History of Sears 1884 Portrait & Bio Album

This little hamlet was started before the advent of the railroad, which came in about the middle of September, 1870. Barker & Pratt started the business by putting in a supply store. They were soon followed by others, who opened stores, hotels, boarding-houses, saw-mills, etc. For awhile it was quite a flourishing place, with ambitious hopes; but when the railroad - which makes and unmakes towns - passed through and on, carrying its commerce with it, this hamlet settled back again to a conservarive ambition and reasonable expectations. It is located near the line of Orient Township, and on section 5. The site is pleasant and the country surrounding it is good.A postoffice was established here in the winter of 1871-2, with Nelson Ferguson as Postmaster. Mr. Ferguson was succeeded in 1877 by C.V. Priest, who still holds the office. Daily mails are received by rail. A Fourth-of-July celebration - which was the first in the township - was held here in 1872. C. Berch was the orator of the day. It was a great day for the patriots of Sears and the adjacent country, this Fourth-of-July, and it is still remembered and spoken of with pride and pleasure. BUSINESS INTERESTS. C.V. Priest carries a large, general assortment of merchandise and agricultural implements: is also dealer in lumber, shingles, telegraph poles and cedar posts. A Pierce keeps a general store, which he has recently opened. Henry W. Carsons keeps a hotel for the accommodations of the general public. Quite an extensive charcoal manufactory is carried on at this place, by the Detroit Union Iron Works. Hard wood is used mostly in making this coal. A little way from the town there are two saw-mills; one owned by Manly & Branderberg, located on section 4; and the other by J.H. Lanphear on section 5. Nelson Willoughby and McFadden do the black-smithing for the community. Mark L. Borland makes boots and shoes for the people here, and has done so since 1871. SCHOOLS. Sears is in School District No. 1, and the school-house is in town. They have a good school, with some 80 pupils on the rolls. CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1871. First service was held by Rev. E. Fleming. Preaching has been supplied to this society from the Evart charge. Some 20 members belong to this congregation, who hold their meetings in the school-house, and have preaching every Sabbath afternoon. An interesting feature of this Church is its Sunday-school, which consists of 80 members, and is presided over by G.W. Delamarter.