrying the following year and making Allegan his home. During the earlier years of his residence he followed the trade of a carpenter. Later he was engaged as a contractor, and was actively interested in various enterprises of considerable importance. He was also elected to several ofiScial positions, and during one term held the oflSce of county treasurer. Mr. Davis,, as the result of years of well-directed industry, left on his death a handsome estate to his widow, who bequeathed in her will a considerable legacy to the Baptist Church of the village, of which she was a member.

Elias Streeter, another New York pioneer, made his advent in 1835, accompanied by his three sons, - J. B., T. E., and A. L. Streeter, - all of whom are now residents of Allegan. On Mr. Streeter's arrival he engaged in labor for the proprietors of the village, but afterwards, preferring a more independent career, he embarked in the lumbering business on his own account. He established a first-class record as a hunter, and was also remarkably skillful as a trapper. On one occasion, while placing in position a heavy iron wolf-trap, several miles from home, his wrist was caught between its formidable teeth, which deeply mangled the flesh. The spring of the trap was so strong that he was unable to open the jaws with his remaining hand. In spite of the intense pain, he made his way to a sapling, which, having a hatchet with him, he cut down witli one hand. Out of this he succeeded in making a wedge. He then by repeated efforts forced it a little at a time between the teeth of the trap, and finally, after much labor and great suffering, opened the jaws so that he could extricate his hand from their terrible grasp. Mr. Streeter died many years since, at his home in Allegan.

W. C. Jenner had formerly been a British subject. He made Allegan his home in 1835, bringing with him two sons, W. B. and T. C. Jenner. He was the first shoemaker in Allegan, and his skill in that occupation was in great demand. At a later period he and his son, T. C. Jenner, embarked in the dry-goods business at Allegan. He erected, on the corner of Locust and Hubbard Streets, a comfortable frame house, in which he resided until his death. The family have resided here ever since his arrival in 1835. His son, W. B. Jenner, still survives.

John Askins was the first millwright who sought the wilds of Allegan. He followed the fortunes of Judge Ely, as did many other Rochester emigrants of 1835. Being also a skillful carpenter and joiner, he was employed in building the dam and saw-mill, and, a little later, found a wide field for his labors in the erection of buildings for the pioneers. He enjoyed the reputation of being the most skillful hewer of timber in the settlement. Mr. Askins still resides in Allegan. Though in a measure retired from the active pursuits of his early years, his hand has not yet lost its cunning.

James Dawson was another of the settlers of 1835 who followed the calling of a carpenter and joiner, in which he is yet actively employed. He built a comfortable home on the corner of Monroe and Walnut Streets, and still occupies it.

Justus W. Bond, another Rochester man, which city he left in 1835 for the forests of Allegan, was early engaged as a painter and glazier. He still pursues his calling in the

E. Parkhurst, on his arrival the same year, became Mr. Ely's accountant, and acted in this capacity during the early flourishing pei;iod of Allegan's existence. He was subsequently elected a justice of the peace and a probate judge. He died, however, early in the history of Allegan. Elisha Moody improved a quarter section of land now embraced in the village limits, but soon after, becoming weary of the privations incident to a newly-settled country, returned to Rochester, whence he had come in 1835 at the suggestion of Mr. Ely.

Rev. W. Jones was the first divine who cast his fortunes with the pioneers of Allegan. He built a residence on the ground now occupied by the First National Bank, and held the earliest religious meeting in the little hamlet. His services were much in demand on wedding occasions, when his genial nature contributed greatly to the pleasure of the occasion.

Among the remaining settlers of 1835 were B. Eager, L. Fish, J. Weare, and a few others who soon removed out of the village and located themselves on farms.

The year 1836 witnessed a great increase in the emigration to Allegan. It has seemed to us as if the remark of an old settler, that " everybody came in 1836," was almost literally true. Among the emigrants of that year the following are recalled :

Flavins J. Littlejohn was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in July, 1804. He graduated from Hamilton College, in that State, in 1827, delivering the valedictory address. In the spring of 1836, finding his health failing, he removed to Allegan, with the purpose of devoting his energies to surveying and such other occupations as would admit of an active out-of-door life. He had been in the settlement but a year when the Allegan Company employed him to make a survey of the village, the preliminary survey of Oshea Wilder not having proved accurate, probably from want of the necessary facilities. He was engaged in this labor until 1838, as already mentioned.

After this, at the solicitation of friends, he entered into the practice of law. During the years 1842, 1843, and 1844 he was a member of the House of Representatives of Michigan, and in 1845 and 1846 he served as a State senator ; was re-elected to the House in 1847 ; serving in 1848 ; being present during the first session held at Lansing. While a senator he was the chairman of the Committee on Revision of the Statutes, and during his second year he was the president pro tempore of the Senate.

In 1852, Mr. Littlejohn actively resumed the practice of law; was later elected circuit judge, with jurisdiction over a field embracing twenty counties, which position he filled for eleven years. Judge Littlejohn from time to time purchased much land in various portions of the county, which was afterwards disposed of as the demand for desirable locations increased. On his arrival at Allegan but four acres of the village site had been cleared of trees, and even that tract was still well filled with stumps, the only streets being narrow roads in which teams could barely pass. Not a single settler had ventured to locate between Allegan and Grand Rapids, and not an acre had been cleared. Judge Littlejohn, after a short illness, died on the 14th day of May, 1880, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

followed his occupation of carpenter, and erected, in 1837, a spacious and, for those early days, an elegant residence on the site now occupied by Col. Fisk's house. Silas F. Littlejohn did not long survive his coming to Michigan. John Littlejohn settled in Allegan in 1844, and soon became actively interested in various business enterprises. A more extended biography of this gentleman is given in the latter part of this chapter. A son, Philetus 0. Littlejohn, who had formerly been extensively engaged in contracting at the East, left his home in Virginia in 1852, and located in Allegan. For many years he took an active interest in public enterprises, but has recently devoted his time principally to the care of his landed property in Pine Plains.

Lyman W. Watkins, Zadoc Huggins, and Andrew Hermants all^ left Genesee Co., N. Y., early in 1836 for Chicago. On their way they were induced to turn aside to Allegan by the promise of lucrative employment upon the works then in progress there. At Marshall, Messrs. Huggins and Watkins purchased a canoe, and made their way down the river to Allegan without difiSeulty. The former gentleman soon after purchased a farm in Monterey. Mr. Watkins worked for a while in the mill at Allegan, but for several years followed the calling of a boatman on the Kalamazoo River. He afterwards opened a grocery-store, and with it the first meat-market in Allegan. Still later he established a drug-store, which he conducted until his retirement from active business.

Rev. W. C. H. Bliss, one of the earliest preachers of the gospel to the little colony, was a former resident of Rochester, N. Y., from which place he emigrated in 1836. He was a cabinet-maker as well as a minister, and opened the first cabinet-shop in Allegan, on the site of the City Hotel. Many of the early religious services in the village were held by him, the scene of the first having been a carpenter-shop near the site of the Allegan House. Afterwards, for many years, he fulfilled the duties of a circuit-preacher, traveling many miles on foot in the performance of his sacred functions. Though in his seventy-eighth year, he still oflBoiates at funerals, and occasionally preaches other sermons.

