Interesting information as to the business section of Delta is contained in
"Brown's Gazetteer of the Michigan Southern Railroad" for the year 1868, the
compilation thus presumably having been made in 1867. Summarizing the village,
as then developed, the "Gazetteer" stated that: "Delta contains a population
of about 2,000 There are many good farmers, yet they have not arrived to that
perfection of those alone; the main line. "Of mill* there are 1 flour mill, 1
saw mill, 1 shingle mill, 1 tannery, 1 pearl ashery, 1 brick yard, 1 hotel,
and about 18 stores of all kinds. Nearly three years ago it was discovered
that oil could be had here by boring for it. At length a company was organized
and operations commenced. After arriving at a depth of 275 feet they struck
oil, coming to the top, meanwhile their tools became fast, and unable to
extricate them, they were forced to abandon their enterprise, for want of
energy and means. In its present condition, enough water flows from it to
drive, or rather supply one steam flour mill. At a later date, the citizens,
by subscription, have succeeded in boring, and have an excellent artesian well
at a depth of 70 feet. This supplies the public highway with water. Churches
there are three, Episcopal Methodist, Protestant Methodist, and Presbyterian;
the two latter are about erecting a large brick house for worship. Of schools,
little can be said praiseworthy, except that all are schooled; $5,000 have
been raised towards erecting a new brick school building to be a graded
school. Delta is a great stave station, manufacturing and shipping a large
amount, some of which go to New York and Europe. Eggs and butter come next, as
one of the principal exports. Of eggs alone, Messrs. Moore and Howard ship
from 60 to 80 barrels every week during the season, averaging 80 dozen to the
barrel.
The directory showed that:
Charles Cullin was the proprietor of the Delta Flour Mill, on Mill
Street;
J. T. Gates and William S.
Schlappi conducted the
Saw Mill and Pearl Ashery;
John M. Hall ran the Shingle Mill, and was also a Split Seat Chair
Maker;
Bates and Miller were the Tanners
John H. Sheffield was the Brick Maker
Christopher M. Watkins was Landlord of Watkins' (or the Exchange) Hotel,
on Main, corner Adrian streets;
The following were
Grocers, or General Store
Keepers:
J. Allman and Co.;
Wm. Baker,
Abner P. Brainard,
Chas. Canfield,
Orris V. Crosby;
Chas. W. Hatton,
Wm. R. Huntington,
Jacob Huth,
Alex G. Montgomery,
John R. Parker,
Jas. W. Patterson,
Calvin Taylor,
John S. Trowbridge,
Richard M. Watkins
Druggists
Frank Briggs,
W. B. Brinkham
Dr. Wm. Ramsey, the three trading as Brinkham, Briggs and Company;
Jas. W. Hatton; Brinkham. Briggs and Company also dealt in tinware, and
stoves;
Thomas Martin in the same;
Hoop Skirt Manufacturer
Miss Helen Masker
Dealing in millinery and straw
goods
Mrs. J. M. Butler,
Mrs. Mary Hancock,
Miss Millie O. Merrill,
Mrs. S. J. Stillson
Saddlers
Brinkham
Kohl
Wagon Makers
Michael Carr
Simon Zimmerman
Painter
J. N. Cleland
Partnership as blacksmiths
Chas. C. Crile and Henry H.
Reighard
Other Blacksmiths being
Geo. E. Elwell and Co.,
Wm. Matley
Village barber
Wm. H. Garrison
Postmaster
Rufus S. Merrill
Station Agent
J. Denham Mosey
Attorneys
D. W. Poe
L. H. Upham
Physicians
S. P. Bishop,
John Odell,
Wm. Ramsey, (Dr. Ramsey being
listed as physician for county)
W. S. Webb
Miles S. Pray was a Watchmaker
Ansel Pease a Butcher
Peter Hancock, a Cooper
Daniel Lilly a Shoemaker
Lyman Riley, a Marble Worker
N. H. Simmon a Stave and Lumber Dealer
Wm. W. Williams the Owner of a Billiard Saloon
(There apparently was not a
drinking saloon in Delta at that time)