Mpm'fifiit-w-‘flw’t’ ' ' l' . ’ ‘ - ' I, I "'0“ : H 41 *Wfia". ‘33“ 5‘ .~.. .:5..-.«:~«-N1‘:~":-;..";v;2 "V w?‘tM&~..l . Q. _ a . _~. X :7 .. ‘ ‘W‘ ‘. ‘I 1 ~‘ 7 \ '3: I _ .’ E‘r’ ‘3 ‘q-W :" 1,-5.1?- , - . ' "Us-“ in.” . . '. n ' . : 02. 5’5: _- .413, ”’ ”H“ mm .. ”‘1‘. . {“0 rifluifivt" 0‘ .“ $ r.‘ "W“ ' « M9 'o“u-'-' '.‘~}?-"z.'3v'7‘>* fi‘auw-‘f' . u'L s Q; 7 a. . ’54." - If. ‘_ v ”I" 4.. h N, 3!; c.‘ 4.!“ 3,“ .v' LIA: . ‘T 0" .I‘r&.' ~"‘ n..| «3' ’I. .N ~ . -.‘\A:;r,.lt‘ ‘o “. 'J‘ ft. .' ‘ ‘5’.” . g wit-5w q: ;‘,‘l"nnat*,.rfl:‘z--:N{n}g.' .'_ 5 - ”WI“ £§?b 3» ‘r‘3£);'-':‘ "‘0,‘ 13‘: 3“ ; . . ,‘vt 5:35.441)» ' l.‘l,l' L" ' t m? - 9 . ... .M' ‘c ”J. . '- mv' 5: War 2"" .335» .4 353- ¢5£s3§..’r.:-{"f~ '§:&“$‘x:-‘:~n. . :z' 'Hgv!~3§"n;;§33$;a§§$‘3§~ My 0‘ N.....«v ‘ " .. .-:.N ' 5.’ “1&33N1‘2r’ffw.1‘3’£:'r5;75$§: NWig?"$5:r‘:;~¢~‘§»x=‘i - .. ~ -.; :' u.? , ‘ “‘I’tqtip :l- fq§‘l‘z.'v ' 1k...” 3: A 5? ya : ‘ f! 3. ii ‘3: y: nt‘ 7“ g. f“, .f [if I I”! O I n; l. O I ,; I. ’3 l T V ’f (71 3 l v5: ‘ “‘4 I W . .‘ , . f 9-. '- ‘7 CM" ., ." :‘4 a. "'4‘-~'_ «3‘2 "‘ ‘v “‘1‘" .‘uf k ""5”“ iifi‘N“'-:+z.-n‘~fia~fr fi£*'*£:”~¢§7‘$¥r--'Ji“\\‘g §:;Lst-~-“.=¢F£.‘ '3‘" *~..:,. ’nm ‘5‘, “s ‘A‘mPoW'v “‘ ’R-T?“ ’94". . ‘ \Z‘J' ‘P‘Dfi'é. 0442", :. .‘o" 40;“ ,f' . “~31. _ ' “\v' ' v-."-“:‘x-‘.‘.‘,-'~a‘.:".‘31~tm ' - * .--f .‘fl‘vu w. WNW ' M. ~ 5;“ .. .s..,318‘¢.;;¢ c._t a" n ".w, ‘ 9-9‘ ""‘Q " "»"\. ‘l.1w . '. - "."'.-,‘-‘ ”N 43-h: «Nae-1..» ,- . ~25 «3.9-. w u$.~."?~2»~sx~'¢m ‘ "4 5*- '~"?"-“" "r“ -' ‘ - " 5 Ni; :5 z~- Hg. ‘5.";,ru... «93.2: .. '0 *s..~ ' ‘ f: ._ . p :- - ,4. ~5 ~ . ’. :5; air v.2- : - . ~.-:'~;':~ahim-mQR“:éF'Sfi’N?" E ‘0 ‘ -m‘...-.'. x “1‘3: 3 I‘: ~~c'. '-:"'9 N‘N'r' ski“ ‘- \‘ ”“3”“ v i 'h' .. 2W ~\. ~. ~ awn: ., ' ,. *5 ‘n-s‘. 4~~~. . ‘3‘ 'K... ‘.‘3‘\‘ ‘1 w‘qL" “t'é‘fu... ‘ 1 5‘ “‘5‘. fl ‘2'. \. V. "~~‘ u '. «tarwrrms 4z*-':-‘a.~-a.-. : ‘ . 9 Ir \ 4- ‘u I ‘ ‘ .‘ _ N. . w x“‘-rw-*.-.~4"L ‘2‘: firm... . “1"" « "‘4o‘.‘.‘.:\.,"-—'- ‘ 0"." N. .v ‘ ‘ . .. .‘."\.\..‘.'~3‘7'§:" . ‘J,J!t2“ , .. 5. w ‘vm N. .. "‘1 a”. .I ~"‘ .,.‘.~ . N“;“‘ 56],“.- ‘3; . _ .‘ Wit- w’ ~ Nun-'w.“‘.\.~“- x3?” 'N- ? -¢..\«».:~a.; at" ':'- ‘5:- ‘N: ~. 3,... “a ‘ :91... h.‘ ”q? ‘7 "\- “Wu-E.- - p. ._ u_'fn;.¥~. :. ' 3 fi. ‘9. ' {Vg‘ .‘4‘35 «:5‘ _“\..:~. m». .' . "M . . :n w]. I':~ ‘f ‘ A :3; ' I .~ 5'". Ls. . v .n .i' a ‘93-..18“ ”9I'n- ' .. .. o.“" ‘5?.‘ JV ‘1 h. ‘ru ‘0 ' .' 'Q“ Kl,_‘. I-‘k‘ l‘ . Wv‘ 0 JV. .‘9‘.’ I . . g s v. 'o. '. s‘ g ._ u . v ' " .fio‘ ’4’¢:’.‘.:T.‘..7‘i.;~;2" '9. ‘ " - . r. a b. " . ' . «nrs. “av-'5 - - D N‘ fl. 9.“ ~"'k\""~‘~. s~$;.,.s5,&s .5 . :u, '~.'"~.- , . 'v 0‘. 9. - ..'S‘. q. . ‘ ' “fi .K‘."~.§- 5?.-. ' -“~ ‘5 0v. " “-3 ‘ ."‘ n... -‘\~.‘§- \ :~ - 9 ~- .~n.,."d.‘»z.'5o- . .’~‘M w- n z . ‘W )2 :. .‘z‘incg‘tu‘: l‘ 0. v..- .. ~ 0 ‘R‘t‘fi‘ ‘_ ;n<""'$1§2'=1"? ‘3 ~ . .QU’T‘S ~, ‘ O _'.."- . «Eur-‘1’? ¢a7;.\-.‘.'~.u--v-;u- '4‘ 5. .' .3,” \ .‘_“.~--' §,.,.\.,q\‘~\3. . Q; 0. ‘. “ 1.. o" J,‘ ~ ‘. ..,..~ ‘9‘... - "-.—..‘-¢:- ’! ' "- 4‘" "" ‘ V. . . . on . , b. u 'h V ~‘.~_ .Jr‘¢:o" ..‘u , -. . ' . g! 0“ URN“ N 1b...“ . t! ~.. #33; u‘.‘-'i:"c;nla.. .9 '."‘.‘"~-1‘;W-: ~ , 5. . . _ 1. . . : ",L‘UV ".QJ'Ayk "- .7 "°§~ h“, ‘4‘ ‘c. ‘-...- {’nfi.‘n’0 ' .I ‘-.;' k'5h I' ‘ _ '_‘ '~".‘"L“ ..0' ' ~ 5. \O‘ g l L"\ ‘h'V ‘ 0 , H V ' , s ‘. 1 ~‘.. ‘5, v u." (hr..‘!I'~' ’. ,.y‘...,." ‘: R- “‘ \ - . - ' 339‘. " A»: -. “5 .~ r x .‘ s fi.‘ V'. ".I ;“’. I.,:1;r:‘u W..." ‘ “‘0; \V""‘:' o :' ~ -‘ - h a. ‘0 '0‘. ' I a _~¢') 1'- ”fig...“ - .\ --“_ .“ _ g a h - v ‘ ,‘ fly '\l . ‘ .n‘ ‘2 - w .‘ '0.“ fl °\o' r- c‘ 5" n . ‘I‘NT- ' . . .. ‘ ‘ . n ‘ I 1“." _ 'y. . . ah_‘l' ' ' I . .J_ _ . .\ . - .7 7 . -~ _ . . “w. 2 ,_ ' Y: ‘ N‘s. ~~'.‘.:-~ 'sJ“ . . . x ‘0 Sgt-33"“ -. ' ‘n‘y‘. t. 'u‘t.“ . “‘~r.. \ \,_I\-IP‘L;. . ‘ "0 ‘ 5 . . ._'§- {gufg ‘ " "‘ "*— '~. v“ . - ' M-“i‘gx‘xi 1v; 5 ‘*'-"‘;’~':’=-.-15 #17: ‘24 ‘ .n’: kg. '~.f.13:.‘.lfllsgd‘wlh1‘s‘:-._-"lf\..én‘b 1‘..." ,- 7 ~‘ , _ o . '- ‘ n 4 r I 1 ‘ A . v . ”85‘s ' . . - ' , . P. (,3 % rm YVUAXA ,“égficb'q'p u Junk”! cnin—n—d—tal‘u duh—u“- : _ / mmmmnmnmnmm ; ~ C , . :1; ‘ . 1‘. i 3 1293 01076 7139 » - - - . "2‘95 .-.- 1.» >52»: ‘ , 2‘ F. 7 3 (A. 'rf.x[_ I! . '\ I I 1 i_ I . I . f I ; V g; l “-7 l .\ pa . w «'1‘ l“ r. -~. I ‘. ’_ 7‘ \ ,7? II ‘. 'r' ' v ' V‘é‘ I , .' / “ , I I PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record. To AVOID FINES return on or before date due. A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BYRON COMMUNITY A Thesis Presented for the Degree of Master of Science - fiBy , Glenn Higgrt B. So. in Agri. THE MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE 1929 Approved By: HeEHofPDept. Chairman OT Committee .g r . A.» .‘HtSlS :'— ‘.l 5.4 1'; ; ~. -._I I I; N'vi .4 B." My“. \u‘ ”i A CAR on LEDGIAEN T S 'This study could hardly have been made without the nmnyiuflpful suggestions received from numerous sources. ihny suggestions were freely given by several professors of the Department of Sociology of The Michigan State College. ihc'writer is particularly indebted.to his professor, Dr. Ihmficrd, whose interest, criticisms, and kind suggestions kmwe been an invaluable help and stimulus. He is also indebted to his students of the Byron High School who have assisted in securing data and information in the community. .-..-Ac« .. ..“ .u .- .- -- .- .. v. , u ‘-V--v-- ~..- , . A. I . ’Y’I ...,,._l V‘— Hl“ { v...“ ~u ‘-.g t ..d ‘I ‘~ . ~ \ . s‘ . \ 1“ ~_ ~‘- . .‘\§. ‘I ~. TABLE OF CONTEHTS Part 1 Acknowledgments.......................... Introduction............................. List of Iables........................... list of Maps and Eigures................. imScription of Area Studied.............. Historical Background.................... Early Social Groups...................... First Jhite Settlers..................... Early Settlers Kassacred................. BusinessjLife............................ Inmmunication and Transportation......... Post Office............................. NEWspaper................................ Township Organized....................... Officers of Township..................... Village Incorpor8.ted000000000000000000... 30018.1 Life00.0000000000000000000000000000 000000000002 0000000000 6 00000000008 0.0.0.00009 ..........10 ..........ll ..........11 .........12 ..........15 ..........18 000000000020 .00...’...21 0 O O C O O O C O .2lJ 0r 0 O C O O O O O O .06 000000000025 ..........27 00000000002!7 Rise of Neighborhoods ..............................28 bocial IJife in I‘Iei‘othI’hOOdS. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 057 Uecline of Neighborhoods and Community Awakening ...42 Phaneer hamilies Continuous..............o..-oo~--o-44 C2] ‘ .u. . _'- ‘f" ~og -v..| v u..._ a . o .- I --.. A r-..‘ “l . n 3 - ‘0 “ -- -._ v ‘. '-.-. u _ a -V'. . ,-. ‘ ~‘:‘0 ~‘~- ca; "—3 KW; ., ... 'é‘ f grin-3r {A 04‘; ' g 3 I I5 '1 - ‘ '1“. ’1 «'12 ‘i’flBluL 01* < '.\ 1 0w ,n‘t‘r"'~ W “L s s __.: i:“ e “t ‘ ’ s _. "' " ' mfl'fivt“ :- Ifistory of the Organizations.. Religious Groups.............. Fraternal Groups.............. Civic Groups.................. Farmer Organizations. ........ Iducational Groups............ Group Interest................ Inter Group tactions.......... Conflictsluithin Group........ Summary of Group iendcncies... Part Education..................... Early Schools in the Township. First School Officers......... Districts Organized........... Village schools............... The Present High School....... lerse of Study for 1927-1928. Grommh.of Student notivities.. Sdrool Health Program......... Shuflent Council..............- Constitution.................. Code of Lthics................ Tentative Standards for larkin CO:J§‘I’I:ILL‘IS M Part II III 6. .....62 000006'7 .....68 .....72 .....75 000000r7‘l}: .....74 .....77 .....80 .....81 .....86 .....96 .....99 0000102 00000000102 ......lO8 0000......O0QQQQOlJ—O "‘u .pnwl' .- -\ ,... .. ‘A m... ‘ ‘ v,vv‘ . -M - . _"‘v -00 . _A . _ fl '-'\0 rd .K..‘ v I ~ “-.~ ~71 Y-_‘ . ‘- .8 0. u, " ‘1 i.. \ ‘ ‘~ TABLE OF CONTENTS Lusic..............................................ll2 Class Enterprises..................................llb Landscape bardening................................115 School Fair........................................116 Annual Eighth Grade banquet........................122 Senior Play..... .................................125 Value of Student activities........................123 Part IV Community btudies..................................l27 Community Growth........ ...... ............. .......128 Leisure Time Study of ZOO Byron hamilies.... ..... ..15‘ Talent Survey................................ ...... 158 Practice in Participation..........................141 Adult Education... ................................l44 Summary of Community Course of Study...............l45 Community Score Card...............................157 Part V Smmnary and ConClqu-ons0000000000000000000000000000165 Bibliograp11y00 0000.00.00.00...0.00.00.00.000000000166 .... L3,. ..... p.16 .. ‘,.,L .. :10 L-_ .4 1 I . “-0 A , , Av-wy o. :.f‘ "v u .y . '7'; hfr‘ ‘lE V'I/n. ' I I'A" we..- ”‘h‘w‘I‘, r "h~t..‘ . ‘u: s .‘_" C v-u ..“ h . ._ C ‘A a.‘ UV . , I THE PUHEOSE OF THE STUDY For several years the rural community of Byron has been the object of an interesting study. Desire to work out a better community program has led to the making of surveys and an analysis of the groups contributing to the develOpment of such a program. The purpose of this thesis is to find the sociological factors, past and present, which have contributed or are now contributing to the activities and achievements of the community. Such study of a single community may not in itself solve any of the perplexing social problems facing our rural communities; but we do hope to contribute a little more to the fund of knowledge .already available and to suggest some tendencies which seem significant. 1. To what extent have the pioneer settlers, with their various customs, traditions, and institutions, created and produced leaders in new customs, traditions, and institutions of the present period? In other words to what extent do influences, standards, and achievements of the ipioneers as represented in family and other types of £§Poup contributors, influence the activities and achievements of their des cendants‘? 2. What are the other factors which create a com- 3fituaity and hold its members together? "“ “at. I- .. H... 0009 i " ' O‘L. . . " '0 0‘00 ”v.0 . P. {\A'o " Vv... ‘ . ' Iv. ’A7 I = 5“ ~V...‘ 0" :u‘ a a, '1 iv“ 2‘ k. . U . . THE PUHEOSE OF THE STUDY For several years the rural community of Byron has been the object of an interesting study. Desire to work out a better community program has led to the making of surveys and an analysis of the groups contributing to the develoPment of such a program. The purpose of this thesis is to find the sociological factors, past and present, which have contributed or are now contributing to the activities and achievements of the community. Such study of a single community may not in itself solve any of the perplexing social problems facing our rural communities; but we do hepe to contribute a little more to the fund of knowledge ialready available and to suggest some tendencies which seem significant. 1. To what extent have the pioneer settlers, with their various customs, traditions, and institutions, created and produced leaders in new customs, traditions, and institutions of the present period? In other words to what extent do influences, standards, and achievements of the Pioneers as represented in family and other types of group contributors, influence the activities and achievements of their descendantS? 2. What are the other factors which create a com- munity'and hold its members together? 5. What effect does the active participation on the part of individuals of the community have on the participants in making them better educated, and more stable citizens? What effect does the participation or lack of it have upon the group life of the community including its various organizations and institutionS? 4. Do communities prOSper through the common interests and c00peration of the various groups of which they are composed? 5. What changes should be made or what community program is necessary that rural folk may have a higher standard of living? The historical data has been included not merely because of its own intrinsic interest but rather because through the continuity of group life this historical material is a very real and definite part of the present Situation. This means that to understand the community as it is now functioning it is necessary to know the contribu- ting and conditioning factors of its past life. of indivi II” “‘1: .5 'r WI "1 Ab no. it “~05 V r .. 051‘! ‘ C :‘57 one, A "i adv ‘ rav- ... . us‘ erle 3. What effect does the active participation on the part of individuals of the community have on the participants in making them better educated, and more stable citizens? What effect does the participation or lack of it have upon the group life of the community including its various organizations and institutionS? 4. Do communities prOSper through the common interests and c00peration of the various groups of which they are composed? 5. What changes should be made or vhat community program is necessary that rural folk may have a higher standard of living? The historical data has been included not merely because of its own intrinsic interest but rather because through the continuity of group life this historical nmterial is a very real and definite part of the present situation. This means that to understand the community as it is now functioning it is necessary to know the contribu- ting and conditioning factors of its past life. ‘- ‘III LIST OF TAB—LS gait 32, Title P329 I 1 Population Change 26 III 2 Teaching Force 84 5 Transportation 85 4 Graduate Survey 89 5 Honor Students 90 6 Grades and Adv. Lduc. 91 7 Grades and Leadership 92 8 Honor students and Adv. 1d. 95 9 Agriculture and :ducation 94 10 Participation and hduc. 95 ll Athletics 97 12 Physical Lducation 97 15 Athletic Games Played 98 14 Lducational Problems 126 15 Attendance and Participation127 IE a Standard of Living 155 16 b Leisure Time at Home 154 16 c Leisure Time in Organ. 154 16 d Leisure Time of gen away 165 17 Relation of hconomic SuccessiS? to Standard of Life 9 LIST OF th8 Part E3. Title Page I 1 Burns Township in 1859 In Cover 2 Territorial Road nap Opp. p.15 of 1828 3 Heighborhood and so. Dist. In Cover 11 4 Organizations in Community In Cover III 5 Growth of School area In Cover IV 6 Trading areas In Cover bigures Part go. Title Page II 1 Life reriods of Organizations 56 having officers 2 Trend of membership in In Cover Organizations to Present Time 5 Talent survey opp. 140 4 Plan of Community 159 Organization —\ 01"“ taxk. -.. ., {kl ,~' a P I ~ \. . ."‘. ‘ v Cad ~ I r s., 3";21' “m . "‘U ‘i‘ .- . ‘ t fie \n‘ I 0“ \“ PI ‘ ‘:J§:Al:‘ P ‘ '5 \ u .\.Q:l ll . u 's ‘ r ‘vg ‘1ip 1 .hA‘ ‘.‘ \ “ Part I Description of Area Studied The Byron community comprises the greater part of the township of Burns which is the southeast township of Shiawassee County in the state of Michigan. It includes the village of Byron with about four hundred inhabitants and the surrounding farms with a pOpulation of approximately the same number of people giving a total pOpulation for the cmmmunity of about eight hundred. Burns township is described as township five north, and range four west, and is bounded on the north by Vernon township, on the east by Genesee County, on the south by Iivingston County, and on the west by Antrim township. The surface though in places level and inclined to be wet and swampy, ifi generally undulating and well drained by the Shiawasse River and its branches, as well as by several artificial water ways. The stream known as the East Thanch unites with the Shiawassee River at a point in the east central part of the township. This union furnished an excellent water power, which fact determined the site of a Village to be named Byron. There are two small lakes in the township, both of which have outlets that unite and flow into the river. The soil is a fertile sandy loam and ranks well with that of other townships of Shiawassee county. General crop and stock farming predominate in the community although ll thereare a few dairy and poultry farms. The main cash creps are beans, wheat, and live stOck. Historical Background The name of the first white man who came to Burns township, of whom there is any record is that of Whitmore Knaggs who Opened a trading station at what is now known as Knaggs' Bridge. Mr. Knaggs came here as early as 1820. He was succeeded by the traders, Grant, Godfrey, and John Knaggs of whom the last mentioned ( a son of fihitmore Anaggs ) commenced trading on the Indian Reservation in 1852. Early Social Groups The Village 2f Byron: The first man, of whom we have knowledge, to have settled in what is now the village of Byron was Judge Samuel Dexter. He came from Washtenaw County in 1824, through the wilderness, over a crooked Indian trail and located on adjacent quarters of sections 15, 14, 25, and 24 on July 13th of that year. The patent conveying the same to him is dated October 20, 1824. Here, at the junction 0f the Shiawassee River with.its East Branch, he found fine timber, good Coil, and everything needed by man. The 1. Until Sept. 1850, parts of sections 5, 7, 8 and all of section 6 were held as an Indian Reservation; Which was granted to the Shiawassee Chippewas in the Saginaw treaty of Sept. 1819 and named the Reservation of Kechewondaugoning. See Map No. l, in cover. MAP NO. 1 Burns Township (In Cover) 1859 12 Indians had named the river Shiawassee, meaning rolling, sparkling water. Judge Dexter thought this place, with tater power available, would become a large business center, the county seat, and perhaps the capitol of the state. In 1856, Byron was indicated by a dot on the territorial map,2 although all there was of the place at this date was a grist mill, and two log cabins occupied by the families of Judge Dexter and his brother-in-law Major T. J. Provost. On the 2lst of June 1856, ‘Judge Dexter sold the lands above mentioned to his brother-in-law, Major T. J. Provost, C. Smith, P.L. Smith, and S. S. Derby who formed as assoc- iation usually known as the Byron Company.6 On the 28th of August of the same year Wallace Goodin became one of the firm by purchasing a one fifth interest in the undivided lands of the company. April 28, 1857, the plat of the village was recorded. Sometime before this date three more families had joined the settlement, a Mr. Derby and two men named Smith, with their families. These pioneers built a new dam on the east branch of the river for power and added a saw mill to the enterprise. This business did not prOSper and was sold to Bowman Dennis, 2. Territorial Road Map No. 2, Opposite page 15. 5. There are no records or any information available as to how the Byron Company chose its name. f.\ h at: T mg 18% Hews ”Kath. Scam :aesflfi /7 _ - \ sin 1.383. 35:. 333: «~33: Jon F: 9335? 3.5% £35m t~rl t. .a U3: u» ‘ .2, . 1M . n4 ..-.‘.‘. VH5 42" - a Pr!‘ :1 '- hr nL-nov a k, ‘ :u -...,.‘ “C" «5 ”UV “,4; .. . “h "26" ch.- "" Vv A Van ‘ W: v. .s.._‘.‘,, “A "T" 6.; . 1" ~anat‘, 9 ha: “"9' I V. :‘A ““94” CI 1": .m. 5°. , . , " vHQI‘ i .u~w“~e II; ‘ 4‘ .'1-. S. R. Kelsey, and C. T. Allen. The new company improved the mills, strengenthed the dam, built homes, and did business for a long period. Mr. Dennis was from Boston, always wore a silk hat, carried a cane and never lost the Bostonian air or courtesies. His two daughters, Mrs. E. A. Sheldon and Mrs. J. W. Killiams, had been educated in the east. They brought refinement and culture, quite unknown to the rural settlement. Mr. Kelsey became Judge of Probate in after years and moved to Corunna. hr. Allen built the home where Harmon Meiers now lives, at that time the best in the village and which has since been owned by L. T. Roberts and family, Isaac Middlesworth and family, E. A. Sheldon, and Martin Comstock. Major Provost, brother-in-law of Judge Dexter, was the moving Spirit of the enterprise. He came from 1\ew York 'to Washtenaw County, Michigan where he married a daughter (Df Judge Boyden, a pioneer of that county, after whom the Ilocality of Boydens Plains was named. Mr. Provost came to IByron bringing his wife and three children in 1856. He built 'the log house later owned by George Buel. Mr. Provost's ‘Sldest daughter married Capt. David Royce, who was killed Zin the "Battle of Falling waters." In the Byron cemetery near the bank of the river stands a small monument in memory (if Theodore H., son of F. H. and M. A. Provost, who died IVitamin 17, 1857. It dates the first death recorded in the cemeteryof Byron. Major Provost left for California in ‘ u-l 1‘ "7S 6- "HI on. ' I'l.rlf‘ 316 f3? in..\. l"r" .v" x _ .voc" y«-A|\‘ E. ‘r‘ #:m .. why VJ.“ P'- ":P \V( " \S .h I ‘-'L~ .“ ‘h‘ . H ,fl‘.‘ ‘ ,‘ a“: JV" L O .- A . , a“. . -y.-vns. .. 5‘ ‘ u. 1.8 ‘J‘ . u. . '- ‘FC. J‘ 5““ _.. \ :1 . x‘.. ‘1 ‘i a; ‘T , 'JI : .x IIV~ v: "4M .«t‘uoi “A .._‘ __ _’\l .' uql ix- ._ ‘ "1 . v‘lu‘. :- 1850. His eldest daughter became the wife of Capt. David Royce for whom the local G. a. R. Post is named. Judge Dexter returned to Hashtenaw County, became wealthy, and the village of Dexter is named in his honor. The old colonial mansion in Dexter stands today, a monument to his love Of a good home. Early Settlers Massacred One of the Smiths, Pierpont Lee Smith, who was one of the Byron Company, came to Byron about 1826. He and his wife and twa sons were the only ones whose lives were saved at the time of the Indian raid2 The story of this, written by Miss Nona E. Smith, grand daughter of Pierpont Lee Smith, and now living in Burvill, Horgan County, Tennessee, is as follows: "My grandfather, Pierpont Lee Smith, came to Byron in its very early days, probably about 1826, as he was one of the first settlers in that place, He had a water grist- mill. He brought his wife and two small boys from New York City. My Grandmother's maiden name was Maria Letitia .DeGarmo, The only playmates my uncles had were the Chipewas Indian childreg as their tribe lived ne rby. "An Indian chief while riding his pony by my Egrandfather's house, was seriously wounded by an enemy and ifell from his horse. My grandfather carried him in, :Eiied (:13 T'C 3;: :10: 8:51: .- «on ;. -r r s... it “:3 c . "‘C"‘ r-“hl - ‘u'.-.k.. a... 4' ' A.- r+ r“ c‘ ..v_...U en.“ La 1 “fire ._.. “8.; Q -..« __: nor of 1 55-; That u “if, - “QC/‘1 I . -.: ‘P.n/p ‘ ~ . .-.VNVQ ,. I" Q “N: r,-. O .. g ’ CE :3” 4. \A 90 2 .W \..'2 , ~ " 0.;\* 3 tc :: :‘\ a ‘ 4t§1 ‘ 16 dressed his wound, put a tent in the yard for him, as he would not stay in the house, and cared for him many days, until he was able to return to camp. A few months later an Indian entered the kitchen of a white man in the set- tlement and asked for bread. The lady replied that she had none. The Indian said, 'White Squaw lie' and Opened the door of the'Dutch oven; took out a loaf of fresh baked bread. Just at this time the husband entered, saw what was tranSpiring, took his gun down, and shot and killed the Indian. The tribe demanded that the whites give up the murdered man, which they refused to do. Then the Indians said that unless he was given up by sunrise of the next day, a wholesale assacre would take place. The whites still refused to give the man up, and a swift runner was dispatched to Detroit, the nearest fort, for trOOps to come and save them. The Indians however, did not wait for ’Sunrise but began their attack in the night. Ky grand- :father, hearing the shots and screams, took his gun and 'tried to run out to the defense of his friends and neigh~ Iaors, only to find an armed Indian standing guard at the Cioor. He tried the other door with the same discovery, and 8Gen found that his house was surrounded by Indians who wOuld not let him out. The Indian chief, whose life he had Shaved some wonths before, had placed this guard there with oI‘ders to protect that man and his family, and not let him {30 outside. The troops arrived at sunrise only to find 13Yron in ruins and my grandfather and his family the only 17 survivors. ”Ky father who diedlast year at the age of eighty one, vmuld have been able to give you many interesting stories of those early days, as related by his father, if he were living. im'grandf ther later moved to harion township, on what is now the Ruttman farm near the Stone schoolhouse. He lived to he eighty two years old, and died in 1887. Of his family of eight children only one is left, hrs. Chas. Box of Howell. Ky brother, Gus Smith of Marion township, and my sister and myself in Tennessee, are the only grand children." In January 1857, Joseph Layton, a blacksmith, came to the village. The company offered him two lots in a good unxation and lumber for a shOp as an inducement to settle helue. Mr. Layton accepted and moved his family from WaslitenaW-County in May of the same year. He built the first franae building of the village which was occupied later by Dr. F. E. sluth. Mr. Layton built the first blacksmith Shop of the village . The village did not grow as rapidly as the founders GXEDEacted. The formation of new counties from the territory or 'tlae Shiawassee ruined the prospect of the projected vil- Vatsefi. To use the expression of an old settler, Byron H Was “a one side." The water power and Sp--_endid farm land (“Nilxi not over balance this disadvant ge. after years of m , JOqu’ ‘the Byron Company was poorer in many ways than when they platted the village. In 1840 Byron contained but five filmilies. N..-,1 --.v ‘ .9 n J‘. u -. ~4 _. I... .. . I '3‘ ’P‘I ., \ 'b-. n." o, .- A .. "Q A ~ n n u g u ’a w Business In 1842 Dennis and Kelsey, who purchased the mill and water right of the Byron Company, began Operation which contributed.a great deal to the village. They built the first flour mill which was completed in 1845 and co tinued to do business until 1858. The interest of hr. Dennis was purchased by Owen Goodspeed and the building burned later in the year. a carding mill had been erected by F. J. Provost near the flour mill which also burned at that time. Another was built in the same place and was later turned into a plaster mill, but not proving a success it was soon left to decay. As has been stated the first merchant was Holden Uhiize. He continued in business until 1846 when he went east: and remained there. In 1845, Nicholas Gulick came to the: village to work in hr. white's store. He soon bought a Sizock of goods and branched into the millinery and 8rT>c>eries in connection with dry goods and occupied three Stc>x~e rooms. Jabez Close was a successful merchant, wool €unj_ grain buyer, followed by his son a. F. and he in turn by? Iris son, Fred, who is living near here now. J. B. lhitney openeted a foundry. Byron Rossiter was his able assaiirtant. A Mr. Sutherland was an attorney-at-law and keIYb 2a toy and notion store. Mrs. Sutherland made hOOp- Skirts and bustles to order. Dad Elliot was s shoemaker; (nJaITLes Lemon was a dry goods merch nt; H. L. Cook was a ‘harfhuare dealer. h. B. nelch and Norman Leland were ‘partners in the drug business in the first brick block 19 built in Byron. Frank Van Tyle and Orville Fuller also sold drugs. Owen nnapp was a pioneer cabinet maker and undertaker. 1m made the coffins of black walnut, first going to the home <fi'the deceased and taking measurements. Frank Savage suc- ceeded Mr. Knapp in the undertaking business and his son—in- law, Herbert whitehead, is now doing this service in the village. The first physician who located in Byron was Dr. Abner Sears. He came in 1858 and died soon afterwards. Dr. Henry Rowland came in 1841. He afterward married a daughter of Rdbert Crawford. Dr. Rowland died in 1850. Doctors Guthrie, lhfloster, Sluth, Austin, Fox, Colwell, Stevens, Knapp, Seymour, Ruéxgles, Orr, and Robert Fox have been practicing physicians in IByron since that time. Hotels: The first tavern was erected nearLthe mills Ml tihe spot where Mr. nenk has his new home. It was intended for- a.boarding house for the mill hands. .hen Mr. Sadler 17003.: possession of this cabin he hung out a Sign "Cottage linu", which continued until 1847. In 1841 Wallace Goodin put up a small building which 1“3 Ilamed.the ”Byron Hotel," where Mr. Chapel and family now llve.1.;r.Goodin sold it to Freeborn Joslin and it was afterwards bought and enlarged by Harvey Lee, later by Uncle Billy Smith. The last landlord was Andrew "-.f-."illiams. The bllil—(iing was burned in 1848. Ferdinand Downer, in 1860, built another public hmlse on the east side of the street where the Community H.,.-. ‘ “on I ._.‘ . .. I .l . ~- .- ‘- 'l n,“ . ‘U N l 20 Hall now stands. This was called the Eagle Hotel. Conmnmication and TranSportat ion In May 1857 the minutes of the road from Genesee County, entering Burns just south of the 1::- st Branch of the Shiawassee River, were entered on the records of the township. It was located a few days previous as was also the river rOad leading north west from Byron. In the same month the road leading north from Livingston County, passing the residence 0f Thomas P. Green on Section 52, to the N. W. corner of the township was established. On the ninth of august, the east and west road passing the Lioss Hotel and the Chaffee school house, was established. Then the one passing the school District No. 8, and the residence of Isaac S. Barnum was located. These roads were laid out b Thomas Green Ligallace 9 Goodin, and Rufus C. Rathburn, commissioners of highways. In 1840 the State Road from Byron to Owosso was established. a A map of the township published in 1858 illustrates the roads at that date. {several plank road companies promised to build in Shiawassee County but all failed. All freight 4 and mail came to Gaines and was hauled across the five miles of p001: roads, two miles west on the town line and three miles south to Byron. There were several men whose business was teaming. Mosley Royce and Mr. Miner were professional teamsters who made two trips to Gaines per day, rain or shine. a. See Map No. 1, in cover. 4. See Map No. 4, in cover. , - . . I“: ma. n u -'_vl ‘-.-.. d . "“5: \q d III“ .._‘ 21 P931: Office and weekly Mail: A letter from New York cost twenty five cents. Major Provost was the first post- master, in 1840. Prior to this date the mail was brought from Holly, but not at regular intervals. At first the mail was carried on horse back but inJune a stage line was established from Pontiac to Ionia, by which the mail was brought tolByron. Major Provost was succeeded by Holden White who came to Byron in 1842. Mr. White Opened the first general store in the village. Soon afterward Mr. White was followed as post-master by George C. Holmes, Nicholas Gulick, G. C. Royce, E. Lemon, F. E. Sleeth._ Railroads: No railroad company saw fit to build thxnyugh this section in an early day. This injured every branch of business and slowly the dirrerent firms moved to more advantageous locations. Before 1850 the Detroit and Milwaukee railroad was laid. five miles north east of Byron. A stake was set and a Side track built, after which the village of Gaines sprang into existence. It was the first intention of the company tc’ truild through Byron. The peeple of the village felt so Sure that the road would have to be built through the place that they asked an unreaeonably high price for the right-of- "av; the result being that the railroad was built to the eaiyt 'bringing into existence later the village of Durand and at the same time blasting all h0pes of Byron ever beeOming a city. Next came the Detroit, Howell and Linsing road, 22 thawing largely from the patronage to the south and southwest cfi'this place breaking up our wool and grain market. The Chicago and Lake Huron railroad was completed in l8fl6 and an.agent appointed at Dur nd in thgt year. Kith the ‘mnlding of this road, Bancroft, seven miles to the north and'west and Durand eight miles north of Byron beg n to win their share of Byron's trading area. The Ann Arbor railraod was built through Byron in 1885. The citizens of Byron saw the previous mistake and pledged a bonus of $15,000 and the right of way for this road, but it was too late to make Byron the center it should have been. Byron Newspaper: The first newSpaper of Byron was DUI21ished weekly, by James Sleeth, editor and o ner, and was; called the "Byron Herald." The first issue appeared Nov- 6, 1885. The publisher was a man of broad interests as the following advertisements taken from Volume I, Number I of the Herald indicates: "James Sleeth At13<>rney-at-law, Solicitor in Chancery, Justice of the Peace, and Notary Public. Office at herald Office Byron, Michigan." From.1885 until his death the Herald appeared every week. William McDonald, a son-in-law, carried on the work foI' some years later. Then the paper was discontinued. Since that time Byron has been Without a newspaper. The Township Organized Burns was organized as a separate township with its present name and limits by an act of the Legislature of Michigan approved March 11, 1857, which also directed the first meeting of the electors to be held at the office of the Byron Company (which was in the house of James rrovost). On the third day of April 1857 the meeting was called with the following named electors present: Ezra D. Barnes , Francis J. Provost Thomas P. Green Robert Crawford Amos Foster John Burgess Peter Kanouse Wallace Goodwin Rufus C. Rathburn Alonzo woods All the boters who attended this meeting received one or more offices. Francis J. Provost was elected to four Offices, Thomas P. Green and Ezra D. Barnes each to three, ‘WIflle several received two offices each. In 1858 the township board voted to pay fifty dollars lfcu*building a bridge across the Shiawassee River. This was tile first bridge constructed by the township. It crossed the Ftiver on the Reservation in the N. W. corner of the township Ilfear the cabin of John hnaggs, from which it later got its name. It lasted only a short time. April 5, 1845 the township voted to raise $100 to build a bridge across the river at Byron. This was to be on tlle road leading west of Byron below the Byron Hotel. Later this was replaced by an iron bridge which cost $1500. At ‘ I ‘ ..;~ . u; "it, "I on NV 0 1 .... .b , ‘ ...'s .1» J . ‘ I 'w «r m .u vLAo'- '-~. ‘ . ‘l‘. \Ik‘H a . ~ ,. . ‘. ._. \1 \-I the present time a bridge is being constructed on the same spot at a cost of $75,000. The following statement shows the total amount levied for various purposes for the year 1860, not including school tax: 1860 State tax ------------------------------------------ $212.22 County tax ----------------------------------------- 1168.18 Township tax --------------------------------------- 690.00 Highway tax ---------------------------------------- 72.28 Miscellaneous ------------------------------------- 684.19 TetaI’ p2826.87 It may be of interest to compare this with the amount levied in 1928 which is as follows: 1928 State tax ---------------------------------------- $4651.98 County tax------------—----—------------~--------$lO566.49 County raod tax apportioned ---------------------- 2415.44 County raod at large ----------------------------- 6752.65 Reassessed taxes --------------------------------- 659.68 Drain tax apportioned ------ - ------------- -------- 1111.76 Drain tax at large ---------------------------- --- 261.57 Township contingent tax -------------------------- 1200.00 Highway imp. tax --------------------------------- 4000.00 Road repair tax ---------------------------------- 1000.00 Town hall tax ------------------------------------ 1200.00 School taxes ------------------------------------- 17000.57 Redmond road ------------------------------------- 500.00 Excess of roll ---------------------------------- - 142.94 TOtal fi51241.06 Tax rate per thousand valuation ------------------ 29.00 25 The following are names of some township offices with dates of their term of office: Date 1857 1858 1859 1840 1841 1842 1845 1844 1845 L846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1870 1872 3.874 1L 876 1878 JLseo Supervisors E. D. Barnes F. J. Provost E. D. Bannes F. J. Provost E. D. Barnes J. K. Tyler J. K. Tyler J. K. Tyler 8. R. Kelsey Nicholas Gulick Nicholas Gulick Township Clerks F. J. Provost A. 0. Foster P. L. Smith R. C. Crawford H. Rowland H. Rowland H. White H. White W. W. Kelsey H. White F. G. Lee Treasurers Nicholas Gulick B. W. S. R. Roger Roger T. M. T. M. N. K. Dennis Kelsey F. G. Lee G. 0. Holmes Haviland Haviland Euler Potter Euler Potter N. P. Leland Nicholas Gnlick Gilbert Gilbert Gilbert Gilbert S. Lewis S. Lewis S. Lewis S. Lewis Remah Cole Remah Cole Remah Cole Remah Cole Henry Wiltsie W. H. Chaffee W. H. Chaffee W. H. Chaffee H. White H. Rowland Roger Haviland J. W. Wendell J. W. Wendell Roger Haviland A.J. Cole John Kitson John Kitson John Kitson G. H. Eddy H. L. Cook '7‘- 1. cY’ -» '5 26 ngulation Change: The following table shows the p0pulation change in Burns township and village and adjoining towns, and villages from 1850 or date of incorporation to b 1920. Table Number I POpulation Change IT Villages 'T Townships II Date 'ByronTGaines'BEncroft ‘BurnsT'Gainesintrim'CohoCtah r I I rr yr , I ‘r 1845 ' ' ' " 488 ' 156 ' 167' 418 I I I I I I . I I 1850 ' ' ' " 717 ' 286 ' 282' 544 I I I II I I I 1860 ' ' ' "1065 ' 760 ' 895' 857 I I I II I I I 1870 ' ' ' "1557 '1516 ' 992' 1176 I I I I I I I I 1880 ' 555 ' 544 ' "1576 '1782 ’ 1190' 1276 I I I I ' I I I 1890 ' 415 ' 504 ' H1467 '1755 ' 992' 1286 I I I I“ I I I £1900 ' 452 ' 240 : 528 "1565 '1619 ' 1287' 1540 I I I I I I I 1910 I 427 I 258 I 543 I '1552 '1467 I 1051I 1152 I I I II I I I The above table shows a general decline in population of these communities during a period of years. r1313MB adjacent towhships and villages indicate the same trend as that of Burns township and the village of Byron. b. The table was compiled from figures 1n the U. 8. Census reports. Juq .i. "on N.. "u 27 Village Incorporation: The village of Byron was incorporated April 1, 1875. The first election was held on the eighth day of tie same month, the following officers being elected: President ------------------------ Charles H. Lemon Recorder -------------------------- James Sleeth Assessor-- ----------------------- Jabez Close Marshal --------------------------- D. M. Tallman Trustees -------------------------- Chauncey Wells Wellman F. Close Orlando Lee A. B. Welch Adam Betterly Isaac Barnum Social Life Mrs. Della M. Tubbs of Howell, michigan formerly a Bstron'girl, in an article which she read at the occasion of 1337ron's Centennial Oct. 16th and 17th, 1925, spoke regarding t31‘1e Eagle Hotel and the social life of Byron as follows: "This building contained all the accessories that t3kle times required;__ a ball room for dancing and home talent shows. Once in a while a donation was held in this hall for the ministers whose contract included a donation ‘wwivth his salary. There was a large dining room on the first floor and a bar in the basement where men quenched their thirst..... 28 "0f the dances in the '70's and early '80's I have a fond recollection. They started in early and the musicians never stOpped playing until morning. at midnight a supper was served that would astonish the young peOple of today, and would certainly be called 'some feed'. Those were won- derful times. Long cold rides with horses and sleighs were enjoyed. The dances were money-musk, quadrilles, heel and toe polkas, Virginia reel, Scottische, ripple, and others. Not many waltzed in those days. Frank Roberts, violinist, a picola player, and an organist, and sometimes a dulcimer made the finest harmony in the torld. We fortunate ones, who took part in these pleasures, wonder if the 'fox trotterss get as much real fun out of dancing as we did. "There were many would-be Jeffersons, Barretts, Booths, Bernharts, and Jenny Linds in the casts of the home dramatics and no doubt if the authors could have been present they ‘Would have enjoyed the plots and acting, called it good work and not have recognized the play as anything they had ever heard of. " Rise of Neighborhoods The year 1856 marked the immigration of farmers into 1~711e township. They settled in more or less clusters forming the basis of at least three distinct neighborhoods at this t33Lme. Chaffee Neighborhood: The following families who <3Etme to Burns township located in the south central portion; --II I -»I ». 