History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Baptist society, and the members left at liberty to attach themselves to any section of the Christian Church. The building erected
in 1871 remains to b.ar testim ny to the earnestness which
characterized its projectors, as well as to their financial and religious liberality.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
was formed in 1875 by Rev. M. Heinninger, of Flint, with Vincent Gaum, C. L. and President; Daniel Haller, Secretary; John
Himmelbach, Treasurer, and Rev. J. M. Fuchs, Pastor. In 1878,
the old Baptist church on Lafayette and Franklin streets was purchased by the association for $1,500, and improved at an additional
expense of $600. The first members of the association included:
Vincent Gaum, Rosa Gaum, August Wagner, Caroline Wagner,
August Man, Augusta Mau, John Adam Stengel, Barbara Stengel,
Katie Stengel, Henrietta Guenther, Louise Guenther, Albert
Guenther, Mary Nast, Charles Jahrmarkt and Herman Jahrmarkt,
-15 in all. The pastors from date of organization to the present
time are as follows: J. M. Fuchs, C. C. Stiffield, W. F. Zanders
and H. Schneider. The present officers of the society are John
Hadel, President; Augustus Mann, Secretary; Vincent Gaum,
Treasurer and Class Leader. Daniel Haller was first Superintendent of Sunday-school, John l1imnelbach is the present Superintendent; Barbara Stengel, Secretary; V. Gaum, Treasurer. the
present membership is 45.
CITY SCHOOLS.
Tile following sketcl of the city schools was prepared by Prof.
C. B. Thomas, principal of the high school, for this work.
After the lapse of nearly a half century, it is a difficult task to
gather material for a complete and accurate history of any particular
department of social history. It is especially so in regard to educational matters.
Thel'l public schools of' a froltier town have always a humble
beginning. Those who were instrumlental in instituting and maintaining them, often die, or remove to other localities before the history is called for. The teachers in early days are Inigratory in
their habits, doing but temporary work, and almost no official
records are left behind. These and other obstacles have made the
preparation of this sketch a matter of no little difficulty.
Tle people whlo came to Saginaw, in its early settlement, brought
with them the educational habit. They believed in public schools
of the New England and New York type, and lost little time in
making preparation for the education of the children.
It. is not quite certain when the first school was opened here.
Probably it was held in a building within tle fort, or stockade, on
what is now Hamilton street, near the present site of Kehoe's