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Coral Centennial 1862-1962 CoralCentennial 1862-1962 is the most comprehensive resource of Coralhistory. I'd like to thank the many Coral citizens whom I've consultedin transposing this Coral Centennial history and especially long timeresidents Don Gage and Ken Mulholland. -Michael Baribeau,Webmaster
CORAL CENTENNIAL 1862-1962
History by Marion Greenberg
(granddaughter to early settler Henry Fisher)
Indians Roamed The Area
In an effort to give a brief but fairly accurate story of the Indiantribes who were most prevalent in the Michigan Territory in the early1800's we find the following. After many battles with Indian andBritish fleets on Lake Erie this final battle extinguished the hopes ofVictory entertained by Indians of the Northwest. The Michigan Indiansand other tribes sent delegations to offer peace and the warriorsreturned to their villages and never more took part in the war whichclosed a little over a year later. By a treaty concluded at Springwellsnear Detroit on the 8th of September in 1815 ( Treaty With The WyandotEtc 1815, a peace treaty between the US and the Indians after theiralliance with Great Britain in The War Of 1812), it was stipulated that"The United States give peace to the Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawattomie(Potawatomi) tribes". They had all their rights and privileges restoredand agreed to place themselves under the protection of the UnitedStates and no other power what-so-ever.
Their followers thus wandered disorganized and practically subjugatedin small bands over the Michigan peninsula. By the time the Englishspeaking whites began to settle in Michigan it was no unusual thing tofind all three tribes represented in one small band.
Gen. Cass, then governor of the territory and Indian Commissioner,convened the Chiefs of Chippewas in Council at Saginaw in September1819. There were 3 councils held. Then the treaty was signed, piles ofsilver half dollars were placed on the table as payment to the Indians.00 (.66?)
Under this treaty of Saginaw of 1819, there was a territory of about 6million acres added to the United States government for which thegovernment was to pay the Chippewa tribe the sum of .00 annuallyforever. This treaty covered land from Northern Ohio north to, andcovering Jackson county, Kalamazoo, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, Isabella,Clare, Roscommon, Crawford, and Oscoda Counties.
Under the treaty of Chicago in 1821 this covered all lands from a linewith the south end of Lake Michigan, north to Grand River of LakeMichigan.
Next came the most important treaty of all of them, the Treaty ofWashington in 1836. This treaty more important in results than theprevious ones, is- a compact which extinguished the Indian title tomuch of the upper and a large part of the lower peninsulas, whichinvested the general government with the ownership of Keen, Otisco andOrleans townships in Ionia County and at least 4-5 of the presentMontcalm. Hon. Henry R. Schoolcraft on the part of the United Statesand Chiefs of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians signed this treaty.
Thus we have followed and renewed the various treaties which led to thegradual extinguishment of the Indian titles. True many Indians werestill here when the white settlers came, but, according to treatystipulations, they had a right to be here until the lands occupied bythem were wanted for actual settlement or had passed from the ownershipof the general government to individuals. When the whites came assettlers, therefore, the Indians, as they had agreed in their treatiesretired readily, yet mournfully from their old haunts, their cultivatedpatches, and their villages to still deeper wilds of the great NorthernWilderness.
In the Greenville area, up until 1844, the land was in sole possessionof the wandering tribes of the Blacksmith and Wabasis Indians. On theFlat River north of here in 1849, a band called the Blacksmith Indians,numbering a dozen or more, occupied a 40 acre patch. They lived in hutsand eked out a precarious existence by hunting and fishing and sugarmaking, until the filling up of the country drove out the game, thenthey made off more northerly latitudes.
When Eureka township was organized in 1850, the name chosen for it wasWa-ba-sis, long before this, after an Indian Chief (who relates hisson) for having offended his tribe in deeding certain lands to theUnited States government, Chief Wa-ba-sis was condemned to be banishedto that region of country lying north of Wa-ba-sis creek and west ofFlat River, the understanding being that he was not to venture south ofthe creek under penalty of death. Unfortunately for him, he alloweddesigning Indians to persuade him to take part in a Pow-Wow at themouth of the Flat River and during the ceremonies he was set upon andkilled.
There were Indian Camps in the following places in Montcalm County.
The Village of Lakeview occupies the site of an Indian village near theshore of Tamarack Lake. This Indian village when first visited by whiteman, consisted of perhaps 50 lodges and a population of severalhundred, the wigwams were arranged in two rows which formed a street.
The Douglass township, near the center, was an Indian settlement ornearly forty families under Shogwogino. In 1860 the entire tribe, withthe exception of three families, were removed to the north by thegovernment. It appears from the clearing made and being tilled and freeof stumps, that they had lived here for many years. There are still anumber of their graves and several apple orchards they had planted.
