History of Howell, Michigan - Chapters 9-11



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Chapter 9
In War Times

   The east line of the original plot of the village of Howell crosses
Grand River street about at Barron & Wines' drug store. As previously
noted the fight for the location of the court house ended in the selection
of the present square, half of which was upon land donated by P. A. Cowdry
and the rest by Edward Thompson,

   Mr. Thompson was first to formally plot his addition to the village
which extended north from the line marking the center of the section,
which would cross Division street just south of the Wilcox block, and the
Ann Arbor Railroad at the northeast corner of the Rubert lumber yard. The
plot was about two lots wide at its eastern side, and four, at its
western, and includes much of what is now considered very choice residence
property. The Cowdry addition included nearly all the town south of the
Thompson addition to the Pere Marquette Railroad. All the eastern portion
of the business section of Grand River street is on this addition.

   Mr. Cowdry arranged for a second addition to the village which was
surveyed Nov. 16, 1852. It embraced forty-nine acres between Wetmore
street and

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Byron road, and north of Grand River street, north west of the original
plat. Mr. Cowdry died before this addition was advanced very far. The plat
was filed by the administrator of his estate Oct. 26,1853.

   Joseph H. Wilcox was the next to enlarge the village. He platted thirty-
two lots south of Livingston street, near where the Pere Marquette
railroad now runs. His plat was filed for record Aug. 1, 1867.

   Almon Whipple's first addition was east of the Cowdry addition to the
old fair ground, and north of Grand River street. The plot is dated on
January 27, 1868. Mr. Whipple's second addition, which was platted in the
fail of 1871, lies east of that part of the Cowdry addition, which is
south of Grand River street.

   Heirs of George W. Jewett platted sixty-four lots south-west of the
original village plat, and began selling lots in 1868. Their plat was
recorded on May 23 of that year. The tendency of the town to grow to the
east acted against this addition for years. Its desirability has come to
be more fully realized of late and houses are going up there more rapidly,

   The McPherson family caught the general idea which pervaded Howell in
1868, that the town was to boom, and laid out an addition from Thompson's
addition north, with Division street as its western boundary. Aug. 24,
1874 they followed with a second addition east of their first, to
Thompson's lake.

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   During 1874 they also plotted their two Prospect Place addition's. The
first of these is north of Grand River street and west of the Byron Road;
the second embraces a small territory south of Grand River street,
opposite the first.

   Cardell's addition embraces the land between McPherson's Second
Prospect place addition and the original plot.

   In 1875 T. W. Mizner platted the hill south east of town which he named
Washington Heights addition. It contains nineteen blocks. Quite a number
of houses have been built there but it is largely vacant as yet.

   Fredrick J. Lee and L. S. Montague platted a small tract in the south
eastern portion of town, between Cowdry's and other additions in that
part, and it became Lee and Montague's addition.

   In 1871 Alexander and William McPherson platted an addition west of
Pinckney road and south of the Pere Marquette railroad. Joseph B. Skilbeck
platted an addition which was recorded May 30, 1874. It included quite a
tract east of Pinckney road and south of the Pere Marquette railroad.
Quite a settlement grew up on these additions but it did not become a part
of the corporation of Howell until the granting of the last village
charter by the Legislature in 1891. They are in Marion township.

   There is quite a large tract in the northwestern part of town,
including the milk factory and residence

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lots near there, which has never been platted and is still described by
metes and bounds, when transfers occur.

   By act of the State Legislature, approved March 14, 1863, "all that
tract of country situated in the township of Howell, in the County of
Livingston, in the state of Michigan, which is known and described as
follows, to wit: section 35, section 36, the south half of section 25 and
the south half of section 26, in township No. 3 north, of range No. 4
east, be and the same is hereby made and constituted a town corporate, by
the name, style and title of the village of Howell."

   The first charter election was held May 4, 1863. Sardias F. Rubble was
the first village president; Andrew D. Waddell, recorder; Asa VanKleek,
treasurer; John H. Galloway, assessor; Marcus B.Wilcox, William R. Melvin,
William McPherson Jr., John Hoyt and Philo Curtis were the trustees.

   Up to 1870 the village officers elected were as follows:

1864 President, Joseph M. Gilbert; Recorder, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer,
Frederick J. Lee; Assessor. John H. Galloway; Trustees, John Cummiskey,
Nathan T. Hickey, George L. Clark,Luther M. Glover, V. R. T. Angel.

1865 President, Sardis F. Hubbell; Recorder, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer,
Frederick J. Lee; Assessor, John H. Galloway; Trustees James Bowers,
William R. Melvin, George L. Clark, William E. Huntley, Marcus B. Wilcox.

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1866 President, Mylo L. Gay; Recorder, James Bowers; Treasurer, William R.
Melvin; Assessor, Isaac W. Bush; Trustees, George Taylor, John Jones
William E. Huntley, Frederick J. Lee, Sardius F. Hubbell.

1867 President, Sardus F. Hubbell; Recorder, Joseph T. Titus; Treasurer,
William R. Griffith; Assessor, Orrin H. Winegar; Trustees, Andrew D.
Waddell, William R. Melvin, Leander C. Smith, William E. Huntley, Geo. S.
Clark.

1868  President, Andrew D. Waddell; Recorder, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, R.
H. Rumsey; Assessor, Oren H. Winegar; Trustees Leander C. Smith, William
E. Huntley, George L. Clark, Alexander McPherson, Henry H. Harmon.

1869 President, Mylo L. Gay; Recorder, Joseph T. Titus; Treasurer, Royal
ff. Rumsey; Assessor, Orrin H. Winegar; Trustees, William E. Huntley,
Edward McGunn, Sylvester Andrews, Henry P. Wheeler, Levi D. Smith.

   Our readers will remember the story of Howell's first school house
built in I837, which is yet standing. This school house was never
satisfactory to the district and in 1845 it was sold. The old Presbyterian
church was rented for school purposes for awhile as was the "academy
building" which stood nearly where the Republican block now stands. It was
three years before the location of a school house was determined, after
the old one was sold. The

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fight on this question was one of the most stubbornly contested of any
which Howell has ever seen. Five different committees were appointed at as
many school meetings. The northwest corner of the old public square, near
where the Knapp shops now stand, the site of the Methodist church and
other sites in that neighborhood were chosen at various times by the
committees, only to be turned down by school meetings. The present site of
the Central School was finally adopted Dec. 11, 1848. A two story brick
building 38x48 feet in size was at first determined upon but the
opposition called this a "Castle" and on Feb. 29, 1849, succeeded in
getting the size cut down to 26x36 feet. Promoters of the larger building
kept up their contention and were jubilant when in 1850 it became
necessary to rent more room, In 1851 it was voted to enlarge the building
but it was not brought about until 1856. This too soon proved inadequate
and in 1866, Sardius F. Hubbell offered a resolution in the annual school
meeting, which resulted in the erection of the splendid building which is
now occupied by the Central School.

   The bonds provided for erection of the Central school building were for
$15,000 at seven per cent, S1,000 of principal to be paid annually. The
building committee selected was H. C. Briggs, Sardias F. Hubbell, Wm.
McPherson Sr., J. I. VanDeusen and Joseph M. Gilbert.

   This committee went over plans and decided the

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amount to be too small for the purpose so nothing more was done until
after the next school meeting when $5,000 more was voted. The contract was
let to R. B. Rice of Detroit, for $15,650 with $700 additional for
finishing the third story which was not contemplated at first. In addition
to this the district furnished brick and other materials from the old
building and quite an amount in addition to that.

   By the time the building was finished and ready for use, which was for
the winter term of 1869 the total cost was $31,000.

   It may be interesting in this connection to speak of teachers in the
old building. The old records are defective but as nearly as they can be
learned the principals were as follows:

W. Mills 1849-50
John S. Dixon I850-52
Seth Beden 1853-54
J. S. Houston 1855-56
F. W. Munson 1857
L. Barnes 1858-59
D. Cramer 1859-60
Charles W. Bowen 1860-62
Rufus T. Bush 1862-63
Michael McKernan 1863-65
S. S. Babcock 1865-66
Joshua S. Lane 1866-67
L. S. Montague 1867*
* for twenty weeks until the old building was torn down.

   There were several steps toward a graded school during the nineteen
years the old building was used. The greatest of these steps was made
during the administration of Prof. Bush who prepared the first course of
study.

   Since moving into the present building

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superintendents have been as follows:

S. S. Babcock 1869-70
T. C. Garner 1870-73
M. W. Schreeb 1873-74
W. Carey Hill 1874-77
Elihu B. Fairfield 1877-80
Geo. Barnes 1880-88
S. G. Burkhead 1888-90
W. H. Hawks 1890-94
R. D. Briggs 1894-99
W. D. Sterling 1899-1901
H. E. Agnew 1901-02
J. K. Osgerby 1902-1908
Fred Fullerton 1908

   E. D. Galloway graduated in 1869 and was the first from the Howell
schools. The total number of graduates to date is 526 of whom twenty-two
were in the last class. Thorough work has always characterized the schools
and this fact has attracted a large list of foreign pupils. The High
School now numbers about 150 of whom over half are foreign student. The
total school enrollment is now 595. The total cost of running the schools
last year was $12,561 of which, $8,457 was for teachers' salaries. The
schools received $1,144.37 for tuition of foreign pupils last year.

   Howell has always recognized the importance of a good school board, and
elected its best citizens to membership there. The present board with time
of service of each, is as follows: Thomas Gordon Jr. 20 years; W. P. Van
Winkle, 16 years; E. N. Stowe, 8 years; Lyman Thompson, I year; Dr. C. E.
Skinner, I year. E. K. Johnson and E. C. Shields, who retired from the
board at the last school meeting, had both served for several years.

   The present corps of teachers is as follows:

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   Superintendent; Fred Fullerton, mathematics; Grace Bailey, science;
Alma Sharp, Greek and Latin; Lois Bach, English; Lillian Andrews, session
and librarian; Alice Johnson, German and History; Kate Ruen, music and
drawing. Eighth grade, Leona Morton; Sixth and Seventh grades, Mae
Marshall and Carolyn Pierson; Fourth and Fifth grades, Mable Woodward and
Bessie Lane; Second and Third grades, Blanche Crandle, Alma Hetchler and
Mary Itsell; Beginners and First grade, Goldie Holt, Susie Barron and Ione
Parker.

   In 1886 the Central building had become so crowded that the basement
had been utilized for school rooms, a condition which was not admired by
parents of children who were quartered there. Everyone agreed that a new
building was a necessity but the question of location was a source of much
division. It was settled a year later, by the agreement to build two four
room buildings. The east ward building was erected in 1888 and Miss Emma
Lamb who had taught for several years in the Central building, became the
first principal there. The total cost of the building was $4,867.85, not
including grading, side walks, wells, out building, etc. The West Ward
building was erected in 1890 and cost a few dollars more than the East
Ward building.

    In 1863 a young man named Embury, who bad just graduated from a
business college at Fenton, was backed by his father to come to Howell and
start a

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bank. He was associated with other gentlemen under the firm name of
Brockway Embury & Co. and their bank was called the Exchange. The young
gentleman led a very fast life here and is remembered by older settlers
for his hunting outfit, high blooded hounds, etc. It did not take him a
great while to run through with his property and he soon passed off the
scenes here. This bank was started in a building about where H. K. White &
Co. are now doing business. In 1865 the building now occupied by the
McPherson bank was erected for its use.

   As previously detailed in this history, Alex McPherson & Co. opened a
bank in a small office partitioned in one corner of the building which
stood where Parker's drugstore now stands in 1865. In 1868 this bank
purchased the building, fixtures and business of the Exchange bank and has
done business there since that time.

   About a year ago a former resident of Howell who had occasion to travel
across the pine barrens of Northern Michigan found Embury there,
struggling for a mere existence on one of those sandy forties, After an
exchange of stories of the old life in Howell, Embury said: "Now I'm up
here on forty acres of land trying to raise white beans to live on.
There's one thing I've got to console myself. I lived while I lived."

