Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-03-27
"REMINISCENCES OF ALMA.
It's Early Ministers and Teachers
Business Interests and settlers.

It's EaflN NJ n SteTS ana SaCnSfS,
Business Interests and settlers.
Rev. Lafayette Church, one of the
first settlers in what is now one of the
most thriving villages in the state, was
the first regularly ordained minister to
hold religious services here. He
preached each Sunday III the school
house, erected on the corner where the
Wright House now stands, his congre-
CATION being made up of the settlers, not
only Of this place, but from Ithaca and
St. Louis, who came by boat rs well as
by lonely forest path, to listen to the
gospel story told by this earnest and tai
ented man.
The first minister sent here was man
named Denton, Il Presbyterian mission
ary, who was sent here from Massa-
chusetts 10y the Home Mission Society,
and for some time this man ministered
to the spiritual needs of the hardy pio-
neero. Wonderful seasons of refreshing
were held in the little school house,
which was the opera house, town hall, IN
fact, the rendezvous of the pioneers ON
all occasions.
The first resident physician was
named Barnes. He lived in a log house
which stood where the Roller Mills now
stand. That is, his family lived there,
but the doctor may be said to have lived
in his gig, for his rides covered many
miles, and when he was not on the road
going TO some lonely log cabin, he stood
by the bedside of the sick and dying.
James Gargett and II. b. Hulburt
established general store here,
| If being located III log building almost
exactly where Tinker's factory now
stands. This store was the Mecca to
which the settlers came, not only TO eX-
change the farm products for groceries,
dry goods, and farm implements, but to
meet the "neighbors" and exchange
news and experience. Here too, came
the Indians friendly Chippewas, from
below St. Louis to exchange furs and
game, for blankets. Tobacco and occa-
sionally some "hrc-water. Soon after
| Gargett x Hulburt store was started
| William Moyer came lin 1866 and
started a boot aud shoe business, and
afterwards opened a hotel, ON the south
side Of the river directly across the
street from V. NJ Wilson'S residence
These two stores-Gargett & HUI
| burt's and Meyer s-obtaiued their sup
plies from Saginaw by canoes. 1t took
one week to make the round trip TO that
| city, two days to float down the river
and four days of hard work TO get back
The nearest grist mill was in Hubbards
ton, Ionia county. The nearest railroad
point was Linden III Genesee county
which was the terminus Of the ID. G.. ii
& Nj road The machinery and boiler
used in the saw mill here was brought
from Linden by teams.
Mr. Ely gives an amusing account OF
the first time he ever met the late D. H.
Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan came here in
1896 and located on the farm just west
of the village limits. He came from St
Johns on foot. 1t was almost night as
he reached Lakes place. one mile this
side of Ithaca, and he began TO think
about putting up for the night. The
men at Lakes were ont logging anc
clearing land. They Were dirty anC
blackened with smoke, and Sullivan
who had considerable money with him
was afraid to stop there, so he inquired
the way to the ELY settlement" which
he reached after dark.
He called out, and in response to tn,
call, Mr. Ely, (then young Town"
went across the river in canoe anC
brought Mr. Sullivan to the hom,
whence none were ever turned away
Mr.. Sullivan did not make il permanent
settlement at this time. He entered hi
land and for several summers worke,
on boats on the Mississippi river return
ing here in the winter and cleared up
All the settlers took up the govern
meut land, paying Sl.25 an acre; tn
price was afterwards, under the "gradu
alton" act, reduced TO 80 cents per acre
The school in the years 1866 81 >
and 80, was taught by Martha Woodil
and Elizabeth Fox