Henry Barber / Robert Ponsford Building

Henry Barber, of Mt. Morris in Genesee County, Michigan, built this two-story, brick business block with Victorian design elements on Evart's Main Street in 1874. Evart was a booming lumber town on the Muskegon River, and Barber's building was among the first brick structures to be built on Main Street. Barber quickly sold the building to his son-in-law, Robert Ponsford, who finished it and operated a grocery store there from 1874 until 1895. The Evart Review described Ponsford's store as follows on August 12, 1887:

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R. J. Ponsford, located on Main street. Mr. Ponsford commenced here 13 years ago, and has ever enjoyed the confidence of a permanent trade. In 1874 Henry Barber commenced the erection of the brick store building Mr. Ponsford now occupies, after which Mr. Ponsford purchased and finished it. This building was one of the first brick structures erected in Evart and is 22x60 feet, two stories and cellar. Adjoining it in the rear is a commodious wareroom. The entire ground floor of both buildings and the cellar beneath is filled with goods. The stock comprises everything in staple and fancy groceries, crockery, glassware, wooden and willow ware and kindred goods. Mr. Ponsford handles the choicest and most standard articles peculiar to the business, and is in the enjoyment of a large and increasing trade, from town and surrounding country. Our readers may rely with certainty upon all the representations of the house and in buying goods may be sure of getting the very best, as it has always been noted for carrying this class.

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The newspaper had also noted in September 1881 that a change was made to the building's windows: "The windows in the upper story of Ponsford's brick block have been lengthened some two feet."

Henry Barber died in early 1887, and the Evart Review marked his passing with these words:

“Henry Barber, father of Mrs. Robert Ponsford, of this village, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. John Wilson, about three miles west of Flint, on Thursday afternoon of last week, aged 79 years. Deceased was an old resident of Genesee county. The funeral took place at the Mt. Morris M. E. church Saturday afternoon. Deceased was formerly interested in the grocery business in Evart, and built one of the first brick stores in the village, the one now owned and occupied by Mr. Robert Ponsford.”

In 1895, Ponsford decided to move to Detroit and he traded his Evart store to H.D. Johnson. The Evart Review reported the trade on May 17, 1895:

“Robert Ponsford made a trade with H. D. Johnson, of Detroit, whereby Mr. Ponsford becomes possessed of residence property in the city of Detroit, and Mr. Johnson takes Mr. Ponsford’s business property and grocery business in Evart. The bargain was struck Monday night, and Mr. Johnson took possession Tuesday morning. Mr. Johnson’s family consists of himself and wife, and they expect to move here next week, and Mr. Ponsford’s family will move to Detroit within a short time. Mr. Ponsford and family came here in 1874, and have been numbered among our most honored and respected citizens."

Johnson operated in Evart for only about one year before making another real estate swap with the Sears Mercantile Company in May 1896. The Evart Review reported as follows on May 29, 1896: "An important business change effecting [sic] alike the people of Sears and Evart, has taken place this week, the result of an exchange of real estate, merchandise, etc., by H. D. Johnson of Evart and the Sears Mercantile Co., and they exchanged locations and will continue business each in the other's stead. This week the change is being made and particulars of future arrangements are not given out."

The mercantile operation was short-lived, and closed by the end of 1896.

In 1897, Evart Review published George Minchin purchased the former Ponsford store and moved his newspaper into the building. The newspaper reported as follows on September 10, 1897:

"The Review will celebrate its quarter century anniversary, which occurs in two weeks, by occupying a home of its own, the Ponsford brick block having been purchased of Messrs. McDougall & Holihan for that purpose. Some alterations will be made to make it a model newspaper office."

The Evart Review was a long-time occupant of the former Barber/Ponsford building. After the departure of the Review offices, the building served as the home of Evart Jewelers.

"The windows in the upper story of Ponsford's brick block...," Evart Review, September 30, 1881, p.5.

"Henry Barber, father of Mrs. Robert Ponsford [obituary]...," Evart Review, February 4, 1887, p.5.

"R. J. Ponsford...," Evart Review, August 12, 1887, p.4.

"Robert Ponsford made a trade with H.D. Johnson...," Evart Review, May 17, 1895, p.7.

"An important business change...," Evart Review, May 29, 1896, p.5.

"The Review will celebrate...," Evart Review, September 10, 1897, p.7.