USA > Michigan > Mason County > History of Mason County, Michigan > Part 16
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"THE WILSON BUILDING.
"This new store building stands upon South James Street, just south of the Clayton Block. It is a two-story brick veneered struc- ture, and was built by Mr. David Wilson at a cost of $3,000. In size it is 22x70 feet and is occupied with dry goods and clothing in the first story by Mr. Moses Zief, and in the second story by Mr. Zief as a residence. The building is a credit to its builder, as well as to James Street, on which it fronts.
"THE FANNON BUILDING.
"We believe that this was the first building built upon the burnt district. It is a two-story brick veneered structure 22x60 feet in size and was built by Mr. John Fannon, at a cost of $3,000. The first story is occupied by Mr. Fannon as a refreshment saloon, and the second story as a residence. Mr. Fannon deserves much praise for his energy and push in putting up the first substantial structure upon the burnt district.
"THE MEYERS ESTATE BUILDING.
"This is also a two-story brick veneered building and was put up by Mr. Charles T. Sawyer, executor of the estate. In size it is 22x60 feet, and cost about $3,000. The first story is occupied by Mr. A. Palmiter as a confectionery store and restaurant. The second story is occupied with the Ludington Record printing office and Mr. Frank Stevens as a residence.
"THE BARTLETT BUILDING.
"This is a brick veneered building standing upon East Luding- ton Avenue, adjoining Clayton Block. It is a solid built structure, and was put up by Mrs. A. L. Bartlett at a cost of about $3,000. In size it is 22x60 feet. The first store is occupied by Mrs. S. A. Cilley with millinery; the second story by Mrs, Bartlett with dress-making.
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FILER HOUSE, LUDINGTON, MICH.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
"THE VAN HOUTEN BUILDING.
"This is the handsomest and best built one story building in Lud- ington. It stands upon the west side of South Charles Street, near the avenue. It is a brick veneered building 22x70 feet in size. The front is of French plate glass and handsomely trimmed. It is occu- pied by Miss Flora Van Houten, the builder, throughout, with mil- linery and dress-making. It is the leading millinery establishment of the city. The building is a credit, not only to the builder, but to the city at large, and is valued at $3,000.
"THE DANAHER BUILDING.
"This is a one-story frame structure 20x50 feet. It stands upon a solid stone foundation, and was put up by Mr. M. B. Danaher .. It is located on South Charles Street, near the corner of West Loomis Street, and is occupied by Mr. Fred Ohland, with a stock of liquors and cigars. Its cost was about $2,000.
"THE LATIMER BUILDING.
This is a one-story brick veneered building and was built by Dr. F. N. Latimer, at a cost of $2,000. It is occupied by the doctor with drugs, medicines, etc., and is located on the north side of the avenue, between James and Charles Streets.
"THE COTTON, HOLMQUIST AND SCHUESTER BLOCK.
"This is a one-story brick veneered block built by Mr. E. Cot- ton, Mr. M. Holmquist and Mr. Hugo Schuester. In size it is eighty by fifty feet, and stands on the north side of Ludington Avenue, near the corner of North Harrison Street. Mr. Cotton owns one section of the block, and occupies it with flour and feed. Mr. Magnes Holmquist owns another section and occupies it with coffins, caske's, etc. Mr. Hugo Schuester owns the remainder of the block, which is divided into two rooms, one of which is occupied by Mr. A. W. Crompton as a bakery, and the other by Mr. M. L. Fowler as a barber shop. The entire block is valued at $4,000.
"THE FRALICK & HAMMOND BUILDING.
"This is a frame structure and was built prior to the extending of the fire limits over that section of the city. It stands on the north side of the avenue, just east of the Andrew Block. It is a one- story building, and is valued at $1,000. It is occupied by its owners with flour, feed and hay.
"THE HUDSON BUILDING.
"This is a small temporary frame building, and was put up by Mr. W. G. Hudson just after the fire. Its cost would not exceed $500. It is now occupied as a confectionery and residence.
"THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILDING
is one of the largest church buildings in the city, and the finest. It is a brick veneered structure thirty-five by seventy-five feet with Sunday-school room thirty-two by sixty feet. It is heated with a furnace, and has all the improvements of a modern church archi- tecture. The cost of the structure complete is about $7,000. It stands on the corner of Court and Harrison Streets.
"THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING.
"This building is in size thirty-two by sixty-five feet. It is a brick veneered structure, and was built at a cost of about $4,000. It stands on the corner of East Court and North Harrison Streets, and is a model of neatness. The society has every reason to be proud of their new building.
"THE KIESEWALTER MARKET AND BARN.
"The market is a brick veneered structure sixteen by fifty feet, and fronts on Ludington Avenue just east of the Stout Block. It is occupied by Mr. H. Shiebel as a meat and vegetable market.
"The brick veneered barn stands in the rear of the Kiesewalter
Block, and is one of the finest brick barns in the city. The two buildings are valued at $2,000. They are owned by Mr. William A. Kieswealter.
"THE FOSTER RESIDENCE BUILDINGS.
"This cluster of buildings stands on the corner of West Court and North James Streets, and is very close to the business portion of the city. They are frame structures standing upon solid mason work foundations. One building is the size twenty-four by thirty- six feet with adjoining size sixteen by twenty-eight feet. Another is twenty by thirty feet with adjoinings size twenty by twenty-four feet, and the last of the three is twenty-two by thirty-four feet in size with addition twenty by twenty-four feet in size. They are all finely laid out outside and in, and are built after exquisite designs. Each building is furnished with a good basement, and is two-stories in height. The first of these buildings was commenced while the ruins were yet surrounded in smoke, which fact speaks highly of the energy and enterprise of the owner, Prof. J. N. Foster, of the Ludington High School. The three buildings with the frame barn were put up at a cost of about $7,000.
"THE STEVENS RESIDENCE.
"This is a frame structure and was built by Mr. Frank Stevens at a cost of about $1,000, and stands on East Court Street, near the corner of North James Street.
"THE BISHOP RESIDENCE.
"This is also a frame structure, and with the barn was erected by Mr. Thomas G. Bishop, at a cost of about $1,500. It stands upon the corner of East Court and North Harrison Streets, and is a very neat residence.
"THE EWING FACTORY.
"Mr. Ewing has erected a new factory on the south side of West Loomis Street, and it and its contents are valued, at a low estimate, at $8,000. Mr. Ewing lost heavily at the great fire, but rallied, and his two-story building 50x100 feet is filled with busy workmen, engaged in manufacturing and repairing wagons, car- riages, sleighs, fancy cutters, etc. Mr. Ewing employs a large number of men, and his work gives the best of satisfaction. He not only has a large local sale of his wagons, etc., but enjoys a large trade along the line of the F. & P. M. R. R., and the east shore of Lake Michigan."
The present season Dr. May is erecting a two-story brick block, thirty-eight feet front on Ludington Avenue, by seventy-three feet in depth, at a cost of about $5,000. It is divided into two rooms, one of which will be occupied with a bank, and the other as a store.
Mr. George Tripp has just finished a neat two-story brick block on Ludington Avenue, near the Clinton House, which he will use for his meat market.
In the Fourth Ward, Mr. T. R. Lyon has erected a fine brick block, two stories high and costing about $8,000.
Mr. Edward Gangnon has recently completed one of the finest brick blocks in the city. It is situated on James Street, and has a frontage of seventy feet, and is two stories high. One-half of it is used for a livery stable, and the remaining portion is divided into stores.
The new German Lutheran Church has been finished this season, and is a credit to the society and an ornament to the city.
A large number of frame buildings have already been completed, and others are in process of construction.
Mr. J. S. Stearns is building an elegant residence in the Fourth Ward, which will cost upwards of $6,000, when completed.
