Oakhill (Marshall, Michigan)

Chauncey M. Brewer was born in Oneonta, New York in 1814. He worked in a country store until 1835, when he and boyhood friend Charles T. Gorham moved to Clinton, Michigan. In 1836, the two moved to Marshall and opened a general store.

The store prospered, and in 1838 they a new brick store in the town constructed of brick. In 1840, Gorham moved on to banking, while Brewer remained in the dry goods business.

In 1859, Brewer constructed a new home, farming the adjacent acreage. He lived here until his death in 1889. The house continued to be used. as a private residence, but was abandoned after about 1950. In 1968, a new owner began extensive restoration, which continued into the 1970s. [2]

Oakhill is a two-and-one-half story red brick Italianate residence. It has a squared central mass with a truncated hip roof, and a two story rectangular extension attached to one side.

The roof overhang is supported by decorative double cornice brackets. A square cupola with arched windows is located in the center of the roof. The attic story contains half-windows framed between the cornice brackets, while the windows on the first two stories are double-hung sash units with white stone lintels. A wide veranda supported by columns runs around the front and side of the house.[2]