1880 Village Of Howell Part D

     This church, of the Protestant Episcopal denomination, was organized on the 12th of December, 1857 at a meeting held at the Congregational church in Howell village; at which meeting there were present the Rev. Henry Banwell (presiding), Abel F. Butterfield, Joseph T. Titus, H. C. Briggs, George Greenaway, George: R., Hoyt, William A. Clark, and M., Labouter.

     The following persons were by a unanimous vote elected vestrymen: Levi D. Smith, George Greenaway, Abel F. Butterfield, Ezra N. Fairchild, H. C. Briggs, George R. Hoyt, William A. Clark.

     The vestry then elected E. N. Fairchild senior, and William A. Clark, junior warden; and A. F. Butterfield, secretary. The same officers held in 1858, and Henry C. Briggs was appointed treasurer.

     173. On the 30th of December, next following the organization of All Saints' Church, the Ladies' Mite Society of that church held a festival at Union Hall in Howell; the object being to apply the proceeds for church purposes. The officers of the society signing the call and invitation were Mrs. John Hope, President; Mrs. William L. Wells, Vice-President; Mrs. George Wilber, Treasurer; and the following-named ladies and gentlemen formed the committee of arrangements: Mr. and Mrs. Mylo L. Gay, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Titus, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Bunnell, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Harmon, Misses Emily Rosenberry, Emma Hickey, Jenny Ranney, Julia Smith, Sophia Fonda, Fanny Fonda, Mary Huntley, Sarah Butterfield, Emily Wheeler, Jannette Peebles, Ann E. Gilbert, Emily Wells, Sophia Pond, Jenny Spooner, Angeline Adams, Mrs. Richard P. Bush, Mrs. William A. Buckland, Mrs. Maria Smith, Messrs. Ira P. Bingham, Harmon Smith, Frederick Galloway, Z. F. Crosman, Edward Morris, Dr. McHench, Andrew D. Waddell, William McPherson, Jr., Burr R. Smith, L. Curtis, Benjamin T. O. Clark, Alexander McPherson, Frank Wells, George Clark, John Clark, Spaulding W. Case, Edward Gregory, Elbert C. Bush, The amount realized from this source was not large, but was a very material addition to the funds of the church at that time.

     On the 28th of January, 1858, it was voted that the religious services of the church be held in the court-house in Howell; and on the 17th of April following, the sum of $150 per annum, payable quarterly, was voted to the Rev. Henry Banwell, the officiating minister.

     In April, 1859, Henry C. Briggs and W. A. Clark were elected delegates to represent All Saints' Church at the Annual Diocesan Convention at Detroit. At that time the Rev. William King was rector of the church in Howell, having succeeded the Rev. Mr. Banwell in that office. Mr. King was succeeded in the following year by the Rev. George O. Bachman.

     In April, 1860, the following named gentlemen were elected officers of the church: Vestrymen, Ezra N. Fairchild, George Greenaway, Mylo L. Gay, George R. Hoyt, Levi D. Smith, Henry C. Briggs, and William A.. Clark; Treasurer, Henry C. Briggs; Secretary, Levi D. Smith; Senior Warden, William A. Clark; Junior Warden, George Greenaway.

     A vote was passed in April, 1861, to the effect that the church was "well pleased with the labors of the Rev. George O. Bachman; that his talents and Christian deportment eminently fit him for the building up of the church at Howell, as well as for great usefulness in this field." At the same time a salary of $200 from this church was voted to Mr. Bachman, and a little more than that amount was raised immediately by subscription. In 1863 Mr. Bachman was still here, and the church voted to pay him $250.

     In April, 1864, a committee was appointed to procure the Congregational meeting-house in Howell as a place of worship, and afterwards the services of the Episcopal Church were generally held in that building, as they never had an edifice of their own.

     The Rev. G. O. Bachman's "resignation as pastor of this church" was accepted on the 17th of April, 1865, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Albert C. Lewis, who became rector in 1866, and continued in that office during the remainder of the church's existence.

     At the annual meeting, held on, Monday, April 13, 1868, it was resolved "to elect no vestry of said church, as articles of agreement, are about being entered into for the organization of a new church, to be called St. John's Church of Howell." On the following day the organization of St. John's Church was effected, -- the articles being signed by Mylo L. Gay, Joseph T. Titus, Mark J. Staley, L. D. Smith, Silas Beardsley, and "Albert C. Lewis, pastor." These articles were filed in the clerk's office April 15, 1868.

     The first meeting of St. John's Church was held at the residence of Rev. Mr. Lewis, June 1, 1868, when Ezra N. Fairchild, Mylo L. Gay, M. W. Barker, L. D. Smith, Joseph T. Titus, Mark J. Staley, and Silas Beardsley were elected vestrymen. The vestry then elected the following officers: Senior Warden, E. N. Fairchild; Junior Warden, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, Joseph T. Titus; Secretary, Mylo L. Gay; and E. N. Fairchild and M. W. Barker were elected lay delegates to the Diocesan Convention to be held at St. John's Church in Kalamazoo. This is the last entry on the records of All Saints' and St. John's Churches of Howell, and soon afterwards the Episcopal Church ceased to exist as an organization in this village, its dissolution being hastened by the removal of some of its most active and influential members.

     Recently (in the latter part of 1878), the Board of Missions of the Eastern Diocese of Michigan sent the Rev. R. H. Dennis to Howell, and by him Episcopal services were, held in the court-house, with considerable regularity, until about the first of September, 1879, when they were discontinued.

Catholic worship has been held at Howell for many years. Probably the first priest who came 174. here was Rev. Father Kelly who was located at Northfield, and later at Green Oak and Genoa. His first coming into this part of Livingston County is thought to have been as early as 1836 or '37. Other priests followed, and occasional services have been held here in private houses until the present time. Now, however, they are held regularly by the Rev. J. G. Dougherty, who is in charge of the Brighton parish, of which this is a station. The erection of a church was commenced here in August, 1878, and it is now completed externally, though not yet ready for occupancy. Its location is on the south side of Grand River Street, in the eastern part of the village. It is a commodious building of brick with slated roof, and is 40 by 70 feet in dimensions. Its cost when finished will be about $6000.

The first burial-ground in Howell was situated upon the shore of Thompson Lake, near its southern extremity, on section 36, a short distance in a northerly direction from the house in which John D. Pinckney settled in 1834. The land for the purpose was given by Alexander Fraser, Mr. Pinckney, and Moses Thompson. The first person buried in this ground was Miss Davis, a sister of Mrs. Jonathan Austin, but the date of this burial has not been found. A considerable number of other burials were made there subsequently, but nearly all of them have since been removed to the newer grounds. A few remain, but there is nothing to mark the places of their interment.

The ground known as the Old Cemetery, located one square directly east from the northeast corner of the court-house square, and at the eastern and northern termini respectively, of North and Bernard Streets, was purchased from Edward Thompson, and laid out as a cemetery in 1840. The first interment in this ground was that of Henry Wheeler (son of Dr. Gardner Wheeler), who died January 16, 1841, aged nineteen years. Most of the remains from the old graveyard on the lake shore were removed here, and this continued to be used by the people of the village (and by many in the township) as their burial place for more than a quarter of a century, until the opening of the new cemetery, on the west shore of Thompson Lake. Since that time, most of the remains have been disinterred and removed to the new inclosure. The old cemetery is now in disuse, and being wholly neglected, has become covered by a thick and tangled copse, which almost entirely hides from view the few memorial stones which still remain there.

The Oak Grove Cemetery embraces fifteen and forty-four one-hundredths acres of land, which was conveyed by Albert D. Thompson, John H.. Galloway, William and Alexander McPherson, William McPherson, Jr., and N. J. Hickey to the Howell Board of Health, April 17, 1867, for the purpose to which it has been devoted. It is situated in the northeastern part of the village corporation, at the east end of Thompson Street, which leads to its main entrance. The ground lies nearly in the form of a triangle, being bounded on its northern, northeastern, and southeastern sides by the sheet of water known as Thompson Lake. Its south and west boundaries are straight lines, meeting in a right angle at the southwest corner.

The spot is beautiful by nature, having a rolling surface, well elevated above the waters of the lake, and covered (not too thickly) with forest-trees, among which the oak predominates, as is indicated by the name given to it. On the plan usually adopted in modern cemeteries, this ground is laid out in walks and avenues, and has been considerably beautified by art. Many of the remains originally interred in the old burial-grounds have been removed to this, and upon its tablets are borne the names of many of the pioneers and early settlers of Howell.

Howell was made an incorporated village by an act of the Legislature of Michigan (approved March 14, 1863), which provided that all that tract of country situate 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 officers of which were specified by the act to be a president, recorder, treasurer assessor, and five trustees, to be elected annually on the first Monday in May. Under the provisions of this act the first charter election was held on the 4th of May, 1863. Following is a list of the village officers then and there elected, as also of those elected in each succeeding year down to the present, viz.:

1863	President, Sardis F. Hubbell; Recorder, Andrew D. Waddell; Treasurer, Asa Van Kleeck; Assessor, John H. Galloway; Trustees, Marcus B. Wilcox, William R. Melvin, William McPherson, Jr., John Hoyt, Philo Curtis.
1864	President, Joseph M. Gilbert; Recorder, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, Frederick J. Lee; Assessor, John H. Galloway; Trustees, John Cummiskey, Nathan J. Hickey, George L. Clark, Luther M. Glover, V. R. T. Angel.
1865	175. 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.
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, Sardis F. Hubbell.
1867	President, Sardis F. Hubbell; Recorder, Joseph T. Titus; Treasurer, William R. Griffith; Assessor, Oren H. Winegar; Trustees, Andrew D. Waddell, William R. Melvin Leander C. Smith, William E. Huntley, Geo. L. Clark.
1868	President, Andrew D. Waddell; Recorder, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, Royal 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 H. Rumsey; Assessor, Oren H. Winegar; Trustees, William E. Huntley, Edward McGunn, Sylvester Andrews, Henry P. Wheeler, Levi D. Smith.
1870*	President, Henry H. Mills; Recorder, Dennis Shields; Treasurer and Marshal, H. C. Briggs; Assessor, William B. Curtis; Trustees, Albert Riddle, William C. Rumsey, Francis N. Monroe, Calvin Wilcox, Andrew D. Waddell.
1871	President, Sardis F. Hubbell; Recorder, Andrew D. Waddell; Treasurer and Marshal, Leonard N. Fishbeck; Assessor, William B. Smith. Trustees, Neil O'Hearn, George H. Cooper, Floyd S. Wykoff, Charles G. Jewett,, George Greenaway.
1872	President, Sardis F. Hubbell; Recorder, Andrew D. Waddell; Treasurer and Marshal, Henry A. Whipple; Assessor, Calvin Wilcox; Trustees, John W. Wright George L. Sage, Robert C. Hutton, John M. White, John Jones.
1873	President, Neil O'Hearn; Recorder, Edward B. Gregory; Treasurer and Marshal, Hiram Hopper; Assessor, Harry J. Haven; Trustees, Francis N. Monroe, Asa Van Kleeck, William Beattie, Sylvester Andrews, Elbert A. Young.
1874	President, Francis N. Monroe; Recorder, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer and Marshal, William Barnard; Assessor, Benjamin H. Rubert; Trustees, William W. Finton, James A. Preston, William E. Watson E. B. Gregory, George Bush.
1875	President, Horace Halbert; Recorder, E. P. Gregory; Treasurer and Marshal, William T. Barnard; Assessor, F. G. Hickey; Trustees, John M. White, Roswell Mott, William B. Jewett, Frederick B. Brown, Erastus Watrous.
1876	President, Harry J. Haven; Recorder Rollin H. Person; Treasurer and Marshal, record obscure; Assessor, Albert Riddle; Trustees, Asa Van Kleeck, Robert A. Chambers, William L. Knapp, John W. Wright, Neil O'Hearn.
1877	President, Asa Van Kleeck; Recorder, Rollin H. Person; Treasurer and Marshal, Arthur F. Field; Assessor, W. B. Smith; Trustees, R. H. Rumsey, L. N. Fishbeck, Stephen S. More, R. A. Chambers, J. W. Wright.
1878	President, Neil O'Hearn; Recorder, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer and Marshal, Thomas Clark; Assessor, William B. Smith; Trustees, William H. Gilks, Leonard N. Fishbeck, Harry J. Haven, Frank Kelly, George H. Warren.
1879	President, John H. Galloway; Recorder, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer and Marshal, Thomas Clark; Assessor, Benjamin H. Rupert; Trustees, Asa Van Kleeck, Mylo L. Gay, William B. Smith, Francis N. Monroe, Leander C. Smith.

     For more than twenty years after the laying out of Howell as a village the citizens of the place were peculiarly fortunate in their almost complete exemption from losses by conflagration. Not more than three or four fires had occurred in the village during that time, and none of these resulted in more than comparatively trifling damage; the largest of them being the two fires which consumed Chandler & Kneeland's saw-mill and Smith & Filkins' foundry, the first named of which occurred in 1851.

     The first fire which inflicted severe loss upon the village occurred in the evening of Monday, Sept. 28,1857, and swept away the Eagle Hotel, the first building erected on the original plat of the village in 1835, and nearly the entire line of buildings on the south side of Grand River Street, between Walnut and East Streets. The account of this fire, given by the Democrat in its next issue, was as follows:

     "A destructive fire broke out in this village at about seven o'clock on Monday evening. It commenced in the livery barn, near Huntley's [Eagle] Hotel, which was soon wrapped in flames. The wind was blowing strongly from the northwest. Mr. Huntley's barn caught next, then his hotel, then Balcom's saloon, then Treadwell's saloon, and then the 'Old Stage-House.' All of these buildings were consumed by the flames in about one hour and a half, in spite of the efforts of the citizens. The progress of the fire could not have been arrested here, had they not pulled down the four small buildings that stood on the east part of the same block. Owing to the high winds there was great danger of a large portion of the village being swept away. The burning cinders set fire to buildings nearly half a mile distant, which was happily extinguished. Nearly all the business men on the south side of Grand River Street, as far down as Vanderhoof's Hotel, removed their property into the street, which afforded a fine opportunity for thieving, and this the thieves employed.

    "No one can account for the origin of the fire. The heaviest: loss occurs to Mr. Huntley who has lost his all. His loss is estimated at $5000. Balcom's saloon was worth about $300, Judge Kneeland's building about $800, Judge Whipple's about $860, and the four small buildings pulled down were worth about $1000. The barn, where the fire originated, was owned by Mr. Green; of 176. Detroit; loss about $200. There was no insurance on any of the buildings. Most of the personal property was saved; much or it in a damaged state from the rashness of men."

     On the 22d of February, 1860, Howell was again visited by a conflagration, which swept the west side of East Street, south of Grand River Street, destroying a number of buildings, among which were the Phoenix Foundry and Machine Shop. The following account of this fire appeared in the Republican of February 28th:

     "Our village on Wednesday morning last again felt the ravages of the most destructive conflagration we have ever before experienced. The loss of property will not only be deeply felt by the owners and occupants of the various buildings destroyed, but will very much affect the business prospects of the village, and the interests of the farmers and others in this vicinity, who have relied for nearly every useful implement of labor upon the shops, of which nothing now remains but a heap of ashes. The fire originated in the foundry and machine-shop of A. W. Smith & Co., which was totally destroyed. From thence it crossed the intervening space of about sixty feet to the carriage-shop of William R. Melvin, which, together with the blacksmith-shop attached, were almost instantly in flames. These latter were connected with the shed and barn occupied by the Stage Company, and also the barn occupied by William E. Huntley & Son, all of which were owned by E. E. Hazard. The barns being old and filled with hay were soon on fire, and at this time it appeared as though nothing short of a miracle could save the store on the corner owned by W. B. Smith, and occupied by Jewett & Crosman; but by the almost superhuman exertions of a portion of the crowd, which by this time had assembled, a part of the rear of the building was removed, and water kept constantly pouring upon it from buckets, so that, although but a few feet from the barn last burned, this building was finally saved, and the ravages of the fire stayed. So far as we have been able to ascertain, the following are the estimates of the various losses: A. W. Smith & Co., loss in building, machinery, stock, tools, etc., $7200; insured for $4000. William R. Melvin, loss in building, stock, and tools, about $3500, no insurance; E. E. Hazard, two barns and shed, about $1000; W. B. Smith, damage of building about $200, no insurance; Jewett & Crosman, loss in removal of goods, about $400, insured; J. I. Van Dusen, stock, etc., in the machine-shop, about $125. The cause of the fire is not known, though it is generally supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, from the fact that when first discovered it was some distance from the stove, the only place where there., had been any fire during the day; also, we understand, the south door of the building was found to be unfastened, though securely locked by Mr. Van Dusen, who closed the shop for the night about eight o'clock. The severest loss is sustained by Mr. Melvin and Mr. Hazard, and particularly the former, who had, by energy and perseverance, made himself proprietor of a carriage and wagon-shop second to none in the State.

     "With characteristic energy, however, Mr. Melvin commenced a new building while the embers of the old were still burning, and two days had not elapsed ere the 'anvil chorus' was ringing in his new shop."

     On both the occasions above mentioned the only means employed, or at hand, for arresting the progress of the fire was the demolition of threatened buildings (or the spreading of wet blankets and carpets on their roofs) and the throwing of water from hand-buckets. But even, if fire-engines had been on the spot they would have been useless, for lack of an adequate supply of water. Immediately after the fire which destroyed the Phoenix Foundry a meeting of citizens was held in Howell (March 6, 1860) to take measures for procuring a fire-apparatus for the village; but no results followed.

     By the provisions of the act incorporating the village the Common Council was authorized and empowered to compel the owners of buildings to procure and keep in readiness such number of fire-buckets and ladders as shall be ordered by the Common Council, and also to "establish and organize all such fire-companies and hose and hook-and-ladder companies, and to provide them with such engines and other instruments as shall be necessary to extinguish fires and preserve the property of the inhabitants of said village from conflagrations, and to appoint, from among the inhabitants of said village, such number of men, willing to accept, as may be deemed proper and necessary to be employed as firemen,"--the number of men so appointed not to exceed 50 for the management of any one engine.

     On the 18th of January, 1868, the Common Council passed an ordinance establishing and defining, within the village of Howell, certain limits within which the erection of wooden buildings was prohibited. These limits have since been revised and enlarged.

     The question of procuring fire-apparatus for the village, which had first been seriously agitated at the meeting held immediately after the fire of February, 1860, continued to be held under advisement and occasional discussion for about ten years before any definite action was taken, many arguing (and very reasonably) that it would be useless to procure an engine until some means had been devised whereby such engine could be supplied with water in sufficient quantity to be of service in case of need. This objection of lack of an adequate water supply seemed well-nigh insurmountable, but finally, on the 24th of January, 1870, it was by the Common Council

     "Resolved, That Mr. J. L. Stone he authorized to procure for the village of Howell, and deliver the same on or before one month from this date, a fire-engine, called in the printed catalogue 'The Fire King,' and the Common Council will then pay for said engine; provided that on a fair trial it shall prove to be as good as recommended,--that is to say, the said engine shall throw water one hundred and fifty feet at an angle of forty-five degrees, after being forced through fifty feet of hose, and that the machine shall be a first-class machine in workmanship and material."

     But the trial of this engine did not prove entirely satisfactory; and there is little doubt that this result was a most fortunate one for the village of Howell, for it induced the adoption of a different and (for this place at least) a more efficient fire apparatus. On the 3d of January, 1874, the Council 177. resolved

"that the Champion Fire Extinguisher, now here on trial, be purchased for the sum of $2000; $1000 to be paid in six months from date, and $1000 in eighteen months from date; and that the president and recorder issue their orders accordingly." This resolution was duly carried into effect, and so the village was at last provided with an efficient apparatus and equipment for the extinguishment of fires.