Alva Fuller came from the State of New York in 1836, and began life in Allegan in the mercantile business with Col. Fisk. He remained in Allegan several years, and then returned to his native State, where he purchased a farm. He had, however, become thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the West, and soon migrated to Illinois, where he now resides.

From Auburn, N. Y., the same year, came Alby Rossman, who at once went to work at his trade as a machinist. In connection with Hyman Hoxie, another of the pioneers of 1836, he established a furnace and machine-shop, which establishment was conducted by Mr. Rossman nearly thirty years. An anecdote told by that gentleman forcibly illustrates the extreme scarcity of money at that period. That gentleman made a contract for the purchase of 500 bushels of charcoal, the agreement being that it should be paid for in trade, with the exception of 25 cents in money, to enable the seller to obtain a letter from the post-oflBce. At a later period Mr. Rossman purchased 100 acres of land, on which he erected a spacious brick residence, where he now resides.

John R. Kellogg came from the State of New York in 1836, located in Allegan, and engaged in real-estate business. He was subsequently engaged in lumbering and other business, being always ranked among Allegan's most enterprising citizens. With him came two sons, Andrew J. and John G. Kellogg, the former of whom now resides in Detroit and the latter in California.

N. B. West, who is still one of the most enterprising business men of the village, was also a pioneer of 1836. He at first followed his trade as a carpenter for two years. After an absence of three years he returned in 1841, and engaged in the business which he has ever since followed, - that of a manufacturer of doors, blinds, etc. When Mr. West came there was but one tavern in the place, - the Allegan House, - and so great was the rush of travel that he was unable to secure quarters there. He accordingly repaired to the Exchange Hotel, then being built by Wm. Boone, where he found a comfortable bed in one of the stalls of the barn. The Exchange was soon after completed, and was speedily filled with guests.

Dr. 0. D. Goodrich enjoys the distinction of being the first physician who ministered to the ills of the settlers of- Allegan. He arrived there in 1836, having left Oneida Co., N. Y., two years before, and at once began the practice of his profession. His circuit extended many miles in every direction, a large part of his time being spent in battling with that scourge of Michigan, the fever and ague. He has since that time, with the exception of a few years spent in Connecticut, been in active practice in Allegan, though of late years he has sought relief from professional labor whenever practicable.

Duncan A. McMartin, the present president of the Pioneer Society, arrived in Allegan in 1836, a weary pedestrian, en route for Illinois. He was, however, so favorably impressed with this region and the cordial welcome of the settlers that he determined not to leave. He still resides in the village, and with his accomplished wife, whose advent in the county dates back to 1833, takes great interest in all that pertains to its early history.

Among the most public-spirited of Allegan's citizens who came in 1836 was Henry H. Booth. He had previously been a resident of Weedsport, N. Y., and was attracted to Allegan by the rumors of its rapid growth which had reached the East. Most of his household goods had been shipped the previous winter by schooner, and, having been stored in Detroit, had been destroyed by fire. On his arrival Mr. Booth found there was not much to do at his trade of cabinet-making, and accordingly engaged for a while in teaming, which he found quite profitable. Subsequently he was elected county elerk, which office he filled acceptably for several years. He afterwards officiated as county judge, and was for several years the agent of the Boston Company in the sale of their lands. In 1856 he built Pine Grove Seminary, a capacious structure, the use of which he gave, free of rent, to the various instructors who occupied it for educational purposes. The building was purchased, in 1865, by School District No. 1, and is now occupied by the Union School of Allegan. Mr. Booth died in 1867, in Allegan, where his widow still retains her residence.

left his native State of Vermont for Allegan in 1836. He early built a store on the site of the Allegan City Bank, a spacious building for that day, which he filled with a general stock of goods. He established a good trade, and was chosen the first treasurer of the county ; but his career was suddenly terminated by a melancholy fate. He embarked on a schooner for Chicago, where he intended to purchase goods. The vessel was capsized by the wind, and Mr. Winslow was drowned.

William A. Knapp, - another pioneer from Rochester, N. Y., was induced by Alexander L. Ely to cast his lot in Allegan in 1836. He found one saw-mill completed on his arrival and another in process of erection, the Allegan Company at this time having a large number of men in their employ. He was at once engaged to assist in the mill, where he remained two years. Mr. Knapp afterwards purchased a farm, but has nevertheless resided much of the time in the village, having for a number of years served as a public officer.

Alanson S. Weeks, who also arrived in 1836, was the second painter and glazier in the village, which trade he combined with that of a chair-maker. His sons, W. C. and H. C. Weeks, though residents of the village, are extensive breeders of blooded stock, and have, on their fine farm near by, the largest herd in the county.

J. B. and Leonard Bailey left the excitements of New York City fon the wilds of Michigan in 1836, the former having been employed by New York parties to superintend the erection of a saw-mill on the Kalamazoo, fourteen miles below Allegan. Leonard Bailey was a carpenter, and had immediate charge of the construction of the mill. He at first placed his family in Allegan, but ere long moved it to the locality of his business, where they remained until 1840. They then returned to the village, and have resided there ever since, Mr. Bailey being actively employed in business in Allegan. Leonard Bailey engaged in the milling business, and has also held various official positions, being also a resident of Allegan.

Jason Torry was another of the early carpenters, who left the State of New York in 1836 and migrated to Allegan. He was at first engaged in a pail-factory, but subsequently followed his trade until his removal to another portion of the State. Hiram Bassett, of Kochester, N. Y., worked in one of the saw-mills when he first came, and was otherwise employed by Mr. Ely. He remained in Allegan until his death, in 1876.

Among those who came early in 1836 was a man named Greeley, who followed the occupation of well-digging and boarded at Leander S. Prouty's. He died the same year, his death being the first in the settlement. ^

In 1836 also came William Waycott from the suburbs of Detroit, where he had followed the joiners' craft. Soon after his arrival he met a tragic fate, which caused much gloom in the little settlement. While engaged in raising the frame of J. B. Bailey's house, one of the timbers fell and struck Mr. Waycott with a force which made the blow instantly fatal. This melancholy event was the first violent death which occurred in the village.

with Judge Littlejohn, and was afterwards an active practitioner. He also attained some local distinction as the cashier of the Allegan wildcat bank. Mr. Clarke subsequently removed to Detroit, where he has for years enjoyed a reputation for distinguished ability in his profession.

George Y. Warner, a New Englander by birth, arrived in 1836, and engaged in the practice of law. He held several official positions, among them those of probate judge, Circuit Court commissioner, and prosecuting attorney. He afterwards cleared a farm in Trowbridge and resided upon it many years, but has since removed from the State.

Richard Cook came from Rochester, N. Y., early that same year, and was employed in excavating the race. Afterwards he purchased a farm in Allegan township, where his sons, John and George, now reside.

From Wayne County, N. Y., came Wells Field (also in 1836), who located in the village. Col. Fisk had returned to the East and mustered a band of thirteen recruits, among whom were his brother, Oramel Fisk, and Mr. Field. The latter gentleman had engaged on his arrival to take charge of Col. Fisk's store, recently opened, which he did for one year, at the expiration of which he leased the Allegan House, and became its landlord for a year. In 1840 he removed to a farm he had purchased in the township of Watson, upon which' he remained ten years. He then returned to the village, where he has since resided.

