The Makepeace family are pioneers in Jefferson county. Soloman Makepeace, sr., came into the Perch Lake section from Massachusetts in 1802, when wilderness still existed in northern Jefferson county. They got their first start by clearing the land and making potash, which had a ready sale.

Soloman Makepeace, jr., was born May 17, 1837. He wanted to be a lake captain and followed the lakes for four years. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted and received his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal, in 1864. It was at that time he returned to Plessis and opened his first store in company with John McAllister.

That marked the beginning of the Makepeace family local store. Later Mr. McAllister withdrew from the firm and Mr. Makepeace took as his partner George Augsbury, and the firm continued with increasing business. Finally, he decided to go into business for himself, so he moved across the corner of the square and opened a store. Today the firm has the old day-book of Soloman Makepace and the first date in this book is Nov. 2, 1883, the day he started alone in business.

He also served as postmaster of the village. At his death two sons, Frank S. and Claude J. took over the store, having been trained in the business by their father. Referring to the books again, they show that Makepeace Brothers started in 1902.

In the year 1933 Claude J. Makepeace took over the business and a son, Harvey, became associated with him. This arrangement continues to the present time. During the Republican administrations the postoffice was in their store.

A fire leveled their block some years ago, but they quickly rebuilt it and with a modern plant they found their business increasing. Now, in their 76th year of business, they have installed the modern store-front. Mr. Claude Makepeace stated today he thought it was his last general change, but that he wanted to do this in honor of the diamond anniversary.

Mr. Makepeace, a member of Theresa Masonic lodge, is active in community work and has long had the records of the Brookside Cemetery, Plessis, as the official in charge. Many changes have taken place in the community life in the 75 years the store has operated.

A surprise came last summer to the store. One day an elderly man walked in and asked for Claude Makepeace. When he presented his card it read, “John McAllister.” He was the partner of the first store, who later became a traveling salesman in Massachusetts.

Harvey Makepeace has a son who may, when he finishes school, enter the business, in which event it would make four generations in the one store. This would be the fifth generation of the family in business in Jefferson county, an unusual record in community history.