History of Oceana Co. 1882

Township of Hart

TOWNSHIP OF HART.

This fine agricultural township was, prior to 1861, a portion of Elbridge, which then included four towns, exdtending from east to west. The following is a list of the leading officers of the town:

SUPERVISORS. - Josiah Russell, 1861-'62; Robert F. Andrews, 1863-'65; David L. Garver, 1864; Abijan W. Peck, 1866; Theron S. Gurney, 1867; Ahaz A. Darling, 1868-'69; William J. Sprigg, 1871-'72; David Johnson, 1873-'74; Enoch T. Mugford, 1875--'76-7-'78-9-'80-1-2.

CLERKS. - James H. Slater, 1879-'80-82; Abijah W. Peck, 1861-'62; Leonard E. Clark, 1863; Peleg A. Hubbard, 1864; William H. Cheney, 1865; William H. Leach, 1866; William A. Peck, 1867; C. A. Gurney, 1881; John M. Rice, 1868; Theron S. Gurney, 1869-'70-1; Charles W. Slaten, 1872; Marcus H. Brooks, 1873-'74-5-6-7-8.

TREASURERS. - Charles W. Wilson, 1861; Daniel M. Wentworth, 1862-'64-5; Nehemiah Miller, 1863; George B. Rollins, 1866; David Benham, 1867; Frederick G. Reeding, 1868-'69; John Westbrook, 1870-'71-2-3; Josephus S. Peach, 1873-'74; Peleg A. Hubbard, 1876; Mills H. Bosworth, 1877-'78; William D. Markham, 1879; Isaac D. Reed, 1880.

The first birth in the town was that or Flora McAllister, May 22, 1856.

The first boy born was George A. Glover, December 16, 1856.

The first house was built by Nelson Glover, December 16, 1856.

The first marriage was that of Charles Williams to Mary O. Rollins.

The first death was that of the wife of James Mooney, in 1859.

The first school was taught by Mary O. Rollins.

The first marriage in what is now the village of Hart, was that of Melvin A. Luther to Ida J. Corbin, at her father's house, by Rev. G. D. Lee, August 5, 1860.

Huff & Cheney kept the first store.

The first man buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery was H. H. Fuller, killed by a falling tree, in 1861.

Amont the early births may be mentioned that of W. E. Mugford, November 3, 1858.

Hiram E. Russell visited the township in 1855, and located a homestead on Section 18, January 1, 1856, when there was not a house in the town. In that year Glover, Jenks and Rollins built, and Russell built in November.

The first brick store was erected in 1881, by W. Coolidge, - "The house that Jack built."

The first postmaster was W. H. Leach, in 1864.

The first hotel was opened in 1867 by B. Moore.

The first county building in Hart was occupied in 1864, and still stands on the hill east of the old sawmill and gristmill. The county officers all occupied one room. The only other buildings in the village then were Corbin's log boarding-house, and the house and office now occupied by L. A. McIntyre & Son.

The first house in the village was Corbin's log boarding-house.

The first drug-store was by Dr. M. R. Chadwick, in 1868; the second was by J. K. Flood, in 1869.

The first hardware store was by Cilver & Slater, about 1866.

The first newspaper was the Journal, May, 1869.

The first church was by the Old School Baptists.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In the Spring of 1856 Nelson Glover settled on the farm on which he still resides, and the same Spring there also settled a man with his family just across the river from him, named William Dunham, and the east of Glover, on the same side of the river, was Jacob Schrumpf, another Scotchman named McAllister, and also Joseph Booth, and a Mr. Green. In the same Spring Dr. Ira Jenks came from Kent, in company with two other men, wending his way via Croton, on the Muskegon, across the Marengo Plains, through the wilderness, with a pocket compass, to the lake shore below Pentwater, and two sawmills and a boarding-house, with one partly built was all there was then of Pentwater. Dr. Jenks came up the woods, and called on Glover. In June he came again, and chopped on his place, having had to cut a road four miles into his place. His bark shanty had no floor, no door, no windows, and the bark had curled so that one could put one's head out of the cracks, if one wished. In about three weeks, George W. Light and Edward Davis, with their families, settled on what is VanWickle's place. Judge Russell, with his two sons, Hiram and George, came in for a few weeks, and did some chopping on their place this season, but the judge and his family did not move in until 1859. In the Spring of 1857 there were ten families, - N. Glover, W. Dunham, J. Schrumpf, J. McAllister, S. Rollins, James Brooker, Ira Jenks, V. Satterlee, G. W. Light, E. Davis, H. H. Fuller.

