Marshall in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Oliver C. Comstock Jr.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021

1. Oliver C. Comstock Jr. Marker

Side 1

Inscription. Oliver C. Comstock Jr. (1806-1895) built this Gothic Revival house between 1849 and 1856. Comstock, born in Fairfield, New York, migrated to the Marshall area in 1836. He left a well-established medical practice in Trumansburg, New York, to start anew on the Michigan frontier. Later that year, he erected the first brick business building in Calhoun County on Exchange Street. It housed his pharmacy and office.

Oliver C. Comstock Jr. served as the state’s third superintendent of public instruction (1843-45). In 1847 he was one of the abolitionists who prevented Kentucky slaveholders’ taking the fugitive slave family of Adam Crosswhite. In 1848 he and several prominent Marshall citizens were convicted and fined for conspiracy to harbor the fugitives. Comstock was superintendent of the construction of the Michigan Central Railroad between Jackson and Kalamazoo and a founder of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society.

Erected 1980 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0783.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location.

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42° 16.257′ N, 84° 57.25′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Michigan, in Calhoun County. Marker is at the intersection of South Marshall Avenue and East Green Street, on the right when traveling north on South Marshall Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 S Marshall Ave, Marshall MI 49068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sidney Ketchum (1797-1862) / Marshall House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rendezvous Encampment (about 500 feet away); Grand Army of the Republic / The G.A.R. Hall (about 500 feet away); "Old Territorial Road" (about 500 feet away); The United States Bicentennial 1776-1976 (about 600 feet away); Michigan Ave. (about 600 feet away); Gordon Street (about 700 feet away); Howard F. Young / Postmasters (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021

2. Oliver C. Comstock Jr. Marker

Side 2

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021

3. Oliver C. Comstock Jr. Marker

Oliver C. Comstock Jr. House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021

4. Oliver C. Comstock Jr. House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.