History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 7

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

USA > Michigan > Mason County > History of Mason County, Michigan > Part 7

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LEVI SHACKELTON Was born in Canada in 1817, and came to the States in 1849. He first located in Grand Haven, where he engaged in the grocery business. In 1860 he removed to Muskegon, and was in business there until 1868, when he came to Ludington. Shortly after coming here he cleared up a lot on Loomis Street, and erected a building, which he occupied with a grocery store, and con- tinued in that business about two years. In 1870, he was elected justice of the peace, and with the exception of one year has held the office continuously ever since. In October, 1881, he was elected county superintendent of poor, and now devotes his time to the duties of the two offices which he holds. Mr. Shackelton is a genial gentleman, and a competent and conscientious public officer.

AT THE CLOSE OF 1872.

In the Record of December 25, 1872, was published an exhaust- ive review of the growth and business interests of the city of Ludington, in which the writer said:

"Probably no other town in the state of Michigan has attracted so much attention, or offered as great inducements to settlers during the past eighteen months, on account of its favorable location, its advantageous manufacturing facilities, its rapidly increasing business industries, and its flattering promises of future growth, as the village of Ludington. These inducements have brought here men of enter- prise and industry from all parts of the state and from other states, who, tired of the monotony of dull business in other localities, have come to add their energy in building up the business interests of our thriving village.

"The two branches of the Pere Marquette River, pursuing a westerly course through the county, unite in forming a beautiful inland lake of the same name, which, extending in a northwesterly direction, has its outlet through a short channel, into Lake Mich- igan Upon the northerly side of this lake is located the present village of Ludington." * * * * * *

"A little more than two years ago Mr. Ludington sold his property here, embracing, with other large tracts of land, nearly all that bordering upon Pere Marquette Lake, to the Pere Marquette Lumber Company, of which D. L. Filer, one of the oldest and most successful business men upon the 'shore, is president, L. H. Foster secretary and J. M. Loomis treasurer. This village now includes 400 acres platted by the company, eighty by Mr. Resseguie, eighty by Mr. Tinkham, forty by Mr. Quivillon and forty by Mr. White."

There were at this time five church organizations, and three church edifices completed and in process of construction. Besides the former Union School Building, there were erected that season two new school buildings, and a site had been procured for a central union school building.

The editor then says: "Our railroad prospects are now par- ticularly encouraging, and second to no town in the state. . There is now no doubt of the completion of the F. & P. M. R. R. to this

place during the next twelve months, and probably in a somewhat shorter period. This road, as far as it is at present completed, is one of the very best constructed roads in the country, and managed and equipped in a superior manner. Upon its completion we shall have a direct route with through trains to Detroit and Toledo, con- necting at both points with the various roads diverging therefrom. At East Saginaw it will have connection with the road now being constructed from that city to St. Clair, connecting at that point with the Canada Southern. Across the lake it is only sixty miles to Manitowoc. Our harbor, with the expenditure of the present appropriation, and the additional amount which it is hoped to secure, will have a sufficient depth of water to float the largest vessels that navigate the lakes, and will be open at all seasons of the year. At Manitowoc, connection is made with the Wisconsin Central Railroad running to St. Paul, all but sixty miles of which is now in operation, and upon the remaining portion the work of construction is being rapidly prosecuted. * * * We have the assurance of the extension of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Road to this point during the coming year. The Grand Rapids, Newaygo & Lake Shore Road, also, is seeking a lake shore terminus in this direction, and with the through line established, and a proper spirit of action on the part of our citizens, there can be little doubt of securing this road also, which will be one of the most advantageous to our town, all things considered, of any leading in that direction. Besides this, there is the Orono & Big Rapids Road, running in an almost direct line to this place.

"With these unsurpassed railroad and water privileges; with such an abundant supply of timber for manufactories of various kinds; with a farming country surrounding and supporting, which is unsurpassed for fertility; with a climate and soil adapted to success- ful fruit growing; with that energy and pluck which characterize our chief business men, who shall predict anything but a brilliant future for our rising village?

"During the past eighteen months our population has more than doubled, and an almost incredible number of new stores and dwel- lings have been erected, schoolhouses and churches have been built. Still, these have not outgrown our manufacturing interests-they, too, have been more than doubled during the past season."

The review then gives a detailed description of the operations of the Pere Marquette Lumber Company, Capt. E. B. Ward, Danaher & Melendy, George W. Roby & Co., Vahue, Hustis & Co., and Sweet & Bean. The history of their mills appears elsewhere, and it is not necessary to repeat it here.

Continuing, the account says: " Aside from the mills in our village, Mr. Mears owns one at Lincoln, at the mouth [of Lincoln River, which runs one double rotary, an edger, and a lath machine. It has a capacity of 50,000 of lumber and 20,000 lath daily. Mr. J. Collins is foreman. Connected with this mill is a planing and matching machine. He has about 75,000,000 of pine on Lin- coln River, and the railroad company owns about as much more on the same stream.

" Another mill is located at Hamlin, at the mouth of Big Sauble River, which Mr. Mears has recently sold to a Pennsylvania com- pany, which also contains one double rotary and an edger, and will cut 40,000 daily. They have 150,000,000 of pine on Sauble River, and the railroad company owns about 200,000,000. Mr. Mears has vessels of his own employed in shipping lumber.

" There are also three or four other saw mills in the county which are capable of cutting, in the aggregate, from 20,000 to 30,- 000 daily. There are upon Pere Marquette River 4,000,000,000 feet of good pine; on Sauble River 350,000,000, and on Lincoln River 150,000,000 more, making an aggregate of 4,500,000,000. The capacity of our present number of mills, when fully completed,

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

will be not far from 180,000,000 per annum, which would require nearly thirty-five years to convert our pine into lumber, and furnish employment to from 500 to 600 men.

" WABRUASHEK & FARRELL.

" These gentlemen have erected, upon the site of the one burned in July last, a planing mill. The building is a temporary one and will not be occupied another season. This mill is provided with engine and boiler, a surfacing machine, a planer and matcher, a siding machine, sticker and scroll saw, all of which is new and first-class machinery. The machinery will be removed the present Winter to another building already provided for the purpose, and it is probable that a sash and door factory will be added at no distant day.

" We have also one shingle mill owned by J. M. Loomis & Co., which has been operated during the past season by Mr. M. Danaher. It runs two shingle machines, a bolting saw and drag saw and will cut regularly 60,000 daily, and has cut as high as 80,- 000 per day.

" There are also in the county three manufactories of wooden bowls, one of which is located in Amber, one in Riverton, and another at Lincoln. The former two are owned and operated by Wm. Towles, and the other by W. A. Bailey. These are capable of turning out twenty dozen bowls each, per day, or 72,000 per an- num in the aggregate.

" We have also a foundry and machine shop operated by E. J. Gould. The foundry has been in operation only during the past few months.

" Arrangements have already been made for erecting a hemlock extract factory at this point, which will probably be in operation before the close of another year.

" Upon the completion of the F. & P. M. Ry., arrangements will be immediately consummated for the erection of a blast furnace at this point. The site has already been selected and the capital is at hand. Work will commence upon it as soon as a ready supply of fuel can be obtained."

BUSINESS MEN OF 1872.

In the same paper is given a review of the business men of the village at that time, from which we gather the following informa- tion :

The Pere Marquette Lumber Company's store was in charge of Jacob Staffon and doing a large trade.

Buckley and Marchant were hardware dealers, and had been in business since September, 1871. Mr. C. C. Ward, now a James Street grocer, was in charge of their store, and Robert M. Bowes superintended the manufacturing department.

Danaher & Melendy were doing a general merchandise busi- ness, and had just completed a new store building 30x100 feet, two stories high.

John H. Highland & Co. had been in the hardware business since July, 1871. They were located in the Johnson building, on the corner of Ludington Avenue and Charles Street, and B. J. Good- sell, now in the same business here, was in charge of the manufac- turing department.

Johnson & Ely were running a drug store. They started in the Fall of 1869, and were burned out in June, 1871, but had im- mediately rebuilt on the corner of Ludington Avenue and Charles Street.

Burton & Blain were dealing in general merchandise. This firm succeeded Blain & Bro., in 1871.

P. Anderson was in the grocery business, having commenced here in May, 1870.

S. Slaght had a general merchandise store which was made

conspicuous by the sign of an elephant. He had been doing business in the county for five years and came to Ludington in the Fall of 1872.

D. W. Goodenough had a general merchandise store which he opened in June, 1872.

Manchester & Jellison had recently opened a grocery and pro- vision store.

