USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 106
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 106
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It contains three church edifiees (Christian, Congrega- tional, and Methodist Episcopal), one graded school, two hotels, four stores of general merchandise, two drug-stores, three millinery-stores, two grocery-stores, two furniture- stores, one musie-store, one jewelry-store, one steam grist- mill, one water-power grist-mill, one saw-mill, two plan- ing-mills, one foundry and machine-shop, a bank, a news- paper printing- office (Maple Rapids Dispatch), besides numerous small mechanical shops, in which nearly all the trades are represented. Among the professional men are Drs. Edwin Doty, Charles E. Knapp, R. H. Sanborn, and Samuel Wellings; S. S. Swigart, surgeon-dentist ;
Revs. S. Snyder, S. Kitzmiller, and C. Barstow, elergy- men ; A. T. Cross, attorney-at-law, and Isaae Ilewitt, real estate. The village is nine miles distant from Fowler, the nearest station on the line of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, and fourteen miles from St. Johns, the county- seat. Daily stages run to both places, and the village is also connected with Fowler by a telephone-line.
A LEAF OF EARLY VILLAGE HISTORY.
Although the trading-post established by George Cam- pau in 1835, and afterwards carried on by John Johnson, was located within what would now be the corporate limits of the village, and though its natural advantages and routes of travel converging here had made the Rapids familiar to most early settlers in this and surrounding townships, it seems that it was not until the year 1852 that any steps were taken towards the founding of a village.
In February, 1852, William A. Hewitt, one of the first settlers of De Witt township, came in and occupied about two hundred and forty aeres, purchased previously of Sol- omon Moss and others. He immediately began the con- struetion of a dam and saw-mill* on the Maple, which were completed in 1853. During the latter year he platted a village, established a store near his mill, and was eleeted supervisor of Essex. Soon after he built a hotel, and be- eame postmaster, sueeeeding in that office Edward Perrin. His sons were able assistants in the work of building up the village and advaneing its interests. Upon the death of his father, in February, 1863, Isaac Hewitt succeeded to the management of the estate, and by his energy and bus- iness tact has accumulated a handsome competency. To him, also, Maple Rapids cau attribute much of the pros- perity it enjoys to-day. In September, 1864, he built a steam saw-mill just above the old mill, and for years lum- bered extensively. The building was torn down in 1878, however, and the present mill of William L. IIane oceu- pies its site. Joseph W. Hewitt, the eldest of William A. Hewitt's family, came here in 1853. He was the first cabinet -maker and carpenter, and carried on the business for several years. He is now associated with his brother and William F. Pettys in merchandising, under the firm- name of I. & J. W. Hewitt & Co.
Among other early professional and business men were Dr. Daniel Pratt, Dr. Brown, Ruel W. Boynton, attorney ;} William Shepard, who was connected with W. A. Hewitt in business matters ; Robert McCartney, who established the first foundry about 1854 ; Martin V. Brown, Beach & Parr, J. B. Rumsey, James K. Petteys, Augustus Randolph, merchants ; Chandler Freeman, foundryman, who did an extensive business in agricultural implements, and also represented this distriet in the State Legislature ; he re- moved to Colorado in 1864 ; Samuel Reed, who established the Perry House and built Reed's Hall ; and others, whose names have also been mentioned.
# About 1858 this building was enlarged, and with one run of stone, the industry of flouring grain was added; finally the saw gearing was taken out and the capacity of the grist-mill increased to two run of stone hy Isaac Hewitt. As such it continued to do work ontil the spring of 1878, when it was damaged by high water to such an ex- tent that it has since stood idle.
t William A. Ilewitt was also an attorney-at-law.
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ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
The first school-house was built about 1855, and remained in use until the present one was erected in 1869-70. Rev. Elisha Mudge, a minister of the Christian Church, was one of the early teachers, and in other ways a prominent and most worthy citizen.
In 1867 it was discovered that the original plat of the village had not been placed on record. This fact necessi- tated a new survey and replat, which was completed July 22d of that year. Among those then named as proprietors were Isaac Hewitt, Lafayette Brown, John A. Whitacre, William D. Young, George W. Aiken, Cyrus B. Craig, Stephen A. Hathaway, Zachariah N. Hewitt, Joseph W. Hewitt, Calvin P. Chase, Rodolphus Jones, James H. Jones, Orrin F. Peck, Edwin D. Calkins, Samuel Reed, Sanford W. Smith, Thomas Cook, Franklin Hudson, Barnard Creas- inger, Simon T. Hill, Rodolphus HI. Sanborn, George Her- rendeen, Edgar D. Moss, Lewis B. Wilcox, J. B. Vates, Horace M. Skinner, Sarah Lucas, John A. White, Elisha Mudge, Louisa Brown, Esther M. Luce, Levi Benjamin, Louisa V. Hane, Hiram Richmond, Naney Webster, George Richmond, Alfred W. Shaw, James K. Petteys, David Hollister, Letitia Underhill, Joseph E. Annable, Alexander Quick, Edward Cooper, Reuben Smith, Simeon Hewitt, John Johnson, Martin Ferry, Myron S. Moss, and William F. Petteys.
During later years commercial and manufacturing inter- ests have rapidly increased, and the more important of them will be briefly alluded to. In 1875 a flurry was created over the prospect of having a railway, which, pass- ing along on the north side of Maple River, was to connect Saginaw and Grand Rapids. The citizens subscribed lib- erally, and probably about six thousand dollars was paid in, but after about ten miles had been graded from the proposed depot to the northeast of the village the matter dropped.
MILLS AND MANUFACTURING.
The Essex Flouring-Mills were built by Mr. B. P. Hutchinson in 1875, and completely appointed cost twelve thousand dollars. The building is three and one-half stories in height, handsome, and commodious. Power is derived from steam, a marine boiler of one hundred horse-power being in use, which propels four run of stones. The mill began operating Aug. 5, 1875, and does both merchant and custom work. Born in New Hampshire, Mr. Hutchinson came to Michigan in 1837, and with his father's family settled in Howell, Livingston Co., Mich. He has also re- sided in Wayne County, this State, and for four years in the State of Missouri. He served in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry until after the battle of Murfreesboro', and con- tracted a disease, from which he is still a sufferer.
Rufus 11. Hewitt's present furniture manufactory was established by him in the year 1880. He has been in the same business, however, ten years, having succeeded his brother, Joseph W. Hewitt, who commenced here in 1858. Steam-power is used. From six to ten men are employed, and the principal articles manufactured are tables and bed- steads.
The Maple Rapids Foundry, controlled by Messrs. Jones, Perrigo & Co., employs seven men. Steam-power
is used, and their work consists of general repairing, or work as ordered by their patrons. Since Mr. McCartney established his small foundry in 1854, many have been in- terested iu iron-work here. In the present foundry Chand- ler Freeman, Wilcox, Randolph, Ilathaway, M. J. Whit- acre, C. E. Winans, J. E. Jones, S. D. Perrigo, William H. Wheat, and Lewis Terry have all had an interest at dif- ferent periods. The present foundry building was erected by Charles E. Winans in 1872.
BANKING.
The banking-house of Solomon P. Creasinger was estab- lished by himself Jan. 6, 1875. He does a general bank- ing business, and employs a capital of from twenty thousand to forty five thousand dollars, according to the demands. His bank building was erected in 1874 at a cost of six thousand one hundred and thirty dollars. It is of brick, handsomely finished throughout, and the most commodious for such purposes in the county. Over six thousand pounds of iron was used in the construction of a burglar and fire- proof vault, which incloses one of Terwilliger's steel safes, with Yale time-loeks attached. Mr. Creasinger has been identified with the interests of Maple Rapids since 1865. He is also one of the heaviest dealers in buggies in the State.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Muple Rapids Messenger, the first newspaper enter- prise started in the village, was first issued by the Dickey Bros. in April, 1874. It was an independent six-column folio, and with the motto "The people's friend, but no man's servant," was continued until January, 1878, when its publication ceased.
The Maple Rapids Dispatch, a seven-column folio, was established by the Messrs. Stair Bros. (Orin and E. D.). The first number was issued Oct. 26, 1878, and, like its predecessor, is independent. It is published Saturdays, and has a circulation of over five hundred copies.
MAPLE RAPIDS CORNET BAND.
The Cornet Band of Maple Rapids was organized in June, 1878. After but six weeks' practice its members played at the public installation of officers of the Odd- Fellows' Lodge. 'Their first and present leader, Rufus H. Hewitt, manipulates a first E-flat cornet. Other present members are Frank Stitts, second E-flat cornet ; Sanford W. Smith, first B-flat cornet ; A. J. Chick, second B flat cornet ; Morgan Perrigo, E-flat alto ; Leander D. Perrigo, first B-flat tenor; Asa B. Jones, second B-flat tenor ; George Whitney, baritone ; William A. Nixon, E-flat tuba ; F. B. Richards, bass-drum ; Charles Ferguson, tenor-drum; G. A. Willett, drum-major. The band is handsomely uniformed, and its members have expended about five hundred dollars for instruments.
SECRET BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS.
MAPLE RAPIDS LODGE, No. 145, F. AND A. M.,
began work Oct. 15, 1863, under a dispensation granted by the Grand Master of the State of Michigan, of date Oct. 1, 1863. The officers first installed were Martin V. Brown, W. M. ; George Herrendeen, S. W .; Isaae IIewitt,
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
J. W .; R. W. Boynton, See .; William Hane, Treas. ; Chandler Freeman, S. D .; L. R. Wilcox, J. D .; A. J. Eldred, Tiler. Edgar D. Moss was the first candidate for membership, and was initiated into the mysteries of the order Oct. 26, 1863.
Subsequent Masters have been Martin V. Brown, 1864 ; Isaac Hewitt, 1865 ; Edgar D. Moss, 1866; George Her- rendeen, 1867; Isaac Hewitt, 1868; Elisha Mudge, 1869 to 1877, inelusive ; Murdo McDonald, 1878; Clayton C. Taylor, 1879.
The present officers are Isaac Hewitt, W. M .; Clayton C. Taylor, S. W. ; Solomon Doty, J. W .; Myron S. Moss, Treas. ; Adelbert J. Moss, Sec. ; Scott S. Swigart, S. D .; George HI. Newton, J. D .; Chauncey S. Hubbell, Tiler ; L. H. Peace and William L. Hane, Stewards. Regular communications are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, village of Maple Rapids, Friday evenings, on or before the full moon of each month. Number of present members, ninety.
MAPLE RAPIDS LODGE, No. 224, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted March 26, 1874. The first officers installed were Samuel Reed, N. G .; R. H. San- born, V. G. ; James A. Casada, Sec. ; Samuel Sheperd, P. See. ; L. L. Smith, Treas.
Subsequent presiding officers are named in the order of their succession, as follows : Lyman Crowley, 1874 ; James A. Casada, Robert Anderson, 1875 ; R. H. Sanborn, Cyrus A. Lyon, 1876; Rufus H. Hewitt, Joseph F. Owens, 1877 ; Lincoln L. Smith, John N. Whitacre, 1878; Albert T. Cross, John H. Marsh, 1879 ; and Asa B. Jones, 1880. Other present officers are Charles E. Price, V. G .; T. A. Willett, Sec. ; L. L. Smith, Per. Sec .; James H. Jones, Treas.
The first meetings were held in the Masonie Hall, R. Smith's store. The lodge now owns about eight hundred dol- lars' worth of property, and meetings are held every Saturday evening in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Brown's Block. Present membership eighty. Among those who have been particu- larly zealous in working for the success of this lodge may be named James A. Casada, Robert Anderson, Thomas A. Willett, J. F. Owens, James H. Jones, P. S. Percy, and William H. Ilamilton.
ESSEX LODGE, No. 1, A. O. U. W.
As its number implies, this was the first lodge of the order organized in the State. It was instituted Feb. 28, 1876, with ten charter members, and now numbers eighty members. Those who have served as Master Workmen have been Orion F. Peck, William A. Nixon, 1876 ; Chaun- cey A. Hubbel, Lincoln L. Smith, 1877 ; Albert T. Cross, A. B. Carter, 1878; Carlos A. Webster, J. E. Jones, 1879 ; George 11. Sowle and Clayton C. Taylor, 1880. Regular meetings are held at Grange Hall Monday evenings.
