USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 60
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
John Kinney, Esq., came to the county in 1855, and was appointed first Postmaster of this village. He, although not a resident of the place at this time, is largely interested in the growth and prosperity of Mt. Pleasant, having a large amount of real estate inside the corporate limits.
The first mill erected in the village was built by Hapner Bros., in 1866. The first grist-mill was built by Harris Bros., in 1872.
· In 1863, the future of Mt. Pleasant was very inaus- picious. There were only three or four houses in the place, and they were small. Jo. Miser had a story- and-a-half house, which stood in the street west of where the Fancher Block stands. This house was sheeted inside to the gables, and covered with a shingle roof. I. E. Arnold had built a house near where the Flint & Pere Marquette depot stands. Nelson Mosher had built the house now occupied by his son's widow, which was the third house erected in the village.
I. A. Fancher drafted the plat of this village in June of 1863. He took an active part in developing
ISABELLA COUNTY
567
and otherwise assisting the growth of the place, and is yet, although permanently located at Detroit, aid- ing in every way every measure looking toward the advancement of her business interests.
The first hardware store in the village was stocked by Doughty Bros., who still carry on the business, and have one of the largest and neatest stores in the place. The first brick block erected in the village was the building which they now occupy and own. It was erected in 1876.
I. A. Fancher and Carr & Granger erected their fine brick blocks in 1877, thereby adding largely to the value of the business portion of the village.
Tunis W. Swart erected his block in 1879, and Albert B. Upton built the Opera-House Block the following summer. This is the finest block in the village, and the opera house is conceded to be the finest one this side of Detroit. In this block is located the bank of Hicks, Bennett & Co, real-estate and other offices.
There are several fine brick residences in the town, and a number more will shortly be erected.
The first election after the incorporation of Mt. Pleasant was held May 11, 1875, resulting in the election of the following gentlemen : President, John Maxwell; Trustees- Cornelius Bennett, Wm. Rich- mond, John A. Harris, Wilkinson Doughty, Dan. H. Gilman and George W. Brower; Clerk, Geo. N. Mosher: Assessor, I. E. Arnold; Street Commis- sioner, John Fox; Marshal, Cicero Kimball.
The present officials are : President, Robert Laughlin; Trustees-J. N. Vansice, Michael Mur- tha, Peter Gardiner, Dennis Ryan, F. W. Ralph and Michael Garver; Treasurer, J. A. Harris ; Clerk, Dexter F. Arnold; Street Commissioner, Wm. J. Topping; Assessor, E. F. McQueen.
The first vote polled was 123, which was increased to 347 in 1884.
The business affairs of Mt. Pleasant have been well managed, and her miles of splendid sidewalks and nicely graded streets speak volumes.
A pleasant council room is now owned by the vil- lage, in which the fire department have their appa- ratus and the Opera-House Band make headquarters. The Opera-House Band numbers 14 members, and disdains to be called " amateurs." Their permanent organization was effected in 1881, although a band has been in existence here for years.
Mt. Pleasant is not burdened with debt, but is bonded for $10,000 to complete the payment of the Holly system of water works, which was established in 1882, at a cost of $16,000. The village is by this means not only secure from great danger by fire, but an excellent supply of pure water can at all times be obtained. Mains will be laid during this year through all the principal streets, and those living remote from the business centers will be thus afforded the same protection in case of fire. The Fire Department have a splendidly equipped hook and ladder truck, with buckets, etc., and a hose company who have, and can operate to good advantage, 1,000 feet of three-inch hose. H. H. Graves is Chief of the de- partment.
Mt. Pleasant has had several disastrous fires, but the one in 1875 was the niost serious which has ever occurred in the village. Twelve stores, with nearly all of their contents, were destroyed, entailing a loss of almost $50,000 upon their owners, which at the ime was keenly felt. Very little insurance was car- ried upon the same, but with a small capital most of them again started in business, and to-day not a trace remains of the disaster. Handsome brick stores have taken the place of the wooden buildings, and there are no villages of the size that excel Mt. Pleas- ant in the number of stores and amount of stock carried by her merchants.
The first school-house was built where the houses of Messrs. Ward & King now stand. It was used for a long time by the Methodists for church purposes prior to the erection of their church.