   Had John Weimeister died a month before he did, his name would have
gone down in history, as one of

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the most aggressive and public spirited citizens, who has ever boosted for
Howell. Born in Germany, in 1824, he came to this country in 1854. His
first business enterprise was a boot, shoe and grocery store in Genoa,
where what has long been known as the "Dutch Grocery" now stands. Later he
ran the mills at Oak Grove. In 1863 he associated himself with Neil
O'Hearn, and they opened a bank in Howell. Mr. Weimeister at once
commenced the erection of the block which long bore his name and which
includes Hotel Livingston and the Whitacre building just east, which was
their bank building. Several other buildings about town are monuments to
his enterprise. Among them is the building which was occupied by A. J.
Prindle's department store for many years. In this building the firm of
Weimeister & O'Hearn ran a large general store during a good part of the
time they did business together. Along in the '80s his health gave way and
when the crisis came after the dissolution of the old firm of Weimeister &
O'Hearn, which occurred August 14, 1889, and he had associated his son
Albert with him in business the condition of his health prevented that
activity which would have saved the financial crash, and the doors of his
various business enterprises were closed. His failure came like a
thunderbolt to the community and was followed in about ten days by his
death, Thursday, October 3, 1889.

   Mr. Weimeister's property was invested largely in

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real estate, which went at very low prices at the forced sale and the
various creditors, including bank depositors, were heavy losers.

   When Edward P. Gregory was nine months old his father the late Rev.
Edward E. Gregory built a house which is now a part of the house in which
Mr. Gregory has his office, and the family became residents of Howell
village.

   As a young man Mr. Gregory studied law with Wilcox & Waddell and took
lectures at the State University. He was examined and admitted with Dennis
Shields. For a year he practiced law at Corunna and would probably have
continued in that line but for the changes brought about by the war, and
the fact that he became part of the provost marshal's force in the sixth
congressional district, with head quarters at Flint.

   When the war closed Mr. Gregory returned to Howell and formed a
partnership with F. N. Monroe in the hardware business, under the firm
name of Monroe & Gregory. Soon after engaging in business the firm bought
the building which occupied the site at the corner of Grand River and
State streets, where they continued until 1872 when Mr. Gregory sold his
interests to Mr. Monroe who continued the business until the big fire of
March 12, 1887, when the building and stock were the first of the many
burned. A year or so after that Mr. Monroe moved to the upper peninsula.

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   After retiring from the hardware business Mr. Gregory engaged in real
estate. He also served the town as justice of the peace for eight years,
when he was identified with the movement in the erection of the milk
factory in 1892 and became superintendent there. He held this position for
nine years, four of which he was also superintendent of the Lansing
factory. During his superintendency the business of the Howell factory was
developed from nothing to seventy-five tons of milk per day.

   Since leaving the factory Mr. Gregory has built up an excellent herd of
Holsteins upon his farm, looked after his real estate and loaning
interests and secured what enjoyment he could from life. In an interview
recently he said "I am approaching the allotted years of man. I have
enjoyed my life and I have never seen a time when nature looked brighter.
The song of the birds never sounded sweeter. My friends are dearer to me
than they ever were before."

   At various times Mr. Gregory served as township clerk, councilman,
village president and circuit court commissioner. He has always been a
leading worker and held official positions in the Presbyterian church. He
was chairman of the citizens committee which secured the Sanatorium for
Howell and has always been an energetic and loyal citizen for the town. He
has often been tendered high political positions but has refused them. His
candidacy for elector to vote for Taft and Sherman, was over his protest.

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   The "Know Nothing" movement or Native American Party as it called
itself, grew up along in the '50s, in the form of secret lodges. Its
existence in Howell was not generally known until early in the '60's, when
the lodge was occupying a hall in the second story of the building where
Parker's drug store is now. At that time the entrance to the second story
was by way of a stairway which led up to a porch on the front. There was
also a stairway at the back end of the building. The strength of the "Know
Nothings" became an important one in that political campaign and George
Wilber undertook to find out, by counting how many men went up to their
meeting. In some way it got to the men of the organization what was going
on and a plan was quickly fixed up so that the members would go up the
front stairway and then down the rear way. They would then walk around a
block or two and go up again. Wilber's count ran up into the hundreds and
the strength of Howell's lodge of "Know Nothings" not only seared local
politicians but got to the ears of state political workers who were set
very much to wondering if the new party had as many followers in other
towns. It was not until after election and the new party showed up with
only a small vote that the affair leaked out in detail.

   Mr. Wilber seems to have been a regular pessimist. He ardently opposed
all railroad agitation with the argument that there would not be enough
people who

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could afford to travel between here and Detroit, to pay expenses. He
predicted that at the greater expense for running the railroad they would
have to charge so much more than the stage coaches that they wouldn't
carry as many passengers as were then riding on those vehicles.

   John W. Wright built the first planing mill in Howell in 1869, on
Clinton street between Center and Walnut streets. It was burned April 27,
1875. Mr. Wright soon after built the planing mill south of the Pere
Marquette railroad, which is still managed by his son Frank Wright.

   Along in the '60s Howell citizens began to make themselves felt in the
political world. George W. Lee was a presidential elector in 1860. John H.
Galloway was State Senator in 1861, and William A. Clark in 1863. Henry H.
Harmon was Representative in the State Legislature in 1863, and Milo L.
Gay in 1869.

   Dennis Shields was born Sept. 19, 1836 and came to Howell early in
1859. He studied law with H. H. Harmon and was admitted to the bar Dec.
31, 1861, settling in Howell for the practice of that profession. He
rapidly advanced and for several years, there, were very few cases of
importance which were tried in this county, in which he was not upon one
side or the other. His popularity is attested by the fact that at eight
different times he was elected prosecuting attorney. He was president of
the village at

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one time and served in several other official positions. In 1872 he formed
a partnership with John C. Shields, which lasted for three years. During
all his life Mr. Shields was a leader for all laudable public enterprises,
a good citizen in the community. He died Aug. 30, 1898.

   Edmund C. Shields, his son was admitted to practice in 1896 and his
brother Francis J. Shields was admitted in November, 1898. They succeeded
to the practice of their father which they have maintained and built up,
under the firm name of Shields & Shields.

   Another who settled in Howell about the same time as Mr. Shields, was
H. G. Briggs who arrived here in 1856. Soon after coming Mr. Briggs
engaged in the jewelry business which he followed until his death, a few
years ago, earning the title which he carried for several years of the
pioneer jeweler.

   Mr. Briggs was strong in argument and for several years was one of the
leading speakers for the Republican party, in every political campaign in
this county.

   Asa VanKleck came to Howell in 1853 and worked as contractor and
carpenter, considerable of the time some years, with Frank Kelly. When the
Presbyterian church wits built, they bought the old church and used it for
some years as their shop. In 1863 Mr. VanKleek formed a partnership with
George L. Sage under the firm name of Sage & VanKleek, and started a
grocery store. This firm lasted but a short

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time when Mr. VanKleeck tried farming on the old Charles P. Bush farm in
Genoa. In 1883 he purchased the furniture stock of Wm. Griffith after that
gentleman's death. He continued in the furniture business until about five
years ago when he sold that business to Schnackenberg Bros. who added
undertaking to the line. When the First State and Savings Bank was
organized he became a director, a position which he has continued to hold.
He has been vice president of the bank since the death of Charles Curtis,

   A list of persons who have held offices is given below, but it is
incomplete for the years between 1836 and 1850, for the reason that the
old township record covering those years has been lost or destroyed, and
only a partial and defective list of officers elected during that period
has been gathered from other sources. Such as are given, however, are
known to be authentic, viz:

1837 Supervisor, John W. Smith; Town Clerk, Jonathan Austin; Justices of
the Peace, George W. Kneeland, John W. Smith.

1838 Supervisor, Rial Lake; Town Clerk, John W. Smith; Justices of the
Peace, John T. Watson, Odell J. Smith, Wellington A. Glover.

1839 Town Clerk, Morris Thompson; Justice of the Peace, Allen C. Weston.

1840 Town Clerk, Morris Thompson; Justice of the Peace, Gardner Wheeler.

1841 Town Clerk, Morris Thompson; Justice of the Peace, John W. Smith,

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1842 Supervisor, George W. Kneeland; Town Clerk, M. S. Brennan; Justice of
the Peace, Josiah Turner.

1843 Supervisor, George W. Kneeland; Justice of the Peace, Odell J. Smith.

1844 Supervisor, Rial Lake; Town Clerk, Gardner Wheeler; Justice of the
Peace, James H. Ackerson; Treasurer, William McPherson; School Inspector,
Edward E. Gregory; Directors of the poor, Derastus Hinman, Vicrory Curtis.

1845 Supervisor, Odell J. Smith; Town Clerk, Gardner Wheeler; Justice of
the Peace, John W. Smith, Nelson G. Isbell; (to fill vacancy caused by
resignation of Josiah Turner).

1846 Supervisor, Gardner Wheeler; Town Clerk., Lauren K. Hewett; Justice
of the Peace, William Lewis.

1847 Supervisor, Odell J. Smith; Town Clerk. L. K. Hewett; Justice of the
Peace, Richard B. Hall, Samuel M. Yerkes (to fill vacancy).

1848 Supervisor, Frederick C. Whipple; Town Clerk, D. D. T. Chandler;
Justice of the Peace, Lauren K. Hewett, George W. Kneeland (to fill
vacancy).

1849 Supervisor, William McPherson; Town Clerk, Henry H. Harmon: Justice
of the Peace, John W. Smith.

1850 Supervisor Gardner Wheeler; Clerk, Henry H. Harmon; Treasurer John B.
Kneeland; Justice of the Peace, Henry Lake; Commissioner of highways,

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Edward Thompson; School Inspector, John A. Wheeler; Directors of the Poor,
Richard P. Bush, Josiah Turner.

1851 Supervisor, Derastus Hinman; Clerk, John A. Wheeler; Treasurer, John
B. Kneeland; Justices of the Peace, John H. Galloway (full term), William
Moore (to fill vacancy); Highway Commissioner, David Carl; School
Inspector, Gardner Wheeler; Directors of the Poor, James M. Murray,
William L. Wells.

1852 Supervisor, Richard P. Bush; Clerk. Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; Justices of the Peace, Gardner Wheeler (full term), William
Moore (to fill vacancy); Highway Commissioner, Elisha H. Smith; School
Inspector, William A. Clark; Directors of the Poor, John D. Gifford,
Josiah Turner.

1853 Supervisor, Richard P. Bush; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; Justice of the Peace, L. K. Hewett; Highway Commissioner, Samuel
M. Yerkes; School Inspector, Gardner Wheeler.

1854 Supervisor, Gardner Wheeler; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; Justice of the Peace, William More; Highway Commissioner, Daniel
Case; School Inspector, William A. Clark.

1855 Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; Justice of the Peace, Odell J. Smith; Commissioner of Highways,
Dexter Filkins, Wm. Lake School Inspector, Wm. B. Jewett.

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1856 Supervisor, William H. Rumsey; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascum; Justice of
the Peace, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, Nathan Pond; Highway Commissioner,
Charles Root; School Inspector, George F. Root.

1857 Supervisor, John B. Kneeland; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer,
Andrew Blanck; Justice of the Peace, Daniel Case; Highway Commissioner,
David Lewis; School Inspector, John Huston.

1858 Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk, Henry C. Briggs; Treasurer, John
W. Richmond; Justice of the Peace, Andrew D. Waddell; Highway
Commissioner, Dexter J. Filkins; School Inspector, B. Howard Lawson (full
term) , William B. Jewett (to fill vacancy.)

1859 Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer,
John W. Richmond; Justice of the Peace, John Marr; Highway Commissioners
Charles Root, Stephen S. More; School Inspector, J. A. Pond.

1860 Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk E. Rollin Bascum; Treasurer, John
W. Richmond; Justice of the Peace, Mylo L. Gay (full term), William Lake
(to fill vacancy); Highway Commissioner, Stephen S. More; School,
Inspector, Andrew Blanck.

1861 Supervisor, William C. Ramsey; Clerk. E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer,
Henry C. Briggs; Justice of the Peace, Daniel Case; School Inspector,
Jabez A. Pond; Highway Commissioner, Solomon Hildebrant.

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1862 Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk E. Rollin, Bascom; Treasurer,
Giles Tucker; Justice of the Peace, Dennis Shields; Highway Commissioner
George Wakefield; School Inspector, Henry H. Harmon (full term), J. Bruce
Fishbeck (vacancy.)

1863 Supervisor, Giles Tucker; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, Leonard
B. Wells; Justice of the Peace, William Lake (full term), William More
(vacancy; Highway Commissioners, Stephen More George Wakefield; School
Inspectors, Ebenezer Bunnell (full term), George Wilber, (vacancy).

1864 Supervisor, Giles Tucker; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, Leonard
B. Wells; Justice of the Peace, Mylo L. Gay; Highway Commissioner, Solomon
Hilderbrant; School Inspectors, Elijah F. Burt (full term), Dennis Shields
(vacancy).

