USA > Michigan > Branch County > Union City > Directory of Union City : Branch County, Michigan, 1909 > Part 5
USA > Michigan > Branch County > Union City > Directory of Union City : Branch County, Michigan, 1909 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Musical Instruments
J A Wiseman
Musie Teachers
Mrs Rose Bassett C Herbert. Johnson Eliza S Holbrook S Hayden
Newspapers
Register-Weekly .
Novelty Stores
L E Faber Mrs E J Root Gray & Harris
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
OUR CONSTANT AIM IS TO PLEASE OUR PATRONS
H. E. HAYNER'S CITY MEAT MARKET HAMMOND ST., UNION CITY
Fresh and Salt Meats, Poultry, Fish, and all those other Market Supplies which go to make up a well supplied table.
ALEX. W. KINYON
SOUTH SIDE MEAT MARKET AND GROCERY
Long experience in the business enables us to cater well to your needs in
MEATS OF ALL KINDS
while our Grocery Department is always stocked well with the best goods. The usual Grocery and Market Accessories always found here.
C. B. MERRIFIELD LIVERY AND FEED STABLES EAST HIGH ST., UNION CITY
First-Class Rigs at Reasonable Rates. Feed Stables in connection. Horses Boarded by day or week.
W. A. BELL LIVERY, FEED AND SALES STABLES
An up-to-date Livery, with Nobby Rigs at reasonable prices. Feed and Boarding Stables, with special attention given to care of horses and vehicles. Desirable Horses bought and sold.
Bus to all trains and to any part of the city.
WEST HIGH STREET UNION CITY, MICH.
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
Nurses
Fora Banford Grace Drumm Cleo L Nichols Mrs L Cuatt
Opticians
D W Chase Mrs C L Stone E Hammett
Painters and Paper Hangers
G W Kent
Leon L Lathrop
Fred A Wilder
Chas D Beckwith
Albert Clay
John E Cook
Frank Olmstead
Henry Van Vranken Pert Van Vranken W H Bailey
Photographers
W L Brown
Physicians
Dr J H Anderson
Dr W C Henderson
Dr Harry Pepper Dr E H Hurd
Dr M Robinson
Dr Wm D Cooper
Plumbing
Cha S Walker
Chas Parks
L D Wilcox
L J Little
Burr Parks
Real Estate
D P Cushman C E Day Henry Watkins
Restaurants
Keagle Bros
Sign Painters
G W Kent Chas Lake
Tailors
Chas Oliver
Chas Wellesley
Veterinary Surgeons
Dr D S Krull
Telephones
Michigan State Southern Michigan
"THE HUB"
THE LEADING MAKES OF CLOTHING for Men, Youths, Boys, Children
Gentlemen's Furnishing Goods in the Latest Modes
SEYMOUR BLOCK, UNION CITY
UNION CITY DIRECTORY
Rural Mail Routes
R. F. D. No. 1
John R. Fulton, Carrier.
Mrs A C Moseley
Frank McIntyre
Ed Carpenter
Mrs M M Antisdale
J S Dunks
Bert Dennison
Frank Crissey
Mrs Mary Failing
Chas Saulsbury
Fred Lux
Miss Mary A Dunks
Floyd Smith
Geo Lux
John Peck
Herman Nagle
J W White
W H French
Thos F Robinson
Claude George
Fred Conant
Sidney A Smith
W A Stanton
Chas Hill
M Ludwig
Gib Stanton
Isaac Jones
Ira Lusk
I C Everet
Geo Washburn John Tyler
Fred E Atwood
Bruce Zaunker
Esther Tyler
John P Fox
Wm Wolfe
Earl Hubbard
L C Dangler
Bart F Foster
J H Anderson
Isaac Brewer
Cyrus Withington
Lotan Cave
Eugene Engle
Fred Olmstead
A B Cline
J S Engle
Ora Disbro
John W Travis
W L Main
J L Cline
Jas Carr
Vincent Watkins
W H Zaunker
Chas Snyder
Chas Pohlman
D B Disbro
T C Anderson A J Troxell
E R Chaffie
J L Kilbourn
G A Palmer
R O Carpenter
B W Bray
Wm Rhodes
Roy B Cline
Clyde Carpenter
E F Randolph
Alden F Drake
Thos B Buell
John Disbro
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RIVERSIDE CEMETERY
C W Hosmer
Alfred Warsop
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
R. F. D. No. 2
Roy Matthews, Carrier.