Mrs. Mary Preston relates how they built the first Methodist church, and how good the people felt to have their own place in which to worship. Rev. George Bradley was at the time doing missionary work among the Indians, having been sent by the bishop to this field of labor. Services were held at private houses, in the woods and at school-houses, but the people felt the need of having a central place for worship. Mr. Bradley told Mrs. Preston that if she would procure a site for the church, he and his boys would draw the logs and help build a house. Mrs. Preston went to George Morton, who, with his brother Harvey, were proprietors of the town, and stated the proposition made by Rev. Bradley. Mor- ton told her to select a lot, and she chose the two now owned by the county, upon which the jail and sher- iff's residence will be erected.
568
ISABELLA COUNTY.
Mr. Bradley went to work, and was aided by a number of people friendly to the cause, some of whom furnished lumber, etc., and the house, now the coun- cil room owned by the village, was built. Everybody was happy when it was completed and regular ser- vices could be held in it, and many of the old pio- neers in Methodism speak of the joyful meetings held there ; and tears of regret fall when speaking of the sorrow caused by the sale of the old building, it seeming like the sundering of the most sacred ties to give up the old building hallowed by prayers of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, although the elegant church now completed awaited their coming.
When Mr. and Mrs. Preston came to Mt. Pleasant in 1864, they were well provided with provisions, clothing, etc., having thought that very little could be procured in the new country. Two of their children had been residents in the neighborhood for two years previous, and they had undergone much priva- tion but no real suffering. Mrs. Mary Preston says that they had coffee, sugar and other things enough to last them 12 years, and absolutely found it hard to dispose of. They purchased the house built by Dr. Burt, and had commodious quarters from the date of their coming. Her daughter Celia wedded Emory H. Bradley, the minister's son, in October, 1864, which was the first wedding in the village. Mrs. Preston was the first lady who viewed the village of Mt. Pleasant from the top of the new court-house. Hundreds have since gazed with delight at the beau- tiful panorama spread before them from that elevated position, and the most perfect view can be obtained, from this point, of the village and surrounding country.
From 1865, Mt. Pleasant has continued to grow in importance and numbers, until it ranks high among the villages in Northern Michigan in a commercial way. A brief resume is given of her business indus- tries, churches, etc., which determines well the enter- prise of her citizens who anticipate a brilliant future for the place, and none surely have more natural advantages. The geographical center of the south- ern peninsula of Michigan is on section 24 of Coe Township, thus making this county the pivotal point, and Mt. Pleasant the hub, which is destined to become one of the best business points north of the Saginaws.
The residences in this village are neat and taste-
ful. Those of A. B. Upton, George Granger, J. C. Leaton, Mrs. Henry Dunton, Henry A. Bouton and W. W. Preston, on Church Street, and Dr. P. E. Richmond, T. W. Swart, Charles Jeffries, William N. Brown and Mr. Ryan, on Broadway, will compare favorably with any village in the North. Shade-trees are being planted along the principal streets, and a few years will ensure beautiful avenues shaded by the leafy elm and handsome maple, beneath the boughs of which the pedestrian may take a promen- ade with the greatest satisfaction.
Mt. Pleasant is noted for the number and excel- lence of her hotels, the largest and best of which is the Bennett House. This is an elegant three-story brick structure, handsomely finished, and furnished in the modern style. It was completed in 1883, by Judge Cornelius Bennett, at a cost of $20,000. It was formally opened in June, 1883, by the present proprietors, F. A. Stebbins and Marvin Richardson, both of whom are popular gentlemen, and general favorites with the traveling public. Mr. Richardson has been for 20 years engaged in the business, and has a reputation second to none as a manager. The accommodations are first-class in every respect, and the patronage all that could be desired.
The Peninsular House is a pleasant, spacious hotel, occupying an elegible location on North Main Street. Under the management of Mr. J. N. Van- sice, it is a fine paying investment and has a liberal share of business.
The Exchange Hotel is owned by Mr. Linus D. Estee, one of the most cordial of landlords. This is a cheerful, home-like place, where the weary guest will find a cordial welcome, with plenty of good cheer that comes from a well filled larder.
The Bamber House was the first hotel erected in the village, and many noted guests have been quartered within its walls. It is managed by Patrick Donovan, one of the warmest-hearted Irishmen in the State, whose friends are legion.
Michael S. Garvin is proprietor of the Union House, the North Main Street hostelry, and the only thing lacking is room for more guests.
No stranger visits this village without carrying away pleasant recollections of his accommodations at the excellent hotels during his stay.
