Many Indians visited the home of Mr. Sanford,-principally those belonging to the Slater mission, which had been established in Richland. Mrs. Sanford still survives, and resides upon the homestead, Mr. Sanford having died in 1853. Henry and George Piper came to the township in 1841, the former purchasing 80 acres of Fortesque Crittenden, and the latter locating on section 16. Charles W. Barber removed from Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1847, and purchased 80 acres on section 16, upon which he erected a very substantial dwelling. He has since resided upon this farm, and in connection with agricultural pursuits fills the position of station-master at the Alamo depot of the Michigan Central Railroad. Mr. Barber takes an active interest in public affairs, and has filled many important offices in the township. Caleb Van Vranken came to Schoolcraft in 1846, and to Alamo in 1854. With him came five sons, three of whom now own farms within the township limits. Riley E. has 80 acres on section 15; Frank resides on the homestead, and Harmon C. has a farm on section 21. The following is an alphabetical list of the non-resident tax-payers of the township of Alamo for the year 1838: Aldrich, R. Alvord, D. Buel, J. Bushnell, O. Baker, Charles C. Bronson, Philo. Bradley, P. Buckley, L. Beebe, O. Bowker, A. Barber, P. Crane, Rozel. Cole, P. Cole, S. Churchill, M. R. Caddington, H. Clark, S. Chandler, G. B. Crofford, D. Campbell, William. Davenport, O. Doubleday, D. A. Done, H. Estabrook, E. Eddy, Foster, S. D. Francis, T. N. Foster, Samuel. French, E. Gregory, O. H. Hill, R. D. Howard, J. J. Hawkes, John. Higgins, H. Howard, John. Holland, P. Horner, J. Butterfield, E. Ball, D. S. Ball, S. and D. Case, Solomon. Case, Ephraim. Coshun, John. Hine, G. Holliday, J. C. Howard, R. H. Horton, J. Harris, Ira. Holmes, J. B. Lee, A. H. Lazaleer, W. Moore, L. H. May, A. Mallory, D. Moore, G. B. Nixon, L. Owen, A. Patterson, T. Pratt, C. Potter, S. D. Potter, S. G. Robbins, S. Ruckland, T. Rude, A. Reed, G. M. Reynolds, H. Reynolds, G. W. Ransom, D. C. Sheldon, R. Squier, E. R. Smith, G. Sheldon, T. C. Tomkins, E. Whitlock, O. M. Wilcot, J. Ward, H. Ward, T. RESIDENT TAX-PAYERS. Case, Josephus. Alamo was organized as a separate township in 1838. It had previously, since the formation of Cooper, constituted a part of that township. According to some accounts, the petitioners had chosen the name Bainbridge for their new township, but, there being already a township by that name in Berrien County, the name Alamo was selected, in honor of Col. David Crockett and his brave companions-in-arms who so heroically defended themselves at the famous castle of the Alamo, at San Antonio, in Texas, in 1836, and who were massacred to the last man by the Mexican soldiers under Gen. Santa Anna, upon the capture of the place. There was evidently a great amount of sympathy then existing among the citizens of Kalamazoo County in behalf of the struggling Texans, and it expressed itself in bestowing several Texan names upon townships in the county. VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. There are no villages in Alamo, the point of most importance being the little hamlet of Alamo Centre, which is chiefly of consequence from the fact that it is the site of the churches of the township and is adjacent to the depot. Alamo Centre was first settled by John G. Tarbell, who early purchased land, but did not at once become a resident upon it. Not, however, desiring it to remain unimproved, he placed John Harkness upon it in 1839, intending it should be cleared by him and the soil cultivated. Two years later Mr. Tarbell came to visit his property, and during his presence there became involved in an unfortunate litigation with Harkness regarding the improvements he had made. In 1841, Mr. Tarbell removed to the land, and became a permanent resident. He erected a log house, removed his family thither, and at once manifested a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of the township. A post-office was early established at the centre, Mr. Tarbell being postmaster, with the office at his house. The present post-office is located at the store of T. J. Congdon, who is postmaster, and the only merchant in the place. The Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad traverses the township. Its depot, which is a short distance south from Alamo Centre, has become a station of some consequence, as the point from which much of the produce of the township is shipped. CHURCHES. Methodist Episcopal.