In Montcalm township in about the year 1845 an incident occurred whichshows the strong reverence of the Indian for his ancient customs. Inthe spring of that year the band known as the Blacksmith family being abranch of the Ottawa tribe, went, as had been their custom, to the farnorth for the purpose of making maple-sugar. While so engaged one oftheir number, a woman, was taken suddenly ill and died. The Band setout at once to return to deposit the corpse in the cemetery of theirforefathers, located near Greenville. In the northern part MontcalmCounty- probably in the region of Six Lakes, they secured a canoe, andby means of it descended the river as far as Lincoln's Mill, known thenas Barr's Mill. Here they desired L. H. Pratt to take his team andwagons and convey the corpse to its destination, manifesting greatanxiety that the burial should take place just as the sun reached theMeridian. The horses were soon attached, the corpse wrapped in a cloak,placed in the center of the wagon-box, while the mourners arrangedthemselves on either side.
Upon reaching the burial place they dug a shallow grave, and, with aspoon, knife, and bowl as an introduction of a faithful squaw to thehappy land, they interred the corpse. The trio subsequently moved north.
Finally in Pine Township, to the east of Maple Valley in 1851-1852 agroup of men known as the John Green Company, began the erection of amill. At that time there were no settlers or human habitation, asidefrom those of the Indians within its confines.
There was also an Indian Camp ground on the north end of Townline Lake(now called Winfield Lake where Krampe Park is), north and east of thevillage of Coral.
Settlers Began Coming In 1858
Some of the early settlers in this area arrived here previous to 1858-James and Jacob Ferguson; John, James, William and Patrick Coady; andPatrick Lynch.
Then came Heber Cowden, Michael Whalen, E. J. Blanding, Howland Soules,Daniel Appleby, Peter Wood, Peter Kain, Cornelius Sullivan, HenryHolcomb, Charles Parker, J. E. Skeoch, Rev. Stalham La Du, J. W.Taylor, Oren Rowland, John L. Penny, Michael Arbogast.
The Blandings and the Cowdens were native of New York state, while the Coady brothers were direct from Ireland.
Mary, the daughter of Patrick Lynch, was the first white child born in the Township. 
1865 First Coral Village Log Cabin
1st Coral settler; Charles Parker's cabin. |
Charles Parker, later founder of the village of Coral, was born atNorwood Ontario, Canada, in 1823. He became a very efficient Cabinetand pattern maker. In 1845, he married Isabella A. Bowes. After hismarriage he worked at his trade of pattern maker in Newcastle, Ontario.Then being attracted by glowing reports sent from this section ofMichigan, regarding the find land to be secured here for the asking hecame to Michigan in early 1861 and picked out the 80 acres on what isnow the little village of Coral. But which then was only unbrokenwilderness. There being but a few settlers in that part of the countrybefore then. He built a log cabin twelve by sixteen feet on hislocation and the next spring returned to Canada and brought his wifeand six small children to his humble home in the Michigan wilderness.While developing his home tract he had purchased from the railroadcompany for twelve dollars and fifty cents an acre, he engaged in thelumbering business, his logging camp being the beginning of the villageof Coral.
Mr. Parkers first home was in Sec. 7, the Arbogast farm now (west ofCoral on the NW corner of Arbogast Road and Coral Rd., locale nowrecognized by the Historical Society as the Arbogast Centennial Farm1880-1980). At the same time he pre-empted the west half of thenorthwest quarter of section nine, which is where the village is nowlocated. There was a school started in 1860 near the former Arbogastschool. All these things took place before Maple Valley township wasformed. It was known then as Pierson which included also Reynolds andWinfield townships. In 1863, a meeting was held and a petition filed toerect the township. This was not acted upon until the following yearand the date was February 17, 1864. The first election was held at thehouse of Edward J. Foote, on the first Monday in April, 1864, and LewisJ. Moas, Jacob Ferguson and Charles Parker acted as judges of theelection. The Territory organized into the New Township consisted ofTown 11 North, range 9 West.
In 1865, Parker built another log house east of the lake in the loggingcamp. The children went to the log school on the (now Arbogast) farmwest of the camp. By now the Holcombs were here which name is notunknown to the many past and present residents of Coral. CharlesHolcomb being the first white child born in our little village.
In the summer of 1867 they had a grand 4th of July Celebration on thenorth bank of Sam Day Lake (Now coral Lake or Spruce Lake). A deer waskilled that morning in the swamp south of the lake and the boys broughtit across the lake in a boat and we had a venison barbecue. For noisethey had some firecrackers and an old musket and an anvil, "and ever'neighbor 'round the place seemed as dear as relation. Back there wherewe used to be so happy and so "pore".
Now how about the saw mills in those olden days. The unplotted villagein 1868 was known as "Stumptown". There was a mill known as Stump andMorris. Whence the name "Stumptown".
Also, in 1868, Clate Woods put up a building next to Henry Holcombs andwas Coral's first merchant. This same year a school was built on thehill (near corner of Bailey and Prospect St) near where the CatholicChurch now stands, but this was very soon outgrown.
It was this same year the Charles Parker donated the ground for a cemetery. The very same location we have today.
In 1869 the Detroit, Lansing and Northern railroad planned on extendingtheir railroad to Howard city, and it was through the work of CharlesParker that a right of way was secured for it with only two propertyholders holding out and for the sum of 150 dollars was finally secured.The railroad being completed through our village in August of 1871.