Richard Rayne is building a brick store on Ludington Avenue. New residence buildings are going up in various parts of the city, all of which are tasty and substantial structures.
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An air of thrift and general prosperity pervades all departments of business, and there are abundant evidences that the city is enjoying a steady and healthy growth.
LUDINGTON AS A SUMMER RESORT.
This charming locality offers superior inducements to Summer tourists or to persons desirous of enjoyable Summer comforts. The scenery is picturesque and interesting, while the climate is salubrious in the fullest sense. Lake Michigan guards the comfort of people here in Summer with royal care, and protracted heat is never known. There is at all times a cool, refreshing breeze to antidote the effects of a Summer's sun, and while people elsewhere are parched with dry and scalding heat, or sweltering through the muggy dog days, here the air is fresh and invigorating. The hotel accommodations are good and cost of living reasonable. The fishing is superb and near at hand.
HIGHWAY FUND.
By amount spread on rolls. $4,724 95
By sidewalk tax collected. 132 81
By poll-tax. 280 00
By personal tax returned collected.
14 73
To balance from 1881. 60 59
To amount credited to bayou bridge fund. 86 96
To orders paid .... 5,435 31
To uncollected personal tax. 1,043 14
73 46
Total
$6,699 46
By balance
1 546 97
CEMETERY FUND.
By balance from 1881 $ 224 91
By sale of lots
562 00
To orders paid.
$ 377 00
To balance
409 91
Total.
786 91
FIRE FUND.
By balance from 1881.
183 98
By credit from contingent fund. 1,000 00
To orders paid ..
$1,003 59
To balance.
. 180 39
Total.
$1 183 98
POLICE FUND.
By balance from 1881. $ 388 74
By credit from contingent fund. 1,500 00
To orders paid.
$1,772 13
To balance. 116 61
Total.
$1,888 74
SCHOOL FUND.
By amount spread on roll. 10,276 57
By dog tax of 1881. 20 16
By primary school fund.
1,176 60
By library. 114 05
By police fines. 376 42
To amount paid school assessor.
$9 290 65
To balance. 2,673 15
Total. $11,963 80
SPECIAL FUND OF 1881.
To amount spread on roll.
$1,500 00
By cancellation bond paid . $1,000 00
By interest on same 500 00
Total. $1,500 00
DOG TAX FUND.
By balance from 1881.
$ 20 16
By amount collected in 1881. 13 44
To amount transferred to school fund.
: 20 16
To balance. 13 44
Total.
$ 33 60
BALANCE SHEET.
Due contingent fund. $517 18
Due cemetery fund.
409 91
Due fire fund.
180 39
By excess on tax rolls.
9 03 Due police fund ..
116.61
Due school fund.
2,673 15
By licenses.
428 50
Due dog tax.
13 44
To amount credited police fund. $1,500 00
Highway fund overdrawn $1,546 97
Cash on hand.
2,363 71
To orders paid ..
3,743 08
To balance
517 18:
Total
$3,910 68
A. E. CARTIER, Mayor.
F. P. DUNWELL, Recorder.
Total
$6,760 26
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CONTINGENT FUND.
By balance from 1881
$2,222 58
By liquor tax.
4,100 15
Fire orders issued ..
$1,031 98
Fire orders paid.
1,003 59
Outstanding
28 39
Cemetery orders issued.
$ 377 00 377 00
Cemetery orders paid.
. Outstanding
$5,574 36
Highway orders paid.
5,435 31
Outstanding
139 05
Police orders issued . $2,032 43
Police orders paid.
1,772 13
Outstanding .
260 30
Total
$3,757 99
Orders paid.
3,743 08
Outstanding.
14 91
Highway orders issued.
$4,000 00
Outstanding city orders.
Total indebtedness
ORDERS ISSUED AND PAID.
Outstanding contingent orders at the beginning of the year Issued.
$
7 00
3,750 99
Following are the annual reports of the financial condition of the city for the fiscal year ending March 1st, 1882: REPORT OF MAYOR AND RECORDER. To the Common Council of the City of Ludington : GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with section 29 of the city charter, we present the annual report for the year 1881-2:
CITY INDEBTEDNESS.
Four cancellation bonds.
Aldermen-First Ward, John Rice, Wm. Surplice; Second Ward, W. W. Reed, E. W. Marsh; Third Ward, August Teideman, R. Patterson; Fourth Ward, L. K. Baker, Joseph Blouin. Chief of fire department, Marshall G. Smith.
CITY FINANCES.
The present officers of the city of Ludington are as follows: Mayor, George N. Stray; recorder, Frank P. Dunwell; mar- shal, George Weimer.
CITY OFFICERS.
60 HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
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To amount credited fire fund ..
1.000 00
To rejected tax.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
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REPORT OF CITY TREASURER.
To His Honor the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Ludington :
GENTLEMEN-I herewith submit my report as city treasurer for the year ending March 1st, 1882.
RECEIPT.
Cash on hand at the beginning of year
$2,892 82
From city tax rolls.
16,504 12
From state and county tax rolls.
8,770 97
From liquor tax ..
4,100 15
From police court fines.
376 42
From poll-tax
280 00
From dog tax.
13 44
From sidewalk tax
132 81
From sale of cemetery lots.
562 00
From primary school fund
1,176 60
From library
114 05
From licenses ..
428 ~0
From personal tax returned and since paid.
14 73
Total receipts
$35,366 61
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid city orders.
$12,331 11
Paid school assessor.
9,290 65
Paid county treasurer state and county tax. 8,764 54
Paid one city bond.
1,000 00
Paid interest on bonds.
500 00
Paid uncollected personal tax.
1,043 14
Paid rejected tax.
73 46
Total disbursements
$33,002 90
Leaving cash on hand.
2,363 71
EMERY D. WEIMER, Treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HON. SAMUEL D. HAIGHT.
The late Samuel D. Haight was born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y., November 16, 1839. He worked on his father's farm in Summer and attended district school Winter still seventeen years of age; afterward teaching Winters till twenty years of age. In the meantime he had attended one term at the Fairfield University. He came to Michigan in 1861 and taught school in Jackson County till January, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Michigan Cavalry. He was promoted from the ranks to first sergeant, second and first lieutenant. He was in fifty-two engage- ments; was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and "march to the sea," and was mustered out July 5, 1865. He returned to Michigan and resumed teaching and studied law. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar and settled in Ludington.
He was married to Elizabeth Southworth, at Ovid, Mich., Octo- ber, 8, 1866.
In the Fall of 1871 he was elected prosecuting attorney on the Democratic ticket, although the county was largely Republican. In 1872 he was re-elected by an increased majority. He was city treasurer during the years 1873-4, and treasurer of the school board for. three years. In 1878 he was elected circuit judge, and had not completed his first term at the time of his death, which occurred very unexpectedly and was preceded by sickness of only a few days. February 19, 1880, he adjourned court to April 19, and February 25 he breathed his last.
The memory of Judge Haight is dear to all who knew him, but dearest to those who knew him best. He was the truest friend of those who' most needed friends, the courteous gentleman in all his relations with his fellows, and when he died there were many to share in the bereavement.
He came to Ludington a stranger to the people, and unprac- ticed in his profession. His first partnership was with E. N. Fitch, afterward with Isaac Gibson, and from 1874 to 1878 with Hon. Shubael F. White. The record of his public life shows that he possessed to a remarkable degree the power of not simply acquiring popularity, but of maintaining his hold upon the affections of the public. He was a man of generous impulses, who considered the needs of others greater than his own, and was always ready to applaud the virtues of his fellows and regard their vices with charity. He was a very successful lawyer, and was especially successful as an advocate before a jury. Naturally a pleasing and effective speaker, his thorough knowledge of men and keen insight into human char. acter gave him great power with a jury. His practice was extensive and lucrative, but the latch-string of his purse was always out, and he saved but a small part of the amount he earned.