     Having now an apparatus, it became necessary to form a company to have charge of and operate it; and on the 14th of January in the same year, the Common Council

     "Resolved, That the following-named persons be constituted a fire-company, to wit: 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 Beach, Theodore Huntley, E. A. Young, Thomas McEwen, Henry Wilber, Peter Clark, Burt F. Parsons, Edward Waldron, H. F. Browning, Edward Greenaway, F. G. Hickey, H. G. Sellman, William Beattie, George L. Clark, G. S. Burgess. R. H. Brown, Cassius Austin, Thomas G. Switzer."

     On the next day these members met, and organized as "Champion Fire Company, No. 1, of Howell the following being elected as its first officers: John Neary, Foreman; Thomas Clark, First Assistant Foreman; Edward Waldron, Second Assistant Foreman; R. H. Brown, Pipeman; John McCloud, Second Pipeman; E. A. Young, Superintendent of Chemicals; Henry Wilber, Assistant Superintendent of Chemicals; William F. Griffith, Secretary; Patrick Hammill, Treasurer.

     May 24,1875, the Common Council passed a resolution to purchase from William McPherson & Sons a lot for an engine-house site, on the west side of East Street, north of Grand River Street--25 feet front and 50 feet deep--at $875, payable in three equal payments; and the president and recorder were authorized and directed "to issue orders for said amounts of money." Mr. H. Halbert was appointed building committee, and was instructed "to do all acts and things relative to said building of an engine-house that in his judgment shall be expedient, and that he complete the same as soon as practicable, in such manner and style as shall be appropriate." The contract for building the engine-house was awarded, July 6, 1875, to Franklin Kelly, who completed the work in the fall of that year, and was settled with on the 29th of October, as follows:

exclusive of the bell, which was procured afterwards.

The village has now a good fire apparatus, well housed, and in charge of an efficient company, whose officers for 1879 are Thomas Clark, Foreman; L. Ebner, First Assistant Foreman; Thomas Fraser, Second Assistant Foreman; Thomas Winegar, Treasurer; W. A. Tucker, Secretary; H. D. Wilber, Superintendent of Chemicals; M. L. McKinley, Assistant Superintendent of Chemicals; W. R. Knapp, First Pipeman; R. H. Brown, Second Pipeman.

     The Howell post-office was established by the Post-Office Department, on the 15th of January, 1836. Following is a list of its several postmasters, with the dates of their appointments:

     Flavius J. B. Crane, appointed Jan. 15, 1836. Under Mr. Crane the office was kept in the Eagle Hotel of Amos Adams.

     Ely Barnard, appointed June 13, 1839. Under Mr. Barnard, the office was first located in the frame building which stood on the northeast corner of the "old public square," but afterwards made John Curtis his deputy, and removed the office to the E. F. Gay store building, opposite the southwest corner of the same square.

     Almon Whipple, appointed Feb. 9, 1841. Mr. Whipple, under this appointment, held the office less than four months, and during that time the business was continued in the Gay store, where it had been located by John Curtis, under Mr. Barnard.

     Wellington A. Glover, appointed May 31, 1841. During his term the office was continued in, the same place. Mr. S. F. Hubbell, who was then reading law in the office of Mr. Glover, recollects acting for a time as his deputy.

     Almon Whipple (second term), appointed Sept. 1, 1843. During this term Mr. Whipple kept the office in his store on the north side of Grand River Street,--the place now occupied by the store of Greenaway & Son.

     George W. Lee, appointed April 14,1849. Office located in the store of Lee & Brother, where F. N. Monroe now is.

     Derastus Hinman, appointed June 7, 1853. Mr. Hinman removed the office to his store, in the building known as the "old fort," on the South, side of, Grand River Street.

     Frank Wells, appointed Feb. 25, 1855. The office was kept by Mr. Wells in the drug-store, South side of Grand River Street, where now is Griffith's furniture-store.

     Leander C. Smith, appointed March 16, 1861. For four years, under, Mr. Smith, the office was located where it had been kept by George W. 178. Lee. After that time it was removed to the south side of Grand River Street, just west of Alexander McPherson's bank.

     Henry T. Clark, appointed March 8, 1866; re-appointed June 1, 1863. The office was continued where it had last been kept by Mr. Smith, until the building was destroyed by fire, when it was removed to a building standing on what is now the site of the National Hotel.

     William W. Kenyon, appointed Aug. 20, 1868: re-appointed Dec. 10, 1873, at which time the Howell Post-Office became presidential. Under Mr. Kenyon the office was first located on the north side of Grand River Street, one door west of the store of William McPherson & Sons; it was next removed to the south side of the street, where now is the drug-store of Spencer & Hutton; next to the Cardell Block, and finally to the quarters which it has occupied to the present time.

     Julius D. Smith, appointed Dec. 14, 1877, and the present postmaster of Howell. Mr. Smith has continued the office in the place where last located by Mr. Kenyon, south side of Grand River Street, a few doors west of the National Hotel.

The county buildings, consisting of the court-house, the office of the County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and the office of the judge of Probate and County Treasurer, are located on the court-house square, which lies on the north side of Grand River Street, with Main Street as its western, and Court Street as its eastern line. The laying out of this square and the erection of the county buildings on it have already been noticed in the general county history.

     The village of Howell luckily escaped the misfortune which was visited upon many other Michigan towns about forty years ago,--the establishment of a "wild-cat bank" within its borders. It is said that at one time (in 1837) a plan was suggested for the establishment of such an institution here; but it failed of encouragement, and the disaster to the village and vicinity was averted.

     The banks of Howell have all been private enterprises. The first of these was the "Exchange Bank," of Brockway, Embury & Co., which was established here in the fall of 1863; located on the south side of Grand River Street, where H. N. Beach's store now is. From this place, in 1865, it was removed by the proprietors to a building which they had erected for the purpose, on Grand River Street above East,--the same which is now occupied by McPherson's Bank. The Exchange Bank was discontinued in 1868 by sale of business, fixtures, and real estate, to Alexander McPherson.

     The bank of Alexander McPherson & Co. was opened in June, 1865, for the purchase and sale of government bonds, sale of exchange on New York and all Eastern and Western cities, and the transaction of a general banking business, for which its capital was and is ample. The banking-rooms at first occupied were on the north side of Grand River Street, in the building previously occupied as a store by William Riddle. At the end of about four years they were removed to the present location of the bank (previously the banking-rooms of the Exchange Bank), south side of Grand River Street, just west of East Street.

     The bank of Weimeister & O'Hearn (John Weimeister and Neil O'Hearn) was opened for a general banking business in October, 1869, receiving its first deposit on the 19th of that month, and issuing its first draft on the following day. The business was commenced in a wooden building that stood on a part of the site now occupied by the National Hotel. From this place it was removed, in November, 1869, to Weimeister Block, a few doors farther west; and on the 9th of August, 1879, was removed to its present quarters in "the brick building (owned by the proprietors of the bank) on the south side of Grand River Street and adjoining the National Hotel on the east.

