USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 76
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The second organization was in the town of Bruce. March 21, 1858, under the labors of Elder John Cannon, who was its first Pastor, succeeded by Elder Horatio N. Richards, Stephen Fellows. Caleb Mosher. The third was formed in the Stroup settlement, town of Macomb, the same year, by Elder Cannon. and was afterward merged into the church of Chesterfield, and removed its place of meeting to that town. Over this society Elder Can- non presided as pastor for nearly twenty years.
The fourth organization was formed in the town of Richmond, of which the record is not at hand.
All these societies, except the one in Chesterfield, have a representation in the present church of Romeo, which was organized. with nine members, July 6, 1867, by El- der Cornelius Dearing, with Stephen Grinnell and Robert Hamilton, Deacons, and Edward Soule, Clerk: Cornelius Dearing, Pastor. At the close of the year. the list of membership was twenty-nine. In the year 1868, the present church edifice was begun, and was com- pleted and dedicated in February, 1871, at which time the membership was fifty-six. Original cost of building, $12.000. The pastoral relation between Elder Dearing and the church was this year dissolved, and he was succeeded by Elder J. Warren Weeks, of Day- ton. Ohio. under whose labors the church enjoyed much prosperity and succeeded in liqui- dating the debt yet resting upon the church buikling. The membership at the close of J. W. Weeks' pastorate. which terminated in March, 1874, was eighty-eight. He was suc- ceeded by his father, Eller Joseph Weeks, who continued with the church but one year, and was followed by Elder John A. Young, of Omro, Wis., who has been with them seven years, since June. 1875, with prospects of continuance. Present membership. eighty- four. J. A. Young, Pastor: B. H. Thurston and Alanson Sleeper. Deacons; Miss Mary L. Cannon. Clerk. As nearly as can be ascertained from records at hand, the whole num- ber of persons holding membership in this church, from the earliest date of its organiza tion until the present, is about four hundred; the highest number reached at any one time, one hundred and five; present number, eighty-four.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
The Baptist Church. -- The first Baptist Church of Romeo was organized June 16, 1840, at the house of Ira Phillips, in the town of Armada. Members present were: Idla Warner. Sophia Warner, Nathaniel Bennett, Mary Bancroft, Jehial Campbell, Jane Camp- bell, Phoebe Barnes, Hiram T. Bancroft, Wily Bancroft, Lydia Becraft, Lucinda Bennett, Julia Warner, Cynthia Leslie. Amelia Bancroft; Rev. William Tuttle, Chairman: Wiley Bancroft, Clerk. September 26, 1846, the brethren and sisters, under the leadership of Rev. Supply Chase, met at the house of Mrs. Nancy Ewell, in Romeo, where articles of faith were adopted. January 3, 1847, David Green chosen Clerk; David Quackenboss, Treasurer, May 28, 1847; Jarvis Green chosen Deacon September 28, 1847. The church was recognized as a regular Gospel church by a council composed of delegates from the churches of Almont, Stony Creek, Washington, Ray, October 3, 1847. The church ap- plied for admission, and was admitted into the Michigan Baptist Association, July 1. 1853. Rev. A. E. Mather was called to the pastorate of the church: J. D. Standish and David Green were appointed to locate a site and act as a building committee. August 5. 1853, J. D. Standish elected Clerk and Treasurer. August 28. Wiley Bancroft and Jarvis Green were elected Deacons. September 4, Sunday school organized; A. H. Peck, Super- intendent: J. D. Standish, Assistant; C. B. Standish, Librarian. December 16. 1853, dedication services were held in the new church; cost of church, $3.000; cost of parson- age, $800; cost of lots, $500; indebtedness at date, $900. June 27, 1857, Rev. C. R. Nichols was called to the pastorate of the church. November 27, 1859, Rev. William Wilkinson was chosen Pastor. June 7, 1863, Rev. J. C. Baker was chosen Pastor. Au- gust 19, 1866, Rev. T. S. Wooden was chosen Pastor. December 14, 1870, Rev. J. E. Bitting was chosen Pastor. August 12, 1872, Rev. A. D. Martell was chosen Pastor. April 27, 1875, Rev. C. H. Richardson was chosen Pastor. December 11, 1878, Rev. Mr. Marshall was engaged as a supply. July 3, ISSI, Rev. Mr. Ewell was chosen Pastor, who is now in charge of the church. Membership at date, 100. Elisha Calkins, A. J. Sikes and the Pastor are Trustees, with A. J. Sikes, Clerk.