When he took his seat upon the bench, many of his most ardent admirers felt that he was naturally better adapted for the bar than for the bench, but experience showed them their mistake. It was here that he exhibited the great fund of mental resources which he possessed; the ability to adapt himself to any place he was called upon to fill.
A short time before his death he had purchased a tract of land, just south of the Filer mill, and built a house upon the high ground overlooking Pere Marquette Lake. He had laid the foundation of a most charming home, such as he was fitted by nature to enjoy, and which was left desolate by his death.
At the opening of court on the 19th of April, Hon. J. Byron Judkins presiding, Hon. S. F. White, as the senior attorney of the Mason County Bar, presented resolutions which had been adopted at a meeting of the Bar Association. In presenting them to the court, Mr. White delivered an appropriate address, and was followed by Messrs. Sutherland, Bishop, Fitch, Newcombe, Wing, Wheeler, McMahon, Samuels and Danaher. A very fitting tribute was added by the court in accepting the resolutions. The addresses were pub- lished in full, and were eloquent expressions of the tenderest respect and sincere affection for him whom death had so suddenly taken from their midst. These eulogies portrayed the bereavement of the men who uttered them, and are a singularly clear revelation of the character and intellectual qualities of Judge Haight. Conspicuous among his qualities as a lawyer and jurist were cited his power as an advocate and genius of intellect; his keen sense of justice, thorough knowledge of law and freedom from prejudice; but above all it was his qualities of heart that endeared him to his fellows; his broad charity, genuine humanity and tenderness of feeling were jewels that outshine the most brilliant scintillations of intellect.
There are many incidents still remembered by his friends that illustrate the tenderness of his nature and the genuineness of his benevolence. One day during the time Judge Haight and family were boarding at a hotel, there came into the office of the hotel a boy who had reached Ludington on the cars. He was a cripple, forlorn in appearance and evidently a friendless wanderer. Coming into the hotel at dinner-time, Judge Haight noticed the dejected appearance of the lad and his destitute condition. He told the lad
to follow him, and took him into dinner, and after the meal was over took him to a store and fitted him out with an entire new suit of clothes and sent him on his way. Could they be gathered together, incidents similar to the above of his acts of humanity and benevo- ence would fill a volume. . They are not all recorded on any printed page, but in the sacred recesses of many a human heart his mem- ory is enshrined in monuments more precious than brass, more enduring than marble.
CAPT. ROBERT CASWELL is one of the men known to every one about Ludington and the lake. Capt. Caswell was born in Canada
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
in 1884, and came to the States in 1837, with his parents. In 1841 he came to Milwaukee and remained in that vicinity until 1857, when he removed to Columbus, Wis. In 1859 he returned to Milwaukee, and in 1860 commenced sailing on the lakes. In 1867 he purchased the tug "Cyclone" and brought it to Ludington; it being the second tug brought here. In 1871 he removed here. At that time there was but one frame house within what is now the city limits, and the present site of the Filer House was good hunt- ing ground for partridge. Shortly after coming here in 1871, the firm of Caswell, Breining & Co. was organized, and two other tugs, the "Sport " and " B. W. Aldrich," were bought. The firm is now running these tugs, which are under the management of Capt. Caswell. The captain takes a lively interest in city affairs, and is chock full of historic facts and romance. A portrait of the Captain appears in this work.