In subsequent years it became the pere Marquette railroad. Over theyears large amounts of produce and especially potatoes were shipped outof Coral, there being 6 potato warehouses here (running NW and SEdiagonally through town crossing where the Coral Community Center isnow, SW of Bailey and Sherman Rd corner and diagonally through middleof where the park is now between Prospect and Sherman Rd. Also a sidetrack parallel to the Coral Elevator's north side). Gradually thismethod of shipping potatoes was taken over by truckers and shipping byrail became a thing of the past. Changing times brought an end to bothbuyers and shippers and business for the railroad dwindled andeventually the railroad and depot were abandoned. In about 1945 therailroad was torn up from Greenville to Howard city and once more thelittle village was without a railroad.
It used to be most every farmer raised potatoes for market. Today onlya few large growers are left. School always was closed for "PotatoVacation" in the fall during the potato harvest, in order to allow thechildren to work picking up potatoes for their parents and othersrequiring help. In those days one or two cents per bushel was theirreward.
Henry Fisher Saw Mill
S. Side of Spruce Lake,
established some time after 1871. |
Saw Mills
In 1869, Henry Cowden sold his farm at Cowden Lake and built a store and was Coral's second merchant.
It was early in 1869 that Charles Parker traded forty acres near hisfarm for another forty near the village and then is when the name ofStumptown was changed to "Coral" because it was was easy to spell.
In 1869, Henry Fisher came from Indiana to the wooded town of Coral andbought a mill site from Charles Parker on the north bank of the eastlake and was soon running a night and day shift.
Mr. Shively also purchased a mill site, his being in the north side of the west lake and now there were three mills at Coral.
When the railroad grade was put through the Hart Oaks Company boughtout Mr.. Fishers mill and began building their large mill and dry kiln.Henry Fisher then secured a site on the south side of the west lake,now know as the Milo Fuller property. Mr. Fisher ran this mill manyyears after the other mills were gone. Mr Fisher was the grandfather ofGrace Parker and Marion Greenberg or our village.
The first logging done in Michigan by railroad was right here at Coral.A railroad built with wooden rails with steel strap on top, was laterchanged to steel rails. It ran from the north side of the East Lakepast the north side of the Methodist Church to what we now call GravelRidge. The timber standing there belonged to McClennans. Evidence ofthis railroad grade can still be seen through the swamp and back of thebarn on the Arlo Smith farm today.
The Hart Oaks Company was pushing to completion their large mill andduring the winter Coral lake was piled 3 deep with saw logs.
The saw mill and dryer had a capacity of 40 thousand feet per day. Itcontinued in full operation turning out an immense quantity of lumber,employing from 40 to 60 men, until the pine was exhausted and the millremoved in 1880.
In 1870 a new school was built on the site of our present school andwas in use the winter of 1870, 1871. The one on the hill having becometoo small.
Along about 1871 or 1872, Dr. Daniel Shook moved his store from MapleHill to Coral, George Newell came at the same time, also Deacon Taylorlocated here, by now the little town was truly booming.
Mr Parker rented his farm to Shipman and moved into town making atemporary home where E. J. Blanding lived for years. Then in the springof 1873, Mr Parker traded his Coral property for the BlandingHomestead, now the Ernest Nix farm and once again they moved back tothe farm. In 1878 Charles Parkers oldest son, J. B. Parker went toOregon, returning to Coral in 1879, bringing such glowing reports ofthe then rapidly - developing Williamette Valley, that his father soldall his holdings in the county and went to Oregon in May of 1880settling in the town of Independence, having purchased 1200 acres onthe Williamette river near the town. He remained in Independence forthe remainder of his life. His wife died in 1887 and Charles Parker in1889.
1875 Coral Map
Portion of the Montcalm Co. Map about 5x7 feet
hanging in the Montcalm Community College Admission
and Library building in the lower level. |
Coral Cannon
In the very early history of Coral, A. C. Fisher was delegated by thetown to have a cannon barrel cast, on his inspection the barrel wasfound to be imperfect, it having a sand crack in it. He refused toaccept it, so it was returned. The shop agreed to bore it out to alarger bore, which was the way Mr. Fisher wanted it in the first place.This cannon was used for celebrations in the little village and now ismounted in the Memorial Park.
Memorial Erected To Coral's War Dead
Beginning with the Civil War, many residents of Coral and vicinity haveserved their country as the need arose, quite a number by sacrificingtheir lives in so doing. The Civil War, Spanish American, World Wars Iand II, Korean and up to the present time. We are all very proud ofthem.
A few years ago a nice cut stone-marker was erected on the parcel of ground east of the
Congregational Church and through the generosity of Rebecca (Hamlyn)Newell, two bronze plates listing the names of the boys who servedtheir country through the world war II and one for those who gave theirlives for their country in that conflict, was presented in memory ofher husband, Thomas A. Hamlyn. This past year some shrubs were added, aside walk to the street, also a cement bench. The cannon and floodlights were placed there when the memorial was erected. We now have avery beautiful little park of which we are all so proud. (located infront of Emmanuel Baptist Church on NW corner of Coral's main street,Bailey and Division St.)
1941-1945
In Memory Of Our Men
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice
In The World War
Wilber J. Shaver
Ferne G. Lovell, Jr.
