Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of the Lake Huron Shore H. R. Page & Co., - 1883 [271-273] HARRISVILLE VILLAGE ------------------- Township and postoffice were named after the HARRIS Bros. This company were the owners of most of the land composing the present site of the village and surrounding it. As intimated, very little had been done by that company to improve or encourage any improvements. In 1870 the village property was surveyed and platted by H. G. ROTHWELL, Esq., C. E., and lots for building purposes were offered by MESSRS. WESTON, COLWELL & Co. This company donated the building site for the court- house and jail to the county, and the courthouse was built in 1870 under the supervision of JOSEPH VAN BUSKIRK, then supervisor of Harrisville, from plans furnished by MR. ROTHWELL. A view of the courthouse appears in this work. HARRISVILLE IN 1877 The editor of the Alpena Pioneer spoke of Harrisville in June, 1877, as follows: "Harrisville is steadily gaining in size and importance. New buildings are steadily going up, which give the town an air of pros- perity. Among the noticeable improvements on landing we see the foundations of MR. GEORGE L. COLWELL's new sawmill. This is 42x120 feet and will be one of the most substantial frames in the State. The engine house will be 35x40 feet, and will be built of brick, and fire proof. It will contain four boilers 4x15 feet. The brick is of an ex- cellent quality and is manufactured at that place, the kiln being only two and one-half miles from town. These bricks can be made and delivered on board boat for less than five dollars per thousand. Our bricklayers would do well to investigate the policy of getting their bricks from that point. MR. RUTSON, the county clerk, is building a handsome residence, and many very pretty residences may be seen in different parts of the village. The firm of ALGER & Co. have con- structed a tramway with iron rails by which they bring a large amount of excellent white pine timber to the shore from three and four miles back. The timber is large, much of it being cork pine, and is cut full length of the tree. This they raft to Tonawanda and other points for manufacture. Much of it is made into spars. Ten million of this timber was lying on the shore ready for rafting. The Review is a new paper started there under the management of J. K. FAIRCHILD, editor, pub- lisher and proprietor, and seems to be well appreciated by the citi- zens. It will be a great help to the prosperity of the place. The forest fires raged and threatened around their border also, destroying much valuable timber. One man, MR. ALFRED CHAPPELLE, while fighting fire was struck by a falling stub forty feet high, breaking his left arm four times above the elbow, the left leg above the ankle, and the right leg at the ankle. He would have burned up but for timely assistance. The courthouse, church and schoolhouse are a credit to the place, and speak well for the enterprise of the people." HARRISVILLE IN 1878 The Review contained the following editorial on Harrisville in August, 1878: "As yet Harrisville is but in its infancy, and it would seem quite improper that we should seek to extol its various interests in its present stages of incipiency, were it not a fact that it is really older than it looks to be, and is now under rapid development of its functions. During the past year a new business impetus seems to have been given the place, which is causing it to grow and flourish as it never has done before. Harrisville is not situated on a plat of white sand a foot above the level of Lake Huron, as many have supposed, as is the case with Alpena, Au Sable, Tawas, and other villages along the shore. Its limits comprise a tract of land which is high and conspic- uous, commencing at the banks about twenty feet above the level of the lake and assuming a gradual rise to its summit of about seventy feet, giving it a location which commands a view of Lake Huron grand in the extreme, and limitable only by the horizon. In fact, it is the hand- somest situated village to be found anywhere on the west shore of the mighty Huron waters. This, together with its surpassing prominence in healthful qualities, makes it a very desirable place to live in. "The village was platted by WESTON, COLWELL & Co., a firm which operated in lumber speculations at this place some years ago. The mercantile, mechanical and manufacturing interests comprise one large, first-class gang and circular sawmill, two shingle-mills, one flouring mill, two large general stores, one clothing store, two grocery and provision stores, one variety store, two meak markets, one blacksmith shop, one carriage and blacksmith shop combined, one shoe shop, and a printing office, from which is issued weekly the Alcona County Review, a "sassy" local sheet of large circulation. The place also possesses two hotels, one saloon, two lawyers, two physicians, two churches (Methodist Episcopal and Catholic), and last, but not least, five secret societies, viz: Masonic, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Knights of Honor, and Order of the American Protestant Society. Another business which furnishes a large revenue to the town is the long pine timber operations of R. A. ALGER & Co., in connection with which is operated a first-class iron railway. The village is also blessed with a large number of handsome homes, and has a courthouse built at a cost of $16,000, which is not equaled north of Bay City; also a fine public school building. The land surrounding the village is well adapted to farming, and we would here state that back of Harrisville lie some of the handsomest farms to be found in Northern Michigan, which are under a high state of cultivation. In fact, Harrisville would have the world know that she is proud of the farming district surrounding her bor- ders. Many handsome buildings have been erected and others are now in process of erection. The county proposes to build at Harrisville this Fall a brick jail, which will be the most beautiful thing of the kind north of the Saginaw Valley. "The advantages of the town are many and of a superior order. In the first place excellent roads leading into the county from all directions have been built, which facilitates the interest of the farmer in the market of his grain and produce. It possesses an excel- lent water-power which may be utilized at good advantage (the flour mill is now operated by the same). A daily mail is received from both north and south, Winter and Summer, and all the passenger and freight steamers plying on the Shore route, or between Cleveland, Detroit and Mackinaw, stop at Harrisville. The extensive timber and lumber opera- tions which are being carried on will give the place life and energy during the developments of the farming districts back from the beach. Unlike many other points the town will not die when all the pine is gone. It will be surrounded by a class of well-to-do farmers - for the farming lands tributary to the village are extensive, and are being very rapidly settled and brought under cultivation. The educational, religious and social interests are of the first order; the society, ditto, and when you come down to the matter of citizens here you will find a kind, generous and obliging class. Taking all in all we claim that Harrisville now possesses, and will always possess, superior advantages over other towns on the west shore of Lake Huron, and those who want a pleasant place to live and do business in cannot better themselves by "pitching their tents" here. We say to the outside world come, and welcome!" HARRISVILLE IN 1883 has six stores, two drug stores, two shoe shops, three hotels, one sawmill, one gristmill, one planing-mill, three shingle-mills, three blacksmith shops, one wagon and repair shop, one tin shop and two agricultural implement stores. The village has three churches: one Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian and one Catholic; with three organized Sabbath-schools. Agricultural Hall, situated at the north end of the village, is a building of two stories, 60x70 feet, sheeted with matched Norway, and has a capacity of about 1,500 persons. The grounds, containing about sixteen acres, and building, are the property of the agricultural society, and are occupied by the Glen Alger Rifle Association, and the Harrisville Driving Park Association (of which, see the fine sketch that accompanies this history). Near the hall stands a flag-staff 115 feet high, erected by the rifle association, that has not its equal in height and symmetrical proportions in the State. From its peak floats the rifle club's flag, a thing of grace and beauty. At the yearly meeting of the "agricultural society," their flag was presented in memory of the late achievements of Alcona County at the State fair in 1878, by its late president. During the festive season of Winter the young people's dancing club occupies the waxed floors of the hall, long noted for its comfort and convenience for dancing parties, with its well-established kitchen and dining arrangements. One of our late governors, at a recent visit and examination of the agricultural grounds and buildings, pronounced them to be the most complete and best arranged grounds and buildings in the State, for agricultural and social purposes. The situation of the grounds and park, elevated above and command- ing a fine view of the lake, will make it, with its shaded driving park, ever the principal attraction in the village, and the most con- spicuous indication of the business thrift and public enterprise of the county. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Let the farmers of Alcona County sustain and cherish this insti- tution, that has so faithfully represented their business and pro- gressive growth during the past, and not forget nor despise, in the brilliant successes of their future prosperity, the "day of small beginnings." SCHOOLS ------- The schoolhouse of District No. 1, of Harrisville Township, repre- sents the first district organized. It is a graded school, with two principal departments. Primary, under a special teacher, with rooms, ante-rooms, blackboards, organ and other school furniture complete and necessary in that department, with patent seating, and amply supplied with maps, charts and globes, and other fixtures adapted to object teaching. The higher departments are graded, and occupy the upper rooms under two teachers. These rooms are also amply supplied with patent seating and all necessary blackboards, outline maps, globes, musical instruments, etc., etc., and warmed with patent heaters. The site of the school buildings is on elevated ground, and has a fine view of the lake and village, and the grounds are planted with maple trees, and fenced in a very substantial manner, similar to the courthouse park. Value of school buildings per report 1882 . . . . . . $6,500 No. of children of school age . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 No. of children who attended school . . . . . . . . . 188 Total expenditure of district, 1882 . . . . . . . . . $2,630.83 CHURCHES -------- The Methodist Church of Harrisville charge was organized by the REV. J. C. MERCHANT, and in the Spring of 1867 a church building was erected on a lot purchased of WESTON, COLWELL & Co., containing about one and one-half acres of land situate on the corner of Church and Second Streets. The building was dedicated June 24, 1868, under the pastorial charge of REV. JESSE T. RUSSELL, assisted by JOHN RUSSELL of Detroit, and several other ministers. Since that time a parsonage has been built, and the church greatly improved by re-seating and substituting stained glass windows, and being heated by a hot-air furnace at considerable expense. From 1868 to 1878, $20,000 have been expended by the people of the county in sustenance of churches and the support of divine services, Sabbath-schools, etc. The first Presbyterian Church of the county is located on the cor- ner of Jefferson and Second Streets, on Lots 9 and 10, donated by MR. GEO. W. COLWELL. The society was organized by the REV. DAVID D. VAN DYKE. The first trustees were GEORGE W. COLWELL, DR. D. W. MITCHELL, W. E. RICE, JOHN McRAE and DUNCAN McGREGOR. The church is a neat Gothic structure of wood, erected on a founda- tion of cut stone, to be finished with a spire of seventy feet. At a cost of $6,000 it was completed, excepting the spire, and carpeted, and dedicated December 14, 1879, REV. D. D. VAN DYKE officiating. The first Catholic Church of the county was organized by the Very REV. FATHER MURRAY of Alpena, in 1868. A church was erected, and afterward enlarged to meet the wants of that large society. The REV. FATHER ROACH of Au Sable, succeeded FATHER MURRAY, and officiated once per month at Harrisville, dividing his labor between Au Sable and this place. The society has recently added a bell, which was consecrated by the bishop and hung in the belfry, and will mingle its mellow tones with the others of the village in calling the faithful to prayer. CIVIC INSTITUTIONS ------------------ ALCONA LODGE of F. & A. M., was organized January 18, 1871, and their lodge room was dedicated March 14th of the same year. The first officers were: JOSEPH VAN BUSKIRK, W. M.; GEORGE L. COLWELL, S. W.; JOSEPH LOUSBY, J. W.; R. Z. ROBERTS, Secretary; EDWARD CHAPELLE, Treasurer; W. L. HOOPER, S. D.; ANGUS SMITH, J. D.; D. B. MUDGETT, T. The lodge numbers forty members, and most in their neatly furnished rooms, located over the store of COLWELL, McGREGOR & Co. The present officers are J. VAN BUSKIRK, W. M.; L. A. COLWELL, S. W.; C. M. LUND, J. W.; J. K. FAIRCHILD, T. HARRISVILLE LODGE, No. 218, I. O. O. F., was organized April 14, 1874. The charter members were, JOHN W. FRAZER, JAMES BARTON, L. R. HALE, NICHOLAS McNALLY, JOHN McRAE, ABRAHAM TINKEY, and JAMES D. ANDERSON. The following officers were duly installed by GEO. H. SHEARER, D. G. M., of Bay Lodge No. 104, viz.: JOHN A. FRAZER, N. G.; JAMES BURTON, V. G.; LEWIS B. HALE, R. S.; NICHOLAS McNALLY, treasurer. The lodge occupied the Masonic rooms for several years, and after- ward purchased block 13, corner of Lake and Church Streets, and built a hall 40x60, of two stories, at a cost of $2,000, retaining the upper rooms. They have finished, furnished and carpeted their rooms, are out of debt and in a good working order, with a membership of sixty. The present officers are: C. P. REYNOLDS, N. G.; JOHN N. McDonald, V. G.; H. P. MOORE, R. S.; L. H. DUNN, P. S.; CHARLES BRIGGS, treasurer; H. A. HALL, D. D. G. M. THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION was organized by JOHN KESTON, D. D. G. M., of Michigan, November 28, 1878, at the residence of PERLEY SILVERTHORN in Alcona Township. The first officers were: NORMAN SMITH, W. M.; A. T. SCARLETT, D. M.; ADA SILVERTHORN, R. S.; GEORGE TURNER, F. S.; THOMAS RUDWORTH, treasurer. The lodge purchased a lot on Main Street and built a hall 24x40, two stories high, and now occupy the upper rooms. This society numbers thirty members in good standing, and the officers officiating are: A. J. KIRKENDALL, W. M.; JOSEPH EVANS, D. M.; HOLMES B. WITTERS, R. S.; GEORGE ANTHONY, F. S.; GEORGE WARD, SR., treasurer. THE KNIGHTS OF HONOR SOCIETY was organized May 25, 1878, by EDWARD NEWKIRK, of Bay City. The present membership is twenty-two, and the officers are: DR. D. W. MITCHELL, dictator; H. R. MORRISON, V. D.; ABRAM NOYES, F. R.; GEO. RUTSON, treasurer; CAPT. W. E. RICE, P. D.; JOSEPH EVANS, R.; GEO. W. BALCH, guide; A. J. FREER, Guard; JAMES BRAHEY, S.; D. B. MUDGETT, chaplain. HARRISVILLE LITERARY SOCIETY ---------------------------- holds its meetings during the Winter months, and its programme consists of readings, etc., etc. HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP LIBRARY ---------------------------- is the property of the township. It has about 600 volumes that are free to any of the inhabitants, subject to the rules made by the board of school inspectors. It is largely patronized. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================