William Finn, a native of Madison Co., N. Y., also cast his lot with the Allegan pioneers in 1836. He arrived when the village plat was not yet cleared, and only a few log houses and slab shanties ofi'ered shelter to the meagre population. After a short time Mr. Finn returned to the East for a stock of provisions, which he purchased for $2000 and sold for $6000, - wildcat money, - narrowly escaping the loss of his capital. He afterwards embarked in the dry-goods business, and in various milling enterprises. He is still a resident of Allegan.

Among the pioneers of 1837 was Daniel D. Davis, who made his advent in July of that year, most of his family havino- preceded him. For a while he followed his occupation as a carpenter and joiner in summer, employing the winter months in the manufacture of wagons and sleighs. He bought two lots on the north side of the river, upon which he at first erected a shanty, and, later, a comfortable residence. He finally removed to land he had previously purchased on section 5, Allegan township, and engaged for

E. C. Southworth, having removed from Little Falls to Allegan, soon established a factory for the manufacture of pails. He was also a merchant, and for a brief time the landlord of the Allegan House. He afterwards purchased a farm, to which he removed, but ultimately departed for California, where he is now engaged in mining.

Among others who came in 1837 were R. W. Brooksi J. D. Leggett, G. H. Hill, L. Ross, J. Davison, L. K. Pratt, J. M. Thomas, A. Parkinson, T. N. West, L. Winslow, Asa Morse, N. and C. Dickenson, G. Benson, N. Briggs, J. P. Nolan, C. Austin, J. Weare, Jr., B. Pratt, W. C. Rowe, J. Hudson, W. F. Brown, G. H. Hull, J. Robinson, H. Hutchins, George Ely, A. Goodrich, A. D. Dunning, J. Doty, John F. Ely, J. and L. Eager, M. Van Norman, D. C. Ailing, T. Sands, J. P. Austin, A. Edgarton, E. Flannagan, J. H. Wells, J. Smith, 6. Morton, and H. and J. Allett.

James Henderson, a native of Scotland, came to Detroit in 1835, and three years later removed to Allegan, where he assisted in the construction of the first flouring-mill. Subsequently he became a farmer, to which occupation he devoted the remainder of his life. He was a man of cultivated tastes, and devoted much of his leisure to intellectual pursuits. He resided in Allegan at the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. His son, Donald Campbell Henderson, who came to Allegan with his father in 1838, has since attained much distinction as a journalist, and is well known throughout the State as the founder and editor-inchief of the Journal. A sketch of Mr. Henderson's paper will be found in Chapter XX. of the general history.

The principal emigrants of 1839 were H. L. Hurd, D. Kingsbury, J. Green, S. Underwood, D. and E. Wilder, and A. P. Bush. During the following ten years, among the arrivals, some of whom remained but a brief time, were E. and L. Knapp, J. B. Alexander, M. Hawks, S. Miles, L. Barker, H. C. and G. C. Smith, H. Staring, J,

Many leading citizens came to the village at a later period, who by their energy added greatly to its growth and improvement, but they cannot be classed as among the early settlers.

Village Plats

VILLAGE PLATS. Very soon after the organization of the Allegan Company a preliminary survey of two tiers of blocks was made by Oshea Wilder. This was, however, so inaccurate that in 1837 the company employed F. J. Littlejohn to make a second survey of the plat. Thus surveyed, maps were engraved, which were distributed among the various purchasers of lots. Since that time the following additions have been made to the original village plat : AUerds' survey, Russell's fraction, Streeter's addition, Higginbotham's addition, Russell's addition. Stein and Green's addition. Cummins' addition, Briggs' addition, Davis' addition. Green's addition, Lee's addition, Lowe's division map of section 27, Lowe's second division map of section 27, Streeter and Andrews' addition, Riley and Thompson's replat of part of Block B, Streeter's addition, Rossman's addition, Goodrich's addition.

The village of Allegan was incorporated in 1838, the first president being William C. Jenner, who was re-elected for several successive years. The village records of the first twenty years have been lost or destroyed, and no reliable information can be obtained regarding the village officers of an earlier date than 1858. During that year the village obtained a new charter and an election was held, of which the following record was made in the village book :

"At an election held at the Old Court-House, in the village of Allegan, in the County of Allegan and State of Michigan, on Monday, the 8th day of March, A. D. 1858, for the purpose of Electing village officers under the new charter. Hon. Wm. B. Williams and Dr. 0. D. Goodrich were duly Elected Inspectors or Judges of such Elections, and E. B. Bassett was chosen Clerk, who were duly sworn as provided by law."

Mes. Col. J. Littlejohn

Col. John Littlejohn was born in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Oct. 10, 1790. He received an academical education, and before he attained his majority he acquired much reputation as an accomplished and successful teacher in the schools of his native county. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 he offered himself as a volunteer, and soon received a commission as lieutenant. He was wounded at the famous battle of Lundy's Lane, and was commended for his bravery by Gen. Scott, the commanding officer. After the close of the war he engaged very actively in business connected with the construction of the Erie Canal, successfully executing large contracts, and winning an enviable name for integrity and energy of character. To him belongs the credit of building the most difficult link in the first important railroad in this country, - the inclined plane between Albany and Schenectady. He also took a conspicuous part in building the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad, also the James River and Kanawha Canal. About the year 1840 he removed to Allegan ; and, investing considerable capital there, threw himself with his customary energy and enterprise into the work of developing the resources of the place. One result of his enterprise was the building of the first flouring-mill of any considerable size in the county. Infirm health obliged him to retire from business during the last ten years of his life. He died during a visit to Omaha in January, 1868. His surviving sons are P. O. Littlejohn, Esq., of Allegan, and the Right Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., Bishop of Long Island. Col. Littlejohn was twice married : first to Miss Amy Dewey; she died some seven years after their marriage; and in 1823 he was again married, - to Miss Eleanor Newkirk, of Montgomery Co., N. Y., where she was born Nov. 23, 1799. She is a lady of rare personal excellence and remarkable industry and thrift, a faithful, true, and patient wife, an affectionate mother, and a valuable friend. She is now in her eighty-first year, and still evinces much of her former vigor and energy. A glance at her portrait is only necessary to recognize the force of character which she possesses.

A school was taught in Allegan village as early as 1835, and a school district was organized the following year. The first school, as nearly as recollected, was held in a building just west of the site of the Peck Block, the teacher being Miss Hinsdale, of Kalamazoo County, who did good service as a pioneer instructress in various portions of the coutiiy. In the fall of 1836, Miss illiza Littlejohn taught a private school, and afterwards kept the district school for several successive summers. Miss Mary Parkhurst also taught a private school about 1838. In 1839 and 1840 the education of the youth of the village was intrusted to Miss Lavia I3in"ham. Among the earliest male teachers were Messrs. Spencer Marsh, G. Y. Warner, E. Parkhurst, and H. Munger.

The first district school building was erected in 1836, standing a short distance southeast of the site of J. B. Bailey's residence. It was 26 by 40 feet in size, and had a cupola with a bell in it, - a bell which still does good service in behalf of the village fire department.

An institution known as the Allegan Academy was organized in 1846, which was for several years under the management of Elisha B. Bassett, a graduate of Williams College, and a gentleman who is still remembered as having deserved and received the affectionate regard of his pupils. The school was apparently prosperous, but was not of long duration.

