Paw Paw in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Isaac Watts Willard
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Isaac Watts Willard

Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 3, 2021

1. Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 1

Inscription. Isaac Watts Willard In 1838, Isaac Watts Willard (1803-1879) and partners Peter Gremps and Lyman Daniels surveyed and platted the village of Paw Paw. That same year, Gremps and Willard opened a mercantile and grist mill in the village. Willard moved to Paw Paw in 1840 and opened a hotel. At the site of this marker, he built a saw mill, which he operated until his death. A Vermont native, Willard first visited Michigan in 1830. A year later, he moved to White Pigeon and opened a mercantile with future governor John Barry. After the partnership ended in 1834, Willard moved to Kalamazoo and opened Willard’s Mercantile. In 1849, he became a Commissioner of the Paw Paw and Lawton Plank Road Company, which built the only plank road in Van Buren County.

Isaac Watts Willard Isaac Watts Willard’s lifelong involvement in civic and political activities began when he served as the first resident clerk of the St. Joseph County Circuit Court. In 1836, he became Postmaster of Kalamazoo. That year, he also represented the county at the second Convention of Assent, which accepted the federal government’s terms for Michigan

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statehood. Later, Willard became the county Probate Judge. He represented Van Buren County at the 1850 Michigan Constitutional Convention. In 1853, President Pierce named him Timber Agent for Michigan and the Western Territories. In 1859, he became Paw Paw’s first village president. In the cemetery on Prospect Hill, south of this marker, Willard built a 127-foot-tall tower. He is buried there, at the summit of the hill.

Erected 2016 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2264C.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 42° 12.788′ N, 85° 53.463′ W. Marker is in Paw Paw, Michigan, in Van Buren County. It is on South Kalamazoo Street (Michigan Route 40) half a mile north of Interstate 94, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 429 S Kalamazoo St, Paw Paw MI 49079, United States of America.

Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 3, 2021

2. Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 2

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan

and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Warner Wine Haus (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Pump House - 706 S. Kalamazoo St. (within shouting distance of this marker); Van Buren County / Van Buren County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Service Gun (approx. ¼ mile away); The Coterie Club - 200 S. Kalamazoo St. (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Service Gun (approx. ¼ mile away); Van Buren County Courthouse - 212 E. Paw Paw St. (approx. ¼ mile away); Paw Paw Public Library (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paw Paw.

More about this marker. The marker is located on a plot of land between the John Tapper Chevrolet Dealership to the north and the East

Isaac Watts Willard Marker next to the John Tapper Chevrolet Dealership image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, August 3, 2021

3. Isaac Watts Willard Marker next to the John Tapper Chevrolet Dealership

Branch of the Paw Paw River to the south.

Isaac Watts Willard Marker next to the East Branch of the Paw Paw River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, August 3, 2021

4. Isaac Watts Willard Marker next to the East Branch of the Paw Paw River.

Note the dam.

A View fo the Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, August 3, 2021

5. A View fo the Isaac Watts Willard Marker, Side 2

Note the St. Julian Winery in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

Isaac Watts Willard⎯⎯⎯Isaac Watts Willard

Isaac Watts Willard
⎯⎯⎯
Isaac Watts Willard