Junior A. Greenberg
David L. Finch
Allen E. MacDonald
Roll Of Honor
(WWII plaque 1 military)
Robert E. Almy
Sedrich Annis
George E. Armitage
Dick Ashley
John F. Ashley
Ora M. Ashley
Norman S. Baldwin
Leslie L. Block
Arie H. Bumgaars
Carson K. Bonn
R. K. Boomer
Austin J. Buckanan
Ford Burhance
William G. Carr
Manus D. Coady
Maurice T. Coady
Donald D. Collins
William F. Champlain
George R. Crisp
John D. Curtios
Frank H. Durst
Jerold R. Durst
Bruce A. Farrell
Lawrence R. Farrell
James B. Ferguson
Robert R. Finch
William G. Finch Jr.
Francis J. Fisher
Raymond E. Fisher
Thomas E. Fisher
Calvin N. Gage
Donald E. Gage
Carl J. Grinnell
Doris M. Grim
Harold W. Guthrie
Orvin R. Guthrie
Ralph R. Haines
Emery W. Hall
Harry J. Hansen
R. Hubert Harris
W. Douglas Harris
Donald F. Henkel
Melvin R. Huckins
Donald J. Kain
Raymon A. Krampe
Emil C. Kruger
Roy A. Larsen
John W. Lavender
Lawrence B. Lobker
Merel W. Lovegran
Roll Of Honor
(WWII plaque 2 military)
Richard Lint
Kenneth W. Manglos
Richard Manglos
Ernest A. Medler
Samuel A. Miles
Walter H. Miles
Donald Miller
Bernard Morgan
Harry Morgan
D. Fraser MacDonald
Bernard McCambridge
James E. McCambridge
Arthur F. Newell
Vern H. Nielsen
Dale O. Olsen
Donald R. Pomeroy
Leroy E. Pomeroy
Russell J. Powell
Phyllis Plath
J. Bernard Race
Donald L. Race
Charles S. Richards
L.D. Richards
Lester Rowland
Howard Rowland
Ray J. Rowland
Samuel C. Rowland
Charlotte A. Shaver
Margaret Skeoch
Donald G. Smith
Fred Smith
Richard C. Smith
Vern W. Snow
Edwin P. Sovereign Jr.
Gerald G. Sovereign
Darwin W. Spence
Donald P. Spence
Max E. Stout
Charles R. Stout
Robert B. Stout
Robert H. Sutherland
Harry Switzer
Jean E. Taylor
Vern H. Thaler
Helen V. VanLiew
Douglas Wheeler
Raymond R. Wheeler
George A. Wilcox
Laurence Wilcox
John B. Woodall
(new plaque)
In Memory Of
Our Men Who Made
The Supreme Sacrifice
In Vietnam
Dann J. Lobker
Mark D. Pontius
The first newspaper in Coral was the Coral Enterprise, started in 1875,but went out of business in a very short time. The Coral News wasstarted by Fred U. O. Brien, Feb. 4, 1897, and continued publicationfor 44 years.
Here is a list of the advertisements appearing in that first years publications:
Coral Roller Mills, A. L. Swem;
C. E. Van Avery, Drug store;
Fisher and Lake, grocery store;
J. S. Newell, clothing and rubbers;
Boomer and Obersig, Blacksmiths;
Watches, Clock and Postmaster, C. H. Fisher;
Michigan Exchange, Thomas Silverthorn;
Lake and Harris, Dressmaking;
Ladu and Baldwin, Hardware;
Ladies and Gents Furnishings, Mrs. Stephenson;
E. J. Blanding, Attorney at Law;
I. H. Reams, Fancy Poultry;
S. S. Holcomb, Undertaker;
E. McLennan, Justice of the Peace;
L. R. Smiths, Feed Mill;
Dr. J. G. Just, Physician and surgeon;
Rugs, Mrs. A. Wright;
coral Planning and Feed, H. Minore;
Shook & Son, General store;
B. F. Silverthorn, Pianos & Organs, Fisher and Anderson, Lumber, Shingles & Potato Crates;
Wm A. Blanding, Auctioneer;
Coral foundry, J. W. Branch.
The above were all business places located in Coral at that time. Thelittle village has seen many a place of business some and go.
A news item of interest is that first years issue os the Coral Newsread as follows: "Logs have been drawn to Fishers Mill to manufacturethe necessary lumber for the completion of the New U. B. Church atCowden Lake." Just to complete this little story over the years. In1928 the U. B. (United Brethren Church at Cowden Lake) people bought ahouse in Coral which they used as their parsonage until 1944. Then in1948 they erected a new parsonage beside their church at Cowden Lake.This past winter of 1962 they have built a nice new church of moderndesign (renamed Cowden Lake Bible Church). They held their firstservice in the new church on Easter Sunday. The Pews in the old churchbeing hand hewn, were installed in the new building. The old buildingwill be removed. Gerald Carnill is the Pastor.
