At the Historic Miller Farm 635 State Street, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827

(517)663-663-3288 www.eatonrapidshistory.com email info@eatonrapidshistory.com

Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society

They will be greatly missed….

New Board Members Elected New Board Members Elected New Board Members Elected New Board Members Elected

The ERAHS bylaws were recently changed to increase the number of members on the Board of Directors to 11. A nomination commit-tee was appointed by President Holley to nominate new trustees. Nominated, and voted in as the newest members of the ERAHS Board of Directors were Nancy Smith, Ken Nicholas, Bev McKessy, and Mary Ann Wesley. Each of these new trustees brings their own special talents to the group, and are already invaluable to us. Congratulations to everyone! A nominating committee will be established at the April board meet-ing (April 5th, 2011 rather than April 7th) to submit nominations for President.

Book your Birthday

Party with us!

IT’S IT’S IT’S IT’S NEVERNEVERNEVERNEVER TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM! TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM! TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM! TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM!

Open weekends all year:

Fri 3-8

Sat 3-8

Sun 1-5

We Serve MSU Dairy Ice Cream

All proceeds go towards the

preservation of

Eaton Rapids history!

Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!

Miller Farm 1950's Ice Cream ParlorMiller Farm 1950's Ice Cream ParlorMiller Farm 1950's Ice Cream ParlorMiller Farm 1950's Ice Cream Parlor

Bring this ad in for 50 cents off your next ice cream purchase at the Miller Farm Ice Cream Parlor. One coupon per customer. Expires April 30th, 2011

50¢ Off

Volume XI, Issue 1 March, 2011

Larry HolleyLarry HolleyLarry HolleyLarry Holley President, ERAHS

1941—2011

“His example lives on. “

Our deepest condolences go out to Judy, David and all of Larry’s family. Larry helped us through thick and thin,

through good times and bad, and always kept a positive outlook on life. His influence was great

throughout the entire community of Eaton Rapids.

Jean Kline Jean Kline Jean Kline Jean Kline Secretary/Treasurer, ERAHS

1932--2010

“It’s amazing what you can do when you don’t know it can’t be done”

The passing of Jean Kline in July was a huge loss to the ERAHS and the Eaton Rapids community. Her hard

work and her devotion to the history of Eaton Rapids will keep her forever in our memory.

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April 5th Board Meeting April 15th Chamber of Commerce dinner April 9th Theme Dinner (Italian-Malewski) April 18th BPW Dinner April 23rd Bake Sale April 29th Monthly Dinner-Swiss Steak, Chicken May 5th Board Meeting First week of May Field Trips start May 7th Theme Dinner (Jimmy Buffett) May 14th Cemetery Tour D Malewski, chairperson May 16th BPW Dinner May 27th Monthly Dinner May 30th Memorial Day Parade June 2nd Board Meeting June 11th—Theme Dinner Pirates June 15th—Speaker/Program June 18th-Olds Night on the Farm 5—9 (K Nicholas) June 20th BPW dinner June 24th Monthly Dinner July 4th Parade July 7th Board Meeting July 9th Old Fashioned Picnic July 16th Theme Dinner July 18th BPW dinner July 21st Caps and Corks Beer & Wine Tasting (Rotary) July 29th Monthly Dinner August 2 Eat Co History Camp Visit 9:45-12 August 4th Board Meeting August 13th Theme Dinner (Mexican Fiesta) August 15th BPW dinner August 19th Monthly Dinner August 27th Dam Festival (T Baker, Chairperson) Sept 1 Board Meeting Sept 10 Theme Dinner (Island Luau) Sept 18th Planning Meeting Sept 19th BPW Sept 30th Monthly Dinner

Oct 6 Board Meeting Oct 8th Apple Festival; (MW Wesley Chairperson) Oct 15th Theme Dinner Oct 17th BPW dinner Oct 28 Monthly Dinner October 31 Haunted History Halloween Weekend Nov 3 Board Meeting Nov 11 Veteran’s Day Service Nov 12th Theme Dinner (Save-a-Turkey) Nov 18th, 19th—Bazaar Nov 21 BPW dinner Dec 1 Board Meeting Dec 3 Hometown Christmas Parade Dec 10 Christmas on the Farm

2011 ERAHS Events Calendar

More events will be added and changes may be made to this calendar as the year goes on!

Contact us to be sure!

Plans are underway for our second historic cemetery tour at Rosehill Cemetery on West Street. As we did before, we plan on touring the cemetery in the parade wagon and having costumed characters at various gravesites telling the story of their life in early Eaton Rapids. There will be two tours. Your help is needed to make this a success! If you would like to be an “actor” (we provide research and a script—no memori-zation needed) let us know. (517-256-9460). There are roles for both men and women of all ages. We also hope to have light refreshments (punch and cookies are fine). If you can help furnish and/or serve them it would be wonderful! The parade wagon could use some sprucing up, also, if you could help with that.

