II MN __ iT I I:. I I I PISTOR OF MUSKEGON COUNTY M I C H IGAN AVIlrr"I i Alt" IR a l! Illustrations Biographical Sketches OIT SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. CHICAGO::E-_- O-:P. csz- C0 -1882. I I.. hi, - - ii | | | | | I I | 1 I LIEUT. GOV. H. H. HOLT. - — vl t I P R E FACE. After many months of preparation.our work is completed and presented to the public. How we have done our part in fulfilling our pledges, each reader can judge for himself. We may be permitted to say that it has been our honest endeavor to redeem every pledge we have made in our prospectus. No pains or expense have been spared in producing a work creditable alike to ourselves and the wealthy and prosperous counties of Muskegon and Ottawa. The binding, paper, presswork, and illustrations are, we venture to assert, equal to those of any work of this character ever issued. That there are no errors or inaccuracies we by no means claim. Perfection is not given to any human effort. All that can be expected is an honest endeavor at truth and impar.iality, and this we claim to have done. Where we have had to depend upon verbal statements, which are often conflicting, and inaccuarate from treachery of the memory, we have had to choose what seemed to be the most probable statement; and such is the constant fluctuation of society, that many changes have taken place even since our sketches have been prepared, although we have endeavored to bring every thing down to the latest date. With whatever imperfections it may be found to contain we trust this work may prove useful and interesting to those for whom it was intended, and that posterity may read with pleasure and profit the story of the early days of the pioneers. We beg publicly to return our sincere thanks to the many warm friends of our enterprise, to whom we are under such obligations for their valued assistance. There appeared to be a universal consensus of public opinion that a history of the counties would be a good thing, if got out by the proper parties; and from the reception we and our representatives have met, there seemed to be full confidence in our ability to do justice to the subject. This confidence it has been our endeavor to justify to the fullest extent. Where so many have lent their aid it is difficult to select out any for special mention, but at the risk of invidiousness we feel it incumbent upon us specially to allude to the services of I. M. Weston, of Whitehall, who kindly gave us a mass of valuable material he had collected, and besides gave the enterprise liberal support. The Hon. C. C. Thompson, of Whitehall, has also been ever ready to give his aid to the enterprise, which was of great value, as he has no superior in the matter of the early history of the White Lake. In Whitehall we have also to thank for valuable information Messrs. Jesse D. Pullman, A. Mears, A. C. Elsworth, the Messrs. Covell, A. T. Linderman, H. D. Johnston, C. H. Cook and others. In Muskegon City ex-Governor Holt has lent his valuable assistance, also Hon. L. G. Mason, E. W. Merrill, John Torrent and many others. We have especially to thank Mr. Weller, of The NeZws and Replorter, for his constant aid, also other members of the press, especially Mr. Campbell, late of T'he Journal, and Mr. Harford, late of The Chronzicle. In Grand Haven to the Hon. Dwight Cutler, Zenas G. Winsor, J. W. Hutty and Col. W. M. Ferry, and the press generally, we are indebted for favors. In Holland Messrs. Capon, Kanters, Arend Visscher, H. D. Post, John Roost and Professors Scott, Kollen and Doesburg, of Hope College, have merited our thanks. To the press of the county we desire to express our thanks for the uniformly kind manner in which they have spoken of our enterprise, and the assistance they have rendered. The valuable work of Prof. Everett on the " Grand River Valley" has been of great assistance to us, as has also been the sketch of Holland by Mr. G. H. VanSchelven. i l k. - - - t177- 0 -9 D -a r - %k --- — IF I^ 4 - CONTENTS. PAGE. PAGE. Illustrations [Continued]. History Of Michigan, Of Muskegon County, Of Muskegon City. - 11 15 49 Townshi p Histories. Blue Lake, - Casnovia. Cedar Creek Dalton, Egelston, - Fruitland, Fruitport, - Holton, Lakeside, Laketon, Montague, - Moorland, Muskegon, Norton, Oceana, Ravenna, Whitehall, - White River. 1ll 101 106 112 106 114 96 108 88 89 143 98 87 92 120 93 120 116 Holt, H. H., Holt's Block, Ireland Joseph, Johnston, H. D., Johnson, Charles, view of Residence, Johnson, Charles, Johnson, Mrs. Charles, - Kuster, A. C.'s Jewelry Store, Landreth's Block, Lewis, J. C., view of Residence, - Mann & Moon's Mill, Mason, L. G., view of Residence, Mason, L. G., view of Block, Merrill, E. W., view of Residence, Merrill, E. W., Merrill. Mrs. E. W., Merrill & Bolza's Block, Merrill, Thomas, Miller, W. H., Nelson, C. D. & Co., view of Saw Mill, Opera House, Muskegon, Rand, T. J - Rand, Mrs. Sarah G., - Ruddiman, John, Slocum, Giles B., Smith, Hon. G. M., Staples, H. E., view of residence, Staples & Covell, view of Saw Mill, Steiner House, view of, Steiner, Narzis, Steiner, Mrs. Narzis, Thompson, Hon. C. C., Union School, Muskegon, Upper North Muskegon, view of, Torrent, Brown & Co., Torrent & Arms Lumber Co., Ducey, Lumber Co. Jas. Gow & Co., Torrent & Bertrand, A. H. Petrie & Co. Walker, Jonathaln, Walker, Jonathan, monument, Waldron, L. A., Waterworks, Muskegon, Webster, J. M,, view of Residence, Weller, Ferdinand, Weston, Hon. William, Whitehall Public School, Widoe, John, view of Residence, Woodbury, G. B.Wylie, E. H., - - 4 67 75 127 140 140 140 124 69 1836 88 52 68 33 83 33 70 80 127 27 71 73 73 75 132 127 120 29 76 76 76 127 66 84-85 84 84 84 85 85 85 39 39 80 64 144 75 134 130 144 75 7 Villages. Bluffton Fruitport, - Holton, Lakeside, - Lake Harbor, 'Montague, North Muskegon, Port Sherman, Twin Lake, Whitehall, 89 96 109 88 92 144 84 89 113 124 Illustrations. Bank, First National of Whitehall, Bank,'Muskegon National Booming Company's Sorting Grounds, Muskegon,. Cook, C. H., View of Residence and Peach Orchard, Court House, Muskegon, Covell, A. J.'& C. E.'s Residence, Whitehall, Davis, Chauncey, Elsworth, A. C., - Hills, Charles T., - Hinchman, Joseph, view of Residence, 35 73 87 8-9 65 124 49 127 25 35 --- VA.w V- -7f __ __ k-mp (6r I- y:;A I LIr a g I g I?1 1 r "C O a d; a i i:; r -- I S -- -- L s Z ~: -- D i:::: —: :~~:: T::X::::ii.;1:: 0:: i:::g0::? f f0 -~......i: ~ ~.I-..- '.:. ~.- -:i...:.::...... ~:...~ X...~.,e-. - Q -1: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. -_,9:,-.....-:.::jl;-_:: 1:~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~:cc i;:.;~rI::::: —A..-':. '.:i -, -! -:.'.:..-. I,.' ':,:~_; X ' l;;~1~ f4: ~~~.i; l '*+';itit'$4'42t_,>. r si I 4 vo 1 X*f l w~ ~; Att.f I; ~ i"-;jHeuH #X.s Ha;;S s v- as*,^~a- t,, n' ~; e~ AS? >-~- ~ i r- X G s | s~: i - ~ r—:;~-i,. '':` X.-: ~~:. f;i;-i:; '- As i Xt. - z t i - b d 4I ~"~ 1:i w~;! 1: - -1~~1 '' '~:~;.;i ~:-e ~,;t.i- ~~, r,.~:;:;b:::e; -r..;_; jri3 '~ ---;'~~ "; ~';-1" L 6~;.-s-:.;-~ - r~..1.::: I CHARLES H. COOK'S RESIDENCE ~~TI!;~- ~-i*:;;'~;:: 2~.i. i.. ~ rl, ,-....,1...;y ~::.,-~~ ~~-~:;r: ~:r, i".';'r a'r::r~I-.2l-..-~-i.,:i,p"T,Wal ;.. —"~ lil" i.-; -~-~`: C:I.P-:.J~. itpi: ~: u.~r "":; f~'; ----:~:~.'-.~;d:~i. a~:";~"- L":Ii -IT.I: tla —~-:,r:': ~: ~:1.;;;-i~i~j-~:::.:;,-;i:-:l~f_::':;:.c i:C;::-:';:i::-.;~,~: '::_::-:- I:--.i;t::':::::"-':; i-`c-:: —t~~: ~::::: — '-::~.:-.-. r~I:-'i'_.-:_,~:-r ll* _;.i:i:;:.::. —'-i-: 11~.::-:::::_::~I;:1:- ~-'"'-' ~~::~ ~:.-. ~.::, irr 'ir;z:il:::::-:.-; e.~ir--:~~.n-;.- j-::-;i~ -— ~I.:-::.lri.':-::i.:'-i~,'.:;-::~.::::::;:.: — I''-:-~~:i-:l'~;~i 1 Q-:-;~,~.;-:; ~(:. I;;:-:: -;~:,l;:si ~:::'.'1` ':I." -i,:::::.~,::'-i~:;:: ~;~;~i~c~:i,i.;c~~,;:::.-... II;:~~ —~;~,.~~-;-::"-~c-: i~ i::.~i-. ti; ~- ~::~ -.~:' ~-.vi:-::~:i, i ~.:LI -~ —, ~: ~' 2 I ~~~;~ I -— 4 - W:' * I A:ARD. Mn NTARllF M r.H No - - WW, eV I a %O I I P - - - I II I - — I'-.- - I j t:d 0::S 0; \:: Of: 0s':500'0:: ^ 0'l; 0-D i A XED:d g - PS. 9 20 ' ' t?:f by. 00 S in'. ' 0'Vf \ t:. A.:'S 0 0' fTte; D' 0 LS C: S;:fa; f S IT'.:: 0: \ \ A:: 0 Be:: S: S 0.:. _ 0 ' 0:?::::0:: 0 A.R:; 0 Aft:: 0 of f::000:D:: f S ED' A,::B: A, A:;:: \; * | t:::S:: A::;: A: ff:: Off: ':::; 0 ' A:.:; f: An: A., A I I I: ))' ~~'a A: C0 H-ISTORY OF M1'ICHIG;AN. ICHIGAN derives its name from the Indian words "-ittci, oSawgyegan," the neaning of which is the "Great Lake," or "Lake Country," a name peculiarly appropriate from the position it occupies; having Lake Superior for its northern boundary, Lakes Erie, St. Clair, and Huron on the east, andl Lake Michigan oln the west. The extent of its domains is 57,430 square miles. Previous to the year 1641, the territory now embraced within the limits of the State, was inhablited only by the red man, though Detroit, as far back as the year 1620, then an Indian Village, was the resort of the Frencll missionaries. In 1639, a plan for the establishing of missions in "New France" was formed; but as the French, in consequence of the hostility of the Mohawks, were excluded from the navigation of the waters of Lakes Ontario and Erie, their only avenue to the WTest was the Ottawa River, tlllhoulh whioll, in the year 1621, the first bark canoe, laden with French Jesuits, was paddled to the falls of St. Mary, which they reached after a navigation of seventeen days. Charles Raynibault, the first missionary to the tribes of Michigan, returned in tie year 1642 to Quebec in consequence of declining health. Thus, at this early period, the French advanced their missionary posts beyond the shores of Lake Huron, and to the outlet of Lake Superior. The first settlement commenced lby Europeans within the boundaries of Michigan, was the mission of St. Mary, which was established in the year 1668, by Allouez Claude Dablon, and Janies Marquette. In May, 1671, a Congress of French soldiers and chiefs from fourteen of the Indian tribes of the Northwest, -was convened at the Falls of St. Mary, called by Nicholas Perrott, al a-gent of the French government, at which time and place, a cross and cedar post, bearing upon a shield the French lilies, wats raised,the lands formally taken possession of by MI. de Lusson, and the savages were informed that they were under tie protection of the French King. The death of Marquette, on the 18th day of MIay, 1675, is thus recorded by Bancroft: "In sailing from Chicago to Mackinnac, he entered a little river in Michigan; erecting an altar, he said mass, after the lites of the Catholic church; then begging the men wvho conducted his canoe to leave him alone for half an hlour, — ' In the darklitig wood, Amid the eool andl silenc~e, he knelt dowTin And offered to the -Milltiost, soleni ti thanks And supptlications.' At the end of half all hour they went to seek hill, and hle was no more. The good missionary, discoverer of a world, had fallen asleep on the margin of the stream that bears his name. Near the mouth, the voyagers dug his grave in the sand." Michilimackinnack (now written Mackinac or Mackinaw) was one of the oldest forts erected. Its foundation was laid in the year 1671, by Father Marquette, who induced a party of Hurons to make a settlement at that place, as a nucleus fora future colony. At that period, no permanent settlement had been made at Detroit, as the French had a more direct and safer route to the upper lakes, from Montreal to Micllilimackiinac, throughh the Ottawa or Grand Rivers. The post of Detroit was regarded alike by the French and English, as a valuable point, and both nations were considering measures for its acquisitioll. A grand council was called, which convened at Montreal, and was composed of chiefs of the various tribes, from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, the CGovernor-General of Canada, and tie most prominent seinzeurs of the country. The council is described by French historians as the most numerous and imposing assemblage ever collectedl around ore council fire. In the rluontll of June, 1701, Mlons. Antoine de la MIotte Cadillac, under a commission fromt Louis NIV, left Montreal in company with a hundred men and a Jesuit missionary, with all the necessary means for the establishment of a colony, and reached Detroit in the month of July. Here, then, commences the history of Detroit, and with it the history of the Peninsula of MS~ichigan. How numerous anldd diversified are the inciidents compressed vwithin the period of its existence! No place in the United States presents such a series of events, interestincg in thenmselves, and permanently affecting, as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has changed, three different sovereignties have claimlea its allegiance, and since it hlas been held by the United States, its government has been thrice transferred; twice it has been besieged by the Indians, once captured in war, and olice burned to the girouncd. On the 13th of September, 1750, a battle occurred between the French under Gen. Montcalnl, and the British army -under Gen. Wolfe, Ore the banks of the St. Lawrence, resulting il tie defeat of the former, and the capitulation of Quebec on the 18th, to Gen. MClurray, who was successor to Gen. WVolfe, who fell in the engagemuent; and on the sth of Septeraber, 1760, the French surrendered to the crown of Engblaild, Detroit, lichiliniaclhiaac, and all other places within the government of Canada then remaining il the possession of France. This action was ratified by the "Treaty of Paris," February 10, 1763. In the year 1772 silver was discovered upon tile store of Lanke Huron, by a Russian ntanmledl Norburg. In 1773 a project +07as commenced for workling the copper riines of Ljake Superior, and a company was formed for that pnrpose ullnder a charter granted in England. The struggle for independence under the Armerican Revolution was enacted witlhout the bounds of Mllchigan. The people of Callada, within wi~hich Michligoaz was then included, were renoved from tile immediate causes of the itiar. The result of the Revolhtion wvas the recognition of our independence. By the "treaty of peace" made at Versailles il 1783, between Great Britain ard the United States, it was claimed that Miclhigan was within American bounds, but minor questions sprung up between the governmene 's, producing mutual dissatisfaction; and when Presidenlt Washinaton sent Baron Steuben to Quebec to make arrangements for the transfer of the NorthwesterI1 forts, he NTwas informed by Sir Frederick HIaldimalid that the surrenider of the I 1t -.__ (9 r.,F- -: I f, W:I. — r W nu - q 6 4 - i? I 12 HISTORY OF MI C H IGAN s. 12I forts would not take place at that time, and was refused passports to Niagara and Detroit. By an ordinance of the Congress of the United States, passer July 13tb, 1787, the whole of the territory of the United States lying northwest of the Ohio River though still occupied by the British, was organized as the "Northwest Territory," of which Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed Governor. The ordinance of 1787 provides that there shall be appointed, from time to time, by Congress, a Governor, a Secretary, and three Judges, who should be residents and freeholders within the territory. It further provides that the territory should be divided into not less than three nor more than five States, and that "there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes." Ill pursuance of the treaty of November 19th, 1794, Captain Porter, in the beginning of June 1796, with a detachment of American troops, took possession of Detroit, entered the fort, which the British had previously evcacuatedS and flungy to the breeze the first American flag that ever floated over the Peninsllla State. By an act of Conaress, approved M~ay 7th, 1800, the territory northwest of the Ohlio River wvas divided into twvo separate territories, and "all that part of the territory of the Ullited States llorthwest of the Onio River, wThichl lies to the westward of a line beginninga at the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and runlnimy thence to Fort Recovery, and th-ence north until it shall intersect the territorial lisle between tile United States and Canada," was constituted a separate territory, to be calledI tile "Indiana Territory," the seat of government of which wvas established at St. V~incellnes, Chillicotlle beingc the seat of government of the Northwest Territory. Of this Territory (Indiana), Gelleral William Henry Harrison was appointed Governor. By an act of Congyress, approved January 11th, 1805, it was provided, "thlat from and after the thirtieth day of Julne of that year, all that part of Inldiana Territory, which lies north of a line drawn east from the southerly bend, or extreme, of Lake Michigan, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, and east of a line drawn from the said southerly bend, through the mwiddle of,aid lake to its northern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, shall constitute a separate Territory, and be called Michigan. " The act further provides that the Territory shall have the same form of government as provided by the ordinance of 1787, that the Governor, Secretary and Judcges shall be appointed by the President of the United States, and that Detroit shall be the seat of government. I Gen. Hull crossed the Detroit River on the 19th day of July, and encamped at Sandwich, where the army remained in a state of inactivity for nearly a month, when, intimidated by the hostile manifestations of the Indians, and the report that a large British force wvouldl soon arrive at Mfalden, without having niade an attack, lie recrossed the river to Detroit, on the 9th of August, where lie remained until the 15th, the day of his inglorious surrender. A provisional government was established by tile Britislh, at Detroit, and a small force placed in the Fort. O1n the 10th of September, 1813, the victory of Conimodore Perry, in the Battle of Lake Erie, resulted il restoring- Michiranl to the Union, and on the 29th of the sillne i-nonth, Detroit was occupied by a detatcllhient of the army of Gen. Harrison. On October 9th, 1818, Col. Lewvis Cass, whllo had rendered essential service to the Territory, was appointed Governor of Michigan. Congress, in 1823, bly al act providing for the establishment of a Legyislative Coun,(.11, inv~ested the Territory with a mlore energetic alld compact goverllmellt. Tile Council was to conlsist of lille luenbers, to lie cappoeinted 1)5y the Presidellt of the Ullited States,!with the collsent of the Senaite, from eighteen candidates elected by the people of the Territory, They, with the Goverllor, were invested w~itll the same powNers whlich hadl leell granted by the ordinlallce of 1787 to the governms~ellt of the Northwest Territory. By that act the legislative power of the Governor and Judges was taken away, the term of 'aldicial officee wvas limited to fourl years, anld eligribility to office.e reqllired tile sable qualifications as the rigrht of suffrage. The first Legrislative CSouiicil of A~richigfanl converted oI1 the 7th of Julne, 1824, at Detroit. Ill 1831, Gen. Cass having been appointed Secretary of Wcar, lihe wats slleceeded bay Georg~e B. Porter in the gov ernmllent of thle Territory. During~ his admlillistrcation, Wisconsiu, whlich had before |been annexed to Mfichiganl, was erected into ma sep~arate Territory. Oil the 6tli of Jully, 183 1, Gov. Porter died, and w\as suceceeded by Stevells T. M~asonl. In the Spring of 183a5, a controversy arose ill regard to the boundary line between Michliganl and Ohio, and the righit to a valuable strip of lanld, to which both laid claiml; the former under the provisions of the ordlinancee of 1787, and the latter under a provision in their State Constitlltioll. Each party sent a mlilitary force to Ithe frontier, the one to sustainl, and the other to extend juristdiction over the territory ill dispuete. A hlighl state of excited public feelinog existed, but the most serious inconvenience sulffered by either party wvas the apprehension and temporary imlprisollllelt of a few, persons. By an act of Congress, passed Julle 15thl, 1836 the Conlstitultionl and State Governnment of WMichiganl weere accepted, and upon condition of accepting the boundary claimed by Ohio, she was admitted into the Unliol. These terms were exceedinlgl~y unsatisfactory to the people of Michliganl, who were imlpatielltly awaiting recognition as a State government, having elected their -State officers ini the mlontll of October of the previous year. A convelltioll held at Alln Arbor, on the 14thl cand 15thl of Decellbler. 1836, resolved to amcept the conditioll imposbd in the proposition of Collgress, at the same time protesting-agailist the right of Conlgress, lansder- the Coilstitution, to require this preliminlary assent as a condition of admiss ion into the Union. iBy act of Congress approved January 26l, 1837, Miclligall was declared "to be one of the United States, anld admitted into the Union on an equal footing w-ith the original States, il all respects i whatever." By al act of the Legislature, approved Alarell 16, 1847, the seat of government wEas removed froni Detioit to Lansing. The Constitution adopted by Michigan in 1835, and under which her existence as a State comlumenced, continued in f orce until Jan r iI i i i Ii I i I I I I i i I i I I II i i, I I i Ii I II i I Ii I i I I I t I i i I I I - lw i? On July 1, 1805, General William Hull, the newly appointed Governor, assumed the duties of his office at Detroit. Oln the 11th of June, previous, Detroit had been destroyed by fire. Like most of the frontier settlements, it had been compressed within a very small compass, —the streets scarcely exceeding the breadth of common alleys. Gen. Hull at once turned his attention to the subject, and laid out the town in its present shape, the arrangement of whi ch is attributed to Judge Wroodward, one of the pioneers of the Territorial Court. On the 18th of June, 1812, war was declared by Congress against Great Britain. Previous to, and in anticipation of the declaration of war, Gen. Hull, Governor of Michigan Territory, was appointed Corlmmander-in-Chief of all the forces of the Northwest. On the 9th of July, Gen. Hull received orders from the Secretary of War to proceed with his army and take possession of Matlden, (which was the keyto that portion of the British Province), if consistent with the safety of his posts. T~he garrison was weak, and seemed an easy conluest. Having arranged for the expedition, i L I 5_ II I I HISTORY OF MICHIGAN., 13 nary 1st, 1851, at which time tile Constitution reported by the Convention of 1850, and ratified by the people, at the general election in that year, went into effect, and continues to the present time as the Constitution of the State. The Legislature of 1873, by a Joint Resolution approved April 24th, provided for the appointment by the Governor, of a Commission, to consist of two persons from each Congressional District in the State, in all eighteen members, for the purpose of revising the Constitution, and reporting to the Legislature, at its next session, " such amendments, or such revision to the Constitution, as in their judgment may be necessary for the best interests of the State and 4-1c people." Of the ei;lhteen delegates, Ottawa County had one representative in the present Seliator Ferry, who took the place of Lyman G. Mason, of Muskegon, who resigned. The delegates performed their duty to the satisfaction of all parties. The Governor, from 1877 to 1881, was Chas. M. Croswell, who greatly reduced the public debt, and under whose administration the Capitol at Lanlsing awas completed. A great-riot centered at Jaclkson in 1877, but the promptness of the Governor speedily quelled it. In February, 1881, David H. Jerome was called to the gubernatorial chair, finding all departments of the government in good runnincg order, aind prosperity generally prevailing among all classes of the people. For a long time Aichlligan labored under a great drawback in the way of an official report on its lands, by the Surveyor General of Ohio, dated Nov. 30, 1815, relative to the bounty land of Michigan. On the 6th of May, 1812, Congress had passed an act granting among other lands, two million acres of the Territory of Michigan to the soldiers of thle war with Great Britain, but the surveyor reported that there were no lands in Michigan fit for cultivation, and Congress repealed the act, changing the grant of land to other States. The report we publish as a curiosity: Extract from a letter of the Surveyor General of Ohio to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, dated Chillicothe, November 30, 181 5, relative to the bounty land in Michigan, granted by act of May 6, 1812: DEPUTY SURVEYOR'S REPORT. Description of the military lands in Michigan. The country in the Indian boundary line, from the mouth of the great Auglaize River, and running thence for about fifty miles, is (with some few exceptions) low, wet land, with a very thick growth of under-brush, intermixed with some very bad marshes, but generally very heavily timbered beech, cottonwood, oak, etc.: thence continuing north, and extending from the Indian boundary eastward, the number and extent of the swamps increase, with the addition of nlubers of lakes, from twenty chains to two and three miles across. Many of the lakes have extensive marshes adjoining their margins, sometimes thickly covered with a species of pine called " tamarack," and other places covered with a coarse, high grass, and uniformly covered from six inches to three feet (and more at times) with water. The margins of these lakes are not the only places where swamps are found, for they are interspersed throughout the whole country, and filled with water, as above stated, and varying in extent. The intermediate space between these swamps and lakes. which is probably near one-half of the country, is with a few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land, on which scarcely any vegetation grows, except very small, scrubby oaks. In mnny places, that part which may be called dry land, is composed of little, short sand-hills, forming a kind of deep basins, the bottoms of many of which are composed of marshes similar to the above described. The streams are generally narrow, and very deep compared with their width, the shores and bottoms of which are (with a few exceptions) swampy beyond description; and it is with the utmost difficulty that a place call be found over which horses can be conveyed. A circumstance peculiar to that country is exhibited in malny of the marshes, by their being thinly covered with a sward of grass, by walking on which, evinced tile existence of water or a very thin mud immediately under their covering, which sinks from six to eighteen inches from the pressure of the foot at every step, and at the same time rising before and behind the persons passing over. The margins of many of the lakes and streams are in a similar situation, and in many places are literally afloat. On0 approaching the eastern part of thlle military lands, towards the private clainmls on the Itra its and Lake, the country does not contain so many swamps and lakes, but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the soil continues the same. Taking thle country altogether, so far as has been explored, and to all appearances, together witil the inforlmation received concerning the balance, is so bad that there would not be more than one acre out of one hllundred, if there would be out of one thousand, that would ill any case admit of cultivation." EDUCATIONAL. Thle ordinance of Congress, passed in 1787, providingt "for thle govern.ment of the Territory of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio," declared that "religion, mllorality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mallkind, schools and the imeans of education shall forever be encouraged." PRINIARY SCHOOLS. By terms of another ordinance of Congress, adopted in 1785, in regard to the disposal of lands in tile western territory. it was provided that Section No. 16, of every township should be reserved for the maintenalnce of public schools within such township. The Legislative Council of the Territory, in 1827, provided for the establishment of public schools in every township containing fifty inhabitants or householders. The first Constitution of the State, adopted in 1835, declares in its article "Education: " "Tlle Legislature shall encourage by all suitable means, the promotion of intellectual, scientifical, and agricultural improvement. The. proceeds of all land that lhave been or hereafter may be granted by the United States to this State, for the support of schools, which shall hereafter be sold or disposed of, shall be and remain a perpetual fund, the interest of which toaether with the rents of all such unsold lanllds shall be inviolably appropriated to the support of schools throughout the State." The same general provisions are retained in the present Constitution, adopted in 1850. The whole amount of primary school lands derived from the reserve ot the sixteenth section, and sold by the State, to the close of the fiscal year, 1880, as shown by the records of the State Land Office, is 650,864.5G-100 acres, leaving 370,751.21-100 acres unsold, with about 50,000 acres yet to be selected and placed at tile disposition of the State Land Office, on account of sales which had been made from sections numbered sixteen, previous to the enactment by Congress of the ordinance dedicating these lands to the primary school fund. During the years 1863-73 the amount of primary school interest apportioned to the several counties in the month of May in each year has ranged from forty-five to fifty cents for each child between the ages of five and twenty years. In 1864 the number of children 6 I I'll p I i I I I i ii i i I i I i I 1 1 i i I I - t I l i: I; X r OF 4 d: X:i ' 5t. - I I 14 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. was 272,607, and the amount apportioned at fifty cents for each child $136,362,00. In 1873 the numnber of children was 400,062, and the amounlt apportioned was $196,176.80, being forty-nine cents for each child between the ages of five and twenty years. In 1880 there were 0,352 districts, 13,949 teachers, 362,556 pupils, an expenditure of $3,109,915, value of school property $8,977,844. Since its admission into the Union, Michigan has expended for support of primary schools alone over $50,000,000. POPULATION. The population of Michigan, previous to its final relinquishmlent by Great Britain, and for a long period thereafter, was inconsiderable, and mostly restricted to the confines of the three principal settlements,-at Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac, and Detroit. The first enumeration after Michigan became a distinct Territory, was in 1810, five years after the erection of the Territory, at which time the number of inhabitants was 4,762. In the following ten years the population increased to 8,896, and the results of the subsequent enumeration are as follows: YEAR. POPULATION. YEAr. rPOPULATION. 1830............................ '31,639 1860........................... 749 113 1831. 87,278 1864......................... 87,278 186..03,745 1840........................ 12,267 1870................ 1.........18, 59 1850........................... 397,65 1 874........................... 33,031 1854........................... 509,37: 18 0.....................1,63..937 Excess of males at the last census, about 84,000; colored. 1',100; Indians, 7,249. VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY. The Constitution of the State (Article XIX., Sec. 13,) requires the Legislature to provide for an equalization by a State Board, in the year 1851, and every fifth year thereafter, of assessments on all taxable property, except that paying specific taxes. Previous to the year 1851, State taxation was upon the basis of equalization by the Boards of Supervisors of the several counties. The valuation as equalized for the various years, is as follows, I i i i i I I I i I i i i Ii i i i i i i i I I i i Ii i i i i i i i I I i i IIi i i I i iI I "JWesolved, That the President of this Convention tender to the Hon. Lewis Cass, the thanks of this Convention, representing the people of Michigan, for the handsome State seal presented by him to the forthcoming State." The Latin motto on the seal, Ai qcutris eniniisulam a cennam circoumsjice, ---"If you wish to see a beautiful peninsula, look around you," was doubtless suggested by the inscription upon a tablet in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, to the memory of Sir Christopher Wren, its renowned architect, s'i qcrr'is ntonumenetum anceumnum circumns)ice,-"If you wish to see a beautiful imonument, look round you," referring to the great master-piece of architecture, by him designed, as the most fitting tribute to his memory. THE GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. UNDER FRENCHI DOMINION, 1622 —1763. Samuel Champain..........1622-1635 Al. de Mont m agny.......... 163( -147 IM. de Aillebout............. 1648-16 50 M. de Iauson...............1651-1656 M. de Lauson (son)......... 1656 —1657 3M. de Aillebout................ 1657-1 58 3M. de Argenson............16is-1660 Baron de Avangoul.........1661-166 M. de esey................663-1665 M3. de Courcelles........... 1665-1672 Count de Frontenace........ 1672.-168 S Al. dle la Barre.............. 1682-1685 M. d-, Nonville..............16Q5-1689 Count de Frontenae........1689-1698 M.: de Callieres.............. 1699-1703 M. (e Vaudru...............1703-1725 M. de Beauhartnois......... 1726-1747 M. de Ga'is:;nier.......... 1747-1749 M. de laJonquiere..........749-1752 AM. de Quesne............... 1752-1755 TM. de Viaudreuil deI Cavagac................. 15-173 UNDER BRITISH DOM3INION, 1763 —1796. James lMurray..............1i 763, -17(;7 I Henry Hiamilton........... 1785-17,8 Guy Carleton...............1768-1777 I Lord Dorchester......... 178(-179(; F ederiek HEalldirmand..... 1777-1785 I TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS. NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Arthur St. Clair....................................................... 17 6- 1800 INDIANA TERRITORY. William Henry Harrison................................... 1800-1805 MICHIGAN TERRITORY. William Hull................ 18055-18!3 George B Po rter......... 1831-1834 Lewis Cass.............1813-183l Stevtens T. M;ison,ex offlcio 1834-1835 GOVERNORS OF STATE OF MICHIGAN. i Jr I,E PI YEAR. VALUATION. 1838....................$ 42.953 495.61 1840................. 37,8 3,024.13 1845.................... 28,92( 2,097.5.) 1850.................... 29,38 1,270.66 1831......... 30,976,270,. I 8 1853.................... 120.36 2.4 74,.35 YEAR. VVALUATION 1856....................$137,663,009 00 O $137,663,009 00 1861................... 172,055,808.89 1866.................... 307,965,81:2.92 1871.................... 630,000,000 00 1876.................... 63)3,000,000.00 18i1.................... 810,000,000.00 THE E STATE SEAL. The Great Seal of the State of Michigan was presented by Hon. Lewis Cass to the Convention which framed the first Constitution foAithe State, in session at the city of Detroit, on the 2d day of June, 1825, and on the 22d day of the same month, the Convention adopted the following resolution. offered by the Hon. Ross Wilkins: Stevo ens T. Malson...........1835-1840 William Woodbridge........8 O-ll41 J. V right Gordon (acting).. 1841-1842 John S. Barry................18 3-1845 Alpheus Felh............... 1816-1847 William L. Greenly (acting). 1847-18-17 Epaphroditus Ransom......1848 1849 John S. B lrry............... 180-1851 Rvbert MeClelland..........185 -1853 Andrew Parsons (aetirg)...1853-1854 Kinisley S. Bingham.........1 85.5-185 Moses Wisner................ 1859-1860 Austin Blair.................. 186 -1 864 I-Henry H. Crapo.............. 1865-1868 Henry P. Balldwin.............189-1872 John J. Bagiey...............1873-1877 Chias. aM.Croswell...........1 l77-18S 1 David H. Jerome...........1881. J~C — k: 3 — 1 ~:,1 * 0:._____.__.I -- - "I g - _____ ___ I f I I All. HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - It is a pleasant and cheerful task to write the history of rapid and continuous progress in the past, of prosperity in the present, and to predict with confidence a brilliant future. Such is the nature of the task assigned to the historian of Muskegon. Favored by nature with a great lake to the west, the second greatest fresh water sheet on the globe, with a coast line indented with the best harbors on the lake, with inland lakes communicating with the great lake at the termini of great rivers, extending for hundreds of miles inland, and bearing on their bosoms the boundless. wealth of the best pineries in the world, with excellent railway communication reaching out to every part of her domail), with her harbors white i with the winged messengers of commerce, with increasing means of utilizing the waste and refuse materials of the saw mills, with the certainty of discovering in salt a new and important source of revenue, with her salubrious climate, with her growing and important fruit interests, and above all, with the aid of her energetic and enterprising citizens, backed, as they are, by ample capital, Muskegon is destined to become one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest, of the counties of Michigan. Muskegon County is situated on the east shore of Lake Michigan, in the very heart of the famous " fruit belt" of AMichigan, and is bounded on the north by Oceana County, on the northeast by Newaygo County, on the east by Kent County, and on the south by Ottawa County. It is of irregular shape, as several towns extend far to the east into Kent County. On the west the boundary is Lake Michigan. The townships are, commencing on the northwest and going east, in the first tier: White River, Montague and Whitehall (forming thirty-six sections), Blue Lake and Holton. In the second tier are Fruitland in the west, and then Dalton and Cedar Creek. In the third tier are Laketon, on the north and west of Muskegon Lake, with a small township, Lakeside, of three sections at the southwest corner of the same lake; then Muskegon, then Egelston, Moorland and Casnovia extending far to the east. The fourth or last tier is Norton ill the west, then Fruitport and then Ravenna. That is, five townships in the northern tier, three in the next, six in the next and three in the southernmost tier-in all seventeen townships. Then there is in Muskegon Township a great city-Muskegon,-the villages of Whitehall and Montague are in the townships of the same name, and Fruitport in the extreme south, at the head of Spring Lake. The county has a breadth from north to south of twenty-four miles, and an extreme length from east to west-from Laketon to Casnovia,-of thirty miles. White River Township is a mere gore of two or three sections wide and six miles long, forming about two-fifths of a regular Congressional township. Montague and Whitehall together form a full town, of which the former constitutes about two-thirds. They were originally known as Oceana Township. The incorporated village of Whitehall is at the head of White Lake, and across the lake, to the north, is Montague village. Fruitland is somewhat irregular, on the west, as is also Laketon, Norton and Muskegon. Fruitport [is the largest town, being nine miles wide from east to west, and containing fifty-four square miles. The other towns are regular squares of 6x6 miles, containing 36 sections. These are Blue Lake, Holton, Cedar Creek, Egelston, Moorland, Casnovia and Ravenna. Muskegon City was taken from Muskegon Township, and lies on the southeast corner of Muskegon Lake. It is a stirring, active, progressive city, the greatest lumber manufacturing city in the world, and. contains within its limits half the population of the county. It has the county seat, and is in every way the emporium of the surrounding townships. We shall endeavor to do full justice to this wonderful city. Whitehall and Montague are the next places of importance, are great lumbering regions, and, of late years, are thriving wonderfully. Whitehall had her great fire in July 1881, and is just recovering from it, and Montague had hers a few years before. Both are now being built chiefly of brick, as far as the business streete are concerned. North Muskegon, just across the lake from the City, is fast rising in importance as a lumbnter manufacturing place, and will receive due recognition in these pages. Holton Village and Fruitport are the only other places of importance, the other villages and hamlets being small post stations. RAILWAYS. The county is well served with railways, which are all under one management as the Chicago & West Michigan Railway, which with its branches, is already 400 miles in length. We are enabled to give a full history of the rise of this railway, which is under admirable management, and is highly prosperous. It runs across the west side of the county, about six miles from the west coast, from Grand Haven through Norton, Muskegon, Dalton, Northeast Fruitland, Whitehall and Montague, and thence north to Pentwater. Its stations are Mona Lake, Muskegon, Big Rapids i Junction, Dalton, Cailiff's, Whitehall and Montague. Four miles north of Muskegon City there is the Big Rapids branch of the C. & W. M., crossing Dalton Township, with Twin Lake station in the northeast, thence through Holton village and on to Big Rapids. On the extreme east of the county the Newaygo Railway from iGrand Rapids enters Casnovia, and its principal station, Trent, serves the people of East Musisegon with railway accommodatiors. There is scarcely a portion of the county which is more than six miles from some railway, and the roads being chiefly sandy are soon in condition to travel after a rain. There is, however, pressing need of a better wagon road from Ravenna and Casnovia to Muskegon City, which would be a mutual benefit to the residents of these towns and of the city. There is also a short line of railway to Bluffton from Muskegon, i and the railway already runs to North Muskegon, and it is proposed to run it down to the mouth of the lake, so as to have a complete circle of railway around the beautiful and busy Muskegon Lake. I - l - 1 L L I e. ~ - - I i.tso< -:- _ - - 16 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. THE C. & W. M. RAILWAY. The history of the railroads of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties is but another evidence of the tendency of the age towards the consolidation of smaller concerns into a huge and powerful consolidated company-the Moses' rod plan of swallowing up the weaker. We are indebted for nmany of the following particulars to Mr. F. A. Nims, of Muskegon, who aided in bringing about the present combination of clashing interests, uniting them into one harmonious whole, more profitable to the stockholders and affording the people better service. The year 1868 saw the first railway ill operation, the Muskegon & Ferrysburg, a distance of about fifteen miles; with L. G. Mason, President; F. A. Nims, Secretary and Attorney, and Major Davis, S. R. Sanford, A. Rodgers and others, as Directors. In 1869 the Muskegon & Ferrysburg road consolidated with the road fronm Grand Haven to Allegan, under the name of the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, with the late Plansom Gardner, of Kalamazoo, as President; A. J. Kellogg, of Allegan, as Secretary and Treasurer, and George Goss, of Allegan, as Superintendent. The firm of Goss, Warner & Co. had built the Allegan portion, and W. F. Thompson, of Detroit, the road from Ferrysburg, which were subsequently sold under foreclosure of mortgage, being bid in by the bondholders, and reorganized as the Grand Haven Railroad, the original stockholders getting nothing. James W. Converse, of Boston, became President; C. C. Converse, Secretary, and Fred H. May, Manager. In 1881 the control of the stock passed into the hands of those interested in the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, and the Grand Haven and other lines were consolidated with the Chlicago & West Michigan. The four consolidated companies are now known as the Chcago & West Michigan Railway Company, which includes the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Company and others, the only change of name being the use of "railway" instead of "railroad." The four consolidated companies are: 1. The old Chicago & West Michigan Railroad; 2. Grand Haven Railroad; 3. Grand Rapids, Newaygo & Lake Shore; 4. Indiana & Michigan Railroad. The officers for 1881 were Nathaniel Thayer, Jr., of Boston. President; Charles Meiriam, of Boston, Secretary and Treasurer; G. C. Kimball, of Grand Rapids, General Manager, and F. A. Nims, 'of Muskegon, Attorney. It has now four hundred miles built and in operation, and one hundred miles building. The organization extends from Manistee in the north, to Battle Creek in the southeast, and to Lacrosse, Indiana, inll the south. The Chicago & West Michigan Railroad originated in a company formed to build from New Buffalo to St. Joseph. Inl April, 1869, an organization on paper was formed, with Hon. A. H. Morrison, of St. Joseph, as the leading spirit. In Junle, 1869, the Lake Shore Railroad of West Michigan was formed to build a road from St. Joseph to Muskegon, and in the followillng month both companies consolidated, and took the name of the first company. Tile officers were virtually the same, and both were organized by Mr. Morrison, and he built the road from New Buffalo to Nunica. Prior to this a company had been formed in Grand Rapids in February, 1869, called the Grand Rapids & Lake Shore Railroad, to run from Grand Rapids to Pentwater by way of Muskegon. Inl August, 1870, this company was consolidated with the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, taking the name of the latter, and during 1870 Martin L. Sweet, of Grand Rapids, built the road from Nunica to Mhontague. In 1870 another corporation named the Grand Rapids & Holland Railroad was projected, with F. Godfrey, of Grand Rapids, as President, and also Geo. H. White as one of the promoters. The road was built in 1870. At this time James F. Joy was President of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, and was advancing money in his official capacity as president to build these lines as feeders to his own line. In 1871 still another line was projected as the Montague, Pentwater & Manistee Railroad, with Samuel A. Brown, of Pentwater, as President; and this road was built by Thompson, Smith & Co., of Detroit, under a contract from Joy as president of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad. In the fall of 1871 the Montague, Pentwater & TManistee Railroad was completed, and, along with the Grand Rapids & Holland line, was consolidated with the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad. In December, 1871, there was organized in Muskegon a line to run from Muskegon to Big Rapids, known as the Muskegon & Big Rapids Railroad Company, which line is now the Big Rapids branch of the Chicago & West Michigan, with L. G. Mason President; A. Rodgers, Treasurer, and F. A. Nims, Secretary and Attorney. This road was built in the fall and winter of 1872, by Thompson, Smith & Co., of Detroit, under a contract with Joy similar to the other contracts for building the lines. Prior to the completion of the road it was consolidated with Joy's roads. For the construction of these roads and branches mortgages had been given, and on November 11th, 1876, a bill was filed in the United States Court to foreclose these, and Geo. C. Kimball, of Grand Rapids, was appointed Receiver for the entire property, he having acted for two years previous as General Manager. At the sale of these roads they were bid in for the bondholders by Charles Francis Adams, Jr., of Boston, Who reorganized them and named the consolidation the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Company. The Grand Rapids, Newaygo & Lake Shore Company was organized to build a road from Grand Rapids to Manistee. The road was built to White Cloud by Chester Warner & Co. James W. Converse, of Boston, and his friends, took the bonds, furnished the money and obtained control of the stock. Early in 1881 he parted with the control of this stock and that of the Grand Haven Railroad to the leading stockholders of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, passing over at the same time the control of the Muskegon Lake Railroad, which had been organized to build a road from Muskegon City to Pt. Sherman at the mouth of Muskegon Lake. In the summer of 1881 the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, in order to get more extended connections to the south, southeast, and southwest, organized a corporation known as the Indiana & Michigan Railroad, which is in course of rapid construction to Lacrosse, Indiana, the junction of the Panhandle system of railways with the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago REailroad. The road crosses the Michigan Central, Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Baltimore & Ohio, Grand Trunk, Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago, New York, Chicago and St. Louis, and other lines. To realize the importance of the line it is sufficient to state that in thirty-five miles it crosses no less than ten trunk lines. It will be opened to Laporte, Indiana, early in 1882, and finished in the spring of the same year. The Chicago & West Michigan Railway also lease the White River Railroad, extending already twelve miles into the pineries from White Cloud, and which will probably cross the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway to the North. The Chicago & West Michigan is now in a highly prosperous condition under its present wise and vigorous management, its stock having pulled up from fifteen cents on the dollar as high as ninety-five cents, and at this present writing standing at eighty-five cents. Late in 1881 the company removed the rails of the old Lake Shore line, from Holland City through Blendon, Ottawa, Robinson tl - E) ---------- * ---- --- _ - r - I -1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 17 I f: F I I E and Spoonville Stations, and have, in fact, discontinued the line from Holland via Nunica to Fruitport, and have built a short branch a little above Ferrysburg to a point about a mile north of Fruitport, which enables them to run their freight in and out of Muskegon City more easily. HYDROGRAPHICAL. It is impossible to conceive of a county more blessed with water in its various forms than Muskegon. First, it has on its western side a coast line of about thirty miles exposed to the modifying influences of the great lake, the prevailing winds being from the west. The presence of so mighty a body of water-next to the largest sheet of fresh water on the Globe-and that on the windward side, cannot fail to have a marked influence for good, in moderating the temperature of the atmosphere, in ameliorating the character of the soil, and increasing the land surface by reason of its currents, raising up those immense sand dunes towering along its coast line, blockading the mouths of rivers, and forming beautiful little lakes, such as Black Lake in Norton, Muskegon Lake, Duck Lake and White Lake, on all of which the busy hum and whirr of the saw mill are heard. No one can overestimate the importance to Muskegon County, of its position on the great lake; apart altogether from the advantages to climate, soil, and small lake formations, is that of commerce. Her great staple is lumber, and as this is a heavy freight, there is no means of carriage as cheap as water, and with such harbors as Port Sherman and White Lake, the lumber is right on the highway of commerce, which is open and free to all nearly all the year round, and keeps down the railway rates which have to compete with water. Muskegon harbor at Port Sherman never freezes over, so rapid is the current. Then in its rivers Muskegon possesses a priceless heritage, which has made it what it is to-day, and will continue to be, the greatest factor in its prosperity. Muskegon River is the longest and largest river in the State of Michigan, which after draining a broad valley far in the interior, expands into a handsome lake close upon the shores of Lake Michigan. No natural position could be more favorable for the handling of logs and the shipment of the sawed product. MUSKEGON RIVER extends its branches to the central high plateau, and is fed by Higgins and Houghton lakes. The mouth of the Muskegon is a short distance south of the first correction line. This river and the Grand River are not navigable to any extent, but their mouths are sufficiently wide for a few miles to afford harbors for vessels of medium size. The water power of these rivers is ample, and the branches flow through timbered lands, which is of vital importance to the lumber interest as mediums for the transportation of felled timber from otherwise almost inaccessible parts of the interior to ports or railroad stations. Without these rivers the greater portion of our timber would be almost worthless to its owners. Their importance can be fully appreciated only by those who have seen the lumberman at work. In the fall of the year hundreds of axmen and teamsters, with their horses and yokes of oxen, penetrate seventy or eighty miles into forest desolation, scarcely cutting a rough, narrow road, which seems impassable for man or beast; yet, by means of which, during their stay in the winter, the necessary supplies are 'conveyed. Arrived at the places with valuable timber, huts are erected, temporary stables for the animals arranged,and work begins. Tree after tree sinks to the ground under the pitiless strokes of their axes. The valuable parts of the trunks are cut into logs of proper length, and drawn on sleds to the nearest creek, where they are piled up until, in springtime by the melting of the snows, the creeks are swollen into im petuous streams, which are kept back or hemmed in by dams. After the water has risen sufficiently, the braces holding back the logs are removed, when with terrible speed, smashing everything in their way, they dash into the muddy pond. The gates are then opened, and swiftly glide the logs along with the rapid current, accompanied by a crew of men, who remove all obstacles, walking with surprising dexterity to and fro over the floating logs. Finally they reach the mouth of the rivers, which expand into lake-like basins. It often occurs that a river-bed for many miles up its course is jammed with logs, representing several square miles offorest, an interesting and curious sight. There are the mills, erected only a few years since, surrounded by acres of sawdust and other refuse, witnessing to the stupendous work performed. On entering, what a humming, buzzing from all sides! -a gigantic bee-hive. Hundreds of persons at work in admirable order, making use of the irresistible steam power, in the most diversified way, without a minute's loss of time-engine and men working in unison. A log five feet in diameter floats towards the mill; a moment more, and fastened to a chain, it moves up the slideway, goes straight under the saws, and in another minute is converted into boards, which without delay are passed under the edging machine and are ready for the market. Meanwhile, before a car is ready to receive them at the lumber pile, all the edging slabs are transformed into pickets or lath with the regularity of clockwork. These sights make an impression on the thoughtful spectator which is more than simple admiration; he feels overpowered by the wonders which man is capable of performing by perseverance and energy, coupled with an intelligent use of the forces of nature. To the first settlers of the country the heavy forests were generally an impediment, as with great labor the trees had to be cut down and burned, simply to get them out of the way. This system of destruction, a necessity at first, has been continued down to the present, so that there is some necessity for measures to preserve the forests from wholesale destruction. WHITE RIVER is next in size and importance, and is also a good stream for water power and for logging and lumbering purposes. It is the only other river in the county besides the Muskegon that is managed by a booming company, of whose operations we shall speak hereafter. White River takes its rise in Newaygo County, draining its western portion, passing Hesperia, and thence across Oceana County, where it receives several new branches, and drains the southeast of that county, thence it crosses the northern portion of Muskegon County, draining Blue Lake, Whitehall, Montague and White River townships, besides portions of other townships. CEDAR CREEK is also an important lumbering stream, and runs parallel to Muskegon River within about a mile of it for nearly fifteenll miles. It empties into Muskegon Lake. Then there are Duck Lake and Duck River, in the west of Fruitland, early a great lumbering point for Charles Mears; Black Lake and Black Creek, in Norton, where the Ferrys have a sawmill; Crockery Creek drains Ravenna, Casnovia, and part of Moorland. Besides all these streams, there is an innumerable number of smaller brooks which, like that sung of by Tennyson, "go on forever," forever fertilizing wherever they touch. Then there is no end of small lakes in the interior, especially in Blue Lake, Holton, Cedar Creek, Egelston and Moorland. All this makes Muskegon a land of lakes and rivers, and as it was a land heavily timbered, its waters in the past have played no insignificant part, and in the future the husbandman and stock raiser will find them a necessary element of success. In Muskegon there is truly " the voice of many waters." 7:: - - k ~- * A i l I L___ ___ ____ __I ____ ___ ____ ___ l__ 18 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY I~ SOIL. Prof. Rominger, the State Geologist, in speaking of the formation of the soil, says: The soil covering the Lower and also the greater part of the Upper Peninsula is most generally formed of drift or else of alluvial material; that is to say, it is composed of more or less finely comminuted and triturated fragmental rock masses, and of larger blocks, of the most various formations, transported there from the north by moving glaciers and floating icebergs, or washed to the spot by currents of water, as according to all evidences the entire country under consideration has been deeply submerged at a time subsequent to the glacier period. This loose material covers the surface of the Lower Peninsula almost universally, often amounting to a thickness of 200 and 300 feet; it has likewise in the Upper Peninsula a large surface extent. The drift soil is pre-eminently adapted to the growth of plants; its composition of a great variety of mineral substances furnishes an inexhaustible supply of the various mineral constituents necessary for vegetable life. We find sometimes limited areas covered with a light, rather sterile, sandy drift soil; in other places a heavy but quite fertile clay soil occurs, but in most instances the drift soil in Michigan is composed of a mixture of clay with sand and gravel, which combines all the properties requisite for the production of a rich vegetation. It is easily tilled, sufficiently retentive of moisture in dry times, and porous enough in wet seasons to prevent the drowning of crops. TRANSFORMATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES. The southern portion of the Lower Peninsula, 40 or 50 years ago an unbroken, desolate, forest land, is now transformed into a mosaic work of carefully cultivated farms interspersed with hundreds of opulent cities and villages; the land has become very valuable and immigrants generally seek for cheaper homes than they can find there. The northern half of the Lower Peninsula is not inferior in fertility to the southern; it is only thinly populated and much of the land is in its primitive forest condition. These forests are the great stores of 'pine timber, which is exported from Michigan to all parts of the United States. The value of this timber has hitherto attracted the attention of wealthy, enterprising capitalists to these lands, which by their peninsular position are somewhat aside from the great highways of immigrants to the west, and few of them have stopped there to look for a home, as the access to these districts was formerly rather difficult, and moreover their reputation as being pine lands was, in the eyes of the agriculturist, a poor recommendation, for pine is generally believed to grow only on a sterile sandy soil, which is true with exclusively pine forests, but the e occupy only a small part of the district, and the most valuable pine grows scattered through the hardwood lands, which form much the larger proportion of the forests and are a sure indication of a good quality of soil. OPENINGS FOR THE ENTERPRISING. Large tracts of this better class of land from which the pine trees have been cut, but on which the hardwood is left untouched, or of fertile lands cleared of their timber, lie idle and can be bought at reasonably low prices from their present owners; there is also some governmlent land to be had yet at the original price of $1.25 per acre, and thousands of farmers could enter into these lands, and lay the foundations of a home at very little expense in money." In another part of this wcrk we have given the method of treating the sand soils, which has proved so successful in the case of Mr. Linderman, on his Cedar Creek farm. As in Ottawa, this question of how to manage sand soil, is also an important one in Muskegon. The soil of Muskegon varies from a light sand, to a sandy loam, and in many cases, especially in the interior, to a heavy clay. In Moorland, Egelston and other adjoining towns, there is much heavy liuck soil, which on being drained yields enormously. The following from Mr. S. B. Peck, a leading authority on all matters pertaining to the fruit interest, will be read with interest as showing that the large and increasing fruit business has grown from a very small beginning: "When I came to Muskegon in the fall of 1859 I could find but two persons who had sufficient faith in the soil even to plant a few potatoes in the garden. These were W. F. Wood and Rev. Mr. Gillet. Others said the soil was so light that a warranty deed would not hold it. Nevertheless as I had 60 acres of wild stumnp land (now in the city limits) which I had bought before coming here, upon which, as elsewhere, I saw growing thrifty oak grubs, I concluded the soil would grow potatoes. So I cleared up an acre, fenced it with rails, and domonstrated the fact that it wIould. grow potatoes and other garden vegetables but not in great profusion without manure. Seeing upon the map as well as from ocular demonstration the immediate presence of the greater and lesser lakes, Michigan and Muskegon, and knowing the ameliorating influence of such bodies of water, especially upon their leeward sides, I concluded this climate to be a favorable one for such tender fruits as the peach, apricot, &c. So in the spring of 1862 I planted my improved acre with peaches -and apples alternately. At the same time S. R. Sanford planted 1000 peach trees on what is now block 386 of the city. I should have mentioned that in the spring of 1861 F. Joslyn planted a small plat of peaches on elevated ground on the north side of Ryerson's creek, and a Mr. Sanderson a similar plat upon a similar site on the south side, both plats now in the first ward of the city. All these trees made good growth, and gave an impetus to the planting, as they seemed to demonstrate the fact that the peach was here at home. Mr. Sanford and myself however met with a setback some three years after the above planting, by some 150 being killed down to the roots in early spring on a sudden stiff breeze after a warm spell of some ten days. This occurred only in slight depressions in the surface. Our soil generally thaws from below in the spring and leaves no standing water; but that year it commenced on the surface and the water settled in these depressions, and froze around the crowns of the trees, while at an elevation of ten inches above this water the trees -went through safe. This taught us to avoid hollows in peach planting. All these trees made good growth, which induced me to put out more peaches, apples, plums, cherries, currants and grapes. Sanford also put out the same kinds, filling up what is now block 385. These fruits were all tolerably successful except apples, the fruit of which has always been mainly destroyed or mutilated by the larva~ of the codling moth. In consequence of these worms being always brought to our market with the country windfall fruit, ithas been impossible to war against them successfully. In February of 1875 all the peach and most of the other fruit trees were killed. Grapes escaped death below the snow line, but the crop for the following season was ruined. This general ruin occurred in all places of the city and township, but in more elevated aspects near the big lake, both north and south, where the winds from the lake had full sweep, either a part or all of their fruit trees escaped. These facts have taught the people of this lake shore to seek for their fruits, not the protection of hills and forests, or in fact any wind-breaks, but elevations with contiguous depressions, where the cold air in times of frost can drain off to lower land or I -r~ T -06 j -ASJ i: 7 7 E — A - II ----- 19' _I HISTORY OF MIUSKEGON COUNTY. 19 water. Grapes seem here to be more successful than tree fruits, and for that reason I have paid more attention to this fruit for the past five years than to any other. With the thirty-five varieties that I have tried, I am not fully satisfied, but have just obtained five more for next spring." J. P. Thompson, mlany years Secretary of the State Pomological Society of Michigan, says: "The fruit belt of Michigan is not an unknown and undiscovered country. There is a river in the ocean, ' and there is a fruit belt by the Lake Shore.' That the waters of the lakes have an influence upon the climate of the entire peninsula (Michigan) is not questioned. That the waters of Lake Michigan have a direct and lmodifying power upon the western shore of the State, is also undoubted and yearly demonstrated." In the report of the Department of Agriculture for 1869 we find it recorded, "The 'Michigan fruit region' popularly so called, is now known to extend the whole length of the eastern shore of Lake MichiganI." The Pomiological report gives the extent of this belt as 250 miles, including the portion of eleven counties bordering upon Lake Michigan. Peaches grow in all these counties and hence it is called the peach belt of Michigan.' Each of the ports in these counties has stealn vessels in communication with Chicago and the greatest distributing markets in the known world. A railroad also runs through all these counties, so that land and water carrying permeates the entire belt. The market facilities are good as well as the transportation facilities. This is the Michigan Lake Shore fruit belt. We are willing to acknowledge this, par excellence, as the fruit belt of the State. The seasons give the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, quinces and apples. E. P. Rae, prince of fruit-growers, in a late nulllmber of Sribnzer, says: "It is of vital importance that the fruit farm should be near good shipping, and that there be sufficient population in the immediate vicinity to furnish pickers inll abundance." Much more general evidence might be given to show the extent of the known fruit belt of Michigan. On the west, southwest and northwest, from wlhence are nearly all the winds we have,andl surely all the prevailing winds, lies the "ever open, ever free"' Lake Michigan, whose surface is never, even il the coldest weather, covered with ice, but free to yield its stored warmth "to temper the winds to the shorn lamb," and open to the crafts which ever dot its surface and crowd its ports. Subject to these modified winds, warmled in the winter and cooled in thle sunmmer by the lake influence to delicious breezes, MIuskegon and Ottawa lhave the fruit belt, and a healthful climate. Along the whole shore are elevations, hills among which "sweet vales in dream-like beauty hide," and among them to the earnest fruit grower 'love the air with music fills, and calm content and peace abide.' These elevations give, not only variety to the landscape, but atmospheric drainage, anl essential thling to successful fruit culture. Take your map and scan the entire coast. It is a vast islandless shore of a vast islandless lake, but cutting through the ranges of hills and highlands, that form the boundary of its waves on the oft-recurring streams where sweet, pure waters supply and form the great lake. Each of these streams meet at a north entrance to a small lake or Ibay, and around and upon these are the towns, the vineyards and the orchards of the fruit belt. Along the heads of these lakes and bays may be found the railroad connecting all these regions with the great market of Chicago as well as with the lumber districts of the nlorth and the inland cities of the south and east. While you have your map before yor, please notice the exact location of the city of Muskegon. Midway and in the centre of this noted fruit belt is the river and Lake Muskegon, dividing this land of Pomona in twain. Near the head of Muskegon Lake, a body of water two miles ill width and six miles in length, lies the city of Muskegon. Of this lake a writer, in the report of the Board of Agriculture, says: "There is probably no finer view of commerce and manufacture combined than is presented by this lake. At the head of this lake the Muskegon River discharges its waters drawn from Houghton Lake and hundreds of intervening lakes and streams, tributary to the river. Bearing upon its surface the millions of logs that are annually required in the great lumber manufactories of this city and go thence to build the cities and homes of thle Great Prairie WVest." From what has been shown it will be seen that Muskegon has a favored location in the midst of the famous "Fruit Belt" of Micligan. That she has market commiuications is also plainly to be seen. Connected 'by fast sailing steamers that daily cross Lake Michigan, she is next door to Chicago and Milwaukee, the great emporiums of the fruit trade which supply the very many cities, villages and towns of the vast country beyond them. Better still, express trains with all the facilities of steam brakes, refrigerator cars, etc., leaving at a late hour each evening, takle thle freshly picked fruit during the cool night time, and deliver it in the best condition upon the hungry Chicago market at the hour of opening business. Eastward, northward and southward, express and other trains carry the fruit to lumber camps, the inland cities, and where wanted, and there is sufficient competition to give it fair rates of freight. Its home market is excellent. A city of 16,000 inhabitants engaged largely in manufacturing and commerce, must be large consumers of the products of the soil. That this locality has the other requisites of a successful fruit growing location namedl by Mr. Rne, namely, help to pick the fruit, no one can for a moment questionl, who is acquainted with the city and its population. No difficulty has yet been experienced in getting plenty of help to pick all the fruit grown. The next question to consider is the character of the soil and the cost of land upon which ihe fruit is to be grown. Every variety of soil exists in the near vicinity. There are stiff clay, loams and sandy soil; hill and lowland, small beds of mlluck, some marl, some marsh for cranberries; broad, elevated plateaus for peaches; south hillsides for grapes, and any amount of natural strawberry and blackberry soil. All of which can be found upon the same farm, so that the flruit-grower can have a succession of fruits which by care and management can be put into the market every month in the year. The cost of fruit lands varies from $5 per acre to $15, for nuntilled land, depending upon location, nearness to city or to points of shipping, while cultivated farms can be purchased at from $15 to $050 per acre, according to buildings and improvements. Some of the most desirable locations might exceed even this figure. FRUIT. The first to go into fruit to any extent in the City of Muskegon was Samuel B. Peck and his son-in-law, S. R. Sanford, ex-sheriff of Ottawa County, about the year 1861. Mr. Peck has ever since continued to talke a great interest in fruit-growing, and is an authority on the subject. Mr. Cockburn, son-in-law of the late MIr. Moulton, had in 1881 charge of a large grapery between Muskegon and Bear lakes. He had ten acres in grapes, with wVlich he was very successful, and fairly successful with peaches. Mr. Peck was the man that directed Mr. Mloulton's attention to the spot as the best for his purposes. About 1866 or 1867, Mr. Moulton came from St. Joseph, where he had a fruit farm. MSr. Moulton's success has been uniform with the exception of the sulmmer of 1875, when his grapes were mostly killed to the shore line. He died in 1879, and his wife the year following. Mr. Peck, for the last few years, has devoted his attention to the testing of varieties of grapes on his place in the south part of I - I 1 i i 1 u a ii I I' 3 I II L 20 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. the city of Muskegon, consisting of twenty acres under cultivation, with two acres of grapes; he exhibited tell varieties at the American Pomological Society's exhibition at Boston in 1881, which were said to be the best specimens of the kind exhibited on that occasion. Mr. Peck is experimenting with thirty-five varieties. The Eumelon and the Roger's eight varieties are, in his opinion, the best adapted for the mnarket. He thinks that the white varieties, for which there is at present quite a rage, will not ultimately succeed, owing to a want of flavor. The red varieties are, he thinlis, the best' adapted to the general wants of the people as to flavor. The Isabella and Catawba will not ripen here. The lo0 K-,lont scarcely develops in this section unless special care is taken to prevent overbearing. The black varieties were the first cultivated and do well here. In MIoulton's grapery are chiefly Concord, with some Iona and Isabella and Ives' seedling, Hartford, Champion and others. The Iona grape is uncertain and difficult to raise, but it has the best flavor of any raised here. Unless a man is a good nurse he should not attempt to raise it. The Israelli, introduced by Dr. Grant at the same time as the Iona, is perfectly worthless, as it does not bear to any extent, We shall not, in this place, go into a minute account of the rise of the fruit interest. This wil be given under the history of each particular locality, and in the sketches of individuals who have helped to develop this interest. We might, however, here refer to C. N. MIerriman, of Duck Lake, in Fruitland, who has gone, for some years, very extensively into peaches and other fruits, in connection with Charles Mears, of Chicago. Mr. M'Serriman is very skillful and thorough, and consequently is meeting with success. Mr. A. T. Linderman is also a good authority on the fruit question, being ex-Secretary of the State Pomological Society. In Norton and Fruitport, especially oil Black Lake, fiuit is extensively cultivated. Ira Porter is said to have been the first to introduce fruit there. The names of the present growers will be found under the history of their respective towns. Charles H. Cook, in Montague, is a very successful peach raiser, and there are rising up in every township good orchards of peaches and other fruits, and strawberries, and small fruits are receiving their full share of attention. MUSKEGON SALT. THE MASON AND TRUESDELL WELLS. Ever since it was first demonstrated that salt could be produced in Michigan, and more especially since it has been so successfully produced ill the Saginaw district, the people of Muskegon have never entirely abandoned the idea that the production of salt could and should be added to the industries of their city. Efforts to find brine at Muskegoon have been rmade several times. About fifteen years ago the Truesdell well was put down to a considerable depth, and brine was obtained; the drilling tools got caught in the well, however, and it had to be abandoned. After that unfortunate and expensive experiment the salt question was dropped for several years, but not altogether. In January, 1872, the Mason Lumber Company concluded to 'lake another test by sinking a well near their mill. A number of mill owners ilntere3t-d ill the exsp rirznt subscribed a sum to help defray the expenses. In May, 1872, a contract was entered into with a well known firmn of well borers, and work was soon after commenlced. It progressed with various interruptions during the years 1872, 1873 and 1874, alLd before June of the latter year had reached a depth of twTo thousand feet; there " salt bearing rock" was found; the stratul l was fifty feet thick and yielded a flow of very strong brine. Hoping to discover another stratuni below it, the boring was continued to a depth of two thousand four hundred feet without success. In January. 1875, a test of the well with a salt pnump and pump tubing was made. The pump was placed 900 feet fromn the surface. It was found that there was not a sufficient flow of brine to supply it. At each stroke a vacuum would form in the pump camlllber and finally the engine was unable to move it. The contractor pronounced the well a failure. Not willing to give up all lope, the Mason Lumber Company lad the well sunk two hundred and twenty-six feet deeper without any more favorable result. They then abandoned it. The work had run along, with a number of accidents and delays, through three years, and $18,000 were expended; of this amount the MAason Lumber Company contributed two-thirds, the balance was raised by subscription. The well was bored to a depth of 2,627 feet. A large casing pipe extends down 225 feet to the rock, inside of which there is a string of fourteen feet of casing pipe four and five-eighths incches-in diameter. Nothingy further was done towards boring or looking for salt for some years. Seeing in the success of the Manistee well further encouragement, as it confirmed the theory that the salt deposit is to be found, not only ill the eastern part of the State, but 'also on the shores of Lake Michigan, a number of mill owners resolved to test the old Mason well again and more fully. A subscription was started and the following firms and individuals promised their aid: Ryerson, Hills & Co., L. G. Mason, Wf. S. Gerrish, C. H. Hackley & Co., A. V. -Mann & Co., Stimson, Fay & Co., F. S. Farr, Agent, Torrent & Arins Lumber Co., M. Wilson & Co., A. Rodgers & CO., Swan, White & Smith,, O. P. Pillsbury & Co., C. D. Nelson & Co., Walworth & Reed, S. C. Hall, McGraft & Montgomery, W. H. Bigelow & Co., Thayer Luinber Co., Chicago & WVest Michigan R. R. Co., R. J. Millen & Co. A. S. Montgonmery and MI. A. Ryerson were appointed a comiittee to conduct the test. A colptract was made with the firm of Marrs & Miller, of Chicago, to do the work, and they commenced on May 25th. Tle well had been standing so long unused that it was found to be in a poor condition to make as thorough a test as was to be desired. The casing pipe which extends some 1,400 feet, down had originally been allowed to "run away" and had "telescoped" in several places. This probably explains why the contractor originally did not place his pump valves lower than 900 feet. Experience at that timle had shown that pump valves ought to be placed as near the salt rock as possible. The pipe had also become rusty and the well was full of mud. After swaging out and cleanthe pipe and clearing the well, the pump at the end of a string of 1400 feet of three-ilich pipe was lowered. and the pipe packed at the lower extremity to shut out the fresh water from above. An effort to work the pump showed the flow of brine to be insufficient to supply it. It was considered that that state of things might be due to the coating of the well, so two "Roberts Torpedoes" were exploded, one two thousand and fifteen feet down, the other two thousand and thirty-five feet. The natural effect of this was to cave the well at those points and loosen the seams of the salt rock. In cleaning out the well after this operation it was left blocked up below two thousand and one-hundred feet, as no salt rock had been found lower than that. When the pump and pipe were again in place, it was found that the pump could be worked without difficulty. Until the well was cleaned out the brine was quite muddy, but after three hours steady pumpilg it became clear. The pump rall at 25 strokes per minute, yielded from 6 to 7 gallons of very strong brine. This result was deemed very satisfatory, for it was to be taken il consideration that the pump was six hundred and fifty feet above the bottom of the salt rock, and that illplace of new pumping rods, ordinary drilling poles were used. A L 1) | |-:;::I: ~::;~::::?:i; I -4 EJ I I - - - -- i - I Z- F I ,t a - - -. -.HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 21 Commencing July 30, the pumping was continued for seventytwo hours without any. change in the quantity or strength of the brine. The salinometer marked from 102 to 105 degrees, the apparent anomaly of brine over 100 degrees being due to the presence of foreign matters in the brine, and the difference of temperature. It was calculated that the Mason well, running as it did, with the pump valves six llundred and fifty feet from the bottoml of the salt rock and with drilling poles for pump rods, produced enough brine to make over seventy-five barrels of salt per twenty-four hours. All those familiar with salt wells who have seen the Mason well, express the opinion that its yield could be ver'y largely increased by lowering the pump and pump tubing to the salt rock, and using proper pump rods. But as that would require a considerable outlay in rimming out the well, and as the handling of so long a string of pump rod, and three-inch pipe without a heavier engine than the one furnished for the test, was deemed imprudent, it was resolved to suspend the test; for in the opinion of all the existence of brine in paying quantities at Muskegon was sufficiently demonstrated. The brine obtained was remarkably clear and made a very white salt without going through any settling process. Prof. Delafontaine, of Chicago, analyzed a sample with thle following result: In one gallon of brine he found 1 pound, 15 ounces and 2 grains of salt; 20 grains of gypsum; 9 ounces, 101 grains of chloride of calcium; 1 ounce, 11 grains bf chloride of magnesium; specific gravity, 1,215 at 65 degrees F. Unfortunatelv, until a new well is bored, there is no way of ascertaining the exact nature of the geological formation of the district around Muskegon, except from1 the old record of the boring of the Mason well, and it is difficult to determine how accurately it was kept. It is as follows: MASON WELL Surface, sand. clay. eti................................................ 225 feet. Gray limestone -and shale............................................. 400O Blue shale with loose streaks........................................ 775 Solid blue shale...........i.......................................... 150 " Solid red shale......................................................... 150 " Lime Rock with streaks of shale...................................... 300 Salt bearing rock with streaks of snand 1I to 4 feet thick.............50 Light colored lime rock and shal..................................... 50 " Dark colored lime rock............................................... 2,50,.Gypsum and lime in streaks 4 to 6; feet thick...................... 50 " Lim e............................................... 1 45 " Rapid and variouls changes ending in dark lime rock, loosex and porous................................................................. 82 " Total 2G627 feet. The salt idea just now is "' booming," and in a short time salt manufacture is destined to play no unimportant part in the development of Muskegon. The derrick of Ryerson, Hills & Co. is already finished, and the machinery is being made ready for boring, and so satisfied are this wealthy and enterprising firm of the certainty of getting salt, that they will not wait until they have struck the salt stratum, but assuming their success in that respect, they are proceeding with the erection of a fine salt block to manufacture the salt at once on its discovery. Mr. T. D. Stimson is likewise going on at once with his works on the property adjoining, and the old Mason well will be pumped and suitable works erected. The Mason Lumber Company deserve great credit for being the pioneers in testing the matter, by which all are being benefitted. Mr. John Torrent is about to bore in North Muskegon, and others will shortly follow. There is no place better adapted for successfully manufacturing salt than Muskegon, as it has in its sawdust and mill refuse all the fuel necessary to evaporate the brine, whereas in other places the fuel is the chief expense, and from five to ten acres of land are necessary with each well on which to store the wood. I Again, the means of transportation by land and water are unrivaled, and the position of the city is such that it commands the market of Chicago and the great Northwest. This summer will witness a great impetus to the prosperity of the city, if salt is produced of the quantity and quality that the capitalists interested so confidently anticipate. LUMBER INTERESTS OF MUSKEGON. ORIGIN OF THE BUSINESS AT MUSKEGON. Forty years ago the broad valley of the Muskegon River embracing' an area of several thousand square miles in extent was an almost unbroken forest. Its timber consisted largely of white pine, growing sometimes entirely by itself in dense groves and sometimes intermingled with other forest trees, such as the oak, beech, maple, hemlock, etc., but generally no inconsiderable portion of the forest was pine. There are several varieties of pine, all of which grow in the Muskegon valley, but the choicest variety known as the Cork pine grows in greater abundance in this locality than in any other, it is believed, in the United States. This vast forest, a storehouse of wealth, worth uncounted millions of dollars, did not begin to attract attention until about the year 1840. Some three lumber manufacturing companies had just commenced the manufacture of lumber upon Muskegon Lake, but upon a very small scale, cutting less than forty thousand feet altogether. The demand was small, and it had brought to the manufacturer but. poor return thus far. The great tide of emigration that had hitherto swept across the country from the east had been absorbed by Western New York, Ohio and Indiana, all of them large forest covered countries supplying the settler at his door with all varieties of lumber that he needed. And it was not until the tide had rolled beyond the boundaries of these states, out upon the treeless prairies of Illinois and Iowa that the pineries of Michigan began to bring back wealth to the manufacturer. There the settler must get his lumber from abroad and a demand soon sprung up for Michigan lumber that was constant and steadily increasing. No other state could furnish it either in quantity or quality with equal facility. Thus stimulated, the lumber interest of the Muskegon valley began to be developed. The number of saw mills during the next ten years had increased to six with a capacity for manufacturing about sixty thousand feet of lumber per day. The business had nearly doubled, keeping pace with the population of Illinois and Iowa, which had also nearly doubled in that time. During the ten years from 18.50 to 1860, the number of saw mills had increased to ten, with a capacity of more than four times that of the mills running in 1850, the aggregate capacity being about three hundred thousand feet per day, and manufacturing during the sawing season probably about four million feet of lumber. During the next ten years the lumber interests had vastly increased. EXTENT OF THE LUMBER INTEREST. In the year 1870 there was manufactured over two hundred million feet of lumber upon Muskegon Lake alone, there being at this time twenty-six mills in operation with capacities largely increased by improved machinery. In 1881 the production of lumber was three times that of 1870. EXTENT OF THE LOGGING INTEREST. The whole amount manufactured since has year by year increased until in the year 1879 it had reached the enormous amount of about four hundred and forty-two million feet upon Muskegon Lake alone, as shown by the actual delivery of logs by the Muskegon L V v I: A Ic — 4 -2 / "2 ALj i: HISTORY OF MUISKEGON COUNTY, 1Boomling Co. The actual cost of manufacturing and putting into market this immense amount of lumber fell but little, if any, short of three millions of dollars per year. Thus for forty years this stream of lumber has been flowing from the Muskegon valley, borne across Lake Michigan, and emptied into the lap of Chicago. At first a tiny stream, increasing year by year'until it has been a mighty flood whose magnitude it is not so easy to comprehend, and whose aggregate value during that time would reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. From Chicago, through the many arteries of commerce, it was distributed all over the country; but chiefly to the States of Iowa and Illinois, whose increase of population. bore almost an exact proportion to the increase in the manufacture of lumlber at Muskegon; the supply increasing with the demand. Such was the origin and progress of the lumber manufacture upon the Muskegon River; though imperfectly sketched, it will convey some idea of its magnitude and importance. LOGGING. Of course such results could not be accomplished except upon some thoroughly organized plan, and systematized application of the imlmense labor necessary to produce it. Accordingly you find in every department of these lumber operations, the most perfect system and method adhered to throughout. The logging operation forms a distinct business by itself. It consists of converting the tree into logs and placing them upon the roll-way ready for the river driver. The logger, after selecting his ground upon which lie proposes to log, builds what he calls the camp, at a place most convenient for his work. This consists of quite a little village of rude, though comfortable, one-story buildings, usually of logs. One of these buildings will be used for cooking and eatillg, another for sleeping, another for store house, another for a stable, another for blacksmith and carpenter shop. The calp being ready, the logger collects his crew, usually from fifty to one hundred men, gathers the necessary teamls, tools, furniture, etc., and proceeds to the scene of operations. As soon as the crew is organized, and the axmllen, the swampers, the skilders, loaders, (and haulers are assigned to their respective shares of the labor, the work begins, and the old patriarchs of the forest, sometimes two centuries old, begin to fall before the axes of the choppers with a crash that wakes the echoes from depths of the forest. As soon as the tree is felled and trimmed, the axmain leaves it for another. It then falls into the hands of the sawyers, who, with cross-cut saws, cut it into lengths convenient for sawing. The logs thus sawed are then taken by the skidders, snaked to the skidway, and skidded. In the meantime the swampers have been preparing roads, that being their part in the work. The haulers, with the assistance of the loaders, then take the logs from the skidwvay and load them upon bob-sleighs and haul them to the banking ground, a place on the bank of the river convenient for rolling them into the water. At this place the logger takes his leave of the saw logs. When the logs are all delivered here his job is done. All these various operations are done strictly in accordance with established rules, calculated to produce the greatest results possible with a given amount of labor. THE BOOMING CO.'S OPERATIONS. As soon as the weather will permit, in the spring the logs thus banked, having been scaled and marked, are put afloat in the river, and are then under the control of the Muskegon Booming Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State for the purpose of driving, rafting, booming, and delivering logs. Early in the spring the Booming Company sends a large force of men under a competent foreman to the head-waters of the river and its tributaries for the purpose of driving the logs down the river. This requires most of the summer. When the logs begin to come down the river in the spring, the company sends a large number of men to the sorting grounds, located on the river at a point a little above where it empties into Lake Muskegon, whose duty it is to collect the logs of each owner, known by a certain mark on the end of the log. This is done by catching the logs as they float down through a narrow channel prepared for them, and pulling them by means of pike-poles into little pockets arranged along the margin of the channel, having an1 opening into the channel. Each pocket receives a particular mark, and when there is a eertain number of logs thus collected bearing the same mark, they are dogged and chained and then shoved out into another channel, to be floated by the current to the coupling grounds, where they are received by another gang of men, who couple together all chains belonging to the same owner in a large raft. These rafts are then towed by tug boats belonging to the company to the mill where they are to manufactured, and deposited in the mill boom. At this place the Boom Company takes its leave of the logs. The Boom Company expends annually over two hundred thousand dollars in carrying on their part of the work. The conduct and management of the business of the company is left to the president and secretary. THE CUTTING PROCESS. The next branch of the business consists of sawing the logs into lumber. At one side there is a slide made of timbers passing from the mill down into the water of the mill boom, running down the center of this slide is an endless chain, worked by the machinery of the mill, to which grub hooks are attached. When a log is wanted in the mill it is floated up with the end to the foot of the slide. The chain is started, the first hook that comes along hitches itself to the log, and it passes up into the mill as though its weight had been annihilated, and is left convenient for rolling upon the carriage. with cant-hook and " nigger' it is soon in position for the saw to do its work. In a very few minutes the log is. among the things that have passed awaly, and the lumher it has produced is being wheeled out upon the dock to a place convenient for shipping to market. THE TIMBER SUPPLY. Notwithstanding thl immense quantity of pine taken from the Muskegon valley, it will not be exhausted for many years to come, and will probably outlast any locality in the United States. There are also large amounts of other kinds of lumber, such as hemlock, cedar, oak, maple, ash, etc., that will find a market and be manufactured as soon as pine becomes scarce. Indeed, it can be said with truth, that the lumber business has but little more than fairlygot beyond. the commencement in the Muskegon valley, and the amount annually manufactured will be iundiminished for a long time. There is probably no man living to-day, that will see the end of the lumber business in the valley of the Muskegon, and any predictions of its speedy failure are made without a full and careful investigation of the immense resources still left to keep up the business. When tracts of pine are too far distant from the river to be hauled with teams, railroads are constructed from the river to them; thus practically largely extending the area and lumber resources of the valley, and leaving the question of the possibility of exhaustion so far ill the future as to be without any significance at this time. DOES IT PAY? -I There is, perhaps, no business that has hitherto more uniformly paid, than the lumber business. Where there has been energy, industry and perseverance, success has almost invariably followed. And the history of lumbermen upon this liver will demonstrate this fact, very few have failed, a large majority have made good fortunes, and some have become millionaires. The per centage of failures will be found to be far less than in any other class of man _:::D I I:I-g I I V- i 1 X f: w I, -,; __ HIST.ORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 23 ufactures, and not one-tenth as great as in the mercantile business. The business, of course, has its ups and downs, its seasons of prosperity and depression, like all other occupations, but is much less affected. In the worst of times there is some gain, and in prosperous times fortunes of forty or fifty thousand dollars are sometimes made in a single year. It is sometimes said that the time for making money in the lumber business has passed, but such is not the case. The truth is that the opportunities are just as good now, and will be for a long time to come, as they ever have been. The demand for lumber must continue, the means of supply are not exhausted, and the effect of.any over-supply will, after a time, correct itself, and then the old profits will again return. Any combination of circumstances that affects the price of lumber unfavorably must, in the nature of things, be but temporary. The consumption of lumber is increasing rather than decreasing; the means of supply are not increasing but diminishing; the general tendency is, therefore, to an increase of price and scarcity of lumber. There is nothing that can take the place of pine lumber, hence this state of things must continue, the price becoming higher in proportion to the scarcity of the pine timber. The inducement to engage in the lumber business is, therefore, just as good now as it ever has been, and there will be just as many fortunes made in the future as there have been in the past. Admitting that Muskegon's prosperity is inseparably connected with the lumber business and she is still destined to be a large city. No man who thinks pretends that it is so inseparably connected. She has elements of greatness and guarantees of growth and prosperity in her facilities of land and water communicationj possessing the best harbor on Lake Michigan; in being the natural outlet and commercial center of a large portion of the western and northern part of the State, and also in being the best and only market for a country whose soil and climate is singularly well adapted to the production of all the finest variety of fruits that grow in any land, and no way inferior in the production of other agricultural products. In these she has her promise of future greatness. capacity of the other ones, the mill-men figured on the largest lumber crop in the history of the trade here, and at the outset of the season's operations everything was favorable to such calculations. Late in the season, however, the scarcity of labor and the strikes upset the calculations, and, consequently, instead of the mills cutting over 700,000,000 feet, the figures reached only 640,089,429 feet. There is no doubt but that the strike lost to th-e mills between 60,000,000 and 70,000,000 feet of lumber, and the short hours succeeding the strike a good deal more. Owing to the open winter the mills ran much longex than usual, but on the ten-hours system and in many instances short-handed. The cut for this year, notwithsranding the drawbacks, was the largest ever known, and yet larger stocks were carried over to the next season than ever before. For the past three years the amount of stock on hand at the close of operations was as follows: YEAR. LOGS, FEET. LUMBER, M. 1879........................................................ 115,000 000 75,000,000 88......................................................... 125,030,000 70.000,000 188......................................................... 225,000,000 98,070, 339 The logs held over in 1881, rafted and unrafted, were given by the booming company at 225,000,000 feet. The lumber cut by the mills in 1881, together with the cut for 1880, and also the manufacture of lath and lumber on hand at the close of the year is given below from figures furnished by the mill-men to the press: LUMBER FIRM. CUT 1881. CUT 1880. LATH. ON DOCK.;: LUMBER STATISTICS. We present in tabular form, from the most reliable sources, the statistics of the lumber traffic for the past nine years: Blodgett & Byrne (H. & W. m ill).......................... Blodgett & Byrne (Boom Company mill).............. Beidler Manufacturing Company.......................... Bigelow & Co................. C. D. Nelson & Co............ S. C. Hall...................... George E. Wood............... H tmilton, Gerrish & Co...... McGraft & Montgomery...... Tillotson & Blodgett.......... E. Eldred & Co................ Stimson, Fay & Co............ Swan, White & Smith......... W alworth & Reed............. Torrent & Ducey.............. Torrent & Arms............... Torrent & Brown.............. R. J. Millen & Co.............. Blodgett & Byrne.............. A. V. Mann & Co............... A. Rodgers & Co............. T. D. Stimson (Foss mill)..... C. H. Hackley & Co........... Thayer Lumber Company... Davies Bros................... Farr Lumber Company....... C. N. Storrs & Co............. North Muskegon Lumber Co. Ryerson, Hills & Co. (2 mills) M. Wilson & Co................ C. Beaudry & Co............... McCracken, Hovey & Co..... - 27,961,000 16,000,000 25,239,712 13,768,500 29,191,633 24,000,000 14,500.000 49,500,000 13,821,800 11,609.751 25,589,000 21.500.000 16,500,000 14,700,000 20,500,000 36.128,799 12.000,000 4,000,000 4.000,000 21,000,000 20,662,242 10 000 000 29;000,000 27,500,000 20,866,475 19,948,863 14,110,237 9 491,417 37,000.000 21,000,000 19,000,000 10,000,000 640,089,429 TOWN. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 26,000,000 16,000,000 23,000 000 15,000,000 26.000,000 13,000,000 17,177,000 43,600,000 11,720,820 13,200,000 2t,Of)0.000 18,000,000 19,000,000 12,000,000 47,000,000 7,000,000 23,372,127 10,000 00 12,500,000 31,000,000 33.000,000 16,000,000 25,000,000 12,000,000 42,000,000 17,252,00() 13,000.000 556,822,037 8,000,000 9,026,350 3,970,650 5,500,000 2.500,000 4.000.000 10,000,000 450,000 5,771,500 3,088,050 2,800,000 3,200.000 5 000.000 8,000,000 1,000,000 3,500,000 4.500.000 4,000,000 6,000,000......... 3,000,000 2,000,000 515,000 1,000,000 4,825,000 3,500 000 4,500.000 10,000.000 4,000,000 3,482.916 3,049,423 1,500,000 1,500,000 7,500,000....6'...6. 5,000,000 500,000 1,700.000 8,000,000 8.000.000 6,000,000 2,000,000 3,313.000 4,248,000 2,340,000 6,500,000 800,000 I l 1877. ' White Lake....... 88,590,000 51,300.000 64,000,000 79,600,000 82,120,000 Muskegon...... -1 329,689,000 330,400,000 296,800,000 327,300,000 Grand Haven andi Spring Lake.... 117,535,000 80,961,000 83,160,000 58,500,000 80,805,000 TOWN. 18. 1 878.9. 1880. 1881. I I81 I8 9 80 White Lake..................... 89.610,000 83,150,0001 91,450,000 120.000,000 Muskegoil............. 388,991,000 504 555.00JO 551,201,000 640,500,000 Grand Haven and Spring Lake...................... 80,000,0001130,795,000 135,919,0001 191,000,000 101,306,550 98,773,339 MUSKEGON LUMBER REVIEW FOR 1881. The season of 1881 was one attended with many unfavorable circumstances, yet upon the whole one of the most prosperous ever known in the city. The mills started out in the spring with the intention of clearing up the full stock of logs on hand and in the river, which amounted to about 725,000,000 feet-by far the largest stock ever put into the river for one season's operations. At the close of last year's business the lumber on the docks held over reached in 1880, 70,000,000 ft., and the logs rafted and unrafted 125,000,000 ft. The mills cut 624,458,526 ft., which was nearly 90,000,000 more than the previous year (1880), and about 150,000,000 more than in 1879. With the new mills, and with large additions to the The shingles manufactured on Muskegon Lake in 1881 were as follows: W. S. Gerrish............................................................30,000,000 F. B. Peck................................................................. 16,485,000 Other mills................................................................12,000,000 Total...............................................................58.485.000 For the season of 1881 the lumber products of Muskegon County were simply enormous. There was manufactured: Lumber, feet.............................................................800,000,000 Shingles...........................................125,485,000 L ath........................................................................ 145,000,000 Pickets.................................................. 20 000,.0CO I k — 0 - H T OF M iKIGOI -O Hills &_ Cos il hswsasalml ihoeurgtsw 24 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. MPI MICHIGAN LUMBER TRANSPORTATION COMPANY. There has been a company formed to carry off the lumber under the above title and to show the magnitude of its operations we may mention that in one month, December, 1881, it shipped 500 cars of lumber, and in 1881, 8,500 cars from Muskegon and stations north. With the additional railway facilities acquired recently, the shipments for 1882 will exceed that of the year previous by 25 per cent. Muskegon is the headquarters of the company, and W. M. Shipman is the agent. The amount of lumber received in Chicago from Muskegon for several years past is as follows: LUMBER. Year. Amount. I Year. Amount. 1875.......................277,699,000 1879........................436,513.000 1876................................ 451,854,000 1877............... 255,747,000 1881........................ 491,824,000 1878........................ 290,432,000 SHINGLES. Year. Amount. Year. Amount. 1875......................... 5,140,000 1878................. 23,650.899 1876............................................... 12,685,000 1877.......................... 25,715,000 WHITE PINE PRODUCT IN MUSKEGON AND SHIPPED TO CHICAGO. Year. Amount. Year. Amount. 1873.........................329,689,000 1878........................355,991,000 1874......................... 309,200,000 1879.........................504.555,000 1875......................... 330,400,000 1880......................... 591,201,649 1876.........................296,334,000 1881.........................632,500,000 1877......................... 327,325106,0 MUSKEGON LAKE SAW MILLS. The building of the first saw mill on Muskegon Lake was commenced in January, 1837, by Benj. H. Wheelock, agent of the Muskegon Steam Mill Company, most of the s tockholders of which resided at Detroit and Ann Arbor. The mill was built upon the site now occupied by White, Swan & Smith's mill, upon which land Mr. Wheelock about that time had made a preemption claim. It was a steam mill and a large one for the time, having two upright saws. Before it was completed the panic of 1837 occurred, and money becoming scarce, it was not ready for operation until 1838, when the first lumber was sawed; that being also the first lumber sawed on Muskegon Lake. The adventure proved -to be an unprofitable one for the company, and next year after the mill was started the property passed into the hands of John Lloyd, of Grand Rapids, and John P. Place, of Ionia, who owned and operated the mill until 1841, when it was burned and the machinery taken to Grand Rapids. In August, 1837, Jonathan H. Ford, agent of the Buffalo and Black River Company, began building a water mill at the mouth of Bear Lake, on the site where Ruddiman's flouring mill afterwards stood. It was completed next year, and the first cargo of lumber made at this mill was hauled to the mouth of Muskegon Lake in February, 1839, and put on board the Victor, Capt. Jackson, a vessel that would carry about 40,000 feet. The vessel started for Chicago, but soon after got in a drift of ice, and it was ten days before she reached her destination, those on board having suffered severely from cold and hunger in that time. Hiram Judson & Co., bought the mill in 1840, and made very extensive repairs and improvements upon it, among which was the putting in of a new water wheel by Geo. Ruddiman. The mill, which was valued at $20,000, was the best one on the lake for several years, it was burned in 1853, and never rebuilt. Theodore Newell & Co., began to build a mill in the spring of 1838 and finished it in 1839, on the site now occupied by Ryerson, Hills & Co's. mill; this was a small mill with one upright saw, costing altogether about $4,000, and would saw about 6,000 feet in twenty-four hours. The engine was eight inch bore and twentysix inch stroke; the boiler was sixteen feet long and thirty-six inches in diameter, with one thirteen inch flue, the engine not having sufficient power to saw up a log, and haul up another at the same time. The first lumber was shipped from this mill in the autumn of 1839. In September, 1845, Martin Ryerson and J. H. Knickerbocker bought the mill of Mr. Newell, and in the winter following removed the old mill and built a new one on the site, and had it ready to run within three months from the time of commencing operations. In 1847 Mr. Knickerbocker sold his interest to Robert W. Morris, who continued a partner until the sale of his interest to the present firm of Ryerson, Hills & Co., 1865. The latter firm in the autumn of 1881 removed the old mill, and has now ready for occupation, one of the best, if not the best mill on Muskegon Lake. Joseph Stronach built a small water mill in 1842, near the site of the McGraft & Montgomery mill, and ran it until 1844, when he sold it to George and John Ruddiman. The latter afterwards put in a small engine, and used water and steam at the same time. This double power not proving sufficient to haul up logs at the same time'as the saw was in operation, another was also provided and applied to mechanical purposes, an' ancient white bull being used to haul up the logs; hence the origin of the name of the bull-wheel in a saw mill. One evening in the autumn of 1848, after a heavy rain, George Ruddiman heard the water escaping through the dam, and on returning to the house after examining it, told the man that in the morning they must cut some brush and repair the leak. About two hours a fterwards h e visited the dam again, finding that the break had increased, said that it would be necessary to haul some sand in order to repair the break. On g oing out in the morning to begin work, there was nothing to be seen of the mill, the long slide, or the dam, even the engine and machinery had been carried out into Muskegon lake. The next winter a portion of the present steam saw mill was built by George Ruddiman, on the site of the present mill; but this has since been considerably enlarged and improved. In 1846 a small water mill was built on the north side of the lake, near where the Gale mill stood, by Samuel S. Green, and the small creek on which it stood, hitherto nameless, took the name of Green's creek. The mill had one mulay saw, and when it had water enough could run out 3,000 feet a day. It stood about ten years, and in 1855 was sold to Stilson & Co., who made extensive repairs, but next spring the dam burst, completely wrecking the mill which was never repaired. The mill now known as the Chapin & Foss mill, was commenced in 1818 by Wm. Lasley and G. T. Woodbury, the latter having a quarter interest, and completed and started in the spring of 1819, Marshall W. Lloyd sawing the first lumber that was made in the mill, he being employed at the time. Mr. Lasley sold the mill ill 1852 to Chapin, Marsh & Foss,; Mr. Marsh afterwards disposing of his interest to his partners, who owned the property until 1881, when it was sold to Thos. D. Stimson. In 1819 John Ruddiman built a steam saw mill on the north side of Muskegon lake, on the site now occupied by the Torrent & Arms mill. He continued to run the mill until 1862, when it went into the hands of Anson Eldred, after a closely contested suit in re gard to the title. The mill burned soon after, and was replaced by a large mill built by James Fan', Jr., under the superintendence of L. H. Foster. The property was sold in 1871 to Torrent & Arms, and the second mill on the site was burned in 1872. The mill now belonging to this firm was erected soon after. The mills built on L e Lf eat =I - m V , I : , I: 11, - M ` ': 7 ? "I ; I I II I , 'r 7177'' — " " - ` ` J77 7 1 1 z 1. 777 - 7777 i E; Aiwmiiw 0-: I _ -1:i:::: A: II l I HISTORY OF MUS I this site seem to have been rather unfortunate in regard to fire and law suits, whose effects upon property are about equally destructive. The foregoing includes all the saw mills built on Muskegon - Lake prior to 1850. There were three mills on the lake in 1840, I whose sawing capacity per day of twelve hours, was about 13,000 e feet. 1 In 1850 there were six mills on the lake, having an aggregate l sawing capacity of about 60,000 feet. During the next ten years ten mills were put in operation on the lake with the following capacity: C. Davis & Co. - 38,000 Eldred, Way & Co. - 20,000 Ryerson & Morris, (Bay Mill) - 36,000 Smith, Fowler & Co. 20,000 Brown & Trowbridge -.- 16,000 Trowbridge & Wing -- - - 22,000 J. C. Holmes & Co. - - - - 15,000 Durkee, Truesdell & Co. 38,000 L. G. Mason & Co..38,000 J. & H. Beidler - --- 36,000 Ryerson & Morris - - - - - 24,000 John Ruddiman 36,000 George Ruddiman - 15,000 Not only has the sawing capacity increased, but the number of men required to do the labor has proportionately decreased. In 1860 it required a man for each 1,000 feet sawed per day, while now the daily product is on an average over 3,000 feet per day. This improvement is mainly attributable to the valuable improvements in machinery. 1867. The saw mill firms in Muskegon City in 1867 were in alphabetical order, those of George Arms, Beidler & Co., W. H. Bigelow & Co., C. Davis & Co., James Farr, Jr., Glue & Co., Hackley & Sons, Hackley, MIc(Gordon & Co., Lattimer, Day & Co, Marsh & i Foss, L. G. Mason & Co., B. Merrill, Martin Perley &t- Co., O. P. Pillsbury & Co., George R. Roberts & Co., Ryerson, Hills & Co., Ryerson & Johnson, Sherwood, Brown & Co., Torrent a Bletcher, Truesdell & Orton, Thomas Turnbull, White & Swan, Wilson, Boyce & Olson, S. N. Wilcox & Bro., in all, twenty-five firms. In 1872 they were: Wm. Rutherford & Co., Wilson & Boyce, C. Davis & Co., Ryerson, Hills & Co. (2 mills), Chapin & Foss, Mason Lumber Co., Win. H. Bigelow & Co., Geo. R. Roberts & Co., | Gideon Truesdell, Beidler Mfg. Co., Hackley & Sons, Hackley & McGordon, Wmn. Glue & Co., Swan, White & Smith, C. J. Hamilton, J. H. Perley, Esau, Torrent & Co., A. Mann & Co., Wm. Addis & Co., Kelly, Wood & Co., D. C. Mills & Bro., Morrison & Fleming, Browne, Nelson & Co., John Torrent & Co., Storrs & McDougall, Torrent & Arms, T. B. Wilcox & Co. C. J. Hamilton & Co.'s mill was formerly O. Pillsbury & Co.'s, and A. V. Mann & Co.'s mill had been burned in August, 1872, and rebuilt the following winter. 