Some of the many business places that have been in Coral over theseyears are: A flouring and custom mill. It was built by GeorgeHighlander. It had one run of stones for feed and one for flour. TheMichigan Exchange run by the Silverthorns was one block east of mainstreet near the railroad, The Park Place Hotel was on the hill south ofthe railroad, there was a livery stable there too. Then the CowdenHouse, A Photoshop run by Cliff Anderson. An undertaking and furniturestore run by Samuel Holcomb where the old Post office now is. UriahStryker had a drug store and later a tin shop. Two elevators, one onthe present location, another one just west of it called the Warrenelevator. Two hardware stores, a roller rink. Dr. Justs office, ajewelry store, a Millinery store, a foundry, L. R. Smiths feed millwhose boiler blew up March 11, 1898.
When L. R. Smith came to Coral 90 years ago, he was Corals firstundertaker and its interesting to be told that at that time one couldhave a complete burial for or dollars. He ran a livery stable also,this mill and livery stable were on the site where Glenn Smith nowlives. He also had a grocery store in Coral. L. R. Smith was thegrandfather of Arlo Smith of the Coral vicinity. There was Newells andShooks general stores. John Weidman had a harness shop, this burnedthen he had another location in a building where the telephone buildingis now. This he
sold to Henry Greenberg in 1920, who converted it into a hardwarestore, this too burned to the ground in the fall of 1921. Oh, yes,Coral also have a stave mill. Mose Boomer and Jake Obersig a blacksmithshop west of main street on Mill street. At Shooks and Newells storethere were horse sheds and a hitching rail on the south side of Shooksstore. The Methodist church also had a horse shed.
We must not forget the barber shops, one run by Charlie Woodard, Jones and Medler. There were saloons also.
Charlie Baldwin was in the Lumber and Produce and Coal business for many years.
There were drug stores run by Gibbs, William Day, Dr. William Bolio andthen William J. Woodall who continued to operate a drug store here for43 years. Selling out to Doyle Grace.
Hubert H. Rhodes was railroad agent in Coral for many years, thenturning to the merchantile business later operated by his wife, she inturn selling Frank Parker.
There was the Old G. A. R. Hall, which was erected by the Grand Army ofthe Republic some time in the 1800's, this later became the Coral OperaHouse, where various school and civic activities were held for manyyears.
In 1906, the bank was organized by Paul R. and Stephen M. Denismorewhich was incorporated for ,000. In 1908 the bank was reorganized asthe State Bank of Montcalm County with a capital stock of ,000. Thiscontinued in operation until the Bank holiday in March of 1933.
There was the Coral Concrete Culvert Company organized in 1910. William Morris was the owner of this business.
About 1912, John H. Fender commenced the manufacture of Cement BurialVaults. He continued this for 41 years, selling out to Mr. Harry Larsenof Greenville.
Both Mr. Morris and Mr. Fender made cement blocks and carried on construction work at the same time.
A farmers Co-Operative Creamery was operated in Coral for severalyears. Mr. Curtis continued in operation then the Detroit Creamery hadit for a while, after the plant stood empty a time the Carter dog FoodCompany now are operating in the same location. 
1909 Coral Train Derailment.
The train was switched to the wrong track, burst
through a barricade on north side of Coral Elevator
and ground to a stop with the engine in the middle
of Main Street. |
Coral Fire Department
Somewhere around 1920, the village secured a 60 gallon acid tankmounted on a hand cart for fire protection. In 1927 two fire truckswere purchased for the township. One for Coral and one for Trufant.Thomas Kain, Jed Noud, Bill Kruger and Henry Greenberg went toIndianapolis and drove the tanks mounted on a Model T For Chassis.Later another truck was secured and a supply tank of 400 galloncapacity mounted on it and was operated by a power pump. Then, with theaid of the township, a new up to date fire truck was purchased in Mayof 1955. In March of 1957 a tank truck was added to the equipment.
This fire department is operated strictly as a volunteer fire department.
We are very proud of our fire department, they have answered many, manycalls for help. Many times buildings have been saved which otherwisewould have been lost. Our grateful thanks to all the boys for theirwonderful work.
1912 Coral Main Street "looking north" | 
1962 Coral Main Street "looking north" |
Our Modern Post Office
Was built in 1960 (SE corner of Bailey and Grant)
The first Postmaster in Coral was Henry Fisher who was appointed in1871. We note with interest that the same fixtures used by Mr. Fisherwere still in use in the post office until our new post office waserected in 1960.
In 1886 the post master was J. L. Barry then in 1897 Mr. Fisher wasagain the postmaster. At one time Coral had two mail routes, HowardCulver, Lance Tracy, Vern Lovett, Kit Parks, William Boezwinkle, ClaudeCaylor and now A. Zaremba have been the carriers. When the two routeswere discontinued the department took on route and split it, part goingto Trufant and the other part added to route one at Coral. This has nowincreased to cover 57 miles.
We now have a nice new Post Office built by Mrs. Gertrude Hansen and leased to the United Sates government.
Many have been the changes in this little settlement since thelumbering days of 1862. Our first settlers have long since answeredtheir masters call, however there are still many descendents of thosepioneer folks who make up our little community.
What can be a more fitting end to this little history of Coral than toclose with this short poem written by Frederick William Parker, son ofthe founder, an account of a grand 4th of July celebration on the northshore of our Coral Lake in 1867.
