![]() There was a special election in the village, August 6, 1894, to vote on the council's resolution to raise not to exceed $18,000 by bonds for constructing and maintaining water works. Only four years later Quincy made another step in municipal progress, and this by far the most important in its results for the comfort and convenience of the citizens. In a short time the old kerosene street lamps, which were the cause of frequent complaint to the council, disappeared in favor of electricity on the streets and in many of the stores and private homes. A social election on August 4, 1890, provided for the bonding of the village to an amount not to exceed $6,000 to build an electric light plant. In the direction of public improvements Quincy has much to be proud of. The change from wooden material to brick and stone has done more than anything else to alter the outward appearance of villages and cities from the conditions of a generation past. Furthermore, the sidewalks are largely of cement or brick. The business section for a number of years has been composed almost entirely of this class of buildings, and there are only a comparatively few frame structures in use for business. The first brick building was erected on Chicago street in 1855. A sawmill had been built in 1855 and a flouring mill in 1863.Īn interesting contrast illustrating the growth of the village is found in the character of the buildings. A stave and heading factory had been established in 1864, and was one of the cornerstones of the village's subsequent growth. During the preceding decade its enterprise had been broadened in many ways. The principal officers of the village for all the years will be found in the official lists.īy 1870 Quincy had become a village of nine hundred population. Arnold, Martin Hawley, Trustees Alden Gregory, Treasurer Harlow W. Hewelt, Clerk: Cornelius Shear, Havens Wilbur, David C. At the first village election, which was held in the following November, the following men were chosen to conduct the affairs of the corporation: Ebenezer Mudge, President Moses A. Two years later, when it is estimated there were four hundred people on the village plat, the village was incorporated by the county board of supervisors, on October 14, 1858. Berry, Joseph Berry, John Broughton, William Cole, John Sebring, William Arnold, Cyrus Lusk, Christopher Conley, and Martin Hawley. ![]() In 1856 the village was platted, the plat being signed by the owners of the site, being the well known names of Enos G. But in the following three or four years a number of business and dwelling houses were erected. In 1853 the old tavern on the site of the Quincy House, one or two stores, the postoffice, and some professional and mechanical interests were all that Quincy could claim in the direction of village growth. The location depended on the ability of Quincy to build a freight house, and it was owing to the energy and zeal of the late Lucas Joseph, whose career was so markedly identified at all times with the best interests of this village, that the building was erected. But the station would have been located several miles east on the county line. It is said that, had not the enterprise of several citizens intervened to prevent, Quincy would not have been made a station on the railroad. No doubt the great impulse to growth was given by the railroad, which was built through the site of Quincy in 1850. The stores and mechanical and professional activities, already described during the first years, did not stop at the stage which would make a country hamlet, as we have seen to be the case in more than one such nucleus of settlement. ![]() In time the settlement at the central portion of Quincy township developed into a village. Quincy Township History Branch County, Michigan
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