1877. In this year we find the names of the following firms in llmbering: Beaudry, Vallicot & Co. Beidler Mfg. Co., W. H. Bigelow & Co., Chapin & Foss, C. Davis & Co., Mrs. A. Eldred, Elisha Eldred, C. H. Hackley & Co., C. J. Hamilton & Co., Kelly, Wood & Co., A. V. Mann & Co., Mason Lumber Co., Montgomery & McGraft, C. D. Nelson & Co., O. P. Pillsbury & Co., Roberts & Hull, Alex. Rogers, Rutherford &L Anderson, Ryerson, Hills & Co., Swan, White & Smith, Esau Torrent, Torrent & Arms, Torrent, Ducey & Gale, Walworth, Bushnell & Reed. The above were all manufacturers, and in addition there were S. C. Hall and A. Petrie, dealers in lumber. KEGON COUNTY..25 MUSKEGON SAW MILLS, 1881-2. There never was a time when lumbering was so prosperous or vhen there were so many saw mills actively engaged. There are low thirty-six saw mills around the lake which we shall proceed to enumerate, commencing at the southeast comer of the lake and performing a circuit to the west, and thence around the lake on the north side. Just near the mouth of the river is the Boom Company's mill, which has stood many years, and was operated by Blodgett & Byrne. It is a two-circular mill, cutting 575,000 feet a day. Lewis Warner, Manager. Near this is Peck's shingle mill. Next is M. Wilson & Co.'s (T. W. Harvey, of Chicago,) gang and one-circular mill, M. Wilson, manager. Next the Davies Mill, built by Major Davis and Newell, a circular mill, cats 80,000 feet a day and uses the electric light. Then comes Ryerson, Hills & Co.'s grand new mill, more fully described elsewhere. It is a model mill in every respect. Then comes the old Foss mill, now owned by Stimson, of Big Rapids. It was refitted in 1881. Then come in succession the great mill of the Thayer Lumber Company, after which is the two-circular mill of the Bigelow Lumber Company, the Blodgett & Byrne mill, C. H. Hackley & Co.'s, Beidler Company's, Swan, White & Smith's, Walworth & Reed's, Hamilton, Gerrish & Co.'s, McCracken & Co.'s, the new mill of the Muskegon Lumber Co., MecGraft & Montgomery's, Tilottson & Blodgett's (a one-circular and gang mill); next A. V. Mann & Co's twocircular mill, then the one-circular and gang mill of Stimson, Fay & Co., A. Rodgers & Co.'s two-circular mill, the old 'Kelly, Wood & Co.'s, now G. E. Wood's mill, E. & C. Eldred's two-circular and gang mill, Allen's one-circular and gan, mill (now S. C. Hall's), and lastly, the Hon. C. D. Nelson's mill at the mouth of the lake in Pt. Sherman. These twenty-four saw mills are all on the south side of the lake, and extend along the lake shore through the City of Muskegonl into the little town of Lakeside, which commences about the McGraft & Montgomery mill. The Wood, Eldred and Allen mills are in Bluffton, and Nelson's mill in Pt. Sherman. The following are some short notes onil the above mills. MATTHEW WILSON & Co.'s MILL was built in 1867, rebuilt in 1870, and again in 1880-1. It is situated on block 198 of the City of Muskegon, and Mr.Wilson has had all interest in it from its commencement, giving it his earlest personal supervision. Last year its cut was about twenty million feet, and it has one circular and gang saw, with the usual complement of edgers, etc. It is the first mill west of that of the Boom Company's. Tile engineer is Philip Etches. Mr. Wilson has served acceptably as City Treasurer for the last three terms. RYERSON, HILLS & Co. The first steam saw mill erected on Muskegon Lake was built in 1839. It was a milliature affair compared with the extensive mills of to-day, which rip up their 100,000 and 150,000 feet per ten hours. And yet this mill, built by Theodore Newell, was a greater enterprise, and involved more risk at that time, tlhan one does to-day, cutting 50,000,000 per season. The mill built by Newell was erected on the site recently occupied by Ryerson, Hills & Co.'s mill. In the spring of 1845 Messrs. Martin Ryerson and J. H. Knickerbocker purchased it from the builder, and remodeled and refurnished it immediately. In 1849 Mr. Knickerbocker sold his interest to Robert W. Morris, and the firm of Ryerson & Morris remained unchanged for sixteen years. In 1865 Messrs. Chas. T. Hills and Henry H. Getty bought Mr. Morris' interest in the mill, and the firm was changed to Ryerson, Hills & Co. Mr. Ezra Stephens belonged to the firm at that time, and was a partner until his death, in January, 1869. On I I! y I i I i I f i I. __- IN- r asZl -- L/ L0 26. HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 26 -- - - January 3, 1881, Mr. Martin Ryerson, Jr., was admitted as a member, the firm still being known as Ryerson, Hills & Co. Mr. Ryerson has for the past thirty years or more had his residence ostensibly in Chicago, but has for the past twenty years passed the time in travel in this and foreign countries. From his intimate knowledge of foreign matters, and his general ability, Mr. Ryerson had the honor conferred upon him of being appointed by our government as one of the three commissioners to the Paris Exposition. ' The business of the firm has from its organization been managed by the other partners, Mr. Hills and Mr. Getty. Mr. Hills has had his residence from the first in this city, and until a short time since has had the immediate supervision of the interests of the firm at this place, while Mr. Getty used to reside in Chicago, where he attended to the management of their two extensive lumber yards (now discontinued), and made contracts for and sales of shipments from the mills here. The firm are owners of thousands of acres of choice pine land, and accessions are constantly being made thereto as opportunity offers. This vast acreage lies here and there for two hundred miles on either side of Muskegon River and its tributaries. The regular yearly accretion by natural growth of the timber upon this land would be no inconsiderable amount. The company own two mills, one the mill on the site of the one above referred to, which was built in the winter of 1881-82, aind is a mamlmoth affair 150x45 feet, and perfect in all its arrangements built under the supervision of Mr. Henry Jacobs, the able foreman of the firm. It will cut as much lumber in the day time as the old mill just torn down, would, working day and night. It is the model mill of Muskegon. It is situated with the company's substantial brick offices, extensive yards and docks near the eastern end of Muskegon Lake. The other mill is the Bay mill, at the western end of the same lake, which will be described in its place. The united capacity of these mills will probably reach 60,000,000 feet a year. THE FOSS MILL, at the foot of Market Street, in the rear of the American Hotel, is now owned by Thomas Stimson of Big Rapids, but who is about settling in Muskegon. It was originally erected in 1818-9 by Wm. Lasley and Giles B. Woodbury, and sold by the former to Chapin, Marsh & Foss, in 1862. After the dea.h of Mr. Marsh it was operated by Chapin & Foss until in 1881 they sold to Mr. Stimson. The mill has lately been thoroughly overhauled. It cut last year 110,000 feet per day. G. B. Woodbury has been engineer for 28 years. MC GRAFT & MONTGOMERY. The members composing the firm of McGraft & Montgomery are, Messrs. M. McGraft and A. S. Montgomery, of this city, and Hon. T. W. Palmer, of Detroit. The saw mill was built by George Ruddiman in 1849. The present firm was organized in 1874, and in 1875 it purchased the mill. At the time the mill came into their hands it had a capacity of only about 25,000 feet of lumber per day, bnt under their management it has been almost entirely rebuilt and supplied with improved.machinery until its cutting capacity has been increased from 75,000 to 80,000 feet per day. The mill is now supplied with two circular saws, mulay, two patent edgers, two trimmers, and has steam feed on both sides of the mill. A new lath mill and a picket mill have also been added, and a new engine put in, so that the equipment of the mill is now in good condition. The addition of the trimmers is a great improvement, as all lumber manufactured at the mill is now trimmed before it goes to dock. The size of the mill is 75x120 feet, and its motive power is supplied by an engine 20x26 and with four boilers. The amount of lumber cut by the mill is now about from twelve to fifteen million feet per annum, and each year from added improvements, increases the quantity. The firm also have two large lumber yards in Milwaukee, one on Mill Island and the other on the Kinnickinnick Creek, where they handle a large amount of lumber, and by using their piling space at these two yards they are able to pile lumber to an almost unlimited extent, and can also take advantage of sudden advances in the market. TILLOTSON & BLODGETT. The mill operated by this firm was built by Esau Torrent about the year 1872. During a period of four years it was operated by other parties and was purchased by its present owners, Messrs. Geo. J. Tillotson and D. A. Blodgett in 1876. They have succeeded in making the mill a profitable piece of property, and are doing an extensive and satisfactory business with it. The cost of the mill, including improvements, has beeneabout $30,000, and it is supplied with one circular saw, one gang edger, one bolting and one trimming saw, and has three boilers to supply motive power. The mill has a cutting capacity of about 10,000,000 feet of lumber, during the sawing season, by running in the day time only, but during the past season, by extra time, the amount of lumber manufactured was increased to 12,451,379 feet. The firm does its shipping chiefly on Torrent's vessels. The number of regular hands employed averages about twenty-seven. Mr. Tillotson, the senior member of the firm, has been for a good many years engaged in the lumbering business in various capacities, and thus has a large amount of practical experience, which in the lumbering business, as in almost any other, is one of the great essentials to success. Both members of the firm are reliable business men, and have the fullest confidence of the community in which they live, and the firm will doubtless continue to be among the most successful lumber operators in the vicinity of Muskegon. MC CRACKEN, HOVEY & CO. On the 21st of January 1881, a saw mill was commenced, and finished on the 1st of Julne following. It is just west of Hamilton & Gerrish's mill, and is known as McCracken, Hovey & Co.'s. It was built further out into the lake, and vessels can approach its docks. It has a capacity of 125,000 feet daily, from a gang of 43 saws and circular gang edger. J. J. Lennon, Foreman. The partners are, J. B. McCracken, H. N. Powell, G. T. Jones, and J. J. Lennon. HAMILTON, GERRISH & CO.'S MILL is located on the south shore of Muskegon Lake within the city limits, and was built in 1855 by the firm of O. P. Pillsbury & Co., who operated it until 1873, when they sold it to C. J. Hamilton & Co. This firm thoroughly overhauled and quite rebuilt the mill, greatly enlarging its capacity and cut, and ran it until the fall of 1877, when they in turn sold their interest to Gerrish & Woods, who subsequently changed the name to the present one of Hamilton, Gerrish & Co. The mill has a capacity for cutting from 175 to 200 thousand feet of lumber, according to the quality of logs, in the usual day's run of eleven hours. The boom connected therewith has capacity for storing 10,000,000 feet of logs, and the docks are ample for piling or cross piling the same. In a newspaper communication dated Jan. 10, 1882, the firm speaks of its cut for 1881 as follows; Considering the fact that our mill is a two circular and gang (the circulars being 60 and 72 inches respectively, and the gang a 48 inch gate, carrying 39 saws), we think the showing good. We ran 184 days and 101~ nights, on time, about equal with other mills 1 -- i~. hiX i;::i: —:::::l;-i ~~jl~: ~::::-::: ~-: i::, —: —:1_.::-: 3-::: -:::::::i-?:::i-i: -:!: \~;-::::::l::::i.::;:.:ii::- -::,:::;i:;:-::::-: -:-:-:!::::::~:;: I:~I ~::-:::::::::::::::::::::::::; -~ ~:::::::,::::;:: -;I:::::ji: - I_- Ems - ~; -- z of-7 -- l: ant:- X: s > f i -: — ~ ef p~~ e,- I vit::::: It.:.'~ia -' ~" - E ~.: ~ ~~~~-;'f 0; 0X ':; 0 o: t 7 0 f: ':: 1 ' 0' t 0, ';.! I0;,.. '. ' ' ''''t '- '' TS';:'? 0'' " " 2::; S ' X: X. '.,., '. ' ) s,,,, ' ' -""d. ' i 0,',',''' ~:'' 'D'";,-, f - i,~: ':::; i: 1:,; tI: '_......... ' l,,,. '. ' ':,;'. ' ',,', ',, f i; -: ii i -..: I:;::; " Si *...:-:::.: -' -.,,-, T0:::~! I i A j I { w I a II II Zi z d i `:::;:Lt < ];:f -e ~ Of r - 5 - S I Ae;<-..,~' 'LS | _ i I I- I- 11 M f - - L e e - - - 27 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. here. The cut has been: Lutnber, 49,404,038 feet; Lath, 13,566, I 4 - f I X: 0 0: 7 2:00 Off; F here. The cut has been: Lumber, 49,404,038 feet; Lath, 13,566,110 pieces; Pickets, 504,893 pieces. Reduced to shipping feet the above equals 52,622,153 feet lumber. "The logs cut have been low grade, averaging seven to the thousand. We have on dock, cross-piled, and belonging to various parties, 9,446,432 feet lumber. THAYER LUMBER CO., organized in 1878, bought the L. G. Mason & Co. mill, with a capacity of 34,000,000 lumber and 8,000,000 lath, and employs eighty men. This Company owns over 100,000,000 feet of standing pine. The mill was built in 1865 by L. G. Mason. Officers of the Company are, Geo. C. Kimball, President; F. A. Nims, Secretary; H. Park, Treasurer. THE BIGELOW MILL.. Prominent among the large mills of Muskegon is that of the above firm. It was built by L. G. Mason & Co., and sold in 1866 to W. H. Bigelow & Co., but has been so thoroughly repaired and renewed that but little of the original mill now stands. At the mill is always to be found the genial gentleman who is junior member of the old and extensive establishment, Mr. Peter Walker, who has had a long and extensive acquaintance in the business. BLODGETT & BYRNE bought their mill of Hull & Watson, January, 1881. Capacity 27,000,000 ft. of lumber, and 7,000,000 lath. They employ one hundred men. C. H. HACKLEY & CO. purchased the old mill of Wisconsin parties in 1869. Having a capacity of 14,000,000 a season, employing forty men. The present mill was built in 1872-3. Capacity 30,000,000, ft of lumber and 8,000,000 ft.. of lath. Ninety men are employed. BEIDLER MANUFACTURING CO. This mill was built by Jacob and Henry Beidler in 1871; has a capacity of 27,000,000 feet of lumber, and 6,000,000 feet of lath. It employs eighty-five men. SWAN, WHITE & SMITH. This mill was built by Alvah Trowbridge in 1863, and bought by White & Swan in 1864; Swan, White & Smith succeeded in 1871. Their annual cut is 22,000,000 lumber and 5,000,000 lath. They own 120,000,000 feet of standing pine. A. V. MANN & CO. bought their fine mill from Sharp, Harris & Co., in Lakeside, in 1867, which was burned in 1872 and rebuilt the following winter. It has a circular and gang, gang edger, lath mill, and refuse burner. Daily cut from 100,000 to 125,000 feet, and in 1881 cut 23,000,000. Mr. J. W. Moon has been the "Co-" from the commencement. RODGERS & LEBOEUF, lumbermen, at Lakeside, began January, 1881. The mill was built in 1874 by Alex. Rodgers. The capacity of the mill is 80,000 per day, and 25,000 lath. Mr. Leboeuf has charge of the mill. He has lived in Muskegon and been engaged in lumbering about fourteen years.. OOD'S MILL. This mill, as has been already mentioned, was built by Lattimer, Day & Foster, was next owned by Watson, Addis & Johnston, j 'then Kelly, Wood & Co., and in 1877 by Geo. E. Wood. This mill,..although not among the largest, is kept in good shape, and is under excellent management. E. C. ELDRED & CO. E. C. Eldred resides at Chicago, and D. M. Eldred at Muskegon Their mill is located at Bluffton, and was bought in 1873. Its annual cut is about-30,000,000 feet of lumber, and 6,000,000 feet of. lath. The firm are extensive owners of pine lands. The mill gives employme nt to about eighty-five men. The mill was purchased o Morrison, Fleming & Co., and was built by 0 leson & Jones in 1869 HALL'S MILL (BLUFFTON). Stephen C. Hall has been closely identified with the lumber interest of the county almost from its inception, andl was one of the pioneers on White Lake. He has been fortunate in acquiring wealth by the purchase of pine lands. On the 1st of January, 1880. he purchased from D. D. Erwin the property which the latter had purchased in 1878 from A. M. Alien, who had purchased in 1872. This is a large, fine mill. C. D. NELSON & CO. This firm have the only mill at Pt. Sherman, at the mouth of Muskegon Lake, romantically situated on the harbor within full sight of both Lakes Muskegon and Michigan, and with a view of bare sand bluffs across the harbor. A view of this mill and surroundings has been specially sketched for this work. This is a well equipped mill and stands in the first class. Hon. C. D. Nelson is a gentleman whom all will take pleasure in endorsing as an earnest worker for the good of the city, and a thoroughly practical business man. This mill was built in 1861 by B. T. Lameraux, and purchased by its present proprietor in 1869. It employs about seventy men, and has a capacity of 30,000,000 feet of lumber and 6,000,000 feet of lath. THE MILLS ON THE NORTH OF LAKE MUSKEGON. The saw mills are the leading and distinguishing feature of the northern suburb, and we will enumerate them in order. The first of the cluster of mills commencing at the head of the Lake and going to the west, is the new mill of A. H. Petrie & Co., which is nearly completed, and will be ready to open about the first of April. It is designed to cut ties as well as lumber, and its cut may reach 12,000,000 this season. It has steam feed, and is a well equipped mill. Next we come to John Torrent's new mill, which will be ready in the spring, it is a thoroughly equipped affair, costing over $30,000, has steam feed, Hill's patent steam nigger, Torrent's patent log carrier, as well as his patent edger, which is an ingenious contrivance to steady the boards by an automatic claw which adjusts itself by swinging back to its place. This is intended to be a model mill, and its probable cut will be 16,000,000 feet from one circular, with lath mill attached. It is intended to cut stuff of any length. Next we see Gow & Majo's, erected by Bassett & Burns, a one circular mill, operated last season and cutting hard wood chiefly. The fourth mill is that of the Ducey Lumber Company, an incorporation with P. A. Ducey, President; E. C. Misner, Secretary and Treasurer; Jas. Lynch, Manager, and L. A. Arms, of Chicago, as one of the stockholders. The mill was erected in 1880-81 at a cost of $40,000, has one circular, and gang with lath attachment. The cut was last year 20,000,000 feet. The fifth is the "big mill" of Torrent & Arms Lumber Company, a two circular and gang mill with lath attachment. Mills were erected here many years ago, but have been three times burned, and the present mill was erected in 1877, and this winter thoroughly refitted. Its average cut is claimed to be the heaviest on the lake, and was last season 207,000 feet a day. It is operated by an incorporation with John Torrent, President; P. A. Ducey, Treasurer; and L. A. Arms, Secretary. It has all modern improvements, steam feed, i t' I r I L - __ 1 _ .+ -4 1 _ low L ~ 28 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. I Torrents's log carrier, patent edger, etc. There is nothing in the way of improvement which escapes the vigilant eye of Mr. Torrent, and which he is not ready to adopt. In Torrent & Ains' mill the officers are: R. O'Harrow, 1st foreman; Wm. Pett, 2nd foreman; Wm. Harper, engineer; S. M. Craft, circular saw filer; E. P. Crandall, gang filer; Miles Standish, time keeper and yard man; Albert Waldron, book-keeper; R. J. McDonald, secretary; store managed by Jno. Garvey, Jr. The mill requires about one hundred men to operate it, and on the -monthly pay roll are one hundred and fifty names. Now here is the spot where Mr. Torrent intends to bore for salt in a few weeks, and if there is a man who will fight it out on the line to China all summer, he is tile one to undertake the job. Near the mill stand two large engine rooms, one with five boilers in it will be used for testing for salt. Near the mlill are tile North Muskegon Iron works, John Torrent proprietor, J. A. Poll manager. The shop was built in August, last, and is for mill work and general machinery, and is intended to be a great affair. The orders for work are far ahead of its present capacity, and it will supply a much felt want in this communlnity. The North Muskegon Iron Worlks are yet in thei infancy. The sixth mill is that of Torrent, Brown & Co., a one circular, -shingle mill, with a daily cutting capacity of 300,000 shingles, cutting for shingles in day timle, and at night cutting lumber; this year it cut about 12,000,00) 0 feet. It has two double block and ole hand machine, one hundred and thirty men on monthly pay roll. It was first operated in the spring of 1880, and is under a corporation con'sistilig of W. H. Brown, Jollhn Torrent, W. A. Doherty and L. A Armls. Near the mill are the Peninsula Box Manufacturing Company's works, which are owned by the Messrs. F. S. Farr and S. H. Servoss, the latter being manager. The seventh mill, that of tile Farr Lumber Colmpany, was rebuilt in 1875, andt is a corporate affair with Freeman S. Farr as President, Geo. D. Farr, Secretary, and Mrs. Adeline Eldred as one of the stockholders. The mill is a duplicate of the Dticey Mill, being a one circular, with lath mill, and cut last season,- runing night and day, 17,000,000 feet. It has the electric light. Near this is a complete machine and repair shop with Joshua Evered as Manager, owned by the Farr Company. Close by is the eighth mill, of Douglass M. Storrs, lumberman, at North Muskegon, wlho has been engaged in the lumber business since 1871, In 1872 tile firm of Storrs & Farr built a -mill on1 the site where the Storrs' liill now stands; that mill was burned in 1875. The firm of Storrs & Farr was dissolved in 1875, and since that time Mr. Storrs has operated alone. He built his present mill in 1879. Its cut in 1881 w-as 16,000,000 feet. His business gives employment to about forty-five men. Not far from this is the "French Mill," a co-partnership affair between Charles Beaudry, L. M. Haines, and J. B. Champagne. It is a one circular and gang mill, the gang being put in last July, and cuts about 100,000 feet a day. It was an old mill but almost rebuilt last year, and is a valuable mill. So far we have described nine great mills, alnd have only passed over three-quarters of a mile of the shore. Next, after passing over a mile and a quarter, we come to the new mill of the North Muskegon Lumber Company, a corporation with Charles Ruddiman, W. B. McLaughlin and F. S. Farr, as shareholders. The mill has one circular and gang (which is just being put in), and was operated first in 1881; it is a fine mill, and is intended to cut 100,000 feet a day. There is quite a village growing up here at the foot of Bear Lake. Another half mile brings us to the old Gale mill, also called the Odell mill, which was burned and rebuilt last year, having a cutting capacity of 60,000 feet. The proprietors are R. J. Millen and David Swarthout. This mill was also operated by Torrent & Ducey about tell years ago. Still further westward we find a new mill in course of erection by Mr. Samuel W. Odell, a one circular mill, which will add its music to the mighty saw mill chorus this season. Still further down, and situated on a bayou running out to the northwest corner of the lake is the great "Bay Mill" of Ryerson, Hills & Co., the pioneers of lumber on the Muskegon. Mr. Marshall Lloyd, whose fine residence stands on the top of the sand bluff overlooking the great lake, is manager; and Hugh Cleghorn, formerly of the water works, is engineer. This is a mill admirably managed, and one of the largest calibre. HISTORY OF LOG BOOMING. In 1847-8 the river first began to be looked to as the indispens: ble source of logs, although they had been brought down for seven or eight years before. Previous to this the logs had been got within easy hauling distance of the lake. At first there was no general system of driving down the logs, but each owner or mill-man tmiade the best arrangement he could. They gathered up the logs with the aid of skiffs or canoes, to the head of the marsh, and then poled them down through the channels to the lake and then along shore to their respective mills. As business extended and mills increased in number and capacity, a better system was demanded, and it became the custom to deliver the logs at the Flats, seven to ten miles up the river. The logs then all came from this side of Big Rapids, and the loggers had an understanding that when the time for driving came, each should furnish his fair quota of men to do the work, and it was managed for a time on this communistic principle. This continued until 1852 when a voluntary organization was formed, called "The Log and Mill Owners' Association," supported by assessment according to the value of the logs of each. The work was entrusted to a committee of three, the first of whom were Major Chauncey Davis, Robert W. Morris and John Ruddiman, the first being secretary and treasurer. The business was now managed with less expense, the cost being from fifteen to twenty cents per thousand feet. This arrangement continued until 1855, when an act was passed in the Legislature authorizing the incorporation of companies for driving, rafting and booming of logs, and under this law the LUMBERMEN'S ASSOCIATION was organized and incorporated, with Alvah Trowbridge as its first president. This existed until 1864, and did 'valuable assistance in I developing the lumber interest, but it did not fully answer the purpose required, and was not a financial success. Until 1860, when Ashley B. Furman and George Arms took the job of rafting and towing the logs to the various mills, each mill owner attended to that branch as well as he could. In 1850 John Ruddiman used a scow with sails; next year George Ruddiman had the scow Rattlesnake fitted with a steam wheel driven by a small engine, which propelled three or four miles an hour with a raft of I the rfu ude os bu 83Resn&Mri ruh three or four hundred logs. About 1853 Ryerson & Morris brought the Algoma here. It was 100x16 feet and drew eighteen or twenty inches of water, and finally went into the hands of the Booming Company. The old hull not long ago lay at the mouth of Bear Lake. In 1859 an act was passed by the Legislature appropriating $50,000 for the improvement of Muskegon River, the improvement chiefly contemplated being the cutting of a channel through the j - =-t te -x -S etqt _ 11 Li I ~ - ~ I I1-1. I 1 H -1-...... 1-1 - 1.1, SCII-, - -: 93l~A d ~11 -- I,, - 1, ",, ",~, - I, ",, I ~~~r4 I: ~I i-/...;i;~;.:-i~ - ~,.;~_I..;~-:-:; ~ ~~: i. :~ F~~ i --- -:. -:I-I:)i.:.;IJ~:~ "::;;-~?i~...i-~J ;L-~~i~, ~-r ~~ ~..-:.~:~; ~::~.;~:I-; ~. -. _~,~._.:: ~~.~~'r::-I -— 1 +4;:':~:i;:i~:~~. s~:~- j-~I-.;1-~ ~; "'~;:~. -~;~. ~i::r Ti ~~r. ~, ~~ ir ~.,.-.*.~. ~~ i:~:. I1.I1~::a ~~~i-~Is i, ~b nIC.:~~, ~~1~~~-~~. -~::~:_;;:. /-: _ir~-. i"ii-:.~ i;~;~~~~il;:~;~'_;_::l:;i: ''~'."tr:~~iP=:~.li;.:-c.; Irt&l ~,,..-: -. " ''I -. i: - 1 - I -. -, —., A.~-, - - % 1 -. '. -..,.1 i,: -. I: -.1 "I: -.1 ". I - - -, - 11 ~ I I.:1. 1 i::I 1 _:_ ~ I ~ - - I;- I 1 1. 1- ~~- - - ~, 1. - - _ _ - __ _ i m i i qq `; A — ~- ~~ - -- I - ~- - ---- - ~, I q -- --- -. I. I - ~- - "l: -, - '. ,,, -. -, '. . , , t I,:", I I'.-, - - I -, - ". stU: ii i 1&:? is: S v::::t - f: \:::. e:nployes. YEAR 186t. 1864 1866 1867 18fi8 1869 lS70 1871 18.2 f \ in S 2f:u0 ff:D X:: -~:': — t 6___. I -29 bo fffen n toohrmnnmd erc n re HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 29 - j Flats. Chaulleey Davis, E. W. Merrill and A. B. NVt1tson, of Grand bound for AVhita Lalie, of avllich he had heard when at Muskegon the year before. They went down the river to St. Joseph and fol Flats. Chauncey Davis, E. W. Merrill and A. B. Watson, of Grand Rapids, were appointed commissioners, and as John A. Brooks was the contractor, the channel is known as Brooks' Improvement. To get money to go on with his contract Brooks assigned it to William Beard, who then sub-let to Brooks and furnished the funds. The "Beard Claim" of $25,000 was for years urged in the Legislature against the State. This work was commenced in 1858 and finished in 1859, and lIas been of great benefit to the city. THE MUSKEGON B OOMING COMPANY was incorporated in 1864, under act of the Legislature, passed that year; capital at first $40,000, since increased to $200,000. The first officers were, for Directors: C. Davis, S. A. Brown, C. D. Nelson, M. Ryerson, J. H. Hackley, R. P. E. aston and Lyman mG. Mason, of whom C. Davis was President, C. D. Nelson, Secretary and J. H. Hackley, Treasurer. Since this time the office of rafting, driving and delivering the logs has given satisfaction to all the mill owners, and profit to the Booming Company. At first the company let out the "Drive" to the lowest bidder, and let it for one year to Odell & Orton, and for the next three years to A. F. & J. H. Orton; L. G. Mason had it for the next three years, after which Mason & Pingree had it for three years more. Since that time the Company has managed the business through its own employes. The following is a s tat elment of logs delivered at the different mills each year by the company since its organization:.. FET YA. ET YEAR 1861= 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 FEET. YEEAR. FEET. 9015S14....................... 96,,035,037.......................... 08, 5) 05,700 18......1224.571,527.........................157,46( 8,300 1 875.........................309,638,418......................... '.8 8,50.' 0 0 1 7............ 7............2 90,' 35,91'........................... 13,692,600 187............ 312, 1.2....................... 7,789,900............310,90,05....................... 1 98,8 62,600........................ 432,431,(i 7......0,000................. SO.... 00436(,6i7,441i................Is..........................,...... 1,000,00,8 7 Grandl Total..................................................5,11,8( 67,703.............. abv figures60 3ldct a stadicr)9 o0thbsi055 boy of fifteen, and two other men named Herrick and True, bound for White Lake, of which he had heard when at Muskegon the year before. They went down the river to St. Joseph and followed the beach to the mouth of White Lake. The trip was a rough one, lasting nearly two weeks, on account of bad weather, during which they repeatedly capsized, and ran short of provisions before reaching Grand River, but in the early part of May made White River in safety. On the north of the old channel they found two men holding a claim for Hiram. Pearson, of Chicago. On the flat, near where the Lighthouse now stands, Wabaningo's band of half a dozen Indian families of the Ottawa tribe had cleared a small piece of ground, on which they cultivated corn. They camped the first nigh t at the Mouth, and next day stopped for noon at Burying-Ground Point, just above Whitehall, whewe they found a band of Indian's eating dinner. The pioneers received a cordial invitation to partake, but as the bill of fare consisted of ducks' eggs, some sound, some questionable, some in the poultry stage of existence, with a large roasted black snake for dessert, the offer was politely declinea. That night they md de for the mouth of Silver Creek, four miles above Whitehall, where the old Dalton mill now stands. They continued up the river for three days, to the rapids above J. D. Sfebbins' farm, when they returned to the mouth of Silver Creek and, decided to locate there. On the opposite side of the river, near the old Chas. Johnson place, was a small log cabin, where Frenchmien came once or twice a year to trade with the Indians. " Albert Mears felled the first tree, and within two weeks a cabin 16x20 feet had been built of split logs, and a small piece of ground cleared, when Charles started on foot to Paw Paw to get castings for the mill. Soon after True proved ' untrue' by skipping out one night after stealing the stock of bread on hand, leaving Albert and Mr. Herrick alone. At tlie end of two momnths their provisions were exhausted, and, having heard nothing of Charles, they packed up their traps, got in the skiff, and started for Paw Paw. At Grand Haven Albert, thinking he had had enough of hardships, left Herrick and got a schooner for St. Joseph. Chas. Mears and Herrick returned that Fall to White Lake with the necessary castings for a water saw mill, which they decided to build where A. M. Thompson's mill stood, and which is now Wilcox's. Early in 1838 the mill commlenced sawing clap-boards, or siding, eight feet long, with a circular saw, and a few years after an upright was put in. Soon"after the completion of the mill Mr. Mears built the schooner Ranger, carrying 15,000 feet, and which -vas the first registered craft to enter the Lake. Albert Mears returned in 1812, but again went away and did not return until 1861, and has remained ever since, residing next to the store which lie pur1chased from his brother. " ' In 1816 C. Meats built the Duck Lake water mill, and among the Emen in his employ previous to 1850 were Zerah Mizner, of Whitehall, and T. J. Stalnnage, and the Sargelnts of Montague. " In 1814 Capt. James Dalton, Jr., came to VWhite Lake on his way to aManistee, and stopped at Mears' mill. One of the men ferried him over the lake to a point- near Cook's mill, where lie took the trail for Manistee, but had not gone seven miles when he decided to go back to where Montacgue now stands. Some Indians ferried him over and told him of Silver Creek, at which, after look ing over, he decided to settle. "In the year following, with his brothers, rhe put a water mill in operation, which was run by Dalton & Menges until the death of the latter in September, 1881. His enterprise was opposed by C. Mears, who did not think there was pine enough for two mills. "In 1814 a Mr. Hulbert and hlis sons came to White River from Grand Rapids, and commenced boring for salt about twelve iI i I I -l I - " I The above figures indicate a steady increase of the business for the company, and also the rapid growth of lumbering operations in Western Michigan during the past nine years. The following is the list of directors and officers for 1882: Directors-C. H. Hackley, Geo. F. Peaks, N. McGraft, L. G. Mason, J. W. Moon, Win. McKillip and A. F. Beidler. The Directors elected the following officers: President, N. McGraft; Secretary, Geo. F. Peaks; Treasurer, C. H. Hackley. WHITE LAKE SAW MILLS. The next point of importance in the county, as far as lumbering is concerned, is White Lake, a beautiful sheet of pure and limpid water, affording a fine harbor for steamboats, vessels and log fleets, of which several firms of wealth have taken advantage, and erected a goodly number of fine mills on both shores, makiing a nucleus around which have been built up two enterprising, pretty villages, called Whitehall on the south, and Montague, on the north side, at the head of the lake, connected by a permanent bridge, having a railroad running through them on its way to Pentwater. The following sketch, published by AMr. I. M. Weston in 1876, in. The M-lointa/Rgue LumWbej,'al^, will, doubtless, prove interesting reading: " The first saw mill venture on the Lake was bv Hon. Chas. Mears, now of Chicago, in April, 1837, when he left Paw Paw in a small clinker-built skiff, accompanied by his brother Albert, then a I 4 75wr [_.__. r i5. r It-" go — a or4 P6 [1:I -, -- - 30 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. A I miles up the river. Failing in this they built a saw mill seven miles above Montague, which was afterwards known as the I. E. Carleton mill, to whom it was sold, and who operated it until his death, ill 1871. The mill is all gone to decay. " About the samle time a small water mill was built on Sand Creek, near Carleton's, and operated until about 1868. " The first steam saw mill on the Lake was built at the Mouth in 1850 by Rev. Winm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven. Scott & Stebbills ran it by the thousand for several years. Afterwards Major Noah H. Ferry operated it until his death, at Gettysburg, ill 1863. Geo. E. Dowling, W. H. Woodbury, and others, assisted him ill the management, and in 1863 it was sold to Heald, Avery 3& Co., who afterwards consolidated it with their present mill. " In the fall of 1855 James Jewell, father-in-law of G. W. Franklin and I. E. Carleton, built the steam saw mill at Maple Grove, and in 1860 it was purchased by Heald, Avery & Co. " In the spring of 1855 Rodgers & Hill built the Long Point saw mill, and sold it to Luscombe & Pierce in 1859. In 1871 it was purchased by I. M. & B. F. Weston, and afterwards sold to J. W. Norton, Major Green & Weston, now owned by Hafer & Weston. " G. A. Rogers built the Cone mill in 1857, and it has since been owned by Rathburn & Cone, Cone & O'Brien, H. B. Cone & Sons, Green & Co., Green, Kelsey & Co., and now by Capt. James Dalton. " The old Staples & Covell mill was erected by Mr. Whittaker and Moses Hall in 1856, sold to Thompson & Covell, then to Wm. WVeston, Hinchman & Covell, and then to Staples & Covell, who tore it down in 1875, and erected their new mill not far from the site of the old. " No additional mills were erected until 1865, when the lumbering business revived and the following were erected: " Ferry, Dowling & Co. built their large red saw mill in Montague. " Lewis & Carless built, in Whitehall, a mill which passed through the hands of Lewis & Hopkins, Franklin & Lewis, Lewis & Covell, until it passed into the hands of its present owners, A. J. & C. E. Covell. " Parks, Leitch & Co., afterwards W. H. Parks & Son, put up one which was sold to Fischer & Keller. This mill was burned down a second time in 1875, and has not been rebuilt. "In 1866 the shingle mills of Ferry, Dowling & Co. and D. C. Bowen & Co., and Johnson & Miller, Whitehall, were erected. " The same year Hedges & Terry built a saw mill in Whitehall, which was afterwards owned by Hedges Bros., Bowen & Burrows, and by A. B. Bowen & Co. It was burned in 1877 and not rebuilt. It stood between Nufer's and Covell's mills. " In 1867 Dalton Bros. built their steam saw mill in Montague, on the site of the new mill of Smith & Field, erected in 1880. " The same year Cook & Pettis moved from Hesperia the mill now run by C. H. Cook. " The Hornellsville Lumber Company also built their New York mill in Whitehall that year, and in 1870 sold to Weston, Smith & Co., who sold it to the present owners, J. Alley & Co. " In 1868 Geddes & Co. built a saw mill where R W. Norris' mill now stands, but the machinery was taken out a few years later and the site sold to N. V. Booth, who erected there the Norris shingle mill. " F. H. White & Co., in 1872, erected a saw mill near Ferry & Co.'s, in Montague, and Covell, Nufer & Co., now Covell, Ocobock & Co. erected their shingle mill in 1875. " This makes a total of eleven saw mills and five shingle mills, capable of cutting 100,000,000 feet of logs in a season." THE SAWMILLS IN 1882. The sawmills of White Lake are in 1882, commencing at the head of the lake on the Whitehall side and making a circuit: Staples & Covell, circular gang edger and lath mills, the Whitehall Manufacturing Co., (late Covell, Ocobock & Co's.) shingle and planing, and sash and door mill, R. W. Norris's shingle and planing and sash and door mill, capacity over 50,000 shingles a day; Johnson (Chas.) & Miller's shingle mill, capacity 55,000 a day; Mr. Miller is of Racine, Wis. Linderman's shingle mill and heading and stave mill (late Linderman, Hewes & Ames,) Nufer & Carleton's large shingle mill, capacity 125,000 to 150,000 a day; A. J. & C. E. Covell's one circular and gang edger mill, lath mill attachments. This is one of the best managed mills on the lake, cut about 12,000,000 feet. After passing the Eagle tannery, an extensive institution, one comes next to what was known as the "New York Mill," now that of Charles Alley & Co., a fine mill with circular and gang edger, cutting about 50,000 a day. Mr. Philip Van Keuren has lately purchased the interest of James Alley, of Hornellsville, N. Y. The Wilcox Lumber Co., is the next mill and the latest on the lake, being near the site of the old watermill. It is an extensive and complete affair. C.apt. Dalton's mill on the southwest corner of the lake has lately been moved to the northern peninsula. Coming up on the north side of the lake we find first at Long Point, Weston & Hafer's mill, next the neat little mill of Smith & Field, then C. H. Cooks's circular and gang edger and lath mill; then the largest mill on the lake, that of Heald, Murphy & Crepin, which has a circular, an upright, and a gang of about forty saws, cutting 125,000 feet daily. Next is F. H. White's one circular mill, and lastly the extensive mill of Ferry, Dowling & Co., at the head of the lake on the Montague side. Staples & Covell's mill was erected in 1874-5, the main building being 30x120, and 2 stories in height, with 12 feet ceiling. It has one circular and top saw, one gang edger, one slab saw andlath mill. The engine room is 30x56, the engine, manufactured by the Montague Iron Works, cost $3,200, has 28-inch stroke, and three 20-inch boilers 20 feet in length. The smokestack is 4 feet in diameter and 100 feet high. The mill cost without the site $30,000. This mill is a model of neatness, which is owing to the watchful supervision of the proprietors and their foreman, Mr. Jesse Pullman. A fine birds-eye view of the mill appears in this work. The old Water mill now removed, was the first monument of civilization on White Lake. It was built by C. Mears in 1837, and operated by one Stanton, then by Mr. Brown, and Mr. Mears sold it to A. M. Thompson in 1863. After ten years he sold to Howard, and Farnum Ellwood, of Indiana, took it for his mortgage, sold it to Vary, and he to Wilcox Co., who in 1881 tore away the dam and built the new sawmill. The Wilcox Lumbering Co., have built a fine mill and have placed it out on spiles in the lake about 300 feet. It is fitted up with all modern improvements and opened in the spring of 1881, the machinery being shipped from the mill at White Cloud. It is 160x40 feet, has two circulars, two edgers, four trimmers, gang lath mill, and is conspicuous for its smokestack 102 feet high. It takes about one hundred men to operate it, and cuts 100,000 feet in eleven hours. The company is wealthy and had 20,000,000 feet of logs in the river in 1881. The supervisor of the mill is J. M. Popple; the foreman, C. K. Stone. White's saw mill employs forty men. C. Smith, engineer; John Ohrenberger, filer; J. Hulbert and G. Henderson, head sawyers. It has upright, circular and edgers, with capacity in eleven hours of 70, k _ -0 - 0 ~ i I e1l:S t T HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 31 000 feet. MIr. White has been on White Lake since 1869, and is a brother-in-law of E. P. Ferry. Covell & Ocobock's shingle mill, on Thompson St., was established in 1874 by Covell, Nufer & Co. Mr. Nufer sold out to Staples & Covell, who in turn sold out to MI. B. Covell and Joseph Hinchman, and then Mr. Hinchman sold to A. J. & C. E. Covell. Mr. Ocobock has been in the firm from the first. There are three splitting saws and three Perkin's hand machines. Employs forty men, and cuts 150,000 shingles per day. Proprietors-M. B., A. J., & C. E. Covell, and C. A. Ocobock, the latter having half ownership. The owners of the mill hazve converted it into a stock affair, called the Whitehall Manufacturing Company, and are adding machinery for a sash and door and planing mill. WHITE RIVER LOG AND BOOMING COMPANY. Intimately connected with the development of the northern and western portion of the country is the Booming Company, which was incorporated on Sept. 10, 1870, by a few of the leading and most enterprising citizens, who had long seen the necessity of united effort' on a large scale in order to supply the mills with logs, and to accomplish in the way of river improvement what would be impossible when acting as individuals. The first shareholders were: Geo. E. Dowling, Joseph Heald, John Welch, Edward P. Ferry, Edwin R. Burrows, Charles A. Floyd, Warren Heald, Frank English, G. F. Goodrich, H. B. Cone & Sons, Jas. Dalton, Jr., & Bro., John C. Lewis, John P. Cook & Son, Staples & Covell, Geo. W. Franklin, Geo. M. Smith, D. C. Bowen, I. E. Carleton, Hedges & Green. The amount of capital stock actually paid on at incorporation was only $1,250. The first officers elected were Solomion F. Cone, President; Geo. M. Smith, Secretary; Geo. E. Dowling, Treasurer. The officers for 1881 are: Joseph Heald, President; C. Dowling, Secretary; Geo. E. Dowling, Treasurer. The shareholders in 1881 were: Geo. E. Dowling, E. P. Ferry, Jas. Dalton & Bro., Staples and Covell, estate of G. M. Smith, C. D. Dowling, J. Alley & Co., Geo. Green, C. H. Cook, Rhoda F. Smith, A. J. & C. E. Covell, David Kelley, Emily S. Dalton, Heald, Murphly & Crepin, Asa P. Kelley. For the first five years of its existence the company brought down an annual average of seventy million feet of logs, for the next five years ninety million feet, and for the season of 1881 it got out about one hundred and forty million feet. In the eleven years of its existence it has brought out nearly one billion feet. The enterprise of the stockholders has been rewarded by a fair return upon their investments. The company gives employment to a force of two hundred river drivers and one hundred men are required to assist, raft and deliver the logs. The office of the Secretary is in the Franklin Block, Montague. The attempt to induce the employes of the Booming Company to unite in the strike of the Muskegon moen has thus far failed of success. OTHER LUMBERING POINTS. The two great points in the county for lumbering are those we have already described, Muskegon Lake and White Lake. In comparison with these the lumbering in the rest of the county is infinitesimnal, and is yearly growing less. The great mill of Blodgett & Byrne, at Holton village, has been removed. There is Abbot's mill in Moorland, Feiry's mill at the mouth of Black Lake is doing a little yet, the historic mill at Duck Lake is silent, the Silver Creek mill of the Daltonls is doing very little, and the same may be said of all other parts of the county. Portable mills are set up here and there, but they soon use up the supply and have to move to pastures new. To the list of mills still operating we may add that of Slocum's of Casnovia. EARLY HISTORY. We premise the early history of Muskegon County by giving a few salient dates of most importanltevents prior to the erection of Muskegon into a separate and independent county in 1859. In 1671 an envoy of the French King mlet the Indians at Sault St. Mary and solemnly took formal possession of everything from fMontreal west. In 1759 Montcalnm, the French General, was defeated and killed and Quebec was captured by the British. In 1763 Canada, which then included Michigan and the Northwest, was ceded to Great Britain, and for eleven years Michigan, like the rest of the territory, was under military rule. In 1774 Michigan was made a constituted part of the Province of Quebec, and a lieutenant governor was appointed at Detroit. In 1783 it became a portion of the United States, whose independence was recognized. In July, 1796, possession of the territory was given by the British. It was now organized as a part of the northwest territory, Gen. Austin St. Clair, Governor, 1776. Wayne County now was organized. The Northwest Territory consisted of all Michigan, northern Ohio, part of Illinois and Wisconsin, with the capital at Cincinnati. April 30, 1802, Michigan became part of the territory of Indiana, Gen. W. H, Harrison (Tippecanoe) Governor. In 1805 Miichigan was organized as a territory, General Wm. Hull first Governor. Aug. 17, 1812, Hull surrendered Detroit to the British, but Oct. 13, 1813 Gen. Cass recaptured it. In 1836 Kent County was organized with Clinton, Ionia and Ottawa Counties attached. At this time Ottawa of course included M!uskegon. 1837 Ottawa County was organized with three towns, Ottawa, Talmadge and Muskegon. 1838 the State road from Grand Rapids to Muskegon was commenced, and again in 1815 work was done on the roads to Muskegon River, and to Muskegon Lake. In 1816 Dalton was attached to Muskegon, in 1819 Ravenna was organized, in 1852 Casnovia, and in 1855 Norton. June 15, 1836, Michigan became a State, and January 27, 1837, she was fully admitted. In 1821 the Indian title south of Grand River was extinguished by treaty. Up to 1817 Wayne County had all of Michigan under its jurisdiction. In that year Monroe County was formed; Macomb, 1818; Oakland, 1820; St. Clair, 1821; Lenawee and Chippewa, 1826; Cass and St. Joseph, 1829; Kalamazoo, 1830; Ottawa, 1836; Muskegon, 1859. In May, 1836, when Martin Ryerson arrived on Mluskegon Lake as clerk to the Indian trader Joseph Troutier, he found himself in an unbroken wilderness, and almost in solitude as far as his fellow white men were concerned, the only other white man being a Frenchman named L. Badeau, an Indian trader, sent by Rix Rob inson, and who made Muskegon his home. So attached did Mr. Ryerson, who then was a -mere youth of eighteen, become to the Indians, that he learned their language and customs thoroughly, and as he savs at one time, he almost hated to see the face of a white man. He became an expert Indian linguist, and was much beloved by the aborigines. When he arrived Owoniscum was the Chief of the Ottawas, but he died the same year, 1836, and was succeeded by Kenewegisheks, who also died some years after at Muskegon. The only roads at this time were INDIAN TRAILS whiclh were not long used by the whites. There was one trail how iI it e5:-40 I li aVC: -ri eS A~ 7 I - - k r r -90 -4-C T 6 'I 4 l I X 1 I II.0 - I --- HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. v/ — __ ever, up the river on the south side, whllich crossed at a dam onl Ryerson's farm sisteen miles up the streanlm, and then ran onl the other side of the river to Croton, wvhence there was another well used trail to Grand Rapids. There was of course the beach trail along Lake Michigan, which rall nlorth along the beach until it reached Black Creek, whichl it crossed about a mile and a half from its mouth, and it cuts across Miuslkegon Lake about half a mllile west of Ruddilaln's old flo-lr mIill at the moutll of Bear Lake. There was llever very mlucll of a trail to Whitehalla, but there was one to Burying Gronld Poillt, on YWhite River. Thlle trail up the Mauskegon River was the only way by land for trappl)ers anlld lulmberrlel to go ulp. THE FIRST ROAD. Thle first road out of Muskeaon was mllade by Martin Ryerson in 1817, at his OWll expense as in those days if one wantedl a road therie was Ino use ill asking alny public bodies to lmllake it, as these hardly hlad yet any esistence. Put your own shlouldcelr to the wheel was the mlotto of tllhose primitive timles. Mr. Ryerson, accolnpanied by hllis Indian, r1an a line and corrected it, alnd sent a gang of men to cut it out all tile way from MAuskegon Lake to RLavelnnaL, where it joined a road already cut out from Grand Rapids. The road to Ravenllna hlas since beell considerlably shifted. Previous to this thle only wcy to Granld Bapids lhadl been along thle beach to Grallnd River. The first wa(ogol was ilntroduced b y Theodore Newell & Co., inll about 1838 or 1839, anld tllhat was tllhe only ltrwagon onl thle river until 1841 or 1815. lMartill yersoll purchased it, anlld it sed to be keeping "Lent" half the time. He was very thankliful when any one greaLsed it lbefore returnnllg. The first lumber sold ablove Mluskegon was inll the year 18412 by Rose & Hyde, thle price paidl being 3`5 per tllousandcl feet, anlld the purchaser one William Lay, of Chlicago. The first logs cut land put afloat into thle Muskegon was done by Merrill & Page anld Lloydl & Place, at Mill Iron, inl the wiinter of 1840-41. Mr. Merrill vet resides at Bridgeton, in Newaygo Comuty. The first logs cut lbove Aill Iron, wvas done by John A. Brooks during thle samle winter, ten lmiles tabove Croton. He drove them down to the Flats-Newell tlie purchaselr, there took thelll ill cilharge anlld droTve theml into thle Mulskegon Lake. In 1850 thle first siding mllchine was put illtO J. Robinson's nill, whlere Torrent & Armns Inow is, and w as imanufactured by Israel E. Carlton, then of Pt. Huron, but afterwards alln hlonored citizen oil White River. THE OLDEST RESIDENT. It is claimled tllhat Mrs. Jnlia Bohne, resicling, onl Onlltario St., is the oldest settler living in Muske(oll, aLnd thle first white woman, that set foot onl this soil, and that Geo. B, Woodbury is the oldest male settler. MIrs. Bohne is widow of the late Cllarles Bohne, calmle here w\itl her first lhusband, Thos. WV. Dill, ill 1837. She is still lhale and hearty after a 45 years' residelnlce onil Muslskegoron iver. She came witll her first husbalnd froml Chicago by steamler Colui)unls, to Gralld Haven, and started in a clanoe to thle mouth of Auskegon Lake, when thle mlell lot unlderstanlldiu howv to man111age Such a craft, i came llear swamlping, anld MIrs. Dill decided to go ashore alld walk thirteen miles to the mlouth of MTuslkeoln Ltake. Shlle went onI alone with tleir son, G. W. Dill, aged 6 years, an1d her little daughlter 5Mailla (1now MIrs. N. Campbell, of Wisconsin), agedl 4 years. She says shle felt ratheir tilied 10l the lonely road when shle saws Indiann wigwamns here andl thlere, Ibut she foulllnd tlhel to be abandoned by their former occupanllts, and shie was soon rejoined by her llusband and tlhe others whllo hlad had to tlake the canoe badck to Grand Haven. After crossinL tlhe oultlet of Black Lake ini a canoe, the party arrived at Pt. Sherman, vwhere they stopped all nigiht at Henry Penn6yer's boardinig house, and then canoed lp the lake and river opposite to wihat is now Newaygo village. There were then a few wvhite men here, Lasley, Badeau, M. Ryerson, and a few others. She lived onle year at Newaygo, then at the "Dam," and then at "Miill Iron Point," eight miles up the river, and for a whole year never saw the face of a white woman. She lias resided manyLyears onl Terrace St., Muskegon. S. R. SANFORD'S STATEMENT. Almong the early settlers is Salmuel R. Snlnford, who, althouglh over three s -ore, is still halle anllld active, and lieelps up his reputation as a wallker, which, lwhen lie was shleriff of the coulnty ill 1858-60 gained hi-ll thle appellation of the Walklling Slheriff. He came fromn Grand Rapidis on the Mullskegon River in December, 1848, at thle "Daim," which derives its naLmne from a jam1n of floodwood which obstructed navigation until cleared awty, whlichll was done before 1848. It is jlst beyond thle limaits of Cecldar Creek, and near where Bridgeton now is. lMuskegon in 1848 wats a very small straggling village. Tllere was the Lasley mlill, nowT Stialso11 & Co.'s, also EByerson &Morris', lwhich sawed 1(),0')0 or 11,0)00 feet ill twenlty-four hours, andl tle forner had about double thle capacity, beinlg a double mill. Liumbler was selling then at what swas coinsideld a good rate $8 or e9 per thousland. Thle mill whlere White, Sivan & Smnith's Inow is, which tlhen belonlged to Lloyd & Place, hlad just been burnled down. Lumber was then of thle best quallity, as nothing was cut but what w-as clear, no log was clut above the brandlles. Thle cut of that I time was about equlal to the cuts of the ml-ills now for board and strip or selected logs. At this tilme laluds had not lbeen located, and each m1ill put inll its own logs. There was considerable trouble for tlhis taking of logs, with the Goverllmlent officials. The mlill-owners placed their shallnties whllere they could get three requlisites, good w|atir, firewood and tilmber. They would select forty Lacres and cut all around it. Inl 1849 thle California "fever"' lbroke out, and cholerla ait the same time. The hlalrd timlles set ill silmulltaneously, and every one was willing to sell out, but nobody wished to buy. 1848 and 1849 were very wet seasons, farllls were cheap, and lumber was down. If a vessel load was sent to Chicalgo it would not bring over $5 per thousand, and that only after thle severest culling, a fine, clear board would be throvwn out for half price if a split of tw-o feet long were found ill it. The Government, about 1850-1-2, made attempts to stop the plulndering of their lands, seized l umber, logs and vessels, arrested the trespassers, taking manly of thenl to Detroit, Itbut finally tlhe matter was compromisecd, and fromn that time land was mdre generally located, the plundered lands among( the rest, on which, however, the amlount cut was found to be trifling. The Indians were plaid bounlties at Grandi Rapids until about 1848, they lived by traplping, berrying tan1d basket1 malking. At that time at the head of the lake inll the Booming Company's mnarsh, there were imliense swarms of ratts, which were lkilled by the Indiallns for their flesll for food and thlleir skilns to sell to thle whites. Mr. Sanford bought his mnill site at the "Dlam" fromn Joseph Troutier, collmmonly ctalled " Truckey," a lhalf-breed Frenchlman wvho was one of the earliest pioneers, He wvas in the early days like Robinson Crusoe, " monareh-of all he surveyed," and had a trading post near where White, Swvan & Smith's mniil inow stands. Il1 1848 he appeared to be a middle-aged in-ll, saty about 37 years of age, and he died a few years ago at Bridgeton, tip thle river, aged 70 years. He weighed when in his prime abolut 175 lpounds, and was an active nanll, about six feet in height. "Alexy" St. Peter, his brother-inlaw, also had a trading post on thle l take. The roads at this tilme being mlere Inldian trails illn new anlld crude state, supplies wTere mnainly brought in by water. To -VI I I k4 - ~, - ON Vdbm. 7 A _ __ _ I SD sr* wF — iz ~- '~ ~~' ~:: ~' ~i r Ir t i 1 1 2-, I. if i, 1 I '-~ 'ir I; - I t ~k i~ i:-,al~~ r;;.,:~as-_~:i:~;I, --.~k. I ' - ~-'r;:' t 0' 8., S; ~ ~ I-~:.- 1 ~; -4i, ^^ MRSE.W.M ERR ILL. ^^ ^ Sel ~ff (8,^B'^8^""-r*^ E.W. MERRI L L. '.... I Ii t t- 2: UF I L, IVI U IU K tL -I N, I; n. i"iii 4 __,j c I-I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 33 illustrate the hardships of those early days, Mr. Sanford relates that inll 1849 he carried on his back from Grand Haven to his mill, about thirty miles,his first saw, weighing about forty-five pounds, his employe, who carried the other, gave out near the ford at the mouth of Black Lake, and Mr. Sanford hlad to shoulder both the saws, and wade across up to the shoulders. To show the character of the roads he relates that it took him in 1849 a whole day to get his team four miles on the road to Grand Rapids, and the only way hlie did so at all was by cutting a new road along side of thle old one, which was fearfully muddy. The depression in timber- lasted unltil about 18583, when it began to improve, new mills were erected, and the "hum" of good times set in, lasting three years, and being followed in 1857 by three years of depression, and of course man y failures. Mr. Sanford was elected Sheriff of Ottawa and Muskliegon in 1847, taking office January 1, 1858, and continuing in office until January 1, 1860, and had g(ood opportunity to know how hard the times were. As showing how sp:arsely the county lwas settled, hlie says that hlie collected the taxes inll the 'north half of this county in just one week. The census of 18t.0, taken by Mr. Sanford, showed 300 at White River, 11 at Whitehall, 40 at Carieton's M1ills, and 65 at a point beyond the latter mills. Whlien lie visited White Lake lie imade his home at the Knudsens onil the Montague side. Carleton's ide:t in the division oflthe county was to detatch certain towns from the south of Oceana and the north of Muskegon, forming a new county of Oceana with the center at his own mills, which would be the county seat. The southern part of Muskegon was to remain with Ottawa. Had hlie obtained his desire, hlie could not have retained the county seat, as it would have gone down to Whitehall or Montague, where thile population and wealth have centered. "Mr. Sanford came down to the city and located land on Sectionll 29, for Ransom E. Wood, afterwards purchasing it him-self, owning at one time 400 acres in the city. Although over G0 years of age, lie is still lale and vigorous, and le still reticns that vigorous grip of the hand which none of the early settlers wanted to experience a a second time. He was noted for his rapid gait in walking, goiing forty miles to Grand Rapids in eight hours, and doing the duties of his office as sheriff on foot, so that hlie was known as the "Walkinlg Sheriff." His Indian name was "Wabunskindip" or "white head," from the color of his hair. ELIAS AV. MERRILL'S STATEMENT. opposed to it, and the legality of the organization was a question carried to the higher courts. In the north, Carleton and Dalton, representatives of White River and Oceana, were opposed to the formation of Muskegon, and went to Grand Haven, where they were refused seats, and when they came back to Muskegon Board of Supervisors they were told that the organization could be proceeded with without them, so their taxes were lost that year. In the Legislature the question was hotly debated, the representative from the north, Capt. Dalton, and that of the south, Henry Pennoyer, together with Senator Ferry, opposed organization, but it was carried by one vote over the necessary two-thirds. But after a while all worked in amicably. Pennoyer's speech on that occasion was a remarkably impressive one. He closed with, "I pray you do not separate, Muskegoun will soon come back as a pauper to Ottawa suing' to be taken back. Why every step you take, you step on nothing but pine knots and sand!" I The meaning of the Indian word "Ottawa" is said by Gov. IHolt to be " traders," while " Muskegon" denotes "marshy river" or "wet prairie." On the other hand, Father Van Pamel, of Muskegon, believes that " Muskegon" denotes "abundance of fish." The first two-seated carriage brought into Muskegon County was by Alvah Trowbridge. The first store in that ptrt of Muskliegon City known as "Middle Town," was that of Durkee & Truesdell. In 1855 there were but two mills between Levi Truesdell's store and; Pt. Shlermn, thle B idler and Raddiman mills. EARLY IHISTORY OF WHITE LAKE REGION. In April 1837, Charles and Albert Mears, the latter then a boy of fifteen, with two amen named True and Herrick, made their Imem-orable journey from Paw Paw to White Lake. The story of that nmomentous journey is given in thle history of White Lake saw mills. It was the means of inducing Charles Mears to enter into his early lumber and land speculations around White Lake and Duck Lake, which have pr*-ed such a fortune to Mr. Mears, and which ha givegin an impetus to thle White Lake region. Charles canme again that fall, and in 1839 built tle old water mill, now removed,. on White Lake, near where the Wilcox company's mill st.ands. The sloop Ranger, built by C. MAears at St. Joseph, and carrying 15,000) feet of lumber, was the first sailing craft ever on J White Lake. Albert Mears did not return until 1861. T. Stannage, of Montague, John Ha:son, and John Barr were at White Lake in 1838. There were Indians at Clay Banks, and Chief Wabiningo and half a dozen lodges were near the mouth of White River. About 1859 C. Mears built a store (D. Leitch's). In 1858 Whitelhall was platted, and all west of the railway was John Hanson's whleat field. S. C. Hall, now the wealthy lumberman of Muskegon city carried the first mail afoot. 1844. C. Mears builds the old -water mill, sells to A. M. Thompson in 1866. Before this the Duck Lake mill was built by C. Mears. 1845. Dalton Bros. build Silver Creek mill up White River; Dal!ton & Menges buy in 1868. July 4th, 1846, there was a grand celebration at the Mouth; Hulbert, the hotel-keeper, furnished a salt pork dinner, after which there was a swimming match. In 1847 Andrew Knudsen came to White Lake. In 1850 Rev. W. M. Ferry builds a mill at the mouth of White Lake. Scott & Stebbins run the mill and store until 1854. In 1853 White River Township was organized. 0 I I I I;l Mr. Merrill, one of the oldest representative men of Mu-skegon, who has lived retired since 1865, mnakes the following statement: I settled in Muskegon in 1844; over four years previously Muskegon had been organized as a village; the people used to meet and elect officers, and then allow the municipality to become dormiant, no taxes being raised. They would get roused up once in a while by a threat to annex thenl to Spring Lake. In 1839 the lands north of Grand River known 'as Indian Reserve, were thrown open and then advertised. There had been preemptions for saw mills as early as 1836. The first steam mill was where White & Swan's now stands, built by Lloyd & Place of Grand Rapids. It was a water mill, and served 'a double purpose, as a saw and grist mill. The bulk of the lumber was manilufactured at that time up the river at Croton, in Newaygo and at Sand Creek, now Bridgeton. My brother had a water mill up there. Ryerson & Knickerbocker's mill was built in 1844. In 1845 Mear's mill was all there was il Whitehall. The next mill in Muskegon was built by Wm. Lasley, and sold to Chapin, afterwards Chapin & Foss. Mr. Lasley was the heaviest Indian trader north of the Grand River, and died the year after building his mill. As to the organization of the county the Ferrys were strongly L ~s - _I ~_ _ __ 4- z ___ ~ 34 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 34 Ill 1854 Noah H. Ferry arrives in the Fall to run the mill at White River, the former mouth of White Lake. — First post office at White River. — A. A. Caine, post-master —Jewell mill built; sold in 1860 to Heald & Co. In 1855 the Jewell mill and Storms' hotel were built. Olne Hulburt lived at the salt marsh. In 1861 E. Knudsen built a store and house. -Piers at Mouth built by Ferry. —The first schooner to enter was the " Telegraph," which took part of a load. — May llth Jesse D. Pullman arrives at White River. -Miss Hazleton starts the first school (private) in all White River. — Public schools organized in 1856. -- The first settled minister (Methodist) come to White River, (Rev. L. M. Bennett), built a parsonage and stayed two years. — Rev. McCarthy followed, then Rev. Mills and Rev. G. W. Chapin, brother of Mrs. E. Burrows. In 1856 Whittaker & Hall built Staples & Covell's old mill. --- I. E. Carleton Supervisor, and Rev. Mr. Bennett (colored) treasurer. -- Dr. Wheeler commences to practice at the Mouth. In 1857 a town meeting was held at Dalton's water mill, White River then including the present White River, Montague, Whitehall, Fruitland, Dalton, Blue Lake, Cedar Creek and Holton, what is now eight towns. ---Dalton was elected Supervisor, and J. P. Brown Treasurer. —Geo. A. Rodgers drowned off Long Point, where he was operating a mill. — S. J. B. Watson comes to White River. — Printed tickets first used at elections of old White River Township — N. H. Ferry Supervisor. — Carleton & Dalton purchased the brig Oceana. In 1858 Whittaker &7^Hall's mill was sold to Thompson & Covell. They sell to W. Weston in 1864, and he to Lewis & Hall the same Fall, who sold to Staples & Covell. The latter firm tore the old mill down in 1875. Peter Hobler settles at White River. -- April 19th Geo. E. Dowling arrives at the Mouth. — Peter Dalton Supervisor, Moody Farman Clerk, and P. Hobler Treasurer. — The steamer Comet, with a big excursion from Grand Haven, enters the piers at the Mouth. In 1858 I. E. Carleton was Supervisor of White River. — Muskegon County was organized. — The towns of Dalton and Oceana organized. — Whitehall first platted, as Mears. ---In the Fall C. Mears starts a store ---Great races at White River. — W. H. Woodbury came to the Mouth in the Spring of this year. In 1860 Whitehall was surveyed by A. M. Hiersch, employed by C. Mears and G. B. Slocum. In 1861 the post office was first opened, with A. Mears as the first post-master. ---S. C. Hall, on foot, first mail carrier, and Horace Jones in 1861. —A volunteer company was formed this Fall with N. H. Ferry Captain, H. Heffernan 1st Lieut., and E. C. Dicey 2d Lieut. — Ferry built the schooner Success. In 1862 Thompson & Covell start a store in the place known afterward as Bratz's store. — First hotel, moved by P. Hobler from Harl1 Landing. In 1863 the first church in Whitehall (Congregational) was organized by P. R. Van Frank. The first meeting were held in the old log house. In 1864 the bridge was built between Montague and Whitehall by W. H. Parks. In 1865 Franklin & Wheeler buy out Thompson & Covell's store in June, and sell to Louis Bratz in 1866.- -The first drug store was started by Zerah Mizner this Spring; Ruggles' drug store was started in 1867, Wheeler's in 1868, Sandberg's in 1875, and D. P. Glazier's in 1877. —A. A. Cone moves his hotel from the Mouth. -- The first saloon opened by W. M. Simons, the first law office by Duane Thompson. — First practicing physician, Dr. J. A. Wheeler. In 1866 Congress voted $67,000 for harbor improvements. In 1867 the village of Whitehall was incorporated, and the first telegraph office opened. The Harbor Company, with a capital of $20,000, was formed in 1869, and Congress having added $45,000 more, White Lake becomes one of the best harbors on the Lake. The first newspaperT/'e Wthitehaltl Fornum)-was printed in 1869 by B. Frank. In September, 1870, the Booming Company was formed, and in the following October the first train of railway cars enters Whitehall. In December the first bank opens. The Hon. I. E. Carleton, after a residence of twenty years on White Lake, died on March 28, 1871. EARLY STAGE LINES. The first to start anything like a stage or public conveyance from the south into Muskegon was old Mr. Brittain, still a resident of Ferrysburg, who entered on the work of stage driving in the early days of "small things." Shortly after 1850 Francis Blood, now of Wright, had a stage route from Muskegon to Ravenna connecting with Grand Rapids, and in 1855 Geo. Bradford, now a carpenter on Pine street, Muskegon, purchased the stage, and it took in good weather one day to go to Muskegon and another to return. In bad weather, in Spring and Fall, it took twice that time. Mr. Bradford settled in Muskegon in 1871, with his son Andrew, now of the American Hotel. Mr. Thomas Merrill, of Muskegon, then of Ferrysburg, was the first to enter upon staging on a large scale, in connection with Thomas Culbert & Bro., of Muskegon. He came to Ferrysburg in 1850, was ten years foreman of Ferry's saw mill, and in 1865 established a regular mail, express and stage route. The road from Ferrysburg was cut in 1858, being underbushed, but not traveled until 1860. The stage line consisted of five to ten three seated, spring, buck-board wagons, capable of carrying five passengers and the driver. Among the early drivers still residents of Muskegon will be remembered Jack Sharp, F. Wright; Louis Morse (of the Omnibus line) John Currier, and Wm. Flanders, since 1865 foreman for Mr. Merrill. In 1869, when the railroad was building, the stage used to meet the train, and in 1880 staging ceased with the completion of the railroad. As high as sixty horses were used at one time on the great passenger, express and freight trains. There were three routes to Ferrysburg, the oldest road that by Black Creek, the next was the Telegraph road, which was built by the State; and the best was the Lower road, built by subscription, and partially by the State. WHITEHALL STAGES. The first mail route to Whitehall was on foot over the Indian trail and the first mail carrier was Mr. S. C. Hall, now a wealthy lumberman of Muskegon City, who carried the mail on foot for the first three weeks in a carpet bag. The first letter was for Joseph Hinchman. The first stage to Whitehall was by Gale & Nichols, then came Bickford's stage, then Smith & Saunders, Hall & Alsauer, Lee, Scully & Co., and Culbert Bros. to the South, and first Bickman and then Rodky to the North. STEAMBOATING. Among the earliest to commence the steamboat passenger business was Mr. J. T. Ryerson, now of Muskegon, who ran two boats, the old "Truesdell" and the "Ottawa," as combined lumber and passenger boats until 1867, when he sold out to Mr. A. E. Goodrich, of Chicago, who has run steamers to Muskegon, Ottawa and Grand Haven, both propellers and side-wheelers, but chiefly the latter from that time until the Fall of 1880, when he withdrew the line for a year but they are again being put on in 1882. As early as 1866 Mr. Goodrich ran a few trial trips with one of his steamers. For l.4 I.. - ic:n re a;_ — ~~ - r;r I — ~-;I~ Rii: FIRST NATIONAL BANK,WHITEHALL MICH. I.M.WESTON,PRESIDENT. C.A.HAMMONO, CASHIER. RES OF JOSEPH HINCHMAN.WHITEHALL,M]ICH. - P._.1 I i 1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 35 [ PI I. l many years this line has been run by the Goodrich Transportation Company, which is very extensive in its operations, and has a continental reputation for the speed, elegance and comfort of its boats. The head office is at the foot of Michigan Avenue, Chicago, where they have extensive docks. - The President of the company is A. E. Goodrich, Thos. G. Butler is Vice-President and Supt.; G. Hurson, Secretary; Wmin. H. Wright, Treasurer; and John Singleton, Passenger Agent at Chicago. They have now seven lines of boats, and take in both sides of Lake Michigan. They now own eleven steamers, five large and elegant low pressure, side-wheelers, and six A 1 upper cabin propellers. BANKING. There are but three National banks in the county, the Muskegon National and the Lumberman's in Muskegon, with capital of $200,000 and $100,000 respectively; and the First National, of Whitehall, with $50,000 capital. The first bank established in Muskegon City was in 1859, by Capt. T. J. Rand; in 1864 it became an Exchange Bank with more extended facilities. On the death of the founder the bank became a National bank, under the title of THE LUMBERMAN'S NATIONAL BANK, in February, 1873, with Major C. Davis as its first President, Henry Beidler as Vice President, and C. C. Billinghurst Cashier. Its directors have always been prudent and conservative men, which accounts in a great measure for the large amount of deposits continually entrusted to their care. This institution has always had in view the prosperity of the city, more especially its great manufacturing interests, and, as its name implies, is a Lumberman's Bank in that the greater part of its loans and discounts are made with the lumbering interests connected with the city and river. Among those intimately connected with its management for many years, as officers and directors, are: Major Chauncey Davis, the President; A. V. Mann, I. O. Smith, C. H. Hackley, Alex. Rodgers, W. F. Wood, and Rollin S. Thompson, nearly all of whom are wealthy and extensive dealers in lumber. The bank is situated on Western Avenue, not far from Terrace Street, and has just been thoroughly overhauled and refitted, an elegant new front having been put in. This bank is a stable and prosperous institution. THE MUSKEGON NATIONAL BANK was established in November, 1870, and was the first regular bank in Muskegon. Before this E. G. Comstock had been conducting a private bank for Mr. Gustinr his father-in-law. Mr. Comstock died in 1880, in New York. The first President of this bank was Mr. Gustin. The early Directors were: A. Rodgers, F. A. Nims, C. H. Hackley, L. G. Mason, E. W. Merrill, and Gustin and Comstock. The capital at one time was $225,000. but is now $200,000; the surplus and earnings are $83,713.98. The officers (in 1881) were: C. T. Hills President; C. H. Hackley Vice President, and Frank' Wood Cashier. The Directors were: C. T. Hills, A. Hathaway, C. H. Hackley, C. S. Montague, L. G. Mason, D. R. Shaw, and A. S. Montgomery. The following is the statement for Oct. 1, 1881: RESOURCES. LIABILITIES. Loans and Discounts.....$ 431,592 32 Capital Stock.............$ 200,000 00 Overdrafts................ 1,22291 urplus.................... 40,000 00 U. S. Bonds at Par...... 50,000 00 lTndivided Earnings..... 28,713 9. (Other Bonds... 19,000 00 Circulation............... 45,000 00 Real Estate, Furniture 1'eposits.................. 359,377 83 and Fixtures.......... 32,000 00 Dividends Unpaid........ 200 00 Expenses and Taxes Paid 3.210 86 Due from U. S Treasurer 2,250 00 Due from Banks.......... 65,219 15 Cash on Hand............. 65.796 57 $ 673,291 81 $673,291 81 The bank building on Western Avenue is a noble structure, and is on the corner of First Street. It was erected in 1874-75, the bank entering upon business in it March 5, 1875. They have four large vaults, one burglar-proof, with fifty-eight safety deposit boxes. The works are from the Detroit Safe Company. The last list of officers and directors is as follows; Directors: C. T. Hills, C. H. Hackley, L. G. Mason, A, S. Montgomery, Aaron Hathaway, C. S. Montague, and D. R. Shaw. Officers: President, C. T. Hills; Vice President, C. H. Hackley; Cashier, Frank Wood; Teller, Ray W. Jones; Book-Keeper, T.D. Whitney; Collection Clerk, Alfred H. Wylie; Exchange Clerk, P. 0. Lange. WHITEHALL BANKING. The first bank in Whitehall was the Exchange Bank, opened by Frank Blackmarr Nov. 14th, 1870, of which C. A. Hammond was Cashier. August 11th, 1873, the Lumberman's State Bank organized under the State banking laws with a capital of $50,000, and officers as follows: President, Hon. John P. Cook; Vice President, Hon. Elliot T. Slocum; Cashier, Frank Blackmarr; Assistant Cashier, C. A. Hammond; Directors, Hon. John P. Cook,-Hon. Elliot T. Slocum; John C. Lewis, Hon. George M. Smith, E. M. Ruggles, Frank Blackmarr and Charles H. Cook. The new bank purchased the old Exchange Bank's business. July 5th, 1876, Col. William Weston purchased a controlling interest in the stock and was elected President, and on June 26th of the year following his sonl, I. M. Weston, succeeded Frank Blackmarr as Cashier. July 17th, 1879, I. M. Weston succeeded his father as President and principal owner of the bank, and C. A. Hammond, the former Assistant Cashier, was elected Cashier. September 1st, 1879, it was re-organized as the First National Bank of Whitehall, with the same capital and officers. In 1881 the officers were: President, I. M. Weston; Vice President, Albert Mears; Cashier, C. A. Hammond. Directors: I. M. Weston, Albert Mears, B. F. Weston, John C. Lewis, L. G. Ripley, E. M. Ruggles and S. H. Lasley. The official statement made to the Comptroller of the Currency October 1st, 1881, shows: Capital stock, $50,000; surplus and undivided earnings, $10,151.33; cash on hand, $44,593.47; deposits, $152,256.89. The bank building, of which we present a cut, is the finest edifice devoted to business purposes in the village. It was built in 1873, of Milwaukee brick, at a cost of $12,000, and is complete and elegant in all its furnishing. It contains a large vault, with double burglar-proof Hall doors. Inside the vault is one of Hall's latest improved burglar-proof safes, with Sargent's time lock attached, and also a chest of iron safety deposit boxes for customers. The bank does business for a large area of territory, being the only one between Muskegon and Pentwater, a distance of forty miles, and as far east as the Grand Rapids & Indiana R. R. It takes first rank among the banks of the State as a strong, prosperous, and well equipped financial institution. For 1882 the Directors are: I. M. Weston, A. Mears, J. C. Lewis, B. F. Weston, C. A. Hammond, E. M. Ruggles and S. H. Lasley. At the Directors' meeting the new board elected I. M. Weston President and C. A. Hammond Cashier. A semi-annual dividend of four per cent. was declared, and eight per cent. was passed to the surplus fund from the earnings of the past six months. SHIP BUILDING. The only two points at which ship-building has been carried on, and that on but a small scale, have been Muskegon City and Whitehall. At the former place the Booming Company was the first to! ]:I t -"7p1 r y -A V - 36 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. I have a shipyard on a small scale, to repair their boats and build their tugs and dredges. Their yard was on the bank of the lake not far from the upper railway depot. The water has since been encroached upon, so that the position is now quite inland. About 1868 Capt. J. P. Arnold commenced to work for the company and continued to do so for several years. At that time, lie says, the company had but one tug, the old "Algoma," and in 1871 the "Morris" was built. Previous to this river toats had been used. The company still keep up their yard for repairing and for building a portion of their tugs, dredges and scows. Capt. Seth Lee was one of the former overseers of the yard, and now Capt. Mees has charge. The ship-building business has never been very extensive on Muskegon Lake, eithermon account of the timber, or on account of capitalists not taking up the business with energy, owing to other lines of business presenting more lucrative openings for investment. Capt. J. P. Arnold started his own yard near the "Foss" mill in 1879, and built there the schooner Lyman Davis, capacity 230,000 feet of lumber, which is still running; also twelve tugs, a dredge and a number of boats. In 1881 he built the tug "Arnold," and took it all the way to New Orleans and there disposed of it to good advantage, after enjoying an exciting trip on the "Father of Waters." This Spring the captain is building a fine ferry boat on the Booming Company's grounds for Capt. Seth Lee, to be used as a ferry to North Muskegon. It is 80 feet long, 16 feet beam and 6 feet hold. The Booming Company is also now engaged in rebuilding the tug Stevens. Henry Footlander's yard is at the "Foss" slip and was commenced in 1878, at which tugs now have been built, boats repaired, and a vessel is now in course of erection, which is expected to be ready for launching soon. Ship-building at Whitehall in the Winter of 1881-2 has been quite active, there having been on the stocks the schooner Mary Collins, of Chicago; the Kate Howard, of Evanston; and the steam barge Michael Groh, of Chicago. The total amount expended is about $20,000, and 40 or 50 men have been employed. FLOURING IILLS. The first flouring mill in the vicinity was built by John Ruddiman at the mouth of Bear Lake, across Muskegon Lake, in 1852, and many recollect the benefit the old mill was to the early settlers. It is now a thing of the past. The second and last mill is the CITY MILLS, built in 1869, a four story wooden structure with five run of stones. It was -built by Wim. Martin and Jas. M. Barnet (Grand Rapids) and purchased in Aug. 1878, by H. S. Henderson & Co. (Mr. Peterson.) The firm do no custom work, and have to import wheat largely to supply the demand. They have worked up a large and increasing business, and also deal in pressed hay and manufactured feed. The only other flouring mill in the county is that of ]Ferry, Dowling & Co., in Montague, which is a fine affair. It is a fine three-story and basement wooden structure, fitted with all modern improvements for milling by new processes, with four run of stones, making forty barrels a day. It was erected in 1867 by Ferry, Dowling & Co., and at first they had to import grain to keep it going, now they can export, such is the progress of agriculture. In 1875 JAS. M. WEBSTER took charge and is managing it with energy and ability. HOMOCIDES AND FATAL ACCIDENTS. Muskegon has been singularly free from criminal trials, for murder or homocide. For the last seven years the only murder trial was that of Dick Talbot, of Marshall, for the murder of Thos. Leitch, on the Newaygo road. The trial took place in the Spring of 1881, and Talbot is serving out a sentence of fifteen years' impris onment at Jackson. The cause of the murder is a mystery. There was a murder committed by a book agent named Birge, who shot his wife and immediately shot himself, so that he died the same day in jail. This was a very mlelancholly affair. In the summer of 1881 the body of Neil McKinnon, C.mnadian, was found in the Muskegon Lake, and in the Fall of the same year the body of Henry Slater, a talented lawyer of Muskegon, and formerly of Whitehall, was found on the marsh in which it is probable lhe had wandered. The following is the TAX ROLL OF 1839, which shows the " solid men" of that day: Names and property taxed: Joachim Lansdak, $185; John Nait (or Nail), $60; James Banks, $105; John Jackson, $105; Henry Pennoyer, $165; Wm. Bailey, $75; Joseph Troutier, $260; B. H. Wheelock, $3,000; Wnm. Lasley, $1,910; Geo. Cown, $30; Joseph Stannock, $110; Louis B. Badeau, $1,850; T. Newell & Co., $1,683. Total, $8,938. Signed, E. Wilcox, J. K. Newcomb, and C. Fryzine. Dated, May 20th, 1839. C. Fryzine was postmaster in 1839. THE "TRADING POST" was the name of a spot about four miles up White River, on the right bank, and consisted of a hut made of split logs, erected by a French trader in the early days, certainly before 1835, which was abandoned when the Mears and Daltons came illn, shortly after that date. The place was occupied as a sort of saloon and eating house by Charles Johnson and Johannes Gustavus, who are still both living, the former rich, the latter poor. The " boys" in those days called the place instead of the " Trading Post" the "snubbing post." The place was on land now owned by a Mr. Nelson and the Christ. Wyre estate. This historic land-mark is now7 removed. PRIMITIVE JUSTICE. A Justice of the Peace in the olden times was an important personage; as anll instance we insert the following anecdote. Mr. James Dexter came to White River in 1848, and removed from that place to Pentwater in May, 1855. He -was one of the Justices of the Peace of White River Township, which, until 1855, comprised all the territory in Oceana and Mason counties. During the judicial reign of James Dexter when Justice of the Peace of the township of Pentwater, one Henry Rector, becoming incensed at his neighbor's hog for destroying his garden, shot said hog. Complaint being made to his Honor of the commission of so grave an offense, he immediately issued his warrant, and Mr. Rector found himself a prisoner before his Honor's judicial tribunal. Upon trial, the prisoner was found guilty, and Justice Dexter, in pronouncing the sentence of the Court, said;"Having been tried by a jury of your countrymen and found guilty of disturbing the peace and dignity of our community, the quietude of which has heretofore never been disturbed by anything more serious than the killing of an ~Injot, it becomes the duty of this Court to inflict the penalty of the law upon you. You will pay to me within one hour a fine of twenty dollars and costs, amounting to ten dollars, and in default thereof, you will be imprisoned in the ~ county jail at Whiskey Creek for the term of ninety-nine years. " The prisoner failing to make the required payment, was actually conveyed to Whiskey Creek and placed in the jail, where he might have remained until the full term had expired had not his friends succeeded in procuring his release upon a writ of lhabeas corp:us, issued at Grand Haven where Judge Littlejohn was holding court. a: * j -,_ 7 -t - 0 - - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 37 WHITE RIVER ITEMS. *About the year 1844, after the first salt well at Grand Rapids was completed, the men that sunk it, consisting of a father and two sons, by the name of Hulbert, came on White River as the most likely place to strike salt. It was then an unbroken wilderness, the beautiful lake was navigated only by the red man and his dusky mate, except it may be that the veteran pioneer, Chas, Mears had a mill where A. M. Thompson's mill lately stood. It is not known what induced them to come here, whether they decided upon geological knowledge, or from Indian stories about the great salt spring, ten or twelve miles up the river. But one thing is certain, they went there and found the spring to contain about twenty-five or thirty per cent salt, and commenced sinking a salt well, and got to the depth of eighty feet, when the drill got fast and they were obliged to abandon it, but doubtless, salt can be found there in paying quantities. The old Daylight propeller was the first to ply between Grand Haven and Pentwater, and was commanded by Capt. Ed. Burroughs with his brother Edson as Wheelsman. It was a side-wheeler with heavy stroke, and ran for several years about 1864-5-6. In giving his pioneer experiences, Mr. James Gibbs, of Mears, writes that twenty-six years ago but one house, Sargent's, stood in Montague, where now the spacious Franklin House stands, and there was but one house in Whitehall at that time. On his arrival there he had to subsist three days on potatoes and salt. THE CITY MAP IN 1854. The earliest printed plat of Muskegon City is one by Robert S. Innes, C. E., which of course shows the "village" on a small scale. The plat extended from Pleasant anal Jefferson Sts., on the west, to Myrtle St. on the south, and Little Chief St. on the east, being from two to five blocks deep and ten blocks long. There was but one pier extending a short distance into the lake-the old Newell pier-a short distance east of the mouth of Ryerson's Creek. I I COUNTY MAP IN 1864. In looking at a map of the county published in Philadelphia in 1864, one is struck with the important changes in the boundaries of towns and of the progress in other respects. Many of the present wagon roads were then unopened, and not a single railroad appears. Norton and Fruitport are all included under Norton. Muskegon covers all of Laketon and Lakeside as well ax its present territory. White River comes to a sharp point by being prolonged into what is now Fruitland. Dalton is the name for all of the rest of Fruitland, of the whole of the present towns of Whitehall, Dalton and all of Blue Lake, except the two upper tiers of sections. Oceana was the name of what is now Montague and that part of Blue Lake not taken by Dalton. Cedar Creek includes the present town of that name as well as Holton. The other towns were arranged- as at present. Whitehall village is indicated on the map by a small plat called "Mears," and Montague village is not named, but in its place appears the name of W. M. Ferry's saw mill, Ferrisville is the name of the then considerable settlement at the mouth of White Lake, which mingled its waters with Lake Michigan by the old tortuous channel to the north of the present one. There appears but two roads to the north from Muskegon City, the State road, and one running along the north of the lake and branching off at Green's Creek towards the lake shore. There was also the road up the river to Newaygo. Where Pt. Sherman stands appears the name of Millville. I.ki )p, *^ I. LOGGING ROADS are of recent invention. The Xorthwestern Lumsberiman, in a recent article, says that the idea of using steam to convey logs from the pineries first entered into the mind of a Muskegon man, W. S. Gerrish, when sauntering in Machinery Hall at the Centennial Exposition in 1876, and now Michigan has more miles of such forest roads than all other States combined, and enquiries as to their construction are coming from other lumbering States, especially the South. CHANGE OF NAMES. The names of quite a number of places have been changed, and the places themselves in some cases have disappeared, being either paper organizations andl appearing only in old maps, or the people have moved away, and left the formerly flourishing village to desolation. Among these is the projected village of "Crimea," on the north side of the entrance of Black Lake, and "Chichester," on the I northeast corner of Moorland; "Ferrysville" and "Stump P. O." at | the mouth of White Lake; "Carleton," up White River; "Mears," (now Whitehall); "Reedsville," now a part of North Muskegon; "Laketon" and "Millville," now Pt. Sherman; "Oceana," the name of a township of varying size, which at one time included Montague and Whitehall. The names of the railroads are all changed into Chicago & West Michigan Railway, which were formerly the Chicago, Michigan & Lake Shore, the Ferrysburg & Muskegon, the Muskegon & Pentwater, the Muskegon & Big Rapids, etc. For a time the name of the county varied, even in acts of the Legislature being sometimes Muskegon, and at other times Muskego. MAP OF 1834. In a map of Michigan of the year 1834, all the territory north of Oceana was classified as the Territory of Michilimackinac, and is all a blank space, as is, indeed, nearly all the map of the State. The only names of settlements that appear in the counties of Kent, Allegan, Ionia, Ottawa, or Oceana, are those of " McCoy" and " Gypsum," where Grandville and Jenisonville now stand. All else is blank. The Grand River is pretty well traced, but the Muskegon and White Rivers are made to appear of equal length, rising up about Holton. No lakes appear at their Mouths. Oceana County came down near the line of Muskegon River. THE PRESS. In 1882 the Press of the county is represented by three newspapers published in the city of Muskegon: The semi-weekly News and Rplorter, by F. Weller, shortly to be converted into a daily; the daily and Weekly Chronicle, by McKay and Dana; and the Eveninlg fatil, by the Mail Publishing Company. The first is Democratic, the second Republican, and the third Independent. At Whitehall there is the ForuT,, weekly, Republican, issued by Charles P. Neirpatss, and the Holton Banner, weekly, Republican, by C. P. Nearpatss. At Montague is issued the L~UmJbermanv,, weekly, Democratic, by Frank Bracelin. In 1881-2 there was several changes in the personnel of the press. In the Fall of 1881 the Hon. W. M. Harford, publisher of the Ch1ronicle at Muskegon, disposed of the paper to two enterprising- gentlemen from Ohio, Messrs. McKay and Dana. In January, 1882, James C:ampbell, the able conductor of the E veninzyg ournal, Muskegon, sold the good will of that paper to the publishers of the Chrolnicle, and the.~ournal ceased to exist. This reduced the press of Muskegon to two, the semi-weekly Nezvs anl Reporter and the Daily Chronicle. The Eveting J'ouenal was commenced Feb. 10th, 1882, by Chas. S. Hilbourn, James Smith and W. G. Cameron. Messrs. Hilbourn and Cameron are both experienced newspaper men, the former having been publisher of the Lakeside Register, published in Muskegon from 1873 to 1877, when it was sold to Mr. Weller, of The BNees and Re2vorter. It was a Democratic organ. The Mail It L An: An: X if of V - - - -.!00 t;;:; -1 v -i) p I I v 41L!,I - 38 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. f is independent in politics, is issued every -week-day evening, with a double sheet on Saturdays. It has advocated the " Tell Hours" movement of the working mi-en. The Mlutuskegon X ewts was founded by John Bole, now of Grand Rapids, Jan. 1st, 1864, as a Republican organ, and in the Fall of the same year lie sold out to J. P. Gardner, who, in the Spring of 1865, sold to Mr. F'. Weller, who has conducted it ever since. In 1867 Mr. WVeller purchased the Muskegon P2epo;ter from Fred. Lee, and consolidated the journals as T7Le ^Veiujs Ca1d Reiporter. At the time of the Greeley-Grant campaign it supported Greeley, and has ever since been Democratic. It has been for nmany years a sprightly, newsy semi-weekly journal. FERDINAND WELLER, editor anid proprietor of The Xei.s and ~eporter, was born in Asch, Austria, Dec. 24th, 1838. At eighteen years of age he-lcame on a sailing vessel to America, landing at New York, settling ultimately at Howell, Mich., for six years, where he learned the printing business. Thence he went to Grand Rapids for two years, and came to Muskegon in 1865, and purchased i7te Xluskefgon News, and afterwards the Reporter, which lhe consolidated as the semi-weekly _News and Reporter. In 1869 he married Miss Anna Ellis, of Earlville, Iowa. In 1870 Mr. Weller made a pleasant visit to his native place, and returned with his aged mother, who still resides in that city, hale and hearty, although now seventy-four years of age. IT/Ie _lluaskegon Daily and.l JVeek!.y Chronicle was established in 1857, and is now in its twenty-fourth year, and is the oldest paper in the county. _'lhe Daily Chwronicle is now in its second year, and has been from the beginning a vigorous newspaper. Both papers are Republican in politics. The Hon. W. M. Harford, formoerly publisher of the Fremont, Ohio, Journal and of the Parents' and r'eaclhers' M1onthily, purchased the office about February, 1878, and in 1881 it was purchased by the enterprising firm of McKay & Dana. In December, 1877, The 2I1uskego;n Chrozicle, then owned and edited by Mr. 0. B. Curtis, was the only Republican paper in Muskegan. Another paper seemed to be needed to fully represent the party, and at that timle Mr. R. R. Johnson established the JourzTnal. Mr. Johnson continued its sole proprietor until January 1st, 1879, when Jaimes G. Campbell, an attorney of the Muskegon bar, bought a half interest in the office and assumed editorial control, and from thence until April, 1880, the office was owned and controlled by these gentlemen, operating under the firm name of Johnson & Campbell. At the time last mentioned Mr. Campbell purchased the interest of Mr. Johnson and assumed the whole control. In January, 1881, Mr. Campbell disposed of the paper to the publishers of the Chronicle. The following is a list of newspapers formerly published in Muskegon City, which have, from one cause or another, ceased to exist: Journal, by Cowan & Hadder; Vindicator, by J. H. Maze; Reporter, by Fred. L. Lee & Co.; Telegracph, by A. G. Blood; _Democrat, by A. White & Co.; _EJzterprise (daily and weekly), by S. R. & I. R. Sanford & Co.; Gazette cd _Bulletin, by Levi Beardsley; Lakeside Weekly, by Judson & Co.; The Lumbermanz, by Wait & Judson; Lakeside _Register, by C. S. Hilbourn; Daily 7mnes, by Alfred Perrin; Sentinel, by A. B. Wood & Co.; Joubnal, (daily and weekly) by James G. Campbell. In 1873 there were published in Muskegon City Tlhe Chtronzicle, _News and Riepjorter, Gctaette &( _Bulletiln, and JIichigan LLumber;man, all weeklies. The only other newspaper in the county was /th.e WVhAitehall Forum. The first newspaper in Whitehall was founded in 1870 by Benjamin Frank, now of California, who ran it for about a year, when he sold out to Rev. J. G. Schmfer, now in New York State, but although a man of ability, Schaefer had not the tact tloget along quietly with his readers, he was glad to dispose of his interest to Mr. Nearpass, whose course and temperament are conciliatory. ilie Eorn2um is a quarto sheet of five columns, which was the form adopted by Schtefer for the seven-column folio of Frank. It is Republican in politics, and has a steady circulation. Office over Linderman's block. C. P. NEARPASS, editor and proprietor of G'le WhVlitelcall Fborum, was born at Concord, Mich., Aug. 21, 18441, and came to Whitehall Dec. 20, 1872; learned his trade in T'he Marshall Stateslmaz n office, where he remained five years; thence to Hastings as foreman of Joutrnal jobbing. Two years after lie went to Kalamazoo as pressman on the Gtazette, and thence to 7The -Decatu, Repul)1ican, after which he moved to Whitehall. There have been four newspapers published in Montague, of which 'The Luil)bernian is the only survivor. The first was Tihe S~yldicate, by John G. Lee, now of Grand Haven, issued in December, 1871, and closed out in the fire of Feb. 21, 1873. T/'e _L[umbermanz was next published by H. C. Sholes & Co., Nov. 29, 1873. The Vedette was issued Sept. 12, 1874, and lasted but a short time as a campaign sheet. The same year The Investigator appeared. Tihe Lumlbermeist is still vigorous and spicy under the management of Mr. Frank Braeelin, who also practices law, and has been for several years Supervisor of the town of Montague. Henry C. Sholes, now deceased, and formerly of Kenosha, Wis., started the LTu,,berv7wl, which came into possession of the Lumberman Company in 1870, of which I. AM. Weston was the manager, and Otis Caldwell, editor. Mr. Frank Bracelin, of Muskegon, purchased it in May, 1878, and has since issued the paper. It is Democratic in politics, and has a bona-fide circulation of over 600. A sheet called the Investigator was started in 1874-5 by BMr. Vangiesen, lasting about seven or eight months. It was a rather scurrilous sheet. In 1876 a sprightly paper called the Ve:lette, rall for three months as a campaign Democratic sheet, edited by Robert Nelson, now deceased, and a journalist of considerable ability. He was brother-in-law of G. E. Dowling. The Lu;lnbermnit,~, in the hands of Mr, Bracelin, is manged with ability, and has plenty of viim and backbone. JONATHAN WALKER. ' The name of Jonathan Walker has now taken its place in history, and as the latter years of his life were spent in the vicinity of Muskegon, his history is part of the history of the county, therefore we give in this book a sketch of his life. He was born on a farm in Harwich, Mass., March 22, 1799, where he lived with his parents until 1816, when lie became a sailor boy. All went well with him for about two years, at which time he became very sick, while on a voyage in the Indian Ocean, and for some unaccountable reason, was landed and left in a bamboo hut, without friends or those with him who understood his language. After regaining his health he resumed and continued his sailor life until 1835, with an occasional interruption, when on shore employed in a shipping yard. At the latter date, having become acquainted with Benjamin Lundy, he went with him to Mexico for the purpose of assisting in the colonization of those who had escaped from American slavery. About two years afterward, while engaged near the Mexican coast, their small vessel accidentally ran aground, and being discovered, they were shot at and robbed of everything, including the vessel. He afterward built another small vessel and engaged in the coasting trade along the shore of Alabama and Florida, at the same time assisting those of the slaves in obtaining their freedom who ] ----------------------------- -- - - - -,______________ __ _ _ _____ __________________l___-______________ -W- -7 _- -r I D ~`I I: HIS-TORY OF MUSKEGON C OUN TY. C, 9 I might chance to come on board. While making a voyage from Florida to the Bahama Islands, in 1814, with a number of such persons on board, he was overtaken, captured and taken back to Florida and put into jail. He was afterward tried and convicted of slave stealing, was sentenced to be placed in the pillory, to be branded S. S. in the right hand with a hot iron, and to pay a fine of $600 and cost of prosecution. Every portion of the sentence was carried into execution, including his detention in a miserable jail for about one year in solitary confinement. This cruel treatment of Mir. Walker was the occasion of Whittier's immortal poem, "The Branded Hand." Having regained his freedom Mr. Walker spent most of his timie during the five succeeding years in lecturing on the subject of Slavery, and although he left the field as a lecturer at this time, his interest in the cause he espoused so early in life and for wvhich he spent his best energies, did not diminish in the least until American slavery ceased to exist. In 1863 he purchased a few acres of landl at Lake Harb~or, Muskegon C~ounlty, Michigan, upon which lie soon after settled, and engaged in the cultivation of smallo fruits. Here lie continued to reside, and although affable and intelligent, was a quiet and uinobtrusivre old gentleman, beloved and respected by a11 those who enjoyed the good fortune to forml his acquainta-.,lce. His health continued good until the autumtn of 1877, after which he gradually declined, the best medical skill seemed to be of no avail, and on the 30th of April, 1878, be quietly andl peacefully died at thle ripe old age of 79 year-s. The monument shown in our illustration was erected in the Muskegon cemetery, in 1878, to the memory of Capt. Walker. JONATHAN WALKER. It is 10 feet high above the foundation, and stands onl a base which is sunk, to a depth of 51 feet in the ground, and stands 5 inches above the surface, makinog the total height of the monument above the surface, 10 f eet and 5 inches. The base is 3 feet sqtlare. The m~aterial of which it is composed is Hollowell granite, from Maine, and it was donated by the Rev. Photius Fisk, of Bostoll, who a~lso paid the transportation to this county. It, has the follow ing inscription on the south face: This Monument is erected To the Memory of Caplt. Jonathan Walker, by his anti-slavery friendl, Photius Fisk, Chapla-4in of the United Strates Navy. I THE WALKER MONUMlENT. On the eastern face of the shaft is the following: WALKER'S BRANDED HAND. On the upper base, same side, is the following: Jonathan Walker, Born in Harwich, Mass., March 22, 1799; Died in Lak-e Harbor, Muskegon Co., Mich., April 30,1878. Oil tle north side is the following quotation froml Whittier's rot m: "Then lift that manly right hand Bold ploughman of the wave, Its branded palm shall prophesy Salvation to the slave. Hold up its fire wrolgllht language, Tllat whoso reads may feel His heart swell strong within hira His sinews changed to steel." STATISTICAL. Michigan, which was a territory fromn 1810 to 1837, and since then a State, had in 1810 but 4,762 inhabitants, and was then the twenty-fourth in rank as to population of the States and Territories of the United States. In 1820 it had fallen to the twenty-seventh in rank, but it afterwards steadily rose to the ninth in 1880, with 1,626,325, being 12,00() below Kentucky, which is eighth, The population of Muskegon County in 1860 was 8,947; ill 1870, 14,894; in 1880, 26,568. 1864. According to the State census of 1864 the population of Muskegon was as follows: Casnovia, 667; (Cedar Creek, 166; Dalton, 674; Egelston, 153; M~oorland, 126; Muskegon, 2,712; Norton 229; Oceana, 111; Ravenna, 429; White River, 543. Total 5,810. -, i, - II I I I -1 k 404 7E 1.1 k9. 11-% ZI A 4- t I i I I t I r I f I aI 40 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. b The total number of acres of taxable land was 113,308; number of acres of improved, 8,761; number of acres sowed with wheat, 1.160. The number of saw mills returned were 23 steanm, and 9 waterpower, which produced 86,600.000 feet of lumber. There were no returns from Cedar Creek, Egelston, Moorland and Ravenna, and of this amount Muskegon sawed 66,300,000 feet. The number of persons employed was 571, and the amount of capital invested $508,350. The number of bushels of produce raised the preceding year was: Corn, 18,423; wheat, 16,678; other kinds of grain, 10,077. Potatoes, 20,862; tons of hay, 2,837; pounds of wool sheared, 2,175; pounds of pork marketed, 27,200; pounds of butter, 53,695; pounds of cheese, 1,400; pounds of sugar, 39,564. Of live stock there were 490 horses; 867 neat cattle other than oxen or cows; 587 work oxen; 932 milch cows;.969 sheep; 8941 swine and 12 1mules. The manufactories were: Flouring mills, 3, all run by water; 2 breweries, both in Muskegon; no oil mills or distileries, and no mines worlked. There were also six steam and two water-power imanufactories of other kinds. There were 316 dwelling houses. MUSKEGON COUNTY 1870. The total population of Muskegon County was in 1870 14,894. There were 526 farms of an aggregate value of $1,342,703. The population by townships was as foliows: Blue Lake, 381; Casnovia, 1,093; Cedar Creek, 660; Dalton 401; Egelston, 223; Fruitland, 228; Laketon, 1,039; Lovell, 167; Moorland, 1041; Muskegon, 401; Muskegon City, 6,001. Total, 14,892. Of these there were native born 5,067 males and 4,377 females; foreign born, 3,335 males and 2,113 females. There were 25 blacks and 15 mulatto. There were 1,425 voters owning property, and 1419 voters w| ithout property. Total, 2,844. The total number of acres of improved land in farms were 16,745; woodland, 59,684, other unimproved, 537. Cash value, $1,342,703. Value of farmingimplements, $16,580. The estimated value of all farm products during the preceding year was $306,223; forest products, $31,578; home manufactures, $1,835; maple sugar, $17,386. The live stock on farms was estimated at 767 horses, 21 mules and asses, 977 milch cows, 365 working oxen, 911 other cattle, 2,451 sheep and 1,566 swine, and the total value of all live stock was estimated at $185,275. The products during the year ending onl the 1st of June, 1870, were animals slaughtered, $35,365; wool, 5,416 lbs.; butter, 541,771 lbs; cheese, nil; milk sold, 92 gals.; orchard products, $9,318; wine, 100 gals.; market garden products, $11,151. The farm products for the same year are estimated as follows: Wheat, spring, 26 bush.; wheat, winter, 27,508 bush.; rye, 5,7144 bush.; Indian corn, 27,264 bush.; oats, 21,516 bush.; barley, 439 bush.; buckwheat, 4,391 bush.; tobacco, 20 lbs,; peas and beans, 1,186 bush.; potatoes, 71,165 bush.; hay, 4.629 tons. In 1870 there were 65 lumber, lath and shingle mills, 52 steam, 12 water, and iu one the power not specified, These paid wages to the amount of $746,814, and the capital invested wats $2,229,300. The total products were: lumber, 334,090,000 feet; lath, 92,440,000 pieces; shingles, 39,100 thousands. The total value of products was estimated at $4,168,790. The manufactories of flour, lleal and feed were 2 steam and 3 water mills, with a total of 9 run of stones. These ground 52,520 bushels of wheat and 20,600 bushels of other grain. The capital invested was $68,000. They produced 10,350 barrels of flour, and 2,975,000 lbs. of meal and feed, the total value being $126,555. There were five foundries and machine shops, with an invested capital of $49,000, the total value of products being $82,680. There was one tannery producing $22,250 worth. The total number of manufacturing establishments was 144, the capital invested being $i2,525,500, and the total products being valued at $4,762,687. The religious denominations of the people were represented by twenty-seven organizations, with eleven edifices with a seating capacity of 4,100, the chllrch property being valued at $39,200. There were 6;4 public schools of all grades, with 46 male and 64 female teachers, and 1,020 male and 1,070 female pupils. The total income amounted to $,23,184. There were four weekly newspapers published, viz: 7Te M_/Tskeyclon (,C'ro;ticle, /Y';le M11uske/on ]Eteps'rise, The Nlew~s (anl 1e2Ioorter and Yh7e WTh'itehall ]Forum. The total value of real (and personal property is given as $6,971,774. The total debt of the county and minor municipalities was $35,100. It cost the county $3,465 to support 2041 paupers, of whom 24 were native and 180 foreign. This included temporary support. The number of paupers June 1st, 1870, was 10 native and 28 foreign. There vwee 51 persons convicted during the preceding year, mostly for petty offences, of whom 18 were confined in prison on June 1st. STATE CENSUS OF 1874. The polullation of the County of Muskegon, according to the State census of 1874 was 19,375, of whom 10,761 were males and 8,614 felmales. The population of the townships was as follows: Blue Lake 297, Casnovia 1,529, Cedar Creek 291, Dalton 425, Egelston 317, Fruitland 208, Fruitport 378, Holton 620, Laketon 1,332, Montague 1,360, Moorland 213, Mluskegon 515, Muskegon City 8,505, Norton 392, Ravenna 934, Whitehall 1,323, White River 706. The total amount of tzxable land in 1874 was 270,157.01 acres, and of improved land 26,174 acres. The total number of farms was 839, containing altogether 77,400 acres, or, on an average, 82.25 acres each. Of this there were devoted to wheat, in 1863, 2,320 acres, and to corn, 2,123 acres. The farm products for 1863 were as follows: Wheat, 30,355 bushels; corn, 49,546 bushels; all other grain, 58,358 bushels; potatoes, 43,591 bushels; hay, 7,718 tons; wool, 9,438 pounds; pork, marketed, 46,575 pounds; c'heese, 150 pounds; butter, 115,927 pounds; maiple sugair in 1871, 46,721 pounds. ORCHARDS, &C. The land devoted to fruit and garden vegetables was as follows, rejecting fractions: I Apple, peach, pear, plum and cherry orchards, 1,979 acres; vineyards, 50 acres; raspberry bushes, 64 acres; strawberries, 130 acres; currants and gooseberries, 21 acres; melons and garden vegetables, 174 acres. The quantity of fruit and garden vegetables raised in 1873 was as follows: Apples, 9,519 bushels; peaches, 260 bushels; pears, 85 bushels; plums, 46 bushels; cherries, 107 bushels; grapes, 1,902 cwt.; I strawberries, 1,941 bushels; currants and gooseberries, 206 bushels; melons and garden vegetables, 5,049 bushels. The total value of all such fruit and garden vegetables was estimated at $27,629. The live stock of the county consisted of the following: 1,862 horses; 67 mlules; 416 working oxen; 1,946 milch cows; 1,507 neat cattle other than oxen and cows; 1,875 swine and 2,706 sheep. j J3 goQ I - -- I Z "~ — /ll ( — -C Q5r L! <& I -l _ _I - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 41 __ I There were five flouring mills, two steam and three water power, with ten runs of stones. The capital invested was $80,000, and they made 54,100 barrels, valued at $408,000. There were 68 saw mills, 58 operated by steam and ten by water, with an invested capital of $4,742,200. These sawed 438,448,111 feet of lumber, valued at $5,540,976. There were also 11 shingle mills, which manufactured $169,700 worth of shingles. The aggregate number of manufacturing establishments, including those already mentioned, was 125, of which 78 were operated by steam and 17 by water. The capital invested in manufacturing was $5,366,300, and the annual products w2re valued at $6,721,676. - - o lT YEARB. STATISTICS OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC 1875 1881. 'AWA. MUSKEGON. $7,772 106 $11,822 7,897 122 10,942 5,0622 88 9,823 5,083 76 8.098 6,286 75 9,217 6,037 8t 13,217.......... 71 12,890 1 1875........................................ 1877............................................... 1878............................................... 1880...................................,..... 1881................................................. 66 72 50 47 53 36........ I CEREAL PRODUCTS OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, CENSUS OF 1880. Barley, 246 acres, 4,780 bushels; buckwheat, 300 acres, 2,659 | bushels; Indian corn, 4,082 acres, 141,871 bushels; Oats, 2,448 acres, 65,026 bushels; rye, 460 acres, 5,170 bushels; wheat, 6,905 acre3, 117,089 bushels Much attention is devoted in this county to the culture of the small fruits. Between June 1, 1881, and Sept. 1, 1881, the sum of $23,333.88 was paid by one of the banks of Muskegon, in the inter- | ests of Chicago dealers, to the farmers of this county for berries, principally strawberries. The population of Muskegon, by the United States census of 1880, was as follows: SCHOOL TOWNSHIP. POPULATION. POPULATION. Blue Lake............................................. 307 83 Canovi a.......................................... 1,71 5 506 Cedar Creek.......................................... 432 1 01 D alton............................................. 395 146 Egelston................................................ 218 49 Fruitland.............................................. 491 130 Fruitport.............................................. 880 188 H olton................................................. 892 268 Lakeside............................................... 1,702 437 Laketon.............................................. 918 242 M ontague......................................... 1,950 607 M oorland.............................................. 409 42 M uskegon.............................................. 9 4 160 Muskegon City, First Ward......................... 3.789 ) Second Ward...................... 3,501 [ 3,807 Third W ard......................... 1,718. Fourth Ward. 2,254 ) Norton.......................... 55,; 126 Ravenna............1................................... 89 409 W hiteha'............................................. 1,8 35 507 W hite River.......................................... 