Protestant Episcopal Church .- As early as 1834 or 1835, Asahel Bailey and Mr. Freeman, with their families, together with other early residents, were active in support of Episcopal worship here. A Rev. Mr. Holland was located here for awhile, but no formal organization of a church was effected. Rev. Mr. Lewis preached here for some time.
LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS.
The most certain evidence of culture is a carefully selected library. The love for books is still only in its youth. Year after year we see its growth and results. In almost every American home in this county, the table or book-case manifests this fact. In the villages, private enterprise has gathered important books under its fold. In the law offices of Romeo an example is set in this direction well worth following. The book collec- tions of D. N. Lowell. I. D. Hanscom and John L. Starkweather form valuable libraries, vieing in variety and extensiveness with the best law libraries of the State. Among the antiquarians of Romeo may be named Dr. Andrews, George A. Waterbury and Dr. Doug- lass. Their collections are valuable.
SOCIETIES.
The Romeo Chapter, R. A. M., No. 17, was organized in 1857, and chartered January 14, 1858. E. P. Bentley, John Nichols, R. P. Eldridge, Charles Terry, Greenleaf Wad- leigh, A. B. Ayres, H. M. Case, George E. Funston and S. B. Allen were the petitioners. Funston did not become a member.
The present officers of Chapter 17 are: A. E. Palmer, H. P .; James Gray, K .; M. C. Hunt, S .; C. F. Nowberry, C. H .; R. W. Titus, P. S .; John McCafferty, R. A. C .: S. H. Ewell. G. M. 1st V .: R. S. M. Ritter, 2d V .; William E. McDowell, 3d V .; O. D.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Thompson, Chaplain; Harvey Mellen, Treasurer; James K. McFarlane, Secretary. Among the High Priests of the chapter since organization were: Asa B. Ayres, H. M. Case. A. E. Palmer, Isaac Crawford. Dwight N. Lowell.
The Romeo Council was organized under dispensation, March 9, 1860, with R. P. El- dredge. T. I. G. M .; William Corbin. D. I. G. M .; and D. B. Tracey, P. C. W. The petitioners praying for a dispensation were: Abijah E. Palmer, Asa B., Ayres, W. W. Gray. William Mahon, C. C. Lamb, S. A. Fitch and William McDonald. The present officers of the council are: Abijah E. Palmer, T. M .; James Gray, D. M ; C. F. Newbury, P C. W .; Harvey Mellen, Treasurer; and Dwight N. Lowell, Secretary.
Romeo Chapter, No. 52, of the Egyptian Masonic Rite, was organized January 22, 1879, with eighteen members. Calvin E. Burt, of Jackson. M. W., presided. The elec- tion of officers resulted as follows: Most Wise, Irving D. Hanscom: Senior Warden, C. R. Greene; Junior Warden, William Gray; Orator, William Greenshields: Prelate, Rev. John Kelly; Conductor, C. F. Newbury: Treasurer, H. Mellen; Secretary, M. I. Brabb: C. G., James Gray; G. S., W. S. McDowell.
The Blue Lodge was chartered January 9, 1851, with the following officers: Asahel Bailey. Brewer Dodge, Trowbridge Benedict. The present officers are: W. C. MeDowell, W. M .; R. W. Titus, S. W .: (. D. Thompson, J. W .; Oel J. Smith, Secretary; Harvey Mellen, Treasurer: Lester Edson, S. D .; and S. M. Ritter, J. D. The W. M.'s of the lodge since organization comprised Asahel Bailey, Trowbridge Benedict, Greenleaf Wad- leigh. Asa B. Ayres, H. M. Case. A. E. Palmer, Isaac Crawford, S. Bellows, I. D. Hans- com. Dwight N. Lowell, Milton Thompson and William McDowell.
