Linda’s Monday Morning Moaning’s
The Harvey Mellon Residence
Harvey Mellon was a native of Middlebury, New York April 3, 1822. Of the many occupations that he was involved in, he would discover the first iron ore in Northern Michigan, and would be an early investor in Michigan timberlands. Harvey served in the State House of Representatives and the Senate from 1889 until his death in 1895. His interest in breeding Kentucky Thoroughbred Racehorses on his estate and his ‘deer park’ were part of his passions. Public Surveying, Farming and Lumberman would round out his life skills.
Harvey wed Elizabeth Bowerman from Romeo in 1849. When the Mellons purchased the property on Gates Street in 1863 a home was built in the Italianate style. They had 3 daughters and one son passed away early in life.
Harvey’s wife Elizabeth, passed away in Romeo in 1889. By 1891 Harvey has taken a second wife in Ellen Proctor (1845-1926). Changes came quit suddenly on August 1 1895, when Harvey was heading out toward Imlay City in his phaeton. When two miles east of the village at Kilmurry Crossing, Harvey was struck by the west bound train. He was thrown about twenty feet, and with some bruises about the head and face, would other wise be quit shaken up. The train stopped and picked up the injured man and took him into Imlay City. The horse was uninjured, but the phaeton was splintered. At first there was high hopes for his recovery even at 73 years of age. In was not to be, for on August 8th 1895 Harvey passed away. Harvey and his first wife were buried in the Romeo Cemetery.
In 1895 shortly after her fathers death, his daughter Mrs. Henry Stephens ll had ideas for a renovation of the Mellon home after seeing exhibits from the Chicago Worlds Fair from 1893 that focused on the latest architectural innovations. Soon the Colonial Revival was a cleaner, simpler design with a full width porch, Tuscanny columns, leaded glass windows along with bay windows. an addition was added and the pitch of the roof was raised by three feet.
In 1927, the residence became the exclusive Pennington School for Girls, also named Patton Hall. The school would close a few years later and go on to be used in a variety of other uses, such as a sanitarium and a rehabilitation center. Today it is used an office building and mental health facility.
On that ‘wee’ note, till next week.
Articles courtesy of the Community Archives at the Romeo Kezar Library. House image authors collection.
Thank you for visiting and reading today. Be sure to share with your friends using the share buttons below. If you haven’t already please enter your email address in the form below to receive my stories by email.
Linda Osborne Cynowa 