W. H. Leach put up the first frame dwelling in the village, and was the first postmaster, succeeded by the present Circuit Judge Russell. Robert McAllister was the first stage, as he carried the mail on his back from Pentwater to White River. If he had passengers, it is not known how he carried them, as even "the boot" of the stage was full. After this, the mail was carried by one man and three horses. The man rode one horse, and the two remaining horses brought up the rear. Until 1865 the people of Hart got their mail at Pentwater. In 1869 Collins & Roddy carried the mail. The Methodist Episcopal Elder A. A. Darling was the first preacher. In 1869 Elders Crane and Pratt preached in Huff's Hall, and a church was commenced that year. H. Brooks and Miss Ettie Vanwickle were the first teachers in the new union school. B. Moore erected and kept the first hotel. Nelson Green was the first judge of probate, followed by Josiah Russell, Charles Camp, and Amos Crosby, etc. Nelson Green was the first county surveyor, succeeded by Josiah Russell, and then H. C. Hawley. Tyler Carmer was the first jailer, succeeded by O. P. Fortner. J. Palmiter published the first newspaper. In 1869 36,086 pounds of maple sugar were made in this town. The first Episcopal service in Hart was in 1869, by the Rev. Dr. Pitkin.

G. Rollins, Daniel Wentworth and Mr. Spoor, who were among the earliest settlers of Hart, were three ship carpenters, who came to build a vessel for C. Mears, at Pentwater, and Rollins came in first and picked out land for himself and the others. It was his house that the first town meeting of Elbridge was held in, that town then including four towns. Rollins and Spoor are dead, and Mr. Wentworth is in Maine, visiting the scenes of his boyhood.

THE VILLAGE OF HART.

This is the county seat, and although settlement to any extent began only in 1854-'65, it has become in this short space of time a rising and lively place, with considerable enterprise, and an excellent society, in which the literary taste is commendable. A literary society is kept up, which has been quite successful, and books of standard value find a ready sale with quite a number. Hart is pleasantly situated, on rising ground, and is healthfully located. The residences, many of them fine, are all neat and well kept, and there is an air of thrift and comfort about the whole village. Manufacturers are beginning to be introduced, and the time will shortly come when a railroad will be carried on farther north, and this will give additional impetus to the place. The country around is improving, and as agriculture, stock raising and fruit growing develop, the village will steadily rise. Hart has a sure future. It is the county seat, and the county officials reside there.

Section 17, on which Hart stands, was first taken up by George, a son of the late Josiah Russell, but owing to his sickness and death, it reverted to the Government. Elbridge G. Farmer then took it, and commenced the erection of a sawmill. Corbin & Ford, from Tompkins County, N. Y., bought of Farmer and completed the sawmill and old grist mill, the latter running in 1862. The first house erected was a building on the hill, west of the mill, afterward used as a blacksmith shop, and now removed. The big boarding house, still standing, on the east side of the old grist mill, was the next, Corbin & Ford, the former of whom has passed away, and the latter still resides in Hart, succeeded in inducing the county to locate the county seat on thier ground, giving the present site and $1,000 to bring it. In 1864 the county seat came to Hart, when it was almost a wilderness, and but a half dozen families in the village.

POSTOFFICE.

The first postmaster was W. H. Leach, appointed in 1864, and holding office until January, 1869, in the building now occupied by the Argus, when F. J. Russell took charge, and continued until May 12, 1873. A. R. Cahppell then held the position for eight years, until June 4, 1881, when L. A. McIntyre was postmaster until October 1, 1881, after which the present incumbent, James K. Flood, has been postmaster, and has put in an elegant new case, one-third larger than before. The office was moved by Mr. Russell to the building next north iof the present office; Mr. Chappell moved it first to his hardware store, then to Flood's (now Hatch's) drug store, then to his hardware store, where Bate's restaurant now is, next to where his own store is; on December 15, 1881, the postoffice was in its present place.

It became a money order office on July 15, 1869, and last year there were issued over 1,300 orders, the number of orders to date being over 12,000. Culver & Slater received the first money order.

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS.