Mrs Saml Johnson
Wm Drumm
J M Jones Chas H Newman
H J Evert
Jos Lucas
Wm Larder
F S Miller
Chás Wells
A A Sellwood
A E Dennison
A J May
A H Marsh
C N Dennison
J A Sutherland
J W Pippitt
Ward Wells
G A Church
Mrs Rose Parsons
Mary Eddy
Jos Warsop
Lewis E Stone
W D Baker
D H Cook
Adelbert Roberts
G E Wells
Henry Allwardt
H J Hamma
Marie Doubleday
Wm MeCracken
F L Hagelschaw
John Riggs
W W Smith
Quinn Reed
Frank Wells
N E Tooker
J S Benham
P J Honvener
C D Parlin
C A White
Clinton Peck
J Z Smith
Edmund Smith
Bert Smith
I'm H Smith
Martin Miller
C B Lowell
Geo Hess
A D Pyllman
H W Hadwin
C H Burlingame
Chas Knox
A L Chapman
Albert Collyer
Joseph Krieble
Ernest Weihl
G E Finten
Effie Warsop
Chas Smith
Arah Pullman
G A Eiteniear
A Burghardt
C J Leonard
A P Mack
E Corey
P O VanCamp
E W Bingham
A Hagelshaw
G A Hagelshaw
W F Mohrhardt
Montie Babcock
F A Martin
Mrs J M Converse
W B Potter
C H Hagelshaw
Geo Thornton
W Spooner
C J Miller
A A Palmer
WHASITSE SAPF
FARMERS' BANK BLOCK
UNION CITY DIRECTORY
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SIDNEY D. BUELL.
The name of Buell is intimately as- sociated with Union City and its his- tory. The Buells were among the first white people to settle here in the early thirties. They were of sturdy stock and they aided in the first develop- ment of the place, and have ever since taken prominent part in the business and social life of the town. And even today the descendants of these pioneer Buells are among our leading people.
The first Buells to come to Union City, or Goodwinsville, as it was then called, were four brothers, Darius, Justus, Chauncey and Thomas, who located here in 1836 and 1837. The first named, Darius, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sherbourne, Chenango county, New York, July 6, 1808. His wife was Cor- nelia Lincoln, and when they came to this place in 1836 there were but few people here, and only a few log houses. Darius Buell soon entered into the busy pioneer life of the local- ity and aided greatly in its develop-
ment. He built the flouring building here, and took part in the erection of nearly all of the first pretentious build- ings of the new town. The interior work of the Congregational church building was also his and he and his son, Sidney, unaided, prepared, match- ed and laid the floor of the structure, doing all of the work by hand. He was one of the organizers of the old Union City Iron Company, and he helped to build the first big boat, the "Union City," which was intended to ply the waters of the St. Joseph river, but which was lost on its first trip. Later he engaged in the mercantile line, and up to the time of his death, in 1875, he was interested in leading local enterprises. His estimable wife survived him a number of years, pass- ing away in 1891.
Sidney D. Buell, their son, bears the distinction of being the first white child born in Union City, this occur- ring September 27, 1838.
He was twenty-three years of age
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
when, in 1861, he responded to his country's call and enlisted in the First Michigan Light Artillery, serving in the various batteries of the regiment, notably in the gallant Battery D, familiarly known at Church's Battery. He served all through the war and was in many engagements.
After the war he returned to Union City, and soon thereafter, when Cor- bin Post, G. A. R., was organized, he was its first adjutant, filling this posi- tion for five years, and also being its quartermaster for two years. Mr. Sid- ney Buell has been closely identified with Union City and its development. For many years he conducted a plan- ing mill, a heading mill and a factory for the manufacture of bee supplies, but retired when his plant was de- stroved by fire in 1904. Since that time he has dealt largely in bee sup- plies, and is the inventor of many use- ful devices in this line.
Mr. Buell was married November 1, 1866, to Miss Margaret A. McCon- nell, who proved a most worthy help- meet until death claimed her, July 3, 1907.
