USA > Michigan > Michigan state gazetteer and business directory, 1875 v. I > Part 27
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ness Makers, Harness Goods. (See adv.) Johnson Jacob S, boot and shoemaker.
Julius B & Co, clothiers.
Keables John T, physician. Keables & Nicholson, hardware.
Kirtland Mrs. Orrilla, millinery.
Knights Anson B, restaurant.
Leavens & Son, druggists and booksellers.
McCormick George, general store.
Michigan Central Last Manu- facturing L'o, Beebe & Brown, Proprs. ( See adv.) Neff Emanuel, boots and shoes.
Neff Mrs E, dressmaker.
Nutting James, freight and ticket agent MI C R R depot. Orsburn Andrew J, news dealer.
Pardonnet Peter, harness maker.
Rawson Lyman T, Warehouse and Dealer in Grain.
Rawson Silas M, baker. Roberts Lewis D, agent Am Express Co. Robinson & Ward, dentists.
Rogers George W, physician.
Rogers John W, postmaster.
Ross Wm, physician. Russell Frederick G, dry goods.
Russell Walter, carriage and wagon maker. Scott Anson D, livery stable.
Shaad John, boots and shoes.
Sherman John J, lawyer. Sherman Mrs M C, confectionery and bakery. Stevenson Bros, grocers.
Teed Jeremiah, boarding house.
Teller Wm, manager W. U. Tel Co, M. C. R. R. depot.
Thomas & Quinn, hardware. Trowbridge Wmn E, flour and feed. Trow bridge & Roberts, grocers, Tucker & Roosevelt, lawyers.
pion John B, Attorney and Counsel- or at Law.
Van Buren County Republican (weekly), E A Blackman, editor and propr. Vincent & Prichard, furniture.
DECKERVILLE.
A place of 160 inhabitants, in Marion township, Sanilac county, 10 iniles west of Forester, its shipping port. It is surrounded! by good farming lands. Wheat, oats barley, peas, hay, etc., are the staple crops. Lum- ber, shingles, hoops, staves and grain are shipped. It has a simi-weekly mail. M. Decker, postmaster.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Cups Rev P (United Brethren). Decker & Sons, saw and grist mills.
Downing & Southworth, general store, lum- ber, shingles, etc.
Holmes Rev A J, (Methodist).
Jones William H, carriage and wagon maker. Reed Thomas, hotel propr.
Thornton Chauncy, veterinary surgeon. Vincent George C, physician and coroner.
DEEP RIVER
A postoffice on the line of the J. L. & S. R. R., in Bay county, 3 miles north of Standish, and 31 miles above Bay City.
DEER CREEK.
A postoffice in Deerfield township, in the northern part of Livingston county. 9 miles southwest of Linden, on the D. & M. R. R .. and 12 north of Howell. Lumber and four are shipped. Settled in IS35. W. W. Hen- derson, postmaster.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Abrams Peter E, blacksmith. Bain Alex, ashery. Balls George. miller. Henderson W W, general store.
Holcomb Allen, grist mill.
Kittle Robert, saw mill. Kittle Simeon, saw mill. Sherwood W K, blacksmith.
Wilson Harvey, saloon.
DEERFIELD.
A village of Soo inhaltants situated in Deerfield township. Lenawee county, at the junction of the Canada Southern & Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroads. The river Raisin, which flows through the town. furnishes ample water power. The surround- ing country is mostly level an I productive of grain and potatoes. Its manufactures are staves and heading, wooden trays an i hard- wood lumber. Deerfield was settled in 1830, aul incorporated in 18;2. Distance from Adrian, the county seat, 14 miles. Ex. press, United States and American. L. Ormsby, postmaster.
1
Cavright 1852 ho E.EMars
OFFICE 3 & 4 MOFFAT'S BLOCK.
AND AT STATE CAPITOL.
. Plans furnished for State and County Binldings. School Buildmgs. Stores, Opera Houses. Hotels, Churches, &c. All plans furnished in detail full size.