In 1857, Judge H. H. Booth erected, in a beautiful pine grove on the hill in the western part of the village, a large building for a private school, which' he named " Pine Grove Seminary." He gave the use of the building to the teachers, and kept it in repair. This school was taught for several years by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Perry, and later by Rev. L. P. Waldo. In 1865, Judge Booth sold the building to the school district, and it is now occupied as the principal edifice of the Union School.

The present Union School, established in 1867, is now graded on the plan adopted by the State Association of School Superintendents, the work in the higher grades being especially adapted to those preparing to teach in district schools. In the high school there are three courses of study provided, - the English course, the Latin course, and the German course, - each extending over a period of three years. In the year 1879 three students graduated in the English and four in the Latin course. At the present time more than one-half of the pupils in the high school are studying some other language than English. The school is provided with a fair chemical and philosophical apparatus, and is also the possessor of a mineralogical cabinet of over two hundred specimens, presented by the editors of the Allegan Journal. The cost of superintendence and instruction for each scholar is, in the primary grades, $7.22 ; in the grammar grades, $9.08 ; and in the high school grades, 122.85. The cost of incidentals for each scholar in all the grades is $2.58. The average total cost of education per scholar is $11.87 a year.

1. The Central School, a wooden building formerly used as a private seminary, contains four large rooms, a recitation-room, and the superintendent's office. Three of the large rooms have, within the past two years, been furnished with new and improved seats.

The list of superintendenCs since 1867 is as follows: 1867-68, Wm. H. Stone; 1868-71, Silas Wood, graduate of Normal School; 1871-74, Albert Jennings, Ph.B., graduate of Michigan University; 1874-77, Daniel P. Simmons; 1877-80, Edmund D. Barry, B.A., graduate of Michigan University.

Histoky Of Allegan And Bakky Counties, Michigan

The present corps of teachers consists of the following persons : Edmund D. Barry, Superintendent and Principal ; Miss Mary Bassett, Preceptress ; Mrs. M. J. Ingersoll, grades 8 and 7, Central School ; Miss Ida Furber, grade 6, Central School ; Miss Nettie H. Ingersoll, grade 5, Central School ; Miss Emma E. Holton, grades 5, 4, and 3, North Ward ; Miss Jennie Langley, grades 2 and 1 , North Ward ; Miss H. A. Allen, grades 5, 4, and 3, South Ward ; Miss Kate Edmonds, grades 2 and 1, South Ward; Miss Ellen Heath, grades 4 and 3, West Ward ; Miss Lizzie Eager, grade 2, West Ward ; Miss H. S. Way, grade 1, Exchange building.

The board of trustees is composed of H. H. Pope, Director; Judge D. J. Arnold, Moderator; Ira Chichester, Assessor ; J. W. Chaddock, H. B. Peck, and Dr. Henry P. Thomas.

The Fire Department

The first fire-apparatus in the village of Allegan of which we can learn was bought in 1863, when Ira Chafifee, then one of the village trustees, was authorized to purchase a hook-and-ladder apparatus at a cost of 875. The following year a hand-engine, together with three hundred feet of hose, was secured by direction of the trustees at a cost of 1900, R. S. Updyke having been deputized to make the purchase. An engine-house was constructed the same year, at a cost of $398.

In 1869 a conflagration occurred which destroyed the block of stores where the Chaffee House now stands, and other property, and it was felt that the efforts of the firemen were much impeded by the l^ck of co-operation between the companies. The village authorities determined to have a more thorough organization of the fire department, and a chief engineer was accordingly appointed ; A. Rossman being selected for that position. In 1870 the department was reorganized with the following officers :

President of Department, William Pollard ; Chief Engineer, A. Rossman ; Foreman of Engine Company, James Ganson ; Foreman of Hose Company, Edwin Wheelock ; Foreman of Hook-and-Ladder Company, 0. T. Booth. The latter gentleman was the same year succeeded by A. E. Calkins. In 1871 other changes were made, and the following gentlemen filled the respective offices mentioned below : Chief of Department, Andrew J. Kellogg ; Assistant Chief, D. D. Davis ; Foreman of Engine Company, A. J. McCarthy ; Foreman of Hook-and-Ladder Company, A. E. Calkins.

The officers elected for 1872 were as follows: Chief of Department, A. J. Kellogg; Assistant Chief, A. E. Calkins; President, W. J. Pollard; Foreman of Hook-and- Ladder Company, J. F. Clapp ; Foreman of Engine Company, A. J. McCarthy.

In December, Assistant Chief Calkins died, being buried on the 18th of that month, when the department turned out in full ranks in honor of his memory.

The following year the chief of department remained the same, with Clark Nichols as assistant and Joseph Killian as foreman of the hook-and-ladder company.

During that year the engine company was disbanded on account of the success of the Holly Water- works, and Alert Hose Company No. 1 was organized, George Geppert having been chosen as foreman.

The officers for the year 1874 were the following: Chief, A. J. Kellogg ; Assistant Chief, Clark Nichols ; Foreman of Hook-and-Ladder Company, J. F. Clapp ; Foreman of Hose Company, George Geppert. By an ordinance of the board of trustees, passed December 3d of that year, the office of second assistant chief was created, and James D. Follett chosen to fill the position.

The officers for 1875 were as follows: Chief, George Geppert ; 1st Assistant Chief, J. F. Clapp ; 2d Assistant Chief, Henry Rosa ; Foreman Hook-and-Ladder Company, Alexander Hurd ; Foreman Hose Company, L. G. Cady. During the year A. J. Kellogg, the late chief, presented the department with a large and elegant flag as a memorial of his connection with the organization. Chief Geppert was rechosen for the following year (1876), with Clark Collins as first assistant, and J. C. Van Valkenburg as second assistant. He resigned, however, during the year, when S. D. Pond was chosen in his place.

In May of this year Alert Hose Company was divided, and two companies of 15 men each were formed; John Holmes being made the foreman of Alert Hose Company, No. 1, and George Lonsbury foreman of Rescue Hose Company, No. 2. W. R. Webster was elected foreman of the hook-and-ladder company. The citizens of the village, in token of their appreciation of the efficiency of the department, presented it during the year with a handsome silver trumpet.

The list of officers for 1878 embraced the following: Chief, Samuel D. Pond ; 1st Assistant Chief, J. C. Van Valkenburg ; 2d Assistant, Jerry Crittenden ; Foreman of Hook-and-Ladder Company, W. R. Webster ; Foreman of Alert Hose Company, John Holmes ; Foreman of Rescue Hose Company, A. Messenger.

The present officers are as follows : Chief of Department, J. C. Van Valkenburg ; 1st Assistant Chief of Department, Jerry Crittenden ; 2d Assistant Chief of Department, Clark Collins ; Foreman Alert Hose Company, John Holmes ; Foreman Rescue Hose Company, A. Messenger.

Holly Water-Works

In the fall of the year 1870 the question of adopting the Holly system of water-works in Allegan was very generally discussed by the taxpayers and voters of that village. Negotiations were opened by the village officers with Mr. Holly, and that gentleman submitted a proposition to furnish the requisite machinery for such works, to be propelled by water-power, to the officers above mentioned. At the annual election of village officers in March, 1871, the whole question was duly submitted to the electors, with a further proposition to borrow $25,000 on tiine bonds (at not over ten per cent, interest), to be expended in purchasing the necessary machinery and putting it in operation. Three hundred and fift3'-five votes were cast, of which 225 were for and the remainder against the measure.

