Taken from, "The History of Tuscola County," H. R. Page, Co., Chicago, 1883. Transcribed by Bonnie J. Petee.

A glimpse of Mayville, at a recent date, may be obtained from the following which was written in 1882:

"We found a little village located upon a slope of land receding to the north, and in the heart of as rich an agricultural region as Michigan can boast of. There are

and all good farms too, where the owners have become well off, and in many instances, their sons likewise. It is this rich surrounding region that has given Mayville its life and strength, and which will continue to build it up in an enduring manner."

"The morals of a town is told largely by the character of its schools and number of its churches. In Mayville we find both these corner stones of the republic prosperous. The average number of pupils attending the public school is 100, the principal being Frank Doying, of Cass City, a gentleman, by the way, who is one of the rising young men of Tuscola County, if we mistake not. He is assisted by Mrs. Ada Shepard."

There are two church edifices in the place, the Baptist, of which Rev. W. D. Potter, is pastor, and the Methodist Episcopal, Rev. J. H. McCune, formerly of Unionville, being the pastor. Both have excellent congregations, good church edifices (the former being provided with a fine bell in its belfry), and both are evidently exerting an excellent influence in the community."

"The Port Huron & Northwestern Narrow Gauge Railroad gives the people of the town communication with the outside world, and a busy little road it is, too. The agent of the road is J. F. Turner."

"There are two elevators here, one owned by J. H. Hollenbeck, for whom N. K. Lawrence does the purchasing, and another by Horace Fox."

"A. L. Bryant has a grist and saw-mill that is one of the institutions of Mayille. There are already 2,000,000 feet of logs on hand ready to saw out. In this connection it might not be amiss to mention that 400 carloads of timber were shipped from this point during the year past. Mr. Bryant also has a shingle-mill in connection with his other milling business."

"There is also a planing mill, sash, door and blind factory, of which Mr. Hilliker is the proprietor. A cheese factory is also located about sixty rods east of the elevators, which is successfully managed. A carding-mill is also located here, but not running at present. A good foundry is run by Wadley & Kelley."

"A. B. Markham, Esq., who is well known to the people of the county, and who has served several terms as circuit court commissioner, has a monopoly in the line of law. He has a pleasant office, connected by telegraph line with the station, and soon to be connected by telephone with his home. Mr. Markham is well liked, is a good lawyer, and proposes to ‘hold the fort’ in Mayville, for years to come."

"The sick of the village and vicinity have their wants ministered to by Drs. W. B. Curtis and Benjamin D’Arcy, two physicians well known to the profession of the county, as unusually successful practitioners. They are held in high esteem by the community.

"The mercantile establishments of Mayville are such as the town may well feel proud of. There isn’t a poor or slovenly kept one in the lot, though nearly all handle a general stock. One of the foremost merchants is E. G. Fox, Esq., register of deeds for this county. He has a large brick store, forty feet front by sixty feet deep. Stepping inside one is struck with the neat, methodical appearance of everything. The motto seems to be "a place for everything and everything in its place." It would seem difficult to arrange a stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, hats and caps, carpets, etc., so that all would harmonize and look well, but it is done here. Mr. Fox’s business is carried on by his father-in-law, Dr. W. C. Caulton, his brother, Frank J. Fox, and Mr. G. Hollingshead, and judging from what we saw Saturday, neither their heads nor hands were often idle. Mr. Fox has lived in this place since 1856, and been in business for himself since 1876, commencing on a capital of $600, which he had saved by hard work for others. Just eighteen days after coming to Caro, to take possession of the register’s office, Mr. Fox’s store burned to the ground with everything in it, one barrel of kerosene being the only thing saved, entailing a loss of fully $3,000, over and above the insurance. This was a severe blow, but economy, diligence and square dealing is making good the loss. Over Mr. Fox’s store is located the public hall, where concerts, meetings, lectures, etc., are held."

"Another extensive dealer is William A. Clark, who carries a general stock, and sells sewing machines in addition. Mr. C. has been in business here eleven years; his store is located on Main Street.

"Directly across the street, in a neat new brick block, we find the firm of Clark & Hopkins, who have a complete stock of general hardware, together with groceries. The firm started in business on the 1st of last October."

"H. K. Crittenden started the first grocery store in the place, and still continues in the same line of trade. His store is on Main Street, next west of Clark & Hopkins."

"N. R. Schermerhorn has an immense stock of general merchandise, besides a store full of hardware. He has a large double store and carries an immense line of goods."

"A. L. Bryant also carries on a general store, at the corner of Main and Turner Streets, which, taken together with his mills and an agricultural implement store, givens him quite a ‘corner’ on the trade of the place."

"Arthur Veitch is the postmaster and he has a nicely arranged office in the front of which he has a complete drug store. Everything in and about the place denotes a man of methodical business habits. Uncle Sam tied to a safe man when he was chosen as postmaster."

"Across the street from the postoffice is the drug store of Dr. D’Arcy, who is also a practicing physician. On the corner to the north, the Doctor has the frame up for an immense block three stories high, which, we are told, he intended to veneer with brick and finish off in good style."

"Opposite this new block, on Main Street, is the Fremont House, the hotel of the town, kept in good shape by Mr. Blackmore, one of the Vassar family of hotel keepers."

"G. V. Ingersol carries on a furniture store, as successor to Walter Tubbs. He also carries on the undertaking business in connection with it."

"A good meat market is kept by Arnold and Marlow; a livery stable by C. Harrington; a cabinet shop by D. Taylor; there are two shoe shops; and a bakery, selling groceries in connection. The four blacksmith shops are kept by Messrs. W. B. Trend, C. W. Weston, John Higgins and J. E. Johnson, the latter also keeping a wagon shop, as does A. Lockard."

"William Johnson is a large landed proprietor, owning a farm of 200 acres near the place. Among the prominent farmers whose lands lie close to the town may be mentioned Messers. William Turner, Calvin Fox and Leonard Fox."

Since the foregoing was written Mr. Fox has erected a handsome brick building which is a credit to the village.

There is a Knights of Honor Lodge in the village, organized October 15, 1879, having twenty-three members. Peter Rumph is dictator and A. B. Markham, reporter.

There is a flourishing lodge of Good Templars, recently organized.

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