The Ladies' Library Association is quite a flour- ishing affair, and the records give proof of its success-
C
569
ISABELLA COUNTY.
ful management from the date of its organization. Six hundred volumes of the choicest literature are in circulation among the residents of the village. The management is entirely under the control of the ladies, who have aided the enterprise with their time and money until the permanent success of the asso- ciation is assured. The officers of the society are : President, Mrs. Charles Westlake; Vice President, Mrs. Will. Hunt; Treasurer, Mrs. W. Doughty ; Secretary, Mrs. Major Long; Corresponding Secre- tary, Mrs. A. E. Chatterton ; Librarian, Mrs. H. B. Pearson ; Assistant Librarian, Mrs. Thomas Pickard. The society occupies pleasant rooms in the Nelson Block, which are open on Wednesday and Saturday of each week. A small sum expended annually gives the youth of Mt. Pleasant ample facilities for becom- ing conversant with the best and most talented au- thors of both history and fiction. This enterprise deserves substantial encouragement from the citizens, who are certainly largely benefitted by the use of so much literature at the small outlay a membership entails.
Business Interests.
HE manufacturing interests of Mt. Pleasant are confined chiefly to lumber, shingles, etc. The mill of Upton & Leaton is the most extensive, having a capacity of 30,000 feet per day, and employing a force of 30 men. Allowing 290 working days in a year, the cut of this mill averages 8,700,000 feet annually.
Messrs. J. P. Walker and A. E. Chatterton do an extensive business in the manufacture of lumber, having both a saw and shingle mill, the capacity of which is 15,000 feet of lumber and 30,000 shingles per day. They had on hand March Ist, 1,300,000 feet of logs, which, at the low estimate of $6 per thousand, distributed nearly $8,ooo among the farm- ers from this mill alone.
The Mt. Pleasant Novelty Works was erected during the fall of 1883, and is owned and operated by Messrs. Chas. Jeffords and Charles C. Whitney. They manufacture doors, sash, blinds, and also do scroll-sawing and ornamental work. Thirty men are employed by this firm when running the mill at its full capacity.
Harris Bros. are proprietors of the Merchant Mills, and are doing a fine business. They have three run of stone and ship large quantities of flour, besides doing a large amount of custom work. The roller process has been recently added, which gives them increased facilities for the manufacture of flour, their brands of which have become famous throughout Northern Michigan.
The foundry and planing mills of Messrs. Proctor & Bamber are centrally located and do quite a nice business in their line.
The patent-hoop factory of F. E. Prince & Co. is a novelty in its way, and promises to revolutionize the manufacture of barrel hoops entirely. The ma- chine was invented and patented by Mr. F. E. Prince last year, and is the only one of the kind in the coun- try. The average number of finished hoops is 400,000 per month. This industry keeps 40 men in employment in getting out the timber, etc., and adds largely to the manufacturing interests of the village.
Besides these industries, there are a large number of blacksmith and wagon shops, harness and shoe shops, all of which add to the business of the village in a marked degree.
In the mercantile line the dry-goods and grocery trade is very large. The most extensive houses in this line are those of John Maxwell, E. E. Wood, A. E. Chatterton and E. A. & W. E. Ward.
The staple and fancy grocery trade is well repre- sented by D. H. Gilman, W. S. Hunt, Carr & Gran- ger, D. Ryan, E. G. Curtis, F. L. Davis & Co. and Kane.
C. H. Houk and John Kenny do a nice business and are popular restaurateurs.
Nearly all the dealers in dry goods carry a large assortment of clothing and boots and shoes. Of these, Thomas McNamara, H. M. Angell and W. Doughty have the most extensive trade.
W. H. Yerrick & Co. and A. Hall are exclusive dealers in boots and shoes, and C. H. Thompson and D. Switzer carry a large stock of jewelry, watches, clocks, etc.
The hardware business is immense; and no village of such pretentions as Mt. Pleasant can boast of larger and finer establishments in this line than those of Messrs. L. N. Smith, Doughty Bros. and Geo. C Faulkner & Co.
The livery business forms an important factor in
ISABELLA COUNTY.
570
all towns remote from railroad communication, and to this date Mt. Pleasant has not been classed as the most fortunate in this respect. Of the livery firms, George McDonald has the finest barn, and a splendid lot of horses and fine outfits. The Whitney Brothers and V. K. Brown also have splendid turnouts and an excellent trade.
B. F. Kyes deals in music, sewing-machines, etc., and has quite a nice trade.
Two artists, Messrs. Smith and J. T. Conlon, are popular photographers, and their studios exhibit evidences of their skill.
Mt. Pleasant is one of the healthiest villages in the Peninsular State, yet a number of skilled physi- cians reside here, and their business, while not ex- tensive, brings with it a nice income. We are pleased to mention the names of these gentlemen, all of whom enjoy the respect and confidence of the community in a high degree: Drs. P. E. Richmond, M. F. Fas- quelle, F. H. Tyler, J. C. Corbus, L. J. Petz and Royal & J. J. Stoner. The different schools of medi- cine are ably represented by these gentlemen, among whom the greatest harmony prevails.
Drug-stores are always found where civilization exists, and there is a growing demand for the goods handled in a legitimate business. W. W. Cox & Co. give theirs the significant name, "People's Drug- ·store." This firm have recently opened their store and the stock is complete. Charles Westlake is pro- prietor of the "City Drug-store," and is also Post- master of the village. The office being located in his store, assures a large trade, aside from the popularity of its owner. Messrs. Carr & Granger have a large and choice line of drugs, chemicals and school-books. Their establishment is known as the "Central Drug- store." All three of these houses are located on Broadway. The " Main Street Drug-store " is owned and operated by Messrs. McQueen & Ralph, whose excellent tastes are magnificent in the neatness of arrangement in displaying their goods. Not less than $30,000 is invested by the four stores in the drug line alone.
John Craig and Kimball Bros. are large dealers in fresh and salt meats, fish, game, etc. J. E. Wilcox and Fred Pferdesteller are engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. Both carry complete stocks of everything in their line.
The dental profession is represented by Drs. G. A.
Goodsell and J. B. VanFossen, both skilled operators.
Millinery is represented by Mesdames C. Kimball, O. S. Stanton and Ruth M. Davis. All report a splendid trade, and their display of goods is artistic and elaborate.
Wadhams & Farrell, S. May and Frank F. Foster deal largely in clothing and gents' furnishing goods. Everything in their line of merchandise can be pro- cured at either of the houses mentioned.
V. F. Conlogue deals extensively in agricultural implements, farm wagons, buggies, etc.
Real estate is rapidly advancing, but bargains may yet be obtained of Messrs. Hopkins & Lyon, Judge Cornelius Bennett and W. I. Cutler, the latter of whom has also an abstract office. Other firms also handle real estate, among whom might be mentioned Brown & Leaton, A. B. Upton and Hance & Dever- eaux.
Russell & Whitney do a legitimate insurance busi- ness, and allow the above mentioned firms a clear field in real estate.
The pioneer bank of Mt. Pleasant is the one managed by the firm of Hicks, Bennett & Co. This corporation was organized in April, 1875, and has since that time done a general banking business. Robert Young was the first cashier; he was suc- ceeded by A. B. Upton, who retired Jan. 1, 1884. D. Scott Partridge is now the cashier, and by his long business acquaintance and well known integrity has added largely to the interests of the corporation. The stockholders are all men of wealth and influence, and the firm of Hicks, Bennett & Co., is considered one of the most reliable in Central Michigan. The bank is located in the Opera-House Block, and have commodious quarters with a fire and burglar proof safe, secured by a double time lock, the same being fixed in a fire-proof vault constructed especially for the purpose.
The firm of Brown, Harris & Co. have a neat building opposite the Opera-House Block, and the stockholders are composed of the following well known persons, all of whom are quite wealthy: William N. Brown, Elizabeth G. Kellogg, M. Dever- eaux, Minnie K. Brown, Amelia S. K. May, Samuel W. Hopkins, D. H. Nelson, John C. Leaton, Harris Bros. and J. W. Hance. The bank was opened for business Jan 12, 1883, since which time it has done a splendid business. John A. Harris is the cashier,
ISABELLA COUNTY.
57 1
and no more popular gentleman ever cashed a check. The business is all that could be desired, and is profitable to the stockholders and convenient for its patrons.
Churches and Societies.
