History of Hersey Village 1884 Portrait & Bio Album

One of the prettiest little towns in north western Michigan, the Village of Hersey, situated in Osceola County, about 15 miles north of Big Rapids, on the western side of the Muskegon, at a point near where the waters of the Hersey and Muskegon Rivers unite. The town was surveyed and platted by Delos A. Blodgett, Esq, who has been engaged in lumbering on the Muskegon from his boyhood, and is familiarily known all over the county as "Dock Blodgett,"on the 9th of July 1867, at which time an old water power saw-mill was the only building of any kind within the limits of the plat. A large three story hotel, a two story store, and several other buildings were erected the same season, and the place suddenly transformed from a forest, to an embryo city, all through the untiring energy and perserverance of the proprietor, Mr. Blodgett. The county of Osceola was organized by an act of the Legislature passed during the winter of 1869, and the County seat located and established at the Village of Hersey. The corps of County Officers elected for the first organization were Isaiah Manes, Sheriff, Rufus F. MOrris, Treasurer, John A. Granger, Clerk and Register of Deeds, Sylvester F. Dwight, Pros. Atty, and Circuit Court Com'r, and Edwin F. French, Surveyor. The Village has two hotels, the "Hersey House," a large three story building kept by A.D. Wood, and the "Lewis House," a two story building, kept by William Lewis. In the mercantile trade are James Kennedy, James Rooney, and Jones & Adams all of whom seem to have a good patronage. S.F. Dwight, Esq. reads and expounds law to all who are troubled in mind, and unable to adjust their matters of difference, and Dr. E.H. Wood prescribes pills and drugs for those who are ailing in body. Veie & Olson carry on a large wagon and blacksmithing establishment, and manufacture a large number of wagons and sleighs, all of excellent style and finish. Henry Gerhardt makes new harness, and repiars old ones on short notice. Jacob Schladel is also a knight of the awl, but he makes boots and shoes instead of harnesses. C.B. Earles manufactures doors, sash, and blinds. A large and substantial church edifice, 16 x 60, is being finished off by the Evangelical Association, which when done will be an ornament to the place; and not far from the church building, is a very large and commodious district school house, which is an evidence that the educational interests of the vicinity are not neglected. We understand that another church building will be put up there the ensuing year, by the Congregationalists, of which denomination there are quite a number in that vicinity, D.A. Blodgett, Esq., with a spirit of liberality which is truly commendable, donates all the lumber and timber for both these churches. The Hersey River at this point, furnishes an extensive and valuable water power, a small proportion of which is consumed in propelling a large flouring mill, and a saw mill. Nearly all the buildings in the village are of good size and height, and tastily painted, which cannot but create a favorable impression upon the mind of every observer. Among the large and more conspicious dwellings, is that of N.L. Gerrish, Esq., which is now nearly completed. The large frame is being erected for a very large house for Mr. Blodgett, which when completed will be equal to anything on the Muskegon River. The people of Hersey feel proud of what they have not, as well as what they have. It is emphatically a temperence town, and a saloon cannot exist here anymore than a snake in Ireland. Mr. Blodgett being a radical temperence man, wisely provided against this pestilence by inserting a clause in the deed of every lot sold, foreverprohibiting the sale of liquor upon the premises. The village is surrounded by an exceedingly fertile farming country, quite a large proportion of which is already occupied, and the forests are rapidly disappearing under the sturdy efforts of an industrious and perservering people. Several large and beautiful farms under a high state of cultivation are to be seen in the immediate vicinity. First and principal among them is that of Mr. Blodgett, lying adjacent to the village on the south, and comprising between two and three hundredacres of improved land, which for beauty and fertility will compare favorably with any in the State. To the westward is the farm of B.F. Gooch, on rather high and rollingland and in passing this the attention of the traveler is attracted by the numerous patent gates, barn doors, hawktraps, ox-baiters, etc., etc., with which the farm is embellished, and for which Mr. Gooch has especial fondness. Judging from present indications, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad will be builtsome two ro three miles to the westward, which will be rather unfortunate for Hersey; but we are informed that the line of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, as located, is only about 3/4 of a mile from the Village, which will give convenient railroad communication. The bridge over the Muskegon for this latter road is to be built during this coming winter, and before the close of 1871 Osceola County will have the cars running into it from both south and east. The crossing of the two great lines of railroad like these in a county so rich, in timber, soil and water privileges, as is Osceola, cannot develop all these resources, and make it in a few years one of the richest in this part of the State.