     The original petition, praying for the establishment of this lodge, is found on file with the archives of the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan. Of this document which marks the first step taken towards the organization of a lodge of the order in Livingston County--the following is a copy:

"TO THE GRAND MASTER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN OF THE I. O. OF O. F.:

    "The petition of the undersigned, holding withdrawal cards from Lodges legally recognized by the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan, respectfully represents that it would be consistent with the advantage of the Order to establish a subordinate Lodge, to be located at Howell, in the State of Michigan.

     "Wherefore your petitioners pray that a warrant may be issued, in pursuance of the Laws of said Grand Lodge.

     Dated at Howell, this 21st day of August, 1849.     (Signed)

     JOSIAH TURNER, JAMES MULLOY LEMUEL SPOONER, JOHN B. DILLINGHAM, L. K. HEWETT, JOHN A. WHEELER, JAMES SWINEY.

     Whereupon, on the 24th of August in the same year, John Chester, Grand Master of the Grand 179. Lodge of the State, issued a dispensation authorizing and empowering the above-named petitioners "to constitute a Lodge in the village or Howell, Livingston County, and State of Michigan, to be known and hailed by the title of HOWELL LODGE, No. 44."

      How and when the lodge was instituted is shown by the report made by N. B. Nye, D. D. Grand Master, to Joseph E. Hyde, R. W. Grand Secretary, as follows:

                "ANN ARBOR, Sept. 10,1849

     DEAR SIR AND BRO.,--By direction of the M. W. Grand Master, I proceeded on the 5th Inst. to Institute Howell Lodge, No. 44, at the Village of Howell, Livingston County, assisted by D. D. G. M. Little, of District No. 15, and P. G. Grenville, of Washtenaw Lodge, No. 9: After Initiating nine new members, and conferring the Degrees upon a number, I installed the Officers Elect for the current term as follows, viz.

There were quite a number of Brothers from the neighboring Lodges in attendance, and everything passed off in the true spirit of the Order. From my own acquaintance with the Officers and Members of Howell Lodge, No. 44, as well as their reputation, I doubt not that Lodge will become an ornament to the Order.

     On the 31st of December, 1849, the lodge contained the following named members in good standing, viz.:

     Josiah Turner, P. G.

     Scarlet members: Lauren K. Hewett, N. G.; Lemuel Spooner, V. G.; Elisha E. Hazard, Sec.; James Mulloy, Treas.; Joseph H. Peebles, Warden; John B. Dillingham, Con.; Charles C. Ellsworth, P. Sec.; William B. Smith, O. G.; John A. Wheeler, Fred Jaffee, Joseph B. Skilbeck, James Swiney, John Kenyon Jr., Norman W. Hodges, Stephen Clark, Abijah W. Smith, George A. Smith, David Blackman.

     Member of the Fourth Degree: Chester Hazard.

     Member of the Third Degree: John D. Blanck.

     Members of the Second Degree: Gabriel Scott, John M. Ten Eyck,

     Members of First Degree: Henry Carnes, Roswell Barnes.

     Members in the Initiatory Degree: Silas Beardsley, James Fitz Jerould, John L. Wing. Henry H. Norton, Marvin Gaston, A. Sidney Hollister, Luther M. Glover, William A. Dorrance, William O. Archer, George Taylor, Austin Wakeman.

     The above names are copied from the official list made at that time by E. E. Hazard, Secretary, and by him certified to the R. W. Grand Secretary.

     It has been found impradicable to obtain any information additional to the above concerning Howell Lodge, No. 44, excepting that it continued in existence for a number of years, and is now defunct.

     This lodge was organized at Howell, June 5, 1872, with the following-named charter members: Amos Eager, Lafayette Snow, Thomas Jeffrey, James A. Preston, E. B. Hosley, Martin Lignian.

     The following is a list of its Past Grands, viz.: Walter D. Whalen, T. B. Knapp, L. Snow, R. H. Rumsey, E. B. Vanderhoof, William R. Griffith, J. C. Axtell, George Blackburn.

     The present officers of the lodge are M. Vanzile, N. G.; John Black, V. G.; C. V. Bebee, R. S.; E. B. Vanderhoof, P. S.; W. D. Whalen, T.

     The lodge now numbers 47 members.

This organization was formed at Howell, Dec. 30, 1873, with seven charter members, namely, Walter D. Whalen, Amos Eager, N. Brayton, M. S. Davis, T. B. Knapp, E. B. Hosley, A. T. Frisbee.

The present number of members is 40,and its officers are: C. P., W. D. Whalen; S. W., J. C. Axtell; S., R. H. Rumsey; T. S., T. B. Knapp; T., E. B. Vanderhoof.

This lodge commenced working under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan in the year 1849. It was chartered Jan. 10, 1850. The regular communications, were held first in "Hinman Block," Grand River Street, where Hubbell Block now stands. After a year or two they were held in the third story of the "Lee Block," on the north side of the main street of Howell. Here they were continued for several years and then held in Greenaway's Hall. From this place, after a few prosperous years, the lodge removed to Weimeister Block, and regularly held its communications there until 1875, when it was removed to the quarters which have been occupied until the present time, -- Masonic Hall, Andrews and Winans Black, north side of Grand River Street. The lodge has now a membership numbering 88. Its officers for 1879 are: W. M., Sardis F. Hubbell; S. W., Edwin Hudson; J. W., John W. Wright; Sec., William C. Rumsey Treas., Benjamin H. Rubert; S. D., Robert H. Brown,; J. D., Thomas Clark;, Tiler, Flavius J. Henshaw.

180. Following is a list of the Worshipful Masters of the lodge from the commencement of its working until the present time-- 1849, Amos Adams; 1850-53, Gardner Wheeler; 1854-55, Henry H. Harmon; 1856-58, Frederick C. Whipple; 1859-1860; Sardis F. Hubbell; 1861, Frank Wells; 1862-63, Sardis F. Hubbell; 1864-65, Mylo L. Gay; 1866-68, Joseph T. Titus; 1869, William C. Rumsey; 1870, Joseph. T. Titus; 1871-72, Albert Riddle; 1873-74, Sardis F. Hubbell; 1875-76, Albert L. Hathaway; � 1877-79, Sardis F. Hubbell.

This organization was formed in Howell, April 16, 1863, with nine charter members, viz., C. W. Haze, Henry H. Harmon, Sardis F. Hubbell, Warren B. Green, M. B. Wilcox, George Wilber, Wm. A. Clark, Joseph T. Titus, C. L. Farnum.

