Community named for founding farmers
Family's generosity during Depression is still remembered
7-3-2001
By Mary Ann Hupp / Special to The Detroit News
ORION TOWNSHIP -- In the southwest corner of Orion Township is Gingellville, a commercial and residential area that has grown into a bustling community, but still has a small town feel.
Gingellville is a name that grew out of admiration and respect for the unincorporated town's founding fathers.
Frank and Ella McVean Gingell purchased farmland on Waldon Road in 1909. In the following years they raised milk cows and sons, Francis and Harold Gingell. Orion Township Trustee Mike Gingell's grandfather was Francis.
"My great-grandparents founded the town," Gingell said. "My grandfather Francis and his brother Harold built a lot of the infrastructure of the area: the grocery store, gas station and hardware store. It was actually a planned development that was going to be called Gingellmont, which was the name of a housing subdivision."
What many longtime residents remember most about the Gingell family was its generosity. During the Great Depression, the family extended credit to neighboring families unable to pay for goods.
"My family has always tried to be good stewards of the community," Gingell said. "As a result of that, it's carried through and the people's desire to uphold the name and really feel the sense of community that that town brings. That's probably why you see the name remain."
Trustee Eric Wilson says the name stays alive because people remember.
"It reflects the farming and the community spirit that Mr. Gingell demonstrated when he was alive, the openness, the friendship and the willingness to help people out. He demonstrated what community spirit was all about," Wilson said.
Many residents agree with Karl Eberle, owner of Karl's Place cafe and ice cream shop, that there isn't any real reason to change things by pressing to become an incorporated village or city.
"There's no government or anything involved with Gingellville," Eberle said.