A Little more than half a century ago the first white settler arrived in Commerce, and after an almost solitary existence of four or five years left his habitation and moved away. This first pioneer was a man by the name of Abram Walrod, who located on the present site of the village of Commerce in 1824 or 1825. It is within the recollection of some yet living that where now we behold, with mingled feelings of admiration and pleasure, the cultivated farms and rural residences, thriving villages, abodes of wealth and happiness, naught but an unbroken wilderness met the gaze of the early settler. Who have wrought this change? The pioneer men and women who sought a permanent home amid the primeval forest, in the solitary wilds of the west, and there, by energy and perseverance persistent toil, and unremitting industry, planted an indelible impress of development and progress that is as admirable in its results as its accomplishment was difficult.
The township contains a remarkable diversity of soil, mostly a sandy loam, with here and there a small area of heavy clay. On the margins of the lakes a rich alluvial soil abounds, which, like the other, is fertile and productive. The surface is generally level, in places rolling, with occasionally a hilly spot.
The township is watered by the Huron river and several of those beautiful miniature lakes for the number of which Oakland County is noted. Among these the principal ones are Long lake, Lower Strait, Commerce, and Walled lake, of which about one-third is in Commerce, the rest being in Novi township. These lakes are plenteously supplied with various kinds of fish, and afford both pleasure and recreation to the inhabitants of the township.
A peculiar phenomenon is presented by the existence of subterranean lakes, over which is a thin crust of conglomerated decayed vegetable matter and a sward of grass. It was found very difficult in an early day, and also at a later period, to construct roads over these spots. A heavy growth of tamarack or American larch exists on the margin of these natural curiosities. In the year of our Lord 1834 the congressional township of Commerce was detached from Novi and organized in the usual manner, of which more hereafter. The consideration of the early settlement of the township and its subsequent development are items which now claim attention.

The first permanent settlement effected was by Abram Walrod, who came in May. 1825, from the State of New York, and settled on section 10, in which Commerce village is now situated. He built a plain log house on the lot now occupied by William Till, and lived in it for two or three years, and then moved into one of the counties in the western part of the State. He was said to have been a worthy and industrious person. Succeeding Walrod came the following : Walter B. Hewitt came in June, 1 1825, and settled in section 34, on the farm now owned by Sidney Case. He I erected a plain log house, in which he resided for a few years, and then moved to Ypsilanti, where he now lives. He was an emigrant from the State of New York. Bela Armstrong arrived May 1, 1826, and settled on the farm now owned by J. J. Moore. He died the year following his arrival. He came from Monroe county, New York. Cornelius Austin, a soldier of the war of 1812, and still a resident of the township, accompanied by his family, was the next to add his fortunes to the struggling colony. Mr. Austin was born in New Jersey, but at an early age removed to Lyons, New York, from thence to Indiana, and next, in 1829, to Commerce, taking up his residence near the site now occupied by the dwelling of Sidney C. Case, about one hundred rods northeast of Deacon Denny's house, which was over the line in Novi township. Here he lived a year and then removed to his present residence, on the north side of Walled lake, where he has lived continuously for nearly half a century. He is now in his eighty-seventh year, hale and hearty, and bids fair to become a centenarian. As illustrating the simplicity of his habits we mention an assertion we heard J. D. Bateman make, which was to the effect that Uncle Austin wears the same clothes he wore forty years ago. We may add that the above has a dual signification. It illustrates the characteristics of both men, the utter ignorance of the fashions by the one, and the penchant for grotesque bonhomie of the other. The year 1830 was more prolific in the accessions to the settlement. Among those coming in this year were Jesse Tuttle, who came from Pennsylvania, and settled on section 34, on the present site of the house now occupied by Mrs. Martha E. Crumb, in Walled Lake village. Lewis Norton arrived in the fall of the same year, and settled on the farm now owned by Willard C. Wixom, on section 30. Mr. Norton removed to Livingston county in 1839, and soon after was killed by lightning while seeking shelter under a tree from a thunder-storm. Matthew McCoy, who is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, on the place he first settled in 1830, came from New York City. The deed for his place bears date July 1, 1831, and is signed by Andrew Jackson. Alonzo Sibley, Esq.,f settled on the farm he now occupies, being the west half of the southwest quarter of section 32, in May, 1831. William Gamble came from the State of New York, and settled on the farm now owned by Gr. H. Shear, on section 18, about the year 1832. William Loughrey came in and settled on the farm he now occupies, on section 7, in 1832. His house stood about eighty rods from its present location, in what used to be termed the Mormon settlement. Ephraim Burch emigrated from Canada in 1832, and took up two eighties, one on section 19 and the other on section 30. He made his home on the latter, which is now occupied by his son, William H. Burch. Ephraim, another son, has the eighty on section 19. Reuben Wright came from Orleans county, New York, in the fall of 1832, and took up one-eighth of section 10. He now resides in the village, one of the old and respected pioneers of his township.
Jesse Clark came in from Seneca county. New York, in 1833, and soon after his arrival returned for his family, and settled on section 19, a part of which he had purchased of the government. He erected his shanty on what is now the centre of the road, but subsequently built the frame house now occupied by David Morrison. Mr. Clark and his wife are both dead. Among other prominent citizens who came in this year may be mentioned the following: Seymour Devereaux, from New York, settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Orso Devereaux. William Riley, from Pembroke, Wyoming county. New York, as early as this year, possibly in 1832. William Holmes came into the township from New York city in July, 1834, and settled in the place he at present occupies, on section 18. Patrick Gillick came from Troy, New York, in the fall of the same year, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Thomas, on section 30, where he died a number of years ago. John Coulter arrived from New York city in 1834, and settled in the south west quarter of section 8, which is now owned and occupied by his elder son, Andrew. John W. Cams came, in company with William Holmes, in 1834, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 32. He resided on his place till his death, which occurred under peculiarly melancholy circumstances, Tuesday, July 24, 1867. He was cutting wheat with a combined reaper and mower, when the wheel of the machine came in contact with a stone or some other obstruction, by which he was thrown under the horses feet, by one of which he was kicked in the bowels. He was removed to his house and attended by Dr. J. M. Hoyt, but he was beyond the power of medical skill, and expired the day after the accident occurred. The honored names of others who swelled the list of arrivals this year are H. C. S. Caruss, from Wyoming county, New York; Joseph B. Tuttle, from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania; James Welfare (father of George and James Welfare), from Ontario county. New York ; Charles Mascord, from Orleans county; born in England; resided in Commerce village for the past twenty-two years. Among the prominent arrivals in 1835 were Robert E. and William Noe, from New York city ; Charles Severance, Jonathan Van Gordon (now residing in White Lake township). Abraham C. Taylor came from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Michigan in 1824, and first settled at Troy, Oakland county ; moved to Commerce, and located on section 21, in 1835, and has since lived in the township. He now resides in Commerce village. Somewhere about November, 1825, Constant Wood and wife emigrated from the town of Perrinton, Monroe county. New York, to the wilds of Farmington, being among the very first there. The next season, 1826, they were prostrated on beds of sickness, from which the husband was conveyed to the cemetery, he dying in October, the wife from sickness being unable to be present at his burial. After her recovery this indomitable woman, surrounded by her little ones, took in the situation, learned the trade of a tailoress, and by dint of her untiring industry accumulated sufficient means for a comfortable home. But misfortune was still on her track. A little son about four years of age drank of some strong lye, from the effects of which he died in February, 1830. This was followed by the burning of her house, three weeks after, with nearly all its contents, the family barely escaping with their lives. Again she bravely went to work, and with the assistance of kind friends got material together and put up another house, on the ruins of her old home, when, needing a sight once more of her paternal hills, she with her little ten-year-old daughter went back to New Hampshire, leaving her two sons in Michigan. Returning after an absence of four months, she again took up the busy staff of life, and continued to reside there until 1836, when she again re- married, to Ahijah Wixom, and removed to Commerce. Here she lost a little son in 1840. Her eldest son, S. C. Wood, died in California in 1850. Her last husband died in 1855. She now spends her time between the houses of her son, Willard C. Wixom, of Wixom, and that of her son-in-law, Henderson Crawford, of Milford, a loved and honored mother among her children, who honor themselves in honoring her.
John Richardson came into the county in this year, but not into Commerce for some years subsequent. Seth A. Paddock and two brothers came in about this time. * Jared Newsom arrived in 1837, J. L. Humphrey in 1839, and Thomas C. Smith (the last two named reside in Commerce village) in 1840. The first settlers were obliged to go to Pontiac and Detroit for their groceries and provisions, and to Northville and Farmington for flour. Roads there were none, and the pioneers joined in "underbrushing" their way to Pontiac, Northville, and other settlements as soon as they became possessed of oxen and wagons. They had to undergo the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life every- where ; but they were a robust and enterprising class of settlers,—none of the transient, semi-speculative sort. They came with the determination to effect a permanent settlement. How well they succeeded is shown by the present prosperity and importance of the township. How vividly do those few who shared the toils and cares, the trials and sickness, of those days recall the close of the hard day's labor! In the words of the poet, " The fire sank low, the drifting smoke died softly in the autumn haze, But silent are the tongues that spoke The speech of other days. Gone, too, the dusky forms, whose feet But now yon listening thicket stirred; Unscarred, beneath its shade did meet The squirrel and the bird.

