The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-07-15
RemInisoence of Pioneer Life In
Woodruff Townshlp-ReiIsious
Opportunities.
4 BY HELEN L. MANN.


moved from the state of New York
The conversation turned to religious
topic, during the conversation the wo-
man said; II don't know anything
about it, left all my religion ,t'other
side of Lake Erie" Whether that may
have been done by others or not shall
not attempt to say. But can truly say
that all persons did not leave their re-
ligion, they brought it with them and
lived it, and used it-and there were
several different denominations rep.
resented in the early settlement, and
although they did not all live the purity
of the Spirit as they ought, at all
tines, they could attend each others
religious services and rejoice in the
same Omnipotent Power, and their
efforts to sustain public worship is
worthy of mention--efforts of the
clergymen as we'll as members.
The first minister of the Gospel to
to preach in this township was Metho-
dist minister by the name of Jackson,
sent to this part of Michigan by the
Home Mission Society early during
1888, establishing stated services every
four weeks in different places and one
was held in the house of John Wood
hull, a family of the Baptist persua-
sion. The little log school house was
soon erected and Sabbath services were
held there, for some years. A class
was formed in 1880 1 cannot remem-
ber how long Mr.. Jackson travelled here,
holding services week days in some
places, travelling long distances thru
the woods with only blazed road
road marked by surveyors by chopping
a large chip out of tree on the side
the road should be, occasionally, all
along the road, however long the dis
tance.
Not long after, perhaps in 1889 Bap-
tist minister by the name of B. B.
Brigham, came from some distance and
held services in the little log school
house, for several years, men, women
and children often walking long dis.
tances ito attend.
During the time of these services,
one Sabbath when my father was driv-
ing along, (because mother was not
able to walk 80 far) they looked across
the woods and saw two men walking,
soon they noticed they were hurrying
to overtake them, they waited. When
they came within speaking distance
they asked: "Do you know of any
place where there is preaching of the
Gospel today2 We heard there was
somewhere out in this part of the
country"
"Yes," father said, we are going there
now, climb in and ride"-for it was not
the little one horse chaise of poetic note
that he was driving.
1--WE heard there was preaching out
here somewhere and we haven't heard
a sermon for so long we were bound to
find the place If we could" Questions
and answers revealed the fact that they
lived in Shiawasees township and had
walked 81 miles to find place of pub.
| lie worship One of them afterwards
moved to this part of the country and
was an active member of the Baptist
church for many years-Moses Smith
by name, familiarly called Deacon
Smith.
Sometime later Presbyterian minis.
ter, g. w. Smith by name, was sent by
the Presbyterian Board of Home Mis-
sions to this part of the county. He
found this little settlement and estab
lished stated services every four weeks
in the house of John Graham; he and q
few others has formerlvbeen united
with the Presbyterian church.
cannot remember how long either
of these churches were continued un
interrupted, but the Baptist and Pres
byterians were continued for many
years with but few interruptions. The
two churches alternating the time ol
their appointments 30 each and al
could attend both as often as possible
There was another school house built
on Sec. 8 in the year 1S45, frame
building of some larger dimensions fol
the purpose of accommodating public
services, and each appointment was re
moved to that house as it was located
about half way between Mr.. Place.
neighborhood, Reuben, John, later OF
Alexander Place, all active in attending
and supporting the church of theil
choice-the Baptist-and Mr.. John and
Josephus Woodhull's neighborhood OF
the other side; these services were KEEP
up for years different ministers serving
w. G. Smith served in the Presby
terian church here for some time ant
finally other ministers took his place a
he was called to other places. He be
gan his work in the south and east par
of the county in 1888 and can right
fully be classed as pioneer preacher
travelling on horseback, often hitchini
his horse and pushing on foot to reacl