Historic Rosehill Cemetery Tour Historic Rosehill Cemetery Tour Historic Rosehill Cemetery Tour Historic Rosehill Cemetery Tour May 14th, 2011 May 14th, 2011 May 14th, 2011 May 14th, 2011

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It’s Spring Cleaning Time!

Date to be announced!

ERAHS CommitteesERAHS CommitteesERAHS CommitteesERAHS Committees

The following is a list of the various committees and their chairperson(s). These should be considered the contact people for the committee and it does not limit other members from helping out (PLEASE help out!). It also does not allow any one person to make major changes or decisions without bringing it to the board for a vote. House Rentals- Jill Skinner, Joyce Howe & Mary Ann Wesley Church (History)-Deb Malewski Grounds-Tom Baker Barn-Mike DeGrow Heritage Garden-Mike DeGrow Photo Shop- Mike DeGrow Apple Fest-Mary Ann Wesley Christmas on the Farm-Tom Baker Dam Festival-Tom Baker Bazaar- Bev McKessy and Joyce Howe History-Museum Collections and Preservation -Deb Malewski Rental of Community Room and Church -Tom/Doreen Baker Marketing and Promotion -Deb Malewski, Bev McKessy & Jill Skinner Membership/Dues- Fund Raising- Blacksmith Shop-Ken Nicholas Ice Cream Parlor- Nancy Smith Jean Kline Building-Ken Nicholas, Mike DeGrow, Deb Malewski & Jill Skinner Property Development-Tom Baker Cemetery Tour—Deb Malewski, Mary Ann Wesley

Barzillai Hoyt Custer was elected in April, 1908, on a "Citizens ticket" against candidates of the two "aid par-ties", C.D. Knapp and J.T. Hall. He replaced Mayor Charles H. Horner, and served two 1-year terms.

Custer solved the drinking problem in town by posted a list of 30 prominent over-indulgers in the five saloons, warn-ing of the sale of liquor to them. It caused quite a rumpus but stopped habitual drunkards from reeling about the streets, according to reports. He

also ordered the nickel-in-the-slot machines back into the storerooms.

He was a quiet, unassuming man with a determination to put duty as a public official ahead of personal gain. His policy as mayor did not help his businesses in town but the offensive scenes of drunkenness were stopped. Originally from West Virginia, Custer lived and worked at 207 S. Main, and owned 3 different businesses; Custer and Norton's and The Right Place were two of them. He married Laura A. Rogers on July 30, 1884, in Ionia, Michigan I am curious about his connection to another Michigan Custer, George, but so far have found nothing showing that they were related.

Mayor B.H. CusterMayor B.H. CusterMayor B.H. CusterMayor B.H. Custer

Host your Event at the Miller FarmHost your Event at the Miller FarmHost your Event at the Miller FarmHost your Event at the Miller Farm

The various buildings at the Miller Farm are available for

your next special event! The Church, the Ice Cream Par-

lor, the house, the community room, or the entire property

can be rented at very nominal costs.

The quaint and cozy Plains Road Bible Church has been

very popular with brides lately!

Call (517)663-4712 for more information.

Is Miller Ice Cream still being made? We get asked this a lot in the ice cream parlor, so I made a call to the Kinney Dairies in Bay City. It was the Kinney Dairy that purchased the Miller Dairy and moved it to Bay City. About 5 years ago Kinney Dairy was bought out by Bouza Dairy. They still produce Miller Ice Cream, but it’s not the original formula that the Kinney’s bought from the Miller’s, and is only available in a limited area. She expects it to not be around in the very near future. I also asked about any Miller things that they might still have, and she said that she believed they had already given us all they had, but if they found anything in the future they would let us know. Miller Ice Cream—1896-2006 115 years!

Baking supplies always needed! We are planning a spring bake sale for April 23, so with

your help we can lower our expenses and increase profits!

Needed: flour, sugar (white, brown, and confectioners), butter, margarine, Crisco, chocolate chips,

raisins, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and any other baking

ingredients you would like to donate! Drop your donations off on the

weekends in the Ice Cream Parlor— Thank you for helping!

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The Jean Kline Block A dream of Jean and Cernyw Kline was to establish a new building for the Miller Farm, which would illlustrate how downtown Eaton Rapids looked in the late 1800’s and which could showcase some of the historical treasures that the ERAHS has collected. With the passing of Jean last summer, her dream for this building was realized as work began in the fall. In her memory, Cernyw provided the funding to create a four-unit building known as the Jean Kline Block. (The term “block” is one that is rarely used today, but was a common term in the late 1800’s. It was somewhat a generic term for any large commercial building that covered all or most of a complete city block as long as it was fairly square or rectangular in shape.) Terry Eaton is the builder and is doing a wonderful job.