1865 Supervisor, Almon Whipple; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom (died during this
term, which was completed by Wallace W. Carpenter); Justice of the Peace,
Daniel Cage; Treasurer, Leonard B. Wells; School Inspectors W. W.
Carpenter (full term), Dennis Shields (vacancy).

1866 Supervisor, Isaac W. Bush; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Lorenzo
B. Sullivan; Justice of the Peace, Wallace W. Carpenter; Highway
Commissioner, Stephen S. More; School Inspector, Dennis Shields.

1867 Supervisor, Oren H. Winegar; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer,
Elbert H. Bush; Justice of

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the Peace, Frederick Whipple; Highway Commissioner Solomon Hildebrant;
School Inspector, Wallace W. Carpenter.

1868 Supervisor, Oren H. Winegar; Clerk, Henry T. Clark; Treasurer, Elbert
C. Bush; Justice of the Peace, Nicholas Lake; Highway Commissioner, Jesse
Karr; School Inspector, Philander Bennett.

1869 Supervisor, O. H. Winegar; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, William
B. Smith; Justice of the Peace, William More; Highway Commissioner, S. S.
More; School Inspector, Ferdinand W. Munson.



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Chapter 10
Midst Blessings of Peace

   On July 4, 1871, a meeting was held at the Melvin House, to organize a
Pioneer Society. After discussing the proposition, an adjournment was
taken to M. L. Gay's office in the rooms which are now Tidings office.
William C. Rumsey was elected chairman and M. L. Gay, secretary. A
committee, was selected to draft a constitution and bylaws, and
arrangements were made for a public meeting, which was addressed by Judge
Turner at the Court House, on Wednesday evening, September 27, 1871. The
committee failed to have its constitution ready, but M. L. Gay had
anticipated such a situation, and prepared one which was adopted. It
provided that all persons, who were residents of the county previous to
July 4, 1845, were pioneers, and eligible to membership. At the annual
meeting in 1877, this was changed to 1850, and in 1880, it was changed so
that all who resided in the county previous to 1855, were considered as
pioneers, and entitled to membership.

   In 1871, A. G. Blood & Company started a five column quarto weekly
newspaper, which they named the Howell Independent. It never paid
expenses, and after nine months, was sold to J. D. Smith and Charles E.
Cooper. Mr. Smith took part of the material to

Page 164

the Republican office. Mr. Cooper continued the paper for a couple of
months longer, and then gave it up.

   In the early '60s, William McPherson & Sons developed a merchant
tailoring department, in which, in 1874, George Hornung was employed, and
in which Arthur Garland became cutter, about a year later. This department
did quite a little manufacturing for the clothing store of the firm. In
1879, Messrs. Garland and Hornung, then young men, formed a partnership
and bought the department in which they were employed. By energy and
skill, they succeeded in building up a large business with two or three
men on the road, and their's soon became the leading industry of the town.
In fact, there has been no time since they first went into business, but
that the tailors, whom they employed, formed one of the largest bodies of
working people in Howell.

   After some years, Owen W. Kellogg, who was an experienced clothing
salesman with William McPherson & Sons, entered the partnership with
Garland & Hornung, The new firm being named, Kellogg, Garland & Company,
and a stock of ready made clothing was put in. Mr. Garland withdrew from
this firm in 1892, after which it was known as Kellogg & Hornung,
continuing for another year. Mr. Hornung then engaged in merchant
tailoring in his own name, and has done a prosperous business for the past
fifteen years. Mr. Kellogg went west.

Page 165

   After withdrawing from the old firm, Mr. Garland engaged in merchant
tailoring, in which he has built up a large trade. In addition to his
store here, he maintains one at Jackson and several agencies in the west,
doing all the manufacturing in Howell. He also ran a macintosh factory
here, for some years.

   Thirteen years ago, Mr. Garland purchased the Opera House, which he has
since managed. He became a partner in the Bennett Hardware Company, which
bought out Benedict & Ratz in 1907.

   Howell was visited by Catholic Priests as early as 1836 or '37. Rev.
Fr. Kelly of Northville, was probably the first to hold services in
Howell. The erection of country churches not far away, in different
directions probably centered their worshipers there and made a long delay
before the organization in Howell. Along in the '70s Rev. Fr. Daugherty of
Brighton, who is remembered as an energetic worker, well liked by
everyone, started the work here and St. Joseph's church is the result. The
original church, 40x70 feet in size, was commenced in August, 1878, and
completed the following year. It was enlarged and greatly improved about
six years ago. With the commodious rectory and beautiful brick church, the
society has a fine property. Under the most efficient leadership of Rev.
Fr. Thornton, its prospects for a growing future are excellent.

   Fobes Crossman came to Howell in the early '50s and soon after became a
partner with F. J. Lee and

Page 166

Alex. McPherson in their general store. This firm lasted but a short time,
after which Mr. Crossman prospected for business in Detroit, Chicago, St.
Louis and other places but returned to Howell in 1858 and formed a
partnership with Wm. B. Jewett in the general mercantile business. May 1,
1873, Mr. Crossman bought his partner's interests and continued the
business until his death Dec. 1, 1876.

   In the settlement of his estate Mrs. Crossman who was administratrix,
sold the business to Frank J. Hickey and Charles M. Goodnow.

   Frank J. Hickey was born in New York state and came to Howell with his
parents, N. J. Hickey and wife, when a small boy. When a young man he
clerked three years for Wm. McPherson and afterwards formed a partnership
with James B. Wing in the grocery business. After some years Mr. Wing
purchased his interests in that firm and Mr. Hickey was out of business at
the time of the death of J. F. Crossman heretofore noted, and the forming
of his partnership with Mr. Goodnow,

   Charles A. Goodnow came to Howell in 1875. For some time he clerked for
Mr. Jewett and later for J. F. Crossman. He was in the latter position
when Mr. Crossman died.

   The firm of Hickey & Goodnow, which was organized in 1877 was at once
one of the leaders in the dry goods line and continued in that position
until the death of Mr. Hickey which occurred in the great fire

Page 167

of 1892. Mrs. Hickey and the estate held their interest in the business
until 1899 when they sold to Homer N. Beach and the firm has since been
known under the name of Goodnow & Beach, their business holding up and
increasing as the years go by.

   When the war broke out Birt Parsons of Brighton, was under age. That
made little difference to one of his get there qualities and he skipped
out to enlist. That he found a place in the First Michigan Cavalry a part
of Custer's brigade, indicates that he was not very long in making up his
mind to get into the great conflict and that he saw something of the war
in its awful reality. Soon after mustering out in 1865, Mr. Parsons became
a clerk for Wm. McPherson & Sons, where he remained until 1871.

   This history has heretofore told the story of the pioneer shoe shop of
J. B. Skilbeck one of the first in Howell. This business developed until
in the latter '60s it was quite a factory, located just West of the
McPherson stores and employing over twenty men. When Mr. Skilbeck's son
Pearley, became of age, he entered the business with his father, the firm
being known as J. B. Skilbeck & Son. About that time they purchased the
brick building now occupied by Sweet's grocery, and moved there. In 1871
Mr. Parsons bought an interest in this firm which was then known as J. B.
Skilbeck & Co.

   About six years later Homer N. Beach united with Mr. Parsons in buying
the Skilbeck interests and the

Page 168

firm became Parsons & Beach. A stock of groceries had been added to the
shoe line and the factory discontinued some time before this.

   When Mr. Parsons became vice president of the Michigan Condensed Milk
Co. and went to New York, nearly twenty years ago, this firm was dissolved
and Mr. Beach continued the business until about the time of his
partnership with C. A. Goodnow, nine years ago, to form the present firm
of Goodnow & Beach.

   Feb. 22, 1860, Howell experienced its second large fire. It originated
in the foundry and machine shop of A. M. Smith & Co. which was totally
destroyed. Wm. R. Melvin's carriage and blacksmith shops and the stage
company's barns, owned by E. E, Hazzard, were also burned. The total loss
was estimated by the Republican at that time, at $16,425 which was quite a
sum for those days and awakened the people to the need of some organized
method of fighting fire. The matter soon took form for March 6, 1860, a
meeting of citizens was held to consider the matter. It was nearly ten
years however before anything definite was done.

   January 18, 1868 an ordinance was passed defining a certain district
down town in which no wooden buildings should be erected. This district
has been changed several times.

   January 24, 1870, a resolution was adopted by the Common Council
providing for the purchase of a hand

Page 169

fire engine known as the Fire King, provided it should prove satisfactory,
but it did not. Four years later, on January 3, 1874 the Champion Fire
Extinguisher, the old chemical engine, was purchased for $2,000, of which
half was was paid that year and the other half the year following.

   Having an engine it became necessary to organize a fire company. It was
at first composed of the following members: John Neary, John McCloud,
William F. Griffith, Patrick Hammill, Thomas Clark, Leonard Fishbeck,
George Harrington. Perley Skilbeck, Frank Ackerman, Frank Archer, Charles
G. Jewett, Mark Rubert, Homer N. Beach, Theodore Huntley, E. A. Young,
Thomas McEwen, Henry Wilbur, Peter Clark, Birt F. Parsons, Edward Waldron,
H. T. Browning, Edward Greenaway, F. G. Hickey, H. G. Sellman, William
Beattie, George L. Clark, G. S. Burgess, R. H. Brown, Cassius Austin and
Thomas G. Switzer.

   The first fire company was organized by electing the following officers:

   Foreman, John Neary; First Assistant Foreman, Thomas Clark; Second
Assistant Foreman, Edward Waldron; Pipeman, R. H. Brown; Second Pipeman,
John McCloud; Superintendent of Chemicals, E. A. Young; Assistant
Superintendent of Chemicals, Henry Wilber; Secretary, William F. Griffith;
Treasurer, Patrick Hammill.

   Over a year later, May 24, 1875, the Council took action for a suitable
house for the fire engine and

Page 170

company. The lot was purchased for $875, of Wm. McPherson & Sons, and the
building was erected by Frank Kelly for $2,917.52.

   It is worthy of note that this building was only what was considered
necessary for use of the fire department at that time, with the addition
of a Council Room. Since then the department's facilities have doubled and
more; the street commissioner's tools and supplies are stored in the
building; the electrical shop has driven the fire department out of its
hall for meeting purposes; and several other things have found a
headquarters there. The result of this crowding has developed a feeling on
the part of the department that it is not properly appreciated and its
condition is one dangerously near disorganization. As no ground can be
purchased for an addition to the present building, there is a growing
sentiment for the sale of the present building and the erection of a new
one adequate for present needs.

   The erection of the water works system in 1894 made a complete
revolution in the department's equipment. It still keeps the chemical
engine however, for use in two or three districts which are not yet
reached by the water mains.

   Charles G. Jewett is a Howell production, until about four years ago he
slept in the room where he was born. Descendant of a pioneer family he has
seen Howell's development and has always been a leader along the line of

Page 171

its improvement. Nov. 1, 1870, Mr. Jewett became a Howell businessman by
the purchase of the old Andrews & Winans hardware. Two years later he
built the block which long bore his name but is now known by the name of
Goodnow.

   About twelve years ago he moved his business to the Crossman building
which he occupied for about eight years. Four years ago he left the
general hardware trade to engage in plumbing and steam fitting in which he
is a heavy contractor and a leading member of the state association. He
has done the work in his line at the State Sanatorium. A year ago he added
electrical supplies to that line and is now enjoying a large business with
a number of regular employees.

   As heretofore noted the Howell post office was established Jan. 15,
1836, Flavius J. B. Crane was the first postmaster and the post office was
in the Eagle Hotel.

   Ely Barnard was appointed to the office June 13, 1839. He first located
the office in the building near where Schroeder's hardware now stands, but
later moved to E. F. Gay's store. John Curtis was his deputy and conducted
the office.

   Almon Whipple was appointed Feb. 9, 1841. He held the office four
months, and continued it in the Gay store.

   Wellington A. Glover was appointed May 31, 1841, and continued the
office in the Gay store.

Page 172

S. F. Hubbell then a law student, noted as his deputy.

   Almon Whipple was re-appointed Sept. 1, 1843, and moved the office to
his store on the site now occupied by the Detroit Mercantile Co.

   George W. Lee became postmaster April 14, 1849, and located the office
in Lee Bros. store, on the site now occupied by Monroe Bros.

   Derastus Hinman was appointed June 7,1853, and moved the office to his
store on the south side of Grand River street.

Frank Wells was appointed postmaster Feb. 25, 1855. His office was in a
drug store a few doors east of where Tidings now is.

   Leander C. Smith was appointed March 16, 1861. For four years he
maintained the post office in the Lee store where Monroe Brothers now are.
He then moved the office to the site now occupied by the Porter Clothing
Co.

   Henry T. Clark was appointed March 8, 1866, and reappointed June 1,
1868. He continued the office where Mr. Smith had kept it until the
building was burned, and then moved to a building where Hotel Livingston
now stands.

   William W. Kenyon became postmaster August 20, 1868, and was re-
appointed December 10,1873. Under his management the office was elevated
to the presidential class. Mi. Kenyon at first maintained the office one
door west of the McPherson store. He moved from there to the site now
occupied by

Page 173

Marvin's jewelry store, later to the Cardell block, and still later to the
store now occupied by Schnackenberg Brothers.

   Julius D. Smith became postmaster Dee, 14, 1877. He moved the office to
the site now occupied by Mrs. Williams' millinery store.

   When Charles E. Beurmann became postmaster December 15, 1881, quite a
struggle was on as to whether "Peanut Row" as the buildings facing State
Street were called, should keep the office, Mr. Beurmann had leased the
Greenaway building and paid $25 of rent, on condition that he received the
appointment. When this became known the "Peanut Row" forces worked hard
against his appointment. So confident were they that Mr. Beurmann would
not receive the appointment that Mr. Greenaway leased his store to Henry
P. Spencer's drug store and Charles H. Brown's jewelry store. They were
hardly settled however before the appointment came and they had to move
out.

   Isaac W. Bush was appointed postmaster January 20, 1886, and moved the
office back to "Peanut Row." The big fire spoiled that place and he then
moved to the room now occupied by the bar room of Hotel Livingston. The
old fight for "Peanut Row" was compromised by Dr. W. J. Mills building a
new building especially for the post office, where the Livingston Democrat
has been since its present management took charge. Mr. Bush moved the
office there

Page 174

January 16, 1890. Thomas G. Switzer succeeded Mr. Bush and soon after
moved the office to the room now occupied by Goodnow & Beech. After the
second big fire, Mr. Goodnow desired to occupy his old quarters and the
post office was moved to the Opera House block.

   Henry D. Wilber became postmaster March 9, 1894, and moved to the store
now occupied by the Whipple saloon. During the latter part of his
administration George Barnes secured a contract with the government for a
lease in the present quarters, and erected his building with the post
office idea for its ground floor occupant. Mr. Wilbur moved the office
there just before he retired from the position and there it has since
remained.

   Timothy Smith became postmaster May 5, 1898. During his administration
the rural delivery has been worked up to nine routes and a complete new
outfit, up-to-the-minute in design, has been put in. The office has been
running just too low but very near to the line for second class for some
time past, and is booked for that change July 1st.

   June 28, 1876, a meeting was held at the Council rooms and a county
medical society was organized. Howell names on the roll were: Z. Hawley
Marsh, Wm. L. Wells, Robert C. Hutton, Cyrus Mather, Charles G.
Cruickshank, Casper V. Beebe, Henry N. Spencer, Andrew Blank and Horace R.
Hitchcock. Other physicians of town, who were obliged

Page 175

to be absent from that meeting, afterwards gave their names to the
secretary, but this was nearly all there was to the life of this
organization.

   Medical societies of the country were considerably mixed up for several
years but straightened out in 1902. The present plan calls for county
medical societies affiliated with each other, forming district, state and
finally the American Medical Society. A meeting was held in Howell, in
1903 and the Livingston County Medical Society was organized. It now
includes all physicians of the county. Dr. Irwin of Oak Grove, is now its
president, and Dr. R. H. Baird of Howell, its secretary-treasurer. The
executive committee is Drs. Brown and Brigham of Howell. Dr. Claud Irwin
of Hartland, Dr. Claud Sigler of Pinckney and Dr. Cohen of Brighton.
Howell members are Dr. Wm. C. Huntington, Dr. R. H. Baird, Dr. E. H.
Bailey, Dr. Janette Brigham, Dr. J. E. Browne and Dr. C. E. Skinner.

   Howell had a Good Templars lodge along in the '60s, which did excellent
work. Its records are lost however and, little tangible can be learned.
Another lodge was organized at the close of a meeting in the Presbyterian
church, Oct. 8, 1874, by Charles P . Russell, then Past Grand Worthy Chief
Templar of that order in Michigan. Julius D. Smith was its first Worthy
Chief Templar and Mrs. H. G. W. Fry its first Worthy Vice Templar. This
lodge was for many years one of the strongest social organizations

Page 176

in the town and did a good work for the cause. Quite a number of those who
had felt the curse of liquor were induced to take its obligations and
became useful citizens through its influences. Several of the most active
of Howell's temperance workers at the present day received their early
inspiration for the cause in the teachings of this order.

   Among its active workers was Mrs. T. B. Knapp, whom the author of this
history had the privilege of nominating successively, as District
Secretary, Grand Vice Templar, and Grand Superintendent of Juvenile
Temples, to each of which positions she was elected. She was elected one
of the delegates from the Grand Lodge of Michigan to the Right Worthy
Grand Lodge which met in Edinborough, Scotland in 1891, and to the
sessions at Des Moines, lowa, Chicago, Ill., Saratoga, N.Y., Washington,
D. C., Toronto, Ont., and Richmond, Va.

   Nov. 19, 1886 the Livingston Herald was established by the author of
this history who was then a student in the law office of Hon. Rollin H.
Person then practicing law in Howell. As is the custom with young lawyers,
we were then dabbling as a real estate agent and wanted an advertising
medium. Uncle Sam was not as particular in entering second class
publications in those days, and the little Herald, composed of four pages
of two columns each, and forming a sheet 8x10 inches in size when opened,
was easily admitted to the mails even if its third page was

Page 177

filled with advertising for its publisher. By the fourth issue Andrew
Whitaker then a Howell grocer, wanted advertising space. Stephen Pratt,
then a Howell druggist, soon followed. By the seventh week it became
necessary to enlarge to a three-column size.

   After the big fire in March 1887, the Herald business had grown so that
it became necessary to abandon either that or, the legal profession and
the Herald was chosen. At the end of four years its first publisher sold
the paper, a successful 6-column folio, to accept a position on the Toledo
Evening News where he remained fox ten years.

   Messrs. J. L. Pettibone & Son who purchased the paper, published it but
a few months and then sold to Thomas W. Brewer who has maintained it as a
6-column quorto, since that time.

   The old court house was for many years an honor to the County. Then its
surroundings outgrow the building and it became an eyesore to everyone. It
was several times a subject for discussion however, before action looking
toward improvement could be secured from the board of supervisors. They
finally submitted a proposition to build a new sheriff's residence and
jail at an expense of $8,000, which was voted upon in the spring of 1887.
The townships of Brighton, Deerfield, Green Oak, Hartland, Handy, Iosco,
Putman and Tyrone gave decided majorities against the project a total of
961 but the rest of the county gave a majority of 1, 305 in majority in
its favor,

Page 178

thus leaving a net majority of 344 in the county, for the project, The
Supervisors took the necessary action at their next meeting, and the
present sheriff's residence and jail was, built the following year.

   With the jail out of the old court house, sentiment for the new one was
more rapid in forming. The supervisors submitted the question to voters,
at their January session in 1889. The townships of Handy, Putnam,
Hartland, Deerfield, Brighton, Green Oak, Tyrone and Unadilla rolled up a
majority of -1059 against the project, but the other towns gave a
majority. of 1470 for the building, thus giving 411 majority in the
county, and the new building was authorized.

   The Board of Supervisors met April 21 of that year, and elected a
building committee consisting of L. J. Wright of Howell, George W. Barnes
of Tyrone, Vincent Parshall of Oceola, Thomas Howlett of Unadilla, and
Daniel Sabin of Conway.

   The corner stone was laid August 10, 1889, by Judge Turner. General R.
A. Alger of Detroit, made the leading address, which was followed by a
five-minutes address from a representative selected from each township.

   W. P. Van Winkle was president of the day. Calvin Wilcox was marshall
of the parade which preceded the exercises. There were vice presidents
from each township.

   The building was not completed until the following

Page 179

year. The Opera House was rented for Circuit Court until the new building
was ready.

   In the fall of 1886 two young ladies came to Howell under orders of the
American Salvation Army to establish a corps here. They were Capt. Carlson
and Lieut. Brownell. The old Masonic hall in the Weimeister block had been
leased before they came, and benches had been fitted up for the
prospective audiences. From the start church people of Howell rallied to
assist the army, and the meetings took on a strong swing from the very
first. By the third night the two officers had one recruit to go with them
on the march and others rapidly followed. In time as the corps became more
prosperous, the skating rink was leased and its meetings there, from night
to night, were probably the most largely attended religious meetings which
have ever been held in Howell. The audience was often counted as it left
the building and its average number was about 685. During the summer of
1887, Gen. Moore who was the head of the organization, visited Howell. The
occasion was one of general recognition and brought several thousand
people from this and neighboring counties.

   A concerted movement was made by the army, the city churches and
businessmen, to so favorably impress Gen. Moore that he would establish
their state headquarters here, which was done. Two or three Howell people
became officers and went out in the work, from here. In time however, new
officers were appointed here, and the work lagged. Capt.

Page 180

Carlson became Mrs. Nelson Yelland And Lieut. Brownell became Mrs. Will
Fish. Both have always been respected ladies by all who have known them
here.

   Some time after the American Army ceased to exist in Howell, the
organization headed by Gen. Booth secured a foothold here and continued
with varying success for some years. Among its officers was Mrs. Ben
Porter who for several years past has done excellent work with her husband
who has been a Methodist pastor and successful evangelist.

   On Saturday evening, March 12, 1887, as Andrew Whitaker and Burr
Montague were going home after business places were shut up, they
discovered the Monroe block at the corner of Grand River and State streets
to be on fire. Mr. Montague ran to the side window which he had just
reached when an explosion took place which threw him back across the
sidewalk and over the hitching post, but not seriously injuring him. The
inside of the building was torn from the basement to the roof and fire was
thrown three stories, and onto adjoining roofs. In an instant the entire
Monroe block was in flames and the fire spread very rapidly to adjoining
buildings. E. P. Gregory who was then village president, telephoned to Ann
Arbor and Lansing for help and both of those cities responded promptly
with steamers. Before they arrived however, the Greenaway block which
stood at the west end of the square where the fire started, fell inward

Page 181

with a crash, thus making it possible to confine the fire to one square
which could not have been done if it had fallen outward. The burned
district covered the entire square of business blocks, except four small
two-story buildings in the north-east corner. The loss was a very large
one and divided among over thirty people and firms.

   Just as the fire engine was pulled to the scene someone in the court
yard called "Tom Clark" and added some epithet, and fired. The shot just
grazed Mr. Clark's clothing, glanced from the engine and hit Al. Fishbeck
but its force was too much spent to do much damage. The crowd rushed
across the street but failed to find the shooter in the darkness. The
shot, with the fact that Mr. Monroe who was an active temperance worker,
had received a letter threatening to burn him out if he didn't stop his
prohibition work, caused considerable excitement at the time, but no one
was ever brought to justice.

   Tuesday, May 24, 1887, occurred the death of Jay Corson. Mr. Corson was
born in Green Oak, and was always known to Howell people. After graduating
from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1880. he was
given such a welcome to Howell as few young men receive. After a few
months he tried life in Alpena and Detroit, and returned to Howell in
1883. He was elected Circuit Court commissioner in the following campaign,
and was village president in 1885, declining the honor of

Page 182

a second nomination. In 1886 he was nominated for prosecuting attorney in
the Republican county convention, by acclamation. His health failed so
that he was not able to make a vigorous campaign, but he received more
votes than any other candidate upon his ticket, and all but five votes in
his native town of Green Oak. At the age of twenty-nine years, just as
great prospects seemed to open before him, Jay Corson's life story closed
here, to open in the hereafter.

   Two or three efforts were made at various times to organize a
Livingston County Sunday school association. A meeting was held in the
Presbyterian church in 1888, and an organization was perfected. Frank
Holden of Green Oak, was elected president and R. C. Reed then of Oceola,
was secretary. The first county convention was also held in the
Presbyterian church, on April 16 and 17 of that year, and was very
successful. County Sunday school conventions were held regularly from that
time forward, for a good many years and much good was accomplished. It was
finally allowed to lapse however. A convention was held at the M. E.
church last year and the organization was revived.

   When the first organization was perfected each township in the county
was reorganized by electing a president and secretary. A. Riley Crittenden
was president of the Howell association and Mrs. Sarah T. Lyon secretary.
The Howell association was active in the work during their term of office.
The

Page 183

officers which followed them allowed it to lapse.

   In the early '80s, Profs. George Barnes and Thomas Gordon Jr. conducted
a normal training school for teachers, in Howell, during the summer
vacation. About fifty young people of the county availed themselves of the
opportunity for review and preparation for the fall teachers' examination.
The school proved such a complete success that a similar school was held
by these gentlemen or other local educators for some years. The central
school building was leased for the purpose and the Howell summer schools
attracted considerable attention, drawing students from quite a territory
beyond the county lines. They proved to be quite an enterprise too for the
town, as the young people had to be maintained here, and quite a trade in
all lines resulted.

   Thompson's lake has always contained a number of springs from which
flow very cold water. These form currents which often catch swimmers who
attempt long distance swimming and dangerous cramps result. This has led
to a number of drownings. Another cause of these catastrophes is the
closeness to town and its temptation when the ice is not yet strong enough
in the fall. One of the saddest of this latter was the drowning of
Clifford Culver a bright promising boy of twelve years, on Thursday, Nov.
22, 1888. For over half an hour the heroic boy hung to the ice and waited
for the help which was vainly trying to reach him. At last benumbed

Page 184

by the cold water called out his good byes and let go to sink out of
sight, until the ice was broken to the spot and the body was recovered,
about three hours later.

   The last drowning in Thompson's lake, Thursday June 28, 1906, was also
a peculiarly sad one. The victim was Kern Beurmann a popular and promising
young man who graduated from the Howell High School three years before,
and had just completed his law course at the University of Michigan. He
went to the lake for a swim. The day was very warm and he was without
doubt attached with cramps which took him down. His body was not in the
water a great while but it was impossible to resuscitate him

   In December, 1888, three or four cases of small pox developed in Howell
and one in the country near town. Georgia Fishbeck who boarded with his
uncle Murry Fishbeck, died of the dread disease. When the first cases
developed every precaution was taken to head off a further spread of the
disease and it was confidently expected that this had been accomplished.
All three papers then published in Howell had items to the effect that
there was no further danger. The day after they were issued C. J.. Cook
who was clerking in one of the stores came down with varioloid. Rumor
confounded him with C. L. Cook the well known grocer. The Pinckney
Dispatch sounded a warning to keep away from Howell, and alleged that the
papers and people here were misrepresenting the

Page 185

situation. The scare worked and it was spring before it was over and
business resumed its normal condition. There have been two or three
similar scares at various times, but this one was probably the most severe
the town has ever seen. During two or three weeks, at the height of the
scare, only four teams went down Grand River street.

   Late township officers are as follows:

1880 Supervisor, George W. Fitch; clerk, William F. Griffith; treasurer,
Thomas G. Switzer; school inspector, Charles A. Phillips; superintendent
of schools, Hugh Conklin. He resigned December 7, and Thomas Gordon Jr.
was appointed; highway commissioner, William J. Walbran; drain commis
sioner, Harvey R. Durfee; Constables, Nelson A. Eckler, George B. Raymour,
Charles E. Beurmann Jr., C. Franklin Dorrance.

1881 Supervisor, Timothy Smith; clerk, Henry D. Wilber; treasurer, William
R. Miller; superintendent of schools, Thomas Gordon Jr. He resigned and
Frank O. Burt was appointed; school inspector Horace P. Bump; highway
commissioner, Eugene E . Latson; constables, Andrew J. Rounds, R. H.
Rumsey, Edgar Noble, W. H. White.

1882 Supervisor, Albert Riddle; clerk, Seth B. Rubert; treasurer, William
R Miller; school inspector, two years, Harry J. Havens, one year, Sidney
H. Burt; highway commissioner, David P. Lake; constable, William Brower,
appointed by town board.

Page 186

1883 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk, Seth B. Rubert; treasurer, Leslie
E. Woodruff; highway commissioner, David P. Lake; constables, Amos
Winegar, P. McManus.

1884 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk, William C. Spencer; treasurer,
Leslie E. Woodruff; school inspector, David D. Harger; highway
commissioner, Wesley W. Crittenden; drain commissioner, Isaac W. Stowe;
constables , H. H. Clark, Benjamin H. Perkins.

1885 Supervisor, George W. Axtell; clerk, Seth B. Rubert treasurer, Frank
P. Archer; school inspector, Lewis C. Miller; highway commissioner, Thomas
Hale; constables, H. H. Clark, S. D. Anderson, Jerome Wilber, Edwin Smith.

1886 Supervisor, Albert Riddle; clerk, Amos Winegar; treasurer, Louis J.
Wright; school inspector, Frank D. Filkins; highway commissioner, Thomas
Hale; drain commissioner, David P. Lake; constables, John Roustin, Robert
A. Chambers, Alfred Copeland.

1887 Supervisor, Newton T, Kirk; clerk, William M. Force; treasurer,
Timothy Smith; school inspector David D. Barger, vacancy, Jay Corson;
highway commissioner, George Howard Jr.; constables, Walter S. Papworth,
Charles H. White.

1888 Supervisor, Lewis J. Wright; clerk, Judd Yelland; treasurer, Timothy
Smith; school inspector, Perry G. Burdick; highway commissioner, David P.
Lake;

Page 187

drain commissioner, James Canfield; constables, George Lown, Will Peavy.

1889 Supervisor, Lewis J. Wright; clerk, Judd Yelland: treasurer, Frank
Crandall; school inspector Andrew B. Fishbeck; highway commissioner, Edwin
W. Smith; drain commissioner, George Lown.

1890 Supervisor, Lewis J. Wright; clerk. B. L. Walker; treasurer, Frank Z.
Hubbell; school inspector, Edward J. Drewery; justice of the peace, George
B. Raymour, vacancy, David Robison; highway commissioner, Richard Hale;
drain commissioner, William. Line; constables, George Lown, E. D. McKinley
John F. Marr; board, of review, Frank O. Burt, Gilbert L. Wolcott.

1891 Supervisor, Lewis J. Wright; clerk, George C. Allen; treasurer, Frank
Z. Hubbell; school inspector, Charles Gilks; justice of the peace, E., P.
Gregory; highway commissioner, Richard Hale; constables, Vernon C, Smith,
George Lown, Julius B. Whitaker; member board of review, Gilbert L.
Wolcott.

1892 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk, Andrew B. Fishbeck; treasurer,
James Ryan; school inspector, Vernon C. Smith, vacancy, Henry H. Wines
highway commissioner, Eurias Marr; drain commissioner, William Line;
constables, L. J. Wright, George L. Lown; board of review, Gilbert L.
Wolcott, David P. Lake.

1893 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk,

Page 188

An drew B. Fishbeck: treasurer, James Ryan; school inspector Joseph S.
Brown; justice of the peace, Vernon C . Smith; highway commissioner,
Eurias Marr; member board of review, David P. Lake.

1894 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Amos
Winegar; school inspector, M. L. Carpenter; justice of the peace, Eugene
A. Stowe; highway commissioner, Richard Hate; drain commissioner, William
Line; board of review, David P. Lake, Solomon Hildebrant.

1895 Supervisor, Homer N. Beach; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Amos
Winegar; school inspector, Roy Fitch; justice of the peace, Dwight H.
Fitch; highway commissioner, Richard Hale; member board of review, Daniel
Bergin.

1896 Supervisor, Amos Winegar; clerk, Frank J. Holt treasurer Walter W.
Knapp; school inspector G. Clyde Brown; justice of the peace. Robert R.
Wakefield, highway commissioner Eunias Marr; constables, Lemuel A. Wight,
Frank Durfee, Patrick Devlin, Stephen G, Fishbeck; member board of review,
David P. Lake.

1897 Supervisor, Amos Winegar; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Walter W.
Knapp; highway com missioner, Eurias Marr.

1898 Supervisor, Walter W. Knapp; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Richard
E. Barron; highway commissioner, James E. Filkins.

1899 Supervisor, Walter W. Knapp; clerk Frank

Page 189

J. Holt; treasurer, Richard E. Barron; school inspector, Benjamin J.
Wessinger; highway commissioner, James B. Filkins; constable. David P.
Lake, Stephen G, Fishbeck; member board of review, Thomas Lamoreaux.

1900 Supervisor, Walter W. Knapp; clerk , Frank J. Holt; treasurer, John
B. Barron; school inspector C. E. White; justice of the peace, David D.
Harger; highway commissioner, William H. Peavy; constable, Stephen G.
Fishbeck; member board of review, Eurias Marr.

1901 Supervisor, W. H. S. Wood; clerk, Frank J, Holt; treasurer, John B.
Barron; school, inspector Samuel M. Yerkes; justice of the peace, Richard
D. Roche; highway commissioner, William H. Peavy; constables, Freeman
Rorabacher, S. David Anderson; member board of review, Laverne D.
Brockway.

1902 Supervisor, W. H. S Wood; clerk Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Plin G.
Henry; s chool inspector, R. Bruce Satterla; justice of the peace, Glenn
S. Mack; highway commissioner, William H. Peavy; constables, Samuel D.
Anderson, Freeman Rorabacher, Henry H. Collins.

1903 Supervisor, John Kirk; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer, P. J. Henry.

1904 Supervisor. Tim P. Stowe; clerk, Frank J, Holt; treasurer, Wilbur B.
Johnson; school inspector, R. B, Satterla; justice of the peace, David D.
Harger; to fill vacancy, Andrew J. Brown; highway

Page 190

commissioner, Richard Hale; constables, Henry H. Collins, Stephen G.
Fishbeck; member board of review, Eurias Marr.

1905 Supervisor, Tim P. Stowe; clerk, Frank J. Holt treasurer, Wilbur
Johnson; school inspector, Howard Warner; justice of the peace, Richard
Roche; highway commissioner, Richard Hale; constables, Stephen Fishbeck,
F. Rorabacher, Roy Jubb, William H. Peavy; member board of review, Gilbert
Sargent.

1906 Supervisor, E. Miller Beurmann; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer,
James H. Miner; school inspector, R. Bruce Satterla; justice of the peace,
Alfred E. Papworth; highway commissioner, Frank M. Miner; constables. H.
H. Collins, Freeman Rorabacher, William J. Culver, Harry L. Williams,
member board of review, Frank R. Crandall; library directors, Thomas
Gordon Jr., M. J. McPherson, W. H. S. Wood.

1907 Supervisor, E. Miller Beurmann; clerk, Frank J. Holt; treasurer,
James H. Miner; school inspector Howard C. Warner; vacancy, John Earl;
justice of the peace, Herbert Satterle; highway commissioner, Eugene E.
Howe; constables, Fred Sttrcker, William J. Culver, Henry H. Collins, Fred
Satterla, member board of review, Adelbert F. Peavy; library directors,
George Barnes, Albert D. Thompson.

1908 Supervisor, E. Miller Beurmann; clerk,

Page 191

Frank J. Holt; treasurer, Andrew J. Brown; school inspector, Wm. R.
Whitaker; justice of the peace, David D. Harger; library directors, R.,
Bruce McPherson, Geo. H. Chapel; Highway commissioner, Eugene E. Howe;
constables, Wm. J. Culver, Albert Satterla, Henry H. Collins, Freeman
Rorabacher; member board of review, Frank R. Crandall.

1909  Supervisor, E. Miller Beurmann; clerk Frank J. Holt; treasurer,
Andrew J. Brown; justice of the peace, Richard D. Roche; highway
commissioner, John F. Lockwood; highway overseer, Charles Melentine;
constables, Wm. F. Culver, Ray E. Latson, Henry H. Collins, Freeman
Rorabacher; library directors, Louis S. Brooke, Martin J. McPherson;
member of review, Adelbert F. Peavy.



Chapter 11
Up to Now

   In 1880 Hunter & Holmes then building contractors here, commenced the
erection of an opera house. The building was opened in 1881, with Joseph
Jefferson. It was at once a convenience for the town which was fully
appreciated and has always enjoyed a loyal patronage from Howell people
for public meetings.

   As a play house the patronage has been of the streaked order, sometimes
strong and then not so good, but usually pretty fair for a town the size
of Howell.

   The building enterprise proved to heavy for the builders and the
building went on the mortgage. It was owned for awhile by Detroit parties
and was then purchased by Arthur Garland who has since managed it and
conducted his business there.

   October 2, 1892, fire broke out in the basement of Isaac Bush's grocery
on Grand River street, between Division and State streets. The flue stop
had fallen out of the chimney in the basement. People in the store
adjoining, burned out some papers and truck, in their stove, The fire was
drawn down through the chimney, with the result already given. It had a

Page 192

good headway before discovered, and was soon beyond control. All the
buildings in that block, fronting on Grand River street, except the east
store, were burned. The loss was estimated at $75,000,

   Among the heavy losers were Hickey & Goodnow who occupied a double
store. The building collapsed before anyone expected and several people
had very narrow escapes. Oliver Cook had to be pulled out. Mrs. F. G.
Hickey was caught by one foot, and called loudly for those near to get an
axe and cut off her foot. Crowbars were secured and she was finally pried
loose with great effort.

