Battle Creek in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Erastus Hussey: Stationmaster / "Working for Humanity"
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021
1. Erastus Hussey: Stationmaster / "Working for Humanity" Marker
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Inscription.
Erastus Hussey: Stationmaster, also, "Working for Humanity". .
Erastus Hussey Stationmaster. Erastus Hussey came to Michigan from New York State in 1824 and purchased land in Wayne County. Hussey returned to New York for a time, but in 1839 he and his wife, Sarah, purchased a building located about 125 feet east of this site to house their dry goods store and residence. As Quakers, the Husseys had strong antislavery sentiments, and in 1840, Erastus became stationmaster of the Underground Railroad’s Battle Creek station, located in his home. He was assisted by fugitives like Samuel Strother who settled in Battle Creek after escaping slavery. As a Free-Soiler, Hussey served in both houses of the state legislature in the 1850s. On July 6, 1854, he attended the “Under the Oaks” convention in Jackson, where the Republican party was founded.,
"Working for Humanity". A May 1885 edition of the Battle Creek Sunday Morning Call featured an interview with “the Abolition patriarch,” Erastus Hussey. The eighty-five-year-old former editor of the antislavery Michigan Liberty Press recalled Battle Creek’s role with the Underground Railroad, beginning in 1840. The Central Michigan route began in Cass County and had stations every twelve to fifteen miles in communities like Climax, Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion, Grass Lake, Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and on to Detroit. Hussey stated, “I have fed and given protection to over 1,000 fugitives, and assisted them on to Canada.” After 1855 the Michigan underground was less traveled, the runaways took shorter routes through Ohio. When asked if any stationmasters received pay, Hussey replied, “No. . . . We were working for humanity.” . This historical marker was erected in 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. It is in Battle Creek in Calhoun County Michigan
Erastus Hussey Stationmaster
Erastus Hussey came to Michigan from New York State in 1824 and purchased land in Wayne County. Hussey returned to New York for a time, but in 1839 he and his wife, Sarah, purchased a building located about 125 feet east of this site to house their dry goods store and residence. As Quakers, the Husseys had strong antislavery sentiments, and in 1840, Erastus became stationmaster of the Underground Railroad’s Battle Creek station, located in his home. He was assisted by fugitives like Samuel Strother who settled in Battle Creek after escaping slavery. As a Free-Soiler, Hussey served in both houses of the state legislature in the 1850s. On July 6, 1854, he attended the “Under the Oaks” convention in Jackson, where the Republican party was founded.
"Working for Humanity"
A May 1885 edition of the Battle Creek Sunday Morning Call featured an interview with “the Abolition patriarch,” Erastus Hussey. The eighty-five-year-old former editor of the antislavery Michigan Liberty Press recalled Battle Creek’s role with the Underground Railroad,
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beginning in 1840. The Central Michigan route began in Cass County and had stations every twelve to fifteen miles in communities like Climax, Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion, Grass Lake, Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and on to Detroit. Hussey stated, “I have fed and given protection to over 1,000 fugitives, and assisted them on to Canada.” After 1855 the Michigan underground was less traveled—the runaways took shorter routes through Ohio. When asked if any stationmasters received pay, Hussey replied, “No. . . . We were working for humanity.”
Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S0637.)
Location. 42° 19.096′ N, 85° 10.875′ W. Marker is in Battle Creek, Michigan, in Calhoun County. Marker is on Michigan Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Capital Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling north. Located at the grounds of the Kellogg Foundation Headquarters. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: One Michigan Ave, Battle Creek MI 49017, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Log Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Creek Post Office
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021
2. Erastus Hussey: Stationmaster / "Working for Humanity" Marker
3. Erastus Hussey: Stationmaster / "Working for Humanity" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