The Romeo Commandery, No. 6, K. T., was organized April 30, 1858. At the first regular meeting held under the charter, Asa B. Ayres was elected E. C .; H. M. Case. G .; W. P. Beach, C. G .; L. P. Mason. Prelate; R. P. Eldredge, S. W .: Charles Terry, J. W .: A. P. Brewer, R. and T .; H. Carter, S. B .; C. C. Lamb, S. B. and W. From 1858 to the disbandment of the command, in IS62, Asa B. Ayres continued first officer. From 1862 to 1869, the lodge did not exist. This was due to the fact that almost its entire membership was enrolled under the banners of the Union in the war for the Union. Four years after the war, the commandery was re-organized, under the restored charter, with Abijah E. Palmer, E. C. Since that time, the command has been held by Irving D. Hans- com, 1870 71; James Harvey, 1871-72; John Ford. 1872 74; and James Gray, 1874-52. The present officers are: James Gray, E. C .: I. D. Hanscom, Generalissimo; C. F. Newbury, C. G .; O. D. Thompson, Prelate; M. I. Brabb, Recorder: Harvey Mellen, Treasurer: William Gray. Senior Warden: D. N. Lowell, Junior Warden; A. E. Palmer, Standard-Bearer; John Green, Sword-Bearer; William C. McDowell. Warden: James H. Boden, Sentinel; John N. Mellen, Ist G .; John Ford, 2d G .; George MI. Crocker, 3d G.
The membership numbers fifty-four. The attendance at the Chicago Conclave in 1880 comprised M. I. Brabb, I. D. Hanscom, James Gray, William Gray, M. C. Kelly. G. W. Robertson, J. F. Ferguson, N. B. Eldredge and a few others. They accompanied the Port Huron contingent.
Romeo Lodge, No. 23, I. O. O. F .. was organized March 23, 1847, with Minot T. Lane, N. G .; Philo Tillson, V. G .; C. F. Mallary, Secretary; Henry Stephens, Permanent Sec- retary; Asa B. Ayres, Treasurer. The members admitted were: Abijah E. Palmer. J. B. Chamberlin, S. H. Williams, Ed C. Owen, T. Y. Jennings, Albert E. Leete, John R. Sharpsteen.
The lodge, as then organized, continued in existence until January, 1860, when the members ceased to meet regularly. In 1878, an effort was made to re-organize, which effort was a success January 4. The election of officers resulted as follows: Abijah E. Palmer, N. G .; Ed S. Snover, V. G .: C. F. Mallary, Secretary: Chester Cooley, Treasurer;
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Abijah E. Palmer, Representative to Grand Lodge; M. S. Hadley, D. D. G. M. The present officers are: Joseph Avres, N. G .; R. M. Bickford, V. G .; A. E. Palmer, Secre- tary and Permanent Secretary; Chester Cooley, Treasurer. Among the best-known Presi- dents of the lodge were MI. T. Lane, Philo Tillson, A. E. Palmer, Joseph Ayres, A. E. Leete, C. F. Mallary, Ed S. Snover, Asa B. Ayres.
Knights of Honor .- The K. of H. was organized February 5, 1877, by District Deputy R. A. McCarty, with the following charter members: James Harvey, M. D., R. Selfridge, William H. Rolls, C. P. Dake, S. Sib Hopkins. C. G. Conger, J. L. Starkweather, B. J. Fhimerfelt, I. D. Hanscom, Esq., P. H. McParland. The following were elected for it, first term, ending June 30; J. L. Starkweather, Dictator; C. G. Conger, Reporter: S. Sib Hopkins, Financial Reporter; James Harvey, M. D., Treasurer. Num- ber of lodge, 448. The second semi-annual election of officers resulted as follows: Dic- tator. O. D. Thompson, Professor; Reporter, Charles G. Conger; Financial Reporter, S. Sib Hopkins; Treasurer, James Harvey, M. D. Third semi-annual election of officers. same as last, with the exception of Reporter, J. K. McPharlane being elected Represen- tative to the Grand Lodge, J. L. Starkweather, with C. P. Dake, Alternate.
At the fourth semi-annual election: Dictator, S. S. Hopkins: Reporter, R. F. Self ridge; Financial Reporter, C. Y. Durand; Treasurer, James Harvey, M. D. Lodge now munbered thirty-three members. R. F. Selfridge resigned during this term, and A. S. Pool elected Reporter to fill vacancy.
October 25, 1878, fifth semi-annual election, elected Dictator, S. S. Hopkins; Re- porter, A. S. Pool; Financial Reporter, C. Y. Eurand; Treasurer, James Harvey, M. D .: Representative to Grand Lodge, S. S. Hopkins; Alternate, O. D. Thompson, Professor. Lodge now numbered thirty-eight members.
Sixth semi-annual election, elected the following: Dictator, G. W. Spier: Reporter, A. S. Pool; Financial Reporter. C. Y. Durand; Treasurer. James Harvey, M. D.
At about this time, the lodge voted 50 cents per member for the relief of Knights of Honor in the South suffering with yellow fever.
Seventh semi-annual election elected as follows: Dictator, O. D. Thompson; Re- porter, A. S. Pool; Financial Reporter, C. Y. Durand: Treasurer. James Harvey, M. D .; Representative to Grand Lodge, G. W. Spier, with Alternate, S. S. Hopkins.
The eighth, ninth and tenth semi-annual meetings resulted in a re-election of old officers. R. J. Hosner was elected Representative to Grand Lodge.
The following officers were elected at the eleventh semi-annual meeting: Dictator. James B. Harvey; Reporter. A. S. Pool: Financial Reporter, R. H. Weller; Treasurer, James Harvey, M. D .; Representative to Grand Lodge. R. J. Hosner, with Alternate. J. L. Starkweather. The membership at present is thirty-two. Not one death has been reported since its organization.
United Workmen, Union Lodge, 55, was organized September 3, 1878, with the fol- lowing officers: James Harvey, P. M. W .; Isaac Douglas, M. W .; Levant Bedell, G. T .; T. R. Crawford, Overseer: Thomas Marshall, Recorder: R. B. Owen, Financier; James Gray, Receiver; Frank W. Dash, Guide: Charles D. Hunt, J. W. ; P. H. McParland, O. W .: H. Vanberger. James B. Harvey and G. B. Loud, Trustees.
The charter members comprised: James Mulvey, John Trueworthy, James Dickin- son, G. H. Bristol, James H. Boden, Henry Rawles, John White, William Hamblin, Charles C. Bradley, S. S. Hopkins, John Mellen, Oscar Hopkins, Albert Kennedy, D. P. Page. J. K. Taylor and B. B. Ketchum.
Dr. Douglass. L. Bedell and Dr. James Harvey have served as P. M. W.'s of the lodge. The officers for term commencing January, 1882, are: F. W. Dash, P. M. W. ; E. Vanberger, M. W .; E. P. Sanford, G. T .; J. Trueworthy, O. ; W. A. Taylor, G .; O.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY. 639
Bentley, Recorder ; R. B. Owen, T .; J. R. Moreland. Receiver: W. J. Page, I. W .: Thomas Weightman, O. W .; E. Vanberger, Trustee; L. Bedell. R. G. L.
Royal Arcanum .-- R. A. McCarty completed the organization of a Council of Royal Arcanum at Romeo July, 1878. The following officers were elected :
Past Regent, J. L. Starkweather; Regent, John Ford; Vice Regent, J. Newman; Orator, Irving D. Hanscom; Secretary, C. Y. Durand; Collector, T. D. Coe; Treasurer, S. A. Reade; Guide, L. Bedell; Chaplain, R. F. Selfridge: Warden. Ira F. Pratt; Sentry, Dr. William Greenshields: Trustees, Dr. William Greenshields. L. Bedell. R. J. Hosner. The officers elected for 1879 were: Past Regent, John Ford; Regent. Joseph New- man; Vice Regent, Aratus S. Pool: Orator, C. H. Richardson; Chaplain, George B. Lond; Secretary, C. Y. Durand; Collector, T. D. Coe; Treasurer, S. A. Reade: Guide, R. J. Hosner: Wardon, G. G. Hartung: Sentinel, James Mulvey; Representative to Grand Lodge, John L Starkweather.
The present officers of the Romeo Literary Society: I. D. Hanscom, President; O. D. Thompson, S. R. Dunlap and William A. Frazer, Vice Presidents; Frank N. White. Secretary; Charles M. Tackles, Assistant Secretary; Edwin Starkweather, Treasurer- November 25, 1881.
Among the other societies of Romeo, the Literary Club, the Chautauqua, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and the Grange, hold a high place. The religious societies in connection with the various churches are ably conducted.
THE ROMEO CARRIAGE COMPANY.
