Brief Story of Mayfield, Paradise Twp
Grand Traverse County, Michigan

This brief history was put together by the members and friends of "The Mayfield Chapter" 1951. Partial extraction from a copy of this booklet from "The Pioneer & Historical Society" of Traverse City, Michigan

The Barnums and Dennistions neighbors, near Fallsburg, New York, came to Mayfield after the Civil War. William Denniston built his home on a farm on half mile south of the village. Albert Barnum made his home at the top of the hill, the street leading to what is now known as Church St.

Cornelia Barnum came to Michigan probably earlier than the rest. Settling 3 miles east in the deep woods. She taught school and started the first Sunday School in her home.

The first store with a post office included was built by Charles Denniston. In 1866, George Neal and Lucas Knight from Sheboygan Falls* to make their claim on timberland. Being Millwrights they constructed a dam across Mayfield Creek. They also, built the first sawmill that was run by water power. Lorraine K. Gibbs, cousin of Lucas Knight was behind this venture with them. Gibbs followed about two years later, bringing his own family, and his four brothers, James, Arch, Frank, and Bird into the new community.

In 1873, The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad came through giving the settlement a chance for growing. Up to this time supplies were hauled by wagon from Traverse City for about 14 miles. They had to go over the one river bridge located at, what is still called by it's first name, Brown Bridge. The Brown family settled there in 1869.

The water power was used for a grist mill, with Lucas Knight as miller. A larger sawmill was built along with two shingle mills. One shingle mill located on the south end of the settlement was owned and operated by Crandall (Dan) & McKeage. Jim Crandall, was to, later run this mill. J.L. Gibbs moved his shingle mill and rebuilt it below the dam. This mill later burned and was also rebuilt.

The first schoolhouse was the old supply store located near the railroad water tank. At that time in 1874, the Gibbs Brothers built a new store. Miss Roxa Humphrey was the first schoolteacher. Later Roxa was to mary Michael Jackson, a Civil War veteran and roving preacher and settled west of the village.

Other homesteaders were Ben Koch with a family of four children. Paul Sayers and his family of ten. John Koch and sister Mary Eller, were already living nearby.

More workers, Alonzo Bowman, Jim Burden, Theo. Kelly (filer of saws), Jim Coddington, George Porter, John Hobbs and George Rarick were brought in due to the new mill. The records show the large mill foreman was a man named West. Other early workers, George Koch, C.D. Hanks, Frank Sayers, Platt Barnum, Fred Brackenbury, Hollis Taberer, Burr James, Tim Goodsell, Newton Jamison, Burt Lambkin, Dave and Wayne Manigold, Geroge and Tom Pepler, Dick Marshall, Sherman Buys and several others (not listed). Harley Hallad and Amanda Buys, two Civil War families, settled and built homes here. A new school was also built at this time.

Addie Gibbs initiated the idea of a new church about 1889. Nearly every resident in the area gave either in money or time and labor. Edna Sargent, a cousin of Mr. Addie Gibbs, gave the first $10.00. Mrs. Jas. Brewster from the King's Daughters of Brooklyn sent $60.00. Mr. Degolia, Harry Widdicomb and Mr. Lacky, who came from Grand Rapids for the fishing, gave $100.00. Prayer books came from P.T. Barnum of the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus, due to the fact that Mrs. Corneila Barnum was his relative. Builder was Peter Rolo using lumber that came from Gibbs Brothers with Crandall Brothers giving the shingles. Mr. J. L. Gibbs gave the big chairs and Mr. Widdicomb, founder of the Grand Rapids Furniture Company gave the pews, carpet and window shades.

A notary public, Mr. J. L. Gibbs, drafted the articles of incorporation to safeguard the purpose of the church and obtained signatures from the following: M. W. Jackson, L. W. Knight, George Koch, L. K. Gibbs, Benjamin Koch, Dan E. Crandall, Alonzona Boman, Ellen Kelly, and Addie Gibbs. The first board of trustees were; Michael Jackson, Lucas Knight, Addie Gibbs, Marietta Barnum and Janie Halladay. The name of the organization was to be the MayField Sunday School Association.

Sunday school teachers consisted of; Mrs. Cornelia Barnum, Mrs. Platt Barnum, Michael Gay, lay minister, and Mrs. J.L. Gibbs. Mrs. B.M. James and Mrs. Fred Taberer were primary teachers.

Mrs. Goodsell was the first organist. Others who served as organist were Mrs. Ida Sayers, Mrs. Wm Gibbs, and Mrs. Harry Sargent. First choir members were; Jim Coddington, Angie Gill, Maud Kelly, Mr. Howlett, and Mrs. Ida Sayers. Later members; Leonard Halladay, Arch Gibbs, Burr James, Angie James, Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Mrs. Patton, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Taberer, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Gibbs, Harry Sargent, Georgia Manigold, and Emma Peppler.

Early pastors; Michael Jackson, first layman minister, Rev. Hill, Rev. Thurston, Rev. Hayward, Rev. J. S. Hall and Rev. O. E. Hall. Later ministers; Rev. Herbert, Rev. Wagley, Rev. Walker, Rev. Findstrom, Rev McGrath, Rev. Tennant, Rev. McCullum, Rev. Kendall and Rev Loury. Oct. 25, 1951 was the 25th anniversary of the Sunday School Association. The church later became known as the Mayfield Community Chapel.

