The village of Mapleton was platted by Edward R. Everest, the agent of the Rochester
Colony, in 1837. In 1840, as has been before
stated, a saw-mill and grist-mill were built. A
store was soon opened and the hamlet began to
show signs of real village life. In 1844 William Shepard opened a store and tavern in connection therewith. A store was started in 1852
by Paine and Kipp, and 0. M. Pearl, who became a trader in 1850, sold his business to
Faxon & Pearl in 1853. In 1840 Mapleton
had a postoffice. The name of the village was
changed to Duplain during that year. Edward
Everest was the first postmaster. In 1839 the
village of Duplain (then Mapleton) received
its pioneer physician, Dr. William B. Watson,
who continued his professional duties until as
late as 1875. At present, however, little remains of the village of Duplain. The installation of the rural free delivery system in Clinton
county has, in this case as in the case of several
other small villages, rendered Duplain of less
importance as a trading center.
Source: Source: PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY - 1906
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN