USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58
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Dr. II. F. Douglas is the oldest dentist now in the place, having located here in the fall of 1869, and taken the office of E. G. Miles, who had been engaged in the same business. I'. R. Hovey, who left when Dr. Douglas came, had prac- ticed dentistry here for ten years. The office of Dr. Doug- las is over the post-office, and is one of the best arranged in the county or elsewhere. During his stay here he has won the confidence of all in his work, and enjoys an envi- able reputation.
PROMINENT LAWYERS.
The first law-office in the village was opened by Hon. William M. Fenton, and several who afterwards became able practitioners received the rudiments of their legal educa- tion in his office. Mr. Fenton's father, Hon. Joseph S. Fenton, settled here early and became a prominent citizen of the place. He died Nov. 14, 1851. Ile is remembered as a thorough gentlemen, and many recollect his numerous deeds of kindness.
Hon. Alexander P. Davis, an eminent lawyer of Fenton, died in the village March 4, 1871. Ile was a native of the town of Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and at an carly day emigrated to Livingston Co., Mich., where he en-
217
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
gaged in the practice of his profession. In 1842 he re- moved to Flint, and eventually came to Fenton, where his remaining years were passed. He was another of the highly-esteemed citizens of the place of his adoption. For several years he held the position of proseenting attorney, and was also chosen to the State Senate. At his decease, the Genesee County Bar met and passed resolutions of re- spect to his memory, and attended his funeral in a body.
J. L. Topping, of Fenton, removed to Livingston County in 1836, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., with his father, Ilon. Charles Topping. In 1855 he married a daughter of Dr. Isaac Wixom, and was for some time en- gaged with the latter in the mercantile business at Argen- tine. This he finally discontinued, and began the study of law. He was very successful, and in 1859 he was admitted to the Genesee County bar. He served, during two years of the war, as lieutenant in the 16th Michigan Infantry, and, in consequence of severe injuries received at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was discharged in May following, when he returned home to Fenton, and resumed the practice of his profession.
Ilon. Thaddeus G. Smith, now of Flint, practiced in Fenton from 1861 to 1877. Hle came here from the city of New York, and during his sixteen years of residence in the place was chosen to fill several responsible positions,-Rep- resentative in Legislature in 1862, served two years; mem- ber of Michigan Constitutional Convention in 1867 ; State Senator, in 1868, serving two years ; and Judge of Probate in 1876, removing to Flint, in 1877, to assume the duties of that office.
MERCIIANTS.
The person now in Fenton who has been longest in busi- ness is Robert Le Roy, as previously mentioned. Ile has not, however, continued in the same branch of trade sinee he and Mr. Fenton started together on their arrival here.
'The oldest established business house in the village is the boot- and shoe-store of Charles II. Turner. This gentle- man came from Rochester, N. Y., in 1850, and located in Fenton, beginning bis trade here the same year. He at first occupied a building on the south side of the river, which he still owns, and which is now occupied as a meat- market. In 1866 he built his present store on the north side of the river, and east side of Le Roy Street. Ile has, during his residence in the village, become oue of its most influential citizens, and identified himself with its numerous interests to a great extent. He has long been connected with the Union School board, and done much to bring that institution to its present state of perfection.
Ben Birdsall, who was at the time of his death the oldest dry goods merchant in Fenton, died at San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 15, 1873. His health had been failing for some time, and the trip to the Pacific coast was made with the hope of deriving some benefit from the change. At that time he had been in business here for nearly thirty years, and was a highly-esteemed citizen. Ilis residence was at the northwest corner of Adelaide Street and Shiawassee Avenue, and was built by William M. Fenton. The house is yet standing and occupied by Mr. Birdsall's widow, now the wife of M. T. Gass, the principal of the Fenton union school.
