Manistee Abstract & Title

Manistee Abstract & Title has been in operation at 61/63 Maple Street since 1946/47. Prior to that time there were two local abstract offices.

During World War 2 the two local abstract companies were merged under the name of Manistee Abstract & Title Company by George & Alice Hunt. In 1959, shortly afer George's death, Alice's sister, Bernice Kelly, started working with Alice, purchasing the business in 1964. She retired in 1977 and sold the business to her son, Bill Kelly. Joanne Snyder started working here in 1964, retiring in 1988 when her daughter, Lois Snyder, started working here. Lois purchased the business from Bill Kelly in 1997.

Our Business

The local museum brought us a newspaper article from the early 1900's, which reported that a special committee was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to investigate the feasability of the county's making a purchase of the country abstracts. It stated:

   "That we have consulted with the owners of the two sets of abstract books and find that one, viz: Douville's can be purchased for the sum of $2,500 written up until '92; that Hart's abstract books can be purchased for $4,000 written up to date, with the express understanding, however, that this office (sic) is made only to Manistee County for the purpose of having some responsible party behind the abstracts, but that their abstract business is not for sale to any private irresponsible party at any price."

The paper went on to say:

   "We have investigated the books kept by Hart's office and find that the receipts range from $15 per month up to $125 per month, the average gross receipts being in the neighborhood of between $50 and $60 per month."

Apparently the County didn't purchase either set of tract books since we have both sets here. We are the only office who has tract books for Manistee County.

OFFICE HOURS

               MONDAY   -   FRIDAY

                 8 A.M.   -   5 P.M.

63 Maple St.

Manistee, MI 49660

ph: (231)723-3397

fax: (231)723-5382

info@manisteetitle.com