Postmasters / Howard F. Young

Until the Civil Service reforms of 1883, one became a postmaster through a federal political appointment. Thus, postmasters were usually prominent political leaders of the local community. In 1831 George Ketchum, cofounder of the city of Marshall, became this area’s first postmaster. In 1833 he was followed by the Reverend John D. Pierce, who later became Michigan’s first state superintendent of public instruction. Through the years a stagecoach operator, a banker, a physician, a mayor, and a newspaper publisher have served the community as postmasters. Howard F. Young Howard F. Young (1889-1934), a native of Allegan, designed this Marshall post office building in 1932. Young studied engineering at the University of Michigan and was involved in construction work in Albany, New York, Detroit, and Kalamazoo. His interest in restoring Greek Revival architecture is evident in his Marshall projects, which include the restoration of the Harold C. Brooks and other homes and the conversion of Marshall’s livery stable into a town hall. Young also designed the Brooks Memorial Fountain.