Early History of Caro, (Part 2), Indian Fields, Tuscola Co., MI

This history was extracted from "History of Tuscola and Bay Counties, Mich.
with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of their Prominent Men 
and Pioneers", published in Chicago by H. R. Page & Co. (1883), p. 90-93

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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THE PRESS OF CARO.

THE CARO ADVERTISER AND CITIZEN

was founded in 1868, by Henry G. Chapin, who had recently come from Perry, N. Y. 
It was established as the Tuscola Adrertiser, and the first number was issued 
Friday, August 21, 1868. December 10 following, the day of publication was 
changed to Thursday, for the purpose of securing a better distribution of the 
edition to the various parts of the county before the close of the week.

    When the Advertiser was first started, a building 20x30 feet was erected on 
Lincoln Street, for its accommodation, and so small was the outfit of the office 
then, consisting of a hand press, three type racks with cases, an imposing stone 
and small table, its quarters were larger than was needed, and there was room to 
rent. As business increased a jobbing outfit was purchased, and the building 
removed to a more central location, on the corner of State and Burnside Streets. 
Here still farther additions were made to the material of the office, two new 
presses purchased, imposing stones, paper cutter, etc., the paper enlarged to 
its present size and fitted out in a new dress. About this time a fire broke out 
in the office, and but for the active efforts of the citizens of Caro, all that 
had been accumulated in four years of hard labor would have gone in smoke and 
melted metal. A plan was immediately formed for the construction of a new 
building, large enough to accommodate the increased size and business of the 
office, and more secure from fire from without and within. The lot adjoining the 
one where the new office is located was purchased, the old building again moved, 
and in the spring of 1875 the work of building was begun. November following the 
new quarters were finished and occupied. That building is still occupied by the 
office.

    The Advertiser was started as a seven column folio (just one-half the size 
of the paper to-day), In looking over the early files of the paper, one is 
struck with the large amount of patronage, proving that the business men of Caro 
have built up the town and its trade by enterprise and a true appreciation of 
the value of advertising. Many of the old pioneers of the county are fond of 
telling how they took hold and helped the editor in the first few years of the 
paper's struggle for existence. On the 18th of January,1872, in order to 
accommodate the rapidly increasing advertising patronage, the paper was changed 
from a seven column folio to an eight column folio, which size it remained for 
over ten years, during the entire life-time of its founder. On the 1st day of 
April, 1881, Mr. Chapin died very suddenly, while returning from a business trip 
to Detroit. Sometime before his death, however, in January, 1880, Mr. Chapin 
took into partnership, in the business of the office, E. G. Donaldson, Esq., a 
lawyer of the place, a man of excellent ability, but one to whom the duties of 
an editor and publisher were new and irksome, and he retired from the 
partnership, which lasted only from January 1, to August 12, 1880. Upon the 
death of Mr. Chapin his widow, Mrs. L. W. Chapin, assumed control of the paper. 
She employed as editor and business manager, Rev. O. Fletcher, a Baptist 
clergyman, and afterward Rev. Joseph F. Berry, a Methodist clergyman, but 
neither of these gentlemen could spare sufficient time from their pastoral 
duties to make the editorial and newspaper business successful, consequently, 
each one gave up the undertaking after a few weeks' trial. Upon the retirement 
of Mr. Berry, Mr. E. B. Fiske, of Rochester, N. Y., temporarily supplied the 
vacant position until October 1, 1881, when Mrs. Chapin secured the services of 
Mr. George H. Pond, of Ann Arbor, who had been editor of the Ann Arbor Courier 
for about two years, whom she installed as editor and business manager, giving 
the entire control of the paper into his hands. Taking hold of the paper he 
infused new life into its veins, making a complete metamorphosis in the style 
and make-up and general appearance of the sheet. County news was made a 
specialty, and a good line of county correspondents secured. On the 1st day of 
January following, the paper was enlarged and changed in form, from an eight 
column folio to a six column quarto. On the 15th day of April, 1882, occurred 
the first change of ownership the paper had ever known in the fourteen years it 
had existed, Mrs. Chapin disposing of the same to Mr. Pond for $2,700. That 
gentleman continued to remain proprietor until the 10th of October, 1882, when 
there occurred a change in the newspaper business of Caro, that was quite an 
eventful one. The Caro Citizen, which had been established as a Democratic 
paper, but by change in ownership had also changed its politics, and been run in 
direct opposition and competition with the Advertiser, though in the same party, 
was on that day purchased by a company consisting of George H. Pond, Frederick 
D. Aplin and Charles A. Pyne, under the firm name of George H. Pond. & Co. The 
Citizen was then consolidated with the Advertiser, and the paper then took the 
name of The Caro Advertiser and Citizen. The merging of the two offices 
increased the advertising patronage to such an extent that another enlargement 
became necessary, so with the issue of October 19, 1882, the consolidated 
journal appeared as a seven column quarto, just twice the size of the original 
Advertiser. Another change in the proprietorship of the paper occurred in 
February, 1883, Messrs. Pond and Aplin purchasing the interest of Mr. Pyne, 
since which time the firm name has been Pond & Aplin. The Advertiser and Citizen 
is the largest paper in the county and among the largest in the State of county 
papers. It is thoroughly Republican in principle, has a large corps of 
correspondents throughout the county, is well edited, both editorially and 
locally, and is in a prosperous condition.