CARSON CITY ENCAMPMENT, No. 40, I. O. O. F., was organized at Carson City, Montcalm Co., Jan. 18, 1878, there being present George H. Shearer, G. P .; Norman Bailey, G. H. P .; Charles H. Palmer, G. S. W .; Henry P. Adams, Acting G. S .; J. H. Ingalls, Acting G. S. W .; and L. Z. Munger, Acting G. I. S. of the State encamp- ment ; G. B. Esler, J. L. Znver, Anderson Chestnut, E. R.
Phinney, Albert Tuthill, Lewis Reynolds, Alvin Hodges, W. A. Sweet, Jr., and Patrick Martin composed the char- ter members. The officers first installed were Patrick Martin, C. P .; W. A. Sweet, Jr., H. P .; J. L. Zuver, S. W .; Albert Tuthill, J. W .; George B. Esler, Scribe ; Alvin Hodges, Treasurer. Subsequent presiding officers have been William A. Sweet, 1878; Albert Tuthill, O. R. Goodnow, 1879; Lewis Reynolds, H. L. Porter, 1880. Other present officers are W. E. Hamilton, H. P. ; J. A. Casada, S. W .; E. R. Terry, Seribe ; Alvin Hodges, Treas. ; C. E. Price, J. W. The encampment was removed from Carson City to Maple Rapids in May, 1880. It has thirty-eight members, and regular meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month, in Odd-Fellows' Hall, village of Maple Rapids.
ESSEX GRANGE, No. 439, P. OF II.,
began work under a dispensation granted by the National Grange, of date July 2, 1874; was chartered July 21st of the same year, and incorporated according to the laws of the State of Michigan, May 24, 1877. Thomas Garner, S. N. Allen, Oliver Cunningham, William Pinckney, John L. Lyon, Andrew J. Ennis, Joseph F. Owen, M. Hubbert, Rowland S. Van Scoy, Luther Wheat, James Anderson, John Anderson, and James H. Stonebrook being named as corporators. Further information concerning this lodge was requested from official members, but they failed to comply.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MAPLE RAPIDS.
The Methodists formed the first religious organization in the township in 1846, by organizing a class which was attached to the Duplain Cirenit. But in the absence of any authentie data little ean be told concerning it. The Maple Rapids Circuit was formed in 1858, and among the members at that time, according to the class-book, were Simon T. Hill, leader ; Fidelia Hill, Mary Ilill, Paul Dewitt, Mary M. Dewitt, C. T. Nestell, Rachel Schanck, Martin V. Brown, Fanny Brown, Electa Pratt, Emily C. Brown, Eliza Terry, Stephen Dodge, Rhoda Dodge, Hannah Dodge, Sarah C. Caplin, Lyman Wickham, Catharine Wickham, Franklin Hudson, Solomon Moss, William J. Moss, Hiram Nestell, E. D. Moss, Lydia M. Moss, George A. Britton, James Anderson, Helen Mather, John Parish, Eliza Parish, Mary Grant, Betsey Ferguson, J. N. Wallace, Elizabeth Ander- son, Andrew A. Hooker, Mark Annis, Holden Bannister, Kate Benedict, Eliza Strever, Hannah Hewitt, Eunice Ran- dolph, Maria Perrin, Sarah McGraw, Alfred Cowles, Ma- tilda Cowles, Martha Casper, Melissa Bannister, Newell Bannister, William Brown, A. B. Snyder, C. B. Snyder, R. J. Cook, Ann Herrendeen, and Mary J. Dodge.
Among those who have served as preachers in charge of this circuit are mentioned the names of Revs. F. Glass, George W. Iloag, William Benson, William M. Copeland, N. L. Otis, McKnight, House, Noah, Fassett, Thomas Clark, Stafford, B. W. Blanchard, J. R. Caldwell, E. Wilkinson, A. L. Crittenden, S. C. Woodard, F. J. Freeman, and S. Kitzmiller, the present pastor. The circuit includes a total membership of one hundred and seventy-two. Their
455
ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
ehureh edifiee, which will seat two hundred and fifty people, was built in 1868, and cost $2400.