In the spring of 1865, the Peninsular Carriage and Wagon Manufactory was estab- lished by John A. and Benjamin B. Ketcham. Their business gradually extended from a small beginning to proportions which secured for it an unequaled reputation throughout Michigan and the West. The proprietors conducted their business connections in the strictest integrity, and when the financial stringency of 1872 and the five following years engulfed and crippled all business interests, they withstood the shock, but finally, in 1878, being unable to make collections, they succumbed. It was a disastrous day for Romeo and the seventy-five employes thrown out of work. The contingency was one that appealed strongly to the public spirit of the citizens of Romeo, and the Romeo Carriage Company was organized, its members including M. I. Brabb, John N. Mellen, H. C. Gray, James Gray and Benjamin B. Ketcham. Since the interests of the concern have been managed by these gentlemen, its repute has widened, until it ranks fairly with the best similar institutions of the United States. None but skilled workmen are employed, and only first-class work is placed before the public. The works have a capacity for turning out 2,000 vehicles per annum, and the yearly orders call for the manufacture of twelve to fifteen hundred carriages, of nearly every known pattern and description, including all kinds of buggies and carriages, phaetons (two and three spring), side bars, elliptic and Concord springs, and everything that the trade demands. The factory is in the village of Romeo, and comprises three large two-story brick buildings, besides warehouses, shops, and all needed accessory structures. The company represent a large amount of capital. and can carry the business to any extent. The field of patronage includes the entire West. extending to California.
ROMEO MINERAL WELL.
A few of the citizens of Romeo inaugurated a subscription paper for the purpose of raising a fund to defray the expense of boring a well. The sum so obtained was to be held until $5,000 was subscribed. On October 2, 1880, the sum named was subscribed, when a meeting of those who contributed to the stock was called. It was determined to appoint a committee, with full power to act in regard to contract, to collect money and
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
complete the work connected with the proposed mineral well. The members of the eom- mittee were Ed S. Snover, Marvel I. Brabb and Dwight N. Lowell.
This committee contracted with Matthew Porter to bore a well, beginning the work April 1, 1581, and proceed with the work expeditiously. The consideration was $2 per foot for 1,600 feet, Porter to furnish cast-iron easing and boring machinery. The com- mittee retained the privilege of stopping the work at any point, but bonnd the subscribers to pay for 900 feet at least. The pump rod, pump and land were to be purchased by this committee. Porter finished the well to a depth of 1,545 feet December 12, 1881, when the committee accepted the work and paid him $3,090. The pump and tubing were pur- chased by Porter for the committee.
The lot was purchased in March, 1881, from J. S. Flummerfelt, the condition being that, if the well was not satisfactory. the contract should be declared null and void. Re- cently, the sum of $500 was paid, and a deed given to the committee for the lots.
The stockholders or promoters of this well are Henry Stephens, who subscribed $500; John W. Mellen, A. B Maynard. A. A. Briggs and Newbury Bros., $150 each; Harvey Mellen, Thomas D. Coe, James Gray, J. L. Benjamin and N. Larzelier, $100 each. The following citizens subscribed $125 each: D. H. Rowloy, M. A. Giddings, M. I. Brabb, S. A. Reade. Ed S. Snover, N. W. Gray, E. W. Giddings, P. C. Killam, Amos Palmer and Elisha Calkins, John H. Brabb, J. S. Flummerfelt & Son, A. J. Sykes, A. B. Ayer, Alden Giddings, John Smith, Jr. The following-named citizens took two shares each, of $25 each share: Wellington Jersey. I. R. Moreland, Albert Kennedy, H. C. Gray, M. Kelley, Ira F. Pratt, Eber J. Dudley, James Harvey, S. O. Giddings, I. D. Hanseom, W. R. Owen, John W. Dyar. Isaac Douglass. The under-named citizens subscribed $950. representing thirty- eight shares of $25 each: R. B. Owen, Charles Stranahan, R. W. Coykendall. Henry Rawles, John Dawson, Isaae N. Owen, Frank Culver, Amos O. Crissman, C. F. Mallary, W. H. Tinsman, Edwin Starkweather, Neil G. Reid, James Keil. Harvey Eldred, Charles N. Coe, F. V. Tedmon, James Burlison. James B. Lucas, S. H. Ewell, Joseph Newman, Abijah E. Palmer, C. Y. Durand. J. L. Starkweather, Charles Fillmore, James Ayres, D. N. Lowell, Ben Cuyler, Oscar Hopkins, William Greenshields, J. B. Fares. R. J. Hosner, M. S. Hadley, G. A. Waterberry, Cornelius Virgil, John Ford. G. W. Brabb, Nathan H. Lee, H. H. Bradley. A reference is made to this enterprise at elose of chronologieal chapter.
