History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 35

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373

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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).

BARNETT VILLAGE.

There is this peculiarity about Shelby, that while there is a Shelby postoffice, and a Shelby station, the village is platted and recorded as Barnett, and all transfers of property must be recorded with this in view; otherwise they are null and void. There is also a village of Shelby, recorded by Sweet & Bevier, of Grand Rapids, but it is the northwestern quarter of southeastern quarter of Section 17, consisting of forty acres to the south of the plat of Barnett. Shelby has but few buildings on it, the chief being Williams' sawmill. It was platted for the proprietors by Mr. Churchill, who has sold every lot for residences. Barnett is the western half of northeastern quarter of Section 17, and western half of eastern half of north- eastern quarter of the same section. It was bought and platted by S. A. Browne, A. Pettinger, and James G. Gray, who had eighty acres, and who took Orrin Demming in as a partner, as he had forty acres, adjoining all on Section 17. The name Barnett had rather a ludicrous origin. A railway brakesman of that name offered to pay for all the expense of recording, if they would name the vil- lage after him. O. Demming being one of the proprietors, thought this would be a good speculation, and the rest allowed themselves to be overruled for the sake of peace. After the deed was done, Mr. Demming was met by the brakesman with a laugh, saying that now it was all done, he did not need to pay, and had all the honor! Nobody has yet made a move to have the name of the plat changed to Shelby, and so Barnett still stands.

WHEELER BROS.' general store was established December, 1874, by R. H. Wheeler and M. A. Bailey. In September, 1878, C. C. Wheeler purchased the interest of Mr. Bailey, and now the firm is Wheeler Bros., and in 1881 they did a business amounting to $41,000, carrying a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, and ready-made clothing. The store is located on Michigan Avenue.

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Store room twenty by ninety; side room for clothing, etc., eighteen by forty-three. Warehouse on railroad track.

E. F. CooN established in 1881, on Michigan Avenue, a business in dry goods and groceries.

WHITE & DEWEY's general store is situated on Michigan Avenue, doing a business of $10,000 annually. Business was established by M. C. White as a grocery in 1878, and in the Fall of 1879 G. E. Dewey bought an interest, and it has since been carried on as a general store.

SHIRTS BROS.' general store on Michigan Avenue was estab- lished in 1881, doing about $10,000 annually. Partners are E. J. Shirts, and his son, J. D. M. Shirts. They established the first store in what is now Shelby village, September, 1, 1872; sold in 1874, to D. P. Glazier, and he to G. W. Newman, and since May 15, 1881, A. G. Avery occupies the same building with a general stock, doing a business of about $10,000 annually.

R. W. TWINING commenced a grocery store, November 21, 1881.

The first hardware store in the village was by Churchill & Neff, in 1872, the latter taking the whole business in 1876, and on July 15, 1880, Gaylord & Hill purchased the business. Size of build- ing, ninety-four by twenty-eight, doing a business of $10,000 a year. They also deal in agricultural implements, manufacture tin ware, and sell paints, oils, sash and blinds.

SHIRTS & RATHBURN's jewelry store on Michigan Avenue was established in 1880.

A. H. STEWART had for a time in the same store a stock of musical instruments and sewing machines, but is now by himself.

HUGH JOHNSTON's boot and shoe store was established March, 1879. The business annually amounts to about $7,000. He car- ries a full assortment of manufactured goods, and also makes to order.

F. W. VAN WICKLE's drug, book, and stationery business, in Post Office Block, established November, 1881, does a business of $5,000 annually.

R. W. HAMLIN established the first drug store in 1873-'74, and a year later, Elliot & Brown established a business in the same line in another place. In 1875, Burt Royal purchased the entire stock of both, and continued the business until 1877, when it was pur- chased by Keyzartee & Runner. In 1879, Runner Bros. became the sole proprietors, which, together with book and stationery business, they still carry on.

JOSEPH TYLER, in 1882, purchased the hardware business of Dickerson & McCallum, established the year previous on Michigan Avenue.