5(8 230 In the County of Muskegon there are only 11 Indians and halfbreeds, and one Chinaman. In Ottawa there are 85 Indians and one Japanese. Total in Michigan only 7,296 Indians, 27 Chiaese and one Japanese. In Muskegon there are 14,786 males and 11,800 females, 17,391 natives, 9,195 foreigners, and 102 colored. MUSKEGON COUNTY SUMMARY. In 1881 there were engaged in Muskegon County in the retailing of spirituous or fermented liquors seventy-one persons, and three in wholesale or manufacturing. Of these forty-nine were in Muskegon, eleven in Whitehall, eight in Montague, two each in Holton and White River, and one each in Muskegon Township and Fruitport. The revenue collected was $12,889.99; the tax from retailers being $200. The Muskegon names were: Charles Dunn, Charles W. Heatl & Co., Helen Scott, M. Cohn & Bro., Wm. Reinecke, Wmin. Kotelman, Joseph H. Pero, Thos. Stevens, Narzis Steiner, F. Klanken, M. Hamen, George C. Schabert, Fred Witt, Nick Smith;, Mrs. L. A. Johnson, Joseph Schobert, George Fraras, Peter Foegan, Henry Leiders, Wm. LaPlant, J. R. Bennett & Co., Henry VanBampus George Schwegler, Wm. Bodendoerfer, Edward Campbell, Adolph Peltier, P. 0. Holstrom, Anton Westonmeyer, Peter Damm, Sullivan & Vincent, Briggs & Briggs, Henry Dorays, John Peterson, Margaret S. Sibley, Herman Vos, Peter Call, Wmn. Walters, Nicholas Meisen, Herbert F. Young, August Peters, John Williams, Muskegon Brewing Co., S. C. Chumard, Frank Barnhardt, John Nystrom, Charles Duvel, Henry Lonsdale. The Montague names were: L. G. Ripley, Ohrenberger & Co., Lucius D. Smith, Henry Warwick, William Kison, S. D. Shattuck & Co., S. M. Fowler & Co. In Whitehall there were: James Fox, Thomas Larson, Wm. H. Baker, Eli M. Ruggles, Andrew Nelson, Harm M. Bjornstad, Max Bragenheim, Christ Lahman, Harvey Harwood, Silas Fisher, Hans Christy. Village of Holton: Wm. Badeaux and Charles Tyson. Muskegon Township: James A. Robinson. Fruitport: George Pelton. White River: Chris Weber and Wm. F. Bruce. PRESIDENTIAL VOTE. The first presidential vote cast by Muskegon, in 1860, shows, for Lincoln, 502; Douglas, 241. In 1864 Lincoln, 654; McClellan, 366. In 1868 Grant, 1,433; Seymour, 780. In'1872 Grant, 1,772; Greeley, 686. In 1876 Hayes, 2,255; Tilden, 1,511; Cooper, 163. In 1880 Garfield, 2,807; Hancock, 1,608; Weaver, 358. LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL. At the session of Supervisors October, 1881, as Muskegon was entitled to two representatives in the State Legislature, it was arranged that the city of Muskegon and the town of Lakeside should be one division, and the rest of the county the other. Each contains about 13,000 inhabitants. The new representative districts of Muskegon are, therefore: 1st, Town of Lakeside and city of Muskegon. Population, 12,964. 2d, All the rest of the county. Population, 13,662, Muskegon County was situated in the 5th Congressional District, along with Ottawa, Allegan, Kent and Ionia counties. In 1882, under the re-apportionment, Muskegon was set off to v.i P II I I J - I r -.0 1880. 1874. Casnovia.... 1,715 1.529 Dalton....... 395 425 Egelston..... 218 317 Moorland.... 409 213 Muskegon... 924 545 Muskegon City........ 11,262 8,505 Norton....... 556 392 Oceana........................ Havenna..... 934 White River. 508 706 Cedar Creek 432 291 Blue Lake.. S07 297 Fruitland.... 494 208 Fruitport.... 80 378 Holton.. 892 620 Laketon....... 918 1,332 Montague.- 1,950 1,360 Whitehall. | 1,835 1,323 Lakeside.. 1.702 Total......l 26,586 19,375 I 1870. 1,093 401 233 194 401 6,001 688 i1,'35 1,45'2 660 381. 228 167. 1,039. 14,892 1864. 1860. 1854. 667 605......... 674 243......... 153 2......... 128 05.. 2,712 283 980 1,448 229197......... 11 214 t4......... 4'29 39 6.55 543 374 789 166................... 8.................... 5,812 3,893 2,424 1850. 1845................ ----......................................................... 484 119...................................... 268 98 '752 217 Il ' k t t r - ~f1 -,,I -4 i I I I L 42 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY the Ninth District, containing OleanLa, Newaygo, Mecosta, Osceola, Lake, Mason, Manistee, Wexford, Kalkaska, Antrim, Charlevoix and Missaukee, whose population is over 125,000. Muskegon is in the 14tlh Judicial District, consisting of MIuskegon, Oceana, Newaygo and Mecosta counties. Judge Russell, of Hart, presiding. Ottawa and Allegaan form the 20th Judicial District. Judge Arnold, of Allegan, presiding. INCORPORATED CITIES AND VILLAGES. The cities in Ottawa County are, Grand Haven and Holland; in Muskegon County, Muskegon City. The villages il Ottawa are, Cooperville, Spring Lake aud Zelzand;, in Muskegon County are, Bluffton, Fruitport, Casnovia and Whitehall. STATE TAXES AND VALUATION. In 1876 Muskegon County real estate was valued at $2,639,846; personal estate, $772,399,000; total State taxes il 1880, $5,110. Ottawa County was equalized by the State Board in 1876 at $7,500,000; State taxes 1880, $9,581; and the county was indebted to the State $41,319. STATE LANDS. 01 Jan. 1st, 1881, in Muskegon County, there were of swamp lands belonging to the State, 435 acres; of school lands, 5,446. In Ottawa County there were 1,293 acres of schoollands,and 67 of university lands. PROPERTY-1881 Acres of land assessed, 279,236.29 Assessors' valuation, $3,586,559. CountyBoard Equalization, $3,320,102.25. State Board Equalization, $t6,500,000. STATE AND COUNTY TAX. Muskegon county's-share of the State tax is $9,170.10; the tax for county purposes is, $27,000. The apportionment is as follows: Blue Lake..................... $ 219.41 Moorland................. $ 515.38 Casnovia.................... 1,9 G 91.98 Muskegon.. 1,073 83 Cedar Creek................... 420.32. 724,9L Dalton.......................... 439.25 Ravenna.......................1,544,74 Egelston............ 446.46 Whitehall................ ih...2,371.15 Frultport...................1,071.84 WhiteRiver....... 513.33 Fruitland...................... 732.41 Muskegon 1st ward.......... 2,803.71 Holto........................... 651.93.Muskegon 2d ward.......... 6,734.85 Lakeside....................... 2,37.01 Muskegon 3d ward.. 4,256.36 Laketon 1..... l,918.44 Muskegon 4thcard..... 3,674.51 Montague..... 2,151.62 PURPOSES OF STATE TAX. T I RECEIPTS. ON ACCOUNT OF: Bills re eivable........................................... 750.00 Interest..........~~~.3.............................,.......... 39.01 Library fund................................. 649.0 Primary schoolf nd.., ~, 8,527.70 Collections and offic-e charges.............. 390.60 Teachers' Institute fund...................................... 55.00 State of Mich. for taxes, redemptions, interest and charges.. 7,350.33 For sales State list............................................... 128.3.5 For sales adv. list................................. 1,235.36 From Anditor-General. on settlement.............................,4,311,90 RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT OF: Circuit Court fund............................................ 208.00 Sundry townships and city of Muskegon in liquor taxes and on account of State and county taxes of 1880.............. 27,933.53 Drain taxes, Moorland township..........................,,,,, 31.63 Poor fund......................................,.................... 29.75 Bal. cash on hand Dec. 3 1, 1830, as per statement of that date.20,291.47 Total..................,........ 4............, $71,931.67 DISBURSEMENTS, PAID ON ACCOUNT OF: Poor fund........1............................................ 4,012.29 Teachers' Institute fuund...... 44.50 Insane Asylum fund 2,030.32 Library fund3.17.,,,,,,... 331.l7 Primary School fund,..,............. 8,527. 70 Sundry township and city, for liquor, delinquent and rejected taxes....................................................... 15,182.49 State of MiChigan.... 7,012,36 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT AS FOLLOWS: County b o n d s,, 5,000,00 Interest on bonds................................, 250,00 County orders. 14,630 09 COUNTY COURT EXPENSES AS FOLLOWS: Jury orders...................................................... 2,425 80 Witness orders...,,................... 763.50 Stenographer.. 337.80 Special Counsel.................................................... 115.00 Court Officers....................................................... 372.90 Sundry expenses........... 20.00 Township Treasurers for returning delinquent taxes.......... 191.04 Tax certificates surrendered and cancelled..................... 25.03 Supervisors for making returns of births and deathshs...... 93 30 Detroit House of Correction........................... 265.97 Sheriff on account of bills................................l..... 335.00 John Tait, County Clerk, salary, 800.00 Edward H. Wylie, Probate..................................... 900.00 R. S. Thomson, Treasurer.................................., 1,200.00 Nelson DeLong, Prosecuting At torney 730.00 Expenses, fuel, gas, freight, etc................................... 707.01 Total............................................. $66,373.27 Total receipts...........................................,.......... 71,931.67 Total dibre et.............,....,66,373.27 Balance cash in treasury..........................;............. 5,558.40 MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES. In 1881 there were 358 marriages in Muskegon county. Twenty-two divorces were granted, and forty-one suits for divorce brought. PRISONERS TRANSPORTED. During" 1881 Sheriff Wkaters took 42 persons to State penal institutions, viz., 6 to Jackson, 23 to Ionia, 9 to Detroit, 2 to'Lansing and 2 to Kalamazoo. The crimes were: 17 larcenly; I burglary; 8 assaullt and battery; 1 manslaughter; 1 rape; 2 arson; 1 assault with intent to kill; 1 keeping house of ill-fame; 4 tippling; 1 seductionl; 3 vagrancy; 1 assault to maim; 1 illsallity. OFFICIALS OF 1881-82. MICHIGAN SENATORS. T. WV. Sperry; O. D. Conger. REPRESENTATIVE FROMI FIFTH MICHIGAN DISTRICT. George W. yv ebber. I Ds:Is V- -a University purposes......... $ University gen'l expenses.... Normal school current expenses...................... Normal Sch'l-training sch'l. Agricultural Collega-general expenses................ Agricultural College-experiments with Ensilage..... State public school........... Michigan School for Blind... Deaf and Dumb Institute.... Reform School for Boys...... State Reform School building 325.00 597.84 156.48 200.62 400.99 8.03 334 23 14S.46 333.83 28 1.88 and special................. $- 34,41 Reform School for Girls...... 790.83 House of Correction.......... 31.04 Asylum for Ins ane............ 650.00 Work on Capitol.............. 120.37 Michigan Bulilding............ 424.51 New Building.................. 401.23 Repairing south steps at Captol........................... 40.12 Board of Fish Commissioners 6 t.20 Board of Health.............. 16 05 Military purposes............. 469.59 'Genern l........................3,247.39 PURPOSES OF COUNTY TAX. Contingent Fund.............. $21.000 I InsaneAsylum Fund.......... 2,000 Poor Fund.................. 4,000 1 THE COUNTY TREASURY. Receipts and expenditures of Muskegon-county for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881, as copied from the County Treasurer's annual exhibits. j -%,e I I 71 - I - 1 in. I m' d:0 A I:0; iDD ai f TV: i' 0 i i S:00< I' I - ----- I- Vq__ -- - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 43 I I SENATOR OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH DISTRICT. George A. Farr, Grand Haven. REPRESENTATIVE OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. Wrn. M. Harford, Muskegon. COUNTY OFFICIALS. Sheriff-Thomas J. Waters. Clerk John Tait. Probate Judge-Edward H. Wylie, (died April 1882.) Register of Deeds-Edwin S. Latimer. Prosecuting Attorney-Nelson DeLong. Treasurer —R. S. Thomson. Circuit Court Commissioners-H. L. Delano, L. Ashman. Coroners-John D. Vanderwerp, Geo. J. Moog. Circuit Judge-Fred G. Russell. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1881. Blue Lake, Francis Hiscutt; Casnovia, George Bolt; Cedar Creek, Seth Evans; Dalton, Chas. L. Buzzell; Egelston, Wm. Carr; Fruitland, John F. Culver; Fruitport, John C. Abbott; Holton, Rufus W. Skeels; Lakeside, John W. Moon; Laketon, Dan. J. Gates; Montague, Frank Bracelin; Moorland, Robert Robinson; Muskegon, John Hall; Norton, James Porter; Ravenna, Chas. P. Reed. Whitehall, John C. Lewis; White River, Wm. A. Rowe; Muskegon-1st Ward, Nelius Holthe; 2d Ward, Frank Alberts; 3d Ward, David D. Erwin; 4th Ward, Dennis Riordan. The Supervisors for 1882 are: First Ward, Henry Schroeder; Second Ward, John B. Smalley; Third Ward, John Ryan; Fourth Ward, Dennis Dowling; Norton. James Porter; Muskegon, John Hall; Whitehall, John G. Gee; Montague, Frank Bracerin; Ravenna, Ed. Thatcher; Laketon, Chas. Storrs; Dalton, Chas. Buzzell; Lakeside, P. P. Mizner; Egelston, Wm. Carr; Moorland, Robt. Robinson, White River, Wm. A. Rowe; Fruitport, Frank L. Hough; Fruitland, J. F. Culver;' Cedar Creek, Seth Evans; Casnovia, George Bolt. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. -Blue Lake-David J. Kendall, Benj. F. Aldrich, Samuel P. Utter, Levi B. Wightman, James W. Sherwood. Casnovia-George A. Miles, Lewis Armstrong, James J. Walker, George Robson. Cedar Creek —Rice Jones, Seth Evans, Aaron E. Sevrey. Dalton —Benj. F. Dow, James Armstrong, George H. Buzzell, John W. Reside. Egelston-Wm. Carr, Frederick Delano. TIruitland-0. E. Gordon, Samuel Wooldridge, Ezra Stearns. _lFruitport-Horatio H. Hendryx, S. K. White, Warren I. Barnes, John H. Snyder, Harrison Scott. IIolton —Chas. N. Mills, Eugene B. Colter, Henry A. O'Connor, Ole C. Olson, John G. Rasey. Lakeside-Edward Miner, S. C. Moon, James 0. Allen, Laketon-George Hubbard, Wm. Wells, Isaac T. Black. Montague-George M. Duram, Henry M. Bigelow, John W. Schwitzer, Gerhart Luhnes. Moorlandl-George M. Goodrich, Wheeler Hancock, Samuel Beckwith. Muskegon-Horace D. Hazen, John Hall, George Arms, Ernest D. Wilson, Frank Young. l Muskegon City —Wm. McLaughlin, J. E. Jamison, Levi Beardsley, Wm. L. Ryan. North Muskegon-Chas. F. Malloch. Norton-John Cotter, Wm. L. Bartholomew, Peter Benneway, Mark Rousell. Cotter -Ravenna —John Laubach, Wm. R. Carroll, James M. Duel, Sanford J. Ackerman, Miles M. Bradford. WAzitehall-Charles O. Jeffords, Louis Bratz, Ed. D. Thomson, Benj. Reed. TVhEite River-Hawley Chase, Edwin Grow. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS —1881. Blue Lake —Supervisor, Francis Hiscutt; Clerk, Philip J. Martin; Treasurer, Steven A. Aldrich; School Inspector, Tyler B. Smith, School Supt., Orson W. Kimball. Casnovia-Supervisor, George Bolt; Clerk, Hermas Gilbert; Treasurer, Orin Whitney; School Inspector, M. J. Bonner; School Supt., G. L. Rogers. Cedar Creek —Supervisor, Seth Evans; Clerk, Warren F. Odion; Treasurer, Antone Schmitt; School Inspector, Wm. H. Crocker; School Supt., Chauncey Hovey..Dalton-Supervisor, Chas. L. Buzzell; Clerk, Henry Lyman; Treasurer, Asahel Fowler; School Inspector, Ephraim Livermore; School Supt., Samuel G. Moore. Egelston-Supervisor, Wm. Carr; Clerk, Alanson Rice; Treasurer, John Littell; School Inspector, James Parkhurst; School Supt., Aaron Eakright. -ruitland-Supervisor, John F. Culver; Clerk, Henry R. Neulun; Treasurer, Ezra Stearns; School Inspector, Chas. E. Califf; School Supt., James A. McMillen. Fruitport-Supervisor, John C. Abbott; Clerk, Charles H. Converse; Treasurer, Joseph C. Ford; School Inspector, Warren Barnes; School Supt., Seneca M. Burgess. Holton-Supervisor, Rufus W. Skeels; Clerk, Newman R. Dryer; Treasurer, Herbert N. Thompson; School Inspector, James A. Lockwood; School Supt., John G. Rasy. Lakeside-Supervisor, John W. Moon; Clerk, Albert N. Fowler; Treasurer, Reuben G. Duel; School Inspector, Henry McEvillie; School Supt., John C. McGlue. Laketon-Supervisor, Dan. J. Gates; Clerk, Geo. 'Hubbard; Treasurer, Geo. D. Farr; School Inspector, Albert Waldron; School Supt., R. R. Cockburn. Montag.ue-Supervisor,' Frank Bracelin; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, Charles S. Dodge; School Inspector, Lafayette G. Ripley; School Supt., R. J. L. Matthews. Mloorland —Supervisor, Robert Robinson; Clerk, Anson Bowen; Treasurer, James Mills; School Supt., T. S. G. Bolt. Xl/uskegon —Supervisor, John Hall; Clerk, James A. Robinson; Treasurer, George Jolman; School Inspector, Eugene F. Martin; School Supt., Joseph U. T. Musktzot. Norton-Supervisor, James Porter; Clerk, Edward S. Upton; Treasurer, Milo Rowe; School Inspector, Fred F. Bowles; School Supt., Frank Duro. ]Ravenna —Supervisor, O. F. Conklin; Clerk, Harry J. Tibbets; Treasurer, Fred D. Hoogstraat; School Inspector, Thos. D. Smith; School Supt., John Lauback, Sr. -Whitehall-Supervisor, John C. Lewis; Clerk, Robert Stevens; Treasurer, C. A. Hammond; School Inspector, William F. Nufer; School Supt., Charles W. Wooldridge. WTite -River-Supervisor, Wmr. A. Rose; Clerk, Job B. Kinnison; Treasurer, Christian Butzer; School Inspector, Gilman S. McAllister; School Supt., S. J. B. Watson. OFFICERS OF THE COURT. Judge, Hon. Fred. J. Russell; Sheriff, Thomas J. Waters; Under Shetiff, David W. Covell; Assistants, Patrick G. Gough, Thos. S. Hamblin; Clerk, John Tait; Prosecuting Attorney, Nelson DeLong; Circuit Court Commissioner, Horace L. Delano. *II -~sas I I I lt:1 L. L.Vl 45-.e 6e- - 4!'- ~ '1 e '-T - 1 44 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 1 44 - BAR OF THE COUNTY. Muskegon- Andrew B. Alien, (Campbell & Allen), Joab Baker, Levi Beardsley, R. E. Bunker, (McLaughlin, Delano & Bunker), Wm. Carpenter, James G. Campbell, C. J. Chaddock, F. W Cook, James H. Campbell, (Campbell & Allen), H. L. Delano, Nelson DeLong, D. D. Erwin, (Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin), W. W. Fellows, Eugene Fellows, H. H. Holt, J. H. Hoyt, (Snmith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin), J. Emmet Jamison, L. N. Keating, R. J. McDonald, F. A. Nims, (Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin), D. McLaughlin, (McLaughlin, Delano &] Bunker), Edwin Potter, J. H. Standish, F. Srmlith, (Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin), James Snow. Montague- F. Bracelin. Whitehall-A. C. Elsworth, D. G. Scroggs. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, In 1881-2 consists of Rev. R.' J.,L. Matthews, of Montague, Chairman; Prof. N. L. Downie, of North Muskegon, Secretary, and Prof. S. M. Burgess, Principal of Fruitport village schools. Their sole functions are to examine teachers for certificates to teach, inspect schools and settle school disputes. There are two regular examinations, in March and October, and the members are elected for three years, although those just elected go out in one, two and three years, respectively, as the system of township superintendence was abolished only in July, 1881. SUPERVISOR'S RECORDS. 1859. Through the courtesy of Mr. John Tait, Clerk, who has held the office of County Clerk since 1878, we have been permitted to glean the following particulars from the county records. The separation from Ottawa took place June 1, 1859. The first meeting of the Supervisors was held July 18, 1859. At that time there were but five townships: Muskegon, represented by E. NW. Merrill; Norton, by Ira O, Smith; Casnovia, by Nathan Whitney, who were all present at the first meeting; and Ravenna and White River, the representatives of which absented themselves. E. W Merrill was elected chairman. The township of Egelston, so named in honor of Adna Egelston, an early surveyor, was set apart from Muskegon, the first election being held at the house of William Sturdefant, one of the petitioners. Wheeler & Hujunin's Hall, Muskegon, was ordered to be the place of holding Circuit Court. On the next day Thomas Smith, Supervisor of Ravenna, put in an appearance. Chauncey Davis, R. W. Morris and R. P. Easton, all of Muskegon, were appointed a committee to report on the erection of a jail. E. H. Wylie was appointed clerk. On the following October they again met, all present but the representatives of Oceana arfd Dalton, the Hon. I. E. Carleton and Capt. J. Dalton, who were opposed to the separation of the county from Ottawa. A resolution was carried instructing the prosecuting attorney to prosecute them for neglect of official duty. There was at this session, G. B. Rathbun, representative of White River; Messrs. Carleton and I)alton were present but refused to answer to their names. The financial state of the county was as follows: the treasurer was found to have just $40, all told, in his hands. Some times now he has in hands $100,000. It was then resolved to raise $300 for county purposes; and to keep order, one pair of shackles and three pair of handcuffs were ordered. The proceedings were ordered to be printed in the.Mluskegon.Reporter. 1860. On Jan. 1, 1860, Moorland was set apart from Ravenna, the first meeting to be at Bliss' school-house. The salary of the County Clerk was made $100; treasurer, $30; prosecuting attorney, $150. On a settlement with Ottawa County there was found to be due by Muskegon County $1,380.69. The following is the equalized valuation for 1859: Casnovia, $60,231; Muskegon, $871,039; Norton, 48,757; Ravenna, 67,035; White River, 69,620; Dalton, not reported; Oceana, not reported Total. $616,682. In October, 1860, there were present: White River, N. H. Ferry; Oceana, I. E. Carleton; Dalton, P. Dalton; Muskegon, H. H. Holt; Egelston, A. Egelston; Ravenna, T. D. Smitll; Moorland, G. H. Loomis; Casnovia, Nathan Whitney; Norton, supervisor not present. N. H. Ferry elected chairman. I. E. Carleton, seconded by P. Dalton, proposed that the Legislature be petitioned to attach White River, Oceana and Dalton to Oceana County, and the rest of Muskegon County to be set back into Ottawa County. Loomis, of Moorland, asked to be excused from voting, and was allowed twenty-four hours for recording his vote. The motion was carried, only Messrs Holt and Egelston being opposed. $2,400 was ordered for county purposes, and Dalton's motion to move the county seat was voted down. John B. Lemieux received a license to ferry at the mouth of Muskegon Lake for three years. A. A. Caine received a similar license for White Lake, and Ovid W. Cailiff at the head of Muskegon Lake. The equalized value of Muskegon County for 1860 was, Oceana, $46,813; Norton, $49,276; White River, $68,487; Dalton, $69,083; Casnovia, $66,563; Muskegon, $315,195; Egelston, $17,882; Ravenna, $59,310; Moorland, $20,035. Total, $742,644. 1861. Supervisors met January 22nd. Present: Dalton, P. Dalton; Egelston, A. Egelston; Muskegon, H. H. Holt; Norton, I. O. Smith; Oceana, I. E. Carleton; Ravenna, T. D. Smith; White River, N. H, Ferry. The bonds of the treasurer, J. D. Davis, were fixed at $8,000, R. W. Morris, C. T.-Hills and E. H. Wylie were his sureties. J. S. Kester, of Ravenna, and Jesse D. Pullman, of White River, were appointed Superintendents of the Poor. The Reporter was offered 25 cents per square for publishing the proceedings. The Supervisors again met June 10th, as follows: Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, Norman Cunningham; Dalton, P. Dalton; Egelston, A. Egelston; Muskegon, S. K. Stevens; Moorland, A. Reed; Norton, absent; Oceana, I. E. Carleton; Ravenna, T. D. Smith; White River, J. H. Wheeler. I. E. Carleton elected chairman. One new township, Cedar Creek, was represented, making ten in all. In order to assist the families of volunteers, a committee was appointed to consult the principal capitalists of Muskegon village if money could be loaned on the credit of the county, or if not, if provisions could be purchased at cash prices on orders bearing 10 per cent interest. The committee, S. H, Stevens, reported his mission a failure, and $150 in.$10 bonds was issued for the purpose aforesaid. The salary of Judge of Probate was fixed at $198 for 1861, and the Clerk's salary at $400. J. S. Burton was appointed County Superintendent of Poor, place of J. S. Kester, deceased. Equalization fo4i1861: Casnovia, $63,399; Cedar Creek, $25, -;; qqw -7 i 1 LIIW r -- -- i _1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 45 I 212; Dalton, $43,748; Egelston, $13,485; Moorland, $22,704; Muskegon, $459,579; Norton, $59,560; Oceana, $52,964; Ravenna, $62,233; White River, $58,640. Total, $960,524. 1862. In January, 1862, $300 being already voted for volunteer family relief, $200 was voted. A motion to take away the county seat from Muskegon was voted down by 6 to 4. L. G. IMason was licensed to run a steam ferry across Muskegon Lake. The treasurer's bonds were raised to $15,000. Capt. T. J. Rand is thanked for the free use of his office. In October the members present were: Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, N. Cunningham; Dalton, S. C. Hall; Egelston, A. Egelston; Muskegon, E. W. Merrill; Moorland, G. M. Goodrich; Norton, Robert Cowley; Oceana, I. E. Carleton; Ravenna, Charles Neale; White River, absent. E. W. Merrill, Chairman. Eqnualization for 1862 Casnovia, $68,912; Cedar Creek, $24,862; Dalton, $48,059; Egelston, $20,844; Moorland, $19,450; Muskegon, $405,938; Norton, $50,145; Oceana, $50,161; White River, $62,280; Ravenna, $59,915. Total, $810,566. $6,000 as county tax, was ordered to be raised, of which $3,500 was for the Volunteer Family Relief Fund. 1868. January session, Thomas J. Rand, County Treasurer. The balance reported as due to Ottawa County is $497.83. In Mlay the Board mlet at the Uliiversalist Church, Muskegon. W. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven; T. L. Oilbert and A. Rathbone, of Grand Haven, were appointed to fix the rate of toll of craft using the improvement of the Muskegon Harbor Company. Peter Hobler takes out the first license for ferry across White Lake. In. October the Supervisors were the samle as before except Daniel C. Mills, from MIoorland, and H. H. Holt, from iMuskegon. T. D. Smith, Dr. Wheeler and H. H. Holt, appointed Superintendents of Poor. Equalization in 1868: Casnovia, $71,850; Cedar Creeek, $25,-.200; Dalton, $59,137; Egelston, $21,085; Mioorland, $22,018; Muskegon, $473,001; Norton, $53,941; Oceana, $41,451; Ravenna, $62,808; White River, $51,326. Total, $881,017. $4,500 was ordered for Volunteer Family Relief. 1864. The only change of Supervisors is S. J. B. Watson, in place of Dr. Wheeler, for White River, resigned. A. B. Miner is County Sheriff. On motion of Mr. Holt, bonds are issued at 10 per cent. to pay $200 bonus to each volunteer from the county. $500 was offered for lease of basement of Methodist Episcopal Church, Muskegon, for twenty years. The majority of the Board expressed the opinion that the village of Muskegon should provide a room free. In May there appears a change of Supervisors; G. E. Dowling, for White River, and A.. W. Smith, for Norton. A bridge across head of White Lake was authorized. A. L. Gates is permitted to keep a ferry across White River, and C. Odell, across Muskegon Lake. In October the only changes of Supervisors are, S. B. Peck, for Muskegon, and F. Fowler for Norton. 62,846; Oceana, 48,550; White River, 60,854; Ravenna, 66,328; Total, $1,031,239. A motion was made to raise $10,000 for Volunteer Families' Relief Fund. 1865. Joseph Heald appears as Supervisor for Oceana. Treasurer's bonds raised to $45,000, and presented sureties to the amount of $65,000. In March the Supervisors appear to be: Casnovia, B. Whitney; Cedar Creek, N. Cunningham; Dalton, A. E. Kingsley; Egelston, A. Egelston; Norton, F. Fowler; MoorlaLnd, D. C. Mills; MIuskegon, S. B. Peck; Oceana. Jos. Heald; Ravenna, T. D. Smith;, White River, J. A. Wheeler; S. B. Peck, Chairman. $10,000 voted for Volunteer Bounty. Jos. Taylor, Superintendent of Poor, vice Holt resigned. In October Oceana andcl Dalton were consolidated and divided into three towns: Oceana, Blue Lake and Dalton; and Laketon was taken from Muskegon, Oceana being town 12 N, 17 WN, and that part of 11 N, 17 W, north of White River. The first meeting wrs held at the school house in the village of Mears. Blue Lake was town 12, N, range 16, WV. First meeting was held at A. E. Kingsley's, Dalton. The Supervisors are now: Blue Lake, A. P. Ware; Casnovia, N. Whitney;, Cedar Creek, N. Cunningham; Dalton, S. Freeman; Egelston, A. Egelston; Laketon, S. A. Brown; Moorland, D. C. Mills; Norton, F. Fowler; Oceana, Jas. G. Sturtevant; Bavenna, Thos. D. Smith; White River, S. J. B. Waatson; Muskegoln, H. H. Holt; N. Whitney, Chairman; Jos. Taylor, I. E. Carleton and A. A. Bullock, Superintendents of Poor. EQUALIZATION FOR 1865. Blue Lake, $16,301; Casnovia, 73,820; Cedar Creek, 30,674; Dalton, 42,253; Egelston, 22,108; Laketon, 97,072; Muskegon, 718,400; Moorland, 26,143; Norton, 71,353; Oceana, 102,490; Ravenna, 80,100; White River, 71,941. Total $1,353,155. $1,520 was voted for Volunteers' family relief, and $8,480 for Military War bonds. County Treasurer's salary $900. 1866. Wesley F. Wood, S. R. Sanford and others obtained permission to bridge the upper part of Muskegon Lake. Judge of Probate's salary was fixed at $600; Clerk, $500; Prosecuting Attorney, $500. In June the Supervisors are: Blue Lake, A. P. Ware; Casnovia, N. VWhitney; Cedar Creek, N. Cunningham; Dalton, H. S. Tyler; Egelston, A. Egelston; Moorland, D. C. Mills; IMuskegon, A. V. Mann; Norton, F. Fowler; Oceana, C. C. Thompson: Ravenna, S. J. Ackerman; White River, John Welch; Lalketon, John Ruddinan. ~ EQUALIZATION FOR 1866. Blue Lake, $18,218; Casnovia, 74,875; Cedar Creek, 26,480; Dalton, 45,415; Egelston, 22,166; Laketon, 140,259; Moorland, 23,150; Norton, 79,505; Muskegon, 889,565; Oceana, 151,755; Ravenna, 80,645; White River, 62,648. Total $1,623,681. Holt's Hall is secured for Court room at $100 a year, to include fuel and lights. At the October session $14,000 was voted for contingencies, $10 for Poor fund, 8,907 as a County War Bond fund. 1867. Andrew Bradford appears at the January session as Supervisor for Ravenna. The township of Lovell, afterwards Fruitport, was organized, name changed in 1870 by Legislature. First meeting appointed 4; %N A: EQUALIZATION FOR 1864. Casnovia, $65,538; Cedar Creek, 25,908; Dalton, 73,864; Egelston, 21,589; Moorland, 20,565; Muskegon, 587,197; Norton, L 0 N 0:X;0::U:000::D'95:7 f G:X:: X S S IS;; a:: X of if:; in \ 7:S \:=; i::X:::: r '1: - .Al 04 - A aI I I i i I I -1 I -4I 46 HISTORY 'OF MIU SKEGON COUNTY. 1867 at the school house on Section 31, Henry James, Samuel Torrens and Robert Little were appointed Inspectors of election. Thanks were tendered to H. J. Pemberton, Clerk for the past six years. In October there appears as new Supervisor Paul G. Shippey, of Cedar Creek; Thos. MIills, of Muskegon; R. E. Tupper, of Moorland; and Austin W. De Frate, of Lovell. T. D. Smith, of Ravenna, elected chairman. EQUALIZATION OF 1867. Blue Lake, $21,379; Cedar Creek, 26,115; Casnovia, 79,120; Dalton, 52,299; Egelston, 29,434; Laketon, 264,101; Lovell, 46,094; Moorland, 30,709; Norton, 91,318; Oceana," 246,568; Ravenna, 79,118; White River, 89,618; Muskegon, 1,309,169. Total $2,364,942. Owing to the death of Dewitt C. Carpenter, County Clerk, a new election is ordered-Davidl McLaughlin elected. The committee oil Poor House reported the purchase of P. Polhamus' farm, Ravennla, for $2,000. 1868. At the January session I. E. Carletoll re-appears as Supervisor for Oceana, and he tries to get the County Seat moved to the head of White Lake-at least "at or near" that place. At the adjourned session in Febaruary B. F. Aldrichl appears as Supervisor of Blue Lake. A struggle was now commenced for the County Seat. Whitehall and Montague offered to donate $15,000 in cash and the necessary land. L. G. Mason and WY. F. Wood and others also made liberal offers of land, and the proposition of the latter was ultimately accepted, and a $60,000 Court House was erected. In October the Supervisors are: Blue Lake, J. P. Utter; Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, P. G. Shippey; Dalton, H. S. Tyler; Egelston, A. Egelston; Laketon, J. Ruddiman; Lovell, A. W. De Frate; Moorland, D. Mills; Muskegon, S. B. Peck; Norton, H. N. Rowe; Oceala., J. A. Wheeler; Ravenna, T. D. Smithl; White River, P. W. Sumner; P. G. Shippey, chairmall. EQUALIZATION, 1868. Muskegon, $1,846,787; Casiiovia, 97,905; Cedar ('reek, 32,246; White River, 85,354; Oceana, 257,755; Norton, 92,375; Dalton, 58,710; Blue Lake, 24,906; Ravenna, 103,350; Moorland, 33,541; Lovell, 50,397; Egelston, 31,046; Laketon, 283,928. Total $2,498,300. 1869. A resolution of condolence was passed to the family of Ezra Stevens, CJounty Treasurer elect, who had become insane and died. On petition of S. C. Hall and others Drainage Commissioners were appointed: D. C. Mills, Joseph Taylor and A. Egelston. Mr. Garnsey was chosen architect of the C~ourt House. Martin Perley, of Laketon, was elected Treasurer. A vote of thanks to S. C. Hall for services as Treasurer for the past four years was offered. Jas. H. Deming appears as Supervisor for Blue Lake; A. P. N-orton for Laketon; S. J. B. Watson for Wllite River. Thos. D. Smith reelected Chairman. EQUALIZATION, 1869. Blue Lake, $32,180; Casnovia, 109,965; Cedar Creek, 49,934; Dalton, 75,485; Egelston, 36,785; Lovell, 52,412; Laketon, 342,325; Muskegon, 1,583,891; Moorland, 44,638; Norton, 98,187; Oceana, 309,570; Ravenna, 126,625; White River, 85,293. Total $3,957,339. 1870. At the May session there appears quit- a Lew list of Supervis ors; as follows: Blue Lake, A. J. Nash; Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, E. Dutton; Dalton, B. F. Dow; Egelston, A. Egelston; Fruitland, H. S. Tyler; Laketon, A. P. Horton; Lovell McEwillg; Moorland, R. Robinson; Muskegon City, 1st ward, W. P. Odell; Muskegon City, 2d ward, J. H. Landreth; Muskegon Township, F. S. Farr; Norton, D. Upton; Ravenna, T. D. Smith; Oceana, I. E. Carleton; White River, S. J. B. Watson. Daniel Upton, Chairman. EQUALIZATION OF 1870. Blue Lake, $31,200; Casnovia, 149,188; Cedar Creek, 45,858; Dalton, 37,137; Egelston, 36,683; Fruitland, 49,270; Laketon, 304,641; Lovell, 53,490; Moorland, 45,359; Muskegon Town, 150,532; Muskegon City, 1st ward, 359,158; Muskegon City, 2d ward, 861,695; MIuskegon City, 3d ward, 534,644; Norton, 123,335; Oceana, 433,476; Ravenna, 177,537; White River, 92,685. Total $3,485,887. Fruitland Township constituted ill 1870 from west of Dalton. Ashley B. Furman was appointed Superintendenlt of poor. 1871. Supervisors: Blue Lake, A. P. Ware; Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, P. G. Shippey; Dalton, B. F. Dow; Egelston, A. Egelston; Fruitland, H. S. Tyler; Fruitport, M. B. Converse; Holton, Thos. Russell; Laketon, A. P. Horton; Moorland, R. Robinsonl; Muskegon, W,, F. Storrs. Muskegon City, Ward 1, R. O'Harrow; 2, A. Rodgers; 3, D. Lannigan. Norton, F. Fowler; Oceana, J. H. W5heeler; Ravenna, absent; Whlite River, S. J. B. Watsoll. H. S. Tyler elected chairman. Fruitport is the new name of Lovell, and Holton is a new town formed fromn the north of C edar Creek. The equlalizationa for 1871 does not mnaterially vary from the former year. 1872. On the opening of the January session, after a resolution of condolence to the fanzily of Fletcher Fowler, of Norton, who had died since the last meeting, the Board adjourned. Geo. N. Cobb had been appointed Supervisor -of Norton in his stead. Treasurer's salary fixed at $1,000; Clerk, $600; Judge of Probate, $900; Prosecuting Attorney, $1,000. At the October session the Supervisors were: Blue Lake, J. P. Utter; Casnovia, N. Whitney; Cedar Creek, P. G. Shippey; Dalton, B. F. Dow; Egelston, A. Egelston; 'Fruitland, H. B. Marvin; Fruitport, M. B. Converse; Holton, M. II. Stevens; L~aketon, Alpheus G. Smith; Moorland, Rob't,Robinlson; Muskegon, William Smith. Muskegon City, Ward 1, W. P. Odell; 4, C. H. Hackley; Norton, E. L. Page; Oceana, H. E. Staples; Ravenna, E. Thatcher; White River, S. J. B. Watson. M. B. Converse, chairman. Ira O. Smith and C. D. Nelson were the other members from the city of Muskegon. A resolution of condolence was passed to family of the late Thos. Russell, Supervisor of Holton. Lafayette Knowles was appointed Superintendent of the Poor for three years. A petition signed by N. E. Fish, D. W. Edwards, Jonathan Walker, and about forty other inhabitants of Norton asks to have the obstructions removed from Lake Harbor. There is trouble with the treasurer, whlo is arrested for defalcations. His bondsmen ultimnately compromised for about half his indebtedness, which was about $30,000. A dispute arises over a $2,700 bill for small-pox cases, as to-whether the city of Muskegon or the county should pay. Thos. Culbert, Senior, was appointed Superintendent of County Poor vice Ashley B. Furman, deceased. Joseph H. Hackley is now County Treasurer. i i I I I I VI I I I t i ) I,a ': lo I, (gi - 4: - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 47 I 1873. At the October session the only change of supervisors is in the city of Muskegon: From Ward 1, D. J. Moriarty; Ward 2, D. Blake; Ward 3, C. D. Nelson; Ward 4, Jas. McGordon; and the familiar name of A. Egelston is replaced by that of David R. Jones. C. D. Nelson is elected chairman. EQUALIZATION OF 1873. Blue Lake, $31,370; Casnovia, 171,690; Cedar Creek, 28,235; Dalton, 52,875; Egelston, 39,877; Fruitland, 49,660; Fruitport, 136,650; Holton, 37,625; Laketon, 409,325; Moorland, 56,856; Muskegon, 125,235; Muskegon City, Ward 1, 307,308; Ward 2, 820,326; Ward 3, 447,870; Ward 4, 387,675; Norton, 78,220; Oceana, 461,049; Ravenna, 144,713; White River, 107,604.-Total, $3,894,163. E. H. Wylie appointed as Superintendent of Poor for three years, and G. F. Outhwaite to fill a vacancy. 1874. The prosecuting attorney decided against the legality of P. G. Shippey, a resident of Ravenna, representing Cedar Creek, although requested by the authorities of that township to fill the place of J. S. Thompson, who was sick. Oceana was this year divided into Montague and Whitehall, and its name appears no more on the records. In October the Board of Supervisors shows great changes: Blue Lake, Jas. P. Utter; Cedar Creek, Seth Evans; Casnovia, N. Whitney; Dalton, B.F. Dow; Egelston, E. R. Porter; Fruitland, H. N. Marvin; Fruitport, J. D. McEwing; Holton, William Bruce; Laketon, A. G. Smith; Montague, J. Heald; Moorland, R. Robinson; Muskegon, J. Hall; Muskegon City, Ward No. 1, D. J. Moriarty; Norton, M. Rowe; Ravenna, E. Thatcher; Whitehall, A. Mears; White River, S. J. B. Watson. E. Thatcher, chairman. The equalization this year amounted to $3,878,517. A petition was presented by A. P. Horton and thirty-seven others to set apart the portion of Laketon south of Muskegon Lake, as a new township; and of John Ruddiman and twenty-two others against the same. The petition prevailed, and Lakeside was formed in 1875, first meeting in April at A. V. Mann & Co.'s office. J. W. Moon, A. M. Alien and F. H. Smith appointed a Board of Inspectors of Election. 1875. At January session the part of White River, below the channel of White Lake was given to Fruitland, Chas. H. Cook elected County Treasurer. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR 1875. Blue Lake, Jas. P. Utter; Casnovia, R. G. Hutchins; Cedar Creek, Seth Evans; Dalton, G. McMillan; Egelston, W. Carr; Fruitland, H. N. Marvin; Fruitport, M. B. Converse; Holton, W. Bruce; Lakeside, A. G. Smith; Laketon, A. P. Horton; Montague, J. Heald; Moorland, R. Robinson; Muskegon, Jno. Hall; Muskegon City, 1, Jas. Balbirnie; 2, Tlhos. Smalley; 3, C. D. Nelson; 4, C. H. Hackley; Norton, Wm. Churchill; Ravenna, O. F. Conklin; Whitehall, A. Mears; White River, Jas. Whelan. 1876. N. P. Dryer appears as Supervisor for Blue Lake, A. Durdy for Egelston, H. V. Riffenberg for Lakeside, H. P. Dowling for Montague, Jas. Bradford for Ward 1, and E. W. Merrill, for Ward 3, Muskegon City; Jas. Porter for Norton. M. B. Converse, chairman. The equalization shows a lowering of rating to $3,312,313. E. H. Wylie re-elected for another three years Sup't of the Poor. The 1877 equalization as adopted is $200 below previous year M. B. Converse re-elected chairman. In 1878 Muskegon City is represented by B. Mason, A. A. Bullock, C. D. Nelson, and Wm. Glue; Whitehall by Dr. Wheeler; White River by W. Row; Lakeside by J. W. Moon; Egelston by W. Carr; Blue Lake by F. Scott. The equalization falls to $2,692,424. In 1879 Cedar Creek is represented by M. Thompson; Fruitland by O. E. Gordon; Blue Lake by F. Hiscutt; Fruitport by H. Beach; Lakeside by L. G. Morgan; Muskegon City by N. Holthe, W. Burling, C. D. Nelson and F. R. Hamilton. Equalization at $2,852,525. In 1880 C. N. Storrs appears for Laketon; N. Whitney for Casnovia; J. F. Culver for ~ruitland; Geo. Tillottson for Lakeside; S. J. Gates for Laketon; J. C. Lewis for Whitehall, and H. Haines for Ward 2, Muskegon. Wm. Glue elected chairman. In 1881 the supervisors are: Blue Lake, F. Hiscutt; Cedar Creek, S. Evans; Casnovia, J. Herald; Daluon, C. L. Buzzell; Egelston, W. Carr; Fruitport, J. C. Abbott; Fruitland, J. F. Culver; Holton, R. W. Skeels; Lakeside, J. W. Moon; Laketon, D. J. Gates; Montague, F. Bracelin; Moorland, R. Robinson; Muskegon, John Hall; Muskegon City, N. Holthe, F. Alberts, D. D. Erwin, D. Riordon; Norton, Jas. Porter; Ravenna, O. F. Conklin; Whitehall, J. C. Lewis; White River, W. A. Rowe. J. W. Moon, chairman. Equalized value of county, $3,397,552. At the October session G. Bolt represented Casnovia, and P. Reid, Ravenna. Hon. H. H. Holt represents county onl State Board of Equalization. H. H. Helendryx appointed Supervisor of Fruitport vice J. C. Abbott, resigned. The county was divided into two representative districts. A. Norton and L. Knowles Superintendents of Poor. The Board wrestles with the question of liability for payment of militia called out by the Muskegon strike of October, 1881. The bills amount to over $3,000, and are paid. There were raised for contingencies, $18,000; Poor fund, $4,000; Insane Asylum, $2,000; State tax, $9,170.10. Total, $33,170.10. The total tax to be raised is $37,089.49. LABOR TROUBLES. Having traced the rise of the county from its feeble beginnings in 1885 to its present prosperous state, we will proceed to give particular sketches of its several municipalities. In the History of Ottawa, with which this county was connected until a little more than a score of years ago, will be found much interesting matter, which will apply equally well to the history of this county. The counties had a common origin, Ottawa being more in the front, was the earlier. develop. When the time came for separation it was peacefully and amicably arranged, and the relations between the counties have always been cordial. The enormous development of the lumber interest of Muskegon, has given it an impetus which has been wanting to the slower progress of the agricultural townships of the southern county. Muskegon has had a busy and stirring history, but one unmarked by any striking or startling events. The most sensational affairs that have occurred have been the great strikes of the boom and saw mill workers of Muskegon City in the Fall of 1881 and the Spring of 1882. The great bone of contention has been the hours of labor, the employers wishing eleven hours labor as a day's work, and the employes as firmly insisting upon ten hours as the equivalent. In the first strike, owing to anticipated violence, the military were called out; by many, however, this step has been considered unnecessary. Be that as it may, the military had nothing to do of a sanguinary nature, and after a short occupation retired to their ar47 l I t. I "I 'lI - 4.:rP m 1, W) I I S? Lr I I: D H L*L:, 3I ME _ —! I - 48 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. homes. The strike of 1882 has lasted through all of April, and at the present writing shows no signs of settlement, although it cannot, in the nature of things, last much longer. The interests involved on both sides are very large. Negotiations for a settlement have been attempted, but the result is as above stated. Owing to some violence to men at work in the mills on the terms of the owners, which is of course deprecated by all but hot-heads, Mayor DeLong found it necessary, on the demand of the mill owners, to issue, on the 27th of April, proclamation forbidding all interference with those who were willing to work. Let us hope that these visitations will become things of the past; that labor and capital will recognize each other as friends and allies —lot as enemies. The loss to all concerned is very heavy. Should this stumbling block be removed the season of 1882 promises to be one of great prosperity, unexampled in the past history of the county. 1. o- - i 4 I4 i k 1, / I 1-1 i I I,, IN _I V L-.; 1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON CITY. - - Muskegon, the county seat of Muskegon County, is a flourishing and prosperous city of probably over 16,000 inhabitants, and with its suburbs, North Muskegon, Lakeside Village, Bluffton and Pt. Sherman, which form a belt of settlements around the picturesque Lake Muskegon, its'population will already exceed 20,000, and this is yearly increasing with great rapidity, as new mills and manufactures are added, and the cut of lumber increases, which would last year have been 700,000,000 feet if it had not been for the interruption by the strike. To show how rapidly the power of the saw mills increase we may mention that it is calculated that ten per cent. was added to their capacity in 1881, and in 1882 fifteen per cent. was added, making an increase of one-fourth in two seasons. There is nothing improbable in the prediction that under favorable auspices the city of Muskegon will cut 1,000,000,000 feet annually! Already she boasts of being thee "Sawdust City," and the greatest single city in the world as regards the production of lumber. The product of the Saginaw Valley, which is a much older manufacturing centre, exceeds that of Muskegon, but Saginaw has to draw on the product of several large cities, such as Saginaw City, East Saginaw and Bay City, so that Muskegon's proud boast of pre-eminence still remains true. Of late years the enterprising men of the city, and Muskegon possesses her full quota of such, have seen the necessity of supplementing the sawing of lumber by other industries; accordingly we find every mill has a lath mill attachment, and large and extensive shingle mills have been erected. Planing mills nave been built, of which the latest and largest is the Monroe Manufacturing Co.'s. Two box factories, a basket factory, curtain roller factory, and kindling-wood and hames factory, two saw factories, car and engine works on a large scale, boiler works, several foundries, a brewery, and a variety of industries have recently sprung up, and all are doing well, making a good profit to the investors, and affording employment to hundreds of hands. As a manufacturing city Muskegon stands high. She is not dependent, as is asserted by some without due reflection, solely upon her lumber interest. The development of her salt interest, now about to take place, alone would be sufficient to set up many a less ambitious city. Commercially, Muskegon is one of the most solid and prosperous cities of the State. It is about equally distant from Detroit and Chicago, being about 192 wiles by rail from the latter, and 196 miles from the former, but her great avenue is by water, out over her land-locked lake, on which could ride the navies of the world, by means of an excellent habor, which never freezes up, so rapid is its current, into the broad expanse of Lake Michigan. The city is admirably situated at the head of the lake, which is about six miles long and two miles wide, into which empties the longest river in the State, penetrating for hundreds of miles into the best pineries of Michigan. She has thus all the advantages that water carriage can give her, and which brings Chicago, the world's great distributing center to her very door. She is also admirably served by railways in all directions, which have to compete with water carriage most of the year. Good schools are maintained, and churches of all shades of belief open their doors to the world. The fruit interests are growing so that Muskegon is becoming quite a shipping point. Her business houses also compare favorably with those of any other city of its population; Western Avenue, the principal business street, presenting quite a metropolitan appearance, with its fine blocks of buildings, which are built in a solid and substantial manner, but sufficiently ornate to satisfy the taste. The water works are sufficient to supply the city with pure water. Gas is supplied by a company at moderate rates. As a resort for pleasure seekers and tourists Muskegon is already -popular, and, as years go on, will necessarily become more so, as she has many natural advantages in the way of beautiful land and water scenery. The wholesale trade of Muskegon is getting to be quite important, and a large scope of country looks to her for supplies. Dry goods, groceries, tobacco, hardware, leather and furniture are held here as in a supply house, to be poured forth in accordance with the demand. GOV. HOLT'S SKETCH. Muskegon has had a historian of whose labors she may well be proud. In the Centennial year, 1876, when every city was placing itself on record, the Hon. H. H. Holt, ex-Lieutenant-Governor of the State, and since Mayor of the city, was solicited to undertake the work of collecting the early records, and acceded to the request; the reader of the following sketch will be able to see with what success. We trust that although the sketch has been read in the limited circle of the city itself, in this work it will have a wider circulation and stand a better chance of preservation. We have to thank the author for other courtesies, as well as the permission to use his manuscripts. The following is the sketch referred to, except that portion relating to the history of saw milling, which we have already published: The history of Muskegon, so far as we have been able to learn any items in regard to it, has its origin in 1812, when John Baptiste Recollet began to occupy a trading post, which was situated about twenty rods west of the mouth of Bear Lake. This was the first trading post on Muskegon Lake, and was occupied for a nnmber of years, the remains of the chimney still being visible as late as 1836. In the spring of 1812, it became necessary for Recollet to go to the military station at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, and he made the trip in one day, having swam the Grand and Kalamazoo Rivers, and forded the other streams. Mr. Constant, the father of Mrs. William Lasley, built the next trading post at Bluffton, near the A. M. Allen & Co. Mill, which he occupied in the winter for about thirty years. The next was built in 1830 by Joseph Daily, near the Rodgers Foundry, and was occupied by him until 1834, when he,sold it to Louis B. Baddeau. I -.0 -p i I at — qpw L *:: (- d I&:S: -.r.1 -i: 50 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. r:a I George Campau also built "a trading post in 1833, near the present site of the White, Swan & Smith Mill, and occupied it until 1835. The territory embraced within the limits of the present townships of Norton, Fruitport, Ravenna, Chester, Moorland, Casnovia, Egelston, Muskegon, Laketon, Lakeside, and the City of Muskegon, was organized by a provision of Section 11 of an act of the State Legislature, approved Dec. 30, 1837, into one township, and called Muskego. The act was passed at the first session after the State was admitted into the Union. This section was repealed in 1838, and the same territory was organized as the township of Muskegon, and the first town meeting was appointed to be held at the house of Newell & Wilcox. At this time, and for several years after, there was quite a diversity of opinion in regard to the correct spelling of the name, as will appear by reference to various acts of subsequent legislatures. In 1841 an act was passed, by the provisions of which the unorganized county of Oceana was attached to the township of Muskegon for judicial purposes; and in 1845 certain territory was detached from the township of Muskegon and organized into the township of Norton. This confusion in regard to the name ended at the establishment of Muskegon postoffice in 1848. The first township meeting was held in 1838, when township officers were elected, among whom was Henry Pennoyer, Supervisor. But little was done in the way of township business for several years, often no taxes being assessed. Township meetings were often omitted entirely, the old officers holding over. George Ruddiman held the office of Supervisor several years during this time. In 1847 George W. Walton was elected Supervisor, and the township having increased somewhat in population, taxes were assessed and business regularly transacted after that time. The old township records were destroyed in the great fire of Aug. 1, 1874. The land in this part of Michigan was brought into market in 1839. The first attempt that was made to claim and hold any of the land now embraced in the city limits, was made by a Mr. Taylor, in December, 1836, who built a shanty on lot one of Section nineteen, near where the Washington House now stands. He retained possession for a few months and then sold his claim to Horace Wilcox, and afterwards T. Newell & Co., entered the land. Theodore Newell soon became the owner, who platted a portion of it in 1849, which was the first plat of Muskegon, that part of the city lying east and north of a line running from the mill to the old cemetery, and thence east along the north line of Mills & Furlong's addition to H. D. Baker's residence. Another tract of land that has since become very valuable, is lot two, Section thirty, which was entered May 2, 1853, by Elias and Isaac D. Merrill, and Josiah P. Dana. This land is that part of the city lying south of a line running from the old cemetery to the Bigelow Bro's. mill, and between Mills and Furlong's addition and Muskegon Lake. On this property at the present time are sev_ eral of the most valuable mills in Muskegon; there were no frame buildings in Muskegon until 1837, when Theodore Newell and Erastus Wilcox erected a boarding house, which stood on what is now lot 8, of Block 13, of the city of Muskegon, near the C. Davis & Co. boarding house. Horace Wilcox put up a small dwelling the same year near where the Hofstra House now stands. The first village plat was made in 1849, but nothing of any account was done tor several years towards opening the streets, and the hill was so steep where Western Avenue and Pine Street now are that a man could not ride up on horseback. Village lots must have been at a discount, from the fact that two lots on which the Hofstra House now stands, were once sold for forty-five dollars. Nothing was done toward opening the roads leading into the surrounding country until 1846. At this time Mr. Ryerson cut out the road to Ravenna, to connect with the road from that place to Grand Rapids, which had already been cut out and was in a condition to be traveled. Ravenna Township was detached from Muskegon and organized in 1849. INFLATED CURRENCY. The first attempt at running logs down the river was made in 1839 by John A. Brooks; the logs having been cut a few miles above Croton. The "drive" finally reached Muskegon, but after a great outlay for clearing the river, and the men employed celebrated the event by buying and drinking a barrel of whisky, which then cost about sixteen cents per gallon. The whisky was common property, but in order to assume~ an appearance of "business" they fitted up a counter on a stump, and one of the number having a silver quarter dollar, commenced by treating the company, one of them tending bar; this bar-tender then took the money and came outside and treated the company, another taking his place as bartender. This was continued several days, until the whisky disappeared. There was an annual carousal for a few days on the arrival of the "big drive,"until the village "lock-up" was erected in 1861, after which the officers became able to suppress it. EARLY SETTLERS. Until 1834 the Indian traders had been accustomed to come to Muskegon Lake in the autumn and buy furs and traffic with the Indians during the winter,, and go away in the spring, taking with tifem all their movable effects. At the latter date Lewis B. Baddeau having secured the interest of Mr. Daily in his log building, established a trading post, and became a permanent settler of Muskegon. He was of French descent, and was born at Three Rivers, near Montreal, in Canada. Mr. Baddeau afterwards made a preemption claim on lot two of Section nineteen, on which his trading post stood, being that part of the city lying west and north of a line running from the Chapin & Foss mill to the old cemetery, and thence to the Bigelow & Brother's mill. And on the 31st of July, 1839, after the land came into market, he made a regular entry of the lot. He continued to trade with the Indians until 1840, and in 1845, having become embarrassed in business, and having lost most of his property, he went to Newaygo to live, and afterwards to the Dam, on Muskegon River, where he died soon after. The second settler on Muskegon Lake was Joseph Troutier, who erected a building in 1835, of hewn timber, near the White, Swan & Smith mill, which he occupied as a trading post for several years. Mr. Troutier was born in Mackinac, August 9, 1812, where he resided until his settlement in Muskegon. He continued the Indian trade several years at this place, and then removed to the Dam, where he lately died. In 1836 Mr. Troutier went with the Indians to Washington, and assisted in forming the treaty by which the Indian title to the land in the part of Michigan lying north of Grand River was obtained. Mr. Troutier remembered many interesting incidents in the early history of Western Michigan, and often remarked that "me and my wife were the first white men in Muskegon." Wmn. Lasley was of French origin, was born in Pennsylvania. but spent his early life in Mackinac, and settled in Muskegon in the autumn of 1835, having built a trading post near where is now thecorner of Western Avenue and Seventh Street. He continued to trade with the Indians for several years, and eventually brought on goods suitable for the trade of early settlers, sometimes keeping a stock valued at $20,000. In 1862 he sold the mill that he had previously built, and retired from business and died the next year. Martin Ryerson was born on a farm near Patterson, New Jersey, January 6, 1818. In 1834, having become satisfied that the l 4sl — - --— I -I X L -_ HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 51 I r i: _ I I fortune that he had even then determined to acquire, was not to be easily and readily obtained at farming, he started for Michigan, which at that time was regarded as the Eldorado. When he reached Detroit his funds were exhausted, and he was obliged to stop and obtain employment for a time before he could proceed. After a few months he started again with Richard Godfroy, and reached Grand Rapids in September of the same year, and soon after went into Godfroy's employ, remaining at Grand Rapids until May, 1826, when he left and came to Muskegon. On his arrival at Muskegon he went into the employ of Joseph Troutier, and engaged in the Indian trade, which he continued three years; was then employed by T. Newell & Co., which firm then carried on the same business. In Octobor, 1841, Mr. Ryerson and S. J. Green made a contract with T. Newell to run his mill for two years. After the expiration of this term Mr. Ryerson made an arrangement to run the mill on a salary for another two years. In September, 1845, Mr. Ryerson, in company with J. H. Knickerbocker, bought Mr. Newell's interest in the mill and became a mill owner. This fact, however did not change his style of living or lessen the amount of labor he performed. During the first year that he owned the interest in the mill he often worked eighteen hours out of the twentyfour, filling any place where a vacancy might chance to occur, or where his services were most needed. Mr. Ryerson's practical experience rendered him a competent judge of the men in his employ, and he "expected every man to do his duty." As an instance of the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers, Mr. Ryerson relates the following experience: In September, 1839, he started on foot to go to Grand Rapids to attend "Indian payment." The ordinary route at that time was by the beach of Lake Michigan to Grand Haven, thence up Grand River. Mr. Ryerson, however went through what is since the township of Ravenna, although there was then no road or settlement on the way, excepting along the first five miles west of Grand Rapids. He kept his course by a pocket compass, crossed Crockery Creek somewhere near where is now the village of Ravenna, and stopped for the night about ten miles beyond. He made a brush tent, built a fire and roasted a coon that he had caught during the day and brought with him, and made his supper front it without salt or water, and then slept soundly on his brush bed. The remainder of the coon served for his breakfast in the morning, after which he pursued his journey, reaching Grand Rapids early in the day and without feeling any particular fatigue. The following incident was related to the writer by Mr. Ryerson, and shows the manner of enforcing a rule of the early settlers requiting a uniformity in dress, a rule which prohibited the wearing of "stove-pipe" hats and white shirts. A young man from Grand Rapids one day made his appearance on the "streets" of Muskegon wearing these contraband articles of dress, and who, by the way, was putting on numerous airs in consequence. A mock court was soon organized, a complaint was made against him for horse stealing. He was arrested, examined and bound over to the Circuit Court. The constable started with him for the jail (a log stable), and on the way he was allowed to escape, as had been pre-arranged. The fellow ran for the woods at a rate of speed that would have astonished a deer, while the whole town followed him, yelling at the top of their voices, and pretending to try to overtake him. The hat was never seen in Muskegon again. Mr. Ryerson removed to Chicago in 1851, where he has since resided, excepting about seven years which he spent with his family in Europe. THEODORE NEWELL was a native of Connecticut, and settled in Chicago, and afterwards to Kenosha, Wis., and thence to Chicago again, where he died in 1869. HENRY PENNOYER settled in 1836 at the mouth of Muskegon Lake, his object in locating at that place being to secure a claim to land in that vicinity, as it was then supposed that the future city of Muskegon would be built on the sand hills near the Mouth. He and his brother, Augustus Pennoyer, built a mill the same year at Pennoyer Creek, a few miles above Newaygo. Mr. Pennoyer left Muskegon soon after and removed to Grand Haven. He now lives near Nunica. SAMUEL ROSE was born in Grandville, Mass., in 1817, and came to Grand Rapids in 1836, where he met Augustus Pennoyer, who was then getting ready to build a mill at Pennoyer Creek, at Newaygo. He made an agreement to work for Mr. Pennoyer, and started with some other men to go through the woods to the place they were to work. There being no road, and not keeping the right direction, they got lost and were out five days before they reached Muskegon River. Then, thinking that they were above Newaygo, they started down the stream, and after a time they came to Muskegon Lake. After obtaining some provisions, they started up the river, and passing the site of the village of Newaygo (at which place there was then no settlement), reached their destination. Mr. Rose has continued to reside on Muskegon River, sometimes at Muskegon, or at other towns up the river; his present residence being near Newaygo. GEORGE W. WALTON was born January 3, 1812, in Essex County, N. Y. In 1833 he removed to Chicago, and settled in Muskegon in May, 1837. During his early residence here he was very active in public matters; was supervisor of the township for several years, having been first elected in 1817, and was one of the first postmasters of Muskegon. Mr. Waltdon removed to California in 1845, where he remained several years, and went thence to Nevada, where he died in 1874. JONATHAN H. FORD was born in the State of New York. He settled in Muskegon in 1837, and built the mill at the mouth of Bear Creek. During his early residence here he was elected one of the associate judges of the Ottawa County Court. He left Muskegon in 1845, and now resides in Wisconsin. ISAAC D. MERRILnL was born in 1809, and settled in Muskegon in 1839. He has continued to reside on Muskegon River since that time, his present residence being at Bridgeton. GEORGE RUDDI>MAN was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Sept. 29, 1815, and came to America in 1833, stopping one year in Pennsylvania, when he came to Michigan, and has since resided most of the time in this State. He settled in Muskegon in April, 1840, and engaged as a millwright in repairing the mill at the mouth of Bear Lake. In 1841 he took charge of this mill, and in 1844, in company with his brother, John Ruddiman, he bought the property where the McGraft & Montgomery mill now stands. In 1840 Mr. Ruddiman attended the election in Muskegon and voted for Gen. Harrison for President of the United States. Geo. Ruddiman built the first boat used for towing logs and vessels in Muskegon Lake. It was a small sidewheel steamer, and was called the Peggy. He now resides in the township of Muskegon. GEORGE B. WOODBURY was born in Worcester, Mass., and in 1837 removed to Michigan City, where he remained until October, 1840, when he left and settled in Muskegon, coming all the distance along the shore of Lake Michigan in a small boat. Soon after reaching Muskegon he obtained employment as engineer in the T. Newell & Co. mill. He continued this for several years, at the same time carrying on a blacksmith shop, where he employed his leisure time in making traps for the Indians, and in doing other blacksmith I I i I i I I I I I I tv ( &) _ Lb I Muskegon in 1836. He lived here a few years and then removed to - _ ___ I __ i I :: ~r II 523 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, work. This was the first shop of the kind 'in Muskegon, and the onlv one at the time north of Grand River. Mr. Woodbury in those days was rather fond of a practical joke, as were most of the early settlers. The following is remembered as one of them: A maln from Monroe, who was rather inclined to put on airs, came to Muskegon with a quantity of wild-cat money, which at that time was not entirely worthless, bht was considerably depreciated in value; and thinking he was off in the woods among ignorant mel, he endeavored to buy lumber with it at its par value. Samuel Rose, who happened to be up the river at the time, had a raft of lumber lying in the water near where the flouring mill now stands, and Mr. Woodbury sold the lumber to the Monroe man, agreeing to wait for his pay until the lumber was hauled out, at the same time telling everybody to keep the joke quiet. The man worked three days in the water and got out about 25,000 feet, when Mr. Rose returned and exposed the joke, when the man left town a somewhat wiser man, taking his "wild-cat" with him. Another joke was to the following effect, played oln a loud talking new-comer, who had failed to become popular with the settlers. Mr. Woodbury one day said to MLr. Ryer.son that it vas too bad that that stranger should be eaten up in that way; that Mir. Green ought to suffer for it. The loud talker, as was intended, heard the remark and immediately inquired ill regard to the particulars. Mr. Woodbury, in reply said "that Mir. Green had sent a stranger upon the hill alone to cut logs, and that the hodags had killed and eaten him, leaving nothing but his boots." He started at once9-for Mlr. Greekn's house to give him a terrible lecture. Mr. Green said it was one of Ryerson and WVoodbury's jokes, but he would not believe it and continued to blame him for thus allowing a stranger to expose himself. Mrs. Green endeavored to corroborate her husband's statement, when the loud talker said "he did not "want her to put in her clack; she could not make himn believe that Mr. Green was lot to blame." The man was so much afraid of the imaginary anirmtlls that he soon after left the town. Hence the origin of the term Hodcags. SAMUEL J. GREEN was born in Ohio, and settled il Muskegon in 1840. He died in MIay, 1858. JOHN H. KNICKERBOKER was b or1n in 1815, At Watertown, N. Y. He settled in MIuskegon in 1810 and died Alngust 26, 1856. RICHARD RYERSON WAS born in Patterson, N, J., February 9, 1812, where lie lived till he was about twenty years of age, when he removed to Western New York, where he lived until 1843, when he came and settled ill Muskegon. He was engaged during the first year of his residence here at longing, at prices that would not be considered very good at the present time, sometimes selling good logs at $2 per thousand feet. Mr. Ryerson for several years kept the Walton House, the first frame hotel in Muskecron. He resides in thle township of Cedar Creek, in this county. ALFRED A. MAXIM WAS born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., January 26, 1820. Coming West in 1843, he made Kenosha, Wis., his first stopping place.; In November of that year he started from Chicago for Grand Haven on a schooners with two yoke of oxen and some men whom he had employed, to seek his fortune at lumbering. The next day after reaclling Grand Haven he started along the beach of Lake Mlichigan for Muskegon, there being at that time no road through the woods. They had not proceeded far when they came to a place where the drift wood had filled up the narrow space between the water and a high bank; and not being able to drive around they were obliged to unload the bagons-part of the load being barrels of pork-take apart the wagons and -carry them and their contents over the hill. They then led the oxen around and having yoked them and put the wagons together, loaded up and started afrain. Mr. Maxim was entirelv unacmuainted withlquicksand, an d when driving along on the smooth sand at the mouth of Little Black Lake the oxen began to sink, and before he could get upon dry land they had sunk so that their heads alone were visible. After great exertion they finally succeeded il rescuing the animals alive from their perilous situation. They left the beach at the mouth of Black Lake and went through the woods, taking their course by compass, and reached Muskegon Lake near where A. V. Mann & Co.'s mill is now situated. From thence they followed along up the lake and stopped at the Muskegon House then kept by ZMr. Dill. These wagons were the first ever driven into Muskegon. Mr. Maxim has been engaged in lumbering most of the time since, and continued to reside on Muskegon River until recently. JOHN RUDDIMATN WAS born in Aberdeen, Scotland, March 20, 1814, and came to this country in 1831. He lived four years in Pennsylvania, when he came to Michigan and lived in Detroit. In 1839 he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1843, when he settled in Muskegon, where he has since continued to reside. In 1849 he built a mill on the north side of Muskegon Lake, in which, in 1850, he put in the first siding mill in use on the lake. He built a flouring mill at the mouth of Bear Lake in 1852, the first in operation on Muskegon Lake. ELIAS WV. MERRILL was born in Falmouth, Mlaine, October 2, 1812, came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in Muskegon in June, 1844. He has continued to reside here, excepting one year when he lived at Bridgeton and one year in his native State. Mr. Merrill was elected to the Lower'House of the State Legislature in 1856; vas postmaster in 1861, State Senator in 1865, and postmaster a second time in 1869, holding the office till 1875. ROBERT Wf. MORRIS waS born in 1813, in the State of New York, aud settled on the Muskegon River in 1842, and a few years after came to MvIuskegon. For a number of years he was an active business man, but his health having failed he retired from business in 1865 and removed to Grand Rapids, where lie died May 5, 1866. ASELEY B. FU3RMAN was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in January, 1819, and settled in Muskegon in 1815. Although he saw very much of the early history and settlement of Muskegon, it is doubtful whether the reply he once made to the question, "How long bad he known Muskegon River?" was strictly true. He said "he had known Muskegon River ever since it was a small stream, in fact since it was first laid out." Mr. Furman died October 4, 1872. The foregoingc are sketches of all those who settled in M~uskegon during the first ten years after the first settlement was made, so far as the writer has been able to learn. Some of these sketches are not as perfect as would be desired, the necessary information not being accessible. SETTLERS PREVIOUS TO 1860. Tho followinIg is a list of the persons who settled in Muskegon subsequent to 1846 and prior to the year 1860, as far as the writer has been able to obtain their names: 1846- James Graham, P. Blake. 1847-Charles Martin, Frank Young. 1848-Ezra Stevens, Nich. Petrie, C. Davis, Chas. Carmichael, E. A. Partridge, Mrs. Julia Witherell, Mirs. Fanny Shepherd, John Witherel, Mrs. Albert Hodge. 1849-WI. Wd. Lloyd, Mrs. Ellen Boyd, John Cameron, C. P. MeSherry, E. H. Wylie, Dennis Garvey, Theo. Wilson, Nich. K~empff, P. J. Connell. 1850-J-Lulius Bosksch, A. Trowbridge, F. Eimer, John Hetz, Jonathan Boyce, Thomas Mills, Fred Drixelius, WVerner Kister, John Carmichael. 1851 David Blake. 1852 ---A. J. McHenry, Hubert Stein, J. D. Davis, Jacob Hetz, Charles T. Hills, Lars Larson, Fred Bowles, Edward Boyce, Ray I i I - V:: I Icl y I f-:~~~~~_ - --- --- __ il IT-. \-. A ) P a 1sb t0XEr a......... i...... f PS i m. I.. I. -T /:- -.,;.. - ~,~~~~~!!ie~,i?" -.:_:i-:.:c-i:;- i,:,~ ';} Z LL i- il~ko, FF I Ic - -F — 777-7' ~ — -.-. ----; — ~- -— ~~-~ --- -- -~-__ —l 117111117,17,Tq7 m `77 777- 11 r m - g -.-l;5 i I= &-. G I I II I I I i I k j - v- -, HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 53 mond O'Harrow, M. S. Burge, Dennis Reardon, John A. Curry. 1853-J. H. Swan, Charles W. Root, Wm. Glue, Peter Grossman. 1854-Ira O. Smith, P. Dowd, Henry VanBampus, Ole Oleson, Wm. Kotelman, Nich. Schuler, Henry Jacobs, John Bronson, Andrew Olson, Edward Ford. 1855 —Alex. Cotie, John W. Kent, Martin Kochlin, Peter Muhl, Capt. Henry Dobson, J. H. Hackley, Matthew Wilson, Henry H. Getty. 1856-L. G. Mason, S. D. Murray, R. P. Easton, Luman Hamblin, Gideon Truesdell, A. B. Miner, S. R. Sanford, F. Eimer, H. Riehle, J. W. Moon, John Torrent, Chas. H. Hackley, S. H. Stevens, Dr. A. Maurer. 1857-A. A. Bullock, M. F. Ramier, P. Schnorbach, Lewis M. Haines, John T. Dibble, Chas. D. Nelson, E. Potter, W. F. Wood, A. V. Mann, W. L. Ryan, Thos. Wheeler, W. H. Lewis, Bennett Ripley, Wm. Rutherford, Chas. Graves. 1858-Henry H. Holt, Wm. Pickett, George Schwegler, A. Rodgers. 1859-S. B. Peck, Geo. Arms, A. Mulder, J. Mulder, Geo. F. Outhwaite. THE SCHOOLS. The first school in Muskegon was a private one, taught by Miss Clark in the winter of 1848-'9, in a room in the dwelling house of Charles Martin. Among those now living in this county, who attended this school, are Henry Lasley, of Montague; William, August and Joseph Baddeau, of Holton, and Mrs. Minerva Curry, of this city. The first school house erected was built by private subscription in the autumn of 1849, on the corner of Clay avenue and Terrace street. It was 20x30 feet, one story, and cost about $300. It was afterwards considerably enlarged, and was for several years the only school house and place for religious services in the village. It was finally sold, removed, and converted into Holt's Hall, which YWas destroyed in the great 'fire, August 1st, 1874. Wm. D. Holt taught in this school house the first winter. Miss Roberts (afterwards the wife of Frank Cole) taught during the second winter and the summer following. The first union school building was erected in 1860, while Thomas Wheeler was Director of the district. This was replaced by the present building in 1875. Mrs. C. T. Hills, formerly Miss Margaret McIntyre, was engaged in the puplic schools in this city, either as principal or first assistsnt, for fifteen years, her engagement being for the longest term of any teacher thus far employed. THE CHURCHES. The first priest of the Roman Catholic Church who officiated in Muskegon after the town was settled was Father Visosky, of Grand Rapids, who came here in 1835 and held services in Lasley's house. Services were held here occasionally after that time, but nothing was done toward building a church until 1856, when Father Van Pamel, of Grand Rapids, commenced the work. The original building was completed and the first service held in it in 1857. It was known as St. Mary's church. Since that time several additions and improvements have been made. The first resident priest in Muskegon was Father Stonehouse, who settled here in 1857, Father Rievers occupied the position eleven years, and died in 1872, and was suc ceeded by Father Van Pamel, who returned to his former charge. In 1843 Rev. Mr. Warring of the Methodist Episcopal Church, made a visit to Muskegon, when Mr. Ryerson, having fitted up seats in his boarding house, went around and notified the people of the proposed service. The settlers were all present, including an old man who was very much under the influence of liquor. The minis ter was preaching when the man went in, and was saying something in regard to the Jews; and as the old man passed along he chimed in, "and gentiles too." No notice was taken of this intrusion, and he took his seat on the stairs that led to the floor above. He soon, however, began to respond very loudly, not with the word amen, but instead the Indian on-in-day. Mr. Woodbury, who was sitting near, often making repeated attempts to keep him quiet, took him by the coat collar and pulled him up stairs, and the service proceeded in an orderly manner. At the close a collection was taken amounting to $7.50. This was the first Protestant service held in Muskegon. From this time until 1850, ministers here on a visit or otherwise, held services, several of whom came at the request of the late Rev. Wm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven. Amlong them was the Rev. Mr. Wheeler, who came a number of times in the winter of 1844-5 and held services in the boarding house occupied by Mr. Maxim. In the spring of 1850 an agreement was made with Rev. Mr. Reynolds, of the Congregationalist church, who lived at Lamont, to preach each alternate Sunday. The services were held in the school house, and the arrangement was continued through the summer and part of the following winter, he being the' first minister who had a regular appointment. Sleighs were unknown in Muskegon in those days, but C. Davis had a one-horse sled on which was a wood rack which he used occasionally when the snow was deep, in taking the ladies to church, accommodating as many as could stand in the rack. The first M. E. minister who preached here regularly was Rev. Mr. Bennett in 1854-5. Rev. J. M. Pratt, of the M. E. church settted in Muskegon as a minister in 1856, and soon after began to make arrangements for building a church. The Methodist church was commenced in the spring of 1857, and was so far advanced that the basement was used in the spring of 1858; but it was not fully completed until the spring of 1859, when the dedication services were held on the 9th day of June, Rev. J. K. Gillett at that time being the pastor. The church, including the bell, cost as appears by the report of the building committee, $11,600. The first resident Congregationalist minister of Muskegon, was Rev. Mr. Payson, who settled here in 1857, and remained until 1859. In March, 1859, Rev. A. St. Clair located here and began to preach, and the Congregational Society was organized soon after. The services being held until 1863 in the basement of the M. E. church, at the same time the Methodist services were being held in the room above. In 1863 the Congregational church was built, costing about $7,000. The original Dutch Reform church was built in 1859. This was a small building, and was sold and removed for a school house. Thile large Dutch Reform church was built in 1865. The Dutch Reform church on Terrace street was built in 1866. The Universalist church was built in 1865. The Baptist church was built in 1871. The Scandinavian Lutheran church was built in 1865. St. Paul's Episcopal church was built in 1873. The Danish Lutheran church was built in 1874. The first Swedish Lutheran church was built in 1875. This was burned in 1881, and the present one built. The first Sunday school organized in Muskegon was in 1852, by Mrs. E, W. Merrill, Mrs. J. H. Knickerbocker, Mrs. E. Huginin and Mrs. Chas. Odell. This was discontinued after a time, and a school was organized in 1874 by Fred Bowles, Mrs. Elizabeth Bowles and some others assisting, since which date a Sunday school has been continually in existence in Muskegon. The first church choir in Muskegon was the one connected with the M. E. church, and was organized in 1858. It consisted of Barney Hatch, William I L &R d I L6 I l - 'S -I oI It q -1 54 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. f Glue, F. F. Bowles, bass; C. W. Davis, tenor; Mrs. C. T. Hills, Mrs. G. B. Woodbury, Mrs. G. W. Hungerford, Mrs. B. Ripley, soprano, and Mrs. Delia Lacey, alto. Mrs. Hills was the organist, using a melodeon that was carried to and from the school house on each occasion of its use. POSTAL FACILITIES. The Muskegon post office was established in 1848, and Geo. W. Walton appointed postmaster. The post office was kept in the old Walton house for several years, when it was removed to the old warehouse building, now standing near Chapin & Foss' mill. Here it also remained for several years, until John B. Wheeler was appointed postmaster, who removed the office to the small building on Water street, the second building north of T. Merrill's livery stable. The receipts of the office for the first year amounted to about $36. Previous to the organization of the Muskegon post office, the nearest office was Grand Haven, where the mail matter for the Muskegon people was received. There was no regular arrangement for getting the mail from Grand Haven, and it was brought here by persons who might chance to go there, and occasionally an Indian or some other person was sent for the mail. During the first few years after the post office was established the mail was received from Grand Rapids via Ravenna once each week. After a time the mail service was increased to three times per week, wnich continued until 1860, when the Detroit' & Milwaukee railroad being completed, a daily mail route was established to Ferrysburg. THE PRESS. There was no newspaper published in Muskegon until the spring of 1857, when Chas. Cowan started the Muskegon Journal. It was Republican in politics, and was published weekly in a room in the old Walton house. After a short time Mr. Cowan took in Thomas H. Hodder as a partner, and the firm continued the publication of the paper until the autumn of the same year, when it was discontinued. The next newspaper was the Muskegon Replorter, which was started in April, 1859, by Fred L. Lee & Co. This was also a Republican weekly, and was published until October, 1864, when it was discontinued. August 20, 1864, John Bole started the Muskegon -~ews, which he published a few months and then sold to Wim. K. Gardner, who continued the publication until March, 1865, when he sold his interest to Ferdinand Weller. The latter soon after bought the press and type of the PReporter office and revived that paper, publishing the two papers. After a time they were united and known as the lXews and _teleporter. In December, 1869, Geo. C. Rice started the Muskegon Chronicle. The Lakeside WZeekly was started by Wait & Jndson in 1871, who were succeeded by Chas. S. Hilbourn in 1873, who changed its name to Lakeside -Register. In April, 1877, Mr. Weller purchased the Lakeside -Register and consolidated it with the semi-weekly zXews and Repyorter. The first Democratic paper started in Muskegon was the Muskegon T'elegrayph, which was succeeded by the Muskegon.Enterprise and Gazette and _Bulletin, the latter being discontinued September 9, 1873. MISCELLANEOUS. The first physician who settled in Muskegon was Dr. Chas. P. McSherry, in 1849. The first attorney was Edwin Potter, in 1857; the second attoi ney was Henry H. Holt, in 1858. The latter was elected prosecuting attorney of Ottawa County, of which Muskegon then formed a part, the same year. Samuel R. Sanford was elected sheriff of Ottawa County in 1858. R. O'Harrow was general manager in the mill of C. Davis & Co. from January, 1854, until January, 1881, a length of time in one position not exceeded by that of any person in Muskegon. The first banking office in Muskegon was started by Capt. T. J. Rand in 1859. He also erected the building, in 1867, now occupied by the Lumberman's National bank, which was the first brick building in Muskegon. Muskegon County was organized in the winter of 1859, from territory detached from Ottawa County. C. Davis, E. W. Merrill and R. W. Morris were very active in securing the passage of the act, there being a very decided opposition to the measure. The first election of county officers was held on the 4th of April of that year, when James H. Lobdell was elected Sheriff, E. H. Wylie, County Clerk; J. D. Davis, County Treasurer; C. D. Nelson, Registrar of Deeds; Jesse D. Pullman, Judge of Probate; Henry H. Holt, Prosecuting Attorney, and Edwin Potter, Circuit Court Commissioner. The officers entered on the discharge of the duties of their several offices on the 1st of June following, when the uew county commenced its existence. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held in the office of Henry H. Holt, on the 18th of July, 1859, when E. W. Merrill represented the Township of Muskegon; I. O. Smith, Norton; Nathan Whitney, Casnovia, and Thomas D. Smith, Ravenna. E. W. Merrill was elected Chairman of the Board. The first business transacted was detaching a part of Muskegon Township and organizing the same into the Township of Egelston. The Supervisors of the Townships of White River and Dalton refused to meet with the Board, claiming that the organization of the county was illegal and void. I. E. Carleton, the Supervisor from Oceana Township, was afterwards prosecuted for neglect of official duty. A statement of facts was agreed upon and submitted to a jury, which found him guilty upon a special verdict; whereupon Judge Littlejohn, who was the first judge of the County, imposed a small fine. Mr. Carleton then took the case to the Supreme Court -as it was understood he would when a decision was renderedwhich sustained the organization, the court being equally divided. The first Representative in the State Legislature from Muskegon was Chauncey Davis, who was elected in 1860 and re-elected in 1862. The village of Muskegon was incorporated in 1861, and the first election was held in the basement of the M. E. Church, on the 8th of July of that year, when Lyman G. Mason was elected President; E. Potter, R. W. Morris, C. P. Bigelow and Thomas Mills, Trustees; Robert McQueen, Recorder; Luman Hamblin, Marshal; C. D. Nelson, Treasurer, and Henry H. Holt, Village Attorney. An act was passed by the Legislature in 1869 incorporating the city of Muskegon, and the first election was held on the 4th day of April, 1870. The first officers of the city government were Chauncey Davis, Mayor; C. C. Chamberlain, Recorder; A. C. Truesdell, Treasurer; W. P. Odell and R. O'Harrow, Aldermen of the First Ward; J. H. Landreth and Alex. Rodgers, Aldermen of the Second Ward, and Chas. Kreig and Dennis Riordan, Aldermen of the Third Ward. MUSKEGON HARBOR. The harbor at the mouth of Muskegon River and Lake remained in its natural condition until 1863, when the work of improving it was begun. Up to this time at'the best stage of water there was scarcely ever more than six feet on the bar; oftener not more than four or five feet; and at times, after a strong wind from the southwest, the sand would be drifted in so that men have waded across. In 1863 a corporation called the Muskegon Harbor Companly was organized under the provisions of a law of the State, for the purpose of improving the channel. This company built a slab 'lo - i~i e I*AG — -. - c' HISTORY. OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 55 I pier on each side of the channel, the south pier being about 1,500 feet long and the north pier about 500. The first superintendent was J. B. Lemieux, and the first scow load of slabs was put into position by James G. Campbell. Afterwards L. G. Mason was superintendent and completed the work done by the company. Previous to the building of the piers there was no well defined channel, the water of the river spreading in every direction on- reaching Lake Michigan. As a consequence, whatever there was of a chan. nel was very changeable as well as crooked, and even after the piers were commenced the water did not flow directly into the lake. To obviate this difficulty the superintendent resorted to the somewhat novel expedient of boring a channel through the sand. To accomplish this, he chartered the propeller Caldwell to force her way backwards from Lake Michigan into Muskegon Lake, agreeing to pay $1,500 for the job. The revolutions of the wheel cleared away the sand so that the propeller continually " advanced backwards," but so slowly that the captain at one time was inclined to relinquish his undertaking; but on endeavoring to return into Lake Michigan he found that so much of the sand that he had displaced had settled behind the propeller that she could not move in that direction, and his only course was to go into Muskegon Lake, turn around and then bore out again. The result was that the current of the river was so strong that it afterward kept the straight channel to Lake Michigan open. The first light house, which was built in 1855, was torn away in- 1871 and the present one erected. This company was composed entirely of those interested in the Muskegon lumber business, and expended altogether about $40,000, all of which.was donated, towards this improvement. Congress soon after began to make appropriations for the same purpose-the result of all which is that this harbor is undoubtedly the best on Lake Michigan, there being at the present time sixteen feet of water on the bar. The current of the river is so strong that the channel never freezes over. Even in the cold winter of 1874 it did not freeze, and had it not been for the ice on Lake Michigan vessels could have entered at any time and run into Muskegon Lake, a distance of nearly a mile. CONCLUSION OF MR. HOLT'S SKETCH. Among those who were born in Muskegon and are still resi dents of Muskegon County are: Mrs. John Curry, Mrs. Horatio Hovey, James and George Graham, of Muskegon; Mrs. A. G. Smith, of Lakeside; S. W. Lasley,.of Montague, and William, Augustus, Michael and Joseph Baddeau, of Holton. OFFICERS. Muskegon was organized as a village in 1861, and on July 8th of that year, at its first municipal election, Hon. Lyman G. Mason was chosen President, receiving 120 out of 121 votes cast. In 1869 it received its first charter as a city, which was amended in 1871, and subsequently revised in 1875, which revision, as amended in 1879, is now in force. The Village records are incomplete, and the compiler has been unable to obtain from any other source an accurate list of the Village Presidents, which it was desired to subjoin. Below will be found the names of the Mayors, Recorders and City Attorneys who have held office since the organization of the city: MAYORS. 1870-Chauncey Davis. 1877 -Oliver P. Pillsbury. 1871-Jselph It elnli. 1878-Henry H. Holt. 1872-C(lCh;unucnv Davis. 1879X) -Henllry H. Holt. 1873-Henry H. Getty. 1880-Fran is Jiroeh. 1874 —amuel H. Wagner. 1881-Francis Jiroch. X 1875-Wil iam Giue. 1882-Nelson DeLong. 1876-Oliver P. Pillsburv. RECORDERS. 1870-Charles C. Chamberlain. 1877-Daniel J. Moriarty. 1871 —Charles C. Chamberlain. 1878-Frank Wood. 1872- George F. Outhwaite. 1879-Frank Wood. 1873-*George F. Outhwaite. 1880-Edgar W. Thayer. 1874-Daniel J. Moriarty. 1881 —Edgar W. Thayer. 1875-Daniel J. Moriarty. 1882-Edgar W. Thayer. 1876-Daniel J. Moriarty. *Resigned-James G. Campbell appointed to fill vacancy. CITY ATTORNEYS. 1870-Francis Smith. 1876-Henry Slater. 1871-Francis Smith. 1877-Francis W. Cook. 1872 —Hiram J. Hoyt. 1878-Hiram J. Hoyt. 1873 —William C. Odell. 1879-Hiram J. Hoyt. 1874-James Snow. 1880-Andrew B. Allen. 1875-James Snow. 1881-Andrew B. Allen. The officers for 1881 were: Hon. Francis Jiroch, Mayor; Aldermen, First Ward,Peter Lansiff and Nils P. Nelson; Second Ward, Thomas B. McNiff, who was also President of the Council, and Peter Wintermute; Third Ward, Wm. Brinnen and David Drinan; Fourth Ward, Gottlieb Ninneman and Peter Doran; City Recorder, Edgar W. Thayer; City Attorney, Andrew B. Alien; Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, Thos. B. Gregory, vice James Cavanaugh, resigned; Street Commissioner, N. Holthe vice J. B. Smalley, resigned; City Printer, F. Weller; City Physician, Dr. O. C. Williams; Police Justice, W. L. Ryan; Justices of the Peace, L. Beardsley, W. L. Ryan, J. E. Jamison, and W. McLaughlin; Police Officers, C. Schmidt, Deputy Marshal; Water Commissioners, H. Park, President, E. W. Merrill; School Inspector, A. Anderson; Directors of the Poor, I. Brandt and J. De Haas. MUSKEGON CITY IN 1867. Had twenty-five large steam saw mills with annual cut of 160,000,000 feet. Population 5,000, rapidly increasing. In 1866 L. G. Mason & Co., built a mill 45 by 136, capable of cutting 16,000,000 feet a season, employing 53 men. In 1867 it was still a village and its officers were, President, Jos. H. Hackley; Clerk, E. H. Wylie; Treasurer, C. H. Hackley; Marshal, Dewitt Patterson; Trustees, I. O. Smith, Joshua Davis, E. Potter and H. H. Holt. The county officers were: Judge of Probate, E. H. Wylie; Clerk and Register, H. J. Pemberton; Treasurer, S. C. Hall; Pros. Att'y, E. Potter; Circuit Court Com., H. H. Holt; Sheriff, A. B. Miner; Surveyor, Adna Egelston. The societies were two MTasonic Lodges, Nos. 140 and 182; one Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 92; one Lodge of I. O. G. T., No. 358. Six churches, Methodist, Rev. W. Rook; Congregational, Rev. L. Reed; Universalist, Rev. W. B. Cook; Dutch Reformed, Rev. W. A. Hombolt; Catholic, Rev. H. Rievers, and Episcopal (St. Paul's) in Holt's Hall, Rev. Marcus Lane, pastor. The Board of Education were: Director, H. H. Holt; Moderator, W. F. Wood; Assessor, D. McLaughlin; Principal of Union School, A. W. Barnes. 1870. The pastors are Rev. J. L. Childs, (Methodist Episcopal), who in September was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hickey; Father Rievers, (Catholic); Rev. J. M. Clark, (Episcopal); Rev. L. Reed, (Congregational); Rev. W. B. Cook, (Universalist). In all there were five churches. There were two Masonic Lodges, Commandery and Chapter, also a Lodge of Daughters of Rebecca, Myrtle Lodge 32, Mrs. T. Evans, R. S. Muskegon & Ferlysburg R. R. the only line in the county. The city census was: 1st Ward 1,733, 2d Ward 2,612, 3d Ward 1,657. Total, 6,002. 1871. In this year A. M. LeClercq is Sheriff, and W. McLaughlin, I I L ---- - -- - - -1 i X — - -L a& 4 56 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. i deputy; J. E. Jamison, Circuit Court Commissioner; D. McLaughlin, Register in Chancery; A. I. Loomis, County School Superintendent; H. H. Holt, Representative in the Legislature; D. J. Moriarty, acting Mayor. A. G. Blood has the -Dailty Enterlprise, and G. E. Rice the Chironicle. At this time Pine street was the great business street; what Western avenue is now. Going up one side of this street in 1871 one would note that Kirtland Bros. had at this time a Free Stone factory valued at $10,000. L Poppe's mneat market in F. Scott's building did a business of $16,000 annually, Oles Cotie had a blacksmith shop, G. Neumeister had a hotel, J. McMichael a shoe shop, Frank Scott had a liquor store doing $50,000 of business aniually, P. Lansiff had a hotel 44 by 100 feet, D. J. Moriarty had the Forest City Hotel, G. Simpkiins a gun shop, E. Boyce & Son a meat market, and on the corner opposite, where the Hofstra House slow stands, Warre L Roberts had a saloon and restaurant. Next up Western avenue we find J. & D. Garvey's wholesale liquor store, above which was the office of Dr. MCcSherry, the oldest physician in the city, next came Julius Slater's tobacco store, Thomas Hamilton, grocer, in the next building did a business of $70,000 a year; next Peter Bradley's tailor shop, then Julius Bernhard's liquor store, selling $20,000 worth a year, N. Steiner's boarding house and saloon is set down for $30,000 a year. Crossing Ryerson's Creek we find C. Allen keeps the Washington Hotel, Peter Dam does a heavy business at his boarding saloon, as also does P. Schnorback. A. Peterson has a meat market and restaurant. 1872. Joseph Ireland, Mayor; I. Hilliard, Marshal. The Mayor il the latter part of the year was C. Davis. The salt well was being tested; National P~ank increases its capitalfrom $100,000 to $200,000. Farr Mill burned in August, and shortly before -the Beidler Mill burned. The loss in the former case, was $90,000, insured $40,000. In May W. I. Birge, a book agent, fatally shoots his wife, and then shoots himself, so that he died at the court house the same day. Germania Lodge I. O. O. F. instituted L. Eanitz, N. G. THE GREAT FIRE OF 1874. On Aug. 1, 1874 the city was visited by the severest affliction it has yet experienced, which is still spoken of as the Great Fire. We append a full description written at the time for the pewvs and -Reporter: Oil Saturday morning between twelve and one o'clock of August 1, 1874, Hart's boot and shoe store on Western avenue was discovered to be on fire. A strong west wind was prevailing and in a few minutes the fire had leaped the street wrapping Leonard's block in a sheet of flamne. The fire then rushed down the avenue with frightful rapidity, and then upwards and across the town, passing over a large area with incredible speed. The fire departments were promptly oil hand, and through their energetic movements prevented the fire from destroying another building on the avenue above Terrace street, but beat it off and awvay from the more valuable business and residence portion of the city. In less than onehalf hour the business blocks between the corners of Western ave nue and Terrace street, and Center street and Terrace to Pine, were one sheet of fire, and in less time than it takes to write it, the fire had swept across Pine street, lapping up everything in its way, until reaching Ryerson, Hills & Co's mill and office, it was stayed in its further progress by the engine and fire appurtenances of that mill. During this time the fire fiendd had spread itself over the blocks between Pine and Higrh streets, devouring everything on both sides of the street. As soon as the fire was discovered to be beyond the control of our marine and city fire departments, the Grand Rapids and Whitehall companies were telegraphed for, the latter arriving in about twenty minutes after the dispatch was sent. They both promptly took the positions assigned them, and fought the flames with commendable coolness and courage, and being assisted by a slight change in the wind succeeded il staying the destructive element in its further progress towards the best portion of the city. It now became apparent to all that the course adopted by our Chief Engineer Cavanaugh and the Aldermen, and so admirably carried out by their assistants, in their fierce warfare with the fiend, was the best that could possibly have been devised, heading off the flames, and gradually drawing the lines closer and closer with the most indomitable pluck and perseverance ever exhibited. Our marine department rendered invaluable assistance in keeping the reservoirs filled with water for the use of the other engines. The fire being under control east of High street, now made a flank movement and galloped off in the direction of the Holland church, on Spring street, and northeasterly towards the railroad, where it continued burning for some time. As near as we can estimate, about 70 business houses, with probably two-thirds of their merchandise, are destroyed; also about 200 residences, besides barns, outbuildings, etc., aggregating a loss of from $300, 000 to $500,000, with less than one-third of the amount covered by insurance. About 200 families are rendered homeless, and one-fourth of the city is laid in ashes. The following revised list of business houses destroyed, is, we are assured, correct. We wish it understood that these are the sustained losses exclusive of the insurance:,4 X I WESTERN AV13NUE. NAMES. TOTAL LOSS. Sibley's drug store................... $1,500 CoQPer & CO'S. liquor store..... 3.500 Drs. Tatman &; Mc Pherson's... 300 Jas. Snow's law offleee........... 400 Dr. Donaldson's offiee.......... 1,200 Sanngerbund hall............... 400 Leonard's buildings............. 4,500 Anthony's cigar store........... 700 Gustin's building................ 1,000 Thibb.,ut's clothing store....... 1,800 Lenhoff's clothing store...... 4.. 2,500 Potter's law offiee................ 500 Dr. Highwardlen's offlee........ 150 Picture gallery................... 500 Robert's block.................. 3,500 Lasser's ba rber shop............. 400 Robert's building................ 600 Thomas' grocedry......... 1,500 Bronson's feed store............ 4,500 Thomson's restaurant.......... 1,200 Jeanots' buildig............... 6o00 Towl's grocery store............ 4,500 Crotty's grocery store.......... 2,500 Root's saloon................... 1,000 Goldman & Wienberg's store.. 5,500 Robert's buildings.............. 1,000 GarveY's grocery............... 3,500 Dr. iMcSherry's offlee............ 500 Beans' saloon and building.... 600 Rsstaurant..................... 500 Olson's buildings................ 1.800 Keck's jewelry store............ 500 Bronson's building and saloon. 2,000 TERRACE Steplhen Bro's carpenter shop. 500 Holt's hall..................... 700 Lakeside printing off;Ie......... 2,500 O'llarrow's buildings........... 1,000 NAMIES. TOTAL LOSS. Shoe store and building........ 2,800 Saloon and building........... 1,000 Peck & Co's. dry goods store... 2,500 Sawyer's shoe store............. 3,000 Hart's shoe store............. 3;800 Two buildings and saloons.... 1,200 Herbstfs' block................... 4,500 Sibley's ofiace.................... 200 Krebb's harness shop.......... 700 Martin's grocery.........I..... 1,800 Franke'S saloon.............. 300 Herbst' & Co's clothing store... 2,500 Blake's buildingand grocery... 3,000 Quinn's drug store.............. 3,000 Shoe store.................... 2,000 National hotel......... 5,000 Sehnorbach & Co's store........ 4,000 Saloon and building............. 800 Jacob's clothing store.......... 1,500 Weller & Reull's shoe store..... 2,500 McNealy' restaurant............ 500 Ba'birnie, undertaker........ -... 300 Balbirnie's shoe shop.......... 100 Bourrett's Academy............. 200 Dudbridge's millinery shop.... 1,000 Grotes' hair dresser............. 400 Larsen's building................ 800 Sullivan's saloon............... 400 Fitzgeraldl's bakery............. 300 Stiears' boarding house......... 300 Covert & Co's. cigar store...... 400 Perlinsky, furnishing goods.... 3,000 Hamblin's blacksmith shop.... 600 Parker's store.................... COO. STREET. Scott's liquor store.............. 3,200 Boarding house.......... 800 Whittaker &; Co's............... 5,500 J L __ g I r, L -= : a-Ab - - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 57 l PINE STREET. bdell's drug store................ 3,000 Odell's block..................... 1.500 Jerrold's barber shop........... 200 Fleming's grocery............... 3,000 Brown's building................ 1,500 Haas & Hammer's market...... 4,500 Kockling's grocery.............. 3,500 Haupts' saloon.................. 800 Roberts' building................ 1,500 Kempt's boarding house........ 4,000 Bodendoerfer's.................. 300 Krebb's gun shop................ 400 Moyer's hotel and saloon....... 2,500 Scott's building and barn....... 3,500 Hood & McKay's block........... 3,000 Bradford & Co's. feed store..... 500 Kelly's feed store................ 600 Mill's building.................. 2,000 Bradford s & Co's................ 400 Bradford & Co's. building...... 800 Crotty'-, blacksmith shop........ 700 Neumeister's hotel and saloon. 3,500 Me5Michapl's shoe shop........... 800 Lansiff's building................ 1,800 Forest City houso, etc.............. 6,500 Bauman's shoe shop............ 200 Fagarn's saloon................... 250 Boice's market................... 500 Kent's building.................. 500 Luder's saloon................... 250 E. Tubby's building............. 600 The only thing knrown as to the origin of the fire is the account of a colored man who says that on examining the cause of the smoke on Western Avenue and Terrace Street, he found a barrel of old papers had been set on fire under a stairway, and so rapid was the progress of the flames that he was unable to extinguish them. He rushed to procure aid and soon a number of men came to his assistance, but the northwest wind was so strong that it overpowered their efforts. Mayor Houseman, of Grand Rapids, and the Mayor of Big Rapids, offered to send aid to the sufferers, which was thankfully declined; and it may here be noted that although Muskegon has always aided sufferers in the past, such as those of Holland City and Chicago, and the Michigan sufferers of 1881, and is ready to do her part in the work of charity again, she manfully struggled through her calamity of 1874 without outside aid. Measures were immediately taken by the city council to enact strict fire limits by-laws, and to appoint special fire guards. The council at that time was Aldermen Hetz, Olson, Torrent, McGordon, Glue, Bronson and Mason-the Mayor was Major C. Davis, who was chairman of the Relief Commitiee. There were five engines employed at the fire, two belonging to the city, one to the Mason Lumber Co., one to Whitehall and one to Grand Rapids. 500 feet of hose laid down on Western Avenue was burned before water could be pumped into it.. Fifty men were delegated to search for secreted plunder and a considerable amount was recovered. A large number of thieves were arrested and jailed for their kleptomaniac performances. 300 persons came on an excursion from Grand Rapids to see the effects of the fire, and visitors from other places were numerous. In the same issue of the N'ews & Reporter, in which the fire is described, an account is given of the proposed new National Bank Block and Mason's block, and "Messrs. Wood, Newell, Sanford & Co.," are warned that unless they make vigorous exertions "Messrs. Mason, Davis, McReynolds & Co.," will change the business centre to the western part of the town. ELECTION, 1874. In Oct. 1874, the election excitement ran high, Governor Bagley, of Wayne Co., being Republican candidate for Governor, and Wm. B. Williams being up for Congressman for Fifth District. The Republican candidates for county offices were: Sheriff, A. P. Horton, of Laketon; Prosecuting Attorney, A. T. MlcReynolds, Muskegon; Clerk and Registrar, David McLaughlin, of Muskegon; Circuit Court Commissioner, J. Emmet Jamison, of Muskegon; Surveyor, Thos. Smalley, of Muskegon; Coroners, G. J. Moog, Whitehall; and James Balbirnie, Muskegon; Republican County Committee: O. B. Curtis, A. C. Ellsworth, Jos. Heald, T. C. Stinson, D. M. Laughlin. C. D. Nelson, of Muskegon, was nominated for State Senator, and C. C. Thompson, Whitehall, as Representative. The elections took place on the 5th of Nov. 1874. In Whitehall the Repub lican ticket was elected excepting the County Treasurer, with a reduced majority. The amended constitution had 75 votes in its favor to 837 against. Charles H. Cook, who was what was called a "Reform" Candidate for County Treasurer, was elected by a large majority. The result of the county elections was Nathan Whitney (Ref.) was elected to the Legislature by 4 votes over Hon. C. C. Thompson. C. H. Cook (Ref.) by 635 over E. Stafford (Rep.) for County Treasurer. Major Ryan (Ref.) by 429 over A. P. Horton, Republican, for Sheriff. CGel. McReynolds by 149 over A. C. Chamberlain for Prosecuting Attorney. D. McLaughlin (Rep.) 325 more than D. Upton (Ref.) for Clerk and Registrar. Jamison (Rep.) 89 majority over Carroll (Ref.) for Circuit Court Commissioner. Republican Coroners elected by 48 majority. 1881. During this year greater activity was exhibited in the timber business than in any previous year, and this extended to all classes of manufacturers. The Monroe Manufacturing Company, the Car and Engine Works, and many other industries are started. Ryerson, Hills & Co. tore down their old mill and rebuilt. Great building activity prevailed on every hand. The new city hall, after the question had passed through litigation, was commenced. The Newaygo road murder is committed, and the murderer sent to State's prison; Neil McKinnon's body found in the lake, Henry Slater's body found in the marsh, both affairs being mysterious. There was a great fire among the piled lumber at the Bay mills, loss 1,500,000 feet, which was covered by insurance. Mr. Harford retires from the C/h~onicle, selling it to McKay & Dana. The great strike of saw mill workers takes place, and the military are called on to protect the mills, owing to some difficulty in North Muskegon. 1882. The contest this year was a sharp one, there being two tickets, one the "Workingmnen's," the other the "Citizens." The former were elected by large majorities, with the exception of Mr. Smalley as Supervisor of the 2d Ward, who was on the "Citizens" ticket. The following are the majorities given: Mayor, Nelson DeLong, 969; Treasurer, Sake A. Hofstra, 981; Recorder, E. W. Thayer, 1,120; Justice of the Peace, (full term), J. R. Hinds, 1,164; Justice of the Peace, (to fill vacancy), Allen Mosher, 1,189. IMR ST WARD. Alderman, Wm. Jones, 484; Supervisor, Henry Schroeder, 407. SECOND WARD. Aldermaan, WVm. F. Wiselogel, 196; Supervisor (citizen), John B. Smalley, 14. THIRD WARD. Alderman, Mr. Hutghes, 122; Supervisor, John Ryan, 132. FOURTH WARD. Alderman, Win. Glue, 265; Supervisor, Dennis Dowling, (on both ticlkets), 379. The following are the appointed officers: Chief Fire Dept., P. J. Connell; Marshal, John Brown; City Surveyor, John B. Smailey. Major Wm. L. Ryan was elected Police Justice and Alderman Wintermute, President of the Council. Mayor DeLong appointed the following standing committees for the ensuing year: Finance, Jones, Wintermute and HIughes; Fire, Nelson, Doran and Glue; Gas and Lamp, Glue, Nelson and Drinan; Health and Cemetery, Nelson, Doran and Wiselogel; License, Doran, Drinan and Glue; Ordinance, Drinan, Nelson and Hughes; Printing, Wiselogel, Wintermute and Jones; Police, Huglhes, Wintermute and Jones; Streets, Wintermute, Wiselogel, Drinan and Glue; Water, Glue, Hughes and Wiselogel. i i.=9 I - He- n —45I - * - i '@__ - 1 1 *^ e m 8 58 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - - - New saw mills are erected increasing the capacity on the lake by 15 per cent. A fine salt block is erected by Ryerson, Hills & Co. The Chronicle purchases the Journal, and the Eveningq Mllail company commence. J. Emmet Jamison, Circuit Court Commissioner, dies of consumption, and in April Probate Judge Wylie suddenly expires from heart disease. The great strike of the Booming Company's men and saw mill men commences about the first of April, and is extending into May. Nelson Patterson retires from the Hofstra House, and McCloskey & Stubbins take possession, changing it into the "Arlington." The city now has a population of 16,000. The villages of North Muskegon, Lakeside, Bluffton, and Port Sherman, which are all connected with Muskegon by ferry or street railway, have an aggregate population of 4,000. These places combined have a population of 20,000 persons. Among the manufacturing establishments located in the above mentioned places are: Thirty-six saw mills, employing 3,600 hands; Booming Company, employing 500 hands; car factory, employing 300 hands; railroad shops, employing 200 hands; basket factory, employing 125 hands; curtain roller factory, employing 100 hands; kindling and hame factory, employing 100 hands; engine shops, 80 hands; boiler works, employing 20 hands; two box factories, employing 100 hands; two shingle mills, employing 80 lands; five machine shops, employing 200 hands; five planing mills, employing 100 hands; two saw factories, employing 20 hands. Beside these there are a hub factory, a barrel factory, a bed spring factory, wagon factories, cigar factories, glue works, two ship yards, and many smaller establishments. The factories of the city give employment to more than 6,000 men. SHIPPING. In the year 1879 Muskegon shipped a considerable amount of lumber, the total number of arrivals for that year being 3,553, and the clearances 3,621. Owing to the strike which prevailed, and also the shortness of the season, Muskegon was behind hand in her lumber shipments and manufacture. 1882 bids fair to be a lively and prosperous one. The first vessel to arrive was the schooner Spy, which put in an appearance on April 25. For the year 1881 the arrival of schooners, propellers, etc., engaged in the lumber traffic from April 25 to November 28, were 2,880, of which the following are the monthly clearances: April, 56; May, 440; June, 469; July, 464; August, 494; September, 397; October, 369; November, 191. The first boat to leave Muskegon in 1881 was the schooner H. B. Moore, which left on April 23. The total number of clearances from April 23 to November 28, 1881, was 2,881, and the monthly departures were: April, 64; May, 455; June, 470; July, 467; August, 391; September, 413; October, 372; November, 186. Besides these a vast amount has been shipped by rail to the outside world. MUSKEGON AS A SUMMER RESORT. Nearly every town of any importance along the lake shore makes some claim to special advantages as a place of summer resort, and, perhaps, more or less justly, for it cannot be denied that in the matter of climate both in summer and winter, and more especially in summer, shore towns have a decided advantage over those inland; asid frm te rfrehinglak breze insummrs anyof hes aside from the refreshing lake breezes in summer, many of these self-styled summer resorts have little to recommend them for that purpose. There are at almost all times of the day and night refreshing breezes blowing either toward or from Lake Mchigan which, in the most sultry days of the year, while life in inland towns is almost unendurable, render existence a pleasure in Muskegon. _ _ MINERAL SPRING. There is in the limits of the city and convenient of access to the public, as it is on the most public street of the city, a mineral spring of constantly flowing water, and which has as many beneficial properties as the greater part of the more famous springs, and with a little more care and ornamentation it can be made an attractive as well as beneficial resort. FISHING. For those who enjoy fishing and who occasionally long for a vacation in which to enjoy this fine sport, Muskegon and vicinity has many attractions with her three beautiful lakes, Muskegon, Mona and Bear. A man can take his fishing tackle and a boat and enjoy rich sport in fishing and rowing on any of these lakes, and every summer many come to these places and spend days and weeks in angling for the finny denizens of the water, and generally seem well pleased with the result. The markets are unsurpassed on the western coast of the State, and all the delicacies of the season can be obtained about as early as in Chicago, and nearly as cheap, and many things, in fact, cheaper. In the summer season there are thousands of bushels of strawberries and tons of grapes and other fruits and berries in bounteous profusion. Convenience of access is one very important requirement in a summer resort, and in this respect Muskegon is well situated. In the C. &. W. M. Railway and the Goodrich line of steamers, there is direct connections both by land and by water with other parts of the world, and in a trip of a few hours by either rail or boat, one can reach here from either Chicago, Detroit or Milwaukee, and when business calls return, the means of conveyance are at hand and ample. The hotels are well kept and commodious, and afford luxurious apartments and advantages to those who visi t the city, but the great summer resort hotel of the future for Muskegon remains yet to be built by some enterprising man. The man who will have the enterprise to erect a fine hotel at the mouth of Muskegon harbor on the bluff at the south, will in the near future reap a rich reward. This location is not only beautiful but affords one of the most delightful rides to the city imaginable, either by boat or carriage, requiring only a few minutes for the trip by boat, and a little over half an hour by carriage. The place for the hotel at Port Sherman is on the bluff facing Lake Michigan just as you turn on the beach road in going down by carriage. That location would be about thirty feet above Lake Michigan, and would afford a magnificent view of miles of lake as far as the eye can reach, with a grand stretch of beach for surf bathing, and the murmur of the waves to lull one to - sweet sleep at night. The ground back of this location is all that could possibly be desired. It is broken into little miniature hills and hollows and is dotted over with trees and bushes forming some of the most romantic shady retreats imaginable, and with proper care could be beautified tenfold. The rise to the top of the hill is gradual, and along the outer part of the hill is a pathway thrown up like a breastwork in places from fifteen to twenty feet above the hill on the inside and inclined some places almost to a perpendicular on the outside, so that the whole background of hill and hollow and trees and brushwood is all that could be desired, and is included in only a few acres space. For those who would want bathing, the surf is right before them at a distance of only a few rods; for those who prefer rowing or fishing the facilities are unsurpassed; and those who like riding, driving or walking can find opportunities to their heart's content, and when they want something stirring in a business way, or desire to attend places of amusement, a short trip brings them up to the city; and for those who want to remain quiet and i I i, -l 7A V - 7T iL: I 4 I I_ L k —NW i i I i I I HISTOR RY OF MUSKEGONE~f-O COUNTY. 