Really, Fitzsimons Flc
Jeas, Syrup, Sugar 1:"
.
WHOLESALE DEALERS.
ALL GOODS
SOLD BY
J. BEATTY ., P. FITZ SIMONS ., J . V. MORAN ..
200 & 202 JEFFERSON AVE.
droit Wich.
Particular allation paid le orders.
DE
3
K. SHEPARD
BAOLETE
CHOD18
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description
1/10/1
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AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Aiken Addison A, undertaker.
Aiken Mrs A E, milliner.
Bailey Alfred, saw mill.
Bailey George V, agent L. S: & M. S. R. R. and U S Express Co. Bateman Bros, meat market.
Blinn & Rowe, stave factory.
Bliss & Macham, barbers.
Bloomfield S B, grocer. Brey Rev A, ( Wesleyan.)
Burton Wm E. meat market and justice of the peace. Butler Edward J, hardware.
Calkins J J. agent C. & C. S. R. R.
Cannon & Fife, general store.
Cowan William F, livery stable.
Daly Michael, saloon.
Deerfield Hotel, Mrs G W Frain propr.
Deitz Frank, boots and shoes.
Drew & Hemenway, saw mill.
Frain Mrs G W, Deerfield Hotel.
Hemenway A, grocery and saloon.
Hemenway & Porter, flouring mill.
Henica Miss Emma, milliner.
Hood Andrew, Dry Goods.
Hudson Rev J L, ( Methodist Protestant.) Irish Luther, Druggist and. Physician. Jackson & Manley, wagon makers. McLaughlin George, agent Am Express Co. Manning James, druggist and grocer. Nichols A K, general store.
Ormsby Erastus D, carpenter and joiner. Ormsby Lysander, general store and notary public. Palmer Isaac, cooper.
Parker Dayton, physician.
Piper Jabez, grocer. Shurtloff Nathan, saloon. Smith Rev Jedediah, (Baptist.)
Smith Lewis, blacksmith. Stearns Martin, boot and shoemaker.
Stevens Ashael, boots and shoes. Swick Phineas B, harness maker.
Watson Charles T, wooden ware works.
Wood W M, physician.
Yale Nathan D, physician.
DEERFIELD,
A village and railroad station in Van Buren county. (See Mc Donald.)
DEERFIELD CENTER. (See Madison.)
DELHI CENTER. (See Holt.)
DELHI MILLS.
A small place on the line of the M. C. R. R., in Washtenaw county. 5 miles west of Ann Arbor and 43 from Detroit.
DELRAY.
A small settlement at the mouth of the river Rouge, in Springwells township, Wayne county, 4 miles southwest of Detroit. The station on the L. S. & M. S. and Can- ada Southern railroads at Woodmere ceme- tery is only half a mile distant. Population 250. Settled 1818. J. A. Riopelle, post- master.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Delish Wilcome, grocer. Juncker George, saloon. Zimerman Wm, grocer.
DELTA.
A village of 232 inhabitants in Delta township, Eaton county, on the D. L. & L. M. R. R., 7 miles northwest of Lansing and 94 from Detroit. Grand river here furnishes a first-class water power. Is has a saw mill, a flouring mill, an oar factory, a handle fac- tory and a furniture factory. There is no church nearer than 3 miles. It is surround- ed by a fine farming section. Harvey Grattan, postmaster. Settled IS36.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Cupit Joseph, flouring mill.
Grattan Harvey, general store. Ingersoll E S & Co, furniture mnfrs.
Lee George N, saw mill.
Lee, Scofield & Vandewalker, oar mnfrs.
Piatt A A & Co, handle mnfrs. Watson Fuller, blacksmith.
DENMARK.
A place of 150 inhabitants in the town of Denmark, Tuscola county, 5 miles north of Vassar, and 512 east of Reese on the I). & B, C. R. R., its usual shipping station. It is situated in a first-class farming district, grain, potatoes and fruit being cultivated. These with live stock form the only ship- ments. It has a daily mail, L L. Wilson, postmaster.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Campbell D, boot and shoemaker. Jewett Burton, blacksmith. Jones C H & J M, general store. Wilson & Alexander, general store.