The firm of Beach & O'Hare was formed in 1866. Mr. Beach is a native of the township of Troy, Oakland Co., Mich., where he was born in 1834. When but eighteen years of age he went to California to try his fortune, and during his stay there experienced many hardships, although he was successful in his search for wealth. Returning to Michigan, he established himself in business at Fenton in 1856, conducting it for ten years alone. In September, 1874, this firm started a store at Byron, Shiawassee Co., but because of sickness were obliged to discontinue it in 1877. Mr. Beach's father, Michael Beach, was a soldier of 1812, and received a grant of land from the government for his services. The father of Michael Beach served in the patriot army during the Revolution.
John O'llare, Mr. Beach's partner, came here in 1856 from Redwood, Jefferson Co., N. Y., and for three years engaged as clerk. The stories of wealth to be obtained in the golden land of the West allured him also, and in 1859 he went to the Pike's Peak region. ITis success was poor and he soon returned. In 1862 he raised a company for the 5th Michigan Infantry, afterwards transferred to the 8th. A captain's commission had been promised him, but instead that of a lieutenant was tendered, which he indig- nantly refused and resigned. For two years, from 1864 to 1866, he held the position of postmaster at Fentonville, and in the latter year entered into a copartnership with Mr. Beach in the general dry goods trade. The store of this firm is located in the Masonie Hall Block, on Le Roy Street, diagonally opposite the post-office. The building was erected in 1869, and is one of the numerous fine business blocks of the place.
Zera Patterson, a prominent merchant of Fenton, came with his father, John Patterson, to Putnam, Livingston Co., Mich., in 1836. The elder Patterson had been a soldier of 1812. The son was for a number of years in trade in Livingston County, and in 1872 removed to Fen- ton and established a new dry-goods house, dealing also in wheat and wool. In May, 1879, he moved into a building on Le Roy Street, south of the post-office and near the Methodist church, where he has the finest salesrooms in the village.
Nathan T. Thurber, of Fenton, emigrated to Michigan, from the State of New York, in 1849. For six years he was employed as clerk in stores at Pontiac and Flint, loca- ting first at Pontiac, and afterwards moving back there from Flint. From Pontiac he came to Fenton, built a store, and entered into the hardware and produce trade, continu- ing it until 1868. In 1866 he superintended the building of the Fenton Woolen-Mills, and in 1869 purchased and refitted the old " Long Lake Hotel," at Long Lake, giving it the name of " Idlewild," and still owns that property. In 1871 he established a clothing-house at Fenton, and has remained in that branch of business to the present. Rooms in the Masonic HIall Block, the same in which those of Beach & O'llare are located.
Among other prominent merchants of the place are B. F. Stone, L. V. Curry, W. D. Murray, Dunlap & Ilovey (druggists ), and Mrs. M. A. Helm (druggist), on the north side, and J. M. Barrows, J. Van Winkle, and others on the south side.
28
218
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FENTONVILLE POST-OFFICE.
The settlement had grown to such dimensions in 1838 that it was deemed necessary to have a post-office. There- fore, the requisite steps were taken to procure one, and be- fore the close of the year it was an established fact, and Robert Le Roy had received the appointment of first post- master. Mail was first brought here over the Grand River road. On one occasion it came wrapped up in a pocket handkerchief, which fact was duly reported to the depart- ment by Mr. Le Roy. It was usually carried on horse- back, but at last a line of stages was put on the road, and the mails were transferred to their care.
Mr. Le Roy remained in office for thirteen years,-a longer term than any of his successors. A Mr. Taylor was the second, and was succeeded by Dexter Johnson. Charles HI. Turner received the appointment in 1853, and held the office until 1861, when he was succeeded by Dexter Hor- ton. Mr. Turner's commission came during President Pierce's administration, the appointment being made by James Campbell, then postmaster-general. Mr. Horton, after discharging the duties of the office for two years, re- signed his position and entered the army. His place was taken in July, 1863, by John O'Hare, who held it until Mr. Horton returned, when the latter was reappointed. He was subsequently removed by President Johnson for political reasons, and his successor was E. M. Ilovey. In 1868 the present incumbent, William P. Guest, was ap- pointed, and has most satisfactorily discharged his duties since; in fact all who have held the office since it was established have been popular men. Mr. Guest came here from Madison Co., N. Y., in 1853.