Among the tvulj' representative men of Allegan County, few if any have been more intimately associated with its material development than Col. Joseph Fisk, the well-known contractor and builder, who has witnessed the transition of a small hamlet into one of the important towns in this part of the State, of a thin settlement into a busy and prosperous community, of a semi-wilderness into a fertile and highly productive region, and in his own person has typified so admirably the agencies which wrought many of these changes, that no history of Allegan would be complete without some sketch of his life, labors, and character. Col. Fisk was born in Charlemont, Franklin Co., Mass., May 22, 1810. About 1816 the family removed to New York State, near the Massachusetts line, and from there to Macedon, N. Y. About 1826 they again moved, locating at Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., where Joseph became acquainted with Miss Betsey Davis, whom he married in January, 1832. His early life, like that of most of our successful business men, was one of close application, self-reliance, and self-denial. He acquired the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and obtained a liberal common-school education. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan with his family, and settled in Marengo, Calhoun Co., where he remained until March 7, 1835, when he came to Allegan and purchased the first lot after the village was laid out and lots offered for sale. The colonel entered into the development of the little hamlet with the same energy and enterprise that has characterized his subsequent operations. Soon after his arrival he contracted for the erection of ten or twelve dwellings for the Boston company ; he employed a large force of men, and for many years was engaged in the erection of buildings. In 1852 he took the contract for the construction of the Chicago breakwater, which he executed successfully, and which still stands as a monument to his mechanical skill, and which gave him a prominent position among the large and successful contractors of the West. His career as a railroad contractor dates back to 1853, at which time he took a contract for building the Eel Kiver road in Indiana, of about one hundred miles in length. In 1854 and 1855 he was connected with the construction of the Dubuque and Pacific in Iowa ; he also built a pile bridge across the bay at Milwaukee, Wis., a double track a mile and a quarter in distance; also a structure of about the same length across Mud Lake on the Watertown road. From 1857 to 1863 he was engaged in Missouri ; he built the southwest branch of the St. Louis and Pacific, and was also engaged on the main line, and constructed twentyfive miles on the Iron Mountain road. Immediately after the close of the war he was associated with Messrs. Champlin & Smith in the construction of the North Missouri road to the Iowa State line ; also the branch to Kansas City, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. In 1867 he built the road from Kalamazoo to Grand Kapids, a distance of fifty-seven miles. In 1868 he built the road from Allegan to Muskegon, and in 1871 the Allegan branch of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad; this road, twelve miles in length, he constructed in ninety days. The last contract of an_y note was for the building of the Lansing division of the Lake-Shore and Michigan Southern. The aggregate number of miles built exceeds one thousand. In all these enterprises, involving large expenditures and heavy resi)onsibilities, and frequently attended with great risk, he has been eminentlj' successful. Honesty and a firm desire to succeed have been the essential media of his success. In all his transactions he has evinced excellent judgment, and sterling honesty has been the basis of all his operations. This is high testimony, but it is only the reflex of the prominent traits of Col. Fisk's character, and what to the strange reader may seem to be the language of eulogy will be readily recognized by all who know him as a mere plain, uncolored statement of the salient points in his character and the features in his career.

He has figured quite conspicuously in State and county politics ; was the first register of Allegan County, and subsequently was elected sheriff; for many years held the office of magistrate for Allegan township. But political life to him was devoid of charms ; he had no desire for political preferment, and when he accepted a nomination it was more from a desire to advance the interests of Allegan than for his own aggrandizement.

Col. Fisk never enjoyed the advantages of a finished education ; but, being endowed with a large amount of common sense, industry, perseverance, and ambition, he has succeeded in building a reputation as widespread as it is enviable. Indeed, it may be truly said of him that his entire career is one worthy the emulation of the young, and a fitting example for all sorts and conditions of business men to follow.

Col. Fisk's biography would not be complete without special mention of his estimable wife, who shared the privations of the early days, and whose portrait, so full of character, may be seen on this page. She is a woman of rare personal excellence, a faithful, true, and patient wife, a careful and afl'ectionate mother, of pleasant manners, and beloved and respected by all who know her. She is one of the original members of the First Baptist Church of Allegan, and closely identified with its various religious and charitable enterprises. She has been the mother of six children, three of whom are living, - Julia A., now Mrs. James A. Lee ; Charles W., now residing in Texas ; and George D., connected with the Grand Haven Railroad.

interest. The works were started with double turbine- wheels and attachments, and ten-inch mains up to the business centre of the village ; then, as the mains were extended in diflferent directions from that centre, they were reduced to eight inches, and finally to six inches, in diameter. At the expiration of a year a vote was carried to raise $15,000 more by the same means, to be used in extending the mains, and in December, 1873, about $4500 more was voted for the same purpose. All the bonds so issued were arranged so that $2500 would become due on the 1st of September of each year. Thus far the payments have been promptly made.

The works have proved eminently successful. Double hydrants were early placed at suitable points along the lines of water-pipes. The hook-and-ladder and hose companies are well equipped and under constant drill, and all fires have been promptly and effectually checked.

Along the line of pipes, water is furnished to all who desire at low rates, the tank at one of the railroad depots being thus supplied. The receipts about meet the current running expenses, including superintendence and repairs. The first supply-well proving inefficient, a second one, 40 rods distant, was sunk, and is now in use. Its diameter is 20 feet, with a depth of water of 12 feet. This is inclosed in a substantial circular building of stone. The works are sufficiently powerful to throw from a double hydrant, situated on an elevation 100 feet above the machinery and over half a mile away, two three-quarter inch streams 70 feet higher than the hydrant.

The Bae Of Allegan

To make up a methodical and trustworthy record of the commencement, outgrowth, and entire membership of the bar of Allegan village requires patient research, and, in the absence of all reliable data, a heavy tax upon the memory of its older members.

George Y. Warner and F. J. Littlejohn were the first resident lawyers of Allegan County; the former reaching Allegan in the early spring, and the latter on the last of June, 1836. In the succeeding year Hovey K.-Clarke was added to the number. In that year the first regular term of the Circuit Court was held in the school-house near the base of the western hill. At that period, and for a decade thereafter, the business in the Allegan courts was largely conducted by attorneys from Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties ; chief among these were Gordon and Bradley from the former, and Stuart, Balch, Miller, and Mower from the latter, county.

Although serving for a while as prosecuting attorney, the attention of Judge Littlejohn was chiefly directed to other pursuits. He later filled various official positions, and obtained a distinguished place upon the bench and at the bar of Allegan County.

Mr. Warner was judge of probate for one term, and his practice at the bar was also interrupted by other avocations. The attention of Hovey K. Clarke was also for a biief space attracted by other objects, he having been chosen to the cashiership of the wildcat Allegan bank. He is now a very able lawyer at Detroit.

Chapin. The former filled the office of judge of probate for a term. After them came Robert Goble, who settled in Allegan, and was elected prosecuting attorney. Following him was Gilbert Moyers.

In the winter of 1855, William B. Williams settled in Allegan and entered upon the practice of his profession, subsequently filling the position of circuit judge. In the spring of the same year, Elisha B. Bassett, who had previously been judge of probate, and Hon. F. J. Littlejohn formed a copartnership in business, which was dissolved by the election of the latter to the circuit bench in the spring of 1858. In the year 1857, Joseph Thew entered upon practice at Allegan.