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS.

A. J. PALMER's furniture and undertaking business was estab- lished in April, 1880, on Michigan Avenue; size of building, 24x56. Business done, about $5,000 a year.

HERBERT ASHMAN's jewelry and furniture business was estab- lished in 1882, and includes a large general assortment of furniture, undertakers' goods and, jewelry.

S. KOHLER & J. BILLINGS's meat market was established by Kohler in 1878, and in 1881 the partnership was formed. They keep a good shop, and have every convenience for doing business.

There are two warehouses near the depot. The first was built in 1878 by G. W. Woodward, and in 1879 an elevator was attached; size of building, 30x30; horse-power house, 22x22. It receives · annually about 15,000 bushels of grain, large quantities of potatoes, and receives, also, from abroad, plaster and ground feed. In 1881 it was sold to W. H. Vincore, and shortly after Lot Willets purchased.

The second warehouse was built by H. Walsh & Son, of Hol- land, in 1880, and operated by J. F. Eddy. It has a capacity of

1,500 bushels, and has an elevated wagon way, so that grain can be spouted to the car; size of building, 16x27.

THE SHELBY Independent is the first and only newspaper in Shelby, and is owned and edited by that veteran journalist, Judson Palmiter. It commenced April 10, 1880. F. W. Newman is fore- man. The office is soon to be removed to more commodious quar- ters in Mr. Palmiter's elegant new block.

CARL. SORENSEN's temperance billiard saloon was established April 1, 1881, having a billiard and pool table, and dispensing cigars, tobacco, candies and small drinks.

MANUFACTURERS.

W. S. WILLIAMS's mill for hard and soft lumber, planing and matching, was established in 1879; size of building, 80x60; engine room and side additions, 20x60; engine, sixty horse power. The machinery consists of a sixty-inch circular, three saw gang edger, cut off saw, two rip-saws, planer, matcher and moulder.

THE SHELBY SAWMILL, owned by C. A. Hawley, was originally one-story, built by Malcom & Worden, in 1871; burned July, 1872; cause, watchman drunk and asleep. In the Fall of 1872, James Malcom and James Williams, known as "Malcom & Williams," commenced a large two-story mill, and finished it in February, 1873-that terrible Winter, -at a cost of about $7,000. Hawley, Thorne, & Co., per C. A. Hawley, agent, advanced them $2,000 for that purpose. August 27, 1873, they sold the mill to Hawley, Malcom & Clark, consisting of Hawley, Thorne & Co., per C. A. Hawley, agent, (three-eights), James Malcom, (two-eighths), Joseph Clark, (three-eights). In December 30, 1873, C. A. Hawley bought James Malcom's interest; in December, 1874, he bought Joseph Clark's interest. During the year 1874, Hawley, Thorne & Co. made an assignment, turning over to C. A. Hawley their interest in the mill, to cancel an indebtedness to him of $1,500. For further particulars, read the biography of C. A. Hawley. The mill con- tains a large circular saw, three gang edger saws, cut off and bolt- ing saw, emery wheel, feedmill, planingmill and coiled hoop machinery. Main building, 22x75; engine room 16x22; planingmill wing, 24x60; employing, on an average, twenty men.

YOUNG & HINKLEY's stave and heading factory was established in 1882; size of main building, 40x46; sheds, one 24x200, another 24x170; also office and cooper shop. Engine twenty horse power. The machinery consists of stave cutter, equalizer, three jointers, heading saw, planer, jointer and turner. They cut twenty cords of bolts daily, and employ seventeen men, doing a business of $20,000 annually. Mr. Hinkley is the local manager, while Mr. Young superintends a similar establishment at Hartford, Mich.

NEW ERA.

This is a small postoffice village, established in 1872 on the arrival of the iron horse. D. B. Goble was the first postmaster, succeeded by the present incumbent, J. M. Wilson. There are two groceries in the village, and a sawmill with one upright saw. The cit- izens built the depot, which is four miles south of Shelby, and just within the town of Shelby, with Grant over the town line. The chief business done here is lumbering and in tan bark, ties, etc. There is also a coal kiln not far distant.

In 1873 the village is thus spoken of in the Pentwater News : "Like other stations on new railroads, it is 'growing.' A new sta- tion house is being erected, and the frames of some other buildings are raised. Mr. A. M. Spaulding owns the mill that has been in operation for some time. Mr. E. C. Hurd has erected a new mill during the season, and is now building a dwelling house. Quite a spacious schoolhouse is built a little southwest of the station, and Mr. G. B. Goble, one of the honored pioneers of the county, lives on his farm, which adjoins the station. The altitude of the land

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varies in the town of New Era. On the west and southeast it is rather low, while on the northeast it is quite high, there being a point near Mr. Spaulding's mill where the vision can reach almost to Montague. New Era has a never-failing brook, or small stream of water, such an one as is always a thing of beauty and value to the farm or the town."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JONATHAN HALSTEAD, carriage and wagon maker, Shelby village, was born September 5, 1842, in Calhoun County, Mich., where he resided until he was twenty-three years of age, and there learned his trade, at which he has been working since his fifteenth year, acquiring great skill therein. He moved to Nashville, Mich., for two years; thence for another two years to Battle Creek, as foreman of Mr. Clapp's shop, and came to Shelby May 4, 1874. He married, November 1, 1863, Mary E. Reynolds, of Bedford, Calhoun Co., Mich., and has three children, Zoela, Daniel J., and Stanley.

HENRY W. REID, dealer in lumber, Shelby village, was born April 27, 1832, on Mount Desert Island, Me., and at nine years of age came to New York City, and, in 1852, to this state. In 1870 he came to this county, and has lived here ever since, residing in the house next to the depot. He married, in 1856, Elsie Martin, of St. Joseph, Mich., and has a family of eight children; all grown up.

CHARLES A. HAWLEY, proprietor of the Shelby sawmills, traces his ancestors back eight generations-to the year 1603. Joseph was born in England, in 1603; was recorder in the Stratford Church, Conn., in the year 1661; died in 1690. His son, Samuel, Sr., born at Stratford, Conn., in 1647; died August 24, 1734. His son, Sam- uel, Jr., born at Derby, Conn., May 14, 1674; died June 14, 1774-100 years and one month old. His son, Obadiah, was born at Roxbury, Conn., February 3, 1689; died August 7, 1751. His son, Richard, Sr., no record of the date of his birth, or date of his death. His son, Richard, Jr., born at Southbury, Conn., February 15, 1777; died January 12, 1828. His son Ebenezer W., born in Connecticut, December 16, 1802; died in New York City, July 26, 1850; buried at Kingston, N. Y. His son, Charles A., born at Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt., May 22, 1831. He has three sons now living -- Samuel F., born in Chicago, Ill., October 2, 1863; Edwin W., born January 17, 1869, at Park Ridge, Cook Co., Ill .; Joseph E. R., born at Park Ridge, Cook Co., Ill., September 9, 1871.

Charles A. was the son of a hatter, the oldest of six children. His mother died March, 1843, before he was twelve years old. The five children younger than himself died, one after another, commencing with the youngest. His eldest brother, Samuel F., died April, 1876. His father, Ebenezer W., emigrated to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in January, 1843. Charles A. engaged himself (with his father's consent) to a farmer, at the age of eleven, for three years, for his board, clothing and three months' schooling each Winter. At the end of that contract, he hired out to the same man, five Summer- months, at $4 per month. At the end of that contract, he worked for different farmers, until nearly seventeen; then engaged himself to a farmer four years, to receive his board, clothing and three months' schooling each Winter, and $100. He staid with him four years, got his schooling and $96 worth of clothing, but not the $100. Rented the man's farm one year. At the end of the year, when twenty-two years old, started for Skaneateles, N. Y., with $12.52; worked for farmers Summers, taught school Winters, for two years, and attended school at Auburn Academy one term in the Fall. He married Miss Electa E. Weaver, a young lady very highly esteemed, of the Edwards stock, at Skaneateles, March 21, 1855. Emigrated to Chicago fifteen days after he was married. His wife followed

