History of Perry - Old Perry Centre

The first settlement in Perry Township was made by Josiah Purdy in the fall of 1836, upon land which had been entered for him by a Mr. Howe and described as the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 13, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 12. Upon the northern half of this land now stands the Village of Morrice. While Mr. Purdy was building his cabin, he left his family at the home of Alanson Alling in Antrim. The crude dwelling, which he soon completed, was the first built by a white man in the township of Perry. An Indian trail passed near the door and over it long lines of the red men often traveled in their peculiar single file. Evidently their moccasin-clad feet had trod a great many years.

The Indians were at first totally oblivious to the presence of their white neighbors, but in time Mr. Purdy gained their confidence, and before leaving the township the Indians became very friendly. They would sometimes stop during a storm or spend the night with at Mr. Purdy's residence. At such times, they would sleep on the floor of the little front room, which was often covered with them.

In the spring of 1837, Mr. Purdy plowed a small piece of ground for a garden which was probably the first ground plowed in this area.

During the months that followed, many new settlers made their appearance-some to buy land and remain, but some of them soon became discouraged and returned to older settlements. Among those who remained were Horace Green and Joseph Roberts. Mr. Roberts was a physician, the first in the township. They built a home where the Darling Hardware is now located. It was also the home of the first school. Miss Julia Stevens taught seven to ten students in one room of her father's house.

In 1850, William P. Laing came to Perry and the following year opened the first store in the township. It was a small building which he put up at what is now known as "Old Perry Centre." The first in this place, however, was a log cabin built by James Titus. Richard Elliot, who came from Lansing some time later, rented a room from Mr. Laing and opened a small stock of dry goods and groceries.

In 1852, Mr. Laing was appointed postmaster, a position that he filled for several years. Johnson Treadway succeeded him a few years later, but Mr. Laing was subsequently reappointed, but after a time resigned in favor of Robert Titus. He was followed by Dr. L. M. Marshall. Braden Spaulding was appointed by President Hayes in 1877.

Soon Perry Centre was a flourishing settlement with the Perry Hotel, Hinckley's sawmill, Dr. Marshall's Mercantile Store, a Harness Shop, Wagon Shed, Odd Fellow Hall, and Methodist Church. The settlement was plotted in 1875.

Prominent in early enterprises in the Village of Perry, were Dr. and Mrs. Marshall, who came from Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were married in 1862. In 1864, their home and the entire contents were destroyed by fire. The following year, November 30, 1865, these worthy people reached Perry Centre and immediately established a home and the doctor began the practice of his profession. One year later, he embarked in the mercantile business, providing home luxuries, as well as medical relief to this sparsely settled community.

When the Grand Trunk Railroad was put through, leaving their little burg one mile to the south, the Doctor conceived the idea of transferring his residence and business interests to this point and in 1879 Dr. Marshall began the exodus of Perry Centre to the railroad or new Perry.