TIIE MAPLE RAPIDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI
was organized April 26, 1868, at a meeting held in Union Hall. Rev. H. A. Reed, agent of the Home Mission So- ciety, was present, and served as moderator. Rev. E. T. Branch, scribe.
Of the original members were James S. Bristol, Mrs. Julia Bristol, John Lambie, Rev. E. T. Branch, Mrs. L. L. Branch, James K. Petteys, Mrs. Sylvia M. Petteys, William F. Petteys, John Blaekler, Mrs. J. Blaekler, E. Mattoon, Mrs. E. Mattoon, Mrs. A. Webster, Mrs. Mary Mudge, Miss Mattie F. Branch, Mrs. Martha Daniels, Mrs. Almeda Moss, Mrs. S. Sanders, Mrs. Naney Smith, and Mrs. M. Hollister.
A house of worship, built in the summer and autumn of 1869, was dedieated Jan. 16, 1870. It cost about $3000, and will seat nearly three hundred persons. The society now numbers ninety-six members. Those who have pre- sided as pastors have been Revs. Edwin T. Branch, Wil- liam Platt, and Charles Barstow, the present incumbent.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH* OF MAPLE RAPIDS,
as now organized, was formed in 1874, under the ministra - tions of Rev. Elisha Mudge, who remained here as pastor until May, 1878, when the present pastor, Rev. S. Snyder, took his place.
At a meeting held in Union Hall, Dee. 29, 1874, Row- land S. Van Seoy, Isaae Hewitt, Samuel Reed, Simeon Hewitt, and William L. IIerman were elected trustees. The society was soon after incorporated aeeording to the laws of the State, and some forty members signed the artieles as eorporators.
Union Hall was purchased in 1876, which, remodeled into a handsome church edifiee, was dedicated Sept. 24, 1876, the dedieatory sermon being preached by Rev. Warren Hathaway, of New York State. The building cost two thousand five hundred dollars, which includes the purchase of hall and grounds, fixtures, furnishing, bell, etc., and will seat three hundred and sixty people.
Two other religious societies, known as the First Con- gregational Church of Essex and the First Baptist Church of Essex, have been organized in the township, but as both have eeased to exist, no further mention is deemed necessary.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
0
5
LITTLE.
Million A Heart
MRS HIANNANI C. HIEWITT.
WILLIAM A. HEWITT.
William A. Hewitt was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., on the 26th day of November, 1811. Prominent among the early settlers of Michigan we find the name of William A. Hewitt, who came to this State in 1835, accompanied by his wife, a daughter of Zachariah Hyatt, who was one of the first elothiers in the city of New York. She was born in Orange Co., N. Y., March 15, 1813, and married Mr. Hewitt in 1830. They stopped in Oakland County, where
they remained until February, 1836; then came to Clinton County, settling in the town of De Witt, being the third family in the county. Mr. llewitt and his worthy wife endured many of the privations and hardships common to early settlers. Their first home was a log cabin, built upon
# From data obtained from Isauc Hewitt, Esq., and county records. The church elerk was respectfully requested to furnish further infor- mation, but failed to respond.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
forty aeres purchased from the government. During fifteen years' residence in De Witt, all of which time he was jus- tice of the peace, while engaged in different kinds of busi- ness, he cleared and improved three farms, and in the sum- mer of 1851 he cleared and put in seventy aeres to wheat. He was known as a land-agent, looking up and loeating land for settlers and speculators, doing a general real-estate business. Was engaged in mercantile and hotel business in De Witt; was the first justice elected, and married the first couple in the county, viz., L. Minor to his present wife, who to-day are living in Essex, at a ripe old age, having enjoyed the fruit of over twoscore years of unbroken mari- tal life. On the 20th of February, 1852, Mr. Hewitt re- moved to Essex township, locating on section 5, on the banks of Maple River. Purchasing two hundred and forty aeres of land, upon which site part of the village of Maple Rapids is now located (and it may well be accorded to him as having been really the founder of said village), his efforts were untiring ; he erected a saw-mill, hotel, and store, fol- lowing a grist-mill, and engaged in a general mercantile business, and having read law in earlier years with Joab Baker in De Witt, was admitted to the bar, ever continuing in the practice of his profession to his death in Essex. He was elected justice of the peace the first year of his resi- denee, and subsequently supervisor and treasurer, holding the office of justice from his first election to the time of his death. The issue of this marriage with Hannah C. IIyatt is five children, viz. : Joseph W., who is now engaged in mercantile business at Maple Rapids ; Zachariah N., now residing near St. Louis, Mich. ; Fanny M., the first white child born in the county, now wife of M. V. Brown, who is engaged in mercantile business at St. Johns; Isaac and Rufus H., both residing at Maple Rapids, the latter now engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, and blinds, and furniture, etc. William A. Hewitt's death occurred on the 12th day of February, 1863, at Maple Rapids, Mich. In 1865 bis widow married Simeon Hewitt, a brother of her first husband, both still living at Maple Rapids.
Isaac Hewitt, the fourth child and third son, was born Jan. 20, 1839, in De Witt; removed to Essex with his parents in 1852, where he has since resided. He married Miss Helen C. Lansing, of Maple Rapids, April 3, 1859. Upon the death of his father he was appointed exeentor of his father's will, and settled his estate in 1863; was elected justice of the peace to fill his father's vaeaney, subsequently holding the office of township treasurer. In 1860, when twenty-one years of age, he conducted a flouring-mill, and in the fall of 1860 engaged in the mercantile business, con- tinuing in the same to the present time. In 1864 he erected a steam saw-mill at Maple Rapids, and was engaged in the lumber business until 1874. Following the father's footsteps, he has ever inclined to the legal profession, and for many years past has done a large conveyaneing business and dealt largely in real estate. Ilis possessions eover over five hundred acres of land in Essex, and he enjoys the full con- fidenee of the community in which he lives.
SOLOMON P. CREASINGER.
This gentleman, the fifth of the ten children of Barnard and Ann Wilhelm Creasinger, was born in the township of Perrysburg, Ashland Co., Ohio, March 10, 1844.
His great-grandfather, Michael Creasinger, emigrated from Germany to Bueks Co., Pa., prior to the war of the Revolution, and during the long struggle which resulted in the independence of the United States served seven years in the Continental army. He participated in many
WILLIAMS
SOLOMON P. CREASINGER.
engagements and received several wounds. His wife also accompanied him in all his campaigns, and did much to alleviate the sufferings of the siek and wounded soldiery. After the elose of the war Michael Creasinger settled in Augusta, Northumberland Co., Pa. His son Henry, father and grandfather of Barnard and Solomon P. Creasinger, respectively, was born in the latter place. He served with eredit in a Pennsylvania regiment during the war of 1812 -14. Of Henry's family, Barnard was born during the last war with Great Britain. Ile (Barnard) remained in Northumberland until the year 1837, when he removed to the State of Ohio, and from thence to Essex, Clinton Co., Mich., in 1857. In recent years he has been engaged in commercial pursuits in the village of Maple Rapids, where he still resides.
Until arriving at years of discretion Solomon assisted his father in farm duties, when, wishing to obtain better edu- eational advantages than the district schools of his neigh- borhood afforded, the year 1863 found him pursuing his studies in the city of Lansing. Although but little more than nineteen years of age he promptly responded to the call of his country for volunteers, and on the 1st day of August, 1863, enlisted in Company M, First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned to Clinton County and taught school nine terms. With his father he then
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ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
engaged in the drug business in the village of Maple Rapids. Two years later he removed to Ithaca, Gratiot Co., where he alone successfully carried on merchandising and lumbering. Selling out his interests there he again returned to Maple Rapids, and in 1874 ereeted his bank building. The following year he established his present banking-house, supplying a want long needed. Besides attending to his duties as a banker, he is probably the largest dealer in buggies in the State of Michigan, employ- ing some forty men.
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