The post-office received the name of Fentonville, after that of the village at the time, and has retained it, although upon incorporation the last syllable was dropped from the name of the village. The office has ouce ( 1869) suffered a visit from the fire-fiend, but fortunately not much incon- venience was caused. It at present occupies neat and com- modions quarters in the brick building next north of Col- well Hall, and is as well arranged and conducted as any office in a place of the size in the State. The front portion of the room is occupied by a well ordered news-room and jewelry establishment. Ilere also is located the telegraph- office.
PLATTING OF VILLAGE-VARIOUS ADDITIONS.
The original plat of "Fentonville" was laid by Fenton & Le Roy in August, 1837, and included the portion which extends from the section-line (Robert Street) on the north to South Street on the south, and from East to West Street in the other direction. The survey was made by Hervey Parke, of Oakland County, one of Michigan's veteran sur- veyors. The following additions have since been made, riz. : Booth & Miles' Addition, June 24, 1859; M. T. Spauld- ing's Addition, December 14, 1861 ; Thurber's Addition, May 10, 1860; Henry C. Riggs' Addition, May 14, 1862; Church's North Addition, May 13, 1864; Bangs' Addi- tion, July 5, 1865, and Aug. 15, 1866; Oakwood Addi- tion, by D. L. Latourette, Aug. 12, 1864; Thompson's Addition, January 11, 1866; Sackner's Addition, Oct. 19, 18GG; Wakeman's Addition, Nov. 15, 1866; Beach &
O'Tlare's Addition, June 13, 1867 ; Bergen's Addition, June 21, 1867 ; Davis & Thompson's North Addition, Aug. 21, 1867; White & Mowry's Addition, Oct. 7, 1867 ; Trump & Wilmot's Addition, Dee. 14, 1867 ; C. O. Adams' Addition, March 28, 18G8; Booth's Addition, March 28, 1868; Joseph Thorp's Addition, May 10, 1868; Wood & Birdsall's Addition, June 29, 1868; Church's South Addi- tion, Aug. 6, 1868 ; Davis & Thompson's South Addition, Nov. 2, 1868; Miles' Addition, section 25 (west part east half southwest quarter, and south part west part east half northwest quarter), Nov. 1, 1869 ; Broad's Out Lots, Aug. 24,1870.
The place was called Dibbleville until Messrs. Fenton & Re Roy laid their plat in 1837, and at the present time Clark Dibble and the settlement which was named for him exist but in the memory of pioneers or the archives of the past.
INCORPORATION-VILLAGE OFFICERS.
On the 10th of September, 1862, a notice signed by twenty-five legal voters residing in the territory they de- sired to have incorporated was posted, according to law, set- ting forth that a petition for incorporation would be sent to the board of supervisors of Genesee County at their session in the following October. The petition was duly presented, and the order for incorporation given Jan. 8, 1863, as fol- lows :
"On reading petition of R. A. Jenney and eighty-five others, legal voters, residing within the territory hereinafter described, praying for an order incorporating said territory, situate in the town of Fenton, in said county, into a village under the name of the village of Fenton, and on recording the notice of this application and proof of posting the same, by which it appears that all the requirements of the aet of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, providing for the incorpo- ration of villages, approved February, 1857, have been complied with by such petitioners : that such territory has the requisite number of population ; that said petitioners are all legal voters residing within such territory : and that the notice of this application has been duly given : and that no part of such territory is included within any in- corporated village. After hearing the respective parties for and against such application, it is ordered by such board that the follow- ing described territory, situate within the town of Fenton, in said county of Genesee, and in the State of Michigan, to wit : the north- west quarter of section thirty six (36): the northeast quarter of sce- tion thirty-five (35) : the north half of the southwest quarter of sec- t'on thirty-six (36) ; the north half of the southeast quarter of section thirty-five (35) : the south half of the southwest quarter of section twenty-five (25) : and the south half of the southeast quarter of see- tion twenty-six (26), all in town five north, of range six cast, and to- gether containing one square mile of territory only, shall be an in- corporated village, and the same is hereby made and constituted an incorporated village under and by the name of the 'Village of Fen- ton :' and it is hereby further ordered that William P. Guest, Charles Il. Turner, and Benjamin Bangs, three legal voters residing within such territory so incorporated, be and they are herchy appointed in- spectors of elections to hold the first election in said village, required by the said act of the Legislature above referred to ; and that Tues- day, the third of March, A.D. 1863, at the town-ball in said village, is hereby appointe l as the time and place of holding the said first elec- Lion.
"SAMUEL N. WARREN, Chairman. "GEORGE R. GOULD, Clerk. "
In 1869 a new charter was granted, giving extended powers and taking in additional territory, so that now the corporate limits extend to the county line on the east and south. The first election was held April 20, 1863, instead of in March, and the following officers chosen, viz. :
219
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
President of the Village, Benjamin Bangs; Trustees, Dexter Hfor- ton, Thaddeus G. Smith, William Dunham, Hiram Beach, Henry A. Willover, Samuel G. Alexander: Corporation Clerk, Benjamin F. Stone: Treasurer, Robert L. Shellon ; Marshal, George G. Perry; Assessor, David Smith : Street Commissioners, Henry Judevinc, Kingsley Beckwith ; Poundmaster, Edward E. Bridges; Fire-War- dens, Gordon O. Chipman, George S. Riker, James Baker.
The principal officers of the village from 1861 to 1879, inclusive, have been the following :
1864 .- President, Henry A. Kipp : Trustees, John L. E. Kelley, Wil- liam F. Hovey, Charles Il. Turner, Orlando Topping, John B. Hamilton, William R. Marsh.
1865 .- President, Charles Il. Turner ; Trustres, Henry C. Riggs, Ben- jumuin Grace, William R. Marsh, Seth Byram, Henry A. Willover, William Albertson.
1866 .- President, Charles II. Turner; Trustees, Michael Ayers, II. A. Willuver, William Albertson, C. Bergen, William P. Guest, B. F. Stone.
1867 .- President, Benjamin Grace ; Trustees, David (. Colwell, David B. Mason, Michael Ayers, Jobn B. Hamilton, D. Bur- rows, Abner Roberts.
1868 .- President, Charles 11. Turner; Trustees, A. Parkhurst, D. B. Mason, Alva U. Wood, W. H. Jackson, E. M. Adams, Davis Terbush.
1869 .- President, James E. Bussey ; Trustees, C. Bergen, C. Metz, C. Bush, M. M. Johnson, C. F. Rolland, W. Il. Jackson.
Under the new charter but three trustees are chosen annually, and those for a term of two years. At the special election in 1869, after the charter was obtained. the following were chosen, viz. : President, Josiah Buckbec ; Trustees (2 years), V. R. Durfee, Aaron Riker, John Egan ; Trustees (1 year), Cornelius Bergen, Michael Ayers, W. 1l. Jackson.
1870 .- President, Josiah Buckbee; Trustees, Abner Roberts, Peter Metz, A. Parkhurst.
1871 .- President, D. B. Mason ; Trustees, John O'Hare, A. II. Law- rence, Orville Gurney.
1872 .- President, E. M. Ilovey; Trustees, Robert Deming, Lewis Algeo, William Albertson, William Russell (to fitl va- enney).
1873 .- President, W. II. Jackson; Trustees, George L. Lee, John O'Hare, Lewis V. Curry.
