The History of Ovid Village
The village of Ovid owes its origin to the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad and its location to plans of speculators. During the constructive period of the road, one J. C. E. Gumaer, of New York, who owned land in Ovid township, endeavored to secure a station upon section eleven. Gumaer appointed W. H. Faxon, of Duplain, to negotiate with the company. In 1856 Faxon proposed to the board of directors of the company that if the site on section eleven were selected by the company for a station, the company would be donated five acres of land and two thousand dollars. The proposition seemed to meet with considerable favor from the directors.
At about the same time B. O. Williams, of Shiawassee county, then a prominent factor in affairs of the two counties, had built a saw-mill in Middlebury township on the line of the railroad at a point about one and one-quarter miles east from the present village of Ovid. Feeling assured that a railway station would be established at this place, this enterprising gentleman platted a village and began the sale of lots. After negotiations had been carried on for some time, differences of opinion and conflicting interests brought about the failure of the enterprise. Here a compromise was settled upon, according to which Williams, H. G. Higham, the chief engineer of the railroad, and Amos Gould made an agreement for the purchase of land including the site of the present village of Ovid, and Higham was successful in securing the location of a station there. Thus Gumaer's proposition, as submitted by Faxon, was of no avail. B. 0. Williams made a plat of a village at this place, which was recorded May 27th, 1858. This plat embraced the south-east quarter of the east one-half the southeast quarter of section twelve. Additions to the original plat have been made as follows: E. M. Fitch, April 15th, 1867; J. Q. A.
Patterson and P. C. Bassett, July 3d, 1867; Hamilton Stone, December 7th, 1867; W. H..Faxon, May 3oth, 1872, the latter being thirty acres in extent.
Upon the lot now occupied by the Retan House, B. I. Udell started a store with a small
stock of goods early in 1856. In May of 1867 a frame store building was erected by W. C.
Bennett and a stock of merchandise was there put upon the market. Bennett also engaged in the business of shipping stones and other forest products eastward. By this time the saw-mill erected by Richard Baylis was in operation; thus we have the nucleus of a real village.
John Burkhart soon began the manufacture of chairs and cabinets, and Samuel Gilson began a cooperage business at the new village. Udell, the merchant, abandoned his business unexpectedly in the fall of 1857, and for a short time Bennett's store monopolized the Ovid trade.
In the winter of 1857-1858 A. B. Wood arrived, and in May, 1858, W. H. Faxon and 0.M. Pearl, of Duplain, rented Wood's store and put in a stock of goods. The building was previously a dwelling house and stood upon the lot later occupied by the Potter Block. John A. Potter was engaged by these proprietors to take charge of the new business.
Faxon subsequently took up a permanent residence in Ovid and built what was then thought to he the best store building in Clinton county, upon the site where the Phoenix Block was erected later. During the same period of improvement, a grist-mill was built by Park and Kellogg; a hardware store was established by E. D. Gregory; a drug store by John Fitch, later owned by Charles Farmer; a clothing store by F. L. T. Hasse, who began business in 1859 and continued as a merchant for many years.
The first village tavern was built in 1857 and called the Park House. In later years the building was improved and designated as the Clinton House. The first brick building was erected in 1869 by Anthony Swarthout. The Phoenix Block was built in 1873 and the Marvin, Potter and DeCamp blocks were subsequent improvements. The
Ovid post-office was established in 1857 at the Park House, J. B. Park being in charge.
Later the office was moved to the Bennett store.
The pioneer physician of the village was Dr. E. V. Chase, who was followed by Dr. S. C. King. Dr. Charles Armstrong, Dr. E.S. Leonard, Dr. Baughman, Dr. J. B. McLeon and Dr. Charles Knapp also practiced their profession at Ovid at an early date. In 1880
the resident physicians of the village were Dr. S. C. King, Dr. J. D. Tirrell, Dr. M. R.