DENNISON.
A flag station on the D. & M. R. R., 12 miles east of Grand Haven. It is in Folk.
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MICHIGAN STATE GAZETTEER
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ton township, Ottawa county. A good farm- ing country. Luniber, staves, butter and hay are the leading shipments. Settled 1849. Marcus W. Carr, postmaster.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Carr & Barrett, general store. Johnson & Graham, saw mill. Streeter Mrs Eliza, grocer. Treyloir J, blacksmith.
DENNISONVILLE. (See Georgetown.)
DENTON.
A village of about 200 inhabitants in Van Buren township, Wayne county. It is a station on the M. C. R. R., 25 miles west of Detroit. It has 3 churches and several stores, but no manufacturing estab- lishments. Express, American. Mrs. L. J. Eberle, postmistress.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Anderson F C, blacksmith.
Babcock William & Son, wagon and carriage makers.
Biggam Thomas, justice of the peace.
Chamberlain M A & Son, novelty works and broom factory.
Crandall Rev, (Adventist).
Denton S Y, blacksmith, station agent and general store.
Eberle Mrs L J, general store.
Jenks Dr H B, druggist.
Jones T M, boot and shoemaker.
Newton Rev, ( Methodist).
Porter P, boot and shoemaker.
Raynard Thomas, meat market.
Springsteel Rev, (Free Methodist).
DENVER.
A postoffice in the western part of Ne- waygo county, on White river, 30 miles northeast of Montague. It has a weekly mail.
DETOUR.
A postoffice and small settlement at the easterninost extremity of Chippewa county, and at the mouth of the St. Mary's river. Its principal importance is as a wooding station for boats in the Lake Superior trade. Its inhabitants are pioneers and Indians. It is 60 miles southeast of Sault Ste Marie, the county seat, whence in the winter season it receives an overland mail.
DETROIT.
The chief city of Michigan, though lo- cated near the extreme southeast corner of the State. It is on the right bank of the Detroit River, 7 miles below lake St. Clair and 20 miles above lake Erie. Its latitude is 42° 20' and longitude 82° 58' we.t of Greenwich. It is 679 miles west of New York and 284 east of Chicago, by the usually traveled routes, and is 85 miles southeast of Lansing. It is the county seat of Wayne county.
HISTORY.
Detroit was founded in I701 by a French adventurer, M. De la Motte Cadilac. A fort was here erected and called Fort Pon- chartrain. A small military garrison and a few fur traders and jesuit missionaries made up the population. For about a century but little progress was made in growth and population, the interior of the state remain- ing an unbroken wilderness and the city he- ing dependent for business on its indian trade alone.
In 1763 Detroit with the other French possessions in the north passed into the hands of the British. This was immediately followed by the famous Pontiac conspiracy, by which the indians sought to exterminate the white race throughout the north- west. The projected massacre was defeated at this point by the betrayal of the scheme by an indian girl to Major Gladwin. com- mander of the post, who was thus put on his guard. A siege of 11 months followed how- ever, the fort holding out nobly against the enraged savages.
In 1796, under the supplementary treaty of peace with Great Britain, Detroit was turned over to the United States.