Under this head various items pertaining to the progress and development of the township will be adduced. The first log house erected in Commerce was by Abram Walrod, in May, 1825. It stood within the inclosure now occupied by the garden site of William Till, in Commerce village. In June following, Walter B. Hewitt built a similar structure. The first hewn log building was erected in 1834, for a school-house, and as such was used for twelve or fifteen years, when it was superseded by a frame house. These buildings were located in school district No. 1, section 25, on the farm now owned by Dr. J. M. Hoyt. The first frame house was built by Hiram Barritt, commonly known as 'Squire Barritt, in 1833. It stood on the 'north side of the old Pontiac and Ann Arbor road, on the farm now owned by J. M. Hoyt, M.D., who married one of the 'squire's daughters. Thomas Caruss erected a frame house about the same time, doing all the work himself, he being a carpenter. The house has been improved, raised, and added to, and is now occupied by John Decker. Enough of the old fabric remains to constitute it a landmark and to leave the impress of venerable antiquity. Harry Dodge, the first supervisor of the township, also built a frame house about the same time. It stood on the site of the horse-barn of John J. Smith, on section 26. The first brick building was the school-house, in the Patten district, about 1851. It stands on section 33. The first farm was opened by Abram Walrod in 1825, but he made very little improvement on it. The first wheat was sowed by Eliphalet Hungerford, on section 34, in 1831. He also set out the first orchard on the same place and in the same year. The first improved farm machinery consisted of fanning-mills and revolving horse-rakes. The former were manufactured by Jesse Clark, at Northville, as early as 1835, and were quite extensively used by the early farmers. The latter were manufactured by Hungerford & Carlisle, and were introduced by several persons contemporaneously about 1838. The first reaper was brought in by Mark A. Green, about 1840. 'Squire Sibley had a reaper and mower combined as early as 1845.
The first road was laid out in 1833 or 1834, and was then known as the Romeo and Ann Arbor road, and at that time passed diagonally through sections 24, 25, 26, and 34. It was also known as the Pontiac and Walled Lake road. It was a Territorial road, and first ran on the north side of the lake, but is now on the south side of it. Hervey Parke was the surveyor, and Judges Bagley and Le Roy and Samuel J. Close were the commissioners. The first post-ofiice was established about 1832, the route being from Farmington to Walled Lake. The mail was carried by Deacon William Tenny, on horseback. About the same time an office was established at Commerce village, and Richard Burt was appointed postmaster, the office being supplied from Pontiac. The receipts averaged about fifty dollars per year at both offices for two or three years. Mr. Burt used to carry the mail in his pocket, and Deacon Tenny, who required a larger depository, used his hat.
The first stage-route was established by George C. Hungerford, between Pontiac and Milford, by way of Walled Lake and Commerce, in 1851. About the same time a route between Pontiac and Ann Arbor was started by Joseph Morris.
The first tavern was kept by Warren Jarvis, at Walled Lake, in 1830. The sign was half the head of a flour-barrel, placed on a pole with a split in the top, and the word " INN" painted on it. The first regular hotel was kept by Jesse Tuttle, about 1833, at the same place. The first mechanics were Godfrey, blacksmith, built a small board shop in 1833 ; Randall Calvin, carpenter, about the same time ; W. H. Banks, cooper, log shop in 1833 ; F. H. Banks, mason, same time. The latter resided at Walled Lake until 1872, when he removed to Northville. The first physician was Dr. Henry K. Foote, who located in the southwest part of the town, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Lucy A. Kelsey, on section 31,in the year 1831-32. He was of the regular school of medicine. He also represented the fourth district in the legislature in 1860. The first lawyer was Joseph G. Farr, who was admitted to the bar about 1845, but had practiced before justices' courts about ten years prior to this time.
The first marriage was that of Eber Hungerford to Maria Burgess, in the winter of 1831-32, by Rev. Caleb Lamb. William, their elder son, and two or three of their younger children now reside at Algansee, Branch county, Michigan, where they died a few years ago.
The first white birth was that of Robert, son of Matthew McCoy, who was born July 1, 1831, and now lives with his parents near the village of Walled Lake.
The first death was that of Bela Armstrong, who died in September, 1827, one year and three months after his arrival in the township. He was first interred on his farm, and subsequently in the burial-ground near the village. The first grave-yard was laid out on the farm of Bela Armstrong, then owned by his widow, about 1834. Most of the remains interred in this place were taken up and re-interred in the Baptist burying-ground near the village, laid out about 1837. This cemetery is used by all denominations, though controlled by the trustees of the Baptist church. No records touching the cemetery exist, so we are debarred from giving a more extensive history of it.