The chapter, now numbering 62 members, holds its regular convocations at Masonic Hall, Howell. Its officers for 1879 are William C. Rumsey, High Priest; William W. Kenyon, King; Perley H. Sexton, Scribe; Edwin Hudson, Captain of the Host; John W. Wright, Principal Sojourner, C. L. Vandercook, Royal Arch Captain; Sardis F. Hubbell, Treas.; Hugh Conklin, Sec.; H. H. Clark, Grand Master. Third Veil; Thomas B. Clark, Grand Master Second Veil; J. L. Cook, Grand Master First Veil.

This, organization was formed April 7, 1870, the following named being its charter members: Sardis F. Hubbell, Mylo L. Gay, Henry N. Spencer, T. C. Garner, W. H. Mallory, John Weimeister, B. H. Lawson, C. W. Haze, G. W. Hoff

At Present the commandery embraces 24 members, with the following-named officers for 1879: L. Gay, Eminent Commander; Sardis F. Hubbell, Generalissimo; Edwin Hudson, Captain General Henry N. Spencer, Senior Warden John W. Wright, Junior Warden, Edwin B. Winans, Treas.; William W. Kenyon, Recorder; Henry H. Harmon, Prelate; Perley H. Sexton, Sword-Bearer; Ira O. Marble, Standard-Bearer; Halsted Gregory, Warden; W. C. Loehne, Sentinel.

     This society Masonic in its nature was organized by Mrs. Mary A. Brown, at Masonic Hall, in Howell, March 6,1867, with 14 members. The first officers, of the society were: Patron, Warren Green; Patroness, Mrs. Z. F, Crosman; Conductor, Joseph Finsterwald; Conductress, Mrs. E. B. Gregory; Recorder, Mrs. W. W. Carpenter Treasurer, Miss, Emily Wheeler; Jephtha's Daughter; Mrs. M. B. Wilcox; Ruth, Mrs. S. F. Hubbell; Esther, Mrs. H. H. Harmon; Martha, Mrs. Eliza Richards; Electa, Mrs. Joseph M. Gilbert.

     On the 7th of March, 1867, an Eastern Star degree was conferred on Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shively; Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Wisner Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Crandall, Mrs. G. W. Chandler, Mrs. C. W. Barber, Miss Julia Winegar, E. E. Hazard, W. L. Knapp.

     The society received accessions until at one time it numbered 60 members; but no charter was ever applied for, and it finally went down, the last meeting being held June 10, 1868. The officers for that year were H. H. Harmon, W. Patron; Mrs. Z. F. Crosman, W. Patroness; Mrs. F. S. Wykoff, Conductress; Mrs. William C. Rumsey, Chaplainess; Mrs. O. Cole, Treas.; Mrs. C. W. Barber, Sec.; Mrs. M. B. Wilcox, Jephtha's Daughter; Mrs. S. F. Hubbell, Ruth; Mrs. H. H. Harmon, Esther; Mrs. Elbert C. Bush, Martha; Mrs. Joseph M. Gilbert, Electa: F. S. Hardy, Watchman.

This lodge was organized in the Presbyterian church, in Howell village, by Past Grand Worthy Chief Templar Charles Russell, October 8, 1874, with J. D. Smith, Worthy Chief Templar; Mrs. H. G. Fry, Worthy Vice-Templar. The meetings were held for six months in S. Andrews Hall; then for two years in Greenaway's Hall; from whence, in October, 1877, the lodge removed to its present quarters in Knapp's Block. The membership of the lodge is now 87. The officers for 1879 are W. D. Whalen, W. C. T.; P. O'Brien, Sec'y; T. B. Knapp, Treas.; E. B. Vanderhoof, Deputy.

     The Howell Shooting Club was organized on the 13th day of February, in the year, 1878, with the following members: H. B. Blackman, B. H. Rubert, Charles G. Jewett, E. F. Mulliken, J. P. Titus, H. D. Wilber, H. N. Beach, L. S. Montague, P. D. Skilbeck, F. J.. Lee, J. H. Galloway, G. L. Woolcott, A. D. Waddell, Judson Hall, B. F. Parsons, R. H. Rumsey, E. G. Angel, H. Gregory, A. K. Tooley, J. M. Hoagland, Dennis Shields, and E. D. Galloway.

     At the same time a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following officers were elected:

     President, H. B. Blackman; Vice-President L. S. Montague; Secretary, C. G. Jewett; Treasurer, B. H. Rubert; 181. Executive Committee, H. B. Blackman (ex officio), H. Gregory, H. D. Wilbur, B. H. Rubert, C. G. Jewett.

     The object of the club is to enforce the laws for the protection of game and fish and the encouragement among its members and others of the healthful sports of hunting and fishing by the active pursuit thereof in the field, supplemented by practice on the grounds of the club. Many others soon after became members of the club, until the membership at present is more than fifty, including nearly all professions and vocations of life. True to its purpose, the club soon after its organization began to prosecute all violations of the game and fish laws which came to its notice, irrespective of persons. It met some opposition at first, but soon the public were generally convinced of the impartiality and unselfishness of its course, and lent much assistance to it, until a very healthy feeling has taken possession of the community in favor of the enforcement of these laws, as being for the benefit of all.

     The club has not been content merely to preserve, but has been active in increasing the supply of game and fish.

     It has caused 250,000 white fish, 150,000 salmon-trout, and 5000 Hudson River eels to be deposited in the lakes and rivers of this county, and wild rice to be sowed in the shallow lakes to attract ducks and other water-fowl, and has the satisfaction of knowing that, from its measures of protection, propagation, and encouragement, game and fish are perceptibly increasing in this county.

     Soon after its organization the club became a member of the Michigan State Sportsmen's Association, and has been ably represented by delegates in every meeting of such association since, and thereby has had a direct influence on the legislation and sentiments of the whole State upon the subjects of game and fish.

     The club has done very much to promote good marksmanship and to familiarize the public with the use of the gun in the field. In addition to the numerous trials of skill for prizes, special purses, etc., the club held a grand pigeon-shooting tournament of three days beginning Aug. 7, 1878, and a grand glass-ball shooting tournament of three days, beginning Aug. 6, 1879, both of which were largely attended by sportsmen from all parts of this State, and from many other States, in which the club showed of what material it was composed by its members taking a majority of the purses offered.

     While a large number of its members have distinguished themselves by their skill in marksmanship, it will not detract from any to make particular mention of one, C. G. Jewett.

Mr. Jewett, having excited comment by his particularly fine shooting, entered in the match at Chicago, on May 26, 1879, for the badge offered by Capt. A. H. Bogardus for the best glass-ball shot in America, and won it by a decided victory over all competitors. He was soon after challenged by Capt. Bogardus on behalf of George Buzzard, of Chicago, to shoot for the badge and $500. This match took place on the grounds of the club, in Howell, on Aug. 7, 1879, Mr. Jewett making the unprecedented score of ninety-eight out of one hundred balls, thrown from three Bogardus traps set ten yards apart, leaving him the undisputed champion glass-ball shooter of America.

