The Grosvenor House Museum in Jonesville was home to Michigan Lieutenant Governor Grosvenor in the late 19th century and remains the home to many original pieces of history from the time.
One of the most interesting of these artifacts is the carriage, which provides a look into the past ways of transportation, as well as local history of the Jonesville community.
This buggy was made locally by the then influential Deal Buggy factory.
According to the Hillsdale County Community Center: “The Deal Buggy factory was established in 1865 by J.J. Deal, with eight to twelve employees. It was later operated by his son, George V. Deal. In 1906, over 100 persons were employed in this factory. The factory manufactured buggies, wagons, cutters and later entered the automobile industry.”
This particular Deal Buggy was bought by Jacob Zorman in 1904.
It was also used by his son George and his grandchildren Harold and Aileen, who often drove it to the high school. His great grandchildren, the children of Harold and Margaret Zorman, rode in the cutter, which was pulled by horse named Beauty in 1970.
The carriage, with its red wheels and harness, now resides in the basement of the Grovsnor House Museum, at 211 Maumee St., Jonesville.
gstoldt@hillsdale.edu