5 Ezra D. Barnes, Tioga County, New Xork, came to Burns in April 1856 and settled on Section 54. He brought a wife and two boys, one of whom was killed later by falling from a fence. In the spring of 1856 Dyer Rathburn with his wife and seven children reached the township and located in the S. E. quarter of Section 20. With the helpof Rufus, his eldest son, he built a cabin which was afterwards used as a tavern. hr. Rathburn brought two yoke of oxen and a span of horses with wagon, implements, and household goods. He mmed wheat that fall and planted corn the following spring. In March 1856 Robert Crawford came here and located mlthe south side of the river on section 15. Hr Crawford came from Oakland County, Michigan, moving there in 1826 from Canada. He moved to Canada from New York in 1820. As soon as his cabin was completed Joseph Leonard, his son-in-law, With.his wife came to the new home of their father. Her younger brother and sister came at the same time and the rest Of"the family came in June. The first knowledge any of the three above mentioned fanlidlies had of each other or the location of their homes was brtyuught about accidently. The Rathburn family heard a rooster CPOW one morning to the north and east of them. They knew there must be a white family living in t at direction and setting out to look them up, found the Crawford family com- f glutI’Iably located in their cabin. Probably before this incident °°r1 5. The geneaology of those pioneer families who have thetinued in the community to the persent time is given at (Blose of the topic. See page 44. ‘. . .4! "‘ ,«H .u' _-r- -._ Mr. Rathburn and his son, Rufus, were exploring on the west side of what is now Hanouse Lake. One motioned to the others to come around the lake and on meeting found Mr. Barnes. They were each just building their cabins at the time, and their meeting resulted in exchanging work in completing their homes. The first white child born in the township was Adelaide Crawford, the daughter of fir. and hrs. Robert Crawford, on Nov. 2, 1836. wallace Goodwin, who with F. J. Provost was trying to make a city of Byron deeded this child (in com- meration of the event) two lots which were later owned by Nicholas Gulick. she became the wife of Rev. Sprague, a Methodist minister, who later moved to Gnlesburg, Halamazoo County, Hichig n. The next settler was John Burgess who located on bhe south west quarter of Section 25. He brought a wife and daughter named Lauretta. after building a log house he sold to Capt. John Laurie, and then located on a part of the farm 110w owned by Jrs. Seward Chaffee. Mrs. Burgess died soon after and was buried on this farm. John B. Barnum, who in June, 1856, settled on the ffiw W. quarter of section 28, wrs probably the next settler. Be built a log house and after about a year and a half traded it to Wm. Baulch for part of the S. W. quarter of Section 26. The first farm located by Mr. Barnum was purchased by S. S. hiltsie in 1845. he had a wife and four children and I? a half brother known as ”Uncle Tommy." John u. Barnum died Feb. 5, 1865. His wife, Urena, died May 24, 1848. His second wife died in Feb. 1880. His son, Isaac S. Barnum, married Amelia, daughter of Robert Crawford. They lived on Section 26 near the sight of the old homestead. Peter nanouse came to Burns in the summer on 1836. He was a blacksmith and brought a kit of tools Tith him. He settled on the south line of Section 27 and was soon ready for business. His was the first blacksmith shOp in the town- ship. The next one Wns started at Byron by Joseph Layton. The blacksmith shopwas no doubt the first business enter- prise in this neighborhood which helped to develOp a neighborhood consciousness. Amos Foster located forth.acres in Section 22 in Ray 1836. Mr. Foster acted as guide to numerous land seekers who at that time began to flock into the township. He built a log cabin in which Wm. Ch ffee is supposed to have taught ‘the first school in the township in the winter of 1858-1839, ivhile Mr. and Mrs. Foster were absent on a trip to the East. In the summer of 1856 william Ch ffee located the Esouth half of Section 22. The first school6 in the township Vras built on this farm and was taught by William Chaffee. With the establishment of this institution which VVas known as the Chaffee School the boundaries of the 6. see Larly'Schools in.tre Township, page 77. 52 neighborhood tecame well fixed and the foundation was laid for educational and social groups. Out of this inter- dependence of neighbors we have the rise of what has always been known as the Chaffee neighborhood. The following family names whose families settled later and contributed to the building of this neighborhood are: Wiltsie, Foster, Barnum, wolcott, Eddy, Joslin, Arthur, Rorabacher, Steffey, and Swick. The social life will be discussed later in connection with the social life in the 7 neighborhoods. The Green's Corners Neighborhood: Thomas P. Green came in August, 1856 after a trip of twenty one days. Mr. Green was born in the state of Connecticutt in august 1805. The family moved to New York in 1807. On March 25, 1829 he married Ann Sprague who was born in New York May 7, 1807. On their way to Burns, he stopped in Livingston County there he met D. F. Rockwell, who located land in Burns on Sections 52 and 55. Of him, hr. Green bought one hundred acres. The Green Corners Church, which is still standing, was built on the corner of his farm. A school named in his honor is now located across from his farm in Livingston County. This no doubt was the second neighborhooh in the community. Mr. Green helped locate many of the first roads in the southern part of the county. The Indians called him "Che-Chemokeman" meaning "Big White Man." At this time it was necessary for him to go three miles beyond Brighton--- 7. See page 57. I i ' {bu .l "1 '. .A0 a. ‘....; .iu—c. ~A.. /) 4- a distance of thirty miles, to mill. The nearest post office was at Howell, fifteen miles away. at the first town meeting Mr. Green was elected Justice of the Peace, Assessor, and Commissioner of Highways. In politics he was Republican. Among the earlier settlers, Nicholas Braden who-came in 1836, should be included. He was born in Germany, lived in England then in New York. From there he came to Michigan. He bought the northwest quarter of Section 32, built a cabin, lived there for eighteen months, and shook with the ague the most of the time. One day while he was sick, an Indian came and sat down near the house. Mr. Braden, hearing the dogs bark, looked out of the window. The Indian said; "Sick?" Mr. Braden replied in the affirmative. "No squaW?", asked the Indian. Mr. Braden said that he had none. This, to the Indian, was an extreme misfortune, and he went away groaning in sympathy. The name of Peter Kanouse8 should be mentioned as one of the pioneers of this neighborhood, although he is mentioned as owning the first blacksmith shop in the Chaffee neighborhood. with the formation of school districts his land was located in the Green's Corners District, which factor no doubt caused the Knnouse family to form their neighborhood associations in the Green's Corners territory. H . Kanouse's shop served for both neighiorhoods due to the fact that it was located near the boundary between the two. 8. See page 52. ~ . . ._ l“. ~v~. u“. , '.‘ 34 No doubt it was through the influence of the families mentioned above that the Green's Corners neighbors came to have an interdependence which created this neighborhood. The church and the school which were established through the influence of these families were instituions around which the neighborhood consciousness deve10ped and carried on inter-relationships with other neighborhoods. Other families whose names should be mentioned as contributing to the neighborhood life are: Gulick, Rathburn, Watts, Wixom, and Fuller. North Ireland Neighborhood: The northern part of the township which was afterward called North Ireland, was first settled by Daniel Kitson, who was a shoemaker by trade. He located the S. E. quarter of section 11. The south west quarter of Section 11 was entered by Roger Haviland in 1838. Mr. Haviland was born in Londonberry, Ireland, Dec. 12, 1812. His brother, Bernard, was born in the same place Feb. 2, 1808. They were both apprenticed to a shoemaker and served seven years at the trade. They came to Philadelphia in Oct. 1833, from there they moved to Canada and remained two years. They came to'washtenaw County in April, 1836. In the fall they sold their farm there and came to Burns. Roger Haviland married Kiss Catherine Ferry from Connecticut Feb. 16, 1837. Her parents, both of whom were natives of Ireland, moved to michigan in 1832. Mr. and hrs. Haviland had no children of their own, but five orphan children have borne their name by adOption. 55 Mrs. Frank Sheldon and hrs. Robert Cummins were the two adopted daughters and are still living in the township.I Later Hr. Haviland had large business interests in Corunna, being president of the First National Bank of that place, and president of the Mutual Fire lnsurance company of Shiawassee County, The name "North Ireland" was given that section of the township due to the fact that so many of the early settlers were of Irish descent. The Kitsons, Hellmans, Runyans, Hunts, Cummins, McKinneys, O'Kiefs, McCaughnas, Shonts, Badgeros, HoDonalds are the families that comprised the group. Through the leadersnip of Mr. Haviland a school was built on his farm, he being the first member of the board of education. The school was the only institution in this neighborhood. It was through the school that social consciousness in a group manifested itself and determined the physical and social boundaries of the neighborhood. Neighborhoods of Later Date Thg_Knaggs Bridge Neighborhood: Although hhitmore Knaggs established a trading post in the N. W. part of the township as tarly as 1820::-0 the formation of a neighborhood came later. It was nearly twenty years afterward (when a dam was built which furnished water power for a grist mill and later a carding mill) that the neighborhood was formed. The school district was formed and a school was started at 9. District No. 1 see Earl School on e 10. See page 11. , ; y pag 78. OJ 0: at Knaggs' Bridge about 1840 (the records are not available to give the exact date.) A store and blacksmith shop were Opened soon afterward. The neighborhood as a distinct social group does not become evident until 1873 when the Grange organized here. No doubt the Grange and school were the important factors in integrating the forces which made this a distinct neighborhood. No one man or family appears to stand out as leaders in this section but the following families made up the neighborhood groups: Knaggs, Yanson, Gaylord,Cole, Gulick, Taylor, Davis, Burgess, Shields, hosts, and Martenus. Union Plains Neighborhood: The western part of the township known as Union Plains had a rather distinct group formed around the school and a cemetery association. There were only a few families in the Union Plains district which probably accounts for the few activities to show neighborhood life. The Coles, Drakes, Bakers, and Taylors were among the families who settled in that portion of the township. Other Neighborhoods: Outside of the township are neighborhoods which played an important part in the community. Those that should be mentioned are Deer Creek, Cohoctah, and 12 West Cohoctah. These centers lie in Livingston County along the south of Burns township. 11. See Farmer Organizations; page 67. 12. Map No. 4 in cover shows the location of these neighborhoods. 2121“ soon arm The neii ‘:=.:::e evident ‘ fsinbt the Gr 1: integrating isigntor‘nood . iii-Eiders in c I; the neighbor 3431‘: Taylor, Union 1 N Zenship known fixed around ' tare only a £0 Ero‘ably aoccu 4s, The Col Jade-‘3 who at Knaggs' Bridge about 1840 (the records are not available to give the exact date.) A store and blacksmith shop were Opened soon afterward. The neighborhood as a distinct social group does not become evident until 1875 when the Grange11 organized here. No doubt the Grange and school were the important factors in integrating the forces which made this a distinct neighborhood. No one man or family appears to stand out as leaders in this section but the following families made up the neighborhood groups: Knaggs, Yanson, Gaylord,Cole, Gulick, Taylor, Davis, Burgess, Shields, wests, and Martenus. Union Plains Neighborhood: The western part of the township known as Union Plains had a rather distinct group formed around the school and a cemetery association. There were only a few families in the Union Plains district which probably accounts for the few activities to show neighborhood life. The Coles, Drakes, Bakers, and Tailors were among the families who settled in that portion of the township. Other Neighborhoods: Outside of the township are neighborhoods which played an important part in the community. Those that should be mentioned are Deer Creek, Cohoctah, and 12 West Cohoctah. These centers lie in Livingston County along the south of Burns township. 11. See Farmer Organizations; page 67. 12. Map No. 4 in cover shows the location of these neighborhoods. ‘1'" "nt- ww] v.4- ,- 0" y.- 57 It is safe to conclude for this community that those neighborhoods which lie fartherst from the community center continue the longest and are most active. These are too far away to give up their local institutions. They have their churches and their schools which furnish their social contacts. {The appear to resent the idea of being a part of the larger group- - --the community . Social Life in the Neighborhoods Through conversation with older families in the Ineighborhhods, it has been learned that interesting activities 'took place in thewi district schools and homes in the pioneer (days. Among the earliest events :as that of helping a new .settler to erect his cabin. Sometimes the neighbors would laelp to hew the logs and then, when ready to be put into place :for the new home, families would often come together to build ‘the home. The neighbors were eager to learn from the new 'comers any news from the east. thnthe frame buildings were constructed later on, this social event became known as a :raising. Families came from miles around and put up the {frame of the new building. Tables were set in the yard and Ineals were served to a large company. A few husking bees were held during the fall. The corn was gathered in, and the young peOple met and husked corn until the red ear was found which happened occasionally in the corn raised at that time. If a girl found the ear sfz‘coy was 3: 3111: kiss setcld, the :1 cider we: ‘54 Pared an; We then 0 eéh boy was privileged to kiss her while if a boy found it he might kiss all the girls present. And occasionally, we are told, the same ear appeared more than once. Fried cakes and cider were usually served. After the corn was cleared away, all enjoyed the old time dances. Later the paring bees became popular when the peaches and apples were rerdy to be cared :Li'or. prying a the only way of preserving the fruit, and the young people met evenings and pared and cut the fruit into quarters or halves and strung then on strings ready to be hung on frames to dry. Maple sugar making was an important event in the Spring. ’iw’hen the syrup was ready to sugar-off many a social evening was spent by inviting in a few neighbors to eat warm Sugar. Spell-downs and debates were inter-neighborhood events. They were often held between the Chaffee and the Haviland districts. The river had a rather keen dividing influence S<>cierlly as well as physically. The Irish on the north usually gave way to the Chaffee neighbors in a spell down, but they refused to be defeated in ther debates which doubtless SOmetimes solved the undebatable questions such as: "Resolved that fire is more important than water," or "That woman was less important than man." The neighborhood boundaries were closely related to those of the school districts which no doubt played an important part in determining the size and groupings of those neighborhoods. Map No. 3 bears out this relation. The early life is well described in these further qcutations from Mrs. Tubb's article previously mentioned: MAP NO. 5 BURNS TOANSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS (IN COVER) 40 "Some of twe arts and crafts of the housewife of seventy and eighty years ago will not be understood by the young women of today, and perhaps some of the older ones will just remember. Before carding-mills were introduced the wool for yarn was prepared at home by hand. Women took the wool as it came from the sheep, washed, picked, and carded it into rolls and made it ready to spin. Nearly every family had the necessary equpment to do this work. It was a matter 0f no clothes if the women could not spin, knit, and weave. They spun the yarn for dresses, for cloth, and for all the family hosiery. They made the beautiful dates, woven in ‘plain and clear. PeOple are today to get one of these rnasterpieces of the pioneer weaver's art. Those who have :inherited them prize them highly. "There were no sewing machines. All garments for nien, children, and for the whole family were made by hand. I>iecing quilts of all kinds was an art as was braiding rugs Etnd sewing rags for carpets. Lovely samplers were made by J-ittle girls, with name and date in cross stitch. Much eimbroidery was done in white for bride's chests........... "Making soap was a topic of conversation but there vVests only one recipe. They set up a leach, placed a barrel ifiilled with ashes on a slanting platform with a wooden trough 1>fbetter roads, automobiles, consolidation of schools, and tie awakening :Lsse factor-s :czpetition b aiwmtages an 11:0 the lere warning of Lathe develw izstitutioys the contact , the awakening of community consciousness or were some of these factors the result of the decline? No doubt the competition between neighborhood social and educational advantages and the village institutions caused the merging into the larger organizations. Nevertheless we find the akenening of the community consciousness which shows itself in the develOpment of business, social, and educational institutions; the automobile and good roads made possible wide contacts, and more frequent communication between the towns peOple and the neighborhoods. Thus the town area established a new town-country relationship. With the consolidation of schools13 in 1922, the Chaffee and North Ireland neighborhoods lost their last and only institution which held them intact as groups. The Greenis Corners Church has been closed for five years, and at present the School Board has decided to close its school and to transport their children to the Byron school. There is no longer an institution in this neighborhood around which the social life centers. Knaggs' Bridge still has its grange and school. The smcial life in the Grange has a wider interest than the neigh- borhood, drawing its membership from over the greater part of the community and adjoining communities. The only remaining social group that might be identified as such is found here. This neighborhood is located between the communities of Bancroftl4 and Byron which in part accounts for its continued existence. The one room school continues to function: the high school students come to Byron, while 13. See page 81? 44 the trading and community social life is divided between Bancroft and Byron. Of the many neighborhoods mentioned thus far Knaggs' Bridge is perhaps the only one the younger people could name should they be asked. The neighborhoods on the south, Deer Creek, Cohoctah, and west Cohoctah each have their one room school and church. The churches are perhaps the stronger factors in preserving these as neighborhoods. Part of the pupils after passing the eighth grade come to Byron or go elsewhere for high school. West Cohoctah sends very few pupils away to high school. In our study of the various areas as shown on Map No. 6 it will be seen that the churches in Byron are still on a neighborhood basis; their areas are small, and their membership and influence do not reach over the community area represented by school and trade. This accounts in part for the lack of interest, and partly explains why the church has not been a strong factor in community building. The leadership in the neighborhoods has now become a part of the leadership in the larger community life as we shall see in the study of the pioneer families that have been continuous in the community. Pioneer Families Continuous in the Community The early settlers with themi descendents, carried the responsibility of organization and handed to the present generation the institutions of our community. Our religious, v a ."(H . Y‘ . :3 :TEleb a" ganwoft and E :seas neig :12 eighth 5r atCohoctah In on Tia. 6 it will 3:2 neigh‘m: :ertership a: area repress far the lac}: as not been Sam ~ r 11311311 I 5‘ Istw 44 the trading and community social life is divided between Bancroft and Byron. Of the many neighborhoods mentioned thus far Knaggs' Bridge is perhaps the only one the younger people could name should they be asked. The neighborhoods on the south, Deer Creek, Cohoctah, and west Cohoctah each have their one room school and church. The churches are perhaps the stronger factors in preserving these as neighborhoods. Part of the pupils after passing the eighth grade come to Byron or go elsewhere for high school. West Cohoctah sends very few pupils away to high school.‘ In our study of the various areas as shown on Map No. 6 it will be seen that the churches in Byron are still on a neighborhood basis; their areas are small, and their membership and influence do not reach over the community area represented by school and trade. This accounts in part for the lack of interest, and partly explains why the church has not been a strong factor in community building. The leadership in the neighborhoods has now become a part of the leadership in the larger community life as we shall see in the study of the pioneer families that have been continuous in the community. Pioneer Families Continuous in the Community The early settlers with themi descendents, carried the responsibility of organization and handed to the present generation the institutions of our community. Our religious, '45 fraternal, educational, and civic groups have their foun- dations in, and have been largely Sponsored by the third and fourth generation families. A study of the first five families who settled and remained here shows their active participation in social life. Many of their contributions will be overlooked but those listed below will suffice to show the tendency. Of the many who have been born and reared here, only those who spent their lives in this communiy will be mentioned. H 15 Barnes Family (Chaffee Neighborhood) First Generation: Ezra D. Barnes and family A successful farmer Grower of short horn cattle Grower of choice fruits Manufacturer of prize cheese Organizer of Shiawassee County Fair President of Fair Association Helped to organize Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Shiawassee County, held office in same Member of I. O. O. F., officer in same Member and builder of Presbyterain Church Father of 17 childred; 10 boys, and 7 girls lb. See Map No III-Neighborhoods. In cover. :econd Genera: 1. 