In 1838 a burying-ground was laid out in South Commerce, opposite the resi- dence of Alonzo Sibley, Esq., and a company organized, under the title of "The South Commerce Burying-Ground Company," of which Mr. Sibley was elected the first president (and has held the office continuously ever since), Ahijah Wixom the first secretary, and Justin Walker treasurer. The first interment was that of the wife of Justin Walker, who was buried is it soon after it was laid out. Among other prominent pioneer citizens of that part of the township whose remains repose therein are those of Mrs. M. Sibley, Rev. Samuel Wire, Ephraim Burch, Sr., Deacon Darius Wright, Ahijah Wixom, and Daniel Curtis. The present officers of the company are : Alonzo Sibley, president ; Mark Fur- man, secretary; Ephraim Burch, treasurer. The burying-ground is tastefully decorated with flowers and shrubs, and is carefully and neatly kept It contains some fine monuments and other evidences of reverential regard, and numerous tokens of affectionate remembrance of those who "sleep the sleep that knows no waking" beneath its verdant sward.
The first school-house was erected in the summer of 1833, on the ground now occupied by the house of Theodore Moore, at Walled Lake. It was a rudely- constructed log building, and covered with oak "shakes," which were manufactured by Lyman Hathorn. The first frame school-house was built on the Barritt farm, now owned by Dr. J. M. Hoyt, by Hiram Barritt, about 1836.
The township of Commerce, as before stated, was erected by an act of the Territorial legislature, approved March 7. 1834, and the first township-meeting was held at the house of Henry Tuttle, on the 7th of April following. The subjoined are the proceedings of the first meeting: Officers were elected as follows : Supervisor, Harvey Dodge ; Township Clerk, Hiraiu Barritt ; Assessors, George Spencer, Richard Burt, Amos Wilson ; Director of the Poor. Eliphalet Hungerford, Jeremiah Curtis, William H. Banks; Commissioners of Highways, Levi Willetts, Daniel Dutcher ; Collector, George Cook ; Constables. George Cook, Edwin Bachelder ; Commissioners of Common Schools, John Hodge, Jr., Justin Walker, John Cook ; Inspectors of Common Schools, Reuben Wright, Eleazur Thurston, Harvey Dodge, William R. Adams, Henry K. Foote. M.D.
The Following gentlemen were elected overseers of highways and fence-viewers in their respective districts, namely: Medad Barritt, district No. 1 ; Christopher Sly, district No. 2 ; Ephraim Burch. district No. 3 ; Joseph Hawkes, district No. 4 ; Andrew Cook, district No. 5 ; Henry Tuttle, district No. 6. The minor officers were chosen by dividing the electors, and the other officers were balloted for separate. Below we give the names of those who have occupied the offices of supervisors, township clerks, and justices of the peace, from 1834 to 1877, inclusive: Supervisors: Harvey Dodge (three years), Lemuel M. Patridge (two years), Hiram Barritt, Jonas G. Potter, Stephen Hungerford, George Patten (two years), Thomas Sugden, George Patten (two years), James M. Hoyt, M.D., Benjamin Bullard (three years), George Patten, Mark A. Green (two years), George Patten (two years), Mark A. Green, Hiram Barritt (three years), Abraham Allen (two years), Seth A. Paddock, Stephen Bennett, Abraham Allen, Seth A. Paddock, Albert Richardson (four years), Thaddeus A. Smith (two years), George Killam (five years). Albert Richardson, present incumbent.
Township Clerks.—Hiram Barritt, Reuben Wright, W. R. Adams, Reuben Wright (two years), Job Fuller, Charles H. Paddock, A. T. Crossman, Allen W. Eddy, Isaac S. Taylor, James M. Hoyt, M.D., Charles H. Paddock (two years), Daniel H. Ketchum (two years), William R. Marsh, John Comstock, John C. Clark. James F. Fairbank (three years), Thaddeus A. Smith (four years), William Donaldson ( five years). Thaddeus A. Smith (three years), Joseph B. Moore, Thaddeus A. Smith, J. D. Bateman, George R. Tuttle (two years), Thomas R. Kennedy, George R. Tuttle, Oliver Evans, Alfred H. Paddock, Stephen M. Gage (two years), present incumbent.
Justices of the Peace. Hiram Barritt (four years), John Hodge, Jr. (three years), Charles H. Paddock (two years), George Taylor (one year), Lemuel M. Patridge, William Gamble (vacancy), Stephen Hungerford, Charles H. Patridge, Hiram Barritt, Alonzo Sibley, Amasa Andrews (vacancy), Stephen Hungerford, Thomas Sugden, Hiram Barritt, Alonzo Sibley, Ezra S. Parker, Anson Whitney, Thorn Deuel, Stephen Hungerford (vacancy), Alonzo Sibley, Joseph E. Orr, William F. Stone (vacancy), Charles M. Orr, Thorn Deuel, Stephen Hungerford (vacancy), Stephen Hungerford (vacancy, one year), Harley Rounds (vacancy, two years), Stephen Hungerford (full term), Harley Rounds, Pliny Phillips (three years). Benjamin Brown (two years), Charles M. Orr, Benjamin Brown, Andrew McKinley, Harley Rounds, Aaron Oyshterbank, Benjamin Brown, Peter S. Buck, Orson H. Smith, Aaron Oyshterbank, Francis B. Owen, William C. Kennedy, Orson H. Smith, Aaron Oyshterbank, George R. Tuttle, Louis A. Horton. D. Darwin Hughes, Aaron Oyshterbank, Oliver Evans, Orson H. Smith, William Wix, Charles D. Woodman, James L. Humphrey (vacancy), James L. Humphrey (full term).