   Frank G. Hickey and Darwin Wines were very soon missed. Their remains
were found in the ruins as soon as the fire was sufficiently under control
so that the anxious ones could search for them. Mr. Hickey was senior
member of the firm. Mr. Wines was a contractor and builder.

   In the fall of 1890 Hon. Charles Fishbeck who was soon to retire from
office of Judge of Probate, took steps to organize a second bank for
Howell. J. A. May who had had some experience in the business was secured
to lead in the enterprise and several good men were soon interested.
Preliminary meetings were held in Fishbeck's office. The application for a
charter was filed Nov. 28 of that year. The charter was granted Jan. 12,
1891.

   Miller Bros. who had for years run a saloon and cigar factory, about
that time bought the block where

Page 193

they have since been. The room they vacated was fitted up for the bank
which took the name of First State and Savings Bank of Howell, Michigan.
The first officers were Charles Fishbeck, president, Frank G. Hickey, vice
president; J. A, May, cashier; directors, Charles Curtis, Frank G. Hickey,
Charles Fishbeck, Asa Van Kleek, J. A. May, John Ryan, S. B. Rubert.

   The bank opened for business Jan. 13, 1891.

   The present board of directors are Charles A. Goodnow, Arthur Garland,
Asa Van Kleek, George Barnes, John Ryan, F. O. Burt, W. P . Van Winkle.
The officers are: president, W. P. Van Winkle; vice president, Asa Van
KIeek; cashier, A. L. Smith, assistant cashier, L. R. Manning.

   George H. Hazelwood who was the first agent here for the Ann Arbor R R
interested himself in a factory project and raised the necessary money to
secure A. A. and Fred Piatt and Edward Porter who moved here from Hudson
with their bending works.

   The company took the names of The Howell Manufacturer Co., and
manufactured quite an extensive line of bent woodwork. In 1891 their works
which stood near the present milk factory site, were burned. They were
rebuilt upon a much smaller scale but were burned again in 1893. By this
time they had worked up about all the available timber in this section and
the works were never rebuilt here. The Piatts moved to Lansing.

Page 194

   Along in the '80s James M. Turner of Lansing, organized a milk factory
there, taking the name of Michigan Condensed Milk Co. In time he casually
asked Wm. McPherson one day, if he knew where a man could be secured to
take hold of their business in New York, to look after sales. This talk
led to the employment of  Birt F. Parsons who closed out his business here
and moved to New York, for that purpose. Shortly after this James F. Joy
and C. H. Buhl of Detroit, acquired the business from Mr. Turner.

   Largely through Mr. Parsons' personal efforts the business grew until
the company required more milk than one factory's, capacity. Mr. Parsons
remembered his old home town and took the matter up here. A meeting was
hold in the Opera House in 1891 and the required bonus of $5,000 was
raised to secure the factory.

   For some time milk was shipped to Lansing. By the time the factory was
ready there was milk enough coming in to start work here. It was opened in
1893, with E. P. Gregory as superintendent. He resigned in 1901 and Wm. S.
Sanderlands succeeded him to that position, May 8 of that year.

   The factory has for years received an average of 90,000 pounds of milk
per day. It has averaged paying the farmers $360,000 per year for milk,
and over $40,000 per year to help. Other factories have paid in checks at
panicy times but the Howell factory

Page 195

has always provided the cash without a single failure. The value to the
whole community by having this stream of money flowing in regularly winter
and summer, is beyond competion.

   In 1881, W. Sexton who then lived on his farm in Marion, bought some
Holstein cattle at St. Clairville, N.Y., He was so well pleased with them
that when the man from whom he purchased imported from Holland in 1882,
Mr. Sexton secured some to come with his. At that time this section was
considerably noted for Durham cattle and Mr. Sexton's black and white
stock created all kinds of comment when he showed them at the county fair
that fall. He had carefully studied his breed, however and given them a
severe test, and pinned his faith to the Holsteins. For his careful work
in those days the industry here has much to be thankful. In that first
importation was a noble cow with the characteristic Holland name of
Houwtje. Recognizing her value Mr. Sexton moved his operations largely
toward her family. He has lived to see them among the country's leaders.

   Frank Metz who worked for Mr. Sexton, caught his ardor and enthusiasm,
and was the second Holstein man here. Horace Norton soon followed. All of
these were in Marion but they laid the foundation for what has become,
beyond any question, Howell's greatest and most paving enterprise.

   The advent of the milk factory had much to do

Page 196

with the developement of the Holstein industry. R. C. Reed, now of the
firm of Reed & Knowles; Frank Crandall, The McPherson Farms Co., Dr. W. C.
Huntington, F. W. Munson, W. W. Crittenden, J. W. Worhington, E. P,
Gregory and other Howell farmers are extensively engaged in Holstein
breeding. The A. R. O. movement which requires record of production before
registry, has found hearty support here, and the fame of Howell cattle,
including several farmers in other towns, is as wide as this country.
Messrs. Reed and Crandall have been officers of the state and national
Holstein breeders associations. Car load lots of thoroughbreds are
regularly shipped from this market to breeders every where, Howell being
the only place where choice specimens of this breed can regularly be
purchased in such quantities. The trade in Holstein grades too is very
large. So many buyers come from all parts of the country that D. M.
Beckwith has made it his regular business for some time past to act as a
sort of broker, to bring these buyers in contact with the cattle available
for sale on farms in this county.

   In the matter of records, Howell cattle are right at the front. Houwtje
K. Pietertje DeKol. No. 61,543, leads with a record of 99.6 pounds of milk
in one day and 675 pounds in seven days. Her butter record in seven days
was 18.98 pounds, She is owned by McPherson Farms Co. The 90 pound class
has a large number of cows hereabouts.

Page 197

   Going prices paid to farmers for thoroughbred Holsteins run around
$250, with choice animals more than doubling those figures. For grades the
farmers are receiving $60 to $80.

   Year after year, in the state medical society, the question of
establishing a state sanitorium for tb treatment of tuberculosis, was
discussed. Committees were often appointed, only to be turned down by the
Legislature. In 1905 the matter was brought on again by a paper in the
state medical society, by Dr, Hartz of Detroit It was decided to make
another trial and Dr. Hartz became chairman of the committee to take the
matter up at Lansing. Some local physicians, became interested and brought
the matter to the attention of Senator Rumer and Representative VanKeuren
of this district, and posted them as to the need and value of such an
institution. When the bill reached the Legislature, they were both among
its strongest supporters. When it passed with an appropriation of $30,000
to establish the institution and maintain it for the coming two years, Dr.
W. C, Huntington, to use a modern expression, got busy.

   Dr. Huntington's son Harry had recently returned from treatment in a
similar institution in the east. He and his father, at once began a search
of property in this vicinity for the most available site. They picked the
grounds which were afterwards decided upon.

Page 198

   Dr. Huntington then called a meeting at the "eugine house", and the
matter was taken up. It was decided to go after the institution and
committees were appointed accordingly. E. P. Gregory who was chairman of
the meeting, became chairman of the general committee. Everyone pulled
together and the institution was secured. The first board, was Dr. Hartz
of Detroit; Hon. Geo. W. Teeple of Pinckney; Frank B. Leeland of Detroit;
Dr. Lohnson of Grand Rapids; Dr. Gray of Clare and Dr. Copeland of Ann
Arbor.

   Dr. Kennedy of Detroit was its first superintendent.

   The local committee raised the money to present the site to the state,
as an inducement to locate here.

Dr. Pierce is now superintendent. The present board is as follows: Dr.
Hartz of Detroit; Dr. Johnson of Grand Rapids; Hon. Geo. W. Teeple of
Pinckney Dr. Gray of Clare; Dr. Hinsdale of Ann Arbor, and Dr. F. B.
Leeland of Detroit.

   In 1898, E. A Bowman opened a little bazaar store in the Cardwell
block. It wasn't a very large institution and while Howell has a welcome
for large and small alike, no one thought a great deal about it anyhow. In
Mr. Bowman's desk is a little brown envelope labeled "First sale, March
15, 1898." It contains five cents.

   While the stock was small, its owner possessed

Page 199

indomitable will, courage, courtesy and hustle. These qualities didn't
show up on the first invoice, but they went right into the business with
the little stock. After awhile, the store moved to a more central location
and then to one of the largest stores in town. Then came a balcony, a
basement fitted up for additional departments, a commodious store house
erected in the rear and an annex in another building. At the start, Mr.
Bowman and a boy took care of all the trade and had lots of time. Now,
seven clerks are regularly employed, more on Saturdays and in the holiday
season, as high as twenty-eight have been required to take care of the
trade. The little store has grown to be the leader in its lines. Its a
marvelous development.

   In the early '80s Frank H. Bush built Howell's first greenhouse. It
stood on the ground now occupied by John Kingquest's house. For two or
three years he did a good business, and then having engaged in the news
and confectionary business allowed his greenhouse to go down. By the way
this young man's confectionary business was in the room now occupied by
Kirk's millinery store on State street. His peanut roaster was a new thing
in Howell, and gave him a big business and this in turn gave to the row of
two story business places, then lately erected, the name of "Peanut Row",
which it has since held.

   About twenty years ago, Mrs. Geo. B. Lake who

Page 200

was then living with her father, Dr. Z. H. Marsh, built a small greenhouse
adjoining her home. About that time a young man named Samuel D. Chaney
arrived in Howell and arranged to work for Mrs. Lake for his board, and go
to school. The greenhouse become largely his care. Chaney afterwards
became an operator on the Chicago Board of Trade, where he made a handsome
fortune, He retired a few years ago and built a splendid home at Joliet,
Ill., and has a fine summer home at Chautauqua Lake, N.Y.

   Soon after Mr. Chaney gave up his job of working in the greenhouse for
his board, J. Albert Brown was employed by Mrs. Lake. He worked for her
about seven years, and thirteen years ago, purchased the property. Under
Mr. Brown's skilful management the business of flower culture has
developed to one of the best in this section of the state, calling for
several large houses, well equipped with the very latest appliances.

   The idea of raising vegetables under glass was new here when Lee
Chamberlain took it up with Howell people in 1906. He succeeded in
interesting capital with him and organized the firm of Lee Chamberlain &
Co. Arrangements were made with the Water Works and Electric Light Board
to run waste steam from their works for heating purposes and the green
houses were built. In 1907 the old firm was changed to an incorporation
under the name

Page 201

of Howell Greenhouse Co., Mr. Chamberlain remaining in the general
management. At this writing two houses each two by twelve rods in size,
have been under cultivation since the company began operations, and a
third is to be erected in the very near future. The leading products are
lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers which find ready market at, home and in the
cities, all through the winter.

   Another greenhouse was built by Walter Papworth, in connection with his
market garden business, some years ago. It has laid the foundation for
quite an extensive industry. Every spring, tomatoes and other plants which
are started there, are shipped to towns all through this part of the state.

   When William McPherson first established his store In Howell, a few
drugs were among the stock as they are in all country stores. Later, when
he formed the partnership with William Riddle and moved to the corner now
occupied by O. J. Parker's drug store, the drugs became a main stock,
gradually developing, until a few years later, a fully equipped drug store
was to be found there. In time the late H. P. Browning came here to clerk
in this drug store, and for some years managed it for Mr. McPherson and
Son.

   Later this stock was owned by Henry D. Wilber who ran it for a good
many years, finally moving to the old Winans block, where crockery, etc,
was added, and where it went out in the first big fire which swept that
block.

Page 202

   Another early drug store was run by E. A. Youngs who gained quite a
reputation with his medicines.

   Mr. Youngs sold out to W. F. Griffith who ran the store for a short
time and sold it to O. J. Parker, twenty-five years ago. Mr. Parker moved
to the M. J. McPherson block when it was completed and has been there
since, but is soon to move to the Greenaway block.

   Another early drug store was Dr. Blanck's. It was located in the Green
block, afterwards known as McKeever block. Dr. Blanck sold to A. H.
Phinney who moved the stock to the Van Kleeck block, where it was sold to
Tim P. Stowe and E. K. Johnson. They were together for seven or eight
years, when Mr. Johnson, in 1880, bought his partner's interests. When
this was done, the stock was in what is now known as Monroe Brothers'
block. It was moved from there to the Gregory block in 1909.