The present officers of the club are: President, H. N. Beach; Vice-President, L. S. Montague; Secretary, C. G. Jewett; Treasurer, B. H. Rubert; Executive Committee, H. N. Beach (ex officio), Calvin Wilcox, C. G. Jewett, E. F. Mulliken, and R. H. Rumsey. The club is on a firm financial basis, and has a broad field of usefulness before it which it will not fail to improve.

     The construction of this road and its opening in 1871 have been noticed in the general history of the county. Passing in a northwesterly direction through a corner of Marion, it enters Howell village across its southern line, a little east of the centre, continues in the same general direction for about one and three-eighths miles through the territory of the corporation, and then crosses its west line into Howell township. Its passenger station is located at the foot of Fleming Street, and contiguous to this are the other buildings of the company. This railroad line has been of great advantage to Howell during the eight years of its operation.

     The township and village of Howell together contained 2813 inhabitants, by the census of 1874, and now the village alone contains by estimation nearly or quite that population.

     There are few villages in this or in any State which occupy better or more eligible locations than that of Howell,--few of its size which present a more attractive and imposing appearance, on approach from all directions. It is well built containing an unusual number of large and substantial brick structures, and among its mercantile establishments there are some which cannot be surpassed by any, in the same line of trade, in any town or city of Michigan.

     This distinguished gentleman was born on the first day of September, A.D. 18 11, in the old patriotic township of New Haven, Addison Co., in the State of Vermont and received his academical education at the famous schools of Middlebury and St. Albans, immediately after which he entered his name and commenced his legal studies in the office of his uncle, Hon. Bates Turner, formerly one of the judges of the Supreme Court of that State. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1833, and opened his office in the village of West Berkshire. In January, 1835, he married a daughter of Dr. Ellsworth, of Berkshire, Vt., and in 1840 followed the great tidal wave of emigration to this State, and settled at Howell, the county-seat of Livingston County, where he at once resumed the practice of his profession.

     Two years after taking up his new residence he was elected clerk of the county, and held the office for six years; and also held in rapid succession the honorable positions of justice of the peace, township clerk, and master in chancery.

     Upon the establishment of the County Court system, in 1846, he was elected judge of Livingston County, and held the position with great credit to himself until the change was made in the judiciary of the State by the adoption in 1850 of the new constitution.

     At the general State election in 1856 he was elected Judge of Probate for the same county. His personal popularity was such, added to his professional character, that notwithstanding the Democratic party held a very large majority in the county he was triumphantly elected, although running on the opposition (Republican) ticket.

     In May, 1857, he was appointed by the well-deserved favor of his old friend, Gov. Kinsley S. Bingham, to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court bench, and in the same year was elected Circuit judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, for the term of six years, at the expiration of which he was again nominated and elected, and re-elected in 1869; and with increasing satisfaction to the profession and to the public, he was again, and for the fourth period, in 1875, re-elected without any opposition,--thus making, if he lives to the end of his present term, a continuous occupancy of a judicial position for twenty-four years and nine months.

     Judge Turner has held the Circuit Court in forty counties of the State, and in every circuit but one.

     In 1860, with the view of getting nearer the centre of his circuit, Judge Turner changed his residence to Owosso, in the county of Shiawassee. Here he served the municipality of that city as 183. mayor in 1864, and was again chosen in the following year.

     At the Constitutional Convention, held at Lansing in 1867, he was elected for the county of Shiawassee, and became at once an active and valuable member,--serving on the committee of the judiciary, and chairman of the committee on schedule.

     Throughout the long period of his public and judicial life, from its very commencement up to the present period, Judge Turner has been distinguished by patience and industry, and a determination to do what is right whenever and wherever that could be known, and it is this principle which has won from those who administer the law the respect and confidence of the people.

     To the members of the bar, whether old or new practitioners, he has ever exhibited a kindliness of disposition, an unwavering courtesy of demeanor, and a display of characteristics which so happily become a judge, whether sitting in equity, at nisi prius, or in the performance of professional duties in chambers. The family of Judge Turner consisted of five children, three of whom are now living, viz., Hon. Jerome Turner, of Owosso, State Senator from 1868 to 1870, and now mayor of that prosperous and enterprising city; Lucia, the wife of Hon. H. M. Newcomb, of Ludington; and Miss Nellie Turner.

     The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, has been a resident of the village of Howell for more than a quarter of a century, and is one of the prominent members of the Livingston County bar. He was born June 10, 1820, at Newburg, Ohio, a place which is now embraced within the limits of the city of Cleveland. His father, Adoniram Hubbell, was a native of Connecticut. His mother, Laura (Fuller) Hubbell, born in Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., was a lady of rare intellectual ability and culture. She died April 11, 1850.

     In or about the year 1819, Adoniram Hubbell emigrated West and settled in Ohio, where he worked at his trade--that of a hatter--until the year 1835, when he removed with his family to Hartland, Livingston Co., Mich., located a piece of land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, in connection with the business of his trade, which be carried on in the winter seasons, until 1841, after which be gave his whole attention to farming. He died Aug. 8, 1852. His son, Sardis F., to whom this sketch has special reference, had attended the common schools of Newburg, Ohio, until he reached the age of fifteen years, at which time he removed with his parents to Hartland. Here he attended a select school for a time, and after leaving it, assisted-his father in business until about 1839, when he was nineteen years of age. He then entered the office of Josiah Clark, M.D., for the purpose of studying medicine, but finding this uncongenial to his taste, he abandoned it after a year's trial, and in 1840 commenced reading law in the office of Wellington A. Glover, of Howell, then prosecuting attorney of the county of Livingston. In this he applied himself so closely that at the end of a year he found his health impaired, and as a consequence he was compelled to suspend study for about two years. On the 15th of May, 1843, he entered the office of Augustus C. Baldwin, of Milford, Oakland Co., where he studied hard for more than three years, he was admitted to the bar in Pontiac, Dec. 16, 1846, and at once commenced practice in Oakland County, where he continued for eight years, having been during that time (November, 1850) elected representative in the State Legislature. In the spring of 1854 he removed from Milford to Howell, where he at once engaged in the business of his profession. In the fall of that year he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and in the fall of 1858 was elected prosecuting attorney of Livingston County. He was again elected to the same office in 1862, and re-elected in 1864.