THE CARO JEFFERSONIAN.

    The first Democratic newspaper in the county was started by A. Ten Eyck at 
Watrousville in the year 1860, and was named the Watrousville Democrat. The 
enterprise was not a success, and Mr. Ten Eyck, at the outbreak of the war, 
abandoned it and went into the army. He was killed at the front in 1862.

    In 1867 a stock company was organized and a second Democratic paper started 
at Caro, and called the Tuscola County Democrat, with H. B. Cotter editor. This 
enterprise, like its predecessor, was not a financial success, and the company 
disposed of the stock and it was removed to another locality in 1869.

    In 1878 H. S. Harcont started a Democratic paper in Caro called the Caro 
Democrat, which was purchased in 1879 by R. S. Toland and merged into the Caro 
Citizen, a Republican paper.

    In 1880 Orton Williams started the Caro Jeffersonian, a four column quarto 
sheet, meeting with good success. The next year it was enlarged to a seven 
column folio. In the spring of 1882 the paper was sold to Frank H. Thomas, who 
enlarged the paper to a six column quarto. The same year he took J. Ashley Keith 
into partnership, and the firm has since been Thomas & Keith. The Jeffersonian 
is ably conducted and tinder its present administration is in a flourishing 
financial condition.

HOTELS.

    Caro has three hotels, all of which are well kept and furnish accommodations 
for the traveling public. The early hotels were, as already stated, the Gibbs 
House and the "Centerville House." The name of the latter was changed by S. R. 
Cross, its proprietor, to the Caro House.

    During the summer of 1867 John Kelsey built the "Exchange Hotel," and after 
keeping it a short time rented it. In 1869 Solomon Utter, who had been keeping 
the Gibbs House, purchased the property and kept it about two years. He then 
rented it, and subsequently sold it to John Palmiter, who in 1875 sold the 
property to B. F. Nettleton, the present proprietor.

    The frame portion of the present Caro House was built by F. H. Thomas in 
1877 and kept by him. In 1880 he built the brick part, and continued to keep the 
house until the spring of 1882, when he leased it to the present proprietor, L. 
D. Hoard.

    The Medler House was built by E. J. Medler in 1879 and 1880, and kept by him 
until his death in 1882. The present proprietor is Jacob Hobson.

CARO BANKS.

    The village of Caro is provided with superior banking facilities. There are 
two banks, both of which are managed by safe and sound business men and are in a 
prosperous condition. The magnitude of their business and the elegance of the 
quarters which they occupy constitute a flattering testimonial to the general 
thrift and progress of the locality.