The settlement of Walled Lake village was commenced by Walter B. Hewitt, in June, 1825, and Bela Armstrong, in May, 1826. In the vicinity Deacon William Tenny and Benjamin Hance settled about the same time, but not on the present site of the village. They were in Novi township. This little scattered colony, including the two last named, was soon increased by the arrival of Henry Harrington and his family, who purchased an acre of land of Hance, in Novi, and erected thereon his cabin. In 1829, Cornelius Austin, a soldier of the war of 1812, accompanied by his family, was the next arrival, who settled within a short distance of where he now resides.
Next following Mr. Austin came Warren Jarvis, and in a year or two Jesse Tuttle, and others who are mentioned among the early settlers of the township in the preceding pages of the history of Commerce. Mr. Tuttle located in the heart of the village, building himself a log house on the present site of the dwelling owned and occupied by his relict, the widow Martha E. Crumb. This (log house) Mr. Tuttle shortly converted into a tavern, to meet the wants of the sparse and straggling settlement, the Indians, and the few travelers that found their way by the Indian "trails" of the wilderness.
A rich alluvial soil, fine hunting and fishing, had ever made the banks of this beautiful sheet of water a great place of resort for the children of the forest. In fact, a limited number made it their permanent abiding place, having a cleared field and orchard just south of Deacon Tenny's house, of which there yet remain two giant old apple-trees and two pear-trees, that annually afford fruit of an inferior quality. Their burying-ground, all traces of which are extinct, was located just south of Austin's original residence, and the old veteran relates how their chief contracted to give him a Pish-co-pe-sha (horse) in consideration of his erecting a post-and-rail fence around this sacred place. The chief failed to produce the horse, and the fence was never built. The grand Indian trail from Grand Rapids to Detroit struck the lake at a point on the western outskirts of the present village, and following the eastern bank around, left it upon its southern side. Where the hotel now stands was a favorite camping-ground for migratory tribes, and Mr. Austin relates that for weeks at a time he has seen as many as five hundred of them on this ground, and has been a spectator of their " green corn" and other dances and orgies. As neighbors he affirms none could have been better. They were inoffensive, respected the rights of the whites, and uniformly kept and redeemed their word. Their time was divided between land and se-pee (water), hunting, fishing, and trapping, and their numerous canoes made in summer an ever-lively scene on the blue waters of the lake.

Is connected with the early settlement of Walled Lake. The place being a regular rendezvous for the aborigines, of course a trading-post was established there. This was kept by Messrs. Prentice & King, and thereby hangs a tale. It is said that Prentice, while a citizen of the State of Maine, loved one of its fair maidens. But, unfortunately, he was not alone in his amour. Another also loved the girl. Rivalry in love, next to jealousy, is generally conceded to be the most aggravating thing in nature. However this may be, the affair culminated in a duel, in which Prentice killed his antagonist, and was severely wounded himself King acted as second in the affair, and both had to flee the State. Prentice being jilted by the girl he loved, became disgusted with civilization, and started for the west, and, accompanied by King, they became Indian traders. Some years afterwards they each married a daughter of the Indian chief Sheskone, who were two very beautiful Indian maidens. They lived very happily together while here, and when the Indians moved they accompanied them beyond the Missouri, where, for aught we know, they still live, happy in the companionship of the sons and daughters of the forest.
The business development of the village affords some items of interest, which we now present. The first store was kept by the Indian traders Prentice and King, as early as 1830. The stock consisted principally of toys and trinkets, such as captivated the untutored imagination of the simple Indian, and a few cheap fabrics. The first regular merchant was William R. Adams, who established himself in business on the site of the residence of J. J. Moore, about 1833. His stock consisted of dry goods, Yankee notions, groceries, and whisky, mostly the latter, which, it is said, was plenteously diluted with the "beautiful blue water" of the lake.
Other merchants who have done business in the village were Thorn Deuel, a Mrs. Phillips, Benjamin Brown, and Dr. J. M. Hoyt. The present ones are Gage & Woodman. The mode of business was cash, trade, and barter, principally the latter. The first house erected in the village was the one by Deacon Tenny, and it yet stands to do service as a pigsty for James D. Bateman, being now a half century old. Then came Jesse Tuttle with his log cabin ; which was succeeded about the year 1840 by the more pretentious frame upright of the present "Peabody House," now kept by "mine host" George W. Wilson, an old hotel-keeper, who has been a resident of Oakland County for over forty years. The house was built by Harmon Pettibone, and the latter became famous as a resort for dancing parties. Not long previously, the village doctor" came upon the scene in the person of James M. Hoyt, with M.D. diploma, fresh from an eastern college. After forty years, practice in the same place, the doctor is still there, but has delegated most of his practice to his assistant, Dr. E. A. Chapman, on account of an injury received while in the practice of his profession, by which he almost entirely lost the use of his right eye.
No remarkable rapidity of growth has characterized Walled Lake village, but it is a place nevertheless of considerable business, and is made lively in summer by the presence of numerous pleasure seekers, drawn thither by the beauty of the scenery, the abundance of fish, the salubrity of the air, and the healthfulness of the water, which in nearly all the wells is strongly impregnated with iron, sulphur, and magnesia, a trio of health-sustaining chemicals, which are highly beneficial alike to the invalid and the healthy.
An impetus was given to the place in 1836, when it was platted by Jesse Tuttle. Its development has been gradual but sure. Among the professional men who have made Walled Lake village their home are Drs. J. M. Hoyt, Henry K. Foote, M. B. Eldridge, Ketcham & Richards, and James D. Bateman, attorneys. The business and manufacturing interests of the village are represented by one general store and post-office, Boswell Wever, postmaster, a steam grist-mill, cider-factory, cooper-shop, two blacksmithies, steam saw-mill, two churches, one each of the Baptist and Methodist Episcopal persuasion, two resident physicians, and the same number of ministers, and one practicing attorney. Its population is estimated at about four hundred. It is a good market for all kinds of produce, and is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural country. The future prosperity of the village is assured.

