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BYRON HERALD
June 30, 1927
One of the finest places in Michigan, nearly surrounded by water, good
water power and natural scenery along the banks of the Shiawassee is the
main road north from Howell to Saginaw, and we soon expect it to be a
state highway, centrally located among surrounding lakes. We advise
those who are looking for new locations to visit Byron. First we have an
agricultural school by combining 5 districts, 5 buses carrying the
pupils to Byron. We have a fine building, presided over by
Superintendent Burt and an able corps of teachers and 13 boys and girls
were graduated from the school this year.
Next, we have the churches; the Methodist Church, a stone structure that
would be a credit to many larger places. This church is presided over by
the Pastor Reverend Stubbs. The Baptist Church a large frame building is
nicely located; its Pastor Reverend Miller, an earnest worker for his
charge.
The streets of Byron abound with trees, which furnish excellent shade.
The town hall for the size of the village, although owned by the
township of Burns, stands as a monument to those who had the vision to
have it erected.
Among the business places is the State Bank of Byron presided over by
John L. VanAlstine, who is also the village president; he is assisted by
his son Warner and Mr. Larson. (Alma Bahnmiller Harp also worked there).
The Post Office is near the bank and we have a genial postmaster who is
willing at all times to wait on you. He is assisted by a maiden lady by
the name of Mattie (Martha) Redmond.
Next, we have our Dr. Ruggles who has waited on his patients for a
period of more than forty years and is still loved and trusted by those
who are in need of medical attendance. He also has a large and complete
assortment of drugs.
Next we find A.M. Chapel and son with a fine line of hardware and a full
line of farm implements ready to serve you as he has in the past.
We next find George Hammond, also carrying a line of hardware and
attends to calls in his line. Our next visit takes us to Merriman’s, the
ice cream man, notions, candies and cigars.
We now come to Ketchum’s General Store where we find from groceries to
dress goods, men’s wear and everything that goes to make up a general
store. Herman Ketchum and his son Roy, are always ready to extend any
courtesy to their patrons.
Next is Ackerman’s grocery, a neat little grocery that is worthy of
patronage.
We find in the next place of business, an old resident by the name of
Herbert Seaman who has served his township and village in many offices
of trust. He will repair your harness and sole. He will sell
wear-you-well shoes and repairs or sit and visit with you in a pleasing
manner.
We next find a place to eat and as it is dinnertime, we drop into the
American Café. Mrs. McKenzie is the proprietress and when it comes to
serving meals, well, you can’t beat her in any town in Michigan. She
also carries a line of candy, cigars, ice cream and pop.
Our next place is vacant, an excellent place for Gents clothing and
furnishings. Mr. Sam Sexton who for 29 years carried on that business,
retired last March on account of health. He had carried a line of dry
goods. (In 1999 we find the building vacant again. It is the building on
the corner where the Way Station restaurant was located a few years
ago).
Our next stop is Nichols garage. This is a new enterprise just starting
in Byron, a good place to get your acetylene welding, car repaired and
radio troubles taken care of.
On crossing the street to the east side, we find our happy Scotsman,
William Duncanson, who besides being township clerk, mends your tires
with new ones, gives you prompt service and is an all around garage man.
(His son Jim took over the garage business after his father and George
Vince later bought the business from Jim.)
The next stop is Robert E. Lee’s. The name we instantly recognize. Mr.
Lee carries a full line of feed for cattle, hogs and excellent chick
feed. Bob also buys poultry, cream and eggs. (This building was located
were the Masonic hall now stands.)
Oscar M. Eddy’s meat market is the next stop. We find him busy with his
full line of choice meats. If you are on an excursion it will be a good
place to buy cold meats. Between Mr. Eddy’s place of business in our
beautiful town, there are several vacant business lots which had their
buildings destroyed by fire in 1919.
On the other side of the township hall, we find John Seaman’s garage.
Mr. Seaman runs a general garage and handles Goodyear tires. His brother
Dwight assists him and you wants in their line are carefully looked
after. (John’s son John J. took over the business after his father. He
built a new building on the corner. It is a Total station and party
store now.)
Don Reynolds is the next business place. He handles White Star gas,
tires and in connection, his wife serves excellent lunches and short
orders and also serves you with ice cream and cold drinks. Thus you are
able to have you car filled and attended to on the outside while you are
being filled and attended to on the inside.
Here we have to back up as we almost forgot to mention Bill Vince the
barber who improves your looks and shaves you twice for the same price.
Also, Morse Jewelry on the West Side of the street carries a complete
line of jewelry. He gives excellent optical service, while his wife will
sell you wallpaper of all shades.
Ray Vandemark runs the Servus Store and we must say that he does his
best to fulfill the name of his store. Mr. Vandemark will supply you
with groceries, choice meats and buys your cream and eggs. In case your
friends pass out or you die while in his store, he keeps the undertaker,
Herb Whitehead as clerk.
A little farther up we find Mrs. Pierce, in the millinery business. She
sells hats to ladies in the latest styles and also keeps silk underwear
in stock.
Now passing on to the dam, we find the Howell Manufacturing Company
busily running a feed mill and making eavestrough hangers. We also have
another feed mill just in back of the town hall. This is operated by
Leonard Graves, who also runs a threshing outfit in season.
Mr. Ashby has just moved to Byron and is in charge of the Pool Room,
which is a clean place.
We also have a fine street extending to the Ann Arbor railroad which
furnishes us four passenger trains, two going north and two going south
daily. We find Clarence Wiggins a good and accommodating ticket agent
and across the track, we find the Central Elevator Co., managed by Mr.
Ellis, a courteous gentleman at all times. He will take care of you when
cold by selling you choice coal, which makes warm friends. He will
supply you with lumber, cement, plaster and also buys your grains of all
kinds, paying the highest market prices according to quality.
We find that in passing back to the main town, Gallagher’s Chicken
Hatchery, who will provide you with choice chicks of all kinds at very
low prices.
Next, we find M.A. Cutler with an oil station, also selling cold drinks
and groceries. (This is Ray’s Party Store now.)
Mr. Banks who is slowly recovering from sickness hopes to soon be able
to drive his car and will take you to all parts of the village or
country.
We nearly forgot to mention the Village Marshall, G.A. Aldrich who
carries mail, drives a bus during school time and yet finds time to take
a nap in the car.
We have two R.F.D. deliveries of mail and the carriers are Allen
Hathaway and Clifford Lewis. Ed King, our game warden, seems to get all
the fine fish.
Among the fine residences of the town, we mention the new Stowell home,
which is a new and up-to-date building. ( 202 Hamilton St.)
For amusement you have the lakes and band concerts in summer. For
winter, the general amusements that occur in all places of its size
during that period.
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