Brighton in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Henry Ford and John Tanner
Brighton's Victorian Silhouettes
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
1. Henry Ford and John Tanner Marker
John Tanner was known as one of Brighton's most unusual people. His 10 foot long beard was always tucked under his shirt only to be seen by his wife and the paying public. His delivery operation from the train depot ran from 1871-1910 with his elegant carriage. In later years the unusual items belonging to John and Emma caught the eye of Henry Ford who frequented his brother Bill's nearby home. Henry bought the carriage for his new Greenfield Village Museum. The Tanner's became good friends with Henry and his wife and were invited for free health checks to his new Dearborn hospital. John at age 92 and Emma at age 91 lived into the 1930s. They are buried in Brighton's Old Village Cemetery.
Original Art by: Rich Larson
Erected 2017 by Brighton Area Historical Society, Brighton Art Guild, Downtown Brighton. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Science & Medicine.
Location. 42° 31.778′ N, 83° 46.973′ W. Marker is in Brighton, Michigan, in Livingston County. Marker is on West Main Street east of Hyne Street, on the right when traveling west
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mill Pond Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Alice Jolly (within shouting distance of this marker); Brighton Area Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Brighton Hook and Ladder Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul's (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); B.T.O. Clark (about 300 feet away); John McKinney (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brighton.
Also see . . . Who's that? Faces from Brighton's past pop up on city streets. According to this article from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus, Brighton's Victorian Silhouettes will be "left on display for three years, except for during the winter." (Submitted on August 28, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
2. Henry Ford and John Tanner Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
3. Henry Ford and John Tanner Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
