The upstairs portion was used for offices and sleeping rooms. William Patterson (late of the old book store on Michigan's Avenue) had a job printing office here. Robert Abbott, auditor- general of the State of Michigan, had his office here, as did Thomas Palmer and A. E. Hathon, H. R. Schoolcraft. Indian agent, and Dr. Marshall Chapin, Mr. Owen's partner. The firm of Chapin & Owen was dissolved through the death of Dr. Chapin, and Theodore H. Hinchman, head clerk in the late concern, took his place, and the firm name changed to John Owen & Co. After a few years here they moved a few doors down into the Granite Block. John W. Strong occupied this John Owen store along about 1848, '49 and '50, with a stock of groceries, wines and liquors. John Owen & Co.'s neighbors in the same block were Jacobs & Garrison, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby Street, as mentioned before, and they were in the same line of business. Snow & Fisk were succeeded by Sidney L. Rood & Co., in the same line, Sidney L. Rood and Morris F. Williams purchasing the stock of Snow & Fisk. After a brief period M. M. Williams retired and took a position in the postoffice, which he retained through all administrations until his death. I might say in passing that I succeeded to the business of G. L. Rood & Co. after Mr. Gilbert Rood's* death, which occurred in 1851.

This G. F. Rood ("Gil" Rood) was a queer combination. He was rough, though kind and genial, and fond of a joke. Honest to a fault, his word was as good as his bond. He always expressed himself as a follower of Tom Paine, as did his brother Sidney,although whether they really believed in his teachings or not, I do not know. At the time of his death "Gil" expressed a wish that a band of music should play "Yankee Doodle" on the way to the cemetery, and "Hail Columbia" on the way back, which was done. I was clerk and bookkeeper for S. L. Rood after Mr. Williams left, for nearly three years, until he quit business and removed to Fredonia, Chautaqua Co., N. Y. From the latter place he removed to Milwaukee, got rich and died there about 1873. Sidney L. Rood was an out-and-out Whig in politics, an all-around good fellow, genial and most charitable, his purse ever ready to respond to the cry of want. His store was the headquarters of the jolly set of Detroit's contingent (the old heads), Whig or Democrat. In those days it was customary for loiterers and customers of the proprietors to occupy chairs in front of the premises on the pavement under the awning- in the summer time Palmer, A. E. Hathon, Uncle Henry Newberry, John Mullett, Oliver Newberry, Ezra Rood, John Scott (father of "Jim" Scott), Joseph Campau, who was always an amused spectator), and many others. The topics of the day would then and there be discussed and whatever fun there was in the crowd was sure to come out. The same parties did not get together every day, of course, hut they did not skip very often. Oliver Newberry would never tarry long, but would linger a few moments on his way to the Bank of Michigan, quiet and taciturn, listen to a joke or two from Canniff and others, and pass on with a grim smile.

Uncle Henry Newberry was almost a daily attendant. He was crusty and taciturn, but kind-hearted, loved a joke but rarely indulged in perpetrating one. He always persisted in being on the wrong side of nearly all questions discussed there or elsewhere. To illustrate: One day he made his appearance, looking rather the worse for wear and exceedingly crusty. He was questioned by Judge CannifT and said "he had passed through an experience that would make any man crusty, ill and sour-tempered, and that was he had been summoned on a jury and had passed the entire night sitting up with eleven of the contrariest men he ever met." I think John Farmer was the most argumentative and persistent talker of the lot. Rood was the publisher, so to speak, of Farmers maps of Michigan, consequently he was a frequent visitor.

Mr. Rood, in addition to his book and stationery business, carried on quite an extensive book bindery and blank book factory in a small wooden building in the rear of the store. Rood, with all his good points, was apt sometimes to, be a little rough. He said to me directly after entering his employ: "Palmer, have you ever kept a set of books?" I said "No, sir." Then he said: "Williams has left and, damn you, if you want to stay with me you have got to keep those books." It is needless to say I kept the books.

Rood used to furnish the legislature, until the capital moved to Lansing, with paper and stationery—quite a good thing those days, no contract and no grumbling at price. On the start, at the opening of the session, the order always was: Sixty bunches quills, sixty Roger's penknives, sixty sand boxes, sixty wafer cups, sixty rulers, sixty papers of black ink powder, sixty wafer stamps, sixty pieces of red tape, sixty dozen of lead pencils, sixty small bottles of pounce, sixty erasers, sixty inkstands, sixty papers of black sand, and, besides all these articles, quite a quantity of letter and fool's-cap paper, envelopes or wrapping paper, red ink, wafers, sealing wax. etc. "Something of a starter. I slept in the store, on a bed made up on the counter, and boarded in Mr. Rood's family. They did not give much salary then. My princely compensation was §5° the first year and board, $100 the second, and $150 the third, and so on. I thus worried through three years rather happily.

One of Mr. Owen's clerks, Reuel Roby, and myself were great chums. After closing at night, at 9 o'clock, we would spend the evening together, either at his place or mine. While clerking next to John Owen's, I never lacked, in a small way, for candy, nuts, oranges and cigars. Wines of the finest brands and other strong liquors were always on tap. but neither Reuel nor myself partook of the latter. For some cause or other we had no desire to do so.

Reuel Roby was the son of Mr. John Roby, who did an extensive forwarding and commission business at the foot of Shelby Street (Roby's dock and warehouse), until the time of his death about 1825 or 1826. A widow, three sons and one daughter survived-him. The widow and daughter passed away soon after, and of the three boys, Henry, the eldest, went into the employ—I think—of Win. Brewster, forwarding and commission merchant, as bookkeeper. He continued in the same capacity, with various firms, until he went into business on his own account, associating himself with John T. Hunt (Hunt & Roby). Reuel, the next, entered the employ of Chapin & Owen and remained with them, as principal prescription clerk, for many years. John, the next, entered the service of a forwarding and commission house on the dock, who had a business connection with the firm of Hollister Bros., Buffalo. This latter firm had a branch of their concern located at Monroeville. Ohio, then a great railroad transfer center. John, being an exceedingly bright young man, soon attracted the attention of the Hollisters. and they made him a flattering offer to take charge of their branch at Monroeville, which he accepted, and ever after made that town his home.

A change in the railroad system of Ohio served to divert much of the business from Monroeville. so John Roby went into the mailing business quite extensively on his own account, the Hollisters in the meantime having withdrawn their interest. The mailing business, which had assumed large proportions, and what little remained of the railroad freight business, taxed John's capacity to the utmost, so he summoned Henry and Reuel to his aid. Henry having severed his connection with Hunt. They responded, and the three brothers undertook the business together. Shortly after Henry's advent in Monroeville he married a sister of Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, of this city, and took Up his permanent residence there.- After a married life of a few years' duration, the wife died, leaving a daughter, who subsequently married Major Prank Hamilton, Fourth United States Artillery, a native of Monroeville. The latter was military attache to the United States legation at the court of Madrid, Spain, during Senator T.W. Palmer's mission there. Mrs. Hamilton accompanied him. The Robys acquired a comfortable fortune in Monroeville, but they are all dead, as are Captain Hamilton and wife. The major was a graduate of West Point. His wife was a most estimable woman. There are but very few of the present residents of Monroeville that do not hold in loving memory the Robys and Major Hamilton and his wife.