Electa Slater

The Baptist settlers came to Bronson, Michigan, even before its founders had plotted the town. In 1826, Reverend Leonard Slater, of Massachusetts, arrived at the Rix Robinson Trading Post from the Carey Mission in Niles, Michigan, and delivered a sermon to Pottawatomie at the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish reservation.

He did not initially stay in the region long. During Andrew Jackson's presidency and under the divisive president's "rotation in office" or "spoils" system, Slater received his reward for party loyalty in the form of an executive appointment. He became the first postmaster of Grand Rapids, Michigan Territory, and spent a decade there working for the government while forming a congregation. Following another move to Prairieville, Michigan, the death of his first wife, and the dissolution of his mission, Slater moved to Kalamazoo and married Electa Bostwick.

Electa was a fellow Baptist from Vermont. She also represented outmigration from New England, but in a different way than the single men and families who moved west. It was much more common for single young men to leave New England for the “west” than single women. And yet, it appears she came alone as a missionary and lived in boarding houses before meeting Leonard Slater.

They lived in Kalamazoo, grew their congregation, and planned to move the mission chapel Prairieville. Electa did not live to see those plans realized. She died in 1855, a few years before Rev. Slater had the chapel moved to water street. She was initially buried in the old city cemetery, but Slater had her moved to Riverside.

By the end of his life, Rev. Slater had come full circle in Kalamazoo. Riverside Cemetery was the approximate location of the Robinson Trading Post. In the birthplace of Baptism of Kalamazoo, its originator was laid to rest.

Note on Sources. See Mary M. Lewis Hoyt, “Life of Leonard Slater: Pioneer Preacher and Missionary,” [Michigan] Historical Collections: Collections and Researches Made by the Pioneer and Historical Society of the State of Michigan, Vol. 35 (Lansing: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., 1907): 142-155; Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13846737/leonard-slater: accessed October 25, 2024), memorial page for Rev Leonard Slater (16 Nov 1802–27 Apr 1866); U.S., Baptist Missionary Records and Sailing Cards, 1814-1970 [database on-line] (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2024).