Squint Shot 101310

There were two Drs. Lamoreaux in the Fowlerville area -- practicing in the early 1900s. Charles H. Lamoreaux was a physician, and his son, Fred A., was listed as both a physician and optometrist. Before that, Dr. C.H. Lamoreaux, as early as 1899, sold drugs and groceries in the evenings at R.J. Minkley's store while he took care of his patients during the day. Instead of an obituary for Dr. Lamoreaux (or his wife), following is a picture, which can also be found in The Fowlerville Chronicles, that originally was used to show where the fire department was located as well as its first company of men. At the far left of the picture, lettering indicates the office space used by Dr. Lamoreaux. In this 1922 surveyor's map, the office is indicated just south of "telephone exchange." In present day, this storefront is now Reggie's Barber Shop and the pet grooming operation is where the telephone operators used to work. One article I did come across, published in The Fowlerville Review in 1930, follows:

Dr. Lamoreaux’s Car Ran Into by Truck~~Was Driving Across Grand River Street When Hit by Creamery Truck~~Last Monday, at about one o’clock, as Dr. Lamoreaux was driving his car across US 16 at the intersection of Ann street in this village, a Belle Isle creamery truck, going west, ran into his car and did a great deal of damage to it, but very fortunately Mr. Lamoreaux was not seriously injured.

The driver of the truck, seeing that he could not avoid the doctor’s car, turned his wheel sharply to the left and the two cars met near the south side of the street and both came to a stop a few feet short of a large power company post. The cars meeting at an angle undoubtedly prevented a more serious accident. The left side of Mr. Lamoreaux’s sedan was caved in and some of the glass broken and the steering gear of the truck, which was towing three cream tanks, was badly bent. Dr. Lamoreaux was badly shaken up but luckily escaped being cut by broken glass or sustaining other serious injury. The truck driver escaped without injury. Had the truck hit the sedan straight head-on, undoubtedly it would have cut the sedan in two.

The creamery truck had its steering gear straightened and proceeded under its own power.

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As I've mentioned in earlier squint shots, as I continue to catalog all of my research materials, I will randomly post information -- some of which will, no doubt, be about the Drs. Lamoreaux.

Squint Shot 101210

J. H. Place Dead~~James H. Place died at his home in this village early Sunday morning after an illness of about five days.

He was born at Jerusalem, Yates county, New York, April 21, 1836, and after a few years, moved with his parents to Ohio, where at the age of 14 years, he left his home and came to Michigan, locating at Flint for a year or two, after which he came to this township, and with the exception of eight years spent in California in the sixties, had resided here until death.

He married Angeline Metcalf at the home of her parents Nov. 8, 1856, who died about 15 years ago. He was the father of three children; two sons and one daughter, only the daughter, Mrs. Anna Bell Elliott, surviving him.

For many years, he operated as a contractor and builder here and also constructed many of the best farm houses in Handy and Conway. He was absolutely honest in all his dealings and had the confidence of all with whom he transacted business.

In February, 1880, in company with W.B. Gale, they purchased the general merchandise business of Glenn & Co. and conducted it together for over 21 years, He was an obliging neighbor, always ready to accommodate and help in a time of need.

The funeral services were held at the house Tuesday morning, Dr. C.C. Willett, assisted by the Rev. A.A. Rose, officiating, and the remains, by his request, were taken to Detroit for cremation and the ashes will be interred on the family lot in Greenwood cemetery.While working on The Fowlerville Chronicles, I found the following picture of the northeast quadrant of the downtown area. The photographer would have been standing at about where the Handy Township offices are located, and looking southeast. The main four corners would be at the right side of the picture. In all of the close-to-600 pictures, maps, and aerials in the book, this particular snapshot may be shown under the wrong year -- by a bunch -- but I didn't notice it until after the book had been sent to the printer. So now I am waiting to see if anyone will ask about it.

The main reason, though, that I am showing it here is due to the fact the words "Place & Gale" were carved into the upper part of the building located in the middle of the block. This was where the mercantile store could be found for shoppers (in later years it became part of the Curtis Grocery location). As I look at this building in present times, the carved letters no longer exist. So the next time you are sitting at the traffic light on North Grand, heading south, look upward to the east and let me know what you see.

Squint Shot 101110

This headstone is for the Metcalfs. It is located at the left side of the main road coming into the old portion of Greenwood Cemetery. There is a large tree at the corner and this monument stands quite close to it.