Mr. Buell was attacked by failing health and partial blindness in 1905, since which time he has retired from active pursuits, although a familiar figure upon 'our streets. His has been a long, busy and useful life, and nearly all of it has been spent in the old home on North Broadway, which he still occupies. During the past few years his benefactions have been many, not only to various organiza- tions and public enterprises, but also to the worthy and needy poor of his acquaintance. This, indeed, seems to be his principal pleasure, and he an- nounces his intention of so continuing until his time shall come to be laid to rest beside his loved ones in beau- tiful Riverside Cemetery.
T. P. RILEY & SON Livery, Feed and Sales Stables
q First-Class Livery with Stylish Rigs. High-Class and well-Bred Roadsters and · Race Horses Bought and Sold
The home of Cyrenus, the well-known stallion; Fritzi Lobeck, the phenomenal trotter; Naughty Tom, whose sire is by Nutwood, as well as the home of other fast ones
Correspondence Solicited High St., Union City, Mich.
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
R. F. D. No. 3
Ava Williams, Carrier.
Ed C Adolph
Henry R Brown
Wm Brown
Geo Grove & Son
Wm G Lee
Allie Buys
Geo W Manville
John Salander
Herman VanSchoick
Oscar Hall
Bert Crawford
Geo Brewster & Sons
Chas A Munch
Ed Frye
Joel Mack
Nathan N Dennison
Mrs John Phillips
Levi Silverthorn
L L Olmstead
Jos T Kingston
Dr G S Gillett
Noah Churchill Geo W Thayer L D MeNelson I'm Bigford
Harry L Edwards
Lewis P Adolph
Geo Weaver
John C Bell
Ellsworth Wooster
Mary Gillett
Reuben L Carpenter
Ulysses S Robinson
Ed H Lott
Ed Lorow
Parker Sharts
Jay Van Aken
Wm M Morseman
Mary Swan
Chas H Smith
Geo Gillen
Wm E Johnson
Clarence Olney
Jake Katz
Cyde L Walsworth
Clyde R Ralston
Jas Maurer
Jas McDaniels
John Johnson
Will Katz
Marshall Buys
Glenn Johnson
Thos Worden
J C Swan
Chas D Cosier
Allen J Morey
Pen D Hunt
Chas L Burnett
Theron D Sischo
Ed E Crawford
Chas C Cosier
Geo Raymond
Horace C Ansterberg
Oscar Day
Willard C Adolph
Milton H Ansterberg
Harry L Burroughs
Alfred A Baker
John W Thompson
John L Swan
Roy C Stafford
John Burroughs
Theodore Hoyt
Chas W Stafford
Nicholas Shoemacher
Frank Champney
Benj F Olmstead
Rex Dibble
Emily Finten
Will M Deuel
Asa Weaver
Wm Olds
Warren W French
Ralph Dibble
I'm Disbro
Ed C Brooks Mrs J T Brooks
Will Brown
Mrs. Cola Randolph
Ed Dibble
Lewis Sevey
D. S. KRULL,
VETERINARY SURGEON
Graduate of the Toronto Veterinary College and the McPherson Dental College, Toronto, Ont. Diseases and Ailments of all Domestic Animals Treated.
Office at Residence, E. High St. Bell Phone 25; South. Mich. Phone 251 Union City, Mich.
PARTICULAR ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE HORSE
Mason Drumm Eddie Hibbard Frank Bicknall Caroline Judd J W Muma John R Eddy
Herbert J Phillips
David L Stancer
Mrs Fred Olds
Platt C Vosburgh
Mrs Emily Brooks
J C Mack
Frank Vosburgh
Amasa Kenknight
Jack Gresley
Dan Day Geo Palmer
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
R. F. D. No. 4
George Boynton, Carrier.
