A HISTORY OF LEXINGTON

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Chapters 7 - 8 

CHAPTER VII

SchoolsThe educational interests of the village merit special attention, as they have kept pace with other matters. If the history of the first schools was all written, it would be a record of toil and zeal upon the part of pioneer teachers and of sympathy and encouragement from the hardy toiling parents. In many instances the settlers’ desire for schools so far exceeded their ability to support them that first schools were sometimes held in family kitchens or deserted log huts. When school houses were built in the neighborhood of sawmills, the population was of a transient character, and the schools were not prosperous.

An instance is related to show the desire of the pioneers for education for their children. A school commissioner was asked to visit a locality to grant a legal certificate to a certain lady to teach. Upon arriving at the log building, he found a woman seventy years of age toiling among her own grandchildren and other youngsters, not for the money, but that they might not grow up in ignorance.

If school records prior to 1860 were kept, they have not been found, but that a board of trustees existed is shown by the fact that at the first annual meeting recorded September 24, 1860, that Jeremiah Jenks and John C. Waterbury were elected to fill the vacancies occasioned by the expiration of the terms of L. J. Whitcomb and Watson Hubbard. Israel Huckins, the moderator, presided at this meeting.

The first teacher of whom there is a record was Arthur M. Clark, 1854 to 1858, and others who closely followed were: A. R. Stowell, Miss Mary Schell, Miss E. H. Long, J. Hoke, S.S. Benedict. There were but two teachers each year and as specified in the minutes, "There shall be two departments, one taught by a male and the other by a female teacher."

In 1862 E. B. Cottrell was hired "at wages not to exceed those of the previous winter," and Miss Harriet Waterbury "at wages not to exceed eighteen dollars a month." That year John Divine was moderator and Jeremiah Jenks director with John L. Woods, W. S. Mills, Bernard Fox and Robert Schell trustees.

According to the school census taken September 1, 1862, there were two hundred and sixteen children in the district for whom an assessment was made at the rate of fifty cents per pupil to be collected in the village taxes.

Various resignations of members of the board, and electing others to fill the vacancies took up much of the time at school meetings for several years.

Until this time the school house stood between the Stafford and Hayward homes, or near the corner of Main and Simons Streets. In 1866 a notice was served on the school board by the voters of the village to take action regarding the building of a new school house "suitable for the present large numbers of scholars and the prospective growth of the village."

The notice was signed by Philip Wixson, John Divine, Samuel Burgess, Levi Wixson, Watson Beach and E. L. Nims. In 1867 at a special meeting of the voters of the district, it was voted to purchase ground and build a new school house, which when finished was erected on the site of the present school house.

In 1866 and 1867 Miss Martha Elston and Miss E. B. Dixon were employed as principals, but at a meeting which followed the board decided to hire men as principals and in 1872 the salary of the principal was raised to one thousand dollars per year.

Mr. S. Priest was the first male principal, and among those who followed him were George Parker, Paden Macklem, Lewis D. Wilson, C.E. Swift and C. H. Naylor which included the years until 1898.

In 1891 a petition was presented to the board of education to build a new school house, and to purchase property to enlarge the school campus. At a special election called July 31, 1891, a unanimous vote favored the petition. During this time the following composed the board of trustees: George Henry, John Norman, F. L. Walther, Ira Arnot, and John L. Fead. The new school house was ready for the fall term in 1892, the old building having been removed to the then grounds of the Fair Association, and later razed when the place became a public park.

During the years the school has been on the accredited list of the colleges of the state. About 1910 it lost its high standing which was again regained in 1925 through the efforts of Lowell J. McDougal, superintendent. The present superintendent is Mr. Harry Schwartzentraub.

CHAPTER VIII

SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS

Masonic Lodge

The first society to organize in Lexington was Lexington Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M. in 1853, with Hiram Bacon the first Worshipful Master. For a number of years this was the only Masonic Lodge in the county and at one time had a membership of more than two hundred, but other lodges organized and drew members from Lexington Lodge. In 1865 Damascus Chapter No. 41, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered and Arthur M. Clark was the first high priest. In 1867 Lexington Commandery No. 27, Knights Templar, was chartered with George Smith the first eminent commander.