him to Chicago, arriving September 7. Commencing there with nothing, he worked in a hardwood lumberyard in Chicago for two years. He bought a farm of 200 acres, sixteen miles from Chicago, at $40 per acre, in the Spring of 1857, paying $1,000 down, con- tracting to pay $7,000 in installments.

That was the first and only contract he ever made, that he did not fill (some time, perhaps, but not within the time specified, but in every instance filled it). He worked the farm two years; then the hard times of 1857 (a year always to be remembered by western business men) finished him. He gave up the farm and the $1,000 for the use of the farm two years; and sent his wife and one child to her parents. Hired out to Henry N. Holden, piling lumber at $1 per day, and board himself; and engaged as collector, janitor and usher of Plymouth Congregational Church. In four months sent for his wife, and rented a house in Chicago. He struggled on through the hard times following 1857. Laborer and clerk in a hardwood lumberyard; lumber inspector, lumber commis- sioner, etc., until the fire, October 9, 1871, which burned so much of Chicago, and burned all he had in Chicago-lumber, books, accounts, and papers of all kinds; everything he had, except his humble home at Park Ridge, Cook Co., Ill.

Suffice it to say, that during the good times (for lumbermen) following the fire of 1871, until the Fall of 1873, when Jay, Cook & Co. failed, followed by the failure of very many others, he became manager and part owner of the Shelby sawmill, August 27, 1873. The Winter of 1874 and 1875 he bought it, and, as he supposed, held a good title, except $800, due to Joseph Clark, of West Ge- neva, Van Buren Co., Mich .; but within a year he had to pay a chattel mortgage of $415. In June, 1878, paid $960, suit in chancery, favor of Hawley, Thorne & Co., besides about $1,000 in fighting off the suit over four years. September, 1878, put in new boilers (the old ones parted), costing $750, besides about $800 put- ting them in and repairing the mill. April 16, 1879, the mill blew into thousands of atoms, by the explosion of the new boilers, killing the engineer, James Ryder, and injuring for life E. C. Hurd; slightly injuring many others. Every casting, shaft and wheel made of iron, was destroyed, except the sawframe and carriage. He rebuilt the mill, commencing to saw twenty-one days after he commenced tearing away the old mill. The first cost of the new machinery was $1680, besides about as much more to rebuild the inill. This money, $960, $750 and $1680, was procured of Henry N. Holden, of Chi- cago, secured by having the title in his own name, from the court of chancery, in 1878. He also, from year to year, furnished money to stock it, in face of a declining market every year. As soon as Mr. Holden is reimbursed; the title of all the mill property is to be vested in him.

To keep from going into bankruptcy during those years of low prices, bad Winters, and big interest, and constant law suits, and the above-mentioned misfortunes, from the year 1874 (following Jay Cook's failure) until 1880, he has used up his home property at Park Ridge, Ill .; besides the assistance from Mr. Holden. As soon as he has paid Mr. Holden he will own the mill property, including about thirty lots, store and two lots, stock, tools, teams, etc., and a farm of 120 acres adjoining the village. He expects always to make Shelby his home. He has done much to facilitate the growth of Shelby, especially the first years of its growth. He trusted every man to lumber that wanted to build. Up to 1879 he was the only man that bought forest products (mostly logs and last blocks). Al- ways made a practice of giving employment to every man that applied, if he lived in Shelby. Donating always when called upon (except to Fourth of July celebrations). A very genial, kind, affectionate man, he has one failing-lacking courage to dun the men he trusted. An active member of the Congregational Church,

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since seventeen years of age. Donating to the erection of Plymouth Church, at Chicago, Congregational Church, at Park Ridge, Ill., and the Congregational and Methodist Episcopal Churches, at Shelby. He is a radical Republican, and Temperance man from his youth up.