The earliest settlement within the present limits of Commerce township was made on section 10, the site of the village, by Abram Walrod, in May, 1825. Following him came Reuben Wright, who took up one-eighth of section 10 in the fall of 1832. He came from Orleans county. New York, and still resides in the village. John Cook came in two years after Mr. Wright, and settled on the present site of the village. He came from Schoharie county, New York. Jonas Higley arrived in 1835, and took up the most of the village site, as at first platted, which he subsequently sold to Amasa Andrews and Joseph Gr. Farr, by whom it was laid out into village lots in 1836. After the village was fairly started large accessions were made to it. John Cook is accredited with having erected the first log house, next to that built by Abram Walrod. This was in 1834.
The first frame house was erected by Henry Paddock, in 1836. It is the cottage now occupied by the widow Stitts. Mr. Paddock was also the first merchant in the village, commencing business on a small scale in 1836. The first tavern was built and kept by Richard Burt (of township name memory), in 1834. He also kept the post-office in it. Joseph G. Farr kept tavern in a frame house in 1836, which was conducted for a number of years subsequently by Thaddeus A. Smith, Esq., and was destroyed by fire in March, 1866, while under his management and ownership. It stood on the site of the present hotel, now owned and conducted by Henry Van Gordon, than which no better hotel exists in the county.
The first grist-mill was erected in 1837 or 1838, by Messrs. Crossman, Seymour & Hoover. The work was done by John Nugent, millwright, an old settler of Bloomfield township. The mill is now operated by Scharnwebber & Barkham. A second grist-mill was built by Henry and Jerome Paddock about the year 1843, which, after running a few months, was burnt, and another building erected by the same parties. This was converted into a woolen-factory, and run by three or four ministers of the Methodist persuasion, who were not as successful in operating it as they doubtless were, or might have been, in running what Mark Twain irreverently calls a " gospel mill." The machinery was subsequently removed, and the building is now used by Messrs. Wix & Donaldson as a cider-factory with marked success.
The present prosperity of the village is shown by the following statistics : It contains three general stores, meat-market, hotel, post-office, two blacksmiths' and two wagon-makers' shops, a boot and shoe store, a grist-mill, a cider-factory, three churches, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, and United Presbyterian, each having a resident minister. It has a good public school, and a population of about three hundred.
Commerce village is pleasantly located on both sides of the Huron river. It is surrounded by a good farming region, and is quite an extensive market for wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, pork, and wool.
Commerce Lodge No. 121, F. and A. M., was granted a dispensation by the grand lodge in 1859, and received its charter on the 13th of January, 1860. The first officers were Solon Cooley, W. M. ; William Wix, S. W. ; Thaddeus A. Smith, J. W. ; Daniel F. Clark, Treasurer ; Francis B. Owen, Secretary ; William Brown, S. D. ; John H. Patten, J. D. ; Ulysses S. Buck, Tyler.
The present officers are Robert Malcolm, W. M. ; William S. Horton, S. W.; William S. Wood, J. W. ; John Malcolm, Treasurer; Charles E. Dewey, Secretary ; Alfred H. Paddock, S. D. ; L. F. Stockwell, J. D. ; J. R. Macumber, Tyler. The present number of members is sixty-two. The lodge rents the hall they meet in, which was dedicated to Masonry, April 16, 1872, by Henry M. Look, Esq., of Pontiac. Thaddeus A. Smith, ex-register of deeds, was Worshipful Master for six years.

Among the early settlers of what now constitutes the village of Wixom were Lewis Norton, who settled on, and owned, what is now the south part of the village in 1830; Alonzo Sibley, most of the northeast part in 1831 ; Ahijah Wixom, the northern part of it in 1832. The village was platted by Willard C. Wixom, son of Ahijah Wixom, on the 16th of September, 1871. It is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Flint and Pere Marquette railway, in the extreme southern part of Commerce township, and extends over into Novi also. It now contains one general store and post-office, kept by A. W. Arms; a jewelry-store, a large wheat and plaster warehouse, and lumberyard, kept by Wixom & Sibley ; a foundry and machine-shop, by C. P. Larcom; cooper and blacksmith-shop, depot, and telegraph and express-offices. It has twenty-seven houses and nearly two hundred inhabitants. The number of bushels of wheat shipped from the warehouse of Messrs. Wixom & Sibley during the year 1876 was thirty-five thousand, number of pounds of wool forty thousand. The proprietors of the place took a wise course when they laid out the village, by donating lots for manufacturing purposes, the depot site, and other enterprises. Private building lots they put at a reasonable figure, and thus insured the sale of several, and the development of the village. Wixom bids fair to become a place of considerable importance, thanks to the energy, enterprise, and integrity of its proprietors.

The religious history of Commerce forms an important item, and one which will interest those who are identified with the churches. We shall arrange the historical sketches of the several denominations chronologically, irrespective of numerical strength or extraneous influence. The first public religious service was held at Walled Lake, in 1833, by Rev. Caleb Lamb, under the auspices of the Baptist denomination, of which he was at that time an evangelist. He was followed by his brother, Nehemiah Lamb. The pioneer religious organization was the Baptist Church.