I was unsuccessful in my search for Harvey Metcalf's obituary (d. May, 1878) in all of my research papers, but I did come across, The news business heretofore conducted by Mr. Metcalf will be removed to the Central News Depot in the basement of the Palmerton block, where all the late publications of the day and a good assortment of sheet music will be kept constantly on hand. In 1878, the new brick structure for the Palmerton block was completed, but in 1891 the building burned again and had to be rebuilt. How sad all of these papers were no doubt destroyed in the 1891 fire. Of interest, I did come across this article for Mrs. Metcalf, published in The Fowlerville Review in 1875:

Mrs. Metcalf, who left this village a few weeks since for California, met with quite an accident. The train on which she was traveling was run into by another, causing a smash-up, in which she had three ribs broken. The railroad company took her on to San Francisco, paid her doctor bill and offered her $200 to settle it; but she wants more.

I did have the pleasure of meeting a direct descendant of Harvey Metcalf recently when she purchased a copy of my book. It was interesting to speak with someone that knew so much about the family lineage. While working on putting together the Chronicles, I briefly (very briefly) thought about genealogy, but was overwhelmed by how this small community, in the very early days, combined families through marriage. Listening to this woman speak, I realized I made the right decision to follow the progress of the downtown instead of trying to work on families!

As far as the Metcalfs go, as I catalog the huge collection of history papers I have, I will occasionally post more information as it presents itself.

1876 New Palmerton Block

In the early spring of 1876, two new buildings were highlighted in The Fowlerville Review, and the editor followed the progress; for the second building to stand at the corner of West Grand River and North Grand (the first wooden building having burned previously) and for the Spencer House (originally called the Spencer Exchange) that formerly stood at the northeast corner of North Second Street and East Grand River. Following are the progress reports (each new paragraph indicates a new update found in the Local News section) for the Palmerton block, as well as a description of the finished building and a picture:

Last Monday morning the excavations for Geo. W. Palmerton’s new brick block were commenced on the corner of Grand River street and Grand avenue. The building is to be 40x80 feet on the ground, three stories high and a basement. The building will be not only a credit to the proprietor but will add materially to the improvements of our town.

The stone laying on the foundation of Palmerton’s new block has been commenced.

A brick kiln has been started on the Charley Fowler farm, a mile west of the village where brick of a good quality are being made with which to build the new Palmerton block.

The walls of the Palmerton block have reached the top of the ground and the bricklaying will soon be commenced.

The foundation is now completed and bricklaying has commenced on the Palmerton block.

Geo. W. Palmerton is putting in a vault in the room to be occupied by the bank which will cost over $1,000.

The doors for the new bank vault arrived on Wednesday and are being put in place.

The Palmerton block has reached the second story.

The brick work on the Palmerton block is about completed and ready for the roof.

The floors are being laid in the Palmerton block and the work of painting the exterior has been commenced.

The new Palmerton block which is now fast nearing completion will soon be ready for occupancy and is one of the finest in the county.

A new sidewalk graces the street in front of the new Palmerton block.

The painting of the new Palmerton block is about completed, and the magnificent structure will now be ready for occupancy in a few weeks. The storeroom is to be heated with hot air, and the furnace for this purpose, has already been placed in the basement. The finishing touches to the room to be occupied by the bank are being put on, the vault of which alone has cost about $2,000 and is yet to contain a burglar-proof chest which can only be unlocked one time. Just the lock of this little affair can be purchased for three hundred dollars. Messrs. Gay & Ellsworth are indeed enterprising gentlemen and we doubt not when they are fully settled in their new quarters will have as neat a banking house as can be found in any town of twice the size of Fowlerville in Michigan.

Mrs. C.T. Powers has removed her millinery establishment to the north room of the Palmerton block where she will cordially greet her customers. See her advertisement found elsewhere.

E.E. Walton, dentist, A.S. Austin, physician, and A.D. Cruickshank, attorney, have taken up their abode on the second floor of the new Palmerton block.

By Christmas, Palmerton will occupy his new block some time next month.

The new Masonic hall in the Palmerton block is now ready for occupancy and is said to be one of the finest in this section of the state. It will be occupied jointly by the Masons and Odd Fellows.

In January, 1877, Palmerton is moving into his new block.

On New Year’s evening, every window of the new Palmerton block was illuminated, presenting a very handsome appearance.

And then a complete description was written up in The Fowlerville Review:

The New Palmerton Block~~One of the Most Imposing Structures in Livingston County~~Now that the Palmerton block is completed, it becomes our duty as the editor of the local paper to give a description of the building and a little history of its proprietor and occupants. Mr. Geo. W. Palmerton, the proprietor, we have spoken of before as having been one of the business men of Fowlerville at an early day in its history. He first commenced business as a notion dealer in the small building just east of the Review office, sometime during the year 18~~ and from that time to the present day by a strict attention to business, has been steadily rising and growing into favor with the public. Though Mr. Palmerton commenced on a very small scale, by his earnestness and untiring efforts, he has managed during these years to bear out one of the finest pieces of property in the county.