-The first Methodist Episcopal Church had its origin in a class that was organized in a log house on the township line north of a tract called Jug Corners in 1842 by Rev. F. Gage. The members of this class were Thomas G. Carpenter and wife, F. Montague and wife, T. Johnson, J. Johnson, and others whose names are not recollected. Services were held at various points in the township, as convenience might dictate, the brick school-house at Alamo Centre, the school-house in the vicinity of Julius Hackley's residence, and that known as the Spaulding school-house having been the principal places of meeting. In the year 1867 the societies of the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches united to build a house of worship, which was dedicated and opened for services in the spring of 1869. At the time of their union and removal to occupy the new edifice they numbered 50 members. Since that period the following pastors have officiated: Rev. T. J. Congdon, Rev. William Cogshall, Rev. E. D. Young, Rev. C. T. Van Antwerp, Rev. J. S. Valentine, and Rev. E. H. Day, the present pastor. The present class-leaders are J. J. Spaulding and L. E. Blair. The stewards are William Oliver, R. E. Van Vranken, A. S. Eaton, L. E. Blair, and John Selkrig. The trustees are J. J. Spaulding, Joseph Veeley, R. E. Van Vranken, J. B. Shepherd, and Garret Van Arsdale. There are 75 names now on the list of membership, nearly all of whom are actively engaged in Sabbath-school work under the direction of J. J. Spaulding. From the time that the two societies formed a union harmony and peace have characterized all their deliberations. Presbyterian.-The Presbyterian Church was organized, May 17, 1865, by Rev. Seward Osinga, acting pastor. The individuals who enrolled their names as its first members were James Tallman, Searles D. Barber, Charles W. Barber, Mrs. Agnes Barber, Samuel Love, Jane E. Love, Mrs. Hannah Naregang, and Lydia Bacheldor. Charles W. Barber and Searles D. Barber were unanimously elected as the first elders, and a petition was forwarded to the Kalamazoo Presbytery to be taken under its care, which was granted. The first communion was held June 11, 1865, at Alamo Centre, in the school building, the society having no regular house of worship. The society, in 1867, united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of North and West Alamo for the purpose of constructing a house of worship, in which their services are held. A flourishing Sabbath-school is connected with the church. Congregational.-The following extract is taken from the early records of the church, referring to its organization : "ALAMO, MICHIGAN, October, 1849. “At a Council called by letters missive by the brethren interested, and by the Rev. Isaac C. Crane, for the purpose of organizing a church in this place, there were present Rev. I. C. Crane, of this place, Rev. A. S. Kedzie, of Kalamazoo, Brother M. Everitt, of the Congregational Church, Kalamazoo, Brother L. Foster, of the Congregational Church of Otsego, and Brothers James Tallman and Julius Hackley, of this place. The Rev. I. C. Crane was appointed moderator, and Rev. A. S. Kedzie was appointed scribe. The Council was then opened with prayer. After a full discussion of the subject by the Council and by the brethren interested, it was resolved that this Council recommend to their brethren that they be formed into a church. The following persons then presented letters of admission and recommendation from the churches with which they had been connected, viz. : "James Tallman and Elizabeth Tallman, from the Church at Lodi Plains, Mich. "Julius Hackley and Dorothy Hackley, from the Church at Otsego, Mich. "Searles D. Barber, from the Church at Oxford, Mass. 選 "Charles W. Barber, from the Church at Kalamazoo, Mich. "Rev. I. C. Crane, from the Methodist Protestant Church. "Agnes Tallman and Martha Green were received on profession Rev. Isaac C. Crane was settled over the little flock as their first pastor, and in 1853 the following officers were unanimously elected: Mahlon Everitt, Julius Hackley, Deacons; Charles W. Barber, Clerk; Julius Hackley, Treasurer of Benevolent Funds. Rev. B. F. Monroe was called to the pastorate in 1853, and continued his labors for three years, after which the church became extinct. An effort was made to revive the organization in 1863, and in June of that year Rev. S. Osinga began his labors, and continued them until May 5, 1867, when his farewell sermon was preached. In the summer of 1867, Rev. B. F. Monroe began his ministry, and in December of that year the church was reorganized. The following portion of the records is copied : "At a council called by letters missive by the brethren interested and