Birmingham, Mich. : its past, present and future.

BIRMINGHAM, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

NATIONAL HOTEL,
George E. Daines, Prop.
East Saginaw Street.
i, --- -- THIS POPULAR HOTEL was estab-. lished early in the '6os by A. C. Ellis, and
S: was purchased in 1865 by Mr. John Daines.
K Mr. Daines was born and reared in Penn
Ya'n, New York State, and came to Michigan
i'n 1840. He established a pottery at Bloomfield Center, Mich., and being a first-class
potter, his business was a success from the
beginning. Mr. Daines was the second man
in the United States to start the manufacture
of drain tile, and his product in this line was
GEORGE E. DAINES. of such a superior kind that it received high
awards at the national exhibitions of those times. In 1865 AMlr.
Daines disposed of his pottery and engaged in the hotel business as
above stated. His enterprise and business ability enabled him to
command success in his new uncertaking, and until his death in
1673, his hotel business flourished. At the death of Mr. Daines, the
management of the house was assumed by his son, Mr. George E.
Daines, the present proprietor. Mr. George E. Daines was born
at Bloomfield Center and received his education there. Previous to
assuming the hotel management, Mr. Daines clerked in the drug
store of Frank Hagerman for seven years. The business experience
gained by Mr. Daines while in the employ of Mr. Hagerman was
of great value to him in his new undertaking. That Mr. Daines
has, for many years past, managed the house to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of Birmingham and the traveling public, no one
will deny. The neat, tidy rooms, the clean, wholesome and bountiful table, and the quiet, orderly bar all reflect great credit upon the
proprietor. The hotel is a large two-story wooden structure, with
a frontage of one hundred and thirty-five feet, and is seventy feet
deep, containing twenty rooms. Mr. Daines is now making extensive modern improvements, such as bath, toilet rooms, etc. Mr.
Daines' enterprise and progressiveness is not confined to his hotel,
as he is the proprietor of a large furniture warehouse located on
Saginaw street, and a first-class undertaking establishment on
Maple avenue east. He has been a Trustee of the town over
twenty years, which shows that his sterling business qualifications
are fully appreciated by his fellow citizens. Mr. Daines is a genial
host, has a staff of efficient and courteous assistants, and a wide
circle of friends.
JAMES M. CLEMENT,
Horseshoing and General Blacksmithing.
Maple Avenue, East.
A MAN who is an expert in his line and has achieved success
is Mr. James Clement. Mr. Clement's specialty is horseshoeing,
and he is said to be one of the best horseshoers in this part of the
state. He has always taken great pride in his trade, and has won
many premiums on exhibitions of his work. He learned his trade
at Pontiac, under the direction of an expert horseshoer, by working evenings, after having done his day's work at the knitting mills
where he was then employed. Mr. Clement was born at Pontiac and
lived there about twenty-five years. He then came to Birmingham
and engaged in business for himself, which has been established
for nine years. He is pleasant and agreeable, and has the confidence of all who know him.
DANIEL M. JOHNSTON, Birmingham's popular and efficient
dentist, was born in the County of Perth, Canada, and remained there
until he was nineteen years of age. His first occupation was that of
a farmer. When it came to choosing a profession, " Dan," as he is
known to everyone in and about Birmingham, had a hard time deciding whether it would be photography or dentistry. He finally decided
upon the latter, however, and entered the Toronto Dental College,
where he obtained a thorough training in the profession. " Dan "
came to Birmingham seventeen years ago, and has been practising his
profession and making friends here ever since. He has become a
fixture in the place, and if the street cars were to stop running or the
fire tower blown down, they would not be missed so much as plain,
genial " Dan " Johnston, were he to depart from this town.

WILLIAM B. EWING & SONS,
Saw Mill.
Hardwood Lumber and Dredge Timber.
Adjoining D., G. H. & M. Tracks,
ABOUT THREE YEARS ago Messrs. William B. Ewing
and Sons started a saw mill near the D., G. H. & M. tracks for the
manufacture of hardwood lumber and dredge timber, and have
done an extensive business ever since., Their mill has a capacity
of seven thousand feet a day and is always running. The building
is fifty by one hundred feet and presents a very lively appearance.
The hum of the saw, as it swiftly eats its way through a hardwood
log, while not as harmonious as the strains of a waltz by an expert
on a piano, is the kind of music that makes a town prosperous.
Messrs. Ewing and Sons have, during the past, turned out some
very fine timber from this mill, and they are now engaged in fitting
up a mill on the River Rouge for the manufacture of hardwood
lumber that will, be one of the largest in the country. Mr. Ewing,
the elder, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and started in the
lumber business at Elm, Wayne County, about ten years ago, which
business he continued for about four years. He then removed to
Orchard Lake, where he was also engaged in the lumber trade.
Three years ago he came to Birmingham and started the present
mill, which has been successful beyond all his expectations. The
sons, Alfred H. and James R.4 have been associated with their father
in business for some time past. All are live, energetic business
men, and are well and favorably known in this community.
CHARLES M. RAYNOLE, M. D., was
born and raised in Birmingham. Dr. Raynole, or "Doctor Charlie," as he is familiarly known in this place, graduated at the
Detroit College of Medicine in 1869, and has
been practising medicine and surgery here
ever since. He was a United States pension
examining surgeon, on the Board at Poniacduring President Cleveland's administration; belongs to the Masons and the K. of
P., and is a thoroughly good citizen. Dr.
CHARLES RAYNOLE, M. D. Raynole is a skillful, conscientious physician,
and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM I. GEER,
Shaving Parlors.
Maple Avenue, Corner Pierce Street.
MR. WILLIAM I. GEER is a tonsorial artist of the first
order. His shaving parlors at the above address are fitted up in
first-class style. Mr. Geer has been established about three years
and commands a good patronage. He is always on hand to serve
the wants of his patrons, and has the reputation of being thoroughly
ieliable and a careful workman.
WILLIAM I. McCLELLAND,
Agricultural Implements, Wagons and Buggies.
Saginaw Street. near Maple Avenue.
THERE IS ONLY one exclusive agricultural implement
warehouse in Birmingham, and that is the establishment of Mr. McClelland. He carries a full line of the latest and best harvesters,
mowers and miscellaneous farming implements. He is agent for the
celebrated Champion Harvesting Machinery, and has all the supplies required for the same. He is the exclusive agent here for
Messrs. Clark and Company's high grade buggies, the Owego
wagons and Empire drills. He established business in 1894 and his
business has extended rapidly. His success is due entirely to his
individual progressiveness and straightforward methods of doing
business. Mr. McClelland was born in Southfield, Mich., and received his education there. He is known as one of Birmingham's
most enterprising and reliable business men. His kind consideration for others h-as won him many friends, who wish him many
years of continued success.