The new building is built of brick manufactured in Fowlerville, is three stories high and fronts 44 feet on Grand River Avenue, 82 feet with two fronts on the latter named street, and a fine basement under the whole, half of which is reserved by Mr. Palmerton for his own use. The first floor is divided into three rooms. One, in the southeast corner, 22x34 is occupied by the private and enterprising banking firm of Gay & Ellsworth, and which for completeness in every point of taste and convenience cannot be beaten, being provided with a modern fire-proof vault and a burglar-proof, time-lock chest. Next on Grand avenue comes the east entrance to Mr. Palmerton’s general merchandise establishment, which also has an entrance from the south on Grand River street. In this spacious apartment of the building, we find Mr. Palmerton located with a very large and varied assortment of dry goods, clothing, piece goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, groceries, Queensware and notions. The counters are very tastily built and finished up with black walnut tops, white fronts and cherry paneling with black walnut mouldings. All the counters, except in the grocery department, have sunken showcases, the tops of which form the tops of the counters and prove to be a very tasty and convenient arrangement. The boot and shoe department occupies the space at the right of the east entrance and the dry goods the left as you pass around toward the south entrance, the storeroom being the shape of a T, while the south half of the west side is occupied by the hat, cap, clothing and piece goods department and the north half by the grocery department and between the two last-named departments, immediately opposite the east entrance is a very neat and conveniently arranged office, which is occupied by Mr. Frank Palmerton as bookkeeper and teller. Frank has only recently risen to the dignity of this position and is fast coming into favor as a young man of promise into whose hands a good share of the business of his father’s establishment is already entrusted.

Off the northeast corner is a neat room, 20x22, which is occupied by Mrs. C.T. Power as a millinery and dress-making establishment, which is fitted up in such a neat and attractive style as to attract the passer’s eye at once. The stock in this establishment is quite extensive and needs no comment from us to commend it to ladies of our village as a location where their wants can be satisfied to a T.

Access is gained to the second story by a spacious stairway leading up from Grand avenue between the bank and the east entrance to Mr. Palmerton’s store. The east half of this floor is divided into four fine offices, each about 20-foot square, the one in the southeast corner, over the bank, being occupied by Dr. Walton’s dental parlor. Another is occupied by Drs. A.S. and Geo. O. Austin and another by Prosecuting Attorney Cruickshank. The other remains unoccupied. The south room in the west half of the building will probably be reserved by Mr. Palmerton for his own use, and the one in the rear is now used by him as a Queensware room. These rooms are each about 20x35 feet with a woodroom between the two. The third story is divided into three rooms, the two in the east half being each 22x35 feet. The one in the southeast corner is designed to be used as a public library room and the other remains yet unoccupied. The west half of this story which is reached by a separate stairway is fitted up and used by the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities as a hall and is one of the finest in this section of the state. The drafting and architectural work was done by Mr. J.V. Smith of Detroit. The carpenter work was superintended by Mr. L.H. Beebe of Pinckney, assisted by his son Adelbert, R.H. Fowler, S.S. Abbott (note: see yesterday's squint shot for Mr. Abbott's obituary by clicking here) and brother, G.F. Harman and others of this village, all first-class workmen. The mason work, carpenter work and painting was done by the day and overseen by Mr. Palmerton himself, and shows an excellent exhibition of taste.

The cost of the building is estimated by Mr. Palmerton to be about $13,000.

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Following is a picture of the Palmerton block, dated ca. 1877-78. In a few short years, unfortunately, a second fire would visit this location and the building would need to be reconstructed. There is so much more about this building in my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles, of the fire of 1891 that would do so much damage.

Squint Shot 101010

Just to the north of the Fowler headstones, a grouping of headstones can be found with Palmerton indicated on most of them. Some are totally unreadable, such as this one. But the tallest one, a newer style, has Palmerton very readable, facing west. There were many Palmertons in the village of Fowlerville, but one of the most progressive and forward thinking was a Palmerton through marriage. Joanna Fowler married Frank Palmerton. Following is the obituary written by G.L. Adams of The Fowlerville Review: Old Pioneer Laid to Rest~~Mrs. Joanna Palmerton died at her home Saturday afternoon. Miss Joanna Fowler was born in this village October 23, 1839, and resided here all her life. Late in the fall of 1857, she married George W. Palmerton, who died January 1, 1879. He was engaged in business at the time, having built and occupied the Palmerton block. She and her son, Frank G., reorganized the business, taking in William M. Beach as a partner. Later he retired and Mrs. Palmerton and son continued until the fire of 1891 consumed the building. They sold the stock that was saved and Mrs. Palmerton at once commenced the reconstruction of the building as a memorial to her departed husband.

She was the devoted mother of two children; onen son, Frank G., and one daughter, Blanche E., both of whom preceded her in death. She was a remarkable woman in many ways, kindly in heart, careful in business, cheerful and helpful in the social life, an active member for many years of the M.E. church, liberal in her contributions to all and one who will be greatly missed among her neighbors and friends.

The funeral services were held at her late home on Monday afternoon, the Rev. R.T. Kilpatrick, assisted by the Rev. G.L. Adams, officiating, and the remains were interred in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery.

Squint Shot 100910

Old Citizen Laid to Rest~~Spiridon S. Abbott was the son of A.A. and Sally Abbott and was born in Huron County, Ohio, September 28, 1847, and passed away at his home in Fowlerville, Tuesday, July 13, 1926. When about six weeks old, his parents brought him to Michigan where they settled in the township of Marion, this county. He was naturally of a studious disposition and acquired a good education and was one of the successful teachers of the county. For several years, he devoted himself to carpentering in summers and teaching in winters.
He was also a good musician and conducted singing classes at several places in the county.

December 20, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria C. Dutcher, who with one daughter survives him. To this happy union, three children were born; two sons, Ernest, who died in infancy, Bert, who died just as he merged into splendid young manhood, and Miss Bessie.

Soon after his marriage he settled in Fowlerville, reading law in the office of Dodge and Williams and later engaged in the grocery business with Charles Glenn for some time. He was admitted to the bar and practiced his profession for several years.

He was one of the members of the F.&A.M., held many offices in the lodge, also supervisor of the township and held various offices in the village, including that of president. He was always a great student and a man of large purpose.

This obituary, published in The Fowlerville Review, goes on to give particulars for the burial but the microfilm read in the Howell Library was crinkled at this point. As I look back through the business directories I posted in The Fowlerville Chronicles, the first time I see his name is in 1883. Due to the poor writing in the directory, I mistook his initials as "L.S." instead of "S.S." He should be listed in 1883 as "Abbott, S.S., insurance and supervisor." At various times in the business directories, he was shown as a "grocer" after taking over possession of the East End Market, but by 1889, he was listed numerous times as "lawyer."

Squint Shot 100810

There were a number of Rounsvilles in the late 1870s and long into the early 1900s. One short "local news item" I found was of F. Gifford Rounsville, published in The Fowlerville Review in 1915, "F. Gifford Rounsville of the Western Military, Alton, Ill., is spending the holiday vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Rounsville." The first headstone shows a Frank G. Rounsville, b. 1848 and d. 1929.

The next headstone is for Claude G. Rounsville, b. 1871 and d. 1931. Instead of an obituary, I found the following article in The Fowlerville Review:

For Nearly a Half Century~~This is neither an obituary or a eulogy, but simply an item of recognition of one of our oldest businessmen who is retiring from years of activitiy.

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F.G. Rounsville, who entered the business circle in this village in 1874, last week sold his grain elevator and coal business to the Fowlerville Farmers' Co-operative association and has retired from business, although he still retains his farm.

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For almost half a century, Mr. Rounsville has been actively identified with the business interests of Fowlerville and has been one of the foremost progressives in the village, always being ready to put himself and his money into what looked to be the best business interests of the village and whatever would be for its advancement, having always been an enthusiast along all lines of progress.

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He was a member of the school board for something over 30 years and had much to do with placing the schools on their present high grade, and he has also served the village in nearly every official capacity. He was also an ardent Democrat and served this county for two terms as a member of the state house of representatives at Lansing.

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He began his business career with the old firm of D.R. Glenn & Co. in 1874 and soon after conducted continuously until last week. He was literally blown out of the original elevator building when the cyclone struck it a few years ago, but he immediately began the erection of the present building undismayed, cheerful and optomistic and we opine that he will still be actively interested in whatever pertains to the prosperity and best interests of Fowlerville.

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Another article published in July of 1931, possibly shortly before Mr. Rounsville's passing, follows:

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Rounsvilles Entertain Friends at Dinner~~Mr. and Mrs. Claude Rounsville were hosts to a group of friends at their home last Friday, their guests having spent the past winter with them in Lake Worth, Florida, and all are very close friends. A delicious bohemian dinner was served at six o'clock on the lawn, the company being seated at small tables. Bridge and pinochle were enjoyed after dinner. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Wieland, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dunham, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Green, Mr. and Mrs. Houghton Gladden, Mr. and Mrs. George Tooley, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Youngs, Mr. and Mrs. John Buehler, Herman Peters, Mrs. Clara Abbott, Mrs. C. Beckwith, Mrs. Carrie Barnard and Mrs. Carrie Manz, all of Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters of Detroit.

In my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles, you can look under the years 1878 to see a picture of the house he built on South Grand, across from his grain elevator, and 1913 to see the grain elevator after it had been rebuilt following the 1909 cyclone. Under 1909, there are accounts of how he was "literally blown out of the original elevator building" as G.L. Adams, publisher and editor of The Fowlerville Review, described it.