History of Elkland Churches and Schools, Tuscola County, Michigan


Copyright © 1998 by Bonnie Petee. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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Elkland Churches and Schools 

Taken from The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and 
Illustrations, H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. Thanks to Bonnie Petee.
 
Churches
The first religious service in the town was held by Rev. John Baker, of the 
Watrousville Circuit, Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1860, at the log house 
of Andrew Walmsley, one Sunday evening. Notice had been sent by Mr. Baker, 
that service would be held, and the fact being made known generally, the 
settlers came in from a circuit of seven miles round, and the house was 
filled. Arrangements were made by Mr. Baker to preach at the same place once 
a month, Rev. Mr. McKenney, of Ellington, once a month; and from that time 
services were held every two-weeks, by these and others, first at Mr. 
Walmsley's for about a year, that at John Striffler's, afterwards at the 
school-house, standing where is now the Cass City Hotel.
 
School

This school-house was the first built in the town, and here the first school 
was taught by Mrs. William Meredith, whose husband was at the time in the 
employ of Mrs. Walmsley.

The first wedding was of Andrew Walmsley, to Eliza Orr, in 1861, at the house 
of Mr. Seed. The ceremony was performed by Rev. McKenney, who walked from his 
home in Ellington, through a deep snow, to officiate.

Mills

The first manufactory, in the town, except saw-mills, was the grist-mill 
now in operation in Cass City, which was build in 1869 by Howell and Ale. 
The first saw-mill was built by Jesse Fox, on what is now the Weaver place.

Copyright Bonnie J. Petee
March 1998



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