Between the years 1858 and 1866 quite a large number of gentlemen became members of the bar of Allegan village, as follows : George H. House, Dan J. Arnold (present circuit judge) ; Hannibal Hart, John W. Stone, John N. York, James F. Stuck, first at Otsego and then at Allegan ; Henry C. Briggs and Benjamin D. Pritchard, both of Allegan ; Francis H. Ward, Lawrence L. Crosby, Alfred C. Wallin, H. N. Averill, Patroclus A. Latta, John P. Hoyt, J. Bird Humphrey, present judge of probate, and Philip Padgham, formerly prosecuting attorney; Frank Bracelin, now of Muskegon ; Edwin B. Grover, not now in practice ; Albert H. Fenn, late prosecuting attorney; E. D. Steele and Daniel Earle.

Between 1870 and 1878 the following names were added to the numbers, as near as is possible to ascertain, to wit : B. F. Travis, R. B. Cowles, Mark D. Wilbur, William W. Warner, John H. Padgham, Lyman H. Babbitt, Frank S. Donaldson, of Allegan ; Edward J. Anderson, J. Leo Potts, Hiram B. Hudson, John E. Babbitt. Several whose names appear on the roll of attorneys have practiced but a brief time at the Allegan bar.

Of those who have devoted themselves to professional business, quite a number have filled various positions of public trust with credit to themselves and their profession. Many of them are yet young in years, and give promise of extended usefulness in the future. There has always existed an unusual degree of amity and goodfellowship among the members of the Allegan bar. In matters of practice they have ever evinced great courtesy and liberality tow^ards each other, and a deference towards the court which is in striking contrast with what is occasionally exhibited elsewhere.

As advocates, quite a number rank high in public estimation, while as jurists, learned in the law, their arguments have frequently commanded the marked attention of the highest courts of judicature.

For the above facts, the historian is indebted chiefly to Hon. F. J. Littlejohn. A list of all the lawyers who have either practiced or been admitted to the bar in Allegan county is given in Chapter XV. of the general history.

The present members of the Allegan village bar are as follows : Flavins J. Littlejohn, William B. Williams, Joseph Thew, Benjamin D. Pritchard, J. B. Humphrey, Albert H. Fenn, Horace H. Pope, Hannibal Hart, Philip Padgham, William W. Warner, J. H. Padgham, Patroclus A. Latta, Frank S. Donaldson, Hiram B. Hudson, John E. Babbitt, Frank B. Lay, C. Y. Bennettare, D. H. Pope.

Histoky Of Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan The Medical Peateenitt Of Allegan

The medical profession was represented in Allegan very soon after the settlement of the hamlet, the various malarial fevers incident to the opening of a new country having made the presence of the physician indispensable. The subjoined sketch gives a brief record of the various members of the profession who have practiced in the village since 1836.

Dr. R. M. Bigelow was the first physician to locate in Allegan. He began the practice of medicine there in -the year just mentioned, but after a residence of nearly four years removed to Otsego, where he entered into partnership with Dr. L. B. Coats. In ISiT, Dr. Bigelow joined one of the first trains that went to California, and resided on the Pacific coast until his death, the date of which is not known. Just previous to the removal of Dr. Bigelow from Allegan, Dr. Sawtell opened an office there. He remained but a year or two, however, after which he also set out for the land of gold. His subsequent history is unknown.

Osman Dewey Goodrich, M.D.

This gentleman, the pioneer physician of Allegan, and whose name is prominently associated with the history of the medical profession, was born May 10, 1808, in New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents, Leonard and

Susannah Goodrich, were among the pioneers of that county, having emigrated tliere in 1800. The elder Goodrich was a farmer, and reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, - Oso-au D. being the fourth. He remained upon the farm until he attained his seventeenth year, after which time some three years were spent in efforts to regain lost health. He commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Uriel H. Kellogg, of New Hartford, and in 1834 graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institute, at Pittsfield, Mass. In July following his graduation he established himself in the practice of his profession at Huron, Huron Co., Ohio, which at that time was a new country. Here he remained two years,- during which time he aided in the organization of the first church, and was one of the ten original members. In March, 1836, at the earnest solicitation of the Hon. Elisha Ely, one of the pioneers of Allegan, he decided to remove there, which he did in May of that year. Shortly after his arrival his wife and child were taken sick, and this, in addition to other hardships and privations, rendered his first experience in the county bitter indeed. There was but one house within ten miles of Allegan. North and south of the village was an unbroken wilderness, and west not a dwelling'until the shores of Lake Michigan were reached. Pioneer life and its attendant privations, in connection with his arduous duties as a physician, made sad inroads upon his health, and in September, 1845, he was obliged to relinquish his practice and make an efibrt to recover his health. He went to Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn., residing there and at New Haven until September, 1855. Eight years of this time were spent in the employ of the New York and New Haven Railroad Company. During his residence in the East he investigated the principles of homoeopathy, and adopted its practice, and upon his return to Allegan he again established himself in his profession, and became the first homoeopathic physician in the county. May 15, 1832, he married Miss Emeline Dickinson, of Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn. She was an estimable woman in all respects, and highly esteemed by all who knew her. She died Sept. 30, 1872, leaving two sons and one daughter. In 1873 the doctor was married to Jane E. Shepard, realizing again the fulfillment of those words of Holy Writ, " Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." She departed this life April 24, 1879. The pipneer life of Dr. Goodrich was one of hardship and privation. In the practice of his profession he was frequently obliged to ford streams, following an Indian trail to the rude home of the early settler who was so unfortunate as to require his professional services. He has not only witnessed the transition of a wilderness into a highly prosperous agricultural section, of a hamlet into a busy and enterprising village, but in his own person has typified many of the agencies that have wrought these changes. He has made an enviable reputation as a citizen.- He possesses the necessary qualifications of the physician other than knowledge, - geniality of disposition blended with firmness, kindness, and compassion. He will long be remembered for his genial faith in the Christian religion, carrying its precepts and teachings into his every-day life. He is now the only pioneer physician remaining in Allegan County.

Dr. H. S. Lay may also be counted one of the pioneer physicians, as he came to Allegan in 1849. He was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in the year 1828, and at the age of twenty-two years commenced practice in Allegan ; with the exception of two years' residence in Dansville, N. Y., and four years in Battle Creek, Mich., that place has since been his h.ome. While in Battle Creek the doctor was physi- cian-in-ehief of the " Sanitaria! Health Institute" of that city, and was also the editor of the first volume, beginning in August, 1866, of the Health Reform, - a journal published in connection with the institute. The doctor reentered college in the winter of 1877, and graduated from the Detroit Medical College with the class of that year.

Allegan in 1855. He remained until the spring of 1861, when he entered the army as a surgeon. At the close of the war he removed to Titusville, Pa., and from there to Buffalo, N. Y., where he still resides.

Dr. J. K. Wilson, a graduate of the University of New York, came to Allegan in 1858. He practiced medicine there until 1877, when he also left the county.

Dr. J. J. McConkie, a graduate of Columbus College, Ohio, came to Allegan in 1867, where he soon established a large and lucrative practice. Failing in health, the doctor concluded to go farther north, and in 1879 he purchased a large tract of land in Grand Traverse County, in this State, whither he at once removed.