Rev. B. F. Monroe, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Church in this place (Alamo), the following churches responded to the call: Kalamazoo, Rev. O. S. Dean, minister, and Brother Rouse, delegate; Cooper, Rev. W. M. Campbell, minister; Otsego, Deacon L. Foster, delegate; Allegan, Rev. E. Andrus, minister. Deacon L. Foster, of Otsego, was chosen chairman, and Charles W. Barber scribe. The council was then opened with prayer by the moderator. After a full discussion of the subject by the council, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: "Whereas, This council have heard statements from brethren in Alamo, who purpose to form a Congregational church in this place, touching the relation of the Congregational interest to the Presbyterian church and interest, wherein it appears that two efforts have been made to build a Presbyterian church, and have been unsuccessful, and that now, in the providence of God, there seems to be indication that a Congregational house of worship might be built and its worship sustained; therefore "Resolved, That the council express it as their opinion that it is expedient to organize a Congregational church in this place, as a means of promoting the best interest of the community and the highest glory of our common Master." At the next meeting the following persons presented themselves for membership: Searles D. Barber, Charles W. Barber, Agnes Barber, Lydia Bacheldor, Julius Hackley, Dorothy Hackley, Mrs. Selkrig. Julius Hackley and Charles W. Barber were elected Deacons, and Searles D. Barber, Clerk. After a pastorate of nearly three years, Rev. B. F. Monroe resigned in March, 1870, and was succeeded by Rev. Elam Branch, who began his labors in July of the same year, and closed them April 1, 1872. The following May, Rev. Mr. Armstrong accepted the pastorate, and remained one year. Rev. E. Dyer came June 29, 1873, and continued to minister to the congregation till the present pastor, Rev. F. W. Bush, was installed, April 1, 1877. The present membership of the church numbers 92. The deacons are Joseph Coshun, Pennuel Hobbs, Charles W. Barber. The trustees are: for the society, Aaron Tallman; for the church, Harman C. Van Vranken, Oliver Brockway; Church Clerk, Charles W. Barber. SCHOOLS. Numerous schools in the township denote the lively interest manifested by its residents in the cause of education. All of them follow the régime prescribed for the ordinary district school, and a graded school of a higher order is one of the developments of the future. The school buildings. are comfortable, but by no means pretentious, the one at Alamo Centre being more spacious than the rest, and from its size and location somewhat imposing in appearance. The earliest school-house in Alamo was built in the Finch Settlement, on the southeast corner of section 1. It was constructed of logs, on land appropriated for the purpose by William Finch in 1837. Miss Powers first filled the onerous position of teacher of this school. The second school building in the township was constructed of tamarack logs, on section 22. This was discarded for a more imposing brick building, and later a frame structure was used. For some years after, the three buildings were all standing as a monument to the progressive tendencies of the trustees of the district. BURIAL-PLACES. For many years burials were made upon the farms of the inhabitants, but, as the need of a spot devoted exclusively to purposes of interment became apparent, a lot was given to the township authorities by one of the citizens to be used as a cemetery. It was located on the Paw Paw road, east of the centre of the township, and was improved and fenced. This cemetery was for years in general use, and is still used by many old residents, but in 1848 a plot of ground was purchased by the township from Easton Tallman, located between Alamo Centre and the depot. This has been neatly inclosed and carefully platted. Many large and imposing memorial slabs testify to the tender memories that cluster around this spot. The first interment was that of Henry Piper, of Alamo. There is also in the south part of the township an incorporated cemetery association controlled jointly by residents of Alamo and Oshtemo. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. The following is a complete list of officers of the township since its organization, in 1838: 1838.