YSTEMIZED social work is characteristic of civilization everywhere; and accordingly the new occupants of the soil in the forests of Isabella County made haste to organize Churches and societies for the general amel- ioration of their condition. We here give a sketch of the religious and other societies of Mt. Pleasant.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Religious services were held in this county by those who were members of this Church prior to the formation of a permanent organization. Rev. R. P. Sheldon was one of the first ministers who came to Isabella County ; and, upon the formation of "Chip- pewa Circuit," which was effected in 1861, at the annual conference held at Battle Creek, he was ap- pointed and placed in charge. Rev. George Bradley was the first Presiding Elder. This circuit originally embraced nearly the whole of this county, but as the county became more densely settled and new ap- pointments formed it was divided, and now embraces Calkinsville, Dushville and all the appointments south of that in the county. In 1863, Rev. R. P. Sheldon was again assigned to this circuit, with Rev. H. Hall, Presiding Elder.
The Church records fail to show when or where the first class was formed. The first mention of a class was while Rev. Eli Westlake had charge of the circuit. He organized one, consisting of 24 persons, at the house of Bro. Burger's, in Lincoln Township, with Morris Titus as Leader. The name of the cir- cuit had been previously changed to Isabella, but in 1870 it was again changed to Mt. Pleasant Circuit. In 1872, Salt River and appointments south were placed in a separate charge, leaving the village of Mt. Pleasant, Chippewa and Gulick's school-houses to be supplied by the minister stationed at Mt. Pleas- ant.
The first church at this village was erected and
dedicated in 1866. The services were conducted upon that occasion by Rev. George B. Jocelyn, 1). 1)., LL. 1)., of Albion College, assisted by Rev. F. B. Bangs.
The year of 1872 was a very prosperous one for the society, both in a financial and theological way. Many needed repairs were made upon both church and parsonage, all of which expenses were defrayed by substantial contributions, Mrs. Sophia Bradley. widow of Rev. Geo. Bradley, donating $250. The society, with varying fortune, maintained their ground, gradually increasing the membership until it became evident that a new church must be built to accom- modate the numbers desiring to attend Methodist ser- vices, the present church being inadequate.
In 1881 Rev. J. K. Stark was appointed to the charge at Mt. Pleasant, and his energy in bringing about the successful completion of the new church is deserving of commendation. The old church was exchanged for the site which the new church now occupies, the exchange being effected with Mr. D. H. Nelson, a wealthy gentleman residing in Mt. Pleas- ant, who, after the transfer had been made, donated the old church property, valued at $1,500, to the soci- ety. The building was sold to the village of Mt. Pleasant for a council room and engine house, and the lot was sold to the county, upon which a new jail and sheriff's residence will be erected during this year. Added to the already large donation of Mr. Nelson was the princely gift of $2,000 in cash, which stimulated the members and friends of the society until they determined to erect a church edifice that would afford ample accommodations for many years. The contract was let to Mr. M. S. Anderson, and the corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies July 1, 1882, an address being made by the Rev. II. M. Joy, Presiding Elder of Grand Rapids, followed by one from Rev. J. A. Sprague, Presiding Elder of this district.
The church was opened for services May 6, 1883, when all the money was raised necessary to liquidate all indebtedness. Rev. D. F. Barnes preached in the morning, and Elder Sprague at the evening ser- vice. August 19, 1883, the church was dedicated to Almighty God, by Rev. J. A. Sprague, assisted by 1 .. R. Fiske, D. D., LL. D.
The Methodist church is the finest and most commodious house of worship in the village, and
-
ISABELLA COUNTY.
572
1
cost, with the grounds, $15,000. The society is not indebted one dollar of the amount, and the mem- bers, as well as many persons outside the Chuch, are entitled to great credit for their liberality. The church is a handsome brick structure, built in the Gothic style of architecture, with a seating capacity of 400. The furniture is of black ash, trimmed with walnut. The acoustic properties of the audience- room are unsurpassed. The names of Rev. R. P. Sheldon, the first minister, and Rev. George Bradley, the first Presiding Elder, of Chippewa Circuit, adorn the memorial window in the new church, not solely because they were the first, but they were a pair of noble workers in the army of God's ministers, through whose labors much good was accomplished, and the love and respect of the whole Church obtained. This is a fitting tribute to those qualities of mind and heart which were so largely inherent in those two worthy gentlemen, whose names will ever live in the history of the society in Isabella County. On an- other window appear the names of Mr. D. H. Nelson and Mrs. Abigail Babbitt, both of whom gave with lavish hand to assist in the erection of this elegant sanctuary.
A new parsonage, corresponding with the beauty in design and finish of the new church edifice, will be erected during the autumn of 1884. This will cost, when complete, with the lots on which it will be erected, fully $3,000.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.