Kinney's Store

Southeast Corner of 104 and Beech

(Lawler's Corners)

 

(Photo courtesy of the Ensley Historical Society)

(Photo enhancement by Verduin Webs)

 

In the Spring of 1870 Mrs. John (Maria) Lawler opened a store one mile west of Four Corners (Newcosta and 104) or Ben Ensley's farm. The store, known as Goodwell & Lawler Proprieters, was also the townships first dance hall. The Lawler Farm was on 104 and is currently owned by Ernie and Gerry Archer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Lawler's House on the south side of

104th east of Beech

(Photo taken by Verduin Webs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Store in it's Original Location

(Photo enhancement by Verduin Webs)

 

Maria was the first of seven Kinney storekeepers whose continuous years of serving the township total sixty-five. In 1879 she sold her store to her sister, Kate Kinney. According to the Howard City Record on September 19, 1889 she sold the store to her niece, Miss Ellen Kinney, daughter of John and Catherine Norton. Ellen operated the store until her marriage in April 1893. Below is the actual newspaper article.

 

 

 

Howard City Record September 19, 1889

(Courtesy of the Reynolds Township Library)

 

History fades here after that, although the township map of 1900 still shows and labels the building as a store. The map of 1922 still shows the building as being there, but it is not labeled as a store. Later it was moved to the Archer Farm and converted into a barn. It was torn down in 1997.

 

 

(Photos courtesy of Gerry Archer)

 

The shed in the right of the picture was also moved from the corner to the farm and still exists today on the Archer farm. It can be seen on the right side of the old picture.