   Sometime after selling his interests in the firm of Stowe & Johnson,
Mr. Stowe started a new drug store, which he ran for some time and then
sold to Barron & Wines.

   Drs. Spencer & Hutton carried a growing stock of medicines in their
offices. When these were united in the formation of their medical
partnership, it pretty nearly made a drug store of itself. They were
leaders in their line for some years, and were succeeded by Henry P.
Spencer, who sold to E. Herendean, who afterwards failed and the stock was
largely sold

Page 203

at auction, the balance being stored for some years, in a barn.

   Another very early drug store was that of Frank Wells. He moved from
here to Lansing where he was prominent in business circles for several
years.

   In 1901 W. H. S. Wood was elected Supervisor and he proposed a petition
for a vote on the proposition of not to exceed a one mill tax for the
purpose of establishing and maintaining a township library, and among the
first signers thereof were M. J. McPherson, Wm. Van Winkle and K. S. B.
Holt. Meanwhile Mr. Wood also wrote to Andrew Carnegie who offered $10,000
for a library building if sight and ten percent or $1000 was promised for
annual maintenance. The vote, was taken at the April election in 1902, no
great effort being made to influence voters, except some quiet arguments
and letters in the press by members, of the Howell Woman's Club. Mr. Wood
having stated that he desired the voters and taxpayers to exercise a
careful and consistent choice in supporting or rejecting it, but it
carried by a vote of about two to one. The Township Board then appointed
suitable committees and the plans of architect E. E. Meyers of Detroit,
who was also the architect of the State Capitol at Lansing, and those of
Texas, Colorado and Illinois were accepted,

   Meanwhile, the sons of William McPherson, viz. Wm. Jr., E. G., M. J.
and Alex. secured and

Page 204

purchased the entire block on Grand River street formerly occupied by the
old foundry and presented it for a site, the central front where the
building stands being accepted by the township and the remainder of the
block by the village as a park.

   It was decided to build the library of field stone or glacial granite,
found in fields near here and it has certainly made as fine an appearing
library building as there is in the state and being on the best
thoroughfare, is generally noted and remarked about by all strangers
passing in automobiles, etc.

   The contract was let to G. Kuehnle, he being the only bidder on the
entire building and it was commenced in the spring of 1903, but after
getting the walls up and roof boards on, the contractor failed and it so
remained until Mr. Carnegie was induced by M. J. McPherson, to make a
further appropriation of five thousand dollars, by which it was completed
and the building was opened for use Thursday, November 19, 1906, with an
address by Rev. Dr. J. H Barkley of Detroit.

   The first Board of Township Library Commissioners, elected in 1903,
consisted of M. J. McPherson, W. H. S, Wood, Rev. Brooke, Thomas Gordon
Jr., George Chapel and George Barnes and since then, R. B. McPherson, A.
D. Thompson and Rev. Cooper have acted thereon.

   Miss Lucy Chapel was appointed librarian. The books of the Ladies
Library Association, were

Page 205

transferred to it. The children of Mrs. William McPherson Jr., presented
five hundred dollars worth of new books, the late Solomon Hildebrant and
Dr. W. J. Mills and others gave books and W. H. S. Wood gave about two
thousand law and government reports.

   When Miss Chapel resigned February 14, 1910, Mrs. Myrtle Wilkinson was
appointed to the position.

   The library is opened every weekday from two to five p. m. and on
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings from seven to nine p. m. It now
has about 6,000 volumes, and is much used and appreciated by the public,
and especially the pupils in the public schools. It belongs to the entire
township of Howell, is a free circulating library, books being allowed to
be kept two weeks, except reference books.

   A law was passed in 1905. drawn by W. H. S. Wood and introduced by
Senator George Barnes, allowing, adjoining towns to join with Howell in
its support, and use, but it has not as yet been availed of by them.

   In January, 1907, Prof. D. F. Clark established the Howell Business
College, affiliated with the Bliss Business College of Flint, Prof. F. M.
Dye was placed in charge for the first year. Prof, W. A. Clark became the
head of the school the following fall and is still in that position. The
college took a high grade for its work from the start, and has maintained
it. Its list of students has been larger each year than the year before.

Page 206

   On May 9th, 1909, A. Riley Crittenden learned that a Detroit factory
was looking for a location with more capital. The business looked good and
he soon arranged to bring the parties into contact with Howell people.
Before noon the next day the matter was practically cinched and on May
20th a contract was signed which resulted in the establishment of the
Wickman Wire Works here. The company is incorporated for $12,000 with H.
J. Wickman, Robert S. Layman, Wm. McPherson Jr. R. B. McPherson, M. J.
McPherson, H. E. McPherson, O. J. Parker, E. C. Shields, Jay C. Walton and
Fred P. Schroeder as stockholders. Its first officers were:

President--R. B. McPherson.

Vice President and General Superintendent--H. J. Wickman.

Secretary- Treasurer--H. E. McPherson.

   The company manufactures a line of wire specialties with a twisted wire
eave trough holder as a leader. Its first season was highly successful and
prospects are bright for a material increase in business.

   Wm. H. Wenk developed a genius for mechanics as a small boy, on a farm
in Deerfield. He gradually developed a saw mill and cider mill and made
quite a line of cider mill machinery. Early in 1908, he outgrew his
country facilities and bought a site from A, M. Wells on the bank of
Thompson's lake. There he erected a building in the upper portion of which
he placed his Deerfield business. In the basement

Page 207

he equipped a first-class creamery. Capital was interested in this change
and the Howell Manufacturing Co. was the result. It was incorporated at
$15,000. The new industry was opened for business Sept. 15, 1909 and seems
to be enjoying a prosperous and growing patronage.

   City officials of late years have been as follows:

1870 President, Henry H. Mills; clerk, Dennis Shields; assessor, Wm.
Curtis; trustees, Albert Riddle, Wm. C. Rumsey, Francis N. Monroe, Calvin
Wilcox, Andrew D. Waddell; marshall, H. C. Briggs, street commissioner,
Solemon T. Lyon; pound master, James Fitzgerald; treasurer, H. C. Briggs.

1871 President Sardias F. Hubbell; clerk, Andrew D. Waddell, assessor, Wm.
B. Smith; trustees, Neil O'Hearn, George H. Cooper, Floyd S. Wykoff,
Charles G. Jewett, and George Greenaway; marshall, Leonard N. Fishbeck;
street commissioner, William E. Huntly; treasurer, Leonard N. Fishbeck.

1872 President, Sardias F. Hubbell; clerk, Andrew D. Waddell; assessor,
Calvin Wilcox; trustees, John W. Wright, George L. Sage, Robert C. Hutton,
John M. White, John Jones; Marshall and treasurer, Henry A. Whipple;
street commissioner, Wm. E. Huntly.

1873 President, Niel O'Hearn; clerk, Edward B. Gregory; assessor, Harry J.
Haven; trustees, F. N. Monroe, Asa Van Kleeck, Wm. Beattie, Sylvester
Andrews, Albert Riddle; marshal and treasurer, Hiram Hopper; street
commissioner, Wm. C. Rumsey.

Page 208

1874 President, F. N. Monroe; clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; assessor, Benj.
Rubert; trustees, Wm. W. Finton, James A, Preston, William E. Watson,
Horace G. W. Fry, George Bush; Mr. Fry never qualified and E. B. Gregory
was elected to vacancy; street commissioner, Charles Brigham; marshall and
treasurer, Wm. Barnard.

1875 President, Horace Halbert; clerk, E. P. Gregory; assessor, F. J.
Hickey; trustees, Wm. B. Jewett, J. M. White, Frederick B. Brown, Roswell
Mott, Erastus Watrous; marshall and treasurer, Wm. F. Barnard; street
commissioner, C. Brigham.

1876 President Harry J. Haven; clerk, Rollin H. Person; assessor, Albeit
Riddle; trustees, Asa Van Kleeck, Robert A. Chambers, William L. Knapp,
John W. Wright, Neil O'Hearn; marshall and treasurer, Geo. Bush; street
commissioner, John Lee.

1877  President, Asa, Van Kleeck; clerk, Rollin H, Person, assessor, Wm.
B. Smith; trustees, R. H. Rumsey, L. N. Fishbeck, Stephen S. Moore, R. A.
Chambers, J. W. Wright; marshall and treasurer, Arthur F. Field; street
commissioner, Thomas J. Winegar; pound master, John Houston.

1878 President Neil O'Hearn; Royal H. Rumsey; assessor, William B. Smith;
trustees, Wm. H. Gilkes, Leonard N. Fishbeck, Harry J. Haven, Frank Kelly,
George H. Warren; street Commissioner, Thomas J. Winegar; treasurer,
Thomas Clark; health officer, W. L. Wells.

Page 209

1879 President, John H. Galloway; clerk, R. H. Rumsey; assessor, Benj. H.
Rubert; trustee, Asa Van Kleeck, Mylo L. Gay, Wm. B. Smith, F. N. Monroe,
Leander C. Smith; street commissioner, T. J. Winegar; marshall, Thomas
Clark; health officer H. R. Hitchcock.

1880 President, Leander C. Smith; clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; trustees, F. N.
Monroe, Theodore B. Knapp, Wm. McPherson Jr., Asa Van Kleeck, W. W.
Kenyon; assessor, Albert Riddle; street commissioner, Charles Brigham;
treasurer, Thomas Clark; health officer, R. C. Hatton.

1881 President, Wm. B. Smith; clerk, Charles H. Brown; assessor, Albert
Riddle; trustees, Wm. W. Kenyon, Robert A. Chambers, Theodore B. Knapp,
John M. Clark for one year, Homer N. Beach, F. N. Monroe, Charles L.
Collier, L. N. Fishbeck for two years; street commissioner, Alonzo
Teasdale; treasurer, Thomas Clark; health officer, Henry N. Spencer.

1882 President, Harry J. Haven; clerk, Frank O. Burt; assessor, Albert
Riddle; trustees for two years, Henry D. Wilber, Edward Greenaway, Lorenzo
H. Sullivan, to fill vacancy, Leslie E. Woodruff; street commissioner, A.
Teasdale; marshall, Thomas Clark; pound master, John Herbert; health
officer, Henry N. Spencer.

1883 President, Wm. W. Kenyon, clerk, Patrick J. Hammel; assessor, H. G.
W. Fry trustees,

Page 210

John V. Gilbert, John W. Wright, Edwin C. Sweet, Theodore B. Knapp;
vacancy, Charles A. Wood; street commissioners, A. Teasdale; treasurer,
Thomas Clark.

1884 President, George P. Dudley clerk, George H. Chapel; assessor, Homer
N. Beach; trustees, Frank P. Archer, Charles Fritz, Alfred E. Papworth,
Lorenzo H, Sullivan, vacancy, Winton B. Brooks; night watch, Thomas Clark.

1885 President, Jay Corson; clerk, George H. Chapel; assessor, George W.
Axtell; trustees, Thomas G. Switzer, Edger Noble, Frank J. Holt, Calvin
Wilcox; health officer, E. B. Pratt; street commissioner, Charles Brigham.

1886 President, E. G. McPherson; clerk, Will. Force; assessor, Albert
Riddle; trustees, F. G. Hickey, William Switz, A, E. Papworth, W. B.
Brooks; vacancy, L. J. Wright; health officer, R. W. Coleman; marshal and
treasurer, S. B. Rubert; street commissioner, Charles Brigham; lamp
lighter, Edgar Carpenter.

1887 President, Edward P. Gregory; clerk, William M. Force; assessor,
Newton Kirk; trustees. H. C. Wright, vacancy, George W. Axtell, Charles
Fritz, Charles L. Collier, William H. Monroe, vacancy, Fred P. Schroder;
marshall and treasurer, Seth B. Rubert; night watch, Walter S. Papworth;
street commissioner, Winton B. Brooks; health officer, John A. Wessinger

Page 211

1888 President, Dennis Shields; clerk, Bernerd L. Walker ; assessor,
Thomas B. Clark; trustees, Cyrus S. Sweet, Amos Winegar, Wallace W.
Barnard, George H. Chapel, marshall and treasurer, Jerome Wilber; lamp
lighter, Jarvis Miller; night watch, Thomas B. Clark; health officer,
Robert R. Bell, building inspector, L. J. Wright.

1889 President, W. P. Van Winkle; clerk, A. Riley Crittenden; assessor,
Lewis J. Wright; trustees, Henry C. Wright, Thomas O'Connor, Robert B.
Bell, Andrew B. Fishbeck, vacancy, Edward Manne, street commissioner, A.
S. Cooper; marshall, night watch and treasurer, Thomas B. Clark; health
officer, Will C. Spencer; building inspectors, C. L. Collier, L. J.
Wright, Charles Johnson.