In Hart village there are two hardware stores, three general stores, one grocery, exclusively, one dry goods, exclusively, one boot and shoe store, two furniture stores, one grocery and millinery, two restaurants, one harness shop, two newspapers - Journal and Argus - two drug stores, one bank, two wagon makers, four blacksmiths, six practicing lawyers, four doctors, one dentist, two saloon keepers. There is also a large flouring mill, a sawmill, a planing mill, and the large institution of the Hart Manufacturing Company. Bricks are being manufactured on a small scale, and new marble works are about to open up.

THE HART MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

This company was organized October, 1879, for the purpose of manufactuirng staves, beading and hardwood lumber. The machinery is propelled by a forty-five horse power engine, and consists of a fifty-two inch circular saw, cross-cut saw, planer, beading machine, beading turner, stave machine, extra boiler for running dry kilns and steam boxes. The size of the main building is 40x60 feet, with wings 20x30, and there are three dry sheds for staves, each 100 feet long. The officers are: David Benham, president; W. McRae, vice-president; O. W. Knox, secretary; A. R. Chappell, treasurer; W. McRae, mill foreman; D. Benham, yard foreman. The company employs fifteen men, use 3,000 cords of bolts annually, and saw 1,000,000 feet of hardwood. Capital stock, $10,000, and besides lumber trade, they do a business of $15,000 annually. Josepeh Codd is engineer, John Carey head sawyer, W. McRae, filer. The business is about to be enlarged, as it has paid well so far.

Van Wickle & Riddell's Planing Mill, for the manufacture of sash, door and blinds, and general planing, was established in 1881. Size of building, 24x56 feet. The machinery, consisting of planer, matcher, moulder, scroll saw, turning lathe, and sash machinery, is propelled by a twenty-two horse power engine.

Slater's Harness Shop was established at quite an early day. the present owner having purchased, in May, 1881, the interest of C. E. Croff, is doing a good business on Main Street, manufacturing and dealing in saddles, collars, harness, whips, etc.

The Oceana Flouring Mill - The first flouring mill was built in 1862, by Corbin & Ford, at the foot of the old pond, to the west of the village; the old mill is still standing, but is going to decay. In January, 1866, Mahar Wigton purchased the mill and ran it as a custom mill, having two sets of buhrs three and a half feet in size. The water power that ran the mill is now utilized to drive Wigton & Bosworth's sawmill. In 1875 the last named firm erected their present fine flouring mill, 40x65 feet, and five stories, with the basement, and will four sets of buhrs, tow of four feet, and two of three and one-half feet; machinery propelled by water. An addition 30x60 feet, two stories, is used as an elevator for grain storage. The mill has a capacity of 120 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, and is about the largest in the state. It has also a set of stones for feed and coarse grain, and another for middlings, making the new process flour. It is fitted up throughout with the most modern and latest improved machinery. Stephen Burdick is the head miller, succeeding, in 1882, W. L. Miller.

T. J. Main's livery has been about ten years established, and since 1878 Mr. Main has run a stage, in connection with his livery, to Mears. His stable is on Courtland Street.

The Photograph Gallery of Curtis A. Gaines, on State Street, was established in 1870, and since 1877 he has repaired clocks and watches.

C. W. Slayton's furniture shop is located on State Street, and contains a general assortment of furniture, sewing machines, organs and other musical instruments. Mr. Slayton purchased, in 1870, the business of C. Miller, which has been running several years.

Waters & Co.'s furniture shop was established in 1879, by J. A. Sackrider, and sold to Water's & Co., February 1, 1882. The firm deal in all kinds of furniture, and do a large business.

Widoe's clothing store was established in October 1878, and is located on Main Street. Mr. Widoe is a young man of energy and good business talent, and is about to extend his already extensive business by fitting up a large adjoining building into a clothing factory. Mr. W. carries one of the heaviest stocks of ready-made clothing and furnishing goods between Manistee and Muskegon, doing, in 1881, a business of $16,000.

Wigton's boot and shoe store, on State Street, was established in 1881, and does a business of $10,000 annually.

Bailey & Cahill's agricultural implements agency carries a stock of $5,000, and does a business annually of double that amount.

The Citizen's Exchange Bank was established in November, 1874, and is a private banking firm, the members being A. S. White, F. J. Russell and J. K. Flood, Mr. White being cashier, and G. Alverson, assistant cashier.

