April 1909 -- Albion 100 Years Ago

We continue with our theme of “Albion--100 Years Ago.” Week ending April 1, 1909: “Hospital Assured for Albion. Will be Opened to the Public About April 15th. The question of a public hospital for Albion has been settled and settled in the affirmative. Albion is to have a public hospital that is really public and the funds necessary to assure the project of the financial support necessary have been raised by the executive committee.”

“The plans for the new West Eckford Methodist Church have been received from architect Weston of Albion, and a meeting will be held this week when the contract will be let. The contractors who are figuring on the plans are O. J. Reniger of Marshall, Frank Katz of Fredonia, and Mr. Weston, of Albion.”

“Mr. James W. Sears received a check for $3,000 last Saturday. This was for the loss of a grain boat which the government seized from him during the [Civil] War. Attorney Gildart had the collection of the account in charge.”

“Ed Lewis, the biggest man in Michigan, was in the city Tuesday. Mr. Lewis was in Albion for several months about two years ago and was employed at the Commercial Hotel. He was so large then that a hoop the size of his waist band would just skirt a whiskey barrel and he has grown heavier since returning to Eaton Rapids. He now weighs 405 pounds and it is necessary to look twice to see the entire back of his coat.”

“Behling Brothers’ new quarters are now opened to the public and are certainly bright and cheerful. The front part of the Hurley building on the alley has been fitted up for the retail cigar trade and there are plenty of chairs for all.”

Week ending April 15, 1909: “Hahn Brothers, the proprietors of the Albion Shoe Hospital, have added a large shoe shining stand to their already complete shoe hospital, and are now prepared to shine shoes for ladies or gentlemen at the low cost of 5¢ per shine. Their new power machinery places them in a class by themselves when it comes to quick work.”

Week ending April 29, 1909: “Someone broke into the grocery wagon owned by Wochholz & Gress Tuesday and stole several cans of salmon and boxes of crackers. The horse blankets had been taken to a shed and slept upon, so the work is thought to be that of a couple of tramps.”

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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