In 1778 the old fort had been removed, the village enlarged and a new fort erected on the high ground further back from the river. This was named Fort Le Noult and it occupied a space now bounded by Lafay- ette avenue. Congress street, a line a little east of Shelby street and one a little west of Wayne street. Heavy stockades extended from either side of the fort to the river, forming a rude triangle of which the river was the base. Within this stockade was comprised the village of Detroit. The streets were narrow, the widest being but 20 feet in width and the houses were low and mainly of wood. That in 1805 a fire should break out and sweep away the entire village was therefore not surpriang. But a single house remained standing. Two years later Congress authorized the living out of a city on a much more liberal scale, and made a grant of 10,000 acres of land to aid in de. fraying the cost of the necessary pubhe im-
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provements. The authorship of the plan of the new city is attributed to Judge Wood. ward. He was a man of exceedingly fanci- ful tastes and his plan, only a small portion of which is still retained, was a very remark- able one. Washington avenue was intended to have been extended to the river, termi- nating in a grand circus similar to the one at its northern extremity. Madison avenue did likewise. There were several squares similar to the present Campus Martius. The streets were of unusual width and access from one part of the city to another was exceedingly ready and con. venient. But the objection was the amount of land wasted in streets and the angular shapes of a great proportion of the lots. So at a later period the Woodward plan was abandoned and the rectangular system substi- tuted. Between the two, with the freedom which was accorded to every property-hol- der to lay out streets and subdivide his pro- perty after his own taste, Detroit is to-day perhaps as labyrinthine a city as any in the West.
In June 1812, war broke out with Great Britain, and on the 16th of August follow- ing, Gen. Hull, who was in command, sur- rendered the fort and city to Gen. Brock without any attempt to maintain a defense. Detroit remained in possession of the British till October 1813, when, as a result of the American victory at the battle of the Thames, it was recovered by the United States. The name of the fort was now changed to Shelby. At this time Detroit had a population of less than one thousand, and its growth for a long time continued to be very slow.
In 1831, when the population was some- thing over 2,000, the first real step was taken towards opening up the interior and mak- ing it tributary to the city, in the commenc- ing of the construction of the Detroit & St. Joseph (now Michigan Central) railroad. The work progressed slowly and it was Feb- ruary 3d, 1838, before any part of the line was opened for traffic. In the same year the Detroit & Pontiac railroad was opened to Royal Oak, and soon after to Pontiac. In this year or the year following a railroad also was opened to Utica, following the line of the present Detroit & Bay City railroad.
In 1836, and again in 1840, and still again in 1848, disastrous fires swept away large portions of the city,
In 1827 the fort was abandoned by the government, and being made over to the city was demolished, the earth forming its embankments being carted down to the river's edge and there dumped into the shallow water which had previously been a source of great unhealthfulness. The shore line was
thus extended out into the river in some places as much as a full block.
In 1847, Detroit lost the prestige of being the capital of the State, the seat of govern- ment in that year being removed to Lan- sing.
In 1854 it secured direct communication with the East at all seasons of the year by the opening of the Great Western railway of Canada, and four years later a competing line in the completion of the Grand Trunk.
The growth of the city up to 1860 will be seen by the following table :
1810. 770
I844 13,065
1820 1,442
1850 .21,019
1830. 2,222
1854. 40,137
1834.
4,968
1860. 45,619
1840 9,102
DETROIT IN 1860 AND IS75.
In, or just before, 1860, though occupying no less an area than at present, it was much more sparsely settled. The gth and 10th wards were quite suburban in their character, the larger part of the Cass farm was still what its name indicated, and fields abutted on Woodward avenue within the two mile radius. Only a few leading thoroughfares were paved. There were neither street rail- ways nor omnibus lines. Old fashioned drays did all the hauling. There were no public street lamps except in the central part of the city, Michigan avenue, Grand River avenue, Gratiot avenue and Woodward avenue being all in darkness after the first few blocks had been passed. Firemen's Hall, with neither galleries nor stage equip- ment, was the best public hall the city afforded. There were but three stone busi- ness fronts, and these all old fashioned two storied structures on Jefferson avenue. Two still remain in the First National bank and the old Peninsular bank buildings. Captain E. B. Ward's residence on Fort street, and N. P. Stewart's, on Jefferson avenue, were almost the only private residences of any pretensions. The finest stores were the block still standing on the east side of Woodward avenue. between Congress and Larned streets. Where the Merrill block now stands were a group of old gothic rook- eries two stories in height. Griswold street was almost purely a residence street. The postoffice building was not yet com- pleted, and the office itself occupied the basement of the Mariner's Church. On Woodward avenue there was little or no business above State street. Twelve hand engines, manned by volunteer companies constituted the fire department. Where the City Hall now stands there were a group of old wooden rookeries, once the depot build- ing of the Michigan Central railroad, but
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MICHIGAN STATE GAZETTEER
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KARL.DETACIT.