-Jesse W. Turner, Supervisor; William Taylor, Township Clerk; Asa Reede, Mahlon Everitt, Jesse W. Turner, John 1839. Solomon Case, Supervisor; William Taylor, Township Clerk; Solomon Case, Treasurer; John Johnson, Asa Rude, Ephraim Butterfield, Assessors; Philo Seeley, Julius Hackley, Horace Eastman, Highway Commissioners; Solomon Case, John B. Wheeler; Justices of the Peace; William Taylor, William S. Hargin, John B. Wheeler, School Inspectors; William H. Finch, Collector; Festus Montague, D. S. Ball, Directors of the Poor; William H. Finch, O. Smead, Ephraim Butterfield, Joseph Johnson, Constables. 1840.-Solomon Case, Supervisor; John B. Wheeler, Township Clerk; Solomon Case, Treasurer; John Johnson, Julius Hackley, John B. Wheeler, School Inspectors; Festus Montague, 1841.-John Jeffers, Supervisor; 0. H. Gregory, Township Clerk; 1845.-John Jeffers, Supervisor; William H. Case, Township Clerk; 1848.-Fletcher Ransom, Supervisor; Eli Hathaway, Township Clerk; 1850.-John Jeffers, Supervisor; John Tarbell, Township Clerk; Albert Newland, John G. Tarbell, Justices of the Peace; Luther Follet, Treasurer; 0. H. Gregory, School Inspector; Cyrus Higgins, Thomas G. Carpenter, Highway Commissioners; F. Ransom, Charles Wheeler, Assessors; David Johnson, John Eastland, Directors of the Poor; William H. Finch, John Reed, Festus Montague, E. Sanford, Constables. 1851.-J. B. Wheeler, Supervisor; J. Tarbell, Township Clerk; J. Veeley, Treasurer; Solomon Case, J. B. Wheeler, Justices of the Peace; J. Johnson, Highway Commissioner; F. Ransom, School Inspector; A. L. James, Director of the Poor; W. H. Finch, George Ford, Constables. 1852.-James Franklin, Supervisor; Benj. P. Chase, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Hiram Everitt, Highway Commissioner; Charles Barber, Mahlon Everitt, Justices of the Peace; J. G. Tarbell, School Inspector; Samuel H. Simmons, Julius Hackley, Assessors; Thomas G. Carpenter, R. Pratt, Overseers of the Poor; Wm. H. Finch, George Ford, Benjamin Goodwin, Constables. 1853. James Franklin, Supervisor; Myron Parks, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Allen Brown, Highway Commissioner; 0. H. Gregory, School Inspector; O. H. Gregory, Justice of the Peace; John G. Tarbell, Overseer of the Poor; Benjamin B. Burphy, George Ford, Constables. 1854.-James Franklin, Supervisor; Charles W. Barber, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Asa Bowker, Highway Commissioner; John G. Tarbell, J. A. Ormsbee, School Inspectors; Nathan Forbes, Samuel Simmons, Charles W. Barber, Justices of the Peace; Bolivar Rude, Benj. B. Burphy, Constables; John G. Tarbell, Overseer of the Poor. 1855.-James Franklin, Supervisor; Chas. W. Barber, Township Clerk; S. D. Barber, Treasurer; John B. Wheeler, Reuben Smith, Justices of the Peace; Charles A. Ransom, School Inspector; Samuel True, Highway Commissioner; William Finch, Warren Eaton, Silas Crofoot, Constables. 1856.-Joseph Veeley, Supervisor; Charles W. Barber, Township Clerk; S. D. Barber, Treasurer; John G. Tarbell, Henry Selkrig, School Inspectors; A. H. Hill, Justice of the Peace; R. S. Davis, Edward Sears, Highway Commissioners; William Finch, Oscar Tarbell, Henry A. Tallman, Constables. 1857.-A. H. Hill, Supervisor; Chas. W. Barber, Township Clerk; S. D. Barber, Treasurer; Henry Selkrig, School Inspector; John Wiels, Justice of the Peace; Hiram Everitt, John Chambers, Redmond Chandler, Highway Commissioners; Reuben Smith, Overseer of the Poor; Henry Tallman, Thomas Athey, S. D. Barber, Oscar James, Constables. 1858.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Chas. W. Barber, Township Clerk ; S. D. Barber, Treasurer; Richard Atchin, Charles Russell, School Inspectors; Wm. G. Russell, Justice of the Peace; Edward Seares, Redmond Chandler, Highway Commissioners; Charles W. Barber, Jesse Black, W. A. Tallman, Constables; Reuben Smith, Overseer of the Poor. 1859.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles W. Barber, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; John B. Wheeler, Philip Vanfrank, Justices of the Peace; Reuben Smith, Highway Commissioner; John G. Tarbell, Francis Forbes, School Inspectors; Reuben Smith, Overseer of the Poor; Samuel True, Zachariah Bennett, Chester Williams, I. Ogden, Constables. 1860.-Augustus J. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; William G. Russell, Treasurer; Augustus H. Hill, Justice of the Peace; Francis Forbes, School Inspector; Jeremiah M. Brown, Highway Commissioner; David Coleman, Z. C. Bennett, E. A. Smith, E. S. Beach, Constables. 1861.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Charles W. Barber, Treasurer; Samuel H. Simmons, 1862.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Cyrus S. Higgins, Treasurer; David Spaulding, Justice of the Peace; Francis M. Fobes, School Inspector; Caleb W. Gardner, Highway Commissioner; Harvey C. Nicholas, James L. Cole, Edwin L. Love, John Schuyler, Constables. 