THE CARO EXCHANGE BANK

was established in August, 1875, by Mr. Charles Montague, and the office was 
located in the store of C. Montague & Co.; thence it was removed to the corner 
of State and Frank Streets. In September, 1879, the new block in which it is now 
located was completed and a portion of the ground floor was converted into one 
of the most complete banking offices in this part of the State. The rooms are 
large, elegantly finished, and supplied with rich and costly furniture. The 
proprietor of the bank is Charles Montague and the cashier is W. F. Street.

THE TUSCOLA COUNTY BANK.

    In October, 1878, Mr. John F. Seeley came to Caro from Ovid, New York, for 
the purpose of engaging in the banking business. No suitable building being 
available, he opened an office, temporarily, in the furniture establishment of 
James H. Howell. July, 1880, the Bank Block was begun, and completed the 
following December. The building is of brick, two stories high, and 20x44 feet 
in size. The building with the bank furnishings cost about $5,500. This bank is 
one of the prosperous institutions of the county. John F. Seeley is proprietor 
and J. C. Riley is teller.

CARO INDUSTRIES.

CARO MILLS.

    The Caro saw and grist-mills were originally built by Joseph Gamble in 1867. 
They afterward came into the hands of Allan Sheldon & Co., of Detroit, who sold 
them to J. M. Boyd &; Co. Upon the failure of the last-named firm in 1876, the 
concern was sold by the assignees to J. D. Wilsey & Co. There are three run of 
stones in the grist-mill, and it is run as a custom mill, grinding probably 
50,000 bushels of grain per annual. The saw-mill, which is but a small one, cuts 
pine, hemlock, and all kinds of hardwood which grow in the county and that are 
used for making lumber. The two establishments employ about six persons. The 
capacity of the saw-mill will be increased in the season of 1883 by the addition 
of a circular saw. In addition to making lumber and flour, power is furnished to 
run the machinery in a furniture factory, chair factory, and box manufactory.

J. D. WILSEY & CO.

    This firm is composed of Julian D. Wilsey and Solon P. Spafford. They were 
originally in business in Detroit, but closed out their establishment there in 
1878 and came to Caro. They had previously had a branch store here, having in 
1876 bought out the stock of J. M. Boyd & Co. from the assignees of that 
concern. The purchase consisted of a stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery, 
glassware, hardware, etc.; also a saw and grist-mill, a brick block, thirty 
acres of land, and some village property. The firm carry on the store, also 
running the saw and grist-mill.

    JULIAN D. WILSEY, of the above firm, was born at Fort Ann, Washington 
County, N. Y. His earliest practical business experience was in keeping books 
for a flour manufacturing concern at Waterford, N. Y. On coming West he located 
first at Detroit, where he was for a number of years assistant superintendent 
and bookkeeper for the Detroit & Lake Superior Iron Manufacturing Co. 
Subsequently he engaged in mercantile business with Solon P. Spafford. Is also a 
partner in the private bank of Wilsey & McPhail at Cass City.

    SOLON P. SPAFFORD, of the firm of J. D. Wilsey & Co., is a native of New 
Hampshire. Leaving that State his family first went to New York and afterward to 
Michigan, settling in Macomb County. When he became of age he went to Almont in 
Lapeer County, where he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade, also farmed, 
and finally went into the mercantile business, which he has followed for over 
thirty years. At one time he owned about half of the village of Almont, and 
while in the building trade erected some of the first churches and other 
buildings in Almont and vicinity. Has been in trade in Almont, Memphis and 
Detroit. In 1876 came to Caro. Has held the following official positions: 
Postmaster at Almont, also at Memphis, and has been a member of the Caro village 
council for some years. Is president of the board of trustees of the 
Presbyterian Church. Married and has two daughters.

STATE STREET PLANING MILL.

    The planing-mill of Wilcox & Weale is situated in the northern part of the 
village of Caro and was built in 1880 by Wilcox & Blakeley. In 1881 Mr. Blakeley 
sold his interest to J. J. Weale and the new firm was organized. They 
manufacture sash, doors, blinds, moldings, siding, flooring, ceiling, etc., and 
do a general planing-mill business. In the spring of 1883 large additions were 
made to the machinery in the mill, the steady increase of their business 
rendering it necessary. The number of their employes has been about ten, and 
they will probably be obliged to increase the same. They find a ready sale in 
Tuscola and adjoining counties for all they make. The total amount of their 
business for the year 1883 will in be the neighborhood of $20,000.

    JOHN J. WEALE, of the firm of Wilcox & Weale, owners of the State Street 
planing-mill, was born in Genesee County, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1856, 
going to Clinton County, locating near Saint Johns. While there he worked at the 
carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1858 he removed to Detroit. From there he went 
to Pennsylvania, and was in that State in the early days of the oil excitement. 
On his return to this State he remained in Detroit until 1869, when he came to 
Caro. Many of the principal buildings in the city were constructed by him. In 
November, 1881, he bought Mr. Blakeley's interest in the State Street planing-
mill and entered into co-partnership with Lonson Wilcox. During the war he 
served ten months in the Tenth Michigan Infantry. He has been marshal and 
recorder of the village of Caro. He is married and has one child.

    LONSON WILCOX was born in Northville, Wayne County, Mich., where his father 
was in the shoemaking business. In 1858 his family moved to Elmwood, Tuscola 
County, and commenced farming, the son, Lonson, learning the shoemaker's trade. 
In 1874 he opened a general store in Caro, following that line of business for 
some three years. He sold out and went into the jobbing carpenter trade, 
continuing at that until 1880, when he and Mr. Blakeley built the planing-mill 
now owned by Wilcox & Weale. In 1876 he was elected a member of the village 
council, and in 1882 was again elected. He served ten months in the Twenty-third 
Michigan Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Stone Mountain and was in the "bull 
pens," as they were called, at Macon and Millen, Ga., losing in sixty days about 
fifty pounds of flesh. He still suffers from the effects of his treatment by the 
rebels. He has a family, wife and two children living.

B. F. HARRIS' ELEVATOR.

    This elevator was built in 1875 by Benjamin Haskell, who sold it in 1880 to 
Benjamin F. Harris. It has a capacity of about 8,000 bushels and is run by steam 
power. It is located alongside the track of the M. C. R. R., in the village of 
Caro. The amount of grain handled in 1882-'83 will reach a total of 100,000 
bushels.

CARO ELEVATOR.

    The Caro elevator was built in the spring of 1878 by R. W. & F. Miller. The 
main building is 24x30 feet, two stories high, and has a capacity of 10,000 
bushels. It is run by horse power. There are other buildings adjoining it used 
for storage purposes. In 1881 R. W. Miller retired from the firm, and the 
business is now carried on by Frank Miller. It is situated near the depot of the 
Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. For the season of 1882-'83 it handled about 
70,000 bushels of grain of various kinds. Mr. Miller also owns an elevator at 
Vassar.

WILLIAM PETER'S ELEVATOR

was built in 1878. It has a capacity of 10,000 bushels. It is near the depot of 
the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. It handles about 70,000 bushels per annum.

M. J. CILLEYS GRIST-MILL.

    This grist-mill was built in 1879 by Briggs & Depew. Mr. Depew retiring 
Edward Mallory took his place. Mr. Mallory subsequently bought his partner's 
interest, and in 1881 he sold the mill to Mrs. M. J. Cilley. It has three run of 
stones and does a mercantile trade as well as custom grinding. It is on State 
Street in the village of Caro.

B. F. HARRIS' GRIST-MILL.

    In connection with his elevator near the depot of the Caro branch of the M. 
C. R. R., Mr. Harris has a grist-mill in which are two run of stones. It is 
exclusively a custom mill. The machinery was put in during the early part of 
1883.

PARKS' FOUNDRY AND AGRICULTURAL WORKS.

    In 1878 Edward Parks started a foundry and wagon shop in the northern part 
of the village of Caro on State Street. After some time the wagon making part of 
the business was discontinued and the manufacture of agricultural implements 
commenced. The establishment employs from seven to eight men, and the business 
is a growing one. Mr. Parks finds a market for his manufactures in Tuscola and 
Huron Counties.

CARO BRICK AND TILE YARD.

    This yard was first put in operation by William E. Sherman in 1868, upon 
land leased from David McMichael. In 1874 it was purchased by George W. Warren. 
Its annual product is from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 bricks and 500,000 pieces of 
tile. It is in the township of Indian Fields, half a mile from the village of 
Caro.

CARO FURNITURE FACTORY.

    This establishment is located on West State Street, and is operated by 
Hiscock & Packer. They manufacture tables, bureaus, bedsteads, etc. It was 
originally started by Elum C. Hiscock in 1881. January 1, 1883, Jewett J. Packer 
was taken into partner-ship by Mr. Hiscock. They find a market at home for the 
whole of the product of the factory.

WISNER & RIDDLE'S MACHINE SHOP.

    This establishment is owned by Theodore W. Wisner, his son, Erwin F. and 
Frank D. Riddle. It is on State Street in the village of Caro. They manufacture 
edgers for sawmills, horse-powers, wood-sawing machines, drag saws, etc. Their 
principal business, however, is repairing. They employ about five men, including 
themselves.

SMITH AND FORBES' TOBACCO FACTORY.

    This firm commenced operation as manufacturers of cigars in the village of 
Caro in February, 1882. Their business, which at the time of writing this 
notice, is only about a year in existence, has grown rapidly and they now employ 
five hands at cigar making. Mr. Smith is a practical cigar maker himself, and 
Mr. Forbes at-tends to the selling of their goods. They sell their goods in this 
and adjoining counties.

CARO STAVE AND HEADING WORKS.

    These works were built in 1882 by Hood & Brown. They are located near the 
depot of the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. They are run by steam power and 
employ an average of twenty-five hands. The capacity of the works is 24,000 
staves, 12,000 pieces of heading and 2,500 sets of heading per diem. The product 
of the establishment is shipped as far east as Massachusetts and west to St. 
Louis, Mo. Mr. Brown is the resident partner and super-intends the works.

CARO DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

    Prior to the spring of 1882 the people of Caro endeavored to secure the 
location of the county fair grounds at that point, claiming that such a location 
would be more central and therefore better accommodate the people of all parts 
of the county. The commit-tee of the county society, however, decided to hold 
their fair for 1882 upon the grounds at Watrousville, and the Caro people 
immediately took steps toward the organization of a separate association. The 
result was that the Caro District Agricultural Association was formed March 11, 
1882, under an act of the legislature of the State of Michigan, entitled "An act 
to authorize the formation of county and town agricultural societies," approved 
February 12, 1855, and acts amendatory thereto." Compiled Laws 1871, page 707. A 
fine tract of land containing twenty-two acres, located near the railroad and 
but a short distance from the center of the village was secured and has been 
fitted up with suitable buildings, a good half-mile track, etc. The first 
officers and directors of the association were as follows:

    President, John F. Wilmot; secretary, George S. Ralston; treasurer, James W. 
Spencer; marshal, William McKay; vice-presidents, S. B. Bourn, John C. Laing, 
Elmwood; J. D. Sutton, F. L. Wait, Miner; Jacob Gould, James Kirk, Unionville; 
John G. Veit, John A. Teskey, Koylton; Emanuel Staley; directors, A. C. Young, 
Charles Montague, S. P. Spafford, F. H. Thomas, M. R. Truesdell, Joseph St. 
Mary, C. H. Van Wagoner, B. F. Nettleton, John F. Palmer.

    The first fair was held on the grounds September 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1882, 
and was a pronounced success.

    The officers and directors for 1883 are as follows: President, A. C. Young; 
secretary, G. S. Ralston; treasurer, J. W. Spencer; directors, M. R. Truesdell, 
F. L. Wait, G. S. Farrar, J. A. Teskey, H. D. Hamilton, J. Kirk. S. P. Spafford, 
J. D. Sutton, Charles Montague.