Yuill, Dr. C. W. Pengra, Dr. J. F. Abbott and Dr. O. B. Campbell.
Richard Baylis, who has been mentioned in connection with the building of a saw-mill, engaged in the practice of law at Ovid in 1858. E. N. Fitch was his competitor at that early date. The amount of business along this line must necessarily have been exceedingly small at that time. Later arrivals were B. H. Scovill and John Van Blarken. In I870 W. W. Dennis, who still resides in Ovid and is engaged in commercial pursuits, opened a law office at this village. Later came S. W. Baker. W. H. Castle, who now resides in St. Johns, and A. D. Griswold. The latter was once the United States District Attorney at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hiram H. High was, until September, 1902, a prominent practitioner at Ovid, and for years had enjoyed a lucrative general practice. Mr. High was an influential politician of the republican party in the county and enjoyed a large amount of public confidence, until the unfortunate circumstance of his sudden and unexpected disappearance from Ovid. Fred R. Everett succeeded to the business of High & Everett in I902, and is still engaged in practice at this village. Mr. Everett has for several terms been elected circuit court commissioner of Clinton county, and
has served several terms as village attorney of Ovid, and he is highly esteemed personally and professionally by his fellow citizens. Almond G. Shepard, like Fred R. Everett, is a graduate of the Michigan University Law School and enjoys a large general practice at Ovid. where he has been located for several years. S. R. Smith was for a time located at Ovid. Mr. Smith served one term as prosecuting attorney of Clinton and now is engaged in business at Detroit, Michigan.
The Ovid Methodist Episcopal church had its beginning in the organization of a class
which met at the village school house in 1870 in charge of Rev. J. Fowler of the Duplain
circuit. At present this society owns a valuable church property, consisting of a commodious. well-built brick church and an unusually fine parsonage, and is in a prosperous condition generally. A meeting for the organization of a Baptist
church was held February 1st 1860. The church prospered and its membership increased
and its new building was dedicated December 14th, 1865. The village has also a Protestant Episcopal church society. This denomination held religious services at Ovid for the first time, February 1, 1866. Rev. Henry Banwell of the St. Johns church officiated on that occasion, and thereafter rectors of the St. Johns and Owosso societies held occasional services at Ovid. In 1875 a mission was estalished at this village, Rev. S. S. Chapin having charge of the same, and in July of 1880, the church building was ready for occupancy.
The First Congregational church, which is at present one of the most powerful social forces of the county, grew out of a meeting held at the office of the Ovid Register, January 3oth, 1871. At this gathering were present the following named persons: Dr. C. V. Beebe, David Davis, Wm. G. Fulkerson, R. G. Young, L. C. Mead, Frank Davis, D. H. Moore, F. L. T. Hasse, John Bennett, John Potter, J. G. Mabbitt, H. M. Enos, M. H. Goff, D. A. Howe, J. S. Kribbs, George C. Beebe, Harry Marvin, J. Q. Patterson, T. M. Scoville and John W. Fitzgerald. Several of the above are already familiar in Ovid history. J. W. Fitzgerald is now a resident of the city of St. Johns, where he is cashier of the St. Johns State Bank. At this meeting resolutions were adopted, providing for the formation of a temporary organization for conducting Congregational services semi-weekly for a period of three months. The subscribers agreed to bear the expenses of this work. The services of the Rev. Wm. Mulder, of Laingsburg, were procured. In February, 1871, steps were
taken towards permanent organization and on March 3d, of the same year, this was accomplished. A house of worship was dedicated in 1872, Rev. J. B. Dawson being the first pastor. After a period of financial burdens and discouragements, the society finally emerged into prosperity. The building now occupied by the Ovid Congregational church is an imposing frame structure with all modern improvements and conveniences. Its membership includes many of the influential residents of Ovid and
its vicinity.
The Ovid Public School is an institution which has grown to be one of the best of its
class in the county. The present building is a three-story brick, which was erected in I870
at an expense of twelve thousand dollars. Since that time many interior improvements
have been added. The people of Ovid have always been and are enthusiastic and generous
supporters of their schools.
Referring to the civil history of the village, the first village election was held in April of 1869, at the village school house, where preliminary matters were arranged, and DeWitt C. Huntington and Henry C. Barber were chosen inspectors of election, and L. T. Southworth was chosen clerk. The election proper was then adjourned to the Metropolitan Hall, where two hundred twenty-seven votes were cast. Harry Marvin was elected President; D. C. Harrington was elected Recorder; J. C. Darragh, Treasurer; F. L. Davis, Assessor; and Hamilton Stone, Brazil Marvin, A. H. Dunham, George Fox, Samuel B. Leddick, and William Rose, were chosen trustees. L. T. Southworth, whose name appears above, was station agent for the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway at Ovid for several years. Later he was employed in a similar capacity
at Evart, Michigan, by the Flint and Pere Marquette and now is a resident of Custer,
Michigan. Brazil Marvin who was one of the first trustees, became unfortunately involved financially and after years of mental and physical suffering, committed suicide.
The village officers for 1905 and I906, are:
President-Charles B. West.
Clerk-Frank S. Green.
Treasurer-Frank Den Houten.
Assessor-John Link.
Attorney-Almond G. Shepard.
The surprising growth of the village of Elsie in the north, and several heavy failures,
had for a time a depressing effect upon the business interests of Ovid. Several disastrous
fires during the last decade have also had their effect against the progress of the village. In 1880 the Federal census allowed to Ovid a population of 1,423, while in 1890, the population was marked at 1,293. During more recent years, however, conditions have gradually but substantially improved.
Of the destructive fires mentioned, the burning of the buildings of the Clinton County Evaporating Works occurred in October, 1900. At that time this property was controlled by the old National Bank, and had been sold on contract to George
F. and Wallace Gleason. The plant was erected in I890. Under the management of the
Gleasons, the volume of business had reached as high as twenty thousand dollars for a single season. Since that date a brick block and at least two stocks of merchandise have been burned, but the buildings destroyed have been replaced by more modern structures. Ovid village, like other villages of the county, is a manufacturing center to a less extent at present than in former years.
Mention must be made of the Ovid Carriage Works. F. A. Scofield, with E. A. Reed, began in a small way to manufacture buggies in I877. After some changes in proprietorship, James A. Cooper, a wealthy hardware merchant of the village, became interested in the concern. The business increased in volume and became a very profitable enterprise. Additions were made to the plant, and private subscriptions were raised to provide a more suitable building. At present the business is under the management of Sam Pearl. In 1866 R. A. Robertson & Co., of New York, began a cooperage manufacturing business in Ovid, and placed the same in charge of John Culver. This enterprise increased in volume of business until as high as fifty men were employed by the concern. The daily output of this plant was often three hundred barrels and hogsheads. In 1873 Thomas H. Meaghan, an employe of the company since 1866, was given the management of the business. The exhaustion of the timber supply and other conditions resulted finally in the abandonment of the business.
Reference has been made to the erection of a flouring mill by Park & Kellogg in 1859. In 1878 the property passed into the hands of Schenck and Sowers, who operated the mill for several years. At present Robert Hyslop is proprietor of 'the Ovid Roller Mills. This
industry is one of the best of its class in this section of the state. The capacity of the mill
has been enlarged from time to time and the machinery is of the most improved pattern.
Mr. Hyslop has a large trade with eastern markets, and his product is well known throughout Michigan.
Among other industries of an early date may be mentioned the Dunham & Kimball
Foundry of I865, later operated by Haight & Gun in 1878. Ovid's pioneer bank was a private concern founded in I868 by J. C. Darragh & Co. This firm included Samuel S. Walker and Charles Kipp, of St. Johns. In I873 this firm was succeeded by Sowers & White, who remained in charge of the business for several years. For several years Ovid had a National bank in which St. Johns capitalists were heavily interested. This institution was wrecked during the financial panic of I895-I898. Following this failure, the State Savings Bank was organized, which is now a substantial institution. Of this bank, W. R. Shaw is President; M. L. Taft, Vice President; J. H. Robson, Cashier. The directors are: W. R. Shaw, H. A. Potter, O. B. Campbell, A. Woodworth. M.L. Taft and J. H. Robson.
Of Ovid's newspapers, the Ovid Register was established July I, 1866, by J. W. Wickwire. The proprietorship of this paper was changed from time to time, J. W. Fitzgerald
being at one time in charge of the business. This sheet always declared itself as independent politically. The Clinton and Shiawassee Union was founded by J. W. Fitzgerald and J. W. Walsh, and the first issue was published June 28th, 1879. Mr. Fitzgerald became sole proprietor on April 3rd, I880. Subsequently the two papers were merged and the present publication is called the Ovid Register-Union. Mr. W. J. Martin is the present editor and publisher, and this newspaper is a very successful enterprise in every respect, and an important factor in local and county affairs.
Among other enterprises of the present, is the Folding Casket Lowering Devise Company, of which E. B. Voorhees is the patentee and proprietor. Mr. Voorhees also conducts an extensive furniture and undertaking business besides this manufacturing industry.
Of the physicians of Ovid who are at present in active practice, Dr. O. B. Campbell is prominent. Dr. Campbell's practice has been very lucrative and he has been and is an unusually successful practitioner. He is identified with several of Ovid's business enterprises. Likewise, Dr. J. Abbott, Dr. E. S. Leonard, and Dr. James E. Taylor are at present prominent in their profession. Dr. A. T. Parrish should also be named in this connection.
The Ovid Elevator Company, of which W.R. Shaw is a proprietor, is a concern which is
valuable to Ovid and vicinity. Besides being heavily engaged in buying grain and produce and shipping to other markets, this company handles lime, wool, plaster and cement for the local trade. The Ovid Steam Laundry is conducted by R. L. Briggs; at present Ables & Covert, E. R. Daggett, W. J. Hathaway, Paisley W. Holland, and Snyder & Bedell are among the retail grocery merchants of this village. F. J. Storrer carries a large stock of clothing and furnishings, and A. Ullman is proprietor of the New York Clothing House. N. T. Fenner and F. A. Marshall are proprietors of hardware stores; J. E. Gerow and E. Beebe each conduct well stocked drug stores.
The dry goods trade is controlled by C. E. Jillson, T. M. Anderson and H. A. Potter;
T. M. Henderson, also a dry goods merchant, suffered heavy losses in a disastrous fire in
1904. Leroy S. De La Vergne and Rose & Lewis are boot and shoe dealers; J. C. Sowersby is the proprietor of an up-to-date livery stable; C. Cowan is proprietor of the Michigan Produce Company; E. E. Cowan conducts the Ovid Opera House, and Cowan & Co. are dealers in clothing. J. H. Mathews & Son operate a machine shop and deal in machinery and gasoline engines; George S. Huntington handles builders' supplies and is proprietor of an elevator. George E. Brokan is manager of the Maple River Creamery. Eaton & Munson is a well-known firm who carry a stock of agricultural implements. F. Den Houten is proprietor of a well-stocked book store. The Hotel Bloss, in charge of W. A. Bloss, is a well patronized public house of modern appointments. In fact, nearly every line of retail trade and mechanical trade is represented at this village.
Ovid has a municipal electric light and water plant, and this, in connection with a comparatively new standing tower reservoir, affords excellent fire protection. The proposed electric line from Owosso and eastward, through Ovid and St. Johns, to Ionia and Grand Rapids, if completed, will be of immense benefit to this village.
Source: Source: PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY - 1906
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
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