(P.141) 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 (P.142) 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. (P.143)

     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 (P.144) 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: 

     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 (P.146) 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 (P.147) 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:

     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 (P.148) superintendents have been as follows: 

     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: (P.149) 

     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 (P.150) 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 (P.151) 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 (P.152) 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. 

     (P.153) 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.

     (P.154)  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 (P.155)  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 (P.156) 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 (P.157) 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: