Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-07-29
Held by Fleming Family at St.
Louis-first Time Entire fami.
Iy Ever Met Together
FOUNDER 4 GRAT|OT PIONEER
Came here in 1865. Helped Shape and
Settle the New Country in this
End of the State

On the 18th of July the family rela-
tives of Charles NJ. Fleming. ESQ.,.
twenty-five in number, met in the @.
A. r. Hall at st. Louis. to hold their
annual reunion. This was the first
time thev had gathered together In the
vicinity of the old home in West Pine
River.
Charles M. Fleming and Elvira, his
wife. with.their famliv moved to West
Pine River in the fall of ''65" and
settled upon a new farm near the
Wright school-house. In those days
the school-house was an important fac
tor in the life of the rural settlement
in more ways than it is todav. Not
only was it the educstionl center of the
community in the ordinary sense. but
it was the forum of debating societies.
spelling schools. the town caucus.
Northern Gratiot had the usual num-
ber of church organizations incident
to a new settlement but it had as yet.
no church buildings. The school-house
became therefore the meeting house
of the rural community. Scarcely
school district could be found in all
that part of the county without regu-
lar preaching services. The stvle of
discourse IN those days was somewhat
heterogeneous. like the people themsel-
ves-both in quality and creed. Yet.
to the credit of those pioneer builders
of public sentiment it must be admit
ted that many were strong. capable.
and conscientious preachers. and doubt
less more than any other class of men
in those days. moulded and directed
the general character of the people to
the present high status of intelligence
and morality.
In those days the services of Mr..
Fleming as Sunday school superinten-
dent and organizer were much in de-
mand. He-was a good Bible student
and practiced religion in the home.
He made it the business of his everv-
day life. Both Mr.. and Mrs Fleming
lived to see their children grown to
manhood and womanhood and to be
actively identified with the church of
their fathers. One son fell at the bat
tie of Shiloh. He lies buried under
the green sod of the Southland. An
other. the eldest. died in the strength
of his manhood. leaving Is loyal help
mate with her family to face the prob
lens incident to the home alone. The
other six children are settled in life.
and are bearing their full share in its
responsibility.
The following names represent those
present at this reunion Mr.. and Mrs
C. L. Fleming and Marion Fleming. of
Madison. Wis. Mrs. Eliza ami Mrs.
Franc Fleming. William. Cora. Eleanor
and Irwin Fleming of West Pine Riv-
er Gratiot Co. ;Irving-L Fleming and
wife of Central Pine River Rev. d.
C. Fleming Hattie and George Flem-
ing of Charlotte; Delon Fleming. of
West Branch: Rev. j II. Fleming and
WHO anu Nldi1 y H. dhh Idobci iAdiStob
Fleming of Saginaw; Duan Fleming.
of Hillsdale; Elsie Fleming and Master
Delonn Ellison. of.Alma !. Master Mer-
win Fleming, of Elwell, and Mr.. ard
Mrs. Fred n Humphreys. OF st. Louis
The day was all that could be desired
though far too short for all the home
sonOa and old time rnemeortas indt,luad
therein.
I'VE rehearsed the pranks of our boy
hood
And the hopes that we cherished. when
In the strength of the years unfolding.
We should reach the stature of men. -
The festivities closed with DIR. Ran
kin's closing hymn: God be with you
till we meet again.