Which was formed in February, 1834, Rev. Mr. Noyes officiating. The original members of the society were Deacon William Tenny and wife, Eber Hungerford and wife, Randall Colvin and wife, Mrs. Sprague, Jabez Brown and wife, Misses Elizabeth and Sarah Brown, Miss Ward, Mrs. Harriet Hathorn, Justin Walker and wife, Miss Lovina Wilkins, and Lewis Mead and wife. Justin Walker was elected clerk. The society used to conduct their services for the first few years in the old log school-house which stood where the house of Theodore Moore now stands.
The following preachers have served the congregation : Caleb Lamb, Nehemiah Lamb, Noyes, Morrell, Elijah Wever, Pennell, Eaton, Jones, James, Baker, Atwood, Morse, Adams, Isaac Lamb, Roscoe, Tenny, Bennett, Fenton, Clutes, David Loomis, S. Chase, Waxman, R. Dunlop, Rowe, Isaac Lamb (recalled), L. G. Clark, and W. M. Welker, the present incumbent. Of these,, the most successful was Elder Elijah Wever, who was born in Washington county. New York, in 1799. He was hopefully converted at about thirteen years of age, and united with the Baptist church. His residence was early changed to Camillus, New York, where he married. Here, also, he was reclaimed from a backslidden state, and when restored to the divine favor his mind turned to the Christian ministry as the work designed for him by the Head of the church. Under this conviction, ere he had reached twenty years of age, he made his first effort in preaching the gospel in Camillus, March, 1818, continuing to the time of his death, fifty years. On the day of his ordination he had the privilege of baptizing twelve young converts, the first fruits of his long and successful ministry.
On closing his pastorate of three years, he settled in East Mendon, New York, where, amidst rich displays of grace in the conversion of sinners, he preached twelve years, and gathered several hundreds into the church. He soon thereafter commenced work as an evangelist, for this purpose going to Medina, New York. In 1836 he moved to Michigan, and for several years was pastor over this church, where God still honored him with a successful ministry. During his pastorate at Walled Lake two hundred were added to the church, and he baptized sixty persons in one day. He subsequently evangelized, in this State and Ohio, with great acceptability.
Elder Wever did not have the advantages of a liberal education to aid in fitting him for the ministerial work. His transfer from the plow to the pulpit was quickly accomplished. God called him to preach the gospel, and he felt that he must do it to the best of his ability. In connection with what grace did for him in enriching his heart with spiritual experiences and the knowledge of the truth, ho had a natural adaptation to public speaking, combined with energy of character, which gave him great power in the pulpit. He had a genial spirit, a strong, active mind, and readiness in meeting emergencies, eminently fitting him to exert a strong influence over others. He loved the work committed to his hands, and pursued it with commendable earnestness. But impaired health compelled him at length to desist from his labors, and locate himself where he might quietly spend the evening of his days. For this purpose, just before his death, he purchased a house in Bellevue, the residence of some of his children. He superintended the necessary repairs, but ere they were completed, after a severe sickness of five days, God called him up higher, to occupy the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." He met death with quiet, Christian composure. In reply to an inquiry by his companion respecting his prospects in the future, he said, "My trust is in Jesus." An hour before he expired he applied his fingers to his wrist, searching for his pulse. Its throbs had ceased. Apparently unmoved, he said to his friends, " My pulse is gone." He examined his hands, saw the sure indications of approaching dissolution, and calmly awaited the moment of his departure. " See with what peace a Christian can die."
Elder Wever was in all pastor of Walled Lake Baptist church fifteen years. During his ministry, which extended over fifty years, it is safe to say that he baptized more than three thousand persons. Of his children four remain, namely, Melita, widow of Thomas Caruss, Bellevue, Eaton county, Michigan ; Roswell, postmaster at Walled Lake ; Permilia, wife of R. S. Howard ; and Cyrus, near Saranac. Ionia county.
We close this brief sketch of the life of a good man in the words of Elder H, K. Stiinson, in his excellent work " From the Stage-coach to the Pulpit." Referring to Elder Wever and others he says, "They did their pioneer duty faithful! Their fragrant memory is a rich heritage to the church. Let their names forever be embalmed in grateful hearts. Among them let Wever be remembered gratefully as long as any. He was their equal." To return to the church history. The school-house referred to at the commencement of this sketch was burned in 1836, after which they held their meetings at the private residence of Jabez Brown. In the spring and summer of 1837 a church edifice was erected, on the ground now occupied by the cemetery at Walled Lake. It was a frame building, twenty-eight by forty feet in size, and cost five hundred dollars. The present building was erected in 1854. Its dimensions are thirty-two by forty-four feet, and it cost eighteen hundred and fifty dollars. It is capable of comfortably seating about three hundred persons. The present membership of the church is ninety-five. The membership has been diminished by frequent dismissals for the purpose of organizing churches elsewhere. The Baptist churches of Commerce, Novi, and Portland, Ionia county, were formed by members from this church.
The present church officers are Isaiah Simmons, D. M. Tyler, F. C, Severance, and H. N. Jones, deacons ; J. M. Hoyt, M.D., R. S. Howard, D. M. Tyler, John Severance, and H. N. Jones, trustees ; the church society was organized in 1837. There is a flourishing Sabbath-school connected with the church, which was formed in 1837, under the superintendency of Joseph Donaldson, who used to walk six miles, and never missed a Sunday during his two years of office. The present number of members is seventy-eight. Superintendent, Martin V. B. Hosner; Secretary, Miss Carrie Tyler; Treasurer, Dr. E. A. Chapman,

Of Commerce was organized March 21, 1838, by elder Cephas P. Goodrich. The constituent members were Alonzo Sibley, Esq., and wife, Daniel Curtis and wife, James Baird and wife. Moody R. Fletcher and wife, Lyman Bennett, and Mrs. Electa Burch, of whom but the latter and Alonzo Sibley survive. The first officers of the church were Moody R. Fletcher and Alonzo Sibley, deacons; M. R. Fletcher, clerk. The pastora who have served the congregation, and the dates of their respective pastorate, are as follows: Rev. C. P. Goodrich, from 1838 to 1843 ; Rev. Blaron Pierce, from 1843 to 1844 ; Rev. E. W. Norton, from 1844 to 1850 ; Rev. G. H. Davis, from 1850 to 1852 ; Rev. W. R. Norton, from 1852 to 1853 ; Rev. Samuel Wire, from 1853 to 1860; Rev. D. C. Parshall, from 1861) to 1861'; Rev. H. Miller, from 1861 to 1863 ; Rev. Joseph B. Drew, from 1863 to 1865 ; Rev. R. L. Howard, from 1865 to 1869; Rev. William Jenkins, from 1869 to 1872; Rev. J. B. Drew (supply), from 1872 to 1873 ; Rev. E. M. Carey, from 1874 to 1876 ; Rev. G. H. Hubbard, from 1876 to 1877 ; Rev. O. E. Dickinson, the present incumbent, installed in April, 1877.
Prior to 1864, worship was held in the school-houses. In that year, however the present church edifice was erected, and on the 12th of January, 1865, was appropriately dedicated to the service of God, by the Rev. Mr. Fairfield, D.D., then president of Hillsdale college. The dimensions of the building, which is a frame structure, ore thirty-six by forty-four feet, with a steeple and belfry. The present value of the house is about four thousand dollars. In 1864 the church society was incorporated, and a board of trustees was elected. The present board consists of the following gentlemen : Alonzo Sibley, M. G. Porter, E. L. Powers, Byron Lake, John Patten, L. Sibley, and Seth Nicholson. The present officers of the church are O. H. Smith, Alonzo Sibley, and Seth Nicholson. Pastor, O. E. Dickinson. The present membership is one hundred. Contemporary with the organization of the church a Sabbath-school was insti tuted, which is now in a flourishing condition. The number of its teachers and scholars is one hundred and seventy-five. Superintendent, Rev. O. E. Dickinson ; Assistant Superintendent, Darwin Bennett ; Secretary, J. L. Sibley ; Librarian, Byron Powers; number of volumes in library, one hundred and fifty.