The record of boring and original analysis of water are referred to in the geological chapter. The following is a description of the casing, tubing, etc. :
The five and a half inch casing extends to the depth of 170 feet, driven through sand and gravel. At the depth of 123 feet inside the five and a half inch easing begins an- other string of casing, extending down to 200 feet and resting on a shoulder in the rock. A third string of four-inch casing beginning at the surface and extends to the depth of 1,100 feet, supported by a ring on the outside of the casing, and resting upon the upper end of the four and a half inch casing, which is belled at the upper end. Inside of the four- ineh casing is the pump tubing, extending down to the depth of 1. 420 feet and resting on a shoulder of the rock. Inside the pump tubing is the pump rod, a three-fourth inch gas pipe extending to the depth at which the pump is set. The rock hole is four and one-half inches in diameter to the depth of 1,420 feet, and three and a half to the depth of 1, - 545 feet from the 1.420 feet level. The building now in use is simply the derriek-shaped pumping house, known so well in the salt and oil well districts.
HOSNER'S IRON FOUNDRY.
The iron foundry now controlled by Riley J. Hosner holds an important place among the industries of the county. The work is first-class in every particular.
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IHISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
KENNEDY SASH AND BLIND FACTORY.
The founder of this factory was George H. Hohnan, who built it in 1844, at the north end of the village, in the rear of the house he occupied as a dwelling. He afterward sold an interest in the factory to Charles (. Farrar, and in 1858 these gentlemen moved the building to the center of the village. on the corner of Rawles and La Fayette streets, hav- ing bought an iron works and foundry known as the Sibbets property, and ran their fac tery in connection with it. In 1865. the business passed into the hands of Albert Ken- nedy and Joseph Weller, who continued to run the business that was so well established. In 1868. the factory was destroyed by fire. the gentlemen meeting with a loss of $10,000, and in ninety days they had a new building erected so as to begin operations again. The work was pushed ahead. and soon had everything in better order than it was before. New machinery, with all the latest improvements, were put into the building, and was able to increase their capacity of doing business. The building is in the shape of an L. the south wing. 20x71. and the west wing. 22x50 feet, two stories high. The boiler and engine room is 20x40 feet, besides an office and outsheds. On the same block is an iron- shop 24x76 feet, and the whole machinery is run by a twenty-five horse-power engine. The stock of lumber on hand generally averages from $2,000 to $3,000, and the cost of the building and outfit is $15,000, which furnishes employment for eight to fifteen men. The partnership with Mr. Weller closed in 1871. when his interest was purchased by Samuel Waycott, who continned in the business until the spring of 1880. Mr. Kennedy then purchased his interest, and has since been the sole owner and manager of the fac- tory.
Alexander A. Briggs, proprietor of the American House, Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., was born November 27. 1841, in Colchester. Canada West. On November 13, 1878. he pur- chased the American Hotel, with which he has since been connected. In the summer of 1881, an addition was built of brick, three stories in height, with basement, 100 feet long by 40 in width. It is lighted with gas, heated by steam throughout, and is fitted with all the modern improvements of first-class hotels. The first floor includes kitchen, dining room, private, bath, billiard and sample rooms, parlor and office; on the second floor are twenty-one handsomely furnished sleeping rooms; on the third floor are also twenty-five well-fitted rooms. The house is admirably situated for the accommodation of summer boarders. and forms, with the natural attractions of Romeo, a most desirable re- sort for the class who seek rest and recreation in country retreats. As a landlord. Mr. Briggs is deservedly popular in Romeo and with the traveling public.
The Commercial House was built by Jacob Skillman for a livery stable about 1855. A few years later, it was opened as the Peninsular House. Skillman disposed of his in- terest in the hotel to Norman Perry. Jr., who in turn sold his interest to P. C. Killam in 1877. The latter rebuilt the hotel in 1880. The house has been conducted by the Jarvis Brothers, next by Miles Bigsby, next by William H. Van Inwagen, who opened it November 20, 1879, and is now conducted by the present lessees. The hotel is well managed. and may be classed among the most comfortable hostelries of the State.
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