Methodist Aid Society

The first Ladies’ Aid Society was organized in September, 1873, as a "Methodist society irrespective of denomination, designed for the benefit and maintenance of religious worship." The first president was Mrs. Levi Wixson and Mrs. W. Lee, the first vice-president. This society has continued through the years, the work being kept up by the faithful ladies of the Methodist Church until it stands today as one of the strongest church societies in the village, with Mrs. Frank Macklem as president.

The Atheneum

The Atheneum was the next society of women and was organized December 12, 1878, with the following charter members: Mrs. Watson Beach, Mrs. J. M. Gaige, Mrs. M.E. Janette, Mrs. W. T. Lee, Miss McDonald, Mrs. Messmore, Mrs. C. T. Nims, Mrs. E.L. Nims, Mrs. W. R. Nims, Mrs. B. R. Noble, Mrs. J. W. Norman, Mrs. R. A. Schell, Miss Helen Schell, Mrs. L.L. Wixson, Miss Elizabeth Wixson. The society became federated with the Michigan State Federation of Women’s Clubs November 9, 1897. It is a member of the county federation and also the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs. It entertained the Port Huron district branch in October, 1924. On December 12, 1923, the Atheneum celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary with a reception and banquet which was attended by many former members. It was a sad coincidence that on the night of the celebration of the forty-fifth anniversary of the Atheneum while the members were enjoying a banquet at Hotel Cadillac the home of Mrs. Janette and Mrs. W. R. Nims, charter members, burned to the ground. Few things were saved from the fire, the loss including clothing belonging to house guests who had come for the Atheneum party.

The fiftieth anniversary was observed in December, 1928.

Miss Inez Peasley is the present president of the society and Mrs. Grant Smith, president-elect.

Lexington Alumni Association

The Lexington High School Alumni celebrated in June, 1925, the fiftieth anniversary of the first graduation.

The alumni association was organized in 1892 under the leadership of C. H. Naylor, superintendent of the school from 1889 to 1898 and in January, 1893, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and revised in 1898. Miss Minnie Meyer was the first president.

That the graduates of the Lexington High School have made good can not be doubted after watching the success they have achieved in their chosen work. Doctors, dentists, druggists, lawyers, judges, bankers, clergymen, college professors, business men, secretaries of business corporations, school teachers, musicians and many others have reflected credit upon their alma mater.

The first diplomas issued were printed on parchment with Gothic lettering done by Miss Helen Schell. Some time later Miss Jessie Hunt (Mrs. R. Humble) did the lettering on the diplomas which were eventually printed by machine. The class of 1887 under C. E. Swift and class of 1898 under C. H. Naylor consisting of eleven members were the largest until 1931 when the number reached seventeen. An annual banquet and reunion was held each year until 1905, when, because of a seeming disinterest on the part of the members they were discontinued. Through the efforts of Mr. McDougal in 1924 a banquet was held the night following the graduation exercises at which plans were made for a picnic during the homecoming in August of that year, and the coming fiftieth celebration in 1925. Many old members attended the banquet that year. A reception preceded the banquet which was served by the Ladies’ Aid of the M. E. Church in the Fireman’s Hall.

Since that time the annual reunion has been held, many old graduates coming back for the occasion. Mrs. Roscoe Wixson was the president for 1934 and Thomas Walton is president-elect for 1935.

H. H. Nims Post

The H. H. Nims Post No. 118, G. A. R., was organized in March, 1883, at Lexington with the following officers: Post Commander, Rudolph Papst; Senior Vice Commander, George Henry; Junior Vice Commander, Josiah Reynolds; Quartermaster, John Wyllis; Officer of the Day, H. H. Huffman; Adjutant, Oliver Yake; Surgeon, J. J. Bayed; Chaplain, J. B. Lucas; Sergeant Major, Watson Beach; Quartermaster Sergeant, John Papst.

CHURCH SOCIETIES

St. Denis Sewing Society

St. Denis Sewing Society was organized during the pastorate of Rev. Fr. Denissen. Mrs. Peter Janette was the first president and her sister, Mrs. W. R. Nims now presides with the assistance of her niece, Mrs. Grant H. Smith.

Ste. Anne’s Guild

Ste. Anne’s Guild, whose president is Mrs. J. M. Shipley, was formerly known as the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Episcopal Church and was organized during the rectorship of Rev. Abram Flower.

Advent Christian Aid Society

The president of the Aid Society of the Advent Christian Church is Mrs. F. D. Peters.

Lexington Literary Society

That a literary society was organized by men of the village in 1885 is shown in the secretary’s book of the organization. The record shows that some women were admitted later, the roll being as follows: Watson Beach, J. W. Babcock, G. B. Benedict, Wilford Macklem, John Farley, Elida Cady, Rev. A. Wilson, Wilbur Beach, D. E. Hubbell, J. G. Hunter, Hiram Anderson, Arthur Fenton, H. B. Pierce, Helen Schell, Allie Avery, Minnie Meyer, Myra Arnot, Cynthia Macklem, Ira Arnot, Effie Fenton, Maggie McGill.

As only four meetings of the society are recorded, little is known about its activities.

Lexington Dramatic Club

Between the years 1875-1880 the Lexington Dramatic Club was formed, which revealed much talent among its members. Amateur theatricals were produced with much success for a number of years. Among the members were: H. H. Huffman, F. Kirkpatrick, Robert Brown, Asa Brown, Nora Buel, Emma Walther, Lucy Buel, Miss Smythe, Elizabeth Wixson, Kate Graham, Anna Kilbourne.

Library

It may not be generally known but in the autumn of 1870 very creditable steps were taken to form a library association in Lexington. With Charles S. Nims as president, Charles Partridge as treasurer and Anthony Brunk as librarian. The rooms were located in the Fox Block and about a hundred and fifty dollars subscribed as the initial contribution. This sum with that already received from the legal appropriation was expected to purchase books and periodicals for a reading room, and also defray the current expenses for the ensuing year, the idea being that the library should be free. No charge was to be made for its use but citizens were allowed the privilege of contributing to its support. The library was kept up on this plan for about two years but was never a success, and the books were finally stored in the bookcase in the public school where because of the lack of systematic arrangement for the loaning of books they disappeared one by one.

January 17, 1934, marked the thirty-first anniversary of the presentation to the village of the Moore Public Library. The source from which has sprung this institution was the J. L. Woods Library of Oscoda where Mr. Woods had extensive lumbering interests. He placed the books there for the intellectual improvement of the many men employed by him, their families likewise enjoying the privilege. After that town was abandoned as a lumbering center and after Mr. Woods’ interests had been removed, the library was neglected, the people losing sufficient interest to care for the books. At Mr. Woods’ death Mrs. A. E. Sleeper, Mrs. Ella Hanley and Mrs. Emma Myers, his nieces, decided to bring the books, about 1,300, to Lexington where so many of Mr. Woods’ younger days were spent and where his interests had been. This was in 1900 and Mrs. Sleeper and Mrs. Hanley asked Mrs. J. W. Norman, Mrs. D. C. O’Brien, Miss Jessie Hunt, Mrs. W. R. Nims and Miss Anna Henry to help unpack the books and arrange them in cases. They were placed in the Atheneum rooms which were then over the Lexington State Bank and put into the custody of that society. The Atheneum each year elected a library committee on which Miss Anna Henry served continuously, among other members being Mrs. O’Brien, Miss Hunt and Miss Maud Meyer. The public had access to the library on Saturday from nine a.m. to ten p.m. and paid fifty cents a year for the privilege. Upon the death of Mr. Charles Moore his three daughters, Mrs. Sleeper, Mrs. Hanley and Mrs. Myers, purchased the John Divine law office building, remodeled it into a library and club rooms, added several hundred books to the Woods’ collection which they moved into the new building and asked Miss Anna Henry to act as librarian. With the assistance of Miss Blanche Bates the books were placed in order and on January 17, 1903, at a public reception the three sisters presented the splendid gift to the village and the Atheneum Society as a memorial to their father. The day was a memorable one in the history of Lexington. In the absence of Mrs. Hanley and Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Sleeper presided assisted by her husband who was then state senator. The ladies received the school children from ten to twelve and after viewing the rooms they were presented with bags of candy. From two until four the public was welcomed and the ladies dispensed hospitality and served refreshments of coffee, sandwiches and cake provided by the donors. From six to ten p.m. the ladies of the Atheneum received their friends and the library board. Speeches were made in the library by Rev. R. C. Wall, Dr. D. C. O’Brien, and Judge Watson Beach, after which the company repaired to the Atheneum rooms for a social chat and refreshments. Under the efficient librarianship of Miss Anna Henry the library became an institution such as few towns enjoy. Miss Henry remained until her marriage, October 10, 1911, to Mr. Eldon H. Smith. The day following Miss Florence Walther was appointed to act in her place and has served continuously since that time. The register shows that 2,497 persons have borrowed books from the library. There are 5,597 books on the shelves, the average yearly circulation being 8,500.

Women’s Civic Improvement Association

It had for long been the desire of Mrs. Alexander Cruickshank to organize a civic improvement branch of the Atheneum, and after returning from several state federation meetings, she would urge upon the society to take up the work which at that time was comparatively new for women’s organizations. So when on January 5, 1909, the Lexington Improvement Association invited the ladies of the village to meet with them to discuss plans for a woman’s auxiliary, Mrs. Cruickshank was instrumental in urging the women of the town to attend.

At this meeting temporary officers were elected and a motion was made to consider the proposition for one week, and on January 11 the fourteen ladies met at the Opera House and the Women’s Civic Improvement Auxiliary was organized and the following officers elected: President, Mrs. Alexander Cruickshank; Vice-President, Mrs. M. E. Janette; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Emarette Wilson; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Lela Allen Smith; Treasurer, Mrs. Charles Crosby, and these ladies with the following signed the constitution and by-laws as charter members: Mrs. E. L. Nims, Mrs. J. A. Fraser, Mrs. W. R. Nims, Mrs. Thomas Dryden, Mrs. Mary Smith, Miss Anna Henry, Miss Mary Meyer, Mrs. John Bell, Mrs. J. A. Nichol and Mrs. M. J. Cruickshank. In March a request was made of S. C. Tewksbury for the use of the lot on the corner of Huron Avenue and Main Street as a park to be kept by the Auxiliary. The request was granted and plans were made to at once put the lot in shape. Permission was obtained from the council to plant trees, and a number of farmers generously donated their services to haul earth for filling in the space. Beds were laid out, flowers planted, and a row of spirea bushes was presented by Mrs. Lela Allen Smith which have become one of the beauty spots of Lexington in spring and serve as a fitting memorial to this woman. The Auxiliary became active in many ways and during the years following its organization was instrumental in bringing about excursions to Detroit on the D. & C. and White Star lines, started the movement toward better roads, bought waste paper baskets for the streets, co-operated with the Lexington Improvement Association in securing suitable persons to operate the club house at Lexington Beach. A piano was purchased for the Opera House in 1911 and presented to the village with the understanding that the Women’s Civic Improvement Auxiliary should have use of the Opera House free of rent, whenever it so desired. In July, 1913, a concert was given to raise funds for a village flag, which was purchased and presented to the village during the G. A. R. encampment in September of that year. The presentation was made by Mrs. Mary Janette, and the speech of acceptance by the village president, Frank J. Sheldon. During the three days of the encampment the members of the W. C. I. A. served meals to the veterans and their families, under the direction of the president, Mrs. D. C. O’Brien. With the disorganization of the Lexington Improvement Association the women’s society voted to change from an auxiliary to an independent organization and become known as the Women’s Civic Improvement Association.

Its most recent activities have been the purchase of chairs for the Opera House and the redecoration of its stage. The annual dinner for the G. A. R. on Memorial Day, the caring for the park and much philanthropic work have become the established customs of the association. Funds necessary to carry on the work were raised largely by the giving of dancing parties each Saturday evening during the summer.

Another flag was purchased and in 1927 a band stand was erected at a cost of seven hundred dollars.

Discouraged by lack of public support the association is in rather a dormant state at the present time, but a few loyal members stand ready to render civic aid when the occasion arises. The present president of the organization is Mrs. F. D. Peters.

Churches

The pioneers were a godly people, and coming from Christian families they were eager to establish places of worship in the new land.

Priests of the Roman Catholic Church had been laboring among the Indians, and as white settlers of that faith began to come, priests from various places visited the settlement at intervals until in 1870, Reverend Father P. J. De Smedt was appointed the first resident priest. In 1872 Rev. Christian Denissen was appointed pastor and services were held in various places until a church was built in 1882 on a site donated by Fr. Denissen, and was called St. Denis Church. Prominent among the members of the church were Mrs. R. A. Schell and daughters, Mrs. Peter Janette who played the organ, Mrs. W. R. Nims, Mrs. E. L. Nims, and Miss Helen Schell.

During the stay of Fr. Denissen he held services in other towns. Later a church was built at Croswell where the priest now resides, supplying Lexington, Port Sanilac, Peck, Jeddo, and Sandusky.

Rev. Fr. Leo J. Zindler is the priest at the present time and his assistant, Rev. Fr. Martin Gallagher. Among those who preceded these were Raev. Frs. Larkin, Roberge, Dion, Hebert, Dunnigan.

As soon as there were sufficient hearers, a sermon was preached by Elder Thomas Huckins, a Free-Will Baptist minister in 1839 an is said to have been the first Protestant sermon preached in Sanilac County.

The Baptists built the church, which is now occupied by the Advent Christian denomination, during the pastorate of Rev. Abram Sloat.

This church was later occupied by the Congregationalists, whose first pastor was the Rev. Talmadge Waterbury. In 1866 Rev. Charles Spooner was pastor, and Israel Huckins, Samuel Burgess, Joseph Moss, Watson Beach, Ery Brown and Clark Hadley trustees. Other pastors who followed Rev. Spooner were: Reverends C. Spittigue, Dr. Buthrick, William Woodmansee, J. Husted.

This church was also occupied by the Presbyterians, prominent members of which were the Norman, Waterbury, Hinkson, Shipley and Keys families.

The Advent Christians were first represented by Elder George Wright in 1869. At a later date Rev. Oliver Yake was pastor and continued as honorary pastor as long as his health permitted. Reverends Samuel Bennett, Harry Patterson, Anna Purinton and Oscar Allen have served the church as pastors, and the Rev. Purkiser is now in charge.

Upon the arrival of the Rev. A. B. Flower in Lexington in 1868 he found that a few funerals had been held and several marriages solemnized by a clergyman of the Episcopal Church. A Sunday School had been established by Rudolph Papst and J. S. Richardson, the scholars coming from church families.

After Rev. Flower’s arrival services were held in the Town Hall and other buildings until the present church was built in 1874 under the leadership of Rev. Flower. Among those who followed Rev. Flower were Reverends W. H. Smythe, B. Carey, J. W. Armstrong, W. F. Jerome, Robert Fletcher, R. C. Wall, Octavius Edgelow, B. J. Baxter, Harold R. Flower, a cousin of the first rector, L. Mitchell, Herbert Butler, William Fulcher, E. B. Jermin, H. R. Williams, H. A. Wilson. Rev. John A. Alford has been rector of the church the past five years. The early families connected with the church were: Clarke, Bell, Colbeck, Miller, Henry, Cruickshank, Lewis, Walther, Vasey, Papst, Wixson, Kennedy.

Rev. Mr. Noble, the first Methodist missionary, was succeeded by Rev. H. N. Brown under whose leadership a church was built in 1850 where the aid rooms now stand. Those who aided in the establishment of the church were: Allen Atkins, Ebenezer Raymond, Darius Cole, Joseph Pety, Henry Young, James F. Buel, and Isaac Leuty. A parsonage was built and donated to the church by Mrs. Maria Pack.

The old church was replaced by the present structure in1890 when Rev. J. W. Campbell was pastor.