THOMAS S. BRAMAN was born in Hartford County, Conn., Feb- ruary 28, 1851. Settled in Allegan County, Mich., in 1856, and in Shelby, Oceana Co., in 1880, on Section 18, and is engaged in farm- ing and fruit-raising, having some thousand peach trees and other fruit.

JAMES S. LIVINGSTON was born in Northumberland County, Ont., April 30, 1857. Settled in Shelby, in 1881; engaged in wagon making.

N. B. FARNSWORTH was born in Livingston County, N. Y., April 27, 1883; moved to Cass County, Mich., in 1858, and to Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich., in 1882, and lives on Section 18. Married first, April 27, 1856, to Maria Crowell, who died July 4, 1857. Second marriage, January 28, 1866, to Kate Huntington. Enlisted Sep- tember, 1861, in the Ninth Michigan Volunteers; served until the close of the war, and mustered out as captain.

G. H. EDDY was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., October 9, 1839; moved to Ontario County, N. Y., in 1861, and enlisted the same year in the Thirty-third New York Volunteers; served two years in the Army of the Potomac, and was wounded and discharged for disability; re-enlisted in the construction corps, as carpenter, and served until the close of the war. Settled in Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich., in 1879, on Section 7. Married, April 7, 1862, to Adelaide Lang, who was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1840. Three children-Carlos A., Minnie R., and P. M.

JOHN BIERWERT was born in Prussia, December 10, 1820; set- tled in Ontario, Can., in 1844, and in Shelby in 1863; now lives on Section 22. Married, August 15, 1847, to Mary Lindsey, who was born in Ontario, Can., July 4, 1830. Four children.

JOHN HEDGES was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 19, 1801; moved with his father's family to Yates County, N. Y., in 1808. From thence to Erie County, in 1847, and in 1858 made Springville, Erie County, his home, and engaged in the hardware business. In 1877 he retired from active business, and made Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich., his home, and attends to loaning money, col- lecting rents, etc. He has a large property for Oceana County. Married, July 16, 1825, to Mary A. Hoagland, born August 20, 1801, and died January 4; 1862. Second marriage to Elmira Eaton, who was born in Erie County, N. Y., September 28, 1819. Two sons- A. D., born July 18, 1827; Clement C., born April 20, 1835, and died December 6, 1864, from disease contracted in the army.

M. N. COLLINS was born in Geauga County, Ohio, July 14, 1837. Settled in Hart Township, Section 14, Oceana County, Mich., in 1858, and followed farming until 1861, when he settled at Pent- water, and engaged in the meat market and grocery business, and was also some of the time in the livery business. In 1871 he kept the county farm, and the three following years. In July, 1881, he purchased the Elliott Hotel, Shelby, which he has enlarged, and still keeps. He married, September 18, 1859, to Jeannette Leon- ardson, who was born in Lucas County, Ohio, August 30, 1835. Five children-Judson H., Mrs. Laura Corbin, Estelle May, Charles E., James L.

FRANCIS A. PITTS was born in Rochester, N. Y., January 20, 1848; moved to Ottawa County, Mich., in 1861, and in Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich., in 1878. Photographer by trade. Married, August 5, 1871, to Ellen Smith, who was born in Iowa, July 2, 1854.

JAMES D. PITTS was born in Auburn, N. Y., October 7, 1851. Settled in Shelby in 1878, being a photographer by trade.

JAMES WILLIAMS was born in Gloucester, Eng., October 6, 1820.

Settled in Canada, in 1857, from thence to Aurora, Ill .; thence to Whitehall, Mich. Finally, in 1871, he made Shelby his home, and engaged in mercantile business, being perhaps the first to sell goods in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Shelby. Subse- quently he built a sawmill, which he operated until his death, which occurred June 16, 1881. Mr. Williams was married, October 13, 1844, to Paulina Prichard, who was also born in Gloucester, Eng., Oc- tober 12, 1822. Five children-Jeremiah, James H., Walter S., George F., Albert A., and three that have died-Elizabeth, born De- cember 13, 1846, died October 21, 1880; Rose, born September 30, 1851, died July 12, 1852; William W., born February 9, 1849, died Janury 21, 1870.

