History of Montrose, Mi

As written by Pearl Thorsby

Farming is one occupation, near the hearts of most of us, although some of us might not look back on farming with much nostalgia. However, some of us here have that background.  Mr. Ensign raised the first wheat crop in 1843.  The same year he erected the first frame house. The Ensign’s daughter, Mary, was also the first bride. She married Benjamin Morse about 1847. Their child, Amanda, was the first white child born in Montrose Township in November 1850.

Another interesting item- there was three ships built here- one tug and two schooners. John Peru built the small tug and one schooner on the Flint River near William Streeter Farm. Selth Ames built a schooner on the Flint River back of George McKenzie’s farm. This one comes to an end near Part Au Barques. Mr. Ames died himself, after working 5 years in his spare time to build the boat. He was a sailor, was induced to settle in Montrose. He purchased a small piece of land here, but not being used to this type of living, he became homesick, and with the help of his neighbors, both in labor and finances, he built a schooner in hopes to reach his home land in the east. He was so anxious to launch the boat, once it was completed, that he paid no attention to his own condition. He had pneumonia and died just three days after launching the boat.

During the early history, lumbering was the main industry. This was banked and rafted down the Flint River to Saginaw and Bay City.

The only means of crossing the river was by fording or on ice until 1857when a resolution was passed to raise $800 for the purpose of building a bridge. It was a wooden structure and lasted less than a year; it was carried away by high waters the following spring. Nothing was done until 1867 when a resolution was passed to build yet another bridge. In 1867, $2,000 was voted to be used for its construction.  This one continued until 1880.

In 1859, the township board voted to buy three acres of land for a cemetery. Until then most farms contained their own burial ground.

One of the early industries was fishing. They were caught with a large drag net and two men were required to handle it. They could catch 1,000 to 3,000 or even more, and received as much as $1.50 to $3.00 per hundred.

The “Flint River Valley Agricultural Society” fair was formal in 1869, the originators being D.M cook, David L. Ross, John McFutosh, George Glover and John Farquharson, Thomas Mc Nalley and Walter Chapin. The first fair was held on the Cook farm in Taymouth that same year. They then moved to the farm of John Farquharson.

There have been several little starts throughout the township for a village. There was one store on McKinley and Vienna rd. This was operated for several years by different owners including, Abram Horning. This was discontinued. Another settlement was on Seymour Rd Eleanor McKenzie lived. Here, was located Reed’s Hotel, afterwards changed to Petee’s Store. A blacksmith shop and shoe shop. All of these places discontinued. Still another settlement, which at one time, seemed would make a village. It was located at Seymour and Vienna Rd. Here in 1870, R.T. Crane erected a general store, which was sold to John M. Soutter. This was spoken of as Soutter’s Corner. The past office was located here many years, with John Berry as postmaster. Mr. Berry, also conducted a boat and shoe shop, sold tobacco and some drugs. On this corner Ed Vincent established a blacksmith shop. Then he sold his business to John Flynn who operated there until the present village began to assume some importance, and he moved his black smith shop to that place. A feed mill, operated on steam power, was also located here for several years. John Soutter and Theo Rawsey owned this mill. It was destroyed by fire in 1898.

After the railroad was built through the township in 1888, the present village began to materialize and Thomas Wiles built a store of general merchandise. William Middlebrook opened the first hardware store in 1892.

The first hotel was on Railroad St. opposite the depot where Jane and Glenn Moor did live, and operated by Alfred Hiscick. Dr. Charles Goff was the first physician located in Montrose. Other business places included a potash factory and charcoal kiln. William Hillier had a sawmill. David Thorsby and Chauncey Streeter found brick clay of fairly good quality, and brickyards were in operation on their farms.

There was a harness shop owned by Samuel Quehl. He also carried a large stock of horse blankets, whips, robes, trunks and valises.

Bert Carey had a jewelry shop- carrying watches, clocks, fancy dishes, bicycles (repair also) as well as jewelry.

The Haight brothers established an 1896 printing office. They began the publication of the newspaper “The Montrose Record” published bi-monthly.

The village had two liquor stores. Both saloons were fitted with bar fixtures. One had a billiard and poolroom in connection with their saloon.

Alex Campbell had a furniture store and undertaking establishment.

John Flynn expanded his blacksmith shop to include agricultural implements.

The Valley telephone Co. had an exchange here, with 11 subscribers. The telephone company gave the village the communication with nearly all the important cities in the state.

There was a photography business, a sewing machine agent (for Singer machines, who also sold machine oil, needles, and repairs all kinds)

There was a bank here then too- an attorney also had his office here.

Will Short conducts a cabinet and repair shop.

This is only a small part of the history that could be given. I am sure many of you have heard amusing stories about some of the people and places mentioned. I would like to be able to go through the changes until we reach the present day, but I’ve not had the opportunity or time to do that much research. Montrose has progressed a long ways from the Pewanagowink reservation, without a doubt for the better, although many of our forefathers would make that remark with a tear in his eye and of touch of sadness in his voice.