59 take things easy we think it wFould be diffcult to find any thing more beautiful than would be tile views from the piazza of a hotel located as we have stated. The mant who has th~e enterprise to put up a fine hotel at this place properly equipped for the accomlmodation of pleasure seekers wrill make his fortune. MSIANUFACTURES. There is no city in the Great West that offers better advantages and facilities for manufacturing than the Lumrber Mietropolis of the world-Mt~uskegon~-with the best natural harbor on Lake Miichigan, the mouth of which never freezes, giving direct communication by water with all the principal ports on the Lakes. The railroad facilities are constantly increasing, and 'in direct connection with the leading trunk lines of the country —the M~ichigan Central and Southern railroads, with their leased lines and important connectionzs; also the Detroit & Milwaukee. Then the extension of the Cincilznati, W~abash & Mlichigan Railroad will reach the Chicago & WVest MiZichigan Railroad at Benton H~arbor, and Miuskegon will acquire another 'through route south, especially to Louisville, Kiy., and intermediate points. It is exrpected that the exttensionz at both ends will be completed within the coming twelve months. In short Muskego'n has every facility for shipping, either by rail or water offered by anly point in the country, while grounll, rent, and fuel are much cheaper than in any metropolis on the continent. IA city thus located, and with the start in population, commerce and m~anufacturing whic~h;h has bee~n obta~ined by Muskegon, ca~annot fail to becomem a business centre, offering unusual advantaf~ages for the location of manufactures of a miscellaneous character, but especially of articles needed in th~e west. Every implement or article into the manufacture of which wood enters will find here a most inviting location, and a wide ~field for their dispositionz. No better point could be found for the location of iron furnaces. No city on the great lakes can have a, superior location as a point for the manufacture and distribution of useful articles, and certainly there is none possessing greater commercial advantages aside from the great cities. THE M~USK(EGON CAR AND ENGINE WVORKS. These works are situated to the east of the city about a mile from the post office, on a dry, sandy tract of forty acres, covered with a scrubby growth of small oaks, and convenient to the C. & W. M. Railway. The story of thie inception of the enterprise, andl its marvellously rapid completion, reminds one of Alalddin's wonderful lamp, which required only to be rubbed and a gorgeous palace arose, and is a forcible reminder of the rapid strides of human progress in this eve of the nineteenth century. The company was orga~nretnized in March, 1881; the buildings were commenced on the first of April; the works were in operation on the first of July, and they completed $~100,000 worth of work in 18j81. The MtZuskegon Car andl Elngine Works consist of a foundry 2O0x4O feet, a machine shop> 2O0x8O feet, car shop 2O0x8O feet, a brick engine room 30xx50 feet, a drying kiln 7Ox4O feet, and an elegantly equipped office on two floors 3,5x 35 feet. The off~ice and store room are at opposite ends of the works, Which are symmetrically arranged in a series parallel to the railway track, and have side tracks running bet-ween them, and in some instatnces into the buildiuass themnselves. Besidtes these struetures, which azre loft, well lighted and venztilated, and paintedl with reddish brown fire-proof paint, there is a largey lumber yardl into which side tracks run here andi there, and in case of fire the com-~ pany have eighteen hydlrants, 600 feet of six-inch pip~le, and an im — mense steamu force pipe with an 18x18 iliell-ylindier. I The chief stockholders in tile enterprise are the M~essrs. Thiayers, the Boston millionaires, and Mr. G. C. Kimball, and the capital stockr is $~100,000. The officers are G-. C. Kimball President; Robert Caithness, Vice President; H. Park, Treasurer; F. A. Nims, Secretary. The officers at the works are R. Booth Superintendent; H3. M.~ Perry, Assistant Sup~erinztendent and Draughtsman; John B. MeLaren Storekeeper, and Chais. Conley, Engineer. It~is expected when the company gets fully under way that the present buildings will be duplicated and the staff trebled. The site was selected on account of th~e central and favorable position of Muskegon, the facility of rapid and cheap communication by rail or water, the high, and dry location of the grounds, and the proximity to the supply of lumber in the greatest lumber manufacturing city in the world, the only article of import being iron. The company manufactures all liinds of freight cars, flat, box and stock cars, steam engines, mill gearing andl iron store froilts. REP.UR SHOPS OF THE C. & WV. M. RAM;WAY. Thne works are erected in the northern extremity of the city, in the First Ward, and consist of the following large and substantial structures: An engine house, commonly known as the " Round House," with eighteen stalls for engines; a machine shop 80x150 feet; car shop 25Ox72 feet; paint shop 162x5O feet; blacksmith's shop 4Ox7O feet; brass foundry and tinshop 24x4O feet, an oil room and a supply store. The works were in 1881, under the effcient superirision of Mr. R. Booth, Master Mechanic, under whom were: A. D. Sherry, foreman of Round House; Robt. Bloss, foreman of machine shop; J. D. Warner, foreman of freight car repairs; Frank Snyder, foreman of paint shop; W. H.' Waters, foreman of blackSmith shop; A. D. Smith, foreman of tin shop; John Duffy, storekeeper; J. H. Whipple, timekeeper and bookkeeper of mechanical department. The works are kept in full blast and over 150 men are on an average employed. For the month of August, 1881, whlich is probably a fair average month, the number of men in each department, and their monthly pay-roll was: Sixt~y-two machinists and helpers $~2,536.26 Tw~enty-four blacksmiths 893.37 Forty-eigbt in carpenter shop 21063.65 Thirteen in paint shop 608.67:1) I Total1, onle hundred anld forty-seven men $6,101.955 Beside's this may be reckoned a, dozen more employed as wipers. Tile total amount paid out in the single month of August for repair shops, engines and bridge men was $15,817.33, so that the annual outlay for wages is not far short of $200,000, which vast sum is chiefly spent in thle city, and does its part in the upbuildinga of its h~igh ~financial status. Thle shops were commenced in 1875 and have been added to from time to time, two new buildings having been added no later than last spring. Their construction was superintendeed by the Master Mechalnic, Mr. Booth~, who is a thorough master of his art, which he first learned in GuelpCh, Ontario, although a native of New York State. He was an old emplloye of the C. & W. M. Company, havingy been selected for his present post by them seven years ago. His experience has been gained in similar works in Chicag~o, Joliet, and also three years with Mr. Alexander Rodgers, of this city. He hits recently been appointed to the Superinztendency of the Car and Enagine Workis. C.& W~TV. M. GENERAL OFFICERS. The offices are located near I - 0I C i A - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 60 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. the upper depot, and the staff is as follows: Geo. C. Kimball, general manager; A. M. Nicholls, general freight agent and assistant general superintendent; H. Park, auditor; W. B. Bourn, assistant treasurer; G. A. Magoon, paymaster; Geo. McNutt, assistant superintendent. H. PARK, auditor of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Company, came to Muskegon in 1875 from Marquette, where he was general freight agent of the Pere Marquette road. Mr. Park has held his present position since 1874. W. B. BOURN, late assistant treasurer of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, came to Muskegon from Kansas City in 1876 and entered at once upon the duties of the office which he has since held. Before coming here Mr. Bourn was connected with the Missouri, Fort Scott & Gulf Railway Co., and for six years was cashier of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railway Co. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Bourn resigned his position in the C. & W. M. Railway Co. TATE STARKE, assistant agent at Muskegon of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, is a native of Virginia and came to Muskegon to enter the employ of the above named company in 1879. In August, 1881, he was appointed to the present position. C. W. M. MURPHY, train master of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, came to Muskegon in 1871 from New York State and for three years was conductor of a passenger train running between Muskegon and Big Rapids. In 1874 he was appointed train master. Mr. Murphy enlisted in the service at Lyons, N. Y., in 1861, as a private in the 98th New York Infantry. In 1863 he was promoted to 2d lieutenant and 1st lieutenant in 1864. In February, 1865, 'he received a captain's commission. He served until the close of the war in 1865. THOMAS DELANTY is cashier of the freight department of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Company at Muskegon. For several years Mr. DeLanty was lumber inspector, and in July, 1881, was appointed to his present position. J. B. WARNER, foreman of the passenger repair shop, at the Chicago & West Michigan Car Works, is a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1854. In 1861 he enlisted in the service as a member of the 8th Michigan Cavalry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Sun Shine Creek in Georgia, and was held a prisoner for seven months. He was promoted to lieutenant and was afterward made captain. Was discharged in 1865 and returned to Marshall, Mich. In 1873 he came to Muskegon and engaged in carpenter work until 1877, when he entered upon his present position. JOHN DUFFY came to Muskegon from Hudson, Mich., in 1880, and entered the employ of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Co., and in August, 1881, was promoted to the position of store keeper at the car shops of the company. MONROE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. The Monroe Manufacturing Company, an institution on ground adjoining that of the Car and Engine Company, was organized October, 1880, and its officers are Thomas Monroe, President; F. A. Nims, vice President; H. Park, Secretary and Treasurer; M. W. Teeple, Superintendent. The office is down town in the Thayer Lumber Company's office, and Mr. Teeple, an energetic Canadian, has the immediate supervision of the works. The works have been in operation since January, 1st 1881, and the pay roll foots up to $1,500 a month, and number of employes about forty. The mill is a spacious and substantial structure 82x120, with a shed 112x48, engine room 46x32, with a boiler of 100 horse power from Bay City, with 20x24 inch stroke, the boilers are three in number, with two flues each, and are from Turnbull's Boiler Works here. The machinery, which is of the latest and most improved pattern, consists of five planers, one large ten inch moulding machine, two exhaust fans, and one siding saw. The capacity is 80,000 feet planed in ten hours, and twenty-five men are employed. The land owned by the company is twelve acres, as that amount of land will be necessary for their lumber yards, etc. The advantages of the site are the same as those enumerated in the case of the Car and Engine Co., and the work is chiefly done for other parties. Lumber when dressed shrinks from one-eighth to one-fourth per cent, and consequently saves a corresponding amount in freight, so that the company is pressed with orders by parties abroad, who have lumber passing Muskegon-whole trains of lumber arrive for dressing at once. There is one machine in the shop, that worked to its full capacity, will plane 40,000 feet of 12-inch boards in a day, and so exhausting is the machine in feeding that a man cannot stand the work without relief almost hourly. The works are convenient to the railway and 750 feet of side tracks to the yard and buildings have already been constructed. They manufacture largely of car roofing and car siding, and the prospects of the company are very flattering. The institution is a model of neatness and is well worthy a visit. WISELOGEL'S PLANING MILL. The large mill of W. F. Wiselogel is on the corner of Terrace and Clay Avenues, and has been established since 1877, has two large planers, employs twelve men, and in 1880 did a business of $12,000, with still more in 1881. The proprietor, Mr. Wiselogel, was born in Ohio, enlisted in Co. D, 3d Mich. Inf. in i 1862, and fought bravely till close of hostilities, came to Muskegon in 1869, married in 1867 Miss A. D. Dyer, of Albion, Mich. He was elected an alderman of the city in 1882. WM. JONES & CO. have a compact little planing mill at the foot of Market street, opposite the American Hotel, which was established in 1867. The present building was first occupied in 1877, being formerly occupied by Kelly & Cavenaugh. Jones & Co. attend promptly to custom work, and have an excellent reputation for promptness in filling orders. MUSKEGON IRON WORKS. In 1858 Alexander Rodgers, one of the most enterprising citizens of Muskegon, and foremost in all that can develop the city, arrived in Muskegon. He is a sturdy son of Auld Scotia, and a thoroughly skilled machinist. He soon erected on the lake shore a.rough looking building 25x50, in which was conducted the entire business of engine building, repairing, and foundry work, employing but one hand, and that hand himself, in which capacity he filled the various occupations of draughtsman, pattern-maker, moulder, machinist, engineer, book-keeper, errand boy and general factotum. At the end of the year business so increased that more capital was needed, and accordingly Adam Patterson "and Jack Dodge were for some time partners. At the end of the third year, owing to a general falling off in business, Dodge withdrew. In 1861 a foundry 50x70 was erected, with a cupola of 75 cwt. capacity, and the room in the old shop was utilized for more lathes and other machinery. In 1864 Mr. Rodgers bought out Mr. Patterson's interest, also increasing his building room and his machinery. This new addition was 80x100, three stories high. About this time Mr. Rodgers perfected and patented his "Muskegon Spike Roller Edger," which has supplanted all others. His business has continued to increase so that he has now hundreds of workmen. His Tooth Bar Log Turner, or "Nigger Head," is a great invention of Mr. Rodgers, and is in general use, and besides he owns and operates many other im 1 4 - - - i e1, __a D HISTORYOI~Y- OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.o u T u 61 i, I provemenerts in saw mill Machinery, among whrich may be mentioned Rodgers' Patent Heatd Blocki. In 1868 the business was reorganized under the name of the " M~uskegon Iron Works," withl the following stockholders: Alex Rodgers, Jr., andl Adlam, John and H~ugh Rodg~ers. Alex. Rodgers, Sr., having~ entrusted the care of the works to his sons, is now owner -of one of the-best appointed saw mills on the lake. THEE FOUNDRY AND MLACHINE SHOP of Joshua Davies, on W~esterri avenue betwveen1 4th and 5th streets, was established in 1857, below the present site, and in two years after in its present place. In it are done all kinds of foundrlj work and general repairing, employing 15 men with an annual product of $40,000. Mr. Davies is a native of M~aine, and came to Mi~uskegon from W~isconsinr in 1859. TEMPLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. This institution, which is popularly known as the Curtain Roller Factory, is situated to the west of Watson & Co.'s Box Factory, not far from the western terminus of Wrestern avenue, and on the lake shore. The business w1as started in MilwYaukee in 1869, by A. F. Temple and a partner, and in 1871 the former came to Grand Haven for material, starting in on his own account for one winter. In the spring of 1872, at the solicitation of E. P. Ferry, he commenced in Montague with Mr. Ferry as partner, and they did a good business, but were burned out twice within six months, and Mr. Temple lost all as he had no insurance. Certain enterprising men, such as L. G. Mason, C. Davis, A. Rodgers and othzers, formed a, stock company with Mr. Temple as manager, built extensive buildinzgs, and they are doing a good business. Outside capita~lists, such as IMr. C. C. Pa~rish, of Chicaigo, have taken stock, also. The officers in 1882 are, A. Rodgers, President; C. C. Parish, Vice President; Frank: Alberts, Secretary; A. F. Temple, Superintendent also fruit packages, and a specialty is the maple plate for butter, of which 25,000,000 are made annually; also 250,000 peach baskiets, and other work in proportion. A readly market is found for all thatt,is produced. CHAS. S. DA4VIS came to Mluskegon in 1863, from Boston, an3d has been largely en gaged in lumlberingr, having been for yepars a partner o\f the Hon L. G. Mason, when they built the Thayer and Blodg~ett & Byrne Mills, and tested for salt. The partnership was dissolved in July, 18381. M~1r. Dazvis was also president of the Temple Manufacturing Co., and aided largely in developing the resources of the city and county. NEW BOX FACTORY. Kirke & Co., of Chicago, in the spring~ of 1882, removed their box factory from Grandl Rapids to M~iuskegon, at the same time materially increasing its capacity. The new building is situated near MScGraft & Miontg~omery's mill. They expect to consume from twelve to fourteen million feet of lumber annually. W. G. WCATSON & CO. IS PLANING IMILL AND BOX FACTORY. About one hundred and twenty-five hands are on an average employed, with a'monthly pay roll of $~3,000, and in April, 1882, one hundred and fifty car loads of boxes and prepared lumber were shipped from the Box Factory of W. G. Watson & Co. The mnen are paid by the hour for their time, and the work generally is on the ten hour system. In October, 1879, the business was commenced by the present firm, who are from Burlington, Vt., where they have an old established business of the same nature. That firm is named Pope & Watsonz, and as they had acquired a large western market, and much of their material came from M1Zichigan, they wisely resolved to locate another institution here, owing to the 'excellent facilities for manufacturing at Muskegaon. The firm here is styled W. G. Wa~ttson & Co., and the resident partners are W. G. Watson and 0. M. Field, wh nrr nfl1 ~~~v nZgd attefcy. The other members at Burlington are W. and D. G. Crane and E. A. Pope. The foreman of the mill is S. Wakefield, also a Vermonter, as are also, many of equipped in the State. Their field of operations is very extensive, from Kansas City in the west, Louisville in the South, and New York and Boston in the east, with all -intermediate points. Th~e boxes made are of all kinds, fromn heavy packing boxes, or porkr packiing cases, to those of the lightest kind. The center boards for wTebs of flannel or tweed take many car loads, and even the spools for barbed fence wire, maLde of refuse pieces from 1 1 inches - -r --— N __ __ __ ~i k, AR _ a & sl I - 62 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - - L wide to fifteen inches long make considerable freight, one firm alone taking two or three car loads a month of these. The boxes are shipped in a " knock down" state, and are put together when they arrive at their destination. The company has on the left, as one enters, a large warehouse stocked with seasoned lumber for the retail trade, which is largely patronized by local builders. In short this is an institution which is destined to grow with the growth of the city, and being under goo ' management, with ample capital, its success is assured. BARCUS BROTHERS, manufacturers of.,circular saws, Muskegon, is one of the most enterprising firms in the city. The present firm is composed of five brothers, all of whom give their personal attention to the business, which was started in 1876 by 0. P. Barcus, who was succeeded by the present firm in 1879. In the summer of 1881 their factory was destroyed by fire, but they at once rebuilt a much more substantical building on a larger scale, and in a short time were again in full operation. THE MUSKEGON BREWING COMPANY is one of the largest business institutions in Muskegon, and has been in operation since 1875. The large and magnificent buildings now in use were built between the years' 1876 and 1881. Tile present capacity is 8,000 barrels a year, and almost the entire product is sold at home. The company is composed of three enterprising Germans, Gottlieb Ninneman, Otto Meeske and G. M. Meeske. Gottlieb Ninneman came to this country in 1854. In 1877 he removed to Musliegon, being already a member of the above named company. Mr. Ninneman has been a member of the city council, and has always taken a lively interest in public affairs. Otto Meeske came to this country in 1871. He spent a few years in Milwaukee, where he was connected with a brewery, and in 1876 came to Muskegon, and has since devoted himself to thle interests of the company. He spent the Summer of 1881 in his native country. Gustav Meeske came to this country in 1872, and located in Milwaukee, where his brother, Otto Meeske, was already living. He remained there until the Muskegon Brewing Company was organized, when he came here to assist in the management of its affairs. THE NOVELTY IRON WORKS corporation, known as the Muskegon Novelty Iron Works, was organized October 1, 1881, with a capital stock of $10,000. The works are in the building formerly occupied as a wagon shop on Terrace street, by Mr. D. W. Henderson, and it manufactures machinery and tools on a large scale. The officers of the corporation are: President, D. W. Henderson; Vice President, Amasa Harvey; Secretary and Treasurer, A. W. Chamberlain; Superintendent, Robert Wier. THE PINE STREET MARBLE WORKS, were opened by McSorley & Eaton in the Fall of 1877, and on December 29th, 1881, the business was purchased by the latter partner, who keeps a full stock of granite, and of Italian and American marbles, head stones, posts, curbing and building stone. The chief portion of the best monuments and tombstones for the past years set up in the cemetery has been from these works. TRUESDELL, LANGE & CO., purchased the business of Jacob Hetz & Co., Aug, 29, 1881, Mr. Truesdell having 'been nine years with Hetz, who commenced business in 1866. Mr. Truesdell came to Muskegon in 1867, Mr. Lange three years later. The business is on Western Avenue near the National Bank, and is the largest establishment in the county, in the'line of furniture, carpets, crockery, and house furnishing. The firmn have the highest reputation for fair dealing, and for being satisfied with moderate profits. THE OMNIBUS LINE is in the hands of S. B. Morse, corner of Western Avenue and First Street. The business consists of a line of omnibusses, hacks and baggage wagons, and was established by Morse & Sharp in 1872, but after four years the latter retired and the former has had sole control. He has at present ten horses, one omnibus, two carriages and baggage wagons. Before the consolidation of the railways a double line of omnibusses was necessary. Mr. Morse is a native of New York State and came to Muskegon in 1866. HARDWARE. The amount of business done by this trade is very large and increasing. The earliest in the business were Dennis Smith and P. L. Piper the former of whom is still in business, the latter deceased. It was about seventeen years ago since Dennis Smith started on the corner where the Hofstra House now stands. He!fad a hardware store and also a dry goods store. The third in the same block of stores was a drug store, kept by W. D. Odell, now deceased and one of the oldest settlers, being alderman for years. He owned the Hofstra lot. This block was burned in the great fire of 1874. Dennis Smith is now on Western Avenue in his own block, next to the Lumberman's Bank. The next hardware firmal was Ernlaw & Landreth. The former is now of Graind Haven, the latter owns the Landreth block. E. B. Mather purchased the business and still carries it on in his own block next to the Landreth block. Next came in 1873 Messrs. Merrill & Hovey, 107 Western Avenue, who are since 1876 Powell & Hovey, who have an immense stock of hardware, heavy and shelf goods, mill supplies, &c., and do a large trade in builder's hardware, and also keep a full line of stoves. It takes considerable room to contain the stock, as it fills up the store, basement, and two upper stories, all of a depth of 115 feet. Value of the stock averages $15,000. Mr. Hovey is son-inlaw of E. W. Merrill, and came to this city in 1865. The same year as the former business commenced -1873-J. Vanderwerp & Son started on Pine Street near the Court House, but since Jan. 1, 1881, J. Vanderwerp Jr., and Henry Langland have taken the business, keeping a full line of general hardware, stoves, house furnishing goods, &c. The business is under the immediate supervision of Mr. Langland, the grocery establishment next door occupying the attention of Mr. Vanderwerp. They have just opened a branch hardware store on Western Avenue. Next in 1875 Mr. John A. Miller, on Western Avenue, near Pine Street, commenced business for himself, and carries a fine stock. Mr. Miller was born in Chicago in 1845, learned the hardware business with Thomas George & Co., of that city, was sent out by Mr. Landreth, then of Chicago, to take charge of a branch business in Muskegon, the firm being Landreth & Hubbard, who sold out to Mr. Mather, who still runs the old business. Mr. Miller started for himself in 1875 in hardware, stoves, tinware, sheet iron and copper work, carrying $12,000 stock. Mr. Miller married Miss Isabella Galbraith, and has three children. The latest firm, starting in 1880, is the Muskegon Hardware Co., John Torrent, President; Capt. A. A. Wood, Manager; and George Selkirk also has an interest in it. Their store is in Tor-, rent's block, next to the National Bank. They do a large business. I - I - - - - - - - - - - - - - S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I / "I /I -w --- - I - - - - - - -- - - -I v - - I I I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 63 I SOCIETIES. The city is provided with the usual quota of societies of a secret or benevolent character. MASONIC. The Masonic order is in a flourishing condition, and numbers among it members many of the best and most prominent citizens. The hall is in Landreth's block and is superbly fitted up, being 25x60 with 17 feet ceiling. The walls are adorned with fine pictures, ahd the furniture and carpets are in keeping. The oldest lodge is MUSKEGON LODGE, NO. 140, chartered Jail. 16. 1863, and LOVELL MIOORE LODGE, NO. 182, was the second lodge, chartered June 11, 1866. MUSKEGON CHAPTER, No. 47, was chartered Jan. 8, 1867. MUSKEGON COMMANDERY, No. 22, Knight Templars, was established June 3, 1868. There is also an encampment known as the DAVIS ENCAMPMENT, No. 47, of which W. Smith is C. P., Thos. Miller, H. P.; and W. F. Wiselogel, Scribe. ODD FELLOWS. This order has a fine hall in Baker's Block, on Western Avenue, and- is in a prosperous condition. The lodges are: Muskegon Lodge, No. 92, the present N. G. is W. W. Owen; Thos. Miller, V. G.; W. H. Miller, Recording Secretary; Trustees, Major C. Davis, W. Patten and AV. Smith. Tile other lodge is Germai:-i Lodge. No. 179, W. Kotelman, N. G.; G. Slchwegen, V. G.; A. Meyer, Recording Secretary. THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS was organized by John R. Bennett, April 5, 1876, and is a flourishing order of a benevolent nature. Their hall is on the southwest corner of Terrace Street and Western Avenue. The lodges ayre MUSKEGON LODGE, NO. 32, K. of P., chartered 1877, and DIVISION, No. 2. THE TEMPERANCE REFORM ASSOCIATION has already been alluded to. It was organized March 4, 1877, and has numbered over 1,000 members. Its club rooms are in the Opera House Block, and there was established in 1877 in connection a free reading room. Among the other societies are the ROYAL ARCANUM, meeting in Germania Hall semi-monthly; and the ST. JEAN BAPTISTE SOCIETY, a French benevolent society. For the past eight years there has existed a society called SONS OF ERIN, of which Major Ryan was for years President. DELANTY BRANCH OF THE LAND LEAGUE has for its President Jas. McCarthy; Treasurer, Major Ryan. Knights of Honor organized Sept. 18, 1878, meet in a hall over Baker's store; and there are also the Muskegon Turnverein, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Young Men's Christian Association, and several other societies. HOLT'S MUSEUM. Among the sights of Muskegon may properly be classed the fine museum of curiosities collected by Gov. Holt, containing many valuable and ancient relies. Mr. Holt has traveled extensively and possesses a fine taste for art and antiquity, and has expended a large amount of money in securing the curiosities. THE CHURCHES. The city is well supplied with places of worship, and although they are mainly wooden structures, and not remarkable for their external architectural beauty, they are sufficiently commodious to supply the necessities of the city. The churches may be enumerated as follows: The Methodist Episcopal, on Clay avenue and Jefferson street, pastor Rev. Mr. Miller; the St. Mary's Roman Catholic, on Clay avenue and First street, on land purchased twenty-eight years ago, resident priest, Rev. Father Van Pamel; Congregational, on Clay avenue and First street, pastor, Rev. Mr. Farifield; Universalist (without a pastor), on Clay avenue and Third street; Baptist, Rev. Mr. Hill, pastor, on Clay avenue and Second street; Episcopal, rector, Rev. Mr. Whitmarsh, on Jefferson street and Webster avenue; Reformed (Holland) church on Spring street, Rev. Jacob Van der Meulen, pastor; Norwegian Lutheran, on Yuba street, Rev. Abel Anderson; Danlish Lutheran, on Peck street, Rev. Mr. Kjolhede. The People's Church meets in the Opera House Sunday evenings to listen to the lectures of the Rev. W. W. Fellows, formerly rector of the Episcopal church. There has just been completed on Terrace street a new Holland ch1rch 50x90, veneered brick, cost $7,000. A new Swedish church has just been completed on Eighth street and Houston avenue, 3Ox66, cost over $3,000. The French Catholics and the German Catholics are maling preparations to build church edifices, the latter on Alonroe avenue and Fifth street. The German Lutherans meet in the Danish church, but have laid the foundations for a chu1rchl on Pine and Diana streets. As to early history and organlization of the churches we refer to the carefully prepared sketch of Governor Holt. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND BUSINESS BLOCKS. We present illustrations of the Court House, Central school, iWateilworks, Opera House, Mason's, Landreth's, Bolza & IMerrill's, Mann & Pierce's, and National Bank Blocks, from which will be gained a fair idea of the mnagnificent buildings erected by the public spirit and energy of the citizens. Besides these buildings we may add that the city has a new and elaborate City Hall, Postoffice, two fine hotel buildings and many private blocks. CITY HALL. 4 The idea of a City Hall of a style commensurate with the growing city had been mooted for several years, but nothing definite was done until it was recommended in Mayor Jiroch's inaugural in the spring of 1881. On which a building committee with the Mlayor as chairman, and Aldermen McNiff, Brinen and Lansiff as members was appointed; and on advertising for plans, which were received from Mr. Hutchins, of Grand Rapids, and adopted, Alderman John Grady, of the same city, was selected as contractor. The mason work was by P. J. Connell, of Muskegon. The cost will be about $20,000. The building, which is an elegant and substantial one, is on the corner of Clay avenue and Jefferson street. There were some who objected to the action of the Council in building without submitting the question to a popular vote, and proceedings in law were instituted, which however resulted in a victory for the Council. The new City Hall is an elegant building of two stories, of 14 and 18 feet respectively, and is 64 by 67 feet. There is an addition at the rear for the Firemen's Hall 64 by 72 feet, also two stories which has a public hall above 61 by 25 feet, also sleeping apartments for the firemen. The main building contains rooms for Police Court, 23 by 29; Marshal's office, 15 by 20; Clerk's, 25 by 31; Clerk's private office, 16 by 25; Water Commissioner's office, 13 by 25; also two vaults. On the second floor is the Council Chamber, 44 by 452}; Committee rooms, 13 by 13 and 18 by 24; Hat room, 5 by 13; City Surveyor, L 16 by 32; corridor 16 by 29, and a vault...,e I I l 'lP I I -- ----. a) R -M -— i ) 2I 'd -, ar a I I F I 64 HISTO ORY OF AMUS U KEGONO ~ COUNTY. The Fire Department have room for hose carts, supply room, sitting room, hose tower, bath rooms, etc. The Bell tower is 127 feet highz-and Hose tower 70 feet. The bujildincg is of brick. The comer stone for the new city buildinug was laid in Decem — ber,, 1881, in the presence of Mayor Jiroch and the Building Committee, the City Attorney, Chief Greg~ory, with other officials and quite a number of citizens. The copper box placed in the stone contained three copies of the Xews-_Rejorter, one withl the decision of the Supreme 'Court, another with ai review of the city buildilzg case, and the Jlast issue; also a copy of the C'hroni~cle and -Tournalc each, the Mayor's photograph, with a card of the Occidental, Wm.~w in the present system of water works at an expense of about $160, - 000), and work was immediately begun and prosecuted with vigor. The $160,000 referred to as cost includes the cost of buildings, well, wvell-house, reservoir, water mains, hydrants and real estate. The water supply is excellent andi abundant, coming from a selfsupplying reservoir of 10,000,000 gallons, and is almost as pure as spring water during the greater part of the year. The Pump H3ouse, which is shown in the illustration below, is an excellent building of brick anzd was built expressly for the purpose for which, it is used and is, consequently, well adapted to it. The water worksS are popular with the public and are every year growing more in favor and it is probable that in the near future a jg;m I I — ~ _i~ r;I WhATER WVORKS. B. Jones & Son, Thos. B. Gregory, Bennett's donation, A. C. Smith, a copy of the city ordinances, and other articles. T e inscription facing Clay Avenue is: "Erected A. D. 1881. FPacinoon Jefferson Street: "Building Committee, F. Jiroc]A, Chairman, P. Lansiff, T. B. McNiff, Wm. Brinen, G. Ninneman." IMUSKEGON CITY WJATER WiORKS.I After the great ~fire of 1874 which swept away a large part of the city in a few hours the people of Muskegon felt fully the imperative necessity of an efficient system of water worlis that by ~making water everywhere accessible 'in sufficient quantities should maike the recurrence of such a disaster impossible. A Ccordinzgly bonds were.issued and in September, 1874, preparations were made for putting more abundant supply must be brough~t into requisition if the consumlption con~tinues to increase; and there are ample resources for an increased supply neatr at hand. MUSKES~EGON COUNTY COURT HOUOTISE. The city of Mfuskegon has one of the largest court houses in the State. It was built at the expense of the county in 1869. It is a brick structure with stone pillars in front of the mlain entrance and surmounted by a tower. It 'has a basement constructed of solid stone walls se-veral feet in thlickness. This portion of the building was designed and is used for a jail and residence of the jailer. It has all the appliatnces andB appointments for makin~g it convenient and efficient for this pul-pose. Twelve years of experience have shown it to have answered its purpose admirably. Thze first floor contains a II / il - Q6 I r i ~'-:;5 I.... HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNI 6) 65 -u Y. 65i I large hall extending through the entire building from the front to the rear entrance. On either side of the hall are situated the county offices, all of them large and spacious rooms, well lighted and finely furnished. Three of them are furnished with large fire-proof vaults for the protection of public records. From the hall there is a broad stairway leading to the court room, reaching it by two flights of steps from the first landing, one turning to the right and the other to the left, reaching each entrance of the court room at the upper landing. The court room itself is a very large room capable of accommodating an audience of a thousand or more people. It is elegantly fin stairway leading to the tower; from which the entire city, Muskegon Lake and the adjacent country for many miles around can be seen, presenting a view for variety and beauty unequaled in the State. Surrounding the court house is a beautiful park of three or four acres in extent, filled with the choicest variety of native shade trees tastefully arranged to form arbors and 'promenades. The fine and imposing appearance of the court house itself, surrounded by its elegant grounds, forms one of the chief objects of interest in the city. The bar of Muskegon will compare favorably in point of ability and number with any in the State in cities of the same size. I I MUSKEGON OOUNTY COURT HOUSE. ished, and the ceiling and walls are ornamented with fresco work. The Judge's seat is an elevated platform some three feet from the floor, having a front elaborately constructed with pillars, panel work, mouldings, etc., and built up to a height convenient for a writing desk, and is used for that purpose during sessions of court. Immediately in front is the Clerk's desk, and in front of this is for the use of the bar is an enclosure in form of a half circle some forty feet in diameter, made of rail and balusters. On the right and left of the Judge's seat are constructed elevated platforms to be seated with chairs for the use of juries. Opposite the Judge's seat on the other side of the room is a gallery capable of seating two or three hundred peeople. Under the gallery is a suite of rooms to be used in connection with the court room as a place for juries to retire and deliberate, and also for the use of witnesses. From the gallery is a THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS. For school purposes the city is divided into six districts or wards. In the center of the city is located the handsome Union School Building, consisting of three stories and a basement. It is in many respects a model building, and the pride of the citizens of Muskegon. In the basement are rooms for the janitor's family, a boiler room with wood-shed attached, a laboratory, and, on each side of the hall, a play room; one for the boys and the other for the girls, adjoining each of which are the water closets. On the first floor is the Superintendent's office, the Library, the High School Room, with a recitationwroom and three rooms for primary schools. On the second floor are five rooms for the grammar schools and one for the fourth primary., On the third floor is a large hall, provided with an. e 1x_ P-i -a ld I I 66 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 66I ample stage and several dressing rooms. The hall is capable of seating at least 1,000 persons. It is used only for school purposes. In it are held the Commencement Exercises, exhibitions, lectures, concerts, etc., given under the auspices of the school. The building is heated by steam, and is kept at a comfortable temperature the year round. The building is also provided with gas and water throughout. The precautions against fire are perfect. In the tower is a fine clock, which gives to the city meridian time. The building THE OCCIDENTAL HOTEL, which takes first rank among the hotels of Muskegon, is a large four-story wooden structure, on the corner of Third street and Western avenue. The older or front portion was erected by Jonaathan Boyce, and L. G. Mason built an addition in 1867. Mr. N. A. Barney & Son took it in 1869, and made a large addition, and it is now 132 feet long and 78 feet wide, with 107 bed rooms and an )L BUILDING. elegant dining room 29x106 feet. It has no bar, and has a large run of commercial and first-class travel. In summer it is always overflowing with patrons. Mr. N. A. Barney was born in Chautauqua Co., N.Y., 1827, and in 1831 his father came to Battle Creek and erected the first house there. -~------ --- - - - -~ - - - - - ~-._ _ --- _ —, __, _ _f-: Enq aC..Y,12,adi 13 i ahrcm oBtl CEe anl rce h fr hue tl-Ie THE ARLINGTON HOTEL is the new name of what was the Hofstra House. The new proprietors, Messrs. McCoskey & Stubbins, have thoroughly overhauled and refitted the place, so as to make it first-class in every respect. PUBLIC SCHOC is of brick with stone foundation and facings. The original cost was about $55,000. In what is known as the Third Ward is a substantial brick building containing five rooms. This building is heated by a Ruttan furnace. The remaining four buildings are frame, each containing two rooms. They are so distributed throughout the city as to accommodate the small children. For several years the efficient Superintendent has been Mr. C L. Houseman, and the Board of Education for 1881 was: C. D. Nelson, President;' D. McLaughlin, Secretary; H. H. Getty, W. McKillip, R. E. Bunker, and F. A. Nims. The number of pupils enrolled is nearly 2,000, and the teachers number over thirty.: - - - e a-; I I j _,a Q I_ I - - - HISTORY OF MU SKIEGON COUNTY 67 MANN & PIERCE. This house is the oldest established clothing-emporium in the city, having been established in April of 1875. The firm consists of Charles B. MIann, a gentleman vell and favorably known, and E. S. Pierce, of Grand Rapids, Mich., well known in the Valley City as the clothier prince, and there carrying the largest stock in clothing west of Detroit. Their store (as shlown in the engraving) is centrally located on Western avenue, within a block of the post office, and their sales-room is 32X90 feet all in one room, the space being closely filled with counters, show cases and tables piled high with ready-made clothing of all kinds, grades and styles, together with cloths in all of the staple and fashionable patterns to mzanu The second floor is occupied'as follows: Henry H. Holt's law offices are in Nos. 1, 7 and 8; Mlann & Pierce have their tailor shops and work rooms in Nos. 2 and 3; W. Fletcher uses No. 4 for a sleeping room; Holt's museum is in No. 5; Levi Beardslevs's Justice of the Peace office is in No. 6. This block, although not a particularly showy building, is well built, having first class plate glass windows and being well and centrally located. Every room has been occupied from the first. THE HOFSTRA BLOCE is an elegant three-story brick structure, on Western avenue and 4 0 I I I i) Ir C L: B L kaL 0%A HOLT'S BLOCK. facture to order. In manufacturing clothing to order numerous hands are employed, enabling the firm to turn out suits of clothing on short notice. As the business of Muskegon is largely the manufacture of lumber, necessitating from its handling in getting out the logs in the woods in winter, in their being run-down the river, rafted to and sawed up in the mills in summer, the 'wear and tear' of quantities of clothing, bedding, blankets, mittens, etc., this firm keeps in stock and are prepared to furnish these goods in quantities to lumbermen at jobbers' prices. HOLT'S BLOCK. Holt's Block was built in the Spring of 1877 by the owner, Henry H. Holt, occupying lot 3 of block 65 of the city of MIuskegon, and having a -frontage of sixty-six feet on Western Avenue. Mann & Pierce occupy the double store, No. 111 Western Avenue, of the main floor for their clothing, tobacco and cigar store, and Wm. Keck occupies No. 115 Western Avenue for his jewelry store. Pine street, built in 1875, by S. A. Hofstra, and occupied by Arlington House, late the Hofstra House, and by Hofstra's grocery. The contractor was the late Wm. Lee, the architect MIr. VanZallinger. Mr. Hofstra was born in Holland in 1830, came out in 1858, was many years in Grand Rapids in bakery business, and has by careful industry secured quite a competence. He was elected City Treasurer by a large majority in 1882. TEMPERANCE REFORM OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House building-the real name being Temperance Hall-is the proud result of a stock company which came to organize in the following way: Muskegon being a lumbering and pioneer town, naturally regarded its morals less than its money, and intemperance became a fearful scourge to the people.. In the beginning of the year 1877 the wave of temperance revival struck Muskegon with great force under the leadership of one Dr. Reynolds, himself a reformed man and an eloquent apostle. This man, filled with the - i $ @ I-.4 —i ~ J, 68 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. ( ' I zeal of his own "new birth," aroused the city and surrounding country to a sense of their condition and dreadful threatening. Such crowds assembled and such interest was excited that the need of some regular and free place for meetings was soon developed. Temperance was the thought and prayer and action of the hour. Wives and sisters added their organizations and labors to the new and passionate interest. Temperance was business. In March of the same year a meeting of the Temperance Reform Association was called to organize the above stock company. Between four and five hundred takers were readily found. Each share was five dollars. The highest taken was for fifty shares. The motive was not speculation, but reform. Among the first officers of the Association occur the names of I. O. Smith, C. C. Billinghurst, Chas. H. Hackley, Dr. W. B. Morrison, Patrick A. Ducey, David McLaughlin and others. The clergy were all enlisted-till, indeed, religion and temperance were lost each in the other, temperance rather taking the lead for the time. In the Spring of 1882, after creating quite a revival in Whitehall, Mr. Woodford, a lecturer from Illinois, came down to Muskegon and succeeded in doing the same in Muskegon. The Reform Club, in December, 1881, elected the following officers: President, A. G. Jepson; First Vice President, J. T. McComb; Second Vice President, W. B. Kieft; Third Vice President, P. J. Connolly; Recording Secretary, P. J. Connell; Financial Secretary, D. A. Wicks; Treasurer, M. F. Reed; Steward, Wm. Moulton; Marshal, John Curray; Sergeant-at-Arms, Thomas Millen. MASON S BLOCK, of which we insert a fine illustration, is situated on Western Avenue, Muskegon's main thoroughfare, and First Street, having a frontage of 132 feet on each. It was erected in 1875-6, and is the most notable, as it is the most central, business structure in MASON'S BLOCK. THE OPERA HOUSE BUILDING. This building is of solid brick, sixty-six by one Lunlred and thirty-two feet. The time of erection was one year and a half. It is situated in the center of the city on Western Avenue, the main business street. Its Opera Hall is its chief beauty, being one of the finest in the State of Michigan. Its seating is in amphitheater style, and accommodates comfortably one thousand persons. It is in much use by the best troupes traveling, the Muskegon community being much given in these latter days to amusement and culture. The ceiling of this room is handsomely frescoed and decorated with life-size figures of historic import. The stage is furnished with excellent shifting scenery, the front curtain showing an immense and striking painting representing life in its reckless voyage. The room is brilliantly illuminated with gas, which is lighted by an electrical apparatus, and contains two galleries. There has been organized since 1876 a Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. A. P. Miner being the first President. In 1881 a lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organized, and the first Worthy Chief was Patrick Connell, who is also Chief Templar of the district. the city. The material is a beautiful cream-tinted brick, with cut stone trimmings, the show windows being of heavy plate glass. It is a thoroughly built and modern improved affair, and its stores and offices are occupied by the leading firms in representative lines of trade, and by prominent attorneys, physicians, insurance agencies, etc. The Western Union Telegraph Office, United States Signal Service Station, United States Custom House and Muskegon Telephone Exchange are included among the tenants of this fine block. "Mason's Hall," having a seating capacity of 600, is a well-arranged and accessible auditorium, occupying the eastern portion of the third floor. The hall is well equipped with an excellent stage, scenery, foot-lights, etc., and like the entire building, is lighted with gas. J. H. LANDRETH S BLOCK. The above named gentleman came to Muskegon in 1867, establishing in connection with George Hubbard -their extensive hardware house of Landreth & Hubbard, which was located on the corner where now stands the three story brick building now known as the Landreth Block. Owing to the continued ill health of Mr. l - 'I _ v ~ ~........ 14 _ 1 _ _.T ~ A - (ai I I 117 y I, I I 4 - b_ -: HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 69 t Laudreth, who was business manager, and after a-prosperous business of three years, the firm closed out their goods to E. B. Mather. The building is 45x100 ft., three stories high above a fine basement. The second floor is fitted for and is occupied by offices of lawyers, doctors, etc. The third floor was leased for ten years to the Masonic fraternity, which body have fitted it up sumptuously and made it one of the finest society halls il Michigan. In Landreth's block, among other extensive business establishments, is that of D. & M. Hirschfield's PEOPLE S CLOTHING HOUSE, which was established March, 1878. This firm deals in gents' furnishings, hats, caps, and all the goods usually kept in that line. They keep a large stock and do a good trade. They have three The block is located on Western Avenue between First and Jefferson streets and is an ornament to its locality. MUSKEGON NATIONAL BANK BLOCK. We present on page 73 a fine illustration of this block, the finest in the city, erected at a cost of over $60,000. It is situated on the corner of Western Avenue and First street. The history of the bank will be found on page 35. MUSKEGON'S FIRST MAYOR. HON. CHAUNCEY DAVIS. The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., March 15, 1812, of English parentage, his LANDRETH'S BLOCK. branch establishments, viz: at Eau Claire, Wis., Coldwater, Mich., and at Muskegon, with wholesale manufacturing depot at Bufifalo, N. Y. M. Hirschfield is a cousin of the senior member of the firm, and came in 1881. MERRILL & BOLZA'S BLOCK. The fine business block shown in the illustration below is the property of E. W. Merrill and A. Bolza and was erected in 1872-3, at a cost, including the lot, of about $18,000.. It is a substantial brick building and has a frontage of forty-four feet and is eightyfive feet deep and three stories high. The two store rooms on the first floor are commodious and well lighted, and are occupied, the one on the right by A. Bolza for his jewelry and book store, and the one on the left by C. L. Dearborn's boot and shoe store. The two-story building at the right is the property of E. W. Merrill and is occupied by the extensive hardware store of Powell & Hovey. great grandparents coming to America from England. His father, Jacob Davis, at the age of eighteen married Julia [Stockwell, of Hillsdale, Vermont, and together they removed to the then wild and unsettled frontier of New York, where they encountered the privations incident to life in a new country. Seven children, six sons and one daughter, were born to them, and survived to adult age, the subject of this sketch being the fourth. When Chauncey was 17 years of age his father died, and three years later he was left motherless, and was thus compelled to look out for himself. Up to this time he had been employed at farm labor, varying it a few seasons in the manufacture of potash. At twenty he began teaching school, and taught four winter terms and one summer term of four months each. His early educational facilities were such as the common schools and the Watertown Academy afforded at that time. He also received much aid from his home studies and from practice in lyceums, thus laying the foundation for a successful public career. In 1835 he prepared to make a permanent settlement and home r Ir '4 I I v -I r~ -- ') I af i i I a I I I i I ) I -6 - I I i j I ^ 70 HISTORYC OF MUSKEGON COUN TY7. near Theresa, N. Y., by clearing up and cultivating land purchased for the purpose, but his plans were suddenly changed byinformation received that a brother who had locatecd at Chicago was sick and needed help. The long and tedious journey, then requiring seventeen days, was at once undertaken by Chauncey. but on his arrival in Chicago he learned that his brother had so far recovered froul his serious illness that he had started home and was then on the way. Chauncey remained two weeks in Chicago in the employ of Kimball & Porter, and then made a trip to what is now Kenosha, Wisconsin, where an association known as the Western Emigration the squatters to retain their lands against would be purchasers. The squatters were the victors and succeeded in obtaining title to their lands at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre. Mr. Davis purchased 320 acres, and this, with improvements made upon it and a house built upon lots in Kenosha, all valued at about 9;5,000, constituted the principal means at his command at that time. Business becoming dull at Kenosha, he removed to Muskegon in April, 1848, and opened a supply store for the sale of dry goods, groceries, provisions, ett., and engaged in the purchase and shipinent of lumber, timber and shingles. In 1850 he formed a copart3OLZA BLO'C'K nership wvith Theodore Newell and A. D. Loomis for the purpose of manufacturing and buying lumber at Muskegon and selling the product at Chicago and Kenosha. The Muskegon branch of the copartnersh~ip was known as C. Davis & Co., and the Chicago and Kenojsha branch as T. Newell & Co., and a lumber yard was established in Chicago in the spring of 1850. In 1853 the steam minl of C. Datvis & Co., was built at M~uskegon,, and commenced operating about th~e 17th of August of thzat year. The 'business continued with the partners named until April, 1863, when Judge Newell sold his entire interest in the luskegon and Chicago businless to Davis & Loomnis, who continued to do business together till May, 1877, when Mr. Davis demanded a dissolution, and the property of the firmn was turned over to him. It was found that Loomis had used up all he put into the business. capital and profits, and had besides acculmulated a large indebtedness in the firm name, which was left for Davis to pay. The lumber yard in Chicago was sold out in I - I: I i II -41 - MERRILL & I Company had made claims upon Government lands with a view of securing preemption rights, and -indulging the hope that Kenosha was to be the future seat of empire. Mr. Davis having some general knowledge of carpentry, concluded to yield to the requests of those needing building done and went into house building and continued at it for some twelve and a half years. While a citizen of Kenosha he took active interest in public improvements, and built the first school house in the neighborhood, and also aided in building nearly all the churches. He was for several'years one of the vestrymlen of the Episcopal ch-urch, and was chosen a trustee of the first village board. He also filled the offices of assessor and supervisor and for one term filled the responsible office of Sergeant-atArms of the Assembly at Madison. He was prominently identified with the society of Odd Fellows, and was chosen presiding officer of both the lodge and encampment and was elected representative to the grand lodge. In 1839 he was a participant in the struggles of i v QDi 1 - E ~~- - t, 'A a! -It HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 71 A u g u t, 8 7 7, a n d t h e i l l a t u s k e o n n O c o b e, 1 8 O, n d Ir I August, 1877, and the mill at Muskegon in October, 1880, and Mr. Davis then retired from the lumbering business. In the development of the city of Muskegon Mr. Davis took a prominent part and contributed as much to its permanent prosperity as any one of her citizens. He superintended the building of the first school house in the city in 1849. The building was occupied for a number of years for school purposes as well as for religious and other public meetings' and for elections. It was finally destroyed in the great fire of 1874. To the various churches of the city he has always been a liberal contributor. A careful estimate shows that his contributions for church buildings, services and ex in the Muskegon Booming Company, and was chosen a director at its organization and was elected its first President in March, 1864, and thus gave much attention to the general interests of the company. In 1860 he was elected to represent Muskegon County in the State House of Representatives, and was reelected in 1862, thus serving through the stormy period of the war. He served on the military and public lands committees during the first term, and the second was chairman of the ways and means committee, and was also on the military committee. In 1860, at the first election under the city charter he was elected Mayor of the city of Muskegon, OPERA HOUSE BUILDING. penses since 1864 foot up a total of over $10,000. He was also actively identified with the development of the county and took a leading part in securing the legislation organizing Muskegon County in 1849, and providing for roads and bridges in this then undeveloped region. His personal contributions for the construction of railroads, including subscriptions for stock, donations, expenses, etc., and for public halls and educational purposes amount to about $10,000 over and above all legal assessments and taxes for such purposes,-and to this may be added $8,000 for losses and claims against the State for advances on the Muskegon improvements, and $65,000 for contributions to numerous benevolent enterprises, thus making a grand total of nearly $100,000 contributed to the public good. Mr. Davis aided in the organization of the Lumbermen's Association in 1852, and in the reorganization in 1856-7; he was named as one of the commissioners for making surveys, plans, etc., for the Muskegon River improvement, and was a stockholder and in 1871 was reelected by a large Democratic majority in the city. Mr. Davis was an extensive stockholder in the old Muskegon & Ferrysburg railroad, and was elected a director aud chosen President of the road, a position he held till the consolidation of the road with the G. H. & Holland and Allegan & Holland roads. He was also a director and committee on right of way and damages on the GrandRapids & Lake Shore, Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, and the Muskegon & Big Rapids railroads, besides having much to do with other proposed'railroads. At the organization of the Lumberman's National Bank in 1873 Mr. Davis was elected its President and visited Washington to secure a charter and currency, and he has been reelected at each annual election since. In 1875 he was -selected by Mayor Wagner as the most suitable person to place the $160,000 water works bonds of the city, a duty which he undertook and successfully accomplished, though under many disadvantages. i:II I - - ___J ^ l - ~ -N en I. s t 4 - Y Iz' - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY Politically Mr. Davis was a Democrat till the organization of the Republican party, when he became an active supporter of the principles of the Republican party. While a member of the Legislature he supported Hon. Jacob M. Howard for the U. S. Senate to succeed Senator Bingham, and also helped to elect Senator Chandler for the full term. As a citizen and representative he urged the liberal and important measures for aiding the government in the vigorous prosecution of the war against the rebellion. In 1876 Mr. Davis was chosen as alternate delegate to the Cincinnati Convention which nominated R. B. Hayes for the Presidency. He has several times been tendered the nomination to tho State Senate, and has been urgently requested to be a candidate for Congressional honors, but has always preferred private life, and has, therefore, persistently refused to accept proffered offices. Mr. Davis has been married three times, first in 1850 and again in 1853, and 1859, the last time, to Miss Julia Wheeler, danghter of Rev. Thomas Wheeler, now of this city. His last wife died in 1861, since which time he has walked life's pathway alone. He has had but one child born to him, a daughter by his second wife, but she died in 1864 at the age of ten years. SOME OF THE PIONEERS. In this connection we give biographical notices of some of Muskegon's prominent pioneers. Others will be found referred to under other headings, such as the Press, Sawmilling, etc.: HENRY BRASTED, whose widow still conducts the livery business, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., May 7th, 1820, where he resided until he was about six years of age. He then removed with his relatives to the State of Pennsylvania. There he grew to manhood, and at the age of 22 years he struck out westward to what were then the wilds of Michigan. In the year 1847 he removed to the State of Illinois, where he soon afterwards became acquainted and married Harriet A. Luther, the estimable lady who now mourns his loss. Soon after this, with his then young wife, he returned to Michigan and settled at Spring Lake in Ottawa County. There they resided six years in which sorrow was blended with joy, for they had and buried there, two children. For a while they resided at Grand Haven, and in 1863 they removed to Muskegon. At first Mr. Brasted was engaged in the milling business, but in 1869 he established a livery stable, which business he conducted successfully until his death. He operated the first steam ferry boat on our lake, and brought the ministers from Grand Haven who officiated at the laying of the foundation stone of the M. E. Church at Muskegon. He was affectionate in his family, honorable in his business transactions, and his loss is deeply felt by his widow, daughter and two sons, who survive him. Funeral services were conducted, very impressively, by Rev. David Engle at the Methodist Church. His sudden demise was caused by congestion. HENRY D. BAKER, one of the prominent and successful business men of Muskegon, was born in Holland. At twenty-one years of age he told his mother that he was going to travel due west until he came east. Landing in New York he went on to Detroit, but not liking the appearance of that city he took by chance the train to Chicago. Still bound to travel as long as his money lasted, he stepped on board a steamer which brought him to Grand Haven, and thence he went to Grand Rapids, where, being nearly at the bottom of his purse, he went to work keeping grocery until the war, when he enlisted in Co. K, 1st Engineers and Mechanics, in 1862, in the Army of the Cumberland; he was wounded in the right foot at Stone River, and lay seven months inthe hospital. On January 4, 1864, he established his book and stationery business, which is now very extensive in every branch, his reputation as a shrewd buyer and liberal dealer having extended far beyond the limits of this city. People thought him rash when he put up the first three story brick building with the first plate glass window ever put up in Muskegon, but his enterprise has been rewarded. He was burned out April 6, 1870, but rebuilt grander than ever. He married June 19, 1855, Miss Harriet Lewes, of Grand Rapids, who emigrated when a child with her parents, who were of Van Raalte's immigrants to Holland City. Their union has been blessed with two children. Wm MA. HARFORD, -representative of Muskegon County in the State Legislature, was born in Holmes County, O., Feb. 15, 1842. For the first seventeen years of his life he attended school in the winters and worked on the farm in summers. In 1859 he entered Sprng Mountain Academy and remained one year, and until 1863 was engaged in teaching in winter and farming in summer. He then took a course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, finishing in 1868, when he was elected Superintendent of schools in West Jefferson, 0. Next year he was elected to a similar position at Waynesville, which he had four years, and while there he married Ella A., daughter of Dr. Dakin, of Wilmington. After holding the Superintendency of the London schools, he resigned to enter into journalism in Oct. 1875, and with Capt. Grove purchased the Fremont Journal, and shortly after assumed full editorial control of that paper as well as that of the Parents and Teachers Monthly, and during this period, as ever since, he took an acting and leading part in the advocacy of republican principles. In Feb. 1878, he purchased the M2uskegon Chronicle in connection with Capt. Grove, converting it into a daily, which has met with flattering success. In the city of Muskegon, which is usually Democratic, he received a majority of 460, and in the county a majority of 1,016. He is a member of several important committees. He sold the Chronicle in 1881 to engage in stone business, the quarry of the firm, Wing, Morgan & Harford, being on Washington Island, Wis. LAWRENCE POPPE is one of the earliest German settlers of Muskegon. Mr. Poppe was born in Prussia in 1834 and came to this country in 1853. In August, 1854, he landed in Muskegon, at that time a small but active and growing lumbering town. He at once secured work at a saw mill and continued at that kind of work until 1868, when, having by industry and prudence accumulated quite a capital, he opened a meat market in which business he still continues. Mr. Poppe is an excellent representative of the GermanAmerican citizens. Among the pioneers may be reckoned Alderman WM. GLUE, born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1826, came to Muskegon June, 1853, crossing the lake on the little craft Muskegon, Capt. Schooler, worked for Newell & Co., Ryerson & Morris, and with Bushnell & Reid carried on the old "Turnbull" mill as W. Glue & Co., until burned out. He has been many years on the school board, and has been twelve years in the council, being the oldest member of the board, and was also mayor for one year. CHAS. H. HACKLEY, of the firm of C. H. Hackley & Co., is one of the pioneer lumbermen of Muskegon. Mr. Hackley was born in Michigan City, Ind., in 1837. His father, J. H. Hackley, was a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1855. A year later Mr. Chas. Hackley arrived and engaged in the lumber business with his father, the firm being J. H. Hackley & Co., and later Hackley & Sons. The firm of J. H. Hackley & Co. began in 1859, and purchased a mill near where the mill of C. H. Hackley & Co. now stands. J. H. Hackley died in 1874, and the firm name changed to C. H. Hackley & Co. Mr. Chas. H. Hackley has been continuously in the lumber business in Muskegon since 1856. He I - r — 7 ilr_ -i * I 1 i I i; l r i I f l i= I i b 0 /100" I a, i~5- I "', 0 oe BIOGRAPHICAL. CAPTAIN THOMAS J. RAND, late of Muskegon, is one of those prominently identified with the progress of the city, and whose memory is still cherished by a large circle of friends. He was born in Charleston, ESsex County, Mass., in 1806. At an early age he had the misfortune to lose his mother, and then a kind step-mother, and finally at the tender age of eleven, he was left an orphan by the death of his father and his second step-mother. He was the eldest of six children. He was then placed as errand boy in a large shipping house in Boston, and during an apprenticeship of four years, laid the foundation of those business qualifications which were so useful during his long and busy life. When fifteen years old, from a desire to become acquainted with the sea, he shipped as cabin boy on an East India merchantman, followed the sea for seven years and saw many foreign lands. By the faithful performance of duty he rose from before the mast to the position of Captain at the early age of 25, and became also, by virtue of some speculations he had been permitted to make, part owner of the vessel which was of one thousand tons burden. Most of the time, owing to his knowledge and strict business habits, he was supercargo of the vessel. He became, through his voyages, a man of extensive information, and was a very interesting companion in conversation. Intelligent and gentlemanly, kind and affectionate in disposition, he was in turn loved and respected by all, particularly by the -children who came with hushed tread and sorrowful. mien to take a last fond look of him when dead. When about 87 years of age he formed a business connection in New York, and left the sea. This proved unfortunate, and in 1847 he removed with his family to a farm near Kenosha, Wis., but the retired life of a farmer did not suit his active temperament, and in 1849 he removed to Muskegon, where for several years he was actively engaged in business for Major C., Davis, Loomis & Newell. In 1857 he undertook the management of the large real estate business of Judge Newell. In 1859 he established the first bank in the city, now merged into the Lumberman's Bank, and known for years as Capt. Rand's Bank. By devoting his entire time to business his bank was very successful, but by close application his health became impaired, and he died suddenly, December 17, 1872, regretted by all. He married in 1880 Sarah J., daughter Capt. Benjamin Glover, of Beverly, Mass., who lives quietly on Humboldt St., Muskegon, mourning her loss. Capt. Rand left two children, one a son now in the Southern States, and the other now Mrs. A. V. Mann, of Muskegon. In 1864 Capt. Rand was honored with the office of County Treasurer, and his ambition was so to live that all men after his death might say with truth, "here rests an honest man;" and his friends, mindful of his wishes, have marked his grave with a tablet bearing his favorite inscription. L 1 61,eta rITR OF C I / H-IISTORY O F MiUSKEGON COUNTY. 73 is also the senior member of the firm of Hackley & Hume, dealers in pine lands, logs, vessel property, &c. Mr. Hackley is prominently connected with the business interests of Muskegon, being a member of the Muskegon Booming Company, and one of the Directors of the Lumberman's National Bank, besides having the management of the extensive private business interests in which he is engaged. STEPHEN C. HALL, lumberman, was born, in Yates Co., N. Y., August 16th, 1834, and was educated at Pen Yan, graduating from the full mathematical course, as he intended to become a civil engineer. When 19 years of agge.he-engaged as clerk in a store, and at 21 he removed to White River, working at whatever he could find to do. At this time his knowledge of surveying, picked up from association with surveyors, enabled him to become acquainted with the best lands in the State. In 1864 he was emyloyed in the final survey of Muskegon city, in which he has permanently settled. In the prosecution of his business he observed at this time in Egelston and Moorland a tract of marsh -land, covered to midsummer with Since his arrival in Michigan Mr. Hills has devoted his attention to lumbering, in which he has acquired a competency. The firm are building a new mill 45x150 feet, with a daily cutting capacity of 125,000 feet. It is situated at the foot of Pine street. They also own the Bay Mills farther down the lake. Mr. Hills is prominent in Masonic circles, having received the Thirty-third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, for which degree he went'to the city of Boston. He had been for fourteen years in succession Eminent Commander of;the Knights Templar, and District Deputy Grand Master of B'lue Masonry. Mr. Hills has never sought public honors, but rather avoided them. He has, however, had the Treasurership of the county thrust upon him. He has taken an active part in banking matters, and has been for a number of years president of the Muskegon National Bank. HENRY H. HOLT was born March 27, 1831, in the village of Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y. In 1852, he removed to Michigan and settled in Kent Co., near Grand Rapids. He received an academic _LL I- bl MEUSKEGON NATIONBA BCNK BLOCK. three to four feet of water. The Government surveyors did not run lines through it, entering it on their books as " impassable mnarsh." Mr. Hall, confident that it could be drained, acquired the title, and by some expenditure of money and much labor and perseverance, he has transforeed it into a fruitful farm. There is no such farm in the State, as it contains 2,000 acres. By carefulman-.agement Mr. Hall acquired the title to 15,000 acres of pine lands, chiefly in the vicinity of Houghton Lake. Here, with the help of 300 men and 100 horses, he gets out about 20,000,000 feet of logs. As a man of great business energy, thoughtful and far-sighted, Mr. Hall has won wealth and high reputation, while as a gentleman of fine social qualities be is regarded with much favor. As a public officer he has served three terms as Supervisor and two as County Treasurer to the satisfaction of all. In April, 1863, he married Miss Alice A. Clark, of Grand Haven. CHARLES T. HILLS, of Ryerson, Hills & Co., is one of A-uskesgon's solid men, being, in connection with Mr. Getty, manager of the largest lumbering firm, and president of the largest banking institution. He was born in Benninoton, Vt., Nov. 14, 1821, and came to Grand Rapids in 18Y8, and to Muskegon in May, 1852.,education. In 1855 he commenced the study of law at a school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he remained one year, and then entered the Union Law College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated, and was admitted to practice in July, 1857. He returned to Michigan soon after, and in September of that year was admitted to practice at Grand Rapids, Judge i artin at that time being the Circuit Judge. In 1858 he removed to Muskegon, where he now resides, and engaged in the practice of the law. He was subsequently elected prosecuting attorney of Ottawa 'County, the counties of Ottawa and Muskegon being then one county. In 1859, on the organization of the latter county, he was elected prosecuting attorney for the new county, and held the office four years, being reelected in 1861. He subsequently held various offices of trust in Muskegon County, and in 1866 was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, and was re-elected in 1868 and 1870. During the latter two terms he was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. Mr. Holt was elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1872, andd re-elected in 1874. In 1873-4 Gov. Holt made quite an ex- c tended tour of Europe, and in 1875-6 he again visited the Old I I I I.r I I-.*W. I -r -"% lli q ' t i. I 74 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY World, this time extending the trip into Northern and Eastern Europe, as far as Constantinople, and also visited Egypt and the Holy Land, bringing back quite a collection of pictures, coins, minerals and other curiosities. In April, 1878, he was Mayor of Muskegon, and was re-elected the following year, which may be regarded as a decided compliment, as the city is usually Democratic at the Spring elections, and Mr. Holt was the second Republican Mayor. In November, 1878, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and was again appointed chairman of the important committee on Ways and Means. JOSEPH IRELAND, harness manufacturer, Mluskegon, is a native of England and arrived in this country in 1847. In 1866 he came to Muskegon from Lake Superior, and engaged in the harness business, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. He was elected Mayor of Muskegon in 1871. FRANCIS JIROCH, Mayor of Muskegon, in 1880-1, was born in Austria, in 1843, and came to this country in 1854. After spending some time in Detroit and Chicago, he came to Muskegon in 1866 and engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and also the wholesale and retail tobacco and cigar business. In 1876 he was elected a member of the City Council, and re-elected in 1877. In 1880 fce was elected Mayor of the city and re-elected in 1881. Mr. Jiroch is a man of fine personal appearance, a very successful business man, and is quite popular with all classes. He took a leading part in the planking of Terrace street and in erecting the City Hall. EDWIN S. LATIMER, Register of Muskegon county, was born in Ohio, in 1852. In 1860 he came to Newaygo county, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to Muskegon. He was elected to the office of County Register in the fall of 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He was married in December, 1880, to Miss Annie Brundage, of Muskegon. CAPTAIN SETH LEE, is one of the pioneers of the Lakes. He was born in Elyria, Ohio, in 1834 and in 1845 began his life as a sailor. In 1856 he took command of a vessel and has followed the life of a lake captain ever since, with the exception of six years from 1875 to 1881, during which time he was Superintendent of the Muskegon Booming Company's fleet. In the spring of 1881 he returned to the lake in command of the "Andrew Jackson," carrying lumber from Muskegon to Chicago. In 1882 he is having a new boat built, and has purchased the "Minder" and the "Centennial", the two ferry boats on Lake Muskegon, and intends to give the citizens ample means of ferriage. T. B. McNIFF of Muskegon is employed by a Chicago lumber firm to attend to their lumber and logging interests. He came to Muskegon from Ottawa county in 1865. Mr. McNiff has represented the Second Ward in the City Council 1879-81 and was Presideft of the Council during that period. DAVID McLAUGHLIN is a native of Scotland and came to this country in 1851. In 1863 in came to Muskegon from Illinois. In 1866 he was elected County Clerk and Register, and continued in that office until 1879. In 1876 he began the practice of law and at the present time is the senior member of the law firm of McLaughlin, Delano and Bunker. In February 1881 he was appointed Collector of the District, and his time is divided between the duties of that office and those of his profession. Mr. McLaughlin is a typical Scotchman, full of enterprise, and has always taken an ac tive interest in educational matters, being for many years on the School Board. He is a prominent Republican politician. A. V. MANN, lumberman, was born in New Jersey in 1834, and came to Muskegon in 1855, where he has resided ever since, devot-,ing his attention to lumbering. During the War four out of five of his brothers were in the army, as his family though Democratic were all War Democrats-heart and soul for the Union cause. Mr. Mann was son-in-law of the late Captain Rand, the pioneer banker of Muskegon, and resides in the elegant mansion on the corner of Webster avenue and Second street, which is perhaps the finest residence in western Michigan, costing over $20,000, being built of St. Louis pressed brick, and the interior being finished in hard wood. HON. LYMAN G. MASON is a citizen whose public services are not surpassed by those of any other, as a perusal of the general history will readily show. Born in Belchertown, Mass., in June, 1829, in 1844 he removed to Worcester in the same State, and after six years residence there in 1850 he went to California via Cape Horn, having previously commenced clerking in a store at the age of fifteen. He remained on the Pacific coast until June 1855, engaged in lumbering and steam-boating, and for two years an agent for Wells, Fargo & Co. In 1855 he came to Muskegon, and has ever since been largely engaged in lumbering. He built a mill in 1856 which was burned, when the property of Robertson & Co. in 1869. He next built the Bigelow mill in 1862, selling it in 1865. He then built the mill now operated,by the Thayer Lumber Co. In the erection of these mills he was associated with Mr. Charles Davis, under the firm name of L. G. Mason & Co., lately dissolved. His company built also an immense dry kiln, and a large planing mill, bored for salt, built a fine Opera House, since burned, they also erected the Mason Block, one of the finest in the city, and engaged in many other operations. In short to enumerate the services of Mr. Mason would be to give the history of nearly all the institutions of the city. He built the Occidental Hotel, aided largely in introducing gas and water works, promoted all the railway lines that converge into Muskegon, succeeded in forcing a better channel for the harbor, and has always taken a deep interest in education, especially in securing the erection of the noble Central School edifice, and in floating the bonds at a low rate. Mr. Mason's elegant residence on "Mason's Forty," as the addition is called, appears in this work. WM. MARCUS, clothier, has one of the finest establishments on Western avenue, keeping a stock worth $25,000. He was born in Germany which he left when sixteen years of age, coming to his brother's in Wisconsin, in 1857 going to Chicago, where he traveled for a dry goods house. He came to Muskegon in 1866, going into business in Gustin's Block, and in March, 1881, into his present store in Torrent's Block, which is 44 by 90 feet, and is widely known as the "Original Lumberman's Clothing Store." Mr. M. married Miss Blume Herbst and has four children. Residence on Terrace street. C. S. MONTAGUE is a native of Hartford, Conn., and came to MIuskegon in 1865, from Chicago. His business at that time was that of lumber inspector, and later he began to operate in lumber and has continued to do so up to the present. He is one of the firm of Leahy & Co., an extensive dry goods firm on Western avenue, and was one of the original incorporators of the Temple Manufacturing Co., of Muskegon. He continues the business of inspecting and tallying lumber and still does the largest business in the county in this line. SAMUEL D. MURRAY, at present proprietor of a popular restaurant in Muskegon, is a native of Ithaca, Tompkins County, N. Y., and found his way to Muskegon in 1856. For about five years he followed steamboating, and in 1861 enlisted as a private in the 3rd Michigan Infantry. During his term of service he was promoted to Captain, and received an honorable discharge in 1864, when he returned to Muskegon. In the service he was a good soldier and is a gentleman of excellent standing in the community. HON. C. D. NELSON, lumberman and ex-senator from the 26th District of Michigan, was born in Newbury, Orange County, Vermont, May 12, 1824. He is the son of Stephen P. and Rachel (Gates) 2-t 3 IK 4f t (* 9. i.T ~Ad - fe z iAt iqooe-11l/ &"O ^^^GPL /1,..I I —:4 -: ~ A-4,(t 4. 75r It N a I I I i r H1ISTORYU OF M IUSKEGON COUNTY. I N elsonr. His father was a clothier and farmer. C. D. Nelson received his early school education in his native town. Iin 1846i he went to Boston, Mlass., where for a time he was engaged in contractina and building. He afterwards entered a commercial college in Boston, where he received a thorough business training. After graduating from that institution in 1853, he became manaaer of a large contracting firm, and remrained about three years. Ill 1857 he moved to Michigan, and settled in Mluskeg~on; where, for nine years, he was manager of the lumber business of Marsh & Foss. In 1808 he formed a partnership with William B. Phillips and Samuel A. Brown, of Chicago, for the purpose of manufacturing lumber in Muoskegon, the firm name being Brown, Nelson & Co. In 1873 M~r. D. K. Loveland, of Chicago, purchased Mir. Brown's interest, and the firm name became C. D. Nelson & Co. Thley manufactured, on an average, about 20,000,000.feet of I-Lmber annually, and this year 30,000,000 feet. EMr. Nelson hats held various offlees of trust and responsibility. -He was elected city Treasurer in 1865-6, and has been Alderman of the city for several years, and also President of the Board of Education in Muskegon shice 1871. He htts been a Republican since the organization of that party. In 1875 he was elected to the Michigan Senate, and inr 18'77 was re-elected. Ill thee latter year he was made President pro teinp~ore. His legislative career has been marked by that good sense and independents judgment which distinguish the statesman Who serves hzis constituency, from the politician who connives for his party. He was ma~rried ~in 1845, to M~iss Carrie Wason, an estim~able young lady of Newbury, Vermont. They have a son and daughter. H3is son, Harley W., is book-keeper to tile firm. Residence corner of Third S~treet and Clay Avenue. M~r. Nelson has been Alderman, City Treasurer and Supervisor for many years. F. A. NIims is an old and prominent resident of the city, all though still a very young man. A perusal of the general history will show~ that he has infused a p~rogressive spirit into the city, andl that h~e has beeen identifiedi with its progress in many ways. Com — ing from Grand Rapids in 1865 hie has secured the leading position as a railway lawyer, and has been connected with all the railway movements in the countyY, succeeding at least ill collecting the scattered mem~bers into one orgaznization. H~e has an enzviable record in thle Board of Education, and the legal firm of wvhich be is a prominent member, stands high throughzout the State. The firm of SMIITH, NimsS, HOYT & ERWCIN, hats a very fine suite of offces, and one of the largest libraries ill the Sta~te. Mr. Smith came from Canada in 1866, and a partnership was formed in 1867 between a Mlr. Gray pf Grand Rapids, and M~Lessrs. Smith and Nims. M~r. Erwin, the business man of the firml, was a student in the office of Gray, S'mithl & Nil~ns, admittedl to the bar and into the ftirm ill April, 1870. M~Jr. Hoyt came ill 18746, and the firm tooki its present namne in 1879. W;C. W. OWEN, bookseller and stationer, Western Ave., Miuskiegon, was born in Sussex County, N. J., August 15, 1840, at the ane of 15 came to Pontiac, Miich~., atnd learned the book and stationery business, coming to' Muskegon in September, 1859, enter-ing into 'post-office bookstore; after ~five years be traveled two years with Mrs. Owen to recover her health.. Then after two years ill business.in music aud real estate, he enteredi into th~e book and stationery business. He built the first brick store ever erected in the city, now occupiedi by Dennis Smith. M~r. Owen does a large trade. His pres ent place of business is in the Bolza, block. PATHER EDWARD VAN PAMEL, priest of the Rtoman Catholic Church,,-:is a most genial and courtly gentlem~an. full of remniniseences of the early times and cheerfully communicative of his knlowledge of the past. He was born in Belgiumz in 1828, received a careful training in the 'old Stone College of - the 15th century in I Thielt, finishing his studies in"Detroit, where he came in 18-50, having at th~at time a brother, a missionary to Lakie Superior Indians, who is now in England. Rev. Father Van Erp? was pnriest at Grand Rapids in 1853, having all the region from Holland to Mi;anistee. Father Van Pamel was first in Muskiegon in 1853, visiting the Catholic fanlilies quarterly. In 1857 he brought over the first resident priest, Father F. Steinhauser, and purchased the lots cornering on Clay Avenue and First Street for $ 50, and built the first church in the city. In 1877 he came to Muskegon from Detroit, and has been settled there ever since. Among the respected pastors of the Catholic congregation In AMuskiegon was Father Henry Rievers, who officiated from July, 1866, to 1876, zealously discharging his duty. He died Februlary, 1877, acted 54 years and 3 months, having been born in Holland in 1822. He was courteous and affable to all, irrrespective of their belief. GEORGE RUDDIM~AN, retiredl mill owner and lumberman, is a native of Scotland, whoe came to M~uskegon in April, 1840. In 18499 he, built the first tug ever oil Muskegon Lake, built like a scow, with~ paddles in the stern..Before this date logging was done by oxen. He made an improvement on this tug, and built another seventy feet long by sixteen wide, a side-wheeler, which was a success. He was an active lumlbermant from 1844 to 1866, Nyvhen he retired, and now enjoys the fruits of his labors atnd well. earned ease. ~He is a, worthy andi upright citizen whose memaory will be cherished by all who have known him.lfll JOHIN RUDDIM'AN, retired lumberman, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1814, and immigrazted to America when 16 years of age, wvhen he had' fini~shed hIis sch~ool education. H-e came first to Pennsylvania, and served his apprenticesh~ip as a pattern m~aker-`at Pittsburg, remaining there from 1832 to 1836. He then went to Detroit, and shortly after to Chicago, alnd after 1840 was three years engaged in farming in Wisconsiti, coming in 1843 to Muskegon, where hris brother George had been for three years. HIe worked for George for one year lumbering at thze mouth of Bear Lake, and then went to nMilwaukee for four years, occasionally visiting Miuskegon. In 1848 he built a steam mill in North niluskegokl, near w;here the Torrent & Arms mill is, aud operated it until 1860, but the financial panic of 18-57 was a severe blow to Mir. Ruddimaii. After 1860 he operatedl a mill on1 the site of the present Farr mill, and in 1862 moved to the mouth of Bealr Lake, and1 built a grist mill, the first in the county, and ground in tile summer, one dlay a weekr being -sufficient for tile gristing. H~e also raised fruit, having a 1 5 acre orchard and vineyard. He has not sought public honor, but has been three times elected Supervisor of Latketon. He married. in 18410 in Wisconsin, Muiss Mary Bunkier, who died in 1877. I-e has two surviving children, Adieline (Mrs. Eldr -ed), with whom nMr. Ruddiman resides in her fine residlence corner of Terrace andni DelawTare 'Streets, formerly the property of J. B. Murpuhy. IHis second daughter is Emma (now MCrs. Horning), wh~o resides at Winfield, KFansas. M~r. Rud-din-ln is one of the most respected 1_ioneers of Miuskegon, and is regarded withl universal esteem. His portrait wvill be 'foundl in this wor~k. McAJOR Wm.~I L. RYAN, Police Justice and Justice of the Peace was born in Queen's Co., Ireland, April 15, 1832, and received his education at the common-school.. Actuated by a desire to achieve fortune in the New World, he emigrated in th~e Spring of 1854, remaining a few months in th~e Huron district of Canada, but in the same Fall settling in Grand Rapids, afterwatrds going to Spring Lake, and in 1857i to Muskegon. In the Spring of 1861, on the first call for 75,000 men, he went out as Second Lieutenant of the Muskegon Rangers, afterwvardls Co. H-. of the Third M/ichigan Infantry. In three months he was promoted to the E'irst Lieutenancy, I r $-:Fi: a-_;;~ iY br d ~4ii~ I I -~ 1 6, . N - 2T ~- -— i 76 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. and shortly after being wounded at the second Bull Run he was made Captain. After a leave of absence, in 1863, he returned to his regiment, but was obliged to resign on account of his wound, and was appointed on the Veteran Reserve Corps as First Lieutenant, which commission he had from President Lincoln, and afterwards that of Captain and Brevet Major, by President Johnson, for gallant and meritorious service in war. He then served in the Veteran Corps at Newark, N. J., and assisted in quelling the July riots in New York in 18683. Thence he was transferred to Boston as Assistant Mustering Officer, and Inspector of Passports at the harbor. He was transferred thence to Mississippi as Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, and returned in 1867 to Muskegon, where he was elected City Marshal for three years, and Sheriff for four years, from 1874 to 1878, when Sheriff Waters was elected. In the Spring of 1879 he was elected Justice of the Peace for four years, and April, 1881, Police Justice, to which office he has just been re-elected. Mr. Ryan has given the utmost satisfaction in all the positions he has held. IRA 0. SMITH, lumberman, was born at Victor, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 28, 1827, his father, Oren Smith, being one of the founders of the city of Rochester, and an extensive land owner there when it was an insignificant village, and also an eager promoter of the construction of the Erie canal. His son, Ira, received such education as the district schools afforded, and when eleven years of age removed with his family to Flint, Mich., where he workedon his father's farm until twenty years old. He then went to Grand Haven, engaging with W. M. Ferry, Sr., for five years. Having acquired some property, he purchased the Black Lake mill in 1852, but the place being a wilderness he was compelled to build roads and make such other improvements as were necessary to get out his lumber. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, he carried on business with considerable success for tenll years. He then sold out and engaged for five years in mercantile business in Muskegon. In 1867 he became a junior partner in the firm of Swan, White & Smith, and afterward became managingl partner of the firm, which, by the aid of his ability, has been very successful. He also became a stockholder in the Booming Company, in 1872 was elected its Secretary, and in 1874 President, which he held for seven years, receiving a complimentary address, accomnpanied with $1,000. He has been successively elected County Clerk, Register, Supervisor and Alderman, all of which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to those who supported him. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Odd Fellows. As a public spirited citizen he has largely identified himself with the growth and prosperity of Muskegon. JAMES SMITH is the Muskegon mnember of the Beidler Lumber Manufacturing Company. Mr. Smith is a native of England and came to this country in 1855. He first went to Saginaw and remained until 1860, when he came to Muskegon and went to work for the Beidler Manufacturing Company. He rose to be foreman of the mill and filled the position to the thorough satisfaction of his employers. In the Spring of 1880 the company wacs reorganized, and Mr. Smith took an interest in the business, and since that time has had the entire management of the mill and business at Muskegon. He has been Alderman for two years for the Fourth Ward -during 1878-80. COL. J. H. STANDISH is one of the pioneer lawyers of the State. Col. Standish was born in Benson, Vt.,-in 1820, and remained there with his parents until 1836, when he went to Ohio and Illinois and thence to Texas. He served about two years in the war between Texas and Mexico, and afterwards came north to Illinois. He studied law and was admitted to practice at Mt. Carmel, Ill. In 1846 he came to Michigan, first to Eaton County, and then to I Newaygo, where he remained until 1863. Early in that year he enlisted and went into the service as Captain of Co. A., Tenth Michigan Cavalry. He was an excellent soldier and an efficient officer; and was promoted first to Major and then to Colonel. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he returned to Nevwaygo and resumed the practice of law. In 1867 he was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1869. Upon the accession of Gen. Grant to the Presidency he was appointed United States District Attorney and removed to Grand Rapids, where he remained until the close of his second term in 1876, when he returned to Newaygo, and stayed there until 1879, when he came to Muskegoyn. NE~,ZIS STEINER belongs to the ranks of those who have had a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in Muskegon. He was born in Germany Jan. 29, 1826, and came to this country in 1853. He spent a short time in New York and then went to Rhode Island and remained two years. From there he came to Milwaukee and stayed eighteen months, and then went to the northern part of Wisconsin and engaged at work in the pineries. In the fall of 1857 he came to Muskegon. He worked in the mills for a time and then pre-empted some land and improved it. He enlisted in February, 1864, in the 6th Mich. Cavalry, and remained in the service until March 27th, 1866. After his return from the service he spent a year on his farm in Newaygo and then returned to Muskegon and built the hotel known as the " Steiner House," which he has since occupied. Mr. Steiner thoroughly overhauled and enlarged his hotel in 1881-2, and now has forty-four rooms. He has spent over $3,000 in these improvements, which can be best appreciated by viewing a cut of the building in this work, accompanied by the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Steiner. LEVI TRUESDELL, merchant, between Sixth and Seventh streets on Western avenue; a highly respected citizen and one of those vwho have seen the city grow from a small village to a prosperous city. Born in Genesee county, N. Y., he came to Muskegon in 1855, erecting a mill, that of Durkee, Truesdell & Co., which was burnedin 1877. In June, 1866, Mr. Truesdell sold out and went back to New York for ten years. THOS. J. WATERS, Sheriff, was born in New York State in 1831, came to Michigan in 1842, to Kent county, and in September, 1852, came to Muskegon, driving team for Ryerson & Morris till April, 1861, when he enlisted in the 3rd Mich. Inf., and his military career will be found in the history of Co. "H" of that regiment. From 1864 he worked for the Booming Co. at spile driving for three years, and for over six years superintended their works, leaving for Michigall City till 18th Sept., 1877, when he returned to Muskegon, engaging in scaling until he was elected Sheriff in November, 1878. He was re-elected in November, 1880 for another two years, and makes a popular and efficient officer. LUTHEE WHITNEY, Postmaster at Muskegon, was born in Gilson, New Hampshire, in 1815. In 1837 he came West, to Wisconsin and was at Green Bay for a time and afterwards at Kenosha. He was married at Green Bay in December, 1844, to Miss Rebecca J. Allen, of that place. In the spring of 1865 he came from Kenosha to Muskegon, and engaged as book- keeper for the Truesdell Lumber Co., and subsequently had charge of their business at Muskegon. In February, 1875, he received the appointment of Postmaster at Muskegon, which position he still retains. As a public officer, Mr. Whitney is careful and efficient in the discharge of his duties, and genial and accommodating to all with whom he has. to do. O. C. WILLIAMS, M. D. was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1833, and early in life formed a determination to adopt the medical profession as his life pursuit. After studying at his native J L ~ -.4 - 7i I - I" ;I F- - - -:i -: -:- - - - -:-.-.:...:: -: ~. ---- - - -1~: Z - --- ~- II...,,.,~, I ~ % -: 1 - - ~ - Cui L~~~. -rI I~-*i-,u.-: -:.,-":.,~~, -~ ~ ~ ~ 7 7T 7 ',. -, - 7 ~ ~ 7 - - 7 7 `~, i, — t ~ - 7 -T,~: -. 1; ~~-,-,, I- ~, -7 z,,-,, =, ~~-r. ~%^, - i~ i:.,,..:::.4::: ~., I,,,,,,.I;,: '.-, ~, - ~ -~~;;:-:.,~ j. -,; ". 11..,:..:,,,, a;~,, I,-', - 1~1 -. -.I.I,,,,, "'~,~ —,.; -'..I q. ~ -.I "I',~-, - I I% ~, 1i:;- ~,:, " I I,,. ~,; - -:.,.. ~, 1~,,:, ~ -;:I, -L,_,,: C- O I II:iII: —..II;:,-, I..;~ ~~;::i. li,i..- 2:, I.~- -,,,, I.1 I I I IY 1.:I::;. I I, t- i z,~,,-~ ~ - " —..;~~ ~,,,, ~~:III I I I~,.I,,,.I ~-.I.I,:!. 1I-I-i3 17 "- ~:,~ 1 I'F I ~;4 ~1 ~,,,,,,io~~,.. -: "I I. - I I IsX I 1 11.1 a, I I.1 ~11,.,: ~.EIIII,,. r slre~,arrII i;- i-I. Ii:-:I:: ~-;~:~I-:: : i:; j I:::i:.:-::"i:: rj .~2~a~-v-;l;, Pi-l_ r:i — i;. an:::i i irr? i;~:8~ ~-d"~;:;:~i-~ i i F1~ i BI;,i:i.~i.._:i:.; I, —~~ j ::,:: 4;,;: 5; -: ~;~:-::, "9 _ I ~,.~~::-::I ~ ~1 r Llj~:j;i.l _jij_: li:1: ii i;:-:i-: ~ :l:iii;:::tf:::::!j!~ij:rj:_ 6 ijj- i..r;:::ii: i:::~:;:: ': r ~-,::~ - iire*H ijJ:j ~- -~; ~.:: j3 i;~:-~~ Bt:-'J a~ Y,,: ' j ~ iii:.i IfE:iiiii.ii;: r.;; i;:i~i~: -::~:: i-.:: - a~r.s6)r62),~ i~" - 1::-;; ~~ ~ —i -ir i: i. -~t . I iI - - ' 1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 77 1 _ place he graduated at the city of New York in 1859, and entered upon the practice of his profession. After a short residence at Jackson, Mich., he came to Muskegon in 1865, where he has since remained. Dr. Williams belongs to the "regular" school of physicians. He is a genial gentleman wholly devoted to his profession, and especially to surgery, in which his practice is very extensive. M. WILSON, City Treasurer of the city of Muskegon, 1881, was born in Ireland, and came to this country in 1846. In 1859 he reached Muskegon and turned his attention to lumbering. In 1866 -67 he built the mill now owned and operated by M. Wilson & Co. Mr. Wilson is quiet and unassuming, but a vigorous business man. He held the office of City Treasurer two years. GEO. B. WOODBURY, was born in Sutton, Worcester county, Mass., Nov. 18, 1816, and is a descendant of John Woodbury, of Somerset, England, who came over to Sutton in 1624. Mr. Woodbury's ancestors have been quite prominent in the affairs of Massachusetts. Shortly after his birth his parents removed to Cayuga county. N. Y., and he remained there until the close of 1835, when he removed, first to Tecumseh, then to Indiana, and in 1840 to Muskegon, where he has ever since resided with the exception of the years 1850-53, when he was in California. He learned in Muskegon the engineering business and has been steadily in the mill now owned by Thomas Stimson, of Big Rapids, but who is coming to reside in Muskegon. Mr. Woodbury was married Dec. 11, 1853 to Miss Rachel S. Johnson, of Grand Haven, and has four surviving children, two sons and two daughters. He is not of an aspiring disposition as far as public office is concerned, and is respected by all for his strict integrity of life and his obliging disposition. His many friends will be pleased to observe his portrait in this work. EDWARD H. WYLIE, late Judge of Probate, was born in Lebanon, Madison county, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1819, and remained in his native place and vicinity until twenty-five years of age, being engaged from his fourteenth to his nineteenth year as clerk in a bookstore. In 1845 he came to Grand Rapids, spending a year there in teaching, and the next four years in Sparta, in the northern part of Kent county. In 1849 he came to Muskegon, where he ever afterward resided. For the first six or seven years he was chiefly in the employ of Messrs. Ryerson & Morris, and was also four years in mercantile business. Mr. Wylie was then appointed by the Governor Judge of Probate to fill a vacancy and his great popularity and efficiency as a public officer is evidenced by the fact that he was four times successively elected. The Judge was very attentive to the duties of his office, was courteous to all, and was thoroughly acquainted with his duties. His portrait will be found elsewhere. The community has scarcely recovered from the shock of his sudden death from heart disease, which occurred on the 29th of April last. His memory will be cherished by many friends. BIOGRAPHICAL. REV. ABEL ANDERSON, pastor of Norwegian Lutheran church, was born in the town of Albion, Dane county, Wis., his parents being among the first party of emigrants, who left Norway for the New World in 1839. Mr. Anderson was brought up on his father's farm until he was eighteen. He then entered Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, studying one year; after which he spent two years at Albion Academy, and later a year and a half at Wisconsin State University, returning to Luther College to finish. He then entered Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, and completed in 1874 a course of theology, after which he was called to Muskegon, where at first he had all the outlying stations under his charge, and did mission work in Canada, Michigan, and other States, and still has charge of twelve churches in western Michigan. That Mr. Anderson is highly respected by all classes, is evidenced by the fact that at the election in 1881 he was re-elected for the third term as School Inspector by a unanimous vote being on both party tickets. WM. ANDREWS, foreman of foundry in car works, born in Flint, Mich., 1857; when seventeen entered Genesee iron works at Flint for four years, then to Jackson, Saginaw, New York and Pennsylvania, gaining extended knowledge and experience in his business, becoming finally foreman of the works where he had been apprentice. Came to Muskegon on May 4, 1881. JAMES BALBIRNIE, undertaker, Muskegon, was born in Ottawa; Canada, in 1838, and came to Muskegon in 1865. In 1869 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business which he conducted very successfully until the spring of 1881, when he disposed of his furniture and continued the undertaking branch. Mr. Balbirnie is the oldest undertaker in the city of Muskegon. L. O. BEERMAN is the proprietor of a large carriage and wagon manufactory on Pine street, Muskegon. Mr. Beerman is a native of Canada, and came to the States in 1867. In 1878 he came to Muskegon, from Spring Lake, Mich., and started his present business. JOSEPH BEDARD, M. D., is a native of Montreal, Canada, and graduated at Victoria College in 1875. He practiced for a time near Montreal and in 1881 came to Muskegon and engaged in practice. S. BLOCK, HM. D., is a native of Austria and came to Muskegon in 1880. He graduated at the Vienna University in 1876, and was assistant physician and surgeon at the Imperial Hospital for some time. Dr. Bloch was born in Bohemia in 1846, and is a gentleman of fine culture and thoroughly versed in his profession. He belongs to the "regular" school of medicine. ROBERT BLOSS, foreman of the machine shops at the Chicago & West Michigan car works, came to Muskegon in 1879 from Bethlehem, Pa., where he was employed in the Bethlehem Iron Works. Mr. Bloss is a skillful machinest. W. BODENDOERFER, saloon keeper, was born in Bavaria in 1835, came to America in 1849, working on a Wisconsin farm, and coming to Muskegon in 1853. In 1864 he enlisted in the 3d Mich. Inf., but changed to the 5th Mich., and was present at the capitulation of Gen. Lee. Married May 14, 1869, Anna Hoffman and has three boys and one girl. He opened his present place on Western Avenue in 1879. R. BOOTH, superintendent of the Car and Engine Works, was born in New York, moved when young to Canada, learned his trade in Guelph, worked two years in Chicago, three years for the Joliet Iron & Steel Works, three years with Alex. Rodgers, and for over seven years with the C. & W. M. Railway. The car shops of the C. & W. M. R. R., which are well planned, were built under the superintendence of Mr. Booth. He was appointed to his present position in the spring of 1882. WMt. BOYER, late of the grocery firm of Fordl '& Boyer, is a native of Ohio, and came to Muskegon in 1871. In 1875 the firm of Ford & Boyer was established and two stores opened, the one on Ottawa Street being in charge of Mr. Boyer. The firm dissolved in 1881 and Mr. Boyer retained the Ottawa Street business. JOHN BRONSON, flour and feed dealer, was born in Middleburg, Holland, in 1830. When twenty-three he came to Mill Point, now Spring Lake. Having left his wife behind he returned to Holland in three years, and it was arranged that his wife and her parents should come the following year. For some reason the old people did not come, so Mr. B. went over again and brought out his wife alone. He came to Muskegon in 1853, and has been in his present business since 1868. In the great fire of 1874 he lost his house and - 2: - q11 - I _~-I I.At _ n 4, 78 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - shop, but rebuilt it in five weeks. He is the oldest in the business and does a large business, and has seen the city grow from a hamlet of 800 to its present size. He has been alderman for two terms. D. BROWER, proprietor of the Gloverville Glove Malnufactory, on Western Avenue, is a native of Gloverville, N. Y., and was brought up in the business in which he is now engaged. In 1876 he came to Muskegon and established his manufactory. His goods rank high in the market on account of their quality. CHAS. VV. BROWN, late engineer at the Car Works, was born in Detroit April 16, 1852. After various changes of residence he came to Muskegon in 1864, sailing three seasons, and was in the C. & W. M. R. R. shops, and engineer on boom tug Eastman, also second engineer in the city works in 1880-1881, and came to the car works in September. His engine room is a model of neatness. ROBERT E. BUNKER, Of the law firm of McLaughlin, Delano & Bunker, is one of the rising young attorneys of Muskegon County. He is a native of Jackson, Mich., studied law at the University at Ann Arbor, and was admitted to practice in May, 1879. In May, 1880, he came to Muskegon and nowv belongs to one of the sliccessful law firms in the city. IMir. Bunker is also a member of the boot and shoe firm of Cutter & Bunlier. He is actively interested in educational matters and is authority on all school affairs of the city and county, hlaving served four years as superintendent of the city public schools. S. C. CHUMARD, proprietor of the Muskegon City Bottling Works, is one of the active business m-en. Mr. Chumard came to Muskegon from Illinois in 1869, and that same year established his present business. He is a native of Pennsylvania andl has been very successful in his business operations. He is, at the present time, largely interested in Utah mining property, and a portion of his time is spent in that region. PETER CALL, proprietor of a saloon and boardlincg house on Ottawa Street, Mluskegon, came from Whitehall ill Julne, 1881, and opened his present place of business. Mr. Call wTas in business at Whitehllall for nine years. FRAN I-1S W. COOK, attorney at lawv, is a native of Ne Y YU ork State. -Was admil;tted to practice at St. Johin's, N. Y., and camle to Muskegon in De,. 1870, and has resided here since that time. Mr. Cook is a very successful lawyer and has a large practice. CHARLES A. CRANDALL, stair builder and wood turner, on the floor over the Novelty Works on Terrace Street, commenced business in Muskegon in the spring of 1881, and has been in his present place since February, 1882, and is doing a good business. He was, previous to coming to this city, eight years with the Stearn's Manufiacturng Co., Grand Haven, where he married June 21, 1877, Cornelia J. Van Westrienen, of Grandi Haven, by whom he has two children, Howard A., born Aug. 1, 1878, and Garret J., born Dec. 25, 1879. Mir. Crandall is a native of Philadelphia, where he was born Aug,. 31, 1819. In 1856 he camte to Chicago, where he learned the trade of wood carving. WMA B. CUTTER, of the firm of Cutter & Bunker, dealers in boots and shoes, is a native of Bangor, Maine. Mir. Cutter came to Muskegon in 1870, and in June, 1880, formed a co-partnership with R. E. Bunker. Mr. Bunker devotes his entire time to the practice of law, which leaves MIr. Cutter with the sole manage ment of the store and business. The firm do a large and flourishing business. SAMUEL DAVIS, manufacturer of cigars at Miuskegon, belongs to the list of successful manufacturers. Mir. Davis is a native of New York State and camle to MLuskegon in 1875 from Buffalo. In 1876 he began the manufacture of cigars in the Graham block, but his increasing business requiring more room he removed in 1880 to his present commodious quarters in Torrent's block. At the present time he employs sixteen men and is doing a flourishing business. H. L. DELANO, of the well known law firm of McLaughlin, Delano & Bunker, is a native of Ohio, and was admitted to the practice of law at Hart, Mich., May, 1876. From Hart he went to Whitehall and practiced a year, when he removed to Muskegon. In February he formed a co-partnership with David McLaughlin and Robt. E. Bunker, under the firm name of McLaughlin, Delano & Bunker. NELSON DELONG, Mayor' of the city and Prosecuting Attorney, is a native of Maple Rapids, Mich. Graduated at the University of Michigan in March, 1871, and entered upon the practice of law at Maple Rapids the same year. After remaining there about two years hlie removed to Muskegon. In 1877 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Muskegon County and reelected in 1879. In 1882 he was elected Mayor of the city. C. P. DONELSON, M. D., was born in Flint, Mich., April 11, 1848. In 1872 he graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich., and also at the Long Island Hospital, New York. He had graduated at the WTesleyan University, of Delaware, in 1867. He was married in March, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Johnson, of Kalallmazoo. Dr. Donelson has resided in Muskegon since 1872, and stands very high in his profession. CHARLES DUNN, dealer in liquors and tobacco, Western avenue Muskegon, came here ill 1871 from Paw Paw, Mich. In February, 1881 he purchased the business of Nelson Patterson, which he has since continued. Mlr. Dunn is a native of NewT York City. A. ECKERMAN, dealer in drugs and medicines, corner Pine street and Muskegon avenue, came to Muskegon from Grand Rapids, and started in business in the fall of 1881. He enlisted in the service in 1862 and served until discharged in 1865. After the war he went to Holland, Mich., and removed from there to Grand Rapids. ECcHES & BRADFORD, proprietors of American Hotel, corner of Water and Market streets. This popular and commodious house is kept by Mr. Geo. Eccles and hlis son-in-law, Andrew Bradford. The hotel was established in 1850, and a large addition made in 1866. It is three stories in height, accommodates 75 wsith rooms, but its large run is for day boarders. Thie proprietors are both veterans of the last war. Mir. Eccles enlisted in Co. E. 2d Mich. Cavalry, at Grand Rapids on the 14th of September, 1861. After three years' service he re-enlisted till the close of the wavr, and was in the armies o Thomas and Rosecrans. A. BRADFORD was born in Oaklalnd Co., Mich., in 1842, and came to Miuskeiegon in. 1856 ill colnnection with the mail stage to Grand Rapids; enlisted in 1862 in 2d Mich. Cavalry, army of Cumberland; was in Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Franklin, Resaca, Nashville, raided into Georgia with Gen. Wilson, and was mustered out at close of war. In 1866 hle married Mary, daughter of G. Eccles, by whom he has one daughter, Aimne, born Sep. 4, 1867. Mr. Bradford was also in the American Express Company seven years. FRANE EIjER was blorn in Germany in 1822; came to Wisconsin in 1854, and after two years came to Muskegon engaging in sawmillntg. After a few years he went to Texas, where he remained until 1861, when hle returned to Miuskegon where, in 1863, lhe enlisted in the army, serving bravely until the close of the war, and has been ever since in the employ of Ryerson, Hills & Co. In 1848 he married Miss C. Keller, of Germanv, who died in 1861. Three years afterwards he married Mliss Magdalena Zerwes, of Milwaukee, by whom he has four children. HENRY ELENDS, baker and confectioner, Terrace street, has a fine establishment of 40 feet frontage, established in 1880. He was born in Gottingen, in 1837. When 26 years of age he came to America; was three years in Fond du Lac, and fifteen years on the south side of Chicago. He is very skilled in his business, which he learned in his native town. He married in 1864 Augusta Loth, of I. I I ^2 Ij - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IR071 _ I..:- 0. A.1 -(:: a - L.