0:32 ’17 [1.) 46 Second Generation: 1. 5. Omar Barnes and family Cleared large farm near old home Successful farmer Officer in I. O. O. F. Held various township offices Taught school several years Father of two\ boys L. W. Barnes and family A successful farmer Stock grower of pure bred hogs and sheep Director of Central Michigan Fair and Rich. State Fair Member of Board of Education Member of Maccabees Officer of F. and A. M., and of Eastern Star Listed in "Men of Michigan" as agriculturist and breeder of improved live stock . Father on nine children Living in Byron at present time. Oscar Barnes and family Partner on farm with L. W., his brother (Their farm was rated as third best in t!e state) Charter member of Maccabees Stock breeder Successful farmer Father of two boys ‘L 9‘ f ‘14 47 4. Ira Barnes General farmer Financially well-to-do Member of I. o. o. F. No children 5. Frank Barnes Business man of Howell for a time Farmed near Fowlerville for a time Came back to homestead and remodeled farm buildings Stock f rmer Officer of F. and A. M. Member of O. E. S. School officer Father of four boys Third generation: Three of the sons, Earl, Alfred, and ailan, and L: 33-. Barnes until recently have been farmers in the community and-Ineive taken an active part in social affairs. Three of the sons of Frank Barnes, Millard, Oscar, andRaphael are now living on and working the original land taterl 'up by their grandf ther. They are very good farmers and 5115e taking an active part in community life. Oscar is the pI-‘esent supervisor of the township. They are members of tile, church, belong to the F. and A. M., and to the o. E. S" and are considered leaders in the community groups to Wh1 ch «‘1 _ . ... «L. r- -' they belong. Their children are attending the Byron L1 "r‘. (.1 Scfliool and promise another strong Barnes generation for the Byron community . Braden Family (Green's Corners Neighborhood) First Generation: 1. Nicholas Braden and f mily Born in Germany 1808 Settled in Burns 1856 A staunch Methodist Successful farmer Owned 600 acres of land Father of five children hrs. Braden was instrumental in organizing a class which later resulted in a Methodist Church at Green's Corners Se cond Generation: 1. Luther L. Braden Born in 1848 Officer of F. and A. M. Good business man Improved the original farm 2. Franklin Braden Born in 1851 Owned part of original farm A successful farmer 48 49 Third Generation: 1. Guy Braden, son of Luther Born 1875 Built Green's Corners M. F. Church Deacon in h. E. Church Faster of F. and A. M. No. 80, Byron for 7 yrs. Supervisor of Burns township five years Treasurer Supt.of Sunday School 2. Carl Braden, son of Luther Born 1880 Mason ond offider of order Good farmer Living here has business at Flint 0. Clifton Braden, son of Franklin A successful farmer, and living on original farm 4. Mildred, daughter of Franklin A successful farmer's wife now lining in the community Fourth Generat ion: There are eight childred of the fourth generation rUbwliving in the community. Some have graduated, one is teaching, others are in school. £ . t‘ '7' “A. :1 Chaffee Family (Chaffee Neighborhood) First Generation: 1. William Chaffee Settled in Burns 1856 School located on his farm Taught first school in township Treasurer of township in lS42-‘44 Justice of Peace one year School farmer Féther of four children-~one boy, three girls Second Generation: 1. Seward Chaffee Born in 1848 Successful farmer on father's farm Pure bred StOCK man Charter member of haccabees and woodmen Built, owned and operated Byron Elevator Taught school Father of six children Third Generation: 1. David Chaffee Successful farmer Living now in Detroit Mrs~ Seward Chaffee is still living with her daughter on the farm. Although there are eleven great guuxnd children in or near Byron, the Uhaffee name dies with tflxis generation, but will live in the hearts of those who vxxre a part of the Chaffee neighborhood. Barnum Faxily (Chaffee l"‘eigghborhood) First Generation: 1. John B. Barnum Born in 1798 Settled a large farm in Burns in 1856 Buccessful farmer Father of four children S econd Generation: 1. Ella Barnum married L. W. Barnes Worked the farm ten years Now living in Byron Active worker in community Member of several organizations Mother of nine children Tunird; Generation: 1. Alfred Barnes Farmed the old homestead for a few years Raised family ofi children and is now living in Flint Kanouse Family (Green's Corners Neighborhood) Fixsst Generation: 1. Peter Nanouse Born in New Jersey 1790 Settled in Burns in 1856 First blacksmith in township Commissioner of Hiohways 1859 Father of four children Second Generation: (Y) o 3. Jacob Kanouse Born in 1840 harried 1840--first wedding in township (double'weddinb) Founder of Baptist Church in Byron Deacon of Probate 1876-'76 Good farmer Edmond nanouse Born 1810 Good farmer Active in busines rather of four children Peter nanouse Born 1822 Farmer on the old farm Father of four children 52 Thi rd G enera t i on: 1. Luther, son of Jacob Kanouse Good farmer Active in G~. A. B. One of the last commissioned officers in Custer Brigade' Representative one term, 1901 Master of F. and a. M. Lodge Name appears in book, "Men of Michigan" Winifred, son of Peter hanouse harried and lived in Wisconsin for a time Now living on a farm in the neighborhood Philip, son of Peter Good farmer and citizen of community Not married Sarah, daughter of Peter Graduate of University of Richigan Successful teacher Now keeping house for Winifred and Philip on farm Irving Lewis, son of Edmond A good famer and citizen Living on the old homestead Never married Fourth Generation: 1. Birney, son of Luther An active farmer Has held township offices Master of F. and A. M. Fifth Generation: 1. Marvin, son of Birney Now living in Lansing This completes a brief and incomplete outline of some of the pioneer families with thdr: descendents who were born, reared, and died in the community, or are still living and contributing to the welfare of the community. In contrast to these families, with their contributions, two other pioneer families should be mentioned. They took up small farms, worked as little as possible, and have been Opposed to all progressive enterprises. Their meager standards were satisfied by fishing, hunting, and trapping. Their names do not appear on the township records as holding any offices. No organization claims their membership, no name is found on the records as having graduated from high school. They continually caused trouble to their neighbors and a number of their names appeared on police records. They Opposed PP°8r9331V9 movements 6? the past and stood solid against the consolidation of schools. More than once have their families received public aid from the township or 54 55 local organizations. Their children and grand children have given more or less trouble among others of their age group. Such is the general outline of the history of non-participating families in the community. This chapter tries to show that through the history of the stable families, the foundations have been laid for an organized progressive social life and through active participation, whether forcedoor voluntary, the individuals and families have found themselves as cOOperative members of a greater group, building and gnawing together towards something better. They have made mistakes but these should only be used as stepping stones by those who have taken up the work and not charged against them, for the present generation may be found very imperfect when it comes to be Viewed from the distant future. 15. By forced participation is meant those economic 8~Ilc1 political activities in which each person had to c00perate 111 order to make a successful administrative body. c; 0) PART II History of the Organizations The purpose of studying the organizations is to cietermine the tendencies, to see if there is a social tnalance of organizations for the community, and to find the rueeds and direction for social expansion. A study has been nuade of all the formally organized groups tlat have, or have tuad officers. The types found are religious, social, fraternal, Enzonomic, educational, civic, and junior groups. Th3 Life History of Organizations: The life history (Df‘ the organizations is shown in the following diagrams. {Thus bar graph on the next page shows the beginning of the sGeperate organizations, and how some have merged into others; 53b also shows those that are inactive, and the present existing OI‘ganized groups . a The second graph, Figure No. 2 illustrates the membership change during its history. It indicates that tlre older organizations have the greater number of members. Religious Groups Christian CEEEEE‘ The first organized society in the ‘30nmmnity was that of the Christian Church. During the years 14338-‘59 several families living in Burns and Argentine held I‘eligious meetings conducted by william Cummings, an ordained a. Figure No. 2 in cover. _ _ _ . . - _ . _ . _ _ n . m m . _ _ _ . . I m . _ m u _ m n . _ _ n _ _ m I I h “I“ o m o. e m h o o b - I h u . I. a .v o I +Iw » . .m I o. "I.“ . +Iuo o t I..- I. oIIoIq I I I I . U . I I _ I I _ u _ I _ I _ I I I _ . I _ I _ _ _ I I 4, a .0 — I 6.- I-“ h I o I o a II I “II r L. II_1I-I. o -I o.I III. I... I III I Y. .+ I _I I I I IIII 6- IIII.I a. III+II I4! ... oI » "I I» .+ I _F +- .q fII _ . . I I _ _ _ I I I a I _ _ . A. _ I n _ _ _ _ I I _ _ _ I _ I _ u _ _ _ n _ _ _ I I _ I _ _ H - I- .-.-p... .. I. o I “I I.. 'l o. In I 4 LII a - o I +I v I. o I L. .I I0. II. .I I O .-I I I I . IIO . 0 .II I! III all I I4 II o . ..I q I I I . _ _ . . u m n _ n a m m I I . . . m U m _ n I “ _ u v I I I . I . _ I ._ w h I.” ...I .OIIAI 4 I .w I d. I. ~ I» . .— I A I O.I I“ + ”I lfiIIII» ..I. L ¥v I WI I I. I .I .4. II _r. I .r IoI 5+ r b I oIIIJv- IIIIIt_ I“. I + _ . . I . _ . . I . u _ . m U . n _ _ . . I _ I _ _ a _ _ I n _ .. _. I; .-. t. I; I I _I-I II- I -I III-4--.. .-.--fiI--I--.-+-I-I II I I _ . . ._ w . m . - . + . I 1 IL. I +-.- TII+ II..- I+IIL IITIIIrIIIIIILI .- T _WI . T i. ”I . a, III.L III. ..- HI ._ . _ - . m u . I I I ... _ I _ I . _ F I I I . I . _ h m. +.I . -. .I * ..I . . . w ..- h w w + h . I Ir III. II A PI I .hIIJ I. h . L ..IF I. IPI IJbI . .-- I. . T-.-” . _ . . I m A . . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _I.__ .. IIIII I I III. j _ _. " _II«I| oI. II p I.. ... I. . . I .IIII- II_I -l. .0... III? m b h «I ¢ IVI. I...I.4 o I . o o I.__. ”IIMIIIIIM I ._:_a.II _I _II_ -I--rI II-.. - - _- u - E- f. b, III + I r L I. . I. a — . ..I-.-I.e.I.r.....LII.r ..--r i--- .r---LII-II|.IrI..+-I-I --I-IIIi. . II I I _I I . _ . a _ _ . . _ H I I h I I I n _ I I I I A I I _ . _ _ . . _ _ _ . _ l _ . . _ . . _4- + - I...-.. I "I. . -+I-.r..--. I ...IIrI-Ttrilw w r wl m fl . .. n a. I I. .I + 4III .--I._ I4- . .. IHI~ H _ u I . _ I . . I m I u _ . _ I . I I u _ _ I . .v w H III r- IIII - h h I o » II+ I - +| — I F I- 4. I u h I I.* I. h M I» .m- bd .m- I” -0- IILI r a . O“ .9 I II d I II I w I I fl I fl * _ . _ . n . _ . H n I . m _ _ _ _ . _ _ . . _ u _ _ _ _ _ _ . . _ _ . . _ _ .fi I u I o I I I 5 I ”I lwIIIIIo . I 6 I WI IL I 0.: .mll- ”II t. I4 III.+.I llfiI a 3m I I .II_ +.II 1 II: 1 O .I I“ I I II_-I _ - LI . rII- Ink- I JII _HII M-I O. I M II a . rI M . q _ . _ _ . . _ . . . m _ . . .I . . _ _ _ . . _ u _ . _ _ . _ _ L 4 m #I I w - w IIFI. I r I . I M I h +.. L_I + Ilo- I . I". I I h . . a ..I- w I .— h_.II+III.I oII.r II III+I IgT I o H if A II WI - .4 -I 4| ” .I .. I I . 47 fl . U I I _ _ ._ _ . _ I I _ I I I _ _ I _ _ I I I _ _ _ . . . . . _ . . . _ :III.MI I» 4II. «I ..0 II. n ”I ....I I 4 Ilw I + - wI MI-- I+III h. w w. I“ II _ >II L .II. II. I I I. “I I I - J. I I a- I .wI II ”I IIJIII a IIJ.IIIo . I- I 9 II“ I .* I H m u . u . m H _ . n _ _ H u _ _ _ . _ . _ _ _ _ I _ _ I . . _ II. b p ... fL. » - T- III-“I +_-l-w.I-I_rI+ -- .I.I¢ ..... +--I..-.I¢ fl n _r-II--I.L - .7- m In III-III I. q MI. :1. mr I» If-“ .u . m . m H — m . . w . _ u _ _ _ . _ _ A w o O I h k I. .— I II» M I h + II b II A I h. > MI I? L. k T I+ I ILI .9 l v I f I I4 I A . IIL L I i I + +I I I O I h I 0“ I w I w k I — 4 _. I u I III. II . w ”I _ fl "I +Ilwbll+ I+IIIhIIIIH .+ .I JPI P H1 ._- I+I k. I I. .0 II. I“ w II HI” -l o n I. ...O “I” H i MI. W. . . I u I . _ n _ . _ . . _ _ u . _ I . m w I“ # Ib III- a H w o— m . IT b bI hI + Im II . o. m - I h I * 4 . r I. ~ a v . . I A w a m t w o _ I I m I _ I _ I _ I _ _ I _ _ n _ _ _ I _ I I I _ I _ I . . _ m . _ . . . . II III III IIIII II I I I .I I I . o I .Y L a I A . w I I; _- I.III....-.--III.I.I.-I- II; III _ II _ I II I I _ _ _I II _ m . . _ . _ h. Lb—I W V ._ .II VI... I- . h Ar .5 I..- o In... H. _.h h. Fl 0 u I-_H“._ INIIMiII IIl_ nI. __fl. __ “III" __ m _ _ I m _ _ hf _ , _ I I I . I a . _ I I i m I I I n ..IJeIrL-I -.I . i..; I ..--.-w- -.. m-i .. I a i I .-..-H a m _ .— U _ m _ _ n _ I I _ __ u _ _ _ . m _ I _ _ I u -l .- i.. .I . h-” .I awn-1:7. .III4I. “II. ........n... I I ..I . 4 . II l a _ I _ I _ I I I I I I I I I _ I I M l _ _ _. _ n _ I . I _ . h r _ I - I IIILIIr .IL LIIL... I.— I- LV 1 h I. w -h -+ e . - I. L . I. . . - . h . h _ . - . . Ir I H I I I . I T m I I I . I l I I _ w _ I I _ I M I I o . fi MII. .6_I — ”III ..fi —_ M .w .I “III.“ .a m-I L .fl I 4 h L. I. — 4 n J . g I u _ _ _ I I I I _ I _ _ l _ _ _ I I I _ I I I _ _ I I ~.b I. .r. I. bII+ IIIb L I I— II IL .W .7 I...+I lh IfiIk I“ b A. * 4 Ar II_4I —I w I. “IHI . I I ¢ _ II. .-: ____I__I __ _III: ._ II... M... I ”It“; --.: I..- VIII I IHWIMM # ~ ‘ I. \ \ . I . I .- . . a -\ ‘9‘ \‘ N ‘- “‘ . ~ ‘_ - ‘ \ ‘ .. \_\ \\ 8“ \k \ I ___—o I I I I l I I —c I _‘—-O-—.— _ I... _._ ‘ \\ .\ \ I \‘K “—_. I ‘ 0-- " o- “. ~‘ \‘ ‘ N s t n I v. II a « _ I . .II- . . . I II I , . I I .l . I. I I.. . II II . fir... .- I ..II .11... . --I -.4. I . . I I I6 .I . . . I I. . I, . . . a .4 I I .— o ... . o c .c! _ o I II J . I .- g‘ w .I. lat...- .. I I . I ......V... I , I «i. 1.1 fins. . I. w... 1 a bi . .I la . .G‘ a 9!” - I . . . . I. . . .. .V‘o- m. .I. I L - II I ..I . .-. -. .. I . .. I... ' ~ 0, ’l q w u. ... r ‘ A...“ I‘WIJI. ... m . E» c A v . I H ‘III I“.— \ I .II“ I \l - ”f I. IuI_ ~ . Il . I I . .. v . \ .0. r\ . l - . u d I m .I ..w . . o. I _l > I I qI"hIéI . any. 3 w; ~ P ,7. M I *- Q). .5 I T . _ I F .I + \ I _b .I h I F I». T E I - I , U III-III , III-II IITIIII I . w a I _ I , th b .I .4- k . H I I I a _ - 7 _ . I I -_4, f_ I %—- I I- - IH—I I— ‘ I i -¥~—— r——I - I- urz: u I I I >-~—-~>»— - . III. I II _II I I7 'TJ igurelh PART II Life History and hembership of Organizations to Present Time (In Cover) 57 58 adjaister. These families had been connected with this duarch in New York before coming to hichigan. A house of worship was built in lB42-‘45 in the village of Byron. The growth of tae organization was gradual until one of its members joined a secret order in 1849, and the society, having previously voted to ordain him as a minister, then refused, and in consequence, several of the prominent members withdrew. The society gradually declined and after that time the Methosist Episc0pal organization occupied the building which had been luilt by the society of Christians. Methodist EpiscOpal Church: Although the Byron circuit was not organized until 1855 it is probable that meetings were held quite early. In 1856, Rev. Bashington Jackson made a circuit of t e settlements in the vicinity and organized the bhiawassee Missions, which embraced the Flint River District. The circuit included an area extending from Fenton on the East, to Rochester Colony on the west, and to Ann Arbor on the south making a circuit of one hundred miles to be traveled once in four weeks. In 1898 a new stone building was erected in Byron which is in good condition at present and is occupied by the same organizations. Shortly after the organization of the church was completed, the M. E. Ladies Aid was organized. At first there was no definite plan of membership but every lady who became a member of the church was considered a member of the Aid. At present the organization is very strong 59 with the membership made up af all the ladies of the mnnmunity who are interested in the church, whether members or not, unless affiliated with some other denomination. A large part of the financial support of the church is assumed by this organization, the money being raised largely from sales, suppers, fairs, etc. Presbyterian Church: The first Presbyterian Church was organized in the village of Byron by Rev. Seth Hardy, June 24, 1845, at which time the following persons desired to be organized as a church: Joseph mendell, Eliza Wendell, Phoebe w. Wendell, Nancy h'athaway, Peter Kanouse, G. B. Bunyan and wife, Samuel Lovejoy, Mary B. Lovejoy, Emily Kelsey, Sarah C. Kanouse, Joseph Royce, and Sally Royce. The first motion made after completing the organization was to the effect that the members should neither use nor traffic in intoxicating liquors which was unanimously arried. The meetings were held in the school house of the village until the church was built at a cost of two thousand dollars. It was dedicated in 1859. In 1879 the society had thirty eight members. Later the organization declined and in 1898 the building was sold, to be used as an Opera house. It burned in 1910. Baptist Church o£_By£g§: On Oct. 6, 1866 the friends and supporters of the Baptist faith met at Green‘s Corners school house. The following peeple were present: Jacob 60 Kanouse, Henry Wiltsie, Label Kanouse, Lorilla Kanouse, Lliza Sheldon, Elder hm. hhite, and T. H. Shelton. The meeting resulted in the organization of the "Religious Association to be known as the Baptist Conference of Burns and Cohoctah.? A church was built at Green's Corners. The association formed at this time was the beginning of the presant Baptist Church of Byron. August 31, 1872, at a meeting it was resolved: "to build a place of worship the coming fall." The site of the present Baptist Church was chosen and the edifice was completed at a cost of $5000 and was dedicated Nov. 30, 1875. In 1979 the church had a membership of ninety. At present the Methodist and Baptist organizations are the only religious groups having buildings in the village, although a holiness organization holds monthly meetings in the village homes and protracted tent revivals during the summer. The church attendance which is made up of about one half farm people varies somewhat depending on the leadership. When ministers change there is a change in attendance. The church that has the more active participating program has the larger attendance. The stronger leadership draws the larger congregation. To one who is studying the over- churched situation, competition is very noticable between the churches. . C. T. U. and Red Cross: The Women's Christian .4 I «A Temperance Union was first organized in Byron between the 61 years of 1900 and 1905. During the Local Option and Prohibition Campaign, work was accomplished in securing speakers and making drives for funds. The organization did not increase in membership, and ceased to function at the beginning of the world War when the Red Cross became strong in.membership and activity. All effort of the women were turned to the Red Cross work. Soon after the war, the local meetings of the Red Cross were discontinued. In 1926 the W. C. T. U. was organized with twenty members, increasing to thirty five during the next year. Due to lack of interest and leadership, on motion of Mrs. Charles Schweikert the group disbanded in July 1928. woman's Home Missionary Society: The Woman's Home Missionary Society was organized under the auspices of the M. E. Church in 1914 with an initial membership of eleven. In 1919 its membership reached a total of thirty four. Since then its membership has gradually decreased, numbering eighteen at present. The work of this organization has been directed toward raising funds to support the aork of home missions. meetings are held monthly in the homes of the members. King's Daughters: The Senior Circle of King's Daughters was organized in 1917 at the home of Mrs. Mary Fox by hrs. Ferguson of Vernon. Its purpose is philanthrOpic in nature, contributing to the local needs of the community. Through banquets, suppers, etc. the organization has raised money to purchase a piano, chairs, and other equipment for the Community Hall. Giving flowers to the sick, food and clothing to the poor, and fitting up homes of those who have lost their personal goods through fires, sewing for hospitals, and donations to the Dorcas Home for children constitute a part of the work of the organization. In 1924 it had a membership of ninety four, the largest in its history. At present the Circle has eighty five members. Fraternal Groups 1 Byron Lodge H2. $8 I. O. Q. E: A diSpensation was granted by the Most Worthy Grand Master, Benjamine Follett, on July 2, 1849 to B. W. Dennis, F. J. Provost, George C. Homes, Isaac R. Middlesworth, C. C. Mills, W. W. wixom, J. 8. Curtis, James Botsford, Wm. S. Joslin, and J. M. Van Alstine and on August 9th following, District Deputy Grand hast r Charles D. Little assisted by the worthy Grand Marshall George H. Hazelton instituted "Byron Lodge No. 45, I. O. O. F. The following were the first officers: Francis J. Provost, Noble Grand; J. M. Van Alstine, treasurer; three candidates were initiated the same evening making a membership of thirteen. During its existence the Lodge initaited about four Ihundred candidates. In 1880 the membership numbered eighty one in good standing who ranked among the best citizens of 1. History of Shiawassee and’Clinton Counties, page 207. 