1890 President, Wm. P. Van Winkle; clerk, Edward J. Drewery; assessor,
Lewis J. Wright; trustees, Amos Winegar, Edward Manne, Frank Z. Hubbell,
Chas. E. Marston, vacancy John Bickhart; marshall and treasurer, Lyman V.
D. Cook; health officer, Robt. B. Bell.

1891 President, Wm. C. Huntington; clerk, Edison Wilber; assessor, Lewis
J. Wright; trustees, Thomas J. Winegar, P. D, Skilbeck, Thomas Barron,
Daniel Purkey, vacancy, Charles Arnold; street commissioner, A. S. Cooper;
marshall and treasurer, L. V. D. Cook; health officer, Dr. R. B. Bell.

1892 Pres. John Wright; clerk, Andrew Fishbeck; assessor, H. N. Beach;
treasurer, James Ryan;

Page 212

trustees, Jerome Sherman, Henry Jones, Sylvester Andrews, John Bickhart;
health officer O. N. Moon; night watch, Thomas B. Clark; attorney, W. P.
Van Winkle; street commissioner, John Farnsworth; marshall, T. J. Winegar;
pound master, John Herkert, Mr. Winegar only served a short time as
marshall and resigned. Byron Phipps was elected to vacancy,

1893 President, John W, Wright; clerk Edison J. Wilber; assessor, Homer N.
Beach; treasurer, James Ryan; trustees, Fred F. Hubbell, Henry D. Wilber,
Edward C. Sweet, R. Bruce McPherson; marshall, Stephen G. Fishbeck; health
officer, Alex O'Neil; night watch, T. B. Clark; street commissioner, J ohn
Farnsworth.

1894 President, Arthur Garland; clerk, Edison J. Wilber; assessor, George
P. Dudley; treasurer, Miller Beurmann; trustees, Herbert J. Ackley, A. D.
Thompson, Clarence T. Cook, Hugh A. McPherson, vacancy John E. Gilmore;
marshall, M. J, Dempsey; night, watch, Byron D. Langworthy; water
trustees, Thomas Gordon Jr. Miles W. Bullock, W. C. Huntington; water
clerk and inspector, Geo. P. Dudley.

1895 President, J. C Walton; clerk, Henry H. Wines; assessor, Homer N.
Beach; treasurer, E. Miller Beurmann; trustees, C. E. Burns, S. M.
Armstrong, Geo. W. Axtell, Albert Thompson, Hugh A. McPherson, Frank
Frieund; marshall, M. J. Dempsey; street commissioner, John Farnsworth;

Page 213

health officer A, O'Neil; attorney, Luke S. Montague; resigned July 15,
Dwight Fitch appointed; night watch, B. D. Langworthy.

1896  President, Robert B. Bell; clerk Henry H. Wines; treasurer, Walter
W. Knapp; assessor Amos Winegar; trustees, Andrew B. Fishbeck, Frank
Freiund, Hugh A. McPherson; attorney Dennis Shields; night watch, Will R.
Knapp, marshall, Henry Pettibone; health officer, Alex. O'Neil; fire
warden, L. N. Fishbeck; street commissioner, John Farnsworth; pound
master, John Herbst; scavenger, Abram. Van Blaricum.

1897 President, A. D, Thompson; clerk, Ara L. V, D. Cook; assessor, Amos
Winegar; treasurer, Walter W. Knapp; trustees, Calvin Wilcox, Daniel Ratz,
David L. Young; street commissioner, Jos. Gibouloug; night watch, Edgar
Corson; marshall, Jerome Wilber; health officer, Dr. J. E. Browne;
attorney, Claude Brayton; fire warden, Fred Hopper, superintendent and
clerk of water works, W. P. Govier.

1898 President, Louis E. Howlett; clerk, Bernard L. Walker; treasurer, R.
E. Barron; assessor, Walter W. Knapp; trustees, Ernest L. Avery, Frederick
P. Euler, Horner N. Beach; street commissioner, John Daniels; night watch,
Henry Pettibone; attorney, W H. S. Wood; marshall, Eli L. Snyder, health
officer, Alex. O'Neil; fire warden, L. N. Fishbeck; board of assessors,
Everett D. Sargent,

Page 214

Julius Hesse, Fred F. Hubbell; surveyor, Miles W. Bullock; superintendent
water works George S. Durfee.

1899 President, Louis E. Howlett; clerk, Bernard L. Walker; treasurer,
Richard E. Barron: assessor, Walter W. Knapp; trustees, Calvin Wilcox, C.
Frank Shields, Amos Winegar.

1900 President, Louis E. Howlett; clerk, Charles P. Adams, treasurer, John
B. Barron; assessor, Walter W. Knapp; trustees, Byron Kells, Electus
Hadden, Charles W. Sharp; water clerk, E. J. Wilber; electric light and
water commission, Fred P Schroeder, O. J. Parker, Calvin Wilcox.

1901 President, Thomas Gordon Jr.; clerk, Charles P. Adams; treasurer,
John B. Barron; assessor, W. H. S, Wood; trustees; John T. Emmett, Charles
F. Shields, T. O. Newcomb; attorney, F. J. Shields; Surveyor, M. W.
Bullock; scavenger, Charles Ackley; pound master, Charles Babcock; fire
warden, N. Fishbeck; water clerk, Edson J. Wilber.

1902 President, E. P. Gregory; clerk, James I. Van Keuren; assessor, W H.
S. Wood; treasurer. A. K. Tooley; trustees, Byron Kells, Adolph G. Kuehnl,
George W. VanVerst; street commissioner, John Farnsworth; surveyor, M. W.
Bullock; night watch, Wm. Culver; scavenger, A. Van Blaricum; pound
master, Jacob H eld; fire warden, L. N. Fishbeck; Mr. Van Keuren left
Howell during his term and L. R. Manning was elected clerk.

1903 President, David D, Harger; clerk,

Page 215

L. R. Manning; treasurer, Albert K. Tooley; trustees, for two years,
Edward A. Garland, Wm. Whitaker, Charles Sharp, for one year Charles
Granger; assessor, W. H. S. Wood; attorney, James A. Greene; health
officer, R. H, Baird; night watch, Wm. J. Culver; street commissioner,
John Farnsworth; marshall, Thomas Clark; fire warden, IA. N. Fishbeck;
surveyor, M. W. Bullock; ,caveoger, Alonzo B. Johnson; pound master,
Thomas B. Clark; members board of review, Wm. Whitaker, T. P. Stowe. Mr.
Clark's health failed during this year and Freeman Rorabacher was
appointed his assistant; building inspector, Robert Chambers, Asa
VanKleeck.

1904 President, Amos Winegar; clerk. Luther R. Manning; treasurer, George
A. Wimbles; trustees, Henry Jubb, Charles L. Granger, John Henry Helmer,
assessor, Timothy P. Stowe; secretary water works end electric light
commissioner, D. Hartnell; pound master, Geo. B. Raymour; fire warden, L.
N. Fishbeck; marshall, H. H. Collins; health officer, R. H. Baird; night
watch, William Culver: scavanger, Alonzo B. Johnson: attorney, James A.
Greene; street commissioner, George H. Dieterle.

1905 President. Electus Hadden: clerk, Luther R. Manning; treasurer,
Wilber B. Johnson; trustees Edward A. Garland, Andrew O. Hutchins;
assessor, Tim P. Stowe, Alfred Copeland; marshall, Freeman Rorabacher;
health officer, R. H. Baird; night watch William Culver; attorney, David
D. Barger: street

Page 216

commissioner, John Farnsworth; pound master, George B. Raymour; fire
warden, L. N. Fishbeck: scavenger, Charles Ackley; member electric light
and water commission, W. P. Govier, F rank Wright.

1906 President, Chester A. Parshall; clerk, William E. Beach; treasurer,
Wilber B. Johnson; trustees, Harry L. Williams, F. Elmer Mills, Emmett J.
Whalian to fill vacancy, Eugene A. Stowe: asses sor E. Miller Beurmann:
street commissioner, James Riley: attorney, W. P. Van Winkle; health
officer, J. E. Browne: night watch, W. J. Culver; fire warden, L. N.
Fishbeck; member electric light and water works commission, Jay C. Walton:
members board of review, Asa Van Kleeck, E. P. Gregory.

1907 President, Hugh A, McPherson; clerk, William E. Beach; treasurer,
James H. Miner; trustees, Edmund C. Shields, Claude B. Culver, William E.
Sunderlands; assessor, E. Miller Beurmann; street commissioner, James
Riley; health officer, J. E. Browne; attorney, R. D. Roche; night watch,
W. J. Culver; marshal!, W. J. Culver; fire warden, L. N Fishbeck; members
board of review, Homer N. Beach, E. P. Gregory; member electric light and
water works commission, E. A, Bowman; secretary commission, L. P. Melendy.

1908 President, Amos Winegar; clerk, William E. Beach; treasurer, James H.
Miner; trustees, Walter W. Knapp, George W. Wright, Joseph Frank;
assessor, E. Miller Beurmann; marshall,

Page 217

Freeman Rorabacher; night watch, W. J. Culver; health officer, J. E.
Browne; member electric light and water commission, Calvin Wilcox; fire
warden, L. N. Fishbeck; street commissioner, John Farnsworth; attorney,
Richard D. Roche; members board of review, Daniel Ratz, E. P. Gregory;
secretary electric light and water commission, L. P. Melendy.

1909 President, Calvin Wilcox; clerk, John Hagman; treasurer, A. J. Brown;
trustees F, J. Fishbeck, George J. Payne, W. J. Larkin assessor, E. Miller
Beurmann ; mew members electric I light and water commission, to fill
vacancy, A. J. Parker; full term, David Young; members board of review,
Daniel Ratz, John Kirk; attorney, Louis Howlett; health officer, E. H.
Bailey; fire warden, L. N Fishbeck; street commissioner, George Brigham;
sewer inspector and surveyor, Robert Long: marshall, Freeman Rorabacher:
secretary electric light and water commission. L. F. Melendy.

1910 President, Thomas Gordon Jr.; clerk, John A. Hagman; treasurer, A. J.
Brown; trustees, E. J. Drewery, Elmer Smith, Joseph Frank: assessor, E.
Miller Beurmann; street commissioner, E. E. Howe; marshall, Daniel Ratz;
night watch, Wm. J. Culver; member electric light and water commission, E.
A. Bowman: fire warden L. N. Fishbeck; sewer inspector and surveyor, Grant
Dunning; secretary electric light and water Commission, L P, Melendy,
members board of review, C. A. Parshall, James Minor.

Page 218

   June 28, 1906, A. Riley Crittenden returned to Howell and established a
small weekly paper named Livingston Tidings. In a few weeks it was changed
to twice a week, and that fall to three times a week. It has been a
prosperous publication from the start, as a result of hard work by the
publisher and his wife. In November 1910, the Herald having previously
gone into the hands of its creditors, it acquired that publication and
amalgamated the two plants.

   Largely through the influence of Tidings the Howell Commercial club was
formed in 1910. Its birth commemorating the visit of Grand Rapids,
wholesale dealers who were entertained by Howell business men at the
Womans club rooms. Its officers were; President, R. B. McPherson, Vice
president , E. A. Stowe; secretary L. R. Manning; treasurer, D. L. Young;
executive committee L. E. Howlett, E. A. Bowman, O. J. Parker, C. A.
Goodnow, F. P. Schroeder. When Mr. Manning moved away A. L. Smith was
elected in his place. The club secured the Ewer Wrench and Tool Mfg. Co.
for which $15000 of local stock was raised, the old company holding $10,
000 of stock in the new company here. It has built a building and is just
fairly getting under headway.


ILLUSTRATIONS

Ann Arbor R. R. Depot
Baptist Church
Baptist Parsonage 
Brown's Greenhouse 
Carnegie Library  
Central School    
Courthouse (New)    
Evangelical Church  
First Schoolhouse   
Grand River - North  
Howell Greenhouse Co.  
Howell Holstein Champion
Light & Water Plant    
Long Lake View           
Methodist Episcopal Church 
Methodist Episcopal Parsonage
Michigan Milk Co.
Monument to Soldiers
Old Courthouse
Old Presbyterian Church
Sanatorium -Adm. Bldg.
Sanatorium Shack #2
Sanatorium - Site View
Sanatorium - Adm. Entrance
South Side Grand River
South of Courthouse
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Thompson Lake Drive
Union School
View East Ward School