Mrs B F Green
J St Clair
Matthew Burns
Oscar Cline
Grove Tyler
Frank Burns
Chas Beckwith
Frank Magee
Fred Dovey
Hannah Wyrrill
Geo Blackwell
Eugene Wilson
Arthur Hayward
John Brauker, Jr
Wallace McNitt
Frank Swan
Isaac Wilson
Herman Lee
J M Wells
Mrs L Robinson
H J Fonner
Geo Wells
J J.Muffley
W H Stone J R Blake Ed Bronson
Mrs Kate Moore
Will Plumm
Chas Barnhart
Chas Wiley
Leland Richards
Mrs T Cain
Chas Hubbard
Harriet Lindsley
T P Cain
W W Warren Harry Bingham
Ralph Swarthout
Jeremiah Spencer
Pearl Sutherland
Alfred Armstrong
Julius Peavey
Walter Hawley
Dana Lincoln
Mrs S Griffin
Byron Kenknight
Walter Rosemberry
Mrs Lena Kyte
Edw Kenknight
Starr Paloski
Will Marss
A D Eldred
Chas Mitchell
Ed Brauker, Sr
Chas Knapp
Thos Swarbrick
Kate Wixson
Jay Fox
Grant Richardson
Mrs Emma Merritt
Harry Kester
R Whitcomb Fred Nagle
Geo Weedon
Chas Zimmerman
L S Whitcomb
Clark Salisbury
Ed Philo
Judson Seabury
Antone Luh
Chas Bell
Andrew Wilson
Geo DeWater
Geo Bell
Mrs L Newcomb
Peter Goodrich
Fred Merritt
Asa Moore
Frank Wooster
Mrs Andrew Krimmel
Al Smith
Dell Haynes
Frank Lathrop
Octavo Martin
Wm Robinson
Fred Krimmel
Wallace St Clair
Harry Bater
Ira Dufur
Frank Barnhart
Lorenzo Hanks
Gus Norton
Frank Burch
Clinton Dibble
Earl Hawley
Ed Shaw
E. J. GWIN, Grain Dealer UNION CITY, MICH.
Controlling the Air Line Grain Elevator in this place, and having the very best outside connections in the way of grain dealers, I am prepared to constantly pay the highest market prices for all kinds of
GRAIN
Office at Gwin & Sons' Shoe Store
Elevator adioin'ne Air Line Railroad Tracks
Herbert Jones John Seabury Mrs Julia Shimp Orville Sanderson
Chas Smith
Fred Swain
Oscar Demphan
John Cain
L A Fetterly
Mrs O'Rourke
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
R. F. D. No. 5
Herbert C. Hull, Carrier.
Jet Day
Geo Eddy
Chas Rice
H C Case
W H Melody
Clark Knauss
Elbert Clay
Fred Marble
A B Smith
Eugene Lochard
O VanSchoick
Isaac Place
John Miller
A VanSchoick
Frank Fox
M W French
Jas Guilford
B A Jones
W H Fonner
C G VanSchoick
Mrs L Fox
Conrad Hoffman
Irving Pierce
Henry Olney
Eugene Young
W A Sellwood
J Bishop
J P Brooks
S S Melody
L Kingston
E H Brooks
Ezra Wilsey
A S Workczeskie
WV I Piearce
F E Krieble
Wm Eldridge
E F Bayliss
J F McCausey
F H Randall
Mrs Geo Tervis
F N Schumacher
Newton Shenefield
Mrs Geo Page
P French
M Pendell
F A Watkins
J B Rickard
Joe Workczeskie
H C Price
A B Corey
Gwo Okeneskie
C B Case
Jas Price
J Bekoskie
F H Howard
Mrs L Worden
C H Reynolds
P H Lux
H R Johnson
Chas Rhodes
A H Hill
C W Johnson
Floyd Worden
F Morley
E Cherdavoine
S P Olmstead
F H Miller
G H VanSchoick
G H Zimmerman
A B Murfin
W C Baker
W H Ogden
L Warner
Lewis Knapp
F Ballard
Rev H Morey
J C Hill
Tom Schumaker
H E Guilford
R T Wait
S H Nye
C M Engle
Wm Murdock
Jesse Hayner
G E Lawrence
P A Hubbard
Jesse Mack
H VanSchoick
Walter Omo
J O Childs
C W Newman
M C Gates
Orley Roe
H H Sebolt
T C Mack
H A Worden
J A Barnum
A W Cherdavoine
J Hobday
Oscar Sheldon
Lloyd Rice
Clarence L Engle
D H VanSchoick
Ed Wertman
C L Katz
HENRY WATKINS
HERBERT WARNER
WATKINS & WARNER Dealers in Best Grades of Hard and Soft Coal UNION CITY, MICH.
With storage sheds and scales adjoining the Air Line tracks, and an office in the business part of town, we are equipped to serve patrons well and at the lowest prices. Delivery made to any part of the city.
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
History of Union City
The junction of the Coldwater and St. Joseph Rivers was undoubtedly an attractive spot for human beings hundreds of years ago, as witness the many remains of the work of the so-called "mound builders" in this im- mediate vicinity. Afterward the Indians made this a favorite hunting and camping ground, and to this day there are to be found occasionally evi- dences of their habitation and use of the territory. Late in the seventeenth century the early French explorers made use of these rivers in pushing their way westward into the heart of the unexplored middle west, and their craft plied the waters of the placid St. Joseph along the whole length of the stream. Tradition tells us that at about this time there was a French trading post established here, its location being just south of the present site of the present city school building, and that the proprietor did a brisk business with the Indians who were then in this immediate vicinity in large numbers. How long the French trading post remained here is only a matter of conjecture. At any rate there was an extended period after its abandonment during which no white man's feet traversed this locality.
We are told that then the spot so favored by nature was invaded by one John Clawson, who came here from what is now La Grange County, Indiana, and established a small trading post near the site of the old French post. Clawson bartered with the Indians, it is said, very successfully, but did not remain here very long. To Clawson, therefore, must be given the credit of being the first settler in this place. It is an undisputed fact, however, that Isaiah W. Bennett, who was among the first white men to settle permanently in the interior of the state, was the first to prospect in this immediate vicinity with a view of securing possession of the land and to encourage immigration of the settlers from the eastern states. Mr. Bennett was a native of the state of New York and he has the distinction of having been the founder of the city of Jackson, Michigan, in that early day being known as Jacksonburg. He was of a roving disposition and had halted at various points in the interior of the state before coming here, establishing public houses at Ann Arbor and Jack- son, which he conducted for several years. He was a great admirer of Andrew Jackson, at that time President of the United States, and he quoted him so frequently that he was given the name of "Jack" Bennett by the Indians and early settlers. From this it was an easy matter to find a suitable name for the now flourishing city of Jackson. The original survey of the township now known as Union had been made in 1826 by Robert Clark, under the direction of Edward Tiffin, who was then United States surveyor general, and Mr. Bennett considered the union of the two rivers as a most suitable place for the founding of a white settlement. He prospected here in 1831 and with Jeremiah Marvin purchased a con- siderable tract of land from the government. It was not until 1834, how- ever, that Mr. Bennett located here, and in that year he built a log-house near the present side of the municipal power plant. Bennett was an
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
unique figure in the early history of the place and he lived in various parts of the pioneer town, keeping the old Union City house in 1837 and after- ward conducting a primitive store on the southwest corner of Broadway and High streets, where now stands the Merrifield block. One of Mr. Bennett's children, W. T. Bennett, bears the distinction of being the first white child born in Union township, and this babe grew to manhood here, now being Gen. W. T. Bennett, of the United States Army. The elder Bennett finally removed to Wisconsin, where his last days were spent.
The first really permanent settler in this place was Justus Goodwin, who came here in 1833 and purchased of Bennett and Marvin nearly 600 acres of land in this and Burlington townships, paying therefor the sum of $2,000. He built a small house on the county line in which he lived until the erection of a more pretentious structure on the present site of Isaac Tower's residence. His purchase included the present site of the business part of Union City, and Mr. Goodwin at once began improvements. He constructed a small race-way from the Coldwater River to the vicinity of the site of the present municipal power plant, and utilized the water- power thus obtained in operating a saw-mill which was of great value to the early settlers. November 28, 1833, Mr. Goodwin sold to E. W. Morgan, of Ann Arbor, 322 acres of land and the latter, in 1835, platted the town of Goodwinsville, as the place was then called. The plat of the original village was recorded in the office of the register of deeds of Branch County August 27, 1835, and thus was the town formally established. In December of the previous year a postoffice had been established here under the name of Goodwinsville, in honor of the real founder of the place. Mr. Goodwin was the first postmaster here and he also conducted a small store where the wants of the settlers were supplied.
In 1836 a company composed of eastern men became proprietors of considerable land here and laid out what was known as the "two hundred acre tract." The gentlemen comprising the firm were Richard L. Clark, Israel W. Clark, Lyman W. Gilbert, and Isaac M. Diamond, and in 1838 Israel W. Clark and Mr. Diamond came here with a large force of men and began extensive improvements. The water-power was improved, saw and grist mills built, streets laid out, etc., and the place began to give of promise of its future importance. There was a "company" store, besides one established by Hiram Marsh several years previous, but the first mer- cantile establishment of any note in the place was one started by John N. Stickney, who came here first in charge of the affairs of the company.
In the meantime settlers were flocking here in great numbers. The town was assuming importance and there were sturdy pioneers making for themselves homes in every direction from the town. The early arrivals include the names of Youngs, Buell, Judd, Zimmerman, Hammond, Hurd, McCamley, Lincoln, Parsons, Olmstead, Warren, Leonard, Chaffee, Saun- ders, Hawley, Burnett, Mitchell, Dunks, Morrill.
The first town-meeting was held at the home of Chester Hammond, April 3, 1837, the officers of the election being: Moderator, Chester Ham- mond; Clerk, Briant Bartlett; Inspectors, Lewis Hawley, Isaiah W. Bennett, Alpheus Saunders. At this election the township officers chosen were as follows: Supervisor, I. W. Bennett; Town Clerk, Chester Hammond;
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
Assessors, Alpheus Saunders, Solomon Parsons, James Pendill; Directors of the Poor, Chester Hammond, Henry W. Potter; Commissioners of High- way, Lewis Hawley, James Pendill, I. W. Bennett; Justices of the Peace, James Pendill, Archibald M. Mitchell, I. W. Bennett, Briant Bartlett; School Inspectors, Alpheus Saunders, Carpenter Chaffee, Briant Bartlett; Overseers of Highways, Carpenter Chaffee, Gideon Smith, Chauncey Buell; Constables, Henry Reaser, Rufus Hill, Thos. Buell; Collector, Rufus Hill.
Late in the thirties the inhabitants of Union City were wild with ex- citcment over the fact that this place had been named as the head of navigation of the St. Joseph River, and that an appropriation of $50,000 had been made for the clearing away of obstructions and improving navi- gation in the stream. Something like $10,000 was actually expended here, the money being obtained from the sale of public lands. Justus Goodwin was overseer of the work.
The first hotel in Union City was the Union City House, built in 1836 by the owners of the village. It was first in charge of Chester Hammond, then later conducted by I. W. Bennett. The first landlord to conduct the hotel for any great length of time was Thos. L. Acker, and under his man- agement it was a popular place, noted for miles around for its hospitality and for the dances held there, the upper floor containing a large ball-room. John J. Freemyre made extensive additions to the building, and this old structure is now a portion of the present Union City House, conducted by F. B. Hart.
Soon after the subsidence of the steamboat craze discoveries were made of large quantities of "bog" and "kidney" iron ore in this vicinity, while in Butler and Quincy townships the deposits were still more extensive and richer than here. Accordingly "The Union City Iron Company" was formed and incorporated by act of the legislature March 17, 1847. A blast furnace was built and the ore hauled here in wagons from long distances. The stockholders were all residents of this immediate vicinity, although Col. Thos. Mosley finally became the sole proprietor. The furnace was built in 1846, and in May, 1847, the first manufacture of pig-iron in Mich- igan was made here.
The project of a ship canal through this portion of the state found many warm advocates in Union City from 1837 to 1855, as one of the routes considered most favorable was the utilizing of the St. Joseph River from Lake Michigan to this place and then by canal by way of Homer and across the counties of Jackson and Washtenaw to the Huron River at Dexter. Several official surveys were made and their practicability assured, but as the population and wealth of this section was not at this time large, and the estimated expense of the proposed water way a goodly sum, noth- ing came of it. At the time the main lines of the Michigan Central and Michigan Southern Railways were constructed across the state, Union City had the opportunity of securing either one or the other of them, the Michigan Central, in fact, making a survey through here, but the idea of a ship canal overshadowed everything else and the opportunity was neg- lected. Then when the canal idea was abandoned, it seemed for a time that Union City was doomed to remain cut off from means of speedy and convenient communication with the outside world. Finally, late in the
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
sixties, the Air Line Railroad project was pushed to a successful completion, and in the fall of 1870 mixed trains were run over the road, followed by a regular passenger and freight traffic the following year.
And with the modern march of progress and improvement, Union City has kept steady pace. The town has always had the trade of a very wide rural territory-a section which is the garden spot of southern Michigan. And in addition there are manufacturing enterprises of importance which aid greatly in the general welfare of the place.
As Union City was the first place in the state to manufacture pig-iron, so was she the first to manufacture Portland cement from the marl that abounds in the lakes and marshes of this locality. The Peerless Portland Cement Company established a factory here in 1894, and it has ever since manufactured the highest grade of Portland cement in immense quantities, aggregating something like 400,000 barrels per year. The Institution gives employment to several hundred men, and is in operation night and day during the greater portion of the year.
The Peerless Yeast Company, manufacturers of dry yeast, is a con- cern doing a large and growing business; while the Union City Canning Company, with a capitalization of $15,000, has recently been organized for the purpose of canning all kinds of vegetables and fruits.
The Union City Creamery, with its hundreds of milk patrons and its milk routes traversing a wide territory and going into nine different town- ships of Branch and Calhoun counties, is one of the leading institutions of its kind in the state, and it is doing a good work in the development of the dairying interests of this locality.
Union City was incorporated as a village in 1866, and public im- provements speedily followed in the way of graded streets, good sidewalks, fire protection and the like. The question of public utility plants was vig- orously agitated in the early nineties, and this resulted, in 1894, in the establishment of a municipal water works plant and a municipal electric lighting plant. Up to date, something like $40,000 have been expended upon the two plants, and their service radiates to every part of the town. There is considerable sewerage, with a complete system in prospect. There are handsome and well-kept public parks, well-shaded and beautiful streets, and handsome and durable cement sidewalks in every part of the town.
Union City has ever been very proud of her public school system. The present fine four-story brick and stone central school building was built in 1877, at a cost of about $25,000. It has since been greatly improved, and is fully equipped with laboratories, libraries and all modern improve- ments. Ever since 1881 classes have been graduated each year, and the members of the alumni association number something like four hundred. The high school is on the approved list of the leading colleges.
Union City's business places cannot be equalled in any other town of its size in the state. Nearly all of the stocks of merchandise are exclusive ones, thus affording a larger variety and better stocks of goods than are generally found. The trading territory is a large one.
Five rural mail routes run out from the Union City postoffice, these going into ten different townships.
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UNION CITY DIRECTORY
Union City presents many attractive advantages as a manufacturing, business and residence city, and it invites the consideration of those seeking a new location. The town has good shipping facilities, while good factory sites are easily obtainable. Although possessed of many public improvements, the bonded indebtedness has nearly all been paid and the tax rate is very low. As a residence town, Union City cannot be surpassed. Its residents are mainly descendants of New York state families, and there is an absence of any foreign population. The churches and schools are in the front rank, its fraternal organizations are numerous and of large membership, while a high social standard is maintained. The latch-string is always out, and our people extend a hearty welcome to all visitors.
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CHARLOTTE STREET
C EMETERY WORK. If you are thinking of placing a Monument or Markers on your cemetery lot, see us before buying. We can save you money.
RHEUBOTTOM & COMPANY, Union City, Mich.
UNION CITY DIRECTORY
87
Additions, Changes, Etc.
Brown Willard L, news depot, N
Broadway
Brown Charles N, yeast maker, Mary
Brown Mrs Utilda, Mary
Brown Grace, Mary
S
Brown Ruth, Mary S
Brown Evelyn, Mary S
Miller Dwight R, pharmacist, res Allen
Miller Mrs Nellie, Allen
Root Harness & Carriage Co, (F N Root, E J Root), N Broad- way
Root Forris N, harnessinaker, Allen Root Mrs Ida M, Allen
Root Karl, Allen
S
Root Ruth, Allen S
Smith Clarence, barber, Charlotte
Smith Mrs Hazel, Charlotte
Spears Mrs Carrie, dressmaker, Fenton Theatre, Union City (F N Root, man-
ager; Chas Root, musical director), Hammond
Watkins & Warner (Henry Watkins, Herbert Warner) ,coal and hay, warehouse, Air Line Depot
Webber Paul Winifred, Fenton u Whitney Mrs F R, millinery, Ellen; res Park
Whiting Marian Pauline, E High u Willbur La Verne Harold, Charlotte u
Union City Board of Education.
Director-F C Rheubottom Moderator-Dr J H Anderson Assessor-J S Nesbitt
Trustees-F C Rheubottom, J S Nes- bitt, Dr J H Anderson, A J Boyer, W H Willbur
H. N. RANDALL,
TEKONSHA MICH.
