Early History of Saugatuck and Singapore, Michigan 1830-1840

book by Charles Lorenz

Butler's plat of Kalamazoo was recorded at Bronson, Kalamazoo county on July 17, 1834. He named the streets of his town for the three men he sold land to: Jasper MASON, Henry B. HOFFMAN and John GRIFFITH. For his family, he named one MARY after his wife, LUCY after his daughter and GAY (now Newnham St.) after his mother's maiden name. He called the eastern edge GRAND and another ST. JOSEPH in honor of the direction from whence they all came. The main street of Saugatuck is BUTLER, his family name. There is MAIN, a prime street of Butler's time. WATER reflects the north-south street running adjacent to the river. There are others lost to memory or of a later date. The original plat has never resurfaced, after being taken from county files. Quoting from William's letter to his father, Jonathan he writes "Your favor of April 14th was received last evening together with the Courant. I have received two or three papers before for which I thank you. Was pleased to hear of your good health and can inform you that we are remarkably healthy here; think it a very healthy place." "I first sold>,; of my pre-emption to Jasper Mason and >,; to John Griffith for $500 each before the sale of Public Lands in this vicinity. Knew I sold them for one half the value but they gave me all I asked of them ... " Then he gives a glimpse of hoped for commerce. "Mr. Mason and Mr. Griffith were here a few days since and Mr. Hoffman will go to New York and on his return here will build and open a store opposite our houses. He had his cellar dug, timber out, and partly framed." Of Hoffman, he reported, " ... did not think of selling any more (land), but at the Land Office, Mr. Hoffman bought a good deal of land in this vicinity and I sold him 1/8 more for $500 so you see I sold 5/8 for $1500." Jasper Mason, a native of New York came to Niles, Michigan about 1832.3 He was a supervisor of Niles township in 1835. On September 22, 1836, he married Calista Merriman, a daughter of Col. J. Merriman.4 He owned a clothing store in Niles on the corner of 2nd and Main; later a hardware, stocking cutlery, paints and oils. In 1846, he was president of the village of Niles where he died in 1848. John Griffith came to St. Joseph in 1834 from Rochester, New York where he had been a forwarding and commission merchant located on Exchange Street. Griffith & Company built a warehouse at St. Joseph in that year and a steamboat called the Davy Crockett. The oddest sight in the water; she had a figurehead that was half horse and half alligator. To make the craft even more awe inspiring, the exhaust from the engine came out of the alligator's mouth spitting a steady stream of black smoke. In 1832, Henry B. Hoffman was engaged in the mercantile business at Mackinac Island and then removed to Niles Michigan.6 In 1831, his brother, George W. Hoffman brought'a stock of goods from New York to St. Joseph. He remained there until July, 1832 when he moved to Niles and was joined in partnership by his brother, Henry. In 1837, he was general land agent with his office over Bacon Wheeler's store in Niles corner of Main and Front Streets. 7 In 1844, he was supervise~ of Niles township and removed to Davenport, Iowa in 1853. George moved to Detroit in 1857 where he later died. Henry and George were the sons of Major William Hoffman who made his home in Niles after 1839. Little mention is made of Mason, Hoffman, and Griffith beyond this 1834 letter. They settled in Berrien county.