George Washington Brabb of 185 South Main Street, Romeo is this Monday’s blog subject. Most of what will be written about Mr Brabb will be taken from the very extensive obituary written upon his death in 1912.
From the Romeo Observer September 10, 1912: The announcement of the death of Mr. George W. Brabb in the early morning of September 10, carries no surprise as his illness had been of a serious nature for several weeks. But the passing of the last member of a large and influential pioneering family means much to the village and community.
Issac and Hannah Brabb, with seven children, came from Yorkshire, England to this locality in 1830 and two children were afterwards added to their number; the subject of this sketch named for the father of their adopted country, George Washington was born February 10 1843, the youngest and last to pass over the river. His birthplace was the farm home, three mile southwest of Romeo, that was purchased from the government by his father.
When a young man he came with his parents, to the village where they purchased a home on south Main Street and following the death of his parents, this son built the large, beautiful home in which he had since resided and where his death occurred. Following the time when he attained his majority he gave his attention to the supervision of his father’s interests and later engaged in the hardware trade, purchasing a hardware store in Romeo. He organized a stock company for the manufacture of road carts and his factory employed a large force of workman. The business grew to extensive proportions and the output was as high as from forty to seventy five carts a day. He would go on to hold stock in the Romeo Savings Bank and at the time continued as the owner of the old family homestead on two hundred and seventy acres, constituting a very valuable tract of land. In 1873 he was married to Lois Garlick, who died April 6, 1892 and on July 13,1896 Mr. Brabb entered in marriage with Miss Martha Starkweather of Romeo who survives him.
He had not only been an affectionate husband but gave tender care to the two aged sisters, in their declining years, and the home, that was his special pride was kept perfect in all its appointments. He was interested in every good word and work for the betterment of the the village and elsewhere and was a familiar figure on the streets and in public places. But it could truthfully be said of him that “his home was his castle” and there he was best content. He was an unusual lover of flowers, which he cultivated extensively and, during his illness when scarcely conscious of friends about him, he would rally at the sight of a fresh boutique and even note the shading of the different blossoms.
Besides his many home interests he always found time to render valuable assistance to others, so his passing deprives many of a true friend and adviser. He was converted in early life and united with the Methodist church of which he remained an active member.
The large Italianate residence erected in 1877, was one of the most sophisticated homes in Romeo with its smooth stucco-like siding (now covered in clapboards), dignified entrance portico, that was expanded in 1900, and elaborate decorative motifs rendered in wood and cast iron. “Wash” Brabb and his wife occupied the north side of the residence and his two sister’s Caroline and Anne lived on the south side. Mrs Brabb would hold onto the house and lease it to other enterprises through the coming years, such as it became the first Osteopathic Hospital in Michigan, it also became home to the Palace Restaurant after which in 1937 it was sold to Howard Anderson of Detroit. In the ensuing years many ventures have used the home with the hope of keeping it viable. Today it still sits proudly as Mr Brabb would have liked it.
On that ‘wee note’, till next week.
Thank you for the use of, Past and Present of Macomb County, Macomb County History of 1905, p 321, Romeo Observer, May 16, 1877, Romeo Observer, September 10, 1912, the Community Archives at the Kezar Library.
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Linda Osborne Cynowa 