THIRTY years' experience in the business of buying, preparing T for market and shipping of all kinds POULTRY, BUTTER, EGGS, and other Farm Products-years that have established our reputation as Produce Shippers, and that have brought satisfaction to our patrons. " We constantly pay the Highest Market Prices for the above products of the farm, and point to our past record as a guarantee of fair dealing.
HARVEY ACKERMAN, Local Representative UNION CITY, MICHIGAN
88 ·
UNION CITY DIRECTORY
Index
Additions and Changes. 87
Alphabetical List of Names 21 to 62
Allen, Dr. Clyde W 47 Miller Drug and Grocery Co., adv 53
Arlington Hotel, adv 41
Bell, W. A., adv. 73
Berdan & Company, adv 2
Brown, W. L., adv 62
Buell, President P. J.
frontispiece
Buell, Perry J., adv 2
Buell, S. D., portrait and biography 77
Buell Stock Farm, adv. 35
Buick Motor Co., adv 55
Canrike & Kenyon, adv 45
Chapman, C. W., adv. 37
Charlotte Street View 86
Chase, D. W., adv 9
Churches and Church Societies. 12
Classified Business Directory .. 71 to 74
Coombs Milling Co., adv 47
County, Town and Village Officers. 7
Creamery, Union City, adv 41
Cushman, D. P., adv 59
Day, Charles E., adv 19
Directory by Streets 63 to 70
Eitniear, Alf., adv. 47
Faber, L. E., adv 15
Farmers' National Bank, adv
front cover
Farmers' Bank Block, view 76
Gray & Smith, adv 57
Gwin, E. J. & Sons, adv.
Gwin, E. J., adv 9
80
Hackett, F. E., adv
11
Harris, Albert, adv 65
Hagelshaw, Charles, adv 61
Hayner, Herbert E., adv 73
History of Union City 82 to 86
Hodgeman, W. E., adv 6
Hub, The, adv. 74
Hunt, Ben, adv 33
Hubbard & Seaver, adv 25
Karavan Coffee, adv 67
Keen-Kutter Cutlery, adv 33
Kinyon, A. W., adv 73
Krull, Dr. D. S., adv 79
Lamb Knit Goods Co., adv. 69
Lauden Machinery Co., adv. 29
Lodges and Societies. 16
Lyon, Wm. F., adv 45
Map of Union City opp. page 20
Merrifield, C. B., adv 73
Mich. State Life Insurance Co., adv 4
Miller, Dr. Charles, adv. 45
Minto, George F. Co., adv 15
Miscellaneous Societies 10
Moore & Sweet, adv 35
Morrill & Buck, adv 6
Murdock & Dickinson, adv 49
Nesbitt, J. S., adv
51
Officers and Societies 7 to 18
Oliver, Charles, adv 11
Parks, C. W., adv 70
Parsons, Leo S., adv. 57
Peerless Yeast Co., adv 19
Peerless Portland Cement Co., adv. back cover
Phillips, L., adv 59
Philo, J. R., adv
6
Pratt Poultry Food, adv 31
Randall, A. H. Milling Co., adv 17
Randall, H. N., adv 87
Register-Weekly, adv. front cover
Rheubottom & Rayner, adv. 43
Rheubottom & Co., adv 86
Riverside Hotel, adv 13
Riverside Cemetery, view 75
Riley, T. P. & Son, adv. 78
43
Rowe, Dr. W. H., adv
65
Rural Mail Routes.
75 to 81
Schools, Union City Public, adv 23
Smith & Hayner, adv. 27
Snider, W. W., adv 39
Stanton, Gay, adv 53
Stancer, D. L., adv 51
Stone, C. L., adv 25
Union Hotel, adv 3
Union City National Bank, adv.
front cover
Van Aken Bros., adv 69
Vogt, D., adv. 13
Wemple, M. P., adv. 37
Weil, Robert Co., adv. 31
Wellesley, Charles, adv. 6
Watkins & Warner, adv 81
Whiting & Son, adv 1
Wilcox, L. D., adv 59
Willbur & Son, adv 27
Wiseman, J. A., adv 11
Worden Bros., adv
20
Merritt & Balcom, adv. 51 Worden, Glenn G., adv 65
.
Root, Mrs. E. J., adv
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