S. Marcuse had a variety store which he started in August, 1871.

E. W. Marsh, now editor of the Democrat, was doing an exten- sive business in boots and shoes, having started here in March, 1872.

W. H. Fox had just opened a boot and shoe store in Staffon's building.

H. P. Berment had just opened a stock of boots and shoes and groceries on Charles Street.

Wm. Frye had a furniture store. He came here and started business in the Spring of 1870.

A. Voigt was doing a merchant tailoring business in Demar's new block.

Holmquist & Ekroth were in the furniture business and did considerable manufacturing.

A. Abraham was proprietor of the Star Clothing House.

P. Mendelsen was doing a good business in ready-made cloth- ing on the corner of Ludington Avenue and Robert Street.

W. J. Cushway had been in the jewelry business here since March, 1870.

Wilkins & Tatman had a drug store in Staffon's building.

Wm. Tolles & Co. were dealing in groceries and provisions on Loomis Street.

H. C. Stewart was doing a business in general merchandise.

Mrs. Pesant had a millinery and fancy goods store.

Misses Whipple, Mcclintock & Co. had recently succeeded Mrs.

Cuddiback in the millinery and dressmaking business.

Dr. J. A. Rea was practicing dentistry.

F. C. Silvers and A. J. Lawson had each well equipped photograph galleries.

P. Ewing had established himself here in the manufacture of wagons in the Spring of 1870, and was doing a good business.

S. W. Frisbie had a blacksmith shop on James Street.

C. Kinne had a livery stable on James Street.

Joshua Allen & Son had lost their curtain fixture factory by fire the previous June, and were just starting business at the Lnd- ington dock.

Mr. McCollum was running the Exchange Bank of F. Blackmarr & Co.

Mr. George Tripp and Charles Demme had each a meat market. The Kuhli Brothers were running a barber shop.

D. Anderson was doing a general business as painter.

J. Morden was running a restaurant.

The physicians were Drs. A. P. McConnell, J. S. Southworth,

J. C. Tatman and Mrs. Dr. Rea.

The lawyers were White & Ewell, Haight & Gibson, E. N. Fitch, Kenfield & Westcott.

Mr. Ewell was probate judge and S. D. Haight was prosecut- ing attorney.

THE FIRST EXTENSIVE FIRE.

On the 29th of June, 1872, a disastrous fire broke out in the southeastern part of the village, and destroyed about $35,000 worth of property. The fire originated in a small wooden building filled with hay, and was supposed to have ignited by sparks from [the

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

smoke-stack of Ward's mill. A planing mill, grist mill, window curtain factory and Ward's warehouse were destroyed. The losses were as follows:

8. Sibbin & Co .. grist mill, planing mill and machinery .... $23 700

8. Sibbin & Co., lumber.

600

8. Sibbin & Co., grain 250

Danaher & Melendy, grain

1 500

Davidson Bros., grain 75

Lumber Co., grain . 28

M. E. Church, lumber. 100

George Meyrs, lumber.

Belden, lumber

J. H. Conrad. wood .

49 75

G. N. Stray, lumber

100

D. L. Filer, lumber 150

Danaher & Melendy, lumber. 100

E. B. Ward, buildings. 3 000

E. B. Ward, hay, etc. 2 000

M. D. Ward, furniture 1 000

Allen & Co., manufacturing business 6 800

There was no insurance on any of the property burned.

INCORPORATED AS A CITY.

The Winter of 1873 closed in around a people determined to have a city charter. About the middle of January a meeting of citizens was held at the union school building, to arrange for ac- complishing that end. F. F. Hopkins was chosen chairman of that meeting, and S. D. Haight secretary. A committee consisting of S. F. White, S. D. Haight and P. Ewing, presented a charter to the meeting, which was adopted. The main provisions of the charter were as follows:

Boundaries: Lot No. 3 of fractional Section 9, the south half of Section 10, the west half of Section 14, the whole of Sections 15 and 16, so much of Section 22 as lies north and east of Pere Mar- quette Lake, and the west half of Section 23.

After some discussion the name of Ludington was adopted, with but one dissenting vote.

Three wards were first agreed upon by the meeting, but upon subsequent consideration, backed by a petition, the territory was divided into four wards, as follows:

First Ward-All west of Charles Street, and a continuation of this line north and south to the city limits. Second Ward-All east of this line and north of Loomis Street, to the east line of Section 15, then extending south to Pine Street, thence east to the city limits. Third Ward-All lying south of Second Ward and east of First Ward, and north of the lake and bayou. Fourth Ward-All the territory south of the Third Ward.

The officers of the city to be chosen by the electors thereof, were a mayor, one recorder, one treasurer and three justices of the peace. In each ward there were to be elected two aldermen, one supervisor and one constable.

In regard to taxes, the charter provided that the whole amount raised in any one year, for both general and highway purposes, should not exceed one per cent of the assessed valuation. All grading and improvements upon streets were to be made by general assessment, with the exception of work upon alleys and side-walks, which was to be done by special tax.

The other provisions of the charter embrace those powers usually granted to like corporations.

Messrs. L. H. Foster and S. D. Haight were appointed a com- mittee to transmit the charter to the Legislature and endeavor to secure its passage.

After some trouble and delay the charter was granted by the Legislature, and the first city election was held on the first Monday

in April. There were two tickets in the field, and the contest was waged with all the patriotic ardor which a municipal election usually inspires. The result was as follows: For mayor, Charles E. Res- seguie; recorder, W. F. Kenfield; treasurer, John H. Highland. Aldermen: First Ward, Peter Anderson, George Tripp; Second Ward, Fayette Johnson, L. P. Southworth; Third Ward, Robert Davidson, William Tolles; Fourth Ward, James Crowly, D. Carroll. E. Nel- son Fitch was appointed city attorney at the first meeting of the council.

The first ordinance voted by the council was as follows:

" That it shall not be lawful for any person to keep or maintain, within the limits of the city of Ludington, any saloon, restaurant, grocery, boarding house, or any other place of resort, where spirituous or intoxicating liquors, wine or beer is sold by the glass or drink, without obtaining a license therefor from the common council; and the keeper, or owner or occupant of any such saloon, restaurant, boarding house, grocery, or other place of resort, who shall offend against the provisions of this ordinance, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $300, or by imprisonment not exceeding three months.

The population of the city in 1878 was about 2,000, and the total valuation of property was as follows:

First Ward, $178,459; Second Ward, $58,021; Third Ward, $44,780; Fourth Ward $175,485.

MAYORS OF LUDINGTON.

Since the incorporation of the city the following-named gentle- men have held the office of Mayor: Charles E. Resseguie, P. M. Danaher, D. L. Filer, Bennett J. Goodsell, Antoine E. Cartier and George N. Stray.

Below we give brief biographical sketches of those whose biographies do not appear elsewhere.

CHARLES E. RESSEGUIE was born at Rome, N. Y., in April, 1826. He remained at home and in that vicinity until 1852, when he came to Ohio and stayed two Summers. In the Fall of 1854 he came to Michigan and was employed as clerk and civil engineer for a contractor on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad. Consider- able of his time was spent in hunting lands, and he traversed por- tions of the territory included in Mason County. He remained thus employed until 1871, when he came to Ludington, and the fol- lowing year brought his family here. He had purchased eighty acres of land in 1869, in what are now the Second and Third Wards of the city, and upon coming here engaged in the real estate busi- ness. He has platted two additions to the city, and still owns a large amount of city real estate. He has been mayor of the city of Ludington in 1878, 1877 and 1878. He was the first mayor of the city after it was incorporated in the Winter of 1878. In 1877 he bought 560 acres of land in the Township of Eden, now Custer. This, in addition to what he previously owned, gave him a tract of 680 acres, a considerable portion of which was heavily timbered. He went at work getting out wood, ties and bark, and employed a large number of men. Soon after he built a store and boarding house, and in the Fall of 1878 platted the village of Custer. Since that time his personal attention has been almost entirely devoted to his extensive interests in and about his new village, which has already become a thrifty business point, as described elsewhere. He has an extensive store, a sawmill, besides a number of dwell- ings.

Mr. Resseguie is a practical and sagacious business man, and one in whom people have great confidence. He resides in Luding- ton and goes back and forth to Custer as his interests may require.

BENNETT J. GOODSELL, hardware merchant, Ludington, is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1837. He first located at Hillsdale, where he learned the tinners' trade. In 1868-

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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.

64 he was in the locomotive department at Nashville, Tenn. In 1866 he came to Pentwater and started the first hardware store and machine shop north of Muskegon. In 1873 he came to Ludington and opened a hardware store. He built on the corner of Luding- ton Avenue and Charles Street the second brick building erected in the city. Since that time he has built the store building which he occupies, the block now owned by Cartier & Filer, and the post- office block. He held the office of supervisor for nine years, and was prominent in removing the county seat from Lincoln to Lud- ington. He was mayor of the city in 1869, and for some time after the organization of the fire department was chief engineer. He has been an enterprising man and has done much to improve the city.

ANTOINE E. CARTIER belongs to the list of Michigan's leading and successful business men. He was born in Canada in 1886, and during his boyhood did not have the advantages for education which are afforded children at the present time. He was, how- ever, the fortunate possessor of a good stock of common sense and natural aptitude for business. Upon attaining his majority in 1857 he came to the States and stopped in Chicago from July to October. At that time he went to Manistee and there began to lay the foun- dation of the fortune he has since amassed. He was at first en- gaged at driving and assorting logs both at Manistee and Luding- ton. In 1877 he came to Ludington, and in November, 1878, pur- chased an interest in the business since operated by the firm of Cartier & Filer. This firm have large lumbering interests, a saw- mill'and store, all of which are described in another part of this work. Mr. Cartier is also half owner of the shingle mill business of Danaher & Cartier, and. is a member of the firm of Dempsey, Cartier & Co., at Manistee. Mr. Cartier was mayor, of the city of Ludington in 1880-81, and while in Manistee was a member of the city council for four years. His business career has been one of re- markable success achieved by his own untiring efforts. He is a man of generous impulses and is always ready to render assistance where it is needed and deserved. Possessed of clear judgment upon business matters and in public affairs, he is a valuable citizen of the community in which he lives, and it is to such men that the city of Ludington is indebted for its prosperity and sturdy growth. Mr. Cartier was married to Eliza N. Ayers, at Manistee, December 3, 1859. Nine children have been born to them, eight of whom are still living. In 1878 Mr. Cartier built the handsome residence which is now their home, a view of which appears in this work.

GEORGE N. STRAY, mayor of the city of Ludington, was born at Evans, N. Y., in 1849. In 1870, attracted by the hopeful pre- dictions for the future of Northern Michigan, he came to Ludington and entered the employ of Danaher & Melendy, who were doing an extensive business in lumber, general merchandise, etc. He con- tinued in their employ and in the employ of the Danaher & Melendy Company until 1877. The affairs of the company became embar- rassed and application was made for the appointment of a trustee. Mr. Stray had been associated with the business, then, for about seven years, and had displayed such business aptitude and integrity of character that he was appointed trustee of the affairs of the Danaher & Melendy Company. He entered at once upon the management of the large business, and with such success that in 1881 a settlement of the company's affairs was effected. In October, 1881, the company was reorganized with Mr. Stray as secretary. Although yet a young man, Mr. Stray is recognized as a successful business manager, and is a man of irreproachable character. From 1876 to 1881 he held the office of city recorder, and in 1875 served one term as alderman from the First Ward. In the Spring of 1882 he was elected mayor of the city, and is serving the people creditably and satisfactorily. Mr. Stray is a Democrat

in politics, but taking a conscientious and high-minded view of all questions, he is universally popular.

FIRST ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT

of the affairs of the city's affairs was made by Mayor Resseguie, April 1, 1874, and was as follows:

Amount of orders issued .$12.412.37

Amount paid.

7,598.00

Total outstanding

$ 4.814.37

Receivable from James Ludington 2.500.00

$ 2.314.37

CEMETERY FUND.

By bond. Feb. 1. 1974. 1 year .... $ 500.00

To paid order 308. $ 81.75

To cash for Foster & Rassegnile .. 270.00

To exchange.

25.00 376.75

On hand.

$ 123.25

Total amount expended on streets .... $7.899.44

TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS.

By city orders

$2,314 37

By city bonds. 500.00

$2.814.37

THE CHANGES OF A YEAR.

During the year 1878 there was a large increase in population, and nearly 200 new buildings were erected, including the courthouse. About $10,000 was expended upon streets. The city had purchased cemetery grounds and begun their improvement. Three new saw- mills were erected, and other manufacturing industries increased. Two new brick yards had been opened, and a ship yard was talked of. Considerable work was done upon the harbor, and the road-bed of the F. & P. M. Ry. was graded to the city limits.

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History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 7

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