1874 .- President, E. M. Ilovey; Trustees, B. F. Stone, C. E. Rolland, E. Il. Kimball.
1875,-President, E. M. Hovey ; Trustees, William Albertson, Walter Blackmore, Lewis V. Curry.
1876 .- President, Benjamin F. Stone; Trustees, Andrew J. Phillips, James E. Bussey, Dexter IForton.
1877 .- President, Charles II. Turner; Trustees, A. V. Anderson, Jo- seph Thorp, George W. Johnson.
1878 .- President, Dexter Horton ; Trustees, Truman Hlinman, Lucius Fitch, James E. Bussey.
1579 .- President, Charles II. Turner ; Trustees, A. J. Phillips, Walter Blackmore, J. B. Harris; Assessor, Benjamin F. Stone; Treasurer, Louis Walton ; Clerk, Cicero J. K. Stoner; Mar- shal, E. Rogers.
FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Fenton has been visited by numerous small and several destructive conflagrations, and many thousand dollars' worth of property destroyed. At this writing ruins of but a few weeks' standing appear as blackened and crumbling monu- ments of once prosperous manufactories, and the citizens have awakened to the necessity of providing against as great inroads of the fire demon in the future. The two most disastrous conflagrations the village has suffered oc- curred Jan. 19, 1869, and April 24, 1879. The former occasioned a total loss of about $100,000, destroying the Town-ilall block, where now are Colwell Hall and the post-office ; also several stores and the dwelling of Mrs. Perry. In the Town-Hall building were the post-office,
law- and insurance-offices, news-room, jewelry-store, Ma- sonic Hall, lecture-room, Ladies' Village Library, and in the basement a saloon. The fire broke out in the night (Tues- day).
The last fire, that of April 24, 1879, also began in the night, and by many was supposed to be of incendiary origin. A terrifie gale was blowing from the east, and the burning brands were swept in storms upon the doomed buildings to the westward of the cooper-shop, where the fire was first discovered. The shop mentioned, the large saw mill and lumber piles belonging to Colwell & Adams, the fruit-drying establishment of Buskirk & Britton, and the woolen-factory, in turn were consumed, together with several other build- ings and the bridge across the Shiawassee River. The property destroyed cost originally in the neighborhood of $100,000, but had greatly depreciated in value at the time it was swept away. The following is a list of the losses, to compensate which but about 85500 had been taken in insurance :
Colwell & Adams, saw-mill $3,000
.€ Inmber.
200
46 = barrel-factory ..
2,000
A. V. Anderson, barrel stock and tools.
1.500
J. 11. Thompson, fruit-drying house
1,500
Buskirk & Britton, evaporating machinery and stuck
1.200
George A. Lee. Fenton woolen-mills ..
10,800
Leslie Lewis, groceries.
1,4+000)
Mrs. C. Lewis, building.
1,500
A. Ilvisington, dwelling and store.
1,000
Le Roy Street bridge
1,500
C. E. Owen, buggies an:1 cutters.
250
Baptist church, damaged
200
Firemen's Ilall,
100
Manning & Bishop ..
25
E. Ilirst
25
Total estimated loss $25,000
Efficient service was rendered by a fire company from Owasso, who reached the scene at five o'clock in the morn- ing, and played with good effeet with their steamer on the ruins. The village department did all in its power, and citizens aided maufully in the efforts to save property. It is a notable fact that the Ada Gray theatrical company, which was then filling an engagement at Colwell Hall, Jent their aid also in the good work, and numerous strangers bore a willing hand in endeavoring to extinguish the flames and save property.