The Ladies Aid Society was organized 28 October 1897. The original membership consisted of Angie Gill, Mrs. J. L. Gibbs, Cora Gardner, Maud Hodges, Mrs. Rarick, Mrs Lovelace, Mrs. Gillette, Ida Sayers, Mrs. Buys, Mrs. Jackson, Rilla Halladay, Jennie Macy, Mrs. E. A. Jamieson, Mrs. J. M. Crandall, Edna Gray, Ida Hopkins, Maud Savage, Mrs. Brower, Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Mrs. A.A. Boman, and Lucy Hollenbaugh.

Junior League in 1900 was conducted after school by Rev. O. E. Hall with the group having had a Bible study course. Baptized at the end of the summer at Arbutus Lake; Ruby Rarick, Veda Vandervort, Carrie Chase, Fannie Thompson, Nellie Thompson, and Marion Gibbs. A young people's society was organized 15 July 1906. President, Marion Gibbs; Vice-President, Audie Taylor; Secretary and treasure, Fay McKeage. Other members; Veda Vandervort, Goldie Halladay, Earl McKeage, Lloyd Marshall, Earl Vandervort, Willie Gran, Harold Gibbs, Percy Thompson, Gertrude Rarick, Myrtle Rarick, George Chase, Martha Shorter, Edwin Gray, Dan Peppler, Cornelia Marshall, Tracy Mac, Ivan Koch, Guy Vandervort, Callie Wise, Nela Manigold, Rose Tremaine, Will Jackson, Ray Jackson, Miss Scofield, Edith Gibbs, Mrs. Addie Gibbs, Mrs. Burr James, Mrs. Luther Macy, Mrs. Marshall, Frank Gibbs, Mrs. Ellen Barnum, Mrs. Charlie Walsh, Ida Sayers, and Mrs. Taberer. The first sociey activity was held at the home of George Rarick and many activities were held at the Halladay home.

In January of 1908, a new Junior League was formed consisting of the Red & White Ribbon classes. Records from 1908-1912 show members; Georgia McKeage, Matie Hopkins, Opal Halladay, Charles Wise, Maurice Manigold, Edwin Gran, Edward Spaulding, Bryon Manigold, Frank -?-, Loretta Chase, Oday Goodsell, Scott LeBaron, Lennie Gray, May Little, Doris James, Edith Halladay, Mary Peppler, Beulah Vandervort, Anna Newcomer, John Little, Chloe Baldwin, Fern Isaac, Zema Days, Beatrice Anderson, Mildred James, Ellen Hopkins, Fern Manigold, Victor Vandervort, Bennett Goodsell, Ora Goodsell, Ruth Tabberer, Fern Tabberer, Roy Isaac, Shirley Isaac, Dawdy Gray, Harold Gray, Orma Peppler, Herbert Fletcher, Henneth Manigold, Leslie, Wise, Reta Manigold, Dick Anderson, Opal Jesick and Helen Tabberer. Leaders were Miss. Marion Gibbs and Mrs. Burr James.

The 4th Junior League does not give a date but the members were; Raymond Wheeler, Kenneth and Ruth Wyckoff, Carroll Manigold, Marguerite and Betty Wise, Margery Wilson, Harold Wilson Jr., Richard and Donald Wise, Edna Sargent, Joel Halladay, Wm. Anderson, Leona Anderson, Allan Anderson, Mabel Gibbs, Gordon Wheeler, Evelyn Glass, Gerald and James Wyckoff, Margaret and Jolan Csolkivits, Charles, Marie and Lyman McManus and Rosemary Middaugh.

In 1902, a group of young women became starlets by forming a broom drill team. They were to become so popular they took their act to Grawn and Kingsley. Members; Maud Scott, Captain Ida Hopkins, Rilla Halladay, Cora Gardner, Mattie Hobbs, Angie, James, Ida Sayers, Bertha Hobbs, Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Mrs. Platt Barnum, Alice and Jennie Riplo.

As of 1951, only three weddings had been held in the Mayfield Chapel. First, 23 Sep 1939, Ruth Gibbs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gibbs of Mayfield, and Orville Mills of Fife Lake were married by Rev. Robert Kelly from Traverse City.

Mabel Gibbs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gibbs, and Ray Wheller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wheeler, were married 23 April 1942 by Rev. W. Smith of Kingsley.

Jane Ann Reichard and Sigurd V. Moody, both of Minneapolis were married on 3 July 1945, by Rev. Howard Towne, from the First Congregational Church of Traverse City. The bride's mother was the former Veda Vandervort of Mayfield.

Doctors of the are included Dr. M.S. Brownson, Dr. G.L. Fenton and Dr. J.J. Brownson from Kingsley but they served Mayfield as well.

Note: As of 1997, The Mayfield Chapel is still here. Also, when they speak of the doctors serving Mayfield, bear in mind that these two towns are separated by 3 miles. Brown Bridge is still known by that name.

*Sheboygan Falls, I am assuming to be Wisconsin but this is only an assumption.

Return to Grand Traverse County MIGENWEB

Updated 24Sept2003