W. E. Thorp's general store, on Main Street, was established in October, 1876, and does a business of $12,000 annually.

Matthews & Chappell's hardware business was established in October, 1878, carrying a stock of $4,000.

Johnson & Co.'s hardware business was purchased in 1870 by John & Chappell, from Mr. Staler, who had commenced business two years before. Johnson & Co., carry a stock of $4,000.

The saw and Plaining Mill of C. G. Russell, with sash, door and blind factory attached, was established in 1867 by Rutherford & Benham, after which Jacob Hiles purchased Mr. Rutherford's interest. In 1879 D. F. Rice became owner, and in 1881 Mr. Russell purchased. The machinery is propelled by a thirty-five horse power engine, and consists of a circular saw, moulding, mortising, shaping machine, etc., with sand paper machine, scroll saw, bling, sash and door machinery.

W. Coolidge (Jack's), State Street, carries a $8,000 stock of groceries, doing a business of $15,000 annually. He established business in 1875, and built his brick block, the first in Hart, in 1881. He has a public hall above.

J. D. Reed, groceries and millinery, corner State and Washington Streets, commenced business in July, 1877, and has a large custom.

J. K. Flood, dry goods and groceries, bought of George A. Wager, on State Street; business established in 1881, doing $25,000 annually.

Mrs. W. W. Beaumont, dry goods and notions, established on State Street, in 1875, doing a large business.

O. W. Knox's general store, established on Main Street, in 1868, and in 1875 moved to State Street. Originally started by White & Knox, and the latter purchased in 18974. He does a large business.

The Wagon and Carriage Shop of J. K. Cooper & Son was established in 1867, and is now on State Street; size of building, 20x32, with paint shop in second story; blacksmith shop, 20x32.

The Wagon and Carriage Shop of B. S. Parks, on State Street, was established November, 1878.

The Sewing Machine Agency of L. E. Pratt was established in 1880, and handles the genuine Singer, doing a business of $15,000 annually.

Moore's Hotel, built by B. Moore, in the Fall of 1866, opened June 16, 1867; leased in 1872 to Tyler Cazmer, and afterward to J. Tyler, and now, since 1878, to W. H. Bailey. Size 40x52.

The Bank, and dwelling attached, built by B. Moore, in 1873.

Dr. L. Stuck, dentist, came to Hart in August, 1880, and being very skillful and experienced, has met with great success. He is a graduate of Wisconsin Dental College, and has had twenty-five years' experience.

The church edifices are those of the Methodist Episcopal, and that of the United Brethren.

Hart was first supplied with Methodist preaching from the pastor at Pentwater. The first pastor appointed to the Hart charge by the conference was Rev. J.R. A. Wightman, in 1866. In 1867 Rev. B. S. Pratt was pastor, followed by Rev. G. A. Phillips in 1869, he by Rev. C. Howe in 1871, he by Rev. E. L. Kellogg, 1878, and he by Rev. J. Draper in 1874. In 1875 Rev. J. N. Dayton was pastor; he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Thomas, in 1877, and he by Rev. W. L. Tilden, in 1879.

Hart has a very neat and commodious school building, two stories in height, with excellent grounds, and a small building on the same lot for a primary school. Prof. James Brassington, who recently passed the examination in law and has commenced practice in Hart, was, until recently, the efficient principal.

Joe Hooker Post No. 26, G. A. R., was organized August 16, 1881, and is a flourishing institution, with over 30 members. The following are the officers for 1882: W. E. Thorp, commander; L. G. Rutherford, senior vice commander; I. D. Reed, junior vice commander; W. R. Colier, surgeon; J. V. Cahill, quartermaster; L. G. Crumb, chaplain; J. A. Colier, officer of the day; J. H. Slater, adjutant; William McRae, officer of the guard; Frank Edwards, quartermaster sergeant; C. E. Croff, sergeant major.

The Hart Cornet Band was organized in August, 1878, making its first appearance in public in October following. The leader is Charles Bergman (E flat cornet). the members are: J. Widoe, drum major; W. H. Bailey, B flat; C. Rollins, B flat; C. A. Gurney, B flat; B. S. Reed, alto; C. Johnson, alto; G. A. McIntyre, alto; W. H. H. Turner, tenor; A. Rollins, baritone; W. Vanwickle, tuba; T. J. Main, base drum; E. Fisher, snare drum; F. Falkener, cymbals. The band is becoming quite efficient, and is popular and obliging.