Efforts had many times been made to organize a fire con- pany, but they were attended with poor suecess until 1874 -75, when a hook-and-ladder company was formed, and proved to be competent to render sufficient service in time of need. It consisted of thirty-six members, as ac- cepted by the village board, March 4, 1875, and was given the name, " Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. 1." The fol- lowing apparatus was purchased at the prices given :
Hook-and-ladder wagon $350.00
Four Champion extinguishers, 168,62
Twenty-four rubber fire-buckets. 46.55
Ladders
29.12
Sundry fixture- 33.20
Total. $627.55
The officers of the company, as chosen for 1879, arc: President, George W. Barbour ; Vice-President, G. B. Smith ; Foreman, B. Byram ; Assistant Foreman, W. M. Lusk ; Secretary, Melvin J. Fitch ; Treasurer, C. B. AL- bertson ; Janitor and Librarian, Dustin Thorp.
220
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The experience of 1879 has taught the inhabitants of Fenton that, however efficient a hook-and-ladder company may be,-and the one in Fenton is by no means poor, --- it still cannot cope successfully with an extensive fire, and in the month of May of the year named a fine Silsby steamer was proeured, and a greater sense of security will undoubtedly be enjoyed in the future. The apparatus be- longing to the department is kept in the new engine-house, on North Le Roy Street. The lots on which the building was erected were seeured at a cost of $800. The building itself is of tasteful design, constructed of brick, is two lofty stories in height, surmounted by a bell-tower, and was dedi- cated March 9, 1876, having been begun the previous year. Some time during the following autumn a fine town-clock and bell were placed in the tower. The bell is from the Buckeye Bell-Works, at Cincinnati, Ohio. It weighs about 1600 pounds, and has a elear, deep tone. Its elanging on the night of April 23-24, 1879, and the anxiety of the people lest their engine-house, with its bell and fixtures, should be destroyed, will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed the scenes of that night.
BUSINESS BLOCKS.
The Andrews Block, consisting of five brick stores, was built by C. Andrews, in 1867, and is located on the corner of Le Roy Street and Shiawassee Avenue. In the upper portions are offices, the rooms of the Ladies' Library Asso- ciation, and those of the Fenton Independent.
Colwell Hall Block is located on North Le Roy Street, and was built by D. G. Colwell and D. Horton, in 1809, on the site of the burned town-hall. The post-office was moved into it as soon as it was completed and ready. Mr, Guest was then (as now) the postmaster. The hall in the main building is named for Mr. Colwell, and is used as the place for holding township-meetings, etc., besides being neatly and conveniently fitted for the use of dramatic asso- ciations. It is one of the best halls for this purpose in the interior of the State, and was formally opened on the even- ing of Feb. 14, 1870, by the Fenton Amateur Dramatic Association. The play presented was entitled " Love's Sacrifice ; or, The Rival Merchants," and the receipts were tendered as a "grand complimentary benefit to Mr. Colwell." The building has a most creditable appearance both outside and in, and the citizens of Fenton are justly proud of it.
Mr. Colwell is at present (spring of 1879) engaged in building a large brick block immediately south of the hall, and this will complete an imposing row, filling the gap between Colwell Hall and the store now occupied by Zera Patterson. The new building will also be fitted for stores.
Another notable building is the Roberts Block, on the west side of Le Roy Street, next south of the Central Ilotel. Many of the stores in the village are built of brick, while a few of the original frame structures still remain. They must in time give place to more substantial edifiecs aud lessen the danger from fires.
HOTELS.
The first hotel, or " tavern," built in Fenton was the one erected by Fenton & Le Roy, and afterwards named the
" Riggs House." Its first regular landlord was Thomas Irish, and it was occupied in 1843 by Judge Jeremiah Riggs, from whom it derived its name. It has in recent years been extensively repaired. It is a large frame build- ing, standing north of Shiawassee Avenue, on the west side of Le Roy Street, and is still in use, known at present as the " Everett Ilouse."
The " Le Roy House," fitted up by Robert Le Roy subsequent to 1840, and formed by combining the residence of Daniel Le Roy and the first house of worship built in the place, is now known as " King's Hotel," from the name of its proprietor. It is situated on the north side of Shia- wassee Avenue, west of Le Roy Street.
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