THE NEW CITY HALL.
then occupied by second hand dealers and low saloons. The parks were uncared for and overgrown with tall grass and weeds. The Russell House was the only block of any pretensions fronting the Campus Mar- tius. The Bishop School was the only modern school building. One ferry boat, the little Gem, accommodated all the trafhc between Detroit and Windsor. There was no police force, no House of Correction, and only a black-hole for a jail.
Since 1860 the progress of Detroit has been very rapid. The population increased to 53,170 in 1864, to 79,577 in IS70, and to 101,255 in 1874.
The valuation of real and personal proper- ty increased to $74,509,303 in 1871, and $90,- 305,485 in 1874.
Large tracts that 15 years ago were open commons are now densely covered with houses. Business has passed the Grand Circus and pushed its way on Woodward · avenue as far up as High street. Retail trade has almost entirely deserted Jefferson avenue and the lower part of Woodward. Even aristocratic Fort street has been in. vaded by stores. Griswold has become a business street second in importance to none other.
A $700,000 City Hall has been erected, which is the pride of Detroit and the envy of the rest of the world. A large opera house has been built and a second is in pro- cess of erection.
The school buildings of the city have in- creased in numbers, to 2S valued at $54S.274 and possessing accommodations for 9.477 children. In the way of churches there have been added St. Patrick's, St. Aloysius', the church of Our Lady of Help, St. Joseph's. Si. Albert's and St. Vincent de Paul's, all catholic: Christ Church, St. John's and Grace, Episcopal, the Central. Simpson, Tab- ernacle and Sixteenth Street Methodist. The First and Lafayette Avenue Baptist, the Woodward Avenue Congregational and St. John's German Evangelical, besides numerous others of smaller size and cheaper construction.
The paved streets ( mostly wood pavement) now measure 55 miles. Sewers to the extent of 93 miles drain the city. Gas ex. tendis on all the hading streets, ahnest to the city limits. A fire department comprising 8 steam hre engines and a fire alarm telegraph, and second in perfection of equipment and general efficiency to none in the west, has supplanted the old volunteer system. A
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DET AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
police force of 115 men, with three stations. and a police telegraph preserves the most perfect order. The Detroit House of Cor- rection has long been regarded as a model prison. A public library of 23,000 volumes has grown up. Six companies operate street car lines, aggregating about 25 miles of travel. Three additional railroads have tap- ped the city, viz : the Canada Southern, the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan, and the Detroit & Bay City. General business has immensely increased, as the daily bustle and life apparent on the streets attests.
THE CITY DESCRIBED.
Detroit is without doubt the best drained, the best paved, the best shaded, the cleanest, and in general the healthiest city in the west. It covers an area some 6 miles in length, up and down the river, by a depth of about 212 miles. Having so much ground the dwellings are not crowded together in solid blocks, but are mostly detached, with plenty of intervening space. This with the wideness of the streets, and the prevalence of shade trees, gives the place more of a vil. lage than a city air, and contributes much to its pleasantness as a place of residence.
Churches are very numerous in proportion to the population, and are usually well at- tended. The school system is very perfect, bearing favorable comparison with that of any other city in the union. Society, too, from the less frequent changes that obtain here over other western cities, is more settled, refined and truly genteel. Thus as a place of residence it is unsurpassed by any place west of Boston. Indeed while the business activity and stir of Chicago is lacking, Detroit resembles Boston not a little in its social and literary atmos- phere.
The Germans claim a third of the popula- tion. The Irish are rather less numerous. There is quite a large colored population, and the old original French . element is still quite numerous. There are representatives also in considerable numbers of the various other European nationalities as Hollanders, Poles, Swedes, Norwegians, Swiss, Italians, etc., but this foreign element is eminently industrious, thrifty and orderly. Riots are alinost wholly unknown. In general each family owns its homestead. The savings banks are well patronized, and vagrancy and pauperism are perhaps as little prevalent here as inany city of the same size.
In proportion to the population Detroit is quite a wealthy city. Most of the business operations of its citizens are based on real capital, owned by the parties using it and not borrowed elsewhere. This is a result perhaps of the extreme conservatism which border, a little on lack of enterprise, or which at least shuns speculation. This conserva-
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tism for which Detroit has been noted has restricted the growth of the city to a strictly healthy and natural one. It has prevented over-trading in any department of business, and thus we find an almost entire absence of inflation. Real estate is relatively cheap, and few branches of business are overdone. This condition of things renders Detroit a peculiarly inviting field for men of enterprise and capital to locate in. Competition has not dried up the vital sources of wealth.
Notwithstanding the admirable condition of all public works, the debt of the city is small, being but $9$3,751 90; or, including the debt of the water board, $2,054,751.90. Taxes are light, being less than one per cent on the real valuation of property. For a number of years past the financial affairs of the city have been managed with great wis- dom and fidelity.
There are few great municipal wants unsupplied. The water supply, though at present ample, is about to be placed beyond a contingency of failure by the erection of new and independent pumping works a few miles above the city, preliminary work for which is now under contract. The next want, a bridge over or a tunnel under the river, for the more-ready transfer of freight and passengers, is already agitated and its realization is only a question of time. The one other desideratum, a public pirk, was on the verge of being a realized fact, a large tract of land just above the city having been purchased for a site, when the enterprise was defeated by an adverse decision in the courts as to the constitutionality of the law authorizing the expenditure. It is still to be hoped that means will be found to secure an adequate park. An annual industrial and art exposition has been agitated and will no doubt be carried into effect. A new and commodious central union depot is expected to follow the settlement of the river transit problem. A strictly first-class hotel is wanted. A handsome library building will be erected during the current year, and a young men's Christian association building in the immediate future.
THE TRADE OF DETROIT.
The trade of Detroit is in a very healthy condition. The principal wholesale houses are old established concerns, with ample means and a secure trade. From figures compiled in June, 1874, by the Daily Fost newspaper, it appears that there are in the leading branches of the jobining tra le nearly $9,000,000 of capital, and over 1,000 hands employed, including 126 drummers, This is entirely exclusive of such branches as manufacture their own gond-, in whole"or part. The aggregate jobbing sales reach
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nearly $30,000,000 per annum. The Post gives the details as follows ;
Capital. Employes.
Sales.
Groceries.
$2,000,000
175
$9,000,000
Fruits and Oysters.
180,000
60
625,000
Hardware.
950,000
100
3,250,000
Dry Goods
1,000,000
84
3,700,000
Clothing
900,000
.55
1, 825,000
Millinery
115,000
40
510,000
Notions.
155,000
24
325,000
Crockery
330,000
75
700,000
Drugs
670,000
74
2,325,000
Books.
250,000
19
750,000
Paper & Stationery.
400,000
38
950,000
Leather & Findings
175,000
22
525,000
Ship Chandlery ... ...
105,000
85
455,000
Miscellaneous ..
1,419,000
85
3,640,000
Total
$8,649,000 936 $23,550,000
These figures are of course only approxi- mations, as a large amount of jobbing is always done by the larger retail houses and by others who would not naturally be called upon.
No reliable estimate of the retail trade of the city has ever yet been made.
The Post places the annual produce trade of the city at $24,061,000, giving employ- ment to $1,018,000 of capital and 122 hands. Thus, exclusive of the retail and manufacturing business of the city, nearly ten millions of capital and over one thou- sand hands are employed and annual sales are made to the extent of over $50,000,000.
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