PETER FOSTER was born in Welland County, Ont., October 5, 1849; settled in Oceana County, Mich., in 1871, and followed lum- bering at Mears. Established grocery business at Shelby, in Jan- uary, 1882. Married, June 29, 1876, to Elizabeth P. Phelps, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., June 4, 1860. One child-Mary Amma.

WALTER H. CHURCHILL was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 27, 1838; settled in Shelby Township, on Section 16, in 1864. Appointed postmaster in 1866, which office he still holds. Has been supervisor, township clerk and treasurer; also, has been a justice for years, and at present, with his official duties, attends to real estate and insurance business. Married first, January 24, 1859, to Jane Green, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and died June 10, 1868. Second marriage, December, 1869, to Lucada Carter, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1845, and died in 1872. Remarried January 25, 1874, to Sarah Hamlin, who was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., August 1, 1849. One child by second wife-Charles L., born November 11, 1870.

A. Z. MOORE was born in Kennebec County, Maine, May 28, 1847. Learned the tanners trade, and worked at it from 1864 till 1871, when he made Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich., his home, and engaged with the C. & W. M. R. R. Co. as station master and oper- ator, which position he still holds.

R. H. WHEELER was born in Merrimac County, N. H., July 16, 1845. Early employment was teaching and clerking, having grad- uated at the Bryant & Stratton business college, at Concord, N. H. In 1874 he made Shelby, Mich., his home, and engaged in the mer- cantile business, and is doing a very extensive business. Married, March 26, 1874, to Sarah J. Bailey, born in Merrimac County, N. H., August 22, 1847. Two children-Etta V. and Lucy J.

E. J. SHIRTS was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 15, 1827. Settled in Indiana, in 1845; returned to Ohio in 1847. In 1853 he engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for three years; then worked at his trade, a carpenter and joiner. Finally, in 1864, he settled at Lansing, Mich., and engaged in the mercantile business till 1873, when he moved his stock to Shelby, Oceana Co., Mich. Married, July 10, 1853, to Elizabeth Imhoff, from Wayne County, Ohio.

LLEWELLYN A. RANDALL was born in Yates County, N. Y., June 27, 1847. Settled, in connection with his father's family, in Shelby, on Section 8, in 1856, at which time there were very few families in their locality. By trade, L. A. Randall is a builder and contractor.

A. H. STEWART was born in Shiawassee County, Mich., July 16, 1855. Served his time in an organ factory, learning to make, tune, etc. In 1876 he established business at Muskegon, Mich., in the sale of organs, etc., and in February, 1882, moved to Shelby, where he does the same business. Married, December 11, 1876, to Alice Brown, who was born October 4, 1857.

JAMES F. EDDY was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 26, 1827. Settled in Jackson County, Mich., in 1844; went to Cali- fornia in 1854; stayed two years. Settled in Lenawee County,

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Mich., in 1865, and in Shelby in 1873, and is engaged in buying all kinds of farm produce. Married, January 7, 1851, to Susannali R. Santee, born July 7, 1882.

WILLIAM F. LEWIS was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., December 12, 1829. Settled in Shelby, Section 31, in 1866. He is president of the agricultural society for Oceana County. Married, March 24, 1852, to Eliza Frazine, who was born August 8, 1828, and died March 3, 1882. Three children -- William F., born September 15, 1853, and died February 11, 1869; George, born September 26, 1855, and died August 21, 1876; Eugene, born March 17, 1860, and married, April 20, 1881, to Alzine Green, who was born in Noble County, Ind., May 2, 1860.

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History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 35

Author: H. R. Page & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 373

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373