+ -1 1 _T_. 79 >r T Y. 79 HISTORY OF MU SKEGON COUS Silesia, and has lost six children. In 1861 he enlisted with one hundred others of the Turnverein Society in the army of the Cumberland; was captured at Murfreesboro, and nearly starved in Libby prison; discharged in 1864. JEDSON ELLIS, M. D., is one of the rising young physicians of Muskegon. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, and graduated at Trinity College, Toronto, in 1879. After practicing a little more than a year near Hamilton, Canada, he came to Muskegon in the Spring of 1881. He belongs to the regular school of physicians. WILLIAM H. FLETCHER is an extensive grocer, on Western avenue. He is a native of Vermont, and came to Michigan from Hartford, Conn., in 1872. In 1876 he came to Muskegon and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Fletcher is a young man of great energy and has succeeded in building up a large and prosperous business. E. R. FORD, late of the firm of Ford & Boyer, grocers, Muskegon, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1835. In 1853 he came to Michigan, and remained for a while in Ottawa County. For several years he has owned a sawmill at Twin Lake. In 1873 he came to Muskegon and went into the grocery business with Wm. Boyer, the firm name being Ford & Boyer. They had two stores, one on Western avenue and one on Ottawa street. The firm dissolved in the Fall of 1881, Mr. Ford retaining the store on Western avenue, and Mr. Boyer that on Ottawa street. N. B. GREEN, of the firm of N. B. Green & Son, dealers in fresh and salt meats, on Western avenue, Muskegon, was born in Watertown, N. Y., in 1827. In 1849 he went to California where he remained eleven years. For several years he was in business at Paw Paw, and in 1880 came to Muskegon and started business as above stated. H. M. GILMAN, with A. H. Petrie, 'Muskegon, is a New York State man, and came to Muskegon in 1876, and engaged in business. The firm are extensive dealers in bark, railroad ties and coal. FRITZ HASSE, dealer in fresh anc1 salt meats, Pine street, Muskegon, is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1869. Soon after reaching this country he came to Muskegon. He has been in the meat business since 1876. J. L. HAMILTON is the proprietor of a mlaat market on Western avenue, and has been in business there since September, 1880. He is a native of Ireland; landed in this country in 1872, and came to Muskegon in 1874, from Chicago. PETER HOKONSON, engineer for W. H. Bigelow, Mluskegon, was born in Norway, Oct. 1, 1845, and at 12 learned to be a machinist with Mr. Ging, an Englishman; immigrated in 1869, first to Grand Rapids; worked four years for Rodgers, of Muskegon, then for Montague Iron Works; returned to Muskegon in 1877. Married in February, 1871, Marta Bjornstad, and has three children; Hokon, born 1873; Lena, 1875; Sarah, 1877. W. P. & J. H. HEIMBACH, flour and feed dealers, 46 and 48 Western avenue, established their business in 1879, and are sons of Daniel Heimbach, of Walworth, Wis., for thirty years a sailor on the lakes. They are worthy young men, and do a large and increasing trade. NELIUS HOLTHE, for three years Supervisor of First Ward, was born in Norway, in 1832, and was the son of a justice of the peace and farmer. When 37 he came out to America, soon finding his way into the pineries of Michigan; has been in Muskegon since 1870, working in shops and sawmiills, being a blacksmith by trade; has been four years policeman, two years constable and three years supervisor; is agent for emigrant steamship lines. D. W. HENDERSON, of the Novelty Works, Terrace street, Muskegon, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1854. When three years of age his parents removed to Howick, Ontario, where, after learning his trade, he came first to Chicago, and in 1870 to Muskegon, shortly after starting in business for himself. He had a fine 'three-story brick carriage shop 30x45 feet, with a wooden annex and a blacksmith shop, each 22x40 feet; employing eleven men,'and turning out annually $15,000 worth of work. In the Fall of 1881 he entered into the Novelty Iron Works' Company, which carries on an extensive business in his establishment. ALBERT HOHENSTEIN, -leader of the brass and string band, which has been organized and in active operation since 1875, and now consists of twelve pieces and drum major. Mr. H. was born in Prussia, April 12, 1830; came to America 1852, having previously studied music in Berlin Academy. He also studied at Detroit; came to Muskegon in 1875. He has leased the DeKalb Hotel, which is being enlarged by twenty rooms, and is to be named the Hotel Hohenstein. JOHN J. HOWDEN, plumber and gas fitter, was born in Whitby, Ontario, in 1846, and at 12 years of age came to Pt. Huron, remaining there two years connected with gas company. In 1871 he came to Muskegon in order to build and superintend the gas works. Mr. Howden married Miss Maria Walker, of his native place. J. E. JAMISON, Justice of the Peace, Muskegon, was a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1869. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar, and was Circuit Court Commissioner from 1872 to 1878, and was elected again in 1880. He held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1872 to 1876, and was again elected in.,1880. He died of consumption March 17, 1882, and was interred at Ovid, Mich., his former home. His remains were accompanied to the depot at Muskegon by Masons and Knights of Pythias, of which societies he was a prominent member. He was well known and widely esteemed. JACOB JESSON & CO., proprietors of the Central Drug Store, Muskegon, Mich. The above named firm commenced business Jan. 1.5th, 1881, on the corner of Western Avenue and Jefferson street, since which time they have done a large and an increasing business. Their prescription business far exceeds alnything in that line ever done lere by any other firm. On account of their extensive drug, trade their customers can always rely upon receiving pu re and fresh drugs, that can be depended upon. Mr, Jacob Jesson, who has charge of the business, is an old settler in Muskegon, and commenced to learn his trade with S. H. Wagener in 1866, since which time he has been actively engaged in the drug business, and has earned for himself the reputation of being one of the best druggists in this part of the State. The other members of the firm are Dr. O. C. Williams, Dr. J. M. Cook and Dr. C. P. Donelson. L. N. KEATING, lawyer, was born in Monroe Co., Mich., in 1840; read law with the Hon. E. L. Koon, of Hillsdale, and practiced law in that place for nine years, after graduating in the Law Department of the Univers of of Michigan. In the Spring of 1875 he came to Muskegon, and has established an extensive and lucrative practice. He married, Nov. 10th, 1869, Martha A., daughter of the Hon. John P. Cook, of Hillsdale. W. B. KELLY, flour and feed dealer, Pine street, near Western Avenue, was born Dec. 25, 1842, in Wayne Co., Mich., and married, Dec. 25, 1866, Mattie J., daughter of Dr. Hollembach. He enlisted in Co. H., 1st Mich. Inf., from Ypsilanti, for three months, at the time of Bull Run, and again enlisted in 1862, in the 4th Mich. Cav., in the Army of the Cumberland; was captured at Chicamauga and imprisoned fourteen months at Richmond and Andersonville, and was not released until the following July. He estatlished his flour and feed business in 1872, wvas burned out in 1874, and has now a well filled store 24x70 feet. JAMES D. KINoGSBURY, proprietor of the " New York Tea Store" on Western Avenue, came from East Saginaw, in June, 1881, and I I 1. I 1 —,,F — - -- ~i: I ? YrA 80 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - opened one of the finest stores in the city. He confines his business almost wholly to tea, coffee,s spices and crockery, and is rapidly building up a large trade. Mr. Kingsbury is a native of Ohio. H. LANGLAND is the junior member of the hardware firm of J. Vanderwerp & Co., doing business on Pine street and Western Avenue. Mr. Langland is a native of Holland and came to this country in 1865, and in 1866 came to Muskegon. The present firm dates from 1871. JOSEPH LASSER, the popular barber, on Western Avenue and Thayer street, is a native of France, and came to Chicago in 1848. From there he went to Grand Haven, and then to Muskegon, in 1865. He employs three or four assistants, has hot and cold baths, and does the largest business in his line in the city. WILLIAM MCCOMB, photographic artist, ranks high in his profession, and has a very fineo gallery. He is a native of Ottawa, Canada, and settled here in 1878, opening his gallery on Western Avenue. Mr. McComb does a very large business, ranking among the best in his line in the State. WILLIAM M. McKILLIpwas born in Washington Co., New York, in 1822. In 1846 he came to Chicago, where he remained five years. From Chicago he went to Grand Traverse, where he was engaged in lumbering for nine years. He then returned to Chicago, and after remaining there four years went to the Upper Peninsula, where he was engaged in lumbering for two years. In 1867 he came to Muskegon from Kenosha, Wis., and was in charge of the mill 'and lumber business of Chapin & Foss until they sold out, during the past year. He has purchased an interest in a Manistee mill. L. R. MARVIN, M.D., was born in Erie, N. Y., in 1848, and graduated in Chicago in February, 1870. He came to Muskegon the following April, and began the practice of his profession. Dr. Marvin belongs to the Homeopathic school of medicine, and although yet a young man, enjoys the confidence of the public and has a large practice. W. H. MILLER started in business at Whitehall as a dentist in the year 1878, and removed to Muskegon in June, 1880, and at once entered into the pursuit of his avocation over Bolza's jewelry store, where his office is now located. His dental parlors are supplied with all the modern improvements that are now known to successful dentistry. Mr. Miller also operates a branch office at Grand Haven, which at present has a fine run of trade. He enjoys the enviable reputation of being Muskegon's best and most skillful dentist, and has a very large and steadily improving business, which he has gained by a strict and close attention to the minutest details of his profession. His parlors are located in a prominent part of the city, and their arrangement gives evidence of his taste in the line of arranging and decorating. He is still a young man, and by his temperate habits and gentlemanly deportment has won a host of friends, who recognize fully his excellent qualities as an operator in his particular line of business. The satisfaction his work has given to those who have had occasion to place themselves under his care speaks in the most laudatory terms, and is a certain guarantee of his future success and popularity. In the matter of fine work he ~ stands to-day without a successful rival in Muskegon city or county. \ He also receives a large patronage from the surrounding hamlets, where his reputation as a dentist is irreproachable. Visitors are always cordially welcomed and they will never fail to find the " latch string out." L. B. MORSE, proprietor of the City Omnibus and Hack Line, is a native of New York State, and came to Muskegon in 1866, from Grand Rapids. In 1871 he established his present business. He first started in the rear of where Mason's block now stands, but was obliged to seek larger quarters, and in 1878 removed to the large and convenient building he now occupies. SIDNEY S. MORRIS, of the National Steam Sausage Factory, packer and dealer in provisions, etc., was born in Kings Co., N. Y., in 1844; attended school at Birmingham, Eng., taking seven trips across the Atlantic; learned his business in New York city and Chicago; came to Muskegon in 1871, commencing his business the following year, in which he takes the lead in the county. He enlisted in 1862 for three years in the First New York Dragoons, and was in all Sheridan's campaigns, going out with the rank of Regiimental Commissary Sergeant. NELSON PATTERSON, ex-proprietor of the Hofstra House, was born in Kingston, Canada, in 1837. He first came to Michigan in 1856, to St. Jo. In 1871 he removed to Whitehall. While there he held the offices of Deputy Sheriff and City Marshal. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Michigan Cavalry. He first enlisted for three years, and at the expiration of that time returned home, and, after staying thirty days, re-enlisted for three years more, or during the war. He was in a large number of battles but received but one wound. Was in hospital several times, but never to remain a great length of time. He was, in the fullest sense, an active soldier, and experienced all phases of a soldier's life. After five years of hard service he was discharged in 1866 as Sergeant. From- San Antonio, Texas,.he came north with his regiment, and was mustered out at Jackson, Mich. In 1878 Mr. Patterson came to Muskegon and leased the Hofstra House, which he sold out early in 1882, having proved a very popular landlord, and now resides in Whitehall, engaging in the bark and tie business. F. A. PERRY, dealer in hats, caps and gent's furnishing goods, is a native of New York State. In 1869 he came to Muskegon and engaged in business at 60, Western Avenue. In 1876 he removed his stock to the store he now occupies, at 123 Western Avenue. Mr. Perry is a reliable business man. O. P. PILLSBURY, a prominent and highly respected lumberman of Muskegon. was born in Maine Feb. 2, 1826, came west in 1850, and has also spent some time in the railroad business in the Middle States, has been largely identified with the lumbering interests of the county, having built the mill now owned by Hamilton, Gerrish & Co. He has been on the school board, and been twice mayor of the city. FRED. L. REYNOLDS, dealer in books and stationery, came to Muskegon in 1866 from Texas. During the war he was connected with the Quarter-Master's department, and for some time was in the Quarter-Master General's office at Washington. After coming here he engaged in the book and stationery trade, the firm at that time being Bolza & Reynolds. Subsequently the former retired and Mr. Reynolds continued alone. He also does a large railroad ticket business, and has charge of the Opera House. JOHN RIORDAN & Co., dry goods merchants, 109 'Western Avenue, have a fine establishment, next to Mann Bros., for whom Mr. Riordan has been manager many years, and has commenced for himself early in 1882. He was born in New York State in 1836, and came at an early day with his parents to Washtenaw County, Mich., being on the farm until twelve years of age. He has had fourteen year's experience in the dry goods business. Residence No. 100 Webster Avenue. ROBERT G. ROBSON, dealer in picture frames and confectionery, First Street, was born in London, England, in 1824, and came to this country in 1849, and in 1877 came to Muskegon from Illinois. He has been engaged in his present business since 1878. NICHOLAS SCHULER, grocer, is one of the old settlers of the place. 'He is a native of Germany and reached this country in 1853. In 1854 he came to Muskegon and for many years worked at his trade J I4) -4 71i 1-1 is to -N::: (^^^^^^^ ~y. BIOGAPeMHICAL. THOrAS MmRrTmL, livery stable keeper, was born in Vermont, in 1824, came to Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1885, to Grand Rapids in 1844, and in 1849 to Ferrysburg, and remained until 1870 as foreman for Col. Ferry's mills, when he came to Muskegon, opening the first livery stable, which he still continues, and having now 80 horses. The only outlet the people of Muskegon had for eight years was the stage line operated by Culbert Bros. in this city and Mr. Merrill on the Ferrysburg end of the route. They used to have over thirty horses, and carried freight and passengers especially when navigation was closed Mr. Merrill is gentleman highly respected by all who have his acquaintance, which is very extensive, as he is one of the pioneers of Ottawa and Muskegon Counties. His stables are very commodious, and are situated not far from the Hofstra Block. As a judge of horses Mr. Merin l from his long experience is not exaelled in the county, and he keeps the best he can find. Mr. Merrill has never been a man who aspired to public honors or offices, his great pride being to have a first-class establishment in his own line of private business. Notwithstanding that Mr. Merrill is approaching three score he is hale and hearty, having been blessed with a powerful physique and a sound constitution. He is a good specimen of the sound old pioneer stock. Mr. Merrill has a stock of very interesting reminiscences of the olden times, and we are indebted to him for an account of the early staging in this county, and of the opening up of the road system. BIOGRAPEICAL. L. A. Wa=DRON is a good type of Muskegon's successful busimess men. Still hale and hearty, and in the prime of life, he has acquired a competency by strict attention to business, tnited with energy of character and firmness of principle. In 1867, shortly after the close of the civil war, in which he had for three years borne arms in defense of the Union, Mr. Waldron commenced the boot and shoe business, in which he had had no previous experience, he having been brought up on his father's farm, but owing to physical inability he was unable to continue at that oocupation. With very limited capital, with no experience in the business, through fire and through periods of comnercial depression, Mr. Waldron still was able to breast every wave of difficulty and to reach the haven of success. He has the popular boot and shoe basiness of Muskegon, and carries a very full line of goods. His ordered work is especially in demand by those who desire a first-class artiele and good fit. Mr. Waldron is a native of Washtenaw Co., Mich., and was born Sept. 8th, 1884, his parents having emigrated to this State at a very early date, and having undergone the usual privations of the early pioneers. His father, who was born near Boston, had to go with his grist to Detroit, a distance of forty miles, through execrable roads, and was often gone a week on his arduous journey. Mr. Waldron had only the limited advantages of the district schools of those primitive times, and even that for but a limited period. He married, May 14th, 1867, Cordelia Clark, of Grand Rapids, and has a family of one son and two daughters. _ c I -II - I f I ~ ~,. ~II 7Fi I1 I -, I) - i i i I; HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 81 I I -- b I - as carpenter. In 1863 he engaged in the grocery business, which he still continues. GEORGE SCHWEGLER is a native of Germany and came to this country in 1849. In 1859 he came to Muskegon from Manistee. Upon the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted and served until the close of the war. He was wounded at the first battle of Bull Run. Mr. Schwegler served as Marshal in Muskegon for some time and was Deputy Sheriff for four years. He has been in the hotel business from 1878 to 1882. HENRY SESSING was born in Holland in 1837 and came to Muskegon in 1866, working in saw mills until 1870, when he commenced business for himself in the grocery line, doing a successful trade. In 1866 he married Miss Flora Wilde, of Holland, by whom he has a family of four children. A. D. SHERRY, ex-foreman of the Round House at the Chicago & West Michigan car shops, came to Muskegon from Ithaca, N. Y., in 1880, and in July, 1881, was promoted to his present position. For some time he was in the machinery department of the car shops at Geneva, N. Y. He was in the employ of the iron works at Bethlehem, Pa., for nine years. JOHN H. SIMONS, proprietor of the Washington House, came to Muskegon in 1873 from Whitehall, where he kept the Harwood House. The Washington House is one of the pioneer hotels in Muskegon. It was built in 1853 for a mill boarding house and was changed to a hotel in 1862. Mr. Simons enlisted in the service in 1863 at Grand Rapids, and was with the 1st Mich. Engineers and Mechanics until the close of the war. ANDREW C. SMITH is a native of Detroit and came to Muskegon in 1870. In 1876 he opened a meat market on Western Avenue, and is doing, at the present time, an excellent business. A. D. SMITH, foreman at the tin shop of the Chicago & West Michigan Repair Works, is a native of Holly, Mich., where he learned his trade. He came to Muskegon in 1875 to take the position which he now holds. FRANK P. SNYDER, foreman of the paint shop of the Chicago & West Michigan Repair Works, Muskegon, came from Grand Rapids in 1877, and has been in his present position since 1879. He learned his trade at Grand Rapids, and was engaged at decorative painting for some time. F. P. STAMIP, M. D., is a native of Cass County, Mich., and began practice at Union, Cass County, Mich., in 1875. In 1880 he came to Muskegon, where he has since been in practice. Dr. Stamp belongs to the "regular" school of medicine, and is especially successful in the practice of surgery. J. P. STODDARD, M. D., is a recent acquisition to the medical fraternity of Muskegon, having located here in 1880. Dr. Stoddard was born in Jackson, Mich., Feb. 22, 1836. and was a student at Ann Arbor, and attended Bellevue Hospital, New York, in 1867. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Albion, Mich., in 1867, and continued there until he came to Muskegon in 1880. He belongs to the Regular school, and is doing a large practice. J. T. STURGIS, harness manufacturer, Muskegon, is a native of Rochester, N. Y., and came to Muskegon from Romeo, Mich., in 1867. For seven years after coming here Mr. Sturgis was engaged in fruit growing, and in 1874 began the manufacture of harness. He was in the service as a member of the 9th Mich. Inf., from 1861 to 1865. J. H. THORBURN, foreman of car shops, born in Detroit, 1843, learned there the business of carpenter and car builder at Michigan Central Shops. In September, 1863, joined the navy as sliip carpenter in the Mississippi squadron, was at the capture of Vicksburg, bridge building at Atlanta, six months on government railway construction at Chattanooga, was at battles of Franklin, Nashville, etc. I I After various changes in all of which he was hlolding responsible positions and gaining experience, he came in June, 1881, from the Pullman car works. ALBERT TOWL, dealer in groceries and provisions, Western avenue, is one of the successful business men of the city. Mr. Towl is a native of Ohio, and came to Muskegon from Bryan, O., in 1867. He enlisted in 1863 in Co. E. 86th Ohio Inf., and was in the service until 1864. Upon being mustered out of service he went into the Quartermaster's department, at Nashville, Tenn., where he remained about eighteen months. After reaching Muskegon he went into the grocery business. In 1874 he was burned out but immediately rebuilt and continued business without interruption. A. S. VAN BUREN is a recent acquisition to the ranks of Muskegon business men. He was formerly in business in Kalamazoo, and in 1880 came here and opened a furniture and crockery store on Terrace street. He has already established an excellent business, having now a double store in the lVews and _Reporter Block. F. VANDERWERP is one of the enterprising business men of Muskegon. His parents were seafaring people. In 1872 Mr. Vanderwerp came to Muskegon from Allegan county, and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. In 1876 he engaged in the sewing machine business and has continued in it since that time, although he has been interested in other branches of trade during the past five years. He now does the largest business in sewing machines and musical instruments of any firm in this part of the State. He has branch offices at Grand Haven, Whitehall and Pentwater. JOHN VANDEREWERP, JR. is one of the young and enterprising business men of Muskegon. He was born in Ottawa county, in 1856, and came to Muskegon in 1870. In 1873 he engaged in business for himself on Pine street, and is doing a large business in groceries and drugs, and is also the senior member of the hardware firm of J. Vanderwerp & Co., besides being interested in the sewing machine business. J. A. I). VANDERWERP of the firm of Montgomery & Vanderwerp, furniture dealers, Muskegon, is a native of Holland and came to this country in 1864. In 1873 he came to Muskegon from Allegan county and was engaged in the hardware business unril 1876, when he became a member of the present firm. JOHN H. VAN RIPER, proprietor of the Clifton House, was born near Patterson, New Jersey, Sept. 24, 1813, In 1877 he came to Muskegon from St. Joseph, Mich., and engaged in the hotel business. DE. J. S. VAUGHAN, dentist, was born in Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., in 1834, and was brought up in his native place; learned cabinet making at Courtland, N. Y., and went thence to the piano factory at Norwich, leaving that for Chicago in 1856, and thence to Janesville, Wis., where he entered a dentist's office, and has ever since followed that profession. He came to Muskegon in 1866, his office now being in Torrent's Block. Besides being a skillful and popular dentist, the doctor has a keen sense of musical enjoyment, and is an excellent performer on the violin of which he has five in his office, and one at least is almost invaluable, a Stradivarius, supposed to be as old as 1700, but traced back to 1800. It was brought over by an Irish lieutenant in the War of 1812, he having purchased it in 1800 while in Italy. The lieutenant sold it in New York for $25, while on a debauch, and offered in vain $500 for it next day. Dr. Vaughan is the fourth owner of it since that, and esteems himself fortunate when he draws out its rich and mellow tones. J. D. WESTERVELT, of Muskegon, is one of the leading photographers of the State, and has without doubt, the finest suite of L rooms for his business, in Michigan. Mr. Westervelt is a native of - ----— ~^ -p --- I (D l I_ :14 r H He N --- HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 82 82I Niles, Mich., and is a natural artist. Early in life he made choice of the vocation for which he is so happily adapted. In 1858 he began business for himself in Niles and after seven years has been doing business in various portions of the State until 1875 when he came to Muskegon. From the first he acquired a liberal patronage and when the new postoffice building was projected he made negotiations for having the entire second floor fitted for his use. In August, 1881, he moved into his new and elegant apartments over the postoffice, and opened in Muskegon the most elaborate and elegant suite of photographic rooms in the State. Mr. Westervelt has done the photographs for many of the fine steel engravings in this work. A. WIEGEL, confectioner, Western avenue, came here in 1874 from Detroit, and engaged in the manufacture of confectionery. After continuing in a small way for three years he had succeeded in increasing his business to such an extent that increased facilities were necessary, and in 1877 he removed to his present commodious quarters, and is now doing a large and successful business. J. R. WILLIAMS, foreman of blacksmith shop at car works, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in September, 1834. When 13 he removed to Wayne Co., Mich., and when 17 learned his trade, first in horseshoeing, and in railway shops in which he was sixteen years; had charge of Jackson Wagon Co.'s Works for nine years; was in construction corps at Nashville during war; was in Mich. Cent. Car department two years; two and one-half years master builder at Ft. Wayne Government Works; one year on Central Pacific, and lastly in Jackson shops, whence he came at the opening of Muskegon Car Works. Mr. W. is very ingenious, and has a number of devices for facilitating labor, patented and unpatented. WM. B. WILSON, druggist, was born at Palmyra. N. Y., in 1829. He was for several years in the drug business at Adrian, Mich., and was in the same business at Hillsdale. In 1875 he came to Muskegon and was deputy treasurer of the county from 1875 to 1879. Upon retiring from that office he bought out the drug-store of Mr. Benson, and is engaged in that busiress at the present time. Mr. Wilson has been a prominent member of the Knights Templar since 1865, and in May, 1880, was elected Grand Commander of 'the Knights Templar of Michigan, for the term of one year. At the close of his term he was presented with a Past Grand Commander's Jewel, an elegant and costly piece of workmanship. PETER WINTERMUTE, livery and sale stable keeper, Market St., Muskegon, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., November, 1843, and came to Muskegon April 3, 1876, entering at once in his present business, and has increased it so that he has now thirty horses, and twelty-eight fine carriages. In 1881 Mr. W. was elected Alderman for the Second Ward. His business is large and increasing. In 1882 he was elected President of the Council. A. B. WOOD, of the firm of A. B. Wood & Co., general job printers, Muskegon, is a native of New York State, and came to Michigan in 1836. Mr. Wood is one of the veteran publishers of the State. For a time he was engaged in the publishing business in Ludington village, and afterwards in other sections of the State. He ca-me to Muskegon in 1880, and is now engaged with his son in conducting a job office. Mr. Wood enlisted in the service in 1863, in the 27th Mich. Infantry. He held the rank of Captain, and served until the close of the war. ASHFORD WOOD, of the firm of Tillottson & Wood, general insur ance agents, is a native of New York State. In 1876 he came to Muskegon from Lake Superior, and engaged in the insurance business as a member of the above-named firm. This is one of the leading insurance firms in the city. HUBERT F. YOUNG, saloon keeper, in new building nearly opposite the Occidental, which was erected by Herman Franke, was born in Muskegon in 1857, and is a son of Frank Young, who came in 1848, and has a fruit farm near the city. Hubert F. married on the 4th of January, 1881, Rosetta Meurer. JACOB ZERWES, cigar manufacturer, is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and came to Muskegon in 1865. After working at his trade for fifteen years, in 1880 he started a manufacturing establishment of his own, and is doing a prosperous business. Below wb give a few biographies of those connected with different SAW MILLS on the south side of the lake: THAYER LUMBER COMPANY. WILLIAM BRINEN, foreman of the Thayer Lumber company's mills, came to Muskegon from Wisconsin, in March, 1865. Soon after arriving in Muskegon he went to work in the same mill of which he is now foreman. The mill at that time belonged to L. G. Mason & Co., known as the Mason mill. Mr. Brinen has been foreman of the mill since 1876. He is now serving a second term as aldsrman. T. MCCARTHY, filer in charge of the gang sawmill of the Thayer Lumber Company, came to Muskegon in 1862, and the same year enlisted at Kalamazoo in the 27th Michigan Infantry, and served in the war until its close, in 1865. After the war he was engaged at millwright work for some years, and in 1876 took the position he still holds. ORLANDO C. WINSLOW, in charge of the circular saws at the Thayer Lumber company's sawmill, is an old resident of Muskegon, and has worked in the sawmill since 1869. He took the position of saw filer in the Spring of 1881. HENRY W. COOPER, engineer at the sawmill of the Thayer Lumber Company, came to Muskegon from New Zealand, his native place, in 1872 He was engineer at C. H. Hackley & Co.'s mill for six years, and in the Spring of 1880 began in his present place. P. W. MAXWELL, foreman of the yard at the sawmill of the Thayer Lumber Company, came to Muskegon in 1870, from Holton, where he was in the employ of Blodgett & Byrne. For five years after coming to Muskegon he was in the employ of Ryerson, Hills & Co., and since 1875 has been in his present-place. WM. LANGE, blacksmith at the Thayer Lumber company's mill, came to Muskegon in 1865, and for three years was in the employ of John Torrent. He has been in his present place since 1878. Mr. Lange enlisted at Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1861, in the 1st New York Artillery, and served until September, 1864, when he received his discharge, and soon afterward came to Muskegon. C. H. HACKLEY & CO. THOMAS HUME, of the firms of C. H. Hackley & Co., and Hackley & Hume, lumbermen, was born in Ireland, in 1848, and came to Muskegon in 1870. He engaged with the firm of C. H, Hackley & Co., as book-keeper, in which position he remained until June, 1881, when he became a meml'er of the above-named firm. D. De BAKER is in charge of the lath mill at C. H. Hackley & Co.'s sawmill. Mr. Baker is a native of Holland, and came to Muskegon in 1862. dIn 1863 he began in his present place in which capacity he has since been continuously employed. R. THOMPSON, filer in charge of the gang saws at C. H. Hackley & Co.'s sawmill, came to Muskegon from Wisconsin in 1865. Was saw filer in the Mason mill for about six years. In 1871 he went East, and was absent about ten years. Upon his return in 1881, he entered the employ of Hackley & Co. as saw filer. WILLIAM TWEEDALE, saw filer in charge of the circular saws at Gs I — It ad mI:1 QD f . \ — _ i -Odb ---o jlI f N { I i %, I - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 83 I the sawmill of C. H. Hackley & Co., has been a resident of Muskegon since 1866. He has been employed in lumbering about twenty years, and has been in his present place since the Spring of 1881. GEO. H. GALBRAITH, engineer at the sawmill of C. H. Hackley & Co., came to Muskegon in 1867, and has always been employed in sawmills and machine shops. He was for five years engineer at the Bigelow mill, and began in his present place the Spring of 1881. BIGELOW & CO. JOHN HUGHES, foreman of the sawmill of Bigelow & Co. came to Muskegon in 1862, and in 1865 began work at Bigelow & Co.'s mill. In 1878 he was made foreman, which position he still holds. CHARLES BAKSTROM, engineer at Bigelow & Co.'s sawmill, is a native of Sweden, and came to this country in 1880. He came direct to Muskegon, and worked in a machine shop until the Spring of 1881, when he commenced in his present place. BLODGETT & BYRNE. A. J. WILCOX, foreman of Blodgett & Byrne's sawmill, came to Muskegon in 1871 and engaged at mill work. In 1875 he commenced work for Blodgett & Byrne, and in 1879 was made foreman. SWAN, WHITE & SMITH. ARCHIBALD GILCHRIST, foreman of the sawmill of Swan, White & Smith, has been a resident of Muskegon since 1867, and has been engaged at mill work and logging. He has been in his present place since the Spring of 1881. A. J. SCOTT, saw filer at the sawmill of Swan, White & Smith's is one of the pioneer saw filers on the lake, having been engaged at this work for twenty-four years. He has been in his present place since 1865. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted at Fond Du Lac, Wis., in the 14th Wis. Infantry, and served until 1864, when he received his discharge and came to Muskegon. HENRY BOURDO, saw filer at the sawmill of Swan, White & Smith, has lived in Muskegon twenty-five years. For twelve years he has been in continuous service at this mill, and since 1868 has filled the position of saw filer. WALWORTH & REED. ROBERT CORD, foreman of the saw mill of Walworth & Reed, has been a resident of Muskegon County for fourteen years, and has been at mill work for thirty years. In 1879 he came from Lake Harbor to take the place in which hie is now engaged. JAMES M. PARRISH, saw filer at the saw mill of Walworth & Reed, came to Muskegon in 1879 from Whitehall and has been in the presen place since that time. Mr. Parish served in the war as a member of the 3d Michigan Cavalry, from 1861 to 1864. Upon receiving his discharge he re-enlisted in the 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. HAMILTON, GERRISH & CO. ROBERT BEYNON, saw filer in charge of the gang saws at the saw mill of Hamilton, Gerrish & Co., has lived in Muskegon eleven years, and has been filing since 1870. He began in his present place in 1873. WILLIAM H. LEWIS, foreman of the saw mill of Hamilton, Gerrish & Co., has been engaged at mill work in Muskegon for twentyfour years. For eight years he was with the firm of C. H. Hackley & Co., and has been in his present place since the spring of 1880. RYERSON, HILLS & CO. CHARLES MILLER, engineer at the saw mill of Ryerson, Hills & Co., began mill work in Muskegon in 1859, and has been in his present place since 1872. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted at Grand Rapids in the 3d Michigan Infantry, and served until the close of the war in 1865. HENRY JACOBS, foreman of the saw mill of Ryerson, Hills & Co., has been in the continuous service of this firm since May, 1856, and is the oldest mill foreman on the lake. Mr. Jacobs is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1854, and in 1856 entered the employ of Ryerson & Hills. He has been foreman of their mill since 1866. FRED H. KELSEY, saw filer in charge of the circular saws at the saw mill of Ryerson, Hills & Co., has been a resident of Muskegon since 1867, and has been at mill work all of that time. He has been in his present place since the spring of 1881. BEIDLER MANUFACTURING CO. JAMES SMITH is the Muskegon member of the Beidler Manufacturing Lumber Company. Mr. Smith is a native of England and came to this country in 1855. He first went to Saginaw, Mich., and remained until 1860 when he came to Muskegon and went to work for the Beidler Manufacturing Company. He rose to be foreman of the mill, and filled the position to the thorough satisfaction of his employers. In the spring of 1870 the company was re-organized and Mr. Smith took an interest in the business, and since that time has had the entire management of the mill and business at Muskegon. He has served two years as alderman. GEORGE E. WOOD. W. W. POMROY, of Bluffton, is a native of Connecticut, and came to Bluffton in 1871, to take charge of the lumber interests of Kelly, Wood & Co. In 1877 the firm was succeeded by Geo. E. Wood, of Chicago, but Mr. Pomroy has remained in charge of the business sincehe first began in 1871. BOOMING COMPANY. L. W. WARNER, foreman of the Booming Company's mill, operated by Blodgett &- Byrne, is the youngest foreman of a mill on the lake. He began in his present place in the spring of 1880, and has been engagod at mill work for ten years. JOHN W. HODSON, engineer of the Booming Company mill, has followed engineering for twenty-two years, and from 1878 to 1881 was with C. H. Hackley & Co. He took his present place in the spring of 1881. A. V. MANN & co. S. C. MooN, foreman of the saw mill of A. V. Mann & Co., Lakeside, came to Lakeside from Jackson Cottnty, Mich., in 1868, and has been engaged at milling since that time, and since 1874 has held the position of foreman. H. PARKER, in charge of the lath mill at A. V. Mann & Co.'s saw mill, Lakeside, came here from New York State in 1866, and has been engaged in mill work ever since, and has been in his present place since the mill was started in 1872. JOHN KELLY, engineer at the saw mill of A. V. Mann & Co., Lakeside, is a resident of Ferrysburg, Ottawa County, and has been engineer iln mills on the lake for twenty-five years. He took his present place in the spring of 1881. WILSON & CO. ASA MARSHALL, saw filer at Wilson & Co.'s saw mill, has been a resident of Muskegon for nineteen years, and has been filing for eighteen years, nine of which he has been in the present place. He enlisted in the service in 1861, at Grand Rapids, in the 21st Michi gan Infantry, and served until the close of the war. STIMSON, FAY & CO. W. F. CALKIN, engineer at the saw mill of Stimson, Fay & Co., 1 Lakeside, came to Lakeside from Big RapidS, where he was in the employ of the same firm, in 1879, and has continued in their em II I I fe. L 9, — q I -Is --- -[V I 14 -4 t I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 1 84 - ploy since that time. He took the position of engineer in the spring of 1881. JAMES BUGGY, boom tender at the saw mill of Stimson, Fay & Co., Lakeside, has been engaged on the lake since 1859, most of the time in the employ of the Booming Company. Has been in his present place since the spring of 1881. O. HAPPERSTEAD, foreman at the saw mill of Stimson, Fay & Co., Lakeside, has been milling on the lake for twenty years. He caie to Muskegon from Chicago in 1861. Has been in his present place since the spring of 1881. RODGERS & LEBOEUF. S. W. KENDALL, saw filer at Rodgers & Leboeuf's mill, Lakeside, has been filing since 1878. For ten years prior to that time was engaged in the mills as sawyer. He began in the present place in the spring of 1881. Has been at mill work for twenty years. Was in the war from 1864 to 1865. DAVIES MILL. E. F. AGARD was born in Lucas County, Ohio, in 1850, and at the age of twenty-two years came to Grand Haven, where he worked for Wyman & Buswell as saw filer. In 1875 he married Miss Laura Beljeman, by whom he has two children. In the spring of 1882 he removed to Muskegon City, where he now resides, working in the Davies' mill. BAY MILLS. M. W. LLOYD, foreman of Bay Mills, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1831. ' When three years old his parents removed to Jackson County, Mich., and 1837 moved to Ionia. Mr. Lloyd left home for Muskegon in 1849, where W. H. Lasley had a mill just started, and he cut the first boards there. IIe has been with Ryerson, Hills & Co. since 1870. Mr. Lloyd is an energetic and capable manager, and his services are highly appreciated by his employers. He has an elegant residence on the sand bluff near the mills. HUGH CLEGHORN, engineer Bay Mills of Ryerson, Hills & Co., born in Galashiels, Scotland, 1826, immigrating to America in 1849. He married at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1846, Margaret Montgomery, of Dumfries, Scotland. His eldest son, Alexander, is captain of the tug Getty. Mr. Cleghorn is a very skilful and experienced engineer having been in many different situations, In this county he lived in Whitehall, and in 1866 moved to Muskegon County, being engaged for years on the water works. C. D. NELSON & CO. E. F. PARKER, engineer at Nelson's saw mills, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1830, and has seen a great deal of the world, traveling as ship carpenter in Africa, Spanish Isles, St. Helena, etc. He came to America in 1852, working in Boston and New York, and came to Muskegon in 1866. He married in 1863, Miss Esty, of Maine. ALFRED WOOD, foreman at Nelson's saw mill, was born in Port Sherman, January 17, 1862, his father having came two years previously. He married January 8, 1881, Miss Salina Vassar, of the same place. J. FOLSGROF, saw filer at Nelson's, was born in Chicago Aug. 15, 1842. At nine years of age moved to Indiana, and enlisted, in 1862, in the 82d Incl. Regt. After the battle of Gettysburg he went to Lookout Mountain; also with Sherman to the sea, being captured in South Carolina, and being a few weeks in Libby, when he was paroled. He came to Pt. Sherman in 1867, working for Truesdell, Wilson, and Nelson. He married, in 1872, Emily Stinfield, of Milwaukee, and has two sons anid two daughters. NORTH MUSKEGON. Just across the lake and directly facing Muskegon City, which manufactures more lumber than any single city in the world, at a distance of* two miles, may be seen clusters of smoke stacks and steam pipes, from which, here and there, issue in the frosty air of winter, stately columns of vapor, the whole shore being " pierced with plumes of smoke." In Summer, the scene is still livelier; night and day, all along the shore the mills are running at a white heat, and from both shores, like answering batteries, rise the dm of steam whistles, the noise of steam carriages, and the din of machinery, while thousands of busy hands and brains are responding to the eager cry of the world for lumber, more lumber! to form habitations for men, and for the necessities of civilized life. To the north appears the marshy mouth of the Muskegon river -the longest river in tile State, with the Boom Company's stoling grounds. Then, on the southeast, appears the rising city of Muskegon, the proudest building of which, the central school, the noble temple of learning, towers over all. The city with its spires,'its fine rows of blocks on Western Avenue, its numerous mills and machine shops, looks grandly down. The eye stretches to the west and sees mill after mill encroaching on the lake, away down for six miles through Lakeside, and then Bluffton and finally to Port Sherman, at the foot of the lake, which is surrounded on both sides by barren hills of sand rising nearly two hundred feet in the air. On the north there is not a great city, but about a dozen sawmills line the shores, which are generally bluffy and abrupt. Extending for about three miles along the north shore from the head of the lake, is a peninsula or tongue of land, in some places only about forty rods wide, as at the Farr mill; in other places nearly 100 rods wide, as at Torrent & Arms'. This strip, lying south of Bear Lake, whose overflow, by a narrow channel, empties into Muskegon Lake, is the incorporated village of North Muskegon. The eastern end was known as Reedsville, and was platted at a very early day by one Archibald Reed; some even assert that it is the first plat on the lake. The soil is good, being tempered by proximity to three lakes, and Moulton's vineyard attests to its value as a fruit growing region. The first flouring mill was built here, near the foot of Bear Lake, by that worthy old pioneer, John Ruddiman, now enjoying his otiumn cu,m digiitate, while the old mill, whose services at an early day are gratefully remembered by the first old settlers, has gone to decay. The village of North Muskegon could be reached in summer in two ways, either by the ferries or, by a long detour, by the road over the bayou at the head of the lake. It can now be reached in a civilized way by the cars of the Chicago & West Michigan. In Winter, Jack Frost, the " greatest Roman of us all" in road building, stiffens Neptune's back and one walks over dry shod, and a regular road is established. A branch of the Chicago & West Michigan Railway is just completed to Farr's mill, a distance of two miles, and it is expected that next summer will witness the extension to the foot of the lake, where an elevator will probably be erected. The ferries are two in number, the tugs M. E. Minter and Centennial, both safe little boats, running promptly every half hour from 5. A. M. to 11 P. M. The village was incorporated in March, 1881, and its officers were: E. C. Misner, President; Geo. D. Farr, Treasurer; N. L. Downie, Clerk and Assessor; James Hawkins, Marshal; A. B. Allen, Attorney; George Arms, Street Commissioner; Wm. Wells and Mr. Malloch, Justices of the Peace, and the Trustees are John Lynch, L. M. Haines, C. N. Storrs, Geo. Hubbard, John Hawkins and J. B. Champagne. j __ 9 - + io I I\: * :v vL.;~;.~ ~i~~~~ P::j' ~~"'' Zp~~_ ~*;::~1-1~la,-!i,.:,J;~:~ '~.~; ~;~;.Fr: i:I: ~~,:- ~~ iI ";-~ ~ —:~' ":-~e I~; i-_ ~c., ~:; ~'~:;;::: I A 41 — 1 &BERTRAND.n'. rct liL a %A_ .1 I I f I I I t -a 6)I s i 1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 85 At the village election held in April, 1882, the following ticket was elected by an average of five majority. Total vote cast, one hundred and fifty-two: President, Clark N. Storrs; Clerk, Neil L. Downie; Treasurer, Albert Waldron; Assessor, E. P. Crandall; Street Commissioner, J. D. Champagne; Constable, Chas. H. Leslie; Trustees, Charles Beamis, C. D. Cleveland and William Pett. The village school is under the charge of Mr. N. L. Downie, who is also a prominent member of the County Board of School Examiners. He is assisted in the school by Miss Hubbard, the school population being about 300, while the population of the village in the summer season, when the men are back from the woods, and in the mills, already reaches 2,000. There are two general stores, that of Torrent & Arms, and that of the Farr Company; two drug stores, that of Dr. Andrews and that of Dr. Zerah Mizner, one of the pioneers of White Lake; also H. Misner & Son's livery stables, four meat markets, &c. There is also quite a village plat in the neighborhood of Ruddiman's saw mill, at the mouth of Bear Lake, and a number of houses have been built there. The post office is kept by Geo. D. Farr. THE FLEET. Mr. Torrent owns quite a fleet of vessels to carry off the product of his mills. These are the steam barge R. McDonald, Capt. P. Pardee. with a capacity of 350,000 feet, making three trips weekly to Chicago, built in 1881; the steam barge, Nellie Torrent, Capt. W. F. Coleman, capacity 400,000 feet, built in 1880; schooner H. B. Moore, Capt. Wm. Frazee, capacity 235,000 feet, and the tug North Muskegon, built in 1881, and commanded by Captain P. Pillow. The Farr Company own the schooner Westchester, capacity 240,000 feet. The ferries Minter and Centennial, R. C. Hitchcock manager, have been until recently owned by the same company, who also own the tug John Torrent, John Wetherell master. THE LOGS. The mills properly own no logs themselves, merely doing the sawing, the logs at the eastern end being the property of Torrent & Ducey, and further down that of the Farrs' and Col. Geo. Fuller. The North Muskegon Lumber Company is supplied chiefly by Farr & Fuller. The Bay Mill is, of course, supplied by Ryerson, Hills & Co. Messrs. Torrent & Ducey own many acres of fine pine lands in this State, and have recently completel a purchase of 54,000 acres of white pine and-spruce in the St. Regis district, New York State. Col. Fuller is also a very extensive owner of pine lands on Muskegon River and its tributaries. One other large interest on the north side is the lumber inspection business of E. C. Misner, which employs eight or ten men all the season. In some weeks extra hands are necessary, according to the amount shipped. From the older mills -of the Torrent companies as much as 3,000,000 feet had to be tallied in a week, besides the product of the other mills. The population is already over 2,000, and next summer the thirteen fine mills of the north shore alone will require, with the other industries, a great increase in population. All this will redouLnd to the profit and honor of the southern city, as the development is chiefly by Muskegon's citizens, and this must continue to be the center of capital, enterprise, law, education, and all that constitutes a semi-metropolitan state of society. Under the heading of " Saw Mills" we have already described the leading feature of this place. The Peninsula Fruit Farm is situated upon the west shore of Lake Muskegon, and is one of the finest fruit farms in the State. In 1867 Bridgeman Moulton, Esq., came here from St. Joseph, Mich., where he was engaged in fruit growing. After locating 250 acres of land he returned to St. Joseph, and disposed of his interests, and the following year came back and began clearing up the land he had located. He built a comfortable home, and set out fruit of various kinds among the stumps. Mr. Moulton was a practical grower and a man of great industry and energy, and the results of his labor and skill are now apparent in the elegant fruit farm which yields a handsome revenue every year. In December, 1880, Mr. Moulton died, and his wife survived him but little more than a year. After Mr. Moulton's death Mr. R. R. Cockburn took the management of affairs until 1882. Parcels of land have been sold from time to time, and at the present time there are about one hundred acres, nearly all in fruit. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE ARMS is one of the " old settlers" of Muskegon, having come here from New York in February, 1856. He has seen Muskegon grow up from the sands to a thriving, prosperous city. Mr. Arms, on his arrival in the then hamlet of Muskegon, engaged in the lumber business, and was one of the old Newaygo Company. He has resided here ever since 1856, except for a short time when in Chicago. He has been always identified with Muskegon's great industry, " lumber." In 1860, or thereabouts, Mr. Arms and the late "' Squire" Furman, than whom Muskegon has never had a stronger, brighter, honester man, purchased from the Muskegon Booming Company all its rights, franchises, and property, and engaged in the business of rafting, towing and sorting the logs for the mills. The war came on, and laborand the prices of everything advanced, and they were compelled to abandon the undertaking. While in this business Mr. Arms conceived the idea of using "pens" for the purpose of sorting the logs, which process is still in use, no person ever having been able to improve upon it. To such pioneers as Mr. Arms and " Squire" Furman Muskegon River owes its development and the laying the foundations of its present capacity for delivering saw-logs. He has always been energetic, wide awake, and pushing; has never, in the darkest days in the infancy of the now great industry of Muskegon, lost faith "in its ultimate success and the future of the western town of his choice, and to-day Mr. Arms can look back upon years of hard, patient toil and feel the complacency of the man who can say, " I told you so." C. BEAUDRY, of the firm of C. Beaudry & Co., proprietors of the French mill at North Muskegon, is a native of Montreal, Canada, and came to Muskegon in 1854. For several years after coming here Mr. Beaudry worked as foreman and engineer in saw mills. In 1872 Mr. B., in company with Messrs. Vallicott and Coe, built a saw mill upon the site where the French mill now stands. In the winter of 1880-81 the old mill was torn down and a new one built. Several changes have occurred in the membership of the firm, but Mr. Beaudry has remained at its head from the first. CHARLES E. BE{IS, saw filer at Torrent & Brown's shingle and lumber mill, North Muskegon, has been filing six years, and in his present place since the Spring of 1880. Mr.' Bemis enlisted in the service at La Porte, Ind., in 1861. He first enlisted for three months, and at the expiration of that time re-enlisted for three years or during the war. He received his discharge in 1865. WILLIAM H. BROWN, one of the active members of the extensive lumber firm of Torrent, Brown & Co., is a native of Scotland and came to this country in 1854. In the Spring of 1881 he came to Muskegon from Grand Haven, and the firm of Torrent, Brown & I i t w lIs ~ - J - 86 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY Co. was organized. The company are extensive manufacturers of lumber and shingles. Their mills and office are at Noith Muskegon. Mr. Brown gives the operating of the mills his personal attention, and the great success of their business is largely due to his energy and sagacity. ALECK BUCKANEY, saw filer in charge of the gang saws at the French mill, North Muskegon, is a native of Canada, and came to the States in 1869. He has been filing on the lake for twelve years, and in his present place since May, 1881. JOSEPH B. CHAMPAGNE, of the lumber firm of C. Beaudry & Co(., at North Muskegon, is a native of Canada, and came to Muskegon from Montreal in 1869. He first began in the employ of others, and in 1878 bought the interest of Mr. Vallicott in the firm of C. Beaudry & Co., and remained a member of the firm until the close of 1881. Mr. Champagne is a practical mill man, and gives his personal attention to the manufacturing department of the business. NEIL L. DOWNIE, Superintendent of Schools at North Muskegon, was born in Canada, Oct. 15, 1838. Early in life his tastes led him to select teaching as a profession. In 1858 he came to the United States and obtained a situation as teacher at Fairfield, Michigan. After remaining there two years he taught for two years near Grand Rapids, and subsequently in Newaygo and Ottawa Counties. From Holland, Ottawa County, he came to North Muskegon in 1878, and since June, 1881, has been in charge of the schools. He is also a member of the County Board of Examiners. Mr. Downie is a good instructor and an enterprising citizen. P. A. DUCEY, one of the most extensive mill owners at Muskegon, is a native of Ireland and came to this country in 1850. After spending four years in New York he came to Michigan, and was two years at Grand Rapids. At the breaking out of the war he was in Colorado and enlisted in the Second Infantry. He was in the service four years, and was promoted to Colonel previous to his discharge,'which he received in 1865. After leaving the army he came tolMuskegon, and for five years was in the planing mill business. In 1870 he engaged in the lumber business with John Torrent, the firm being Torrent & Ducey. In 1878 the Torrent & Arms Lumber Company was organized, of which Mr. Ducey is treasurer. In the spring of 1881 the Ducey Lumber Company was organized, of which Mr. Ducey is president. Mr. Ducey is a man of great industry and has worked his way along until he has become one of the most extensive lumbermen on the lake. FRANCIS A. FISH, engineer at the mill of the North Muskegon Lumber Company, came here from Montague in the spring of 1881 to take his present position. He has been employed in lumber mills for twenty-three years, twelve of which he was at Montague. Mr. Fish served in the war as a member of the 15th Illinois Regiment from 1861 to 1862. JOHN GARVEY, JR., was born in Kenosha, Wis., and has been a resident of Muskegon for thirty years. In June, 1881, Torrent & Arms opened a new store at North Muskegon and Mr. Garvey has been in charge from that time. JAMES HAWKINS, village Marshal of North Muskegon, is a native of Canada. In 1874 he came to Muskegon from Detroit, and from that time until elected Marshal in the spring of 1881, he was engaged at mill work. He was the first Marshal elected under the village charter. WILLIAM J. HAWKINS, foreman at Farr's mill, North Muskegon, has been a resident of North Muskegon nine years. Prior to coming here he was engaged at steamboating for several years. He has worked in Farr's mill since 1875,- and foreman since 1878. JOHN HoY is in charge of F. S. Farr's store at North Muskegon. Came to Muskegon from Saugatuck, Mich., in 1874, and has been in his present position since 1879. W. T. HoY, M. D., in charge of the drug store of Farr & Co., North Muskegon, is a native of Spain and came to this country in 1825. He was engaged in the practice of medicine for several years at Saugatuck, Mich., and in 1873 came to Muskegon and continued in practice until the summer of 1881 he took his present position. Dr. Hoy was in the army as surgeon of the 3d Mich. Cavalry from 1863 to 1865. ROBERT HOY, foreman of the Storr's mill, came to Muskegon seven years ago and has been engaged at mill work. He has been in the Storr's mill four years and has been foreman since Sept. ROBERT MCLEAN, saw filer, in charge of the circular saws at Torrent & Arms' mill, North Muskegon, has been filing for seventeen years, and in his present place since the spring of 1881. JOHN MERCIER, saw filer at Storr's mill, North Muskegon, came to Muskegon from New York State and has been filing twelve years. He began in his present place in the spring of 1881. D. A. MINER, saw filer, in charge of the gang saws at the mill of the North Muskegon Lumber Company, has been in his present position since the mill was started in the spring of 1881. He has been engaged at mill work since 1862, and has been filing in mills on the lake since 1870. E. C. MISNER belongs to the rank of enterprising young lumbermen of Muskegon. He is a native of Grand Haven and came to Muskegon from Casnovia in 1870. He at once engaged in inspecting and shipping lumber, and continued at that business until the organization of the Ducey Lumber Company in the spring of 1881, when he became connected with the company and elected its Secretary and Treasurer. The company's office is at North Muskegon, and Mr. Misner devotes his time and energies to the duties of his office. DR. ZERAH MIZNER, practising physician and druggist of North Muskegon, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1829, came to this State in the Fall of 1886, first to Lenawee County, and the following spring to Grand Rapids, where after a stay of six months he moved on to a farm in Plainfield, but after a time returned to the Rapids. In 1848 he first set foot in this county at White Lake and also at Duck Lake, working for Charles Mears in the lumber woods. In 1853 he returned to Plainfield, but in four years returned to White Lake for three years and went back to Kent County. From Sept 3, 1865 to the fall of 1881 he was a resident of Whitehall, when he removed to North Muskegon, where he does a large business in preparing proprietory medicines as well as with his drug store and profession. He is highly respected by all who know him. SAMUEL POLAND, saw filer, in charge of the circular saws at Farr's mill, North Muskegon, came to Muskegon from California, and has been filing since 1860. He has been in his present place since 1878. CHARLES SMITH, engineer at Torrent & Brown's shingle mill, North Muskegon, is a native of Sweden and came to this country in 1879. Before coming to this country he was engineer on a steamboat. He has been at his present place since the mill was started. 1881. GEORGE TARRAND, of North Muskegon is a native of Canada.4 In 1867 he came to Muskegon from Wisconsin and engaged in lumbering, which he has continued. He was a member of the lumber firm of Torrent, Brown & Co., which was formed in the spring of 1881. In the August following he sold his interest and retired from the firm. LARS NELSON, filer, in charge of the gang saws at Farr's mill, North Muskegon, has lived in Muskegon since 1863, and has been filing since 1865. He has been in his present place since 1878. JAMES E. SOVACALL is a resident of North Muskegon, where he tzJ I t — I- — 17 T.X, I M — K - I I I r I HISTORY OF IMUSKEGON COUNTY. 87 has resided since 1876. He makes a business of furnishing fishing parties on Bear Lake with boats, fishing tackle, &c. W. D. THAYER, saw filer, in charge of the circular saws at the French mill, North Muskegon, is a resident of North Muskegon, and has been filing on the lake for fifteen years. He has been in his present place since the spring of 1880. R. E. TRIPP, painter, North Muskegon, came from Chicago in 1881, and started in business as a general house and sign painter. He was engaged at decorative painting for many years in Chicago. CHARLES VAN SICKEL, saw filer, inll charge of the circular saws at Torrent & Brown's shingle and lumber mill, North Muskegon, has been filing at Grand Haven and Muskegon for eight years. and in his present place since the spring of 1881. in 1859 Egelston was severed off, and in 1865 Laketon, which included what was afterward Lakesicle, was set off, anci the town reduced to its present limits. In 1859 and again in 1862 Hon. E. W. Merrill was Supervisor, Hon. H. H. Holt in 1860, 1861, 1863 and 1864, and again in 1868 and 18693. In 1865 S. B. Peck was Supervisor, in 1866 and 1867 A. V. Mann. Muskegon township consists of a great deal of sandy land, and also considerable wet, marshy land-the property of the Booming Company, lying between Muskegon River and Cedar Creek. Here are the Sorting Grounds of the company, of which we present an illustration. There are, however, in Muskegon some fine fruit farma, and land so near the great city must constantly increase in price. J WILLIAM MCLEAN, saw filer, in charge of the gang saws at Torrent & Arms' saw mill, North Muskegon, has been filing for thirteen years on the lake, and in his present place since the spring of 1881. MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP. Our remarks on Muskegon Township under this special heading must be necessarily brief, as the history of the township is contained in that of the city with which it was municipally united until about twelve years ago. In 1870 for the first time Muskegon city sent representatives to the County Board of Supervisors, apart from the township. These were WV. P. Odell from the First Ward, and J. H. Landreth from the Second. The first Supervisor of Muskegon Township apart from the city was Freeman S. Farr, in 1871 W. F. Storrs, and in 1872 and 1873 VWm. Smith, since which John Hall has represented it continuously. Muskego or Muskegon was one time a town of extensive proportions, but first Norton including Fruitport was taken away. Then - In 1881 this township's share of the county tax was $1073.83. Its population increased from 545 in 1874 to 924 in 1880, The Clerk in 1881 was Jamles A. Robinson; Treasurer, Geo. Jolman; School Inspector, E. F. Martin; School Supt., Joseph U. T. Musktzot; Justices of the Peace, H. D. Hazen, J. Hall, G. Arms, E. D. Wilson and F. Young. SOLOMON PUFFER, farmer in section 3, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1850, came to St. Joseph county, Michi., in 1859, and thence to Muskegon Township shortly after. JOSEPH GUNN, market gardener, owns 15 acres in Muskegon, and 115in Norton. He came to GrandHaven in 1864; born in Baden, Germany, March 23, 1830, and came to New York in 1854. He is patriotic and wished to enlist during the late war, but was refused on account of disability. SAMUEL MTOFFATT is perhaps the most extensive fruit grower in Muskegon, and his farm is in section 32, township 10 north, range 16 west. MARTIN VAN DER LAAN, is a native of Holland, who came to Muskegon in 1869, and is a fruit grower and market gardener of a ten acre plot in section 32. I \ I I t16, J-,- I=- tL!- - ^ -- WI --- L i 88 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. DERK DE VRIES, market gardener of 40 acre plot, came from Holland in 1863, and purchased his place in 1880. MICHAEL CROWLEY, of town 10, range 17, was born in Ireland, and is an old resident of the township, being engaged in market gardening. WARREN T. MARTIN, retired farmer, came from Chicago with Captain Havens in 1856, when Muskegon was but a hamlet, and endured the hardships incident to pioneer life in those early days. He enlisted in the 28th Reg. Co. "C", remaining during the entire war, and having secured an ample reward for his labors he, with his worthy spouse, is now enjoying his well-earned repose. WILLIAM SMITH was born at Pettinain, Lanarkshire, Scotland, December 3, 1836. In 1859 he immigrated to Mono Township, Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada. He moved to Illinois in 1865, and to Muskegon in May, 1868, and has continued to reside here Lakeside was formed, the first meeting being held at A. V. Mann & Co's office; J. W. Moon, A. M. Allen and F. H. Smith were appointed the first Board of Inspectors. The Supervisors have been A. G. Smith, 1875; H. V. Riffenberg, 1876-77; John W. Moon, in 1878; L. G. Morgan, in 1879; Geo. Tillottson, in 1880; J. W. Moon, in 1881; P. P. Mizner, in 1882. The Justices of the Peace in Lakeside in 1881 were Edward Miner, S. C. Moon and James O. Allen. The Clerk in 1881 was A. N. Fowler; Treasurer, Reuben G. Duel; School Inspector, Henry McEvillie; School Supt., J. C. MoGlue. The population of Lakeside in 1880 was 1,702, but it is largely increased since then. It stands among the most populous towns in the county, and united with Muskegon city forms a representative division of about half the population of the county. The school = _ l~ - _ OON'S MILL. population in 1880 was 437. It contains three villages.: Lakeside, which has recently had a postoffice named Ryerson established in it; Bluffton, with about 700 population and Port Sherman at the Mouth. The principal feature of all these villages is, of course, the mills, which have already been described. A. V. Mann & Co. have been largely instrumental in the building up of the pretty village of Lakeside. The Postmaster, MR. A. W. FOWLER, has been a resident of the place for thirteen years and has been prominently' identified with its growth and business interests. After coming to Lakeside he was employed in the mills and for five years was foreman of A. V. Mann & Co's mill. In 1874 Mr. Fowler engaged in the mercantile business, and when the postoffice was established at Lakeside in 1881 he was appointed postmaster and now conducts the office in connection with his store. Among the other prominent residents WILLIAM W. WHEATON, livery-man, Lakeside, is one of the enterprising young business men of this growing place. Mr. Wheaton was born and has always lived here. In the spring of 1879 he put up a large barn and stable and engaged in the business of conducting a general livery and boarding stable. He is doing a large and prosperous business. F. B. PILLSBURY, Deputy Collector and Post-master at Bluffton, is a native of Maine, and came to Bluffton in 1872. In 1878 he I iI i! — I l L. MANN & M( since then, following the dairying and fruit growing business. He has served as Supervisor, Treasurer, Clerk and School Inspector of Muskegon Township. Three years ago he took a trip to his native place. LAKESIDE TOWNSHIP. This, although by far the smallest town in the county, ranks among the best in wealth, population and progressive advancement. It consists of part of section 28, and sections 34 and 35 of the township of Muskegon, of which it formerly was a part. The boundary line on the north is the channel at the mouth of the lake and on the south is the town of Norton, and on the east Muskegon Township This township was a portion of the territory of Muskegon Township set apart as Laketon, which was organized in 1865, S. A. Brown being first Supervisor, and the union of Laketon and Lakeside was continued for nine years, during which time considerable dissatisfaction arose in the sections now forming Lakeside, as they were isolated by the lake from Laketon, and were a mere gore, naturally a portion of Muskegon. This dissatisfaction resulted in 1874 in a petition being signed by A. P. Horton and 37 others to set apart these sections. John Ruddiman and 22, others sent in a ccntra petition, but the former prevailed, and in 1875 the Town of I I 0:e f -:: a 2: I i - en -:E:: I - - - L I~_3 1 iU0! II z A N, ',: MR ^ 0 - I If T I I I I HISTORY OF MUSKEG ON COUNTY. 89 Or I was appointed Post-master and Deputy Collector, both of which of fices he still holds. He is also engaged in the mercantile business W. W. POMEROY, of Bluffton, is a native of Connecticut, and came to Bluffton in 1871 to take charge of the lumber interests oj Kelley, Wood & Co. In 1877 the firm was succeeded by Geo. E. Wood, of Chicago, and Mr. Pomeroy has remained in charge of the business. Bluffton is an important shipping point for lumber, and there is considerable complaint that the Customs Officer has been removed from there involving a journey to Muskegon on the part of vessel owners. Port Sherman at the Mouth has already been alluded to under the heading of Muskegon as a summer resort. At Port Sherman besides the large mills of C. D. Nelson & Co., there are the Sherman House, the Light House and the Government Life Saving Station established in 1878. In 1850 there was but one house here, that of Fred. Drixilius, but there were there some 400 or 500 Ottawa Indians. The Sherman House, a wooden structure accommodating about 30 guests in summer, was built by Captain Fullei in 1874, and is crowded during the summer season. Guests from Chicago, St. Louis and other cities enjoy there fishing, boating, bathing and the lake breezes. CAPT. FULLER, proprietor of Sherman House, was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1827, and has spent 33 years on the water. He married in 1850 Miss J. Farley, of Watertown, and has three sons and one daughter. The Captain is also a tug owner, and came to Muskegon in September, 1867. MARTIN' BURDGE, shop-keeper, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1816, and came to Illinois in 1836, being by trade a cabinet maker, and also going into keeping boarders at Port Sherman in October, 1850, and has been there ever since, being engaged in fishing, hotel and store keeping. He married April 3, 1842, Phlbe Caroline Hawley, of Lockport, N. Y., and has lost his four children, and two by adoption. Mr. Burdge is a very interesting gentleman to meet, being full of reminiscences of his early days, especially of the Indians, with whom he held friendly relations, his Indian name being 7[ish-e-tone, or the bearded man. CAPT. H. EASTMAN, of tug Kingsbury, was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1836, and came with his parents to a farm in Lake, Ill., and thence to Southern Wisconsin. When 18 he took to sailing on the lakes, and has made it his life work. Once he was laid up eighteen months, from breaking his leg by a fall from the mast head. He came to Muskegon in 1864, and has been in the tugging business ever since. He married in February, 1868, Ruth A. Eddy, of his native county, and has two sons, Carl E., born September 25, 1869, Floyd K., born September 2, 1880. The light house is kept by H. L. Warren, who was appointed for his gallant and meritorious services in the navy during the last war on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Mr. Warren is a native of New England, and has spent most of his life on the ocean as a sailor. He is respected by all who know him, and attends to his duty punctually and satisfactorily. LAKETON TOWNSHIP. This township is well surrounded by lakes on all sides but the north, and has one lake three miles long wholly within its borders. It consists of Town 10, north, and mainly Range 17, west, with a small portion of Range 16. It varies from one mile wide in the east to four in the west, its average width from north to south being under three miles, and contains less than half a regular township. Green's Creek runs south into Muskegon Lake, through the middle of the town, and Bear Lake lies along the southeast quarter. The main traveled road runs through North Muskegon south of. Bear Lake, and along the north shore of Lake Muskegon to the 1 Mouth. But another leading road runs northwest toward the f shore of Lake Michigan at Green's Creek, whence' it passes Duck Lake. The C. & W. M. Railway crosses the eastern line, and a branch of the same is being carried through North Muskegon along the north shore of the lake to the mouth at Port Sherman. EARLY SETTLEMENT. We have already spoken of the early settlement by the Ruddimans at the mouth of Bear Lake, where the old flour mill stood, and of Moulton's great vineyard on the peninsula. We may add other names as early settlers, J. Cowles, on section 14, in 1862, M. Cowles, on section 11, in 1863; I. F. Black, on section 3, in 1865; C. Culver, on section 2, in 1862; A. Horton, on section 12, in 1863. When Henry Buys came to the county in 1863 the land was in a state of nature; there were no roads or bridges and but few settlers, and the forest was so dense that on cloudy days housework had to be performed by the aid of candle light. He owns now 500 acres of excellent farming land in and around section 11. To show how lately settlement in Laketon has set in, we may mention that when I. F. Black came in 1865, he had to undergo the hardships of a backwoods pioneer lefore he could secure his present fine fruit farm on section 3. Geo. L. Christy, on section 4, settled in 1864, and ran the first steam ferry on the lake in 1862. Riley Clemons, who has an excellent fruit farm, settled in 1868. Mrs. Mary Cowles, with her late husband, settled on section 11, in 1864; T. P. Cowles settled in 1871; J. C. Draper and John Fenner in 1865; I. R. Hallock in 1868; Joseph Houston, on section 1; and Joseph E. Plewes, on section 5; Chas. Willings, on section 9, all in 1866. James IM. Robinson, oni section 12, is one of the very earliest settlers, coming in 1864. A. R. Williams who has been Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace, settled in 1867. Napoleon Wilson, an extensive fruit grower, settled on section 6 in 1866. MUNICIPAL. This township was originally a part of Muskegon until 1865, when it was set apart with the territory now comprising Lakeside, which was set off in 1865, since which time it has had its present boundaries. The Supervisors have been: S. A. Brown, 1865-6-7; J. Ruddiman, in 1868; A. P. Horton, in 1869-70-71; Alpheus G. Smith, in 1872-3-4; A. P. Horton again in 1875-6-8-8-9; in 1880 C. N. Storrs; in 1881, D. J. Gates; and in 1882 C. N. Storrs again. The Clerk in 1881 was G. Hubbard; Treasurer, G. D. Farr; School Inspector, A. Waldron; School Superintendent, R. R. Cockburn; Justices of the Peace, Geo. Hubbard, I. F. Black, Win. Wells. BIOGRAPHICAL. ISAAC F. BLACK, son of Rev. John Black, was born in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada, in 1846. He emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1865, settling the same year in Laketon. In 1867 he married Miss Laura T. Bidwell, of Adrian, Mich., by whom he had five children, four of whom survive. He is a Jus tice of the Peace, and is largely engaged in farming and fruit growing, and owns a fine farm in section 3, T. 10, R. 17, west. When he commenced work on his land, not a tree had been cut, and he experienced all the inconveniences incident to a new settler. LACHLAN BURNS, fruit fanner, was born in Watertown, Wis., in 1853. In 1870 he moved into this State, and came to Muskegon in 1875, and settled on section 14, Laketon. In 1878 he married f I L!k> - IOR-77 - - i [ 1 4 -t e t II I. I i I I i I i iI f I r, I I I i I I I I i; r-~ 90 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - Miss Minnie Cowles, daughter of Joel Cowles, one of the oldest settlers in the township. HENRY BUYS was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., in 1818; moved in October, 1837, to St. Joseph County, Micl., where, in 1844, he married Miss Hannah Stowel, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are living at this time. In 1863 he settled on section 11, of Laketon, and now owns about 500 acres of fine farming and fruit land. GEORGE L. CHRISTY was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1832, and went to Chicago with his parents in 1844. At the age of 16 he left home and engagedin sailing for seventeen years. After an interval in the lumber woods he again returned to a sailor's life, and built a vessel called the G1reylhound, one of the swiftest crafts that ever sailed the lakes, which he sailed to Chicago in 1860-1. In 1862 he ran a ferry boat across Muskegon Lake, and built the first steam ferry boat on the lake. At the end of the season he sold out, and that winter married Miss Odell, of Cedar Creek. In 1864 he took a homestead in section 4, Laketon, where he still resides. RILEY CLEMONS was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1821. In 1853 he came to Michigan, and after living in Calhoun, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties successively, settled in section 1, Laketon, in 1868. He is the father of eight children, and has three times married; first in 1843, to Mary J. Davis, of Allegany County, N. Y., who died in 1864; second in 1846, to Charlotte Cowgill, of Hillsdale County, who died in 1868; and lastly in 1869, to Mary E. Brooks, of Hillsdale County. He has an excellent fruit farm, andc is[ highly spoken of by his neighbors for his integrity. MRS. MARY COWLES, widow of the late Melvin Cowles, was born in Steuben County, Ind., in 1843, and in 1861 married Mr. Cowles, and moved to St. Joseph County. In 1864 they moved to section 11, T. 10, R. 17, N., Laketon, where her husband purchased a farm and where she still resides. In 1877 Mr. Cowles died, leaving four children. JOEL COWLES was born in Oneida Co,, N. Y., in 1806. In 1818 he moved into Delaware Co., O.; thence, in 1844, to Steuben Co., Ind.; and in 1863 he came to Muskegon Co., where he has been engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1830 he married Miss Priscilla Smith, of Delaware Co., by whom he had six children. In 1846 he lost his first wife, and in 1851 he married Miss Elizabeth Wilkins, who was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1829. In 1876, in commemoration of American Independence, he planted an elm tree, which is flourishing as he hopes his native country will flourish. T. P. COWLES was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1842; moved to Steuben Co., Indiana, in 1855; thence to St. Joseph Co., Mich., in 1864, where he married Miss Ursula Engle, by whom he has two children, a son and daughter. In 1871 he moved into Muskegon Co., and settled on Section 14 of Laketon, where he engaged largely in all departments of farming and fruit growing. JONAS C. DRAPER was born in Hillsborough Co., N. H., 1814, and in 1816 moved to New York State with his parents. In 1856 he moved to St. Joseph Co., Mich., having the same year married Miss Caroline C. Powers, of Chatham, Columbia Co.. N. Y., by whom he had six children, five of whom survive. He settled in Laketon in 1865, and experienced all the hardships incident to settling in the wilderness. JOHN FENNER was born in Germany in 1841, and emigrated with his father, Michael, to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1848, and thence to Laketon in 1865, settling on Section 14. In 1862 he enlisted and served over three years. In 1870 he married Miss Catharine Lockman, of Ottawa Co. His farm is one of the best in the town, and adapted to any kind of fruit or grain. IRA R. HALLOCK, born in Laporte, Ind., in 1855. After the death of his mother he lived with his umcle, Riley Clemons, of Lake ton, and came with him to this section, in 1868 settling on Section 7, Muskegon. He is largely engaged in fruit culture. In 1881 he married Miss Mary M. Huff, of Muskegon. JOSEPH HOUSTON, born ill Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co., in 1837. In1 1861 he enlisted in the 25th Ohio Infantry, and served until July, 1864, when he was discharged. In 1866 he married Miss Mary S. Clemons, and bought a farm in Section 1. In September, 1868 his wife died, leaving two children. G. S. KING was born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1844. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, and was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain, and again at Hatche's Run. He was present when Grant and Lee met at Appomattox Court House, when Lee surrendered. At the close of the war, in July, 1865, he was discharged. In 18616 he moved to Kalamazoo, and in 1871 to -Muskegon. In 1878 took up a farm in Section 6, Laketon, where he is commencing fruit growing weth hopes of success. In 1872 he was married to Miss Emmeline Cowles, by whom he has two children. A. MARTINDALE, born in Milton, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1833, and after working in various places as a cabinet maker, he came to Camden in 1853, where he was married. He has had five children, one of whom survives and is married. He owns a good farm in Section 4, Laketon. GEORGE W. MINICK, born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1843; moved to Indiana in 1863; married in 1865 Miss Elizabeth Story, by whom he has four children. He moved into Michigan, and settled in Laketon Township in 1880, where lie is engaged in farming and fruit growing. JOSEPH E. PLEWES was born in Ridgeway, Lenawee Co., MIich. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th Infantry, and served to the end of the war, when he was discharged and returned home; then went to Europe where lhe stayed all Winter. In 1866 he took up a farm in Section 5, Laketon. In 1869 he married Miss Ellenl A. Holden, of Ridgeway, by whom he has three children. JAMES M. ROBINSON was born in Broome Co;., N. Y., in 1832, and lived there until 1860, when he came to St. Joseph Co., and worked at harness making for four years. He then took a homestead in Section 12. In 1851 he married Miss A. E. Waterman, of Broome County. JOHN LYNDER was born in Germany in 1838, and emigrated to America in 1851. He bought a farm in Section 6, Laketon, in 1871, with a few improvements on it, which is now well adapted for fruit culture. He was m:arried to Miss Libby Benjamin, by whom he has two children. CHARLES WILLIAMIS was born in Sweden in 1834, and emigrated to America in 1857. He stopped in Illinois until 1866, when he settled on Section 9. He was married in 1869, and has six children. A. R. WILLIAMS was born in Northfield, Summit Co., O., in 1826, where he lived until he was 20 years of age. He then moved to Ashland County, where he married Miss Amelia. Chamberlain. About 1854 he moved to Lansing, Mich., where he gave up his trade of wagon maker, and engaged in the drug business. In 1856 he went to Charlotte, where lie carried on a grocery, and afterwards a dry goods business. After nineteen years, on account of failing health he went to Iowa, but returned in about eighteen months, and traded his property in Charlotte for a farm in Section 15, Laketon. His wife having died in 1872, leaving one child, he married Harriet Mills, by whom he has one child. He was under sheriff in Char lotte for eight years, and town clerk and justice of the peace in the town where he resides. His farm is one of the best for either grain or fruit. NAPOLEON WILSON Was born in Scott Co., Iowa, in 1838. In 1858 he went to Missouri, and from there in 1860 to Rocky Mountains, where he engaged in mining and farming for about eighteen -1 < lI I - I :* -- 6 1 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. I ------- -----— ^ 91 et months. He then went to Illinois, and in 1862 settled in Michigan. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, and after serving over two years, was discharged for disability. In 1866 he settled on a farm in Section 6, Laketon, where he still resides, and is largely engaged in fruit growing. In 1872 he married Miss M. H. Benjamin, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living. CHARLES YOUNG was born in Sweden in 1843, and came to America in 1871, settling in Muskegon Co. at the Bay Mill. In 1877 he bought a farm in Laketon. He married in Sweden Miss C. Anderson, and three children were born to them in Sweden, and one in this country. Il l 1 u Iw-1 Isi INA. II~ i.II.A C _ _-I r I NORTON TOWNSHIP. This township which formerly-included Fruitport was organized in 1855. The first settler was Ben. Brist, a Germuan, living near Mono Lake, and his children were probably the first white children bomrn here. The first regular road was laid out in 1860. Prior to this there were onlyIndian trails. The mail had to be carried along the beach and round the end of the pier at Lake Harbor, and the trail can still be traced. The first teacher in District No. 1 was Martha Rowe, now Mrs. A. B. Palmer, of Muskegon, who taught in 1860. THE HARBOR of Black Lake has been neglected by the authorities and nothing has been done except by Senator Ferry, whose object has been to secure a passage for his logs to the saw mill at the mouth. He has made some slabpiers and dredged so as to allowvessels drawing four to five feet of water to enter. With an expenditure of $5,000, a depth of six or seven feet could be secured. The channel for about half a mile is narrow and tortuous, and generally nearly filled with logs. The banks are steep especially to the north. At the upper end of the channel it expands at Black Lake, and at this point there is a swing bridge. The banks become low and flat and on both sides are fine fruit farms. It is difficult to conceive of a more beautiful pastoral scene than from this point, and it is not to be wvondered at that in summer this locality is visited by many tourists from Chicago and elsewhere, that every house is full of guests, and there is a prospect of a summer hotel here. The whole lake has been calledBlack Lake, while of late the upper end has been named Mono Lake, from the name of the daughter of Col. May, late Superintendent of the railway. The railway station at the upper end is called Mono Lake Station, where there are bathing houses and fishing boats, and hundreds of pleasure seekers resort to it from Muskegon, Grand Haven and other cities. Lake Harbor is applied as a name for the western end of Black Lake, but it is more properly the name of the post office, which was kept by Daniel Upton, J. P., who is also store keeper and book keeper for Ferry & Bro., and came from Jackson County, where he had been a representative in the legislature, settled eleven years in Muskegon and dispensed justice for years. He has his residence and fine grapery on the north side of the lake. The post office in Jan. 1, 1882, was transferred to Miss Nettie Martin, who resides about half a mile south of the bridge. At the present the most prominent question in the township is the project of building a floating or pontoon bridge across the lake from opposite Rowe's Point to Cobb's Factory. The project has many warm advocates. The Lake Harbor Union Society was organized Jan.. 2, 1882, under the statute provided for that purpose, to erect a building for religious and benevolent purposes. The first Trustees are: Daniel Upton, Sr., Milo Rowe, Edward Hendrick, J. 0. Antisdale, Frank Dorn, Jas. Dean, W. L. Bartholomew. This board of Trustees elected D, Upton, chairman; J. 0. Antisdale, Treasurer; Frank Dorn, Secretary. The building of the society is on the Muskegon and Ferrysburg road on the land of Mr. Antisdale, and is 34x60 feet, with 20 feet ceiling. It is finished with a spire and will cost about $2,000. FRUIT GROWING. Since rthe lumbering interests of Black Lake which first induced settlement in that region have passed away, the inhabitants have found a new and more permanent and profitable occupation in the raising of fruit, especially of the smaller varieties. This beautiful little lake is about four miles long by half a mile wide, and on its banks is one of the finest fruit regions in the fruit belt, and this arises not only from the superior soil, elevation and position in regard to Lake Michigan, but to the entire devotion of the peoplb to the one idea of fruit raising. The soil is chiefly a sandy loam with here and there patches of clay with no stone but a small amount of gravel. The west side of the township contains a line of sandy bluffs from one to one and a half miles wide. These are generally covered with pine, hemlock, oak, hard maple, white ash, butternut and beach, and the bluffs must be of considerable age to have such a growth of timber upon ther. The lands were supposed to be almost valueless and little would have been done with them had not that enterprising, public-spirited citizen, the late Ira Porter, planted an orchard on what is now MIilo Rowe's place, on Section 12, and thus revolutionized the fortunes of the county by demlonstrating the fact that Muskegon sand would bear fruit. HON. IRA PORTER. In this connection it mlay not be inappropriate to give a brief notice of the man who did so much to develop this region He came from New York State to Illinois and thence to Black Lake in 1850, operating a saw mill and planting an orchard which still remains. He never craved official honors, and is said to have been a man of fine presence and unusual intelligence. He died suddenly in 1874. After stripping off the pine the land was being abandoned and sold for taxes, when his experiment sent the price of land up. We should honor the man who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before. He was by profession a lawyer, and represented St. Clair County in the Michigan legislature, and was alho register of the land office in Ionia four years. His nephew, James Porter, the present supervisor, land surveyor, and who laid out many of the early roads and still resides near the mouth of Lake Harbor, canme in in 1854. Fletcher Fowler, who died in 1871, was a supervisor and early settler, was one of the first to plant a peach orchard in the northwest of the town. Mr. John Parks was also an early settler and fruit grower near Mono Lake. John Kettel, a German settler, near the mouth of Lake Harbor, came about 1854, and had a large farm and orchard. Among the prominent fruit growers are Messrs. Rowe, O'Hara, t r, I: i O I I Ik -h i 0i\ L rL~ - I _- - 1_'r.: -j -.%J;4- 1 a -lw l 'i J I&.! I I 'A -- w \X I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 93 Jas. Whitney, at the head of the lake; Ellis, Antisdale, H. L. Rood, Tomlinson and Newkirk, Bartholomew and Roussell. The fruit is shipped partly by team to Muskegon, partly by railroad from Mono Station at head of lake, and the bulk of it by water. In one day in 1881 a vessel took 700 bushels of strawberries, and it is probable that there were by all channels shipped that day 32,000 quarts. Grapes are also largely -cultivated as well as peaches and small fruits. Among the farms beautifully and romantically situated we may particularize that of J. O. Antisdale, a native of Ohio, who purchased in 1869 the property of Jos. Stocking, the farm on the south side of Lake Harbor near the mouth. He has a shipping wharf near the bridge. There are seventy-five acres of apple orchards, chiefly Red Canada, Greenings, Baldwins, Russets and King of Tompkins County; but there are in all fifty varieties. There are 4,000 peach trees and about twenty-five acres of small fruits, largely strawberries, of which Wilson's Albany gives the best yield, bears transportation and markets the best. Hale's early peach will not stand shipping as well, but its being early is an advantage. His strawberries last year yielded him $150 to $200 an acre, and as to how peach raising will pay he says that peach trees in full bearing will yield four bushels each, and this at ten cents a bushel and one hundred and sixty trees to the acre, will be $64 an acre. In 1881 the price of one-fifth of a bushel basket was sixty-five cents. Mr. Antisdale's old residence, to the east of his present residence, is the oldest house in this region and was formerly Ira Porter's. The second school house was in the Kittel district, Section No. 17. The first saw mill was built about 1847, the Robinson mill, an old water mill, at the head of the lake. The first steam saw mill was erected by a German, Jos. Ackem, on section 13, who sold to W. MI. Ferry, and he to Ira Porter, when it was burned, in 1850, and rebuilt and sold to Rowe, who sold to Swartout, when it was burned and never rebuilt. There is a saw mill still being run by Mr. Peter Jeannot, for Senator Ferry, which cuts 50,000 feet per day. Benjamin Brist, Jacob Winhofer, John Klein and Elijah Porter were all in the town previous to 1860. Michael O'Hara is perhaps the largest and most successful fruit grower-in grapes especially, his Concords and Delawares being the varieties that give the best yield. There was a new school house built on section 18, in January, 1881, at a cost of $500, in which a teacher is engaged at $30 per month. Mr. Bartholomew has a very fine fuit farm.,HE BOX FACTORY. G. N. Cobb & Soi, originally from Connecticut, but who came from Missouri, in July, 1869, started a factory for the manufacture of fruit packages, boxes, &c., in 1871; the factory was burned down in two or three years after, but has since been rebuilt on a larger scale. The building is 20x40 feet, two stories, and the machinery is propelled by a twelve-horse power engine, furnishing employment to from three to six men, and the same number of girls. They have also a planing mill in connection and the factory serves a useful purpose. They have also a fruit farm with twenty acres improved. BIOGRAPHICAL. WM. L. BARTHOLOMEW was born in Kirkland, Oneida Co., N. Y., in December, 1831,, and was brought up on a farm until 19 years of age, when he learned the carpenter trade. From 1859 to 1869 he carried on a planing mili and sash and door factory. In 1861 he recruited a company for the 8th N. Y. Cavalry, and on May 13th, 1862, he was discharged on account of the consolidation of companies. In August, 1862, he recruited a company for the 117th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, and in 1862-63 was in the defense of Washington. In April, 1863, he was ordered to Suffolk, and until August 10th was engaged at the siege of that place. He then helped to build fortifications at Norfolk, and stayed all winter at Folly Island, off Charleston, and assisted in building the famous " Swamp Angel" fortifications near Ft. Wagner. In the Spring of 1864 he was promoted to be First Lieutenant and ordered to Gloster Point, General Butler in command. They went up the James River, built fortifications across the Appomattox to the James, and on May 16th his regiment was engaged at Drury's Bluff. On the 1st of June he was ordered to White House Landing to form a junction with Grant's army, and on the 3d was at the battle of Cold Harbor, and for the ten following days was engaged fighting. They were then ordered back to City Point, and stormed the fortifications around Petersburg on the 15th, and for the rest of the summer he was engaged in front of Petersburg and Richmond. On the 29th of September they stormed Fort Gilmore, his company losing 18, killed and wounded, out of 27 men in all. On Oct. 3d he was promoted to the captaincy; on the 7th he fought at Chappin's farm, and on the 17th was at his last battle in Virginia. He then went on the Ft. Fisher expedition, at which Mr. Bartholomew opened the battle with eighty sharp-shooters, and ended as commander of his brigade. For bravery on the battle field he was promoted to the rank of Major. After the war he was engaged in farming in New York until 1877, when hlie came to Nortoll, where he still resides, extensively engaged in fruit farming. In 1860 he married Marian E. Page, of Marshall, Oneida Co., N. Y., by whom he has four children. BENJAMIN BRIST was born in Reinsheim in Baden, Germany, in 1820, and when fourteen years of age landed in New York, and settled first in Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., and after twenty-two months he removed to Lewis County. In 1843 he came to Kalamazoo, Mich., and after remaining there four years came to Ottawa County, |and in 1853 purchased his,present farm on section 21, town of Norton, where he has ever since resided. In 1845 be married Miss Angeline Harlan, of Kalamazoo, by whoml he has three children. FRANCIS BOUTELL was born in Essex Co., England, in 1843, and, his father having died when he was four years old, he was left in the care of his mother's brother, who lived near Newcastle, where he worked two years in a cotton factory. At fourteen years of age he went to East Oxford, Ontario, and worked for seven years among the farmers, when he married Miss Sarah Jane Ranger, of Oxford, by whom he had six children. She died Nov. 25th, 1877, and in September, 1880, he married Miss Harriet Southworth, of Van Buren Co., Mich. In 1873 he bought land in section 19, of Norton, where he has a good farm with some fruit on it, and bids fair to become a wealthy man. L. R. COSTON, fruit grower on Black Lake, below Cobb's factory, was born in Philadelphia in 1842, and came to Lake Harbor in July, 1878, having previously been in Chicago from 1857 to 1878. On July 27th, 1864, at Chicago, he married Emma I. Holmes, by whom he has two daughters and one son. He enlisted in DeKalb Co., Ill1., in 1861, in Co. R, 42dIll., Regt., and served for eight months, when he was obliged to resign through illness. He has a fine fruit farm of 22 acres, of which about eight acres are cleared, and mainly in orchard, with two acres in grapes. WM. CHURCHILL, fruit grower on section 18, Norton, was bomrn in New York State in the fall of 1827, came to this State in the Fall of 1866, and to Norton in the Spring of 1872. He first settled I I. — g -ql I I, ) KX I 1 -4- x 14 ---16 94 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. in section 24, on a farm of eighty acres, which he sold in 1881 to John Davis, Jr., of Ohio, and in June, 1882, bought his present place of seventy-three acres. He intends to devote it to grapes, peaches, &c. He was Supervisor in 1877. JOHN B. DUPUIS, the engineer of the Ferry mill, was born near Montreal in 1846; came to Illinois in 1850; to Lake Harbor in 1865; was also several years on Muskegon tugs. He married, in 1869, Olive Gates, by whom he has one son, Alfred, born in 1874. After her death he married, in 1876, Dell Thebault. JOHN GEIGER was born in Wurtemburg in 1840, and came to America in 1867, settling first in Wyandotte. In 1869 he settled in section 21, Norton. In 1871 he married Miss Ariadne Brist, of Norton, by whom he had five children. GEORGE HANVILL, saw filer of the Ferry mill 'at Lake Harbor, was born in New York State in 1814, came to Grand Haven in 1869 and has resided in Lake Harbor since 1876. He is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in 1862, in Co. H, 21st Wisconsin Volunteers. He was discharged on account of two severe wounds received at Perryville, Ky. He married in 1872, Elizabeth Ryan, of New York State, and they have one daughter, May, born July 12, 1879. WILLIAM HILE was born in Northumberland County, Pa., April 18, 1840, and at 6 years of age he moved with his parents to St. Joseph County, Michigan. In 1864 he enlisted in the 15th Michigan Infantry, Co. C., served until the close of hostilities, and although in a number of engagements, escaped unhurt. In 1864 he married Miss Margaret A. Reed, of St. Joseph County, by whom he has six children. In 1867 he purchased land in section 24, Norton, where he has ever since resided, being very successfully engaged in fruit growing. PETER JEANNOT was born near Montreal, Canada, in the year 1829. His parents were in very limited circumstances, with a large family of children, and at the age of 16 years, with scanty clothing and only sixteen cents in his pocket, without the knowledge of his parents, but with resolute and determined mind, Peter and some other boys about the same age, left their parental roof for the city of Chicago, at which place he arrived in the fall of 1845. For three days of the time after leaving home he did -not taste of food. He had an acquaintance in-Chicago with whom he stayed for two weeks. From there he went in the lumber "region of Northern Green Bay, remaining there engaged in saw mills until the fall of 1855. From Green Bay he went to IManistee, Michigan. Since 1864 he has been superintendent and general manager for Ferry's mill at Lake Harbor, and has also been for years postmaster. Mr. Jeannot was married in the month of June, 1859, at Bourbonnaise Grove, Ill., to Mary Lambert, daughter of Lewis and Mary Lambert, and has had thirteen children, nine of whom are living. The eldest son William is graduating at Notre Dame College, Indiana. S. B. MARSTILLER was born in Randolph County, W. Va., in 1833, worked with his father until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went into the carpenter trade, which he has ever since followed. In May, 1862, he went to Marion Co., W. Va., where, after residing nine years, he went to Belmont, Ohio; after remaining there seven years he came to Norton, purchasing land in section 13, where he still resides. In 1857 he married Miss Anna Ryan, of his native county, by whom he has five children. Although he still works at his trade, he intends to make fruit growing his chief business. In February, 1864 he enlisted in Co. H, 12th W. Va., Regi ment, and served till the close of the war. He was in five general engagements, was wounded, and draws a pension. ELIZUR PORTER, was born in New Haven county, Ct., June 9, 1815, and resided in his native place until 23 years of age, following the cooper business. He then went to New York State, remaining six years. In 1844 he settled in Monroe county, Mich. In 1855 he went for one year to Minnesota, returning he settled on section 12, Norton Township, where he still resides. In 1844 he married Delia Town, of Burgess, Genesee county, N. Y., who died after having borne him three children. In 1852 he married Miranda Nokes, of Monroe county, Mich., by whom he has six children. Mr. Porter settled in Norton when it was nearly all in a wild state and there was but one store in Muskegon. STEPHEN PORTER, who has a fruit farm of 26 acres on Black Lake a short distance above Milo Rowe's, was born in Courtland county, N. Y., 1819, came to Norton in 1877, his family following two years after. He has a fine place, with seven acres of grapes and small fruits, about one acre each of black caps, blackberries and red raspberries, 240 crab apple trees, 400 cherries, etc. His grapes in 1881 weighed about 4~ tons, averaging six cents per pound. JOSEPH EDWARD RANDALL, fruit grower on Black Lake below Coston's, has also an 18 acre fruit farm, of which 14 acres are improved, containing 3,000 grape vines, 1,000 peach trees, 100 apple, 50 pear, with four acres of strawberries and an equal quantity of raspberries. As an instance of the fertility of his place, he reports 150 bushels of strawberries from 14 acres, sold so as to bring a net profit of $400, and from 150 grape vines 600 pounds at six cents per pound, brought $36. Mr. Randall was born in England in 1845, came to Chicago in 1867, and to Norton first in 1873, remaining only one summer. In the spring of 1880 he returned from Chicago and bought his present place. He married Oct. 10, 1868, Sarah Knight, and has one surviving daughter, Frances Louise. JAMES REED was born in Columbia county, Pa., March 3, 1808, and when 22 years of age went to Jefferson county, Pa., where in 1830 he married Miss Margaret Millson. In 1844 he removed to Park, St. Joseph county, Mich., where he farmed until 1865. In 1850 his wife died, leaving six children. In 1851 he married Miss Barbara Millen, by whom he has two children. In 1865 he removed to Norton, purchasing land in section 24, on which he successfully raises fruit. OscAR C. RoY was born in La Grange county, Ind., and in 1839, at ten years of age came with his father to St. Joseph county, Mich., but after a two years' sojourn there he returned to Indiana for ten years. For a few following years Mr. Roy alternated, the summers in St. Joseph and the winters in Indiana. In 1864 he removed to Iowa,'remaining there until the fall of 1872, since which time he has made his home in Norton. In 1873 he married Louisa M. Fisher, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. MILO ROWE, one of the oldest and most respected residents of the town, was born in Broome county, N. Y., in 1813; at eleven moved to Pennsylvania, and to this State in 1856, first coming to Lamont. He settled in Norton in 1864, and two years after on his present beautiful fruit farm on the north of Black Lake, where he has 600 peach trees, 25 acres of apple orchard, eight acres of strawberries and other small fruit, and a vineyard of about an acre and a half. He married June 3, 1835, Orpha Beals, of Pennsylvania, and has two children, Mrs. A. B. Palmer, and Captain H. N. Rowe. He has held nearly every municipal office from Supervisor to Treasurer, which latter office he still Holds. CAPT. H. N. ROWE was born in Pennsylvania, May 25, 1836; came in 1854 to Grandville, Kent county; in 1856 to Lamont, Ottawa county. In 1860 he went to Illinois and the following year he enlisted in the 59th Ill. Reg., and was one of fifty chosen to go on the "Ram" fleet and fight the naval battle near Memphis; he was also at the siege of Vicksburg. After serving two years and rising to be 2nd Lieut., he resigned on account of disability. He then went into lumbering on Black Lake, and ran vessels for eight years, the tugs "Hattie May," "Croton," and "Emma" which was - - * - 7i I W -- y Au: i I -q I I '1I HIS I-I;__-A -Dt), TORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 95 i afterwards burned, and then the fruit boat A. H. Petrie, sold Dec. 1880. He is now engaged with his father in fruit growing. He married Nov. 25, 1862, Emma Reynolds of Illinois, and has two sons..FRANK G. TYLER was born in Stoneham, Mass., March 14, 1855, and in 1857 removed with his parents to Van Buren county, Mich., where he continued to reside until February, 1880, when he came to Norton, purchasing land in section 19. On Oct. 13, 1876, he married Miss Eliza Southworth, by whom he has three children, Mr. Tyler is combined German and Scottish extraction, is a hardworking man, and has fair prospects of success in his business of fruit growing. DANIEL UPTON, son of Samuel and Charlotte Upton, was born in Fishkill, Duchess county, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1818. Several of his boyhood years were spent in the woolen manufactory and flouring mill of his father. In 1835 his family immigrated to Michigan, locating in the western part of Jackson county. Daniel remained with his father, clearing up the wilderness, until 24 years of age, when he went into the employ of Z. Lawrence, a merchant at Gidley, on the M. C. R. R. On the death of Mr. Lawrence in 1848, he remained to close up the business. He nest went into business as general merchant with Messrs. Kassick under the firm name of D. Upton & Co., in Parma. Nov. 2, 1848, Mr. Upton married Mary E., eldest daughter of Edward Strong, who was born in Lansing, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1830. After a partnership of one year with the Kassicks, Mr. Upton withdrew and opened a general store with his elder brother, Samuel; continued till 1856, when Samuel died, when he closed up the business and went into farming, and in 1858 was elected County Clerk of Jackson county on the Republican ticket, and was elected four times in succession, and was then elected Representative for the Second District of Jackson in the State Legislature. In 1857 he removed with his family to Muskegon city, and after one year went to Lake Harbor, his present home. In 1876 he returned to Muskegon where he was elected for four years Justice of the Peace, and for two years was appointed by the Council Police Justice. During Mr. Upton's residence at Muskegon his fruit farm was managed by his son,Edward S., who was born at Parma, Oct. 20, 1850. His second son, Daniel, was born at Parma, Sept., 26, 1853, and his only daughter Cornelia Elma, was born at Parma, Oct. 10, 1858. Daniel Jr. has been Clerk of Norton for four years, and for the past three years book-keeper for Powell & Hovey, of Muskegon. Edward S. has been Clerk for the past three years. Mr. Upton has held the Supervisorship and Treasurership of the town. JAMES H. WHITNEY was born at Alien's Hill, Ontario Co., N Y., July 22, 1842. In two years his parents removed to Niagara County,; in 1849 they came to McComb Co., Mich. In September, 1871, he went to Muskegon County, purchasing a farm on Section 21, Norton, and on the following October, on the same night as Chicago and Holland were burned, his barn, containing horses and farming implements, was consumed, and he had to build anew. The fire was carried, as was supposed, in some furniture from a neighbor's house that was burned that night. Mr. Whitney has a farm well adapted for fruit growing. In November, 1867, he married Miss Annora Hall, of McComb Co., Michigan. WM. R. WILSON was born in Williamsport Pa., Sept. 18, 1826. at twelve years of age his parents removed to Columbia County, where he resided six years, learning the carpenter's trade. In 1843 he went to Schuylkill, working there six years; also worked two years in Berks County, and lived from 1852 to 1860 in DuPage Co., Ill. He then lived three years in Lucas Co., O., after which he removed to Mason Co., Mich., settling in the Spring of 1864 in Muskegon Co., building a boarding house for S. N. Wilcox at Bluffton. In 1876 he bought a farm on Section 12 Norton, where he now resides. In December, 1849, he married Catharine Schatz, of Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., by whom he has had four sons and two daughters. In 1864 he was drafted, but rejected at Grand Rapids on account of physical disability. -1 -X L I g - r j -1 T -4py ~I' - iF A~ 98 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. - - Londonderry, Ireland, in 1618, and emigrated to this country at the age of 19, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he resided a short time, and then removed to Fruitport, where he resided about thirty_ five years. At the time of his arrival here there were but a few houses at Grand Haven, and the balance of the country in that vicinity was a vast wilderness. He engaged in lumbering, and for a number of years owned and operated a mill at the head of Spring Lake. Lately he had given more attention to farming, but still he did some lumbering in connection with it. He was married about sixteen years ago to Miss Virginia Wyatt, of Virginia, who survives him. He also leaves eight children and two sisters, Mrs. Richard Clydesdale, of Spring Lake, and Miss Agnes Torrans, of San Francisco, Cal., and one.brother in Ireland. Mr. Torrans was a highly respected citizen and held many positions of trust in his younger days. He leaves a large circle of friends and acquaintances in this vicinity who will mourn his loss. I~ I MOORLAND TOWNSHIP. Moorland Township, situated directly north of Ravenna, with which it was attached for township purposes till 1860, is composed very largely of State Swamp Lands. Of late years these lands are being reclaimed, and Moorland bids fair to become a wealthy and populous township. At present (1881), it contains no church, four school houses, one blacksmith shop and two saw mills, with a population of about 500. EARLY SETTLEMENT. As early as 1857 Peter Conklin, John W. Tibbets, John F. Chichester made a beginning. Following in 1858 were R. Robinson, D. M. Wilson, James Anscomb, Geb. H. Loomis, P. Woodward, Daniel C. Mills, Wm. Simms, Alvin Reed, Judson Philips, and Hiram and Jesse Ackerman, since which time a continual stream of immigration has occurred. ORGANIZATION. Moorland had its first separate township organization in 1860 when the following officers were elected: O. F. Conklin, Supervisor; Alvin Reed, Clerk; John W. Tibbets and George H. Loomis, Justices of the Peace; Benjamin Brevoort, Treasurer; Peter Conklin, P. Woodward and Judson Philips, Commissioners of Highways, and Robert Robinson, School Inspector. The present (1881) officers are: Robert Robinson, Supervisor; Anson Bowen, Clerk; Samuel Beckwith, Treasurer; John Kenne, Commissioner of Highways; 'Tom. J. G. Bolt, School Superintendent, and Geo. M. Goodrich, Wheeler Hancock and Samuel Beckwith, Justices of the Peace. DITCH SYSTEM. The growth and future prosperity of Moorland depends, in a great measure, on its being properly drained. To accomplish which a main ditch with an average width of fourteen feet has been completed, commencing in section 13, and running in a southwesterly direction to section 30, flowing to the south branch of Black Creek. This main ditch has numerous auxiliary ditches, forming, as it were, a complete net-work. The land once drained is found to be wonderfully productive in all crops, with, perhaps, the exception o wheat, and already mauy an enterprising young man has taken ad vantage of the cheapness of the land, and is preparing a home which will furnish a competency in his old age. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEO. B. SMITH. a farmer residing in section 35, was born in Chittenden County, Vt., Feb. 17th, 1832. Like many of the hardy sons of that State, he inherited a good constitution, wholesome youthful training and an independent mind. He settled, in connection with his father's family, in Kent County, Mich., as early as 1837, and. hence is acquainted with all the hardships incident to pioneer life. In 1864 he made Muskegon City his home, and participated in public life to some extent, having acted in the different capacities of Policeman, Constable, Deputy Sheriff and Marshal in that city. Mr. Smith was married Oct. 16th, 1853, to Adelaide A. Withey, who was born in Grand Rapids, Sept. 17th, 1836. SAMUEL BECKWITH. The father of the subject of this sketch, whose name was Samuel, was born in Connecticut, Feb. 15th, 1781, and married Hannah English, Oct. 29th, 1809, who was born in Chemung County, N. Y., July 11th, 1793. The old gentleman died in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1859, and the mother April 3d, 1853. As early as 1854 Mr. Samuel Beckwith settled in Michigan, and in 1857 made a home on section 1, Moorland Township, and engaged in manufacturing sawed lumber and shingles until quite recently. He is the present Township Treasurer, and has been Justice of the Peace for a term of years. He was married, Feb. 13th, 1853, to Susan A. Clark, who was born in Columbia County, Penn., Dec. 1, 1836. TOM J. G. BOLT was born in Devonshlre, Eng., April 16th, 1848. He settled in Ontario, Canada, in 1857, and in Ottawa County, Mich., in 1859, and in Casnovia Township-, Muskegon County, in 1869. He engaged in teaching school, which avocation he has followed a large portion of the time since. In 1874 Mr. Bolt settled on his present home in section 1, Moorland Township. He was married Dec. 25th, 1874, to Ola A. Minnich, who was born in Casnovia, April 8th, 1855. They have two children. Mr. Bolt is the present Town Superintendent of Schools for Moorland. S. PORTER was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 8th, j e m -.4 - i o 46.i i - I I I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 99 1831, and is a farmer, residingin section 28, Moorland. Mr. Porter was the pioneer settler in his part of the town, and demonstrated what could be done with that class of land. He married Louisa Shimel, Sept. 7th, 1850. TRACY WOODWARD was born in the State of New York, Sept. 12th, 1836. He settled at a very early age in Oakland County, Mich., and in Kent County in 1848, and in Muskegon County, in 1859, and now resides on section 1, Moorland. He has been identified in public affairs as Supervisor of Barton, Treasurer of Moorland, Commissioner, &c. He was married Sept. 30th, 1860, to Celestia Pickett, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Sept. 30th, 1840. They have four surviving children. He has recently (Aug. 17th, 1881), lost a loving daughter, Carrie Esther, who was born Aug. 22d, 1862. WM. WHITTINGTON, who was born in Ireland Nov. 24th, 1817, settled in Albany County, N. Y., in 1821; moved to Niagara County, N. Y., in 1842, and to Eaton County, Mich., in 1850, and to Casnovia, Muskegon County, in 1858, and now lives on section 26, Moorland. He married Polly Bigsby in August, 1840. M. H. SPENCER was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 12, 1839. He settled in Ravenna Township in 1851 and in Moor I land in 1877, where he built a saw mill with a capacity of 15,000 feet daily, which he still owns. GEO. W. TIBBITS was born in Ravenna, Muskegon County, March 12th, 1851; is a farmer, and resides on section 28, Moorland. He was married May 28th, 1876, to Hattie Flanders. NELSON FLANDERS was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1854, and settled in Muskegon County in 1863. He is a farmer residing on section 28, Moorland. He was married Sept. 18, 1878, to Mary Peters. The farm of Mr. Wmin. Thompson, of Crockery, is a good example of what can be done with Moorland marsh lands. It consists of over 1,000 acres, and has been drained by two ditches each about six miles long, ten feet wide and three feet deep, which has rendered it, perhaps, the most fertile farm in the State. On it there are immense buildings to hold the crops. In 1881, 1,500 bushels of corn were raised from 15 acres, and 300 bushels of potatoes to the acre. On the farm there have been raised cabbages weighing 18 lbs., beets 17 lbs., and potatoes 3- lbs. The land was bought at $4 an acre, and the ditching has cost $1 an acre, and the farm is now worth $40 an acre, which is a good return for the money invested. m - RAVENNA TOWNSHIP. I - [/ -RI I Ravenna Township is situated in the Southeast corner of Muskegon County, and when organized for the purposes of township government, comprised all the territory both of Moorland and Egelston. The first town meeting was held April 2, 1849, the whole number of votes polled being thirteen, at which time the following officers were elected: Benjamin Smith, Supervisor; Thomas D. Smith, Township Clerk; Timothy Fletcher, Treasurer; Cyrus Miller and C. Borendamme, Constables; James M. Smith, Timothy Fletcher and Dennis Porter, Commissioners of Highways; P. I. G. Hodenpyle and Timothy Fletcher, School Inspectors; Timothy Fletcher, Harvey Porter, Seth Porter and Elmer Spencer, Justices of the Peace. The parties who held the offices of Supervisor and Clerk prior to 1864 were: Timothy Fletcher, three years Supervisor; James M. Smith, one year Supervisor; Cyrus Miller, one year Supervisor; Thos. D. Smith, seven years Supervisor; Charles Neale, two years Supervisor; Thos. D. Smith, two years Clerk; Wm. Rogers, two years Clerk; A. Plum, two years Clerk; Timothy Fletcher, one year Clerk; James F. Tibbits, two years Clerk; Charles Neale, two years Clerk; Geo. A. Ladd, one year Clerk; David T. Stafford, one year Clerk; John Thompson, one year Clerk. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Rollinson and Hiram Wilkinson on Section 36. In 1848 the number was increased by Elmer Spencer and John Thompson, also some Hollanders, among whom we find the names of P. I. G. Hodenpyle, H. F. Hoogstraat, A. Plum, Cornelius Von Sledrick, C. Borendamme and A. Dooge. The township does not appear to have increased very materially till 1853, when we find twenty-four votes recorded; in 1855, fiftysix votes; in 1858, eighty-three votes, after which a steady increase in its population may be noticed. EARLY BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS, ETC. The first birth was a child to Apollus Griswold, who died in infancy. The first death was Mrs. Van Tassel, in 1846. The first marriage Oct. 9, 1853, James F. Tibbits and Christine Burbic, the ceremony being performed by Elmer Spencer, J. P. The first physician was Thos. D. Smith, who still resides in Ravenna as one of its most honored citizens, though having secured a competency, he has long since abandoned the practice of medicine. The first store of any account was kept by Ladd & Thompson, in 1855. The first religious services were held in the mill, and preaching by itinerent preachers. A select school was taught by Cornelia Boynton as early as 1848. School District No. 1 was organized in 1849. The school house was located on Section 11, after which school districts were organized as the wants of the inhabitants demanded, and the rising generation never lacked the means to acquire a common school education. i E. B. Bostwick was the first to locate land in this township, and parties commenced a sawmill in 1844. (See history of the first mill). In 1847 the settlement of the township really commenced. Benjamin Smith located where the village of Ravenna now stands. Thos. D. Smith on Section 11, Wm. Rogers on Section 11, James 4, I~ I I k-40% Y - 0 -- - - 11 100 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 1 100 The only place of business in the township is the Hamlet of Ravenna, ten miles North of Cooperville on the D. G. H. & M. R'y, with which it has daily communication by stage. It contains some one hundred and fifty inhabitants, a gristmill, saw, shingle and planing mill, some dozen places of business of all kinds, church and Grange Hall. The sawmill was commenced in 1844, by Shears & Wells, who sold out to Mr. Van Tassel in 1845. In 1847 Benjamin and J. M. Smith purchased it, and in 1867 James F. Tibbits became the owner of it, who subsequently added a shingle and planingmill, and to whose energy Ravenna owes much of its prosperity. Mr. Tibbits also built the present custom gristmill, in 1868. It is now owned by Charles P. Reed and F. D. Hoogstraat. BENEVOLENT ORDERS. The order of Red Ribbons was organized April, 1877, with about forty members: W. R. Carroll, President; Mrs. E. Henderson and Mrs. Sarah Young, Vice Presidents; Mrs. Cyrus L. Alberts, Secretary; Mrs. E. Henderson, Treasurer. The present membership (1881) is 187, with C. P. Reed, President; W. T. C. Cummings, Vice President; Miss Jennie Ball, Secretary; Mrs. John Sipes, Treasurer. Knights of Honor was organized March 28, 1880, with eighteen members: W. R. Carroll, Dictator; H. Rogers, Vice Dictator; C. P. Reed, Financial Reporter; F. D. Hoogstraat, Treasurer; H. J. Tibbits, Reporter; Rev. G. F. Newcomb, Chaplain. Only one death has occurred since its organization, that of Adelbert Babcock, June 10, 1880. Present membership, twenty-two. Ravenna Grange No. 373 P. of H., was organized April 3, 1874, with seventeen members: John S. Burton, Master; F. A. Thatcher, Secretary. Present membership, seventy-four. Lorenzo F. Chubb, Master; Thos. D. Smith, Secretary. BIOGRAPHICAL. CHARLES P. REED was born in Ingham Co., Mich., July 26, 1844; settled in Muskegon County October, 1873, engaged in a gristmill, which he still continues, being the owner in connection with F. D. Hoogstraat, of the Ravenna custom mill. For the short time Mr. Reed has been a resident of the township he enjoys to a large extent the confidence of the people of his town; has been Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, and is the present Supervisor, and President of the Red Ribbon society. Has been twice marned, first to Jennie L. Macomber in 1869, who died Jan. 11, 1871, second to Mrs. Ann E. Curtis, May 6, 1872. JAMES F. TIBBITS was born July 16, 1832, in Schoharie Co., N.Y. Wlhile very young he moved, in connection with his father's family, to a place near Utica, N. Y., and in different places in New York till 1846, when he settled in Wisconsin, and remained there and in Minnesota till 1853, when he settled in Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., and engaged in manufacturing sawed lumber and shingles, which occupation he still continues, being the owner of a steam saw, shingle and planingmill. Married Oct. 9, 18583, to Christine Burbec. Two children-a son and daughter. DR. CHAS. H. A. STEWART was born in the county of Brant, Ontario, Nov. 4, 1843; studied medicine at the Toronto University of Physiciains aud Surgeons, in the class of 1868-9; practiced in Brant County till 1875, when he settled at Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., where he is still a leading physician. Married August 12, 1874, to Mrs. Mandana Clark. Two children. SANDFORD J. ACKERMAN was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 9, 1826, and moved to Ohio in 1834, remained till 1854, when he settled in Sauk Co., Wis., finally in Ravenna in 1-864. Was Sheriff of Muskegon County in 1867; City Marshal of Muskegon for 1870; once Supervisor of Ravenna, and Justice of the Peace for over ten years. He married Christina Bunnel September 25, 1848. WILLIAM R. CARROLL was born in Ingham Co., Mich., May 16, 1841, went to the ~tate of New York in 1857. In the fall of 1858 he enlisted in Co. K, of the 3d Artillery, Regular Army. Discharged July, 1861, on half pay, having been accidentally shot. He then engaged in a construction corps and remained till 1865. Traveled over most of the Western States and Territories till 1873, when he settled in Ravenna and engaged in building and contracting, which he still continues, in connection with manufacturing coffins, safes and bee-hives. Is at present Justice of the Peace. He was married February 6, 1876, to Maggie Wilkinson. FRED D. HOOGSTRAAT was born in Hanover, Germany, April 20, 1841. Settled in Muskegon in 1855, engaged in a saw mill, subsequently in farming. He now resides on section 13, Ravenna Township, also owns a half interest in the Ravenna Custom mill. He was married January 1, 1868, to Mary McWilliams, who was born in Brantford, Ontario. THERON STAFFORD was born at Whitby, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 21, 1848, settled in connection with his father's family in Ravenna in 1852. Received as good an education as the country afforded in his time; has taught school, been superintendent of schools, and now is engaged in the drug business at Ravenna. He has been twice married; first marriage July 29, 1872, to Cordia Scofield, who died Feb. 9, 1873; second marriage to Eva Giles, Sept. 25, 1876, who died Jan. 9, 1881. His father, Edward Stafford, was born in Canada Jan. 27, 1824, and married Alice Waite, Feb. 12, 1846, and died Sept. 30, 1878. He was not only one of the pioneers of Ravenna, but one of its prominent men, having been Township Treasurer for seventeen years. Z. R. BUTTERFIELD was born in the State of New York, July 23, 1820, and settled in Muskegon Co., Mich., in 1867. He is a farmer of 80 acres, and resides on section 6, Ravenna Township. He was married first, April 17, 1845, to Mary Ann Vandewalker, who died Jan. 12, 1855; second marriage, Nov. 1, 1855, to Alvira Otis. VALENTINE PLATE was born in Prussia Oct. 14, 1842. and settled in Kenosha Co,, Wis., in 1844, and in Ravenna in 1874. Is a farmer residing on section 12. He enlisted in the 33d Wisconsin volunteers in 1862. Served three years. He was married June, 1868, to Henrietta Birdsell. JOHN THOMPSON was born in Scotland, March 2, 1822 He married Ann Hughes, Nov. 14, 1842. She was born June 4, 1821. They settled on section 9, Ravenna Township, in 1850. He had been Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for several years, and died Oct. 22, 1873. JOHN CRYDERMAN was born in Clark Township,. Ontario, Aug. 13, 1837, settled in Ravenna Township on section 4, in 1853. He enlisted in Co. A, 6th Michigan Cavalry, in 1862,. and served three years. He was married Sept. 3, 1865, to Sarah C. Pierce, who was born in Ohio, May 7, 1848. JOSEPH DAVID was born in St. Johns, New- Brunswick, March 10, 1830, settled in Muskegon County in 1851, and in Ravenna in 1857, on section 36, where he still resides. He has been three times married; first in Muskegon in 1851, to Isabella Wright,who was born in England in 1828, and died in 1856. Second marriage Feb., 1858, to Mercy Johnson, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1839, and died May 19, 1878. Third marriage July 14, 1880, to Laura Tiffany, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1850. EDWIN THATCHER was born in Susquehannah Co., Pa., March 28, 1825. He was early engaged in teaching, which he cont;nued for over twenty years. He settled in Ravenna April, 1866. Has held the offices of County Supt. of Schools and Supervisor of Ravenna. He married Sept. 27, 1849, Catherine S. Carpenter, who 1 lo - f ____ .4 -1 - 4 -r r 1 - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 101 was born in the same township with himself. Has a family of six interesting children. DAVID ALBERTS was born in Adams Co., Pa., Aug. 5, 1803, settled in Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., on section 3, in 1865. He married Aug. 12, 1841, Mary Aspen. DAVID T. STAFFORD Was born in Ontario Co., Ontario, May 2, 1833, settled near Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1852, and in Ravenna in 1855, on section 25, where he still resides. Has been Township Clerk, Treasurer and Collector. He was married June 17, 1853, to Caroline Mansfield, who was born in Ontario, Aug. 4, 1835. THoMAs KELSO was born in the County Down, Ireland, July 16, 1821, emigrated to America in 1838, settling in Massachusetts, where he remained till 1843, when he settled in Sanilac Co., Mich., and in Ravenna, Muskegon County, in 1865, living on section 25. He was married June, 1852, to Mary J. Martin, who was also born ill County Down, Ireland, in 1829. ANTOINE CHRISTAIN was born in Canada, East, April 22, 1833, settled on section 6, Ravenna, in 1856. He was married Sept. 7, 1857, to Angeline Tart. CASNOVIA TOWANSHIP. As early as 1848 the following gentlemen made a beginning: Zerial Waterman, Ezra Burrel, A. Egelston, John and Richard Hilton, Timothy Colby. Ira Bonner, Ransom Surrarrer; also land was located by George Probasco and Edwin E. Haywood. In 1850 we record as settlers the names of Solomon D. Mosher, Nathaniel F. and Edward A. Westcott, Silas and Newton L. Fulkererson and Wm. Batterson. In 1851 Alex. Burdick, Case Ferguson, Ira Bonner, Daniel Bennett and Wm. H. Twiss. In 1852 a somewhat general settlement took place, among whom may be named, John Seaman, Wm. and Jerome Hutchinson, Marcus Muckey, Wm. Averill and Cornelius Loomis. ORGANIZATION. Casnovia was organized by act of the Legislature during the winter of 1852-3. The firstt town meeting was held April 4, 1853, when the following officers were elected: Richard Hilton, Supervisor; R. S. Seaman, Clerk; N. F. Westcott, Treasurer; Richard Hilton, John Seaman, Daniel Bennett and Solomon D. Mosher, Justices of the Peace; Wm. H. Twiss, N. L. Fulkerson, John Doran and Wm. Hutchinson, Constables; N. L. Fulkerson and John Hilton, Commissioners of Highways; Silas Fulkerson and F. Cassidy, Overseers of the Poor. Whole number of votes polled, 30. Since which the following persons have served as Supervisors and Township Clerks. SUPERVISORS-Richard Hilton, 1854-58; Oliver Walkley, 1855; Joseph Minnich, 1856; LaFayette Skinner, 1857; Nathan Whitney, for 18 years; R. G. Hutchins, 1875-76; Geo. Bolt, 1877-81. TOWNSHIP CLERKS-R. S. Seaman, 1854-55; Wm. Bonner, 1856; M. J. Russell, 1857; Nathan Whitney, 1858; Timothy Colby, 1859; R. Hilton, 1860-63; Joseph Arnold, 1861; Joseph Minnick, 1862; Wm. Bowen, 1864; Wm. Averill, 1865; LaFayette Skinner, 1866 -67; Herman Gilbert, 1868-69-70; L. M. Cox, 1871-2-3-4-5-6; John Herald, 1877-8-9-80; Hermas Gilbert, 1881. EARLY SCHOOLS. The settlers of this locality were wide awake in regard to securing the means of education for the rising generation, and among the early school districts organized may be mentioned: District No.: _. ---- 1, June 30, 1853; No. 2, Oct. 20, 1583; two others April 15, 1854; another May 29, 1854; and another May 23. 1857; so that ample provision was early made in this direction. At present there are in the township five hundred and six (506) children who receive public money, of whom three hundred and eighty attended school in 1880. The whole number of school houses is nine, with a seating capacity of six hundred. Aggregate number of days of school for 1880 was 1,298; number of male teachers five, of female teachers nine. Number of months taught by males, 25, by females, 40~. Total wages, males, $885.00; females $890.00. CHURCHES. The Casnovia Circuit was organized during the session of the annual conference held at Cold Water Aug. 31 to Sept. 7, 1870. Rev. L. W. Calkins was appointed to the charge. The several appointments on the charge were Cansovia, Canada Mills, Ashland school house, and the Seaman school house. At present there are only two appointments on the charge, Casnovia and Johnson's schoolhouse. Among the preachers who have officiated since are found Rev. Geo. Donaldson, J. F. Jenkins, Thomas W. Gleghorn, R. H. Brady, M. D. Terwilliger and A. Hunsberger. The present membership is 103, and 11 probationers. A new and commodious church was built in Casnovia in 1877, and a fine Sunday-school is in operation. Among the early preachers who held services in different places before this were L. Bennett, T. J. Congdon, G. Madison, M. I. Smith, H. H. Bement and others. There are some other church organizations within the township, viz.; The North Free Will Baptists, at the Seaman school house, Church of Christ and Church of United Brethren in Christ at Bailey, generally small membership and irregular meetings. BENEVOLENT ORDERS. Casnovia Lodge, I. O. of O. F., No. 349, organized June 2, 1881. Eighteen charter members. Edward Farnham, N. G.; Milan L. Squeir, V. G.; James H. Shaw, Warden; Martin Frank, Conductor; Albert Norris, R. S. N. G,; Adam Hizer, L. S. N. G.; Robt. J. Side, R. S. V. G.; Jacob Holben, L. S. V. G.; Wm. W. Fenton, Corresponding Secretary; Hugh Kelly, Recording Secretary; Benj. Holben, Inside Guard; Nelson J. Crigger, Outside l - - LI 4ta '{-4 U c,, - - 102 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 102 Guard; E. Lynch, R. S. S.; H. J. Crosby, L. S. S. Membership Aug. 1, 1881, was 28. Trent Lodge, No. 302, I. 0. O. F., Sept. 6, 1877, with eight charter members. George Rupp, N. G.; H. Avery, V. G.; V. Sinz, Recording Secretary; David Leichty, Permanent Secretary; Geo. Webb, Treasurer. The present membership is sixty-five, with Lucius Pickett, N. G.; Warren Carpenter, V. G.; George Rupp, Treasurer; E. Conklin, Recording Secretary; Noah F. Fales, Permanent Secretary. Tyrone Grange, consisting of members partly from Kent and partly from Muskegon Counties, was organized March 6, 1874, with thirteen charter members present. Membership (1881) was thirty-one. The building is on Section 25, Casnovia. Original officers were E. E. Haywood, Master; F. A. Bails, Secretary; F. N. Westcott, Overseer; Wm. H. Twiss, Treasurer; Uriah Chubb, Lecturer; M. J. Bonner, Steward. Trent Grange, P. of H., No. 372, was organized April 3, 1874. The following named were elected its first officers: Nathan Whitney, Master; Thomas J. G. Bolt, Secretary. Since which time the following have acted as Masters and Secretaries: Masters- Gep. W. Bolt, 1875-6-7-8; Tracy Woodward, 1879; Joseph Minnick, 1880-1. Secretaries-Thos. J. G. Bolt, 1875; Orrin Whitney, 1876; Hermas Gilbert, 1877-8-9-80-81. At the time of organization one hundred and seven (107) were elected to become members, most of whom were initiated. The present membership is eighty. In 1879 a large hall was built, the dimensions of which are 60x30, and 22 feet in height, which carries an insurance of $1,700. Knights of Honor, No. 2,248, located at Bailey, was organized June 25, 1880, with nine charter members. John A. Spring, Dictator; Daniel B. Galentine, Reporter; John S. Ingram, V. Dictator; Chas. W. Killen. Financial Reporter; Orvin Headley, Treasurer; Albert Morse, Guide; Jacob Probasco, Sentinel. Present membership twenty-four (24) and is in a prosperous condition. Meetings 1st and 3d Friday evening of each month. Good Templars Lodge, No. 809, is located at Bailey'and organized Aug. 13, 1874, with eighleen (18) charter members. The following were among the first officers: Miles Chubb, W. C.; Mrs. Louisa Thurston, Secretary; Mrs. Mary L. VanDusen, W. V.; J. S. Miller, Treasurer; Lewis Babcock, Marshal. Present membership, thirty-five (35); meetings each Saturday night. MIILLS. There are quite a number of saw mills in different parts of the township doing considerable business in a quiet way. R. P. Hanna built in Casnovia village a pump factory in 1878, added a cider mill in 1875, and a heading mill in 1881. D. Bartram brought from Lambton Co., Ontario, in' 1867, a saw and shingle mill, which was burned down March, 1880, rebuilt the same year and sawing about a half million feet of lumber and a million of shingles; located at Canada Corners. There was a saw mill at Trent as early as 1852, built by C. C. Darling. In 1854 the Whitney Bros. purchased the mill and over seven hundred acres of land, and went immediately to making improvements. In 1857 a grist mill was added. The mill is run by the waters of Crockery Creek. About a mile further up the creek Mr. W. H. Fulkerson built in 1861 a shingle mill..It is now owned by S. B. Olmstead, and umade in 1880 about five million shingles. G. B. Slocum, who owns several sections of land in the southwest part of the town, built a saw and shingle mill at Slocum's Grove ahout 1865. It has a capacity of about 4,000 feet of lumber and 25,000 shingles daily. In 1873 L. B. Murray built a saw mill at Bailey, and in 1874 added a shingle mill. In 1876 the estab lishment was changed to a stave factory and doing a good business, employing from six to twelve men. E. E. Haywood and brother are doing more in the lumber business than any other firm in this locality. In this township they own and run a saw mill at Moon, which does a large business as well as mills in other localities. Casnovia village was organized by Act of Legislature during the session of 1875-6, being located partly in Kent and partly in Muskegon Counties. The following were its first officers: A. C. Ayer, President; R. H. Topping, M. L. Squeir, Wesley Hanna, Joseph Kies, H. A. Irish, B. Fulkerson, Trustees. Present Officers-M. L. Squeir, President; R. H. Topping, S. S. Haseltine, H. J. Kelley, Wesley Hanna, Alex. Hanna, Elias Kinsley, Trustees. The village contains a population of 300, a good church, new brick school house, two general dry goods stores, two grocery stores, two hardware stores, one drug store, three millinery stores, one furniture store, two blacksmith shops, grain elevator, livery stable, hotel, Lodge of I. 0. O. F, M. L. Squeir post master. BAILEY (UNINCORPORATED), - contains about 300 inhabitants, and is doing nearly as much business as Casnovia. It has a stave and heading mill, two general stores, drug store, hardware store, grocery store, meat market, blacksmith shop, one Lodge of Good Templars.and Knights of Honor, and two church organizations. The hamlet of Trent, located on sections 9 and 17, has a population of about sixty, and contains a grist and saw mill, two stores, one drug store, Grange Hall and two blacksmith shops. Canada Corners and Moon are hamlets of about the same size as Trent, each containing a post office. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE BOLT was born in Devonshire, Eng., March 10th, 1842. Settled in Ottawa County, Mich., in 1858, and in Casnovia in 1871. Has been Master of the Grange four years, and is serving his second term as Supervisor. He was married May 29th, 1864, to Acelia Bradbury, who was born in Lisbon, Ottawa Co., Feb. 28th, 1849. SYLVESTER MOORE was born in Medina Co., O., Sept. 14th, 1844. He settled, in connection with his father's family, in DeKalb Co., Ind., in 1846, and in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., in 1854. Enlisted in the 10th Mich. Cavalry in 1865. He married, Sept. 15th, 1867, Ella Jackson, who was born in Medina Co., N. Y., May 12th, 1852. They are the parents of five children. His father's name was Drayton H. Moore, who was born in Hamburg Co., Mass., May 6tb, 1805, and died Dec. 23d, 1879. He was married Sept. 22d, 1833, to Sophronia Loomis, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 4th, 1817. CH.AUNCEY E. KOON, M. D., was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1841. In connection with his father's family he settled in Hillsdale Co., Mich., at a very early age. He attended college at Hillsdale, studied medicine and graduated at the Chicago Medical College in 1872. He at once made his residence in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., and commenced the practice of his profession, which he still continues. Mr. Koon enjoys the esteem of the public in a large degree, and especially in surgery, in which he is called in all difficult cases, for many miles around. He enlisted in the l11th Mich. Inf., in 1861. In 1862 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant; afterwards First Lieutenant and Captain. Served three years. He was married Sept. 2d, 1866, to Rebecca S. Clarke, who was born in Monroe Co., Ind., May 22d, 1848. I kg 1 - - - r 6 - le 0 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 103 r. AUSTIN C. WRIGHT, M. D., was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 22d, 1859, and graduated at the Monroe Collegiate Institute at Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1878, when he settled in Michigan. He there studied medicine and graduated at Ann Arbor State Medical University in 1881, being among the highest of his class, which numbered one hundred members. While a student at Ann Arbor Mr. Wright occupied the position of city editor of ]7te -Daily N2ews. At present he is engaged in his profession at Kent City. M. J. BONNER was born in Branch Co., Mich., April 4th, 1841, and settled in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., in 1851. He enlisted May 20th, 1861, in Company F. of the 3d Mich. Inf., and served in the department of the Potomac three years; was wounded in front of Petersburg, and also May 12th, 1864, in the charge at Spottsylvania. His brother, L. J. Bonner, enlisted the same time and was killed May 6th, 1864, in the Wilderness. Mr. Bonner was married Sept. 3d, 1865, to Josephine A. Russel. His father, Ira Bonner, was born in New York in 1812, and died at Casnovia August 26th, 1875. J. A. SHERWOOD was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 25th, 1820. He moved in early childhood to Herkimer Co., N. Y., and in 1836 to Buffalo, N. Y., where he practiced law. He settled in Casnovia in 1872, and at present is the lumber inspector for E. E. Haywood & Bro., at Moon. SAMUEL M. MOORE was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., May 9th, 1836, and settled on section 23, Casnovia, in June, 1872. He was married June 30th, 1861, to Mary Loomis, who was born Dec. 25th, 1840. They have two children. C. PORTER, lumber grader at Haywood's mill, Moon, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 14th, 1843, and settled in Casnovia in 1872. He was married July 3d, 1868, to Mary J. Stevens, who was born in New York State Feb. 20th, 1847. G. W. LOOMIS was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 28th, 1842. He enlisted in Battery G., 1st N. Y. Light Artillery, Oct. 4th, 1861. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and was in nineteen heavy engagements. He settled on section 23, Casnovia, in 1866, and was married June 16th, 1868, to Mlarnda Loomis, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1850. EDWIN E. HAYWOOD was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., June 3d, 1826. He settled in Eaton Rapids, Mich., in the Fall of 1841, and in Muskegon City in 1846, and located land in Casnovia, in section 25, where he still resides. Mr. Haywood has large holdings of land in other localities, and is extensively engaged in the lumber interest. WM. H. Twiss was born in Brutus Township, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 3d, 1825, and settled on section 25, Casnovia, in 1851. He was married in Seneca Co., 0., Aug. 17th, 1847, to Electa Bennett, who was born in Ohio June 13th, 1829. MA. HOLDEN was born in Somerset Mass., March 30th, 1831, and settled in Missouri in 1859, remaining till 1864, when he located in Casnovia, in section 25. He has been twice marriedfirst on Jan. 6th, 1855, to Elizabeth Kealiher, who died Dec. 20th, 1873. His second marriage was celebrated Oct. 21, 1879, with Mary A. Frink, who was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Jan. 9th, 1840. NATHANIEL F. WESTCOTT was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., July 13th, 1826. He was married Nov. 5th, 1848, to Phoebe J. Fulker son, who'was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 28th, 1827. He settled on section 26, Casnovia, in 1850. Mr. Westcott was Road Commissioner for fifteen years; also Township Treasurer. He died July 18th, 1879. AZARIAH LYNCH was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 11th, 1832. He settled in Ohio in 1811, and in Casnovia in 1860. He was married Nov. 15th, 1857, to Abigail J. Green. JACOB PROBASCO was born in Casnovia Sept. 6th, 1853. He was married Dec. 8th, 1876, to Polly Miller, who was born in Chester, Feb. 20th, 1858. His father, George Probasco, was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and married Sarah Surrarrer in 1850. He settled in Casnovia in 1848, being one of the very first settlers. A. J. SIMMONS was born in Carthage, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1834, and settled in Casnovia in 1857. He is a farmer and lives in section 26. He was married Nov. 11th, 1855, to Josephine E. Reed, who was born March 16th, 1833, at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. They are the parents of thirteen children, only four of whom are living. The record of the deaths is: Everett, March 22, 1862; John, March 5, 1865; diphtheria, the terrible scourge, took the next five, Julia Ann, June 1, 1870; Edwin, June 3, 1870; Asa, June 4, 1870; Evaline, June 9, 1870, and Rebecca, June 19, 1870. Byron died March 8, 1873, and Edna Aug. 23. 1875. R. P. HANNA was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1840. He followed lumbering till 1865, when he settled in Casnovia and was known as a builder and contractor. In 1873 he built a pump factory, added a cider mill in 1875, and a heading mill in 1881, all of which he still owns and operates. He was married Jan. 13, 1870, to Amelia Stevens, by whom he has two children. HENRY M. NICHOLS was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., May 23, 1841. He moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and remained there until 1862, when he enlisted in Battery F., 1st Mich. Light Artillery, and served nearly four years. He was in forty-seven battles from Somerset, Ky., to the battle of British Cross Roads, N. C. He was married June 17th, 1866, to Ellen L. Barber, when he settled in Casnovia, and now resides on section 22, and is engaged in farming and brick and tile making. D. BARTRAM was born in Ontario, Can., Dec. 17, 1827. He moved to Lambton Co., Ont., in 1847, and remained till 1867, when he located at Canada Corners, Casnovia, and is engaged in the manufacture of sawed lumber and shingles. P. A. THOMPSON was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., June 6, 1829; settled on Section 35, Casnovia in 1853; enlisted Jan. 20, 1862, in the 16th U. S. Regulars; wounded at Stone River in the right arm and side; served fifteen months. Married April 7, 1850, to Rachel Pruden, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., April 15, 1829. R. G. HUTCHINS was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1840; enlisted August, 1862, in the 153d N. Y. Volunteers; served over three years in the department of the Southwest, and in seven regular engagements; settled in Casnovia in 1866 on Section 35. Has been supervisor two terms. Married Jan. 1, 1866, to Maria H. Phelps, born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1844. SOLOMON DRAVENSTRATT was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, JuJLly 22, 1829; settled in Eaton Co., Mich., in 1853, and in Casnovia, Section 14, in 1858. Has been twice married, first Sept. 25 1854, to Elizabeth Paine; second marriage March 10, 1881, to Mrs. A. McManus, who was born in Branch Co., Mich., Jan. 15 1842, and settled, in connection with his father's family (Timothy Colby) in Casnovia in 1848, being one of the very first settlers. ORRIN WHITNEY was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Augist 15, 1825; settled in Casnovia in 1854. Has been school inspector, and is serving his second term as treasurer. Married Nov. 25, 1852, to Mary E. Cook, who was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1831. Three children. JOSEPH MINNICH was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 4, 1823; set tied in Casnovia in 1855, on Section 3, where he still resides, owning four hundred acres of land, and is a very successful farmer. Has held the several township offices of supervisor, treasurer, clerk, justice of the peace, etc., and is the present Master of Trent Grange No. 372. Married May 21, 1846, to Harriet S. Wyllys, who was born in Portage Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1828. - I - - - 64 fOr0 T G IO 0!L —.q - I Al j. I 104 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 104 OLIVER WALKLEY was born in Middlesex Co., Conn., April 30, 1809; settled in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1837, and in Casnovia in: 1853, on Section 3, where he still lives. Has been supervisor and justice of the peace. Married Nov. 15, 1830, Parthena Smith, who was born in Conn., April 20, 1812. Mr. Walkley had two sons in the war of the Rebellion. LAFAYETTE SEAMAN was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1831; moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., in 1842, and settled in l Casnovia, Muskegon Co., in 1853, on Section 4, where he now lives. I Married Sept., 1861, to Roxana Moore; has seven children. His father, John Seaman, was among the very first in his section of the town to make a settlement. He was. born in Ulster Co., N. Y., July i 14, 1804. Married April 29, 1827, to Lucretia Wyllys, who was | born April 19, 1803, both of whom are still living, (1881). DR. VICTOR SINZ was born in Switzerland, Dec. 30, 1838, and was educated in Classics at Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, and received his medical education at Naples, Italy. Settled at Frelandsville, Indi ana, 1859. Served in the U. S. army of the Rebellion for three years and five months as assistant surgeon; was twice wounded. Married March 4, 1866, to Mary Cleland, who was born at Liberty, | Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec., 24, 1848. Settled at Trent, Casnovia Tp., Muskegon Co., in April, 1872, as a practicing physician, which occupation, in connection with a drug store, he still continues. NATHAN WHITNEY. If we look among our pioneers for men who have been closely identified with the progress and interests of a locality, we shall find no one more so than Nathan Whitney. He has been closely identified in the government of his locality, having been township clerk, school inspector and supervisor for eighteen years, representative to the State legislature, etc. He was born in Huron Co., Ohio, Nov., 11, 1821; settled in DuPage Co., Illinois, in 1844, and in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., in 1854, and engaged in farming, and at present is the owner of 240 acres of land in that township. Mr. Whitney has been twice married, first Sept. 12, 1844, to Matilda Chambers, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., February, 1824, and died March 26, 1858; second March 4, 1860, to Lovicy Henry, born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Sep. 23, 1829. GEORGE CARRINGTON was born in Leicester, England, April 6, 1831; settled in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1840. When he arrived at his majority he traveled in California and other places till 1858, when he settled in Ashland and engaged in farming on Section 33, where he still owns a farm of 186 acres. In 1869 he also engaged in the mercantile business at the village of Trent, Casnovia Township, which he still continues. He was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Sarah Mitchell, who was born in England, Jan. 12, 1837. BENJAMIN WHITNEY was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1823; settled in Kent Co.,tMich., 1849, and in Casnovia Tp., Muskegon Co., in 1854, and engaged in farming and milling, which he still continues, being the owner of the gristmill at Trent. Has been treasurer and collector two terms. Married June 26, 1851, Rachel Blauvelt, who was born August, 1832, and died October 22, 1877. GEORGE A. MILES, born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1817; settled at Grand River, Mich., in 1856, engaged in the lumbering business, and moved to Casnovia Tp., Muskegon Co., in 1869, and is engaged in the mercantile business. Has been justice of the peace twenty-four years, and is the present postmaster of Trent. Married Nov. 21, 1843, to Elizabeth H. Marshall, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., and died Dec. 25, 1850; second marriage Jan. 17, 1852, to Catherine M. Tooker; five children. ALEX. MCINNIS, born in Argyleshire, Scotland, November, 1822; settled in Elgin Co., Ontario, in 1832; moved to Lambton Co., Ont., in 1846; remained till 1866, when he settled in Casnovia Tp., Canada Corners, where he still resides. Married Feb. 1, 1854, Nancy McClellen; six children. HERMAN GILBERT, born in Seneca Co., Ohio, April 19, 1842, moved to Kent Co., Mich., in 1849, and to Casnovia, Muskegon Co.; in 1854, settling on Section 8. Married July 3, 1862, to Josephine E. Rowland; second marriage April 2, 1877, to Kate M. Hull, who was born in Ashland Tp., Mich., June 5, 1856. HERMAS GILBERT, born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1839; moved to DuPage Co., Illinois, 1844, and in Kent Co.. Mich., in 1849, and in Casnovia, Muskegon County, in 1854. Has been constable, township clerk, and secretary of Trent Grange. Married Sept. 18, 1864, Minerva A. Hart, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 24, 1839. EUGENE W. CRANMER, born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Nov. 19, 1849; moved to Alpine, Kent County, in 1851, and to Casnovia in 1876, settling on Section 9, where he still resides. His occupation, a farmer. or more particularly a nurseryman, furnishing fruit trees and ornamental stock. He also has a peach orchard of 1,700 trees. Married Feb. 17, 1875, to Ida M. Chatterdon, who was born in Alpine, Kent Co., March 3, 1855. S. B. OLMSTEAD, born in Northumberland county, Ontario, June 23, 1843; moved to Kent county, Mich., in 1855, and to Casnovia in 1857 and engaged in the lumber and shingle manufactory at Trent, owning a saw and shingle mill. Married Jan. 1, 1868, Agnes A. Minnich, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1851. GEORGE BROWN, born in Wayne county, Mich., Aug. 4, 1831; settled in Casnovia Township, on section 16, in 1860. Enlisted in the 1st Mich. Light Artillery, January, 1864; served under Sherman till the close of the war. He married Lydia Norton, in 1855. JOHN SPRING, born in Kent county, Mich., Aug. 17, 1847. Early in life engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store at Grand Rapids. In 1870 he commenced the dry goods business on his own account at Grenville, Montcalm county, Mich., remaining till 1875, when he transferred his business to Bailey, Casnovia Township, and is a member of the firm of Spring & Lindley. He married Sept. 2, 1872, Frances M. Love, of Grand Rapids. RUFUS B. LINDLEY, born in Ontario county, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1830. Early learned the joiners trade which he worked at till 1875 when he engaged in the mercantile business with J. Spring at Bailey. He married, May 11, 1854, Louisa Love, of Grand Rapids. CHAS. FRALIGH, born in London, Ontario, June 22, 1823. Settled in Casnovia in 1868, and died Feb. 16, 1881. He married Dec. 8, 1842, Hannah Zavitz, who was born Feb. 4, 1822. JAMES I. WALKER, born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1825. Learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon maker and carried on that business till 1865, then coupled farming with it till 1871 when he started a hardware store at Bailey, and in 1879 changed to the grocery business, which he still continues. Has been Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Walker has been twice married, first Oct. 8, 1846, to Fannie Gaines, who died in 1854; second marriage Jan. 23, 1859, to Mary C. Berry, who was born at Little Falls, N. Y., March 22, 1830. Four children. A. W. FENTON, born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 8, 1837. Settled with his father in Kent county, Mich. in 1846. Engaged in farming till 1876 when he settled at Casnovia and commenced the drug business which he still follows at Bailey. He married May 23, 1861 Sarah S. Porter, who was born in Monroe county, N. Y., Nov. 1841. His father Cornwell Fenton, was born in Rutland, Vt., July 24, 1796. Settled in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., about 1836, and died in Kent county, Mich., July 14, 1865. CHAS. F. RUSSELL, born in Monroe county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1839 Settled in Casnovia in 1856, on section 15, now lives on section 24. Enlisted in the 12th Ill. Cav. in 1863; served three years under Gen. Banks. He married May, 1859 Silence M. Seaman, who - ~_ el -1..h. -4 - L:t.>: - .4 —4 Lz~ HISTORY OF I USKEGONs COUNTY. 105 was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April, 1839. Father's of Highways, Township Clerk, School Inspector and Justice of the was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April, 1839. Father's name Wm. H. Russell, Lorn in Vermont, Oct. 6, 1804, died April 23, 1871. JOHN HERALD, born in Wyoming county, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1835; moved to Steuben county, N. Y., in 1856, thence to Missouri in 1867, remained a year and settled in Saginaw county, Mich., in 1868, and in (asnovia, Muskegon county, in 1871, and resides on section 21. He married Feb. 15, 1862 Sarah Young, who was born Dec. 25, 1838 and died Feb. 18, 1875. Mr. Herald has been Township Clerk four years and elected Supervisor for 1881, but resigned oh account of ill health. JOHN A. MILLS, born in Chittenden county, Vt., Feb. 23, 1826. Settled in Stark county, Ohio, in 1837 and in Muskegon county, Mich., in 1854, and soon after engaged in making sawed shingles, being the pioneer shingle maker in this locality. Now is engaged in farming on section 16, Casnovia Township. Has been Township Treasurer two ternis and Director of the Poor. Married Dec. 11, 1847, Emeline Harlow fIom New Hampshire, who died May 23, 1850. Second marriage Dec. 12, 1850, to Caroline Dingmuan, who was born in Oswego county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 133. LEVI B. SEAMAN, born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 8, 1836. Settled in Hillsdale county, Mich., in 1842, and in Casnovia in 1 53. Has been Township Treasurer three terms, and School Inspector. Married January 1861, Hattie Mitchell, who was born in England, 1838. L. B. MURRAY, born in Pollet Township, Vt., Sept. 9, 1820. Settled in Washington county, N. Y., in 1828, remaining till 1837, when he moved to Erie county, N. Y.; there remained till 1842, when he settled in Calhoun county, Mich. In 1857 he moved to Tyrone, Kent county, two miles east of Bailey. He has generally been engaged in farming and now has a 240 acre farm in Tyrone, but resides at Bailey. He married Dec. 9, 1846, Emily E. Arnold, who died March 3, 1864. Second marriage Jan. 15, 1866 to Mrs. Sarah E. Probasco, maiden name Surrarrer. WM. AVERILL, born in Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1828. Settled in Ottawa county, Mich., in 1848, and very soon after moved to Muskegon county, and in 1850 purchased his present farm on sec tion 32, Casnovia Township. Has held the offices of Commissioner of Highways, Township Clerk, School Inspector and Justice of the Peace. Married Jan. 1, 1855, Adeline Ferguson, who was born in Oswego county, N. Y., July 2, 1835. MzYRON ABBOTT, born in Wayne county, Mich., Sept. 2, 41851. Settled in Casnovia in 1859. Has always followed milling which he still continues in connection with owning and running a steam thresher. Is acting Postmaster at Slocum's Grove and Notary Public. HINSON COLE, born in Seneca county, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1821. Settled in Oakland county, Mich., in 1831, and in Muskegon county in 1857, on section 7, Casnovia, where he still lives. Married 1850 to Betsy Young who died in 1859. Second marriage 1860 to Martha Lambeck. SMITH K. LEWIS, born in Chemung county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1832. Settled in Casnovia on section 7, in 1861. The same year enlisted in the 3d Mich. Inf. Served three years in the Department of the Potomac; wounded at the second battle of Bull's Run, also in front of Gettysburg. He married Sept. 2, 1879, Shelda M. Young. JAMES H. LOBDELL, born in Fairfield, Vt., Sept. 6, 1818. Settled in Chemung county, N. Y., in 1835 engaged in freighting on the canal, being the owner ol a boat. In 1842 he settled at Eaton Rapids, Mich., moving to Lansing in 1849 and to Muskegon county in 1857; was the first Sheriff of the county, also brought the first stock of goods to Casnovia. He married, July 1838 Ruby Ann Lewis, from Chemung county, N. Y. Mr. Lobdell at present is engaged in farming on section 18, 240 acres. AMos SLATER, born in Washington county, N. Y.. March 30, 1821. Settled in Newago county, Mich., in 1854, and in Casnovia, Muskegon county, in 1857, on section 7, where he still lives. Besides being a farmer he owns a saw mill on section 11, Moorland. Was Supervisor of Bridgeton Township, Newaygo county, and has been Treasurer of Casnovia. He was married Dec. 10, 1846 to Lydia A. Wallace, who was born in Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1823.. l4 * I l:: I I - 'I —? I,,-AP CD- L 1 4 - o i;) I - __ EGELSTON TOWNSHIP. The town is bounded on the north by Cedar Creek, on the east by Moorland, on the south by Fruitport, on the west by Muskegon, from which it was set apart at the first meeting of the County Board of Supervisors, after separation from Ottawa on July 18, 1859. The first meeting was held at the house of William Sturdefant, who was one of the petitioners. Adna Egelston, an early surveyor, in honor of whom the town was named, was the first Supervisor and was elected continuously every year until 1873, a period of over thirteen years, when David R. Jones took his place. In 1874 E. R. Porter was elected; in 1875, W. Carr; in 1876, A. Durdy; in 1878, W. Carr, who has been reelected annually until the present time. In 1881 the officials were: W. Carr, Supervisor; Alanson Rice, Clerk; John Littell, Treasurer; John Parkhurst, School Inspector; Aaron Eakright, School Superintendent; and W. Carr and Frederick Delano, Justices of the Peace. The population in 1860 was but 29; in 1864, 153; in 1870, 233; in 1874; 317; in 1880 it had fallen to 218. It will be seen from this that a year after it was set apart in all its territory of thirty-six square miles, but twenty-nine persons were found in its limits, and which has risen in fourteen years to 317. During the last six years it has fallen back to 218. This is accounted for by the fact that Egelston was at that time a great lumbering region and that it has now been largely denuded of its timber and has to depend upon agriculture. One circumstance which has retarded' the development of Egelston has been the large blocks of land held by non resident owners, who valued it chiefly for its timber. The Booming Company, Ferry & Bro., and others own considerable land, and other sections are government and railway lands. There are but few schools and these in the eastern side, one on Section 11, another on Section 22, and a third on Section 36, where E. R. Jones, one of the oldest, if not the oldest settler, came in 1853. There is no post office in the town. A village lot was laid out and named Almer, on Section 33, on land belonging to J. Scott and A. Cummings. It is near the head of Black Creek, whose branches, the Little Black and the Cranberry, water the southwest of the town. Carr Lake, chiefly on Section 32, is about half a mile each way, and has four smaller lakes to the west. The soil is chiefly sandy and covered with oak and pine, the latter being nearly cut off. The southeastern portion is best settled and the soil there is clayey and gravelly. There is considerable wet or marsh land, which will doubtless ultimately prove the best land in the town. S. C. Hall, on Sections 13 and 24, and part of the adjoining section of Moorland, has a noble farm of nearly 2,000 acres, called Deer Park farm, which had been set down by the surveyors as impassible marsh. The farm is managed by John Littell & son. It is thoroughly ditched and raises great crops of hay, which finds a ready market in Muskegon city. Settlers are beginning to come in and settle on the sandy soil, and if it is worked right they will do well. Wolf Lake is a beautiful lake, the water being clear and cool. There is neither an outlet nor inlet to the lake, some parts of the shore of which are springy. The size of the lake is about one mile long by one-quarter mile wide. It covers most of Section 16. i - -I I CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. This town contains thirty-six square miles, and lies between Holton, Dalton and Egelston, with Newaygo County on the eastern boundary. It contains a number of lakes, of which the largest is Duck Lake, on Section 11, which is three-fourths of a mile long and half a mile wide. Mud Lake and Clear Lake lie to the west of Duck Lake. The Muskegon River crosses the southeast, and Cedar Creek drains the whole town. MUNICIPAL. This town was originally a part of White River, and then of Dalton, and was set apart with Holton attached in 1861, which union lasted for ten years, Holton going by itself in 1871. The Supervisors of Cedar Creek have been Norman Cunningham, in 1861 -2-3-4-5-6; Paul G. Shippey, in 1867-8-9; E. Dalton, in 1870. In 1871 Paul G. Shippey appears again on the board of Supervisors, (I 4 I I i 1R T '1 r 46.;; 4 I 1 f -I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 107 I r - and is reelected in 1872-3, then Seth Evans comes in 1874-5-6-7 -8; M. Thompson, in 1879-80; and Seth Evans has been Supervisor ever since, having just been elected for the fourth time. The Justices of the Peace are Seth Evans, Rice Jones and Aaron E. Sevrey. The present Supervisor is Seth Evans, Treasurer, Anton Schmidt; Clerk, Warren F. Odion, who is serving his third term, and came to the town in 1866. The population of Cedar Creek was 166 in 1864, 660 in 1870, 291 in 1874, and 432 in 1880. The fall in population in 1874 may be accounted for in that Holton was not included. The town of late years is improving agriculturally. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Joseph Martin claims to have been the first settler in Cedar Creek on Section 1, in 1856, at which time there was but one man named Sheppard near, who was logging but not a permanent settler. A lumberman, J. Thompson, now deceased, was up the river, and was on the river two or three years before Martin. Charles Odell, now of Holland, came in about 1856 and lived next to Martin. Then came Hendrickson, Richard Ryerson (brother of Martin,) John Schmidt and Anton Schmidt. Allllira, daughter of Jos. Martin, bornl in 1857, was the first white child born in the town. The first teacher was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Ryerson, who taught in her own house before a school house was built. The first school house was on Section 12, on Hendrickson's land. Miss Adelia Wilson (now Mrs. Martin Ryerson, her husband being the son of Richard) was the first teacher there. The first missionary to preach was the Rev. Mr, Irvine, a Baptist from Twin Lake. Tho Norwegian Lutherans have a church edifice on Section 25, where there is quite a large settlement. The first saw mill was that of Mr. Jones, on Section 35, now gone to decay. The Shippey mill in 1867 was the next, and A. T. Linderman's in the northeast corner of the town was the last. In 1869 Mr. Ruprecht built a small mill at Duck Lake, and sold it to Blodgett & Byrne, who moved it to Holton in 1871, and after one year built larger. There are no other saw mills except S. P. Hartshorn's small mill on the Little Cedar. The soil of the town is not very inviting, being chiefly clay and sand, Sections 1, 12 and 36 being among the best. There is not much pine left, much of it being taken off by Otto Ryerson and Peter Johnson, both now deceased. The first marriage was by John Hendrickson to a Miss Syphers; that of Martin Ryerson and Adelia Wilson, being also among the earliest. Taxes are light, and the town is in no debt. Fires have done but little damage. The crops have generally been fair, except in 1881, but there are but few farmers as yet in the township. The Muskegon road is the chief route of travel, it being less than fourteen miles from the center of the town to Muskegon; but since 1872, when the railroad came in, Holton has had considerable of the farmers' trading. In Cedar Creek, about two miles from Twin Lake, is LINDERbMANIS SIDING, where is A. T. Linderman's shingle mill, built in 1879 by C. W. Dunning & Co., and purchased by Linderman in 1880, capacity 50,000 per day. Mr. Linderman, who is a prominent merchant of Whitehall, has also a model farm where he raises on sand, clover knee deep. This farm is 640 acres on sections 4, 5 and 6; his mill is on section 5. JOSEPH MARTIN, farmer on sections 1 anld 12, on 200 acres, came among the very first settlers in 1856, was born in Lower Canada in 1825, and brought up in his native place. At 24 years of age he went west, and after various wanderings he settled in Cedar Creek. He married Almira Piche, in 1855, and has had eight children, of whom six survive. JOHN SCHMITT was born in Germany in 1823, and emigrated to America in 1852. After working in Muskegon County and Illinois, in 1868, the land in Cedar Creek Township was opened for settlement, when he took up a homestead in-section 24. There were no roads and but few neighbors, but he worked bravely on until now he owns a fine farm of 240 acres. In 1868 he married Miss Anna Mary Glessner, of Prussia, by whom he has six children. TALLIFF HENDRICKSON was born in Norway in 1811, and emigrated to Washington Co., Wis., in 1849. After working a rented farm three years, he went on the old vessel lIenry Clay to Muskegon Lake, settling in Fruitland, where for eight years he was engaged in lumbering. He iext moved to Cedar Creek Township, settling on sections 1 and 12, where he made for himself a comfortable home. His son, JOHN P. HENDRICKSON, was born in Norway in 1842, and Henry Hendrickson in 1844. They came with their father to Michigan, and on his death John got the part of the farm in section 1, and Henry that in section 12. John married Miss Millie Ann Syphers, of Ohio, in 1863, by whom he has five children. Henry married Miss Augusta M. Hynald, of Rochester, N. Y. The family suffered many privations after settling in Michigan, but they persevered and finally overcame all difficulties. Mr. Talliff Hendrickson was one of the first to assist in organizing a Lutheran Church, and the place of worship is now centrally located in Holton. There is also a fine cemetery in which the Hendrickson family purpose erecting a fine family monument. JOHN JOHNSON was born in Sweden in 1831, and emigrated to America in 18683. After living in Chicago and Muskegon, he bought a farm in section 13 of Cedar Creek, which he still owns. In 1873 he married Miss Augusta Louisa Swansen, of Sweden, by whom he has had six children, one of whom died in 1877. CHAUNCEY HOVEY, farmer, was born in Macomb Co., Mich., Nov. 4, 1827, where he resided until 1867, when he moved to Cedar Creek, and has been honored with a town office ever since its organization. He was married in 1858, to Jane DeWitt, and has had eight chilI dren, four still surviving. JOHN JACOBSON, farmer, was born in Sweden in 1836, and came to Muskegon in 1865, Whitehall in 1871, working in the saw mills. In 1873 he moved on his present farm in Cedar Creek. S. P. HARTSHORN, saw miller, was born in New Hampshire in 1845, enlisted as musician in Co. E, 6th N. H. Vol., in 1863, serving till close of war. In 1866 came to Whitehall, where he was in business six years. In 1872 lie built and still runs a saw mill on section 14, on the head waters of the Little Cedar, called Duck Lake mills. He was married Aug. 19, 1867 to Z. D. Hendrickson, of Wisconsin, and has four sons and two daughters. ANTON SWEETER, farmer in section 27, Prussian, born in 1834, came to Racine, Wis., in 1854, and next year came to Muskegon, working on the river seven years and then came to Cedar Creek. SETH EVANS, of section 23, born in Tiverton, R. I., in 1824, next year went to Massachusetts, and followed the sea until he came to Cedar Creek in 1866.. He is the present Supervisor. RICE JONES, section 24, was born in Monmouthshire, Engrland, in 1829, came to Utica, N. Y., in 1833, next year moved to Syracuse, N. Y., and two years after to Wisconsin, thence to Muskegon in 1851. He was married in March, 1854, to Mary E. Evans, and moved to LaCrosse, Wis., ill 1857, back to Muskegon in 1860, to Cedar Creek in 1874. I I - I W, 2, i-. It -P qA: Al L_L Q -- - -_ W —04bp - - -- G i 7T h/ A: - | | | I ts l X l SSI S:a l MAHjS And::092 l 02S4.1l: frS1 I And d v l ftI::fF: I:::0k A:: AS::00 a: e:5:d An::0V;f:: HOLTON TOWNSHIP. This township, which is reckoned as agriculturally one of the good townships of the county, was organized in 1871, and is Township 12, north, Range 15, west, being a complete six mile township. It is traversed by the Muskegon & Big Rapids R. R. from its southwest to near its northeast corner, passing through Holton village, which has one newspaper printed at the?orum office, Whitehall, and known as the Holton 3Bamer. There are a few lakes in the southeastern portion, of which Deer Lake is the largest. The southern part drains into the Muskegon Lake, the north in the White River. Cedar Creek passes through Holton Village and thence through the east of Cedar Creek Township, and thence into Muskegon Lake. It is the most northeasterly township of the county, and is bounded on the north by Oceana County, on the east by Newaygo, south by Cedar Creek, and west by Blue Lake. Two thirds of the township is of a sandy loam. The northeastern part was first settled. From Holton Village to Muskegon City is nearly 15 miles, from Whitehall, about 13 miles. The population in 1870 was 620, 339 males. The village of Holton owes its start to the firm of Blodgett & Byrne, and was so named in compliment to Ex-Gov. Holt. It was not called Holt because of another postoffice of that name in Ingham County. The east and northeast portion of the township is very good soil and heavily timbered. SETTLEMENT OF HOLTON. The settlement of Holton presents some features different from those of the other townships of this county. It was originally an Indian reservation for the Ottawas, who were settled in this vicinity, and was popularly known as " Indian town." The aborigines made very little attempt to take possession, and the great mass of them moved away to the north, where they still reside, abandoning the gift of Uncle Sam. Gradually white men selected the best sites, and settled down to the number of a dozen or two, improving their places, and, in some cases, planting orchards. The land being in most cases good for agriculture, they had no desire to abandon their claims, as had been done in the sandy soils of some towns in the county. Son-e were squatters, but the most of them had gone to the land office in Ionia, and, through some misapprehension on the part of the officials, had secured pre -emption rights or had bought outright. These proceedings, when reported at Washington, were, of course, cancelled as null and void. In the meantime a man named John R. Robinson, of Ada Township, a son of the noted early Indian trader, Rix Robinson, by a lady of half French and half Indian blood, spied out the Jand, went to Washington, and by setting up his claim as an Indian, secured a United States patent for 4,500 acres of splendid timbered land on good soil. This he disposed of for several thousand dollars to the late Ransom E. Wood, of Grand REapids, but as soon as the latter became aware of the lively opposition on the part of the settlers, he re-conveyed the property to Robinson, who afterwards sold it about twelve years ago to Messrs. Blodgett & Byrne for $15,500. Of course the settlers murmured, but the just, liberal, and honorable course of this enterprising firm gradually disarmed opposition, by paying for improvements, and, where desired, by selling the land at wild land prices, and by their enterprise in developing the resources of the town, and giving remunerative employment to the settlers, and affording a home market for their products. They erected a fine saw mill, which ran until the close of the season in 1881, and is now being removed, and also a large mercantile establishment. Joseph Troutier, Indian store keeper on Sand Creek, was the first man having any white blood in his veins, that settled on Muskegon River. He was a French half-breed. William Badeaux was one of the first settlers in the village. The present Clerk of the town is a teacher at Twin Lake school, Mr. N. R. Dwyer. A. Steinberg was a very early settler, as was a Mr. Campbell, who selected a mill site at Twin Lake and put up a portable mill, at the same time cutting a road to Whitehall. The first store in the village was that of Blodgett & Byrne, which is still the most extensive concern of the kind. Thomas McLaughlin (deceased) was the first manager of the store. The second store was started by John Glade, now of Howard City, up the river, who commenced in a very humble way-with a couple of barrels with boards on them as a counter. The store on the same site now is Rand & Jennings'. The first church was the Methodist Episcopal, of which Rev. Mr. Jackson is now pastor. The first white settlers were the present Supervisor, Rufus W. Skeels, and Norman Cunningham, now deceased. At that time there were none in Blue Lake. Voters had then to go to the Wheat settlement to vote, as the town was first, along with five other towns, a portion of White River, and then set apart with Cedar Creek. The town is clear of debt and has money in the treasury. The tax is 4. per cent. on the assessed valuation, including school tax, which is 2; per cent. The two saloons of the village, which now pay $200 each, and, under the new law, will pay $300 each, contribute more than enough to pay the contingencies of the town. About 1864 there came in a colony of Norwegians and Danes, who settled in the south of Holton and north of Cedar Creek. The first christening was in 1866, on a child of Capt. H. Aslakon. They number now about thirty families, about two-thirds of whom are in the church. They built, in 1881, a $500 church, and have preaching once a month, by the Rev. A. Anderson, of Muskegon They had, before this, worship in private houses and school houses. Rev. J. E. Bergh was the first pastor, and used to travel from Muskegon on foot, but his health gave way under chills and fever, and he went-to Minnesota. Next came Rev. Mr. Fioren, who could get in by rail, as the railway came in 1872. There is no debt on their church, of which the present trustees are Capt. Aslakon, 0. C. Olson and 0. Trygstad. i;:0 61i: 04 - - ---------- i6 (4 - 41 -- Et.* - -1 jg z HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 109 1 r Isaac Casady, blacksmith in the village, is one of the early settlers, having come in to work for Blodgett & Byrne. Among other early settlers was Jos. Dobe. There are eight saw mills in the town, including Blodgett & Byrne's, which is undergoing removal to some other point. In the northwest portion of the town there are the portable mills, those of Wm. Coon and Eugene Husted, which are of recent erection. East of Holton village Isaac Meriolm & Brother have a large mill, which was burned in October, 1881, and was immediately rebuilt. HOLTON VILLAGE is a thriving little village fifteen miles Northeast of Muskegon, on the M. & B. R. Branch R. R. It has a population of about 500, and was platted by Blodgett & Byrne in 1871, they having large landed interests in and around there. After laying out the town, their first move in the line of manufacturing enterprise was to start a sawmill with a cutting capacity of about 10,000 feet of lumber per day. After running that for about one year they tore it down and in its place put up a fine lumber and shingle mill, with a capacity of about 50,000 feet lumber and 90,000 shingles, which was afterwards burned, together with about 2,000,000 shingles, and on which was no insurance. It was rebuilt and rcn until 1881. The first store was put up by Blodgett & Byrne, the goods having to be hauled with teams from Muskegon, there being no railroad at that time. The first blacksmith shop was put up by Isaac Casady in 1872. John Glade located there and built and opened up a general store. The first wagonshop was opened up by Geo. E. Alien. The next to start was a grocery by Thomas McLaughlin. The first shoeshop was built by Theodore Schmeiling. The first saloon was built by John Keifer. The first hotel and meat market by Richard Lindsey. The first justice of the peace was his honor, Charles Comstock; the court room was in the meat market, and the prisoner was locked up in a box car. The village as well as the township was named in honor of ex-Gov. Holt, of Muskegolz, a gentleman kindly remembered by the people of [Holton for his kind attention and liberality towards the little village in its infancy. Its chief business places are as follows: Blodgett & Byrne, saw and shingle mill and general store; Geo. E. Alien, general store and grain elevator; general store and furniture, Rand & Jennings; wagon and carriage shop, Thomson Bro's; boots and shoes, Wm. Apel; hotel and saloon, Chas. Tyson; blacksmith and wagon shop, Isaac Casady; jeweler, John Hawkey; boots and shoes, Ensign & Son; wagon and carriage shop, M. J. Crahen; saloon, Wim. Badeaux; livery stable and barber shop, James B. Rhodes; drug store, Dr. D. A. McDonald; photographer, Mr. Memibroe;,harness shop, Ed. Vaughn; millinery, Mrs. MIembroe. It is surrounded by a good farming country for grain, hay, fruit and stock, and is now quite a shipping point for lumber, shingles, tan bark, railroad ties, grain, hay and stock, and is destined to be one of the finest villages in Northwestern Michigan. It has also a fine M. E. Church, the bell for it being a present from ex-Gov. Holt, a good school house with school ten months a year. BADEAUX STATION is about two miles and a half North of Twin Lake, on the Big Rap id's Branch of the C. & W. M. Railway. It is in the Southeast of Holton, on Section 32, at the junction of two branches of Cedar Creek. George Badeaux has a shingle mill there, built in 1878, cutting 45,000 a day. Burrows & Blythe have another shingle mill, cutting 70,000 a day. It also cuts lumber off the side of logs, and cuts it with a circular for shingles. There is little else at the station but boarding houses. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEO. E. ALLEN was born in the township of Franklin, Lenawee Co., Mich,, 1851, and removed from there when quite young to Lapeer County. His parents were farmers, and reside now on the farm they have occupied for twenty-six years. He is a lineal descendent of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and came to Muskegon in 1868, and was married to Miss Ida V. Hawley in 1871; she at that time residing with her parents in Muskegon. He removed from that place to Holton in 1873, where he now resides. He built one of the first frame houses in Holton, now occupied by him on the west side of lMain street. He carried on a wagon and carriage shop for some time, building the first wagon ever put up in the village. He next sold out that business and entered into the practice of law, which he followed until entering the mercantile line, that occupying so much of his time he was compelled to give up entirely the practice of law. He was three times elected treasurer of the township, and now carries on a general store and grain elevator. He established a permanent wool market in Holton, buying the first load of wool ever sold in the town. He built the only grain elevator there, which, although not large, is amply sufficient for the place. He has always been a staunch Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. GEORGE tIADEAUX was born in Grand Haven, Mich., in 1848, | He moved to Bridgetown in 1853, and in 1873 moved to the town of Holton. In 1869 he married Miss Laura Stevenson, of Chicago, by whom he has four children. In 1878 he built a shingle mill in Section 32, with a capacity of 60,000 per day. He owns 160 acres, well timbered, and has a ready market for all the shingles he can make. He is an enterprising thorough-going man, and is succeeding well. WILLIAMI BADEAUX was born in Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon, Dec., 14, 1841, and has always lived in the county. He worked at lurmbering until 1877, when he went into the restaurant business, in which he has prospered. He also owns a good farm in Section 27 of Holton. In 1862 he married Miss Jane Marshall, of Princeton, Province of Ontario, by whom he has five children. I WILLIAMI BLYTHE was born in the Province of Quebec, about twenty miles fromn Montreal, Canada, in 1841, and is of French origin. After some years spent in various Eastern states and Canada. he came to Michigan and worked in Whitehall two or three years. He then invested his capital in a span of horses and swore he would work no more for other men, which resolution he has kept. He came to Holton with Mr. Burrows and has been connected in business with him ever since. ISAAC CASADY was born in Carleton Co., Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1844, and at the age of 17 went to New York State, and after living there about ten years came to Muskegon, and worked at w| gon making in Holton. In 1877 he went to California, but not liking the country he returned to Holton, again engaging in his business. In 1869 he married Miss Rachel Lock, of Dundas Co., Ontario. He served three years as town treasurer. I M. J. CRAHEN was born in Detrcit in 1842, but nmoved with his parents to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1848. In 1861 he went to the city of Muskegon, and shortly afterward enlisted in the 10th Mich. Cavalry, and served to the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Grand Rapids and lived there until 1875, when he came to the village of Holton, where he carries on carriage making. In 1879 he married Miss Jennie L. Roche, of Grand Rapids. DANIEL D.CHURCH was born in Richland, Ohio, in 1831, and moved with his parents to Williams Co., Ohio, where he lived until twenty years old. He had few educational advantages. In 1852 he settled j J. - - I t -- 1 ~ -NJ 1 - I - i -L-( 110 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.: i; I in La Grange Co., Ind., and in 1855 married Miss L. Hoys, by whom he has seven children. In 1865 he enlisted in the 13th Ind. Regt., and served until the close of the war. In 1879 he settled on a farm in section 13, Holton. L. M. DARLING was born in Franklin Co., Vt., in 1833. In 1857 he settled in Vernon, Wis., and lived there until 1862, when he moved to Muskegon. In 1864 he took up land in section 24, Holton. He was one of the earliest settlers, and when he took up his land it was not for sale, and there were no roads or bridges. In 1873 he purchased his land after it had passed through the hands of several speculators. He owns 280 acres of choice land, suitable for stock-raising, to which he chiefly devotes his attention. He married, in 1851, Miss Almnira Preston, of Fletcher, Vt., by whom he had six children, two of whom are living. His wife died in 1875, and in 1876 he married Miss Mary Ann Snow, by whom he has two children. In 1864 he was drafted to serve during the war. He was at the battle of Fort Stedman, and the taking of Petersburg in 1865, and escaped without a scratch. JOHN H. INGLEHEART was born in Lyons, N. Y., March 26th, 1833, and moved with his parents to Ohio in 1835, and lived there about twelve years, and then moved to the town of Shelby, Macomb Co., in 1840. In 1855 he married Miss Almtira P. Cheney, of Macomrb County, and about two years after, leaving his family in Macomb, he went on foot, by the overland route, to California, and after brick-laying, saloon-keeping, mining and lumbering, he returned by way of the Isthmus and New York to his family in 1860. After alternately living in Saginaw and lMacomb Counties, for several years, he located land in the Indian reservation, or what is now section 26 of Holton, in 1865. When the land came into market he purchased it. In January, 1866, he moved his family on the new home, and, after alternately working in mills part'of the year and on his land the other, he finally, in 1873, settled down to farming, and has made money. He now owns 280 acres of good land. ROBERT B. JENNINGS, general merchant, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1834. In 1850 he went to Ohio, and stayed there four years, when he went to Adrian, Mich. Onl Dec. 11th, 1854, he married Miss Mary E. Morse, and in the following Spring he went to Ottawa County, where he bought land. In the Spring of 1879 he came to Muskegon and settled in the village of Holton, and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Jennings enlisted in 1863 in the 7th Mich., and served until 1865. GEORGE GALLOHER was born in Peterborough, Province of Ontario, Can., in 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in the Northern army and served with distinction until 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was raised from the ranks to be First Lieutenant of Company F., 1st Ohio Cavalry. He was inll a great many battles, and was wounded seriously twice. He obtained his lieutenancy for gallant conduct on the field at the battle of Peach Tree, and after leaving the army he returned to Canada, but after about two years there, and some time spent in Michigan and other States, he finally settled down in Holton village. HENRY D. KENFIELD (in Burrows & Blythe's shingle mill, Holton), was born in Massachusetts in 1856. At the age of 12 years he moved with his parents to Illinois, and at 14 to Blue Lake, working in Kingsley's mill. He married, May. 29th, 1881, Miss Lydia Chamberlain, of Fruitland. ISAAC MARION was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1847, and came to Muskegon in 1865 and worked for the Boom Co. seven seasons in succession. In 1872 he settled in section 13 of Holton, and now owns 370 acres of good land. In the Spring of 1881 he built a steam saw mill with a capacity of 20,000 feet. His engine is 45-horse power. In 1870 he married Miss Mary I I - Kimbal, of Muskegon, by whom he had two children, one of whom is dead. JAMES MACK was born in the Township of Vaughan, York Co., Ontario, Canada, in 1840. He lived there twenty-two years, came to Michigan, and after rambling through many of the States, he at last settled in Holton in 1871. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 3, which is a fine sandy loam. In 1870 he married Miss Elizabeth Killingbeck, of Cavan Township, Ontario, by whom,he has five children. GEORGE W. MOSHIER was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1839, his father being a Government detective in that city. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and served until the Spring of 1863, when he was discharged. In 1864 he came to Michigan and took up land in Holton. In 1864t he married Miss Mary Wheaton, of Rochester, N. Y. Her father and mother came with her and her husband to the wilds of Holton. Mr. Moshier prides himself on not owing one dollar, and is justly highly esteemed. He has been constable for five years past. BURTIS MCDONALD was born in New York City in 1836; came with his parents to Livingston Co., Mich., and remained there until 1865, when he came to Muskegon County. He settled in Cedar Creek Township, having 160 acres. He sold out and went to Fremont. After staying there about a year he purchased forty acres in the wilds of Holton, and now, after undergoing the privations incident to pioneer life, is doing well. In 1857 he married Miss Mary Buell, of Oakland Co., Mich., by whom he has two children. DONALD A. McDONALD was born in Canada in 1849. He is of Highland Scotch descent. His father at one time held an important position in Inverness, but, being anxious to see the New World, came to America, living for a time in New York, but finally settling in Western Canada. The soni received all the advantages of schools and colleges that could be given him, taking a fu'l classical course, as his parents designed him for the clerical profession. After leaving college he taught in a high school for some time, and afterwards went into the drug business. In 1866 he began the study of medicine with Dr. L. K. Holmes, the leading surgeon of Chatham, and studied with him three years. After traveling about he entered the University of Michigan in 1872 and graduated in 1876. He came to Holton in the fall of that year. In 1877 he went to the " Sunny South," but failing health compelled him to return to the north, and he came back to Holton, bought property, and engaged in the practice of medicine, and the hotel and drug business. In 1877 he married Louisa Ball, of Cleveland, O. JOHN OLSON, lumberman, was born in Norway in 1845. He came to Chicago in 1871. After the great fire there he moved to Manistee for three years, and to Holton in 1874. CHRISTIAN OLSON was born in Norway in 1811, and emigrated in 1851, coming to Muskegon in the fall of 1855, and settling in what was then White River. From there in 1859 he removed to a farm in Section 35, Holton. OLE C. OLSON, a son of Christian Olson, mentioned above, was born in Norway and emigrated with his parents. In 1862 he enlisted in the 5th Mich. Cavalry. He escaped without hurt and was discharged in 1865 and returned home. In 1867 he settled on the farm in Section 35, then the Indian reservation. In 1867 he married Miss Anna Hansen, of Norway by whom he has six chil dren. In 1872 he got the title to his land and now owns 120 acres. FRANCIS PATTISON was born in Cumberland County, England, near the city of Carlyle in 1825. In 1852 he came to America and settled in Kent County, Mich., and stayed there thirteen years, and then went to Nashville in 1867. In 1874 he moved to Holton and purchased a farm in Section 4. In 1856 he married Miss Ann Maria Bright, of Ohio, by whom he had four children. He was drafted I I.I P:I .* -' I AL < j 4 f I I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. Ill I to serve in the war, but on account of sickness paid $Y00 and was discharged from service. He relates many anecdotes of the privations of the early pioneers. His youngest child is nineteen years younger than his fourth child-which is a rare occurrence. JOHN G. RASEY was born ill Oneida County, N. Y., in 1824. At twelve years of age he moved to Lawrence County, where he lived twelve years. Here he married Orrilla Harris, who died in less than two years after marriage. He next moved into Jefferson County, and after living there twelve or thirteen years removed to the state of Illinois with a family of five children, having been married a second time, and remained there ten years. He then bought eighty acres of wild land in Holton and settled on it. He has now ten children. He taught school for twenty-four years. Has been School Superintendent for Holton five years and Justice of the Peace two years. J. B. RHODES was born in Tioga County, N. Y., in 1811. After livingy in various states he finally settled down in the village of Holton in 1876 and purchased property. On Sept. 10, 1872, he married Miss Helen Fogg, of Whitehall, formerly of Wyoming Co., N. Y., lby whom he had three children, one only surviving. In 1861 he enlisted in the 3d Midich. Infantry, served to the end of the war and was- honorably discharged, after being engaged in many battles. RuFus W. SKEELS was born ill Ohio inll 1836. He went to Iowa in 1852, where he stayed two years, and then came to Muskegon County. At this time there were no roads and the settlers widely scattered, and markets distant. He cut fa road twenty-two miles to what is now Muskegon City. For five years he lived alone, and in 1859 he married Miss Louisa Ball, of Ohio, from whom hle was divorced in 1870. He afterwards married Miss Frances Curtis, of Holton. He has two children by his first wife. He owns at the present time 320 acres of choice land beside property in the village of Holton. He enlisted in the 3d Mich. Infantry and served three years and two months; was in fifty-three hard battles and was wounded seven times. He went out as a private and returned a commissioned officer. HERBERT THOMPSON was born in Macomb County, Mich., in 1853 and served his apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. In 1877 he took up a farm in Section 21, of Cedar Creek, and also worked at his trade. In the spring of 1879 he moved to the village of Holton, and established a wagon and carriage shop in connection with blacksmithing. He also manufactures agricultural implements. In 1876 he married Miss Frederica C. Hartwig, of the town of Romeo, where he had served his apprenticeship, and their union has been blessed with two children. Mr. Thompson and his brother are in co-partnership in their business and are doing well. CYRUS A. WELTON was born in the town of Avon, Livingston County, in 1839. In 1859 he married Miss Carrie M. Chapman, of Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., by wvhom he has two children. Eight years afterward he moved to Genesee County, Mich., and after various moves he came in 1880 to Holton, and purchased a farm in Section 27, and in 1881 traded with William Badeaux for 120 acres in the same and adjoining section. The soil is heavy sand loam of good quality. MARTIN WILTSE, farmer, Section 12, town of Holton, was born in the state of New York in 1838. After an exciting career as a backwoodsman and raftsman, in which he suffered many privations, he married in 1866 Miss Celia Smith, of Dayton, by whom he has four children. Mr. Wiltse can relate many incidents of his experience of an interesting character, and is deservedly highly esteemed. He received a title to his homestead in Section 12 in 1878. I I i I I i I I I I -10 I _ _ BLUE LAKE TOWNSHIP. This township is of regulation size, a square of six miles each side, and is on the northern tier of townships, with Whitehall and Montague on the west, Holton on the east, and Dalton on the south, with Otto on the north in Oceana County. It is range 16 west, and township 12 north, and is named from a good-sized lake -Blue Lake-about a mile and a half long. The whole township drains into the White River, which crosses the northwest corner, and it is full of little lakes, among which may be noticed Little Black Lake in the south. Indeed the town of Blue Lake with the north of Dalton, and the southeast of Holton is all a lake country, Pohich a quarter of a century ago obtained the name of the Thousand Lakes. The most of the township is sandy loam, and will be good for the raising of fruit, the only objection will be the want of facilities for shipping as compared with those on the lake shores. The first supervisor was Austin P. Ware, born in 1818 in New. _ York State, and a settler since 1864, settling on Sections 20 and 29. He held the Supervisorship from the time the town was organized in 1865 to 1869, when Jas. P. Utter held it one year, then the late Alden J. Nash, then Ware again, then Utter for four years, then N. R. Dryer one year, then Franklin Scott two terms, then Francis Hiscutt since 1879. P. J. Martin is Clerk. The elections are held on the first Monday in April, and there is no debt, and they have never borrowed. There are no churches or villages in the town, the preaching being done in school houses; the first preaching was in District school No. 2, by a Baptist, Rev. George Irving. The first white child was probably Hattie, daughter of Alfred Tyndall, born in 1864, although some claim that Edward, son of Jas. Doherty, now of North Muskegon, was born a year or two before. Messrs. Hayes, Doherty and Brown worked for Daltons and _., I - - - - - - m-, I! I*z } 4 4 -d,"; It-T -a I I I I 11 I t v r I I 1I I I I 112 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. were among the first settlers. Tile northeast corner seems to have been settled first. About 1862, on the Weigant place, came in a M1r. Andrews from near Grand Rapids, and remained until 1867. One of the first schools was that known as the Block School. Lars Jensen and the Andersens, Danes, came il 1863 into the southwest corner; B. F. Aldrich in the' fall of 1863, and il the following spring A. P. WVare, his brother-il-law. C. H. Chatfield, Dr. Ilingsley, now removed, came il 1864; J. MI. Crawford, A. Tyndatll, AI. D. Drake, and Mr. WTarren are old settlers. Malny settlers easily obtained land under homlestead and other laws, but knowing nothing of farmlllng, after usillg up all the pine, and the ties, they sold out for a small price or abandoned their claims, and some have been tried and relinqluished three times. Since limbering has been dying out, the population is not iY1 -creasinlg, but those who have devoted themselves to farming are doing fairly. The pine is sound but mostly rough and knotty. Between Silver Creek and Cleveland Creek is perhaps the finest land. Cleveland Creek is a finee stream, a south branch of White River and traverses the centre of the towl; running chiefly north with all inelinaticl to the worest. Silver Creek runs across WVhitehall and strikes White River four miles from its mnouth, at Dalton's old water mill. The first settlers were chiefly lumberrmen, but those who turned their attention to farmling have done, best. The township has never been much run over by fires. The taxes are low; for instance, one farm of 320 acres, im.proved, is valued at $400, and pays $16 to $18 a year. Land can be bought cheaply lately, a few transactions show what the cash value is: the Doherty place, 30 acres, cleared, 160 acres in all, bought for $600; the Kaiser place, 80 acres, sold for $300, with 30 acres of cleared and a frame houfse. But little of the tolwn is under cultivation, much being still forest. The first saw mill was il 1856, the "Blown ' mill in the southeast corner of Section 6. There is now but one saw mill in operation, a wtater mill owned by Widow Jensen at the head of Silver Creelk. These was Ca steani mill in the southeast of Section 25, beloncging to F. H. Sturtevant, of Wllitehall, and another On Section 29, operated by Dr. Kingsley. The township was oig-anized il 1865, out of Dalton, and in 1870 Fruitland was forlued of the same townsbllip. In 1873 this town by removals became almost disorganized and a new election for mlost of the offices was held on November 4, at Diedrich's school house. Geo. Sludge the only Justice of the Peace had removed. OPHELMA PARKS, sister of MIrs. F. D. Glazier, of Whitehall, who died il 1878, was the first school teacher, in lay, 1866, and the Block school house was the first school house. TIle first Sunday school weas organized in April, 1866, in the house of Henry F. Parks. ROB3ERT NESB3ET, farelrls, lborn il Canada il 1845; after various removes canme to Blue Lake in 1866, having been married the previous February. He las two children living, Eliza, and Robert Austin, and one deadl. He served from 1863 to the close of the war as a volunteer. FRANcis HISCUTT, farmer, born in Monroe county, N. Y., M~ar. 2, 1839, enlisted in Co. A 108th N. Y. Vols. in July, 1862, serving three years. Came to Blue Lake in 1867, married in 1861 to Catherine A. Witbeck at Webster, N. Y., who died in 1870. i.: 0 0 X -d 0 of, Fives- S:X: X fAtt0007: All. —' X u:0 0 it::S: 0 00 D; f f i t *1 0. 0 A..:t iX'V 't \: ff:d DALTONJ TOW~NSHIP..' The Town of Dalton was organized the 18th of April, 1859, at the house of Edwin Nichols, P. Dalton, Moderator; N. Cunningham, Inspector; C. C. Thompson, Clerk, and M. Hall, Poll Clerk. The whole number of votes cast was 58, of which P. Dalton had 39 and C. C. Thompson, 18. G. Nichols was elected Treasurer, M. Hfall, Clerk. Andrew Todd, E. Collins, D. P. Sherman and Moses Hall, were the first Justices of the Peace. C. Odell, Commissioner of Highways; J. P. Browll, School Inspector; O. W. Califf, A. J. Covell, W. Jones, A. Ketchum, were elected Constables. At first the towl included Fruitlfand, WAVhitehall, Dalton, Cecdar Creek, Blue Lake and Holton. The soil for eighteen sections in the north aind west is light and salndyr; the rest is somewhat sandy but lower anled better adapted for agriculture, such as for wheat ald grass. There is some light soil in the southeast. There is no debt on the town, and no State or United States lands ill it. Probably the best fafrm in the town is that of B. F. Dow on section 30, on which he raises great quantities of apples and other fruit. John W. Reside, on section 17, has also a good fruit farm. Lorenzo Pelham on section 23, has the best grass farn. The first real settler who realy came to stay was B. F. Dow. Before himn was Gale Nichols, who made no improvements but kept a tavern and dealt with the Indians. His residence was on town line north, section three. A. B. Buel was the first about Twin Lake, conling in 1865, and platted the village. Wum. Mlaltby was the first in the southeast in 1863. Charles Buzzell, the present Supervisor came in 1867, settling oil section 1. Henry Lyman, the present Town Clerk, settled near Twin Lake il April 1869. The first school was on Section a, known at first as the Fox Lake school, and afterwards as the Knapp school, erected in 1867. Aliss Etta Odion, (Mlrs. James Hiscutt, of Newv York) was the first teacher. Feb. 17, 1866 a meeting was held at J. B. Lewis' and it was resolved to petition to set apart District No. 1, which was done t:: if ~:; =,St 1 r9 -::I:ll A al~ 4,,- 1 l- 6, e' ___ HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 113 l b* r April 13, 1867. There are now five districts. No. 2 is at Twin Lake, and is under the efficient mainagement of N. R. Dryer. As to religious services, tllere is no church edifice. The Adventists have services occasionally; the Methodist Episcopal have service by the Holton minister. The Rev. Mr. Carlstead, Adventist, used to preach regularly. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Pearson, Methodist Episcopal, in 1866. There have been saw mills in Dalton for about fourteen years. A. Clug's was the first mnill at Dalton Station. The "Old Reliable" saw mill of Campbell & Armstrong was the first at Twin Lake, in 1867. At present I. E. Latimer's and E. R. Ford's steamn saw mills with a capacity of 25,000 feet a day each, are the only mills at Twin Lake. The latter mill was built in the Fall of 1881. We give below the list of Supervisors and Clerks. SUIPERVISORS. P. Dalton, 1859 to 61; S. C. Hall, 62 to 64; Hiram StearIs, 65; H. S. Tyler, 66 to 69; B. F. Dow, 70 to 74; Geo. McMillan, 75 to 80; C. L. Buzzell, 81. CLERKS. Moses Hall, 59, 60; O. F. Pear, 61; A. Mears, 62, 63; J. D. Sturtevant, 64; A. B. Speed, 65; R. N. Poulson, 66; G. W. Cowen, 67 to 72; Ira D. Trumnbull, 73; Geo. McMillan, 74; C. L. Buzzell, 75 to 80; Henry Lym-an, 81. In 1876 this Township had a population of 425; 239 males and 186 females. It is Township 11 north, range 16 west, forming a full township of 36 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Blue Lake, east by Cedar Creek, south by Muskegon, and Laketon on the southwest, west by Fruitland. It, is traversed by two lines of railway which branch off in the southwest quarter; the Big Rapids branch from Big Rapids Junction to the northeast and so on through Holton, with Twin Lake postoffice near the Cedar Creek town line. TWVIN LAKE. This little village in the northeast corner of the Town of Dalton, was originally platted by A. B. Buel in the spring of 1873, the railway to Big Rapids having been put through the year before. Tihe area platted for the village is 40 acres in extent, and the population at present approaches 150. The land in the vicinity is generally rolling and has been well timbered, although the main portion of the pine has been removed by the lumbermen. There are now two mills on the lake, Latimer's and E. R. Ford's eacll with a capacity of about 25,000 feet per day. The latter gentleman, Mr. Ford, is the grocer of this city, and the mill is managed by Mr. Steinburg. His mill was put up last year. There have been sawmills at Twin Lake for over fourteen years. The "Old Reliable" mill of Campbell & Armlstrong was the first, having been built in 1867. The railway station is under the careful charge of Mr. Putnam, who has, in addition, the duties of telegraph operator and deputy postmaster, the postmaster, Mr. Warren Odion, living at some distance off, and leaving the whole charge to 'Mr. Putnjam. The school is under the charge of experienced teacher, Mr. N. R. Dryer, who is also Clerk of Holton Township. He has about thirty-five children under his care, and some of thenm are -well advanced. There are two stores in the village and it is likely it will become a good agricultural center in time. The other railroad is the Chicago & NMichigan, in its course from Muskegon to Whitehall, passing from the Big Rapids Junction through the southwestern quarter about a mile to Dalton station, thence one and a half miles to Califf station, both in Dalton. The northern portion is full of lakes, and is of the same nature as much of Blue Lake. The largest of these lakes is Twin Lake, about one and a half miles long; and to the west Goose Egg Lake and Fox Lake. The chief stream is Bear Creek, emptying into Bear Lake. The Duck River also rises near Califf station. Dalton was named in honor of Capt. Peter Dalton, the early pioneer, who died in 1879 in Chicago, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Of the early settlers may be named B. F. Dow, on section 30, who came in 1862; W. A. Hanchett, near B. R. Junction, in 1865; A. Clhg, 1866; H. Thompson, 1869; W. Maltby, on section 34, in 1863. BIOGRAPHICAL. WILLIAM MOORE was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1818. When 23 years of age he moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind. After living in Lafayette, South Bend, and other places in Indiana, he served in the army, and was discharged in 1865. He then settled on a farm in section 31, Dalton. About 1838 he married Miss Charity Elizabeth Williams, of Summit County, by whom he had three children. He had been a Constable for many years. He died in November, 1881. JAMES H. GARDNER, farmer, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1818, and after a number of changes he came to Dalton in 1867. He married in 1841 Miss Elmira Sellen, and has four children. WILLIAM STEINBURG, lumberman, is a native of Clinton Co., N. Y., who came to Muskegon County in 1868, and has resided at Twin Lake ever since. The county when he arrived was fast settling up by homesteaders, and Holton was then an Indian reservation. ALONZO YAGER, an extensive farmer in section 17, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., May 7, 1826, and moved thence to Boone County, and thence to Muskegon County in 1865. JASPER CASE, lumberer, of section 17, was born in Loraine Co., Ohio, in 1845, came to this county in 1880. Has followed the lake for years, but now runs a portable saw mill. CHARLES NORD, farmer, was born in Sweden in 1839, and came direct to Dalton, and took up land in 1870. SAMUEL D. BAKER, farmer, was born in Ohio in 1841, moved to Clinton Co., Mich., in 18,55, thence to Dalton in 1878. WILLIS F. STONE, farmer, was born in Whiting, Vermont, in 1817, moved to Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1821, thence to Erie Co., Pa., and tkence to Dalton-in 1870. JAMES E. GARDNER, farmer, was born in Allen Co., Ind,, in 1847, came to Dalton in 1867. WILLIAM MALTBY, farmer, was born in Gananoque, Ontario, in 1841, moved to Newaygo Co., Mich., in 1856, to Muskegon Co., in 1857, and to Dalton in 1863. JAzMES ARMSTRONG, fialrmer, born in England in 1824, and emigrated in 1850, came first to Brockport, came to this State the same year, and to Dalton in 1868, enlisted in Co. G, 11th Mich. Infantry Aug. 24, 1861, honorably discharged Sept. 30, 1864. ASAIIEL FOWLER, in section 35, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1829, removed with his parents to Indiana in 1837, where his father died in 1841, when hle moved to Michigan, and thence to Wisconsin in 1846, thence to Michigan in 1850, thence to California in 1852, back to Michigan in 18.55. He was married at Hillsdale, Oct. 23, 1856. and came to Dalton in 1869. ~< j -.,,,o e --- —-___ et: 1- - FRUITLAND TOWNSHIP. This fine township, which is an off-shoot from Dalton Township, was organized by the Board of Supervisors of Muskegon County, in October, 1869, and derives its name from the successful culture of fruits of all kinds. Rightly it is named a "land of fruit," as the soil along the White Lake on the northeast quarter, and Lake Michigan on the west is admirably adapted to the culture of grapes and peaches, of which there are some fine farms, notably that of Charles N. Merriman, between Duck Lake and Lake Michigan, Jos. Hagreen, south of White Lake, and Messrs. Kelly and Braman of the same place. The soil along the lake is, of course, sandy and somewhat light, but in the interior 'and towards the southeast it becomes a heavy clay'loam mixed with gravel and sand, and the soil is well adapted for apples, plums, pears, etc. The whole township is indeed fine land and will shortly be a garden. It was all covered with a heavy growth of timber, chiefly pine, and this was mainly taken up by non-residents, and thousands of acres are still held in this way by G. B. Slocum, C. Mears and others. The pine has nearly disappeared, and fruit growing has taken its place. Wheat and corn also flourish, for instance, there are few finer farms in the county than that of Ole. E. Gordon in the east of the township. This township is he first of the second tier of towns reckoning from the north, on the west side of the county, and is Township 11, north, Ranges 17 and 18 west. Range 17 is full, but 18 is simply a gore, which was'until recently attached to White River. The township is bounded on the north by Whitehall, on the east half of its boundary and on the northwest by a line continued straight on from the Whitehall boundary across the southwest portion of White Lake to the new channel or harbor. On the west, Lake Michigan is the boundary, trending to the northwest. On the east Dalton, on the south Laketon. It is six miles from north to south and varies from seven to five miles across from east to west. There are two small lakes on the west, of which the northern one, two miles south of White Lake on the Lake Michigan shore, is called Duck Lake, about two miles long and half a mile wide. It was here that the first settlement was made by Chas. Mears, near its mouth; and here he erected a sawmill about 1840, C. Mlears being one of the first purchasers of pine lands herb. Below Duck Lake is Muskrat Lake, which is very I small. Duck river comes winding across this flat township by a quiet course and by several branches, watering the whole center of the township, and is the only stream of any consequence. ORGANIZATION. The township was organized in October, 1869, and the first election was held on April 4, 1870, at which fifty-two voters were present. There being a tie for Supervisor between H. S. Tyler and Ezra Stearns, on drawing lots it was given to the former. 'J. S. Taylor was the first Clerk; O. E. Gordon,' Treasurer; D. E. Califf and Jno. Dorman, Justices of the Peace; Webster Thompson, Commissioner of Highways; C. E. Califf, Thos. Dorman and E. Saeens, Constables; H. R. Newlun, Inspector of Schools; C. E. Califf, Overseer road district No. 2, H. Marvin for No. 1, and MI. Speed for No. 8. Successive elections have been held each year. At that of 1881 there were only fifty-four voters, no more than ten years before; for, since lumbering is over, the population is not increasing. John F. Culver was elected Supervisor, as he has been almost yearly since 1877. He is a fine sturdy specimen of the stalwart American, and gives good satisfaction in his office. He is a veteran of the last war, and came with his aged parents here from Wisconsin in 1864. H. R. Newlun is Clerk, and is struggling with a new farm on the Southeast. E. Stearns is Treasurer; Jas. D. Depue and Joseph Hagreen Justices; R. N. Poulin Commissioner of Highways and of Drainage; J. A. McMillan, Superintendent of Schools, and C. E. Califf, In spector of Schools; Frank Jones, O. E. Gordon, J. W. Krupp and R. Robison, Constables; Z. Bates, Overseer for Road Dist. No. 1, T. Keiller for No. 2, C. E. Califf for No. 3, L. Cole for No. 4, J. F. Culver for No. 5, D. F. Depue for No. 6, and C. A. Wickstrom for No. 7. J. F. Culver has also been town clerk, as has also J. A. McMillan. There is no debt on the township, and they have never borrowed. SAWMILLS The sawmills are two in number. The first, that of Duck Lake, built in 1840, by C. Mears, was a water mill; afterwards, to increase his lumbering, a large steam mill was built, but fire consumed both mills, and only the water mill is now operated. The other sawmill is that owned since 1879 by Capt.'James Dalton, and built by Geo. Rodgers at an early day on the south shore of White Lake. This Rodgers was from near Grand Rapids, and had previously built the mill at Long Point on White River. Just across from Dalton's mill, and now operated by Weston & Hafer, Mr. Rodgers was drowned in crossing White Lake, and Cohn & O'Brien had his mill, afterwards,Kelsey & Green, then Major George Green alone, and last Capt. Dalton. Rodgers bought the site from one Barnhart, a clever young fellow who had worked for C. Mears, and had married an Indian woman. EARLY SETTLEMENT. CHAS. MEARS was the first settler in Fruitland, and purchased over 2,000 acres of pine land, chiefly around Duck Lake, at the government price of $f1.25 an acre, and some for scrip at even less. Mr. Mears, who bought in 1843, still has the greater portion of this, although it is nearly stripped of timber, and is interested with Mr. Merriman in fruit growing on a large scale. Whein he came to this region there were 3,000.Ottawas, who have since moved to the Pere Marquette region. They were a quiet, peaceable race, and well liked by the Whites. C. Mears' men were among the first settlers. J. Philbrick was one of his foremen. About the first house built was that of Mr. Doan, which was on the Pick place on Whitehall town line. This was probably the only house outside of Duck Lake in 1850. Next a Mr. Dexter, now deceased, built a log house south of White Lake, but left before 1850. Seever, a German, took his place. Joseph Hagreen, south of White Lake, has a fine fruit farm. He came in 1850, and his daughter, Maggie, born in 1858, is prob - f-. -- I T, _........,,i. at_ — - A -PS HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 115 r ably the first white child born in Fruitland. M. Adolph Friday, German, settled at the same time, but was killed in the fifth Michiigan Cavalry service, as was Mr. A. Todd, whose family live in the east of Fruitland. David Traverse Depue is an old settler, having come from Indiana in 1863. There are no villages and no churches here. The preaching is done in school houses. The first preaching was in the Sprague school house, in the northeast by Methodists. The name of part of Fruitland, in early days, was Cork Point, and the little settlement that sprang up near the sawmills south of White Lake was named the village of Mar. In 1859'3 the now dilapidated hamlet of Duck Lake was the only village for miles around. BIOGRAPHICAL. SAMrUEL BRONER was born in Sweden in 1836, and emigrated to America in 1854. He settled in Whitehall in 1855, and worked for John D. Hanson. In 1860 he purchased a farm in section 23 of Whitehall, and in 1861 purchased 80 acres in section 3, Fruitland. In 1862 he married Miss Caroline Remer, of Wisconsin, by whom he had four children, three of whom survive. His farm is one of the best in the county. DAvm E. CALIFF was born in Smithfield, Bradford Co., Penn., in 1825. After living in several places, he came in 1858 to what is now Muskegon Co. In 1844 he married Miss Harriet Knickerbocker, of Smithfield, Penn., by whom he had nine children, seven of whom lived to be men and women. He took a homestead in section 13 of Fruitland. When the war broke out he sent two of his sons to do battle for the right. He has held office as Justice or Collector for several years. After enduring the hatrdships of clearing up the forest, he has secured a good home, and every comfort. He follows fruit growing with great success. ORLANDO CHA.MBERLIN was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1830, but early removed to Iowa with his parents. In 1852 he went to California, and after traveling for a number of years over many of the States of the Union, with pleasure and profit, he settled down to fruit farming in section 29, Fruitland. In 1858he marrieid Miss Emily Wilson, Scott Co., Ia., by whom he had eight children, five of whom survive. He served during the war in the 26th Michigan. In 1864 lie was wounded in the left shoulder and disabled three months, and was on detached service until the close of the war. SOLOMON CULVER was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1805, and in 1844 went to Wisconsin, where he remained until about 1863, when he moved to Kent, Mich., and the following year settled on a farm in section 3 of the then known White River. He was married to Miss Maria Tost, of Madison, Co., N. Y., by whom he had six children. His son, Mr. John F. Culver, was born in Madison, N. Y., in 1841, and moved with his parents to Mich. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and served three years. He owns a forty acre farm, and is engaged to some extent in fruit growing. He is unmarried. DAVID T. DEPUE was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1818. In 1850 he moved to Indiana and in 1862 he moved his family to Dalton, now Fruitland, settling on a farm in section 11, he had purchased some years previously. At that time there was only one house in what is now Fruitland, and Mr. Ferry had a store at the mouth. Mr. DePue had to cut a road four miles in order to get to market. In 1839 he married Miss Elizabeth Myers, of Herkimer County, N. Y., by whom he has eight sons and two daughters. Five were born in New York, and five in Indiana. One incident of the privations of early days related by him, is that for two weeks his family had to live on potatoes, pork and beans, as bread, etc., could not be had for money. JOHN DEPUE, a brother of David T. DePue, was an early settler in Fruitland. He relates that at the first funeral there were only four persons, beside the mourners, and a Mr. Todd read a chapter and prayed. Mr. DePew owns 240 acres of as good land as is in the State, and has prospered in his business. OLE E. GORDON was born in Norway in 1829. Emigrated in 1849, coming directly to what is now Fruitland, and took up land in Sec. 13, T. 11, R. 17. He married, in 1859, Hannah Brady, of Oceana Co., and in 1863 he married Miss Emily Halverson, of Muskegon, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living. He has 215 acres of the best fruit or grain land in the county. He was treasurer and collector for 13 years and supervisor for two. JOSEPH HAGREEN was born in the county of Suffolk, England, in 1881, and emigrated to America in 1845. He came first to Rochester, N. Y., but after a few day's stay went to Toronto, Canada. After staying alternately in Toronto, Rochester and Milwaukee, he came to Muskegon county and pre-empted a part of the three hundred acre farm which he now lives on,' Sec. 6, T. 11, R. 17, West. In 1856 he married Miss Margaret Hope, by whom he has one daughter. Mr. Hagreen had to make his own roads in early times, 'and his only market for some time was the solitary shore at the mouth of White Lake. FRANK JONES was born in Schleswig, Germany, in 1847, and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1867, and came to Muskegon the following year. He married Miss Elizabeth F. Todd, of Fruitland, in 1872, by whom he had five children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Jones was a co-heiress of the farm on which they now live, which is Section 13. CHARLES C. JOHNSON was born in Sweden in 1844, and emigrated direct to Whitehall in 1867. After working at various employments in 1879, he purchased a farm in Section 15, Fruitland, and now owns 200 acres of heavy, sandy loam. In 1878 he married Miss Florabell Stockwell, of Van Buren Co., and has two children. JAMES W. KRUPP, born near Coblentz, Germany, 1819, and was a nephew of the famous manufacturer of Krupp guns. After living in France, working as a gardener, he emigrated to America in 1853. After working as a gardener, dry goods clerk, and farmer in various places in the state, he finally, in 1879, came to Fruitland and purchased a farm of 128 acres in sections 1 and 2. In 1857 he married Miss Mary Deist, from near Hesse Cassel, Germany, who was born in 1834, and who is the mother of six children, one of whom is dead. Mr. K. was a skilful gardener and had a fine farm. He was instantly killed January 11, 1882, at Whitehall, by being thrown from his sleigh on the occasion of his team running away. JAS. A. McMILLAN, born in York, Livingston Co., N. Y., 1823; came to Mich. when 23 years old. After some years spent in lumbering and milling in Indiana he returned to Michigan, engaging in the manufacture of woollen goods in Branch county. In 1871 he moved to Fruitland, taking up a farm in section 25. In 1876 he married Miss Hannah J. Belote. He is superintendent of schools for the town of Fruitland. JOHN MCNEIL came to Muskegon in 1857, when he was about 25; bought a farm in sections 7 and 1, Fruitland, well adapted for fruit growing. In 1859 he married Miss Elizabeth Robinson, by whom he has one daughter, who was the second white child born in Fruitland. HENRY R. NEWLUN, born in Guernsey Co., O., 1837; settled in Fruitland 1856; in 1865 married Miss Lily J. McMahon, of Monroe county, Ohio, by whom he has five children. He has been a justice of the peace and school inspector and holds the office of town clerk. i -A I* 4-;, —4,, -, 0 I ~Y 11 t 'pts x- ~im -A 46- 6G *^ I w - I?~ i! a 116 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. OLEA, OLSON, born in Norway in 1840; emigrated in 1855. After living some years in Wisconsin he took a homestead in 1861 in section 31, Fruitland. In 1869 he married Miss Matilda Johnson, of Whitehall, by whom he has two children. JOHN SHUEY was born in Harris Tp., Center Co., Pa., Sept. 7, 1823, and worked as a laborer until the spring of 1850. In 1847 he married Miss Jane Yamell, who was born in 1827. She is the mother of six children, two of whom are living. He went to Ohio in 1850 and Iowa in 1852, and then came to Fruitland in 1863, taking up a homestead in section 15. The land was perfectly wild at this time. MRS. MARY PAULSON whose maiden name was Depue, was born in Broome Co., N. Y., in 1846, and after living in Indiana thirteen years came to Fruitland in 1863. In 1866 she married N. Paulson by whom she had four children, who are living. Since the death of her husband she has carried on the farm, which is in Section 23. Her late husband was born in Norway in 1840, and emigrated to America in 1855. In 1862 he enlisted in the 82nd Illinois Volunteers, and served to the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, when he returned to Muskegon Co., and was married. EZRA STEARNS was born in Covington, Mass., but lived with his parents in Pittsfield, Mass., until he was 18 years old. In 1855 he came to Jackson county, Michigan, and in 1861 enlisted in the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and served three years. He married Miss Allan, of Lenawee county, by whom he has three children. In 1867 he purchased a farm and moved his family to Muskegon county. GEORGE, H. WILSON was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., in 1835, and came with his parents to Michigan when quite young, settling in St. Joseph county. After some years spent in Iowa and Nebraska, in which latter place he experienced the grasshopper plague of 1873-76. In the spring of 1877 he settled on section 2, Fruitland, where he owns 120 acres of good land. In 1858 he married Miss Clara C. Hughes, of St. Joseph county, by whom he had eight children. WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP. This little gore about six miles long with an average width of two miles, is but a fragment of what was White River, which once extended far and wide but was successively denuded of portions of its territory until now less than half a regular township is left. It is in the Northwest corner of the County, range XVIII West, Township XII North, and is bounded on the North by Clay Banks in Oceana Co., on the East by Montague, South by White Lake, West by Lake Michigan. The earliest settlement was at the mouth, and the first settler was Charles Mears, who, however, found certain men holding a claim for Hiram Pearson of Chicago, afterwards abandoned. Mears canme in 1836, entering the White Lake by the old mouth which is to the North of the present channel and entered the lakes by sailing nearly a mile South. The Southern half of the town is drained by a creek which runs into the lake through a bayou and thence by the old channel. The Northeast by Flower Creek which crosses into Claybanks. There are a good many German farmers settled in the North. In the North of White River there is considerable black munck, with some clay. To the North is the township now named Claybanks, where the Indians had cleared large tracts and planted corn. We find it impossible to get an authentic municpal history of this township, owing to the township board in 1859 solemnly burning up the books, because of some tangle in the funds. This was certainly a new way to pay old debts. They thought they would start life anew with a clear balance sheet. What a simple way of cutting the Gordian knot this was, and how often many a puzzled bookkeeper would like to adopt this primitive method of settling accounts. White River township at first extended from Manistee to Grand Haven and ever so far inland. The first white child born at White River was probably the son of John Hanson, a Swede, now of Clay banks. The first preacher was Deacon Bennett, the good old colored man. The first sawmill was Ferry's. The first hotel was that of A. A. Cain and Chas. P. Cushway. There is still pointed out to this day an old dead tree in front of Bruce's store, where in 1858, a sailor who 'had committed some petty crime, was taken by the crowd and hanged on a limb until he was nearly dead. They would then take him down and have a drink and hangu him again. They got so drunk at last that they forgot to cut him down and he would have perished had it not been for Mrs. Storms. SUPERVISORS. Among the early representatives of this town were the Daltons, I. E. Carleton, and Jesse D. Pulllan. In 1859 when the county was set apart from Ottawa, G. W Rathbone, a sawmill owner, was supervisor for White River, Peter 'Dalton for Dalton, and I. E. Carleton for Oceana. All these were opposed to the union with Muskegon, and wished to be a portion of Oceana County, or at least of a new County, with a part of Oceana in it. In 1860, N. H. Ferry was supervisor of White River, and was elected chairman. He was re-elected in 1861. In 1863 Dr. J. A. Wheeler took the office, and in 1864 J. B. Watson was elected, followed by Dr. Wheeler in 1865. In 1866 John Welch took the office, in 1868 P. W. Sullner, in 1859 Jas. H. Deming, in 1870 -1-2-3-4 S. J. B. Watson again, in 1875-6-7 Jas. Whelan, since 1878 A. Rowe has been supervisor. FIRST VESSEL. The first sailing vessel that passed through the mouth up to White River was the schooner Telegram owned by the Ferrys, and with one, McConnell as captain. Capacity, 80,000 feet of lumber, but it could not pass the bar at the mouth with a full load and was 1 A xa J = - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 117 filled by lighters. She came through on the first of August, 1865, drawing three and one-half feet of water, and scraping on the bar. Nothing was done in the way of PIERS until 1855, when the Ferrys made slab piers in the old or natural channel a short distance to the north of the present harbor. Jesse Pullman took the first poles about eight inches in diameter, and put slabs across to hold them, making a crib three feet wide and eighty feet long, loaded so as to draw eighteen inches of water. This was done at the mill and there accompanied this a lighter loaded with slabs to sink the raft when in position. The raft, however, grounded before reaching the proper place, and had to be unloaded and pried into position. This was added to until a permanent structure was secured. Before this, large rafts of logs had to be towed by oxen along the shore, or poled in rafts, or carried by sail vessels, taken out by lighters to schooners in deep water outside on Lake Michigan, about 5,000 feet at a time, and thence to Grand Haven. There was a bed of white marl at the mouth, whence some suppose the Indians called the water White Lake. This was dredged by Noah Ferry and washed away by the current. The first shipwreck after this was I. E,* Carleton's schooner, North Yuba, loaded with supplies, which were all lost with one man. This was in December, 1855. The schooners Abigail, Kent and Magic, wintered on the beach in 1856-7. The first was overhauled and rebuilt by Capt. Sims, her owner. The schooner, G. Barber, wintered on the beach in 18.57-8 but was repaired in the Spring. In the Spring of 1858 there was a tidal wave which rose six feet, washed over the docks, and "played hob" generally. The people thought the judgment day had come. The wave set a lighter on end thirty feet above its level, put out fires of the mills at Muskegon, and extended below Grand Haven. In 1860 when Joseph Heald came in there was but one horse teamn in Newaygo Co., and hlie brought in a horse and buckboard, which was the first carriage seen in the White River region. There was but a weekly mail to the Mouth. Charley Cushway who came to the mouth in 1849, says the only white family when hlie arrived was the Laffertys who were getting out shingles, that C. Mears' first schooner was the Honest John, and the sloop Ranger, John Hanson, Captain, carried fifteen cords of shingle bolts. Cushway returned in 1851, found Joseph Stebbins running Ferry's mill, P. Hobler getting out shingle bolts, and he and A. A. Cain rented a hotel of Hobler, half log and half frame. There was no farming then except in a small way by Alex. Williams and Deacon Bennett. EARLY REMINISCENCES OF WHITE RIVER. Through the kindness of Mr. I. M. Weston wie are permitted to give the following letter from an old friend of his now in Chicago. We omit the name, but many will know the writer from the incidents he mentions: " I left Chicago on the schooner Levant, Capt. Connell, in the Spring of 1859 for White Lake, and after a rough passage of fortyeight hours we came to anchor off White Lake, and with our yawl went ashore, thus for the first time setting foot on White River, taking the place vacated by our old friend, George E. Dowling, who had left for California. At the Mouth was the old Ferry mill and store. On the opposite side of the bayou was Cain's and Hobbs' hotels. The Ferry store, in which I was duly installed as chief and only clerk, was the only one on White River, the store of the Carleton's having been given up or sold out. The Long Point mill started up during the season, and a few goods were brought in by Luscomb & Pierce, our old friend, Col. Monyhan, officiating as general superintendent, &c. The old 'Jewell' mill was lying idle. On the site where Montague now stands was the old Sargeant house and barn. On the site where Whitehall now stands the old Covell & Thompson mill and boarding house constituted about all the buildings. The Mears store was built during the seasonr The Rogers mill was bought by Rathbone & Co., and Governor Rathbone went there that season, and near it Carleton & Dalton ran the steamer Oceana. During the season N. H. Ferry bought the steamer Croton, and brought her to White River. There she was commanded two seasons by Capt. Sims. The school was taught by Phoebe Clark, Mrs. Mary McLaughlin teaching in the ' Naske' district, and Miss Nettie G. Hubbard taught in the Sargeant district. Saturdays the teachers in the out-of-town districts came to town to stay over Sundays. During the Fall of 1859 Rev. Mr. Chapin was sent to White River by the M. E. Conference, and preached once in two weeks at the school house, and succeeded in awakening considerable religious enthusiasm. In the Spring of 1860, as the result of his labors, a Sabbath School was organized, with W. H. Woodbury, Superintendent; Geo. E. Dowling, Assistant Superintendent; Miss Emily Burrows (now Mrs. Capt. Dalton), Librarian. Money was raised and books bought, and the school progressed finely. My failure as a chorister was made painfully apparent during the early part of Mr. Chapin's ministrations. The I Young America' portion of the congregation looked to me as leader, while the older and more conservative part looked up to Bro. Bennett, with his good old plantation tunes, or Bro. Friday, with his self-adjusting, telescopic tune that would, under his manipulation, suit any metre. On one occasion Bro. Chapin gave out a short metre hymn at the close of which your humble servant struck up a familiar tune, inll which all joined, but found to our sorrow that at the end of the first line there was tune left. Nothing daunted, we tried again with the same result, when Bro. Friday came to the rescue with his selfadjusting, &c., tune, and carried it through in ample form, since which time I have never essayed to be chorister. " We had weekly mails, and when we saw old manl Brittain, or his son Ralph, with their two ponies loaded down with mail bags, all hands would go to the post office to wait until the worthy P. M., S. J. B. Watson, would distribute the mail to us." Capt. James Dalton states that the first Fourth of July celebration in White River was in 1848, in the presence of about fifty Indians and twenty whites. The Captain was the orator of the day, and after a sumptuous repast of pork and beans, the whites hurrahled and the Indians, who felt quite patriotic joined in the shout. The schooner Mitchell hoisted the flag. There were about half a dozen of the fair sex in White River then. THE MOUTH, as the entrance to White River is called, is a beautiful and romantic spot, and it will probably soon be a fashionable summer resort for those who love pleasant rural scenery, pure lake breezes, and splendid bathing and boating. The shore of the lake here is, as usual, a range of sand extending for about one hundred yards, and then high sand bluffs abruptly rising from the sandy plain and covered 1 with forests of pine, maple and other beautiful foliage. To the south of the Mouth is the beautiful and extensive pleasure grove of I. M, Weston, Esq., who is fully alive to the esthetic and finan i cial qualities of such a location, and generously allows the public to use it to the fullest extent. There is already, overlooking the inland d lake, a covered pavilion for dancers and picnickers, and it is probable that a summer hotel will be built on the bluff on the Lake Michigan 1 side. The grove lies like an isthmus between the broad and breezy Y waters of Lake Michigan, almost the largest fresh water sheet in i - I lr - -N ~ j 'A __ _4d I _ _ - -/! la -0 -— I - i - w 118 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 110 the world, and the bright little inland White Lake, and constant communication call be had by steam ferries or private boats with the pleasant and hospitable villages of Whitehall and Montague, about five miles off at the head of the lake. In summer the grounds are daily used by parties of pleasure-seekers, who drink in renewed strength in these halcyon days. The light house and Government piers are substantial structures and are on an artificial channel. Still farther to the north winds the old channel on its tortuous route, the old Mouth being closed up and the waters running up to the northeast in a long bayou. At the old Mouth is the first historical spot of White Lake history. Here were enacted the stirring scenes of pioneer days. All now is ruinous and decayed-a ruined saw mill here, a tumble-down boarding-house there, a few fishermen's huts, with nets drying on the sand, and the reader has a true picture of the old Mouth in 1882. The route of trade has taken another channel, and nature has closed up what once was the only entrance into a rich lumbering region. The new Mouth is well chosen and a great deal of time is saved by getting direct to and from the lake. LIGHT HOUSE. The light house is situated on south side of the channel, and shows a white light varied every minute by a red flash. The illuminator is catadioptric of the fourth order, lighting '180 degrees of horizon. Local plane 38 feet above ground, and 57 above mean lake level. The light in clear weather, on a vessel's deck 10 feet above water, can be seen fourteen miles. Structure is brick, one and a half stories high, with a square tower on N.W. corner, of yellow unpainted brick. The location is latitude 43 degrees, 22 minutes N., longitude 86 deg. 25 minutes WVest. WRECKS. Several wrecks have occurred at the Mouth of White Lake, in one of which a large number of men, in 1837, were cast on the almost desolate shore late in the Fall, and so frozen that their limbs were amputated by Dr. Charles Shepherd, of Grand Rapids, who had to come all the way, over fifty miles, through the wilderness to perform the operations, which he did with great skill and success. Moses Valois, fisherman, describes the memorable wreck of the Woodruff, in September, 1877, in rescuing the crew of which he took an active part. The Woodruff had lost most of her canvas and also her anchor off Big Point Sauble, and with the few remaining rags she made her way to the mouth, where a portion of her crew came ashore to telegraph for a tug to tow her to Grand Haven. Upon returning to the vessel the heavy wind had increased to a terrible gale, the boat was dragging her small anchor which she had retained, and the crew awaited in suspense the rapidly approaching moment when she would strike the beach. Their fears were soon realized and instantly the small boat was lowered away, but the moment it touched the raging breakers it filled with water, and breaking the painter it was tossed like an eggshell far out of reach of the despairing crew, while the rapidly gathering crowd on the beach stood powerless before the ill-fated vessel unable to lend a helping hand or suggest a thought toward rescue. A dispatch was sent to Grand Haven for a life-boat, and this fact conveyed to the crew by means of large letters, inspired them with a gleam of hope, while the miserable hours dragged by before the coming of the boat. But they were doomed to disappointment, for upon the arrival of the boat the line which was shot out to them got caught on the bottom, and all efforts to remove it were unavailing. In despair the crew then took to the water, and as the waves threw them upon the beach with all signs of life apparently extinct, they were seized by the friends and everything that lay within the power of willing hands and kindly hearts was done in the work of resuscitation. Gradually the groans of anguish told of the success of these efforts, and the crew passed from apparent death to life again, excepting two who were beyond the reach of human effort. BIOGRAPHICAL. DEACON BENNETT. One of the " whitest men " at White River, according to the testimony of all the old settlers, was Deacon Abner Bennet, a colored man, and one of the earliest settlers in the township. The Foru7m of September, 1879, says: "Mr. Abner Bennett, of White River Township, was 80 years, 2 months and some days old. Mr. Bennett had been a resident of this vicinity for 31 years, was a member of the M. E. Church, and for many years the only preacher in this section, often going from fifteen to twenty-five miles up White River to assist in the last sad rites of some early settler, having been a licensed exhorter for 39 years in the M. E. Church; was the first person to establish religious services in this vicinity, and has always given freely to all benevolent enterprises. The first Sabbath school ever held in this vicinity was started by Mr. and Mrs. B., and for fifteen years they gave the use of their house for this purpose. Mrs. Bennett has been an extensive traveler in her younger days, having been a ladies' maid for the wife of the Captain of a Merchant Trader on the Atlantic for five years, visiting nearly all the European ports in this time. Mr. B. leaves a host of warm personal friends. WILLIAM F. BRUCE. Among those who were destined to meet the inevitable hardships incident to pioneer life may be mentioned Wnm. F. Bruce. His parents are of Prussian origin, his father, John Bruce, being a soldier in the Seven Years War between Prussia and Austria. His mother, formerly Charlotte Marks, was born in Berlin in the year 1816, but being desirous of securing the advantage which America has ever offered the citizens of other countries they emigrated] thitherward and located for some time in the State of Ohio, at which place Wm. F. was born on the 5th day of July, 1842. In 1843 his parents moved to Milwaukee. At the age of fourteen years he shipped on board the schooner America, Capt. Hanson, and started on his first experience "before the mast." The vessel was stranded a short distance below Pigeon Hill on the Muskegon shore, where it remained until Spring before being taken off. The crew, however, was rescued, and Mr. B. landed near Whitehall in this county, where he has resided mostly up to the present time. This vicinity was but a wilderness without improvements of any nature or facility of travel save in so far as the beach of the lake could be utilized as a highway. With his native pluck he went to work in a sawmill, but the company becoming involved went into bankruptcy, and Mr. Bruce's "settlement" consisted of one pound of tobacco on a basis of $7 per month, which was the salary for which he was laboring. Not discouraged, however, he repaired to the clay banks about nine miles north, where he worked two years and nine months, after which he engaged in mercantile business for himself at "The Mouth" of White River. About this time he was appointed Postmaster for that locality, which office he conducted in a faithful manner for five years. He was married in the year 1861 to a very estimable lady, Miss Mary Harty, born on the 18th day of February, 1845. This union lasted thirteen years, when consumption removed the wife on the 13th day of September, 1874, leaving four children; Nellie, born Aug. 19, 1865; Willie B., April 13, 1869; Albert B., April 1, 1871, and Emma B., Oct. 5, 1872. About this time Mr. Bruce sold out his store and engaged in buying and selling farm stock. He became very much depressed during the illness of his wife, both mentally and financially, as he had employed the most noted physicians from Milwaukee, Chicago and other prominent places. Mrs. Bruce was buried by the Order of Odd Fellows of J e) L ^ - 4 - - I I 7- 4., Af — - - - I o-~~ i a 1 __L HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 119 1 - Montague. He was united in marriage the second time to Miss Lena Mok, who was born February 6, 1853. JAMES H. CROSBY was born in the town of Compton, Quebec, in 1843, and was about five years of age when his parents removed to Chicago, Ill. In 1849 they removed to Grand Haven, in 1852 they came to Wlhite River Township. At thirteen years of age Mr. Crosby's father died, and he resided first with a sister a year, and with a brother until 1861, when he went to work in the sawmills. On the 19th of July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F. 5th Mich. Cavalry, and after serving eleven months he was discharged for physical disability. In 1866 he took up a farm on Section 1, White River, and the same year married Laura A. Crosby, of White River, by whom he has one child. S. J. B. WATSON, farmer, is one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of White River, and has filled many public offices, but is now retired to his fine farm. He was born June 20, 1814, in Hartford, Conn., moved when three years old to Watertown, N. Y., and in 1855 came to White River as carpenter to the Ferrys. He was postmaster from 1858 to 1864, receiving about $300 annually; was Supervisor for over ten years, also County Superintendent of the poor, Deputy Sheriff under Gray of Ottawa, Justice of the Peace twenty years, and is still Superintendent of Schools, also Treasurer and Assessor for two years. In politics he is an old time Democrat. He married first, Silvia Slate, in 1836, at Watertown, and the only issue is T. S. Watson, of the Mears Hotel. About 1840 he married Mary Hewitt, by whom he has Sanford Watson, of Montague. JOB B. KINNISON, son of John J. and Betsey Kinnison, was born in the town of Parny, Monroe County, State of New York, on the 18th day of August, 1826. At the age of fourteen, he bound himself as an apprentice to a cabinet maker. He remained in this position for five years, giving the closest attention and untiring energy to mastering the details of the trade. The first practical account to which he turned his knowledge of cabinet making was at Munday Valley, whither he went and engaged to work for Edward and Samuel Swayne, but after one year and a half in their employ his health became seriously affected from the inhalation of dust arising from black walnut turnings. After two years of suffering he was sufficiently recovered to resume business, but not daring to risk another attack by working in contact with walnut he purchased a boat on the Genesee Valley Canal and conducted that business during the ensuing season. It was at this time that Mr. K. met Miss Ellen Marks, a very estimable lady, daughter of Samuel and Betsy Marks, of Old Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., and on the 7th day of June, 1848, they were united in marriage. Mr. K. removed to Michigan three years afterwards and has been a resident of the State ever since, residing in various portions. Mr. K. enlisted Aug. 5, 1861, in Co. G, 6th Mich. Infantry Volunteers, under Col. Curtemas. He was mustered into the service at Kalamazoo on the 21st day of August, 1861. This regiment was enlisted for three years. It was sent to Baltimore, thence to Newport News, and was at Forts St. Philip and Jackson during the siege of those noted places. His regiment was the first to unfurl the union colors in the city of New Orleans. He was afterwards sent to Vicksburg, Baton Rouge and Alexandria, where he partook of two sharp engagements; also Brazin City, La., Pattersonville, and in captur ing the rebel gunboat, William H. Cotton, while'on a scouting expedition near Lake Pontchlartrian. Mr. K. received injuries from which he has never recovered and for which he is now drawing a pension of $18 per month. These injuries were caused by falling through a railroad bridge while in pursuit of the retreating rebels. Soon after returning from the army Mr. K. came to White River Landing, on the 9th day of June, 1866, and has lived there ever *since. His occupation at present is fishing. He has represented e, ___. ----- — L --- — '4; the interests of the town to a considerable extent during his residence there, holding the offices of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster, to which office he was appointed April 1, 1880. His family consist of the following named: Mary H., born April 6, 1853; Lucretia B., born July 20, 1856; Mary Ann, born Aug. 10, 1858; John S., born Sept. 24, 1860; Eliza E., born Dec. 28, 1861; Of this number Mary Ann died Sept. 6, 1860, at Cheshire, and John S., died September 24, 1860. There was also one child Maud H., which died in its infancy. Lucretia B. is the wife of Frank S. Nickett, married at Clay Banks, Jan. 22, 1871; and Eliza E. was married Feb. 21, 1821, to Benj. F. Johnson. Both of the latter named gentlemen are at present residing in White River. CHAS. P. CUSHWAY, sawyer, at Heald's mill, Montague, was born in Saginaw in 1829, is of French extraction, and the son of an Indian trader, who was also born in Michigan. After various moves with his parents, at eighteen Charles came to Grand Haven and shipped on the schooner "Honest John," and also the sloop "Ranger," both belonging to Charles Mears, the latter carrying but fifteen cords of shingle bolts. He also sailed a coaster called the Ocean, and worked for years for the Ferrys at "the mouth," and for the last nine years for Heald & Co. He married in 1855 Esther Louisa Storms, whose decease a few years ago he had to mourn, and who for the last ten years of her life was an intense sufferer. He is the father of four sons and two daughters. Mr. C. is of a small but wiry and well-knit frame, capable of enduring great hardships, is yet vigorous and delights in telling tales of his early pioneer days. We are indebted to him for help in picturing these times. THIOIAS HFAWKS was born in Devonshire, England, Marehl 10, 1824. As a boy he worked round for the farmers of the vicinity, until he concluded to try his fortune in the New World. In 1847 he landed in Quebec, went thence to Port Hope, Ontario, and finally to Janesville, Wis., where Lhe remained six months, when he went into the employ of Charles Mears, with whom he remained nine years. In 1858 lie purchased land in Section 11, of White River Township. Mr. H. desirous of selecting the very best locality, had tried Canada and Wisconsin and found nothing to suit him better than his present place, which he purchased on the advice of Mr. Mears. It was a wilderness when he moved on it with his family into the log cabin he had built. It is now one of the finest farms in the township. Ho has purchased in all 280 acres. In 1856 he married Miss Angeline Harder, of Woodstock,11ll., by whom he has six children, four of whom survive. ROBERT HAWKS was born in Cornwall, England, in 1828. In 1849 he came to Quebec, and thence he shortly removed to Port Hope, Ontario, and in two weeks removed to Milwaukee, going thence to Janesville, Wis. In the fall of 1850 he went to work for Charles Mears, remaining in his employ thirteen years, part of which time he was in Canada and also in Chicago. After this he lumberedtwo years, then worked a year for Mr. Mears, and in 1859 he bought a farm in Sections 10 and 15, in what is now Fruitland, living on it three years, after which he worked in Whitehall for several parties for four or five years. For four summers he wooded steamers of the Lake Shore line, and for three summers he wooded for various boats. In 1872 he purchased a farm in Section 11, White River Township. June 5, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Harder, of Woodstock, II1., by whom he has had six children, of whom three survive. In 1862 Mr. Hawks purchased six lots in Whitehall village, on which he built, and was offered for the property $4,000, a part of which he still owns. He has a very fine farm with soil of a clay loam, and he has about the best fruit farm in the vicinity. In 1881 lie realized quite a snug sum from his fruit. He has endured many hardships in the various callings in which lie has engaged. ft _ : K i:A6 -IF I t -- - I I I r I I W~HITEHALL TOWNSHIP. In order to understand properly the municipal history of Whitehall and Montague it is necessary to recapitulate the history of OCEANA TOWNSHIP, which included, until 1874, both Montag-e and Whitehall Townships, and the northern portion of Blue Lake. Oceana was itself an offshoot of White River Township, and was organized by the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa County, at a special meeting held at -Eastmanville April 1, 1859, and the inhabitants interested were sulmmoned to their first special meeting at 9 A. WI., on the 18th day of the same month at the school house in section 20, Township 12, north, in Range 17, west, and the notice was signed by Jas. P. Scott, Clerk. The meeting having been convened as directed, the following officers were selected: Israel E. Carleton, Chairman; Evan Knudsen and- Zerah Mizner, Inspectors of Election, and Moody Farman, Clerk; and to the credit of the people be it mentioned that their first motion was to appropriate one-half of the two mill tax for a township library. $75 was ordered for general expenses. A proposal to give '$200 to the poor was voted down, and $25 was carried. Job Sargent was elected pound keeper over R. L. Harm-on. It was then resolved that all studs and mules be prohibited from running at large, but on consideration, mules were allowed to retain their liberty, and the move to restrict swine was promptly voted down. There seems to have been thirty-five voters present, and the following is the list of officers elected: Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Moody Farman; Treasurer, Andreas Knudsen; Justices of the Peace, Lewis Grow, Thos. Sedden, Jas. B. Jewell; Highway "Commissioners Jas. Jewell, Peter Hobler; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Overseers of the Poor, John Killson, Evan Knudsen; Constable, Thos. Sedden, Jr., Dan'l Basom. The next imnportant'-meeting was at the house of E. Knudsen, on Oct. '31,1 1859, at which it was ascertained that from the Township of White River there was due the munificent sum of $33 for primary school fund. It "appears that Daniel Basomn had removed Ffrom the town, and his place as constable was filled by Volney B. Gee, and as Highway Commissioner by the appointment of Moody Farman. There were but three accounts to settle, and but three members present, each of whoml had an account for services, in all $14, which was allowed. Those present were Evan Knudsen, Chairman; M. Farnan, Clerk; and Lewis Grow. On Jan. 11, 1860, the Supervisors again met, and allthey seem to have done was to pass about a'dozen- accounts, amounting to the sum of 9$83. The next annual meeting of the township was held at the same school house as before, Ap'ril 2, 1860. $150 was voted to be raised for the expenses of the past year. The mules were attended to this time, and it was voted to restrain them from running at large. The following were appointed Overseers of Highways: Road District No. 1, Job Sargent; Road District No. 2, J. B. Gee; Road District No. 3, A. A. Parker; Road District No. 4, John Killson; Road District No. 5, I. E. Carleton. They thereupon proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year, thirty-three voters being present, as follows: Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, E. Knudsen; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, Horace Jones, Jacob B. Gee, A. A. Parker; Commissioner of Highways, J. Killson; School Inspector, J. D. Pullman; Overseers of the Poor, John Webb, Randolph Ward; Constables, Jas. L. W. Farnsworth, N. Sargent, Al. Hines, V. B. Gee. No meeting is recorded again until Jan. 12, 1861, when Messrs. Carleton, Parker and Klludsen being present, E. Grow and E. Knudsen were appointed road commissioners, and accounts amounting to $72 were passed, the Supervisor getting $37 and E. Knudsen $12.40, which shows how economically affairs were conducted in those early times. At the next annual meeting ol April 1, 1861, Carleton, Knudsen and J. B. Gee, J. P., were present, and $100 was ordered to be raised for township expenses, and again to their credit be it mentioned, that one-half of the two mill tax was appropriated for district library. The Overseers of Highways elected were: Road Dist. No. 1, Hiramz Staples; Road Dist. No. 2, J. B. Gee, Road Dist. No. 3, A. A. Parker; Road Dist. No. 4, D. Basom; Road Dist. No. 5, A. G. Vanholton; and Job Sargent for the "third term" pathmaster. The voters present, 39 in number, then proceeded to elect officers for ensuing year as follows: Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Hiramn E. Staples; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Sclool Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Justices of the Peace, Jesse D. Pullman, Jas. Sewell; Highway Commissioners, R. L. Harmon, John Webb; Constables, Owen Soules, V. B. Gee, N. Sargent, VW,. J. Kennedy. No more meetings are recorded until Sept. 30, 1861, when vacancies perhaps caused by the war, were filled as follows: M. Farman, Clerk, and J. B. Gee, G. Franklin and Joseph Heald, as Justices. On the 7th of April, 1862, the next annual meeting was held, at which Job. Sargent was re-appointed pound keeper, and Overseers of Highways as follows: District No. 1, N. Sargent; Dist. No. 2, A. W. Clark; Dist. No. 3. T. J. Whitbeck; Dist. No. 4, E. Sargent;. Dist. I. John Gusta-:+: 00 000. 0.0S !!,~ ~,~ 4'..~.... ~f.;,,:.. i.:..:.! 1~,~~,.~.~ ~.:~~..... -*/,', /, /? ////'!~ / i /' 1,7 / /// // ////, r d - l! i 1 _ _ 1 9 __Cz___ I. A. C. KUSTER,J EWELER O STATIONER,WALL PAPER C. iTEHALL,-M VI CH, nk:X I:;t^ '. ~^f f:: * *:. tiSii-: 1 -d>? P::d:: -A f, - T Oa3 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 125 a' The first Express office was in 1870, agents Morse, Sturtevant, Emery and Banks. First railroad in 1870, Paul I. Hedges first station agent, succeeded by C. W. Redfern, Chas. J. Otis in 1882. First post-office in 1862, A. Mears first postmaster, followed by W. M. Simons, Clark, Parks, Sturtevant, Hedges, and Hon. C. C. Thompson. The first stage line by Gale Nichols. First lodge of Good Templars in 1866. The first officers of the village in May, 1867. were A. Mears president, D.*Thompson recorder, C. C. Thompson and A. M. Thompson elected to office. Harbor Company first formed in 1869, Congress added a grant of $45,000 to their subscription of -$20,000. Boom Company first organized Sept. 5, 1870, first officers S. T. Cone president, C. H. Cook second president, Joseph Heald third, D. C. Bowen fourth. First train of cars entered the village Oct. 29, 1870. March 4, 1871, Rev. J. G. Shaeffer, first Congregational minister. The greatest building year of the village was probably 1874. when the following buildings and others, valued at $240,000, were erected: Staples & Covell's mill, $50,000; Covell & Nufer's shingle mill, $10,000; Norris & Green's shingle mill, $15,000; the bank, $28,000; Congregational church, $20,000; Lutheran church, $3,000; Catholic church, $3,000; Episcopal church, $6,000; engine house, $6,000, &c. The year 1875 witnessed the climax in the number of saloons. Whitehall had twenty-two and Montague only thirteen. Probably jealousy was the result. This year, also, Wheeler's drug store and the post office were burned; loss $8,000. The White River Fruit Improvement Company was first formed in 1875. Whitehall, in 1867, is described as a flourishing village of 1,000 inhabitants, with ten saw mills, six stores, three hotels and one tannery. Daily mail, A. Mears, P. M. A. A. Cain, Peter Hobler, and J. Gustavus are the hotel keepers. Dicey & Leith have an iron foundry; Moses Hall is Justice of the Peace; Franklin & Wheeler are general -merchants; Duane Thompson and W. H. Parks are lawyers; Lee, Sanders & Scully have a stage line; J. McKinnon, physician. The saw mills are held by Heald, Welch & Co., Hedges, Ferry & Co., Hinchman & Covell, Hopkins & Lewis, J. W. Miller, and Ocobock & Co. MUNICIPAL. 1867. The village was incorporated in 1867, and the first election was held on Monday, May 6th, 1867. The following is the first list of the twenty-six voters at that election: Chas. Cook, Israel Graves, P. Hobler, Duane Thompson, J. C. Draper, C. M. Parmer, D. R. Misner, Smith Saunders, Henry Moon, Ariel Bliss, David Holmes, James Sturtevant, Moses Hall, S. M. Ocobock, A. J. Foster, G. W. Franklin, Robert Hawks, H. W. Pantkowsky, Wm. Peck, Alonzo Howe, O. W. Kimball, C. E. Cake, I. E. Carleton, and Wm. Graves and C. C. Thompson. The first meeting of the Town Council was on Friday, May 17th. There were present C. C. Thompson, M. M. Robson, A. M. and Duane Thompson. C. C. Thompson was appointed Chairman pro. tern., and the Recorder announced the following elected as Trustees, at an election held at Hobler's Hotel on May 6th, viz: C. C. Thompson, M. M. Robson and Duane Thompson, of whom the latter was Recorder. Monday was fixed as the regular night for meeting each week. On the 20th of May I. E. Carleton was chosen President in place of A. Mears, who refused to qualify. George P. Freeman was chosen Street Commissioner, and E. R. Burrows Pound Master. On the 5th of June the Council passed ordinances relating to swine, nuisances, disorderly persons, closing saloons on Sunday, billiards, bowling alleys, theatres, lotteries, and bribes to public officers. Fred. L. Lewis was made Marshal in bonds of $300. The ordinances were ordered to be published in The Jhiskegoen NJews. On June 22d the householders on Colby and some other streets were warned to take out the stumps, or it would be done for them at public expense. On July 8th it was ordered that the Marshal proceed against those engaged in releasing prisoners on the Fourth of July, but wisely added the proviso-if the same are known. It appears that in anticipation of trouble two assistants to the Marshal, at twenty shillings ($2.50) per day, were appointed for July 4th. It was also resolved to build a " lock-up" 16x20, and 12 feet high. On the 15th of July W. C. Heywood was licensed to keep a bowling alley for $25 a year. Robert Hawks was appointed Pound Keeper. 1868. At this point in the village records is a hiatus, and nothing was again recorded until May 8th, 1868, a period of ten months. The new Council appears to be D. P. Glazier, A. G. Hopkins, C. L. Parks and C, J. Defield, the latter being Recorder. W. H. Landford was appointed village Marshal, W. M. Simons Street Commissioner, and W. H. Parks Village Attorney. As A. M. Thompson refused to qualify as Trustee, H. Stearns was appointed in his stead. It was resolved to purchase a lot for corporation purposes from Carleton, Hinchman or Covell. On the 26th of May W. D. Southworth was employed to establish the lines on River street from Mears avenue west to its termination. A. G. Hopkins and H. E. Stearns were appointed to assist the surveyor. On the 11th of June, in a resolution as to the sidewalks to be laid on Colby street, the names of those business men in front of whose places it was to be laid are given, and the list is interesting as showing how many changes there have been in a few years. They are D. J. Foster & Co., Simons, Hobler, Johannus, D. P. Glazier, Shakelton & Mizner, J. H. Pratt & Bro., Sprigg, Caine, Herbst Bros. & Co., Robson, Smith, and S. & M. Freehling. How few of these are left in 1882. A. G. Hopkins was authorized to superintend the building of the lock-up. At a meeting held at Glazier's on July 10th it was resolved to raise, for village purposes, a tax of half a cent on the dollar. The Council seems to have " boarded around" in those early days, as their next meeting was held at Herbst's store, at which they relieved H. Landford of the Marshalship, giving it to P. Hobler, and a stirring ordinance was passed to close saloons, &c., at 11 P. M. and on Sundays. On August 24th, Mr. C. J. Defield having died, J. W. Crombie was appointed Recorder, but, as he declined, P. I. Hedges was appointed at the next meeting. On the 28th of September the time of meeting was changed to the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 2 P. M. Also, it was resolved to fine any councillor or officer who failed to attend $1 44x - I k I 126 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. and the first to be fined, at the next meeting, were A. G. Hopkins and C. L. Parks, but it was retmitted at the following meeting. The lock-up cost about $800. On the 15th of October the resignation of Street Commissioner Simons was received and H. Stearns appointed. The next meeting on the 20th of October, must have been a solemn one, there being present only P. I. Hedges. The only other entry is the mournful announcement that Glazier, Hopkins, Stearns, and Parks are fined $1 each for non-attendance. The next meeting seems to be a wrestling with the Marshal as to how he should pay in the taxes when collected. W. D. Southworth was made Fire Warden. On December 27th Marshal Hobler was removed and M. M. Robson appointed. and next meeting the former appeared and gave up the tax-roll and received $22.58 as payment for his services. As Robson failed to qualify H. H. Shakelton was appointed, and also made Fire Warden, in place of Southworth, resigned. 1869. On April 2d, 1869, all mill owners were requested to put onspark-arresters or be fined $5. On April 26th, the old boarding house of Covell, Staples & Co., and the old blacksmith shop on River street-old land-marks-were ordered to be removed. A great fire having occurred, it was resolved to submit the question of raising $1,000 to buy a fire engine. The annual report for the year ending May 1st, 1869, shows: Fines from Justices of the Peace, $25; licenses, $171.46; taxes, $690,38; of which $660 was expended on the jail, $40 each were paid to the Recorder and Corporation Counsellor, and $36 to the Marshal. On May 3d 39 votes were cast and John Welch was elected President; M. M. Robson, H. Ruggles, and C. C. Thompson, Trustees; Z. Mizner, Treasurer, and P. I. Hedges, Recorder. For the $1,000 tax for a fire engine there were twenty-five yeas and nine nays. C. Cook was made Marshal and Hiram Stearns appointed Street Commissioner and Fire Warden. At the next meeting we find Clark Whitney appointed Marshal at a salary of $65 per month. On the 21st of June six Babcock fire extinguishers were ordered, and Duane Thompson was employed as attorney in Whitehall vs. W. H. & A. S. Park~ for obstructing the highway. On the 19th of July Marshal Whitney, whose salary had been lowered to $60 per month, resigned, and M. Robson was appointed a committee to see who would accept the office, and Hiram Stearns was found willing to act at $25 per month. The fire extinguishers were distributed as follows: At Glazier's, the Cosmopolitan, Shakelton & Mizner's, J. Lewis' boarding house, and at the residences of C. C. Thompson and of G. Carlyle. The salary of the Marshal was still regarded as too high, and it was made $10 a month. On November 4th Robson resigned as Trustee, and K. F. Morse was appointed. On December 1st the Liberty Pole on Colby street, near N. V. Booth's, was ruthlessly ordered to be cut down. 1870. On February 2d'the ladders, pails, and other apparatus of the fire department were ordered. On May 28th it was resolved to give $600 for a Town Hall, provided Oceana gave as much. On April 23d C. C. Thompson was authorized to build his pier on Slocum street. At the election on May 2d 78 votes were cast and C. C. Thompson became President; P. I. Hedges, Recorder; G. W. Franklin, H. Ruggles and John Welch, Trustees; Z. Mizner, Treasurer, and J. W. Luscombe was made Marshal at $20 per month. The tender of W. Blythe of $300 for clearing Slocum Park was accepted, but only $200 was paid, and H. Stearns was appointed Street Commissioner. The Fourth of July must have beena. lively day for the boys, as special policemen were always necessary. This year H. Landford, M. Willfong, J. E. Platt and E. McCoy were so appointed, and $35 were appropriated to purchase a cannon. Luscombe was removed from the Marshalship and Stearns was appointed on July 19th, and one of his duties was defined to be the care of the village ordnance. On August 26th it was resolved to accept I. E. Carleton's invitation to Grand Haven to celebrate the completion of the railway, but for some reason the Board did not go. 1871. The annual election the 1st of May, with 95 voters, resulted in the election of G. M. Smith as president; A. Hood, H. E. Staples and J. C. Lewis, trustees; Henry Slater, recorder; and B. F. Frank, treasurer. On May 12, M. R. Stevens was appointed street commissioner, and Henry Slater village attorney. The former was allowed to rent the park and plant it with potatoes for $15. On 5th June Mr. Gale was appointed pound-keeper. Two thousand dollars was the amount of bond required of treasurer, and Z. Mizner and T. Bennett were accepted as sureties. On 10th July L. L. Marble was paid $191 for building sidewalks, and L. Rees $40 for tiles. B. F. Treat, the marshal, was paid at $25 a month. On Sept. 18 Frank's resignation as treasurer was accepted, and M. R. Stevens was appointed. 1872. M. Johnson appointed assistant marshal. The annual election, with 108 voters present, resulted in the election of George F. Goodrich as president, by 72 to 36 for A. Mears; Henry Slater as recorder by 78 to 27 over D. G. Scroggs; Z. Mizner as treasurer by 61 to 43 for K. F. Morse. The trustees were R. M. Hedges, C. Johnson, C. C. Thompson, but John Welch was appointed in place of C. Johnson, who declined office. E. H. Treat was appointed street commissioner and marshal at $25 a month and $2.50 per diem while employed on the streets. On May 22 C. C. Thompson resigned and A. Hood was appointed trustee. On June 1st E. H. Treat was removed from marshalship and the court costs of his ( discussion" with Mr. Fischer were paid out of the contingent fund, and it was immediately moved that he be reappointed. Five special police were appointed to keep " the boys" in order on the 4th of July. On the 5th of July the marshal was dismissed. On Dec. 2d J. Welch resigned and J. W. Ocobock was appointed trustee. On the 17th thanks were tendered to Muskegon firemen for assistance at the recent fire. 1873. The annual election, 153 voters present, resulted in the election of H. E. Staples as president by 80 to 73 for A. Mears; R. M. Hedges as treasurer by 101 to 51 for F. Blackmarr. Henry Slater 149 votes as recorder; J. W. Ocobock, A. Fischer, trustees, H. Ruggles and H. E. Staples being ties for third trustee. Fred'k Hinman was appointed street commissioner at $2.50 a day. On the 7th of July several citizens petitioned to have A. G. Hopkins resign, but he declined to comply with the modest request, and it was filed. The taxes rose to 1 per cent for streets and 1 per cent for contingencies. On the 30th of July Ariel Bliss, marshal, resigned, and Nelson Patterson, now of Muskegon, was appointed at $50 per month. On the 15th of September the recorder was directed to en A 4 [15 "'em 0 - -- L, v ' ' H: I - I::;t I,*0 o p,, ^~~~~~~~I-^^-^-98'^^^ *! t8g |g 1d4 - 1~ I - 1 _j A/- - - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 127 T ter a bill in chancery to perfect the title to the lock-up. Staples & Covell's proposition to give the lumber for a sidewalk to Montague, if the village would lay it down was accepted. On October 20th the marshal and Mr. Hopkins were appointed to 'examine defective chimneys. On December 22, a petition was ordered to be circulated to ascertain the feelings of those interested in widening Covell street to 80 feet through Johnson's addition, and changing the name to " Mears avenue." It appears at this time that there was a suit by the village against Carleton et al., as $11 was allowed under-Sheriff E. McCoy for serving subpoenas. 1874. On March 20th thanks were tendered M. Dodge for " refreshing" the Montague firemen at the recent great fire, and $15 was voted Mr. Harwood for the same act, and at next meeting an engine, fourth-class, nickel-plated, 1200 feet of hose and two hosecarts were ordered from the Silsby company. The annual meeting, 214 voters present, resulted in the election of H. E. Staples as president; P. I. Hedges as recorder by 116 to 97 for H. Slater; L. T. Covell, A. Mears, and W. P. Utley for trustees, and R. M. Hedges, treasurer. The financial statement shows that the direct tax was $3848; poll-tax $136; salaries $767; fines, circuses, etc., $65; total $4816, which was chiefly expended for sidewalks and road improvements. On June 9th F. Blackmarr, A. GC. Elsworth and K. F. Morse were appointed a committee to investigate the finances. On June 18th W. S. Knowles' tender to build engine-house for $328 was accepted and D. A. Wicks appointed pound-master, but he resigned in a few weeks. Lot 4, block 10, was purchased for engine-house of C. Mears, and a fire-bell was bought through A. Mears for $172. 1875. The sidewalk bill of $42.80 against the Congregational church was "donated" to the society. It was also resolved that the docket of A: G. Hopkins, J. P., be searched to see how much he owed the village for fines, and on the 20th of April it was reported that "nothing" was due. The annual election, 216 voters present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples as president, by 132 to 84 for Dr. Wheeler. O. M. Hedges for recorder received 126 to 90 for P. I. Hedges. R. M. Hedges became treasurer; Z. Mizner, L. T. Covell, W. P. Utley, M. Hanson and M. R. Stevens were trustees. The treasurer's bond was fixed at $4000. The bond for selling liquors was fixed at $1000. The tax on property for village purposes this year was but I of 1 per cent. On July 8th 0. M. Hedges resigned as recorder and A. C. Elsworth was appointed at $100 a year, and also made village attorney. Watson Smart resigned the marshalship and Nelson Patterson is appointed at $25 per month. 1876. The annual election, 255 present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples by 156 to 99 for Albert Mears. G. J. Moog became recorder by 158 to 95 for C. W. McConnell; R. M. Hedges, treasurer; trustees, J. R. McKay, L. T. Covell, H. W. Hill, C. C. Thompson and W. A. Phelps. The council this year wisely devoted its business into the hands of standing committees, and the Finance com mittee reported that $2400 was due by July 1st next, and $1000 would be needed for contingencies; that as $1,500 would be the probable revenue from liquor licenses, that $1,900 should be levied for general purposes; it was therefore found necessary to raise the rate to 14 cents on the dollar. F. Hinman was elected engineer at $360 a year. On August 26 there appears to have been a discussion of the action of the First Baptist church in dividing the profits of the performance of the Tennessee Jubilee Singers, but the license I - fee of $5 was remitted, with a warning that it would be collected " next time." On the 15th of September a fierce and sweeping ordinance against houses of ill-fanie was enacted. On December 12 Dallas Johnson was appointed marshal, but we find shortly after D. W. Covell accepts the office at $15 a month. 1877. The annual election in May, 117 voters present, of which P. I. Hedges received 71 and A. Mears 45. B. F. Reed received 72 votes for recorder, with 43 for G. J. Moag; F. Blackmarr got 44 for treasurer and Dr. Wheeler 37. The trustees were C. G. Alley, H B. Hinman, W. Flinn, James Ocobock and J. W. Johnson. We read afterwards that H. E. Staples resigns as president and J. Ocobock is appointed, and K. F. Morse takes Ocobock's place as trustee, but he having declined John Widoe was appointed. The tax was this year 1 per cent. 1878. On motion of Mr. Alley it was resolved that all liquor-sellers file a bond of $3000. The annual election, 197 voters present, resulted in the election of A. Mears unanimously; M. B. Covell was elected treasurer by 119 to 97 for A. T. Linderman; B. F. Reed became recorder; the trustees were G. M. Smith, K. Frank Morse, J. H. Sholander, M. Hanson and John Bell; R. W. Norris, pound-master; M. R. Stephens, however, took the place of G. M. Smith, resigned, astrustee, and F. Hinman was appointed engineer and marshal at $25 a month for each office. Mr. Morse moved, seconded by John Bell, that a tax of $250 be levied on each liquor-seller; carried, but at next meeting Mr. Morse resigns and E. M. Ruggles is appointed, and also Mr. Hanson resigns and is replaced by A. Hood. It was then moved by J. Bell, seconded by E. M. Ruggles, and resolved to lay the resolution taxing liquor-sellers $250 on the table. The tax this year -was of 1 per cent. Charles McKinzie was appointed marshal at $30 a month on November 23. The inhabitants now petitioned that measures be taken against " haunts of vice," which was adopted by the council by the votes of Ocobock, M. R. Stephens and Bell, against those of Ruggles and Hood. 1879. The annual election, 176 present, resulted in the choice of H. E. Staples by 135 to 41 for J. W. Ocobock as president; G. J. Moog became recorder by 124 to 49 for B. F. Reed; M. B. Covell is unanimously made treasurer; the trustees were C. C. Thompson, J. Sholander, R. W. Norris, F. W. Nufer and A. Mears; J. A. Wheeler, health officer. An offer to build an iron bridge to Montague for $2,640 was received, and accepted. There was on hand May 1st, $927 91; to be collected from saloons, $1,725; the taxable property of $190,000 at 3 of 1 per cent would bring $1,425; there was required for engine-house bond, $1126 93; for bridge, $1500; for salaries, $720. On October 11 it was resolved to permit the Philadelphia Numbering Co. to number the village, and 134 signs at 15 cents each Hyere purchased from Mr. Cheney, having the names of streets upon them. 1880. The fire company petition for 50 cents an hour while engaged in quelling fires, but the petition was laid on the table. A racy mo tion offered by C. C. Thompson to abate steam-whistles was voted down. The motion asserted that time spent in whistling by the eight mills in the village when combined made three hours a day! The marshal was instructed to spend one whole day lying in wait for those who drove too rapidly over Mears avenue bridge. The council, before leaving office, were in a particularly thankful mood as they passed votes of thanks to the president "and recorder, and to I" the people for their kindness." t1 r -E I I I I I - -I — m 1? - - y 128 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 128 The annual election, 183 voters present, resulted as follows: For president, A. Mears by 67 votes, H. E. Staples 55, I. M. Weston 48, P. I. Hedges 13. For recorder, Fred Norman 97 to 54 for C. P. Nearpass and 35 for B. F. Reed. For treasurer, M. B. Covell 111 votes, C. E. Covell 44, E. M. Ruggles 27. For trustees, H. E. Staples, R. W. Norris, W. F. Nufer, W. Flinn, O. T. Oleson. 1881. A. Mears elected president by 110 to 60 for }I. E. Staples; F. Norman, recorder; M. B. Covell, treasurer; J. A. Sholander, G. J. Moog, A. Carleton, J. W. Ocobock and E. D. Thompson, trustees. 1882. At the last village election on May 1, there were two tickets in the field headed respectively Prohibition and Temperance, and Industrial. The former ticket prevailed by about 217 to 115 votes. The officers elect are: A. T. Linderman, President; F. Norman, Recorder; M. B. Covell, Treasurer (by unanimous vote); Trustees, W. A. Phelps, L. Richards, C. I. Peterson and John Bell. Many ladies took a deep interest in the election, furnishing refreshments of a temperance character. LUMBER PROSPECTS FOR 1882. The great business of Whitehall and Montague, and in fact all around White Lake, is lumbering, of which we have given statistics under the heading, " Lumbering, " in the general history of the county. As for this season the prospects were never so bright; there is no strike, nor is there likely to be, and Captain Dalton, the oldest lumberman on the Lake, states the White River log crop for this year will be over 140,000,000 feet, of which 86,000,000 feet are on the River. There are fully 15,000,000 feet of old logs left over which, with the amount expected, would make 155,000,000 feet. LAWYERS. The lawyers of Whitehall have been first Duane Thompson, in 1865; W. H. Parks, from 1864 to 1872; poor Henry Slater, 1870, a gifted and popular man, who was unfortunately drowned at Muskegon in the fall of 1881; next D. G. Scroggs, 1868; A. C. Elsworth, 1871; P. I. Hedges, at one time postmaster, and first telegraph operator, removed to Danville, N. Y., in 1882; then came H. L. Delano, now of Muskegbn; R. L. Rice, 1875; D. C. Huffman, 1877; Loraine Ashman, 1880; and Mr. Edwin I. Smith (Smith & Cook) Muskegon Co. DOCTORS. The first doctor was J. A. Wheeler, 1865, removed to Grand Rapids in 1881; Dr. C. Mizner, now of North Muskegon, 1865; A. W. Squier, 1866; W. L. Montane, 1866; J. McKinnon (died in Whitehall), Drs. Marvin, Gaylor, Johnson, Carr, Wooldridge, Cooper. BRICKYARD. It is surprising, considering the large amount of clay that can be found in the vicinity of Whitehall, and the good prices offered for bricks, that none have attempted to establish a yard until the spring of 1882, when E. M. Ruggles and John Vanderheyden have taken up the business in Whitehall on the bank of the river, having had to purchase a number of houses and lots to get the clay. They are putting in mDachinery capable of turning out 100,000 bricks a day, but will not make more than 30,000 at first. The practical man of the firm is JOHN VANDERHEYDEN, who has had sixteen years' experience in the business, in Detroit, Chicago, and for the last nine years as foreman for Brown & Clark, making 10,000,000 bricks annually, having often 130 men under his control. He is originally from Ann Arbor. R. W. Norris is just laying the foundation of a new brick block 20x80, two stories and basement, on Colby St., next to the European House. A. Mears proposes to build (a fine block, corner of Mears Avenue and Colby St. There is just being completed at Whitehall a neat new railway station, not far from that which was burned in August, 1881. The building was urgently required. Mr. Charles Otis is the present station agent. TAXES. The rate for a number of years past has not varied far from four per cent on the assessed value, which would be probably about two per cent on the asking price of property. In 1881 the rate, on account of the increase in State and school taxes, was about five per cent onl the assessed value, but as in three years the school bonds now out amounting to $7,500 will be paid off, the rate for school taxes will not exceed one per cent. This will allow village improvements to go on without adding to the burdens of the people. GREAT FIRE OF 1881. Like all wooden built and lumbering towns, Whitehall, which had hitherto escaped a great fire, had its day of wrath on the night of Saturday, 30th of July. About 2 p. m., the night watchman at Linderman's shingle mill observed flames in the direction of Sturtevant's livery stable and promptly sounded the alarm. Quickly the citizens with terror dumb, rallied to the conflict, with all the force at their command. The Montague boys with Charley Dodge at their head, soon put in an appearance and for eleven hours fought the fire. They took the side near the lake, being stationed back of Slocum's block, and did good service in checking the fire in a block of old buildings at the foot of Colby St. They secured and richly deserved a vote of thanks for their efforts. The Whitehall engine was stationed at Staples & Covell's mill dock, under the leadership of Chief H. E. Staples, assisted by Engineer F. A. Hinman: The fire burned fiercely away all the wooden buildings on both sides of Colby St., including Slocum's brick block up to Covell's brick block on the north, and Baker's brick drug store on the south, a space of about five acres in the heart of the village being completely swept out of existence. The loss was $150,000, 'the insurance about $54,000, which being mainly in the hands of H. D. Johnston, insurance agent, was, as usual, rapidly and satisfactorily adjusted. The origin of the fire is a mystery; it was thought to have commenced in Sturtevant's livery or in Hinman & McElroy's furniture store. But the fire was first seen in the rear of Wynne's variety store in the same block. Sturtevant's loss was very heavy as he was not insured, and he lost eleven fine horses, besides many carriages, &c., out of the best equipped livery stable in the county. The furniture store, WVynne's variety store, M. B. Covell's large store, the meat market, Slocum's block, with Phelan's clothing. store, Johnston's office, and the Mears House were lost. The flames consumed the wooded' railway tunnel across Colby Street and down Thompson Street, and attacked the Foster's block, the busiest hive of industry in town, forming a lofty pyramid of fire. In this block were K. F. Morse's hardware store, the post office, with Hon. C. C, Thompson's real estate office, and we may mention that by his vigilance everything was saved belonging to the post office. In the same block were Riley's barber shop, Ruggles' drug store, Phelan's clothing store, a vacant store and restaurant. In the second store were Elsworth's law office, that of Squire Reed, Cunningham's dental rooms, Dr. Adams' office, and the apartments of the Foster family; on the third story was the opera hall. The next to succumb was Mr. Tripp's house, and Covell's barn, and Klett's harness shop. In the meantime destruction was proceeding on the west side, and also the south, consuming the Cosmopolitan Hotel, B. O'Connell's two buildings, L. Bratz's clothing store, Seabold's boot and shoe building, M. Bragenham's saloon, Hanson's v -A 10 __ __ = e-4- 1, 'y: I, MR L.E\:00:s: fI I --- id- - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY2 129 I grocery, Johnson livery, M. Bjornstad's saloon, N. F. Strong's photograph gallery, Lovell's restaurant, over which Mr. Strong resided; Castenholtz & Co's. meat market, also Dickerson's wagon shop. The Boom Co's. tug P. Dalton did good service. The next night the railroad depot was burned, which was one thing which Whitehall could spare, as it was the worst looking depot in the world. The company have since used the old shed near the former depot, which is some degrees worse than the one which was burnedTHE SCANDINAVIANS. The Swedish and Norwegian element here is a large and important one, many of these nationalities being employed in the mills and tannery and other places of business, some being also employed as saloon keepers, hotel keepers and store keepers. One beautifully situated portion of Whitehall is settled up with Scandinavians; with their neatly kept grounds, tidy houses, and pretty streets, the whole has an appearance of thrift and industry like "Auburn, loveliest village of the plain." The first person of any note that appeared in Whitehall was Mr. Charles Johnson who came about 1866 and did much toward bringing out his fellow countrymen, and settling them in what is known as "Swedentown," or on the maps as Johnson's Addition to Whitehall. Mr. Malcolm Youngren came next, and now there are perhaps 700'Swedes, including children; some are well doing farmers in the vicinity. As they are a religious people and generally Evangelical Lutherans, meetings were early held, and Mr. Roden, since "Rev." first.preached, then Rev. Mr. Ericson was leader and then Rev. O. Chilleen, still pastor, who in 1877 caused a neat church, Lebanon church as it was called, to be erected, with a spire and belfry and steeple, building 60x34 and 20 feet high; seating capacity 600, gallery 100. The congregations are large and there iis a Sunday school of 40 pupils, and 200 communicants in the church. Rev. O. Chilleen was born in Sweden in 1841, emigrated in 1870. and came here in 1877. The Swedes seem generally an intelligent, industrious and honest race, and as many of them came here with some means, they form a good element in the community, where labor is so scarce and so highly paid, and where a man soon secures an independence. Mr. John Hanson, now deceased, was even before Charles Johnson, and his children are claimed to be the first white children born here. This is claimed for his son Charles, of Claybanks, as he is now 31 years old. In 1868, Charles Johnson, now diseased, commenced to sell his lots. The Norwegians are older settlers than the Swedes, and have a church of their own, but at present no resident minister. They are building a parsonage, and expect to call the Rev. Mr. Amble. As it is contrary to the rules of the Swedish Churches for their members to join secret societies, the Scandinavian Benevolent Society is chiefly Norwegian. SCHOOLS. The first school house was an old log building, now removed, near where Mears' storehouse now is, which was used for church and election purposes as well. The first school taught in White hall was a private school by Miss Polly Alien in the house of Daniel Basom, and continued three months with six or eight pupils. This was in 1860. Next year school district No. 1 of Mears was organized with J. D. Sturtevant, director; Moses Hall, moderator, and C. C. Thompson, assessor, and the first school after organization was taught by Phcebe Clark, afterwards Mrs. Moses Hall. A I school house was built in 1862. About 1866 Mrs. Scott taught one term. In the fall of 1867 a second school house, the "Brown School" was built near the first, with one room seating 50 pupils, now Skeel's bakery. In the fall and winter of 1867, W. D. Southworth taught, and E. W. Hall in the spring of 1868. In the fall of 1868 A. C. Elsworth was employed as principal and taught in the new building and Mrs. Scott taught in the old or "white" building, and at the close of the term the enrollment in the primary school was 90, and in the high school 75 pupils, and another school was started and the three schools continued for three terms. In the summer of 1869 the "Brown School" was raised and made two stories. Mr.Elsworth continued the next year with Miss Jennie Yerkes in charge of the intermediate and Mrs. L. B. Elsworth in charge of the primary. The first time the school was graded was in 1870, into Primary, Grammar-and High School, which has continued with but few changes to the present. During the winter term of this year the School Board were compelled to start a fourth school with Miss Ellen Dyer (now Mrs. Dr. Marvin) in charge. In the summer of 1870 the old "white" school house was raised and also made two stories, providing another school room for fifty pupils. In the school year of 1870-71 there was four departments, with Mr. Elsworth again as principal; Miss Yerkes, Intermediate; Mrs. Elsworth, 2nd Primary; Miss Alice Wilder, 1st Primary. The year 1871-72 P. H. Dowling was principal, Mrs. Hattie Hubbard, Intermediate, and the next three years G. L. Miner was principal and the last of the three another room was added to the "Brown" building and five departments made. At the close of the fall term in 1875 Mr. Miner resigned and Mr. A. C. Martin succeeded him for the balance of the school year, and in the fall of 1876 Prof. Slayton commenced his duties as principal. THE CENTRAL SCHOOL. The visitor inspecting the school cannot but be impressed with the spirit of order and neatness that pervades every department, being evidently inspired by a good headmaster, assisted by an efficient staff. The pupils seem to take pride in their school, try to move as orderly as possible and to keep off all marks from the walls. Prof. Slayton is very conscientious and painstaking, and possesses mechanical genius in a high degree. He has an excellent collection for a museum in the school. Owing to a recent fire which damaged some of the rooms the Board received for insurance over $2,000, and part of this has been judiciously expended in purchasing steel engravings and oil paintings of a high order, from New York, which adorn the walls in all the rooms, giving them an elegant appearance. Some of the paintings are pastoral and marine pieces and others are valuable historical paintings. They are inserted in heavy gilt frames, and some cover fifteen square feet of surface. The staff of teachers is as follows: Prof. A. W. Slayton, Superintendent; Miss A. E. Ring, teacher of the Grammar department, with about 40 pupils. She is now in the 4th year of her engagement at Whitehall. The 2nd Intermediate department is conducted by Miss Stella Rorrison, a normal school graduate, now in her 2nd year, with 55 pupils on the roll. The 1st Intermediate is under the care of Miss Carrie Calkins also in her 2nd year; the 2nd Primary teacher is Miss Carrie Baxter, and the 1st Primary teacher is Miss Patline McPherson with 90 on the roll of pupils. In this interesting room there is a complete Kindergarten. The school building is of brick, 76x76 feet, and cost $14,000 being two stories and a basement, and is considered the cheapest building in the State for the money. Hon. C. C. Thompson took a great deal of pains when director to see that it was well and prop I I,.,II( —l ___ f A Q! i i i I _ _: I 130 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. ~ I erly built, and A. C. Elsworth who was also on the Board and had been a former principal, deserves great credit for the part he took in getting plans and selling the bonds. PROF. ASA W. SLAYTON, principal of the Whitehall schools, is a model of what a real teacher should be, and never allows extra labor or expense to deter him from doing what he considers necessary to the success of his school. He is of a most ingenious mechanical disposition-and has constructed a variety of useful scientific apparatus with his own hands, and his cases of specimens are well worthy of inspection. He has a kindly and conscientious manner of teaching which endears him to all those under his charge. He has been in Whitehall since 1876, and has over 30 years experience as a teacher in Michigan. SAWMILLS. One great feature of Whitehall is its sawmills, which has been treated of under the heading of White Lake Sawmills on page 29. The history of how the Mears and the Daltons commenced sawmilling, and were followed by the Ferrys, Carletons, Alleys, Covells, Thompson, Lewis and others will be found interesting reading in the same place. Suffice it to say that Whitehall has the following sawmills: Staples & Covell's; A. J. & C. E. Covell's, Alley & Co's, and Wilcox & Co's. Also the following shingle and planing mills: The Whitehall Manufacturing Co., Norris, Johnson & Miller's, Linderman's, and Nufer & Carleton's. SOCIETIES. The chief societies in Whitehall are the Masonic, of which there is one lodge with some prospect of Royal Arch Chapter, the Knights and the Ladies of Honor, the temperance societies and some others. There was once a flourishing Lodge of Oddfellows, but it is now defunct, and the Knights of Honor use their Hall. When they disbanded they had over $200 in their treasury. In 1875 we learn that A. Mears as D. D. G. M., installed C. A. Ocobock as N. G., T. Dawson as V. G., L. L. Marble secretary, and J. W. Ocobock treasurer. The Good Templars were organized in 1866 and lasted for several years. This society has experienced great fluctuations. MASONIC. This benevolent and social organization is in a flourishing state, and they now hold their communications and celebrate their mystic rites in a fine hall over Covell's block, having removed thither from the hall over Baker's Drug Store, in the fall of 1881. Beside spacious ante-rooms, there are lodge rooms for the projected Chapter and the Blue Lodge, and they are fitted up in a very creditable manner. The Lodge is No. 310 of the Grand Registry of Michigan, and was instituted Oct. 10, 1872, being an offshoot from the Montague Lodge, of which all the charter members of No. 310 were members. The charter members were John Welch, C. C. Thompson, Ambrose Hood, H. E. Staples, E. Milhouse, Thomas Bennett, K. F. Morse, G. F. Goodrich, C. E. Covell, W. P. Utley, and James M. Allrick. The first Master and Wardens were: H. E. Staples, W. M.; K. F. Morse, S. W.; and C. E. Covell, J. W. W. Bro. H. E. Staples "presided o'er the sons of light" until St. John the Baptist's festival, June 24, 1875, when C. E. Covell was elected and held command until December 18,1876, when H. E. Staples was re-elected. In December 27, 1878, K. F. Morse was Master, next H. E. Staples was re-elected, and in December, 1880, K. F. Morse was chosen Master. For 1882 the officers are K. F. Morse, W. M.; G. G. Delong, S. W.; E. H. Hinchman, J. W.; H. E. Staples, Treasurer, H. Dudley Johnston, Secretary; George Ocobock, S. D.; A. Hood, J. D.; and C. W. McKenzie, tyler. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of over fifty, and meets on the Monday before full moon of each month. THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION was organized Jan. 25, 1876, with C. W. Redfern as President; K. F. Morse, Secretary; and J. J. Gee, as Vice President, and for a time it was quite active. It is now rather dormant. H. A. Spink is President; A. L. Dickinson, Secretary, and F. Glazier, Treasurer. THE SCANDINAVIAN AID SOCIETY was instituted in 1876. The order is a benevolent and social one. Dues, 25 cents monthly, and initiation fee $200. Ole T. Oleson was was the first President, and has been Secretary. There are over 40 members. THE ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPERANCE were organized March 4, 1880, with a membership of 29. The order originated in Buffalo, N. Y. The first select Councillor was G. J. Moog, first Secretary, G. H. Nelson; first "Vice Councillor, John Michener; first Treasurer, H. Zeller; first Past Councillor, L. Richards. They meet in Mears' hall on every alternate Friday. THE KNIGHTS OF HONOR is a very large and popular benevolent society and was organized here Aug. 22, 1877, as White River Lodge, with the Hon. G. M. Smith as First Past Dictator. Mr. Smith shortly after died, and in thirty days his widow received $2,000. THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR is also an associate branch of the Knights. THE CHURCHES. The churches of Whitehall are chiefly on one street and are built of wood. They are the Congregational, Episcopal, Episcopal and Wesleyan Methodist, Baptist (without a pastor), Swedish and Norwegian. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The first organization as a church was effected by the Congregationalists. Albert Mears and Stephen C. Hall, now of Muskegon, having met with the Rev. P. R. Van Frank, an aged and retired Congregational Minister, who lived on a farm at "the openings," now Mr. Baron's in Whitehall Township, conceived the idea that it would be a good idea to have divine services in the then thinly populated neighborhood, and having urged Mr. Van Frank to come. down and preach to them, he accepted and for two years until his death, faithfully labored in the Master's vineyard The first members of the church were A. Mears and wife, a Mr. Mickelson and wife, and Moses and S. C. Hall, then unmarried men. The meetings were held in an old log house, since removed to make way for Mears' barn. This log structure was one of the historic landmarks of Whitehall, as it was long used for meeting and was the only church and opera house for miles around. The first district school was held within its time-hallowed walls. Meetings of the Congregationalists were held here for some time, until a feeling arose for some finer temple of worship, and the result was that in 1872 the fine wooden edifice on the corner of Spring and Division street was erected. The organization was effected by the labors of a clever man, the Rev. J. G. Schaefer, who added to his duties that of editor of the jForum which latter office led him into some trouble. Mr. VanFrank has left a son William who still lives in Montague township and operates in lumber. We give the names of most of the ministers with the dates of their appointment, Van Frank in 1863, Giddings in 1869, Schaefer 1871, St. Clair in 1868, Watts, Brown in 1875, Barker, Waters, Bartlett in 1881. The present edifice on the corner of Division and Spring streets: l. o 9 ^ *^+ I,, Pr - _ I___W _ __ -~: ' ^ w iU '"^*^~ -^ *^ " P. -.s ^ ^? 2 sa:^ st:Y > —... ____ --- l ^i.. '1. to________. -^,_ x, E'** ';:^ E5' af X^^ i''^ ^ -' *y '^^' * d te@ n 0 /1 I' as Is1 1 v @ ia - L;.^ ^ jf" 11 -q IB ":!| II I -'Al - __I 16-4 iI i ( - - A I V - - - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY 131 1 was dedicated to divine service on Sunday, December, 1874, preaching morning and evening by Rev. I. E. Ror, D. D., of Chicago. Union services were held on the three previous days. The trustees were L. T. Covell, John Lewis, E. Vincent, W. P. Utley, F. H. Sturtevant, and Harlow Ruggles. Treasurer, J. W. Ocobock; clerk George Moog. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church like the others was a gradual growth, the nucleus being a few families of that denomination that successively came in. The church which is a neat wooden structure is on Division street not far from Colby. The present rector is Rev. E. J. Babcock, whose ministrations are very acceptable and who is noted for the manliness of his utterances. The church is named the Church of the Redeemer. Flom the records in the hands of the obliging secretary, Hon. C. C. Thompson we glean that on April 1, 1872, about the first annual meeting was held at which the following were elected vestry men: Hon. C. C. Thompson, B. F. Treat, G. M. Smith, Jos. Hutty, Jos. Heald, E. C. Dicey and W. H. Parks, of whom the first named was chairman, Mr. Dicey, secretary, Mr. Hutty senior warden. It was resolved to call the Rev. Wm. Thorp at $600 stipend in addition to the missionary stipend. In September following, owing to resignations P. S. Cohn was elected Junior Warden and I. M. Weston vestryman. In June, 1875, Thos. Woodhams was elected Senior Warden, vice Park removed, and A. Mears vestryman, vice E. C. Dicey removed. Rev. Mr. Thorp having resigned after about a year's ministration, the church was temporarily served, until the.call to Rev. Robt. Wood in June, 1875, who remained four years, and who was succeeded by the present incumbent in 1879. Mr. C. C. Thompson has acted as secretary since 1875. For 1882 the officials are Thos. Woodhams, Senior Warden; Jos. Webster, Junior Warden; B. F. Weston, Treasurer; G. C. Thompson, Secretary; H. D. Linsley, Sexton. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was begun about 27 years ago, by Elder Charles Chick, with about 17 worshipers, in Hobler's Hall, on Colby street. It 1was a mission station but shortly after became self-sustaining. The first year the parsonage on Slocum street was commenced, and finished the second year; value at present $1,200. The third year a church building was commenced on Division street, and dedicated and the debt was all provided for. The membership is about 75. Elder Chick did much of the work with his own hands. The Sunday School has over 100 pupils and about 20 teachers. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH is a neat wooden structure, the erection of which was commenced in December, 1889. It is situated on Division street to the west of the other churches. THE POST OFFICE was established in 1862, Albert Mears, the first postmaster, holding the office for four years; next Wm. Simons, four months. Then followed Clark Parks, J. D. Sturtevant and P. I. Hedges; the last holding it four and a half years. Then February, 1879, the Hon. C. C. Thompson was appointed, and still holds the office to the satisfaction of all. The office was twice burned, first during Hedges' term, and next in 1881, but the contents were all saved. The first communication was by the White River postoffice, which received mail once a week. The post-office is now centrally located in the rear of Covell's Block, after having been held for a few months in the front of the same building after the last great fire of July, 1881. HOTELS. Peter Hobler moved the first hotel from Hard Landing in 1862, known as the Union Hotel. Sold to Charles Cook in 1867, but in 1869 Hobler took it again, but it was afterwards burned down. Next A. A. Cain moved the Cosmopolitan from "The Mouth," in 1865, and it was kept successively by himself, Wm. Sprigg, Wm. Simons, John Simons, J. T. Spearman, M. Dodge & Son, (1871-4), and H. Harwood, under whom it was burned in the great fire of 1881. The old Mears House was built by John Gustavus. In 1881 there were two hotels, the Cosmopolitan, kept by Messrs. Harwood, and the Mears House by Col. T. S. Watson. They were both below the tunnel and vanished in smoke in the great fire of July, 1881, and the village was without a hotel, private houses were thrown open by the hospitality of their owners, and the Franklin House in Montague was full to overflowing. The first to open a hotel was Mr. Watson, in the large building formerly occupied by the Forumn, which was altered by the proprietor, Albert Mears, into a commodious hotel of three stories, and on an adjoining lot a large addition is being made. This is a well kept firstclass house. Messrs. Harwood have also built a large veneered brick building just below the town, in which they have a large amount of room. This is also an excellent house, THE EAGLE TANNERY is a large and prosperous institution lying between A. J. & C. E. Covell's and Alley & Co.'s saw-mills, and is managed by a joint stock company of which Mr. Austin is president, A. M. McConnell secretary, and the head office is at 203 Lake street, Chicago, amount of capital $175,000, originally $50,000. The building is 155x40 feet, engine 20 horse power with two 50 horse power boilers; number of vats 100, and it uses annually 1,400 cords of bark. It makes a specialty of preparing leather for book binding and pocket books, and is the only mill in the state that engages in such work. Lemuel Richards is the manager, and is a very worthy gentleman, taking a deep interest also in temperance and benevolent organizations and in whatever concerns the morals of the community. He came to Whitehall in 1879 from Milwaukee to take charge of the works, having had extended experience in the management of tanneries AUGUST EDLUND, son of Chas. G. and Annie Edlund, was born in Sweden in 1857, and came to Whitehall in 1871, and has, since 1875 worked in the tannery. Married in August, 1877, Miss Mary Huffman, of Ludington, by whom he has one child, Carrie, born Feb. 10,1881. CHAS. EDLUND, brother of August, and dyer in Eagle Tannery, Whitehall, was born in Sweden in November, 1849, and landed in New York without a penny, and the first man he met, a fellow countryman, tried to entrap him, but did not succeed. He met a friend in the city who assisted him, and he worked three months in an iron furnace in Pennsylvania, and'did not get his money. He then went to the coal mines, but could get no work and was on the point of being put out of his boarding house, when fortune smiled, and he worked on there until Spring, when he went to Chicago, where he worked in mills. He has worked in Whitehall since 1873, and has accumulated some property. Married January 1st, 1873 Miss Annie Wilson. His family are Chas. G., born 1873, John E. in 1875, Louisa Maria in 1877 and Christ Olaus in 1880. HENRY A. ZELLER, currier, Whitehall, was born in Germany in 1849, and at 19 immigrated to Chicago, where he remained six years, learning his trade at the Union Hide and Leather Co.'s. He - - 3 -j I — -) r -0 sI ko I 4+ - -/I lI I 1 I -L i I 132 HISTORY OF MU I came to Whitehall in 1874 and has worked ever since in the Eagle Tanning Co. He married Miss Augusta Schlater, formerly of Hanover, by whom he has had five children, one of whom is dead. Residence Lake street. THOMAS E. SHARP, practical currier and tanner at Eagle Tannery, Whitehall, was born in Scotland in 1839,.but removed at an early age to Cardiff, Wales, and coming to America in 1869, as he was sent for to work in a tannery in Steuben County, N. Y. After remaining a year he came to Chicago, where he stayed three years, until 1878, when he'removed to Whitehall. Mr. S. is married, has two fine boys, and is a member of the society of Freemasons and a Royal Templar of Temperance. JUILUS JOHNSEN, currier at Eagle Tannery, Whitehall, born in 1841 in Norway, came here in 1867, having previously lived in Chicago, Battle Creek and Jackson, for over ten years. Married and has seven children. ISAAC H. BRISCO, engineeer of Eagle Tannery, born in Schuyler, Co., N. Y,, 1826, worked on his father's farm until 30 years old. When 20 he married Lucinda L. Hewitt, of the same place, by whom he has four children. Came to Steuben Co. nine years after, and thence to Whitehall, comling with Alleys from N. Y. state, being a carpenter and millwright by trade. Has worked since 1876 at the Eagle Tannery. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT of Whitehall was established in June, 1873, the fire engine, a Silsby, having been purchased at a cost of $7,500 in May previous. It is a rotary engine, nickel plated. The organization is a voluntary one, the engineer being the only salaried officer. H. E. Staples is perpetual president and Fred Hinman engineer. The engine is greatly admired, having been tested in many a fire, (over 80 to date) and in 1881 she saved the whole east end of the town. The department has 40 members, 1 engine, 2 hose carts, 1,600 feet of hose. THE CEMETERY lies to the east of the town out on the State road, and consists of about four acres of beautiful undulating land in a square field just across a romantic ravine. Untilthe summer of 1881 it was allowed to be overrun with scrub oak and bushes, and presented a neglected aspect. But in that year most of it was cleared up. Some very creditable monuments are erected, among which are those of the Hinchman family, those for the children of F. A. Fish, formerly engineer of Heald's mills, and the monument of Peter Dalton, and Mrs. John Welch are also very fine. The cemetery was purchased in 1864, by the township of White SKEGON COUNTY. Hopkinton, N. H., and received a good commercial education. He commenced as a general merchant in Lowell, Mass., but in the fall of 1836 he left for Michigan, importing a stock of goods for himself and his brothers, Edwin and Nathan, into PawPaw. The financial crisis of 1837 tried all, but E. & C. Mears & Co. stood the storm. It is unnecessary to repeat here his memorable voyage to White Lake, and his subsequent building of the old water mill. He built the Duck Lake mill in 1847. In 1850 he went to Mason County, and in 1860 was elected to the State Senate. He has built five harbors on the east coast of Lake Michigan: at Duck Lake, White Lake, Pentwater, Ludington, and Pere Marquette. He has resided for years in Chicago, hale and hearty, attending daily to his large real estate business. ALBERT MEARS, merchant at Whitehall, is one of the earliest pioneers of this region, and was born in Billerica, Mass., eighteen miles from Boston, in 1821. He was educated at the academy in his native place, and at Hopkinton, N. H. In 1836 he went to Paw Paw, Mich., with his three elder brothers and went into mercantile business. In the spring of 1837, in company with his elder brother Chafles he sailed down the river from Paw Paw and along the lake shore, until, after a series of adventures, he arrived at White Lake, and selected a site for a mill at Silver Creek, four miles up White River, at what is now Dalton's mill. The adventures of the Mears brothers in settling at Whitehall are matters of history and will be found fully detailed in another part of this volume. After enduring hardships until fall, and fearing that his brother Charles could not return from the East, whither he had gone for mill machinery, Albert and a man named Herrick, now of Racine, Wis., returned to Paw Paw. A few years after he came again to White Lake, but in 1852 he went away for nine years to California, after which he returned to Whitehall where he has ever since resided. He took his present store near the lake shore at the foot of Colby street, and kept a complete stock of general goods, which was until 1867 the only store in the vicinity. His fall stock was sometimes as high as $50,000. He was the first postmaster of Whitehall in 1862 up to 1866, his salary at first being only $110 a year, while at the close of his term it was $440. Mr. Mears resigned as he found the duties too onerous, and Mr. Simons was appointed but resigned in disgust in three weeks. Mr. Mears has been supervisor for years, school director, moderator, and president of the bank. He is married and had one daughter. The following from the Forum of 1875 is a true indication of how Mr. M. is regarded by his neighbors: "Mr. Mears' nomination is an unsought and an unbought honor. He is not a politician nor ring trickster, but a plain blunt man, who minds his own business and that which is entrusted to him. He has no ax to grind. He takes care of the people's money, and has never been known to sacrifice the public interest for private gain. He carefully provides for the deserving poor, but turns a deaf ear to the entreaties of the slothful and vicious. As a member of the Board of Supervisors he is distinguished for his urbanity thorough acquaintance with the business in hand and earnest endeavor to promote the interest of the town he represents. He is always forced to take office, and if one is required to lead the ticket he is selected." In the spring of 1882 he had the misfortune to lose his only child. GILES BRYAN SLOCUM, of Trenton, Wayne County, Michigan, was born in the town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York, July 11. 1808. His great grandfather, Jonathan Slocum, was a Quaker who about the year 1774 moved with a numerous family from Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. He was among the sufferers by the Wyoming Massacre, and was killed by the Indians in 1778. Giles Slocum, eldest son of Jonathan Slocuml and grandfather of Giles B. Slocum, hall. L. T. COVELL'S BLOCK, - On corner of Mear's avenue and Colby street is an elegant structure 50x80 feet, with three stories and basement, a double store with hall above, and there is vacant ground to the north to put in three more stores to come up to the other Covell block. SOME OF THE PIONEERS. Below we select a few of the prominent pioneers and early settlers, commencing with CHARLES MEARS, of 254 S. Water St., Chicago, who has al-:eady been referred to in the history of early saw milling in White Lake. He has been largely identified with the rise and development of Northern Muskegon and Mason and Oceana Counties, in which latter county Mears is named in his honor. He was born in 1814 in North Billerica, Mass., and educated first in his native place and afterward in the academies of Westford, Mass., and J - r Al -R 7,1 f I - ''?( CI. / 1::: I A I: - I 4 i ~) HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 13 - -- I was one of the sixty who escaped with their lives in the battle and massacre of Wyoming. His sister Frances, then five years of age, was carried off by the Indians, and after a captivity of sixty years was found by General Ewing in 1837 near Logansport, Indiana. A very interesting account of this circumstance by Lossing is now extant. Giles Slocum was a volunteer in Sullivan's expedition against the Indians in the Genesee Valley. He moved from Pennsylvania to the town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York, soon after the close of the War of the Revolution, settling about four miles from the site of the present Saratoga Springs. He purchased his farm of General Schuyler of Revolutionary fame, and they became warm friends. Jeremiah Slocum, son of Giles Slocum, and Betty Bryan (Slocum), who was of a Connecticut family, were the parents of Giles B. Slocum, the subject of this sketch. His boyhood years were passed on a farm about two miles from the scene of Burgoyne's surrender. He had the educational advantanges which the common schools afforded, and during his early manhood taught school three winters in the neighborhood of Saratoga and one near Lockport, New York. He spent the summer of 1830 farming in Northern New York on the Au Sable River. His first visit to the West was in 1831, when he landed at Detroit, and after exploring the country up Block and Pine Rivers, and from Lake Huron to the Maulmee River, he settled for the winter at Toledo, Ohio, then called Vistula, and assisted in laying out the town plat. He had the only store there, and was engaged in getting out timber for building the first wharf at that place. On the death (,f his father in 1832 he returned to the East and purchased the interest of all the heirs in his father's old homestead. He returned to Michigan early in the year 1832, and spent the winters of 1832 and 1833 in the stave business at the head of Swan Creel: Bay, now Newport, Monroe County, Michigan, where he established a store, and succeeded in getting the small steamers, "Jack Downing," "Jackson," and "General Brady," to run up Swan Creek from Lake Erie to his place. In the spring of 1834, among other pioneer experiences, he paddled a canoe from the city of Jackson down the Grand River to Grand Rapids. In the summer of 1834 he established the first store and dock at Truaxton, now Trenton, Wayne County, Michigan, and continued in the mercantile business there for many years. In 1837 he sold the old homestead in New York, and became a Western man. Among his land purchases in the vicinity of Trenton was a frontage of over three miles on Detroit River. For twenty years following 1837 he turned his attention to farming and sheep raising, and during that time was the largest wool grower in Michigan; and during the past forty years he has cleared and brought under cultivation fifteen hundred acres of land in the vicinity of Trenton, the timber from which has been shipped to New York as staves, used in shipbuilding at Trenton, or as cord wood sold to steamboats. He was also engaged from 1843 to 1851 in driving piles and building docks in Detroit, Windsor, Spring Wells, Trentonl, Sandwich, Gibraltar and Grosse Isle. In 1859 Mr. Slocum and Mr. Charles Mears, of Chicago, having each previously purchased tracts of land on White River and White Lake, laid out. the present village of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Michigan. Mr. Slocum now holds a body of land in the village limits and in the vicinty outside the corporate boundaries. About the year 1847 Mr. Slocum made a contract with the County of Wayne to build two bridges across the river Rouge, and to receive his pay in State lands. These lands he located in the Townships of Casnovia, Moorland and Ravenna, Muskegon County. This property has become valuable, and is known as Slocum's Grove. He has built a mill there on Crockery Creek, and cleared up a farm. He also owns several other tracts of land in the county. Mr. Slo I cum was a member of the convention which organized the- Republican party at Jackson in 1854, under the leadership of the late lamented Senator Jacob M. Howard; and has ever since been a member of the party. In 1856 Mr. Slocum took an active interest in the construction of the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Railroad, and was a member of the first Board of Directors. In 1861, and during the war, he was an earnest supporter of the Government and Sanitary Commission, and was influential in raising men and money. He is one of the Trustees of the Saratoga Monument Association of New York. In 1838 Mr. Slocum married Sophia Maria Brigham, daughter of Abraham C. Truax, Esq., founder of the village of Trenton. Three children have been born to them, two of whom survive; a son, Elliot T., is the subject of another sketch, and a daughter, Libbie T., now Mrs. J. B. Nichols, of Detroit. HON. ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM was born at Trenton, Wayne Co., Michigan, May 15, 1839, and spent his early years farming in that vicinity. He prepared for college at the Episcopal school for boys kept by Rev. Mloses Hunter, on Grosse Isle, and graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in the class of 1862. His diploma was one of the last signed by Dr. Eliphalet Nott for so many years president of that institution. He took his second degree from the University of Michigan in 1869. Mr. Slocum represented the third senatorial district in the State Legislature, during the years 1869 and 1870, and has taken much interest in politics, especially in that of the several elections for United States senators for Michigan. Mr. Slocunm is also an active business man, and has taken charge of the business in Muskegon County at Whitehall and'other places. He was one of the first directors of the Chicago & Canada Southern Railroad, having its terminus at Slocum's Junction, near where the Canada Southern Railroad crosses the Detroit River. Mr. Slocum married July 30, 1872, Charlotte Gross, 'daughter of the late Ransome E. Wood, Esq., an old resident and wealthy capitalist of Grand Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have made -two pleasant trips to Europe, one of six months in 1872, and one of a year in 1879-80, taking in Constantinople, Athens, Rome, and other places of interest. Mr. Slocum now resides on West Fort Street, Detroit. THEODORE S. WATSON, of the Mears Hotel, was born in Watertown, N. Y., in 1844, removed with his father, S. J. B. Watson to White River in 1850, where he remained until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Cavalry organized under Col. Copeland at Grand Rapids. But this organization did not leave the State, and he went back to White River, when in the spring of 1862 he joined the 5th Michigan Cavalry, organized at Detroit. After drilling three months atWashington they were sent to Fairfax, Va,, raiding for six months against 'Moseby, on Aldine Upperville Turnpike. Thence to Fredericksburg, taking part in that engagement in Curtis's brigade. After pasting through Gettysburg, Brandy Station (two battles), Mr. Watson was taken prisoner Oct. 10, 1863, with 500 others, when Lee advanced on the Rapidan ford. He then passed through one and a half years of prison life of great severity, so that he was a perfect skeleton when he emerged from the prison pen. He was three weeks in Libby, six weeks in a Richmond tobacco factory, then at Belle Island on James River, where he remained till April, 1864. Thence for eleven months to Camp Andersonville, where the notorious Wirz was jailer. When Stoneman raided into Georgia, he was moved to Charleston, S. C., thence to Somerston, S. C., thence to Salisbury, N. C., where he was released at Sherman's advance, when he was taken on pack horses to the sea, and thence to Camp Chase, Ohio, whence, after two months' treatment, he was removed to a Washington hospital for another month, after which, as the war was over, he was honorably discharged with the regiment, and returned to White River for one year. He then went away for two years to Watertown, N. Y., Ir.r ri),l ^ e {t IL - I —, _ —lh Az (a L —e i4 It4 I 5 r 134 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. thence to Brockville, Ont., where he was eleven years foreman for Bell & Booth, contractors, Grand Trunk Railroad conductor three years, and city contractor three years. In 1879 he returned to Whitehall, engaging in the hotel business, was burnt out in Mears House with heavy loss in July, 1881, but has now the new Mears Hotel, where the Forum was formerly published. Col. Watson is married and has three children. CHARLES JOHNSON, shingle mill owner, Whitehall, was born in Sweden in 1826, and arrived in New York Aug. 11, 1853, where he worked until the following May at $5.00 a month, when he left for Chicago; but in August he arrived in White River, working for Mr. Dalton, and then for Mr. Carleton at lumbering. In 1869 he bought into a shingle mill in Whitehall, from Miller & Hageman, the firm being now Johnson & Miller, and the mill cuts 50,000 to 60,000 a day. The mill is next to Hughes, Linderman & Ames', and his residence, which is a beautiful place, is on corner of Lake and Spring Sts. He is also a farmer. He was last married in 1875, having three children by his first wife and one by the last. Mr. Johnson is emphatically a self made man. A view of his fine residence and grounds with portraits of himself and wife will be found inl this work. JESSE D. PULLI.AN, foreman of Staples & Covell's saw mill, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 17, 1833. He married in 1854, Hannah L. Owen, of Jefferson County, and has two children. In the following year he came west to Chicago, and there formed the acquaintance of Rev. W. MLI. Ferry, and engaged to take charge of the mill and store of Ferry & Co., at White River, the firm consisting then of the present Senator and his brother the late Noah H. Ferry. After three years service with this firm Mr. Pullman tried farming for five years in North Oceana, but in that timne sunk the $8,000 he had made in milling. After various changes, the last of which was keeping grocery in Chicago, he returned in 1867 to Montague and took charge of Ferry, Dowling & Co.'s saw mill for five years; was in charge of Heald & Co.'s one year; partner of A. B. Bowen & Co. three years; and since 1875 foreman for Staples & Covell. He has been a very active and efficient public officer, having held many positions of trust; was Magistrate at White River for many years in the days when they were clothed with the powers of a Circuit Judge, when S. J. B. Watson was bailiff, with his cellar for jail. Mr. Pullman took an active part in the organization of the county, and was at first almost its only advocate in White River. At the first election of officers he was elected Judge of Probate. He has been Justice of the Peace of Whitehall Township, three years on village Board of Education, Whitehall, and two years Director of Schools; took an active part in organizing the Presbyterian church and Union Sunday-school in Montague; and in re-organizing the Congregational Church in Whitehall. Mr. Pullman is highly respected by his extensive circle of friends, and possessing a very clear head and active memory, is full of reminiscences of early days. JOHN A. WHEELER, M. D., of Grand Rapids, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1832, and when eight years old came to Wayne Co., Mich., and in a few weeks to Washtenaw, thence to Howell, where he remained with his parents until he graduate l in medicine, at Michigan University. He had the advantage of studying with his father, also a physician, and practiced with him for one year, removed to the mouth of White Lake in 1856, and in 1863 remov ing to Whitehall, entering into dry goods business. In 1868 went into drugs in Hood's building. But his most fortunate venture was in securing extensive tracts of pine lands, chiefly on the Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Muskegon Rivers, in all about 30,000 acres, of which he still retains about 2,000 acres, valued at $50,000. He was Supervisor of Oceana for two years, and has been on School Board. He married in 1861, Miss Elizabeth Goodwin, of Grand Rapids, and has two daughters, both born at White River; Fannie, born in 1863; Mary, in 1865. In the summer of 1881 he removed to Grand Rapids. COL. WILLIAM WESTON, of Milwaukee, Wis., was born at Madison, Somerset Co., Me., March 18th, 1810, son of Deacon Benjamin Weston, one of the first settlers and the heaviest tax payer in the town. His Grandfather, —Samuel Weston, who came of English Puritan stock, moved from Massachusetts to Somerset county prior to the revolutionary war, Mrs. Weston being the first white woman to reside in the county. For several years they lived part of the time in a fortified block house on an island in the Kennebec river for protection from hostile Indians. Samuel Weston served as a volunteer aid to Gen. Benedict Arnold during his famous invasion of Canada, and died from exposure during the terrible march through the wilds of northern Maine. William Weston received an academic education at the Farmington (Me) Academy. Upon attaining his majority he engaged in mercantile business at North Anson, Me. He also commenced lumbering soon after, and later built an extensive woolen factory, saw mill and flouring mill at the same place. He was for some time head selectman of the town, captain of a local artillery company, and later major and then colonel of his regiment. On Sept. 11th, 1839, he was commissioned Colonel of the Artillery Regiment, 1st brigade, 8th division, Maine militia. He was married in 1838 to Susan Church of Farmington, Maine, who died in 1842, and in 1844 he married Marianne Hopkins. The financial panic of 1857 created so much business depression in Maine that he commenced buying pine lands on White river, Michigan, in 1859, and the same year removed to Milwaukee, Wis., which has since been his home. He purchased large tracts of pine land on White, Muskegon and Manistee rivers, and commenced lumbering on White river, 1862. The same Fall he purchased the Thompson and Covell mill, then the only steam saw mill in what is now Whitehall. He continued lumbering at Whitehall until 1879. He was also President and principal owner of the Lumberman's State Bank at Whitehall. In 1879 he sold his banking interests to his oldest son I. M. Weston, who succeeded him as President of the bank, and has since devoted himself mainly to the management of his real estate interests. He has three children, I. M. Weston and B. F. Weston, lumbermen and bankers at Whitehall, and Charles E. Weston of Milwaukee, Wis., who has extensive lumber interests on the Chippewa river in Wisconsin. IsAAC M. WESTON, of Whitehall, Michigan, was born at North Anson, Me., April 20th, 1845, and is son of Col. Wm. Weston, a prominent lumber and woolen manufacturer. In 1859 he moved with his father to Milwaukee, Wis. In 1862 was in Minnesota during the Sioux Indian war and served in the same as Lieutenant of a regiment which the state put in the field. In 1863 he entered the literary department University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as member of the class of 1867. He left the University in 1865 and accepted the position of Military Store keeper at Fort Laramie, Dakota, where he remained during the Sioux Indian war of 1865. January 1866 he was transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he held the same position at Camp Douglas. In 1867 he came to Whitehall, Mich., where his father had extensive lumber interests and became the resident, managing partner of the firm of Wm. Weston & Son. He has since been an extensive mill man and lumber man on White Lake. An examining of the books of White River Log and Booming Co., at Montague, shows that in 1881 I. M. Weston & Co., handled more logs than any other Whitehall firm. In 1877, he added banking to lumbering business by taking the cashiership of the Lumberman's State Bank at Whitehall which he soon after reorganized as the First National Bank of which he is still President and principal owner. j J I I bi *-.0f~ i:;:::,:B: x: ' At n o:-a ~A jtel;^ ^1;^.1'. ' ** *.1' ^'ra*"Al x -4 - HISTOREY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 135 1 S I January 1st, 1881, he became an owner and cashier of the Farmers and Mechanics'Bank at Grand Rapids, Mich.,and now divides his time between Whitehall and Grand Rapids. He was for many years a leading vestryman and treasurer of the Episcopal church at Whitehall. In politics he is a Democrat and has managed several county campaigns for his party. During the presidential contest of 1880, he was a member of the State Central Committee for the Fifth Congressional District which position he still holds. During the same year he was nominated at Detroit as the Democratic candidate for state treasurer, but in common with the whole ticket was defeated. B. F. WESTON, son of the Hon. William Weston, of Milwaukee, whose portrait adorns this work, was born in Somerset County, Maine, Dec. 1847. His education was obtained at the Lawrence University, and the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill. Mr. Weston is of a quiet unassuming disposition, and "pursues the noiseless tenor of his way" by scrupulously attending to his extensive lumber business, being largely interested in the purchase and sale of pine lands and logs, of which he owns great amounts. He has been eminently successful. Office in the National Bank building, Whitehall. HON. CHARLES C. THOMPSON was born June 4, 1831, in Beekmantown, Clinton County, N. Y., and is the son of Shubal T. and Margaret J. Thompson. His father, a soldier of the war of 1812, afterwards became a Methodist minister. Mr. Thompson passed his boyhood in alternate work on the farm and at school, and finally devoted himself entirely to farming for a number of years. In his twentieth year he married Harriet M. Dewey, of Clinton County, N. Y. He attributes to her much of the success which has attended him. Soon after his marriage he removed to Grafton, Ill, where he farmed for seven years. During this time he took charge not only of himself but of his younger brothers and sisters, who were thrown upon his care by the death of his father. In 1857 he settled at White Lake, Mich., and in the following year he bought a saw mill in connection with A. J. Covell at the head of the lake, where Whitehall now stands. In 1859 he purchased Mr. Covell's interest, and for two years worked the mill alone. At the end of that time he opened a general store with Mr. Covell and another gentleman as partners, which business in connection with lumbering was carried on for four years, when the company sold the mill and built a schooner, the Maggie Thompson, of 160 tons for shipping lumber. In 1867 Mr. Thompson again bought out Mr. Covell's interest, and for two years carried on business with his Chicago partner. Mr. Thompson contributes largely of his time and means for the development of Whitehall. He was a member of the first Common Council, and has been President of the village, Trustee and.Supervisor. He has been for years a member of the Board of Education, and has labored zealously for the improvement of education. As a Representative in the State Legislature of 1873 -4, he earned the reputation of a faithful, earnest and conscientious legislator. In 1854 he was actively engaged in organizing the first lodge of Good Templars in Grafton, Ill. He has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1866. He is liberal in his religious views; in politics, a Republican. He is frank and open hearted, and is noted for his power of sarcasm and quickness of repartee, and for industry and uncommon tenacity of purpose. He is now Postmaster of the village, an office he has held since Hayes' administration. His wife died in September, 1867, leaving one child, Margaret, the first white child born in Whitehall, who was married to Major Geo. Green, now of Duluth, June, 1881. Mr. Thompson has had six children, but one of whom, the daughter above mentioned, has survived. In all that concerns the development of White Lake and the county Mr. Thompson ias ever been prominent and ready to devote his time and means, and he has been of no small service to the community in all that concerns the public welfare. DAVID J. FOSTER, late retired merchant, of Whitehall, was born in Union Village. Conn., in 1805, being the son of a hotel keeper. When young he left home and established at Petersham, Mass., a button factory, store and hotel, besides running the largest freight an i stage business from Worcester to Brattleboro west with the Hon. G. Twitchell, late President of the Boston & Albany R. R., as his chief whip. In 1842 all his property was burnt, and he was left with but $25,000, with which he established at Boston a business in importing tailors' trimmings. In the crisis of 1857 he failed and paid 50 cents on the dollar, but in two years had paid in full interest and principal. In 1863 he retired from business, having previously visited White River and bought of the Rogers' estate 3,000 acres of pine land in 1859. In 1864 his second son, Alfred J., came to Whitehall and in connection with his father in 1867 established a large mercantile business, with branch stores at Hesperia, and at Denver up the river. In 1866 he erected at a cost of $8,000 that wooden block known as the Foster block and consumed in 1881. Mr. Foster spent portions of his time in the east as half his estates were there. He was a man of enterprise, ready to second anything for the good of Whitehall.. He built thirteen dwellings, besides improving numerous lots. Naturally of a vigorous, energetic temperament, he was at last carried off July 23, 1881, by ossification of the heart in presence of all his family. Married Miss Charlotte Fowle, of Boston. Children: Lottie F., George E., (manager of a large insurance company); Lucinia (Mrs. Tripp, of Boston); Albert J., Julia A., (Mrs. C. R. Howard)'. Mrs. Foster is still vigorous at 76 years of age. ARTHUR CARLETON, of Nufer & Carleton's shingle mill, was born in St. Clair County, Mich., in 1843, and when eight years of age his father, the Hon. I. E. Carleton, moved to White River, and took up a mill two miles north of the trading post. At sixteen young Arthur entered his father's mill, and has been five years in connection with Mr. Nufer in tallying and six years in the shingle mill. He married Miss Caroline Moore, of Wisconsin, and has a family of three children. Was a member of the village board of Whitehall in 1881. W. F. NUFER, shingle mill owner, Whitehall, was born in Franklin County, O., in 1848. His mother having died when he was three years old, he was bound out to a farmer, but in the fall of 1865 we find him piling lumber in -Muskegon, and arriving in Whitehall June 17, 1866, where he was lumber inspector for eleven years. He then went into the shingle business with Covell, Nufer & Co., and three years after built a mill on the old Parks site further west with Arthur Carleton with a capacity of 150,000 a day. Married Miss Ellen M. McGread, of Lockport, Ill., and has a family of five children. Has been a member of the village board and of the school board, and assistant chief the fire department. Mr. Nufer came to Whitehall with nothing but an invincible determination to succeed and has acquired quite a competency. HON. GEORGE MORTIMER STMITH, late of Whitehall, was born March 16, 1841, at Springfield, Otsego County, N. Y., and received his education at the common schools and at Alfred University, Alleghany County, N. Y. He learned telegraphy and was first employed on the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, at Salamanca, N. Y., and was promoted to be first superintendent of telegraphs and train despatches on the same road. He subsequently occupied a similar position on the Blossburg, Corning & Tioga Railway. In 1867 he entered as bookkeeper the Hornellsville Lumber Co., at Whitehall. A few years later he purchased an interest in the company, and directly afterward became a member of the new firm, which bought out the old partnership of J. Alley & Co. He took L I! +7 " 4 - m -1r l: _, _; 1 -136 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. an interest in the advancement of Whitehall and served one term as its President. In the fall of 1876 he was Representative in the Michigan Legislature, and acted as chairman of the Committee on State Prisons, and as a member of the Committee on Railroads. He was a member of the societies of Odd Fellows and Masons, being a member of the Painted Post Lodge, at Corning; of the DeMolai Commandery, at Hornellsville; and of the Corning Consistory of Scottish Rites, and was a conservative Republican in politics. In,1856 he married Miss Rhoda F. Alley, who survives him with four children: Anna, born at Hornellsville July 27, 1868; William A., April 17, 1870; George M. Jr., May 6, 1875; and James A., in Feb. 6, 1879. Mrs. Smith is daughter of James Alley, Esq., of Hornellsville, N. Y., who has been for many years prominently identified with the Republican party of western New York. Mr. Smith died on Sunday, Feb. 6, 1880 in Michigan City, where he had been taken for treatment, and was buried in Whitehall amid a numerous concourse of mourning friends by the Knight Templars and other Free Masons, and the Knights of Honor. A. C. ELSWORTH, lawyer, was born in Geauga Co., O., in 1842; educated at Hiram College, when the late President Garfield was president of that institution; commenced the study of law at Lowell, Mich.; admitted to the bar at Ravenna, Ohio, in April, 1868, and came the same year to Whitehall to assume the duties of High School Principal, which he satisfactorily discharged for three years. In 1871 he opened an office for the practice of law in which he has been engaged ever since, having established an extensive and lucrative business. He held the position on the school board for six years; of village attorney for over five years, and has been Superintendent of Schools for Whitehall Township from 1877 to 1880. Married Miss Lucia Bisbee, of Ohio, and has three children. Mr. Elsworth is a prominent and useful citizen, and his influence is always exerted for the good of the community. His portrait will be found in this work. JAMES ALLEY, of Hornellsville, N. Y., of the firm of J. Alley & Co., Whitehall, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1810. Although brought up on a farm he turned his attention to mercantile life, and also to lumbering; came to this county in 1867, and erected the mill known as the New York Mill, in connection with an association called the Hornellsville Lumber Co., but after various transfers it was bought by Mr. Alley, Charles Alley, his only son, and the Hon. G. M. Smith, who married his only daughter, Rhoda F. Mr. A. is still hale and vigorous, and has always taken a deep interest in the cause of the Union, being still a prominent Republican politician of New York State. CHARLES ALLEY, son of the Hon. James Alley, a prominent Republican of Hornellsville, N. Y., was born in Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1839. At ten years of age he removed to Hornellsville, where he was educated at the High School, and at Alfred University, N. Y. When of age he became associated with his father in business and came to Whitehall in May, 1871, and has since built up an enviable business. He married Miss Betsy S. Davenport, of Hornellsville, and has three children. Mr. Alley is a hard worker, and his success may be attributed to this trait of character. H. D. JOHNSTON, insurance agent, Whitehall and Montague, was born at Milford, Maine, July 13, 1852. At three. years of age removed with his parents to Ingersoll, Ontario, where he received his education in the Public and High Schools. When but fourteen years of age he started out on a pleasure trip and was gone seven years, securing a position with the JEtna Insurance Co., at Cincinnati, 0., and after leaving there became special agent and adjuster for a leading company in Canada. In 1877 he came to Whitehall, where he has by his ability, industry and integrity built up a very lucrative business, representing the largest single agency in Michigan in fire, life, marine and accident. His well equipped office and elegant furnished rooms in connection were consumed in the great fire of 1881, but the promptness and skill with which he adjusted the numerous losses on that occasion, brought him such an accession of business that his private loss was more than made up. Mr. Johnston does the lion's share of the insurance business, and deserves in every way his success. He is an active Free Mason, and makes a useful Secretary to No. 310. His genial and kindly disposition enables him to make the whole community his friends, while all must respect him as a prompt and capable business man. A. T. LINDERMAN was born near Beloit, Wisconsin, July 3d, 1847. His parents, now living at Grand Rapids, Mich., were Geo. S. Linderman, of Tompkins Co., New York, who married Sarah C. Thorp, of London, England, in 1845. As illustrative of the, hardships endured by the settlers of even that late date, it may be stated that when their boy was only three months old, owing to sickness at home, this couple started with a single horse and wagon, and made the journey from their home in Wisconsin to Tompkins Co., N. Y., in the Fall of the year and over terrible roads. Mr. L. was married in June, 1867, to Miss Ella A Southwick, of Northeast, Pa. Her father died some years before and her mother still lives at the old homestead. Mr. L. settled at Grand Rapids in 1867, where he was engaged in the grain trade and nursery business. In 1870 he took an active interest in establishing a State society for the promotion of horticultural interests, which culminated on February 11th in the organization of the present State Horticultural Society, of which he was Secretary for two years. He prepared the first report of the society, 5,000 copies of which were printed by the State in 1871. It contained 532 pages of closely printed matter, and was a credit to the secretary, the society and the State at large. In 1875 Mr. L. accepted a position as Superintendent and Secretary of the Michigan Lake Shore Nursery Association of South Haven, Mich., a large concern having $50,000 capital stock. In 1876 the subject of our sketch removed to his present beautiful home on Mears' avenue, Whitehall, bought of Mr. D. P. Glazier, at the same time purchasing the fine store, stock of goods and real estate belonging to him, and has been carrying on the business with an annual increasing trade to the present time. In 1880 he built at a cost of over $12,000 the large mill near the depot in Whitehall, afterwards disposing of an interest in it to other parties. He also owns and operates another shingle and lumber mill at "Linderman's Siding" on the Big Rapids branch of the C. & W. M. R. R., with which he has 640 acres of land which, like most of the pine lands in this section, is a light sandy soil. Mr. L., like many others, foresees the necessity of discovering some means, if possible, of utilizing the millions of acres of this kind of soil which stretches out in every direction, and has given the subject especial study for the last eight years, and is now engaged in practically testing a system which, after this long investigation, he believes to be the best, and is meeting with such success that we feel justified in giving place to his ideas in another portion of this work on the Management of Sandy Soils on page 27. THE COVELL FAMILY. This wealthy and popular family, consisting of five brothers and three married sisters, form an important element in Whitehall society. They all came from Bradford Co,, Pa., near the New York State line, where their paternal grandfather settled in 1817, when their father, Calvin Townsend Covell, was but seven years of age. 