A Fourth of July
by F. W. Parker
Come, children, gather 'round me,
I'll tell you a story true
Of days when your old dad
Was a little lad like you.
You've yelled for Uncle Sam
'Till your little throats are sore,
And fired your real cannon
A hundred times or more.
But the fun you've had today
Is as tame as the morning dew
Compared with a thunder shower,
And a good deal tamer, too.
Of the many Fourths I remember,
There was one, when I was a lad,
That was worth perhaps a dozen
Like this you boys have had.
'Twas in the summer of sixty-seven,
In my good old native state,
'Neath the tall pine trees of Michigan,
On the banks of Sam Day lake.*
We had no real cannon,
But the anvil some noise could make,
And we had a Venison Barbecue
Provided by hunter Blake.
There was old man Shook, the Doctor,
And also Uncle Jake.
My, I cannot stop to name them,
A fortnight it would take.
There were no rich or poor men
At that grand celebration,
For all the neighbors gathered
Were as dear as a relation.
You bet, we had fire crackers,
And some sky rockets, too.
And we proudly waved our banner,
The OLD RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
The older folks went boat riding
Out on the waters blue.
And we boys went swimming,
Just as we ought to do.
But the tall pine trees, by the woodman
Was made to bow his head;
And most of the folks then present
Are numbered with the dead.
Do you ask, my roguish children
Why flow these foolish tears?
'Tis because that grand celebration
Has gone with the pioneers.
* It was where Mr. Shively's sawmill one stood.
Note; Sam Day Lake is now Spruce Lake.
Note; "sixty-seven" refers to 1867.
History Of Schools 
Late 1800's Coral School and Class
Built 1873 on South side of
Kendaville Rd between Mill & Bailey Rd. |
The first school in this area was started in 1860 near where the oldArbogast School stood (about .25 miles west of Arbogast Rd on southside of Coral Rd, now the Durst Farm). There was no school that firstwinter, the following spring a log cabin 18 x 24 was erected andElizabeth Parker was the first teacher. She had seven scholars from thefamilies of James and Jacob Ferguson, Charles Parker and Clayton Wood.School lasted three months and the teacher was paid 3dollars per week and boarded with the patrons of the school. Thenext school was in the
village on the hill near where the Catholic church now stands, therapid growth of the town soon rendered this inadequate and in 1871 anew school was started on the present site, being completed in 1873 ata cost of or . The school is graded now and in charge of Charles Tuck.This was in 1881. This building was used until 1908 when it wasremodeled and an addition was added.
The class of 1909 was the first class to graduate, it being 11 grades.As the years progressed, it grew to 12 grades and a Smith Hughes highschool was accredited with the University of Michigan. In 1933 a gymwas constructed using C. W. A. funds and labor, about 1937 morebuilding took place, three class rooms, an office and rest rooms wereadded to the south side of the building. The old hall and stair waywere torn out and new ones constructed.
In 1936 a township unit was formed with all country schools in thetownship uniting with Coral and Trufant to become the Maple ValleyTownship Unit School. The High school was discontinued with the schoolyear 1942 and 1943.
Since that time we have transported our high school student to Lakeviewand Howard city, leaving eight grades in the local school.
Circa 1912 Coral Baseball Team
(left to right) Verne Ashley, Howard Culver,Fred O'Boyle, Bob Spence, Dick Ashley, Tom Kain, John Ashley, EdgarSpence, Preacher Jones, Grover Annis. (front left) Bill Day, WalterArmitage, Don Stryker.
| 
Circa 1900 Coral Baseball Teams
left to right -Back row: Elmer Green, Tom Kain, Elmer Buchanan (sonof John H. Buchanan), Page Neve, Glen Charnley, Harold Skeoch,Dick Ashley (married Lura Buchanan, sister of Elmer Buchanan, daughterof John H. Buchanan), Fern Lovell, Ralph Langdon, Ferdie (Ferdinand C.)Newell (son of George Newell) Front row: Tom Skedgell (father ofVirginia Dumond), Claude Caylor The names are from notes written by mygrandfather, Maple Valley Township native, Austin John "Buck"Buchanan (son of Elmer Buchanan) on a copy of this photograph. Elmer Buchanan was born in 1889. Ferdie Newell was born in 1898. |
History Of The Coral Woman's Club
by Rebecca Newell
For the past thirty-five years a group of Coral women have beengathering at the homes of its members for the meetings of the CoralWoman's Club. We organized in the fall of 1927, with Mrs. Grace Baldwinas president. Several county club members helped us get started, oneespecially was Mrs. Nora Musson of Six Lakes. There have beentwenty-one past presidents and our membership has averaged about thirty.
Many of our programs have been given by members, we've had a number offine speakers from away. Numerous travelogues have helped to broadenour view of our own United States as well as foreign countries. Bookreviews have been enjoyed, some given by members while others byfriends from away. A number of garden meetings added spice as well astrips to places of interest near by.
