Era: 1881
Location: 406 East Oliver Street
This flamboyant Stick-style house, with a patterned slate roof and large tower, was built at 406 East Oliver Street by James Singer Colby, born in 1822 in Oswego County, New York.
He and his wife Eliza moved from NY to Shiawassee County in 1854 to a 320-acre farm six miles south of Owosso, raising sheep and crops.
Upon retirement to Owosso in 1881, he and his second wife built, according to records, one of the finest brick residences in the city, with all the modern improvements.
Colby mother, Elizabeth Singer, was a sister of Isaac Merrit Singer, the inventor of the Singer Sewing Machine—connecting this Owosso house to one of America most famous inventors.