     Mr. Hubbell has been closely identified with the interests of Livingston County, and in particular, with those of Howell. He has filled the office of president of the village for three terms, and that of director of the school board for two terms. He has always taken a deep interest in the advancement of education. In religious belief he favors that of the Baptist denomination, and attends the services of that church. In politics he is and always has been a Democrat. In 1854 he joined the Masonic fraternity, and was Master of the Howell Lodge from 1859 to 1863 inclusive, and again from 1876 until the present time. He took part in the organization of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Howell, and was elected its High Priest. He assisted in organizing the Commandery of Knights Templar, and filled the office of Eminent Commander for two terms. He was also District Deputy Grand Master for the Sixth Masonic District for the years 1873 and 1874. He has been twice married: first, Aug. 14, 1848, to Miss Emily A. Mowry (who died Dec. 29, 1862), and the second time, to Mrs. Helen M. Carlin, Aug. 14, 1864. Of his three children by the first marriage, two sons are now living.

     WILLIAM McPHERSON, of Howell, Livingston Co., Mich., was born in Gortlich, in the parish of Boleskin, in Invernessshire, Scotland, Jan. 16, 1804. His parents were Martin and Elizabeth (McIntosh) McPherson.

     His father was a blacksmith. In 1813 he removed with his family to the city of Inverness,where he carried on his business of blacksmithing for several years. Here William attended school and received a fair common-school education. After leaving school he was employed for about five years as shepherd and as servant and attendant to the minister of the parish. When he was about nineteen years of age he commenced work in his father's shop, and learned the trade of blacksmith of him. After acquiring his trade, he worked for several years as journeyman blacksmith in different places in the north of Scotland. In 1829, when he was twenty-five years of age, he established himself in business and opened a shop of his own in the village of Aberchirder, in Banffshire. April 7, 1831, he married Elizabeth Riddle, of the parish of Grange, Batiffshire. He continued in business in Aberchirder for about seven years, during which time, by hard work and constant attention to business, he accumulated a small property.

     Here his three eldest children, Isabella, William, and Alexander, were born. In 1836 he emigrated to America with his family. He came direct to Michigan and settled at Howell, then called Livingston Centre, arriving there September 17th of the same year. The village of Howell at that time consisted of one frame building. This building was used as a hotel. In it were also located the county offices of the new settlement and a small store kept by F. J. B. Crane.

      Mr. McPherson at once built himself a log house, and in a log shop adjoining, commenced work at his trade of blacksmithing. In this he continued for about six years.

     In 1841 he and Josiah Turner, now circuit judge of the seventh circuit of Michigan, opened a small store, Mr. McPherson contributing part of the capital and Mr. Turner managing the business, Mr. McPherson at the same time continuing his blacksmith business on his own account. After continuing the merchandise business with Mr. Turner for about a year, they sold out to Giles Tucker.

     In 1843 he bought a half-interest in the stock and store of E. B. Taylor, and, discontinuing his blacksmith business, turned his attention entirely to trade. They did business for about two years together, under the firm-name of Taylor & McPherson.

     After being thus associated for about, two years, he bought his partner's interest in the business. From this time he has continued uninterruptedly and with success in the mercantile business.

     From 1852 to 1856 he was in partnership with William Riddle in the firm of McPherson & Riddle. In 1856 he associated his eldest son, William McPherson, Jr., in business with him, under the firm-name of William McPherson & Co. In 1864 another son, M. J. McPherson, was admitted to the business. In 1867 another son, E. G. McPherson, was admitted. Since 1864 the name of the firm has been William McPherson & Sons.

     From 1856 this firm has had a steady growth and has done an increasing business. It has long been noted for enterprise and reliability. As a business man Mr. McPherson's marked characteristics have been energy, industry, and prudence.

     In 1864, when the Detroit and Howell Railroad Company was organized for the construction of a railroad from Detroit to Howell, Mr. McPherson was elected a director, and treasurer of the company. In this position he continued for about five years, doing much hard and difficult work. The original company were unable to carry out their project, but a new company composed principally of Eastern capitalists completed the work, and the road is now known as the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad. He assisted in the organization of the First Presbyterian Church of Howell in 1838, and has been a member ever since. He has four sons, William, Alexander, Martin John, and Edward G. All are living in Howell. Three are associated with him in the mercantile business, and one is engaged in banking. He has also four daughters,--Isabella, wife of H. H. Mills; Elizabeth, wife of E. P. Gregory; Mary L., wife of H. T. Browning; and Ella, wife of Fred A, Smith.

Seth Howe, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Connecticut in 1776, where he spent his early childhood, and from whence his parents moved to Pennsylvania. There he grew to manhood and married a Miss Washburn, by whom he had several children. Then, hearing glowing stories of western New York, he emigrated thither, accompanied by an elder brother, settling on what was then called the "Holland Purchase." His farm was situated in the town of Elba, Genesee Co. There his family increased to the number of ten children, Seymour E. being the ninth child. Four years after this event his wife died. Mr. Howe had a severe struggle, the country being new, heavily timbered, and sparsely settled, with a large family to provide for, a wilderness-farm to clear, and help scarce. Yet he never faltered. Working hard during the week, on the Sabbath he would gather the neighbors together and preach to them the glad news of salvation. This he kept up for forty years, or as long as he lived. Two years after the death of his first wife, he married a Mrs. Dunning, by whom he had one child, a daughter.

Seymour E., when about six years old, went to live with his oldest brother, who was married and followed farming and painting. With him he was associated until his sixteenth year, and received some knowledge of both occupations. At this time many of his older brothers and sisters were married and scattered. Three of them, having gone to Michigan, had settled at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. Soon after Seymour attained the age of sixteen years, he, too, started for Dexter. He was then living about forty miles from Buffalo," which distance he accomplished on foot, carrying his worldly all in a small knapsack. He took passage on the steamboat "Columbus" to Detroit, the trip taking over six days, he was still fifty miles from Dexter, where his friends lived. This distance he walked, as he had not money enough to hire a public conveyance. Arriving at Dexter, his brothers and sisters gave him a very cordial greeting, one of whom, a carriage-maker, offered him employment, which he accepted and commenced work at once. He soon after went to work for another brother, in the clock business. He remained with his brother nearly seven years and then returned to the home of his childhood. He found his father and friends well, and received the prodigal's greeting. His father wishing him to remain with him while he lived, he concluded to do so, and soon after married Miss P. A. Boutell, with whom he is still living. Here they remained until after the death of his father, which occurred on the 14th of June, 1852.

Oct. 14, 1856, he started again for Michigan, and in due season arrived and located in the town of Howell, Livingston Co., upon section 15. Through the kindness of David Blackman and family, he obtained a comfortable log house free of rent the first winter. But the usual casualties and hard struggles incident to a new country and climate awaited them, and for the first five or six years it was living from hand to mouth. But, by the blessings of a kind Providence, a change came; they were again blessed with health. The older children became helpful, and from that time to the present it has been one continued season of prosperity. The log house has been displaced, and a large and convenient dwelling erected, and their vessel is now under full sail, with a fair prospect of a happy termination of life's voyage.