Dr. Edwin Amsden, a son of Dr. Elihu Amsden, came to Allegan in May, 1868. He was born in Gainesville, N. Y., in December, 1827, and studied at Buffalo, N. Y., under Professor Austin Flint, now one of the most eminent physicians of New York City, graduating from the Buffalo Medical College in 1853. He served three years in the war for the Union as surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers. Soon after coming to Michigan, Dr. Amsden entered into partnership with Dr. A. E,. Calkins, which association continued until just previous to Dr. Calkins' death.

Henry F. Thomas, M.D., was born on the 17th of December, 1843, in the township of Tompkins, Jackson Co., Mich. He entered Albion College in 1859, and remained two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry as first sergeant of Company D, and in 1864 received a lieutenant's commission. He participated in all the numerous battles and raids of that regiment, related in Chapter XXXI. of general history, including its arduous service in the Far West after the close of the war. Dr. Thomas graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1868. He began the practice of his profession in the spring of 1868, at Constantine, St. Joseph Co., Mich. From there he removed to Allegan in June, 1869, and has remained there to the present time. Dr. Thomas was a member of the House of Representatives of Michigan in 1873, and of the Statb Senate in 1875. In the spring of 1879 he was also elected president of the village of Allegan.

Dr. 0. E. Goodrich, son of Dr. 0. D. Goodrich, was born in Allegan, June 22, 1844. He graduated at the Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, in 1866, and practiced medicine at Allegan until 1878, when he retired from the profession.

Dr. A. B. Way was born in Canfield, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1839, and came to Allegan in 1873. He graduated from Little Miami College, at Cincinnati, in the class of 1863. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in the Sixth Ohio Regiment of volunteers, and was transferred to the hospital department of Ohio, where he served two years. He has retired from practice during the present year.

Dr. W. H. Bills was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 24, 1846, and came to Allegan during the fall of 1872. He obtained his literary education at the Middlebury Academy, in the State of New York, and commenced the study of medicine in 1865, graduating from the Buffalo Medical College Feb. 22, 1870. He began the practice of medicine in Pentwater, Mich., the same year, residing there two years. He then removed to Allegan, where he has since remained.

Dr. F. M. Calkins, son of Dr. A. R. Calkins, was born at Allegan, Mich., on the 19th of September, 1852. He began the study of medicine with Drs. Calkins and Amsden in 1871, and graduated from the Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 25th of June, 1874. In 1878 he entered into partnership with Dr. W. H. Bills, which business connection still exists.

Dr. James A. Mabbs was born Oct. 29, 1851, at Ransom, Hillsdale Co., Mich. He commenced the study of medicine in 1871 with Dr. J. J. McConkie, and graduated from the Chicago Medical College in 1875. He immediately returned to Allegan and entered into partnership with his former preceptor. la 1878 the doctor removed from Allegan, and at present is practicing at Fillmore, in the same county.

Dr. Charles Russell was born in Byron, Ogle Co., 111., in September, 1843. -He began the study of medicine with his father. Dr. J. M. Russell, of Hastings, Mich., in 1863, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1866. Immediately after receiving the degree of doctor of medicine he associated himself with his father in practice at Hastings. In 1879 he removed to Allegan, where he is now in practice.

The present resident phy,sicians of Allegan are H. S. Lay, M.D., E. Amsden, M.D., H. F. Thomas, M.D., W. H. Bills, M.D., F. M. Calkins, M.D., and Charles Russell, M.D., of the regular school ; 0. D- Goodrich, M.D., and F. R. Hynes, M.D., of the homoeopathic school ; and A. G. Weeks, M.D., of the botanic school.

Abeam R. Calkins

ABEAM R. CALKINS. Abram R. Calkins was born in Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 19, 1822, and died in Allegan, Mich., March 17, 1873. In 1833 he removed with his father to Richland, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. At this place his father died in 1837. He then entered the family of his older brother, Chauncey W. Calkins, and continued his literary studies. At the age of nineteen he began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Coats & Biglow, of Otsego, Mich., and graduated from the Geneva Medical College, N. Y., in 1845. Soon after, he opened an office in Allegan, where he was married, in November of that year, to Miss Lucy Maria Winslow, who was the mother of his two sons, the younger of whom, Dr. Fred M. Calkins, follows his father's profession in the same place. For nearly thirty years Dr. Calkins practiced medicine in Allegan, often fording streams and following an Indian trail through the forest to the rude home of the pioneer. Ambitious to succeed in his profession, full of energy and vigor, daunted by no difficulty, deterred by no obstacle, he became skillful both as a physician and surgeon.

Sympathetic and kindly in his nature, he was ever a welcome visitor at the bedside of suffering humanity. He displayed an active interest in every work that promised.

Abeam E. Calkins, M.D.

in his opinion, the elevation and welfare of mankind, and was helpful in every society of which he became a member. To the church he gave his presence, his counsel, and his means. In the school board he labored for the physical and moral as well as the intellectual advancement of the young. To the society of Freemasons he was a valued acquisition. In politics he was a Republican, positive and firm in his opinions.

He entered the army in 1862, and was appointed surgeon of the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry ; participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antictam. He served in the army for a year, when the severe sickness of his wife' induced him to resign his position. She died before his return. At the time of his death he was a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and also of the American Medical Society, having been sent by the State Society as a delegate to that body at its meeting in Philadelphia in 1872. Dr. Calkins was thrice married, the second time in June, 1855, to Miss Helen G. Bingham, and again in April, 1863, to Mrs. Lottie S. Smith, who survives him.

Although Dr. Calkins died at the age of fifty-one, he lived to see the comparative wilderness amid which he began his life-work bud and blcssom as the rose, the streams substantially bridged, the Indian trails succeeded

Full of generous impulses, courteous, genial, and social, he was prized while here and mourned when gone. Active and busy to the last, his life was another sacrifice to the profession which, when once adopted, leaves a man no longer his own master. An affectionate husband, a watchful, indulgent, and loving parent, an obliging friend, and an upright citizen, it is well to cherish his memory.

Religious Organizations The Presbyterian Church

This body was organized April 23, 1836, a meeting of those interested having been held at the house of William C. Jenner. Its first members were Alexander L, Ely, Julia S. Austin, John Littlejohn, William C. Jenner and wife, Sarah Jenner, Thomas C. Jenner, William B. Jenner, and Silas F. Littlejohn. The following day Mary A. N. Ely was received upon profession, and Milo Winslow, George Y. Warner, Mrs. Hannah Winslow, and Mrs. Mary Ann Littlejohn by letter, making in all fourteen members. From that date to the present time more than 500 persons have been enrolled as members; many of them have died or been dismissed, but the present membership numbers more than 160.

The little band of worshipers of 1836 met for a while at the residence of William C. Jenner, where the Rev. William Jones officiated as minister, but soon afterward the Allegan Company erected for their use a small edifice, which was donated to the society. It had been occupied, however, only two or three Sabbaths when it was destroyed by fire, caused by the clearing of land now embraced in the village. The society then assembled on Sabbath in a carpenter- and joiner-shop, later in a chamber of Mr. Jenner's house, and finally in a school-house, which also did duty as a court-house. Silas F. Littlejohn also opened his house for worship during one winter.