Various projects have helped to keep us busy. The first one was avillage library which was started in the old town hall, later in wasmoved to Mr. Baldwin's office at his lumber yard and then after sometime was united with the school library. The Women's Clubs of thecounty sponsored a health program known as the Preventorium Camp atTownline Lake near Lakeview. We tried to do our part with the expense,also sending children who were having health problems. Some of ourladies worked very hard to keep the camp going. We contributed to theRed Cross, cancer drive, Sister Kenny foundation, March of Dimes andmany other funds. During the depression we did some welfare work,providing food and clothing for some needy people. Then the DentalClinic helped children to have their teeth cared for. This led to thefluoride treatment which has been carried on by our County Federationof Women's Clubs for a number of years and still is. This has been agreat deal of work by members of each club, but we all feel repaid forhundreds of children have had their teeth treated and thus saved untoldnumbers of cavities. There have been many smaller projects and to raisemoney to carry on we have done numerous things - such as baked foodsales, pie sales, tag days, Halloween carnivals, card parties and dues.
The Woman's club has helped to draw the women of Coral closer togetherby working and playing together. We feel that over the years manythings have been accomplished that have made Coral a better place inwhich to live.
Methodist Episcopal Church
by Rev. Long
The Methodist Episcopal Society was first organized in Maple Valley in1861, with the first class being held in 1862. Mr. E. J. Blanding andMr. E. R. Ferguson were the class leaders. It was in 1873 it wasdecided necessary to build a church with the present building beingdedicated in 1874 under the leaderships of Rev. J. W. Lollowell. Underthe leadership of Rev. S. W. LaDu The Methodist church held many greatrevival meetings. In 1896 the Coral Church was joined to the Howardcity church and they together formed a circuit. In 1878 the parsonagefor the church was purchased. The past century of the Coral Methodistchurch has brought many changes. Today, as 100 years ago it is still anevangelistic church with a world wide mission program with the idea inmind to win men and women for the Lord Jesus Christ. On July 15, 1962we will be celebrating our anniversary with all of the past ministersbeing present for the services in the morning and afternoon. At noon wewill be having a pot-luck dinner on the lawns of the Methodist Church.
Congregational Church Of Coral
by Katie Thaler
On Thursday, November 7, 1872, a few people met at the home of DeaconHarvey Woodruff to consider the expediency of organizing aCongregational Church in the village of Coral. Prayer was offered byCharles Parker. The facts were stated to those present, in which werediscussed the probabilities of success, those present decided to takesteps to secure such an organization. An ecclesiastical council wascalled to meet in Coral Saturday afternoon the 23rd day of November.Charles Parker and James R. Taylor were appointed a committee to invitethe pastors of the Croton, Greenville and Portland churches to takepart in the council.
Public services were held on Sunday November 17, in Cowden Hall and itwas voted to meet Monday night November 25, at the school house to takenecessary legal steps to incorporate a church. Among the first memberswere the Charles Parkers, Mattersans, Mrs. Adrianna Miles and JasTaylors. The first minister was Rev. Warden.
The membership kept increasing until it was deemed advisable to have achurch building, so with little cash on hand and strong faith in God, abuilding 26 x 40 foot was commenced and November 26, 1876, the HarvardCongregational Church of Christ in Coral was dedicated. In the years of1879 to 1900, there was a membership of 80 or more. The Newell,McClenan, Morris, Hill, Church, Silverthorn, Warren, OBersig, Haskins,Benedict, Rykert, Rhodes, Johnson, Tuck, Armitage, Smith, Fender,Hathaway, Thaler, Buchanan and Reynolds families were some of themembers in former years and to date.
Some former ministers were Rev's. M. Tuck, Cheney, Barnes, Lambretch, Lyford, Allis, Gadd, and Holman.
The church celebrated it's 65th Anniversary Nov. 7, 1937 withappropriate services. Rev. D. Alex Holman, pastor at that time. Nov. 7,1944 a co-operative dinner was held to commemorate the 71st anniversary.
The years have taken their toll of members. In 1949 a meeting wascalled to discuss the possibility of working and worshiping with thelocal M. E. Church in Coral. This plan has continued to the presenttime, with each organization retaining its own individuality.
The Congregational Church has recently been redecorated, new frontdoors and a new electric organ installed due to the generosity of Mrs.Emma Rhodes Larsen.
Rev. Lee Long, Methodist minister is serving the local churches at the present time.
Free Methodist Church
by Mildred Buchanan
The Free Methodist Church of Coral was founded some where in the 1880'sor early 1900's. It was a thriving church for many years but wasdiscontinued in the 1930'2 and the church razed although the parsonageis still in use.
Coral Organizations
Through the years various clubs have been organized. Among them werethe Methodist Church Junior League and the Catholic Church AltarSociety.
The Congregational Christian Endeavor, the W.C.L.U. which sponsoredoratorical contests, in which high school students where thecontestants, the Farmers Institute, the Anti-Saloon league, WomansChristian Temperance union and the Coral Service club.
St. Clara's Church
by Marie and Thomas Coady
this community's Catholic Church had its origin some 100 to 103 yearsago, when a track of land was donated to the church by the late JamesCoady.
The church was a small log structure and was erected in the center ofwhat is now known as the Old Catholic cemetery on Amble Road.
