Jackson Michigan News and Information, News for Jackson MI

Remember when we had a Justice of the Peace? That was a civil officer who had the power to handle minor criminal and/or legal cases in town, and had the power to officiate at weddings without being an ordained minister. The JOP was once a part of the legal structure here in Michigan during the 19th and 20th centuries until being replaced by new District courts on January 1, 1969, as mandated by the 1963 Michigan Constitution.

Here in Albion, one of our prominent Justices of the Peace was a man by the name of Arza L. McCutcheon (1855-1920). He was born on a farm south of Albion and attended the Albion Public Schools as well as Albion College. His pioneering ancestors were one of several which came here from Dryden, New York to settle in the Albion-Homer area.

Arza lived in an elegant home at 412 E. Michigan Avenue, a structure he erected in 1883, and which is still standing today. During his lifetime he was very active in Albion affairs, and was a member of the Maccabees, the Odd Fellows, the Elks, and Eagles. A Democrat by political affiliation, he was involved in local politics, and served as Mayor of Albion in 1897.

Arza served several terms as Albion’s Justice of the Peace in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s. His office was on the second floor at 119 ½ S. Superior St. above the Smith & Lathwell Tailors. This is the building to the left (north of) today’s Bohm Theatre. His office was in the south portion of the structure. He also sold real estate, served as a notary public, and handled investments, bonds, and loans from his quarters.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a rare view from 1911 of McCutcheon’s building. Notice the decorative ornamentation this building once had. Back then the Albion Elevator building stood where the Bohm Theatre is today, and that was “set back,” allowing McCutcheon to have a “corner” as illustrated here. The black signs on the second-floor corner state, “JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, INVESTMENT BONDS, NOTARY PUBLIC.” On the side window is painted the words “A.L. McCUTCHEON, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE.”

Also pictured here is an 1894 photo of McCutcheon’s home, as well as an inset of his portrait. How many of our readers remember a Justice of the Peace here in Albion?