65 the community. The Lodge owned the building which cost $5000. Byron Encampment No. 15, I. 0. 0. F. was instituted at Byron June 9, 1864. The following were charter members; B. h. Dennis, C. H. Lemon, Prank harres, A. Crippen, Mathias Cummins, Henry CrOOp, and A. H. Clark. After the year 1880 the I. 0. 0. F. organization gradually declined due to competition with the Masonic order, which grew rapidly at the time, and in 1890 gave up its charter. BZEEE.L2§§§.N2f 89, E. 329.33 E. On January 10, 1856 a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan authorizing the organization of Byron Lodge No. 80, F. and A. M. In 1890 the Lodge had a membership of fifty six. It owned its hall which was well furnished. The officers were: Theodore Euler, w. M.; Orlando Lee, S. w.; Robert Fox, J. W. ; George Cosgrove, Secretary. Due to efficient leadership the Masonic Order grew rapidly from 1879 for a jperiod of ten years, absorbing the strength from I. 0. 0. F. organization. From 1890 the Masonic order has had a gradual .growth until, at present, its membership numbers over two hundred . Eastern Stars; The Eastern Stars were organized in 1897 as an auxiliary to the Masons. The organization had 21 steady growth and an increasing membership until recently vflnen.a decline in the membership caused by drOpping the runnes of members who had moved away and ceased paying dues. PeOple seem to enjoy formality. This characteristic is rather apparent in all their social activities and is the only way in which we can explain the growth of the organization. The order sends flowers to its sick members, serves suppers on special occasions and occasionally gives a party. Maccabees: The organization of haccabees claimed the greatest membership in the community. It was organized in 1891 with a membership of fourteen and increased rapidly until 1910 when it had a total membership of 895. The dues were then increased by the state organization and from that time on the membership has rapidly decreased, until at present there are only twenty, most of whom are charter members. Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors: The Modern woodman was organized in Byron in 1894 with a membership of sixteen. Meetings were held quite regularly until 1910 but there was no great increase in membership. At present there are twenty two members but local meetings are not held. The wives of the members of modern woodman organized the auxiliary, Royal Neighbors, which, until recently, met once a month at the homes of members. Civic Groups Th2_Byron Blues, Post, and_fi, R. 9, At the outbreak of‘tflae Civil War there was organized in Byron a company which ‘waszggiven the name of the "Byron Blues." There were about 65 one hundred and fifty men who were member , most of whom engaged in the war. In 1870 about ninety Civil War Veterans organized the B. A. R. Post. This group took an active part in special day celebrations. Sham battles were fought on the 4th of July, and Decoration Day Programs were made a great event in the community. The Post naturally had to pass out of existence by the death of its embers and the organization was discontinued after 1888. Of the ninety members, James Goff, now living in Florida, is the only one surviving. The W. R. C. was organized in 1887 under the name of the Woman's Veteran Relief Union by Mrs. James Goff who had been previously sent to Cleveland to be initiated, and to learn the work. Later the name was changed to Woman's Relief Corps. The first officers of this organization were; Mrs. James Goffe ------- President Mrs. Marion Tower ------ Vice Pres. hrs. Minnie Telling---—Treasurer Celia Gibbs ------------ Chaplian Jane Savage ------------ Conductress Mary Shonts ------------ Secretary Nellie Shonts ---------- Outside Guard Mrs. Rust -------------- Inside Guard A1 first the Corps had only twenty members but increased to seventy four the first year and in 1897 the total membership had reached 150. At present there are fifty members. hrs. Jennie welch of the village who held the 66 cxffice of president for twenty one years, is the only living charter memger . The W. R. C. organization has been responsible for (marrying on the work of the Post, and to the present time tune Decoration Day PrOgram, under their supervision, makes tflae day a home-coming to the older citizens of the community. Byron Improvement Association: An organization grew cnat of the effort on the part of the business men of the town tca'maintain a program which would draw trade to the village. Itt first they organized for the purpose of financing a Cliautauqua . The Chautauqua was held each summer for five (DI‘ six years. with the coming of good roads and the auto- mobile the men discontinued the chautauqua, and. put on free IHCJVing picture shows each Saturday evening during the summer mOinths, which owing to lack of interest were discontinued éiifter 1922. In 1924, after the completion of the Community Hall, title group re-organized as the Byron Improvement Association VVllich undertook some definite work in organizing town teams in basket ball, base ball, and indoor base ball. The aEssociation, in cooperation with the school, hired a band W1"lich played evenings on the street during the summer. The Byron Improvement Association deserves credit fVDr helping to get young peOple to eXpress themselves in (DIWganized groups of athletics. The value of such activity cEUn be measured only when one sees its influence in decreas- it“; the number of public dances, pool-hall patrons, and other 67 questionable group and gang activities in the community. ‘Hith.the uniting of the Improvement Association with the Community Council, which will be discussed in Part IV, a definite program for the community will be made possible. Farmer Organizations Grgngg: The next definitely organized group to ap- IQear in the community was the Grange, which was organized ad: Knagg's Bridge in 1875 with twelve members. Although through financial losses due to economic irrvestments of the organizations the interest was checked temnporarily, it has been the only farm organization that kuas continued a steady growth and held the farmer's interest. T2113 no doubt is due to the type of program which makes each Irlember feel that he is a part of the organization. Shbrtly, Etfter the Grange was organized the members built a hall which 155 used for monthly meetings, dinners, all day programs, and the Junior organization. At present the Grange has a membership of 130. Mrs. A. Reevers now past 90 years of age is the only living charter nmnnber of the order. Farm Bureau: During the world War, as a result of a Darm Bureau drive, a large number of local farmers joined the organization. At the colse of the war, because of economic lOsses, most of the farmers let their membership drOp. At PPesent the Farm Bureau has eighteen members in the community. 68 A few of the members are only interested in so far as they act as middle men in handling goods and insurance for the organization. Xhen a comparison is made between the Grange and Farm £3ureau in this community, one is led to believe that the xarimary group is the unit of successful organization, and tflaat the group, to be successful economically, must have for (Jontinued existence an expressive social program in which tflae local members take the initiative. Byron Shipping Association: Between 1915 and 1916 tune local farmers organized a shipping association for selling Zlive stock. The organization existed about three years, but tflarough poor management and growing competition with individual tnxyers the farmers interests were broken up and they disbanded. Educational Groups Parent Teacher's association: The Parent Teacher's Aassociation was organized in 1922 under the leadership of Superintendent w. 1). wallace. Meetings are held monthly C11Llring the school year with the exception of Beptember and J1line. The program of the organization is largely entertain- 1.“exit, with occasional discussions. Through the Parent- Teacher relation a spirit of understanding has been created Which tends to iron out difficulties that may arise. The I’l'l-embership has decreased during the past year or two due to 69 carelessness in collecting dues but the average attendance is around one hundred. Home talent plays under the direction of the P. T. It. have not only been successful in themselves but give an Oppmmmunity for GXpression; fine entertainments which were gnatronized and financially successful have become a part of tflie community program. from the receipts an initial student ihxnd has been created which may be used by students who wish tc> go on to college.. Art Club: The Art Club has a membership of twenty wcnnen. It was organized in 1901 by Mrs. Ezra Cross, wife of‘ the M. E. minister, at the home of Lettie Iolfin Nichols. Thxe purpose of this organization is to study art in the home. Thzrough the Art Club and School, exhibits have been held in thfi? community hall, which have had a part in creating wants f0? the better things in life. High School Alumni Association: The High 80hbo1 Alunlni assoc ition was organized by Euperintendent Crawford in 1.915. The organization meets once a year in the Town Hall for a banquet, and to renew memories of high school days. It has no other function. Junior Organizations: The Junior Circle of King's Daughters is made up of girls of.high school age. Their ‘work is msde similar to that of the Seniors except that l U 'they'look after the rants «nd needs of children and those of‘their own age. Each ye:r they plan to send one or more girds to some lake where they enjoy an outing at the State 5 \‘J (Camp for ‘ueek, which is conducted under the auspices of tflie King's hgughters of the state. at present the organization ldas about fifteen members. As one studies the life history of the organizations out thirty, it is hOped that some of the needs of the chil- dren.will be met through these group activities. however, OD£3 important question still confronts the community: What earl we do in the way of organization for the hoys from sixteen to ‘twenty years of age? 2 The following map shows the organizations represented on‘each.farm in the community having children in school. The symbols represent the organizations (as indicated in the legend) of which the families on the farms are members. Farms without symbols are either Vacant or the family living on the farm belongs to no organization, or they have no children in school. 2. hee Map No. 4 in cover. LEIXP NO 0 4 0 EGAN I LAT I ON 5. IN C OliliUN I TY (in Cover) '71 72 A study of Lap No. 4 shows an interesting tendency. Tile farmers in the Chaffee neighborhoodd have amilies who tnalong to r considerable number of organisations. in con- nxsction with this fact most of the pioneer families who snare leaders in neighborhood and community life settled there 811d are still living in that section. The map shows that tile influence of those pioneers still exists and is a con- tnributing factor toward community development. Group Interest: There is a continual shifting of iiiterest from one generation to another, depending on the Ffirogram of the organization. The one undertaking a definite IDIWDject, which makes possible active participation and IVBquires active doing on the part of a large number of JDGBOple, soon becomes the center of interest and attracts fkblks. when the project is completed (which may be a play, fitting up a community hall, or decorating the church) IDGHDple gradually lose interest and the organization soon I?ilads its people interested in the activities of another 81‘ Oup . This constant shifting does not show itself readily :irl increasing or decreasing membership within the changing E31“cups, bit it may be noted in attendance and finance in E317011138 whose members belong to both organizations. To j~141ustrate: The hing's Déughters and aid Society are made IlE> of practically the same peOple with nearly the same lea‘i‘tdership. When one organization has a definite project uruier way the other is apparently dormant. This is due see Map no. 5 in cover. 4. Pioneer families, page &4 to a need of a problem or the leadership interest is focused on another group activity. There is a continual shifting of interest in attendance within groups. One could prophecy that a definite well planned program of participating activity, involving large numbers, would be the key to a strong organization w ether it be church, lodge, or business groups. The factor of activity has played an important part in the life of all the organizations. It is the group that is doing something that claims attention. The best way to kill an organization is for the leaders as well as the members to ceas working. The more actively the members of a group participate in its pregram the wider the spread of its influence, the more it draws from other groups, and the greater power it exercises in the community. Inter-Group Factions: There are many local criticisms of one group by another. Remarks from the church such as: "People will go to lodge and not to church”, "The lodge takes peOple from the church? "The school has all the nights so the church can't have the young peOple," and "There are too many organizations outside the church.” That the above remarks have no foundation is illustrated by the following: within the past month the Lasonic order put on a play which included nearly one hundred characters. They practiced three times, and put on the play the two evenings following. hunday was to have seen an empty church according to the criticisms, but there was an incre se of nearly 50$, most of whom were 74 hasons or their families. So far as could be ascertained, other factors were the same as the Sunday preceding. This statement was made by the Superintendent of the Sunday School lsst June: "how that school is out and they will not have anything going on, let's see if we can't double our attendance at Sunday School.” Instead there was a 40% decrease during vacation. In answer to the criticism that the young people had too many organizations outside the church, the high School undertook to help the situation by re-organizing its orchestra under the auspices of the church. ”ithin a period of six weeks the organization due to lack of encouragement had vanished. The Girl Reserves and Boy bcouts were organized in the same church. Within a few months the school took over the Scouts to keep it going and the organization of thirty girls has become inactive. The sad part of the story is that only two or three of the church peOple who were interested in the organizations, ever missed them. The Girl Reserves might have been a good project for an Aid Society which is too often concerned in raising funds to keep turning the wheels of an empty machine. Conflicts hithin the_Grgup: No doubt every organ- ization of any size has memters who are glad to support the program so long as it is their program, but when they find they didn't suggest the thing to be done, they line up with the Opposition. continued active support of members is conditioned upon their participation in a prOgram of constructive work. If they are left idle they are apt to transplant strife or friction from some outside source into the group. hembcrs must feel that they are a necessary part of a group before they really exert themselves to attain the goals of an organization. Division has caused no new organizations to come into existence although is las caused two or three to become inactive by its arising within the group. Only with a minimum of friction can the maximum ID mount of work be accomplished for the best interest of any group. Tendencies: Owing to tLe different types and purposes of the organizations one cannot draw definite conclusions. If we group the organizations on the basis of religious, social, fraternal, economic, educational, civic, and junior groups tendencies of importance appear. 1. The religious organizations are the oldest. 2. Organizations making the most change have continued to the present. 3. Loonomic organizations have had problems with leadership. a. They have few functions. b. There is little participation in meetings. 0. The attendance is small. d. The chief characteristic of the meeting is the business session. 4. Educational organizations are well attended. a. There is a high percentage of attendance. b. They have many changes. c. There is a high percentage of participation. d. They have three to five functions. e. iheir _rograms are planned in advance. 5. The Junior groups are of short dur tion. a. They make few changes. b. They have no plans for the future. c. Membership and leadership are the two most important problems. It should be noted first that the junior organizations are made up of rapidly changing young peOple. In a short period of time the same type of program fails to make the appeal it once did, owning to individual change. Young people care little for the addition of new members of a younger group, with the result that the group has out-groan its fixed program, and the organization becomes inactive. Secondly, activity plays an important part on the life of young peeple, therefore a program, to make its appeal, must be a doing program. This gives rise to the need of meeting place, fitted for hard knocks, whic is to seldom found or 6 allowed in rural communities. 6. Kolb, J. H. and Uiledon, A. G.---"Special Interest Groups in Rural Society.” Eisconsin Agri. Station, Research Bulletin 84-1927. PART III Education Early Schools in the Township: The first school in the township of Burns wxs held in the unoccupied log cabin built by Amos Foster on Lection 22. The records differ as to the exact date ind first teacher. Probably the first teacher was silliam ch ffee followed by andrew Huggins who taught during the winter of lBSB-‘BQ. The following summer, several schools were taught in the t wnship although the districts were not organized until 1843. The officers of the first school were Freeborn Joslyn, moderator; and Joseph Joselyn, director. Three months of school were held in winter and four in summer. Each pupil was required to furnish one half cord of wood. The town board of 809001 inspectors met in the spring of 1840 and divided the entire township into school districts, 1 with the exception of the Indian ieservation. In 1842 the board met and apportioned the primary money as follows: 2 District No. 3, Byron District-—---—----$8.64 District No. 5, Chaffee mistrict -------- 6.72 District No. 4, Green mistrict -------- -- 2.88 n The first call for a school meeting on the north side OI the river was addressed to Robert Crawford on the da e, Nov. 14, 1842. It was stated that this meeting would be held at 1. Rap No. 1. Part I, in cover. 2. Map No. III. Part I, in cover. the Crawford home but the place was changed since hr. Crawford did not live in bistrict No. 1, for the benefit of which district, the meeting nus called. On hay 6, 1843, the school board addressed hr. Crawford as follows: ”hr. Robert Crawford, you are hereby commanded to notify every qualified voter in the above district, Ho. 2, either personally, or by leaving a written notice at his residence, that a school meeting will be held at the house of Eamah Cole, on the 18th at one o'clock P. It.” The nex action of the board was "To examine Andrew Huggins and Sarah h. Stoddard, candidates for teaching.” Both candidates received certificates. In district K0. 