1863.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Julius Hackley, Justice of the Peace; Charles H. Monroe, School Inspector; Garret Van Arsdale, Highway Commissioner; Hiram Everitt, Samuel E. Love, Constables. 1864.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Hiram Everitt, Justice of the Peace; Caleb O. Nash, School Inspector; Alpheus Snow, John V. Tallman, Highway Commissioners; John W. Ott, George Piper, Henry A. Tallman, Alfred Simmons, Constables. 1865.-Augustus H. Hill, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Joseph Veeley, Treasurer; Samuel H. Simmons, Charles W. Barber, Justices of the Peace; John G. Tarbell, Inspector of Schools; Aaron Tallman, Highway Commissioner; Amos Talliday, Easton Tallman, Edwin P. Hackley, James Shepard, Constables. 1866.-Charles W. Barber, Supervisor; Charles P. Russell, Township Clerk; Henry A. Tallman, Treasurer; Augustus H. Hill, Justice of the Peace; Loren C. Hill, School Inspector; Hiram B. Rose, Joel Lillie, Highway Commissioners; Edwin P. Hackley, Amos Talliday, Oscar H. Tarbell, Easton Tallman, Constables. 1867.-Charles W. Barber, Supervisor; James S. Tarbell, Township Clerk; Henry A. Tallman, Treasurer; Hiram B. Rose, Justice of the Peace; John G. Tarbell, Richard Atchin, School Inspectors; David Coleman, Highway Commissioner; William H. Frazer, Chester A. Williams, Barzilla Snow, Charles Willson, Constables. 1868-Charles A. Ransom, Supervisor; James S. Tarbell, Clerk; Henry A. Tallman, Treasurer; Garret Van Arsdale, Joseph Veeley, Justices of the Peace; Orvill T. Blood, Edwin P. Hackley, School Inspectors; Joel Lillie, Highway Commissioner; John Palmer, Chester Williams, Frank Van Vranken, Oscar Tarbell, Constables. 1869.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Chas. P. Russell, Township Clerk; Samuel H. Simmons, Treasurer; Barzilla Snow, S. H. Simmons, Justices of the Peace; Edwin P. Hackley, David Spaulding, School Inspectors; Eli D. Hopkins, Highway Commissioner; F. A. Coleman, Frank Van Vranken, Aaron Tallman, Preston Hackley, Constables. 1870.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Jacob Bogardus, Township Clerk; Samuel H. Simmons, Treasurer; Barzilla Snow, Justice of the Peace; H. B. Rose, Highway Commissioner; Edwin P. Hackley, School Inspector; James Lillie, Frank Van Vranken, Oliver Brockaway, Chester Williams, Constables. 1871.-Charles A. Ransom, Supervisor; E. C. Johnson, Township Clerk; S. H. Simmons, Treasurer; David Spaulding, Justice of the Peace; Edwin P. Hackley, David Spaulding, Highway Commissioners; Joseph Coshun, School Inspector; Merritt Mussulman, Geo. G. Hubbard, Ammi Bennett, Chester A. Williams, Constables. 1872.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Henry C. Peck, Township Clerk; Joseph S. Veeley, Treasurer; Isaac P. Prosser, Garret Van Arsdale, Justices of the Peace; Joseph Coshun, Marvin Higgins, Highway Commissioners; Edwin P. Hackley, School Inspector; Ammi M. Bennett, George Dayharsh, Chas. W. Barber, Geo. G. Hubbard, Constables. 1873.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Thomas J. Congdon, Township Clerk; Charles H. Barber, Treasurer; Chas. A. Ransom, Samuel H. Simmons, Justices of the Peace; Garret Van Arsdale, Highway Commissioner; Joseph Coshun, School Inspector; George S. Dayharsh, Aaron Tallman, Easton Tallman, Ammi M. Bennett, Constables. 1874.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Thomas J. Congdon, Township Clerk; Charles H. Barber, Treasurer; Barzilla Snow, Henry C. Peck, Justices of the Peace; Marvin G. Higgins, Highway Commissioner; Edwin P. Hackley, School Inspector; Samuel H. Simmons, George Piper, Ammi M. Bennett, George S. Dayharsh, Constables. 1875.-Charles A. Ransom, Supervisor; Amos P. Foster, Township Clerk; Erastus Davis, Treasurer; Hugh McCall, Jacob T. Bogardus, Justices of the Peace; William Piper, Highway Commissioner; Chas. C. Adams, Superintendent of Schools; Jonathan A. Wheeler, School Inspector; Isaac P. Prosser, Chester A. Williams, George W. Carpenter, Marquis L. Chapman, Constables. 1876.-Henry A. Tallman, Supervisor; Amos P. Foster, Township Clerk; Thomas J. Congdon, Treasurer; Garret Van Arsdale, Philander W. Hubbard, Justices of the Peace; Warren G. Higgins, Highway Commissioner; Lowell L. Blair, Superintendent of Schools; Edwin P. Hackley, School Inspector; Samuel H. Simmons, Drain Commissioner; Geo. S. Dayharsh, Jay Caldwell, Joseph Cochran, Frank Van Vranken, Constables. 1877.-Barzilla Snow, Supervisor; Thomas J. Congdon, Township Clerk; George W. Carpenter, Treasurer; John C. Lusk, |