The church then determined to erect a house of worship of its own, and it did so in 1842, at a cost of $850, under the ministry of Rev. Samuel Newberry. The building was repaired and renovated in 1853, and was enlarged under the pastorate of Rev. John Sailor. On the night of Sept. 18, 1874, the edifice was totally destroyed by fire. The church was not disheartened, and the members at once devoted themselves to the work of erecting a new edifice. A little more than one year from the destruction of the old building the congregation occupied a much more spacious and imposing structure, which had been built at a cost of $10,000,- and which was free of incumbrance, except a trifiing indebtedness, which was soon after liquidated.

From the small beginning seen in 1836 the church has not only become self-supporting, but has been active in the cause of charity, and given liberally of its substance to both foreign and domestic missions.

The following is a list of the pastors from the organization of the church to the present time: Revs. William Jones, 1836-37 ; Augustus Littlejohn, five weeks ; George W. Elliott, three months ; Luke Lyons, 1837-39 ; Hcrvey Hyde, 1840-41; Samuel Newberry, 1842-45; E. F. Waldo, 1846-48; William Page, 1849-50; Charles M.

The present elders are D. A. McMartin, John 0. Northrop, Henry Cook, Henry Dunning, W. B. Jenner, George Knapp, L. G. Stedman. The trustees are Ira Chichester, H. H. Pope, H. B. Peck, John S. Bidwell, H. P. Dunning, Henry Rosa, John Stegeman.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

This church was organized by the Rev. Mr. Williams, of the North Ohio Conference, in the spring of 1836, the Methodists being then under the supervision of the Conference just named. The original class consisted of seven members, namely : Mrs. Weighty Wilson, Enoch Baker and wife, Miss Clarissa Wilson, Miss Streeter, and Mr. Torrey, all of whom are dead with the exception of Mrs. Baker. Enoch Baker was chosen as the first class-leader. Among those who very early united with the church were Spencer Marsh, who died in 1877, Rev. William C. H. Bliss and wife, who came from Rochester, N. Y., in the spring of 1837, and Rev. William Brown, who has been an active local preacher for more than forty years.

The first board of trustees was organized and the society legally incorporated in the fall of 1837. The little congregation first assembled in a school-house which stood near the present grocery-store of Mr. C. W. Hall, on Hubbard Street. The first church edifice was erected in 1839, on the site of the present one, which was completed in 1853. This latter building was enlarged in 1866, during the pastorate of Rev. E. Marble.

The following are the pastors who oflSciated prior to 1856, with the exception of a few which it was not possible to obtain : Revs. Williams, Todd, F. Gage, Erchenbrach, D. Bash, Edward L. Kellogg, C. Mosher, Parker, William C. H. Bliss, A. J. Eldred, F. Glass, J. H. Peitzel, and S. A. Osborn. Since that date the following is a complete list of the ministers in the order of their succession : Revs. D. Bush, 1856; S. A. Dunton, 1858; D. R. Latham, 1860; A. Y. Graham, 1861; N. S. Otis, 1862; James Billings, 1864; E. Marble, 1865; H. C. Peck, 1867; H. P. Henderson, 1868; George W. Sherman, 1870; James Hamilton, 1872; R. C. Crawford, 1874 ; L. M. Edwards, 1876 ; and the present pastor. Rev. W. A. Hunsberger, 1879. The society is in a very flourishing condition. Besides the church property on the corner of Trowbridge and Walnut Streets, it owns an excellent parsonage on the corner of Trowbridge and Pine Streets.

Connected with the charge in Allegan is a Sunday afternoon appointment at Mill Grove, where there is a prosperous church of 54 members, making a total of 198 members connected with this pastorate. There is a church edifice at Mill Grove belonging to the society, erected mainly through the liberality of Mr. Alonzo Vosburgh, worth about 11400. The church is entirely free from debt.

The Baptist Chuech

made to render the information more complete. It appears that the members of the society resident in Allegan were formerly connected with the Plainfield Church, a communication having been sent by the Allegan Baptists to that organization on the 26th of December, 1840, to be constituted a branch of that church. In January, 1841, the names of the following persons were enrolled as members of a branch of the Plainfield Church : Joseph Fisk, A. Ross, John R. Kellogg, Noah Briggs, J. Ross, Hannah Davis, E. Colburn, Wm. Finn, Betsey Fisk, Daniel Leggett, Jonathan Peabody, H. Munger (pastor), H. Ross, John G. Colburn, Rhoda Munger, H. Fisk, Mary Ann Stone, S. Briggs, Aurelia Fuller, Chester Wetmore, John Griffith, Frederick Day, Amanda Griffith, Nancy Ross, Leonard Ross, Fanny Day, Mary Jane Kenyon, Lemuel Wilcox, Samuel Wilcox, Phoebe Ross, Levi Wilcox. The society, however, soon effected a separate legal organization, and Rev. H. Munger was settled as the first pastor, Joseph Fisk being selected as church clerk. Noah Briggs and John G. Colburn were appointed deacons, and the following were elected as a board of trustees : Chester Wetmore, Wm. Finn, Lyman Fisk, one year ; Daniel D. Davis, Elias Streeter, Alvah Fuller, two years ; T. M. Russell, Noah Briggs, Joseph Fisk, three years.

From that time on the church pursued the even tenor of its way without any very remarkable incidents, but with steadily increasing prosperity. A house of worship was erected, and the church greatly increased and grew in numbers. In September, 1877, Mrs. Hannah J. Davis, widow of David Doane Dayis, died and bequeathed her estate, valued at more than $60,000, to the First Baptist Church, of which she was a member, and for charitable purposes. Included in this bequest was a spacious and completely furnished residence, which fs generally used as a parsonage, though the church is now without a pastor. The officiating board of trustees is as follows : Joseph Fisk, Ralph Pratt, F. S. Day, C. W. Calkins, G. M. Smith, F. H. May, Charles B. Pratt, John H. Colburn, George E. McCarthy. F. H. May, Clerk ; C. W. Calkins, Treasurer.

Protestant Episcopal Church

The first service was held in Allegan by Rev. W. N. Leyster in 1842. The next service was not held until ten years later, and was conducted by Bishop Littlejohn, now of New York. In 1858 a series of services on week-day evenings' was inaugurated by Rev. L. N. Freeman, of Kalamazoo, and sufficient interest was manifested to warrant their continuance for a period of more than a year. During this time 17 persons were baptized and 11 confirmed. Rev. J. Rice Taylor removed to Allegan in October, 1859, as the first settled rector, and remained nearly four years, the services at that time having been held at the court-house. The parish was organized as the Church of the Good Shepherd, and admitted into union at the Diocesan Convention in 1860. The society began the erection of the present church in 1867, and first occupied it on Palm Sunday, March 21, 1869. Rev. Henderson Judd, who had been installed as rector the year previous, remained six years. He instilled a spirit of labor into the hearts of his parishioners, and under his ministry the church rapidly in- creased in size. He was succeeded by Rev. Walter Scott, who began his labors May 8, 1875, and is still the rector. The church roll embraces 80 communicants, and the parish generally is in a healthy condition, with large prospects of usefulness. A flourishing Sabbath-school is also connected with the society. The oflScers are as follows : "William B. Williams and D. J. Arnold, Wardens; Augustus Lilly, Almeron E. Calkins, and P. Padgham, Vestrymen ; George R. Stone, Treasurer ; Joseph M. Killiam, Secretary.