2 a log house was built soon after the above mentioned meeting had been held. It was used until 1856 when the present structure (known as the Cole school) was built. In district No. 1 the first school meeting was held at the home of hdward Peck, april 24, 1847. R. Haviland was appointed Chairman and the folloning officers were elected: R. Haviland, director; Edward Peck, assessor; Daniel nitson, moderator. The next year these officers were re-elected. At a school meeting in bept. 1848 the district voted to raise @75.00 to build a school house which was completed the next year. District No. 8 was organized in 1854 being formed from other districts. 8. 8. Tower in 1864 , was elected CO 803?. director and John B. Barnum, asse 79 The folloving statements show the apportionment of the Primary School bund for the year 1860: District 39, Pupils imgunt No. 1 21 510.58 E0. 2 51 25.75 NO. 5 97 48.95 NO. 4 65 52,79 NO. 6K 20 10.08 NO. 7 41 20.68 No. 8 27 15.61 NO. 10 20 10.08 The following also shons the amount of money expended in each district of the township in 1879 and in 1928. H District Amount in 1879 Amount in 1928fi No. 1 Fractional $262.56 $844.28 No. 2 159.56 No. 2 127.48 2152.78 No. 5 802.74 10881.75 N0. 4 100.17 No. 5 216.58 No. 7 134.75 1265.25 No. 8 55.96 ' 550.00 NO. 10 165.14 1105.00 Districts 1 and 5 at present are a part of Dist. No. 5. a River divided UiStriCt Ho. 6, later it was absorbed by Districts 1 and 5. 80 Village hehools: The first regular school meeting ir1 the village was held UGO. 6, 1845 in the Byron Hotel. 0 c1- Triere had been several terms of school taught previous tliis date in the homes of villagers. The first school house vnas built in 1845 and cost 9200.00. The Union School building “was erected at a cost of @5500.00, the Primary school building cc>st 5800.00 The report for the year showed the number of pupils 111 the district of school age as 147 and the total amount of nuaney expended was 5802.74. The brick building, which is a Ipcirt of the present structure, was built in 1899. TEE.F££§E.H3§E 8Ehggl; The records fail to give any Ziriformation regarding the establishment of a high school lbeefore consolidation, in 1922, when the Rural Agricultural E5611.001 was established. Soon after 1879, however, the records EBIlow some ninth and tenth grade subjects were being taught, Eirid other grades and subjects were added later. At a regular Infeeting of the school board on may 28, 1906, "It was moved 133? Dyer and supported by Lalker that Vera hattison having <3Cnnpleted the tenth grade should be presented with a diploma E3C>me time after the close of the school year." In 1907 another teacher was added to the school Inaking a total of five. The first record of a four year high school course being offered was in 1914. [although no ‘Bllsventh or twelfth grade subjects vere credited to pupils, theEire were 48 enrolled in the upper four grades. Five full 81 time teachers were employes in the school with salaries ranging from 550 to that of the superintendent, Fred 0. Byron, which was $82 per month. At this time the enrollment was 101. Oredits were given for eleventh and twelfth grade subjects for the first time in 1915. The Present high behool: A. T. Hagerman was employed as superintendent during the years 1919-1921 at an annual salary of $1800. To doubt it was through his iniation that the consolidation of districts 1, 5, 5, and 8 was introduced. At a meeting of the school board on Feb. ”A apecial meeting 2, 1920 the following action took place. of the legal voters of school district No. 5 in the township of Burns, Shiawassee County, and state of Michigan will be held for the purpose of voting on the question of consoli- dating the territory of said district with that of contiguous school districts? in order that a Rural Agricultural School may be organized as provided an Act 226 of 1917 as amended." "All ayes." Signed: J. A. Foster—--tecretary. District No. 5, Chaffee, at a Special meeting voted to "Join District No. l, 5, and 8 for the purpose of organizing a Rural Agricultural school, for which there were 20 votes cast, 17 for and 5 against -------- carried." 5. See Map No. 5 for Districts 1, 5, 5, and 8. District No. 5 is Byron School District. 82 at a meeting of the board on June 22, 1920 on a motion made by wm. savage the tuition was raised to Q75 for high school pupils and to $50 for grade pupils. In 1921 consolidation of the above mentioned districts was completed and the district then bonded for 525,000 to build an addition to the three story brick structure then in use. The Luilding was completed in l922-‘25 and eduipped early in the full of that year. The statistical analysis of the school situation at present is well presented ina letter written by the superintendent to the parents in hay 1928 which is as follows: May 1928. To the Patrons of the Byron High School: You have maintained a twelve grade school for thirteen years. Your school has graduated ninety seven pupils. The number graduated in the last five years is fifty five. The largest group to graduate is the present class of fourteen. Of the fifty five who have graduated during the past five years, twenty five have entered or will enter college this fall. Your school was placed on the accredited list in June 1924 for the first time. The school was inspected the fourth time in February and accredited until June 1950. The enroll- ment has increased from 202 to 226 during the past five years, which is an increase of more than 10%. The number of pupils paying tuition has increased from nine in 1924 to thirty CD 0: four in 1928. The increase in tuition amounts to nearly , @1900. During the past five years the money raised by the district to support the school has decreased from $15,000 to £512,000, an even 20;.Zreduction in your school ta~ . The cost of maintaining your school for one year is approximately .;§:‘.24.-,000. Nearly half the cost comes from outside sources. Your first state {Zed was received in August 1924. The school received from this source annually $23000. The Smith-Hughes la‘.‘: for federal Aid in Agriculture and Home Economics made it possible for this school to receive last year the sumof @1285.48 The primary money amounts to approximately- 5000.00 T013511 amount from outside sources ---------- 10000.00 The bonded indebtedness was --------------- - 25000.00 This is being paid at the rate of ,51000 per year plus the interest. There has been paid on bonds 3.15000. Nearly $334000 has been Spent in permanent improvements: tables, laboratory equipment, books, etc. $900.00 has been invested in musical instruments during the past year. Statistics of the School: The school has a membership Of 226 pupils of whom 1:36 come from the country and ninety grOm the village. The area of the district is twenty four Square miles having a valuation of $877,000. The tax rate is fourteen mills. "i-he bondedness indebtedness in 1928 Was 922,000. The tuition for the high school was $75. The Q. —. la the L1 umber O n ,erlence "tacher' 17.3fm 4.390' adr er 0 CU ...L h. LOB Lot' 84 cost per capita of maintainence and instruction is approx- imately $90.00 Teaching rorce: The following table gives the names and number of teachers, their qualifications, years of experience, salary, and major subject interest. TABLE NO. 2 Teaching Force r 1 r I I Teacher's Names'Qual. 'Yrs. Exp! Salary 'Yrs. in'Subject I I I 'this ScIInt. I I I ! l G. H. Burt ' B. Sc.’ 11 1 $5000 ' 6 ' So. I Life I ' ' Agri. 'Cert. ' ' ' ' , , I I I Ella fhelps '; A. B.‘ 16 ' yieoo ' e ' Home r0. Life ' ' ' ' Eng. ' Cert. ' ' ' ' I , I I I W. Ueisenberger: Life I 2 ' @1500 ' 2 ' Man. Arts Cert. ' ' ' History I I I I I Zoe Lott : Life : 5 ' 41250 ' 2 ' Latin, Cert. ' ' ' Art, Music I I I I I hate Norsworthy' B..Sc.' 9 ' $1750 ' l ' Math. ' Life ' ' ' ' Efn'.-.’ ' Cert ' ' ' ' ‘ b. I ° I I I I Cleo Shelp ' Sec. ' a ' $1050 ' 2 ' 5&6 Gr. ' Gr C.’ ' ' ' * I ° I I I I Margaret btowell Life ' 4 ' @1050 ' 4 ' 5&4 Gr. ' Cert. ' ' ' ' 't I I I I Betta fiartwig I Life : 7 : $1350 : 5 ' 1&2 Gr. I t g A. V. Fleck I I I I Part , Band ' : : ' Time ' Orchestra I I mils drawn, 11226 of driv Carl Eddy gl'cert 31de Alva Eezniss lalla s Eli‘s}: TranSportation Of, Pupils: here than one hundred pupils are brought to school from the districts that consolidated with the village school. The following table gives the name of the driver, length of route, number of pupils drawn, and salary of driver. TMflENO.5 Transportation I a T‘ I Name of driver ' Bength of Route' No. pupils' Salary ' ' drawn ' I I r Carl Eddy ' 6.5 miles ' 17 ' $800.00 I I I Albert Aldrich ' 6.5 miles I 17 I $850.00 I I I George Eddy ' 7 miles ' 19 ' $850.00 I I I Alva Bemiss ' 9 miles ' 28 ' $1000.00 I I I Dallas Hibbard I 8 miles I 23~ ' 950.00 Total T T 104 I .3344 50 . 00 % Distance first child aken on bus, rides to school. Library and Magazines: The school library has approximately 1,000 volumes, to which is added each year from 50 to 75 books. The school subscribes for twenty five of the leading magazines which gives a considerable amount of re ding matter for school use. Less than five per cent of the adults in the community make use of the school library. 85 Course of btudy for 1927-1928 Grade 9 First semester Second Semester English 1 Lnglish 1 Algebra Algebra Home E0. (girls) Home 30. (girls) Man. Arts (boys) Man. Arts (boys) Grade 10 First semester Second Semester English 2 English 2 Geometry Geometry Sociology or he. Physiology or Civics Mechanical Drawing Mechanical Urawing Crops Creps and horticulture Home Ec. (girls) Home ho. (gilrs) Grade 11 First Semester Second Semester American Literature American Literature ghemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Physics, LHg. Lit. Eng. Lit. Animal Husb., or Agri. £0. Animal Husb., or ngri. E0. Am. or Euro. history Am. or huro. History Grade 12 Same as 11 only Latin has been added. Credit has been offered for music, typing, and extra - 4 curricular activities throubhout the hiuh school course of study for the past three years. , School Area: The ste CD dy growth of the school in view of a declining population in the township indicates that some of the factors discussed have played an important part in its increase in enrollment. The influence of the school has been shown in its increasing school area. This is illustrated by the following 5 map, which divides the growth of the school in periods of five years each. The line numbered one represents the boundary of the territory from hhiCh graduates came during the years 1914-1919. Line No. 2 shows the territory in which graduates during the years 1920-1924 lived, and Line No. 5 surrounds the territory of the graduates for the years 1925-1929. The map indicates the directions of growth to the south, west, and north. The lack of extension to the east is due to the consolidated school territory of Gaines. The small numbers located on farms represent the date an individual graduated, who lived at that place. 4. Boy Scout, Girl Keserves, Projects in Agri., and Home 30., and Athletics. 5. hap No. 5 in cover. 1?: AP GEO-.7. TH OF (1 SCHOOL [5.51221 n Cover) 88 89 6 Survey of High School Graduates after consolidation had been in force for six years a survey was made to learn what effect the rural agricultural program was having on the community. a cont‘ast was made of the six year period preceding consolidation of the school during which Byron had maintained a twelve grade school with the following six years of consolidation. During the twelve year period eighty three students had graduated, twenty eight boys and fifty five girls. Twenty four boys come from the farm and four from the village. Thirty two girls lived on f rms and twenty three lived in the village. The following table shows the number of graduates who went to the farm and those who were still on the farm in 1926. TABLE NO. 4 Survey of Graduates I ient"to farmI Still farming T F I I I Date ITotal Grad.I No.IPer centI N0.I t of those who I I II I I went back to farm I r I I c 19l4-Il9 I 30 I 16 I 53 I 9 I 56 I I I I I 1920-I25 II 56 I 10 I 19 I 6 I 60 u I I v v l914-I25 I 85 I 26 I 56 I15 I 58 I I I I I s- 1 6, The survey was made by the Dept of Sociology hichigan Sa te 0011959, Last Lansing‘ 90 The decrease in number of those returning to the farm during the period from 1920-1925 was no doubt due largely to two factors, viz; the agricultural depression foll wing the war and rapid industrial growth of the cities of Flint and Detroit. Nineteen of the fifty three graduates during this period went to one or the other of these cities to do office, factory, or carpenter work. The question was asked, "Do high school honor students go back to the farm?" The following table shows the total number of honor students, the number and per cent of honor students,from the farm who went back to the farm and the number and per cent still on farms in 1926. 'l'nBLEL NO. 5 Honor Students I f I II IFarm honor students IHonor stu- I Iwho went back to farm'dents still I I Ifarming I I F I I ITotal no. honor Yo. I Per cent IN0.I Per Istudents I I I I cent Ifrom farm I I I I . . I I I I I __ 1914-I15 I 5 I l I 20 I l I 20 I I I I I l916-I20 I 10 I 5 I 50 I 2 I 20 I I I I I 1921-I25I I 11 I 5 I 27 I 2 I 18 I I I I I l9l4-I25 I 26 I 9 I 54 I 5 I 19 I I I I I * By honor students we Lean thos wk average of B or above. 6 .... _l p—J {3 Q: m :3 91 The folloming table shows the grades in high school, the numier years of advanced education for the separate grade groups, of the eighty three graduates between the years 19l4-l925, listing the farm boys, farm girls, town boys, and town girls separately. TABLE NO. 6 Relation of harks to Advanced Education r 'TO" Source I Marks ItalI Advanced Education IA I BI_CI DI rI year I 2’yrs.,'5 yrs. '4 yrs. I I “I r F I IAIB‘C‘m'CDIIABtDIABCD 1*.BoysI I I I I I I I I VOW IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII F.Girls' 4'14'12' 2I S2IOI5I4I1 I5I6I1IO IOIlIOIOIOIlIl'O IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII T. BoySI 0' 5' l' 0' 4IOIOIOIO IOIOIl'O IO'OIOIOIOIOIOIO T.GirlsI 0I12I11I OI 25I0I2I1Io I0I5.g.o IoIoIoIoIoIOIOIO 'I‘OfaI I oIZIIISSI 3i EBIOIIQFSII 'SIIIEiC 'G'I'I'U'OIIIEIG The foregoing table shows that the three "A” students who took advanced work acre farm girls. They went two years and received a life certificate for teaching. Only one "D" student went to college. He was capt~in of the high school foot-ball team, but failing to make the college team, drOpped out. Thirty six graduates, or 45% started in advanced work. (3f the seventeen who took only one year of advanced work, 'ten.took business courses, and three earned a limited cert- :ificate_for teaching. The table shows that the average student Igontinues his education fartherest beyond high school. 92 0f the seventeen pupils who completed two years of advanced work, all prepared for teaching. The two who took three years of advanced education taught school. The "C" student in the last COlumn has completed seven years of advance study in medicine. During high school he participated in at least four extra curricular activities. The following table shows the graduates for the years 1926-1927 and 1928, together with their standings, the number taking advanced work, the number of class offices held and the number of honors won. TABLE NO. 7 Grades and Leadership I I f. Q1 I No. tak-INo. officINo.’honors fiEte INo.IH.IAv.IL.IGrades ing Adv.W.es held I won ‘wfi I l 'f"“‘T'"YEIBIUIDIAIBICIDI AIBICID I AIBICID I I I I IIIIIIIII— III I TII 1926 I11 I9 I 2 I0 I5I5I4I1I2I2I1I0I 1I7IeI1 I 0I2ILIo I I I I II II II II I III I III 1927 Ill '6 I 5 IO I2I4I4I1I1I2IlIlI 2I5I5IO I lIOIZIO I I I I I I I I I I I I I III I III 1928 I14 '6 I 7 Il I4I5I4I1I5I5I1IOI 5I4IOIO I lI4IlIO I II I I IIIIIIIII III I III T‘To arm T2‘a76751s13flo aewo From the above we conclude: l. The students with better grades take advance work. 2. The average studentlslightly above the average shows more leadership and wins more honors than those with the highest or lowest standings. £5. That average students (so far as grades are concerned) have a high intelligence quotient. LC OJ No doubt we may have a misunderstanding of marking students; the students who do what the teacher wants them to do, or are docile enough to refrain from doing things not listed in the course of study may stand a better chance in winning the high grade. Should conclusion Ho. 2 be general in secondary education it would seem that our basis of marking would need some adjustment. The following table shows the number and percent of students who ranked among the upper one third in scholarship that completed advanced work in higher educ- ation from 1914 to 1925. TABLE NO. 8 Honor Students and Higher Education Seurce ofITdtaII SChoIarship 550ver' Higher edfication students IGrad.I average I 'w‘ I TI No. I% of tota I No. I %‘oT higher hdl‘ W I f I I I I Farm Boys' 24 I 6 I 25 I O I O I I I I I Farm Girls 32 I 15 I 40 I 15 I 100 I I I I I Town BoysI 4 I l I 25 I O I O I I I I I Town Girls 25 I 6 I 26 I 5 I 50 I I I I I I I I The above table might lead one to think that none of the farm boys graduated pursued courses beyond their high school work but ten boys have gone to either college or normal since graduation, though their redords did not place them among those who ranked as the upper 94 one third. most of the girls who took advanced work went to Normal College at Ypsilanti to prepare for teaching, although a few attended business college and took up office work. Most of the boys who, since consolidation, have gone back to the farm to remain have Specialized in one or more enterprises on the farm. Their activities in the. business life of the community are promising. The following table shows some of the phases of agriculture introduced. into the community through their contributions. TABLE NO. 9 Agriculture and hducation F T No. specializingIEnterprise takenI Approx. value in 1928 f T 5 ICertified beans I $4000.00 I I 9 ICertified pota- I 4500.00 Itoes I I I 7 IRegistered hogs I 2500.00 I I 2 IRegistered corn I 1400.00 I I .5 IPoultry raisers I 1000.00 I I . 2 IRegistered Cattle 1900.00 I I The foregoing table not only indicates cheaper and more efficient production of a better quality product, but also many contacts of a high type necessary in the purchasing and efficient management of crops and live stock. _—_‘__L. .0 1 The following table is a study showing the number of farm boys, farm girls, town boys, and town girls who graduated from high school from 1914 to 1925. Also those who went to a four year college and those who graduated from college, together with the number of extra curricular activities in which those who graduated from college participated during their high school years. TABLE NO. 10 Participation and Education in High School r* I rwent toGradT'frIAv. no. of Source ITotalIGrades I4 yr. CI4 Yr. CIextra Cur.Act: @aksTnH.Sf I] B C WABC3NAB(3WAB(TD'- - T I T r I Farm Boys I 24 I2 12 9 1'0 1 2 OIO O 1 0'0 0 4 0 " I I I Farm Girls I 52 I4 14 12 2'0 1 1 0'0 1 l OIO 5 2 O I I I I I ' Town Boys I 4 IO 5 1 OIO 0 0 0'0 0 0 0'0 0 O O I I I I I Town Girls I 25 I0 12 ll OIO l O OIO 1 0 OIO 2 000 Total I 85 r541 55 5I0 5 5’OTO 2 2 OIO 5 6(5 Only six of the eighty three graduates entered a four year college, two of whom went only one year. One of the two was a "B" student from the country who had been valedictorian and president of the Senior blass; the other was a farm boy with a "C" average who had been captain of the foot ball team. Growth of Student activities From 1915 to 1922 the general high school academic studies had been pursued. In 1922, after consolidation, Manual Arts and Home Economics were introduced followed by a four year vocational agriculture course in 1925. kith the introduction of the vocational work and increased attendance, the need for a definite program of extra curricular activities was felt. The first effort in this direction was to establish a good athletic program. Athletics: Previous to consolidation the high school had a foot ball team in the fall and base ball in the spring, which was conducted largely by the ”fans" of the town and not altogether on a wholesome plan. In 1924 the school secured the use of the Town hall during the winter for athletics. The school joined with the Byron improvement Association and through their athletic pregram financed the activity, which cost approximately $250. An Athletic Board was elected by the high school students which later handled all the business of the athletic association including scheduling games and buying equipment. During the first year a girlsI basket ball team, afllflfiI indoor base ball, high school boys team, junior team, town mens basket ball team, and older mens indoor base ball ‘were organized. The Hall was used two evenings each week according to the following program. 97 TABLE NO. 11 Athletics r Time ' Tuesday and Friday Evenings u c 6:50-7:15 ' Junior boys 'BaSket and volley ball ' Junior girls " I : 7:15-8:00 ' High Sc. girls 'Basket and volley ball ' adult women ' i 1 8:00-8:45 ' H. S. boys 'Basket ball I ! 