THOMAS R. LYON WAS born at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1854. His sister having married the late Capt. E. B. Ward, of Detroit, he went to that city when about sixteen years of age. In 1872 Capt. Ward's business at Ludington being in successful operation, young Lyon came here and took a position in the office. After the death of Capt. Ward, in 1875, the business was conducted under the manage- ment of John S. Woodruff, as agent, and young Lyon remained, attending to such duties as were assigned him. In 1878, having obtained an interest in the business, its affairs were reorganized under the firm composed of Catharine L. Ward, John B. Lyon and Thomas R. Lyon, and since that time the business has been con- ducted under the name of Thomas R. Lyon, agent. Mr. Lyon was only twenty-four years of age when he undertook the management of this vast business, but he proved himself equal to the great responsibilities of his position, and is recognized as a man of extra- ordinary business capacity.
ROSWELL P. BISHOP, of the law firm of Wheeler & Bishop, Ludington, is one of the successful men of Ludington, notwith- standing the fact that he left his right arm upon the battlefield. Mr. Bishop was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in 1843. In August, 1861, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted with Company C., Forty-Third New York, and was accepted. In May, 1862, in a skirmish at Lees Mills, Va., he was shot through the right arm, which was shattered so badly that amputation above the elbow was necessary. As soon as he was able to travel he returned home on a furlough and remained for a time, when he went back to the service, intending to stay until the war closed. In the Fall, the surgeon advised him to take his discharge, which had been offered him, and enter a course of study. Acting upon this advice, he came North in December, 1862. IIe took a special course at Ann Arbor, and in the Summer of 1875 came to Ludington and engaged in the prac- tice of law. From the Fall of 1876 to the Fall of 1880, he was prose- cuting attorney of the county. In January, 1879, he formed a co-part- nership with Judge Wheeler, which is still continued. Mr. Bishop is true blue in every respect. He was a fighting soldier, and is a good citizen and a successful lawyer. He has had considerable to do with public affairs, and is popular with the people of the county.
GEORGE W. ROBY, president of the George W. Roby Lumber Company, is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born in Ohio in 1823. In 1845 he began practice as a physician in Pike County, Ohio, and continued in practice until 1863. During 1863-4 he was provost marshal of the Twelfth Ohio District. He then engaged in the drug business at Columbus, Ohio, and continued in it until 1871, when he came to Ludingion and engaged in the lumber business, the firm being George W. Roby & Co. In 1871-2 they built their present mill and purchased large tracts of pine lands. The busi- ness was continued under the name of this firm until January 1, 1882. The George W. Roby Lumber Company was organized with
George W. Roby, president; Nelson Rush, of Chicago, vice-presi- dent; L. C. Waldo, secretary, and J. B. Roby, treasurer. The mill is a double circular with two gang edgers, and cuts each season about 20,000,000 feet of lumber, besides lath. The working force numbers about sixty-five men. Mr. Roby is a gentleman of large and wide business experience. He applies himself closely to the interests of the concern of which he is the head, and has been very successful in his operations.
FRANK FILER is a son of the late Delos L. Filer, whose name must always be associated with the city of Ludingtop. Frank Filer was born in Manistee, August 21, 1854, and came to Ludington in the Fall of 1872. About the time he became of age he went into partnership with a man named Gibbs, and they rented the Filer mill in Pere Marquette Township, and ran it for one year. Frank subsequently purchasel a half-interest in the mill of his father, and soon after that the present firm of Cartier and Filer was established. Mr. Filer acquired other business interests upon the death of his father, to the care of which he devotes himself. After the death of Judge Haight he bought the residence property belong- ing to that estate. The house is a fine brick structure located in a romantic and beautiful spot near the Filer mill. It is situated upon an elevation overlooking Pere Marquette Lake and within easy dis- tance of the city. The property also comprises thirty-eight acres of land, which Mr. Filer is placing under a high state of cultivation. He is a great admirer of fine horses and always has several thorough- breds in his stable. He inherited from his father practical business notions and a large stock of clear, common sense, which have much to do with the success which he is achieving as a business man. He is liberal in the use of his money, but exercises his liberality with wise prudence and sagacity. Already possessed of a handsome for- tune, he is continually increasing it, and is destined to become a leader in business circles.
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