The building will hold four “businesses”, or historical galleries, includ-ing an undertaker, a print shop, a general store, and a photography studio. In addition, we hope to have “Joyce’s Beauty Shop” in the Factory building, using the original fixtures from Joyce Howe’s down-town beauty shop. Funds are needed to do the final set up of each gallery, so your help is needed, of course, to make this all possible. Your donation is tax deductible. If you have any artifacts that would go with our new areas, we would love to display them, also.

Happy 135th Birthday to the Eaton Rapids Library The city library recently celebrated 135 years in service to the community. As part of the celebration, an open house was held. Many historic items were displayed, including what is believed to be the original desk used, a photo of that desk in the original library, and an inkwell and metal tray that were used around the turn of the century. Also highlighted were various local vintage photos, including a G.A.R. photo with Nat Davis, former slave, Civil War soldier, and Eaton Rapids’ barber, and one of the Knights of Pythias with W. Scott Munn in it. The library was started in 1876 as a club known as the Philorhetorian League. Jennie Adams was the librarian.

1917, Eaton Rapids Journal Times have sure changed!

Monthly Theme Dinners Starting Up The ERAHS will be sponsoring an additional fundraising meal each month. The first one recognized the little touch of Irish in the Miller Family—The traditional boiled dinner with corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes was served! April’s dinner will be Italian, with homemade lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and a chopped antipasto salad! Chi mangia bene, mangia Italiano! Dinners are 5-7pm the second Saturday of the month—don’t be late! Upcoming Theme Dinners: April 9th —ITALIAN! May 7th September 10 June 11 October 8th August 13 Nov 12th Don’t forget our traditional monthly dinners which start up on April 29th and are generally the last Friday of each month! Help is always needed for these dinners—let us know when you can volunteer!

Help Wanted! With 11 acres to mow, we could really use some help in keeping the lawns mowed at the Miller

Farm. Gas money would also be helpful, too. Contact Tom Baker if you can help!

Thanks to all the work crews who have helped so far, including Mayor Davidson who does the front

yard.

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Get the inside

scoop!

Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society Dam FestivalEaton Rapids Area Historical Society Dam FestivalEaton Rapids Area Historical Society Dam FestivalEaton Rapids Area Historical Society Dam Festival

August 27, 2011August 27, 2011August 27, 2011August 27, 2011

Save the date!Save the date!Save the date!Save the date!

Best wishes and goodbye to our ice cream scooper—Jodie Hile! Jodie is leaving to work for the Lugnuts. Jodi has been re-placed by Ericka Lafond who lives here in Eaton Rapids. In the meantime—volunteers are always needed to also work in the ice cream par-lor. If you can volunteer, let us know! Call Nancy Smith with your availability!

An ERAHS Wishlist Do you have a spare reliable laptop computer you can donate? We received a $700 grant for a mu-seum cataloging/inventory program, but don’t have a computer to install it on. A laptop is pre-ferred, as the inventory work will be done in the numerous buildings on the property. Please help us catalogue our collections! Time is of the es-sence here! —A computer printer and ink —A good quality vacuum cleaner —Gasoline for our lawn mowers (and volunteers to mow!) —Display cases for artifacts, any size but large ones are especially needed —Any Eaton Rapids-themed historical items, espe-cially Miller Dairy items —CD player —Digital projector —Washer and dryer —Items for our new general store representing the late 1800’s—vintage cans and other packaging, old china (doesn’t have to match), old lamps or lan-terns, old quilts (condition won’t matter as they will be folded), high button shoes, old granite ware cof-fee pots, stoneware crocks, etc. —A fireplace mantle and surround —Vintage photography items

School Days in Eaton Rapids We do have quite a collection of old Eaton Rapids High School yearbooks. They are fascinating and useful for research on individuals who came through our school system. We currently have copies of the following years: 1905, 1914-1918, 1920--1927, 1936—1941, 1946, 1961, 1966, 1976, 1981--1983, 1991, 1992-93, 1995. If you have one, even if we already have it, we are always accepting more copies. They went by various names through the years, starting with The Tattler in 1905, then the Mascot, The Echo, the Reflector, The Criterion, the Maroon and Grey, and for many years the Eatonian. In 1941, when the US entered WWII, however, it was called the Patriot. Several of the older year books include a list of all the

Above: Charles Miller, from the 1920 ERHS yearbook when he was a senior. Left: Rhea Miller. Her senior photo from 1914

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$25-$99 Explorer $100-$499 Historian $500-$999 Patron

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Please indicate your volunteer interest: ○History (Research, Docent) ○Property maintenance ○Special Events ○Crafts ○Baking ○Fundraising

Other______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The ERAHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Thank you for your support for our programs and activities

Please mail your application and payment to: Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society, 635 State St., Eaton Rapids, Mi 48827

info@eatonrapidshistory.com www.eatonrapidshistory.com

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635 State Street, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827

www.eatonrapidshistory.com