Leonidas Dibble led a fascinating life.  He was an attorney, and spent many years in school in New York, and established himself in a practice after passing the bar in that state.  He then was stricken was a case of gold fever and sold everything to move with his father to California.  After recovering enough fortune to pay for his trip, he returned home by way of Michigan and settled in Battle Creek.  He established himself as a respected local attorney, and was a leader in organizing the Peninsular Railroad Company which later became the Grand Trunk Railroad.  His story as well as some Michigan railroad history is covered in this episode.

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I had the pleasure to interview Dave Eddy, the former morning show host on WBCK for many years.  Known as the Morning Mayor, Mr. Eddy grew up in Albion, Michigan.  We discuss his early life and how he started in radio, as well as local Albion history and famous people.  Join us for a fun time as we explore some interesting Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Titus & Hicks Mill was originally founded by Richard Titus and Ellery Hicks in 1853.  After they passed away, the mill past away their sons took over the operation.  Making bold and revolutionary moves, the sons tore down the old mill and rebuilt it, increasing production of the mill by 5X and a few years later advanced it to 8X more than when their fathers owned it.  It is an interesting story from the pioneer period of Michigan, taking place in Battle Creek.

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Michigan was under the French Flag for over 150 years as part of the territory of New France as declared by Samuel de Champlain in 1608.  In this podcast I explore some of that early history and the French influence that remains in this state today, including some locations in Southwest Michigan.

The war for American Independence was between 1775 -1783, and the wave of pioneer settlers began in 1831, some 48 years later.  However, despite the many decades between, several former soldiers of the American Revolution settled in Michigan in their final years with their families.  In this episode, I explore the lives of two that were buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, one that is buried in St. Joseph County in Leonidas Cemetery and one that rests in Kalamazoo at Mountain Home Cemetery.  Their stories are quite interesting.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

My guest on this episode of Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past is Dan Hill from an organization called Outhouse Diggers.  They are a group of modern day history hunters who locate where old outhouses once stood from the 1800's and excavate them to find their hidden secrets.  Over the years, his team has found many relics from the past, as well as some secrets that were lost to time.  Some stories include mysteries, and others hidden crimes.  

For more information on Outhouse Diggers, visit: https://www.outhousediggers.com

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

A hobo is a migrant worker or homeless vagrant.  The term originated in the U.S. around 1890.  Unlike a 'tramp', who works only when forced to, or a 'bum', who does not work at all, a "hobo" is a traveling worker.  The number of hobos increased during the Great Depression era of the 1930's.  With no work and no prospects at home, many decided to travel the freight trains in pursuit of work in other parts of the country.  

The story "The Exploits of Henri, a Hobo" presented in this episode was written by Rich Rybicki from the Eaton County Historical Commission, and it is a depiction of historical events and places from this period when there were prevalant hobos in Michigan.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Walter Woolnough was born in Bungay, Suffolk County, England in 1821.  He moved with his parents to America when he was just eleven years old.  He would grow up in New York and become an apprentice for a printing company.  He would eventually move west to Ohio, and work for the Ashtabula Ohio Sentinel, a Whig newspaper in 1842.  A decade later he would move even father west, and settle in Battle Creek, Michigan and establish the first newspaper in the city.  Over the years he was an outspoken abolitionist, and became very active in politics.  His fascinating story is the subject of this episode.

For more information Michael Delaware, or to reach out to him, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

To see the YouTube video that features the life of Walter Woolnough, visit: https://youtu.be/1MTs1YZYqBA

The Battle Creek Regional History Museum is located at 307 W Jackson St, in Battle Creek Michigan.  In this episode I interview Doug Sturdivant, the President of the museum.  We discuss the exhibits, coming events at the museum and also some of his favorite local history.  We also talk about some of the past and present projects at the museum. 

For more information on the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://www.bcrhm.org

To see the details of the History Education Center Project and to contribute, visit: https://www.patronicity.com/history

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Lawton, Michigan is located on the Southeast corner of Van Buren County, and has a history of steel production, fruit growing and wine production.  Today Welch's has a fruit juice manufacturing operation there, and in this episode I explore some of the history of this village that all started with a train station in 1848.

For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com