8:45-9:50 ' Town Team 'Basket ball I l 9:50-10:50 ' H. 8. boys 'Basket ball scrimmage ' Town team ' 10:00-10:45 ' Older men 'Indoor base ball I "‘ I pOSSlDlG. Tuesday a fit is re take thei The games are played on Friday evenings whenever They usually scheduled two on the same date. On nd Friday, during the day, each pupil, if physically quired to take some physical training. Teachers r groups according to the following schedule. TABLE NO. 12 Physical hducation Time 10:00-LL: 11:00-11: 11:45-12: 1:00- 1: 1:55- 2; 2:45- 3: Tuesday and Friday Lthletic Schedule r Grades Activities l r 00' 5 fl 4 'Drills, folk dancing, etc. I I 45' 5 & 6 boys'Exercises, games, drilss, base ball 50'? ,8, 9 boys 'L: m: o 3. is $2335 .3“ 3m 3w 3: £2: . .590 I EEQPSBM e.<..H..nH 18°:an Essa .< ..h. e. :o 32%» E2. 7.2.. tn a? £3. mw<¢m> 563 .35 t 3 ‘3 a 545mm 3a 2.4.. 3 2% 3325 £32. 2.5 _ .m.m.o “and E2; $5255.: ]Q\ m». h<~ mkwfiam mam.” 4.m~ c 5. «4:6. mudmm... @ p: 3”?me m: 42 c Sn, 35m «imam 4;? .1! ii; .I mZOmSZ 2522 58;, mZWmlwe 5.4%; Emmmua, Sammmsgmusfiwwe we», £9 E EOEE EENmfig one k. 0 A .293, 25ng 398m .8 his use 542: 539 mass E MES m5 £14,430 5 EEEEE 21:23:44 E >4 2 44s Wigs; .,. 4. ‘ . J 1 s‘ u- i o'* "It I .M. A 01 1 . 128 The above table indicates that the aver be attendance at Lodges and at churches does not exceed fifty peeple. The majority of peOple who attend J'Jodge, also attend Church. Although the membership of either is much greater than the regular :ttendance, the organizations do not draw a very large prOportion of the peOple of the community. 1 In checking the cost per social contact of one of the above organizations, the h. E Church was selected. The total budget was divided by the number of meetings held during the year and that by the average rttendance per meeting. It was found that on the average for each social religious contact the cost was a little more than thirty cents. Community Growth a recent study was made to determine the extent of the growth of the community through business, school, and church areas. map no. 6 gives the boundaries of the different areas listed in the legend. On roads leading from the village, the fartnerest removed homes which make Byron their place of business, school, or church town are indicated and lines drawn connecting these points to show 1. By social contact is meant one hour social exposure by one person in listening or taking p rt. 129 -th N O . 5 TR‘aflIl‘d G Align S (In cover) the area served by this town in the respective interests. A study of nap Ho. 6 reveals various items of interest which need explanation from the loc 1 point of View. The banking area, located by the banker, includes more than those who do their banking in gyrcn. The line estends to those homes fartherest removed Who do treir b nking in the village. A study of these far removed homes shows that personal dissatisfaction with the local bank or bankers cause a number of peOpie to go some other community for banking interests. Byron has a state bank, Wflile some of the adjoining centers have private banks. This may partly explain why the bank ias the largest area. The school area has made rapid growth since consolidation in 1922. The changing areas of expansion of the school is better mllustrated by hap No. 5. The map shows that little growth in the area has taken place to the east. This is due to the consolidated area of Gaines meeting that of Byron. The westward trend of the boundary is due partly to the fact that Bancroft has had a conflict- ing group over school matters which removed them from the accredited list for athile. The senior students, feeling the situation, ”ent to Byron or Durand to complete their high school course. The area has moved to the south and south west due largely to the school prOgram which has been an important factor in the general expansion. The grocery area has enlarged somewhat since consolidation; parents have a tendency to trade y;ewe .L neir cnildren go to school. n chain store which recently Opened in Byron has had an influence in widening the area. The hardware area is -uite representative of business. There are two hardware stores which :re strong competitors, although they have established no definite extensive service of expansion. The cream buying area is somewhat smaller than the other business areas. This can be explained from the fact that there is a demand for whole milk from Flint and Detroit. hilk routes on the north and south of Byron take whole milk from these localities. These routes make the boundaries nearer the community center on the north and south. The Church areas (which were discussed briefly in 2 the Decline of Neighborhoods) as are shown on the map deserve further analysis, It will be noticed that these areas are sm ll and cover practichlly the Stme territori. Less than twenty five percent of the people living within these areas belong to either church. a problem faces the religious organizations. The churcn leadership is either indifferent of does not realize the significance of the situation. Jhen the map has shown to the ministers, the discussion of it was received with only passive interest. A small percent of the people living outside of the church areas go to church elsewhere in their respective neighborhoods. The four or five Catholic families in the community 50 to the catholic Church in Gaines. Probably less than twenty five percent of the people attend church [_J % any place. The map a°eas of the church when compared uith other areas tend to snow that the rural church is still in the neighborhood stage of develOpment. The customs and traditions of the Church break down more slowly, and they perhaps have contributed little to the community group develOpment. Leisure lime study of lWO llundred families The Socioloay hepartment of the michigan Ltate COllebe made a study of the leisure time of two hundred Byron families. Typical families were chosen from the village and county. Une hundred seventeen farm 0 ners, forty six farm tenants, thirty nine Village home owners, and eiéht village tenants were studied. The results of the study are shown in the following tables. TABLE N0 Standard of Living 16 a '117* T 46 I 59 I 8 General information 'Farm oIFarm 'Town ITown Iowners'tenants'owners'tenants I r I I Av. no. yrs. in coumunity I 55.2 I 15.5 I 25.7 I 19.5 I I I I No. rooms in home (av.) I 9.5 I 8.5 I 7.7 I 7.5 I I I I i having water piped in hone 28.0 I 5.7 I 15.0 I 12.5 I I I I E having bath in house I 11.1 I 0.5 I 7.6 I .0 I I I I % having toilet in house I 11.1 . 4.3 . 11.02' .0 I I I I % having heating system in I 25.1 I 15.0 I 19.0 I 25.0 home I I I I I I I I % having electric lights I 22.2 I 10.8 I 8 .0 I 87.0 I I I I fl having telephone I 67.5 ' 47.8 I 55.5 I 57.5 I I I I No. hours in work day I 10.5 I 11.0 I 9.0 I 10.1 I I I I Av. no. daily papers per I 1.5 I 1.0 I 1.6 ' 1.7 family I I I I I I I I Av. no. weekly papers per I .7 I .6 I .58' .0 family I I I I I I I I Av. no. farm papers per I 2.6 I 1.9 I .9 I .5 family I t I z I v I 1 Av. no. juvenile papers I .4 I .0 I .5 I .25 per family I I I u I I I I Av. no. religious papers I .1 I ,0 r .5 1 .12 per family i I I v I I I I AV. n0. all other papers ' 1.5 ' 1.2 ' 2.1 I 2.5 'Ens- 1‘ Ir. 1 I so. 1I Can_ 'Uan. 1';Xmo 45 ' II‘. 1' in Nationality 'Amollbt ' Gr 1' fmb‘ I . I 1“";— o : ' ,Am. 56, 155 (J TABLL so. is b Leisure Time at Home _T I Town ownerslown ten- Leisure time IFarm onners'barm tenants'hours pcr'ants hrs. at home Ihrs. per yrlhrs. per yr.Iyear Iper yr. r I I I Reading I 551.0 I 509.5 I 404.5 I 426.0 I I I I Radio I 172.4 I 165.1 I 75.4 I 156.0 I I I I Card playing I 24.9 I 54.5 I 19.1 I 42.6 I I I I Sociables I 51.0 I 18.0 I 7.8 I 4.5 I I I I Singing I 20.0 I 16.6 I 22.8 I 9.0 I I I I Iiscellageous' 72.1 I 80.1 I 72.00 I 50.5 ToEaI ‘ "’ I 651.4 I 621.4w I' 599.4 I 668.6 I I I I % leisure time 45.5 I 44.9 I 59.5 I 59.7 spent at homeI ‘__fl I _._I ._‘ .11.. TABLE NO. 16 c Len: dours per Year Leisure Time in Organizations I I I I OrganizationalFarm ownersIFarm tenantsI Town ITown I I I owners Itenunts I I I I Fraternal I 12.4 I 10.9 I 15.5 I 19.1 I I I I Educational I 2.0 I .9 I 4.6 I 4.5 I I I I Church I 16.0 I 6.2 I 20.1 I 45.9 I I I I Sunday SchoolI 6.5 I 1.4 I 4.6 I 12.5 I I I I LiscelltneouSI 4.1 I 5.5 I 15.9 I 49.5 Total .‘n I 4078’ I 22.9' I 58}5 I 151.6 I I I I Percent I 5% I 1.8% I 5.8% I 11.8’ I I I I Grand total I n C I H _ I I H leisure time ' 1571.) ' 1585.0 '1008.1 :1118.o hours , , ' ' TABLE N0. 16 d Leisure Time Away brom Home -——-~- —— -— .— T I ITOwn own-ITown ten- Leisure time IBarm ownersIBarm tenantsIers hrs. Iants hrs. away from homehrs. per yr.hrs. per y‘.Iper year Iper year I I If I Movies I 10.2 I 14.5 I 7.5 I 8.2 Auto trips I 22.6 I 215.8 I 57.1 I 17.8 Auction sales? 25.6 E 25.1 E 5.0 E 1.2 Evening visité 51.8 I 55.1 I 29.5 I 54.5 Sunday visitsI 95.0 I 129.5 I 52.4 I 21.5 Family reunion 11.6 I 7.7 E 14.5 E 6.5 Hunting E 14.1 I 51.9 I 7.7 I .0 Fishing I 19.7 I 25.9 : 20.7 : 8.1 Camping 3 10.2 E 5.1 I 18.1 : .0 Auto drives I 176.0 : 185.2 I 550.2 : 518.1 hiscellaneousI 44.9 I 51.0 I 59.8 I 40.6 rTotal T 679.7 ; 740.6 : 580.17.r 41671 % leisure time 49.5 I 55.5 I 54.5 I 28.5 Although many of the farm tenants are related to the farm owner whose farm they pork, they have less of the modern conveniences than the owner who is working his own.1and. The house of the tenant is smaller yet houses in the country were built a number of years ago and in ggeneral have an excess of room. The owners working on farms are older on the average than the tenants which accounts Ipartly for their greater number of years in the community. Ca (II The leisure time of the families studied range from 1000 to 1400 hours per year, and much of this time is Spent in more or less passive ways. Reading occupies the greater part of the leisure time. The daily newspaper is probably the most widely read. Most homes are destitute of reading matter for the children which may account, at least in part, for the absence of the children in the home evenings. Listening to the radio comes second in method of Spending leisure time at home. Many farmers, instead, of going to bed, sit up and listen to radio programs being broadcast over the radio. Although they may receive little constructive help, there is a tendency on the part of the listener to sleep a little later the next morning, which not only cuts down his work day, but by decreasing 11S production, may help to increase the market price of his ‘produce. he cannot hOpe for this to have any effect since only a few farmers have radios, but if there were thirty Inillion among the farming peOple they would help materially in solving the market problems that confront the farmer. Sunday auto trips and visiting away from home occupy a large amount of leisure time. No doubt the auto (drives help a great deal in enabling the peOple to compare the stock and crOps of others with theirs at home and the visiting may be very constructive, but in general peeple liave not learned how to visit constructively, and the day is spent too many times in idle gossip. A Special study was made by Dr. humford of Michigan 8tate College of the 117 farm 0 ners in the above table. They were divided into three groups according to income, and studied to determine the relation of the different degrees of economic success to their standard of life. Tile following table gives the data for the men and women studied in this farming area. ijiBlJE FIG 0 17 helation of Economic success to btandard of Life (Community B ) -.. 'MEN m TN0.WT} 'IeI-IAV. Iei- IAv.‘hrslTOEalIAv. noIAv. income Iper-Isure hrslsure hrs.I Ilei- 'farm Iyrs. classesIsonsIst home Iaway from'organ. Isure 'papers'in I I Ihome I 'hrs. I [school I r r' I r I y Below I 19 I 568 I 629 I 27 I 1224' 2.5 I 6.9 av . I I I I I I I I _ I I I I I I aver. I 72 I 645 I 625 I 58 I'1516' 2.6 I 8.2 I I I. I I I Above I 26 I 725 I 958 I 65 I 1728' 2.7 I 9.4 aver: . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I All I117 I 649 I 695 I 42 I 1586I 2.6 I 8.5 classes' I I I I I I I' I' 01:1 .1:qu Below T19 I 615 I 521 I 40 I 1174I I av . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I _ Aver. I 72 I 651 I 504 I 42 I 1197' I I I I I I I I Above I 26 I 762 I 774 I 81 I 1617' I aver . I I I I I I I I T T I I I I All I I I I I I I classes'll7 I 670 I 567 I 50 I 1287' I 5. "Farm income and Farm Life"--Univ. of Chicago Press, 1927., rage 158. The data of this community shows that the highest in- come class uniformly excels in all the criteria by which the standard of life is measured with one exception which relates to the leisure hours spent away from home. Thn foregoing study only adds to those already made which confirm the statement that the highest income groups are the peOple who have the most leisure time, are better educated, read more and maintain higher standards of life. Talent Survey The Byron community like other rural communities has too few to take the reaponsibility of leadership of various organizations and social activities, with the result that a few with initiative take on a greater reaponsibility than can be handled efficiently; the others become more inefficient, and the social life becomes more and more like an empty machine, running but accomplishing nothing. To overcome this situation and bring into activity the latent talent, the sociology class of the Byron high school made a talent survey of the community with the idea of finding the talent and bringing it into active par- 4 ticipation if possible. The following schedule was used and about seven hundred different individuals were inter- viewed and the names of those who had participated in one or more activities listed, were placed on the schedule. The survey revealed a great deal of talent. 4. See Figure III on page number 159 IDIII I_IIIII-.I.II. III. Id. ..-... [4.11-] .133}- ..zI..I.I.I'..--_I I ...m a. _ . .. _ _. I 3 n a. . .. .4. .. ... .... I . .. . .4... 704m! emmmcx. wQI moxmko 10.2; . s. . 56.2% a: 0 a, 1.1, % 2.x wko.§t~..k§0 osxt athk water 1313 ...,3. attract .quoei “)5 Y. Qioaun. ...u.... .... \._ 5.”, .. z to , kn fwktk 0.5.6! «R (L k . 353$. txwu‘ O I In!!!“ 1’? .. . . . . . r. 9 .. I 5/ I a .v\ a u . ..- 1......3 I. I... . it . 2 _ a . r 140 The following table indicates the kind and number having ability in the functions listed: SOprano 296 Piano 125 Ukelele 11 Violin 51 Politics 9 humor 9 Prose 25 Drawing 12 Painting 15 Sculptering 4 Pageants 58 Cantata 28 S 817’ ing menoidery Dancing Skating swimming MUbIC alto .' 52 Cornet 10 Guitar 5 SaXOphone 9 SPVLCH History 18 Debate 56 Business 17 ART PLAYS FAN CY 181 112 SBORTS 4O 71 112 Tenor 0') (N 116 Base Clarinet 9 Banjo 8 7 Trombone 5 4 Drums Harmonica l5 Locordian Poetry 54 Comedy 48 Drills 41 "‘5‘ I 0 mi. Construction 50 Crochet 41 Games 90 Athletics 58 I Those considered were all above ten years of age and had expressed themselves in a public way in the activities listed. Practice in Participation: The problem which confronted the leadership was to find methods of giving this unused talent an Opportunity favorable to expression that it might be brought into action. During the past year a definite effort was made to solve the problem. At the school fair (discussed under Education) methods were devised to exhibit art work, fancy work, sewing and construction work of all kinds under the direction of the P. T. A. A great deal of interest was manifested and about two hundred prize ribbons were distributed among the exhibitors. The naed was apparent for : method of using the vocal talent. The first program arranged for this purpose was given on May 4, 1928. A COpy is as follows: YE BIG CONCERT and AQDLESS Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Ye Big Towne fleeting House (Town Hall) 142 Fifth Month, Fourth Bay (May 4th) Anno 1928 I'J t Cs Eight of Ye Clock hrs. Bay Vandemark will be the chief time beater Ye Big Chorus Ye Ye l. 6. 7. 8. Girls Glee Club Band will be heard (the Lord willing) 8:00-8:15 Ye Band Ye Ye Ye Ye Ye (Ye mothers are desired to bring soothing syrup to quiet ye infants if so they become affrighted when the tune begins) Grande Chorus (Ye singers will now take a rest to regains their breathe.) Band (wherein they have been at great pain in ye preparation.) Girls Glee Club (It will be mete and prOper to smite ye palms together in gladness when ye singers give pleasure.) Negro Spiritualists (Clap with your hands but do not stomp with your feet, as by so doing ye dust will rise and ye sexton will ask for more stipend.) Grande Chorus will synge againe. (If ye know the tune ye may hum at willd Address--Goodman Mumford, Ye Doctor of sociology, M. S. C. Ye Laste Number-~"Home Sweet Home? America to be sung and played by all :present. Ye towne folks who did stay at home will now be sorely vexed that they did not go to ye olde tyme concert. admission: Adults 15 cents bchool children free Those on program free ..L‘i-O The result of the stove program was very Satisfactory, nearly one hundred and fifty local peOple participated. Piano recitals have been given occasionally during the past ten years waich help to give Opportunity of expression to those interested in piano work. Children taking piano lessons have put on a prOgram in high school assembly, which as expressed by some parents, "Made it easier to get their hour of practicing done." A home talent play by the adults of the community Sponsored by the P. T. A. was Of a good type, well put on and well patronized. It is of interest to note that the seventy fove dollars proceeds was placed in the hands of a committee as a student loan fund, which may be used by graduates of the Byron high school to continue their education. The school in OOOperation with the 100 l Lrt Club held a two day Art Exhibit in the Byron Town hall. Pictures were borrowed from the btate Library,and the Lansing High School art Supervisor gave an interesting talk explaining some of the reproductions. This not only gave the local peOple an Opportunity to see reproductions of art, but it has given a vision to the Art Club Of what could be done for rural communities along this line. Ihile a great deal has been accomplished, there is yet much to done in making the Opportunity of expression possible to the local peOple and in having them become a part of the whole Of community life. 144 adult hducation: In October 1927, some Of the 10051 peOple began to feel the need of a definite study of the community as the foundation for a heater social prOgram which would eliminate waste of money, time, and talent. The school was petitioned to give an evening course to adults on community problems. About thirty peOple enrolled for the work. The following is a brief outline of the course which was presented. 1. 2. 5. meaning and problems of socialization. Dangers due to lrck Of socialization. Measuring the socializing process. a. Community score card. deletion of income to standard of life. Need Of expression contacts. Labor saving devices as aids to socialization. The importance of using and develOping talent in socialization. Agencies of socialization: a. The church b. The school. c. Papers d. Library e. Recreational ‘gencies f. Clubs g. The home Plan of community organization: a. Community council formed and combined with the Byron Improvement association 143 b. headers elected to direct activities 1. Health ------- nurse 2. Play ------- --director 5. art ---------- music 9nd dramatics 4. £ducation----student leadership 5. bcmily life--extension classes 6.. Economic life- co-operatives 7. civic --------- special day leadership 8. social ------- -Fraternal-Co-0pernting leaders A COpy of the cmmplete outline “ith general state- ments and topics for discussion together with reference material was placed in the hands of each member of the class. The course was conducted by the discussion method which was led by the superintendent of schools. The sociology department of the hichigan state College COOperated with the class in sending two speakers for the meetin5s during the course. The work was summarized as follows by hiss Ella Phelps, English and i1ome Leonomics teacher of the school: bUIhARY OF COhIUSIlY CUURLh STUEY Byron, fiichisan November 15, 1927--First Lesson 1. social problems are solved if the ribht wants are created. 2. Education is bained through expression as well as impression. Q. It is necessary that the community give people Opportunities to express themselves. It is imperative to gork todether nnd to think in terms of the :nole; all organizations working to ether L) O c~:~ create the right kind of pants and to dive opportunity for eXpression. November 22, C27-becond Lesson 1. 03 O .41. 