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I., !, I -, I, i.,. , i,,.1... < I I ..I I I . t,, .,. ,. -.i - -. I - - - I, I I. I. , -:,, J:: P,: I:, - I:,' , — -,',-,;'.,,,,. . I 1. I. I ..,. I.11..,f 1?, o "' 11-;, 11.1:. I,, I.. I, '.:I I I II I.. I oli - ,., I--,., I I - - - . 1:. -,; ':,, ,. ., II I..",; 1 : I.. I. I I . . 1.2- ' "I].,'. : ".....- I W.. -. I,,: . -.- 11 -. ";I; -,; j,.-. I I ,.. ". I.., -1, - I; .!:"] I 6 -0 j, . I. 4 III - ir `.r-,,?-";,-!.;,I I-.i7 - ..; I. "', - - j' -. I I I.. II,,:. I 1.. I I ,..I, 9,: -,, - ', -.;.,:..,I 4 ...:.II,,.:-.,. -,.,, I ",, - ...1 I I I.::,!, 1'% , I '-. I. m d.,-, 11, I I., -. -,.,, I. -. 16 1 1 -I I I"I l I,, : -.,... I I. I! ',, I I . : , - I,,.", ". 1. - '., , I I., , , .. I I I - I ;, M :3 - 1. HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 137 deep regret by all who knew him. The first son to come to White Lake was A. J., in 1856; L. T., in 1859; C. E. in January, 1863, and D. W. and M. B. in 1870. Emeline, wife of Jos. Hinchman, came with her husband in January, 1862, along with Rebecca, now Mrs. H. E. Staples. Augusta M. in ANDREW JACKSON COVELL, lumberman, Whitehall, is the eldest son of Calvin Townsend Covell, and has been a leading pioneer and prominent citizen of Whitehall for many years. His energy, integrity and ability have been rewarded by the gifts of fortune, while his generous nature and kindly heart have exempted him from the envy that usually emanates from the less fortunate towards those who have risen on fortune's ladder. Educated in the common school of his district and brought up on his father's farm, Mr. Covell as a young man, felt stirred to "go west" and carve out his own fortune. Accordingly with the assistance of.665 from his neighbor, his brotherin-law, the respected Joseph Hinchman, who had a desire to follow if Mr. Covell's report was favorable, he went to White River in 1856; a step of great importance in the history of this region, as it was the means of bringingin the whole family of the Covell's, five sons and three daughters, with their husbands, who have been of great service in developing the country, and what is more important in aiding to give a good moral tone to the community. In coming to White Lake, Mr. Covell embarked at Chicago in the propeller Faust for Muskegon, put on his blue overalls and got three dollars for work on the vessel. Bound to do something, he engaged to drive a balky mule, but when on the ninth day the kicking brute took off his hat, lie resigned and drew $9.00. He then engaged to a Frenchman up the river, who shot some hogs in the woods and directed Mr. Covelh to take a yoke of oxen and draw the hogs home. During the night he was convinced that the hogs were not wild ones as was claimed, but belonged to the neighbors and therefore he might be liable as accessory, so he left before the Frenchman was up and walked 16 miles on the Indian trail until he arrived to what is now Whitehall, and engaged in Brown's saw mill, near where the Wilcox mill is; and after a time brought out his brother Lyman, and they and two others, Seth Baldwin and W. Gonzales, went up the White River to get out shingle bolts, their united capital being so small, that one of the party was bought out by the others for a rifle, but this was the nucleus from which their fortune dates. He went into business with Mr C. (C. Thompson and his own brothers, and has gone on until he is senior partner in the firm of A. J. and C, E. Covell, lumberers, whose name stands high, He narried in 1867 Miss Eunice Parsons, of MIcHenry County. Ill., by whom he has had one son, Charle, Thompson Covell, born 9th July, 1869. Mr. Covell's patriotic offer of service during the war was rejected on account of physical disability. Like the rest of his family he was an ardent friend of the Union, and the whole family are still Republicans. Mir. Covell was Superintendent of the Harbor improvement at the mouth of the lake, and did a work of which he has cause to feel an honest pride. In religion he is quite liberal, the only thing he detests beingo anything approaching cant or hypocrisy. CHARLES ELLERY COVELL, lumberman, Whitehall, was born in 1845 and worked on his father's farm until he came to Whitehall, in January, 1863, part of his schooling being completed here. He commenced workingat Messrs. Thompson & Covell's mill, but as was common to new comers in river days was sorely troubled with that plague of lumbering districts- the ague. He afterward worked for Hinchman & Covell, but has worked up so that he is joint owner with his brother in the mill of AX J. & C. E. Covell, one of the best on the lake. He married il December, 27, 1876, Jesse, daughter of Rufus M. Hedges, and has two children. Mr. Covell has been treasurer of the township for many years. LYMAN T. COVELL, Whiteliall, was born at Bently Creek, Brad ford County, Pa., on September 30, 1835, and brought up on afarm. His health being delicate, he came out to Whitehall in 1869, where his brother, A. J., already was, and entered with him in the shingle business in the summer and got out ties in winter, next summer he returned home for a few months and returned and lumbered in the winter. For the first four years his business was with his brother-in-law, J. Hincbman, nand his brothers. But of late his chief business has been with- H. E. Staples, his brother-in-law, in thelsaw-mill business. By careful and persistent industry and tact he has accumulated a valuable property in pine lands, village lots, and lumber; he has also a fine 280 acre farm one mile north of Montague. He was married July 3, 1866, to Miss Eunice C., daughter of Peter Hobler, and his family consists of two sons, George E., born November 30, 1867, and Frank H., born October 15, 1869.;Mr. Covell takes a lively interest in all that tends to improve the community, especially in education, and to that end has served several terms In the school board and in the council. MIARKB. COVELL, merchant and lumberman, Whitehall, is a gentlemen full of enterprises which have done much to bulid up Whitehall. He keeps the leading grocery establishment, has an interest in the shingle mill, in the steam barge, Biittain, also a good dock and ware house, has just completed one of the finest private residencesin town, and contributes in every way to develope Whitehall. He is of that retiring disposition that he never ran after public office, but has been entrusted with the care of the public funds for years. His history is like that of the rest of his family, whose history is identified with the people of the section so thoroughly that to omit them would be similar to playing Hanlet with the part of Hamlet left out. He was born in 1849 in Pennsylvania and came the last of his family here in 1870. Educated at the district scoool and brought up on a farm, Mlr. Covell's great forte is as a thorough business man. He married in 1875, to Mliss Mary Myhra. DAVID W. COVELL, lumberman, and at present manager forB. F. Weston, was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 21, 1851, came to Whitehall il 1865, clerked forA. Mears for several years and attended school, has been foreman for several years for his brothers, A. J. & C. E.-also Deputy Sheriff for the last 7 years, has been Marshal of Whitehall, Constable, etc. Married Miss Emma 1E., daughter of Peter Hobler. JOSEPH HINCHMAN, retired lumbernzan, Whitehall, was born in Hamburgh, N, J., in 1819, at seven moved to Cheniung County, N. Y., settling on a farm north of Elmira. His early education was but such as the times then afforded in rural districts. The school was three miles off and difficult of access, and not of a high grade when reached. Being naturally of a lively adventurous disposition, after he was of age, he went boating on the Erie Canal with a scow he had purchased. In 1849 he Quarried Emeline Covell, by whom he has two children, Melvina, (Mrs. C. A. Ocobock) and Edwin H., both living in Whitehall. He had heard of the White River as a good lunbering region, and therefore induced his brotherin-law, A. J. Covell, in 1856, to spy on the land, wand his report was so favorable that in 1862 lie camne out himself and entered into business with C. C. Thompson and the Covells' in the mill and store. Afterwards Thompson and Covell took the store and he sold the mill to Mr. Staples, confining his subsequent operations chiefly to lumberiag, but owing to ill health, he sold out all his interests in 1880, so that he has nothing in the way of business to trouble his mind. Mr. Hinchman has been of a diffident, retiring disposition, devoted to his own private affairs, and though often solicited to take public honors has steadily declined them. He has the universal esteem of his fellow citizens and it can emphatically be said of him that he is an honest man. E. B. HINCHMAN, tallyman and sealer, was born in Bradford ft k9 0 t1~. t -c - "I It - "I?Pr J7~ O. I l V ' I 138 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY Y 3I Co., Pa., May 27th, 1858, and when four years old came with his mother and sister to. Whitehall. He left school in 1874 and clerked in M. B. Covell & Co.'s grocery for about five years; commenced tallying in 1881. He married, April 5th, 1879, Grace M., daughter of Jesse Pullman, and has one son, George, born July 21st, 1880. JOHN C. LEWIS, lumberman, Whitehall, one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens, is one who may emphatically be termed a self-made man —one who has by singleness of purpose and steadiness of aim, united with industry and integrity, acquired wealth accompanied with the respect of his fellow citizens. He was born in Lower Canada, near Montreal, his youth being spent in Vaudreuil county, where he experienced the hardships of a life of toil and endeavor, struggling on with the help of a little schooling in the winter in such schools ass a poor district could afford. Mr. Lewis at length acquired sufficient knowledge to make him an excellent man of business. His having spent several years in busi ness, traveling in different portions of this country helped to develop in him a knowledge of men and things, which has been invaluable to him in forming his judgments and opinions. In the Fall of 1860 he came to Whitehall, and spent the first winter in the woods, lumbering. In 1862 we hear of him as a sawyer. In 1864 he has risen to be a manufacturer of lumber, having purchased Weston's saw mill, which he sold out in the Fall. He then built the mill, now that of A. J. & C. E. Covell, and ran it for many years. He also, with great business sagacity, purchased extensively of pine lands, of which he sold a portion in 1881 for over $80,000. Mr. L. has never sought public office, but has been for years Supervisor of the township; is Republican in his political views. He married, in 1865, Miss Augusta Covell, and has two daughters, Lizzie M., born May 7th, 1869, and Nettie E., Jan. 17th, 1875. His residence is prettily situated on Mears Avenue, on the bluff overlooking the Lake. a HIRAM E: STAPLES, lumberman, Whitehall, is one of the leading citizens, having taken a prominent part in all public affairs relating to the village and township of Whitehall, as well as that of the former township of Oceana, and being elected year after year to the chief offices of these municipalities. In the fire company he has long been active, and whether in church matters or in the Masonic lodge, has always taken a leading and active part. His career is an incentive to the young men of the present, he having worked his own way up, through more than ordinary difficulties, but a sterling character and a steady, honest purpose will pull one through all difficulties. He was born in Pawling, Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1836, and came to Michigan when but 16 years old, with his family, who located on a farm near Hillsdale, where he lived five years. Thence he removed to White River in 1857, and commenced lumbering in the first saw mill at the head of the lake, which has been removed and a new one built, known as Staples & Covell's, with a capacity of 60,000 feet a day. He married, in 1864, Miss Rebecca Covell, by whom he has two sons, Dudley E., born May 26th, 1865, and H. Earl, Oct. 19th, 1875. Mr. Staples is prominently identified with the Boom Company, of which he is a director. BIOGRAPHICAL. LORAINE ASHMAN, lawyer, Whitehall, was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., in 1852. He was educated at the State Normal school at Millersville, and entered the University of Michigan in 1872, where he took a three years' course in civil engineering. In 1876 he entered the law department, in which he spent two years, and graduated with the degree of LL.B. He came to Whitehall in 1880, having previously married, in 1878, Jennie, daughter of John 0. i Banks, of Whitehall, of which union there are two sons, Fred. Loraine, born Jan. 24th, 1879, and John, born the 31st of March, 1881.. Mr. Ashman also devotes attention to the insurance business. On the death of J. E. Jamison, Mr. Ashman was appointed to fill his term as Circuit Court Commissioner. JOHN O. BANKS, express agent and grocer, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1829, and was educated at the Elmira Seminary. When/of age he taught for ten years in New York, Indiana, and Michigan, being six years principal of the Cassopolis schools, and superintendent of the schools of Bristol, Ind. He enlisted Aug. 13th, 1862, in the 88th Ind. Vol., and was at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, &c., and resigned in November, 1863, on account of the health of his wife. Then he went into mercantile life two vears at Bristol, Ind., and was afterwards, for twelve years, special agent of the New York Mutual Life Association, with headquarters at Detroit. He married, Oct. 13th, 1853, Sarah E. Ketchum, of Otsego, N. Y., and has two daughters and one son. Jos. BARON was born in Wayne Co., Mich., in 1833, and came to Whitehall in 1879, having been married Jan. 19th, 1869, to Miss Margaret Merron, by whom he has had ten children, eight sons and two daughters. W. H. BAKER, druggist, Whitehall, was born at White River in 1857. He commenced clerking in Montague for C. M. Palmer in 1869, and was there for three years; was, also, with Frank Baxter for two years, the same period with Dr. Malcolm, now of Colorado, and finally three years for Ripley. He started in business in Montague in 1877, and two years after moved to Whitehall, buying out Dr. Mizner's, and then Dr. Wheeler's, business. He has a fine store and a $5,000 stock. JOHN BELL, carriage maker (Bell & Moore), has just erected, near the tunnel, a new shop, where horse-shoeing and carriage making are specialties. Mr. Bell was born in Toronto, Canada, Aug. 16th, 1837, and learned his trade with Davis, of Woodstock. He came to Whitehall in 1872, and married, the same year, Sarah Foskett, of Albion, and has two children, Rena, born Feb. 8th, 1873, and Fred., born July 15th, 1878. W. P. UTLEY, wheelwright, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1820, and came to this State in 1829. He married, in 1848, Adeline Hinman, of Oswego, N. Y. He came to Whitehall in 1869, and built a wagon shop in the rear of Slocum's block, which was burned in the fire of 1881. He is a member of the village council and school board. He has one daughter, Florence A., now Mrs. H. W. Hill, of Clinton county. JOSEPH BELLHOUSE, vessel owner, was born in Lancashire, Eng., in 1824, and in 1863 immigrated to Canada, and after various.removes came to Whitehall May 2d, 1868, having a restaurant for eleven years near the depot. He married, March 14th, 1847, Grace Carter, and has adopted a niece, Annie Carter. His 11-year old nephew, Joseph, was unfortunately drowned on June 16th, 1881, among the logs at Covell's mill. JOSEPH BELL, head sawyer at Covell's saw mill, Whitehall, was born in New York State in 1848, and when eight years old moved with his parents to Claybanks, Oceana county, but he has spent the last sixteen years of his life here, having been for many years at Heald's mill, and since 1877 at Covell's. Mr. B. has worked up through all the gradations from drayman to head sawyer. He mar ried, Dec. 6, 1879, Jeannette McDonald, of Grand Haven, and has one child, Mabel, born April- 30th, 1881. Mr. Bell is a skillful mechanic, and also an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Honor. HANS M. BJORNSTAD was born in Norway in 1833, and left when fifteen years old for Chicago, where he stayed six years. After a six weeks' trial of Wisconsin he came to Whitehall Oct. 1, I i I I r (J, -410 a ~t __ k., I- p -" i -1 - - f iY x Il_ * - - 0 f P::'r;f::2:::::::::: f: 'Due:;;:: - \ HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.: Q11". ' 08. HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 139 1867, working in the tannery for three years. He has also been a grocer, and is at present a saloon keeper, and has acquired a competency. In June, 1881, he married Miss Bertha Larson. Mr. B. takes an interest in the Scandinavian Benevolent Society, of which he has been secretary. JOHN H. CHAPMAN, in H. D. Johnston's office, was born in Allegan Co., Dec. 19th, 1847, and has been in the mercantile and jewelry business, coming first to Whitehall in 1875 as clerk to Sturtevant, having married, May 20th, 1874, Miss Frances A. Baker, of Whitehall, by whom he has two daughters and one son. He has been with Mr. Johnston since April, 1880. His residence is on the corner of Colby and Division streets. AUGUST CLUG, butcher, Whitehall, born in Prussia in 1834, but when three years of age came with his parents to Buffalo, N. Y., and in two years went to Milwaukee, and remained thirteen years in Wisconsin. He then came to White Lake, engaging in lumbering and in butchering, going into his present busines- with his cousin, Mr. Watkins. He married, in 1863, Miss Miller, of Wisconsin, who died in 1878, leaving two sons and a daughter, now XMrs. Van Zandt. He has a 200-acre farm in Dalton, on which he recently settled. CHAS. COOK, clerk to W. A. Phelps, has resided in Whitehall since 1865. He was born in Concord, N. H., in 1827, and after residing in Dutchess county, N. Y., New York and Chicago, came to the Union Hotel, Whitehall, as clerk, then to A. Mears, and was also, for two years, agent for Wm. Weston; bought out P. Hobler's interest in the Union Hotel, and entered into a number of businesses, coming into his present position in 1879. He has been Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk of Oceana Township. He married, in 1865, Miss Ellen Graves, and has two daughters, Ina M. and Zoe. ROBERT L. CLINNINGHAM,dental surgeon, was born in Stratford,Ontario, in 1858; studied with Dr. Maxon, of Bay City; after several years of practice came to Whitehall October 1, 1880; was burned out in the Foster Block in July, 1881; married in 1881 Miss Baker, of Oceana Co. Mr. C. is a skillful dentist and has his office now in rear of Covell's block. ELMER S. CURTIS, of DeLong & Curtis, carpenters and builders, born in Livingston Co., New York, in 1880; learned his trade with his father, and they came to Whitehall in 1877, when Elmer was clerk for Morse & Co.; married in 1879, Edith, daughter of K. F. Morse, and has one son, Harold, born Sept. 18, 1880. GEORGE H. DELONG, builder, born in Flint, Mich., 1842; enlisted in 15th Illinois volunteers, Col. Thomas J. Turner, in Army of Tennessee, August 15, 1861; was at Pittsburgh Landing, siege of Corinth, Vicksburgh, &c.; with Sherman to the sea; captured and sent to Andersonville, but after some suffering escaped and rejoined Sherman at Raleigh. Learned the building trade at Flint; came to Whitehall in 1867; married Katie Lewis, of Batavia, New York, and has three children. DANIEL H. EATON,boot and shoe dealer,in Covell's block,was born in Montgomery Co., New York, in 1840; shortly after moved to Canada, coming to Detroit when about 20 years of age, and to Whitehall in 1878; married Annie Thomas, of Hastings, Michigan, in 1874. WILLIAM FLINN, blacksmith, Whitehall, is a native of Ottawa, Canada, removed to Minneapolis in 1868, thence to Chicago in the same year, where he remained six months, thence to Grand Rapids, where he made a short stay; after residing in Ionia county he came to Whitehall, working four years for Utley & Hedges, when he went into business for himself, and has built up quite a fine business. Mr. Flinn is a benedict and the happy father of three children. He is assistant engineer in the Fire Department, treasurer of the Knights of Honor, and for several years one of the trustees of the village. I WM. L. FORBES, butcher, onl Mears avenue corner of Alice street, was born in Ingersoll, Ontario, 1850, and after various moves came to Whitehall in 1872, at first engaging in saw-milling, but since 1878 in his present business, in which he has been quite successful. DEXTER P. GLAZIER, jeweler, of Ludington, is an old resident of Whitehall, where his son, F. D. Glazier, is still in the grocery business at his father's old stand. Mr. G. was born in Hampden Co. Mass., in 1823, and he has been in this State since 1838, at first engaged in shoemaking. On August 22, 1854, he married Sarah A. Swaim, and stayed in Grand Rapids one year, then eleven years in Newaygo county, then in Whitehall from 1866 to 1875, when he built Linderman's store, which was the first brick store in the hvalage. Slocum's block was finished a little later the same year. Mr. G. was president of the village, school director, and ran for representative on the Greeley ticket. He lias two sons and two daughters. F. D. GLAZIER, grocer, was born May 25, 1856, in Grand Rapids, and came from Newaygo to Whitehall in 1870. In 1878 he entered into the grocery business, at which he has had fair success. Married onl July 4, 1879, Artimesla Parks, of Blue Lake, who was born in 1854 in Walworth Co., Wis., moving with her family to Blue Lake in 1866, when it was nearly a primitive forest. EUGENE HARWOOD, hotel-keeper, born near Detroit; came when 19 to Muskegon, with his parents, who kept " The National," the second hotel of the city, which before it was burned stood opposite " ( The Hofstra." He came to Whitehall in 1872, keeping the old Mears House, which he named the Harwood. Mr. Harwood and 'his father have now a new hotel near the railway tunnel, and are noted for their genial and obliging manners. FREDERICK A. HINMAN, engineer,born in Connecticut in 1844,and left home when 15, coming to Whitehall and entering into marine engineering on the old " Union," a side-wheeler, also on many other vessels of that day; has also had charge of the village engine since 1873, during which time it has never failed to work, and has not cost a dollar in repairs; in 1881 she worked at the great fire eleven hours consecutively. At the same fire he was burnt out in the furniture business, in which he had been with Mr. McElroy. He has also been marshal and a constable of the village. Married Miss Mary Stone, by whom he has three children. FRANK H. JOHNSOH N is proprietor of the handle factory, Whitehall where he com menced business in 1881; was burned out on Christmas morning following, and has since rebuilt on the same site, near Thompson's dock. He does quite a thriving business in the manufacture of handles and pevies. His insurance from the fire was $800. I I DALLAS JOHNSON was born in Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1844, and belongs to an eminently patriotic family, which was of the Iwar democrat stripe. Himself and all his four brothers enlisted in the army except one who was refused for being under age. Dallas served four years as private, being in forty-two engagements, and in 1872 came to Whitehall, and has taken a deep interest in the G. A R., being in 1881 Junior Vice Commander of th e State Department, ranking as Brigadier General. Mr. Johnson is mainly engaged in lumbering. JAS. H. JOHNSON, M. D,, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1839, graduating in medicine at Buffalo Medical College in 1866. Being of a strong patriotic family he and all of his brothers except one of 12 years of age, enlisted in various branches of the service in 1861. The doctor then only 22, enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was soon disbanded, and he then took some courses in medicine, entering the navy as assistant surgeon in the San Jacinto, Capt. Meade stationed at Key West. They were shipwrecked on the Bahamas Jan. 1, 1865, but all were rescued. He then came home and finished his studies, practicing in several _ ah__* 1 AZ 91 - -. at I 11 — B " "I?sR) 1 -% _ e — r u+\ "ak5 i' - S I. - L-' — -- -patc. Hei.-ri of.,adhsoesn h otrde lag.u fbsnsadi nvra aoie CHRE. CJzEmrhl asbr nElct iy d 185 caei uy17 oW iealwr7ga ao n erc:gmnybidns emridHlnM leo hssae a. ha.. hlrn emksa ecletmrhl eresi.., -eeuino:i uy errt vldes n riet th. wh: o el A.UTJHSN ieysal epr hthlsno hre Jonsn wa on15,adcm oWiealwe 2yasod entoCom eca ColgGadRpdi.17,frtotr-s -adi.89cm ecdEeybsies epn oss are.-eii e asi ac,18. Hehsnwalvr salsmn i,Ldngo. ANRW.OSAgoecrero er v.adEiaS. Whthlde ag uies seilywt i onrmn;a oni owy13 t rnhii mgaigi 89 ok:energys and persvernge toWhoth is rapidl estalihin hiasel in threru favrgerl of thbcmunitys, hnis abusnes en hotetnivera invorite. Whit CHRivEr region.I Hesh was born in-Rc C. Wlis.,t Cinty, and. wa brough upm i Shebygn He was Wieducatedkin at Hig mscoon and -t erecipng Colege auidins leredi traride with his fater. othis saexaeinde has behiden. gaiedb travel and obervation. mrHis storlesis in the onxteutionff hisedtyoaterro the Laevilndoears, ave. nriex to Sltocum Park He wawerdlnl.8toMs IaM Biso CHIS Johnson, Was bornc i89 nd caento k ine1845 when 123 years od ofaen he Commercia Chicage, Gand Raftewads in 18769 lie came tors Whlditeha879 entmerngint lumberybsnseing fo seerloerses.e Mrinto thegrcilia bumssines with, Mr8. Hehas for si yiears.H esabihment kep a saoo inth ea f h dptan asbrndou n h nihto Aug-LstW Kt, 1881, grocer, losse of nearlya Ave. hand. He wSt. X1:W.ieal H.e LaNO cargepusnters Whitehall, with his residntryeon, Livingstablist.hed is a875.ive marriedMina coutyldan Johson an od THasone Augt LA hoRD Sal oon keprnea Coel'877. asbri Nowa in C. 81R, cam eer, Cicg Winehall, isan iong 1848 toWft River egyagnind lumberaing, butho for rpdy eas abeeshngi in the slo fandor ofcter comntyiusiness bein was mostextesiv in Wie all an thseve Whit JOSHUA reio. Mcoy was born in Rc Casount, Mish., in 18-53,an adat 14o College, age hearemoedhitrd with his paretser. Harison perienceereslieen emained untilve 1873 obsrvtin. His store isoi Whted:o hael Blufte threrokn thyaenears hreundtIoavn e.,net from -thaerhe toaSt Joe Chsouicag aendoKnashr afterwr two 1869s he elet returned to WVhitehall in 1881, where he still resides. NELS P. MYRMEL, partner of W. IKrogstad in the grocery business, was also born in Norway in 1843. After he came here he worked for a time in sawmills, and in 1879 he went in with Mr. ''Krogstad. JOHN NEQUIIST, painted, was born in Sweden in 1849, came direct to Whitehall in 1868. He was married April 17, 1875, to lNaxy Johnson of Whitehall, and has two daughters.;ANDREW NELSON, saloon keeper, Lake St., was born in Sweden M -arch 28, 1851, an'd left home when 17 years old. Having received a, fair education he came to Whitehall with a party led by the Rev.:. 3'KEGON COUNTY. I Mr. Roden now of Minnesota, and worked in sawmills. He has been in his present business for six years. He was married to Miss Matilda Johnson and has two children living, having lost two. F. NORMAN, artist and carriage painter, Whitehall, was born in Buckingbham, Eng., in 1847, and at five years of age was brought to Jackson, Mich., and when eleven to Calhoun county. In June 1862 he enlisted il the 17th Mich., Infantry, Army of the Potomac and after seeing service there, was transferred to the 9th Michigan, in the Army of the Cumberland, took part in the siege of Atlanta, and was left behind in a garrison at Chattanooga when Sherman marched to the sea. He was discharged Sept. 1865. He attended art school in Chicago, coining to Whitehallin 1867, whither his parents had removed. He -is al excellent carriage painter, and in the Winter makes artistic sketches, showing much ability. He was married to Miss Willa A. Austin of Blue Lake, and has two children. He has been village recorder for several years. OLE T. OL:ESON was born in Norway in 1848, and in his 18th year came in a Norwegian vessel to Quebec, and from thence he came onl to Milwaukee, sailing the lakes for many years. He came to W~hitehall in 1869. lie now has a saloon on Ljake street near the railroad depot. Mr. Oleson is a well-informed. man, andl his genial disposition gives him great influence with his countrymen, for whose benefit he has been the chief spirit in organizing the Scandinavian Aid Society. He is married and has two child ren. 0. E. PERRY, sewing machine agent, was born in Ingham County, Mich., in 1845, where lie resided until 1869, when he removed to Livingston County, and to Whitehall in M~ay, 1880, to engage in farming, which had been his chief business hitherto. Since com. ing to Whitehall however, lie has been engaged in selling sewing machines, and the Mason & Hamnlin organs, in which he has been.quite successful. WM. A. PHIELPS, dealer in railroad ties, hemnlock bark, shingles, and wood &c., office opposite Mears store, residence oil Mears Avenue, near Slocum Park. M~r. Phelps is a gentleman of quiet energy, of excellent business habits, which have met with a fair reward. He was born in Van Buren County, M~ich., in 1844, and until twenty-six brought up on his father's farm~, which was taken up in 1829, when his father had to endure the hardships of pioneer life. Ila 1871 he moved to Montaglue and engaged in mercantile business,Ibut was burnt out in the great fire of 1873. Being absent at the time with his family he suffered a heavy loss. He dealt in insurance for a year and then entered into business with W. E. Parker, whom he bought out in 1876, but next year F. Blackmarr became his partner, and in another year he sold out to the latter. For the last seven years he leas done an outside business in ties, bark, &c., and handles from Whitehall, Pentwater, and Ludington, the Ludington business being under the name of Phelps & Goodenough. In 1881 he handled 185,000 ties, 7,000 cords of bark, wood, 1,000 cords; and 4,000,000 shingles. Married in 1865 Miss Nancy T. Andrew,- of Van Buren County, and their children are Charles, born in 1869, Maude, born in 1873. B. F. REED, Justice of the Peace, was born in Sodus, WQayne County, N. Y., in 1836, fr~om Puritan stock, which can be traced back to the Mayflower. Mr. R. moved west in 1856 and after trying several states, settled in 1857 in Whlite River Township with two other brothers, forming whiat is known as Reed's settlement. When the new county of Oceana was set apart it had but 300 inhabitants. rMr. R. was Supervisor of Otto and then of Ferryburg a year, and came to Whitehall Dec. 18, 1873, has been two terms Recorder, and Justice of the Peace for several years. Married Miss Mary Roach, of New York State, and has five children. C. W. REDFERN, late station master and telegraph operator, Whitehall, was born in 1848 in Caledonia, N. Y., but brought up I i V I -OF di <.-;N ',i t;::: 9t -- L L \::: L::: L L- - * =:>., 0w f0.z> f L z::0;if e:: -. Lk /:' / ^^;! r i ' **" Wev:, J^iWi ~:* " 3[= II J x LAJ z. U1 z 0 o I, "t t. 0 u z Id or3 wn N Al orY.: -.i P.. i, e ~:~~ *.: ~'?... - A. J ~0 UJ ass~ i^-, *,~0-.*^* =C __ -:~'*.~.. C:.:.,~ i:: S: - 1 ~ L: ~~-~1~-11111~1111111111-~ HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 141 | - * in Calhoun County, Mich. He came to Whitehall in 1866, and taught school winters, working on the farm in Summer. He then learned telegraphy in Montague and has been eight years in the Whitehall Station, succeeding P. I. Hedges. His father, Matthew Redfern, is one of the first settlers in his section of the township. Mr. Redfern is noted for his prompt and energetic manner of doing public business. When Covell's new block, corner of Mears Avenue and Colby St., was completed, Mr. Redfern took one of the fine stores and commenced in the hardware line, keeping a first-class stock. GEORGE J. MOOG, furniture dealer, Whitehall, was born in Pennsylvania In 1844. When nine years old his father removed to Sauk County, Wisconsin, where George learned to work on a farm. The call of his country led him to enlist at the very first summons in the three months' service in 1861, after which he enlisted for,three years, in the 11th Wisconsin Infantry in the army of Missouri. He was also in Grant's corps at Vicksburg, where he was wounded below the knee in a charge in which 350 men were lost. His sufferings, as he lay all day under a July sun, without daring to move a limb, for fear of the enemy's sharpshooters and dying for thirst, may be faintly imagined. At night he dragged himself into his own lines. He was also with General Banks in Louisiana, and was discharged in January, 1862. Mr. M. is the only survivor of his family. He married Miss Miriam E. Streeter, of N. Y. State, by whom he has one son. He has the only furniture business in the village and carries a stock of $12,000 to $15,000. Is a member of the Village Council and Chairman of the Fire committee, is a member of the School Board, and a County Coroner. HARLoW RUGGLES, druggist, was born at Brookfield, Conn., in 1812, of Scottish descent by his father, and English by his mother. He learned the trade of shoemaking in Livingston County, N. Y., and pegged away for nearly forty years. In June, 1868, he moved to Whitehall, and with his son, E. M. Ruggles, he entered into the drug business and has been quite successful. He was burned out in the lower terrace of the Foster block in 1881, but has opened out on the old site. Mr. R. has known what it is to struggle up to a competency, having served for over six years, at $25 a year, and at the close saved $70, which he gave to his mother, an act, the recollection of which, is pleasing in his old age. Mr. Ruggles has a lively, cheerful temperament, which has carried him throught all his troubles. JACOB E. SARGENT, grocer, was born in the township of Almherst, N. H., July 21, 1825, and after various changes settled in Whitehall in 1872, when the town was so new that the logs for his present store were cut on the main street. He has a neat grocery store and does a snug trade. Married Rebecca Jane Movar, of Hollis, N. H., Nov. 22, 1848, and has one son, Frank, and two daughters, Nellie J, and Clara I. DAWS SKEELS, baker, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1831, and learned his trade in the old country, from which he emigrated in 1857, coming first to Chicago, where he was for years shipping clerk to a large firm. Was engaged in milling in Muskegon one year, came to Whitehall in August, 1876, and has a fine bakery business established. Mr. S. is a Past Dictator of the Knights of Honor, of whom there are 120,000 in the United States. He is married and has four children. Mr. S. has good reason to be proud of the results of his persistent energy, as he landed in White hall with $100 borrowed capital, and has now a surplus of several thousand dollars. MILTON R. STEPHENS, steamboat agent at Covell's warehouse, and liveryman at 310 Mears Avenue, Whitehall. Mr. S. was born in Massachusetts in 1827, but was brought to Michigan in 1830. To show the hardships in traveling in those days he relates that although they left the previous fall for Michigan they did not arrive until spring, being laid up at Rochester, N. Y., by the freezing of the canals. At Shelby Township, Macomb County, his father engaged in farming, but died when Milton was but seven years of age. His mother having died when he was two years, Milton was left an orphan at an early age, and has had to "hoe his own way" through life. But this discipline has made him a cheerful, self-reliant man, a practical philosopher. He was brought up under the care of a guardian chosen by his father, a Mr. Hiram Andrews. Milton had one sister and six brothers, of whom he was the youngest, and he lived with his sister at Pt. Huron, for five years. When fourteen years old he went to Romeo and chose his own guardian according to the laws of the State, a Mr. John Keeler, a farmer. He worked on H. 'Myers' farm for three years, and then went for nearly two years into government surveying into Newaygo and other places. He then went to Utica, leaving the lumber trade, and returning to Pt. Huron, where he lumbered. In 1848 he married Miss Susan S. Kimball, of Pt. Huron, where he remained until 1867, engaged in buying staves. Came to Whitehall May 2, 1867, acting as steamboat agent, railroad freight agent, and general drayman until July 4, 1881, when he added livery to his business. He has four sons and an equal number of daughters, FRANCIS H. STURTEVANT, grocer, was born in Vermont in 1844, came in 1878 to Walworth Co., Wis., there for three years had a successful grocery business in Whitehall, built and ran saw mills in Blue Lake, and had a livery business in Whitehall for ten years, until he was burned out in 18.81, losing the finest collection of horses and vehicles in the county. In the fall of 1881 he bought the grocery business of J. R. Conley. His neat and well filled grocery store is nearly opposite the Mears House. Mr. Sturtevant is a gentlemanly and obliging dealer. A. M. THOMPSON was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., n 1820; at 14 years of age he moved to Bentley Creek, Pa., next farm to Covells, and came to Whitehall in 1862, and ran the old water mill ten years. He married Emily Miller, of New Jersey, in 1842, who died in 1879, leaving two sons and one daughter. E. D. THOMPSON, tinsmith, Colby St., Whitehall, next to Gee's hardware store. Mr. Thompson was born in Fredonia, N. Y., in 1820, and remained in his native place until he arrived at the age of 22, having previously learned his trade at Jamestown, near Fredonia, serving faithfully from his sixteenth to his twenty-second year, a period of about six years. He then moved to Medina Co., Ohio, remaining in that State for twenty years, chiefly at Wadsworth and Seville. In 1865 he came to Muskegon, engaging in the hardware, stove and tinware business, but in one year removed to Whitehall, his store being in the old Foster Block, where Mr. Morse afterwards was. During his two years residence in Whitehall his health suffered severely, owing to the malaria incident to a new country. Accordingly he sold out to Mr. Morse, and after staying east three months he bought out F. Clark, of Muskegon, remaining two years, but owing to continued sickness he sold out and lived in Chicago for nearly two years. Owing to his real estate interests in Whitehall he removed back, and his health at this present writing is fully restored, having been ill his present shop for four years. He has just erected a substantial building next to AMoog's furniture store. He married AMay 4, 1847, Miss Lucetta W. Smith, of Seville, Ohio, by whom has been blessed with six children; Alice R., Chas. L. Emma F., Marion S., Edward K., and Arthur S.; of whom Alice and Marion have passed away. His residence is comfortably sittuated on corner of Alice and Division Sts. THOMIAS B. WIDOE, clothier, of John Widoe & Sons, Whitehall, was born in Ohio in 1858, and married December, 1859, to Miss Jennie Basom, of Whitehall, and in November, 1859, went into I I 4 r9 I f J SY -d t tl~ S I I 3C 1 L9 -.0 Irk~ -0- i,;* 7 4. _ Y ON - h w v - 142 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 142 - - -. - - business with his father, who has been twelve years in business here. The store is 20 feet frontage with a depth of 50 feet, and the stock is worth $8,000. ARTHUR WATKINS, fruiterer, Whitehall, was born in Milwaukee May 18, 1856, left at 6 years of age and came to a farm near Whitehall, taken by his father, where he was reared. In 1877 he started in the fruit and vegetable line, in which he has been quite successful. We now proceed to classify a few biographies of those connected with the SAW MILLS. STAPLES & COVELL'S. J. T. SPEAiRMAN, engineer at Staples & Covell's saw mill, was born in New York State in 1836, and moved to Michigan in 1855; having previously moved to near London, Ontario, when he was three years of age, and thence to Sanilac Co., Mich. In 1867 came to White Lake. He married in 1861, Miss Acelia Wright, of St. Clair, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. CHAS. WESLEY CHICK, scaler in Staples & Covell's saw mill, Whitehall, was born Feb. 18, 1856, in North Shields, Gratiot Co., Mich., and moved about as a young itinerant with his father who was an Episcopal Methodist minister, and stationed in various parts of the State. In 1873 he came to Whitehall, and for the first year acted as baggage master for the railroad, and has since worked in his present place. He married Sept. 9, 1880, Miss Dora Hedges. Is a Master Mason in the order of Free Masons, and a Royal Templar of Temperance. Residence on Livingston Street. ADAMr BOEM, head sawyer of Staples & Covell's Whitehall, was born in Saxe-Cobourg Gotha, Germany, in 1835. He came all alone when a boy of 14 to Chicago, working in a lumber yard. In 1854 he came to White River, working for Ferry's at the Mouth, and enlisted in the 5th Mich. Cavalry, Major Ferry commanding, in 1862. He passed through all the battles of the Potomac and was discharged at close of the war. He returned to Whitehall, and since 1873, has been with the same firm. He is married and has one child. His residence is on Muskegon Avenue. COVELL, OCOBOCK & CO.'S. C. A. OCOBOCK, was born in Medina, N. Y., in 1848, and at six years of age moved near to Grand Rapids, and in 1862 moved to Whitehall. He married in 1877 Melvina, daughter of Jos. Hinchman, Esq., and has one child, Joseph, born in November, 1877. JAS. W. OCOBOCK, of Covell & Ocobock's shingle mill, born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1822, and after various moves he-worked for N. Y. Central R. R., in 1840 for four years attending to Rome station; thence to Medina, and in 1855 to Grand Rapids and Whitehall in 1861, three years sawing for Heald & Co; then into Covell & Hinchman's mill, and in 1874 to his present place. He married Oct. 10, 1843, Susan Ostrom, of Rome, N. Y., and his family are, Harriet (Mrs. Theo. Thompson), Helen, who died Aug. 9, 1864, Charles A., George,,ames, born May 9, 1860. Mr, Ocobock has been honored with many public positions, having been President of the village two terms, and for years a member of the village board. HENRY T. GARFIELD, saw filer, was -Cborn in VTermont in 1827, but soon removed to Chautauqua, N. Y., and at 12 years of age moving to Wisconsin, and came six years ago to Michigan, saw fil ing in Covell & Ocobocks. Mr. Garfield is a nephew of the late president, and strikingly resembles him in appearance. R. Wr. NORRIS. RUEL W. NORRIS, shingle manufacturer, was born in Maine in 1842, and came to White Lake in 1863, at that time there being in Whitehall the old water mill, Mear's store and a few lumber shanties. In 1868 commenced the grocery business and prospered. He bought his present mill above Mear's store from the N. V. Booth estate in 1872, first with Mr. Green, whom he afterwards bought out. He manufactures 50,000 shingles a day, and has beside a sash, door and general planing factory. He is a member of the Village Council, and is the originator of the pine block pavement, which is very durable and costs nothing but the laying down. He married Miss Isabel Maynard, of Newaygo County. In 1882 he is building a fine new block of buildings. CHAS. BOOTH, packer in the Norris shingle mill, was born in Eaton Co., Mich., June 6, 1853, and moved to Whitehall with his father, the late N. V. Booth, who built the first planing and sash and door factory in Montague, and then built the mill now owned by Mr. Norris. Mr. Booth lives with his mother on Colby Street. D. T. DUNNING, filer in Norris's mill, was born in Hamilton Co., N. Y., in 1855, and after various changes came to Blue Lake in 1873, and to Whitehall in 1879. He married Aug. 19, 1878, Anna G. Johnson, of Montague, and has two children, Wm. Benjamin, born July 10, 1879, and Irena, Feb. 3, 1881. CHAS. DEAN, foreman Norris's planing mill, was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1847, and after several changes he came to Whitehall in 1868, working for several lumbering firms, but for the last four years in his present position. He married July 2, 1870, Mrs. Isabel Nestell, of Eaton Rapids, and has two children, George and Lucy May. He enlisted in 122nd N. Y. Vols., in 6th Army Corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, was in 34 battles and skirmishes and came out almost un1urt. A. J. AND C. E. COVELL'S. FRANK THEIS, engineer in Covell's saw mill, born in Prussia July 13, 1834, landed in Chicago August, 1839, where he was brought up, came to White Lake in 1859, working for several seasons for Capt. Dalton, was also engineer on the Daylight, owned by Capt. Burrows, has been with Staples & Covell and A. J. & C. E. Covell for 14 years. Married and has four children. GEORGE BURNS, sawfiler in A.J.& C. E. Covell's,was born in Peel County, Ont., 1845, coming to Lenawee County,- Mich., in 1864, and after various changes came to Bluffton, lumbering for 7 seasons there and for Ryerson, Hills & Co., at Bay Mills. Came to White River in 1876 working for Heald, Avery & Co., has been four years with Covell's, married Miss Harriet VanBroclin and has two children. ANDREW AM. SUNDSTROM, fireman in Covell's mill, born in Sweden in 1847. After receiving a fair education and learning the carpenter trade he left when 21 for Whitehall, working as a carpenter and since May 19, 1881 in his present position. ALLEY & CO'S. WM. E. PARSONS, engineer for Alley & Co's., was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1828, came to Buffalo in 1853, Chicago, 1856 and in the same year set foot in Muskegon County, being employed on the propeller Charles Mears, which then plied along the east coast of Lake Michigan. Came to Whitehall in 1871 and entered the service of Alley & Co., in which he has been ever since, and he is proud to say that under his management there has never been an accident from his engine. He married Sarah Everts, of Leeds, Ontario, and has 4 children, the eldest of whom Helena, married E. Pike, of Michigan City, in 1872. A. G. ADA.MSON, fireman in Alley & Co's., was born in Sweden in 1844, working on a farm and as coachman, came to Whitehall in 1872, married and has one daughter. IHas been with Alley & Co. nearly three years. THOMAS H. DAwsON, sawfiler at Alley & Co's., born in Lincoln ___ __ M -4 —4 :,4 - A 4 P5 i_ I HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 143 shire, England, in 1843. At two years of age his parents came to Rochester, N. Y., and after various removals he came to Whitehall In 1865. Has been sawfiling 4 years, PHILIP R. VANKEUREN, foreman of Alley & Co's. sawmill, born in Delaware county, N. Y., 1348, where he resided until 1871 on his father's farm. After a short residence in Iowa he came to Whitehall and in 1878 rose to the foremanship of his mill. Married May 21, 1876, to Minnie Whitman, of Whitehall, and has one daughter, Georgina, born Sept. 16, 1879. CHARLES B. SLOCUM, of Alley's sawmill, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1843. On April 25, 1861, enlisted in Co. K. Third N. Y. Volunteers, Seventh Army Corps, and was under Butler at Ft. Monroe, and Dix at Big Bethel, Suffolk, etc., Va. At the close of his term of service in 1863, re-enlisted in Navy, fought at St. Marks, and was stationed at Key West till close of war. Came to Detroit in 1866, thence to various places, among others Belleview where he married Emma Hart in 1867, two years after came to Whitehall, working for Alley's for the last eight years. Has three sons and one daughter. WILCOX & CO'S. CHAS. K. STONE, foreman of Wilcox mills, Whitehall, was born June 5th, 1833, in Finland, and left for America in 1866, settling at Newaygo, and since 1877 he has worked for the Wilcox Co. He is a widower with five children. J. M. POPPLE, superintendent of Wilcox mill, Whitehall, born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1847, coming north to New York State when sixteen, and for thirteen years with the Wilcox Co., working up from the ranks to be head officer. - | MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP. - I fI i i I v 7__4 The early history of this township has been already given under that of White River and Oceana of which it formed a part until 1874. Taking a line about a mile north of Montague and nearly all west of the State road, Montague is clay land and makes excellent farming land. The farm of A. MCears on section 8, 17 and in 18, forms one of the finest farms in the township, being especially good in stock. The rest of the township is sandy. The land on which the village stands was owned first by Messrs. Rogers and Sargent, and afterwards owned by A. Knudsen, then by G. W. Franklin and then by the Ferrys. This township was organized out of the northern portion of Oceana Township in March 24th 1874 and consists of sections 1 to 12 inclusive, 13 to 20inclusive and fractional sections 20, 21, 29, section 30, fractional section 31, and all of fractional section 32 lying west of White Lake, all in town 12, north of range 7 west, and the n. w. fractional quarter of section 6 in town 11 north of range 17 west. 1874. The first annual meeting was held on April 10th, 1874, at the engine house, village of Montague. G. E. Dowling, Joseph Heald and M. Hendrie were inspectors of election by order of D. McLaughlin, Co. Clerk. 257 votes were polled and Joseph Heald was elected the first Supervisor over O. R. Goodno; H. C. Sholes, Clerk, over M. Farman; M. Hendrie, Treasurer, F. W. Redfern and W. N. Gee, School Inspectors; B. O'Connell, Commissioner of Highways; E. McCoy, I. Graves, R. L. Harmon and C. H. Cook, Justices of the Peace; H. M. Bigelow, J. Ohrenbergcr, J. P. Partridge, A. W. Clark, Constables; A. Lauterback, Poundkeeper. The Overseers of Highways were, G. E. Dowling, L. D. Gillett, R. L. Harmon, E. M. Gibert, I. Graves, D. Curtis, S. Ellis. The road districts are 1-6 inclusive, and No. 9. There was voted for contingencies 8300, poor $400, roads $100. 1875. In 1875 two hundred and sixty eight votes were cast and the following elected: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, H. Becker; Highway Commissioner, P. Dalton; Sup't of Schools, B. F. Murden; Inspector of Schools, D. Leitch; Justices of Peace, G. Leuhrs, W. H. Gee; Constables, G. M. Duram, P. A. Howe, D. Gilbert, J. Theurer; Poundmaster, M. Dodge. One hundred dollars was voted for library, and three hundred dollars for cemetery. 1876. Two hundred and sixty-eight voters present-officers elected: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, H. Becker; Commissioner of Highways, P. Dalton; Sup't of Schools, B. F. Murden; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Justices of Peace. G. Leuhrs, W. N. Gee; Constables, G. M. Duram, P. A. Howe, D. Gilbert, J. Theurer; Poundmaster, M. Dodge. 1877. There were 249 voters with the following result: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, H. Becker; Commissioner of Highways, R. L. Harmon; Justice of the Peace, J. H. Leitch; Supt. of Schools, B. F. Murden; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Constables, S. Ellis, A. Partridge, G. Burdick, J. McCoughey; Poundmaster, E. G. Schmidt. 1878. Two hundred and sixty-one persons present and the choice as follows: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treas I w - I *: 7::T x - — is - i I I f:I Id I t: 144 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. urer, H. Becker; Justices, J. W. Switzer, W. H. Lobdell; Commissioner of Highways, S. Ellis; School Inspector, J. H. Leitch; Supt. of Schools, F. E. Jones; Constables, J. Nehey, A. Deto, L. Delano, G. W. Stokes; Poundmaster, E. G. Schmidt. 1879. Two hundred and nineteen present: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, M. Dodge; Justices of the Peace, M. Hendrie, G. M. Duram; Commissioner of Highways, S. Ellis; Supt. of Schools, F. Bracelin; School Inspector, J. H. Leitch; Constables, G. W. Stokes, J. Geboo, D. Fowler, J. Rutledge; Poundmaster, E. G. Schmidt. 1880. Only 122 present: Supervisor, H. P. Dowling; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, M. Dodge; Justices of the Peace, G. Leuhrs, M. Hendrie; Commissioner of Highways, S. Ellis; Supt. of Schools, F. Bracelin; School Inspector, J. H. Leitch; Constables, D. Fowler, H. K. Dykhuis, J. P. Partridge, A. Born; Poundmaster, E. G. Schmidt. 1881. Two hundred and fifty present: Supervisor, F. Bracelin; Clerk, C. L. Streng; Treasurer, C. S. Dodge; Justices of the Peace, G. M. Duram, H. MI. Bigelow; Commissioner of Highvways, H. P. Dowling; School Inspector, L. G. Ripley; Supt. of Schools, Rev. R. J. Matthews; Constables, D. Fowler, D. R. Hall, H. K. Dykhuis, F. E. White; Poundmaster, W. Kison. 1882. This year considerable interest was manifested, and the contest lay between a "Workingmen's" ticket, headed by Henry M. Bigelow, and a "Union" ticket, headed by the former Supervisor, Frank Bracelin. The latter ticket was elected (except Treasurer) by majorities ranging from 1 to 17. The officers are as follows: Supervisor, F. Bracelin; C. L. Streng, Clerk; W. J. Mason, Treasurer; M. Downey, Justice of the Peace; R. J. L. Matthews, School Inspector, two years; Frank E. Jones, School Inspector, one year; Seth Ellis, Highway Commissioner. THE VILLAGE OF MONTAGUE. This beautiful and highly prosperous village is connected with Whitehall by a substantial swing bridge, and the business portion is situated in the low ground at the foot of the bluffs which overlook the head of White Lake and the mouth of the river. This causes the village to have rather a crowded and compact appearance, and as the business blocks, such as those of the Franklin House and of Ripley's Block and the Opera House are lofty brick structures, the impresson conveyed to the beholder is that of a brisk and enterprising little city. One drawback is the sandy nature of the streets mixed as they are with sawdust. This will probably in time be remedied. The planing mill presents a fine appearance as does also the Iron Works, and the fine livery barns of Smith and Partridge. Lasley & Co. have a commodious store, and the sawmills of Ferry, Dowling & Co., F. H. White, and still far-;: ther down those of Heald & Co., Cook, and Smith & Field give the Montague shore an animated appearance. The residence portion of Montague is the finest portion of the village, being on a high table land 60 or 70 feet above the Lake. Among the prominent buildings are the Presbyterian church of brick, and the manse of Rev. Mr. Matthews, the Union School house with its ample grounds, the elegant residences of Messrs. Dowling, Lasley, Webster and others. There is a ravine wlhich divides the village into east and west, Montague Township is nearly twice as large as Whitehall Township and the soil is heavier and better adapted for agriculture and the population is large and increasing, so that Montague has a safe basis besides the lumber interest. The village is not yet incorporated but probably soon will be. Among tLose prominently identified with the growth of Montague and indeed with that of the whole White Lake region, is GEORGE E. DOWLING, who came in the early days as manager for the Rev. Mr. Ferry's mill at the Mouth, and has ever since been identified with the Ferry interest, being still the active partner of Ferry, Dowling & Co.'s extensive sawmilling and lumbering operations at Montague, and owns large tracts of pine lands up the river, also the large flouring mill, planing mill, etc. Mr. Dowling has a thoroughly practical disposition, and whatever his hand finds to do he does with all his might. Externally he sometimes appears morose, but he is all right below the surface, and is highly regarded by his acquaintances for his genial qualities, as well as for his clearheadedness and energy of character. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has also been prominently identified with Freemasonry being the first Master of the Lodge in the village. Mr. Dowling's residence on the high ground is perhaps the finest in Montague. His brother, Henry P. Dowling, has gone into building and real estate, and his brother, C. A. Dowling, has been for years secretary of the Booming Company. L. G. RIPLEY deserves honorable mention for erecting the finest block of buildings in the village. In the Franklin House Montague possesses the finest hotel building in the county. Mr. Dodge, the landlord, was formerly of the Sherman House, Chicago, and knows how to run a hotel. His son Charles is the active manager now, and is popular with all classes. EARLY HISTORY. In 1855 all that was in the village was Nat. Sargent's house, blacksmith's shop and barn, which were sold in 1857 to G. W. Franklin who built a house, and sold in 1859 to N. H. Ferry. In 1856 the Maple Grove mill was built by James Jewell who sold to Heald, Avcry & Co. in 1860. Wilson & Hendrie's foundry was built in 1872. New school, Franklin House, Odd Fellows' Lodge and Lutheran church were all opened in 1874. On March 24, 1874, Montague was made a separate town; first officers: J. Heald, Supervisor; H. C. Sholes, Clerk; Malcolm Hendrie, Treasurer. These were elected April 13, 1874. A. B. & D. C. Bowen built their mill in 1866, F. H. White & Co. in 1871-2. First newspaper issued Nov. 29, 1873, by H. C. Sholes & Co.; fire department organized in 1873; the Vedette newspaper first issued Sept. 12, 1874; the great fire of Montague Feb. 21, 1873; Booming Company organized in 1869; in 1874-5 Presbyterian church built; in 1874 the Investigator appeared; 18'1, Feb. 1st, Montague Hotel opened; Feb. 29, first cars in Montague; Episcopal churclh built 1871; Masonic Lodge opened May 22, 1866, Geo. E. Dowling, first Master; D. B. McQuarrie principal of school in 1869; 1870, H. H. Keyes pastor of Baptist church; 1875, Montague raises by taxation $8,613.18. Oct. 7, 1874, Odd Fellows organized; the Harrison House was burned Dec. 1881; Opera House and Ripley's Block built 1881. The first store in Montague was started in 1864 by Ferry, Dowling & Co., and sold to S. H. Lasley & Co. in 1873. Shortly after Burrows, Goodno & Co. started a hardware store, sold to O. R. Goodno, who in 1875 sold to O. M. Hedges & Co., and they in 1881 to Morse & Bell. C. M. Palmer started the first drug store in 1867, and it has passed successively into the hands of Hood & Baxter, Hood' & Malcom, J. A. Malcom, and lastly to L. G. Ripley. The first furniture store-was that of E. McCoy & Co., succeeded by L. Thompson & Co. Among the names of those engaged in groceries are F. Jones d,k TLt~l V -:L - i:r or_ i II ~ v iiN Fi T - t ri;-l'~~::::.-::.l' —: —ii~i,~ - -.- —::::_~-.::::777 ~;7 777,. I^::J I m RES OF JAMES M.WEBSTER ESQ. MONTAGUE,MICH. ZA RES OF JOHN WIDOE.WHITEHALL, MICH. II IIIII II IL l I - I l l i I T I I --- - I 10 1: J I 7" HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 145 __ - I & Co., Irwin Danis, McCoy & Spearman, M. Downey, Peterson, Brace & Plunket, F. B. Emery, Glazier, Knudsens and W. Arnold. W. A. Phelps opened a general store in 1871, sold in 1873 to Mason. John Little had a hotel shortly after 1860. The Montague House'was built in 1870 and opened by W. H. Kirkland in February, 1871, who sold to L. S. Chapin in the same fall, and it was burned in February, 1873. The Franklin House was opened November, 1874. Temple & Co. (E. P. Ferry), started'the Curtain Roller Factory' in 1874, but being twice burned out in six months, the works were removed to Muskegon and now operate as the Temple Manufacturing Co. Mr. Temple did a fine business in Montague. N. V. Booth built the first planing mill in 1866, which was burned in 1869, rebuilt by N. V. Booth & Co., who sold to H. P. Dowling & Co. The mill is now "at rest." Geo. Dlcey started the boiler shop in 1868, sold to Thompson & Rahaley in 1872, who were burned out in 1875, and sold to Wilson & Hendrie, who rebuilt the following year, and enlarged in 1881. The latter firm started in 1871. E. C. Dicey & Litell started 1866, sold to Dicey, Cleghorn & Co., in 1868, who were burned out in 1869. The shop was rebuilt the same year by E. C. Dicey & Co., and again burned in 1870. In 1874 $150,000 worth of new buildings were erected and $600,000 worth of lumber manufactured. The largest buildings were the Franklin House, by Dowling & Franklin,' $30,000; Temple & Co.'s Map and Curtain Roller Factory, $20,000; the school house, $18,000; opera house and stores, $12,000; First Presbyterian church and parsonage, $14,000; German Lutheran church, $6,000; G. E. Dowling's residence, $8,000. Deputy Collector Lasley reported 663 clearances of vessels. THE FIRE OF 1875. On Thursday, Sept. 23, 1875, a great fire occurred in Montague. The fine new opera house of Mr. Sorenson, worth $7,000, was consumed a frame structure, fronting 122 feet on Bridge street, with a depth of 67 feet, 32 feet high, surmounted by a cupola on which the national flag could be seen for miles. On the ground floor were five large stores, Sorenson & Co.'s meat market, Vanestra's boot shop, and J. G. Phelps' harness shop. Turnbull & Rahaley's boiler shop adjoining was also consumed. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. In October, 1881, the White Lake and West Oceana Agricultural Society held its first exhibition in the new buildings on forty acres of ground donated to the society by Mr. C. H. Cook. The exhibition was a very satisfatory one. The management of the society is under the following gentlemen, all of whom are good business men and capable of conducting it in a good business-like manner. President, S. J. B. Watson, White River; Secretary, George M. Duram, Montague. Directors, 0. M. Houston, Robert Martin, Seth Ellis, J. A. Whitbeck, Barney O'Connell, Edwin Grow, Chas. H. Cook, Harvey Tower, F. E. Jones. MONTAGUE SCHOOLS. In 1864 the board was D. Leitch, moderator; J. Heald, director, and E. Knudsen, Assessor. On April 1, 1865, Harriet Woodams was engaged for three months at $52. On Sept. 20 a tax of $200 was levied for school house, and the old board re-elected except Mr. Heald, who was succeeded by G. E. Dowling. The school was located on lot 9, block 59. In September, 1867, G. E. Dowling was director, E. C. Dicey moderator, E. Knudsen assessor; $600 was raised to finish school house. In 1868 J. Pullman was assessor. In I - - - 1869 Mr. Bowen is director. Sept. 1, 1873, the school is graded. On April 18, 1874, a special meeting voted to build a $9,000 school house, to seat 300 pupils, and to sell the old house; new house to be completed by Sept. 15; building committee, Dowling, Bowen and Goodno. The new school house was not occupied until June 1st, 1875. The Montague public school is an imposing structure of white brick, three stories high, with belfry and cupola, erected in 1875 at a cost of $16,000, and situated in the upper and western part of the village overlooking the lake, surrounded by a large square of land well shaded by young oaks and maples. The first principal was Prof. Strong, who was succeeded in the fall of 1875 by Prof. Reardon, and he in 1878 by Prof. D. R. Higbee, late of Hillsdale, who has $1,000 a year, his salary having been raised $100 each year, which is good evidence as to his success. He has as assistants, Misses C. Honey, M. Webster, K. Dalton, and M. Hunt. There were 363 pupils on the roll, average attendance 230 in 1881, when the Board of Education was H. Becker, moderator; J. H. Williams, director; F. E. Jones, assessor, and James Wilson, M. Dodge, and G. Leuhrs were trustees. Prof. D. R. Higbee was born in Ohio, May 14, 1856; son of Rev. E. H. Higbee, Free Will Baptist; graduated from State Normal School at Austinburg in 1875, and from classical course of Hillsdale College in 1878, when he became principal of Montague schools. CHURCHES. There are six church edifices, the finest of which is the Presbyterian, which stands prominently out on the bluff overlooking the lake, and is seen from afar. It is a substantial white brick structure of elegant form, and its erection is largely due to the liberality of the Ferry family, it being in the nature of a memorial to Rev. William Montague Ferry, the father of United States Senator T. W. Ferry, the late Major Noah H. Ferry, F. P. Ferry, of Utah, and Col. Wm. M. Ferry, now of Grand Haven. 'There is a neat parsonage adjoining the church, occupied by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Matthews, who is also on the County Board of Education. The Methodist Episcopal, which stands one block farther inland, is a fine wooden structure, also with a spire; pastor, Rev. Mr. Gulick. At the Evangelical Lutheran, on the North Hill, there is preaching in German by Rev. H. Turni, who has been in Montague for several years. The German Methodist Episcopalians have preaching in their own language. The Catholic Church edifice formerly stood on the Whitehall side, but a number of years ago it was moved over the lake on the ice, and placed on the Montague side, as being more convenient for the majority of the worshippers, who were, many of them, of French origin and fishers at the mouth of White River, chiefly on the north side. There are also Baptist churches in Whitehall and Montague, but owing to removals no regular services are kept.up. There is an association of White River. SOCIETIES. There are in Montague a Masonic, an Odd Fellows Lodge, Knights of Honor (C. E. Dodge Secretary), a Lodge of Good Templars, and a Grand Army Post. MONTAGUE MASONIC LODGE NO. 198, was organized June 26, 1866, with the following as the charter members: G. E. Dowling, H. E. Staples, Evan Knudsen, Andrew Knudsen, John A. Wheeler, E. C. Dicey, H. H. Brown, J. W. Gillen, B. S. Pratt, -Peter Dalton and R. F. Popst. G. E. Dowling was the first Worshipful Master; H. E. Staples, S. W.; E. Knudsen, J. W.; J. A. Wheeler, Secretary. I - I q I -7 r -~ IC ~ 1 I - - I - - I -, -~ k; I -: I I": ii, I @ IIv 146 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. The officers for 1882 are: G. E. Dowling, W. M.; Wmi McKinstry, S. W.; C. S. Dodge, J. W.; W. J. Mason, Secretary; B. F. Weston, Treasurer; Thos. J. McKinstry, S. D.; A. E. Bardwell, J. D.; G. M. Dodge, Tyler. They occupy a hall in Ripley's Block, over Mason Bro.'s new store, and no pains were spared to make the new hall handsome and attractive. The Lodge now numbers sixty members in good standing. The financial standing of the Lodge is excellent. THE POST OFFICE. was established about 1867, when 0. R. Goodno became postmaster for eight years, and Harry B. Strong was his successor, going out in the Spring of 1877, since which time the battle-scarred warrior, Henry Becker has held the office, which is opposite Ferry, Dowling & Co.'s office, in a very inferior building. THE FRANKLIN HOUSE, Montague, was built by Messrs. H. P. Dowling and G. W. Franklin in 1873, on the corner of Ferry and Church streets, of white Zeeland brick. It is three stories high, with a basement, and is 100x80 feet, with solid walls, presenting a massive appearance to the beholder. Besides the hotel there are in the block J. D. Shattuck & Co.'s drug store, Mason & Bro.'s, dry goods, and several offices. The -hotel is admirably kept by the experienced firm of Martin Dodge & Son. The office is 45 feet in length, dining room 24x60 feet, with lofty ceiling. There are forty bed rooms, and one hundred guests can be comfortably entertained. There are two parlors on the second floor, one 20x20 and the other 18x12. The house has been leased by the experienced hotel men, Messrs. Martin Dodge & Son, formerly of the Sherman, Chicago. The house has an excellent reputation. CHAS. S. DODGE, of the Franklin House, Montague, was born in Chicago in 1851, when his father, Mr. Martin Dodge, was in the old Commercial Hotel, and lived there until 1861. He was educated at Niles, Mich., and became associated with his father in business in 1872. He was treasurer of the Township of Montague, having been elected as successor to his father, for whom he had previously acted as deputy for two years. Mr. Dodge is a young man of energy, and has taken a leading part in the advancement of Montague, especially in the fire department. THE OPERA HOUSE. Early in 1882 there was completed a grand three-story brick block by Messrs. Burrows & Jones, opposite to their old stand, and which is 50x80 feet. The two upper stories are used as an Opera, House, which is fitted up in creditable style, with 700 chairs, a stage 14x23 feet, and good scenery. Architect, Mr. Van Zalingen, of Muskegon; brickwork by Mr. MeCoughey, and carpenter work by Perry Howe. Below is a double grocery, spacious and well enough stocked to suit a large city. BURROWS & JONES, grocers, of Montague. The business was established by F. E. Jones, in 1871, in a store southeast of the present building, which was consumed in the great fire of 1873. Mr. Jones was in business for two years, and took Mr. G. Peterson for two years as partner, and then Mr. E. Burrows, which firm sold to Mr. D. P. Glazier, and remained out of business for one year. They recommenced business in 1877, and do a fine trade. They have also a fruit farm in the township, with 1,000 peach, 300 plum, and 150 apple trees. They also ship largely of ties and telegraph poles. F. E. JONES was born in Michigan in 1843, in Lenawee county, where he lived until 1870, when he came to Montague. He married Adell Fuller, ol St. Joseph, in 1878. His family are Carrie, born in August, 1875, May, in September, 1877, Edson, in Decem ber, 1878. His residence is on the corner of First and Jones streets. C. EDSON BURROWS, grocer, Montague, was born in 1838, in Wisconsin. He came to Grand Haven when nine years old, and to White River when twelve, and is about the oldest settler. He has has been all through the war, and in the west twenty-one months. He ran the steamer " Daylight," the oldest steamer on the lake. He has been in lumber, tugging, sailing and mercantile life. He has two daughters, Evalina, born in 1866, and Viola, in 1868. MONTAGUE IRON WORKS. Wilson & Hendrie, proprietors. The first foundry established on the lake was in Montague, by Dicey & Lyttle, in 1865, which was burned and rebuilt, and burned again. The present works were established in 1871, and in 1881 were enlarged by an addition 100x40 feet, and with the former buildings present a fine appearance. It employs from thirty-five to forty men, and manufactures steam engines and mill machinery, besides doing general work. SOME OF THE PIONEERS. JAMES DALTON, a prominent pioneer, commonly known as Capt. Dalton, was born in Roscornmon, Ireland, in 1827; came to America when seven years of age, landing with his people in 1885 at St' Joseph, Mich. In 1839 he removed to the Grand River, and up to 1845 followed lumbering operations, nine miles West of Grand Rap. ids. In the Spring of 1846 he built with his brothers a mill at Silver Creek, and remained here some years working the little water mill under many disadvantages. In 1849, leaving Peter to manage the mill James entered upon his career as a lake navigator, carrying lumber to Chicago, prospering and buying vessel property. In 1857 he took charge for one year of Rev. Mr. Ferry's propeller, Ottawa, from Grand Haven to Chicago. In 1858 lie resumed lumbering on White Lake, and still has a mill on the lake. In the Fall of 1859 lie was elected as a Democrat to the Legislature, his district extending from Kalamazoo River to the Straits of Mackinaw. Mr. Dalton brought the first tug on White Lake, in 1857. He was Supervisor of White River before he was twenty-one, and was the first ever elected to that office. In 1857 Peter Dalton built a steam saw mill at D)alton's mill, which was burned June, 1880, after which Mr. James Dalton purchased the mill he still operates, known as the Bay Mill. He married on the 13th of February, 1861, Emily J. Burrows, and he has three sons and one daughter. S. HENRY LASLEY, a prominent business man of Montague Village, was born in Muskegon City, Nov. 21, 1840, where he resided until he was fifteen years of age, when lie went to Mackinaw, where he went to school, his parents having resided there. In the Fall of 1855 he went to Lawrence University, Appleton. Wis., graduating in three vears. He then went into business writh his uncle for three years. In 1861 he received the appointment of Collector of Customs and had charge of the light house in that locality, holding that position until the Fall of 1866, when he came to Montague to take charge of the mercantile business with Ferry, Dowling & Co. In the following Spring he was admitted as a partner, continuing until 1872, when he took a larger interest and the firm was called S. H. Lasley & Co., under which style it is still known. In 1867 he received the appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs, which he still holds. In June, 1875, he married Miss Isabella Lewis, of Al bian, Mich. Mr. Lasley's earliest scholastic training was under the venerable Miss White, of Grand Haven, aunt of Senator Ferry. THOMAS J. STANAGE, one of the pioneers of Muskegon County, is a native of Virginia, but removed from there with his parents when quite young and went to Ohio, which State has been his home until coming to Michigan. He lived in Logan Co., O., principally, for about twenty years, and when eleven years of age his father,.4 )t 6 l L Ilw #- f s,i - __ \ W `#At -_4 k, --- ma - HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 147 PI B I William Stanage, was killed by lightning, and from that time he was bound out, but not being able to withstand the hardships which he suffered at the hands of the guardian, he took French leave, and next engaged to work at cabinet making. He remained at that work for a number of years, when he came West and went to following the lakes. He followed sailing about four years, mostly on Lake Michigan, and afterwards settled near his present residence in Montague Township, then known as White River Township, in Ottawa County. He went to work on the place known as the Sargent estate, a portion of which he purchased years ago. The only inhabitants living here at the time he came were Chas. Mears, Daltons and Hulberts, who were interested in lumbering on White Lake. Mr. Stanage has been identified with the growth and history of the county from the earliest records, being here during the organization of Muskegon County, and through the different township organizations, witnessing the general development of roads, manufactories and other improvements up to the present fine condition of the county. He has seen the growth of Muskegon, Whitehall and Montague from a howling wilderness, inhabited by Indians, the nearest mail facilities being at Grand Haven, which was but a small town. The lake beach was the highway for all travel. The timber was unbroken in the surrounding country down to the water's edge; not a mark of the Nhiteman's axe, except at the little choppings at the water mills above referred to, or except the blazes of the Government surveyors. The Indians were very numerous, although quite peaceable except upon their occasion of general festivity, when liquor conduced to the revelry and viciousness. They brought their maple sugar to the Mouth, where they sold largely to Charles Mears, and sold him Marten skins for their weight in silver as balanced upon the scales. Mr. Stanage was married in the year 1849 to Miss Mary Sargent at the old log house which still stands in the yard where he resides. They were married by Mr. Hulbert, J. P., known to the old settlers as a Justice at the Mouth in olden times. His family consists of four children-three girls and one boy, two of whom are married. They are named respectively, Ida May, Oscar H., Viola C. and Eldora L. Ida May is the wife of Charles Forse; Viola is the wife of Delbert Kimball, who also is a neighbor of Mr. Stanage. JOSEPH HEALD, lumber merchant and manufacturer, of Montague, was born at Norridgewock, Somerset Co., Me., March 28,1823, and is the son of Joseph and Sabra (Woodbury) Heald. His father from 1818 to 1831 was a prominent lumberman on the Kennebec, owning a sawmill at Skowhegan and a farm at Norridgewock. Joseph was obliged to do what he could for the support of his family by rafting and running lumber in the Penobscot River in Summer, working in the woods in Winter, and driving logs in the Spring. When eleven years of age the family removed to Eddington where he became its main support, and between 14 and 23 years of age he worked as a laborer at logging and lumber. At the latter age he began on his own account, his mills being at Oldtown and his market Bangor. He continued with fair success until 30 years of age, when he removed to Michigan, settling first at Pt. Huron where -in a small way he commenced busiiness. From 1855 to 1860 he was foreman for Messrs. A. A. Dwight and Wm. Warner, of Detroit. In the Spring of 1857, in company with Newell Avery, now deceased, and Simon J. Murphy, of Detroit, he explored White River and its surroundings, traveling up the White Lake to the headwaters of the river in a canoe, the first attempt of the kind, and 1860 formed a partnership with Messrs. Avery and Murphy. The firm purchased about 12,000 acres of pine land on White River, which they had examined years before, and also the sawmill at Montague, where Mr. Heald now resides. The first year they cut 4,000,000 feet of logs, the first ever put into White River above what is know-n as the flood wood and rapids, as it was claimed by the neighboring lumbermen that the logs could not be run down stream; but Mr. Heald's fifteen years' experience had taught him that the floods and rapids could be overcome; in person he superintended the driving of the logs, leaving not one behind. From that time the business has increased with a product of over twenty million feet. Mr. Heald is one of the originators of the White River Log and Boom Company, and has been for a long time president. He has aided materially in the erection of several churches in Montague and Whitehall. -Ie has been Supervisor for three years, was a member of Odd Fellows from 1845 to 1854, at Oldtown; he is a Republican in politics. He married Nov. 11, 1853 to Mary H. Bailey, daughter of Amos Bailey, of Milford, Me. She died Feb. 1, 1867, leaving three children, all still living. On March 11, 1868 he married Harriet, daughter of Thomas Woodhams, of Detroit, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. Having begun life without a dollar, and with many obstacles to contend with, Mr. Heald has acquired a competency by his own exertions, and his success may be attributed to his indomitable energy and perseverence, sound judgment, promptness and practical knowledge of all the details of the business in which he has been for a lifetime engaged. HEALD, MURPrY & CREPIN'S saw-mill, Montague, is the most extensive and the most noted mill on White Lake, the senior partner, Mr. Joseph Heald, having done more, perhaps, than any other man to develop the lumbering resources of this region, with which he has been long identified. The present mill was reorganized in 1878, and the machinery from the mill near the mouth was put into it. It has a circular, an upright, and a gang of forty saws. It is the only gang-mill on the lake, and has also two gang edgers and one trimmer. In eleven hours 150,000 feet can be cut, which is the largest amount that can be cut by any mill on the lake. Sixtythree men are employed, and all must be at their posts. The foreman is Mr. George Heald; Jos. Laroux, circular sawyer; David Laningan, engineer; F. Althaus, saw filer; Charles Cushway, the noted pioneer, sawyer on the upright. FERRY, DOWLING & Co.'s saw-mill is situated at the head of White Lake, in Montague, and was built in 1866 for a double circular, but in 1881 one circular was taken out and a second set of machinery put in to manufacture lath from slabs and edgings, about 20,000 pieces a day. They also manufacture about 200,000 boomwedges each season. The manager, who is an indefatigable worker, is the genial George E. Dowling, a member of the firm. The foreman is R. L. Hardy; engineer, D. Fish; filer, J. Todd; head sawyer, H. Paul. The mill cuts 50,000 feet per diem, and it takes about 50 men to operate it. CHARLES HENRY COOK, lumberman and fruit-grower, Montague township, was born in Hillsdale, Mich., May 24, 1846, and is son of John P. Cook. Charles spent four years at Hillsdale College, and received a liberal education. In September, 1866 he came to White River, the same year as his father bought the lovely farm —Lake View-on which he now resides, having purchased extensive pine lands fourteen years before up the river. He married in 1871 Miss Mary L. Martin, of Hillsdale, and has three children: Fannie N., born Oct. 27, 1872; John P., born Oct. 16, 1874; Julia M., born March 30, 1879. Mr. Cook is very active in his habits, and devotes his attention to his extensive lumbering operations and fruit farm. For a description see history of Montague township. Mr. Cook is of a kindly, genial disposition, and is a universal favorite. HON. JOHN POTTER COOK, of Hillsdale, Mich., was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1812, and is eminently a self-made man. He came to Hillsdale in 1837, having the year before purchased property there, and he built there a flouring mill which he ran until 1862. Mr. Cook has at times turned his attention to banking, mner - d..I — -- ~- ~: r 4k"- 4- - P ready to bear. The favoritevarieties of Mr. Cook are the Hale's 148 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. cantle usiess an sine 166 e hs gne argey ito umbrin, Ealy nd he arnrdthe ormr bingthefinet o theary fuit cantile business, and since 1866 he has gone largely into lumbering, in all of which he has been very successful. In politics he has been a steadfast Democrat, but during the war he was a warm supporter of the Union. He has held many public offices and is universally respected. He is the worthy father of a worthy son, Mr. Charles H. Cook, of Montague, whose great success as a fruit-grower is alluded to elsewhere. JAMES H. 'WILLIAMS, foreman of Cook's saw-mill, was born in Utict, New York, in 1849, and when 16 years old came to Paw Paw, Michigan, with his parents, where he remained one year, and came to Cook's mill in 1869, where he has worked ever since, having been foreman since 1874. He married in 1878 Miss Stella Reynolds, of Montague, but she was removed from earth in October, 1880. Mr. W. is an exemplary young man and respected by all who know him. The foreman of Cook's Lake View farm is ELISHA D. WELLS, born in Wayne Co., New York, in 1839; came to Blue Lake in 1870; has been seven years with Mr. Cook. Mr. W. is a particularly good judge of horses, of which he has purchased many car-loads. He is a veteran of the last war, having enlisted in 1862 in the 9th New York heavy artillery, in the Army of the Potomac, which battery can make the unusual boast of never having lost a gun. After the battles of the Wilderness they were used as infantry. Mr. Wells was in many battles, the last of which was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. SMITH & FIELDS saw-mill in Montague township, not far from the White River boundary, is a neat little mill erected in 1881, which is on the site of Capt. Dalton's mill burned 1868. Has one circular gang edger, and manufactures lath and pickets, cuts 50,000 feet a day, employing thirty-five men. The machinery was brought from Cedar Springs, Kent Co. The proprietors are first, G. W. A. SMITH, born in New Hampshire, 1832, came West 1870, residing at Spring Lake where he has other interests in lumber, and next, WM. T. FIELD, born in N. Y. State 1837, came in 1870 to Spring Lake. Enlisted 1861 in 3rd N. Y. light artillery, and was along the south-eastern coast at Charleston, etc. The foreman and filer is JNO. M. JOHNSON, born in Norway, 1846, who settled when fifteen in Wisconsin, came to Muskegon, 1864, workidng for leading firms. Married 13th November, 1872, Matilda Thurgesson, and has four children. The engineer is KNUD FURGUSSON, born in Norway, September 29, 1845, and when a few months old came to New Orleans, being about ten months on the voyage, went to Wisconsin, enlisted in 15th Wisconsin Volunteers, and only a boy fifteen, endured a march of 500 miles. Came to Muskegon 1870. Married Octber, 1871, Amelia Thurgesson, and has two children. COOK'S Saw-Mill, Montague township, was erected in 1866, by John P. and C. H. Cook, and cuts 50,000 feet in 12 hours, having a double circular saw and gang edger. The mill requires to run by day a complement of 80 men, and there is paid out in wages in the mill and in the lumber camps $300 a day. The foreman of the mill is James Williams. COOK'S Lake View Fruit Farm, Montague township, is the finest fruit farm in North Muskegon, and is the grandest evidence of what can be done in the fruit belt in North Muskegon, and is the grandest evidence of what can be done in the front line of this favored county. The farm is situated on the banks of White Lake with a splendid southerly exposure and perfect drainage. The success of the farm may be partly attributed to its location which is peninsular between the waters of Lake Michigan and White Lake. On 80 acres of it are over 9,000 peach trees, mostly bearing; the product in 1881, an off year, being about $4,000. There are forty acres prepared to be set in the Spring of 1882, and a new orchard of 40 acres just ready to bear. The favorite varieties of Mr. Cook are the Hale's Early and the Barnard, the former being the finest of theearly fruit. The fault in the cultivation of the Hale. is that it is allowed to bear too much, but Mr. Cook cultivates thoroughly and thins three times a season. The Barnard is similar to the Crawford. The product of the farm is chiefly shipped to Chicago by steamers. The soil of the farm is a sandy loam. The system of irrigation is perfect, and is by iron pipes, which extend over the whole orchard. The farm has also several acres of grapes, trellised on the German plan, some strawberries, etc. The foreman of the farm is Elisha D. Wells. GEORGE KLETT, harness maker, Montague, was born in Germany in 1837, and immigrated in 1853 to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he worked at tailoring for six weeks, then stayed in Buffalo for two years, and went on a farm in Canada. In 1857 he came to Michigan, stopping three months at Marshall, and then to Muskegon, eventually landing in Whitehall in April, 1858, where he worked in a saw mill. After a few months absence in Illinois he returned to Whitehall for nine months, when h e went three terms to Quincy College, Ell. He enlisted in the 14th Illinois Infantry, and was in five battles: the first of which was Pittsburgh Landing; was taken prisoner in Georgia and held seven months. After the war he returned to White River Township and worked a forty-acre farm for nine years. He then returned to Whitehall and had a harness shop 22x70 feet, three stories, on Thompson St., which was consumed in the great fire of '81. He is now in business in Montague. He married in 1864 Miss Varena Markey, who was born in Switzerland in 1847. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT of Montague is a volunteer organization, of which the principal stockholders are: Ferry, Dowling & Co., S. H. Lasley & Co., Burrows & Jones, Wilson & Hendrie, C. H. Cook, Heald, Murphy & Crepin, F. H. White & Co., Mason Bros., M. Dodge & Son, and Partridge Bros. The engine is an excellent one, " Montague No. 1," of Clapp & Jones' manufacture. The hose will stand a pressure of 175 pounds. There are, also, two hose companies and a hand engine. The organization was effected Oct. 25, 1873, with the following as the first officers: J. Heald, President; O. R. Goodno, Secretary; Malcolm Hendrie, Treasurer, and H. P. Dowling, Chief Engineer. For the next few years D. C. Bowen was President, and H. P. Dowling continued Chief Engineer. PROPELLERS. White Lake is favored by the presence of four or five excellent steam barges plying to Chicago, such as the " Tempest," the " T. L. Snook," the " R. C. Brittain," and others. They carry great loads of freight, chiefly lumber, and make rapid passages. The favorite boat for passengers as well as freight is the " R. C. Britain," commanded by Capt. P. D. Campbell; which makes a regular tri-weekly passage to Chicago, leaving Covell's dock in the evening and reaching the city early next morning. The boat has state-room accommodations for twenty-five passengers, is comfortable in every respect, and is equal to any for speed and safety. Capt. Campbell is a model captain, being quiet and gentlemanly, and ever at his post. He was born in St. Charles, 111., July 30, 1850, and in 1852 his parents removed to Stoney Creek, Mich., but in 1860 they returned to a farm in his native place. In 1862 he went to Chicago, and the next year to Muskegon, where he resided until 1877, engaged in tugging. He then went to his brother-in-law in Chicago until 1877, when he removed to Whitehall and engaged l- M i -i 45 6 I ,I ~I D AU b a 149 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 149 U in tugging, having the " Newell Avery." Since 1879 he has commanded the "Brittain." He was married Dec. 17, 1874, to Lois E. Allen, of Hampshire, Ill., and has two sons, Ira A., aged five years, and Harvey M., aged three years. The " Brit-ain" has 130 feet length of keel, 24-feet beam, 81 feet hold, tonnage 184, built in 1878, at Saugatuck. Isaac W. Berd is the popular steward. BIOGRAPHICAL. ALEXANDER BEALS, JR., station agent, Montague, was born at Schooleraft, Mich., in 1852, and lived there until 1872, when he came to Montague, acting first as assistant at the depot, and has had full charge since March 17, 1875. He married in 1879, Katie Schmidt, of Montague, and has two children; Henry G., born Mar. 6, 1880; the "baby" was born August 17, 1881. ISAAC W. BERD, steward of the barge R. C. Brittain, is a new resident of Montague, having come from Grand Haven, where he had resided for many years. Mr. Berd is a man of great natural ability and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. He was born a slave in Virginia, at South Sulphur Springs, on Feb. 25, 1842. His family had been from generations inhabitants of the (Old Dominion," His owner's name was Erskine, who sold his mother and part of her children to a Louisiana planter, named Paxton, so that Isaac out of sixteen brothers and sisters knew but four of them. He was brought up at Shreveport where Paxton died, and he was sold to one Christian, who took him to the Southern army in the White Star Invincibles. Christian soon died of measles, and at La Grange, Tenn., Mr. Berd joined the Northern army, and came North with Assistant Adjutant General Harland, to Tipton, Iowa, where he resided three years. leading a stirring life, as he had to fight many a stubborn battle with Irish laborers who had a prejudice against his race, bnt in all he was enabled to triumph, as he was young, active and strong, although uniformly out acting in selfdefense. He went then to Oakland, Ohio. where he obtained some schooling, and since then he has chiefly followed the lakes in summer. He was married in Grand Haven June 27, 1869, to Miss Annie E. Smith, who was an old resident of Grand Haven. They have one daughter, Eva Francis, born Oct. 19, 1871. ADAM BORN was born in Germany in 1851, came to America in 1852, to Manitowoc, Wis., and in 1868 to White River, still being with his parents, his father's business being vessel loading. Adam learned blacksmithing, and has been for three years in business for himself. He married, in 1876, Elva VWentworth, and has one daughter, Ethel, born July 20, 1879. MAURICE DOWNEY, dealer in flour and feed, ice and fish, on Ferry St., was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1839, went to London in 1846, and America in 1851. Was two and a half years in Detroit in flour and feed business. Married in 1853 Johanna Whalen, of County Waterford, Ireland, by whom he has six sons and one daughter. After engaging in fishing for some years he came to Grand Haven in 1859, and White River in 1860, till 1865, thence to Detroit till 1873, when he came to Montague. Mr. D. has by industry done fairly in his business. SETH ELLIS was born in Hector, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Sept. 22, 1838, where he lived until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Genesee County, in this State. After a residence there of about six months he came, in 1857, to White Lake. In July of that year he went to Waukesha County, Wis., and thence in a few months to Rice County, Minn. The next year he returned to Waukesha, where he remained one year and returned to Muskegon County. On Nov. 27th, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F., 1st Bat. 16thl U. S. Infantry, and served bravely for three years in the department of the Tennessee. He was in the stirring battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost and the Atlanta campaign. He was honorably discharged at Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Nov. 27th, 1804, and returned to Muskegon. He then went to New York State on a visit, and after returning purchased land in section 25, of Fruitland, which he sold out and removed to Six Corners, Ottawa County. On Feb. 7th, 1867, he removed to section 17, Montague, where he now resides. On May 22d, 1866, he married Miss Jennie D. Kimball, of Muskegon, by whom he had one child, born March 24th, 1868, and on the 5th of April his wife died. In December, 1869, he married Miss Jennie Evan Frank, of Kalamazoo County, Mich., by whom he has three children. Mr. Ellis is one of the charter members of the State department of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held the office of Commissioner of Highways for three years, also Assessor, School Trustee, &c. He is a member of N. H. Ferry Post G. A. R. MRS. L. J. FARMAN, widow of the pioneer Moody Farman, for many years clerk of the township, was born in New Ybrk State, October, 1815, and was daughter of David Me Nitt. She married Mr. Farman in 1833, settling near Sandusky, Ohio. In 1856 they removed to Montague, which was then included in White River, purchasing forty acres of good land on which they soon made a clearing and built a house, contending with the 'difficulties incident to settlers in a new country. They had four children, the eldest of whom died in a hospital at Nashville, during the late war, being a Union soldier. Mr. Farman was born in 1811 and died July 18, 1880, leaving his partner to mourn her loss. DANIEL FISH, for fifteen years engineer of Ferry, Dowling & Co.'s saw mill, was born in Holland in 1838, and came to America in 1849, first to Grand Rapids, going there two years to school. He then went to Eastville, where he continued his schooling. He first learned the trade of his father, who was a blacksmith, but is now a skillful engineer. He married, in 1861, Alice Wild, of New York State, and has three children, Sadie, born April 26, 1863; George M., June 8, 1868, and Fred. H., June 12, 1871. BELA HARRISON was born in Delevan, Wis., in 1842. At eight years of age went to Chicago, where his parents died of cholera in the summer of 1850. He was then taken by an uncle to McHenry county, Ill., and finally to New York State. After a short time in school he went as a train boy on the railway, and then as cabin boy on the lakes. An ex-Congressman named T. R. Young found him at the Tremont House, Chicago, and took him with him to Marshall, Ill., where he remained until 19. He then enlisted in the 19th Illinois Infantry, the " Chicago Zouaves," Col. John Turceline, a Prussian, commander. Mr. Harrison was in the battles of Belmont, Stone River, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Pittsburg Landing, and with Sherman "to the sea." He also served in the 60th Ill. Inf., and was mustered out in 1865. He then clerked in a Whitehall drug store. After a time he had a grocery store, and manufactured cigars, and worked in a saw mill. He married at Lansing, May 22, 1867, Laura E. White, and has one child, Carrie E., born May 6, 1868, at DeSoto, Wis. W. H. HULBERT, son of Isaac Hulbert, was born in Edwards Lawrence County, N. Y., in August, 1846, his father being one of the oldest residents there. In the spring of 1867 he came to Mich igan, and in the following August he returned to his native place, returning the following fall with his family to section 29, of Montague, where he still resides. In 1866 he married Melissa, daughter of Almond Streeter, of Pitcairn, Lawrence County, N. Y., by whom he has two children. Mr. Hulbert is a hard working man, and has made himself a fine property by his industry and economy. C. H. & N. H. JACKSON were in business in Montague in the i! I 7-: 11 --- -! I ^ ^-1 (I [ @-/ (Q i e 150 HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. grocery line, also handled ties, bark, and telegraph poles, from the spring of 1880 to the fall of 1881, and did a large business, but are not now in business. Charles H. came to Muskegon City in May, 1877. In December of the same year he came to Montague to take charge of D. C. Bowen's store, and on his failure, Mr. Jackson ran the business with Samuel Rabey until from. August, 1878, to the spring of 1880, when his brother N. H. bought Rabey out. BENJAMIN F. JOHNSON was born on Lake St. Clair on the brig M/ranhattan, September 22, 1855, his father being first mate; and when navigation closed, his parents went to Colorado, and after a stay of one year, returned to Chicago. In 1870 he engaged as cook on board the Gracie A. Green, which shortly after went ashore and broke up. The following winter he stayed in South Haven. In 1871 he shipped on the Marvin IIannocks as cook; next season shipped on the Painter, and next season went before the mast on the same vessel, which he followed until 1876, when he served on the schooner Mfary, of Chicago, which was lost that season. Then he shipped on the Johnt Bean, then on the Elbe, of Milwaukeee, and served his last trip on the Hunter, of Milwaukee, and in 1881 he had a successful experience in fishing. In February, 1881, he married Miss Eliza C. Kinnison, of White River. About the most dangerous adventure he ever experienced was in the wreck-of the "Lizzie Troop," which occurred between Saugituck and South Haven. She was old and broke in two by a heavy sea. The captain and mate and two seamen were lost, two only being saved, and one body never was recovered. Mr. Johnson held on by a piece of the wreck and was washed ashore. W. H. LOBDELL, lumber inspector, was born in N. Y. State in 1827, and moved to this state in 1836, coming to Grand Rapids in 1858, and three years after to Muskegon City, and has followed his profession twenty years in the woods in winter and scaling in summer. He was postmaster at Kelloggville, and is now deputy sheriff at Montague. Married in 1855 Mary Hallett, of Marshall, and has one daughter, Mrs. H. L. Bourdon, of Muskegon, and one son, Harley J. ROBERT MARTIN was born in Warwickshire, England, in 1836, and immigrated to Canada in 1857, being engaged in railroading in London, Hamilton, Toronto, and Goderich for four years. He then removed to Detroit, remaining about sixteen years in the same business, when he purchased land in section 20, Montague, where he has since resided. In 1861 he married Miss Mary Ann Charlton, of Brantford, Ontario, by whom he has two children living. Mr. Martin is engaged in fruit farming, for which his farm is well adapted. BYRON B. MOORE was born August 26, 1859, in Pipestone, Berrien County, Michigan. When three years of age his parents removed to Kalamazoo County, and thence to Lawrence, Van Buren County, and after residing there four years they again removed to Benton Harbor. After a residence at Benton Harbor of two years and a half they went back to Lawrence. When 16 years of age Mr. Moore came to Muskegon County, and after a stay of six months went to Dubuque, Iowa, remained there six months, then went to Saugatuck. In 1880 he went to Allegan County, and returned next year to Saugatuck, and in 1882 he came to his present place of residence, Montague. In May, 1880, he married Miss Arselia Daniels, of Saugatuck, and they have one child. KENNETH F. MORSE, of Montague, was born in Norwichville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1835, and removed with his parents in 1854 to the wilderness, one and a half miles northwest of Lansing, Mich., and experienced the hardships of pioneer life; came to Whitehall in March, 1869, engaging in the hardware business and keeping also a fine stock of crockery. He was burnt out in the Foster Block in the great fire of Aug. 1, 1881, but in a few weeks, along with AMr. J. Bell, bought out 0. M. Hedges, of Montague, and is still continuing the hardware business. Mr. Morse has taken a deep interest in masonry, and has been Master of the Whitehall lodge several times. He married Miss Annie Booth, of this State and has four children. JOHN MURRAY was born in County Waterford, Ireland, August, 1844, and came to America in 1869, landing in New York after a voyage of eleven and a half days, coming straight to Montague. Three days after he arrived at the mouth of White River he married Miss Hannah Sullivan, of his native county, who had come to America in 1866. They have four children. Mr. Murray follows the occupation of a fisherman, and has by careful industry accumulated a competency. He has been exposed to great hazards and dangers, but has escaped unhurt. JOSEPH OHRENBERGER, saloon keeper, Montague, came to Sand Creek in this county in 1857, and seven years after removed to the mouth of White Lake, starting a saloon May 6, 1867. In a year he removed to the sight of Whitehall village. He has been twentythree years engaged in saw milling and has experienced his share of pioneer hardships. He has been enabled to work up a fair capital by the sweat of his brow. Louis M. PHELPS was the son of a farmer of Crawford County, Pa., who removed to Iowa in 1845. Louis was born in 1846, and in 1862, served three months in the war, and again on July 29, 1864, enlisted in Co. C, 105th Pennsylvania Infantry, serving ten months, after which he returned to Crawford County, remaining four years. He then removed to St. Charles, Mich., working on the railroad, coming in 1870 to Montague for several years working at whatever paid -best, until he went into the employ of Albert Mears, with whom he has been ever since. In 1869 he married Miss L. Sammis, of Allegany County, N. Y., who was born in 1864, and whose parents, when she was two years old, removed to Macomb County, Michigan, where she resided until 1867, when she removed to Montague. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have three surviving children. SAMUEL 'RABY was born in Plymouth, Eng,, Oct. 7, 1828. In 1854 he came to New York. He had served his time at patternmaking in England, and worked for Leonard & Sons, of London, Ontario, in 1854-55. He then went to St. Mary's, Chatham, and St. Thomas, all in Ontario. In 1872 he came to Montague, and has ever since worked for Wilson & Hendne. In his native city he married Elizabeth Brent, and has had seven children, of whom four survive. L. G. RIPLEY, druggist. Montague, came to this place in 1874, and in 1878 erected at a cost of $10,000, a fine two story store of Zeeland brick opposite the Franklin House, 25x80 feet, and is now erecting an elegant new block adjoining, with 30 feet frontage on Ferry St., and 115 on Bird St. Mr. Ripley deserves credit for his zeal and enterprise in beautifying the village with substantial blocks of buildings. His stock consists of drugs, stationery, and periodicals, and is quite extensive. HENRY G. SAMMIS was born in'Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1827, and in 1840 his parents removed to Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y. In 1854 he went to Macomb Co., Mich., and removed thence in 1867 to Montague. In 1849 he married Miss Hannah Lincoln, of Warsaw, N. Y., by whom he has three children. In 1862 he enlisted and served three years, to the close of the war, and although in eighteen general engagements, escaped unhurt. Mr. Sammis farm is on section 20. MRS. SARAH F. SARGENT was born in New Boston, N. H., in 1836, and came to Ottawa county, Mich., when but 13 years of age. In 1850 she married Mr. Fernando Sargent of her native place, living nine years in his father's house. They removed thence to section 8, Montague Township, where she still resides. In June I *-e) K, 0 1 lJ b: z J C Ii C: HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY. 151 1871 she was left a widow with nine children, all living, and she i has now eleven grandchildren. Mrs. Sargent is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also her late husband. GEORGE F. SIBLEY, superintendent of the Booming Co., was born in Edington, Maine, in 1853, and after attending school at home, he went, at the age of seventeen, to the Kalamazoo Business I College for eight months. In 1870 he came to Whitehall, acting as scaler for three years to the White River Booming Company. He then went to New Hampshire for over three years, and engaged in running logs. In 1877 he returned to Whitehall, acting as foreman for the Booming Company, and also scaling for three summers. In 1881 he became superintendent, and boomed 147,000,000 feet of logs. His duties are to see that the logs are coupled, scaled, and.properly ruL out. Mr. Sibley married, Dec. 7, 1878, Sadie M. Scott. CHARLES SMITH was born in Germany in 1825, came to Milwaukee in 1847, and afterwards went to Racine and Kenosha. Before he emigrated he learned blacksmithing, at which he still works, and also at saw milling, He came to Muskegon in 1851 and learned engineering, worked for Ryerson & Morr;s thirteen years, and came to Montague in 1873, and has been working here, being engineer for F. H. White's mill. He has nine sons and one daughter, Ida, who is the youngest of the family. Lucrus D. SMITH, livery and sale stable keeper, Montague, is a native of Wayne Co., Penn., and removed to Montague in 1876, where he established his present business, which he has enlarged to be an extensive affair. On January 6, 1881, Mr. Smith met quite a loss by fire to the extent of several thousands of dollars, but has been able to overcome this misfortune. SANDFORD H. WATSON, lumber inspector, was born in New York State in 1852, and came when a child with his father, S. J. B. Watson, to White River, and was brought up there. He married in 1873 Cornelia Hewett, of Portage, and has one daughter, Nellie M., born Nov. 26, 1874. He has been at his profession since 1875. PARIS E. WELLS was born in Erie county, Pa., and at two years of age his parents removed to Calhoun county, Mich. At eighteen years of age he left home, and remained first one year in Illinois, then three years in Winona county, Minn. In 1855 he married Miss Ann M. Fortune of Wisconsin, by whom he has four children. In 1857 he went to Wisconsin, remained two years, and then building a flatboat he went -down the Mississippi as far as Hannibal City, where he sold out and went to Pike county, Mo. In 1861 he was driven out by bushwhackers, and came with team to Calhoun county, Mich. After two years he came to Montague taking up his present homestead on section 28. SANFORD WENTWORTH was born in Maine in 1828, came to Michigan in 1853. During the war he was in the 12th Mich. Inf., under Capt. John Welch, and was fourteen months in the service. He is by trade a carpenter and wagon maker, and has been twelve years in Montague. He married in 1855 Silvia J. Skinner, and has two children, Elva (Mrs. Ariel Born) and Rosa. JAMES M. WEBSTER, the lessee of the Montague Flouring Mill, was born in Essex, England, in 1838, came to Canada in 1856, and returned to England in 1862 to manage the Woolwich steam mills. After several years he returned to America and came to Montague in 1875. He married, Feb. 22, 1858, Agnes, daughter of Capt. Howe, R. N., and has five sons and three daughters. Mr. Webster is very active and energetic, and is making a great success of the mill. A view of his fine residence will be found in this work. JAMES M. YOUNG, wagon maker, Montague, was born in Rich molnd Co., O., in 1829, and resided there until twenty-nine years of age, having learned the trades of blacksmithing and carpentering. He worked at Manchester for over five years, then at Ransom Centre, in Hillsdale Co., and worked there at the Gear Works four years, after which he came to Whitehall in 1864, lumbering for Morris & Stebbins. He then enlisted in the 10th Mich. Cavalry, under Capt. Monaghan. After the war he returned to Whitehall, working for Robson four years, after which he went to Montague and started a wagon shop in September, 1870. In 1853 he married Elizabeth Folever, of Richmond Co., O., and has nine children. i I I i - I e e 0 I ^ I:E i )t -Y-l - ' 4 'o a_ I1! 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