Previous to the erection of the church, services were held in the homesof local residents. The pastor rode horse back from Gratton, Michiganto minister to his people.
In the early 1870's the church was moved to Maple Valley (Maple ValleyRd is now called Cannonsville, placing the church on the NW corner ofCannonsville and Cody Rd), a short distance from its former site. Herea larger and more compact building was erected.
A neighboring house was obtained for a rectory and Maple Valley had itsfirst resident priests Rev. Seabolt and Rev. Gasin were priests whoserved the parish in that era. The Parish grew larger and in 1897 anaddition was placed on the church. Rev. Kyran Whalen, the pastor atthis time, resided in Carson City but made regular visits to theMission Church. The parish extended as far north as Lakeview and it wasnecessary for the priest to ravel many miles by horse and buggy toanswer sick calls.
In 1911 a new rectory was built as the former home had been destroyedby fire. However only one priest, Rev. Daniel Wynne ever occupied thenew home. The parish was made a mission church of Greenville and wasserved by the priest of that area. Another change was made a few yearslater and Maple Valley became a mission of Sand Lake.
Time ravaged the structure of the old church and soon its deterioratingcondition necessitated may repairs. It was decided to raze the oldbuilding and erect a new church.
In 1945 the old church was torn down and all usable materials weretransported to Coral where a new church was erected. The present parishnumber about 45 families. Rev. Jerome Winikaitis, of Sand Lake has beenthe pastor for the past eight years.
Fraternal Organizations
by Gertrude Hansen and Ethel Eghotz
Fraternal orders were the Grange, Maccabees, Gleaners, Modern Woodmen, Royal Neighbors and Ben Hur.
These organizations no longer function here, but still carry insurance where available.
Coral is divided between Howard city and Trufant in its Coralmembership of Masons and Eastern Stars who are many and active in theirrespective Temples.
Cowden Lake Church Of Christ
The Cowden Lake Church of Christ was built in 1874 on land donated byMr. and Mrs. Frank Randall, who lived where Neil Dunworth lives now (NWcorner of Coral Rd and Gravel Ridge Rd). Mr. Randall also cut and madeinto lumber part of the lumber used in the church. E. H. Stryker alsocontributed lumber and both he and Mr. Randall, who was chief carpenterin the construction, donated their labor. The first meeting was held inDecember, 1874. First board officers were W. H. Randall, Robert Hooton,James E. Starks, A. L. Price and Silas Beebe. The Ladies Aid raisedmoney for the church by selling butter and eggs.
In 1959 the church celebrated their 85th year with a dinner and program.
Mr. Stryker was the father of Mae Smith and Mr. Randall the grandfather of Mrs. Guy Wheeler.
Parker's
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Parker purchased the former H. H. Rhoades Grocery,in 1946 and completed 16 years on business May 7th, 1962. We extend oursincere thanks to the people of the area we served.
Robinson Farm Equipment
(Now the Coral Power Shop, NE corner of Bailey and Grant)
4752 N. Bailey Road- Coral Michigan- Phone 661. Massey-Ferguson Sales and Service.
Doyle Grace's
by Doyal and Caroline Grace
Having bought the Drug Store owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Wm.Woodall for some 40 years, and being a great asset to your Community-It has been our pleasure to try and serve you to the best of yourability for the past ten years.
Thanks to all the people of the area, who make our stay possible.
Cole's General Store
Harold and Marian Coles. Your friendly Spartan store since 1946.
Harold Ehgotz's
(NE corner of Bailey and Sherman north side of the old brick bank now residence)
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ehgotz built their shop and store on the east sideof main street in the year of 1940, on the site formerly owned by Mr.and Mrs. Thomas H. Kain, who operated a very successful car agency,until it was destroyed by fire in the year of 1926.
The Ehgotz's business consists of general repairs of all kinds of Machinery, Automotive, Plumbing and Hardware.
Mrs. Ehgotz does the office work, while Harold with the assistance oftwo very able men, Thayer Kocher and John Johnson, who have been withthem for years, take care of the shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Ehgotz, better known as Harold and Ethel, are a genialcouple, always ready and willing to help in any worthy cause.
Wheeler's Bay Service Station
(SE corner of Bailey and Sherman St, now the Coral general store currently named Jody's Coral Market)
The Bay Service Station operated by Doulas (Douglas?) Wheeler andfamily is one of the newer businesses in town, having been here sixyears.
The business was first operated from the little station which was builtby Fred Lovell in the early '20s. In 1960 the old station, home andstore building which had originally been Mrs. Stevenson's MillineryEmporium and was a landmark in eh town, was torn down and a new stationbuilt.
Doulas (Douglas) is a native of the Coral area, and his wife, Maude isa great niece of the Gilleos, who were among the first settlers ofPierson and Winfield townships.
Coral Tavern
This building was formerly Wellbaum's Meat Market during Prohibition and now is Coral Tavern, recently completely remodeled.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe O'Shinski have operated the business since coming toCoral from Muskegon in June, 1947, and make their home at Coady Lake.
South End Service
Speedway Marathon
corner of Coral and Bailey Rd
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