6. Criticism shold be constructive with methods of remedying defects and weahnesses. bocialization is education in the broad meaning. Religious conversion followed by education end group ’1 activity mea.s a SUCCGSSlul 1i Ft) e relibiously. The community needs cooperation and trust which are of slow growth. These may be ofstered by outside influences as bible in the school, and home training. Christianity is a balanced process. a community presents many problems to be studied. The judging of the social values need consideration. November 29, 1927--Third Lesson 1. The concept of mental satisfaction must be created among people. a. Loney is only a device by which to secure mental satisfaction. b. A small percentage of people have no concept of mental satisf ction. c. The concept is vaoue to others. UP. humfords study shows that: 147 a. Farmers with hibner st nuards compete successfully with those of low standards. b. lhrifty farmers, he ds of typical families, had hiéher standards of living as shown by the use of books, autos, and organizations and spent less time in the fields. noes our mental satisfaction determine our material income or not? a. We will never have the Spiritual values if we must get the dollar first. b. nappy medium and a proper balance of wants is called for. c. lhe spendin5 of money, not the earning of it may present the most serious problem. The community spends in conservative estimate $50,000 in socialization, 57000 being spent for ectivities not tax supported. This can probably be administered to give three times as much mental satisfaction as it now brings. The best security for the social stability of any community is a wider utilization of its own talent and culture. Group consciousness is the creation of that "we" feeling. December 5, 1927-Fourth besson l. 2. lhere are two Kinds of poverty, lac: of c.oods and lack of wants. Lack of socialization brian isolation, idea of self importance, antagonism to prOgress and social welfare. There are too few opportunities in this community for the receiving of A type contacts. Our responsibility is to furnis A type contacts in abundance. December 15, 1927--Eifth Lesson 1. facts are being presented which will help to answer the Question: Lhat ch nges if any should be made in our organizations in order to increase the a type of contacts; Standard of living refers to money used for develOpment. Standard of life refers to time Spent in develOpment. Question raised: a. Is it necessary to have money to enjoy the finer things of life? b. Should we have the finer things and then get the money? 0. Should the finer things and money come tOgether? Better living is the end in View in better farming and business. There are evidences that farming is pointing toward peasantry. In the long run fny class of producers only get what is consumes. Budget making will help to solve the social problem. Things to be considered: a. One half day off for pTOg‘am of fun. b. Visiting program to modern home. DE l0 1. 149 C. Talent survey d. Study of family history December 20, 1927--Sixth Lesson The Spending of lots of money has nothing to do with the raising of the standards of living. The A type of contact is a give and take preposition which makes us better. Challenge to the community: What shall be done with the 500,000 hours of leisure time in Byron? nomen may increase hours by: a. Study of work and use of efficient tools. A garden can contribute: a. income b. mental stimulus c. healthful; ;ood January 3, 1928--Seventh Lesson A member of the class reviewed Ellwood's "Reconstruction of Religion." 1. 5. The new Christianity will be more rational t king into consideration both emotional and intellectual nature of man; it will be revitalized and socialized. The church has a social task. There must be a religious revolution which will result in a religion adapted to modern life. Christianity is not a static thing. Obstacles to the social success of christainity: 150 a. christianity is being considered a theological doctrine rather than an attitude toward life here. b. Survival of pagan morals and pagan religions in the traditions of our present civilization. 0. Eailure of Christianity to appreciate the importance of the material and economic factors in the lives of men. d. threme individualism of Protestant Christianity. e. Unintelligent use which christains have mude of the Bible in believing all parts equally inepired. f. Its failure to ally itself with science. The opportunities of the church life in: a. Teaching whose practical end is the transformation of human conduct. b. Creation of public Opinion. January 17, 1928--2ighth Lesson 1. The church has been hindered by: 3. Geographical distances b. Strife and waste coming from too many denominations, and in a small area. Consolidation has increased in: a. Schools b. Churches-~29 in hichigan 0. Trade centers *nd agcneies Problem confronting the church-~Can the church expand and adapt itself to this changing world? Aloofness and indifference of church toward the community and of community toward the church has brought about: (fl 0 r- a. neager social life b. Remov l of ambitious from the community 0. Busting of finer social qualities Questions asked--Does the church as well a all institu- tions tend to encourage blind conformity: and to discourage thinking? Church belief seems to be larbely a matter of early training and habit. A church may change when tradition clashes with the new; a changed enironment means growth and new ideas. A church is on a sound econcmic basis if the ratio is one church to every 1,000 people. January 24, 1928--hinth Lesson Dr. Hoffer of the uepartment of Sociology of hichigan State College discussed crime. 1. 2. Crime may be defined as a violation of law. It is one factor in the crime situation that with more laws there are more crimes. The crime situation can be undestood by a study of the roots of human behavior. General principles: a. human behavior goes back to heredity and environment. b. Human behavior is to a great extent detergined by he group in which one plays. the community is responsible for the gangs; if they come by chance they are usuallqbad; if well thought I .4 out and planned for, they are usually bood. 6. The community has an Opportunity and a responsibility to provide activities Which give old and young 3 chance for expression in an elevating environment. 7. The use of leisure time has a definite relation to crime. 8. Help must come through substitution of good for bad activities. 9. Lodern methods of putting people in institutions not a remedy for crime because reformation is seldom accomplished. lO. Probation is a method that ought to be extend d to small communities. ll. Prevention of crime means constructive activity and good environment. 12. This_is a hOpeful viewpoint of human behavior-if acts are due to habit we can change the whole situation in a generation or less, but if acts are due to heredity this would be impossible. 15. Capital punishment may be a confession of failure on the part of society. January 51, 1928--Tenth Lesson Basis of lesson were studies of the rural church made by Gillette, Carl Taylor, Rev. C. O. Gill, and others. Gillette's studies show: 1. Causes of decline of the rural church a. number of denominations in one community. b. Division of ministerial services among several churche s . 4. c. Shifting and thinning of population The 21,000 closed churches in America present a serious situation. a. It may be a sign of rural religious decay. b. It is a sign of religious confusion. c. The causes: 1. sectarianism 2. Poorly trained pastors 5. roor church prOgram 4. small membership in adequate rural religious prOgram must: a. beveIOp ideals in rural life. b. Provide a church which exercises a moral and religious leadership. 0. arrange for resident p stors for a number of years. d. work in COOperation with ether inttitutions, and agencies. e. Serve the community and not have as its object the church itself. The ideal church: a. will reach all the community. b. will reach each class through their interests. 0. will do what needs to be done. d. will have a program which would be missed if taken away. e. ”ill compensate in values contributions made OJ 154 to the church. fa *. pill enlist members for christain activity. Lebruary 7, 1926--hleventh Lesson Dr. Hillard of hichigan state College nxtension bepartment. 1. 2. 01 0 Cr] 0 5. Answer to question--"ghy are we here?" President Butterfield-—”To grow," hoah nebster--"Enlarge powers of mind by knowledge, multiply rational enjoyments of life." adults can learn: a. Adults learn as fast as youth if they have a definite purpose. b. Experiments by Thorndyke prove this. 0. uegree of prior education is of litte importance. adult education is a purposeful effort by the student for a definite end; increase of knowledge, skill, and appreciation. Adult education is necessary: a. Rapid changes in the world. b. Democracy can no longer be run on same basis as it is now because of: 1. Crime 2. Extreme rural neglect 5. Poverty of city. 0. These problems can be met by consistent education in the give and take process of discussion. Continuing education is a plan by which as soon as one 155 is out of school there is a place for him. February 21, 1928--Twelfth Lesson The 1. School: Opposition to the consolidated school may be due to taxes and to anti-social characteristics. “dvantages of consolidation. 1. Increase in school days b. Increase in enrollment 0. Increase in daily attendance d. increase in number of trained teachers uisadvantages: ‘ l. ?axes 2. Little red school bood enough. 5. Long routes estimated roughly that it may cost 9100 per pupil in an ordinary district school Cost in Byron is 987 per pupil. school taxation in future to be based on pupils to be served rather than on land. It is an old View of school that it is an intellectual filling station, but the school is slow to adjust itself. Problem of the school is to help pupils to make the chanbe from external authority to internal. This is necessary because: a. The norld changes rapidly and ability is needed to make these changes. b. Judgments c. UOOperation is demanded by our social life. 8. modern thought increasinbly bases itself upon internal rather than external. 9. ”By doing his share in a group an individual learns how and becomes familiar with it and can do it well and thus becomes educated. March 6, 1928--Thirteenth Lesson The School: 1. baults in school system: a. hupt. does not analyze school failures. b. éupt. does not know pupils. 0. Teachers lack prepa ation d. Teachers do not know rural life. e. Outgrown course of study 2. Lducation lags behind industry. 5. echool problem is to help pupils make change from external to internal authority. 4. behool work can be tested by these questions: a. Is it constructive? b. Does it fit the group? c. Does it make pupils life better? Goal in education: (I1 To think without warp or prejudice. To decide for himself. To prefer social good to private good. March 20, 1928--Eourteenth Lesson harm papers ha e drifted from farm life. Cheap motion pictures are secured more easily than good ones. hethod of improving un holesome recreations: a. Substitute sometiinb more wholesome "nd more attrac;ive. b. hell planned progra s of valuable activities will crowd out the cheap. Libraries: Law of 1917 provided that the board of supervisors of each county may arrange for county library system. (:3 rossible community activities for which committees might be appointed: a. husic d. Calendar of events Among other things accomplished by the adult class during the course, aside from those conclusions arrived at in the summary was the scoring of the community. The com- munity score card, by Nat. T. brame of the University of 4 hest Virginia was used. The subjects scored in the community and the average percent ages were as follows: 4. Circular 255: March 1927-Extension Division of University of gest Virginia, Morgantown. 158 I A Community Spirit 653 B Citizenship 70% C Recreation 68% D Health 61% E Homes 57% F Schools 84% G Churches 65% H Business 62% I Farms 58% Average 55,33%r The score of each individual was averaged, and the above percentages determined for the entire class. The scoring of an average of less than two thirds perfect had its impression and the question was immediately asked: "What can we do about it?" -It pointed out to the individual, weaknesses which had not been seen and Opened a new field of opportunity for work. Near the end of the course a plan of community organization on a functional basis was pictured as follows: \fhxd qng\wk.0 TIRQBQ.O\~\ \ka . .O 4‘ .. Ping. ivalb. llil U.\m:bo(kk\.\% .53. Q2... o.GSEJ\ \.. //// km (:0 \ \ \\\ fl / // u 0&qu RiMQEE. \_ \ 4.52.300 .uwtdq..> héoztumb . Re.‘e.:.wm\ ‘ \ \ / // has 94 I; in! .. - - 1253.5 4. heka4§k< . 1. / a 31 \ /. l. \. / score/n 1. 1M3? .400 E on . F: (mt .. /‘ If Wm.L...>.Lo< utoLocEOZaNmewoow uZo.L.(:~ 2< C >4._Z(h~ ll: ti . .. u 0 L752 _. II 33:00 Jtu 159 The community organizations were to work through a central executive committee expressing their function, through the factors of socialization, in which they naturally were interested. To avoid conflict or prejudice in any organization the central committee was made up of people based on function rather than organisation affiliation, that is, a representative was not chosen to represent each organization separately. It seemed necessary to have an individual on the council who had a broader interest at heart than just one organization; therefore the members elected were not chosen to represent any one organization. The Byron Improvement Association which has been discussed under "Organizations" was asked to meet and become a part of this council, keeping their original name. A new president was chosen but the remaining officers were those of the Improvement Association. Leaders were then elected, regardless of the organization or membership, according to the function which they were especially able to carry out. A woman who was a natural leader in music with some experience was elected to take charge of the vocal rork of the community. She supervised community singing at public gatherings. Another who was especially good along the line of dramatics was elected to the council to represent and take charge of that function and the school nurse w s chosen to plan the health activities. At present the list is not complete but the organiza- tion is feeling its way and gradually gaining in strength and with the promise of support it has already accomplished a great deal. A social calendar has been made up for the coming year by the council. Each organization will be asked to select its dates of meetings and place them on the calendar as far in advance as possible. These dates will be allowed so far as possible. hhen a conflict arises arrangements will be made by a committee to adjust the situation. In hhis way it will be possible to avoid having more than one public meeting on the same date, which too often happens in the community. The council meets once each month. anyone interested in the community may come and vote. with the merging of hhe Improvement Association and Council into one organization it will probably combine as the Improvement Association and will take on more work rith broader interests. Under the direction of the new organization a bandl has been maintained which has given concerts each gednesday evening during the summer months. Funds to support the band were raised during one day by selling tags and by gifts from the township board and village council. As a result of organized effort the above studies were made and a better program has been undertaken. The community council is feeling its way toward the building ff a community proaram, in which each may participate, expressing himself more fully with the result of a better citizenship in the community. 161 Through the course in adult education, the work of the community council, and the general community prOgram one can see the working out of more important and desirable factors in the community and inter-community relationship. Some of the desirable factors which should result through efficient leadership are: 1. More Opportunities for peOple to express themselves through participation. 5. 2. COOperation between organizations and institutions. 5. An Open constructive criticism of community issues. 4. sufficient leadership of the various age groups and a c00perative relationship among leaders of the more important arganizations and institutions. 5. A variety of growing and vital types of group life, that is organi ations to meet the needs of all ages and interests, has resulted. 6. A forward looking program which will conserve the best in the traditions, customs, and achievements of the community while providing effective machinery for the changes necessary to meet new conditions. This will be made possible only by a community council which has regular meet- ings and good leadership. 7. A progressive occupational life in town and country. 8. A community which will score higher with reference to socialization in all its aspects. 9. The development of open mindedness toward 162 progress. 10. a stronger community consciousness. 165 Part V bUhhARY AND CONcLUSIONs The following tendencies have presented themselves throughout the study: 1. Those pioneer families who demanded higher / standards of life participated in building a better community. 2. Those organizations are the largest and have lived longest that have changed to meet changing conditions \ in the community. . 5. Organizations which have few functions and little participation on the part of members have greater leadership problems and a lower percent of attendance. 4. Organizations which have many functions with a long time program and a greater percent of the members \ articipating have larger attendance and make more changes. 5. The grading of students in high school too often is based on obedience rather than ability. 6. Socializing factors in agricultural education promote efficient production of a better type of product. 7. Extra curricular activities in which students i fi"_ "fix participate decrease problems in discipline, petty thieving, social hygiene, and increase school attendance. 8. 51th the re-organization of groups (which have come about through changes and the breaking down of neighborhoods) on an interest basis, many of the adults have not been able to adjust themselves to community groups and are not active in local organisations. 9. The leadership of the community is made up of individuals who belong to several organizations, and have made many social contacts. ~—i- 10. Constructive measures which will help people to spend their leisure time more w'sely are necessary in the community. 11. The people with the highest income are those who have more leisure time, are better educated, travel more, belong to more organizations, read more, and demand higher standards of life. 12. PeOple will participate in social activities if an Opportunity is provided. 15. Home talent draws larger crowds than foreign or professional. 14. PeOple learn to do by doing, and will do if given tasks within their power. 15. People are interested in studying their community problems. 16. The value of an organization in a community depends on the service rendered rather than net receipts. 17. An organization will OOOperate with other groups as it is led to see that it is only one of many groups working toward a common goal. 18. Organizations for young peOple which make little change to meet the needs of changing youth become inc'ICtiVe o 19. a community consciousness develops through the OOOperation of the Various groups of which it is composed. with this comes a higher standard Of living which results in a prosperous community. 20. ”By doing his share in the associated activity the individual appropriates the purpose which actuates it, becomes familiar with its methods and subject matter, acquires needed skill and is saturated with its emotional spirit." John Dewey. Am. Country Life Assn. Brunner, E. de 5. Dewey, John EnSi lon, D. In]? 0 Compa.ny Frame, D. E. Hawthorn, H . B . Gillette, J. M. IiOlb , J. H o and I‘Liledon, £1. E]. Canderson, D. Steiner, J. E. Taylor, Carl C. BIB-L IOU-R HY Farm Income and Farm Life. Univ. of Chicago Press: 1927 pa5e 524. Vi11a5e Communities. New York 1927. Democracy and Education. The hacmillan Company New York-192 . History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties. Lippincott Co., Phil. lEBO-pa5e 541. Country Community Score Card. College of A5ri. ‘deéf’Vir5in1a Univ. Lorgzintown Circular 255: March 1927 pa5e 19. The Sociolo5y of Rural Life. The Century Co. N. Y. 1926 pa5e 517. Rural Sociology. The 1925 pa5e 502. Lacmillan Co. N.Y. Lural Primary Groups. Research bulletin 51?— Special‘lnterest Groups in Rural society. hearch BuIIetin 54 nee. I957 5r . rxp. station, Univ. of nisconsin pa5e 110. Locatin5 the Rural Community. Country LiFe series, Cornell Univ., Ithica, N.Y. June 1920. The American Community_in Action. Henry IIOltC-‘11LI-‘r‘00 II. Yo page —58:o Rural SociolO5y. Ha 1925 pa5e 515 per & Brothers, N. Y. Records of Organizations in the :tudy. Township Records of the Township of Eurns. 1850-1920 U. 5. Ce sus Reports _‘ "C" . !_4¥-“r‘-" vnré ‘— AXE ‘m' HICHIGQN STQTE UNIV. llllllfl llllll t|1llll HI llll 6 LIBRRRIES 312930 07 7139