Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-03-20
"REMINISCENCES.
T. A. Ely Tells of the First Settle
ment i'm Alma.

We shall, from Tune 10 tlme, pupilSh
sketches of the early history of Alma,
the facts for which will be obtained from
the pioneers who have watched its
growth. This week we are indebted to
~ 4 Ely for the material for the pres
ent article.
The family of Gen. Ralph Ely came
to Alma from Ionia county i'll April
1854. and was the first family to form
permanent settlement here, locating on
the north side of the river, almost exact
" where Tinker q Lancashire's office
now stands There We're settlements at
Ithaca and st. Louis, but from the Bur
CESS homestead near st. Louis II was
necessary 10 cut road to this place.
After they had been here about three
weeks. land lockers began to come. "A
man named Todd, was the second settler
here. locating and building log house
on the snot where the Union school
building now stands. James hress set
tied here that summer, and also Emery
Adams. who located on the farm where
Ed. Adams now resides
No sooner had the sturdy pioneers
built for themselves rude log houses and
nroyidcd shelter for their stock than
they took steps to start school. "A
mart of the house built and occupied by
General Ely was set apart for school
room. The first teacher was Martha
Cole. daughter of Lemuel Cole, and
here were gathered the children OF these
hardy sons of toll, and here was laid the
foundation of our excellent school sys-
fem. of which Il. G. Ely, IA grand son OF
the first settler i'm Alma, is the capable
superintendent.
The time of the settlers was entirely
devoted to clearing the land, building
log house, and barns and locating new
settlers. a few of whom came i'll the fall
and early winter There was not much
relaxation from hard labor, but OCCASION
ally hunting. fishing and boating parties
were formed. and men, women and
children took a day off, and enjoyed
themselves as only hard working men
and women can when freed from the
constant strain of uremitting toll.
During this first season Gen. Ely
cleared about ten acres of land dying
west and north of Tinker & Lancashire 5
mill.
The first winter a saw mill was built,
al
Gen Ely built the mill, afterwards
taking oue-half interest in the same for
his pay.
During the first winter so many came
looking for land, that it was impossible
at times to provide accommodation for
them. AS many as 30 and 10 have slept
on Garnet, on the floor Of Gen. Ely's
home in one night, with blankets and
furS for covering.
During the summer Of 1880, the county
settled rapidly John Glover, Samuel
Keefer. Lafayette Church. Oscar Morse
DR.. Clifford, George Spicer, and man
named Fletcher. and the Corters, John
and his father. settled here, and also Il
man named Runyon, who located on
what is known a. the Wright farm. and
made a great many improvements dur
ing the first year
This year was built the first school
house. 1t was located where the Wright
House NOW stands, and the same build
ing is now used by Caldwell q Clark as
blacksmith shop. The school was
taught by Theodore Nelson, who was
afterwards. and until the day of his
death, Interested actively III the moral,
educational and material welfare OF the
new settlement ION the Pine.
The first religious service i'll Alma
was held at the residence Of Gen. Ely,
conducted 10y a Universalist minister
named Todd \ Baptist preacher
named Fay sometimes held service in this
hospital home After the school house
was built it was used as meeting
house "circuit riders" and "eXhorters
conducting the services.