Other pastors of the church have been: Reverends Lowe, Brown, Salmon, Lowry, Gregory, Priestley, Sparling, Coats, Nankervis, Brugh, Wood, Davis, Lomas, Johnson, Chapman, Mathews, Goodrich, Gordon, Harris, Chase.

Music and Musicians

Sometime previous to 1860 a fife and drum corps was organized in Lexington under the direction of Watson Bisbee. This corps played at numerous affairs, especially on patriotic occasions. It is said of Mr. Bisbee, who was tall of stature, that he led his organization with all the dignity and majesty of Sousa, and that all the children in town and those from the surrounding country were happy could they but watch Mr. Bisbee and follow him about on the occasion of parades.

In 1868 the Council voted to expend seventy-five dollars as part payment for brass horns to be used by a band which had recently organized with Philip De Geer as director, the horns to be and remain the property of the village. The band became a famous one. The following list contains as many names of members of that first band as could be ascertained: Philip De Geer, Leader; Rens De Geer, Horn; Andrew Huckins, Horn; Miller Huckins, Horn; Olaf Amundsen, Horn; Charles Amundsen, Snare Drum; Charles Wolfel, Bass Drum; William Wolfel, Horn; Jack Williams, Horn; Tom Symington, Horn.

In 1880 the following members of a band signed a resolution with the Common Council to keep in order the instruments, uniforms, and equipment used by them so long as they were members, and to return the articles upon leaving: J. H. Madill, Charles Niggeman, Hubert Eacrett, Charles H. Lever, Rudolph Andreae, William Andreae, Louis O. Kirstine, John Schmidt, George M. Bice, William Fead, John Robinson, Charles Hayward, Henry Miller, Edwin Papst, Alex K. Willverison, A. J. Lucia, John L. Gould, Henry Warnica, E. L. Fox, Henry Saety, George W. Frostic, Amos Pierce, Mr. George Bice conducted the band until the arrival of Charles G. Crosby under whose direction a co-ed band was organized and which played for affairs in different parts of the state. Mr. Crosby left Lexington for a time and returned to Calumet, his former home, to direct a band there. During his absence Miss Carol Nichol directed the band. Mr. Crosby returned to Lexington and again took up the direction of the band, which though handicapped for players during the winter, renders open air concerts Saturday evenings during the summer, being assisted by out of town talent.

Of musicians Lexington has always had a number of able ones. To Mrs. Janette, as Mary Schell, goes the distinction of having had the first piano in the village, and those who passed by stepped softly so that they might hear the instrument as she played, or taught others to do so. Mrs. Janette ever retained her interest in music and until the time of her death charmed her audiences by her skill and technique.

Mrs. John Norman is another musician whose untimely death will ever be regretted by those who knew her. Her untiring efforts in drilling others for the rendition of operas and oratorios were marvelous to those who beheld for her health was never too rugged. Under her direction "Queen Esther" was produced several times. Leading roles were taken by Arthur M. Clark, Bernard Miller, Mr. Huckins, Mrs. E. L. Nims, Mark Norman, Bertha Miller, Frances Oldfield, Frances Bell, Anna Kilbourne, and Alice Hayward. She also directed "David, the Shepherd Boy," with Lew Houghton in the title role. Miss Laura Cruickshank, Bertha Miller, Mary West, Eldon Smith and others were in the cast. "Jeptha and His Daughter" was also under her supervision with Bert Hacking, Frances Sparling, Ray West, Nora Hacking and Charles Norman in the leading roles.

Still another of the best musicians was Mrs. Daniel Clarke. Her skill at the piano every thrilled her hearers and her ability as an accompanist made her very popular with singers during the days that are past. She was organist at the Church of the Good Shepherd many years, and her retirement from public life has ever been regretted.

George B. Sturgis, a teacher of voice, violin and piano, helped many a pupil along the road to success. He conducted a singing school in Lexington for a number of years. He left Lexington for the home of his boyhood near Peck where he died some years ago.

The musicians above mentioned with several others were instrumental in organizing the Musical Union which flourished for many years, and which helped young musicians overcome stage fright by being asked to perform at informal meetings.