This is a rare stamp that I had overlooked in the past, probably because it’s on the side of Prospect Street that has no sidewalk. It’s on the apron of a driveway on the south side of Prospect, right across from where the T-intersection with Virginia is.
I can recognize the contractor’s name, J. DeHoney, based on the couple other DeHoney stamps I have found in the past, which were also on Prospect. The date is a lost cause, but based on my previous research on DeHoney, he was active in the 1950s and 60s. As noted in my previous entry, there is a classified ad in the December 14, 1951, Lansing State Journal for “CEMENT Basement floors, garage, slabs, footings and general concrete construction. Free estimates. Satisfaction assured. DeHoney and Forsberg.” At the time I wrote that entry, I did not yet recognize the name Forsberg, but now I do. DeHoney was most likely partnered with T.A. Forsberg, a big name in Lansing construction and real estate development.
I’d seen this one before (in my list of stamps to visit later, I have the notes “almost visible” and “J. Bettany?”) but on my walk this evening the light seemed like it was making it as visible as it would ever get, so I decided it was time.
There is a pair, separated by a good distance, on the north side of Prospect Street just west of Lathrop. The eastern stamp is too worn to make much of, but the western stamp is hanging onto legibility by a thread.
The western stamp.
I ended up taking a route on my walk that took me past this same stamp a second time, and to my surprise, the light was even better on the return leg. Here is the western stamp again, making it clear that the name is J. DeHoney. Unfortunately I can’t make out the last number of the date. It might be a zero… it keeps shifting as I re-look at it.
The western stamp, taken on my return walk.
I believe that J. DeHoney is James Reynolds DeHoney. According to Find A Grave, he was born in Lansing in 1920, died in Detroit in 2000, and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Grand Ledge. His monument says he was a WWII veteran, and I found his draft notice in the October 23, 1942, Lansing State Journal. It gives an address for him on Bensch Street in the Potter-Walsh neighborhood. The house is still standing.
Looking east on Prospect.
As for his cement work, I find a classified ad in the December 14, 1951, Lansing State Journal for “CEMENT Basement floors, garage, slabs, footings and general concrete construction. Free estimates. Satisfaction assured. DeHoney and Forsberg. ” Then on May 16, 1954: “CONCRETE Driveways, sidewalks and basement floors. Prompt efficient service. Bartow and DeHoney.” Just two months later, though, on July 24, I see “CEMENT WORK Driveways, sidewalks, approaches, prompt service, satisfaction assured. J. R. DeHoney.” I am assuming that’s the same DeHoney who previously worked with Bartow and Forsberg, but I don’t know for sure. He was still at it on April 1, 1963, advertising “WATERPROOFING Basement walls and floor. All work guaranteed. Free estimates. J. R. DeHoney, Inc.” A similar ad appears February 20, 1967.
The eastern stamp. It does look like 1950 in this picture, now that I look at it again.
Then something different happens. On September 26, 1975, there is an ad in the “heavy equipment” area of the classifieds: “AIR COMPRESSOR – (Chicago pneumatic) 6-cylinder engine, will run 2 jack hammers. Also 35 lb. hammer, 80 lb. hammer. Has 100 ft. air hose, several frost blades and points. Ph. 616-839-2296, Lake City, or write J. R. Dehoney, Rt. 1, Lake City, Mich. 49651.” I wonder if that marks DeHoney’s retirement from the concrete business. He would have been 55 at the time.
