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The Pioneer Society

The Pioneer Society image
Parent Issue
Day
17
Month
June
Year
1896
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Wednesday was Pioneer Day, and the largest crowd of cild settleis of this oounty that has over met at any meeting of the Washtenaw Pioneer and Histotical Society, was gathered in the CoDgregational chnroh, Chelsea. which had been nicely decorated for the occasion. It was most distiuctively a meeting of old people, there beiDg bnt a very few of the younger generation present. The first settlers of this county are becoming fewer as tbe years roll by, but it saerns that as the number deoreases the interest and pleasure in the meetings of tbe society and in the reconutiug of their experiences in early days is on the increase. It was reported at Wednesciay's meeting that 168 pioneers of Washtenaw county had died during the past year, the average age of each being 72 3-5 years. It was a most pleasant and enjoyable meeting thronghout, the one incident that occurred to mar its perfect pleasure beiDg the sudden death of Mrs. Sarah Barton, of Lyndou township, at the age of 74 years. Mrs. Barton had been suffering from heart trouble for a long time, bot was feeling so nrnch better and brighter Wednensday morning that she determined to attend the pioneer meeting. Just before the afternoon session began she became frightened at a lady going upstairs on crntches and was taken with a serious attack of the tronble and feil to the floor. Kind hands liftad her up and gently oarried her to the residence of L. Babcock, a couple of doors away where sho espired ia about half an hoor. The event was not geuerally I kuown in the meeting until just before its close, when the expression of sorrow and syinpathy at this sudden death in their very midst, was general aniong the members of the society. Th proceedings were opened by Rev. Thomas Hu'm9s, president of the society, whq called the meeting to order with a gavel which he said had a histoiy and was made from wood that had a history for the use of the pioneer society. Rev. W. H. Walker, pastor of the Congregational cburch, offered prayer. President Holmes said it was usual to have an addfess of welcome and a reply by the president of the society, but as both these duties would this year devolve on him.he would dispense with the response, He said this was the most extraordinary meeting ever held within the walls of the church. It had never been their privilege to receive'such an assemblage as this. It was the most honorable gathering ever assembled there. No class of people should be revered so much as the pió neers who had exercised snoh heroism in their early life. He was glad to see that notviithstanding the large number that had fallen dnring the year, so many were present at the meeting. "Yoq are welcome today," he said, "and I am glad to be permitted once more to meet you and preside over this body. AU the people of Chelsea weicorne you." J. Q. A. Seesions, secretary of the society, then read the minutes of the last year's meeting and Treasurer Reeves, of Dexter, submitted his annual report showing a balance on hand of $22.34, both of which were adopted. Wm. H. Lay, of Yspilanti, necrologist of the society, then read his annual report which showed the followmg statistics: Total number of deaths in 1895-6, 168; last year, 198; total number where ages were given 153 as against 186 last year; total years of age 1895, 11,064, last year 13,910; average age this year, 72 3-5 years, last rear nearly 12. Residents of county 'or 60 years or more, 28 ; the oldest resident was Mrs. Daniel B. Brown, of Ann Arbor, 70. Number aged 90 years and upwards 5, last year 11 (the oldest Leing Mrs. Mary Hakes, of Webster, aged 98) ; 80 to 90, 49, last year, 42 ; 70 to 80, 50, last year, 64 ; 60 to 70, 29, last year, 36; under 60, 20, ast year,31. Deaths by months - June, 1895, 15;July, 7; August, ll;Septemjer, 8; Outober, 20; November, 10; December, 8; January, 1896, 15; February, 22; Maroh, 28 April, 11; May, 12. Deaths by cities and towns - Ann Arbor oity, 40; Ypsilanti oity, 84; Ypsilanti town, 3 ; Dexter, 6 ; Sylvan, 11; Salem, 0; Manchester, 4; York, 7; Lodi, 6 ; Bridgewater, 2 ; Ann Arbor town, 2 ; Scio, 1 1 ; Superior, 8 ; Augusta, 7; Sbaron, 3; Saline 2; Jfíorthfield, 2 ; Lima, 2 ; Webster, 2 ; Freedoin, not reported. A full list of the ñames will appear in next week's Argus. J. W. Wing, of Scio, gave a short biographical sketch of the late Philip Bach, of Ann Arbor, in which he spoke of that gentleman's valué as a citizen and what be had done for the public schools of Ann Arbor. M. T. Woodruff, of Ypsilanti, read a sketch of the life of nis father, the late Hou, Charles Woodruff. A committee to nominate ofñcers for the easuing year was then appointed as follows : Isaac Terry, Webster ; D. L. Godfrey, Ann Arbor; Win. H. Lay, Ypsilanti; 3. W. Wing, Scio; R. C. Reeves, Dexter. Judge Harriman not beiug present to take care of his topio "Influence of pioneer life on cbaracter," the president made a few excellent remarks on the subject. Dinner was here called and ampie justice was done to the substantial dinner provided by the good ladies of Chelsea and vicinity. About 250 people were served. At 1 :30 o'clock the meeting was again called to order. Mrs. Watkins, of Manchester, read a poem on pioneer days and J. P. Wood, of Chelsea, read an interesting paper on the early history of that town. A male quartet then gave an appropriate musioal selection, and this was followed by the report of tha nominating committeer President, Harrison W. Bassett, Saline secretary, J. Q. A. Sessions, of Anu Arbor ; treasurer, R. C. Reeves, Doxter necrologist, Wm. H. Lay, Ypsilanti vice presidenta - Dauiel Hiscnck, Ann Arbor town, Wni. Dausingburg, Augnsta, George Rawson, Bridgewater, W. D. Smith, Dexter, E. A. Nordrnan, Lima, H. M. Twoiabley, Lyudon, L. D. Watkins, Manchester, E. E. Lelaud, Northfield, Heury Preston, Pittsfield, George S. Wheeler, Salem, Wm. H. Davenport, Saline, George A. Peters, Soio, W. S. Crafts, Sharon, Nelson, Fowler, Superior, J. H. Kempf, Sylvan, Isaac Terry, Webster, Jolm W. Blakesley, York, Albert Graves, Ypsílanti town, Erastus Samson, Ypsilanti city ; esecntive committee - A.A. Wood, Lodi, S. R. Crittenden, Pittsfield, J. W. Wing, Soio, Henry Kerupf, Chelsea, H. D. Platt, Pittsfield. It was recomïneuded that the meeting of the society next year be held in the village of .Saline. The report was unanimously adoptod. A íesoluitou was adopred that the necrologist be iustructed to include in liis report only tbe Dames of those who have been 40 years or more in this county and who have died in the county, and the uames of those who are members of the society. Mrs. Julia Stannard, of Dexter, on behalf of her rnother, Mrs. Samuel W. Dexter, presented the society with the saddlebags in which Judge Dexter, (i9 years ago nsed to carry the mail between Aun Arbor and Dexter. The thanks of the society were unanimously extended to the fatnily for the interesting relie. lip.1""" """r " 3 3Irs. M. A. Foster.of Sylvan, read an interesting account of the early settlement of Sylvan and the experiences and dangers eucountered among the vvolves and Indians. J. W. Wing recited a poem on pioneer life and Wm. H. Lay read a poêul writ ten by Wm. Lambie, also obituaries and biographical sketches of Mrs. Sophia Cully and Mrs. Mary Of Dexter. The thanks of the society were by resolution tendered to the trustees of the Congregational church, Chelsea, for its use and to the citizens of Chelsea i and vicnüiy, expecially to the ladies, for the excellent dinner provided. The meeting closed with the doxology.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier