Michigan Historical Review

Macomb County was founded in 1818 and named after War of 1812 veteran Alexander Macomb Jr. Today, Macomb County, part of Metro Detroit, has the fifth-largest population in Michigan. Historic Tales of Macomb County provides a superb introduction to the history of Macomb and the unsung heroes who have left their mark on the community.

The book, presented in Barb Pert Templeton's own voice, brings to life some interesting facts about the twenty-seven villages, cities, and townships, including the people who have made a difference to the district. Each of the fourteen chapters features the origins of the township and its name, a select history, and its size (in miles and population), along with tales of several prominent people who have resided in the respective villages and cities. [End Page 159]

The focus is on the people who have left a lasting impression on their community—politicians, inventors, soldiers, and farmers—including Mayor Tom Welsh (St. Clair Shores), Governor Alexander J. Groesbeck (Warren) and librarian Naomi Gibbing (Utica). Many of the individuals and families Templeton presents are significant residents of the county, who not only left their mark locally, but also on the state, and, in some cases, nationally. Some of the standout subjects include the Weiss family, who supplied roses to the White House; Shirley A. Mason, the quiet but likable art teacher who became the inspiration for Sybil in the best-selling 1973 non-fiction book by Flora Rheta Schreiber and the 1976 TV movie; and Franklin Harold Hayward, a painter and sculptor whose paintings were displayed in museums in France, England, and across the United States.

Templeton also introduces the reader to immigrants who traveled thousands of miles to the United States and made Macomb County their home. Among them are the Kuchenmeister family, who arrived from Germany in 1884, and Robert Nelson Sr., who, with his three acrobat brothers, sailed from England to the United States in 1886 and made Mount Clemens his permanent home in 1887. While it is these lesser-known individuals who take center stage, Templeton also presents stories of nationally known individuals such as Joe Louis, Harlan Perry Howard, and Thomas Edison.

What makes the book particularly interesting is the insight Templeton provides on the smaller townships in Macomb County. For instance, the community of Memphis, located in just one square mile with 1,200 residents, has provided the United States with a Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter, a significant lawmaker (inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame), and the builder of Michigan's first self-propelled vehicle in 1884.

Templeton clearly enjoys sharing the history of Macomb County. As a journalist and freelance writer in Metro Detroit, she has selected content that highlights the significance of the communities and covers a broad spectrum of topics, dates, and locations. No two stories are the same, and it is evident Templeton had a lot of fun researching the material, delving into history, and telling significant tales.

Historic Tales of Macomb County will prove popular to lifelong residents of the county, to people like me who are new to the area, or to those who take pleasure in discovering noteworthy stories about the place they live. Local history enthusiasts will also enjoy the book. [End Page 160]