HaasCaywood PC

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Estate Planning Attorneys, Attorneys, Business Law Attorneys

112 S Monroe St, Sturgis, MI 49091

269-651-3281

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Today: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Butler Toweson & Payseno PLLC

202 N Riverview Dr, Parchment, MI 49004

Felt & Polleys Attorneys At Law

902 E Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091

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The law firm of Dresser, Dresser, Haas & Caywood and its predecessors was founded on August 1, 1898 by Theo T. Jacobs, a farmer's son who grew up in Sturgis, Michigan. His grandfather, Hiram, built a home which now forms part of the American Legion Home and is recognized as the oldest building of its kind existing in Sturgis. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, Jacobs opened his offices in the Masonic Temple building above what was formally known as the Flowers Caf , then the Washington Caf , and is now known as the Corner Caf . While building his law practice, Jacobs also served as Deputy City Clerk, and as the elected City Clerk from 1900 - 1905. He also served as County Prosecuting Attorney from 1905 to 1909 and as the Sturgis City Attorney from 1913 until 1918. In 1931, Jacobs was appointed by Governor Brucker to become a Branch County and St. Joseph County Circuit Judge. He served as a Circuit Judge for 22 years and retired from the bench in 1953. Jacobs also served his community as Exhalted Rule of the Elks when the lodge was built in 1922, President of Sturgis Rotary Club, Charter Member of Klinger Lake Country Club and Chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Committee. Judge Jacobs was a consummate politician and he attended every funeral that he could to pay his respects to the deceased and console the families. Raymond H. Dresser joined Theo Jacobs in 1927 to form the firm of Jacobs and Dresser. Raymond and his wife Lola (Juckette) were living in Litchfield, Michigan when, while visiting family and friends at Rose Lake in Coldwater, Michigan, he heard that Theo Jacobs in Sturgis was looking for an associate. He contacted Jacobs right away and arranged for an appointment. They met with Jacobs, accepted his offer and moved to Sturgis. The partnership only lasted a few years because of Jacob's appointment as Circuit Judge in 1931. Dresser became a sole practitioner that year, the same year Raymond H. Dresser, Jr. (Ray) was born. Raymond began to build his practice by representing a number of businesses. He was counsel for Royal Easy Chair Company and Aulsbrook and Jones Furniture Company, the last home furniture manufacturers in Sturgis. Royal Easy Chair was a forerunner in the manufacture of reclining chairs that are so popular today. Raymond's services were sought by all three banking institutions located in Sturgis - the then Citizens State Bank, Sturgis Savings and Loan Association and First National Bank. The Sturgis Savings and Loan Association was originally conducted out of a roll-top desk in Judge John Flander's office adjacent to Raymond's office in the Masonic Building. The records were kept in the floor safe between the offices and the legal work for the Association was performed by Raymond Dresser. The firm continues today as legal counsel for its successor, Sturgis Bank and Trust Company, who recently celebrated their 100 th anniversary. Throughout his career, Raymond organized and advised many new small businesses as well as larger businesses. As Kirsch Company grew, he was invited to be on the Board of Directors and his law firm was general counsel when Kirsch Company was first listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Among the firm's other clients were some companies who have come and gone, (Transogram, National Carbon Coated Paper Company and the Sturgis Register) and some that still live on today (Freeman Manufacturing, Gray Brothers Stamping and Midwest Tool and Cutlery). Raymond was a leader in the affairs of the State Bar of Michigan, having served on the Board of Commissioners and as President from 1958-59. After his term as President, Raymond was appointed by Governor Romney as Chairman of a committee to study milk pricing in the State of Michigan as there were local producers like Fairgrove Farms, Inc that my have been victimized by the controlling of wholesale milk prices. Raymond H. Dresser, Sr. died in 1968, only one year after law firm had moved its offices from th

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