Plymouth: main street Part 3

The Oliver Soice House was constructed c. 1880 in the Carpenter Gothic style. Though the home has had its wood siding and decorative trim either removed or covered with vinyl siding, some aspects of the house are unusual. The house was constructed in a cruciform plan with each leg of equal length; a rarity in Marshall County. Local lore states that the home was situated in such a way (angled toward the intersection of Michigan and Monroe Streets) due to speculation that the railroad would pass east to west north of the courthouse and this house was a speculative depot. Nothing has been found to substantiate that. The original design of the home was in the Carpenter Gothic style with vergeboards, finials, and roof cresting. Originally there were no dormers located on the house and a porch wrapped around the southwest walls.

The Oliver Soice family lived in the home from at least the 1890s through the 1930s. Oliver Soice was born in Bremen, Indiana in 1855. He graduated from Hillsdale College in Michigan before moving to Plymouth. He held the office of deputy county treasurer for twelve years and was elected treasurer for one term. He was an original organizer of the State Bank in Plymouth and was its cashier. Olive, Oliver’s wife, continued to live at the home after her husband passed away.

Adelbert and Atha Clizbe constructed their home in about 1902 in the Free Classic style. The Clizbes were the owners of Clizbe Brothers Manufacturing Company. The firm, located in Plymouth, was incorporated in 1896. It manufactured grinding and polishing machinery and light counter shafts. It was in business into the 1940s. The Clizbes lived at this home until about 1940.