Was organized June 27, 1839, and a council convened for the purpose of perfecting the organization on the same day, and was called to order by Reuben Wright, the secretary of the church. Prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph Elliott. Rev. E. Wever was chosen moderator, and Rev. J. Booth secretary. There were twenty-eight delegates present from different churches. The following list comprises the original membership ; Reuben Wright, John Hodge, Jonathan Fish, Matthew Hungerford, John Cook, Martin Richardson, William Smith, James Olmsted, Henry Reed, Elizabeth Olmsted, Caroline Smith, Catherine C. Fish, Abigail Reed, Cynthia Payne, Lavina Cooley, Sallie Thurston, Rebecca Smith, Sarah M, Hungerford, Sallie J. Whitney, Sarepta Rollin, Mary Andrews, Alma Comstock, Henry D. Smith, Edwin Olmsted, William Reed, Martha E. McWithey, Anna Olmsted, Reuben McWithey, Jotham Mitchell, Elizur Thurston, Tryphena McWithey. The first deacons were John Hodge and Jonathan Fish, who were appointed December 21, 1839.
October 25, 1840, Rev. Asahel Keith and wife became members of the church, and according to the records Mr. Keith became the first pastor of the church. The succession of pastors from 1842, the close of his pastorate, to the present has been as follows: Rev. J. Goodman, May, 1842 ; Rev. G. Pennell, September 30, 1843 ; Rev. E. Misher, December 2, 1844 ; Rev. —Lamb, February 28, 1846; Rev. E. Wever; Rev. A. Keith, July 29, 1851.
From the close of 1851 to 1853 the church was supplied by different ministers; and from 1853 to 1857 no records exist whereby it can be definitely deter- mined who served the church as pastors. From April 26, 1857, to April 30, 1859, Rev. Wadhams was pastor. From August 4, 1860, to July 6, 1861, Rev. Tenny was pastor. From the close of this pastorate until July 4, 1863, the church had only supplies. On that date, however, Rev. Palmer Brooks was installed, and continued to serve the church until October 31, 1865. The tide ebbed and flowed until June 1, 1867, when Rev. Clutes became pastor, which re- lation he sustained until August, 1870. Rev. R. Dunlap succeeded him, November 5, 1870, and remained with the congregation until February, 1872. The next shepherd of the flock was Rev. Groat, who commenced his labors May 23, 1872, and closed them October 4, 1873. Again the church was without a pastor until June 4, 1876, when the present incumbent, Rev. C. C. Mackintosh, was installed.
About 1839 the society commenced the erection of their church edifice, which is a frame building, with a seating capacity for one hundred and seventy-five, and is valued at five hundred dollars. At the commencement of the present pastorate the church numbered seventeen members, which, under the efficient ministry of Rev. C. C. Mackintosh, has increased to twenty-four. The Sabbath-school is also in a flourishing condition, and is under the able superintendency of Mrs. J. E. Mackintosh. The present deacon of the church is Francis Ingersoll ; Church Clerk, George Malcombe.

At Walled Lake originated in a class which was organized in the school-house there in the spring of 1838, under the leadership of William Noe. Among the original and early niembers of the class were William Noe and wife, Mrs. Frances Tuttle, Charles E. Orr and wife, Abraham C. Taylor and wife, Mrs. George Slyker, Mrs. Jacob Compton, William Taylor and wife, William Smith and wife, Brother Goodenough and wife. Rev. Enos Welch and wife. They had regular circuit preaching in the old school-house as early as 1840. Among the first preachers were Rev. Oscar North and Dr. Hayes. It was then known as Farmington circuit, was afterwards changed to Commerce circuit, and finally to Walled Lake charge in 1869. The pastors since the last change (which can be considered the time of the actual organization of the church) have been as follows : Revs. Thomas Nichols, S. Kitzmiller, J. H. Cornalia, John Trescut, Newell Newton, the present incumbent. In the spring of 1858 the society purchased the OddFellows' hall, and converted it into a church and parsonage. It served them until 1875 in that dual capacity, when the present church edifice was built, and the old structure is now used only as a parsonage. The new house was appropriately dedicated to the service of God in January, 1876, by the Rev. J. S. Smart, assisted by the then presiding elder of the conference, the venerable Elijah Pilcher, and the Rev. John Trescut, pastor in charge. The dimensions of the building are thirty-six by sixty feet. It has a seating capacity for two hundred, and cost three thousand dollars, and the parsonage one thousand dollars. Its present membership is fifty-eight. The trustees of the church are Daniel Sly, J. Mascho, J. B. Tuttle, John Andrews, and J. J. Moore; Stewards, John Andrews, J. J. Moore, J. B. Tuttle, and J. Mascho. There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with the church, which numbers sixty-one teachers and scholars. John Andrews is its present superintendent.

This religious organization was first formed as a class, of which Ami Andrews was leader, about the year 1838. Meetings were originally held in the old schoolhouse, and continued to be until the erection of the church edifice in 1842. For a number of years it belonged to Farmington circuit, Detroit district, and Detroit conference ; but was subsequently changed to Commerce circuit, same district and conference as at present.
The church society, which was constituted from the class above mentioned, was organized by the venerable minister, Rev. D. C. Jacokes, now of Pontiac. The church building was erected during his pastorate, as before stated, in 1842. It is a frame structure, and cost about twelve hundred dollars. It has since undergone extensive repairs both internally and externally, and a bell has been hung in the tower. It is now valued at eighteen hundred dollars, and has a seating capacity for two hundred persons. The first pastors were Rev. D. C. Jacokes and Rev. John Cosart.
No records of the church exist, and no one with whom we conversed on the subject remembers who the early pastors were after Cosart, nor the names of any of the original members. By the aid of the minutes of conference we ascertain that the following have been in the ministerial charge of the church since 1862, namely: Reverends T. Wakelin (two years), James Armstrong, Charles C. Yemans, Rufus H. Crane, Samuel Bird (two years), S. W. Noyes (two years), James H. Kilpatrick (two years), E. Barry (three years), John W. Crippen. The present membership of the church is eighty-four. Pastor, Rev. John W. Crippen ; Local Preacher, Rev. Charles Haynes ; Stewards, William Noe, George Patten, Abraham C. Taylor, Isaac Heller, Fayette Olmsley, William Chafey, Joseph Dandison, Charles Haynes ; Trustees, Isaac Heller, Robert E. Noe, John Bradley, William Noe, and Abraham C. Taylor.
The society owns the parsonage wherein the pastor resides, which is valued at five hundred dollars. There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church, but the pastor failed to send in the statistics to the last annual conference, so we are debarred from giving any further information concerning the school. The original religious society in Commerce village was the Congregational, organized as early as 1836. It no longer exists.

The United Presbyterian church of Commerce was organized in 1845. Rev. James R. Doig, D.D., a member of Richland presbytery, Ohio, who was preaching in this part of the State at the time, was instructed to visit this town for that purpose. There was no presbytery of this denomination in the eastern part of the State at that time. Some two years previous to this Mr. John Corbet forwarded a petition to the presbytery of Cambridge, New York, for preaching, and in response to his request Rev. Isaac Law was sent, and it is believed he was the first minister of the denomination who preached in the State. Several others succeeded him as occasional supply until a sufficient number was gathered to form an organization. The following were the original members : John Corbet, Jane Corbet, Robert Sleeth, Susan Sleeth, Margaret Sleeth, Susannah Sleeth, George Crawford, Sarah Crawford, Ann Rodgers, James McConnel, Ann McConnel, Jane Cairns, Thompson Morrison, Ann Morrison, John Ewing, Nancy Greer.
The usual place of meeting for a time was the village school-house ; occasionally, through the kindness of the Methodist brethren, the congregation occupied their house of worship. In the year 1847 steps were taken to erect a church. For this object two lots immediately across the street from the site of the old school-house were donated. The timbers were cut and placed on the ground by the members, who also with their teams drew the lumber from Lapeer, over roads in many places almost impassable. This house was so far completed as to be occupied in 1848 ; in size it was twenty-four by thirty-six feet, quite comfortable and respectable for the times, and in it the congregation worshiped for eighteen years. In 1866 the present building was erected ; it is a frame house, thirty-six by fifty-four feet, with basement for heating apparatus, a very comfortable audience-room and gallery in grained work. Surmounted with tower and bell, and capable of seating three hundred and twenty persons. The cost of the building and furnishing was three thousand five hundred dollars; it is free of debt. The dedication services took place on December 27, 1866, in the presence of the presbytery of Detroit, Rev. John P. Scott, D.D., preaching the sermon. For some years after its organization this congregation and Nankin, Wayne county, constituted a joint charge. The first pastor was Rev. D. S. McHenry. He was installed in October, 1853, and resigned in 1858. He is remembered as a man of fine social qualities, superior scholarship, and as a preacher of more than ordinary ability. Under his ministry the membership increased to about fifty. After his removal the pulpit was vacant till 1861, when the present pastor, Rev. D. H. Goodwillie, was called, and installed on the 17th of June. During his ministry of sixteen years over one hundred members have been received into the chiu'ch, while of those who constituted the membership when he became pastor, on account of death and removal but twelve remain. The roll at present numbers seventy: The session is composed of John Donaldson, W. C. Kennedy, and James Thompson. Trustees, Edwin Erwin, James Thompson, and Thomas Darling. The Sabbath-school numbers seventy-five, with the following officers : Rev, D. H. Goodwillie, superintendent ; Teachers, John Corbet, T. B. Kennedy, John Donaldson, Mrs. Margaret Stevens, Miss Mary E. Patterson, Miss Rebecca Brown

Was taught in the winter of 1833 and 1834, at Walled Lake, and was taught by Mrs. Fanny Tuttle, who, with her husband, Mr. Joseph Tuttle, now lives two and one-half miles northeast of the village, being now seventy-four years of age. The surviving pupils are Anna Tuttle, now Mrs. Merithew, Benjamin Brown, Chauncey Hathorn, and James B. Tuttle. A school was taught in district No. 2, in a log house, about contemporary with the above. The name of the teacher is not now known. Among the first pupils were three children of Lewis Morton, four of Joshua Andrews, and two of Ephraim Burch, father of Ephraim Burch, who now resides on the homestead farm in section 19, and who was one of the scholars, we believe. The township is now well supplied with remarkably neat and substantial school houses. The schools are well attended, and great care is exercised in the selection of teachers. As the basic fabric of American freedom, the common school is a cherished institution of the people. As such it is regarded by the citizens of Commerce township.
Commerce Grange^ No, 328, of the Patrons of Husbandry, was organized March 14, 1874, by State Deputy C. M. Wood, at the residence of A. H. Paddock, in Commerce. Three or four subsequent meetings were held at the same house, after which the society rented the hall over T. B. Kennedy's store, in the village of Commerce. Sloan Cooley was the first Master elected, and has held that office continuously ever since. The first officers were : Sloan Cooley, Master ; Greorge Killam, Overseer ; George Malcolm, Lecturer ; Marcus Johnson, Steward ; A. H. Paddock, Assistant Steward ; David Dickie, Secretary ; Mrs. S. Horton, Treasurer ; Thomas C. Severance, Gate-keeper ; Rev. Cornalia, Chaplain ; Miss Sarah Long, Ceres ; Miss Clara Horton, Pomona ; Miss Anna Malcolm, Flora ; Mrs. A. H. Paddock, Lady Assistant Steward. The charter members, other than those whose names were written above, were: John Malcolm, Hugh McCallum, James M. Hoyt, M.D., Alice Wood, Mrs. Eunice Wood, Mrs. David Dickie, Mrs. T. C. Severance, M. V. B. Hosner, Mrs. H. McCallum.
The officers elected at the last annual meeting were : Sloan Cooley, M. ; A. H. Paddock O. ; John Richardson, L. ; George Killam, S. ; Francis Orr, A. S. ; Alexander Hayes, C. ; Albert Richardson, Treas. ; William B. Dickie, Sec'y; M. F. Ormsby, G. K. ; Mrs. S. Cooley, C. ; Mrs. G. Killam, P. ; Mrs. A. Richardson, F. ; Miss Clara Horton, L. A. S. The present membeiship is forty-one, and the society is in a generally flourishing condition.